Page 3 of Public Image, Private Heart (K-Drama Love Story #1)

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Yumi

F ew months of shooting flew by in a whirlwind as we burned the midnight oil to wrap up each episode.

Our hard work finally paid off when our first episode aired successfully a few days ago.

While it didn’t break viewer records, it caused quite a stir on a popular streaming platform.

Our drama even earned a spot in the top ten historical dramas, leaving everyone on set feeling upbeat and motivated.

As Ji-yong and I settled into a rhythm, our initial awkwardness melted away, replaced by a comfortable camaraderie on set. Long hours together forged strong bonds not only between us but also with our co-stars like Seo-yeon and the entire crew.

They were a dedicated team who provided crucial support during those late-night shoots and early-morning calls. Bus rides to distant locations, shared meals, and spirited karaoke sessions became our off-screen adventures, revealing more about each other beyond our characters.

One thing I quickly learned about Ji-yong is his laid-back, carefree personality.

He’s a jokester who loves to crack silly one-liners and jump headfirst into new adventures with a nonchalant “Let’s do this!

”—consequences be darned. He also has a special talent for falling asleep anywhere and anytime, often taking power-naps on set in unconventional places.

Ji-yong’s carefree demeanor started to rub off on me. I found myself laughing more, stressing less, and occasionally joining in on his mischievous pranks on the crew. His contagious energy was hard to resist.

At times, I couldn’t help but envy him. Unlike Ji-yong, I struggle to fall asleep even in my own bed, and I tend to overthink things, which often holds me back from trying new experiences.

I’m also shy and awkward in unfamiliar social settings, whereas Ji-yong effortlessly charms everyone around him, putting them at ease with his charm and wit.

Today promised to be a day filled with filming challenges, especially since we had a scene involving a horse.

I’ve always had a soft spot for animals, so when the majestic creature arrived on set, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

Despite my stylist’s warnings about potential costume stains, I couldn’t resist rushing over to give the beautiful animal a gentle pat on its soft muzzle.

Its coat was a mesmerizing blend of grey and dark spots, adding to its allure.

Clearly, this horse was a seasoned pro when it came to film shoots.

The plan was for me to ride alongside Ji-yong for a short distance.

The good news: it would be a leisurely walk with no fancy maneuvers required.

The bad news: I’ve never actually ridden a horse before (a childhood pony doesn’t count).

Fortunately, Ji-yong had some equestrian experience, so he would take the reins while I awkwardly sat in front.

But as we began rehearsing with the horse, a wave of dread washed over me at the thought of displaying my lackluster riding abilities in front of the entire crew.

With each attempt to mount the horse, nerves got the best of me, causing clumsy stumbles over my own feet.

The bulky princess costume only added to the challenge.

Rather than getting frustrated, Ji-yong kindly dismounted and effortlessly lifted me onto the saddle before taking his place behind me. I was amazed at how he managed it so effortlessly—seriously, why does everything seem so easy for him?

As if he could hear my unspoken thoughts, Ji-yong’s voice came from behind me, playful and teasing. “Maybe this is news to you, but... you’re tiny.” I gave him a light punch on the arm, matching his playful tone.

Settling into the saddle somewhat awkwardly, I clung tightly to the reins as Ji-yong guided the horse forward with practiced skill.

The rhythmic sound of hooves on the ground beneath us was both soothing and nerve-wracking, a constant reminder of how high off the ground we were.

But Ji-yong’s calm presence and his arms around me as we held the reins together provided a reassuring sense of security.

As we meandered through the picturesque countryside, my initial fear slowly gave way to exhilaration.

The wind tousled my hair, carrying the earthy scent of the fields we passed.

Ignoring the crew of cameramen and PD trailing us at a distance, I stole a glance at Ji-yong’s profile, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, and felt a flutter in my chest that had nothing to do with nerves.

Stay focused, Yumi! I scolded myself as my mind drifted off with thoughts and fantasies. I knew that this fabricated on-screen romance was just for show, but I couldn’t help but enjoy it. In real life, there was no way anything could happen between us.

Dating a celebrity in South Korean society was not an easy task, especially for someone like me who wasn’t as well-known as Ji-yong.

My career was still in its early stages, while he had a devoted fanbase mostly made up of fangirls.

They would definitely not too thrilled if they found out that their beloved oppa was dating someone. .. especially someone like me.

As actors, we may have fewer strict social restrictions compared to idols, but the public relations challenges of developing a real-life relationship while portraying lovers on-screen are still a major concern for both our agencies.

It’s even stipulated in the contract that we must refrain from actions that could jeopardize the airing of the drama and potentially lead to financial losses.

And even without actively seeking it, rumors were already spreading like wildfire on the internet. Ji-yong had been romantically linked with his past co-stars from romantic dramas before, and his agency was quick to deny any such speculations.

The pressure wasn’t just about dating; it was about navigating relationships under the constant scrutiny of netizens and managing a complicated shooting schedule.

Some celebrity couples faced intense backlash when they broke up or divorced, adding to the weight of the situation.

With netizens so quick to judge and cancel celebrities nowadays, it wasn’t wise to take such a big risk that could mess up our careers.

But the more I tried to shove those thoughts aside, the closer Ji-yong seemed to get.

His teasing smiles and playful banter extended beyond our scripted scenes.

They followed us into breaks, lingered in our off-camera moments, and even popped up during brief encounters in the makeup trailer.

I found myself simultaneously thrilled and terrified by his constant presence.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he had this effect on all his co-workers in dramas. Was this why he always seemed to end up falsely accused of romancing his co-stars off-screen?

With his striking looks and charming personality, surely he had plenty of other gorgeous co-stars vying for his attention, right?

As the horse gently trotted, Ji-yong appeared completely unaware of my thoughts as he sat on the horse.

Since there was no dialogue in this scene, we had taken off our microphones and were free to chat.

“Hey, Yumi, your favorite food must be tteokbokki, am I right?” Ji-yong suddenly asked with a playful gleam in his eyes, leaning back in his saddle.

“Huh?” I blinked, pulling myself out of my thoughts, surprised by this random question.

“I’ve noticed that whenever we have tteokbokki on our food truck, you always take double portions and become noticeably happier for the rest of the shoot,” he said with one of his signature grins.

“You should see the way your eyes light up when you see something you love,” he teased. “It’s quite fascinating.”

Add ‘flirting’ to the list of things that he could do effortlessly. “Well, who doesn’t love tteokbokki,” I pretended to scowl.

“True,” he agreed nonchalantly. “Especially when it’s super spicy.”

I nodded in agreement. “And speaking of favorite foods, yours must be kimchi-jjigae. I’ve never seen someone eat a bowl of soup as quickly as you do when we have kimchi-jjigae,” I chuckled.

Ji-yong brightened up. “Oh yeah, I love it when they put ham and tofu inside. It just hits the spot,” he closed his eyes and imagined a steaming bowl of kimchi-jjigae in front of him. “It’s perfect for this kind of weather. Now I’m getting hungry.”

I secretly have a newfound hobby: watching Ji-yong eat. It surprises me that he doesn’t do more food commercials because everything he eats looks absolutely delicious. Maybe it’s the way he closes his eyes and savors each bite, revealing an adorable dimple on his left cheek.

Yumi, you’re losing it! I scolded myself again, shaking my head to dispel the distraction.

Focus, Yumi, focus . But despite my best efforts, the image of Ji-yong savoring kimchi-jjigae lingered in my mind—his eyes closed in bliss, his surprised exclamations of appreciation for the taste, and the dimple on his cheek deepening with every satisfied bite.

“My butt is starting to feel numb. Can we wrap this up soon?” I interjected, trying to distract myself from thoughts of Ji-yong devouring his meal.

He burst into laughter, clearly amused by my comment. “Your butt? That’s a new one,” he said between laughs.

I blushed a little, but at this point, I felt comfortable enough around him to let down my guard and joke around. “Oh come on, don’t tell me yours isn’t feeling a little sore too,” I teased.

He gave me a lopsided smile, “You got me there. My tush is feeling the burn too,” he admitted, with the grin never leaving his face. The laughter in his eyes was infectious and I found myself chuckling along.

“Don’t laugh too hard, or we’ll have to redo this scene!” the PD, trailed by a gaggle of cameramen, scolded us through her megaphone.