Hobbyist VTuber

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Star.

A term used to refer to people who attract the world’s attention with their talents and charm.

One of the people who fits this “star” description perfectly is Yoo Seong-ah.

At this point in time, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there’s no actress more successful than Yoo Seong-ah.

And there sat Ha-eun, who had bizarrely ended up at the same cafe table as this celebrity.

Click.

Click, click.

Click, click, click, click…

“Uh, are you Yoo Seong-ah? If it’s not too much trouble, could I just get an autograph—”

“And if it’s not too much trouble, could we take a picture too—”

She was already in a state of mental chaos.

Not only had she not figured out why Yoo Seong-ah had asked her to spend time together, but she hadn’t been able to exchange proper dialogue with her either.

Of course, there were quite a few people who recognized Ha-eun.

It was just that the sheer number of people who recognized Yoo Seong-ah was overwhelming, so it wasn’t particularly noticeable.

About twenty minutes later, a suitable atmosphere emerged for a conversation between Yoo Seong-ah and Ha-eun.

The first words that slipped from Yoo Seong-ah’s lips were:

“Getting used to this kind of attention would be good for you, Ha-eun. Surely, in the near future, you’ll experience similar situations.”

This was unrelated to the filming of “The Star from the Heavens.”

Still, it seemed close to praise than to ridicule, so Ha-eun gratefully returned the sentiment to Yoo Seong-ah.

It was shortly after that she began to hear about why Yoo Seong-ah wanted to chat with her.

“I’ve been watching you act for a while now… and honestly, it felt like I was looking at a younger version of myself standing in front of the camera.”

Yoo Seong-ah continued with her impressions and compliments about Ha-eun’s acting.

However, it didn’t strike Ha-eun that Yoo Seong-ah brought her to the cafe just to sing her praises.

While quietly sitting and meeting Yoo Seong-ah’s gaze, she wondered when the main point, neatly concealed, would finally surface.

“The reason I called you here today is specifically for the filming of the past segments that begin next week.”

Finally, the conversation that Yoo Seong-ah had genuinely wanted to have with Ha-eun began.

“Up until now, it seemed like you were too obsessed with my character, Han Yoo-hwa. And while that’s not a bad thing, it feels like you’re limiting the range of your own acting.”

There’s no one among the production team of “The Star from the Heavens” or the cast who would say that Ha-eun’s acting is wrong.

However, it was true that the feeling she gave off was quite different from what Yoo Seong-ah had seen in the next-door uncle’s drama years ago.

“I personally hope the Han Yoo-hwa of the Joseon era differs a bit from the modern-day Han Yoo-hwa. Rather than showing viewers the same thing repeatedly, I think it would be better to give a sense of the differences between the past and present.”

Unlike the younger Han Yoo-hwa of the modern age, which must naturally overlap with Yoo Seong-ah’s portrayal, she offered a suggestion or a request for Ha-eun to show a completely different version of the young Han Yoo-hwa from centuries ago.

Of course, this was purely based on Yoo Seong-ah’s judgment and instinct.

Since no one can predict the future, it’s uncertain whether Yoo Seong-ah’s words would ultimately benefit or harm Ha-eun.

However, if the something that Yoo Seong-ah saw in Ha-eun during that movie theater experience a few years ago could be brought forth again—

“As you know, from episode two to five, the backstory is Ha-eun’s solo performance.”

It’s not just the anticipation from Yoo Seong-ah and Ha Yun-seong’s wonderful acting starting from episode one that will keep viewers engaged.

Ha-eun could potentially create another reason for the audience to get immersed in the drama “The Star from the Heavens.”

“So I want you to make people enchanted by only the young actress Lee Ha-eun. Not just another young doppelgänger.”

Rather than scrambling to mimic Yoo Seong-ah, she advised Ha-eun to reveal that unique something only she could present in front of the camera.

In more specific terms, Ha-eun was being encouraged to create a different answer to replace the excellent example that was Yoo Seong-ah.

Though such a request was not something anyone could easily fulfill even without a hint of flattery—

“I don’t say this to just anyone. I’m only nagging like this because I believe you can do it.”

“Ah… I didn’t think of it as nagging. Absolutely not.”

“Well, then I’m grateful.”

Yoo Seong-ah’s instinct, which boasted an impressive accuracy to this point, indicated that Ha-eun would succeed.

At the same time, it confirmed that her intuition, choosing Ha-eun as the young Han Yoo-hwa without looking at other child actors, wasn’t wrong.

“Alright, let’s get going. I’m sorry for keeping you for so long.”

And with that, stepping out of the cafe with Ha-eun.

Just as luck would have it, people passing by outside began to recognize Yoo Seong-ah again.

“Oh, Ha-eun! Let’s take a photo together. It’ll be great to promote the meeting of young Han Yoo-hwa and adult Han Yoo-hwa on SNS.”

She deliberately pulled Ha-eun close for everyone to see, then pulled out the sponsored smartphone she received a few days earlier.

However, not even a few seconds after, Ha-eun’s voice whispered cautiously in Yoo Seong-ah’s ear.

“Uh, Yoo Seong-ah sunbaenim, is it really okay to post this on SNS?”

The reason being that there were scenes in “The Star from the Heavens” where Han Yoo-hwa found herself in some trouble because of SNS.

In response, Yoo Seong-ah blinked in silence for a moment before bursting into a grin.

“Hey, despite how it seems, I graduated from K University. I wouldn’t confuse Mokhwa with Mocha, no matter what.”

Yoo Seong-ah found Ha-eun’s innocent childlike demeanor utterly adorable, even if it was one of the first times she had seen such an expression.

—

“Ha-eun, I’m sure it won’t happen, but please be careful not to trip. We really have only a few costumes you’re wearing right now…”

Ha-eun nodded twice at the nervous gaze of the costume management staff. Since the outfit was completely white from the jeogori to the skirt, even a speck of dirt would be very noticeable.

It was a humble outfit, quite different from the colorful hanbok she wore while filming the scene of window shopping with Park Do-jun.

Though to be fair, that colorful hanbok also couldn’t afford to get dirty, but still…

So, with noticeably more cautious steps, she headed toward the filming set.

“Wow, Ha-eun! That outfit suits you pretty well! It really makes you shine.”

“Ah, um… thank you.”

She found herself facing Ha Yun-seong, who had already suited up and was waiting.

It was just that she was still unable to adapt to Ha Yun-seong’s slightly exaggerated compliments.

Most of the compliments about Ha-eun’s appearance she received up until now had come from her mother, Na-yeon, or other female makeup artists.

However, when it came from men like Kang Seon-woo, who possessed both outstanding acting skills and looks during the filming of “The Uncle Next Door,” or Ha Yun-seong in “The Star from the Heavens,” it made her wonder,

“Hmm… I wonder if I’ll ever get used to things like that.”

Her cheeks were randomly burning with embarrassment.

It took a little time for Ha-eun’s buffering thought process to return to its original state.

Well, on one hand…

Since the filming was about to start soon.

“Alright, we’ll be rolling at 8 o’clock sharp~! Everyone, please go to your places!”

Ha-eun also began to walk toward where she needed to be.

As was to be expected, her co-star, Ha Yun-seong, playing Park Do-jun, headed for the same spot.

“I’m the most nervous at this moment. Looks like you’re not too nervous, Ha-eun.”

However, she paid little attention to Ha Yun-seong’s chatter, which was nothing more than small talk just before filming began.

Unlike other times, Ha-eun was absorbed in recalling what Yoo Seong-ah had advised her earlier.

Of course, she had still never seen “The Uncle Next Door.”

It was hard to guess exactly what that unique something was that Yoo Seong-ah had felt Ha-eun possessed a few years ago.

Yet she understood perfectly one thing.

That rather than obsessing over Yoo Seong-ah’s Han Yoo-hwa, she wanted Ha-eun to show her interpretation of Han Yoo-hwa in front of the camera.

“Okay, is everyone ready? Then, 3, 2, 1… Action!”

Instead of the modern-day young Han Yoo-hwa, who tried to mimic and correct herself to get closer to Yoo Seong-ah by observing her…

Ha-eun began to layer a strange presence solely made from her own interpretation and analysis.

-There are those who have seen the wicked skulk along the riverbank. Find them!

The scene opened with the terrifying voice of the captain of the grape gang, whose eyes were filled with crimson veins.

Of course, they had to hunt down the powerful Park Do-jun and Han Yoo-hwa, who traveled with him.

Combined with the ominous full moon in the sky, it meant that today was the day Park Do-jun’s power would rapidly weaken.

“If you’re a lowly creature, then avoid me. I will do all I can to give you time to escape.”

Believing that both of them would surely be captured, Park Do-jun let go of Han Yoo-hwa’s hand.

Just as Park Do-jun was about to reveal himself to the officials…

“…No! Absolutely not.”

Desperately stepping in front of Park Do-jun, Han Yoo-hwa blocked him.

As Park Do-jun’s eyes began to waver slowly—

“Didn’t you say you have a place to return to? Didn’t you say that I could only walk with you for a brief time, and could not stay with you forever?”

For Han Yoo-hwa, who had been abandoned by everyone, including her parents, Park Do-jun was her only sanctuary.

Without Park Do-jun, Han Yoo-hwa’s life could not even be called a life; it would be a bitter and lonely existence.

“So please, don’t squander your path, sir. You know what’s important, don’t you…”

To Han Yoo-hwa, losing Park Do-jun was akin to losing her very life.

In that case, she would rather repay Park Do-jun, her benefactor and nobleman, for the first and last time.

“Do you know why foolish flowers bloom? You’ve sufficiently told me, haven’t you?”

And so, a resolution emerged from the immature girl that was rarely seen.

For Park Do-jun, this resolution was something he would never wish for.

“Just remember this, sir. Just as foolish flowers long for….”

With a customary serene smile.

Simultaneously, it manifested in the form of reddened eyes.

“Long ago, there was a flower that was happy to be in your embrace (有花).”

It signified the arrival of the time for the beautiful Han Yoo-hwa to wither.