Chapter 3: Commercial Challenges and Fan Meeting Surprises

I’m in a van heading to an event venue.

The other members are quietly checking their schedules.

A brief silence settles in.

In the middle of it, I discreetly check my bank balance.

Even though it’s only been a short time since debut, I’ve already saved up a decent amount.

All thanks to running around tirelessly for events.

Checking my growing bank balance has become my life’s little joy lately.

Seeing the numbers climb in real-time feels like it could cure depression in one shot.

Not that I have depression or anything.

They say money can make even a whale dance.

That’s probably why every day feels so fun.

But I still have a long way to go.

My goal is a YOLO life after retirement.

I need way more money than I have now.

To do that, I’ve got to earn as much as I can while I can.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and glance at the schedule on my lap.

Morning agenda: a commercial shoot.

It’s our first ad, by the way.

Probably thanks to our latest song hitting it big.

The client is Donghyang Pharmaceuticals.

A well-known beverage company.

I’ve bought their drinks a few times myself.

Definitely an ion drink perfect for hot days.

The product we’re promoting is similar.

The ad concept is a refreshing, active summer vibe.

The background and outfits are tailored to that theme.

But hold on.

My hand trembles as I review the proposal.

The outfit concept is seriously bothering me.

A crop top that fully exposes the midriff and an overly short pleated skirt.

It’s the client’s requested look—basically a cheerleader outfit.

…Too revealing.

At least by my standards.

If it were a stage outfit, I could negotiate with the stylist to adjust it.

But this is a requirement from the shooting team, an external company.

It’s too late to raise issues with the outfit now that we’ve accepted the job.

If only I’d checked the proposal more carefully when we first got it.

Skimming it because I was busy was a mistake.

“…I don’t want to wear it.”

The outfit is way too much for my resistance to handle.

Just thinking about wearing it kills my motivation.

As I let out a sigh, my eyes catch the appearance fee listed at the bottom of the contract.

Since the client is a major corporation, the fee is on a whole different level from a typical commercial.

After deducting the agency’s cut and splitting it among the members, the amount I’d get is…

After punching the numbers into my calculator, my eyes shine brighter than ever.

“Fine, let’s just do it.”

It’s too much money to turn down.

“Hmm.”

Ad director Lee Jinsu surveys the commercial set.

The stage setup was just completed.

Now, they’re just waiting for the cast to arrive, and everything will be ready.

“Where are the performers at?”

“They arrived about three minutes ago.”

“Got it.”

They’re probably in the dressing room getting styled.

Jinsu reviews the ad proposal one more time while waiting.

Cast: A Star

Their recent song became a huge hit, making them the hottest girl group right now.

That means great advertising impact, but there are concerns with a rookie group.

Like their acting skills, for example.

Commercials need to capture the product’s appeal and brand image effectively in just 15 to 60 seconds.

The most critical factor is the performers’ acting ability.

No matter how stunning an idol’s visuals are, poor acting makes the whole video feel flat.

But most of A Star’s members have zero acting experience.

The center, Ruti, is especially concerning.

Started as a trainee at 16, debuted as an idol at 17.

No acting experience, probably not even any related training.

Jinsu has seen this plenty of times in his directing career.

Rookies like her often rack up dozens of NGs with their awkward acting.

In the worst cases, too many NGs delayed the entire shoot.

Those memories still haunt him.

‘I hope it’s not that bad this time…’

Jinsu closes his eyes, practically praying.

Meanwhile, A Star’s members arrive on set.

There are four members, but Jinsu’s gaze locks onto one.

The youngest, Ruti.

Her beauty takes his breath away.

He knew she was pretty from videos, but he never dreamed her real-life presence would be even more stunning.

She approaches with the other members to greet him first.

“Hello. Please take care of us today.”

She bows deeply, her high ponytail swaying.

A sweet scent wafts toward him.

Shampoo, maybe?

Jinsu shakes off the thought, snapping himself back to focus.

This girl is a 17-year-old idol.

Any impure thoughts would disqualify him not just as a director but as a human.

With his most professional face, he offers her a handshake.

“Likewise, please take care of us.”

“Now, let me explain the shooting plan.”

He goes over each member’s concept and role in detail.

Thanks to them studying the script well, it doesn’t take long.

“Let’s start shooting. Everyone, just act as naturally as possible.”

The commercial shoot begins.

The camera focuses on Ruti, positioned at the center of the set.

She’s the key figure, the most popular member.

Jinsu watches her closely, holding his breath.

‘First take’s probably an NG.’

He’s already preparing to call a cut.

But the situation never calls for it.

Instead…

‘Why is she so natural?’

She effortlessly performs the act of drinking the beverage.

Smooth, fluid movements, natural expressions, perfect eye contact—every detail flawlessly follows the director’s instructions.

“…Cut.”

He never imagined they’d nail the commercial in one take.

Checking the footage, Jinsu silently marvels.

Even on review, it’s flawless.

They could wrap the shoot right now without issue.

“Um…”

Jinsu approaches her quietly and asks.

“Have you ever studied acting professionally?”

Her performance was so good, he assumed she must have trained or had similar experience.

She responds with the most innocent face.

“Never once.”

Since the TS, my life has been one big act.

To keep my identity hidden, I’ve been playing “Kim Siyeon” every moment.

That’s how I’ve lived for three years.

My acting skills naturally improved.

Now, I can act well enough to rival professional actors.

Thanks to that, I nailed my first commercial shoot.

“Good work, everyone.”

I thank each staff member individually before heading to the dressing room.

I let down my hair, change out of the cheerleader outfit, and put on my original clothes.

Now, I’ve got to head straight to the afternoon schedule.

An idol’s daily routine is insanely packed.

Finish one task, and the next is already waiting.

Thank goodness our school—an arts high school—has flexible attendance rules.

Otherwise, I’d have had to drop out.

“We’re gonna be late for the schedule, hurry up!”

“Wait, I’m not dressed yet!”

The afternoon schedule is a fan meeting.

The venue is a nearby university auditorium.

We pile into the van and head straight there.

No time to eat, so we grab a quick meal in the car.

At the fan meeting venue, a long line of people stretches from the entrance.

All fans here to see us.

There are more than I expected, which surprises me a bit.

“This way, please.”

Escorted by security, we enter through the back door.

Inside the fan meeting venue, my seat is at the center table up front.

“Let’s begin the event.”

Fans file in, taking seats in front of us one by one.

I immediately put on my business smile.

“Nice to meet you! ♥”

This is my third fan meeting.

The process isn’t too complicated.

Greet warmly, have a short chat, sign something, and that’s it.

…The tough part is repeating that hundreds of times.

Everyone here paid to be here.

To me, every single one is a valuable customer.

Gotta give my all, no matter how exhausting.

It’s just good business.

While I’m in the middle of this hectic fan meeting…

“I’m a fan.”

A familiar voice catches my attention.

I look up, and there’s a girl from my class sitting in front of me.