Chapter 10
When Daeun asked a question, CEO Bae shot Do-yoon a glare as if accusing him of not explaining things properly. Flustered, Do-yoon whispered to her while sweating profusely.
“This is Mr. Hong Mu-seok, the sponsor who’ll be supporting you, actress Kang Daeun.”
Then, in an even quieter voice, he added that if she left a good impression, this man could easily get her a lead role on a major TV network — so she should smile and act friendly.
It was the same name as the “sponsor” Hye-young had mentioned in her previous life. So this must’ve been their first meeting. She recalled Hye-young once saying they had just met for tea at first.
“Meeting occasionally for a meal isn’t a big deal,” CEO Bae added when Daeun didn’t respond.
Her goal had been to rise rapidly within three years — but not like this. Daeun shook her head firmly.
“I don’t like this kind of meeting.”
She remembered Manager Moon’s advice: Don’t get swept up by the atmosphere — if you don’t want to do something, say so.
When Daeun replied, CEO Bae cleared his throat sharply and glared at her, but she averted her eyes and stood up.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Ms. Kang Daeun.”
Even when her name was called in that stern tone, she wasn’t the type to freeze and wait. She knew what would follow — pressure, guilt, maybe even coercion.
“I’ll say this clearly while I can. I have no intention of getting lead roles this way. Please don’t invite me to these kinds of meetings again.”
She was scared, of course — considering the status of both CEO Bae and the sponsor — but this was her second chance at life. Daeun didn’t want to ruin her precious dream like this again.
Sliding open the door, she walked out without hesitation. Thankfully, CEO Bae didn’t follow her — perhaps unwilling to throw away his pride in front of others.
He probably hadn’t expected her to refuse — not when the sponsor was good-looking and gentlemanly.
The moment she stepped outside, a strange car stopped in front of her. She flinched, thinking it might be Manager Moon, but the window rolled down to reveal a familiar face.
“What are you doing here, junior?”
“Oh… sunbae?”
To her surprise, it was Yoon Joo-hyuk again.
“Get in.”
She hesitated for a moment — after all, she’d stormed out without thinking, and this was an unfamiliar neighborhood on the outskirts of town, with few buses or taxis.
But since he’d already helped her twice before, she accepted the help again and got into the passenger seat.
“What brings you here?”
“Just had dinner.”
She had only drunk tea, but it was a traditional Korean restaurant. Then why was he alone? Surely he hadn’t eaten alone. Maybe the people he’d eaten with had driven separately?
She was curious, but they weren’t close enough for her to pry, so she simply nodded.
Then Joo-hyuk spoke.
“You’re heading home, right? That officetel near that café from last time?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. You can just drop me at a nearby subway or bus stop—”
It was excessive kindness, and she waved her hands to decline.
“I have to swing by school anyway,” he said.
So he was saying it was on the way. Still, she felt uneasy — she couldn’t quite tell why this tension lingered.
It was already the third time he’d helped her. Was that really just coincidence? And if not, then how could she explain it?
If, in her previous life, he had arrived just a little earlier and stopped that explosion… would they have met by “chance” so often in this one too?
“Thank you,” she said finally, accepting his offer. It would’ve been awkward to refuse again.
Bzzz—
Her bag vibrated. The call wouldn’t stop ringing. She quickly answered when she saw the caller ID.
“Manager Moon!”
— Yes, Daeun. Where are you? I heard you stepped out.
“Oh… I happened to run into a senior I know.”
It seemed they had missed each other. He must’ve come all the way there to check on her. After Daeun briefly explained, Manager Moon replied,
— You did well today. Don’t worry about the CEO; I’ll handle him. For now, get home safely. Tomorrow, take a taxi to your schedule and drop by the office — we’ll reassign your manager.
“Yes, understood.”
Tomorrow was the pre-production meeting for We, Without Fail. Hearing that her manager would be reassigned eased her tension — she’d been dreading facing Manager Do-yoon again.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but… what’s your schedule tomorrow? I’ll give you a ride,” said Joo-hyuk suddenly.
She must’ve spoken too loudly. In the quiet car, with no music or radio, it wasn’t surprising he heard. Still, she couldn’t accept another favor.
“It’s fine, I’ll take a taxi. You’ve already helped me three times.”
“Three times, huh…” he murmured, as if weighing something.
Daeun glanced at him, curious. There was something on the tip of her mind — a memory just out of reach, as if someone had deliberately erased it.
And then, even the curiosity itself slipped away.
“You did well in your shoot,” he said suddenly.
“Sorry?”
The topic change was so abrupt that she blinked.
“The Secret Letter, I mean. I edited your scenes.”
“You did? You were in the directing team?”
He nodded. His smile looked strangely bittersweet.
“How was it? Was I okay?” she asked eagerly.
He nodded again.
Last year, she had filmed a student movie project with him. Back then, his feedback had been brutally harsh — and Joo-hyuk was known for his cutting critiques.
‘Just stick to smiling in front of the camera. That’s your limit.’
Her acting hadn’t magically improved in a year. It was the experiences from her previous life that had helped her.
So when Joo-hyuk finally said she’d done well, Daeun’s tense expression brightened instantly.
Throughout school, she’d often heard she was good — but never from him. She’d wanted his approval more than anyone’s.
Excited, she began chatting about her filming experience — how nervous she’d been, how hard she’d prepared, and how thrilled she was at her first shoot.
As she talked, Joo-hyuk smiled quietly, seeming genuinely at ease.
Their conversation flowed easily, and before long, they arrived at her officetel. She thanked him again as she got out.
“Thank you for the ride.”
He gave a small nod. She bowed once more and disappeared into the building.
Watching until she vanished from sight, Joo-hyuk murmured softly,
“This time, I wanted to be the one to take you home.”
In her previous life, Moon Ki-jung had been the one to drive her home — and Joo-hyuk had been so jealous about them being alone together in that confined space that he could never forget it.
“Three times already…”
He had promised himself not to interfere in this life — and yet, he had already stepped in three times.
Just this once, he’d said before — and that’s how he’d ruined everything last time, too.
He had to let go now. Let her fly on her own.
Clicking his tongue bitterly, Joo-hyuk forced away his lingering attachment and pressed down on the accelerator.
It was time to distance himself from Daeun.
Daeun visited the broadcasting station to meet the production team of We, Without Fail.
“You’re actress Kang Daeun, right?”
When she arrived on the sixth floor, someone was already waiting to guide her to a small meeting room. No sooner had she sat down than writer Kim Hee-sook entered.
“Oh my, you look even better in person! Nice to meet you — I’m Kim Hee-sook.”
“I’m Kang Daeun.”
Rising from her seat, Daeun lightly shook the writer’s offered hand. Just then, the door burst open and Director Shin Jung-geun strode in.
“Hello, I’m Kang Daeun,” she greeted again, bowing.
“Nice to meet you,” the director replied, patting her shoulder.
An assistant followed, setting down a coffee carrier before leaving the room. Writer Kim handed everyone a cup and began,
“With you, Ms. Kang, our casting board is finally complete.”
It sounded like the actors were all set, and filming was the only thing left.
“The broadcast date got moved up unexpectedly,” Director Shin said after gulping his iced coffee. “We start shooting in four days.”
Daeun’s eyes widened — she had memorized the early scripts, but this was far sooner than expected.
Writer Kim gave an ambiguous smile. “Table read’s the day after tomorrow.”
In truth, Kim Hee-sook hadn’t been thrilled about BM Company’s investment. She preferred auditions over sponsorship casting. Choosing a rookie actress without an audition was a gamble.
A deep sigh escaped her lips — unseen by anyone.
Her script treated everyone as a protagonist — leads and supporting roles alike, each with their own bittersweet stories.
But could this fresh-faced young actress truly express such deep emotions?
She glanced discreetly at Daeun again. At least, her appearance did suit the female supporting role.
Then—
“Director, Writer, just a moment please.”
The door suddenly burst open, startling them. Kim Hee-sook frowned at the rude interruption, her gaze flicking toward the voice that had interrupted her inspection of the bright-eyed newcomer.
