Legendary Superstar

A few days later, everything returned to normal already.

The internet that was once flooded with debates and speculation about Minjae's scandal, had finally gone quiet. There were no new posts, and no one mentioned it. It was now replaced by the talk of their drama.

Minjae's life, too, had returned to its usual pace. He would wake up, head to a few sets , shoot, and go home. There were no more tense meetings with the agency. No more media monitoring reports.

Most importantly, he could breathe again without being scared.

Yura had texted him a few times since their dinner. It was mostly lighthearted stuff. Jihoon would also do the same. He didn't know if the two talked about it, but with the looks of it, they looked like they did.

Even his agency had stopped walking on eggshells. His manager Donghyun had finally taken a day off.

On the other hand, talking about the drama festival, the top 3 rankings haven't changed ever since.

Still on the top was Chasing Dreams. Next was The Star's Secret, and the third one is Kill Me Kindly. The gaps between the three continued to remain, but it was getting slimmer and slimmer each passing day.

On the other hand, the lower half of the chart shuffled weekly. Aside from the top 3, the rest were unpredictable.

Still, with their spot, Global Studios were still calm. They were still in good standing. They just need a little more push, and they knew they could take that no.1 spot after.

Meanwhile, with no immediate filming scheduled that afternoon, Minjae decided to do something he hadn't had the time or energy for in a few weeks already. He was going out.

Finally, he was permitted to do what he wanted. Because of it, he can now go out without the camera. Just him. Still he wore a cap over his head, and a mask to hide his face.

After everything, he wanted a breath of fresh air. And he wanted to go out without being noticed by anyone.

Especially with what he was doing now. Apartment hunting.

Now that things had settled and his career was gaining steady traction again, Minjae figured it was the right time. He'd been living in a small studio for years. It had been fine when he was still hustling between auditions and working part-time jobs, but now?

He was earning well.

He knew that he could already afford something better.

It might not be extravagant, but he wanted a comfortable place that he can have ample space for all his things. He also wanted a place where he can rest peacefully, and a more secure neighborhood, especially with his line of work.

With that in his mind, Minjae met a real estate agent. He hid his identity first, especially since he was just looking for things. He still needed Donghyun's approval of it.

The first unit that was shown to Minjae was in a newer building tucked between a small park and a quiet café. It was still located in Gangnam, neared commercial buildings so the location was nice if he wanted somewhere that was near everything.

"This one's been on the market for a few weeks," the agent said as they stepped into the lobby. "One-bedroom, lots of light, and a view of the road."

Minjae followed quietly, nodding along. He didn't say much, but as he stepped inside the apartment and saw the open floor plan, the clean, white walls, and the way the sun poured into the living room… he felt something settle in his chest.

It felt like a new beginning.

He wandered to the window with his hands tucked in his coat pocket .

The agent watched him carefully.

"We can keep looking if you're not sure."

Minjae glanced back sighed. He didn't answer immediately but after a while, he nodded.

"Yeah. I want to have more options."

The agent smiled at his response, professional and patient. "Of course. I have three more lined up today. All within your budget and in areas with good privacy."

Minjae gave a small nod of thanks before following her out. The next few hours passed quickly. The whole day, all he could hear was just the sound of doors opening, shoes squeaking against polished wood floors, and the occasional hum of an elevator going up.

The second apartment was in a quieter residential area, a little farther from the heart of the city. It had a small balcony that overlooked a cluster of trees, and the place was bathed in a warm, golden light even though it was winter. It was nice and peaceful, but a bit too isolated for someone with a schedule that could demand sudden travel at any time.

Minjae lingered in the kitchen, trailing his fingers along the countertop before shaking his head.

"It's too far from everything. Might be hard to come back late from my work."

The agent nodded, marking something on her tablet.

"Let's head to the third one. It's actually close to Myeondeong."

The third apartment turned out to be surprisingly sleek. It had floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist black and gray finishes, and an automated lighting system that adjusted based on the time of day. It looked like something out of a designer magazine.

But as Minjae stood in the middle of the living room, he frowned faintly.

"It's beautiful," he admitted. "But I'm afraid it's too plain."

The agent tilted her head. "Plain?"

"Not literally," Minjae clarified. "Just… it feels too modern. I think I want something warmer. A space that feels like me."

He didn't elaborate further, but the agent understood quickly. Because of it, they quickly moved on.

The fourth and final stop was in a small, tucked-away complex that had been newly renovated. It was also just in Gangnam. The unit was modest—one bedroom, a small office wooden floors, a cozy kitchen with a breakfast counter, and a little extra space.

Among all that was shown to him, it was also the cheapes.

When Minjae stepped inside, he slowed almost immediately.

There was something different about this one.

He walked through it slowly, taking it all in—the way the afternoon light streamed in diagonally from the windows, the way the hallway had just enough space for his shelves and photo frames, the sound of nothing outside. No loud cars. No neon signs. Just silence, broken only by the distant chatter of a café downstairs and the occasional bark of a dog.

The agent quietly observed him as he stood in the middle of the living room, turning slowly to take it all in.

"Well?" she asked after a moment.

Minjae didn't answer right away. He moved toward the window and opened it. A soft breeze drifted in.

He smiled at it.

"I think this might be it."

The agent looked pleased. "Would you like to send the details to your friend for approval?"

"Yeah," Minjae said, taking one last look around. "Let's do that."

The agent led Minjae back to the front door as he gave the apartment one final glance over his shoulder. Something about the place already felt familiar, even though he had only spent a few minutes inside.

"Thank you," Minjae said sincerely as he bowed lightly. "I really appreciate your time today."

"Of course," the agent replied warmly. "Let me know if there's anything else you need. I'll hold this one for you until your confirmation."

Minjae nodded again, pulling up the collar of his coat as they stepped outside. The sun had dipped a little lower, and the breeze had turned colder, but Minjae didn't seem to mind.

"I'll be in touch soon."

"Take your time," she said with a polite smile before heading back toward her car.

Left alone on the sidewalk, Minjae walked a little down the street before pulling out his phone. He hesitated for a moment then tapped Donghyun's contact.

The call picked up almost immediately.

"Minjae?"

"Hyung, are you busy?"

"No, just at home. What's up?"

Minjae glanced up at the building behind him, then looked away with a soft smile.

"I went apartment hunting today."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Oh?"

"I found a place/ I really like. It's quiet, close to everything, and the rent's well within what I can afford."

"You want to move out?" Donghyun hummed thoughtfully.

"Yeah," Minjae said, voice firm now. "I think it's time. I've saved enough already, didn't I? And I want a space that's… mine. Something that fits where I am now."

There was silence again, but this time, it felt warm.

"I think that's a good idea," Donghyun finally said. "Send me the details. I'll take a look, but if it feels right to you, then I trust your gut."

Minjae smiled faintly.

"Thanks, hyung."

"No problem. You've earned this, Minjae. Let me know if you need help with the paperwork."

"I will."

As he ended the call, Minjae stood still for a moment, taking another slow look at the apartment building behind him.

Finally, he will have a new place for himself.