Chapter 13
After her hiatus, Heidi’s first project was the youth web drama In the Summer, where she starred opposite Cha Yuk. Throughout filming, Yuk faced constant criticism for neglecting his group activities—and by the finale, rumors of a romantic relationship with Heidi exploded.
‘Fans demanded his removal for deception.’
I briefly recalled that time.
Heidi’s private SNS had been hacked, leaking intimate photos. Couple rings, matching necklaces, hats, T-shirts… When evidence surfaced that Yuk had regifted fan presents to her, even his most loyal defenders threw up their hands and abandoned him.
Though Heidi soon admitted to dating another actor, quietly burying the scandal, Yuk’s reputation was already shattered.
By the time it was revealed that the “deception” had been a misunderstanding, public interest had long faded. Even now, Yuk and his agency’s passive response baffled me.
‘Were Heidi and Yuk really dating?’
Shaking off the thought, I looked away from Heidi’s photo.
‘I’ll find out when I see it.’
Whatever had happened between them, I had to prevent the scandal from crushing Yuk again.
‘Better yet—stop it entirely.’
[Thoughts on In the Summer?]
[Posted by: vblessv]
“Why is Heidi even doing a web drama? And why Yuk? Rumor says she personally requested him. Ugh. Just when he’s gaining traction—this is terrifying.”
[Comments]
reme22: Heard it’s a high-budget web drama. Also, Yuk auditioned.
└ OP: If that’s true, thank god 😭
└ shu_shu: WHY does our maknae have to get tangled with her first post-hiatus?!
└ qwerty_: This is the agency being braindead.
└ reme22: Let’s be real—Heidi’s not that irresistible. Yuk’s always wanted to act, though.
[I get Yuk wants to act, but…]
[Posted by: 00o0o]
“Why’s it gotta be a Heidi project?! Not doubting Yuk—I just DON’T TRUST HER.”
[Comments]
yamyammy: Exactly 😭 He acts tough but’s still our pure, baby-cheeked maknae… (2.4k likes)
I silently liked yamyammy’s comment.
‘Everyone’s on edge.’
Given Heidi’s notorious reputation, the fear was justified. Meanwhile, her own fans were outraged that Yuk—”a nobody”—was cast opposite her, even in a web drama.
I spent days compiling data on Heidi: the scandal’s timeline, the first media outlet to break it, even the reporter’s name.
A week later, as Eun-sol and I tore open a bread packet in the hallway, a crowd by the bulletin board caught our attention.
“What’s going on?”
Students packed the corridor. A prickle of unease ran down my spine.
Squeezing through, I saw a large poster beside the exam notice:
[Yegeurina High selected as filming site for In the Summer!]
“We ask for students’ cooperation. The crew will minimize disruptions. First shoot: [date]…”
The poster featured Heidi and Yuk in school uniforms.
I swallowed my half-chewed chocolate bread.
‘It begins.’
“Why do you like me?”
Her breezy voice filled the quiet room. After a pause, the reply came—shaky.
“You’re… like summer. A sudden rain… the rainbow after…”
A wadded script smacked the table before he finished.
“Yuk-ssi. It’s three lines. Will you freeze like this on set too? Ugh, how many takes is this?”
The reading room erupted in sighs.
“Must we waste the seniors’ time like this?”
“Why cast an idol…?”
As veteran actors grumbled, the director stood awkwardly.
“Let’s take a short break!”
Chairs screeched. Yuk avoided the crew’s glares, fists clenching his script.
“Hey, Yuk.”
His manager’s rough hand patted his shoulder.
“First-timer jitters. You’ll improve.”
The hollow encouragement made Yuk bow his head.
“Hyung, I need a minute alone.”
He fled to the greenroom—now devoid of his initial excitement.
Just as he sighed in solitude—
“Hard, isn’t it? Everyone struggles at first.”
Heidi’s reflection smirked from the mirror. Yuk jolted up.
“Why are you—?”
“My line,” she laughed.
Blinking, Yuk noticed unfamiliar belongings. In his haste, he’d entered her room.
“S-Sunbaenim! My apologies—”
As he turned to leave, her slender hand caught his wrist.
“Stay. Your director’s in your room with… company.”
His face darkened.
“Relax,” she added. “Just the usual ‘take care of our kid’ spiel.”
His frown eased slightly. Heidi tilted her head.
“Did you know Do Eun-seok originally had your role?”
“…What?”
“Oops.” She covered her mouth playfully.
“You didn’t? Well, he is a former child actor. But I’m glad you got it—you suit the role better.”
“…Really?”
“Mhm! Though it’s odd…”
“What is?”
“Eun-seok opposed your casting too. Wonder why~”
Yuk froze.
“Ah, was that a spoiler?” Heidi flipped her hair. “Anyway, freshen up before returning.”
Her dimpled smile vanished as she paused at the door.
“Oh—why haven’t you worn my gift?”
His mind raced to the white jacket she’d given him—now stained and discarded after the cola incident.
“Didn’t… like it?”
As he floundered, she pouted.
“How hurtful.”
Click.
The door shut. Yuk collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling.
Alone again—but now, the silence suffocated.
“…So it was never mine to begin with?”
He smoothed his crumpled script.
He’d known.
Coldly, logically—this role couldn’t have been his first.
But.
“Why…?”
Why did Eun-seok try to stop me?
