[Survival on a Deserted Island Viewership Increases, Anticipation for The Chaser Rises] [Continuous Variety Show Hits! Who is Ju Seoyeon?] [Eclat Etoile''s ''Slump is Over,'' Glorious Comeback with ''Starlight'']

    The day after Survival on a Deserted Island aired, several articles were released in quick succession. Even I didn’t expect this level of response.

    ‘Is this false advertising?’

    I was genuinely concerned. What if people who actually use the product end up getting different results and file complaints? My skin is just naturally very resilient.

    Regardless, Eclat Etoile was so excited that they contacted my agency directly.

    “I heard their sales skyrocketed.” “...Really?” “Right now, you can’t find Starlight on display anywhere because it’s sold out.”

    I awkwardly smiled at Manager Park Eun-ha’s words.

    ‘No matter what, I didn’t expect it to be this much.’

    To be honest, it didn’t feel real. I knew the ad turned out well, but I never imagined it would have such a huge impact.

    ‘Is it because Survival on a Deserted Island had such a big influence?’

    Honestly, after watching the episode yesterday, I couldn’t hold my head up at home. Watching myself running around the deserted island... honestly, it was embarrassing.

    ‘This is all because I’m weak against feeling good.’

    It was actually fine when I was younger, before I turned ten.

    That was when the influence of my past life was still present.

    ‘But things changed when I hit puberty.’

    As I began to fully experience emotions, I started to feel those so-called good emotions.

    I was used to negative emotions since my past life had plenty of intense experiences, so I was quite indifferent to them. But emotions I hadn’t properly felt in my past life—like joy, excitement, and exhilaration—were something I was very vulnerable to.

    In the words of Lee Ji-yeon:

    “You’re like an excited retriever, running around everywhere.” “...”

    Honestly, this wasn’t the first time. Something similar happened once in middle school. It turns out I quite like being active.

    ‘Suddenly, I’m feeling a bit worried.’

    Dream Future. A youth romance drama. The role I’m aiming for, Jo Ha-rin, is a quirky, vibrant character. And she’s the tragic supporting heroine.

    She’s someone who has liked the main male lead, Kim Si-hwan, since childhood and joins an audition program to pursue her dream of becoming an idol alongside him.

    Of course, Kim Si-hwan ends up with the main female lead, Song So-ha, and Jo Ha-rin steps back.

    ‘Jo Ha-rin’s screen time decreases sharply after episode 8.’

    Episodes 7 and 8 are Jo Ha-rin’s main episodes. It’s when Jo Ha-rin quietly gives up on Kim Si-hwan and decides to support Song So-ha.

    ‘Romantic acting.’

    Even though the feelings aren’t mutual, Jo Ha-rin’s tender first love for Kim Si-hwan and her journey to giving it up—can I portray that well?

    And after watching myself on Survival on a Deserted Island, I’m suddenly worried about whether I can convincingly act out romantic feelings.

    Maybe I shouldn’t go after all. Just as I was thinking that...

    “Seoyeon, the director from Eclat Etoile called!”

    Manager Park Eun-ha’s phone rang with a direct call from Eclat Etoile.

    “Ah, actress Ju Seoyeon! How are you? I wanted to discuss continuing our partnership with Eclat Etoile moving forward...”

    Director Baek Min-chan’s voice was full of excitement as he spoke to Seoyeon. It was essentially a request to keep working together. And...

    “Just to mention, please do your best to maintain a positive image! It would be greatly appreciated!”

    Currently, I have a mysterious image in the ad and a lively image on the variety show. Essentially, he was asking me to maintain those positive images.

    Additionally...

    “At this rate, we might even renew the contract midway. I’ll work hard to ensure we can get at least double the amount next time.”

    Director Baek Min-chan boldly ended the call with those words. After mulling over his words for a moment, I made up my mind. Over 400 million won. The image of myself swimming in money briefly crossed my mind.

    ‘...Hmm.’

    I nodded as I looked at my phone.

    ‘I’m going to audition for Dream Future.’

    And so, I firmly made up my mind.

    After the airing of Survival on a Deserted Island, another significant change was the creation of fan sites dedicated to Seoyeon. Commonly known as the Ju Seoyeon Gallery, Ju Seoyeon Fan Cafe, and so on, these started popping up here and there.

    There weren’t many of them, but the fact that they were being created at all was proof that her recognition had significantly increased. And this happened even though there weren’t any recent dramas or movies released.

    “She could probably kill him with one strike from her coconut spear.”“Do you think Ju Seoyeon is a joke?”“Metal Cocorilla would win.”

    Because of this, Park Jung-woo attracted attention. Standing alongside Shin Yoon, his presence was proof that he was one of today’s judges.

    “Idols, actors. Most of them are newcomers, though.”

    Park Jung-woo murmured. Many of the participants were trying their hand at acting for the first time.

    Although it might seem a bit amusing to someone with more experience, he didn’t even crack a smile. On the contrary...

    ‘It feels like he’s distracted.’

    It was as if he was waiting for someone. But could there really be an actor participating in this audition that Park Jung-woo would be waiting for?

    ‘No way.’

    Dream Future was a drama that KMB had ambitiously prepared, but it was more about being a challenging project than one with a significant investment.

    Even the writer for Dream Future was a newcomer. The actors were mostly newcomers too.

    Honestly, as the casting director, Shin Yoon couldn’t help but sigh at the lineup.

    ‘If this succeeds, I’ll eat my hat.’

    Even with that thought, looking at Park Jung-woo somehow filled him with a vague sense of confidence. Though some of his previous works had been shaky, he had never had a complete failure.

    “Wow, what’s going on?” “Is JustX really here?”

    At that moment, the audition hall buzzed with excitement. The first thing that caught everyone’s attention was the blonde hair.

    A man in casual attire walked in. The manager beside him seemed to be puffing up his chest.

    ‘JustX’s Ma Yeon-woo.’

    Park Jung-woo narrowed his eyes. It made sense for an idol drama to have a popular idol attempting their first acting role.

    ‘Of course.’

    Ma Yeon-woo shrugged his shoulders as he walked forward. He could feel all eyes on him.

    ‘There’s no stage more fitting than this.’

    A drama about an idol audition. And he was a popular idol. Naturally, he was guaranteed at least one role.

    ‘What were the roles again?’

    He couldn’t quite remember. As he continued walking... he suddenly noticed that something felt off.

    ‘Huh?’

    It felt like the attention wasn’t on him but on someone behind him.

    Ma Yeon-woo stopped walking. Then, he slowly turned around.

    “...Aren’t you going?”

    For a moment, Ma Yeon-woo was speechless.

    A female student with black hair. She slightly furrowed her brow, seemingly annoyed that Ma Yeon-woo was blocking her path.

    Ju Seoyeon.

    Her appearance startled not only Ma Yeon-woo but also the other actors.

    ‘The Princess of Memories.’

    All eyes then turned to Park Jung-woo, who had played Yoon Seo-il. The chemistry between them in Looking at Memories had caused quite a stir.

    ‘Could she be going for the role of Song So-ha...?’

    It was already known that Park Jung-woo had been cast as the male lead, Kim Si-hwan. But if Ju Seoyeon was aiming for the role of Song So-ha?

    If that were the case, it would be disheartening for the other actresses. If he were the casting director, he would definitely cast Seoyeon as Song So-ha.

    However...

    ‘Who was originally cast for the role of Jo Ha-rin?’

    Seoyeon wasn’t particularly interested in the role of Song So-ha. Her focus was solely on the role of Jo Ha-rin.

    And...

    ‘This guy.’

    A delicate-looking male actor—or was he an idol?—was staring at her. His face seemed familiar. That’s because...

    ‘He played the role of someone who had something going on with Jo Ha-rin in the drama.’

    Seoyeon quietly looked up at Ma Yeon-woo.

    And as Park Jung-woo watched the two, his eyes narrowed slightly.