LS Ch 70

Once the drama aired, Jewoo and Yiwon’s schedules filled up with appearances on variety shows and promotional videos produced by the streaming platform. Sihyeon and Yejun, as main supporting actors, were almost always included. As a result, Jewoo spent half his week with them.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve seen Mr. Han Jewoo on a variety show.”

The MC of a variety show they appeared on together singled out Jewoo. It was true that Jewoo rarely appeared on variety shows compared to the others. After that variety show seven years ago, the one where he met Yiwon, he felt he wasn’t suited for the format. Plus, as a supporting actor, he rarely received offers.

“Because you haven’t invited me,” Jewoo replied jokingly.

The MC, a long-time host who, surprisingly, had also been the main MC on that show seven years ago, promised to invite him more often. He even remembered Jewoo from back then, commenting on how much his aura had changed since his younger, more innocent days.

The variety show involved listening to songs and filling in the blanks for specific sections of the lyrics. Even songs they thought they knew well often proved difficult when it came to recalling specific lyrics. While Yiwon and Yejun were former idols, presumably accustomed to fast raps, they struggled just as much with songs outside their own groups’ repertoire.

Everyone listened intently as the first song played.

“Oh, I know this song…”

It was an older song, popular during Jewoo’s high school days. A rapid-fire rap section, the target of the quiz, followed a beep. The contestants looked bewildered after the barely audible lyrics rushed past.

Jewoo jotted down what he could catch, leaving blanks for the unclear parts.

“Isn’t it ‘distant place’ there?”

Yiwon, sitting next to him, pointed to a blank space on Jewoo’s paper.

“It was ‘place,’ not ‘seems like’?”

“That’s what I heard.”

“Really?”

They exchanged words casually, as usual, when the MC called them out.

“What are you two doing? No conferring!”

Jewoo chuckled awkwardly and acknowledged the MC’s reprimand.

“You don’t have any other schedules after this, right?”

While the MC checked the other contestants’ answers, Yiwon leaned closer and whispered in Jewoo’s ear. Jewoo nodded, and Yiwon suggested they go to his place.

“I have to leave early tomorrow morning.”

Jewoo agreed to go, but mentioned his early morning schedule, causing Yiwon’s face to fall slightly.

“Why that look? What were you expecting?”

Jewoo found Yiwon’s instantly shifting expressions endearing and teased him, just as the MC called out, “Mr. Han Jewoo!” He turned to find the MC and the other contestants staring at them.

“I said no conferring!”

“We weren’t!” Jewoo quickly raised his hands in defense.

The MC narrowed his eyes playfully.

“What have you two been whispering about? Aren’t you being a little too affectionate?”

He added, “Don’t keep secrets, share with everyone.” Flustered, Jewoo looked to Yiwon, unsure how to respond. The MC seized the opportunity, pointing out their exchange of glances and escalating the teasing.

“Those two are always like that,” Sihyeon interjected.

“What do you mean, ‘always like that’?”

“They were glued to each other like that on set, too.”

The other contestants oohed and teased them.

“Gentlemen, save the romance for later and focus on the quiz for now,” the MC added playfully before resuming the show.

Although Jewoo understood the MC was referring to their on-screen relationship, he felt his face flush. As he fanned himself, Yiwon turned and began fanning him with Jewoo’s answer sheet.

“Look at this, Mr. Kang Yiwon. I said save the romance for later!”

The exasperated MC called out Yiwon again, causing the others to burst into laughter.

“This isn’t like that,” Yiwon replied calmly, with a smile.

“Then what is it?”

“I’m restraining myself from bringing him a fan.”

The MC gaped at the blatant response. Sihyeon shook his head with a knowing look, while Yejun, embarrassed, looked away. The other contestants, oblivious, commented on Kang Yiwon’s unexpected romantic side.

“Is the character you play in the drama like that, Mr. Yiwon?” the MC asked, trying to connect Yiwon’s behavior to the drama.

“Geonhwon can’t be explained that simply.”

“I see. Understood. I’ll be sure to check out the drama.”

The veteran MC smoothly recovered and moved on to check another contestant’s answer.

Jewoo pulled down Yiwon’s arm, still holding the paper fan. He gave Yiwon a “stop it” look, and Yiwon asked if he was okay now.

I’m not okay. I can’t be okay because of you.

Jewoo silently scolded him with a look. Yiwon, whether he understood or not, simply smiled softly. Jewoo sighed inwardly, thinking he was incorrigible, then turned at a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. The MC was watching them intently, using his index and middle fingers to signal he was keeping an eye on them. Jewoo laughed awkwardly, while the other contestants and staff watched them with amusement.

After the lyric quiz, they moved on to an individual round, where they had to guess movie titles based on scenes shown on screen. Everyone stood, and the first to answer correctly received a snack and could sit down.

Jewoo quickly answered correctly, but Yiwon, surprisingly, was terrible at movies. He’d apparently had no time to watch films during his active idol days, and seemed unfamiliar with anything released in the past few years. One by one, the others answered correctly and sat, leaving Yiwon standing until the very end.

“Mr. Kang Yiwon, are you going to miss out on the snacks?” the MC asked, concerned.

Yiwon just laughed and admitted he didn’t know. In the end, he failed to answer the last question and received no snack.

They were given a short break. As soon as filming stopped, Jewoo offered his mini-cake to Yiwon.

“At least have a taste.”

The cake was small, hardly enough for one person. He had saved it, anticipating Yiwon’s failure to answer the questions.

“You eat it, hyung.”

“I won’t be able to eat dinner if I have more.”

Jewoo used the excuse of losing his appetite, and Yiwon didn’t insist. It was a valid excuse for Yiwon, who was obsessed with Jewoo’s eating habits, often demanding photos of his meals when they couldn’t meet.

“Ah.”

Instead of taking the fork, Yiwon opened his mouth expectantly. Without thinking, Jewoo took a bite of the cake and fed it to him. He suddenly felt a burning sensation from several stares. Sihyeon, Yejun, and even the MC, sitting further away, were watching them. Jewoo realized his mistake. Yiwon often acted like this when they ate at each other’s homes. Jewoo would tease him for being childish but had gotten used to feeding him.

“You two have really become close,” one of the regular cast members commented with a smile.

“Yes, well…” Jewoo forced a smile and nodded.

“I’m very fond of him,” Yiwon replied casually, making Jewoo flinch. However, Yiwon’s nonchalant demeanor seemed to convince the others that it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“I’ve been a fan of Jewoo-hyung since he was a child actor.”

At Yiwon’s words, another cast member joked about him being a successful fanboy, getting to work with his idol.

A fan since I was a child actor? That’s a complete lie.

Jewoo swallowed his words, knowing that Yiwon would simply counter with, “I’ve watched all your work since you were a child, so I am a fan from back then.”

“This is making me nervous,” Sihyeon whispered discreetly as he approached.

Jewoo smiled wryly. If they didn’t draw attention to themselves, it would be fine. It was at a level where people could easily dismiss it as simple closeness between colleagues. Sihyeon was only anxious because he knew they weren’t just friends, and Jewoo felt guilty because of it. People were generally less observant and less suspicious than they thought. It was better not to overthink it.

However, Jewoo overlooked one crucial fact: fans were different from industry colleagues. For those eager to ship them, even the smallest coincidence could be blown out of proportion. And Kang Yiwon was already feeding them plenty of material.