1novels 88, Kim Jisoo? Bae Joo-hyun?
88, Kim Jisoo? Bae Joo-hyun?
When the black van drove into the MBC public parking lot, Lee Kyung-sung knew that things weren't going to be that simple.
The area from the entrance to the open space in front of the main building has been fenced off and cordoned off, creating a fan-shaped zone. The crowd was larger than expected—not just dozens or hundreds, but nearly a thousand people.
Most of the attendees were young girls holding up banners, light sticks, and even hand-drawn portraits of Crown Prince Lee Hwon. Their breath was white in the slightly chilly early spring air, but their faces were full of eager anticipation.
"This scale..." Manager Luo Yonghao clicked his tongue in the front seat, "People would believe it if you said it was a small concert."
Li Jingcheng didn't speak, but simply pulled his hat brim down further. As the car slowly drove past the edge of the crowd, he could hear screams coming from outside, his name being called out again and again, like waves crashing against a shore.
He learned of the viewership miracle of "The Moon Embracing the Sun" through news reports and statistics—48%, a number worthy of being recorded in the history of Korean dramas.
But numbers are cold and impersonal. Only now, seeing the genuine, burning passion of these people, does he truly understand what that "48%" really means.
The car pulled into the internal passageway. As soon as he got out, he saw Jin Soo-wan, the screenwriter of "The Moon Embracing the Sun," standing at the back door waiting for him, accompanied by several MBC employees.
"Jingcheng, come quick!" Chen Xiuwan's waving gesture was urgent. "We're just waiting for you!"
Lee Kyung-sung was led directly into the dressing room. The main cast, including Han Ga-in, Jung Il-woo, and Kim Min-seo, were already dressed in their costumes and sitting inside, receiving final touches from the makeup artist.
Seeing him enter, Han Jiaren smiled and joked, "Our Crown Prince has finally arrived."
"Sorry, there was a bit of traffic on the way." Li Jingcheng sat down in the empty makeup chair.
"What traffic jam? You're probably blocked by fans, right?" Kim Min-seo adjusted her hair in front of the mirror. "We just looked down from upstairs, and it was practically a sea of people. Kyung-sung, you're really hot right now."
The makeup artist stepped forward to begin work. The tear stains left by Li Jingcheng during his audition for Li Zicheng were still visible.
"What's the schedule...?" he asked Luo Yonghao, who had followed him in.
"It's simple, just go out in my costume and interact with fans for an hour. Take photos, sign autographs, answer a few questions, and let MBC shoot some footage for promotion." Luo Yonghao flipped through his tablet. "Writer Chen said that while the hype is high now, we should give it another push, and maybe we can really break 50%."
"50%..." Han Jiaren sighed softly, "I've been in this industry for so long, and I've never dared to think about this number."
"That's why we need to seize the opportunity." Chen Xiuwan's voice came from the doorway. She walked in, clapped her hands, and said, "Everyone, are you ready? Today's fan support event will be our crew's last scene. We want the audience to remember not only the love between Li Xuan and Yan Yu, but also the heartfelt wishes of our entire crew."
The moment I stepped out of the side door of the main building, the sound waves crashed against me like a physical object.
"Li Jingcheng—!"
"His Royal Highness—!"
"Xuan-ah—!"
Cheers, screams, and cries—a mixture of emotions vibrated in the air.
Li Jingcheng subconsciously squinted, and only after his eyes adjusted to the sound waves and the countless cameras pointed at him did he raise a standard gentle smile.
The interactive process proceeded smoothly. The lead actors lined up and bowed to thank the fans.
The host conducted a brief interview, asking questions such as the most memorable things during filming and his thoughts on the viewership rating exceeding 48%.
They were all rehearsed.
Thank you director, thank you screenwriter, thank you co-star, thank you audience—the standard answer, it never goes wrong.
But when you really start interacting freely, the center of gravity completely shifts.
Of the fans asking for photos, seven out of ten were there specifically for Lee Kyung-sung. He received the most autographed boards. Most of the questions were also directed at him.
"Does Kyung Sung oppa have any plans for his next project?"
What kind of girl do you like?
Would you consider holding a fan meeting?
Lee Kyung-sung showed no impatience whatsoever, responding attentively to each person, signing autographs, shaking hands, and posing for selfies. His smile remained constant.
Although my cheek muscles have started to ache.
Yoo Ji-na, Park Jung-hee, and Kim Soo-ah were present as expected.
"Kyungsung oppa, take care and get some rest," Yoo Ji-na whispered after the photo session, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "You seem to have lost weight recently."
"Thank you, you too." Li Jingcheng smiled at her.
Liu Zhina blushed. Kim Soo-ah and Park Jung-hee were unwilling and squeezed in. Behind them were several unfamiliar girls of the same age, who were probably their friends.
"Kyung Sung oppa!" Park Da-hee spoke first, her voice carrying the charming coquettishness unique to a young lady, "Congratulations on the phenomenal ratings!"
"Thank you." Li Jingcheng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the people around her, and smiled gently. "You're friends, right?"
"Yes, Oppa," Kim Soo-ah chimed in, naturally introducing the people beside her, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to Lee Kyung-sung's face—a face that was already stunning enough on television, but up close without any filters, its impact was even stronger. She secretly swallowed. "This is my high school classmate from Yonsei University. This is Park Unnie's cousin, she just came back from America. And this is…"
A string of names and titles. Li Jingcheng tried hard to memorize them. Looking at their family backgrounds, he felt they were all very well-off. Sure enough, the circle of rich kids was full of rich kids.
"Kyung Sung oppa is even more handsome than on TV." His cousin, who had just returned from the US, stared boldly at him. "Have you ever considered going to Hollywood? My dad knows a few producers..."
"Miyeon!" Park Da-hee interrupted her, but smiled brightly at Lee Kyung-sung, "Don't listen to her nonsense. But Kyung-sung oppa, how about we have dinner together sometime? I know a newly opened Korean beef restaurant that's really good."
"I haven't had any time to rest lately, let's talk about it if there's a chance," Li Jingcheng gave a standard reply, while also finding it a little strange, as these girls usually had a very good sense of propriety.
Park Da-hee realized her abruptness and regretted not being able to control herself and speaking her mind. She wanted to make amends.
Fortunately, Li Jingcheng treated them the same as before.
They lingered for quite a while longer, until the staff checked their watches for the third time, before reluctantly leaving.
Li Jingcheng was both amused and exasperated. The security captain approached and whispered, "Jingcheng-xi, I think they seemed to know you, so I didn't stop them for too long. But the time was indeed..."
"I understand, thank you." Li Jingcheng nodded and expressed his gratitude.
Back in the interactive area, his smile returned. His gaze swept over the still enthusiastic crowd, and the initial annoyance gradually gave way to a more complex emotion.
Although the process is tedious, and although it requires repeating the same smiles, the same answers, and the same postures, but...
When Li Jingcheng truly looked into the eyes of those fans...
He saw something else.
The fans' pure, passionate, and unreserved love
At that moment, he suddenly understood something.
Why would someone become obsessed with the feeling of being watched by millions? Why would someone go to any lengths to stand in that position? Because of that gaze—that gaze that is completely focused on you, as if you are the only source of light in their world.
It can really be addictive.
It's like the purest energy being injected into the body, giving people the illusion that they are truly unique and truly deserve to be loved in this way.
So this is what it feels like to be loved.
It turns out that when thousands of eyes are focused on you alone, you really do have a certain illusion—as if you are more special than them.
As the interactive event drew to a close, staff began guiding fans to leave in an orderly manner.
Li Jingcheng stood on the stage, bowing and thanking people in all directions, his gaze sweeping over the thinning crowd.
Then he saw them.
In the far right corner of the site, near the emergency exit, two women wearing masks and hats stood there.
One was wearing a long, off-white down jacket, and the other, smaller in stature, was wearing a black hoodie. Both had their heads down, seemingly trying to avoid being noticed.
But Li Jingcheng recognized him almost immediately.
Kim Jisoo, Bae Joo-hyun.
His heart skipped a beat. Not with surprise, but with a more complex mix of confusion and tension.
How did they end up together? And how did they end up here?