*Star.*
A term that describes those whose talent and charm captivate the world. Yoo Sung-ah was one of those stars, a figure who was, without exaggeration, the most popular actress at the time.
Ha-eun found herself seated at the same table in the same cafe as this superstar by sheer happenstance.
*Click.*
*Click-click.*
*Click-click-click-click...*
"Excuse me, are you Yoo Sung-ah? Could I trouble you for an autographâ"
"If it's not too much, could we take a photo togetherâ"
Chaos surrounded them. Ha-eun hadn't even exchanged a proper word with Yoo Sung-ah or learned why the actress had asked to meet her.
Of course, quite a few people recognized Ha-eun, too. However, the overwhelming number of people who noticed Yoo Sung-ah drowned out any attention directed at her.
It took another twenty minutes for the atmosphere to settle enough for conversation. Yoo Sung-ah finally broke the silence with a calm remark.
"Itâd be good for you to get used to this kind of attention, Ha-eun. Before long, youâll be dealing with it yourself."
The comment wasnât directly related to *My Love From the Stars,* but Ha-eun took it as a compliment and thanked Yoo Sung-ah.
Soon after, Yoo Sung-ah began explaining why she had asked Ha-eun to meet her.
"Iâve been watching your acting closely. It genuinely feels like Iâm watching my younger self standing in front of the camera."
Yoo Sung-ah continued, offering Ha-eun praise for her acting.
However, Ha-eun sensed that this meeting wasnât just for compliments. She patiently held Yoo Sung-ahâs gaze, waiting for her to reach the true point.
"The reason I wanted to meet with you today is because of the flashback scenes that will start filming next week," Yoo Sung-ah finally revealed.
Yoo Sung-ahâs true purpose for the meeting began to unfold.
"Up to this point, it seems like youâve been too focused on mimicking my portrayal of Han Yoo-hwa. While thatâs not necessarily a bad thing, it feels like youâre limiting your own range as an actor."
Neither the crew nor the cast had any complaints about Ha-eunâs performance. Yet, Yoo Sung-ah couldnât help but notice how it differed from the acting Ha-eun had shown years ago in *The Neighbor Uncle.*
"Personally, Iâd like the Joseon-era Han Yoo-hwa to be slightly different from the modern one. It might be better to highlight the contrasts between her past and present selves instead of showing her the same way across both timelines."
While the modern Han Yoo-hwa inevitably overlapped with Yoo Sung-ahâs portrayal, Yoo Sung-ah suggested that Ha-eunâs version of the character from centuries ago take on a distinct flavor.
This was Yoo Sung-ahâs personal opinion, based on intuition. No one could know if this advice would ultimately help or hinder Ha-eun in the future.
But if Ha-eun could harness that special quality she had shown in *The Neighbor Uncle,* the one that had made her stand out from countless other child actorsâ¦
"As you know, the flashback scenes from Episodes 2 to 5 are your stage, Ha-eun."
Not only would her scenes carry the expectations set by Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sungâs powerful performances in the first episode, but she could also give viewers another reason to be deeply invested in *My Love From the Stars.*
âSo, let the audience be mesmerized by *Lee Ha-eun,* not just a young doppelgänger of Han Yoo-hwa.â
Yoo Sung-ah advised Ha-eun not to focus so much on imitating her but rather to bring out the unique qualities only Ha-eun could give to Han Yoo-hwa.
From Ha-eunâs perspective, it was a daunting request, almost like asking her to come up with a completely new approach instead of following the exemplary model Yoo Sung-ah had set.
"I donât say this to just anyone, you know. Iâm only giving you this advice because I believe youâre fully capable of doing it."
âUm⦠I didnât think it was nagging. Really, I didnât,â Ha-eun replied.
"Then Iâm glad to hear it."
With a high success rate in her predictions, Yoo Sung-ah felt certain that Ha-eun would succeed, just as she had been right to insist on Ha-eun for the role of young Han Yoo-hwa without even auditioning other child actors.
"Shall we head out? Sorry to keep you so long."
With that, they exited the cafe together. As people on the street began recognizing Yoo Sung-ah again, she pulled Ha-eun close and took out her new phone, sponsored just days before.
âHa-eun, letâs take a picture together. Itâll be fun to share âthe meeting of young and adult Han Yoo-hwaâ on social media.â
She raised her phone, drawing Ha-eun in close. But just as they posed, Ha-eunâs voice took on a slightly hesitant tone.
"Um, Senior Yoo Sung-ah, are you sure itâs okay to post on social media?"
Her concern stemmed from the fact that several scenes in *My Love From the Stars* showed Han Yoo-hwa struggling because of her use of social media. Yoo Sung-ah blinked in surprise for a moment before chuckling.
"Believe it or not, I graduated from K University. I may not be flawless, but Iâm not going to mix up cottonseed with mocha seeds like Han Yoo-hwa does."
Yoo Sung-ah found Ha-eunâs innocent worry endearing, seeing this childlike side of her for the first time.@@novelbin@@
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âHa-eun, please be careful not to trip. We donât have many backup costumes like the one youâre wearingâ¦â
A staff member from the wardrobe department looked anxiously at Ha-eun. She nodded understandingly. Her outfit, a pure white hanbok, would reveal even the slightest stain. It was much simpler than the brightly colored hanbok she had worn for scenes where Han Yoo-hwa explored the marketplace with Park Do-joon.
Walking carefully, Ha-eun made her way to the set, where she encountered Ha Yoon-sung, already dressed and waiting.
âOh, Ha-eun! That outfit suits you. You look stunning in anything!â
âUh⦠thank you.â
She still wasnât used to Yoon-sungâs enthusiastic compliments.
Most of the praise she had received about her appearance came from her mother, Na-yeon, or female makeup artists. But when someone like Yoon-sung or Kang Seon-woo from *The Neighbor Uncle,* actors known for both talent and good looks, gave her complimentsâ¦
âHmm⦠I wonder if Iâll ever get used to this.â
It made her cheeks flush in embarrassment, and it took her a moment to recompose herself.
Soon, filming was about to start.
âAlright, everyone, weâll begin filming at precisely 8 oâclock! Please take your positions!â
Ha-eun moved to her spot on set, and Ha Yoon-sung, who played Park Do-joon, walked over to join her.
âMoments like this make me the most nervous. You donât seem nervous at all, Ha-eun,â he remarked casually.
But Ha-eun was too preoccupied with Yoo Sung-ahâs advice to pay much attention to his small talk.
Though she hadnât watched *The Neighbor Uncle* herself, she grasped Yoo Sung-ahâs suggestion to bring a unique version of Han Yoo-hwa to life on screen, instead of simply emulating Sung-ahâs interpretation.
âIs everyone ready? Alright, three, two, one⦠Action!â
In that moment, Ha-eun set aside the version of young Han Yoo-hwa she had crafted by observing and emulating Yoo Sung-ah. Instead, she layered her own interpretation and analysis onto the character, bringing forth a fresh perspective on Joseon-era Han Yoo-hwa.
âSomeone has reported seeing those vile creatures hiding by the riverside. Find them at all costs!â
The scene opened with the chilling voice of the patrol captain, his eyes bloodshot as he glared. Both Park Do-joon and Han Yoo-hwa were seen as monsters to be hunted down, with dozens of soldiers mobilized to capture them.
And, as if matters couldnât get worse, tonight was a full moonâthe very night when Park Do-joonâs powers would weaken.
âMy lady, you must flee first. Iâll buy you some time,â Park Do-joon said, releasing her hand.
As he prepared to confront the soldiers alone, Han Yoo-hwa hurried forward to stop him.
âNo, please⦠donât do this.â
Park Do-joonâs gaze faltered slightly as she stepped in front of him.
âYou said you have a place to return to. You told me our journey together would be brief, that we wouldnât walk this path forever.â
To Han Yoo-hwa, abandoned by everyone, including her parents, Park Do-joon was her only sanctuary. Without him, her life would be a lonely and hollow existence.
âSo please⦠donât throw away your path. You know what matters mostâ¦â
Losing Park Do-joon would be like losing her own life. She realized it was better to repay her benefactor, her savior, even if only this once.
âDo you know, sir? Youâve already shown me why even foolish flowers bloom.â
In that moment, a resolute determination, rare for someone as young as her, emerged in Han Yoo-hwa.
âPlease remember, sir. Like the foolish flowers that only ever wanted to bask in the sunâ¦â
With a gentle smile, contrasting the tear-filled eyes, she finally expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
âOnce, long ago, there was a flower that was happy simply to be by your side.â
Han Yoo-hwa, that beautiful flower, had reached her time to fade.