Ch.40You see, I’m fond of happy endings

Lee J is popular.

When he appears, ratings rise as a matter of course,

He’s someone who brings great joy to viewers.

But.

‘He doesn’t fit with High Dream.’

That was simultaneously becoming a poison for High Dream.

A story about a youth band suddenly changing to a classical solo performance,

Anyone would find that strange.

Moreover, this wasn’t something KBC Broadcasting could decide on their own.

This drama was co-produced by an actor agency and an idol agency.

But then KBC unilaterally changes the story for ratings?

And they’re doing it to make their actors and idols into mere supporting characters?

Who would allow such a thing?

But at the same time, they couldn’t completely ignore Lee J’s existence.

‘It’s already unfair that only characters selected by KBC are supporting roles.’

Writer Lee Minha had been contemplating this problem for some time.

A topic that began when she heard Lee J’s La Campanella.

Could they really keep Lee J as just a supporting character?

Having written countless drama scripts, Writer Lee Minha knew.

That his screen time would inevitably increase,

Like a character who returns from the dead.

‘We absolutely must not get swept up by viewers.’

She had been uncertain before, but as time passed, her thoughts became firm.

The story must not change.

High Dream must win, and that was what preserved the title <High Dream>.

‘But I’ll make Lee J a lead too.’

Being a lead means becoming a protagonist, a central character.

But what if she interpreted that central character differently?

‘We can make them both win.’

Maintain the screen time of the existing actors, and increase Lee J’s screen time.

And then edit out other unnecessary scenes.

Scenes that could be cut,

Moments arbitrarily added just to fill time.

Since they couldn’t keep delivering highlights,

Scenes deliberately drawn out to slow the tempo.

What if they inserted Lee J into those spots?

It would certainly be difficult.

‘But it must be done.’

To write a story of a higher level,

‘I like happy endings.’

Tap tap tap tap tap.

Her keyboard began to spit fire.

+++++

Recently, Choi Seokho had been spending his days incredibly busy.

The days when dust in the office was his only friend were long gone,

Now he was managing a busy schedule with his employees.

“Did you send the revised script to Donghu?”

“Yes, and I pushed back the meeting date. I thought it would be better to have it after the additional filming.”

“Ah, good. And since I said I wanted to go to the final filming day of Endless Frontline, please clear my schedule for that day.”

“Yes, sir.”

He thought he might get some relaxed rest after Endless Frontline filming ended.

But with popularity soaring, schedules kept pouring in without pause.

‘Donghu only wanted to do one school uniform advertisement.’

Several more advertisements with good conditions came in afterward, but all were canceled.

Since he would soon have to attend school again, it was right to keep the schedule loose.

Because once the semester starts, who knows how the schedule will turn out.

‘Donghu’s health and condition are the absolute priority.’

Click.

Choi Seokho immediately grabbed his car keys.

Today was the day for additional filming for High Dream.

+++++

The arts high school was covered in white after a heavy snowfall.

The location gathered for additional filming felt more familiar than before.

Perhaps because it had become familiar.

Or.

‘Maybe because the story has changed.’

I glanced at the script in my hand.

Content that had made me cry with empathy when I first immersed myself in it.

If things really go according to this script, wouldn’t Lee J be satisfied too?

Just as I was thinking that.

“Kim Donghu, are you going to attend here too?”

“Huh?”

Sujin, who had naturally come to visit the filming location, approached me.

“Attend where?”

“This arts high school. A lot of celebrities actually attend here, like idol trainees. They’re really accommodating with attendance.”

“Oh… really?”

Glance.

Only then did I properly take in the name of this high school.

‘Daehan Arts Comprehensive High School.’

The name itself conveyed a certain pride.

Come to think of it, Principal Edward Park did send various materials,

But I was too busy to remember looking at them properly.

‘I should examine them carefully later.’

Soon I’ll be in the second year of middle school,

And before I know it, I’ll be in third year, and I’ll need to decide on a high school path.

Certainly, going to a high school that accommodates celebrities

Would be convenient for both the school and me.

“Our agency also thinks it’s not bad that your screen time is increasing, since rising ratings are good in the end.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, the atmosphere is good. It’s not like their screen time is decreasing, or they’re getting less spotlight.”

“You know a lot about this?”

When I answered Sujin’s continued words, her face suddenly turned bright red.

Is she feeling cold?

“W-what, you think I looked into it because of you? Kim Donghu, are you crazy? I’m just passing on rumors I heard!”

“Oh? Well, it’s good that everyone’s fine with it.”

“And I have my mom too, so I could know more details.”

“Even if you don’t ask for details?”

Thump.

Instead of answering, Sujin hit my shoulder.

“What, why did you hit me?”

“Are you really asking because you genuinely don’t know?”

“I know, but I’m not asking, right?”

Thump.

I got hit once more.

Why am I getting hit, seriously?

“But when you say ‘too,’ does that mean you’ll be attending here, Sujin?”

“Yeah, my mom also said this place is the best. But you’ll probably end up attending here too.”

“…Why?”

“Because your mother and my mom are close?”

But, “your mother”? That’s an odd way to address her.

It wasn’t worth paying much attention to, so I ignored it.

‘It wouldn’t be bad if I end up attending here.’

Thinking that, I slowly made my way toward the filming location.

Today I wouldn’t need to play the piano or anything like that.

Just adding a few simple scenes.

It was amazing how these brief moments would transform a supporting role into a lead.

‘Well then, let’s go.’

To find Lee J’s happiness.

++++++

Unlike the previous week when the viewer forums were heated,

High Dream’s ratings were steadily increasing due to Lee J’s increased screen time.

It wasn’t like they had increased dramatically or anything.

Just enough to quench the thirst?

Conversations with the chairman and principal,

Emphasizing his painful family history, and so on.

Lee J’s character became a bit more concrete.

But even that much was enough.

“So that’s why J’s personality is twisted—there was a reason after all.”

Even with just that much screen time, Kim Donghu’s acting conveyed everything.

In a way, this additional filming was only possible because it was Kim Donghu.

Acting that could convey emotion and story in a brief moment.

It was admirable every time, and his handsome face never got old no matter how often you saw it.

Perhaps that’s why the fan cafe membership was visibly growing every day.

As Ji Eunbi prepared to watch episode 12 of High Dream,

Click click.

She immediately entered the fan cafe.

In the past, she would have watched alone and shared her thoughts.

But these days, watching together and posting reactions on the board was incredibly fun.

Especially,

‘Today is the day of the Mirine stage.’

Episode 12 included scenes of Lee J’s piano performance again.

On days like this, it was a festival, so everyone should enjoy it together.

ㄴBut High Dream’s actors have definitely improved compared to the first episode…

ㄴProbably because our Donghu acts so well that everyone else improved too? lol

ㄴI agree

The first stage was,

After overcoming all hardships and adversities,

High Dream’s performance at Mirine that they finally made it to.

-High Dream! Spread your dreams!

A song about youth, about how if you don’t give up despite hardships, you’ll eventually see the light—a hopeful song.

Eunbi found herself nodding along to that song without realizing it.

ㄴThe song is pretty good…

ㄴDefinitely because they’re actually singers, that’s why

In reality, this was the result of High Dream members’ bloody practice—something viewers didn’t know.

A fate that originally wouldn’t have been so dedicated,

Made more passionate about participating in the drama because of Kim Donghu’s presence.

ㄴWow it’s Lee J

ㄴDonghu oppa with shaved head looks so cool

ㄴHe looks impossibly good, seriously

Right after High Dream’s performance ends, Lee J’s stage follows immediately.

And as the piano performance begins,

The flower nourished by hatred, Lee J’s La Campanella, makes the world outside the TV shake.

Is it possible for High Dream to win against that performance?

It’s not that High Dream’s song wasn’t good,

But it was laughable to compare a band and classical music on the same level.

From an absolute standard, viewers thought

Lee J was superior in every aspect.

The dumbfounded expressions of the principal and chairman made sense.

Who wouldn’t be moved by something like that?

Everyone watches Lee J’s solo performance as if their souls were being sucked out.

La Campanella.

When the etude of supreme technique that seemed eternal finally ends, everyone returns to reality.

“…What do we do?”

Eunbi unconsciously voiced her concern.

After the performance ended, Lee J gave a light bow and immediately went backstage.

Thinking of parents who never came to his performances,

Feeling that no one truly wanted him anywhere,

The scene vividly shows him writhing in terrible loneliness and crying.

The story that should have ended here originally,

Then the door at the back of the stage opens and light suddenly pours in.

-Everyone really likes you, how can you be crying alone like this?

Someone slowly approaches Lee J, who is curled up.

High Dream’s member, leader, and vocalist, Song Cheolsu, extends his hand to Lee J.

-There’s an encore request, people are all looking for you. They want you to play one more song.

At those words, Lee J looks up at Song Cheolsu and asks.

-How can you not hate me? After I treated you so badly.

Where does this kindness come from, to reach out a hand at this final moment?

This warmth, which he had never experienced before, was unfamiliar to Lee J.

An awkward expression and a face distorted by tears.

Yet also the face of someone seeing warmth he never found before.

Looking down at that face, Song Cheolsu answered nonchalantly.

-Who knows? Isn’t that what friends are for?

-We were friends?

-If you’ve performed on the same stage, you’re friends, what’s the big deal? Are you stingy?

Friends.

At that word, Lee J’s expression instantly melts.

The tears he had sworn not to shed, promising to be strong, come pouring out.

No matter how much of a genius he is, he’s only seventeen.

Still young and in need of care.

A child who kept whipping himself, saying he needed no one.

That child, confused by the first unconditional kindness he received,

-…Thank you.

Desperately grabbed onto that kindness.

Song Cheolsu pulled up Lee J who had taken his hand.

Then suddenly.

-Oh right, our band doesn’t have a keyboard player, want to join?

He blurted out what he had wanted to say for a long time,

-I guess so.

Lee J smiled brightly.

How long had it been since he smiled like this?

On stage,

This moment without winners or losers,

This sensation felt for the first time,

‘It’s not bad.’

In truth, he was incredibly happy.

That day, the flower nourished by hatred,

Became stingy.

++++++++

The drama department head’s office is shaking.

Cherry pie enters his mouth like waves.

His body is full of energy.

Could this be a complete transformation?

“Hahahahaha! Now I declare!”

Munch munch munch.

Cherry pie continues to enter his mouth.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

PD Kim Youngmo waits for Department Head Kim Cheoldo’s next words with tears of emotion.

“From now on, it’s the era of KBC dramas!”

Hahahahaha!

23% ratings.

It was the moment history was being made.