✏️How to Write a K-Drama: Chapter Twelve
The fan. 🤩
Not yet caught up? Pick up where you left off in the Chapter List.
“Oh no…” Jae Woon was still holding Da Young’s hand. He held it up between them. “Let’s make a run for it.”
“You are, aren’t you?” the woman said, rushing up and putting her face right into Jae Woon’s. Jae Woon seemed resigned and Da Young wondered if they really should be running right now.
He sighed. “Okay, let’s take this to the cafe.”
Twenty minutes later, the three of them were seated at the empty cafe with Yoo Min and Min Ah again watching them from behind the counter. There was nothing else for them to do, anyway.
“Who is she?” demanded the woman.
Jae Woon sighed, then said, “Hye Na, this is Eun Joo Ni, the writer of my next drama. Ms. Writer, this is Kim Hye Na, the leader of my fan club.”
“Are you two dating?” Hye Na said in a whisper that still sounded quite loud. Everything about her was intense. She was a plain woman, maybe in her early forties, but she radiated the vibes of the protective eldest daughter, or perhaps a mother bear.
“No, we’re testing out ideas for the writer’s drama,” he said. “She has writer’s block.”
“That’s literally your job,” snapped Hye Na, turning her attention to Da Young. “Why drag our poor actor into this mess?” She turned back to Jae Woon. “Please, leave this production for your own good.”
“Sure, leave it,” Da Young said to him. He glared at her.
“I asked the writer to let me be in it, and I commit to my, er, commitments,” he said to Hye Na.
“Good thing you have a writer,” murmured Da Young.
“But you see how this could be so bad for your reputation? People might think you’re sponsored—or you’re doing this because you’re dating the writer,” said Hye Na.
“I know the risks, but we won’t get caught.”
“You were caught by me!” Hye Na said.
“And me,” chimed in Min Ah.
“And me,” Yoo Min said, raising a hand like a student politely asking to go to the bathroom.
“It’s the fake dating trope,” he cried, now exasperated. “We’re not really hiding it from anyone. We’re not really dating! There’s nothing to be caught for.”
“Is it the fake dating trope?” Hye Na asked Da Young, who nodded. “That’s my favorite trope.” Not knowing what to say, Da Young nodded again.
Jae Woon turned to the writer. “As you can see, I’m putting my reputation on the line for this,” he said, “considering it’s taboo for me to be seen alone with any woman.” He paused. “And sometimes a man.”
“It’ll probably be worse for me if we’re caught. Fans will think I’m using my position as the writer to get close to you,” she said.
“Aren’t you?” he joked.
“I’m getting close to you because of my position as a writer.”
“I wish you luck with that online debate. I’m going to get another drink. Do you want anything?” he asked both of them. They shook their heads. He went up to the counter.
Hye Na had been watching this exchange with narrowed eyes, tilting her head as she studied the reactions and responses of Da Young. Their back-and-forth seemed very natural, like they had known each other longer than the few days since their first meeting. It comforted her to see the actor in his element with somebody.
Finally, Hye Na bowed her head slightly at Da Young, saying, “Please take good care of him. He may not seem it but he’s very sensitive and kind. Also…” This time she looked straight into Da Young’s eyes. “...don’t hurt him.”
Da Young gazed back at Hye Na, a little taken aback. The words echoed in the back of her mind, You should quit. The funny thing about guilt was, even absolved by the party involved, it had a funny way of flooding back. Before she could respond, Jae Woon returned, plopping down a slice of Earl Grey cake before Da Young who looked up at him questioningly.
“I figured you needed some sugar from the busy day we had,” he explained, plopping back down into his seat with his refreshed glass of Americano. He sipped, then leaned forward toward Da Young, asking so casually she almost missed the mischievous glint in his eyes, “Want me to feed you?”
Not missing a beat, Hye Na pointed at her own open mouth and went, “Ah.” He sighed and fed her a forkful of cake.
“Is this normal fan service?” asked Da Young, pulling out her notebook to take some notes.
Hye Na started gathering her things while chewing furiously. “He wouldn’t dare do it with anybody else,” she said matter-of-factly, standing up to leave. “I’ll see you around, Jae Woon! Take care.” She gave Da Young a firm nod, waved to the baristas, and left the cafe.
Da Young turned to Jae Woon. “Why not?” He shoved a forkful of cake into her mouth. She chewed contemplatively.
“She’s what we call a healthy fan,” he said. His eyes were cast downward at the cake, which he was picking at, wondering how many calories it held. “She doesn’t have any unrealistic expectations or delusions about me. She sees me for who I am, doesn’t really want anything from me for the most part. They’re rare, but such fans exist.”
Da Young opened her mouth again. It wasn’t uncommon for her curiosity to get the better of her and shut down her filter. He shoved another forkful in her mouth as if knowing she wanted to dig in more. He left a crumb on the corner of her mouth purposely, then went in with a thumb to wipe it off gently. His eyes settled on hers with raised brows, as if asking, “Good for your drama?” She nodded, but thought to herself that it was even better for distraction.
It didn’t take long for them to demolish the delicious cake, which they found out had been baked by Yoo Min herself. They each gave her a thumbs up and started heading out. Jae Woon said, “I’ll walk you home,” and Da Young froze.
“Oh no, it’s okay!” she said. “You got me cake and we already did a lot today. So much to work with. Plus, it’s a bit of a walk.”
“Nah, it’s fine. You almost walked into oncoming traffic today, so I don’t really trust you to get home safe. It’s a classic move in dramas you could use for a scene. Plus, I don’t think I’ve hit enough signs with my head today.”
Quickly Da Young thought about her parents. Even if they were completely normal parents, it would be awkward showing up at home with a strange man, and she did not want to deal with any questions or explain what the fake dating trope was. She calmed down as she realized her parents would be out hiking on their off day. She followed Jae Woon out then nodded her head in the direction of her home.
While she worried about how the bookstore might look, Jae Woon was reciting in his head: The man should always walk on the side of the street. He moved Da Young away from the side where cars would pass them. What else do men in dramas do? he thought. He took off his coat and dropped it on her shoulders, holding with just his index fingers and thumbs on both sides out of respect for her personal space. He ended up looking disgusted by the prospect of touching her.
“I’m too warm,” she said, holding out his coat for him to slip back into.
“You must be tired. Would you like a piggyback ride?”
“No.”
“How about a princess carry?”
“I’m too tired to give you one today. Maybe next time.”
Before they knew it, they’d reached their destination.
“Oh! This is your bookstore?” he exclaimed. “So fitting for a writer.”
She unlocked the door and they entered. He browsed through the shelves. He was honestly not much of a reader, but he liked the presence of books. They were comforting. He wondered if she had any graphic novels. He came across some stairs. Maybe they were up there?
Da Young lost sight of Jae Woon while she placed her things down on the counter. She started calling out to him when she heard his steps on the stairs.
“No, wait!” she shouted as she heard him open the door. She rushed towards the stairs and followed him up into her family home. Her family had a ton of her younger pictures all around the shared spaces. There was no need to make things more awkward between them.
“Oh, sorry,” he said, when he caught sight of the entryway and realized the second floor was a home. He turned around and nearly bumped into her. “I thought this was part of the bookstore.”
“It’s okay,” she said, flushed. They were about to head down when she stopped short and he bumped into her again. She heard the bell chime. Her parents’ voices floated upward.
“I told you that stew this morning tasted funny!” cried out her dad.
“We could’ve finished the hike,” protested her mom.
“Did you want me exposing myself to everyone at the top?”
“It’s all a part of nature.”
Da Young gasped, turned, and shoved Jae Woon into her home, slamming the door behind them. First, they had to run from his fan. Now, they had to hide from her parents.
Next week on 🌟How to Write a K-Drama🌟
“Hm…lie back on the bed,” she said. He obeyed. She thought about this as she stood over him. They were both very focused to the point they almost forgot her parents were in the house…or the very weird position they were in.