#202.
Part 2.
Unable to contain himself, Heungmin asked Woocheol.
It was clear from just the first episode that Woocheol, as the second male lead, couldn’t end up with the female lead.
This was because the drama focused heavily on the main male and female characters.
Instead, Heungmin seemed to be hoping that Woocheol might connect with the second female lead, who appeared midway through the second episode.
“Ah, I can’t give spoilers!”
“I’m curious! How can you be so mean and not tell me?!”
“You can find out if you binge-watch until the last episode!”
Woocheol’s tight security made Heungmin glare at him playfully.
“I like being spoiled before watching.”
“What, are you a pervert?”
“It’s a preference!”
The first episode was mostly an introduction to the male and female leads.
Jo Eunah, the female lead, was introduced, and her childhood friend Woocheol also made brief appearances.
The second episode featured the male and female leads becoming more aware of each other, while the second female lead, who could be considered the female lead’s rival, transferred to their school.
“Eunah sunbae [senior/upperclassman] looks so pretty…….”
It was a scene where Jo Eunah was reading a book in the library.
It was an obvious scene designed to make the male lead fall for the female lead, and Gyuseong reacted immediately to the sight.
‘The visuals are definitely good.’
Even though Dojae had never experienced it himself, the high school in the scene was so beautiful that it made him want to go back to his high school days.
The actors in their school uniforms looked incredibly fresh.
The story also captured the innocent and clumsy love of teenagers, which made it even more exciting.
‘I’ve thought that since I saw the synopsis and script…….’
Nevertheless, the only reason Dojae thought
One reason, and a very big one.
It was the acting skill of the male lead, Han Seokwoo.
It was such a picturesque example of ‘bad acting’ that you could say, ‘From now on, we’ve decided to call *this* bad acting.’
He thought he was bad when he went to the set.
However, at the time, the filming was already quite advanced, so it wasn’t *this* bad.
‘But the acting in episodes 1 and 2…….’
Although the order was mixed depending on outdoor and indoor shooting, the acting in the early episodes 1 and 2 was terrible, probably because they were filmed roughly in chronological order.
Even considering that it was a web drama with many acting beginners, it was a bit too much.
The visuals were so good that it felt like memories were being fabricated, and the story of the youth was heart-fluttering…….
Everything was there, but it was impossible to concentrate.
‘A spy?’
In the second half of episode 2.
In a scene where Han Seokwoo rebelled against his strict parents and shouted loudly, Dojae even had such thoughts.
‘There are spies in Korea…. It’s not common these days, but you never know.’
The subtle accent, which was Korean but not quite Korean, even made him suspect espionage.
As someone from a royal background, Dojae often thought seriously about social and political issues.
So, he wasn’t just joking, but seriously considering it.
While Dojae was having such thoughts, the other members were also speechless.
“…….”
“…….”
When they watched the first episode, the members didn’t define their feelings, trying to think, ‘It’s the first episode, so I don’t know yet…….’
But after watching the second episode, it was clear.
It was difficult to continue watching the drama because of the acting of the male lead, Han Seokwoo.
It felt like they could finally breathe when Jo Eunah or Woocheol appeared.
That’s why Heungmin was more interested in the story with the second female lead.
No matter how well the remaining actors did,
‘If the male lead is like that…….’
Woocheol was next to them, so they were trying hard to manage their expressions, but that thought popped into everyone’s head.
―I’ll go first.
But in the ending of episode 2.
Even in the scene that was supposed to force the ‘coolness of the male lead’ into the viewers’ mouths, the members failed to manage their expressions as they watched Han Seokwoo act with a dull expression and stiff tone.
“Ah…….”
Louis let out a dizzying exclamation, then covered his mouth with his hand, noticing Woocheol’s reaction.
But there was no need to do that.
“Ah, it’s ruined―!!!”
Woocheol roared and jumped up from his chair.
In fact, Woocheol tried to think positively about the web drama he was in.
He wanted to be congratulated by the members and feel rewarded, as he had worked hard filming it while juggling MOST’s album preparation schedule…….
However, even Woocheol thought, or rather, Woocheol thought even *more* so, that the current
“Hey, what’s wrong, Park Woocheol…….”
Heungmin asked, surprised, turning to Woocheol.
He asked what was wrong, but there wasn’t a member who didn’t know why.
That was why no one dared to suggest watching the third episode.
“Woocheol-ah. You were good…….”
Gyuseong comforted Woocheol with difficulty.
What was important to the members was Woocheol’s acting debut.
In that respect, it was a pretty good debut.
The role was good, and although Woocheol didn’t have many scenes, he captivated viewers with his decent acting skills in every scene he appeared in.
Even compared to Jo Eunah, who had some acting experience, Woocheol’s acting was decent.
“Yeah, Park Woocheol. You did better than I thought! I’m really looking forward to the future!”
Heungmin forced a smile and patted Woocheol on the shoulder.
Woocheol clutched his head.
Of course, he was happy that his acting was being well-received.
However, it was also important for the work to do well.
After all, people could only see Woocheol’s acting if the work did well.
“The story is interesting though…….”
Heungmin finally revealed his honest feelings, sounding disappointed.
Louis and Gyuseong nodded in agreement.
It seemed like it would be an even better web drama if the male lead role was played by a different actor.
“Woocheol-ah…. From episode 3, your part becomes bigger, right?”
Gyuseong asked, trying to find a hopeful aspect.
Woocheol nodded.
Indeed, from episode 3, Woocheol also had a significant role.
But if episodes 1 and 2 are like this, who would want to watch episode 3?
Woocheol became gloomy again.
The members exchanged glances at Woocheol’s depressed expression.
In the end, their gazes gathered on Dojae.
When Dojae spoke, it seemed to have a stronger impact than when the other members spoke, even if it was the same comfort.
When Dojae spoke, it felt like ‘it would really happen,’ like ‘everything would come true.’
Heungmin, Gyuseong, Louis.
Dojae was a little embarrassed by the three people’s burdensome gazes, but he soon said what he wanted to say.
“Well…. The other actors are all good at acting, the directing is good, and the story is solid, so I’m sure the response will get better and better.”
They hadn’t looked up the reactions separately, but they couldn’t help but guess what the reactions would be like.
“Really…. Do you think so?”
Dojae nodded.
Anyway, after that, Han Seokwoo would be acting to the level he had seen on set…….
“And more importantly, Woocheol, you made such a wonderful debut as an actor.”
At Dojae’s words, the members quickly added.
“That’s right! Let’s celebrate starting today! You did so well!”
“That’s right, Woocheol-ah! I enjoyed your acting. You worked hard filming it.”
“Hyung [older brother/male friend]! Congratulations! Actor Parkkkkk!”
At Louis’s shout of ‘Actor Park,’ Woocheol shrugged his shoulders.
“Actor my ass!”
But his expression had already softened, and a smile was on his face.
It was right to think about the entire work as a cast member, but on a day like today, it was right for Woocheol to be congratulated by the members for his hard work, as he had planned.
In a slightly relaxed atmosphere, the members watched episode 3.
Now that their impressions were all out in the open, they could share their opinions more comfortably.
Indeed, Woocheol’s part became bigger, and Han Seokwoo’s acting skills also improved slightly by +1, so episode 3 was much better than episode 2.
“Woocheol, you’re really good…….”
Woocheol smiled proudly at Heungmin’s sincere admiration.
After watching all the way to episode 3.
Woocheol quickly checked the comments on his phone.
Sure enough.
The content about Han Seokwoo’s acting accounted for half of the comments.
Woocheol grimaced and skipped over those comments, looking only for comments about himself.
Fortunately, the fans seemed to like it when he looked at the community reactions.
“Ugh, I’m watching a web drama because of Woocheol.”
“There are many fun web dramas! I can recommend some to you!”
Louis said, his eyes shining, as Heungmin stretched.
Louis, a drama fanatic, had long since mastered even famous web dramas.
Heungmin felt burdened by Louis’s words and stepped back.
“But…. Aren’t you a little hungry?”
At Gyuseong’s words, the members naturally checked the time.
It was already past 7:30.
“It’s past dinner time.”
“Shall we order room service?”
“Yeah, let’s do that. I wonder if Gijun hyung has eaten yet?”
It wasn’t just Gyuseong, but the other members were also starting to feel hungry.
If it got any later, their faces might swell tomorrow, so the members hurriedly rummaged through the menu with the room service menu.
At that time.
Ding-dong, the doorbell rang in the room.
Heungmin and Louis, who were rummaging through the menu, looked at the door in surprise.
Woocheol, who was on his phone, also tilted his head.
“Did you already order?”
“No…. We haven’t even decided on the menu yet.”
“I’ll go see!”
Louis quickly headed to the door.
“Uh…. Who is it?”
The members looked at Louis and the door with a little tension.
This was because ‘sasaengs’ [obsessive fans] might have followed them to the hotel like last time.
“Room service.”
The voice heard from outside the room was a man’s.
Also, it was Korean. The owner of the rather blunt voice was…….
“Is that Gijun hyung?!”
Louis asked, puzzled, and opened the door.
Then, Gijun was standing in front of the door, holding something in both hands.
The members craned their necks to see Gijun.
“Hyung?”
“Weren’t you in your room, hyung? What’s all that…….”
Gijun entered the room without a word and placed the luggage on the table.
A delicious smell spread from where Gijun had passed.
Gyuseong jumped up and shouted, “No way!”
This was because it was the smell of okonomiyaki [savory pancake] that Gyuseong had wanted to eat in the room earlier.
Heungmin and Woocheol, who were near the table, unpacked the luggage, and as Gyuseong expected, okonomiyaki came out.
Not only that, but also takoyaki [octopus balls], sushi, gyukatsu [beef cutlets], and omelet rice…. There was even a cheesecake for dessert.
It was a complete feast.
“What’s all this?”
Woocheol asked in surprise, and Gijun replied with an indifferent face.
“You debuted as an actor, so you should have a party.”
At Gijun’s words, a bright smile appeared on Woocheol’s face.
“Hyunggggg!”
And Woocheol immediately hugged Gijun’s neck and rejoiced.
Gijun tried to shake Woocheol off, disgusted, but Gyuseong put his hand on Gijun’s shoulder, touched in a different sense, saying, “Hyung!”
“Hyung! But you didn’t just buy this without watching my part, did you?”
“What do you have a phone for?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Thanks to Gijun, who unexpectedly packed the delicious food that the members wanted to eat, the atmosphere became even more friendly.
The members congratulated Woocheol to their heart’s content and talked about tomorrow’s performance.
That’s how the night in Osaka was passing.