episode_0082

Every filming set in South Korea operates under a very tight schedule.

No matter how relaxed a movie may seem compared to a drama, its essence remains the same.

Especially for , where the director is none other than Choi Daewoon.

A director who pours his heart and soul, along with everyone on set, into his work.

Including the three rookie actors, like Seo Eisu, who would never have dreamed of doing variety show filming originally.

But this time, it was made possible under the consideration of the production team.

Firstly, it was because the lead actor of the project, Hong Geunsik, arranged for the variety show.

And secondly, it was because the appearance of the three rookie actors was also a promotion for .

In any case, that’s how it was.

Shin Jihu finalized the filming schedule by coordinating with the actors’ agencies and the broadcasting company.

The broadcasting company was KVN.

The title was .

It was a variety show planned for the New Year, not only featuring Seo Eisu and her group, but also various celebrities from different fields forming teams to enjoy camping, which would be filmed and aired sequentially.

The filming location for Seo Eisu and the three rookie actors was a camping site in the mountains.

Mountains were a familiar place for Seo Eisu.

Mountains existed in her hometown, and many dragons used to create their lairs among the mountains.

But those mountains were merely a realm of survival and livelihood.

For now.

They were going to the mountains to film a variety show.

It was like going to the mountains with friends for fun, something Seo Eisu had never done before.

Seo Eisu was very much looking forward to the variety show filming.

She was really looking forward to it.

To the extent that she was willing to do anything for the show.

Yes.

Anything.

She was prepared to do it all.

On the night before filming.

Shin Jihu visited Seo Eisu’s studio apartment after a long time.

It was the first time since Seo Eisu had invited him over at the end of the year.

“Alright, Seo Eisu. Are you ready?”

Shin Jihu called out to Seo Eisu in a rather serious tone.

And…

“Uh, yes. I am ready.”

Seo Eisu nodded her head stiffly with a tense expression.

Shin Jihu said, “Good. Now… read this.”

Following his command, Seo Eisu began to read the paper in her hand.

“Ah, hello. I am rookie actor Seo Eisu!”

Seo Eisu read the words somewhat hesitantly.

“Well done!”

“Haha. Why are you making a big deal out of this?”

Shin Jihu praised Seo Eisu fervently, and her smug reaction was a bonus.

Even an elementary school student could read the sentence without hesitation, but Seo Eisu awkwardly stumbled over the words.

And yet, her manager praised her as if it was something remarkable.

The reason the two of them were acting out this farce was nothing special.

“In variety shows, no one will filter your words for you like in interviews. At the very least, you should know how to speak properly.”

It had been well over half a year since Seo Eisu had arrived on Earth.

But she still couldn’t speak in a modern Earthling manner.

More precisely, she had not felt the need to correct her way of speaking until now.

She hadn’t done any commercials or appeared on variety shows.

There had been no opportunity for her to present herself as she truly was in front of the public.

So, there was no need for her to correct her way of speaking.

But tomorrow.

Seo Eisu would be filming a variety show.

The PD, influenced by Hong Geunsik, would probably cut out any controversial parts.

But even so, if her basic way of speaking was like ‘~do you?’ there would be nothing usable for the broadcast.

Therefore, since the schedule was set, Shin Jihu had been teaching Seo Eisu how to speak like a normal modern Earthling.

As a result…

“Alright! Let’s try it again! How should you greet the actors and the camera tomorrow?”

“Yes, yes. Take a good look. Umm… Baesoyoon. I brought snacks. Would you like to eat them together… No. Do you want to eat?”

Seo Eisu.

Although he stutters a bit.

He feels somewhat awkward.

Nevertheless, he has managed to speak in a somewhat normal tone, albeit awkwardly.

“Wow. Seo Eisu. You’ve really grown up now….”

Shin Jihu’s expression was filled with emotion.

At first.

When Seo Eisu lost his memory and became strange, he used to speak in a disrespectful manner towards the director of the film.

Even though he wasn’t acting, seeing Seo Eisu speak in such a normal and ordinary tone made Shin Jihu feel proud.

He felt that the little thunderstorm had really grown up and could be sent off.

“Send off…? Where to? Ugh. Why am I thinking such useless thoughts.”

Quickly dismissing the fleeting thoughts from his mind.

Shin Jihu looked at Seo Eisu, who was beaming at him as if expecting praise.

“By the way, Seo Eisu. Now that things are like this, how about just speaking normally from now on? To me, call me… Oppa.”

He subtly asked her.

He didn’t have any ulterior motives.

Just that if Seo Eisu wanted to continue smoothly in the entertainment industry, she needed to get used to speaking in a normal tone.

That’s why he said that.

He didn’t have any other intentions.

“……Well, that.”

However, Seo Eisu showed signs of hesitation.

Shin Jihu was puzzled.

“Why?”

“Shin Jihu.”

“Yes, tell me, Seo Eisu.”

“You know.”

Seo Eisu took a step closer to Shin Jihu while sitting down.

And as if sharing a secret, she whispered softly in his ear.

“Here. My past does not exist.”

She said.

She didn’t reveal everything, as always, speaking with a significant amount of context omitted.

Instead, she tried to convey the feelings contained in her words faithfully.

This place is Earth.

It’s not her hometown.

There is no trace of the past she left behind.

“In fact, it’s not a good past to hold onto. It’s probably painful, definitely terrible memories.”

The past she held onto was a record of destruction.

It was a horrific and cruel memory that an ordinary person couldn’t bear for even a second, whether in a good or bad sense.

For better or worse, it was likely memories that Seo Eisu, being a dragon, could hold onto.

That’s why, perhaps letting go of the past entirely and living with only the memories of the present on Earth seemed okay.

“But you see, in those memories, there are surely beautiful things that I don’t want to give up.”

However, in that past, there were things that Seo Eisu couldn’t give up.

For example, her grandfather who sacrificed himself by tearing apart his own dragon heart to send her to Earth.

Or her family who sacrificed themselves to help her escape from the mad dragons.

Because of such memories.

“So, I can’t completely let go of the past. My way of speaking is a relic of that past. More accurately… It’s the only trace of my past that I still have access to.”

Seo Eisu.

It was difficult for her to completely abandon her way of speaking, which could be considered the only trace of her past.

She didn’t want to let go of it.

If she were to give up even that way of speaking.

It felt like her past would disappear completely.

“But… ”

As she was about to say that.

Seo Eisu quickly added.

“I also know a lot now. In Earth, speaking like a young woman to you, like I do, could be a big offense. So… ”

Seo Eisu, glancing to see if Shin Jihu might feel offended.

And…

“So. Shin Jihu… If you really want it. Then…”

And.

Feeling extremely embarrassed.

“Oh, Oppa.”

She said.

“I’ll do as Oppa says. I’ll do it.”

“….”

Shin Ji-hoo didn’t say anything in response.

He seemed to be thinking about something.

“Oh, Oppa?”

So Seo Yi-soo spoke with a hint of fear.

Could it be that I… have offended this person?

Saying things that shouldn’t be said, things that others don’t say.

Did I say something that would make people dislike me?

Such worries crept in.

“Hey, me.”

And with that, Shin Ji-hoo stuck out his tongue at her and reached out his hand.

“….!”

Seo Yi-soo flinched and closed her eyes slightly.

But Shin Ji-hoo just placed his hand on her head.

“When I say something like that, how can I expect you to speak normally?”

“….!”

“To those who don’t know you well. Speak normally to them. Can you do that?”

Shin Ji-hoo doesn’t know Seo Yi-soo’s past.

But even from the small traces that Seo Yi-soo occasionally shows, he could guess that her memories were extraordinary.

Shin Ji-hoo devoted himself to the entertainment industry because of his mother.

So Shin Ji-hoo hoped.

That Seo Yi-soo would shine like his mother.

But at the same time, Shin Ji-hoo also hoped.

That Seo Yi-soo wouldn’t end up unhappy like his mother.

These two desires could be considered conflicting factors that tormented Shin Ji-hoo.

They acted like a wind that shook his heart like a reed.

And clung to him like a thorn holding back his steps.

But, in any case.

No matter which desire took precedence.

Shin Ji-hoo could hope that Seo Yi-soo wouldn’t be too hurt.

So, with the wish that Seo Yi-soo’s painful past wouldn’t hurt her too much, Shin Ji-hoo moved his hand.

He gently stroked her head.

Feeling that touch.

Feeling that emotion.

Seo Yi-soo felt the tension she had been holding onto, fearing that Shin Ji-hoo would get angry, melt away.

And an infinite sense of calm enveloped her.

Seo Yi-soo smiled peacefully and nodded vigorously.

“….Yes, yes. I understand. I’ll definitely do that.”

And so.

As Seo Yi-soo eagerly anticipated her first variety show.

As the night passed when she first tried saying the word “Oppa.”

The morning of new beginnings arrived.