NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: First Day (1)
It was December 12th of 2019.
Today was the day Yoo-Jin would lose her role by continuously making mistakes in front of Writer Lee Ji-Yeon who would come to visit the set.
On top of that, Miso, her only family, would die in a gas explosion today. To make matters worse, Miso, who had been known as Yoo-Jin’s niece all along, would soon be revealed to be her daughter instead. Although the truth was that Yoo-Jin adopted her late sister’s daughter, the public, not privy to the truth, would come to blame Yoo-Jin for getting pregnant at a young age.
It was undoubtedly the worst day of her life.
‘But things will change from now on.’
I planned to prevent these terrible incidents from happening and as a first step, I quickly took off my coat and placed it over Yoo-Jin’s head. After all, the reason she made so many mistakes was because of the bone-chilling cold.
Flap.
With the coat over her head, Yoo-Jin looked as if she were wearing a traditional Korean dress seen in historical dramas[1].
“Stay here for a second. I’ll go grab a blanket and coffee.”
“I’m okay, oppa.”Yoo-Jin tried to return the coat, insisting she was fine.
“Just focus on your acting. It would be more troublesome if you make mistakes because of the cold.”
“But…”
“I’m fine. I don’t get cold that easily. Stay put until I bring back a blanket and some hand warmers. Okay?”
Leaving behind the concerned Yoo-Jin, I ran towards the table where the staff had placed the equipment. As I grabbed a blanket and some hand warmers from the table, I thought of a way to prevent Miso’s death.
“I can call Miso’s kindergarten and ask them to look after her until the evening.”
If my memory serves me right, Miso was currently at the kindergarten and attending an early Christmas party—so I figured that I could just go and pick up Miso from the kindergarten as soon as Yoo-Jin’s scene was finished.
Originally, Miso was fated to die today from a gas explosion when she went home.
“Everything should be fine as long as she doesn’t go home.”
‘And I can call 119 to report a gas leak after picking Miso up from the kindergarten.’
Knowing what was about to happen made finding a solution surprisingly easy.
“Phew~”
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
With the wit of a thirty-six year old and the vitality of a twenty-six year old, I felt invincible.
“All right. I can stop this. I can do this.”
I mumbled to myself and looked for a bottle to make a warm drink.
Then I found an unused thermal bottle under the table.
“I should make some coffee and bring it back to Yoo-Jin.”
Displaying my barista skills, I made coffee while reminiscing about the time when I was called Barista Jung and Astrobucks Jung.
Worried that Yoo-Jin might burn her mouth, I poured some coffee into a paper cup, allowing it to cool slightly before bringing it to her.
That was when I realized the incessant ringing of the phone in my pocket.
Buzz buzz.
“Hm? Is this an entertainment Inc?”
Searching through my memory, I recalled my current superior—Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu. At first glance, he had a stern appearance but was a genuinely kind-hearted superior.
However, the moment I took the phone out, an unbelievable message popped up.
[Everyday V10]
[Would you like to download the backup file (December 12th, 2029 12;12 PM?]
“Huh? 2029?”
I muttered to myself and anxiously took a glance at my surroundings. Fortunately, there was no one around me.
I rubbed my eyes and checked the phone screen one more time.
‘2029 was the year I died.’
Furthermore, the version of the planner was V10, which I used in 2029, not V1.
“W-what is going on?”
After I recovered from my shock, I slowly pressed the ‘YES’ button, as if under a spell.
Buzz.
Messages began to pour in after a short vibration.
[Everyday V10]
[Restoring backup file]
[Automatically saved to the second planner folder.]
[Saving records from December 12th, 2019 to December 12th, 2029, in the second planner.]
…
[Save complete.]
When the backup file was restored, another planner tab appeared on the screen.
[First planner: Everyday V1]
[Second planner: Everyday V10]
My heart began to race rapidly.
“Did it actually…get downloaded?”
‘I didn’t think it would actually get downloaded.’
I gulped and tapped on the second planner tab, opening the planner entry for today’s date with a rustling sound of flipping pages.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: December 12th, 2019]
-12:30 PM: Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin’s <The Morning Takes Off> first appearance on episode 21.
-01:00 PM: Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon’s visit
-01:30 PM (Report): Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin, 23 mistakes. Scolded by the writer on set.
-04:20 PM: MBS Public Hall Broadcast, Ju Yung-In moves from Namyangju to MBS Public Hall.
…
-05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died.
‘What is this?’
Upon realizing the planner, which contained everything that happened previously from 2019 to 2029, was in my hands, my heart began to race wildly.
‘I can’t believe my planner came back in time with me!’
I had lived a busy life where I could barely recall the events of the previous day.
But thanks to this planner, I could now recall forgotten or incomplete memories any time I wanted.
***
Because I had recklessly spent money before I traveled back in time, I knew how hollow and meaningless it could be. Moreover, I learned that it was futile to hang out with people of questionable character who ended up not visiting me during my last days in the hospital.
The only people who had stayed by my side during my final moments were the seven members of Faithful, whom I hadn’t even properly taken care of.
After sorting out my thoughts, I established my goal for my second chance at life, with the planner firmly in hand. I was determined to save Miso and make all seven of my loyal friends—including Yoo-Jin, top stars.
‘I’m going to prioritize people over money in this life.’
Determined to live my life properly this time, I shouted out loud.
“Let’s do this!”
At that moment, I heard a male voice coming from beside me.
“Are you done using the hot water?”
When I turned my head, I saw a man shivering, waiting for his turn to make coffee.
“Oh, yes. Go ahead. I’m sorry.”
His face was utterly familiar for some reason.
“Are you by any chance Assistant Director Kim Sung-Woon?”
“Do you know me?”
“I do. Didn’t you participate as a staff member in ‘Once Again Today’ and ‘Immature Sister?’”
After becoming an MBS PD (producer-director) in the upcoming year, AD (assistant-director) Kim Sung-Woon would go on to become a star PD for the next decade, continuously producing popular shows.
As far as I remembered, he would achieve a viewership of 28% with ‘Will You Leave Me?’ which he made in collaboration with Writer Lee Seung-Ah.
In any case, he was a talented man who excelled in various aspects—be it directing, planning, or having a sharp eye for selecting good scripts. He was a talent who had the ability to lead the set without any major issues.
“Sigh. You watched my work with the lowest views.”
Kim Sung-Woon let out a slightly embarrassed smile. He quickly changed the topic but seemed pleased that I recognized him and his work.
I quickly pulled out my name card and bowed.
“I’m Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment. Please take good care of Yoo-JIn.”
Kim Sung-Woon read my position written on the name card and tilted his head in wonder.
“Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho, huh? Hm. I thought you were a team lead?”
“Ah, no. I just wore a nice suit today to leave a good impression on behalf of my actress because it’s her first day.”
Most on-site talent agents wore hoodies, jeans, and sneakers until they reached the level of a team lead. It seemed he had mistaken me for a team lead because I was wearing a suit.
“No wonder you looked so young. But it’s a shame I don’t have my name card at the moment.”
“It’s okay. I already know your contact details, Mr. Kim.”
“You know my contact number?”
“Yes. I’ve memorized the contact numbers of all the producer directors and assistant directors at MBS.”
Kim Sung-Woon looked surprised by my response.
“It’s not easy to find someone who memorizes numbers these days. But I feel so bad that I can’t give you my name card right now…”
At that moment, I realized this was the perfect opportunity to promote Yoo-Jin.
“If it’s not too much trouble, do you mind if I send you Yoo-Jin’s profile?”
Kim Sung-Woon stared at me for a moment and gave a sly smile.
“Go ahead. I always love supporting hardworking people.”
It was evident that he understood my intention of wanting him to give Yoo-Jin special attention.
After exchanging goodbyes, Kim Sung-Woon hurriedly made three cups of coffee and rushed back to the set.
‘He must be busy since it’s his second year in the industry. Anyway, what a surprise that the first on-site staff I ran into right after traveling back in time was Kim Sung-Woon.’
I had a hunch that my second life was off to a promising start.
After registering Kim Sung-Woon’s number on KkTalk, I immediately sent him Yoo-Jin’s profile.
[Talent Agent Jung Yoon-Ho: This is Yoo-Jin’s profile. Please have a look.]
[Attached File]
[Jung Yoo-Jin Profile (Official from Hoop Entertainment)]
-Age: 23 (November 14th)
-Nickname: Cheonho-dong’s Burger Maiden, Burger Maiden’s Number One Part-timer, Yoo-Jini.
-Height, Weight: 165cm/47kg
-Appearances: The Morning Takes Off (Script by Lee Ji-Yeon/ Role of Lee Seol-Ran)
-Hobbies/Skills: Cooking, Cross-stitching, Watching movies
After sending him her official profile, I opened the company’s internal profile file on my way back to Yoo-Jin to bridge the information gap between my memories of Yoo-Jin and the current data.
[Jung Yoo-Jin Profile (Hoop Entertainment Internal Data, Confidential)]
…
<Company Evaluation>
Strengths: Distinct facial features, fair skin, stable vocalization
Weaknesses: Insufficient acting skills, emotional expressiveness (evaluation by Trainer Choi Hyun-Min: seems to suppress her emotions, unable to express them properly. Recommends placing her in an idol group rather than pursuing acting.)
Acting: 2/5 (currently 2.5 as evaluated by President Kang Gam-Chan, potential 4)
Singing: 1.5/5 (evaluated as 2 by vocal trainer)
Dancing: 1/5 (evaluated as 2 by choreography trainer)
Entertainment: 0.5/5 (maximum of 1 as evaluated by the entertainment team director)
<Rumors & Major Details>
No particular rumors. Was never involved in school bullying incidents.
She is raising her niece, Miso, after the death of her parents and sister’s family.
<Training Plans>
Lose weight to 47kg (52.1kg as of December 11th.)
Train acting skills.
The internal company data was based on a 5-star rating system, providing the current evaluation of Yoo-Jin. However, what particularly caught my eye was the rating on her acting abilities.
Acting Trainer Choi Hyun-Min had given a harsh appraisal, suggesting that Yoo-Jin had no potential for success in the future.
“What the hell. Who does he think he is judging?”
Knowing Yoo-Jin’s acting skills in the future, I couldn’t help but scoff at Choi Hyun-Min’s evaluation. He wasn’t anyone important in the future anyway—his achievements in training or acting remained insignificant. However, he was part of the Seoul National University of the Arts—often referred to as Suhyejong—which came under the influence of President Kim Dong-Soo.
This connection would lead to a division in the company in three years.
After finishing reading the profile, I hurried back to Yoo-Jin.
“Put this on your chair, cover your knees with this, wear this, and drink this.”
As I handed her the blanket, hand warmers, and a warm cup of coffee, Yoo-Jin’s face brightened. Following my instructions, she wrapped herself with the blanket and wore the earmuffs as she sipped the coffee.
Sip.
“Huh? What is this? Oppa, what coffee is this? This tastes amazing.”
“It’s Minim.”
“Minim? Are you talking about Minim instant coffee in the tall yellow packaging that everyone drinks?”
“You know it.”
“No way. How could Minim taste like this? That’s impossible!”
“Well, it’s possible as long as you put in the right amount of water.”
My coffee-making skills remained unmatched even after traveling back in time. After all, I was known as Barista Jung or Astrobucks Jung at the film set in my previous life.
Yoo-Jin gave me a thumbs up with a pleased expression as if the warmth of the coffee had relaxed her. She seemed a bit relieved from the cold.
“Oppa, your coffee is great! I feel so awake now!”
‘That’s just the caffeine kicking in.’
But I was grateful to see her so pleased with a simple instant coffee.
***
[Everyday V10]
[Date: December 12th, 2019]
01:30 PM (Report): Gyeonggi Province Guri Set, Jung Yoo-Jin, 23 mistakes. Scolded by the writer on set.
-05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died.
The schedule written on the Everyday V10 continued to intrigue me each time I looked at it. However, I couldn’t afford to get lost in contemplation. First and foremost, I had to prevent Miso from going to her house where an accident would occur.
“Hey, Yoo-Jin.”
“Yes?”
“Should we bring Miso and show her around the broadcast station today?”
Yoo-Jin, who was drinking coffee, opened her eyes wide.
“Really? Can we do that?”
I nodded to Yoo-Jin’s repeated question.
“Yes. Call her kindergarten right now.”
“Yay!”
Yoo-Jin shook her fist in joy and immediately pulled out her phone.
Ring ring.
-The customer cannot receive the call right now…
Ring ring.
-The customer cannot receive the call right now…
‘Why aren’t they picking up?’
Even after calling for the fourth time, the principal of the kindergarten was not answering the phone.
1. https://images.app.goo.gl/YLt39CAbj9ND8jo98 ☜