Legendary Superstar

The private dining hall was full of life.

With Minjae and Donghyun's arrival, the whole cast and crew became full of life.

"Wooh! Our dear Minjae is finally here!"

"Let's welcome our male lead!"

"Minjae! You look more glowing now!"

"Our dear Minjae has become more handsome!"

Minjae bowed politely to everyone as he walked in. Some staff clapped and laughed at his perfect timing. Yura waved at him from one of the tables, and Jihoon raised both arms dramatically like he was welcoming someone he hadn't seen in a long time.

Minjae greeted everyone as he made his way over.

"Why are you late, hyung?" Minjae teasingly uttered as Minjae arrived in front of their table.

"Stupid, I'm not late. I arrived exactly on time." Minjae uttered as he took a seat beside Jihoon. They were at a long table, together with the other actors that they worked with in this drama.

It wasn't that long before Director Hwang and Writer Na-Eun arrived. With it, the staff cheered even more, welcoming the two important figures that made this drama possible.

"Hello, everyone!" Writer Na-Eun cheerfully waved her hands as she showed a bright smile to everyone.

However, as serious as ever, Director Hwang just nodded to greet the people.

Soon, the food started coming out of the kitchen. There were steaming bowls of stew, grilled meat, and rice. Staff also brought out bottles of soju and beer, passing them around the tables so everyone could drink.

In an instant, people started pouring drinks for each other, starting the night.

Donghyun stayed near the side. He was in the table with a few producers and assistant directors. He was talking to them, but still managed to glance at Minjae a few times, just to check in.

"Hyung, are you excited to watch the first episode of our drama?" Jihoon curiously asked as he turned to Minjae, who was sitting on his side.

"Yup," Minjae nodded at his question, a small and soft smile forming on his face as he looked at Jihoon.

"Though, I'm honestly more nervous than excited." Minjae uttered, feeling the loud beating of his heart.

He could feel his excitement.

They may have poured their hearts into acting, but editing is what makes it a good drama. It was a tedious process that really takes a while. That's why sometimes, even if the drama was starting ro air already, the editing process for the latter episodes were still being done.

"Hays…" Jihoon let out a deep sigh. "Me too hyung. I'm super excited but I'm also nervous. I can't believe I'll be seeing myself on the screen like this."

"Me too," Yura also sighed. Her palms were getting sweaty, but she still managed to keep the smile on her face.

"I can't believe we're finally watching it," Seojin added from across the table. She was already holding a glass of beer in her hands,

"Oh well, let's eat first before the food gets cold."

The group slowly started digging into the food. The smell alone was enough to make everyone's stomachs grumble.

"Ah, this stew tastes so good," Jihoon said as he took a big spoonful of it. "I think I'm about to cry."

"Don't cry yet, Jihoon. We still have the first episode to get through," Yura joked around, picking up some grilled meat with her chopsticks.

"Eat a lot too, Yura-ya," Seojin said. "You'll need energy for all the screaming we might do later."

They all laughed at that.

Minjae quietly ate beside Jihoon, taking bites between glances at the others around the table. He looked across and caught the eye of Lee Sanghoon, who was seated a few chairs down.

"Sunbaenim," Minjae called politely with a small smile, raising his glass as a little in greeting.

Even in his first life, he had respected Sanghoon deeply because, even with age, he still do a lot of roles that was being offered to him, be it a big or small one.

Sanghoon smiled warmly back. "Minjae-ssi. It's nice too see you again. How are you?"

"I've been fine, sunbaenim. Thank you for asking."

"Oh well, I'm glad then," Sanghoon let out a small laugh before offering a toast to Minjae, which he gladly took.

Jung Haejin, Minjae's rival for Yura's love in the drama, also smiled.

"Hyung, Icome on drink more." Haejuin chuckled as he poured another round of alcohol in Minjar's drink.

In return, Minjae also poured a drink on his shot glass.

They clinked their glasses lightly before taking a sip.

Not only their table was lively, but the whole restaurant too. There were laughter everywhere, accompanied by the sound of glass ckinking together.

More food were also coming out of the kitchen, making sure that everyone would be satisfied.

Then, halfway through their meals, one of the assistant directors suddenly stood up. He lightly tapped his spoon against a glass, creating a soft sound that pulled everyone's attention.

"Everyone," he said with a smile. "Let's really start now."

All of a sudden, the lights dimmed slightly.

"We'll be playing Episode 1 in just a few seconds. You don't need to move—just turn your attention toward the screen."

Excited murmurs filled the air. Some people turned in their chairs. Others reached for more drinks, getting comfortable.

The four main actors on the other hand became filled with emotions. Jihoon sat up straight, holding his breath. Yura pressed her hands together tightly on her lap. Seojin took another sip of her beer.

While Minjae's heart pounded inside his chest.

After a few seconds,

The screen flickered to life.

And just like that.

The room fell silent.

---

The screen flickered once, then faded to black.

Soft piano notes began to play. It was slow, delicate, almost like a lullaby. A single spotlight shone from above, revealing a stage bathed in white light.

And then, there he was.

Minjae's character stood at the center of the stage, dressed in all black, his back turned to the camera. The wide frame showed the filled rows of seats in front of him. There were hundreds and thousands of people.

They were silent. Still. Waiting.

The camera slowly zoomed in as Minjae lifted his head. His breath was heavy, visible in the cold air. His hands were shaking ever so slightly.

"Are youuu readyyy!"

His voice echoed through the arena. It was deep and filled with energy. In an instant, the silence broke instantly.

A deafening roar exploded from the crowd. Fans jumped to their feet. They were screaming and crying as they wave their glowing light sticks that turned the entire dome into a sea of lights.

The stage lights exploded into color. There were reds, blues, purples, flashing like fireworks in time with the music that suddenly dropped.

Then a beat pulsed through the speakers.

Minjae's character could be seen on the stage. He was confidently standing there with a mic on his hand, ready to dominate the entire arena. As the beat of the song started, Minjae jumped and spun around with a confident grin.

"Let's gooooo!" he shouted, raising one hand.

The crowd screamed even louder.

Minjae moved with sharp, effortless steps. Dancers emerged from the shadows behind him, lining up in sync. The beat of the song hit harder, faster, and they danced in clean and powerful movements that took over the entire stage.

After a few seconds, a harmonious voice filled their ears. In there they could see Minjae's character singing on the stage with all his heart.

The screen cut to a wide drone shot.

The stadium looked like it was breathing and vibing with Minjae.

Tens of thousands of people danced in place, waving their arms, their voices joining the chorus of the song. The lights from their glow sticks rippled like waves across the audience.

In the middle of it all, Minjae just kept on dancing under the spotlight, his voice was full of power and emotion. Minjae was able to act it well so it didn't look like he was lip-singing the whole time.

The camera shifted to a close-up of Minjae's character as he sang into the mic. With the effort, sweat started glistening along his jawline, the veins in his neck also looked visible as he hit a high note.

Minjae's eyes were intense, alive, as if the energy of the entire dome surged through him. It was a breathtaking acting, that they all seemed to admire.

"Woah, I'm already loving this."

"Our Dear Minjae looks so handsome!"

"What a nice opening!"

"I lovee this!"

"Minjae Oppa is really the right character for this role."

Spotlights followed Minjae's every move. The camera then moved slower, as it showed the dancers who were performing behind him. They raised their arms in sync with the Lively chorus, and Minjae just smiled through it

The screen flashed white just as fireworks shot up behind the stage, lighting up the whole arena.

Another wide aerial shot showed the entire crowd jumping together, their light sticks bouncing in time with the beat. Then, a sudden deep bass line echoed.