TFIU 32

However.

“I know,” said Producer Hwang calmly, contrary to expectations.
“But at your level, you can hide it if you want, right?”

“That’s true,” Eon admitted readily.

Ah… so the two of them already know each other?

“But it’s fine if you show that you’re not on good terms.”

“!”

“Honestly, that’d be even better for me. I think the ratings would go up more that way.”

“……”

Eon smiled at Producer Hwang’s words, but CEO Park’s complexion darkened rapidly.

“That won’t do… PD-nim, we’ll be ruined. Please edit it nicely for us.”

“Hahaha. I’ll do my best, of course! As always.”

“……”

I doubt that. He looks like the type who’d stir up a ton of aggro.

“Just keep it natural, natural. Whatever you do, we’ll make it look pretty on our end. That’s our job.”

If anything, Producer Hwang’s words made Yewon even more nervous.

Producers who talked like that were usually the scarier kind.

“……”

Will it be okay? Can we really leave it to him?

After Taeyoung’s withdrawal, Glit’s public image had worsened significantly.

If Taeyoung had quietly left, that would’ve been one thing—but he’d stirred up every bit of media play possible before exiting, leaving public opinion in a chaotic state.

Officially, Taeyoung announced that he was leaving “due to declining health, to take a break and study music.”
But on social media and on the communication app Sparkle, he’d posted things like, “because I was in an emotional whirlwind…,” “because the wounds I received in relationships were too much to bear…,” “because I want to live as myself for a while…,” “instead of sacrificing myself, I want to take care of myself now…” and so on.

He spouted all sorts of nonsense, wrecking the fandom’s atmosphere and planting a negative image of Glit in the minds of the general public who didn’t know the internal details.

Of course, the company hadn’t just sat back—they released statements, articles, interviews, doing everything they could to respond. But the public reaction remained cold.

Glit was barely holding on thanks to the good image Do-ha and the other members had built over time. Their brand value was hanging by a thread.

So they needed a shift in atmosphere, and this reality show was the most effective opportunity for that change.

Yewon took a deep breath.

“By the way. Yewon here. What do you think? You like your uncles?”

“……!”

“You won’t cry in front of the camera, right? You can do well, Yewon?”

Yewon realized instinctively.

This was Producer Hwang’s version of an “audition.”

In that case—

“Yes! I won’t cry, and I’ll do well.”

I have to pass.

Yewon beamed and linked her arm with Do-ha’s.

No one failed to understand how desperately Glit needed this opportunity.

And for Yewon?

‘I’m just as desperate.’

Was there any faster way to raise her recognition like this?

Even if it felt like a shameless cheat code, she couldn’t deny it.

These days, with endless media and endless content pouring out, simply appearing on a show didn’t guarantee buzz.

‘That’s why they even look at follower counts when casting rookies.’

Actors with social media influence were prioritized for casting—enough said.

So would it be easy for a child actress to build recognition?

Even those who acted well and had perfect looks disappeared without ever getting a real opportunity.

Yewon didn’t particularly want to become a star.

But it was an undeniable reality that stars received the better roles.

So she had no choice but to accept that reality.

‘If becoming famous means I can play more diverse roles, then I have to rise.’

Better roles. Better projects.

For those, Yewon was ready to do anything.

Hadn’t she even cried in front of Do-ha to seize this chance?

‘It was acting, but… trying things I’ve never done even once in my life wasn’t easy….’

It was practically like she’d succeeded by throwing a tantrum.

Yewon glanced subtly at CEO Park. She couldn’t tell how much Producer Hwang knew.

“I heard everything, kiddo. You’re Do-ha’s niece, right? You two really do look alike. Do-ha, you’re lucky.”

So they told him.

Well, filming couldn’t proceed otherwise.

“…I’m blessed,” Do-ha replied.

He looked even more nervous than Yewon.

“Haha. This is the first time I’ve seen you nervous, Do-ha. Is it because your niece is here? You did perfectly fine last time.”

“I guess I want to look cooler in front of my niece.”

“Hey now. How are you planning to get any cooler than you already are? That’s enough, man.”

Producer Hwang laughed and turned back to Yewon.

“Seeing how you’re glued to Do-ha, I can tell you’re close to him. But you’re not close with the other uncles yet, right?”

I’m not that close to Uncle Do-ha either, though….

Yewon nodded.

“Even better. That’s great.”

“!”

“Don’t get close before filming. I like that kind of thing. If you’re going to get close, do it in front of the camera. Don’t get close where I can’t see you~!”

…I get what he means.

He wants to show the relationship building from scratch.

“Then should I act not close even to Uncle Do-ha? Maybe pretend he’s scary?”

“!”

Producer Hwang’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting that answer.

“Oh? You can do that?”

“Yes!”

Acting shy or distant wouldn’t be hard.

…Pretending to be close would be harder.

“Alright. Then maybe we should make that the concept? ‘Let’s hope Yewon and the uncles grow closer,’ something like that?”

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

“……!”

“I can do well with any concept.”

At Yewon’s bold reply, not only Producer Hwang but everyone in the meeting room looked surprised.

“…Are kids these days all that smart?”

After the Glit members and Yewon left, Producer Hwang scratched his head and asked CEO Park.

“I’m not sure. We don’t usually take kids that young as trainees. But she’s definitely mature. It’s not just the way she talks—”

CEO Park trailed off, recalling Yewon’s eyes.

Usually they were innocent and childlike, but at times they looked like someone who had already lived a whole lifetime.

When she subtly read his mood. When she sized up the personalities of the uncles she’d just met.

‘…Did she survive by reading the room before coming to Do-ha?’

Thinking that way only deepened his pity for her.

“Well, if the kid’s capable, it makes filming easier for us. You said she dreams of being an actress?”

“Yes. We’re planning to start her with child roles for now.”

“And Do-ha’s okay with that?”

Producer Hwang still vividly remembered the first time he met Do-ha. Back then, it wasn’t as a fixed cast member, but as a guest.

At just two years since debut, Glit had already hit massive—no, explosive—success.

At first, Producer Hwang had been a little worried. Sometimes idols who rise too fast end up with their noses in the air.

But—

‘Hello, PD-nim. I’m Lee Do-ha, leader of Glit. I still have a lot to improve, but I’ll work hard. Please take care of me.’

Contrary to those worries, Do-ha had been impeccably polite. The kind of young man who made you think, If I had a daughter, I’d want a son-in-law like this.

In fact, there had been a small accident during filming.

During the pre-meeting, Time Entertainment had set one condition—never mention Lee Do-ha’s family.

But the youngest writer forgot and inserted a related question into the script.

As a result, one of the cast members asked Do-ha, “Now that you’re this famous, your parents must be proud. What kind of filial gift did you give them with your first paycheck?”

Just remembering it made Producer Hwang break into a cold sweat.

At two years in, just barely out of rookie status, he could have easily panicked and ruined the recording.

Instead—

‘I trained for a long time, so I haven’t received my first settlement yet. But when I do… I’ll have to think about what kind of filial gift to give. Do you have any suggestions?’

Do-ha had answered calmly.

After that, throughout filming, all the Glit members worked incredibly hard—holding nothing back, throwing themselves into it.

From then on, Producer Hwang had thought that someday, he wanted to properly work with them.

They’d met occasionally as guests since, but he hadn’t found the right concept for them—

‘Who would’ve thought I’d end up casting an idol actually raising his niece?’

And not just anyone, but Lee Do-ha of Glit.

He still couldn’t quite believe it.

If even he felt that way, how unreal would it feel to the viewers?

In any case, for this project, buzz was practically guaranteed.