I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

Aetami covered her face with both hands and let out a breath that trembled with emotion.

“Ah, this is insane....”

Even after the vlog ended, the heat in her chest wouldn’t die down. There was no need for Aetami /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ to go around promoting it herself.

The buzz about the 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 project had already spread everywhere—across SNS and community forums alike.

[HOT / Apparently this made everyone who’s ever done music cry, MBS.jpg]

(Youth Disqualified practice scene.jpg)

For this drama OST, the actors are directly practicing and recording themselves

They chose a 1993 university music festival winning song for the performance, and for instructors helping with the ensemble...

(The moment the university music festival 2nd place team enters the practice room.jpg)

Everyone expected they’d bring the original winning team, but holy shit—they brought the unknown second place team instead

(Camera of Lee Saerok going to persuade them.jpg)

The director personally went out to convince the festival members..T_T Ah Saerok is insanely kind, fuck

(So Dami’s honest conversation.jpg)

And if you’ve ever done music, you couldn’t help but cry here...

Dami loved piano but never had exceptional talent... the way she smiles awkwardly saying she never won a single award is so cute and heartbreaking

(The keyboardist from the festival team patting Dami’s shoulder like he understands.jpg)

Even if you didn’t reach the top, having once had a dream is still youth—that sunbae saying that...

This alone felt like a full narrative, like a scene straight out of a drama

(Final practice scene.jpg)

Anyway, please just air it already. It’s already my life drama

– I went to an arts middle/high school and I completely understand what So Dami was saying... I cried so fucking hard. No matter how much you practice, there comes a moment you realize it’ll always be one-sided love...

– I’ve heard so many times that you don’t have to be first, but the world only remembers first place. That contradiction always hit me hardㅜ but this team actually shines a light on second place instead of just saying it, and that’s what made me tear up

ㄴ 2222 it wasn’t empty comfort, it felt real

– Dami, who’s usually so different, couldn’t even say a word in front of her seniors, holding everything in before finally admitting she’s never won anything... it’s so heartbreaking TT__TT ah my baby bunny

The 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 vlog kept gaining traction.

It didn’t feel overly staged—it was easy to watch, the conversations felt natural, and each episode introduced new guests. It quickly became what people called a “meal companion” show.

Director So’s decision to approach the public with a new format, rather than just a typical drama promo video, once again exceeded expectations.

“Ah... I really want to see it.”

Overwhelmed, Aetami muttered, unable to contain her affection for Yeoreum. The fact that Yeoreum had been working nonstop and showing her face so often had become almost addictive.

Even though she had seen her recently during the 〈Faster Than the Law 2〉 stage greetings, she was already craving her again.

“Should I have gone to the Critics Choice....”

Aetami thought about Yeoreum’s remaining schedule. She might appear on radio shows while promoting 〈Youth Disqualified!〉, or show up at brand pop-up events.

But as they say, luck comes to ordinary people.

“Huh? What’s this?”

A sighting of Han Yeoreum surfaced in a completely unexpected place.

* * *

Han Taeyang carefully ironed his school uniform one last time.

Wearing a crisp white shirt, a navy tie, and a black jacket, he put on his sneakers and sent a message to Yeoreum, who had gone out early in the morning.

Arrive by 10

(Map attached)

There was no reply.

Walking slowly, Han Taeyang felt the pleasant breeze brush against his cheek. After getting off the bus, he headed toward the main gate.

[42nd Graduation Ceremony]

Today was Han Taeyang’s graduation.

Attention-seeker Han Yeoreum had woken up at dawn and gone out, saying she needed to visit the salon.

“Like anyone’s going to recognize her that much....”

The lack of autograph requests confirmed that statistics about teenagers spending their free time on Intube and SNS were accurate.

Dramas and movies seemed to have fallen out of favor among teens.

“Oh, Taeyang, you’re here? Your family coming later?”

“Hello.”

As Han Taeyang looked at the teachers patting his shoulder, he thought to himself:

‘Should I ask them for autographs later....’

But that felt pointless—he had already distributed about ten Han Yeoreum autograph sheets per person.

Sighing, he headed into the auditorium and took a seat in the very front row among the neatly arranged chairs.

“Hey, hey, Han Taeyang.”

“Yeah.”

“Is your sister coming?”

Looking at the classmate tapping his shoulder, Han Taeyang gave a casual nod. Come to think of it, this guy had never once asked about Han Yeoreum before.

‘Yeah... at least you can get an autograph.’

Straightening his posture again, Han Taeyang sat up properly. Even if people around him didn’t care much about Han Yeoreum, being related to a celebrity could easily attract gossip.

He straightened his back and squared his shoulders.

– The 42nd Mokjeong High School graduation ceremony will begin shortly. Please take your seats.

As the student council president announced the ceremony, the hall grew noisy. The murmurs gradually increased.

‘There are always idiots who show up late, even on days like this....’

Han Taeyang checked the watch on his wrist. But the noise around him started to feel different.

Because he kept hearing camera clicks.

“Hey, hey, Han Taeyang. Your sister’s here.”

The guy behind him made a big fuss. Han Taeyang instinctively turned around.

Every single person in the auditorium was looking in one direction.

Han Yeoreum.

* * *

‘What is this? This level of popularity?’

She had felt some attention walking from the car to the auditorium, but not like this.

‘I expected people to recognize me to some extent.’

After all, she was a prepared actress of this era—without sunglasses, at that.

But this much attention?

“Oh my, oh my—is it really her?”

“Yes....”

“What do I do? I’m such a fan!”

Standing at the back of the auditorium, I gave a model actress smile to the parents who had gathered around me before I even realized it.

‘So this is what being the nation’s first love feels like...?’

There was no need to say the name Yeon Huijae or Han Yeoreum. One look at my face was enough. That level of overwhelming public recognition.

“Your mother is so beautiful too. Could we take a photo together?”

“Oh, of course.”

Mom, you heard that, right?

I winked at my mother, who was just smiling silently, as if telling her to take it all in.

She had come to Seoul for the first time in a while for Han Taeyang’s graduation.

‘Ah... this is it....’

Before the regression, I had wanted to show them this side of me at least once.

– Guests, please remain—

As the clicking sounds started becoming more like noise, another announcement came on. I pressed down the swelling emotion inside me and looked forward.

‘Stay calm, Han Yeoreum.’

As if I had come here purely to celebrate my younger brother’s graduation—

‘You’re the best actress.’

There was no way anyone would see through my personal desires. Acting was what I did best.

“Graduation is not an end, but a new beginning. The road ahead may sometimes be difficult, and at times unexpected luck may await you. What matters in all those moments is the choices you make and the attitude with which you live.”

I nodded slightly, as if moved.

Because I could feel the gazes on me from the edges of my vision.

‘Let this spread as a sighting of Han Yeoreum immersing herself in her upcoming drama role 〈Youth Disqualified!〉.’

My performance didn’t stop there.

When Han Taeyang received his academic excellence award, I showed the proud, beautiful older sister. And when the graduation song played, I quietly sang along, offering a nostalgic expression—“Heh... I used to be like that too....”

‘If my performance alone can give the people here a memorable moment today....’

I wouldn’t get tired. It was worth asking Dok Gogyeol to go all out for me today.

Every time I felt warm, approving gazes from those around me, I could feel my mother’s quiet pride.

Mom. Your daughter is really popular now. Unlike before, a lot of people know my name, and I even have a fan café. I’ve really become famous.

I wanted to say it so badly that my lips kept twitching.

* * *

Han Taeyang’s homeroom teacher had expected some level of commotion.

“People will probably gather, right?”

“Well, she’s kind of... the hottest celebrity these days.”

The teachers had been somewhat prepared.

But that was the problem.

“Unnie, can I take a selfie with you just once!”

“She’s so freaking pretty!”

“Unnie, I’ve been your fan since 〈ParCheHi〉! I even bought Pi Chaewon’s sneakers!”

After the ceremony, people cautiously approached Han Yeoreum, who was taking photos with Han Taeyang.

At first, they tested the waters.

“Um... could I maybe get a photo...?”

“Oh, of course!”

“My child is a fan—could we get an autograph...?”

“Of course. I’ll sign for you.”

Once people realized everyone who approached Han Yeoreum succeeded, even those who had been watching from afar lost all restraint.

Before long, the entire area was surrounded by people. Even students who hadn’t cared about the graduation gathered when they heard she was there.

‘It’d be understandable if she got annoyed at this point...!’

With this many people, she could’ve easily left, and no one would have blamed her.

But perhaps because it was her younger brother’s graduation, Han Yeoreum continued treating everyone kindly.

“You don’t have paper for an autograph? Ah, I thought that might happen.”

She reached into her bag—

And pulled out prepared autograph sheets?

“You want a few extra for your friends? Ah, I thought that might happen.”

Not just a few—an entire stack, already signed?

“Hey, Han Taeyang. Open your bag.”

Even after giving those out, she took more from Han Taeyang’s bag?

“That’s really all? Ah, I thought that might happen. Seonhye unnie! The ones we prepared before!”

And what her manager brought out—

Cup holders that read [For our Han Yeoreum, whom we will love passionately]?

“What... is this?”

Only after Han Yeoreum finally left did the teachers at Mokjeong High stand there in a daze.

“Did you see that?”

“Yes. I even got a cup holder.”

“Lucky you....”

The 42nd Mokjeong High graduation ceremony ended successfully—having essentially turned into a Han Yeoreum fan signing event.

All the students who had never been able to ask Han Taeyang for autographs were finally satisfied.

And the kind stories Han Yeoreum had always wanted began pouring out.

* * *

[Humor Board / Celebrity under controversy due to school issue.jpg]

Han Yeoreum went to her younger brother’s graduation

(Sighting photo.jpg)

So many autograph requests it basically paralyzed the area LOLOLOLOL she looked a bit frozen at first, like she didn’t expect this level

(Photo of Han Yeoreum handing out papers.jpg)

Wait, no—she DID expect it... she brought pre-signed autograph sheets from home and handed them out LOLLLL

(Photo of Han Yeoreum giving cup holders.jpg)

After running out of autograph sheets, she gave out her cup holders LOLOLOL

(Photo proof of fan café support coffee truck.jpg)

Turns out those cup holders were from fan café support at her filming set T_T she probably took all the leftovers with her

Anyway, even after giving everything out, she kept apologizing for not being able to get to everyone... so cute..

It was her brother’s graduation but turned into her fan meeting LOLOLOLOL

– LMAO I thought this was a serious scandal LOLOLOLOL

ㄴ same but not THIS kind LOLOLOL

– So cute... a celebrity who keeps every cup holder from fan support? If it were me, I’d order a thousand next time

– If she acknowledges it like this, I’m dedicating my whole life LOLOL

– Why does she have so many autograph sheets, is that a textbook??

Han Yeoreum’s graduation sighting quietly set communities ablaze.

Because she didn’t wear hats or sunglasses and signed autographs everywhere she went, the sightings didn’t stop there.

[20s Anonymous Board / I used to work at a café Han Yeoreum came to often, sharing a sighting]

She came SUPER often. At first I was like omg a celebrity... but later even the staff were like “Is Yeoreum coming? Tell her to go back” T_T LOLOL she always ordered iced Americanos, but after 〈The Great Garland〉 ended, customers started asking for autographs whenever she came. And she looked kinda apologetic to the store? The more autograph requests increased, the more ridiculous her orders became. Seriously she didn’t need to do that but she started ordering stuff like unicorn frappuccinos and popping sugar smoothies... she didn’t have to boost sales TT__TT

Anyway, she was way cuter in person and I’ve never seen her frown when people asked for autographs or photos. She was so kind. Feels like she’ll last a long time.

– LMAO don’t order frappuccinos just because you feel bad LOLOLOLOLOL

– It’s amazing how all her stories are consistently positive...

– In the vlog, Gaeul kept nagging her about why she didn’t just get iced Americanos again LOLOLOL that must’ve been that café T_T LOLOLOLOL Yeoreum, stop worrying about sales LOLOLOL

[30s Anonymous Board / Jumping into the trend... I live in the same apartment as that actress]

Someone got on the elevator and I recognized the face, so I stared without thinking. Then Han Yeoreum went “Uh... would you like an autograph?” so that’s when I realized T_T LOOL I reflexively said yes, I’m a fan! but I didn’t have paper or a pen so it was awkward. But she just took out her own pen and paper and signed it for me... haven’t seen her since, only run into her brother sometimes at the recycling area. Anyway, hope she becomes even more successful!

– How is she basically an autograph machine, whoa

– From all these stories, she always pulls out a pen first T_T she must carry one around...

– She’s seriously so cute, I want to meet her just once, fuck... I’d hug her so tight

Scrolling down, Gam Dajeong smiled.

“The timing is perfect....”

On her desk sat a massive tumbler filled with a mysterious mixture of energy drinks, coffee, and stimulants.

Taking a sip through the straw, dark circles heavy under her eyes, she continued:

“Right... but should we tweak the edit a bit?”

“I was thinking the same. Since the buzz is about ‘younger brother’s graduation,’ let’s add more of the ordinary sibling angle and revise it....”

“It’s already finished and you want to redo it now? Are you out of your mind?”

This was the MBS Variety Department. Now that 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 had released its teaser, it was time to promote it through variety shows.

Han Yeoreum, So Dami, and Choo Gaeul were set to appear on 〈EmBubu〉 together, showcasing the modest and relatable daily lives of actresses in their twenties.

In the editing room, where insane suggestions to redo nearly completed edits were thrown around casually, Gam Dajeong smiled.

“Everyone sane already quit. Just so you know....”

〈EmBubu〉 had been one of the biggest rising variety shows last year, but being new, it hadn’t won many awards. With lifeless eyes, Gam Dajeong continued monitoring.

“In this industry, only those who stay insane until the end survive....”

Han Yeoreum’s face filled the large screen. Gam Dajeong thought of Director So.

And the center director glued right beside him.

“Do you think broadcast variety can afford to lose to Intube?”

The vlog of 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 was already showing signs of reshaping the entire variety landscape.

At last month’s MBS variety meeting, proposals had kept coming in—just like before—about gathering celebrities to create some kind of project.

Passion, effort, and the thrill of achieving something together—those were elements that could capture both humor and emotion perfectly.

Gam Dajeong, once called a genius PD, couldn’t ignore the challenge thrown down by So Yesol and Lee Saerok.

‘And it’s not like ours is the only variety show she’s appearing on....’

Knowing about Han Yeoreum’s hidden variety schedule through indirect sources, Gam Dajeong picked up her tumbler.

“Alright... we’re all editing until we drop dead....”

Click.

The editing room door locked.