Kim Jung-hyun was a girl cherished by everyone around her from the moment she was born.

The expression "a flower nurtured in a greenhouse" perfectly described her.

The only granddaughter of the most prestigious family in Joseon,

Her beauty and temperament were so extraordinary that not only her family but even the guests visiting their home adored her.

To say that everyone who knew the name Kim Jung-hyun treasured her would not be an exaggeration.

Yet, for Kim Jung-hyun, such affection was also...

“The world of Hanseong is changing because of modernization, but my life remains as still as a calm lake.”

...the very reason she became a sheltered frog in a well, unaware of the broader world.

“Live like a lotus on a tranquil lake. That is the life that suits you.”

Her grandfather, Kim Ja-gyeom, had isolated her from all external influences, believing they might harm her.

This led to a clash between the two.

“Foreigners and Japanese roam freely in the capital, and more women are trading their hanbok for Western attire.”

“Such matters are none of your concern.”

“How could the affairs of Joseon not concern a Joseon citizen?”

“Do these events seem like something Joseon has initiated? Joseon is merely being swept along!”

Kim Ja-gyeom, though aware of his granddaughter''s frustration with her confined life,

Still believed it was better to keep her away from a world in upheaval.

To him, she was more precious than any treasure.

Even if it meant earning her resentment, he would not allow her safety to be jeopardized.

Kim Jung-hyun faced the unyielding gaze of her grandfather, whose vigor defied his near-eighty years of age.

She had no choice but to fall silent again.

Kim Ja-gyeom was the most stalwart person Kim Jung-hyun knew.

He had lived his entire life adhering to the rigid mindset of a Joseon aristocrat.

As the head of Joseon''s most prestigious family, he earned respect for upholding his noble duties, like Beomjung-eom (an aristocratic code).

However, when it came to strict distinctions created by class and gender, he was utterly inflexible, and no one could sway his beliefs.

Servants were servants.

Commoners were commoners.

Nobles were nobles.

Men were men.

Women were women.

The roles and lives assigned to each were immutable.

He believed they should remain so forever.

Thus, especially for his beloved granddaughter,

Her role as "someone to be cherished" and her destiny to "marry a good man and live beautifully, like a flower until the end" were non-negotiable.

“If you bring another strange book into your room, I’ll punish your nanny severely!”

Kim Ja-gyeom confiscated her books and issued a stern warning.

Though frustration and disappointment clouded her expression, Kim Jung-hyun eventually had to back down.

One of these was the Infinite Challenge Song Festival, set to begin filming in just two days.

According to Lee Jun, other singers participating in the festival would be showcasing themselves to promote their careers. This meant that Ha-eun also had to prepare a PR strategy for Pinocchio, her persona as a singer.

For any singer, PR inevitably centers around their songs.

Unlike the other performers, who had been cast purely for their musical talent and reputation, Ha-eun owed her invitation in part to her fame as an actress.

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To stand out as a singer, she needed to solidify her image and leave no doubts about her vocal abilities.

That’s why she’d been rigorously practicing a particularly challenging song, even incorporating Lee Jun’s feedback.

“Think of it as asserting dominance right from the start. If you don’t go all out, they might underestimate you because of your age.”

Lee Jun’s determination for Ha-eun to leave a strong impression as a singer was as resolute as his faith in her acting.

He reminded her that many people still primarily recognized her as an actress, not a singer.

“This isn’t about being an actor who can sing decently; this is about being a bona fide singer. Don’t hold back, alright?”

“Understood.”

Her intense practice sessions continued for hours. However, her visit to Doubllee’s studio wasn’t solely about the Song Festival.

-Ding.

[“Yuna_Cover_Song_Demo_Final_Final_Last_Really_Last.mp3”]

[Yena Lee (Yuna)] - “Please save me, coach. I feel like my throat is going to tear.”

[Ha-eun (Diah)] - “Hmm.”

[Ha-eun (Diah)] - “For someone who sang like their throat was tearing, it’s still a little lacking.”

-Ding.

[“Yuna_Cover_Song_Guide_v11.mp3”]

[Ha-eun (Diah)] - “I adjusted the breathing for the difficult parts and recorded it. Try singing along with this version.”

[Yena Lee (Yuna)] - (flailing duck emoji)

[Yena Lee (Yuna)] - “Can’t we just use yours? Do you know how demoralizing it is to be told I can’t even match the guide vocal?”

[Ha-eun (Diah)] - “Then practice until you don’t feel demoralized anymore.”

[Ha-eun (Diah)] - (thumbs-up otter emoji)

[Yena Lee (Yuna)] - “HEY!!!!!!!!”

Currently, Pinocchio wasn’t just part of the Infinite Challenge Song Festival lineup. She also served as a special vocal coach for the Fantasy Horizon cover song project.

Among the VTubers, Ha-eun had been focusing particularly on Yena Lee, crafting guide vocals for her covers.

Every time Yena’s vocal skills improved, Ha-eun would incrementally increase the difficulty of the guide tracks.

Yena, overwhelmed, repeatedly called and messaged her to ask why she was pushing her so hard.

“Because I think you can do it,” Ha-eun replied simply.

When Yena hesitated and half-jokingly asked if this was punishment for teasing her about the kiss scene in The Moonlight Splitting the Clouds, Ha-eun’s answer was,

“That’s not entirely off the mark.”

She also added that she wouldn’t stop until she was satisfied.

This left Yena alternating between silent screams of despair and actual cries of protest.

But in the end, she couldn’t blame anyone but herself—it was all the result of her own teasing.