“……He must be planning to drink it himself.”
Se Kyung, who had finished her makeup at the shop, strolled down the broadcasting station corridor. Today, she was scheduled to appear on a variety show for the promotion of her upcoming movie.
“Today Eun Gyo can’t come, right? Did you hear who the replacement guest is?”
“Well, I couldn’t get in touch with the writer either. But I think I heard that the topic is ‘Friends.'”
“Friends?”
Se Kyung tilted her head. Originally, another actor who had appeared in the same movie as Se Kyung was supposed to come on today’s variety show.
But Eun Gyo, who was injured during filming, was hospitalized, and her appearance was canceled. They tried to send someone else in her stead, but the shooting date was so imminent that it was hard for everyone to adjust their schedules.
Waiting for Eun Gyo to recover seemed like it would push the variety show date past the movie’s release date, thereby diminishing the promotional effect.
After discussions, they decided to keep Se Kyung’s appearance and the variety show team would cast another guest.
But today’s topic was Friends. Were they going to invite a friend of the regular guest? Or were they going to invite her friend?
“I wish it’s someone I know well.”
Among the people she was in touch with, no one had notified her that they would be appearing on the same variety show as her today.
The movie’s promotional team didn’t pinpoint who would appear either.
Se Kyung, heading to the waiting room, tried to confirm who the guest appearing with her that day was.
That’s when it happened. Someone came out from the door next to Se Kyung’s waiting room.
“……”
“……”
The glances of the two who met uncomfortably intertwined. During the awkward standoff, Se Kyung, who had been silent, spoke first.
“Hello.”
It was a brief and indifferent greeting.
The new guest was someone Se Kyung knew well.
She was a friend, but closer to worst rather than best.
She was Im Ju Hee, a member of the girl group they had been active together for the past seven years.
“Look over there.”
During a short break in shooting, Ki Jeong, a regular on the variety show ‘Joyful Saturday,’ came over to Se Kyung.
Ki Jeong pointed with his chin at Ju Hee on the opposite side. Ju Hee was conversing amongst the other guests.
“I’ve only heard the stories. Seeing it firsthand gives me the creeps.”
Ki Jeong shuddered, recalling the filming a while ago.
When the camera was rolling, she acted super friendly even holding Se Kyung’s hand, but once the camera was off, her dismissal was quite highlevel.
Ju Hee not only turned her face away from Se Kyung but also completely wiped off the smile she had.
Upon hearing the producer’s announcement of a short break, she got up from her seat, hooked her arm with a guest she was friendly with, and moved far away from Se Kyung.
Her blatant display of not wanting to be with Se Kyung was so embarrassing that even the onlookers felt uncomfortable.
As a result, the writer who had cast Ju Hee in place of Eun Gyo was watching Se Kyung’s reaction.
“I heard she’s learning to act because she wants to be an actress. She might even break into Hollywood soon.”
“An actress? I didn’t know that.”
Despite Ki Jeong’s sarcastic comment, Se Kyung remained unfazed.
Doesn’t she read the news? Ki Jeong scanned Se Kyung’s face with a flabbergasted expression.
“Do you live on another planet or something? Regardless of how much she backstabbed you, you were in the same group at one point. Can you really be this indifferent?”
“I’ve been out of touch too, I’ve been really busy.”
“Yeah, I admit you’re really busy. But you guys don’t stay in touch after the breakup?”
“I’m in touch with Yuna. We even planned to meet today.”
“Just the two of you? What about Ju Hee?”
“Well, I’m not sure if they’ve contacted each other.”
Se Kyung, who opened a bottle of water, gulped it down. Then, one of the writers who had been having a meeting behind the camera came up, looking quite disheartened.
“Um, Miss Se Kyung.”
“Yes?”
As Se Kyung turned around, the writer who glanced at Ju Hee lowered his voice.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you in advance. We thought you two would be on good terms….”
“Ah, I see.”
Se Kyung nodded as if she understood.
Like most idol groups, the girl group that Se Kyung and Ju Hee belonged to also didn’t last more than seven years.
Of course, there were cases where the original members continued to work together like Ki Jeong, even after the agency changed, but this was limited to successful groups with large fandoms.
Se Kyung’s popularity grew as she appeared in dramas, but it was limited to the actress Yoon Se Kyung becoming famous, it didn’t affect the overall group activities.
As a result, there were often troubles among the members. Among them, Im Ju Hee, who was the leader of the group and received the most attention at debut, had the most complaints.
But this was all internal affairs, the external reason was the breakup due to the expiration of the contract.
The world did not know about the troubles or discord among the members.
For a very brief moment, Im Ju Hee vented her frustrations on her personal SNS, but it was deleted before gaining attention and did not make the news.
“I’m okay with it. But, didn’t they know? That I was coming?”
“No. They knew everything. From the beginning, they asked if Ju Hee could also appear when Yoon Se Kyung was a guest. We thought you two were on good terms because they said it was fine.”
If not, why would we set the theme to ‘Friends,’ the writer grumbled in a quite wronged tone.
“Still, they’re doing a good job adjusting when the cameras are rolling. Don’t feel too sorry. The recording went better than expected. Just make sure our movie gets good publicity in the editing.”
“Don’t worry about that. If Se Kyung dances in the second half, the views will explode.”
The writer who subtly imposed some pressure disappeared to the back of the set. Ki Jeong chuckled and patted Se Kyung’s shoulder.
“You need to dance after a long time.”
“Ah, I don’t want to embalm my embarrassing past while I’m sober.”
Behind Se Kyung, who was uncomfortable, the PD’s voice was heard starting the shoot again.
After about four hours of filming in the second half, a drained Se Kyung wiped her face.
“Wow, it’s different being an idol graduate.”
In the midst of saying goodbye, another guest praised Se Kyung and gave a thumbsup.
The writers were happy that they nailed a thumbnail, but Se Kyung wanted to go back to exactly four hours ago.
She was led by Ki Jeong’s hand to dance a few times…
But after returning to her seat and thinking about it, she felt it wasn’t right. Our agency people and film staff would be monitoring it later.
“Should I ask the PD to edit it now?”
“He won’t. Your dance was the highlight.”
Ki Jeong, who offered no comforting words, patted the drooping shoulders of Se Kyung. Se Kyung, sighing uncomfortably, handed over her detached microphone to the approaching staff.
“Well, if the show goes well at the cost of my downfall, that’s fine.”
Se Kyung muttered in a resigned tone, as if to let things be. She raised her head and her eyes met Ju Hee’s, who was looking this way.
There was discontent in Ju Hee’s eyes, glaring at Se Kyung, as if something displeased her.
“Why is she like that?”
Ki Jeong, poking his head over Se Kyung’s shoulder, stuck out his tongue.
Se Kyung was equally curious about the reason. Did I make a mistake during the recording?
She pondered deeply, but nothing came to mind. In fact, she was so distracted by the dance that she didn’t have time to talk.
But she couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye, so Se Kyung approached first and held out her hand.
“You did well.”
She greeted her, but the reaction was the same as when they met in front of the waiting room.
“……”
It was a complete disregard. Just as Se Kyung was about to withdraw her hand, Ju Hee twisted one side of her lips.
“You… You haven’t changed at all, have you, neither then nor now?”
What did she mean by that?
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
