Chapter 19:
The news broke within days: Hyunjae cast as the lead in The Forgotten Melody. The announcement spread like wildfire across entertainment sites and social media platforms. The headline on StarDaily read:
Hyunjae's Meteoric Rise: From Supporting Actor to Leading Man — Is He the Next Big Thing?
Minho scrolled through the comments under the article as he waited in a café.
— I knew he was special from his performance in Breaking Tides!
— Jaehyun's got real competition now. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
— Does anyone else think it's too soon for a lead role? He's good, but leading a film is a whole other game.
The comments were a mix of praise and skepticism, and the latter made his stomach churn.
"Public opinion is a fickle beast," the system remarked.
Minho muttered under his breath, "No kidding."
"Confidence is key. Do you believe in your ability?"
"Does it matter if I don't?"
"It matters more than anything. Belief shapes action."
He closed the article, exhaling slowly. The door to his next life was open, but stepping through it meant revisiting the very stage that had destroyed him.
Later that day, Minho arrived at a sleek office building, heart thudding in his chest. Director Kim, a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and salt-and-pepper hair, greeted him with a firm handshake.
"Hyunjae," he said, smiling broadly. "Welcome aboard. I've been waiting for someone like you to bring this character to life."
"Thank you for trusting me," Minho replied, though his voice was careful.
Director Kim's eyes gleamed with intensity. "The character you're playing isn't just a role. He's raw, broken, and fighting to find his voice again. It's personal, and I need someone who can bleed truth on screen. Do you think you can handle that?"
Minho hesitated, feeling the weight of the question settle like a stone in his chest. "I'll give it everything I have."
Director Kim nodded. "Good. Rehearsals start next week. This is your moment, Hyunjae. Make it count."
Jaehyun sat in his luxurious apartment, the walls adorned with awards and photos of his best roles. His gaze, however, was fixed on a tablet showing Hyunjae's casting announcement.
He gritted his teeth, barely hearing the voice of his manager.
"They're calling him 'the next breakout star,'" the manager said, pacing. "This kind of buzz could overshadow your next project if we're not careful."
Jaehyun slammed the tablet down. "I built my career from nothing. I didn't claw my way to the top just to be knocked aside by some newcomer with a pretty face."
His manager shrugged. "Talent's not enough to stay relevant, Jaehyun. You know that better than anyone."
"I want him out of my way," Jaehyun growled.
The manager smirked. "Then let's give the world a reason to doubt him."
Minho returned home that night with a copy of the full script for The Forgotten Melody. He placed it on the table, staring at it as if it might come alive and strike him. Slowly, he opened it to the first page.
The story began with a shot of a darkened concert stage, the protagonist seated at a grand piano. His fingers hovered over the keys, trembling as the weight of unseen chains kept him from playing.
Minho read the lines aloud.
"What's the point of a song if no one will hear it?"
He swallowed hard, the words hitting him in the chest like a blow. Memories flooded back—his old life, the rumors, the betrayal. The nights when he sat alone in his room, feeling like he was screaming into a void.
His heart raced, sweat gathering on his palms.
"A panic response detected," the system noted calmly.
"Yeah, no kidding," he gasped, running a hand through his hair.
"Breathe. In through the nose. Out through the mouth."
He followed the instructions, the simple act of breathing anchoring him as the room seemed to tilt.
"Emotions are powerful, but they do not control you unless you let them."
Minho stared down at the script, his breath evening out. "This role… it's too close to my real life. I'm not sure I can do it."
"The closer the fire, the more potent its heat. Harness it, or be consumed."
He pressed his hands against the table, grounding himself. "If I take this role, I'll have to face everything I tried to forget."
"Growth requires pain. Pain creates resilience. Resilience builds greatness."
Minho closed his eyes for a long moment before flipping the page. He would walk into the fire. He would see if he could stand the heat.
In a quiet café, Yuna sat across from Eunwoo, her coffee cooling as she toyed with the spoon.
"Hyunjae," she said suddenly, her voice soft. "There's something about him."
Eunwoo raised an eyebrow. "You're not the only one who thinks that."
"It's not just his talent," she continued. "It's like… he carries a story no one knows."
Eunwoo sipped his drink. "Maybe that's why people are drawn to him. He's a mystery. And mysteries are hard to ignore."
Yuna tapped her fingers against the table. "I want to understand him."
"Careful," Eunwoo teased. "Curiosity killed the cat."
She smiled faintly. "But satisfaction brought it back."
The week passed in a blur, and when the first day of rehearsal arrived, Minho stood before the assembled cast and crew. Director Kim introduced him, his voice full of confidence.
"This is Hyunjae. He's going to lead us into something extraordinary."
Minho nodded, meeting the gazes of his fellow actors. He could feel their curiosity, their judgments, their silent expectations.
He straightened his spine, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.
"I'm ready," he whispered.
And the music began.