MTLNOVEL Chapter 325
Episode 1 of the drama just ended.
“Oh….”
What I felt after watching Episode 1 was sheer admiration.
It’s more interesting than I expected, huh?
I don’t know how to put it, but it keeps pulling you in with anticipation.
I find myself wanting to keep watching even when Episode 2 comes out.
In fact, I’ve hardly ever seen dramas in this genre, so it has a refreshingly different charm.
“Alright! The viewer ratings are out!”
At that moment, the writer started tapping on their laptop and turned the screen towards us.
Where did that earlier calm person go? Instead, they seemed to be even more excited after it ended.
“Wow… it turned out well.”
“Right?”
I may not know much about drama viewer ratings, but seeing the writer and director’s awe made it clear that it was a good result.
“I have high expectations for the ratings.”
High expectations for the ratings… I wonder if it can do better than the already-finished series.
Since it shares the same writer, maybe it can carry over that popularity.
Anyway, since the screening is over, it was time to tidy up.
I started picking up snacks that hadn’t even gone down by half and cleared away things like cups.
“Isn’t it a bit disappointing to only watch one episode at such a late hour?”
Just when I had finished tidying up, the writer, buoyed by the viewer ratings, spoke up.
“Is everyone free? Shall we head out for Round 2?”
Round 2… I’m okay with it, but I wonder if the others will be.
Everyone here is busy.
Peeking around, surprisingly, everyone seemed ready to get up and go.
“Are you all going? Then let’s head to the place I reserved.”
The place we ended up at was a luxurious-looking cocktail bar.
It seemed like it had been booked in advance.
Looking around, it felt like the writer had rented the entire place for just us.
Why didn’t they mention it earlier?
If we had a schedule after renting a place, that could’ve been a disaster.
“Alright, let’s take our seats.”
We arranged ourselves into three guys and three girls, sitting next to each other.
Naturally, the writer and Han Ye-eun ended up sitting on either side of me.
“What will you have, Soo-hyun?”
“Ah, me? Um, can you recommend something?”
I honestly have no idea about this sort of place; even looking at the menu bewildered me.
After all, why would I ever be in a place like this?
“Well then, I’ll just order the same thing as me.”
Unlike me, the writer seemed to be used to such places and placed the order skillfully.
The others also seemed familiar with the setup.
…Am I really the only one here for the first time?
After a short wait, a cocktail was placed in front of me.
Staring at the unfamiliar drink name without taking a sip, I was in a battle of wills with the glass when the writer chuckled and spoke to me.
“You look a bit bewildered, huh? Did you not expect a Round 2?”
“Y-Yeah?”
I only thought tonight’s screening was a simple dinner event; who could have predicted there would be a Round 2?
Seeing my puzzled face, the writer smirked and revealed the truth.
“Usually, screenings finish up with a Round 2.”
“Oh, is that usual?”
…Well, they ought to have told us first.
If I had plans and ended up ditching, the atmosphere would have turned awkward.
“Especially if the viewer ratings are good.”
“Oh.”
…That’s true.
If the ratings were dismal, it’d be a gloomy affair regardless of coming here.
Around me, others were engaged in lively conversation.
Nam Han-kyung was chatting with the director, and Moon Chang-sik was with Han Ye-eun.
It seems I’m stuck engaging with the writer.
Taking a sip of what turned out to be a surprisingly sweet cocktail, I started chatting with the writer about various topics.
“Ah, just a second.”
How long has it been?
Just when my cocktail was nearly empty, the writer stood up to excuse themself and disappeared.
Suddenly left without a conversation partner and sitting quietly waiting, Han Ye-eun slid a snack my way.
“Give this a try too.”
“This is a low-calorie side dish.”
Calories? Oh, right, it seems Han Ye-eun is on some sort of diet.
I remember she just looked at the snacks earlier without eating.
“Thank you.”
After grabbing one and tasting it, it turned out to be delicious.
A little salty, perfect as a side dish.
Nomm, nomm.
Nomm…
During the time the writer was absent, an awkward silence fell over us.
Honestly, my rapport with Han Ye-eun felt a bit tenuous.
Out of the main cast, we were the least familiar, I guess?
Since I didn’t already know anyone like Moon Chang-sik, nor did I have a partner role like Nam Han-kyung, there wasn’t much opportunity to bond.
“We should toast.”
I was feeling somewhat awkward when Han Ye-eun ordered a drink and handed it to me.
“Wow, thank you.”
“Drink slowly. That one’s strong.”
“Ah, yes.”
…She feels quite mature.
It’s true she’s significantly older than me, but is it just me who’s seen her as having a pure image until now?
Being in this dimly lit bar really shifts the atmosphere.
“So this was your first leading role, huh?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“How does it feel?”
As we sipped our drinks, the atmosphere became slightly lighter and conversation flowed more easily.
“Um… it was a bit tough, but seeing today’s results makes it feel rewarding.”
“It’s only Episode 1, though?”
“Ahaha…”
We exchanged comments about our acting, clothes, makeup, and hair care—a bit of girls’ talk that comes up whenever Celestial Realm members gather, and just as the mood eased up…
“I actually wanted to talk to you.”
Han Ye-eun suddenly mentioned.
“Oh, really? That’s a bit unexpected.”
Han Ye-eun talking to me?
She didn’t seem to show any such intention before, so that took me by surprise.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to get closer, but I kept my distance thinking it’d break the immersion.”
Hmm… is that so?
Sure, if you have to act antagonistically, becoming buddy-buddy could totally shatter the immersion.
“I’m fine with it.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Since I didn’t even realize she had been keeping her distance, I brushed it off lightly.
It’s nice to at least have her speak to me like this now.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Just then, the writer returned.
“Ah, writer!”
“Sorry, Soo-hyun. I need to take Ye-eun with me for a moment.”
And just like that, they attempted to abduct Han Ye-eun, whom I had just started bonding with.
“Eh?”
“Me?”
“It’s important…”
I don’t know what it is, but after I nodded, Han Ye-eun got up and left with the writer.
Suddenly, I was left all alone.
…I thought we were getting close; what a pity.
“Why are you drinking alone?”
At that moment, Nam Han-kyung sat down next to me where it was empty.
“…I had company before.”
“Oh, right. The two of you left earlier.”
“They said they had something urgent.”
“At this hour?”
…True.
I was curious about what it could be, but I didn’t press it further.
If it was only the two of them, there must have been a reason.
“This side dish is tasty.”
“That’s what Ye-eun ordered.”
“Then what’s stopping me from eating it all and ordering more?”
Sigh…
Come to think of it, was Nam Han-kyung friendly with Han Ye-eun?
Did he also get distanced like me? I wonder if he knows.
“By the way, when are you filming your next project?”
While I was lost in my thoughts, Nam Han-kyung asked about his next work.
“Well…”
About the next project…
I heard from Park Kang-seok that several offers have already come in, but I haven’t decided on any yet.
“Definitely not this year.”
“There aren’t many months left this year, though.”
“…Not even early next year.”
“Hm, well, then that’ll become your main job, right?”
“Sure.”
“I watched that one too.”
“Oh, you did?”
Hearing that perked me up a bit.
Nam Han-kyung watched my channel?
That feels hard to believe.
He still carries the image of the ultimate foe from the drama, Nam Kyung-min.
I can’t imagine him watching a virtual YouTuber lying on his bed.
“Oh… what did you think?”
It’s an image I find hard to visualize, but I’m rather intrigued.
How was it for someone seemingly so far from our industry, someone like Nam Han-kyung?
“…I thought, oh, this exists.”
“Ah-ha….”
Looks like he didn’t quite grasp it.
He wore a bit of a puzzled expression.
Indeed, he probably never watched animation a single time in his life.
“Well, anyway, it’s a shame that you aren’t working on anything right now. Let’s eat together some time.”
“Yes.”
After making the cliché promise often made among Koreans, Nam Han-kyung stood up.
Following that, I continued to drink a few more suggested cocktails while I gradually built a rapport with Han Ye-eun when she came back, finally taking a taxi home.
“Phew.”
By the time I reached home, it was well into a dark, late night.
Having had a few drinks, I thought about hitting the hay, but I sat myself, nonetheless, at my desk.
Why do I always want to stream after a few drinks?
“Yawn…”
Feeling a bit sleepy, I turned on the stream.
-????
– The great actor has arrivedㅋㅋㅋ
– Wowㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Oh my, how did you manage to drop in at this late hour?
– Welcome!ㅋㅋ
The chat was a total riot.
…I was surprised to see quite a few viewers show up for an unexpected late-night stream without any prior notice.
Were they waiting for me?
– Sera, welcome!ㅋㅋ
– What’s this drama??
– How did you land the lead role? For real;
Oh.
Now that I think about it, I was boozing it up today because of the drama screening.
It wasn’t just me at the screening; the community must have been buzzing too.
Even if it’s just for Episode 1, I’ve got to appear here and there.
Unlike Lady Soo-yeon, I’ll probably be present throughout the drama.
“Nice to see you all… ah….”
But man, I’m sleepy.
Yawning while I tried to greet them.
-???
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ So cuteㅋ
-Sleepy?
– Why so late?? Did you start the stream without any warning?
“Ah, I had… commitments today.”
-????????
– Who?? Who?? Who??
– Aahhh
– Who on earth could it be that you start a stream at this hour?
“It was… three guys….”
-???
-??
– What?
“…And two more girls.”
– Ohh
– Stop interrupting me.
– 3 vs 3, whoa!
“So, it wasn’t anything major, but just a special event today.”
– Ohhㅋㅋ
– Did the drama premiere today?
“I hope you all enjoyed Episode 1.”
“Well, anyway, I don’t have anything planned for today’s stream. I’m just starting it for the sake of it.”
I genuinely didn’t have any fixed ideas on what to do yet.
– Just being here is enough for us…
– Did you really have any special reasons before?
– I bet you’ll just kill time playing Romance of the Three Kingdoms anyway, right?
“Come on, do you think I only play Romance of the Three Kingdoms all the time?”
I haven’t even been playing that much recently; I’ve been trying to diversify my games a bit more.
[Thanks for the donation of 1,000 won, ㅇㅇ!]
But why the back Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
– For real..
– I feel like you’ll just end up playing Romance of the Three Kingdoms anyway.
Back Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Oh, are they referring to the variety show?
Indeed, I’ve seen viewers getting riled up over it on community posts.
“…It is the hot game trending right now, after all. I mean, even the great actors Moon Chang-sik and Kim Soo-hyun are playing it.”
– Oh my god,ㅋㅋ
-???
– Oh, come on!ㅋㅋㅋ
– This is ridiculous!
“Thanks to being an advertisement model, right? Then should I just get a game started since you want it?”
Thus, I kicked off the late-night stream.