Page 11 of Public Image, Private Heart (K-Drama Love Story #1)
??
Yumi
I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and a stiff back—clear signs of having spent the night in a less-than-ideal position after too much alcohol.
It took me a few seconds to piece together where I was and, more importantly, who was snuggled up next to me on the sofa. One of his arms, pinned beneath my body, was wrapped snugly around my shoulders. The other arm rested on my head, as if it had been caressing my hair throughout the night.
I stifled a yelp as I gradually realized it was Ji-yong. His breathing slow and serene. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that something happened last night that I couldn’t remember?
I quickly checked our attire and felt a wave of relief as I saw that we were both fully clothed. So nothing had happened. Well, almost nothing—just some innocent sleeping and cuddling on the sofa. Like any two friends would. Right??? RIGHT???!
We had managed our past escapades at my place without much trouble, despite the small space of the studio apartment.
Ji-yong once crashed on the floor, and I just went to my bed to sleep.
On other occasions, he managed to drive home.
But last night felt different; it was as if some boundaries had been crossed.
I tried to wriggle free from our embrace, but it was impossible without waking him. My body stiffened as I noticed him beginning to stir and sigh, signaling he was waking up.
When his eyes finally met mine, he looked surprisingly calm. “Oh, hello,” he said casually, sitting up and stretching his arms. “My head hurts,” he groaned. I quickly got up and headed to the kitchen for some hangover remedy.
Returning with a fresh drink, I took in the sight of the living room: a mess from last night’s feast.
Ji-yong still looked tired and was rubbing his temples in an attempt to ease his headache.
I handed him the drink, and he took it gratefully, gulping it down quickly. Then he glanced at the watch on his wrist and exclaimed, “Oh no, I’m late for my shoot!” He dashed towards the bathroom, only to pop back out and ask, “Do you need to use the bathroom? I’ll be quick.”
I shook my head, still trying to process what had happened between us and how it all seemed so normal to him.
A few minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom, looking refreshed and flashing his million-dollar smile. “I feel a lot better,” he said. “I’ve got to run, but let’s hang out again soon?”
Let’s hang out again soon? I thought, slightly incredulous. I half expected him to start discussing the weather or traffic conditions.
But fine, if he wants to keep things casual, then I guess I’ll just roll with it. After all, not much happened last night.
“Sure, see you next time.” I waved him off, attempting to act nonchalant. He gave me another dazzling smile and added, “Sorry I didn’t help clean up. I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise!” before hurrying out the door.
Once the little monkey playing a tambourine in my head finally quieted down, I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I dragged myself to clean the remaining mess at my living room before I groaned and collapsed in my bed.
I spent the rest of the day forcing myself to concentrate on the lines that I need to remember for the auditions of the new drama: ‘Hospital Emergency’.
Self-doubt crept in as I questioned if I truly had the range and talent to make it in this cutthroat industry long-term. Landing the lead in Princess of Cosmos had been a lucky break. Could I do it again or would I fade into oblivion as a one-hit wonder?
The next morning, the day of the audition, I shook off the lingering doubts as best as I could.
After a quick breakfast and a final review of my lines, I gathered my audition materials and headed to the casting office.
I checked my phone one last time and saw a message from Da-eun confirming my attendance and providing the address.
There was also a message from Ji-yong—a photo of a drawing featuring a bunny with its fists raised, accompanied by the word “You can do this!”
The small gesture brought a smile to my face and offered a tiny boost of courage, even though I was still puzzled by his calm demeanor after what happened last night.
Navigating through the city was more challenging than expected. The streets were unusually crowded for a weekday morning, and I found myself inching along in a bit of traffic. Despite the delays, I arrived at the casting office on time—a sleek, imposing building that seemed to reach up to the sky.
Inside, the receptionist greeted me with a warm smile, though it did little to ease my nerves. I joined a string of other actresses in the lobby and tried to calm my racing mind by repeating my lines.
When my turn came, I walked into the audition room, feeling like it was my first day at a new school.
The panel of judges, including Ryan Kim himself, greeted me with polite nods.
Ryan Kim’s presence was magnetic, exuding charisma and confidence as a seasoned veteran in the industry.
I introduced myself, my voice trembling slightly despite my efforts to keep it steady.
As I began my performance, I poured my heart into the role, focusing on delivering a powerful and authentic portrayal. The room seemed to hold its breath as I finished, and for a moment, there was silence. Ryan Kim’s approving nod gave me a sense of relief and validation.
After the audition, I left the building with a mix of exhaustion and cautious optimism. I had done everything I could, I thought. Now all I could do was wait and see how it unfolded.
By evening, impatience had me on edge. I paced around my apartment, occasionally checking my phone in the hopes of seeing a message or call. Just as I was starting to give up on the day, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. I glanced at the screen and saw Da-eun’s name.
“Hello?” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady and calm.
“Hi, Yumi. I just got off the phone with the casting director,” Da-eun’s voice crackled with excitement. “You’re selected for the second round of auditions! Congratulations!”
My heart skipped a beat. I could hardly believe it. “Really? That’s amazing news!”
“Absolutely,” Da-eun confirmed, her tone upbeat. “The casting director was really impressed with your performance. They want to see more of you for the next round. I’ll send you all the details soon.”
As the call ended, I felt a surge of relief and elation—almost like I’d won a small lottery. The thought of moving on to the next stage gave me enough energy to rival a triple espresso. I jumped into preparation mode, poring over my lines with newfound zeal.
I stared at my phone, contemplating whether to text Ji-yong with the news.
After all, I didn’t want to jinx my chances by broadcasting my excitement too soon.
In the end, I decided to hold off on sending the update, fearing that even mentioning it might somehow mess with my good fortune.
Instead, I channeled all my nervous energy into rehearsing, hoping that my enthusiasm didn’t come off as just an overly caffeinated frenzy.
The next few days flew by, falling into a rhythm that felt both oddly comforting and increasingly hopeful.
Each day seemed to carry a bit more promise than the last, as I advanced to the final chemistry read and the long-awaited announcement finally came—it was like hitting the jackpot; I had been selected for the lead role!
I managed to keep my excitement in check, refraining from an over-the-top victory dance.
Instead, I graciously thanked the audition crew for their decision and dove into a detailed discussion with the new PD about the shooting schedule and arrangements.
Da-eun was by my side the entire time, nodding thoughtfully, jotting down important details, and throwing in a few well-timed questions.
It felt surreal but incredibly satisfying to see everything falling into place.
A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I thought back to the last time I was selected for a lead role. I remembered the exhilaration of working with Ji-yong and how his easygoing nature made me feel as though I’d known him for ages, even though we’d only just met.
In comparison, my interactions with Ryan Kim so far had been more like bumping into someone at a bus stop. We exchanged a few words, but his aloofness and constant phone-staring made him seem more like a distant cousin who’d rather text than chat.
As if sensing the chilly vibe (but not enough to make them second-guess their decision, I hoped), the PD and the main writer suggested a short ice-breaking session in a private meeting room.
I trailed behind Ryan, struggling to keep up with his long-legged stride.
The sense of dread in my stomach was as persistent as my desire to message Ji-yong for a little emotional support.
I instinctively reached for my phone but quickly reminded myself that personal stuff could wait until after work.
As we entered the meeting room, the cold atmosphere hit me like a blast of icy wind.
Ryan flopped onto the sofa with the grace of someone who had clearly done this many times before, and without so much as a nod in my direction, settled in comfortably.
He seemed to have mistaken this ice-breaking session for a nap time.
After a few seconds of hesitation, I settled down in front of him, the coffee table between us. I heard a scoff from Ryan’s end. “I think this is a waste of time,” he muttered.
Uncertain of how to respond, I let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, I don’t. I’d love to get to know you better. Ever wondered what it’s like to play the opposite of your cool, aloof self?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a touch of humor.
He glanced at me with a look that suggested he was more interested in the dust particles floating in the sunlight than in my question. “Not really,” he replied, his tone as chill as the room.
Undeterred, I decided to give it another shot.
“So, we should probably get to know each other a bit, right? What’s your favorite way to chill out after a day of shooting?
” I almost asked about his zodiac sign, like Ji-yong did with me when we first talked, but it didn’t seem like the right move with Ryan.
He glanced at me quickly, his expression momentarily shifting. “I usually just watch some documentaries or...” He paused, fixing me with an intense gaze as if trying to gauge my reaction, then added with a peculiar smile, “Spend time with girls.”
Given his TV persona—charming lead, occasional comedian, and always quick-witted—his off-screen demeanor was a stark contrast. Moreover, from what I found out online, he’s actually engaged to a well-known actress, which made his comment seem out of place.
I made an effort to mask my disappointment. Perhaps he was just having an off day.
I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head, giving him a look that clearly said, “Seriously?” It was as if he’d thrown a curveball in a game I didn’t even know we were playing.
Before he could respond further, the PD and the main writer burst into the room, carrying a stack of papers and wearing expressions of eager anticipation.
“Alright, let’s kick off this ice-breaking session,” the PD announced, completely unaware of the small but significant thawing of tension that had just occurred.
As they set up, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was going to be an ice-breaking session or an ice-breaking disaster.
After a few moments, some other actors for supporting roles were called into the room to join the ice-breaking session, and the tension gradually subsided. Ryan visibly brightened up in front of the PD and the rest of the cast, looking much more upbeat.
The day wrapped up with a round of applause and a few more announcements about the shooting schedule. We were set to begin filming within less than a month, mostly in a studio that would be remodeled into a hospital in downtown Seoul.
The tight timeline left me feeling weary, as it didn’t leave much room for extra line practice. And the prospect of working closely with Ryan, who now seemed less endearing, wasn’t exactly comforting.
I drove home, feeling the urge to unload all my concerns on Da-eun or Ji-yong. However, I kept my worries to myself for now and focused on the fact that I’d been chosen once again for a lead role in a major drama. I should be grateful for that.