Sunyang Media
An online news outlet primarily covering entertainment news.
Known for its swift reporting on the entertainment industry and maintaining a relatively neutral tone, the publication has earned a dedicated readership despite its modest size.
Recently, a buzzworthy story emerged from the outlet:
It concerned none other than the rising star, Ju Seoyeon.
"After Heaven’s Garden ended, things seemed unusually quiet, but it turns out she’s been in talks with Japan?"
At a colleague’s comment, the gaze of a female reporter shifted.
Han Seona.
Seoyeon’s number one fan and the journalist who regularly wrote articles about her.
"Yes, I recently went to Japan for that."
"Oh, because of the Japanese broadcast shoot?"
"That, and more."
Seona had indeed traveled to Japan recently.
Though, she suspected she’d have to return soon.
The reason for her visit was to follow up on Seoyeon, who had headed to Japan after wrapping up Heaven’s Garden.
"I thought she’d film commercials or something after Heaven’s Garden, but to jump straight into another project? Is she made of iron?"
"Honestly, even I’m a bit worried."
From a journalist's perspective, Seoyeon’s active schedule was a boon—it meant more stories to cover.
Especially for a rising star who had delivered consecutive hits, Seoyeon was arguably the actress of the year.
But as a fan, Seona couldn’t help but feel concerned.
"After the success of Heaven’s Garden, she deserves a break."
Heaven’s Garden had shattered viewership records for dramas in recent years.
Even compared to the golden era of television dramas a decade ago, it was a massive hit.
Its ratings were akin to the golden age of 40-50% viewership shares, a level rarely seen today.
Naturally, the actors, writers, and everyone involved in the production saw their reputations skyrocket.
Writer Min Sehee, in particular, was overwhelmed by the influx of offers from other networks after back-to-back hits with Dream Future and Heaven’s Garden.
"It’s hard to even secure interviews with the cast of Heaven’s Garden."
"Especially the younger actors—they tend to be prideful."
It made sense.
Initially, they had been more open to interviews.
With the drama’s success and their rising profiles, the actors likely believed they had "made it."
However, most journalists were primarily interested in Ju Seoyeon, the star of the show.
Questions about her behavior on set, thoughts on her acting, and other potentially intrusive queries often caused interview requests to be rejected after a few attempts.
"Not that I’m innocent—I asked similar questions myself."
A colleague chuckled awkwardly.
Still, he had managed to get some answers.
Kim Hyunseok, who played Lee Minhyuk—the son of Lee Hyuksoo and older brother to Lee Minseo in Heaven’s Garden—had shared his perspective.
"If you haven’t acted directly opposite Ju Seoyeon, you might not understand what’s so extraordinary about her," Hyunseok had said with a blunt but sincere tone.
"Frankly, it’s difficult to even keep up with her lines when acting face-to-face. There’s this tone to her performance—you can tell immediately that she’s holding back, not going all out, just to accommodate you."
"Can you really sense that?"
"Well, it depends on the scene. In lighter moments, it’s not noticeable. But in emotionally charged parts? Heaven’s Garden had plenty of those, especially towards the end."
The latter episodes of the drama, where Lee Yooju’s emotions reached a climax, were prime examples.
"Honestly, I wasn’t at my best in this drama. But if I get to work with her again, it’ll be different."
"Don’t sell yourself short, Hyunseok. Your performance was incredible—I couldn’t take my eyes off you."
"Thank you."
Hyunseok smiled warmly but then gestured as if to indicate he was about to share a personal opinion.
"Of course, with how busy she is, I don’t know if I’ll get that chance. I heard she went to Japan recently for a new movie?"
"Oh, it’s not related to the movie she just filmed, from what I know."
"Really? Well, I heard some interesting information from a contact in Japan recently..."
What Hyunseok revealed next was shocking.
"Asher Baldwin?"
"That’s right."
"And you’re sharing this scoop with me?"
"Come on, Seona. Everyone knows you’re a fan of Ju Seoyeon. Besides, I’m swamped with interviews here—I can’t just fly to Japan."
A part of him regretted giving her the tip.
But he was preoccupied with an exclusive on Director Jo Bangwoo’s new film, which was a big deal in its own right.
He rationalized it as a strategic move.
Han Seona was an energetic and efficient journalist—owing her a favor would pay off someday.
Especially given this.
"Asher Baldwin."
And Kyungsung Lady.
"This year has been amazing, but... next year looks even more exciting."
Handing over the lead, the colleague made his point.
Seona, who was now itching to return to Japan, nodded in agreement.
Ju Seoyeon had already been dubbed the "Rising Star" of the year.
Most journalists doubted she could top her current trajectory, but Seona thought otherwise.
"With Kyungsung Lady and the news I just heard..."
Not to mention the upcoming Mine.
The anticipation was already building.
Ju Seoyeon’s next year was going to be spectacular.
"Today's scene might seem light, but it's a pivotal moment in the story," Director Baek Min announced to the staff and actors gathered on set.
The scene in question was a physical confrontation between Kasugayama Yuina and Amamabi Michiko.
While it could be dismissed as a mere scuffle, the moment carried significant narrative weight.
It marked a point where Kasugayama Yuina, forgetting her position and composure, physically clashed with Michiko.
The two had met as children and were once close, almost like friends.
But events involving their families—specifically between their parents—and the interference of Yeon Seonye had driven them apart.
This scene featured all three main characters.
"Even just reading the script, the emotions in this scene are turbulent."
Seoyeon scanned the lines again, her thoughts momentarily drifting.
At first glance, it seemed overly dramatic.
On the positive side, it was designed to stir the audience's emotions.
"On the downside, it might come across as cringeworthy."
Seoyeon didn’t like dismissing scenes or lines as “cringeworthy” or “overly dramatic.”
She understood that subtle emotional expression was the current trend, but she believed that too many impactful moments and phrases had been written off under the guise of modern taste.
"Still, it's bold to include a scene like this."
She didn’t see it as a bad thing.
However, scenes like this required flawless acting.
Without it, instead of drawing the audience in, the over-the-top elements would stand out, leaving them cringing.
Seoyeon resolved to give it her all, pouring more emotion into her performance than usual.
But there was a lingering worry.
"Will I be able to pull this off?"
She clenched her fist, recalling a similar moment during The Chaser.
When she got too immersed in a role, she sometimes lost control.
"...This body really is a bit too much."
Despite joking about her "invincible TS body," Seoyeon knew she was unnaturally strong.
She didn’t even fully understand the limits of her strength, as she had rarely needed to exert herself.
"Whatever the reason is, it doesn't matter now."
Her priority was to avoid repeating the mistakes from The Chaser.
"What's wrong?"
Jo Seohui’s voice snapped Seoyeon out of her thoughts.
"Nothing."
"Hmm."
Seohui narrowed her eyes skeptically, sensing otherwise.
"Do it properly."
"Sorry?"
"I mean the acting. Don’t hold back for others like you did in Heaven’s Garden."
Hold back?
Seoyeon blinked in confusion.
"I didn’t hold back during Heaven’s Garden."
"Oh, please. It was obvious. The other actors probably felt it even more strongly. Your performances with Imiran versus Kim Hyunseok were completely different."
Imiran had played the matriarch, Gil Sujin, in Heaven’s Garden, a pivotal role opposite Seoyeon.
She was an actress renowned for her skill, making it natural for the performances to feel different from those with Hyunseok.
The audience might not have noticed, but Seohui had.
She had been watching Seoyeon’s performances closely.
"Of course, I know you won’t half-ass it. But I’ve been looking forward to this."
Crossing her arms, Seohui struck a commanding pose.
Perhaps it was her costume as Amamabi Michiko that made her look even more like a villainous heiress.
"You’d better do it properly—for many reasons."
"For many reasons," Seoyeon thought, the phrase ringing with layers of implication.
"You’re going to hurt her at this rate," Lee Jiyeon chimed in as she approached.
Today’s shoot wasn’t just for Seoyeon and Seohui but also included Jiyeon as Yeon Seonye.
"That sounded awfully thuggish."
If Jiyeon hadn’t been in her docile Yeon Seonye persona, her usual sharp tone would have made it sound even harsher.
"A little... getting hurt is fine," Seohui stammered, her voice trembling.
Seoyeon looked at her in surprise.
"She knows, doesn’t she?"
Given recent incidents—like being tossed during The Chaser’s action scenes—it was hard to believe she didn’t.
Still, her casual attitude suggested otherwise.
But her current response hinted that she understood more than she let on.
Her willingness to risk it anyway showed just how seriously she took the project.
"She once said, 'I’m serious about acting.'"
During a recent conversation, Seoyeon had learned more about Seohui’s past, including the incident where she had been called a "nepotism hire."
Understanding the context had made Seoyeon accept Seohui’s perspective, though her polite attitude toward her wouldn’t change.
After all, part of the fun was watching Seohui’s animated reactions.
With that thought, Seoyeon smiled softly.
"Of course, I’ll do it properly."
She relaxed her clenched fist, determined to avoid mistakes born from over-immersion.
But that was only a precaution.
Seoyeon had worked hard and received support from those around her.
"I won’t mess up."
With those words, the cameras began rolling, and the shoot was underway.
"Senior."
Lee Sangsoo, who had been silently watching the filming set, was approached by a fellow actor.
It was Hwang Cheolhoon, the actor playing the male antagonist from the Amamabi family who had initially tried to kill Michiko.
"I thought you didn’t have any scenes to shoot today?"
"But Seoyeon’s acting is happening, isn’t it?"
His casual tone surprised Cheolhoon.
The Lee Sangsoo he knew wasn’t the type to concern himself with others.
"So the rumors are true, then."
"Rumors?"
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"That Ju Seoyeon brought you back into this industry."
"That’s accurate."
Sangsoo didn’t deny it.
Their connection had started with Star Fisherman.
At first, when he was approached for the role, he thought Seoyeon was a bit audacious.
But he didn’t dislike audacity, and something about her piqued his interest.
After working with her, he realized she wasn’t just a bold young actress.
"When this movie releases, it’s going to cause an uproar. No one expected Lee Sangsoo to be part of the cast."
"Even without me..."
He trailed off, his gaze returning to the set where filming had just begun.
The set recreated a bustling street in Japanese-occupied Seoul.
Extras filled the street, creating a vibrant scene. Among them, Michiko and Yuina encountered each other.
If it had been a simple meeting, they might have passed each other by.
But Yuina sensed something strange between Michiko and Yeon Seonye.
Not just their relationship, but also Michiko’s motives.
Yuina, already questioning her plans after her recent encounter with Gotō Isamu, felt her resolve wavering.
Should she really kill Michiko?
Could she bring herself to kill Yeon Seonye?
These thoughts haunted her.
Yet seeing Michiko’s actions was like striking a match near a powder keg.
Yuina couldn’t hold back.
She was the only one who understood Michiko’s intentions.
"Michiko!!"
Yuina’s voice pierced through the noise of the crowd.
Michiko turned her gaze toward her, and so did Yeon Seonye.
But neither had time to react.
Yuina’s signature gombangdae pipe clattered to the ground as she grabbed Michiko by the collar.
With both hands, she seized Michiko’s lapels and shoved her forcefully against the wall.
"You."
Yuina, until now, had been in a dazed state.
She had fought with Gotō Isamu and lost her way amidst the chaos of her own plans.
But while silently following the pair, she uncovered Michiko’s intent.
"You’re planning to die, aren’t you?"
She had read Michiko’s decision to embrace death.