Chapter 394: Seo Arin’s Global Spotlight |
The death survival game that claimed 1.8 billion lives.
A year and a half has passed since then.
Yet, the painful wounds from that time still linger in the world, in the survivors known as players.
Sure, now that the skills have disappeared, you could say it’s a relatively peaceful era.
[‘Oh, My Destiny!’ 28.9% total viewership! A historic ratings record!]
[The popular drama ‘Oh, My Destiny!’ is also a huge hit in Japan!]
[Who is Seo Arin? A detailed analysis of the former player turned top actress!]
————
The man reading the article had a displeased expression. Just by watching him bite his nails, one could tell he was quite unhappy.
Actor Song Min-hyuk recalled his past self, approaching Seo Arin late at night to rehearse lines.
Of course, he didn’t just want to rehearse lines. He had other, more intimate intentions in mind.
“I should’ve controlled my temper back then. Even if she resisted, I should’ve pushed harder...”
Though Song Min-hyuk regretted it now, at the time, he couldn’t do anything. Seo Arin had used the excuse that she had a boyfriend to escape.
“Who would’ve thought she actually had a boyfriend?”
After being rejected by Seo Arin, he harbored resentment and leaked the information to a journalist friend. Seo Arin publicly admitted she had a boyfriend.
The next day, the news broke, and Seo Arin’s popularity briefly dipped, but the public was surprisingly forgiving. The drama was a massive hit, and Seo Arin’s popularity began to soar once again.
“Those idiot viewers. Before, just mentioning you had a boyfriend would ruin your career, but now they praise her just because she acts well. Times have really changed. A rookie daring to challenge a veteran, what arrogance!”
Although he was in his 30s, Song Min-hyuk, who had been in the industry since his teens, was a veteran compared to Seo Arin. He had tried to be understanding and considerate like a good senior, but she rudely turned him down, saying she had a boyfriend.
“This girl needs to be completely ruined. She should be kicked out of the industry.”
Even though he said it, it was just a wish. Seo Arin had grown so much that she was now mentioned even abroad. What could he do now?
“Damn it! Damn it!”
Stomping the seat in frustration, Song Min-hyuk could do nothing but curse, while his manager, who was driving, broke out in a cold sweat.
————
[Heard the news! Congratulations, Seo Arin!]
[When are you handing out the invitations?]
[Have you booked the venue yet? When’s the wedding?]
[Don’t forget me, I’ll definitely be there!]
[Congratulations, senior! I’m so jealous ㅠㅠ]
Smiling at the flood of congratulatory messages, Seo Arin felt relieved. Despite her worries, many people were celebrating her, not just acquaintances.
[1,287 comments in total]
Wow, Seo Arin is getting married!
No way, Seo Arin’s getting hitched already!
She’s still in her twenties, isn’t it too early?
Congratulations, sis!
Seems like she doesn’t care about the money haha, getting married at the peak of her career.
Yeah, just when she should be making the most of her fame.
Congrats, Seo Arin! I’ve been a fan for a long time. I hope you have a happy married life.
Ah... Seo Arin is getting married ㅠㅠ Should I just let her go...?
Ah... Seo Arin is mine...
Why is there even an article about a celebrity getting married?
Isn’t Seo Arin just a passing trend?
Doesn’t seem like it. Her acting has been really impressive lately.
Yeah, there aren’t many actors who can act as well as Seo Arin.
Maybe being a player helped her improve her emotional expressions.
Come to think of it, her partner was also a player.
Maybe they’re getting married because they can relate. Or maybe they’ve been dating since before.
└Sis! I became your fan after watching ‘My Wife’! Congrats on your marriage, and I hope your path is always filled with flowers!
Though there were a few negative comments, most were celebrating the couple’s wedding. Seo Arin was happy that she decided to make her wedding public.
“How about it? Don’t you feel better having made it public?”
Her boyfriend—no, her soon-to-be husband, Ryu Min, spoke.
In an intimate moment with her beloved, Seo Arin felt like she was dreaming.
“Huh? Why aren’t you saying anything? Thinking weird thoughts again?”
“Ah, no, nothing.”
“You’re not fooling me. Are you thinking again that using your wish to win my heart was a mistake, or feeling guilty?”
“No, no.”
Seo Arin smiled as she held Ryu Min’s arm.
“I was thinking it was the right decision to announce the wedding. I feel more at ease.”
“Of course, there’s no need to worry about what others say. In the end, it’s our life. We should just focus on ourselves.”
“That’s true.”
Seo Arin smiled, and the two shared a gentle kiss.
“I need to head to work.”
“Aren’t you too busy these days?”
“It’s fine. And I’m sorry. I should be the one preparing for the wedding...”
“What does it matter? Whoever has more free time handles it. I’ll take care of the preparations, so don’t worry and focus on your work. The reporters will be all over you now. I don’t want you getting more exhausted.”
‘Where would I find a husband like this?’
Seo Arin was deeply grateful for Ryu Min’s support, allowing her to fully focus on her work.
“You’re not thinking weird thoughts again, are you?”
After zoning out for a moment, Ryu Min cut in.
“No, I’m done thinking those things. I’m just focused on my happiness now.”
“That’s the spirit. You’re going to be late. Go quickly.”
“Yeah, see you later.”
After a light kiss, they said their goodbyes. With her rising popularity, her schedule was packed.
“If we’re done talking, let’s go. You have an ad meeting at 4.”
“Yes, manager.”
Seo Arin, who now called An Sang-cheol her manager instead of her bodyguard, got into the car. Today would be another busy day with no time to rest.
———————-
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Endless notification sounds from messages. The reason was none other than the digital wedding invitations sent to her acquaintances.
[Our Arin is finally getting married!]
[Wow, Arin looks so beautiful!]
[How is it that your husband is so handsome?]
[Such a perfect couple. So jealous!]
[Congrats on the wedding! It’s at this hotel in a month, right?]
[Where are you going for the honeymoon? I’m curious!]
[Actress Seo, congrats on your marriage!]
“The messages won’t stop coming.”
Having sent invitations to hundreds of people, she received hundreds of responses simultaneously. She couldn’t put down her phone as she replied to each one.
Seo Arin had a packed schedule these days. Besides ads, shoots, and overseas commitments, she also had to organize the wedding photoshoot and invitations. Choosing the dress, ordering the suit, preparing the ceremony details—it all seemed like a mountain of tasks, but...
“Thanks to Ryu Min, I’ve been able to manage everything smoothly.”
Much of the credit for handling this hectic schedule went to Ryu Min.
“Thank you, Ryu Min.”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
“It’s not sudden. I’m always thanking you, for helping me like this, for marrying me.”
What would have once been an embarrassing statement, Seo Arin now said naturally. She didn’t deny her life or the world created by her wish.
“No matter what people say, this is my life. It’s the wish I chose.”
She had wished for Ryu Min to fall in love with her, and that wish had come true. She couldn’t deny or undo the life she chose and the wish she made.
“So I can only embrace it.”
With that resolve, she accepted Ryu Min’s proposal and reached this point. In a month, they would marry in front of everyone.
“Thank you, always.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Isn’t it amazing that such a beautiful angel is marrying me?”
“Have you always been this smooth with your words?”
“You didn’t know? Since my days as Black Scythe, I’ve always been cheeky.”
Ryu Min smiled playfully, with no trace of the past on his face. Nearly two years had passed since the end of the survival game. Enough time to leave it as a memory.
“Let’s finish our wedding well and live happily.”
“Yes, let’s.”
With hands intertwined, they dreamed of a happy future.
—————–
Bang!
“Damn it!”
The manager grimaced as the front seat was kicked, but quickly restored it to its original position, knowing that showing a negative expression would only make things worse.
“Today’s the wedding day, and I wasn’t invited.”
Song Min-hyuk thought he’d at least receive a call. He was her senior. They’d acted in dramas together, being colleagues and superiors.
But contrary to his expectations, Seo Arin hadn’t sent a single message. He hadn’t even received an invitation, while everyone else on the team, from the director to the extras, had.
“How is it possible that I, her senior, didn’t get an invitation?”
He waited, thinking maybe she forgot, but even on the wedding day, he got nothing.
“Now she thinks she can treat me like a stranger? Ignore her senior?”
Sure, he’d done some bad things, so it was understandable, but Song Min-hyuk didn’t care about others’ feelings, only his own.
“Turn the car around.”
“Pardon?”
“Let’s go to the wedding venue.”
“But, sir, we have a schedule to follow...”
“Damn it! Didn’t you hear me? Turn the car around! I need to confront Seo Arin and ask why she didn’t send me an invitation.”
“Sir... please understand. If we don’t stick to the schedule, the director will punish me.”
“And what do I care about that? Turn the car around! I’m going to confront that bitch, Seo Arin!”
“Sir... please...”
At that moment, a loud noise.
Bang!
The manager slammed on the brakes.
“Are you an idiot? Did you crash the car? Can’t you drive properly?”
“I didn’t crash! It wasn’t my fault!”
The terrified manager pointed ahead. The road was empty. They hadn’t hit another car, but the roof was dented.
“What? Did a rock fall from the sky?”
As he tried to open the window...
Splash!
“Ahhh!”
A black liquid poured over them.