Chapter 76: Dissolve: His Last Choice

On the monitor screen, Superstar Yoon Jooho’s expression softened for the camera.

It was the face of actor Yoon Jooho that Song Hyunsoo knew all too well.

“Hello. It’s been a while since we last met, hasn’t it? I’m <Dissolve> actor Yoon Jooho, working hard to prepare for the movie . Today, we’re revealing the Script Reading Site for <Dissolve> for the first time. I’m both nervous and excited. Um… I tend to get scolded a lot by the Director during readings… Please edit out those parts if you can.”

Yoon Jooho made a V with both hands and mimed cutting something, glancing behind the camera.

A ripple of light laughter spread among the onlookers.

But Song Hyunsoo couldn’t even muster a smile.

He’s good… He’s really good…

He was too busy switching his gaze between Superstar Yoon Jooho on the monitor and the real Yoon Jooho beyond people’s shoulders to even laugh at his joke.

“Wow… Experience really doesn’t lie. How is he so Hyeonhajibyeon?”

Hearing a voice full of admiration, he turned to see Han Jooyoung staring at Yoon Jooho.

She was still a rookie too, so it was clear she was just as nervous as Song Hyunsoo.

It was a small comfort to realize he wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

“But, Hyung, what does Hyeonhajibyeon mean?”

“It means speaking smoothly, like flowing water. Hyunsoo, you’re Korean—don’t you know?”

“Ah… Like Chungsan Yusu?”

She knew Hyeonhajibyeon, but Han Jooyoung said it was her first time hearing Chungsan Yusu.

Just as Kim Yoojeong PD had suggested, maybe it was time to change her Korean tutor.

After monitoring Yoon Jooho’s shoot, Han Jooyoung hurried off, saying she needed more practice.

“Since this is my first film, I’ll do my best with the time I have left to show you a good side of myself and deliver a moving performance. Please look forward to it.”

As he moved into his closing remarks, Yoon Jooho subtly shifted the tone and expression of his voice.

“And the weather’s been really cold lately. I’ve heard there’s a lot of snow coming. Be careful on snowy roads, dress warmly, and stay healthy and safe this winter. I’ll be waiting to meet you all while I work hard on <Dissolve>. This was Yoon Jooho. Byeee.”

On the screen, Yoon Jooho waved with a warm smile, like a beige Cashmere Scarf.

Ooooh—

It wasn’t a cheer or a jeer, but a collective sigh of admiration that swept through the room, and a few people behind the camera waved back at him.

On the faces of those who’d watched Yoon Jooho’s shoot, there were smiles, shyness, excitement, and satisfaction.

The power of a top star who could make people happy in an instant was truly astonishing.

But even more impressive was his effortless interview skill.

Despite having a low and calm voice, his Diction was excellent, and his Tone and facial expressions were perfectly in sync— there was nothing to nitpick.

Above all, he was comfortable and natural, yet every word carried sincerity.

Because of that, even the most clichéd lines drew you in.

When I was just a viewer, this all looked so easy.

But now that I had to stand in front of the camera myself, I knew it wasn’t.

Yoon Jooho said interviews were easier than acting, but Song Hyunsoo felt he’d rather act.

“Was it okay?”

Yoon Jooho walked out from in front of the camera and approached the Director and Kim PD, asking.

The office workers from the production company, who rarely had a chance to meet him, and the Staff who’d come on location for the shoot, all followed his every move with their eyes.

It must be a regular thing for him, but Yoon Jooho didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable with all that heated attention focused on him.

Kim PD patted Yoon Jooho on the back as she showed him the monitor screen.

“Of course it was fine. Ah, I want to brag about how we filmed full-body shots, side profiles, and even walking shots.”

“Brag?”

With his hands on his hips, Yoon Jooho glanced at Kim PD, grinning.

“Now I get why parents want to show off their pretty kids everywhere. I bet your parents felt the same way, Jooho.”

“Hmm… I’m not so sure.”

Yoon Jooho gave a vague answer and turned his gaze back to the monitor.

Kim PD, realizing her slip, made a brief awkward face behind him.

Pushed back from his original spot by people trying to get a closer look at Yoon Jooho, Song Hyunsoo found himself further away.

“Look at those Proportions. Is he even human? He’s like a Braciosaurus.”

“They said he’s bulking up, and it just makes his head look even smaller.”

People who seemed to be production company office staff whispered as they watched Yoon Jooho.

Song Hyunsoo resisted the urge to join in and praise Yoon Jooho’s looks with them.

The feeling of wanting to show off a beautiful child.

He thought he could understand that a little.

Of course, that didn’t mean he could forgive what Yoon Jooho’s parents had done.

“You’re making that weird face again, aren’t you?”

Before he realized it, Yoon Jooho had come up beside him, tilting his head to peer at Song Hyunsoo’s face.

Startled, Song Hyunsoo stepped back half a pace and unconsciously touched his face.

He must have been scowling, thinking about Yoon Jooho’s parents.

“I-I’m just nervous.”

“How was it? After watching me, doesn’t it seem like no big deal?”

Song Hyunsoo shook his head in despair.

“Watching you do so well actually had the opposite effect. I could never do that. Never.”

Tsk, Yoon Jooho clicked his tongue and grabbed Song Hyunsoo by the elbow, pulling him toward the exit.

“Come with me.”

It was better than being grabbed by the wrist, but he was still conscious of the people watching.

Indeed, several people were eyeing them with curiosity.

“Where are we going?”

“Practice.”

“My turn will come up soon, I can’t go.”

“They said there’s an audio issue. It’ll be delayed 20 to 30 minutes, so we have time.”

Yoon Jooho led Song Hyunsoo to the Company Supplies Room at the end of the second-floor hallway.

It was a narrow, long room with high shelves on both sides, neatly stacked with boxes labeled A4 Paper, Box Tape, Binder, and the like.

When did he even find out there was a room like this here?

While Song Hyunsoo looked around, Yoon Jooho snatched the Script from his hands.

“First, revise the Script.”

“How? I’m not good at writing.”

“Who said you have to create something new? Just make it sound more like the way you actually talk or think. That way, it won’t sound memorized and will come off as more natural. That makes it more persuasive, too.”

Ah… So that’s why your earlier lines sounded so natural.

I thought only your Script was written well.

Sitting on a box in the corner, Yoon Jooho picked up a stray pen.

“This part is too cliché. It won’t stick in anyone’s memory like this.”

He pointed to a section of the Script and looked up at Song Hyunsoo standing opposite him.

“How would you say it?”

“Um…”

“As actor Song Hyunsoo, there must be something you want to say to the people who will watch your performance in <Dissolve>.”

Hearing it put that way, it felt more real.

Song Hyunsoo took the Script and pen from him and tried revising it himself.

“How about this?”

“Hmm, that’s better. But this word needs to be changed.”

As Yoon Jooho bent over and wrote, Song Hyunsoo watched his long eyelashes and muttered as if talking to himself, rubbing the back of his neck.

“But, isn’t this favoritism… Only helping me like this?”

Still writing, without looking up, Yoon Jooho replied as if it was ridiculous.

“Who’s showing favoritism? I’m doing it for the good of the film.”

“…Yes.”

Yes, yes, it’s for the movie, not for me. Let’s just say that. I’m used to your tsundere ways anyway.

Just then, the Company Supplies Room door burst open.

Both of them reflexively turned toward the door at the same time.

A woman, looking more surprised than either of them, stood gripping the doorknob.

She glanced between Yoon Jooho sitting on the box and Song Hyunsoo standing opposite him.

If you opened the Company Supplies Room and found something this handsome inside, you’d be shocked too. I get it.

While Song Hyunsoo nodded to himself inwardly, Yoon Jooho put on a smile and prepared to attack with his face.

“Did you need something? Should we get out of the way?”

“No! It’s just… I heard voices…”

“The rookie actor was really nervous during today’s shoot. I was just helping him practice.”

“I see. Sorry for interrupting. Please, go ahead and continue.”

Even as she backed out and closed the door, she kept glancing between the two of them.

Song Hyunsoo gave her an awkward smile and bowed his head, then looked down at Yoon Jooho with an incredulous expression.

Wondering if there was anything else he could improve, Yoon Jooho leaned his head back against the shelf, tapping his lips with a pen.

Sensing Song Hyunsoo’s gaze, he looked up.

“What?”

“You’re practically a different person.”

“It’s just something I’ve done since I was a kid.”

“A different person?”

“Being as friendly as possible to the public.”

“Ah…”

“They’re all potential viewers.”

“That’s impressive, thinking like that.”

“Impressive, nothing. I just do what I was trained to do.”

“Everyone who sees you seems to smile.”

Even that ‘Honey’ Auntie earlier.

“One of the Staff from earlier seemed to like the rookie actor more than me, though?”

“You don’t have to lie for my sake.”

“What would I get out of that kind of lie?”

“……”

“She said, ‘That actor’s cute. He looks so pure—he’s my type.’”

“Really?”

“Does that make you happy?”

“O-of course.”

“Hm.”

For some reason, Yoon Jooho narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips, looking dissatisfied.

Then he stood up and came closer, hands in his pants pockets, leaning in to meet Song Hyunsoo’s gaze.

“What do you think she’d say if she found out the supposedly pure rookie actor enjoys 69s with a senior actor in bed?”

“You’re one to talk, being such a fraud in front of the camera.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Yoon Jooho chuckled low and nodded.

“But there’s no need for the people outside that door to know what goes on in my bed.”

He took his right hand out of his pocket and gripped the metal pillar of the shelf behind Song Hyunsoo.

The space between them shrank.

His right chest was almost touching Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder.

“But rookie actor Song Hyunsoo already knows.”

His breath, after eating Madeleine, carried a sweet Vanilla scent, intoxicating and mixed with his usual cologne.

It felt like their lips would meet any moment, tangling messily, just like at his birthday party.

Song Hyunsoo knew what kind of kisses those cold, thin lips could give.

Maybe that’s why he looked up with eyes full of expectation.

Yoon Jooho’s thumb came up and gently pressed Song Hyunsoo’s lower lip.

“I’ll give you one if you finish the shoot well.”

Song Hyunsoo looked up at the man in front of him, eyes wide.

“You’ll give me one? Did you just say, ‘I’ll give you one’?”

“What’s the problem?”

“Why do you make it sound like your kiss is some kind of reward?”

Yoon Jooho tilted his head and blinked slowly, as if genuinely puzzled.

“…Isn’t it?”

No… I mean… it’s not like I wouldn’t want it… but, um, well, no… I mean, it’s not… not exactly…

Damn, that face attack.

Unable to firmly deny it, but unwilling to admit it either, Song Hyunsoo struggled with his feelings as Yoon Jooho let out a snicker, resting his forehead on Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder.

Whenever his broad, Bulk-up-trained shoulders and back shook with laughter, the tremor passed straight into Song Hyunsoo.

Clutching the shelf pillar behind his back, Song Hyunsoo looked up at the ceiling.

The distance was just too close to handle. No, he wondered if there was even any distance left at all.

He felt like he would suffocate from holding his breath.