‘It’s different from before. I’ve become certain of my feelings.’
Haesung recalled the moment when he had calmly opened his heart in front of CEO Jo.
‘What certainty.’
‘The certainty that Dohyeong-ie is more precious than the story of Jung Haesung that I’ve built up until now.’
What was CEO Jo’s expression like then?
Was it an expression asking how he could say such a thing?
Or was it an expression of finding something to focus on other than acting, sometimes seeming tired but then shocked?
He didn’t remember the details, but the moment when he clearly conveyed his feelings was vivid.
‘I want to be with him. Even if my image takes a hit and it causes problems for my future career, it’s okay. I’ll overcome it somehow. Because I’m Jung Haesung.’
‘……’
‘But the problem with Dohyeong-ie is different. The time when it could be patched up has passed, and if I don’t hold on tight even now… the misunderstanding will grow uncontrollably. In the end, I’m also scared that the arrow will turn toward Dohyeong-ie again.’
He took a deep breath and straightened his posture.
He was on his way to fulfill a schedule, but he kept grinning.
Really, even I think I spoke damn well.
‘The company will definitely take a hit too, but… you know I don’t say things like this.’
CEO Jo pondered for a moment.
However, wasn’t this the intention Haesung had been strongly appealing and showing from before?
‘Alright. I can shoulder that much. I respect your opinion.’
In the end, he decided to back Haesung up.
Right now was the schedule for that interview.
Seonghyeok had a stiff expression, his mouth firmly shut the whole time.
“Manager Do-nim.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you think he’s so angry?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t crumble from that much.”
“How would you know that?”
“I know. Because I’m Jung Haesung.”
That, that confidence.
Seonghyeok turned to look at Haesung with the intention of giving him a smack.
However, at his confident expression, he quickly let out a deep sigh and looked ahead.
“I’m not saying I don’t support you two. Reconciliation? That’s good. It would be good if you two start over.”
“I know. You’re upset that I’m acting unilaterally and shouldering everything alone.”
Seonghyeok said nothing.
As he grumbled and looked out the window, Haesung calmly continued the next part of the story.
“But hyung… Dohyeong-ie has already shouldered everything alone before.”
This is why he hadn’t said anything.
Seonghyeok made a groaning sound and ran one hand down his face.
“Since he did it, I can’t not do it while whining. Right?”
“Yeah, you’re so great. You handle it yourself.”
Haesung let out a snicker.
He knew well that this was all said out of caring for him.
But the game had already started, and he had taken his steps.
There was no turning back either, so he had no choice but to face it head-on.
After driving for a while, they arrived at the filming location for a talk show that would air in ten days.
The program, modeled after a certain American talk show, proceeded in a format where the host and guest talked one-on-one.
At first, it started with stories about <Glass Holding Stars>.
During this, the host carefully asked Haesung.
“Yesterday was really chaotic. Right? Director Na’s side also said they were planning to produce and broadcast footage of the on-set atmosphere like a documentary, and interviews with each staff member came out one after another. And this all happened overnight.”
“Yes. Everyone worked hard. I heard that at the celebration for finishing filming, the staff gathered and did interviews.”
“Wow… you all worked so hard. They’re arguing that it’s that absurd and impossible.”
“There was no biased atmosphere on set. If there had been… the staff would have talked about it first. The supporting actors couldn’t have filmed happily either. If Director Na Taeseok had originally been like that, wouldn’t the actors from his previous work not have gathered together in unity?”
“That’s right. There’s also talk that there was favoritism in rescheduling to match heat and rut cycles. What’s that about?”
At the host’s question, Haesung smiled. He rubbed his clasped hands a couple of times, then carefully opened his mouth.
“We all live frantically trying to match our individual cycles. Heat cycle. Rut cycle. Those who know will know that when the cycles come, it’s hard to even eat.”
“Of course. I also… yes. Let’s stop there. Anyway, so?”
“I acknowledge that the schedule was relatively biased toward Omega actors and Alpha actors. But if actors experiencing those cycles come to the set, what would happen to the set then?”
“…Pandemonium?”
“Exactly that. Pandemonium. Actually, even though they come periodically, there are many cases where symptoms suddenly appear. So there were definitely cases where we had to give notice a day before and change the schedule. But this… I think those with traits will understand sufficiently.”
“So you’re saying this was something agreed upon in advance?”
“That’s right. It was an unavoidable choice, and I know there were situations where Beta cast members were forced into it. However, the director filmed scenes with Beta cast members during free time. Only that one actor who had frequent two-shots with me had more days off than other actors. Of course, I know this was also something agreed upon in advance.”
“What, was that it? If you have to capture two-shots with Haesung-ssi, that can’t be helped. And if they agreed in advance, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.”
“When it was my rut cycle period, there were cases where I’d shoot two-shots with other actors, or film alone. Director Na, who proceeded with filming even in short time periods… I’m worried he might have been hurt by this incident.”
The host nodded. He responded saying of course, wasn’t this natural?
“We can confirm this by watching the drama, right?”
“Of course. Because it’s only two-shots with me. Or two-shots with Dohyeong-ssi or Soyeon-ssi.”
“It’s really strange. Why did such talk come up?”
“Well, everyone lives carrying dissatisfaction. I think it’s just that everyone’s methods of resolving it are different.”
He was speaking nicely, but this was no different from indirect criticism.
The host laughed loudly and moved on to the next question.
It was about how the chemistry with Soyeon was, and whether there were any difficulties while filming the drama.
When Haesung, who had been answering with reactions that would knock your soul out, smiled awkwardly.
The host smiled as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Now, our Haesung-ssi. You look very frazzled.”
“…Yes. This is my first time appearing on a program like this, and it’s also my first time having so many questions poured at me.”
“First time seeing you like this, right?”
At the host’s cheekiness, Haesung let out a small laugh and bowed his head.
“So, why did you suddenly decide to appear on a talk show? I mean, of course. We’re happy about it. If we get top star Jung Haesung-ssi and monopolize the ratings, we’ve completely hit the jackpot! But I’m so curious. I heard you have something you want to announce here. Gasp, don’t tell me.”
The host, who had been joking around, somewhat exaggeratedly covered his mouth with one hand.
“A dating rumor?”
“Do you also see fortunes? You’re too accurate.”
“It’s really a dating rumor!”
The host jumped up from his seat, then calmed himself down and sat back down.
And he leaned close to Haesung.
“Who is it? What is it? Please tell me quickly. I won’t ask any more questions.”
Haesung smiled again and pondered.
“Quick, quickly.”
Watching the host urging him comically, Haesung nodded and straightened his back.
Since he had firmly made up his mind and caused trouble, he should clean it up.
“Recently… quite a lot of rumors about me have spread.”
“Ah, yes. That’s right. Naturally.”
Haha, at the host’s awkward laugh, Haesung also smiled slightly.
“But there’s something a little, no, very much wrong.”
“Something wrong?”
At Haesung’s words, the host, who had been questioning back, sparkled his eyes.
In contrast, Haesung began to get nervous for the first time.
Jung Haesung, who had never been nervous even once during interviews from his debut until now.
At this moment when he was about to talk about Kim Dohyeong, his throat was parched.
It’s really a funny thing.
“They said someone was used because of me alone, and I interfered with those two people. At first, it was actually a bit funny. One is wrong, and one is right.”
“What’s that?”
“First, it’s true that I was interfering. Because I’m very jealous.”
“Wait. I really want to hear this, let’s hear what’s wrong first. So what’s wrong?”
“Used… actually, there was no need for that. I was the one who was moved first, wanted to hold on, so I kept pushing myself on them. That person tried to run away.”
“Is the person Jung Haesung-ssi is trying to talk about right now the person I’m thinking of? Really?”
The corners of Haesung’s mouth curled up.
A person who makes him smile just by thinking about them.
A person who makes him feel good just by recalling them.
“Yes. That’s right. It’s Kim Dohyeong-ssi, who the reconciliation rumors were about.”
At the words that dropped like a bomb, the host’s eyes widened.
When he slightly turned his head toward where the PD was, a sign came back to continue.
“Wait, wait a moment. Really? For real? Kim Dohyeong-ssi that we know?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Haesung nodded, and the host raised his voice a bit more and asked again.
“Really, the two of you are reconciling again?”
“The proposal is still far off. Just that our hearts have connected, that much.”
“One-sided crush?”
“No. It’s not that.”
“That’s too bad.”
When the host responded wittily, Haesung laughed as if incredulous.
This too must be the charm of a talk show. He decided to accept it that way.
“Then, it’s not like Kim Dohyeong-ssi used someone as the articles said. There was no need to do that?”
“Yes. I brought it thinking I should show you the messenger at least. I pushed myself on them unilaterally. I want to be close. Think of me comfortably. Eventually, I even begged them to hold my hand just once.”
“Begged? Jung Haesung-ssi, known for being cool and chic and sexy, begged?”
“Why would you go that far?”
When Haesung laughed, the host continued to joke around.
After a moment, the host took out a panel. On it were messages Haesung had sent to Dohyeong printed in large size.
I want to be close. Sleep well. I’m in front of your house. At the countless messages, the host and audience couldn’t hide their surprise.
“No, then. I’ll ask again. Jung Haesung-ssi loves Kim Dohyeong-ssi?”
“…Yes. I’ve finally come to my senses. Me.”
“So, you’re in love?”
He didn’t give any answer, just gave a faint smile.
When he closed his eyes slightly, Dohyeong’s face appeared before his eyes.
Hyung, calling me and smiling. Burrowing into me and whispering that he’s happy.
Savoring that moment, Haesung bit his lower lip lightly.
“Yes. I love Kim Dohyeong-ssi.”
