* * *

“Sunbae, calm down!”

“I’ll find a good partner!”

“Think about the odds!”

Han Woojin hugged me tightly and said,

“He says he likes me!”

Wow, saying it twice will get me into trouble.

I squirmed in Han Woojin’s arms. Honestly, it was pretty stifling.

‘More importantly, what sin did I commit in my past life…’

To be held in a man’s arms. Damn it.

‘I can’t really complain about the guy who raised my status, can I?’

I was enduring it when a staff member approached me.

“Han Woojin, please get ready for the next scene.”

“Oh, it’s time already. Kongja, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The staff member laughed a bit at that.

“The baby really follows you well.”

“Yes, he calls me his Hyung.”

Hey.

“What?”

“I guess I do look like a Hyung. Kongja, say ‘Hyung.’”

I stared at Han Woojin.

‘Should I do it or not?’

But Han Woojin’s eyes sparkled.

‘The nation’s top handsome actor, Han Woojin.’

He is known for his humor, but still…

‘I didn’t expect this side of him.’

Fine, whatever.

“Big bro!”

“Ugh.”

Han Woojin groaned like he had a drink and then chuckled foolishly.

“He really likes me.”

No, I don’t.

“What if he cries when we part?”

I won’t cry.

“Babies usually like good-looking people.”

“Right. Kongja probably has never seen anyone as handsome as me.”

Not true.

“Honestly, I feel like visiting Kongja’s home.”

“That’s Ma Soo-jung’s house. What if there’s a scandal?”

“Oh, right. Kongja is Soo-jung’s son. I forgot.”

Han Woojin suddenly looked up at the ceiling.

“If I ask to take Kongja, will she kick me out?”

“Probably?”

“She might even swing a bat at me.”

Wait, what?

‘How does he know my mom swings a bat?’

Mom, when did you ever swing a bat?

Respect, Mom!

Han Woojin smiled bitterly.

“That’s too bad.”

What is?

Han Woojin kept mumbling but continued to hold me. I couldn’t escape until we reached the set.

* * *
Cameras were everywhere. The bright lights made it feel real.

‘It’s filming time.’

Maybe because they had shot a lot in advance, the staff didn’t seem too tired.
PD Lee Jaemin looked at me and said,

“You’re not crying.”

President Seo smiled and replied,

“He’s Kongja. Good boy.”

“Like I said, I didn’t expect much. But this feels different. Something good is coming. Are you ready?”

A staff member gave an okay signal.

The director stepped back and said,

“Let’s start with the entrance scene.”

Oh.

‘I know what scene this is.’

This wasn’t a scene with Han Woojin. The camera would probably move slightly toward me.

‘From the viewer’s perspective, the camera’s view is Han Woojin’s.’

I get it.

I had to greet the camera like it was Han Woojin, no, Joo-hyuk from the drama.

‘He’s someone who’s rarely seen because he’s busy in the ER.’

The staff were bustling around. The PD shouted,

“Standby, cue!”

The camera approached. I was turned away from the lens, and I slowly turned around.
Then, extending my hand, I said,

“Pa!”

Honestly, this acting was easy.

‘Just act like I’m looking at Mom.’

I smiled brightly, pulled myself up using the crib rail, and made sure to lose my balance and fall cutely on my butt.

“Pa-pa~!”

After saying it again and getting back up in the crib, the awaited sound finally came.

“Cut!”

There was a buzz of noise. President Seo approached me, covering his mouth.

“Wow! Soo-jung brought a genius!”

Oops, I’ve been found out.

Just realizing it now, President?

He hugged me and said,

“Kongja, you’re the best.”

Of course.

I glanced at PD Lee Jaemin over Seo’s shoulder.

The PD was stroking his chin, watching the monitor.

“Oh, I want to see Kongja’s scene again.”

President Seo, holding me, ran over like a wild horse.

“PD, what do you think?”

As I got closer, PD Lee Jaemin stroked his chin.

“Wow. That was intense.”

The crew looked at me and commented.

“How does he do that?”

“This isn’t just amazing. How did the kid deliver the perfect scene?”

PD Lee Jaemin murmured.

“I didn’t expect much, but still.”

“Maybe we’re blessed because we’re not greedy, PD.”

“Is that so? Child actors should be protected, after all.”

No, that’s not it.

‘Even if nothing else, give me proper acting direction!’

Whether they knew how I felt or not, the crew kept whispering.

“Anyway, this is a hit.”

“If I were a viewer, I’d cry. If Joo-hyuk opens the door and the baby reaches out saying ‘papa,’ I’d cry too.”

PD Lee Jaemin looked at me and said,

“If the next scene is also a hit, let’s have a celebration.”

“It’s the scene where Joo-hyuk holds the baby, right?”

“Yes. This is thrilling. It’s so good.”

PD Lee Jaemin turned to Han Woojin.

“How do you feel?”

“Thoughts? It’s good. But…”

Han Woojin looked at me and said,

“I’m actually nervous. I feel like a great scene will come out, but I’m worried I might mess up.”

“No way.”

“Funny, isn’t it, PD? But really.”

“Hmm, should I ask Kongja to do his best in the next scene?”

Wow, Han Woojin.

‘He has a good sense.’

The crew might think it’s all a coincidence.

‘As long as the scene turns out well, it doesn’t matter.’

Whether it’s luck or fortune.

‘As long as word of mouth spreads, it’s fine.’

What matters is the result.

‘Being in more good works, that’s what’s important.’

I couldn’t help but smile.

PD Lee Jaemin relaxed his shoulders and approached me.

“Kongja, do well in the next scene too, okay?”

I raised my hand and shouted brightly.

“Yes!”

“Oh, cute. But does he understand what I’m saying?”

Yes, I do.

“Anyway, get ready to shoot.”

“Yes!”

Mr. Seo took me back to the cradle.

“This scene is where Joo-hyuk holds me, right?”

I chewed on my cheek, relaxing my facial muscles.

“I can’t overdo this acting.”

I had to go as usual. PD Lee Jaemin’s voice echoed.

“Action! Standby! Cue!”

Han Woojin, or rather ‘Joo-hyuk’ in the ER, slowly lifted me up.

“His facial expression is pretty good.”

I was supposed to be the son he sees in his final vision while dying.

Smiling brightly, I clapped my legs together.

Joo-hyuk looked at me with teary eyes and gently stroked my cheek.

“Oh, that’s nice.”

Joo-hyuk mimicked my smile, but it was a trembling, awkward one.

“If he comes out like this…”

I giggled and clapped my hands, just like a child delighted by their dad’s smile.

Joo-hyuk hugged me tightly.

How long did we stay like that?

Finally, I heard the awaited sound.

“Cut!”

* * *