# Chapter 9. Nothing is Certain (4)
A few days after the meeting, the schedule for <Glass Holding Stars> press conference was determined. As it was an occasion where the lead actors and director would gather together, the interest from the media was quite hot.
Director Na Taeseok, who was returning with a sequel after five years following his successful previous work, along with Jung Haesung, Jeon Soyeon, Kim Dohyeong, and Choi Yuchan. Their presence alone was enough to attract public attention.
Of course, there were specific individuals who had the journalists on high alert. Dohyeong and Haesung. All the cast members had anticipated that every interview would be directed at them.
The actors, who had been in their respective waiting rooms, were now gathered in Director Na’s waiting room at his call.
It was his intention to prepare for the interviews in advance before entering the press conference.
Director Na, who had been staring at the anticipated question list for a while, looked back and forth between Haesung and Dohyeong with worried eyes. His casually offered words were quite serious.
“Questions might be concentrated on you two.”
“It’s okay. I already anticipated it. I’m sure Kim Dohyeong-ssi feels the same?”
At Haesung’s question, Dohyeong nodded with a calm expression.
“Yes, I’ve anticipated and prepared for it.”
Haesung’s gaze returns at his answer. He wondered if Dohyeong wasn’t going to mention what happened a few days ago, then shook his head.
No, what’s the point of mentioning that? It’s obvious it wouldn’t help either himself or Dohyeong.
“It’s important to steer the conversation towards the drama as much as possible.”
“Journalists aren’t journalists for nothing, they’re going to be really experienced.”
Soyeon, who was sighing deeply at Yuchan’s words, flipped through the anticipated question list. Perhaps they wouldn’t even be able to answer half of the questions written here.
It wasn’t that she disliked questions being directed at Haesung and Dohyeong.
It was just that she didn’t like people who tried to use what might have been a deep wound for someone as mere gossip.
“Dohyeong-ssi.”
Dohyeong raised his head at Soyeon’s call. His face, nodding as he met her eyes, looked a bit tense.
“Stay sharp. They won’t easily touch Jung Haesung-ssi. This might sound cold, but it’s because what you’ve built up so far is different. You know what I mean, right?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good, I’m not saying you’re lacking. It’s just that there were incidents before your hiatus…”
And what turned to Haesung was Soyeon’s coldly chilled gaze. At that, Director Na cleared his throat briefly. He was genuinely concerned.
Of course, being such skilled actors, they wouldn’t forget the emotional lines of their roles even in this situation. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of the filming set is bound to exist.
He flipped through the question list again, determined to find a breakthrough somehow.
“Dohyeong-ah.”
At that moment, Yuchan’s voice reached him. As soon as Dohyeong met his eyes, he saw eye lines that folded into a long smile.
“Don’t worry. I’ll help as much as I can.”
“…Thanks.”
Dohyeong also smiled brightly. Having someone on your side at times like this was such a reassuring thing. He was newly grateful to Yuchan for participating in this drama.
Just as he was thinking, let’s do well, Haesung crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa. Then he asked Yuchan in a sharp voice while looking at him.
“What are you planning to help with?”
Once again, the atmosphere in the waiting room became chilly. The gazes of the four people fell on Haesung, but he continued talking regardless.
“If Choi Yuchan-ssi adds words, the journalists will think strangely. Their gossip will be directed not at us, but at Kim Dohyeong-ssi and Choi Yuchan-ssi.”
“…Hmm, such a situation can’t be excluded.”
As even Director Na nodded and agreed with his words, Haesung continued his next words as if he had been waiting.
“Some will ask, what kind of relationship are you two in, and even if they don’t ask, they might include in the article that Choi Yuchan-ssi was protective of Kim Dohyeong-ssi.”
“I’m anticipating that. But—”
“I’m saying it’s an issue that Kim Dohyeong-ssi needs to overcome.”
Despite his calm and cold words, Yuchan couldn’t add anything. Because his words weren’t wrong.
The one who needed to overcome was Dohyeong.
He had jumped in knowing it would be more difficult than the time he had endured so far. Only by showing his ability to stand alone would he be able to flexibly face the waves that would come next.
“I can do it.”
Finally, Dohyeong spoke. His fingertips holding the question list turned white.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry.”
Despite his faint smile, the remaining four people couldn’t smile.
Because they were considerably concerned that not necessarily positive attention would be focused only on Dohyeong.
Haesung bit his lip hard as he glanced at Dohyeong, who was looking down at the question list with a deep sigh.
Because of me, the thought that wouldn’t leave his head was making him feel stuffy inside.
***
The beginning went smoothly. The journalists threw questions about the drama without exception, and after the joint questions were over, they began to receive individual questions one by one in order.
And finally, when it was Haesung’s turn, a journalist from Naro Daily raised his hand.
“You’ve met Kim Dohyeong-ssi before in Director Na’s drama just before your marriage. Won’t there be any problems shooting a drama right after your divorce? Since the rumors of discord between you two once heated up South Korea, I understand that quite a few people are concerned.”
It was an expected question. Dohyeong gripped the microphone tightly under the table, and Haesung rubbed his brow with a languid expression. After thinking for a while, he brought the microphone closer and slowly inhaled.
“Although it’s a question that deviates from the point.”
His low, thick voice echoed widely. As soon as his voice, known as the ‘cave voice,’ began, only the sound of camera shutters and dry swallowing could be heard.
“This is what I think. Marriage and divorce were personal matters between Kim Dohyeong and Jung Haesung… and working with Director Na is our job as actors. I believe that as actors, we should faithfully fulfill our roles in any situation. No matter what role it is, no matter what relationship we have with each other.”
People busily typing on keyboards, people bringing recording devices closer to the stage. Various scenes unfolded.
Haesung gently scratched his forehead as if annoyed and opened his mouth again.
“While I understand why our two names are mentioned at a drama press conference, I would appreciate it if questions that deviate from the point could be avoided. It’s already a story that ended three years ago.”
At that statement, the journalists became as silent as mutes who had eaten honey. The following questions were, as he wished, related to the drama.
Thoughts on working with Soyeon again, how he felt when he received Director Na’s call. And overall feelings and thoughts about the drama and the original work.
By the time Haesung’s turn was over, the journalists’ eyes were fixed on Dohyeong.
In an instant, he felt his back straightening. He held the microphone tightly while trying hard to control his stiffening body.
At first, straightforward questions related to the drama continued.
Thoughts and feelings about Yehyun’s role being highlighted, which seemed like it wouldn’t appear anymore. Discussion about the differences between the original work and the drama. And even the primitive question of whether the love line with Yuchan was burdensome.
Just when he thought it might be thanks to Haesung, the journalist from Naro Daily raised his hand again.
“I understand that you had quite a long hiatus, like Jung Haesung-ssi. There were issues raised about Kim Dohyeong-ssi’s acting skills before that, how do you feel about this?”
Dohyeong, who had been breathing evenly, faintly smiled and brought the microphone close to his lips.
“It was a time of countless efforts to become stronger. Is that enough? Back then… I had too many things to think about myself, and I think the biggest issue was that I couldn’t separate personal matters from public ones because I was still lacking. After going through that time, I think I’ve become a stronger person than before.”
“Are you saying it won’t happen again?”
“Yes, I think I can give you a definite answer on this part… It won’t happen.”
“At the time, the point that Jung Haesung-ssi mentioned was that personal emotions interfered with your acting; are you saying that you will approach this drama shooting purely professionally?”
It was another journalist’s question. Dohyeong’s mind went blank again at the returning memories of the past. He knew he had to answer, but cold sweat dripped from his head. Just as Haesung and Yuchan, unable to watch anymore, were about to grab the microphone.
“Yes.”
Dohyeong answered calmly.
“The reason I’m appearing in Director Na’s work is just one: my desire to act. I want to devote myself to the given role in front of the camera again. Wouldn’t the viewers judge my acting skills and the resulting immersion? Through this work, I’ll show you a different Kim Dohyeong than before. So, please watch with me, journalists. How much I’ve changed, that is.”
Some nodded at Dohyeong’s appearance, which was no different from before. It was exactly the same as Dohyeong’s always cheerful, active, positive, and enterprising image.
Dohyeong still smiled while gripping the microphone tightly. The corners of his mouth trembled, but to hide it, he curled them up even longer.
He had read the script countless times, and read it again. He had met and interviewed related professionals several times to understand the character.
He was confident that his efforts, reading the script until it wore out from the moment he got up from bed until he lay down again, would bring results.
Seeing his unwavering appearance, the journalists continued with their questions. Most were related to the drama.
Finally, when it was Yuchan’s turn, one journalist raised his hand.
“<Glass Holding Stars> is a story about a world without Alphas and Omegas, how do you feel about forming a love line with Kim Dohyeong-ssi here?”
Hmm, Yuchan, who had been contemplating briefly, slowly opened his mouth.
“Well, gender isn’t necessarily important, and though it might not be convincing coming from me, I don’t think the existence of Alphas and Omegas is necessarily essential. Even in the world we live in now, things like gender or traits aren’t treated as criteria for love. Is there anything else to consider when a person likes another person and holds them in their heart? I plan to act with that mindset.”
“There have been many comments about the frequent meetings between Kim Dohyeong-ssi and Choi Yuchan-ssi recently. Is this also for the drama?”
At that, Haesung’s gaze turned to Yuchan. It was as if asking, here it comes, right? But Yuchan didn’t waver. He continued, smiling brightly.
“No. I was already quite close with Kim Dohyeong-ssi. It’s just meeting a close friend often, it’s not related to the drama. For your reference, we were meeting frequently even before I decided to appear in the show. That’s how close we are.”
Just when he thought that would be enough, the place began to buzz at the words casually thrown by one journalist.
“So, are you confident in saying that there isn’t a single meaningful emotion between you two? There are also frequent rumors that you two are in a special relationship. What do you think about this?”
