Chapter 38:


    Director Jang Jaeyi emerged from a meeting at Gu Film'', a productionpany led by Gu Chanik, with a flush of excitement on his face and murmured, "Impressive, isn''t it?" Gu Chanik had taken a strong liking to Han Yooil, remarkably so. Initially, it seemed that Chanik had arranged the meeting with Yooil with a casual, Let''s just meet, don''t expect much,'' attitude.


    "Now, he insists he won''t do it without Mr. Yooil" Jaeyi pondered, a sly smile ying on his lips. Considering it was Gu Chanik, known for his exacting standards, Jaeyi was curious about how Yooil had managed to charm him to this extent. At that moment, Yooil, standing beside Jaeyi, lookedpletely oblivious to the situation.


    With a light chuckle, Jaeyi continued, "The director, notorious for his meticulousness, will soon call only the actors. The shooting is likely to start in autumn."


    "Understood," Yooil replied.


    "You have a schedule today, right Mr. Yooil?"


    "Yes!" The response came from Min Woojin, his eyes sparkling, "You have a recording for a number from Sing in High School'' in two hours!"


    "Oh, right. I forgot about that," Jaeyi nodded in realization, then gently patted Yooil''s shoulder. "Good luck."


    It didn''t take long for Yooil to understand the meaning behind Jaeyi''s look. Recording songs was proving to be more challenging than post-recording. In Sing in High School,'' a song was featured in each episode, and Yooil had to record three of them. The feedback was thankfully specific, making the task a bit less daunting. The professionals gathered had indeed lived up to their reputation, as the music''s quality was quite high. The guide track initially provided to the actors was good, but the final product was noticeably different.


    "Wow." Even though Yooil wasn''t particrly knowledgeable about music, he could tell that the soundtrack would appeal to many.


    On the day the final episode of Sing in High School'' was released, along with its soundtrack, HM turned on the TV for a modest dinner. HM switched directly to OTube, paying no attention to other channels. As the Sing in High School'' subtitle started appearing on the screen, HM thought, Ah, this is exciting.''


    Initially, HM had started watching the drama just for Kim Harang. Teen dramas weren''t really HM''s taste, especially the cringe-worthy ones. However, the drama proved to be enjoyable. It wasn''t as juvenile as expected. Especially as the lead actors, including Harang, improved their acting skills over time. HM straightened up as Seon Gihyeon appeared in a close-up.


    "He''s been good from the start."


    And then, HM waspletely engrossed in the drama.


    * * *


    The team led by Hyobin was in the finals of Superstar High School''. The theme of the final round was Remake'', focusing on how well the original music could be rearranged into the contestants'' own style. The host pped his hands and announced, "Next up is a team with quite a unique name, Haphazard Squad''!" Haphazard Squad'' was a name Hyena came up with after giving up on finding amon point among the team members.


    Hyena, with her hair sportily tied up, and Hyobin, with a scarf wrapped around her head, were the first to ascend the stage, followed by Harang, wearing an outfit reminiscent of sportswear. Behind them, Seon Gihyeon and Lee Taewoo, who had just reconciled temporarily, climbed onto the stage. The team members faced the audience, whose interest seemed to have waned after the previous performances.


    It''s getting a bit boring Seems like the earlier team will win, right?


    What should we eatter?


    Observing the murmuring audience, Seon Gihyeon slowly closed his eyes. When he reopened them, his teammates were looking at him. A smile gradually appeared on Gihyeon''s face, a stark contrast to his usual cold and expressionless demeanor. And then, the apaniment began to y.


    The judges'' eyes widened upon hearing the familiar tune.


    <i>This song is''</i>


    It was Shin Hyuncheol''s Run'', a song well-known by anyone who had lived through the 80s.


    "Yeah, you''re right


    I don''t know anything"


    The intro, capable of inducing nostalgia in anyone, was transformed with a synth sound, providing a peculiar variation. While retaining familiarity, the arrangement shed some of the original music''s heaviness.


    "All we know is just this moment"


    Hyobin, who had started singing at the front, quickly moved back, making way for Harang, who appeared with mboyant steps.


    "The time we clench our fists and roll our feet"


    At that moment, the drama''s audience gasped. The sparkling poms, which everyone thought were just part of the costumes, shone as they revealed themselves.


    "Let''s roll up our sleeves and run vigorously"


    All five students raised colorful poms high into the sky.


    "Feeling the refreshing breeze, like walking above the clouds"


    Wow.


    The judges watched their cheerleading in amazement.


    They really nailed the concept.


    The judges exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.


    Shin Hyuncheol''s Run'', often used as a cheering song, made the cheerleading concept the perfect choice. Led by Kim Harang, the team members synchronized their dance moves perfectly, maintaining their expressions and breath control even while hopping around, as they sang the highlight.


    "Let''s run until we''re out of breath, with all our might


    Let''s run until the end of the road appears"


    HM leaned forward as if about to be sucked into the screen, unable to blink.


    In that moment, HM realized something profound. It wasn''t that she disliked teen dramas; she simply had a taste for good dramas.


    "Even if the day isn''t bright


    The running won''t stop"


    The once bickering kids were now in sync, looking into each other''s eyes, moving together to the sound of each other''s footsteps and breath, as if they were one.


    "It''s okay if we fall"


    Lee Taewoo and Seon Gihyeonyered their harmonies, supported by the colorful voices of their teammates.


    "Because we''re running together"


    Thest image on stage was the backs of the five students jumping high towards the sky, marking the end of the performance.


    HM sat there, dazed, watching the kids hugging and celebrating their first-ce victory.


    <i>What is this what''s happening?''</i>


    Why was his heart racing when it was just kids bouncing around on the TV?


    It was an inexplicable feeling.


    * * *


    Watermelon Chart 3rd ce.


    OTube Music 2nd ce.


    Bug Chart 1st ce.


    The moment the drama ended, Run'' surged to the top of various music charts. With the streaming of Sing in High School'' on Newblix, the poprity of the soundtrack only grew stronger.


    Got hooked while watching the drama Why is the song so good?


    I don''t watch Singin High, but I listen to the song every day


    Everyone''s main job is done so well;;


    Guys, Singin High is really fun


    Please request a student council award for Byul


    But why is Han Yooil so good at singing? Thought he was a singer


    Themunity''s reaction was overwhelmingly positive,rgely thanks to the quality of the song. A virtuous cycle was created: people watched the drama, then listened to the songs, and those who fell for the songs started watching the drama.


    "Yooil, have you seen this?" Yooil''s attention was drawn to Min Woojin''s phone by his exmation.


    On the phone was the Newblix site.


    "Wow."


    "Is that all you have to say?"


    Min Woojin eximed, his face flushed with excitement.


    "We''re number one, number one!"


    "Indeed."


    The Newblix ranking, which had started in the top 10, steadily climbed until it reached number one in Korea within a week, and soon after, it entered the top 10 non-English-speaking countries.


    Yooil, who already knew about the Newblix ranking thanks to the swift Brion, had to put in his utmost effort to produce a reaction that would satisfy Min Woojin.


    It was an expected result for Newblix to be number one in Korea.


    While Brion considered it a foregone conclusion, Sing in High School'' achieved even better results than the productionpany had anticipated. It wasn''t long before Kim Kyuoh, the director, called personally.


    Yooil, I know that thanks to you, the other actors were able to fully demonstrate their abilities.


    Han Yooil had to take a moment to find the right words in response to Director Kim Kyuoh''s words.


    "Oh, no, it wasn''t just me."


    Humble. Let''s all go on a trip together when our schedules clear up. Everyone seemed to like the idea, right?


    After expressing his gratitude and hanging up the phone, Yooil flopped down on his bed. Was this the so-called reward vacation he had heard about? "Feels good," he thought as he was about to close his eyes when he heard a subtle voice.


    Mr. Yooil.


    <i>What?''</i>


    Tomorrow is the script reading for The Mysterious Garden''. I rmend you wear a scarf to bed for your throat''s health.


    <i>Understood.''</i>


    * * *


    The next morning.


    It was the day of the script reading for The Mysterious Garden''. Yooil entered a conference room in Sangam and was guided to his seat by the production staff.


    "Hello, Mr. Yooil, you can sit here. The director and the assistant director will sit over here!"


    He slowly surveyed the table. There were nine chairs around therge table. It seemed that aside from the flower shop owner'', yed by Hwang Yiwon, and flower shop part-timer'', yed by Han Yooil, there would be a reading with about five supporting actors.


    The flower shop owner.


    A character full of secrets, blunt yet quirky, to be yed by the middle-aged protagonist, Hwang Yiwon. Hwang had debuted 23 years ago in Pretty Brothers'' and had since maintained a steady career, holding the title of flower boy actor''. His acting was also said to improve as time went by.


    While Yooil was lost in thought, supporting actors Joo Heeyoung and Kim Miso entered the room.


    "Hello, seniors."


    "Ah, hello~ Please take your seats. Nice to meet you~"


    After exchanging greetings with them, Yooil sat back down and began reading the script when he noticed a tanned face peeking through the door gap. It was Son Jisoo, followed by a manager who seemed new on the job, judging by his slightly clueless demeanor and contrasting appearance to the pale-faced manager he had seen in the hallway before.


    <i>It seems like the manager has changed.''</i>


    The average tenure of Son Jisoo''s managers is 31.5 days.


    <i>Can that even be called tenure''?''</i>


    It was then that Son Jisoo''s voice was heard.


    "Yooil, long time no see?"


    Yooil''s eyebrows slightly raised. It was an unexpectedly gentle voiceing from him.


    "Hello."


    "It''s our first meeting since that time. How have you been?"


    As Son Jisoo asked warmly and took a seat next to Yooil, the door opened at just the right moment. It was Director Gu Chanik. Noticing him, Son Jisoo began to treat Yooil even more amiably, wearing a kind smile.


    In his most recent interview, Son Jisoo mentioned Director Gu Chanik as the person he respects the most.


    I see.


    <i>This shooting is going to be interesting in many ways.''</i>