Chapter 137:

Chapter 137:

On the top floor of the luxurious apartment building, Lee Hyemin let out a sigh.

"Everyone seems to be praising it a lot."

Lee Hyemin had just returned home after attending the premiere of "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling." As soon as she got home, she searched for the reactions to the premiere.

Amidst her search, she came across a video titled "Audience Reactions at the Absolute Unlicensed Counseling' Premiere." The video featured an influencer named "Leftover Tuna Can" interviewing regular people who had watched the movie.

"Seriously, you must watch it."

"If you don't, you'll regret it. Definitely watch it."

"I'll come to see it again. I'll watch it whenever I have time."

"The actress is so beautiful (What?!) Oh, don't pinch me! Anyway, the movie is really fun!"

In the video, some were teary-eyed, and others had satisfied expressions while watching the film.

However, unlike the audience who treated it as fiction,' to Lee Hyemin, "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling" was an old diary and a faded memory.

"It seems like the happy ending is possible only in stories that's what it meant."

The events in "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling" closely mirrored experiences she had gone through, particularly the setting where a wealthy mute girl, thanks to a swindler, gains the ability to speak.'

"It's strangely similar, even putting everything else aside."

Curious and bothered, Lee Hyemin delved deeper into the details of the work.

A few months ago, she had watched a video of Yeo Jaeyoon talking about the film on "The Talk Show," and she discovered the reason.

"Yeo Jaeyoon, the director's daughter, Yeo Hyemin. The actress couldn't speak either."

The film "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling" was made for his daughter, just as Yeo Jaeyoon had the same thoughts as her own father.

Maybe all fathers in the world think alike.

"Leaving that aside that last scene was truly unbelievable."

Lee Hyemin chuckled dryly as the scene from the movie continued to replay in her mind.

In the final moments of the film, the swindler, while returning the money he swindled, collides head-on with a truck. In an accident that would be fatal for anyone, the swindler miraculously gets transported to the hospital, unconscious.

A few years later, when the protagonist regains consciousness, he finds Moon Hyemin' looking down at him with teary eyes.

From then on, with a piece of touching background music, the two embrace each other, and the story ends.

It was an implausible event. If he had collided with a dump truck as in the movie, he wouldn't have left a single bone fragment behind; he would have disappeared from the world. There is no way to miraculously survive and meet a loved one after such an accident.

But why, Lee Hyemin continued to chuckle with a self-deprecating smile.

"Phew"

Closing her laptop, Lee Hyemin stood up from her seat. Then, she took out something from the most worn-out part of her bookshelf.

It was an album' that Kim Faith had given her a long time ago. As Lee Hyemin flipped through the album, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

It used to make her cry every time she looked at it. Perhaps it was because of what Jinseok and Kim Faith had said, along with watching the happy ending' in the movie, but now, even looking at the album didn't make her sad.

Now, the memories were joyful.

Putting the album back in the drawer, Lee Hyemin picked up her mobile phone from the desk and started typing a message.

"Hello. I really enjoyed the movie today. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see such a great work. If there's ever anything I can help with, feel free to contact me."

***

March 31. One day before the release of "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling."

"Ugh"

I was rolling around on the living room floor at home. There was nothing else to do.

"Even the manager is too much. I understand not letting me see the articles, but taking away everything, from the TV to the laptop and mobile phone."

After the premiere, Jang Sunho confiscated every device I could use to access the internet.

"On April 1, the movie will be released, and on April 2, you have to attend a fan signing event. Until then, to avoid stress, the internet is off-limits," he said.

Instead, he brought a bunch of books. From fashion magazines to a novel where the protagonist is a manager named "Chandy Wexler" who claims to have gained great inspiration from reading.

Although I wasn't particularly fond of reading at first, since there was nothing else to do, I ended up reading everything.

Anyway, whether I should thank him for that or say it was because of that, following Jang Sunho's intentions, I was truly leading a healthy' routine.

"Good morning, actor. Did you rest well for a week?"

"Yes, yes. So!"

Blurting out, I extended my hand. It was a gesture asking for the return of my mobile phone.

Jang Sunho alternated glances between me and the phone, then with a peculiar smile, he said, "I can give you the phone now, but in my opinion, it might be better for you to endure until you arrive at the fan signing event."

"Why, why?"

"Well"

When I asked again, Jang Sunho thought for a moment and then smiled subtly.

"Because if you check the articles first, the joy you get from on-site reactions might decrease."

""

"First, let's go to the shop. I'm quite busy today."

***

The Yongsan CGB where the premiere of "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling" took place.

"Wow there are so many people today."

The snack bar staff sighed as they observed the bustling crowd. The female staff next to him nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it's because it's Sunday, and normally, it's crowded. But today, it's even busier because of the Absolute Unlicensed Counseling' actor fan signing event."

"Have you seen that movie? The ratings are really good."

"I haven't seen it yet. I plan to watch it late after work."

"Do you want to watch it together? I haven't seen it either."

He said it casually, but it took considerable courage for the male staff to say those words.

"Oh, I already promised to watch it with my boyfriend. I'm sorry."

She had a boyfriend. It was a failure. At that moment, he felt a bit down, not knowing this fact before.

"They're here!"

Someone in the crowd pointed towards the entrance, and the attention of the people focused there.

Cheers erupted!

Wide-eyed!

The spacious Yongsan CGB was filled to the brim, and the echoes were so loud that it sounded like a roar. The male staff was surprised and turned his head when someone, accompanied by security guards, was entering.

It was Jinseok and Yeo Hyemin.

On the makeshift screen, their images began to appear. Yeo Hyemin's cheeks were slightly flushed, but her expression remained composed.

On the other hand, Jinseok was visibly surprised. The astonishment was evident in his wide-open eyes as if he were a naive boy from the countryside who had come to the city for the first time.

"Ah, hello. I'm Kang Jinseok. Um Did everyone have their meals?"

Jinseok and Yeo Hyemin took their seats in front of the large poster for "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling." Jinseok, still bewildered, took the microphone.

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Oh, some have eaten, and some haven't. Um, actually, before coming here, I memorized what kind of greetings I should give, but I forgot everything. Ahaha I didn't expect so many people to come. But, what should I do?"

With a lost look in his eyes, Jinseok glanced around.

Whether it was cute or for some other reason, camera flashes from reporters and fans began to go off. Some were even recording videos from start to finish.

"Uhm, host. Please help."

As Jinseok requested assistance, the host smiled and skillfully guided the fan signing event. Questions that had been discussed in advance were asked, and Jinseok provided the answers.

After about 15 minutes of Q&A, the host said, "Now, we will have time for fans to shake hands and get autographs from the actors in order of ticket numbers!"

As the host spoke, numerous staff members began to move. Fans waited patiently for their turn, having received various instructions beforehand.

The event concluded smoothly.

One week after the release, the first-week audience count for "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling" was compiled.