"Where is Park Eun Ho?!" Director Jung Man Shik roared from across the set.
"I—I called him, sir, but he's not picking up!" one of the assistant coordinators stammered.
"Choi Minjae!!!" the director bellowed again, this time at Eun Ho's manager.
"As-shibal…" Minjae muttered under his breath as he turned around, already bracing himself for the storm.
"Where is Park Eun Ho?!"
"I-I don't know," Minjae stuttered.
"You don't know? Aren't you his manager?"
"Well… he told me to come to the set first… that he had somewhere to go… but he didn't tell me where."
Director Jung was fuming. "What kind of a manager are you?! You're supposed to know his every move, down to the design of his intestines! CALL HIM NOW!"
"Yes, yes! Okay, okay — I'll call him," Minjae scrambled for his phone, already sweating. He knew too well that Director Jung's temper wasn't just famous — it was the stuff of legends.
"If you keep yelling at my manager like that, I'll quit." A calm, dangerously cool voice cut through the tension like a knife.
Everyone's heads snapped toward the voice.
And there he was — Park Eun Ho. Walking in like he owned the place.
"Oh—Eun Ho-ssi! You're here!" Director Jung instantly transformed, his face stretching into the most unconvincing smile ever. "What took you so long to get here?"
"I had some business to attend to," Eun Ho replied, his voice flat.
"Ah, I see, I see. We've been waiting for you."
"Then did you wait long?" Eun Ho asked casually, like he didn't already know the chaos he'd left behind.
"No, no, no! Not at all. In fact, you came earlier than I expected," the director said, laughing awkwardly.
Every staff member and crew on set just stared, jaws practically on the floor. Park Eun Ho had been three hours late. Director Jung nearly had a meltdown. But now? He was acting like he was receiving royalty. Indeed, the rumors were true — if Director Jung was a mad dog, then Park Eun Ho was the only one who could yank his chain.
"Alright then, let me get dressed. I'm next on stage, right?" Eun Ho asked, already heading toward the dressing room.
"Yes, yes — you're next."
Eun Ho gave a small bow and strode off.
"Hyung, what took you so long?" Minjae whispered, handing him a cup of coffee while the stylist fussed over his hair.
"Sorry. Lost track of time," Eun Ho said.
"You have no idea — that director nearly roasted us all alive. But the moment you stepped in… woah. He changed like a magic show. You're seriously cool, hyung. No wonder you're Korea's Nation's Husband."
A staff member popped their head in. "Park Eun Ho-ssi, it's time."
"Okay, I'm coming."
Eun Ho stood up, grabbed his coffee, gave Minjae a smirk, and said, "It's because I'm Park Eun Ho," before walking out.
---
Seoul
Back in Seoul, Eun Jung and Taeri were lazing around like two certified couch potatoes, binge-watching dramas.
"You want me to order chicken?" Taeri asked, scrolling through the delivery app.
"Yeah — spicy one," Eun Jung mumbled without taking her eyes off the screen.
"It'll be here in thirty minutes," Taeri announced, then flopped back on the couch.
Suddenly, breaking news scrolled across the TV screen.
"Korea's favorite actress, famously nicknamed the Nation's Elegant Flower, Min Haejin, continues to prove her heart is as beautiful as her face. Today, she donated 3 billion won to Seongwha Orphanage in Jeju Island, spreading hope for the children's future."
"Woah. 3 billion won?!" Taeri gasped, making the sign with her hand.
"She's something else," Eun Jung said, barely looking.
"If I had money, I'd donate 30 billion. Three billion is nothing," Taeri bragged.
"Yeah, says the girl who doesn't even have 30,000 won and came to squat with me. You think I don't know you've been here since yesterday because you're broke?"
"Yah! It's not like that! I came to spend the weekend with my sister. We're sisters — just from different mothers. What's wrong with that? Anyway, you can't deny Min Haejin's on another level."
"She is," Eun Jung agreed, eyes flicking back to the TV.
"Seongwha Orphanage…" Eun Jung muttered under her breath.
"Huh? What did you say?" Taeri asked.
"Nothing. So… when are you leaving?"
"Urgh, stop acting like you don't love having me around. Come on, let's switch to Han Jiwoo's new drama, The Fading Echo. I heard a new episode dropped."
"Where's the remote?" Taeri started pretending to look around.
"It's literally in your hand, idiot."
"Oh. Right. Let's watch it!"
---
Jeju Island
Night had fallen at the filming site, and Eun Ho was taking a breather, sitting alone when an annoyingly familiar voice called out.
"Eun Ho-ah!"
Oh no.
Why did she always pop up when he least wanted to see her?
He turned around, already guessing who it was.
Min Haejin.
"How have you been?" she asked sweetly, approaching him with a gentle smile.
Before he could answer, Director Jung's voice rang out.
"Ah, look who's here! The most beautiful actress in Korea, Min Haejin! What brings you to my humble set?"
"I came to Jeju for something, and thought I should stop by to say hello," she said politely.
"It's been so long since Moonlight Serenade, huh? Haven't seen you since. Not like Eun Ho here — we rolled straight into this new drama after that."
"Yes, it's really been a while," she replied with a graceful smile, though her eyes kept drifting to Eun Ho.
"Well, great seeing you again, Haejin-ah. Let's get the Moonlight Serenade cast together sometime for drinks. I'll reach out."
"Sure."
Just then, the script coordinator came running. "Director Jung, we have a little problem."
"I'm coming," the director said before turning back to Eun Ho. "Don't take long, you're up soon."
"Uhm," Eun Ho nodded.
Haejin bowed politely as the director walked off, then turned back to Eun Ho.
"It's really been a while, right?"
Eun Ho sighed, standing up. "What are you really doing here, Haejin?"
"Is that how you greet someone you haven't seen in six months?" she asked, feigning hurt.
"Well, what do you want me to say?"
"Something like, 'how have you been?' 'Are you eating well?' Anything."
"I don't think we're that close," he said coldly, brushing past her.
"You haven't changed one bit, Park Eun Ho. Still the same." She said Wistfully