*My Love From the Stars,* often abbreviated as *My Stars,* was a Wednesday-Thursday drama.
This meant that the reaction to the first episode, which aired on Wednesday, would mostly emerge on Thursday. Likewise, the response to Thursdayâs second episode would be seen on Friday.
However, perhaps due to the overwhelming interest that saw the teaser reach 900,000 views in just two days, anticipation for Ha-eun, who made a striking appearance at the end of the teaser, had already started to surface on Monday.
Of course, the attention on the two lead actors, Yoo Sung-ah and Ha Yoon-sung, was still strong. However, as their âpreviewsâ had been released in various promotional articles since the initial filming of *My Love From the Stars,* much of the discussion had already been consumed.
- Do child actors usually get such a weighty role?
ã´Why all this fuss over a child who only appeared for the last 10 seconds?
ã´The fact that she got a solo shot at the end shows her role is significant. Do you even know what youâre talking about?
- Kang Sun-woo saved Kim Ji-ah while getting stabbed, all for this moment.
ã´Wow, just how far did he plan ahead?
ã´So far ahead that he hasnât been able to secure his next project for five years;
ã´Stop doing CFs and just come back in a movie or drama, please!
- That kidâs voice projection is on par with a professional voice actor.
- Comment here if the ending blackout gave you chills.
ã´Maybe the chills were from seeing your own face in the monitor reflection?
ã´Thatâs a bit harsh, donât you think?
ã´Canât say itâs wrong, though.
ã´Out!!!
The only known fact about Ha-eun was that she played the young Han Yoo-hwa, yet discussions about her had already started spreading across various forums.
However, it was offline, not online, where Ha-eun truly felt the extent of the attention focused on herânamely, at her elementary school.
"Is she really a student at our school?"
"If you donât believe me, come see her during break."
As soon as first period ended on Monday, the classroom became noisy as three or four kids from other classes came to see Ha-eun in Class 4. The same thing happened during the second and third period breaks, and even as lunch began after fourth period.
Ha-eun tried to answer their questions as best she could, since it was still manageable.
However, Min Da-yeon, who was beside her as always, quickly intervened.
"Hey, donât you guys know that entering another class means a one-point penalty?"
With that, she drove out most of the curious students who had come to see Ha-eun, and soon, the classroom regained its usual quiet.
For Da-yeon, who had been well-known as an actress for years, dealing with this was second nature. After four years of experiencing it over and over, she had learned to nip such annoyances in the bud.
"Still, wouldnât it be fine to listen to what theyâre curious about?"
"Once you start listening, it never ends. Ever."
Although Da-yeon had watched the teaser for *My Love From the Stars* multiple times, she hadnât voiced her curiosity about it out of sheer pride.
Previous projects Ha-eun had been part of, like Double Leeâs music video or *The Neighbor Uncle,* were generally not interesting to elementary students. For kids Ha-eunâs age, Double Lee were just funny guys from *Donât Stop People* and *Infinite Challenge,* while *The Neighbor Uncle* was a restricted film, making it unwatchable for them.@@novelbin@@
As a result, while Da-yeonâs school life had been chaotic, Ha-eunâs had been relatively quiet. To put it another way, Da-yeonâs popularity had consistently overshadowed Ha-eunâs in school.
Ha-eun appreciated being able to enjoy a normal school life, but for Da-yeon, it had been a time to flaunt her fame in front of Ha-eun.
Now, seeing Ha-eunâs name being mentioned all over before *My Love From the Stars* even started airing was unwelcome for Da-yeon, who saw Ha-eun as a competitor. It felt like her own fame was being chased down rapidly from below.
In other words, she was feeling a sense of urgency. Or maybe, jealousy.
ââ¦Seriously, this annoying girl.â
Until now, Da-yeon could at least say she had firmly outranked Ha-eun at school. Unlike Ha-eun, who would only appear for a few episodes as young Han Yoo-hwa, Da-yeon was currently starring in a lead role in a daily drama with an established reputation.
And yet, just one teaser release, and Ha-eunâs popularity was already catching up to hers. To Da-yeon, it felt slightly unfair.
For the next few days, Da-yeon continued to block the flood of questions directed at Ha-eun. Soon, it was Thursday, the day episode 2 of *My Love From the Stars,* featuring Ha-eunâs first appearance as young Han Yoo-hwa, was set to air.
"Um, Da-yeon, are you going to watch *My Love From the Stars* tonight?"
Ha-eun asked, with no hint of malice, just hoping that Da-yeon might watch her first drama appearance.
However, Da-yeonâs response, delivered with a pout, was:
"You didnât watch my drama."
It was a curt remark implying that if Ha-eun hadnât watched her drama, there was no reason for Da-yeon to watch hers.
In truth, Da-yeonâs drama aired at a time when Ha-eunâs schedule made it difficult to watch live, something Da-yeon knew. So she knew her own words were a bit unreasonable.
But then Ha-eunâs next words caught her completely off guard.
"Hmm, I have been watching the reruns⦠though."
"What? Really?"
Da-yeonâs face, which had been scrunched up, brightened instantly, and she instinctively asked Ha-eun for her thoughts on the drama. After hearing Ha-eunâs honest, insightful feedback, Da-yeon reluctantly agreed to watch.
"Itâs on at 9:30 pm⦠Youâll watch it, right?"
Although she was typically self-centered, even Da-yeon couldnât bring herself to refuse. Instead, she left Ha-eun with a warning that sheâd critique her performance down to the last detail.
Later, at 9:30 pm, Da-yeon took over the TV in the living room, interrupting her fatherâs enjoyable rerun of a variety show.
"I have something to watch, so give me the remote."
"Huh�"
"Quickly."
With that, she committed the audacious act of taking control of the remote from her father, the household authority over TV channels, and changed channels to catch Ha-eunâs appearance as the elegant noble lady.
Unsurprisingly, just as she had done in the past, Ha-eun showed nothing that Da-yeon could criticize.
ï½¢â¦What are you staring at?ï½£
ï½¢Oh, nothing. Itâs just that your ears are so red they resemble strawberries. It makes me want to have a taste.ï½£
ï½¢Wh-what?!ï½£
ï½¢Haha, Iâm joking. Even I wouldnât do something so shameless.ï½£
With nothing to find fault with, Da-yeon quickly forgot her original intention and became completely absorbed in *My Love From the Stars.*
When Friday morning came, Ha-eun, hoping for feedback, subtly observed Da-yeonâs reactions.
However, seeing Ha-eunâs eagerness made Da-yeon reluctant to give any feedback, so she kept her mouth shut, even through second period break, eventually leaving the classroom under the pretext of going to the restroom.
After leaving the restroom, however, Da-yeon noticed a commotion in the hallway.
Standing on tiptoe to get a better look, she sawâ¦
"Wow, itâs really Han Yoo-hwa!"
"Whatâs Yoo Sung-oppa like in person? Does he really shine?"
"Hey, Lee Ha-eun! Pose with a V sign! Iâm posting this on Facebook!"
Every imaginable kind of attention, as well as annoyances, were directed solely at Ha-eun. Thankfully, it was the last day of the semester and the beginning of winter break. This meant that after today, Ha-eun would have a break from being swarmed by kids.
-Grab!
"Run, you dummy!"
Pushing through the crowd, Da-yeon grabbed Ha-eunâs wrist and dashed toward the school gate. The only thing left behind were fresh footprints in the snow covering the schoolyard.
After reaching the nearby café where manager Kim Jin-soo was waiting, they finally caught their breath. While Da-yeon was panting, Ha-eun appeared suspiciously unfazed, as if she hadnât run at all.
"We didnât even finish homeroom yet."
"Is that really your concern right now?"
Da-yeon sighed in exasperation at Ha-eunâs cluelessness. Did she honestly think homeroom would proceed as normal in that chaotic scene?
"I left my bag in the classroom."
"You can grab it later!"
Da-yeon was confident that leaving Ha-eun in that mess wouldâve led to something catastrophic. And yet, Ha-eunâs utterly untroubled expression was almost enough to render her speechless.
"If the fifth- and sixth-graders had started swarming, there wouldâve been no way out! You blockhead!"
She shouted at the oblivious celebrity, who seemed entirely unaware of the reality of being in the public eye.