Chapter 96:


    After Kang Hyesung''s interview was published, an office worker, having not slept properly for hours and just browsing through onlinemunities, went to work with dark circles under their eyes.


    Ah, Im dying.


    Amidst this, a colleague, nicknamed the sibling of Mooi,'' tried to cheer up the office worker by offering a cup of coffee.


    Thank you.


    Cheer up, manager!


    The office worker, seeing the cheerful face of their colleague, swallowed a sigh. However, more than their own haggard appearance, they were worried about Han Yooil.


    Manager, did you bring lunch today?


    Oh, yes.


    Feeling too distressed to eat, the office worker had only bought a simple sandwich on the way to work.


    While biting into a store-bought pumpkin sandwich, habitually checking BlueChat, the office worker noticed a post that caught their attention.


    [@yuulll_33 (link)


    What''s this?]


    [@jinnnny Wow]


    The link led to Otube, a video uploaded by an anonymous ount.


    Upon watching, the office worker immediately recognized it.


    <i>This is from The Sun and the Moon episode 2.</i>


    It was the notorious wooden sword scene.


    Unlike the edited drama scene, the unsteady camera and the staff''s concerns after the cut captured the tense atmosphere on set.


    Wow


    What.. is this?


    That looks really dangerous;;


    If Han Yooil was even 0.5 seconds slower, that would have been an injury.


    Those reflexes are insane.


    Those who watched the video multiple times caught every sound in the background.


    But is that Kang Hyesung at 0:53?


    Sounds like he''s swearing..?


    Yep.


    He makes a mistake and swears at Han Yooil lol.


    And he did the interview after this?


    Truly legendary.


    The video, being short, started trending as Otube short-form content and spread across mostmunities within a few hours.


    But the video wasn''t the end of it.


    Contrary to Kang Hyesung''s hopes, his interview was soon overshadowed by a bigger controversy.


    TO Entertainment, Evidence of Involvement in KDK Stock Maniption Uncovered


    TO Entertainment Silent on Stock Maniption Allegations


    TO Entertainments CEO: One of the Main yers in KDK Stock Maniption Involvement of Affiliated Celebrities Under Scrutiny


    Until a few hours ago, Kang Hyesung''s fandom was fervently defending him, but they quickly fell into a somber mood.


    [@mystrong_sung Im closing my ount. Don''t send chats.]


    [@star_h.sung close. Were shutting down.]


    Everyone knew.


    It had be something beyond anyone''s control.


    * * *


    Inside his room, Han Yooil slowly closed his phone.


    <i>Is this how it ends?</i>


    He didnt feel relieved or happy.


    It wasnt pleasant to watch others tiptoeing around him either.


    While the filming for Shadows of Faith'' was going smoothly, Park Younghyun and Kim Suna asionally checked on Yooils expression during breaks. Park Younghyun even cautiously approached Yooil after shooting to chat.


    Just, if you''re okay I was thinking we could order some tteokbokki at my ce


    Considering his usual strict diet, it was saying something. Yooil could guess his own expressions during non-acting moments without looking in a mirror.


    Brion spoke in a dry voice.


    It was bound to happen eventually.


    <i>Is that so.</i>


    Yes.


    In such times, the decisive responses from Brion ironically seemed to be of help. Han Yooil gripped the script in his hand tighter. When his mind was heavy with thoughts, exhausting his body was often the best remedy.


    Scene 4-4 background immersion.


    Initiating background immersion for Scene 4-4.


    Han Yooil closed his eyes.


    When he opened them again, he saw a middle-aged woman smiling in front of him. Yooil knew she was supposed to be his character Suhyuns mother.


    A woman who had fallen into a ridiculous cult, dragging her husband into a quagmire from which he couldn''t escape.


    Suhyun looked at the woman with mixed feelings.


    It had been years since hest saw his mother. In that time, her hair had turned white and her wrinkles had deepened.


    Its been tough for you, hasnt it, my child?


    As Suhyun scanned her face deeply, he unintentionally began to hope, even though he knew he shouldnt.


    If you just believe in Hanaa God, everything will be resolved.


    Suhyuns face revealed his dark and intense emotions, raw and unfiltered, like ck coffee poured out carelessly.


    Huh? Suhyun, we can be saved.


    Suhyuns face contorted.


    Nonsense.


    It was an expectation betrayed countless times. Yet, he found himself foolishly wanting to believe it once more. He muttered again with one side of his mouth curled up.


    Stop the nonsense.


    * * *


    After two more background immersions, Yooil copsed onto his bed, unable to even open his eyes properly due to the overwhelming fatigue.


    Excessive use of background immersion can lead to fatigue, hypoxia, headaches, chest pain


    Thats why he couldnt properly hear Brions voice.


    And it can also induce sleep.


    He also didn''t notice that Brion''sstment was slightly different from the beginning.


    * * *


    The next day, Yooil entered thepany, continuously rubbing his stiff neck.


    <i>Did I sleep wrong?</i>


    Whether it was his posture during sleep or something else, his neck hurt every time he moved.


    Yooil! Sorry, the meeting took longer than expected~


    Its alright.


    As Jang Jaeyi entered the office, Yooil straightened up.


    Its almost awards season, Yooil.


    Ah, yes.


    Director Jang Jaeyi tilted her head, observing Yooils calm demeanor.


    Arent you excited, Yooil?


    Excited?


    Hearing Jang Jaeyis question, Han Yooil pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, then shook his head.


    No. Honestly, Im not expecting to win any awards. The other nominees are all very strong.


    <i>Hes sincere.</i>


    Indeed, this years KVN Acting Awards werepetitive. There were notable nominees like Kim Seojin, who disyed impressive acting skills in an action mystery drama as a neer, and Han Subin, who shone in a legal drama. Both had built substantial fan bases and were popr.


    Both dramas were reasonably sessful. Some even said it was the year KVN dramas made aeback.


    <i>Still, he should have some expectations with KVN.</i>


    It wasntmon for a neer to leave such an impact. The number of his fan club members was increasing every day.


    <i>And he''s quite mentioned on SNS andmunities.</i>


    This was something the PR team knew, constantly monitoring the data.


    Moreover, <Jinhee> was performing unexpectedly well.


    It had won the Foreign Language Film Award from the National Society of Film Critics, a part of the International Federation of Film Critics. The National Society of Film Critics Awards was one of the globally recognized awards, representing the U.S. in the federation.


    If I had known, I would have asked CEO Oh to focus more on the promotion~


    Director Won Heesu, speaking to Yooil after a while, said this half-jokingly, half-seriously.


    The Academy Awards results were determined by the votes of hundreds, if not thousands, of members among the films released in the United States, making promotion inevitably crucial. It was only natural that well-known films through various marketing efforts were more likely to leave a strong impression on the judges. Director Won Heesu also had no expectations for the Academy Awards.


    As Yooil was recalling his conversation with Director Won Heesu, Chief Manager Jang Jaeyi continued in a cheerful voice,


    "This time, we won''t have you doing a fashion show for a long time like before Actually, I''d love to do that, but Yooil, you''re just too busy."


    <i>Ah.''</i>


    Han Yooil blinked. Seeing Yooil''s face mix relief with bewilderment, Jang Jaeyi chuckled and shook her head.


    "You don''t have to worry about not paying attention to the outfit. I''ll prepare it properly."


    Before Yooil could respond, Chief Manager Jang Jaeyi shrugged her shoulders and said,


    "Well, Yooil, even if you wear a sack, you''ll shine."


    Thats not true.


    But Yooil couldn''t say anything, as Chief Manager Jang Jaeyi''s eyes sparkled too much.


    * * *


    After the controversy stirred by Kang Hyesung had passed,


    a rtively calm atmosphere had formed among Han Yooil''s fandom, when the first still cut of "Shadows of Faith" was released. Although there was still half a year left before the series was released, it was part of the marketing strategy to build anticipation.


    omg


    What''s with the tattoo? Crazy


    Is that really Han Yooil?????


    Seriously, I almost didn''t recognize him


    If I pass by and our eyes meet, I''ll freak out..


    Lololol agreed


    You all know it''s half a year until "Shadows of Faith" is released, right? ^O^


    You, seriously..


    Can''t wait (picture of someone having difficulty breathing)


    But really, no clue how he''s going to act


    As the still cut was released, and as the KVN Acting Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards were approaching, Han Yooil''s fans couldn''t hide their anticipation.


    Meanwhile, another piece of news weed by the fans arrived.


    Han Yooil was entering a new variety show. Moreover, it was one of the most trending variety shows recently.


    "Please Take Care of My Doggie."


    The program, abbreviated as DogCare,'' was a life-immersive variety show where the cast brought in dogs from a shelter and became their temporary caretakers for fifteen days.


    It wasn''t about taking care of someone''s dog for a day or two, nor was it volunteering at a shelter, but rather fully caring for a dog for fifteen days, making the show almost like a documentary. Hence, if not taken seriously, it could easily be controversial.


    Thats why when Yooil first expressed his wish to appear on the show, thepany was surprised.


    "You want to do Please Take Care of My Doggie''? Hmm Its a popr and trending program, so its all good but"


    Chief Manager Jang Jaeyi, with her eyes narrowed, looked at Yooil.


    "Why DogCare'' of all things?"


    ''


    In truth, Han Yooil''s decision wasn''t based on deep contemtion.


    Han Yooil in DogCare'' would be great


    It would be perfect..


    Not just from the asionalments he saw, but there was also a fan who specifically wished for Yooil''s participation in DogCare''.


    Day 80 praying for Yooil''s participation in DogCare''


    Day 91 praying for Yooil''s participation in DogCare''


    Every time Yooil went into Yooilmui,'' he could see the posts diligently uploaded by a fan. Reading those posts always made him feel a bit heavy-hearted.


    "I just wanted to give it a try And also, this season of DogCare'' is about to end soon."


    "Ah, that''s true."


    Quick to understand, Chief Manager Jang Jaeyi soon said she would contact the producer.


    The Please Take Care of My Doggie'' team weed Yooil more enthusiastically than expected.


    We''d love to have you~! We knew you were busy with the shooting, so we didn''t even try to recruit you!


    And just like that, Han Yooil''s variety show shooting was decided swiftly.


    * * *


    Lee Hyejin had never felt her heart flutter so much as these days. Every day felt like riding a rollercoaster.


    Though she thought she didn''t need this kind of thrill for being a fan, fortunately, things worked out in the end.


    Wow, time really isn''t moving.''


    Lee Hyejin nced anxiously at the clock.


    It wasn''t the end of the online lecture that Lee Hyejin was eagerly waiting for as the semester came to a close.


    What she was anticipating was the premiere of the trailer for "Please Take Care of My Doggie".


    Ding!


    "It''s here!"


    With a cry of joy, Lee Hyejin''s fingers moved swiftly to y the video.


    The trailer began with an interview with Han Yooil.


    He was dressed in a in grey hoodie and jeans.


    Wow, his face is paradise


    Can Han Yooil star in a campus youth drama next time?


    It looks almost like his bare face, how can he look like that?


    In the next scene, a fluffy andrge dog appeared. The dog had shiny ck eyes and a moist, pink nose.


    <i>So cute''</i>


    Lee Hyejin couldn''t help but open her mouth wide.


    "The friend I''ve brought this time is Mng. She''s one year old and weighs 20kg."


    [Why is her name Mng?]


    Pausing at the producer''s question, Yooil thought for a moment before opening his mouth.


    "Her nose is really soft."


    Ah


    Did hee up with the name himself?


    So cute


    But Mng does look really soft


    As soon as the interview ended, the scene shifted to Han Yooil''s house.


    <i>Wow, the house is really beautiful.''</i>


    Even at a nce, it was a very tidy house.


    Brown and white were appropriately arranged, giving a clean, minimal, yet warm feel.


    [Day 1 of Temporary Care]


    The subtitle appeared along with the sight of Yooil, with his hair disheveled, looking around the house for the dog.


    "Mng?"


    Searching around the house, Yooil found Mng crouched under the sofa.


    "!"


    And with the scene of the dog''s excrement, mosaic-censored on a white bathroom mat, the trailer came to an end.


    Lol


    If you''re going to show everything, why mosaic it


    Ah It was a good bath mat


    Lee Hyejin began posting on BlueChat, covering her mouth.


    [@jinnnny DogCare'' is crazy, we have to preserve Han Yooil''s hoodie]


    [@jinnnny Ah, it''s so cute, really,,,]


    [@jinnnny How can the puppy''s name be Mng too]


    One week before the broadcast of "Please Take Care of My Doggie".


    At that moment, a trailer with one of the best reactions among all those released for "Please Take Care of My Doggie" was unveiled.