Page 20 of Public Image, Private Heart (K-Drama Love Story #1)

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Yumi

T he weight of the world seemed to be crushing me.

Ji-yong’s arms were my only solace, but even his warmth couldn’t completely shield me from the storm raging within.

I feel violated. The thought of facing Ryan on set again filled me with dread.

But quitting would mean a huge financial penalty. I was trapped.

And now, Ji-yong and Min-hee’s photo scandal?

My life felt like it was crumbling around me.

The photo is explicit, showing them in his car with Min-hee’s arms wrapped around his neck.

Although he has explained the situation and is here to comfort me, looking sincere, I’m unsure if I can fully trust him and risk being made a fool.

After all, look at how our relationship has developed since we started working together as co-stars.

What’s to stop him from doing the same with other co-stars?

I looked him straight in the eyes, searching for the Ji-yong I know, and struggling to believe that what we’ve shared over these past few months—our laughs, our tears, all the moments we’ve spent together—could be easily replicated with someone else.

After a long silence, I decided to put that issue aside for now—one problem at a time, I told myself. “I can’t quit the drama, Ji-yong,” I said softly. “The penalty is too high, and... I don’t want to just walk away like that.”

Ji-yong responded, “Don’t worry, I’ll find a lawyer to determine the best course of action. We’ll figure out a way to handle this.”

As Ji-yong assured me that he would find a way out, a flicker of hope ignited within me. But I wasn’t na?ve enough to think there would be an easy solution.

Despite Ji-yong’s reassurances and ideas about lawyers and other options, I realized he spoke from the perspective of a successful actor and a man. He couldn’t fully understand the options available to me as a woman and a newcomer in the industry.

The thought of jeopardizing my rising career was terrifying. I had worked so hard to get to where I was, and this is just the beginning. Giving it all up seemed like a colossal failure.

I looked at Ji-yong, and hesitantly asked, “What if I’m ruining everything?” My voice trembling. “What if I’m being too dramatic?”

“You’re not being too dramatic, Yumi,” Ji-yong reassured me, taking my hands in his. “Your career is important, but your well-being is more important. We’ll figure this out together. I promise.”

I stayed in Ji-yong’s embrace for a few more moments. Finally, I pulled away and I glanced up at him. “What about you, Ji-yong? What’s going to happen to you? The photo...” My voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

A part of me wanted to believe Ji-yong, to trust him implicitly. But another part, a darker, more insecure part, was consumed by doubt.

“Don’t worry about me Yumi. We’ll focus on your problem first.”

I tried to hide my reaction, to appear calm and collected. But the storm raging within me was anything but calm. I loved Ji-yong, and I wanted to believe him, but the fear of being hurt again was a constant companion.

I... love him. The sudden realization hit me. Not just like, but I actually love him.

As if afraid of losing me, he moved closer, his lips seeking mine. I welcomed his kiss, deepening it with a sigh of longing.

The days that followed were a blur. I told Da-eun about what happened with Ryan, and she was furious. She said she’d inform our agency and make sure he was warned that his behavior was unacceptable and wouldn’t be tolerated again.

On one hand, I appreciated her support, but on the other, I couldn’t shake the worry that it might backfire, especially since I still had to work with Ryan for a while longer. I had a feeling he wouldn’t react well to being challenged.

It didn’t take long for my fears to be confirmed. After my agency warned him, Ryan seemed to be on mission in making my life miserable. One particularly rough day, during a break, he cornered me with a dangerous glint in his eye and accused me of coming onto him.

“You know I’m engaged, right? Stop trying to seduce me,” he sneered.

I was stunned. How could he be so shameless? Anger and humiliation bubbled up inside me. I wanted to scream the truth at him, but fear of retaliation held me back.

Instead, I managed a weak, “Are you serious? You’re the one who can’t keep your hands to yourself.” My voice was barely a whisper, but I refused to let him see how much he’d hurt me.

His face contorted into a mask of rage. “Don’t you dare blame me,” he hissed. “Everyone knows you’re after me.”

The accusation was absurd, but the damage was done. The few people who witnessed the exchange exchanged concerned glances.

I turned and walked away, my heart pounding in my chest. The tears I desperately wanted to shed were locked behind a dam of pride. I couldn’t let him see my weakness.

Ryan didn’t stop there. He complained to the PD about my difficult behavior, claiming he was uncomfortable working with me. Given his status as the lead actor and someone who is more veteran in the industry, his words carried weight.

The PD called me to his room for a talk. The room was heavy with tension, and I could feel my palms sweating. I tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but my voice trembled slightly as I greeted him.

“Yumi, please have a seat,” the PD began, his voice laced with a hint of authority. I nodded, my gaze fixed on the floor. I knew what was coming. Ryan had already poisoned the well.

“I’ve heard some... unpleasant things about your behavior on set,” he continued, his voice low and measured. “I expect professionalism from everyone, especially from the lead actress.”

My heart sank. This was it. The beginning of the end.

“Let’s be clear,” he said bluntly. “Recasting you at this point is impossible. We’re eighty percent through filming, and the promotional materials are already out. Walking away would mean a 300 million won fine. Your only option is to resolve the issues with the others.”

“Despite being newcomers, we trusted you. We selected you during the final casting with Ryan’s approval. Don’t disappoint us.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. “Why don’t you try to hear my side of the story too,” I whispered.

He shrugged impatiently. I knew that, for him, this conversation only meant that we were losing valuable shooting time, and with that, potentially wasting more money.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. It was Ryan who came to me and...”

He cut me off, “Listen, at this point, it feels like a tit-for-tat situation. I’ve worked with Ryan for more than five years, and this is the first time I’ve heard such a complaint. So, I’m sorry, but unless you have proof, your story’s credibility is just the same as his.”

I left the PD’s office feeling utterly defeated. How could I possibly continue working in these conditions? The thought of facing Ryan again, of having to pretend that everything was normal, made my stomach churn.

Tears streamed down my face as I made my way back to the set. I tried to compose myself, but the weight of my emotions was too heavy to bear. Da-eun noticed my distress immediately. She pulled me aside, her brow furrowed with concern.

“Yumi, what happened?” she asked gently, her hand resting on my shoulder in a comforting gesture.

I took a shaky breath, trying to find the words. “The PD... he doesn’t believe me. He thinks I’m lying about Ryan.” My voice broke, the tears threatening to fall again.

Da-eun’s face hardened, anger flashing in her eyes. “That’s ridiculous! How can he not see what’s really going on?”

I shook my head, feeling hopeless. “It’s my word against Ryan’s. And apparently, his word carries more weight.”

Da-eun sighed heavily, her frustration evident. “We can’t let him get away with this, Yumi. There has to be something we can do.”

But what could we do? Ryan was a high-profile actor, beloved by the public. I was just a newcomer, barely making a name for myself. It felt like an impossible battle.

When the day finally ended, I practically fled the set. I needed to escape from everyone there and be with Ji-yong.