The cart rolled off toward the lakeside set, where the crew was already waiting. Ye-Jun knew the routine. 

Beneath the shade of a great tree, with the shimmering lake behind them, he was to face his co-star and deliver his lines. It should have been easy—except for two things: suppressing his disgust for Chae-Youn, and ignoring the unwanted guests. He hated when anyone unnecessary watched his scenes, especially her. The intern's gaze felt like a knife, ready to cut through. He would not let her see a single weakness. 

"We're starting in five," one of the director's assistants called. 

Ye-Jun walked to his mark, reviewing the sequence in his head to push away his irritation. There were several takes today. He was looking forward to the ones with Chae-Youn's body double—a seasoned theatre actress who occasionally took on doubles work for extra income. He admired her quiet professionalism. When he'd once asked why she never pursued TV roles, she'd replied: "I'd rather be hit by a train than see my face on television." 

He hadn't known how to take that. Did she mean that as an insult? Maybe she thought TV actors weren't real artists. Maybe she was right. He did his best, always—but he knew why he was here. Acting paid the bills. Singing had been his true love. He would be happy if he could only sing and dance. Instead, he ended up a well-paid, mediocre actor. He was overthing it. There was a chance that the double just hated what television represented. 

Unfortunately, the first take was with Chae-Youn herself. The only consolation was that he would face her back, so he could imagine she was the double. She winked at him when no one was looking. 

Damn you, Chae-Youn! 

"Both of you, take positions!" Mr. Han called. Chae-Youn turned away, perfectly professional. 

"Everyone ready? Rolling in three, two, one... action!" 

Ye-Jun's face shifted—his expression filled with sorrow and regret. 

"That is my resolution. That is what I want for you—to live. I will...", he lifted his eyes. "...look at you from afar". 

But he lost his focus. His gaze fell upon the intern—impossible to miss in that ridiculous yellow hat. She was watching intently. 

"I will praise fate that parted our ways and I will—". 

"Cut!" the director's voice interrupted. 

The intern had done it again. She'd destroyed his concentration. 

"Mr. Yeong, let's start over. You can do better," Mr. Han said, his tone mildly reproachful. 

"Yes sir," Ye-Jun said through clenched teeth. He'd be ready this time—he'd look anywhere but at her. 

"Honey, is my perfume making you dizzy?" Chae-Youn whispered. 

"Will you shut up?" he muttered with a sinister smile. 

And then a dreadful thought: What if the intern can read lips? Did she just see Chae-Youn calling him honey? 

Panic and anger twisted together in his gut. How was he supposed to act like this? 

"Mr. Yeong? Are you ready?" the director called. 

Ye-Jun raised an index finger, indicating he needed a moment. He turned around and closed his eyes, beginning his box breathing exercise. One, two, three, four, hold... One, two, three, four, hold.... He didn't have time for more than two rounds. He turned back, gave the director a thumbs up, and took his position. Mr. Han counted down again: "Three, two, one... Action!" 

There we go again! 

Ye-Jun stepped back into the role. "That is my resolution. That is what I want for you. To live. I will..." and as before, he raised his eyes, "...look at you from afar". Even prepared, he felt a twitch when he saw the intern. That hat! It was infuriating. "I will praise fate that parted our ways and I will find solace in the distant sound of your voice." Ye-Jun knew he wasn't connecting; he was merely reciting. He was frustrated, and the director saw it. 

"Cut!" he said. "Mr. Yeong, you did well this morning. Please concentrate" Mr. Han told him. 

"Apologies. I’ll stay focused." 

"Sugar, please give me a chance to say a line or two," Chae-Youn said again in a low voice. 

Ye-Jun chose not to respond to Chae-Youn. He had bigger concerns. Mi-Suk was whispering something to the intern, and the intern nodded. He was certain they were commenting on his performance, even making fun of him, though they weren't laughing. He had to demonstrate that he wasn't completely talentless! Maybe he hadn't studied drama in any prestigious drama school, but he had the inclination. His teachers told him so. It was time to prove everyone, especially that intern who might never drop by the set again. He would astonish them. 

Mr. Han asked an assistant to count down. When "Action!" was heard, Ye-Jun was ready. He was no longer himself; he was Prince Sunhwa. 

"That is my resolution. That is what I want for you. To live. I will look at you from afar". And now he looked the intern straight in the eyes. It was like talking to her. He was saying, Look at me. There is no story for you. I am good at what I do. "I will praise fate that parted our ways and I will find solace in the distant sound of your voice" he continued, knowing he was doing great. "For as long as I know that you walk this earth, I will have a reason to keep fighting, he said without taking his eyes off her. The intern was petrified. 

It was Chae-Youn's turn now. "Even if I walk with tears in my eyes? Even if my feet are heavy because of grief? What is this destiny you decide to cast upon me?" she said. 

"The destiny of soulmates that met too late. My arms will crave for your embrace, my lips will yearn for your skin, but it's the last time my lungs fill with your delicate scent," Ye-Jun said, still to the intern. It just came so natural to him now, because he had a target: to prove himself, to challenge the silent judge. 

"I feel so powerless. I feel so alone," Chae-Youn delivered her line. 

"Don't..." and now he had to lower his stare again. He had succeeded. The intern's face was red. He had impressed her with his skills; she was surely ashamed for ever making fun of him, alongside that little rat Mi-Suk. He was so happy with himself he was about to smile, but he dared not spoil the excellent performance. "I will find a way to accompany you in your dreams, he said to finish his part, reaching for the now-crying Chae-Youn's elbow. She was so good with tears. To finish up this take, he had to lean over Chae-Youn's head and close his eyes. Piece of cake. They stayed like this for some time until a "Cut!" was heard, and they could become themselves again. Ye-Jun immediately stepped back from his co-star. 

"Very good, both of you. We will do it again, but you are on the right track, we have very good material," Mr. Han said. 

Ye-Jun got the confirmation he wanted. He looked around, expecting to see everyone sharing the director's opinion, after enjoying their performance. Instead, most crew members were preoccupied with their chores. Some production staff were talking on their phones, as was that traitor Mi-Suk. As for the intern, she had turned her back and was scrolling on her phone. What the hell? Didn't anyone realize how good he was? Weren't they ready to congratulate him? 

"I was worried it would take all day long. And we still have not began the scene where you are supposed to cry," Chae-Youn said, knowing that he couldn't cry on demand. 

"I got my tear stick. I will cry like a baby." 

"What's wrong with you? You were all set an hour ago," Chae-Youn asked. 

"Everything is fine. Just a rough start." 

"No... I've worked with you for four months. I think it's something else. Like that time when Mi-Ok appeared on the set, remember? You got totally distracted," Chae-Youn continued. Why on earth was she paying so much attention to that? 

"Let's shoot it again!" the director said after quickly reviewing the footage. Ye-Jun was going to use the intern again, to see her face stupefied by his skills. But when he looked in the direction she was standing before, he realized she was gone. He started looking around to see where she had gone, but had no luck. 

"Who are you looking for?" Chae-Youn asked. Why on earth was she monitoring what he was doing? 

"Are you stalking me? That is creepy!" 

"I pay attention to the things I like," she answered. Fuck... She was considering him a thing. 

Just great!