Page 1 of Public Image, Private Heart (K-Drama Love Story #1)

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Yumi

“Y umi, your lines were off again! Please focus!” The main writer scolded me for the third time today.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the rest of the production team sharing glances of disapproval. Someone let out a subtle “tsk-tsk,” and I swear I heard the Producer-Director (PD) let out a barely audible sigh that could rival a gentle breeze.

This wasn’t my first chemistry read, but today, nerves were doing the cha-cha inside me like never before.

I stumbled over my lines repeatedly, each mistake magnifying my anxiety and turning my brain into a circus tent.

Every blunder felt like a slapstick comedy skit gone wrong, and I was the unwitting star.

As an actress, confidence is supposed to be my bread and butter, yet here I am, serving up a whole buffet of nerves. It’s ironic, really. We’re supposed to sell confidence, but behind the curtain, we’re juggling anxiety like pros. Ah, the magic of showbiz.

There’s a peculiar buzz in the air today, especially when I’m face to face with my potential co-star—the one with shoulders so broad they could eclipse a doorway—Ryu Ji-yong.

Like many in South Korea, I developed a major crush on Ji-yong after watching his performances in romantic dramas.

He always appeared impeccably dressed (which probably wasn’t surprising, considering he likely had a personal stylist), and he exuded kindness and a fun-loving demeanor on-screen.

I’m curious to discover if his off-screen persona aligns with the charm he portrays in his roles.

Ji-yong stands tall at 1.87 meters, with an enigmatic voice, thick lips, and warm-looking wide eyes that seem perfect from every angle on TV.

But in person, he exceeds all expectations.

His presence effortlessly fills the room with a youthful, masculine (yet charmingly cute) energy.

I can’t help but notice how generously he shares his smile.

“Now, let’s start again from Ji-yong’s line before yours.” The writer flipped through her notepad and scribbled something on it with intensity, as if summoning her patience.

Ji-yong glances at me, and I feel my heart skip a beat. Then he gives me a smile and a wink—a wink! It’s as if he’s roping me into some playful scheme.

I silently rehearsed my lines in my head, preparing for our run-through of a forbidden love scene.

The historical Joseon dynasty drama, titled Princess of Cosmos , is set with Royal Princess Hwa-young getting lost in the forest while traveling with a group of soldiers.

Among the dozen soldiers, only one remains—her love interest, Hyun-woo.

“And... action!” The PD gave us the cue.

“Ahem,” Ji-yong clears his throat before starting to read his lines again. “I’ve never been as attracted to someone as much as I am to you, Princess,” his voice was gentle yet insistent. “I don’t know what to do with these feelings.”

I called upon every deity in the world to help me calm down.

My go-to trick of imagining everyone naked usually works, but unfortunately, when applied to Ryu Ji-yong, it only made things worse.

I took a deep breath and gathered my courage, reminding myself that I was here to portray my character, Hwa-young, and I needed to forget Yumi for a moment.

With resolute determination, I fixed my gaze on Ji-yong and delivered my lines as Hwa-young.

“I... I can’t deny the attraction between us, but we both know we can’t be together.

The army from the north will catch up to us soon, and I don’t even know if we’ll survive until tomorrow.

” My voice softened, laden with a sense of defeat.

Ji-yong’s response was immediate and intense.

He grasped my arms firmly, his fingers pressing into my skin with a blend of urgency and protectiveness.

“I will protect you with everything I have, until my very last breath!” His deep voice resonated with conviction.

“I’m not afraid of any army from the north. ”

He broke our gaze and looked down at the floor before continuing, “So you don’t need to be afraid, Princess. In two days’ ride, we should be able to reach the capital.”

The tension between us lingered in the air, thick with unspoken emotions.

There was a hint of vulnerability in my voice as I answered, “Hyun-woo, returning to the capital sounds promising, but... there you will be back as a knight, and I will return as the Royal Princess. Our worlds are as different as day and night.”

Acutely aware of the charged energy between us, our eyes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes. We held our positions, each moment stretched taut with unspoken longing and the weight of our impossible circumstances. Finally, the director’s voice broke the spell with a decisive, “And cut!”

Ji-yong released my hand and we stepped back. The director approached us, beaming. “That was perfect! Now let’s try another role.” She handed us new scripts to read.

Today was the final round of casting and I was almost positive that I would be chosen for this drama. The only thing up in the air was which role I’d land: the leading lady paired with Ji-yong or a supporting role with the other actor, Yang Baekhyun.

Baekhyun wasn’t exactly lacking in the looks department, but he wasn’t your typical heartthrob with a Herculean build.

While he had his own unique charms and allure, he projected a different vibe from Ji-yong.

Instead of Ji-yong’s masculine build and easygoing charm, Baekhyun had a brooding, melancholic, and mysterious vibe—like he’d just stepped out of a dramatic film or a hauntingly beautiful ballad.

I put on a polite smile as Baekhyun stood in front of me. We were acquaintances—not quite strangers, but not friends either. He was my co-star from previous music video shoot.

I try to focus on my lines for the character I’m portraying while trying not to steal too many glances at Ji-yong, who is observing us behind the camera.

The director calls for action once again. Baekhyun turns his sad eyes towards me and delivers his line, “I don’t have much time left to live.”

My eyes widen with shock as I reply, “But Your Highness, what is this nonsense?”

He steps closer and whispers in my ear, “Don’t let the adversaries know. I can only trust you in this court.” My heart races as he stands so close to me. My next line comes out hesitantly. “Your Highness... Please, stop saying these things.”

Baekhyun searches my eyes before letting go and saying, “I’m not afraid to die. I just don’t want my sister, the Royal Princess, to suffer the same fate.”

“And cut!” the director says. “Excellent work, let’s take five.”

Ji-yong flashed me a thumbs up before sauntering off to rehearse with another actress, Oh Seo-yeon, on the opposite side of the stage.

Their voices carried over, filled with easy banter that made me acutely aware of their chemistry.

Seo-yeon was stunning and talented—a lethal combination. A twinge of jealousy snuck up on me.

I caught a snippet of Seo-yeon’s comment that made Ji-yong burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling in that annoyingly attractive way. He fired back with a teasing remark, and she playfully swatted his arm. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy again.

Part of me wished I could be that at ease around Ji-yong.

But our few interactions so far had left me tongue-tied and nervous.

I took a steadying breath. I had to remain professional.

This role could be my big break, a chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with South Korea’s hottest up-and-coming actors.

While it’s clear that Ji-yong has snagged the lead role and Baekhyun is slated for support, the production crew is still deliberating over whether Ji-yong’s leading lady will be me or Seo-yeon.

Quietly, I send up a prayer for the lead role in this drama. It would not only mean more screen time and a bigger paycheck but also, let’s be honest, a chance to spend more time with Ji-yong on set.

Unlike Ji-yong, who’s practically a household name with a string of hit dramas on every streaming service and network TV, I’m still waiting for my big break. This could be my ticket to the big leagues.

As the chemistry read dragged on, tension filled the air as we awaited the final decision. The director paced back and forth, occasionally stealing glances at us with a pensive expression. My heart raced with anticipation, hoping that my performance would sway them in my favor.

A few days passed in anxious suspense, and then, back on set, the assistant director called us to attention, signaling that the moment of truth had arrived.

The PD stepped forward, her eyes scanning over us before settling on me.

“Congratulations,” she announced with a warm smile.

“You’ve been selected to play the lead opposite Ji-yong. ”

Relief washed over me as I exhaled a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

Beside me, Baekhyun offered his congratulations with a nod.

On the other side, I caught Seo-yeon clapping enthusiastically and shooting me a warm smile.

The PD continued with thanks and announcements about our roles and the shooting schedule.

Filming was set to kick off in the next few weeks and stretch over six intense months of daily shoots, including some Saturdays. Many scenes would take us to a traditional Korean house offsite, shuttling us back and forth between our Seoul studio and a quaint countryside base camp up north.

As the director outlined the grueling schedule, I took a deep breath. Live productions always demanded sweat and tears to keep up with the tight broadcast deadlines. With elaborate costumes, intricate sets, and action-packed scenes, this project was shaping up to be my biggest challenge yet.

But none of that mattered right now because I’d snagged the lead role opposite Ji-yong! I squealed internally and pushed aside my worries, knowing they’d haunt me soon enough. This was my moment, and I was determined to savor every second of it.

Ji-yong approached me and offered his congratulations. I congratulated him in return, feeling a bit awkward, since this might just be routine for him. Then he moved closer and asked, “Would you like to grab coffee? I’d love to get to know my co-star better.”

My pulse quickened at the invitation. “Sure,” I blurted out eagerly.

I beamed at Ji-yong as we walked off set together. The audition had gone perfectly, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome than this. Now, I just had to make it through the coffee without turning into a bumbling mess around my unfairly handsome co-star.

We strolled over to the nearby coffee machine. I watched as Ji-yong reached up to grab a cup from the overhead compartment, his broad shoulders shifting under his fitted shirt.

“So tell me about yourself,” he said, while handed me a cup. “What’s your sign?”

I laughed. “Starting with the hard questions, I see.”

We fell into easy conversation as I told him about my hometown, my recent projects and how I got into acting. He listened intently, chiming in with funny anecdotes and thoughtful questions. I was impressed by how down-to-earth he was despite his celebrity status.

“What about you?” I asked. “What’s the real Ryu Ji-yong like off-camera?”

He grinned. “Pretty much the same guy you see onscreen. Minus the costume.”

I playfully rolled my eyes. “Good to know fame hasn’t gone to your head.”

He laughed and said, “I’m looking forward to working together.” He clinked his coffee cup against mine. “Here’s to our partnership and a great drama.”

A jolt ran through my stomach, yet our banter felt natural. I could already envision the on-screen chemistry we would have.