Chapter : 38
The head of strategic planning cautiously watched Dojun’s expression as he briefed him on the week’s stock trends.
There were even opinions circulating that this was an owner risk caused by a rare misjudgment from the so-called Midas’ Hand, Seo Dojun.
“More importantly, where’s Yoon Haein?”
“She texted two days ago: ‘I apologize for producing an unexpected result. If I’m given another chance, I’ll show a better side of myself next time.’”
That small frame of hers—how much must she be suffering right now.
She hadn’t been seen anywhere near the company, nor even around the officetel where she lived. Through Gayoung, Dojun had heard that Haein hadn’t left her home at all since then.
Dojun buried his head in his hands. Even without seeing her, he could imagine how harshly she must be blaming herself.
It had all started because he’d returned to the office to catch up on paperwork after watching her on-site performance that day. He should have stayed until the very end and monitored the progress personally. That thought had dominated his mind ever since.
“Is she at least eating?”
Ah, his true feelings slipped out without him realizing it.
When Chief Kang shook his head slightly, Dojun immediately fell silent.
In this icy, tension-filled strategic planning office, it wasn’t his place to be asking about Haein’s well-being. After all, he was the one who had pushed her into the audition—so the aftermath was his responsibility to clean up as well.
“But if you think about it, it’s not really Yoon Haein’s fault. Her video review got first place, her profile shoot was perfect, and she only got eliminated because of that… what was it again? Hidden message or something—”
“It’s hidden card, sir.”
The man addressed as ‘department head’ frowned at the correction from the employee beside him. Was terminology really important in a situation like this?
“Anyway! Isn’t it Lee Hyuk’s fault for dropping her with that hidden card nonsense? Seriously, what kind of grudge does he have against her, eliminating a rising actress like that? Shouldn’t we file an official protest to his agency?”
Even at those words, Dojun showed no reaction. What the department head pointed out was exactly the issue he’d been agonizing over for days.
Lee Hyuk had eliminated Yoon Haein.
But on the filming site, Lee Hyuk had seemed kind to her. No—‘kind’ wasn’t even enough. He acted like a man born to help her.
Despite his clearly packed schedule, he had personally assisted with the video shoot for a rookie actress’s audition.
There was no money in it for him. If anything, it carried the risk of a scandal, meaning he couldn’t even take public credit. And yet, he did it willingly?
When he was probably sleeping less than three hours a night?
And now that same man had crushed her dream?
Even a passing dog could tell something didn’t add up.
What was Lee Hyuk hiding?
After a brief moment of thought, Dojun turned to Chief Kang. He recalled the comments under Haein’s video—he hadn’t had the time to fully review them.
“Chief Kang. You have the compiled comments from Yoon Haein’s video, right?”
“Yes, sir. Here they are. I prepared them in advance.”
Leaving the other employees to their debate, Dojun quickly took the tablet and began scrolling through the comments.
Under Haein’s video on the channel [The One: Actresses], there were already tens of thousands of comments, fitting for its high view count. He began reading the ones with the most likes first.
Mitube
-
Wow, this is insane. Who would believe this performance came from someone who’s been on a five-year hiatus? I couldn’t even breathe until the end. Haein, you were incredible! Please shake off all the hardship and walk only on flower paths from now on. ♥
-
Unnie… I’ve watched <Illusion> 2,500 times, but seeing Hong Seol again today made me cry all over again. ㅠㅠ
Dojun blinked as he scrolled past the flood of positive comments and came across a few negative ones mixed in.
“…Since when did comments like this start appearing?”
-
I admit Yoon Haein’s acting is good. But did anyone else feel she’s missing that last 1%?
└ Yeah, agreed. She’s got a fatal flaw. I’ve got a feeling she’ll be eliminated in the first round. Lee Byungin isn’t the type to just let things slide.
└ Wow, can’t believe people think the same as me lol. Even her new profile shots—she’ll probably get crushed by Han Soina or Do Dogyung! Haein fans, don’t pick a fight, just my opinion lol. -
I noticed it too. That missing 1%! After watching the broadcast, I’m convinced.
└ Wait… that thing?
└ Stop baiting and just say it. -
Let me summarize: Yoon Haein’s strengths and weaknesses. First, her face—she’s beautiful. Not the flashy kind, but that pure, delicate beauty that all men like. Makes you want to protect her, carry her bag for her. Her acting? Top tier for her age group. Compare her to any well-known actress, she stands out, even in voice projection. BUT—maybe because her first commercial film was <Illusion>, or because that film was too successful, or because she retired right after—it’s like she never left that darkness behind. You can still feel Hong Seol’s gloom and melancholy in her acting. That’s her flaw.
└ This comment’s gonna be top-rated.
└ Adding to that—it’s a flaw because when she plays Hong Seol, you see Yoon Haein. Actually, it’s just her. She looks like someone who’s lived that sadness, quiet and burdened. If she were my girlfriend, I’d love her, but I’d also walk on eggshells. And the fact that her pre-audition media play focused on her brother’s death… It makes her come across as beautiful and talented, but also tragic and pitiful. You end up pitying her instead of admiring her.
└ Respect, comment king. That’s exactly what I felt too—admiration mixed with sympathy.
└ True. Unfortunately, she’s missing that bright spark other girls her age have.
Ah.
Without realizing it, Dojun covered his mouth with his hand.
Haein’s first commercial film had been <Illusion>, and even before that, she had mostly played dark, brooding roles in independent films.
She had always gravitated toward such roles instinctively, perhaps because she could express complex emotions better than anyone else. But over time, that had solidified into her image.
And in this industry, once the public’s perception of you hardens, it’s incredibly difficult to change.
He had wanted Haein to rise again—but hadn’t thought carefully about how. He’d only praised her for taking her first step forward.
Lee Hyuk, on the other hand, must have had something in mind.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the conference room door opened, and an AJ employee rushed in holding two sheets of paper.
“Sir! JBN just sent over an official notice about [The One: Actresses]. Two of the twenty-two eliminated contestants will advance to the next round through a revival round.”
“……!”
“Wait—then, could it be that Lee Hyuk planned this?”
It felt like a blow to the back of his head.
Lee Hyuk, as one of the judges, would undoubtedly have had access to insider information. Perhaps he even knew that this revival round would favor Haein.
A bitter smile crossed Dojun’s lips.
“He got us good. Chief Kang, contact Gayoung and find out where Yoon Haein is right now.”
Ever since the day she was eliminated, he hadn’t been able to sleep properly, exhaustion pressing down on him. But this—this was the news he wanted to deliver to her first.
Dojun left the conference room in quick strides.
* * *
Cheongdam-dong Studio.
Lee Hyuk, dressed in a perfectly tailored luxury suit, looked impossibly refined.
The shirt under his jacket clung just enough to hint at his toned physique, and his slightly arrogant gaze toward the camera made the entire image flawless.
Even that arrogance was part of his allure. To preserve that precise look, photographer Pa Taeyoung began adjusting the lighting setup.
“Lighting’s ready. Let’s do a test shoot.”
“Okay.”
After silently capturing a few shots of Lee Hyuk through his lens, Pa Taeyoung lowered the camera.
“Talk.”
“About what?”
“The reason you dropped Yoon Haein.”
