Miso stepped out cheerfully, wearing the white hanbok she had worn in Hwaranjeon, holding a staff member's hand as she walked with a lively gait.

Humming happily, Miso looked up at the photographer Eun Chae-Sik, who was standing on a platform, and asked, "Where should I lie down?"

The first cover photo was to reenact the scene from Hwaranjeon where Princess Yu-Hwa, after being poisoned by a deadly mushroom, came back to life.

However, Eun Chae-Sik seemed slightly concerned at how lively Miso looked. Still, masking his unease, he explained, "Just lie down with your head on the spot marked with a '+' in front of the platform. Look upward while acting, and both I and the camera mounted here will shoot you. Try to keep your head facing straight and steady."

"Got it. Here I go!"

Miso lay on the floor and aligned her head with the '+' mark. Just then, the large LCD monitor in the studio turned on, displaying the feed from the video camera aimed at the floor. Even though the scene was supposed to be intense, Miso's face on the monitor was still lit with a bright smile. She must have been enjoying the chance to relive her past performance from the drama.

That's when Jin Sol-Ah, watching Miso's expression, smirked in disbelief. "She looks like she's having way too much fun... How's she supposed to film like that?"

Since seeing is believing, I didn't bother answering. The staff then tidied Miso's hair as she lay on the floor, signaling that everything was ready.

From atop the platform, Eun Chae-Sik looked down and called out, "Miso, I'll give you plenty of time to get into character. Take your time and—"

At that moment, Miso closed her eyes and spoke. "No, I'll start right away."

"Just like this?"

"Yes. Once you cue me, I'll go from playing dead to coming back to life, all in one go."

After a moment's pause, Eun Chae-Sik brought his eye to the camera's viewfinder. "If the model says she's ready, we go. Alright then. Ready—action!"

Standing on the platform, Eun Chae-Sik also picked up his camera and prepared to press the shutter.

Click click click click.

The sound of the camera shooting in rapid succession filled the air as Miso's face was captured. We all turned to the LCD monitor on the wall, watching Miso's face as she lay on the floor. Only the sound of the shutter echoed through the studio.

At that moment, Miso's fingers and toes stopped moving. Then even the subtle tremble of her eyelids ceased. She stopped breathing altogether. Her chest no longer rose and fell.

In an instant, Miso froze completely. She froze so completely that it gave the illusion that she was a lifeless doll.

Staff standing a little farther back were visibly startled.

"Is she actually dead?"

"Is she even breathing?"

"What the...?"

"How does she do that?"

As Miso portrayed a person drained of all life, exclamations of awe spread throughout the room.

Click click click click.

Amid the shutter sounds, Miso began to act out the resurrection scene.

Twitch.

Her fingers started to move slowly.

Twitch.

Miso's lips and cheeks began to tremble ever so slightly.

Moments later, Miso drew in a deep breath. Her chest rose as air filled her lungs, and the body that had been motionless slowly began to stir.

Then, her eyes shot open before locking onto the camera. Life returned to her once-blank expression, and a bright smile began to spread slowly across her face.

That's when Miso shouted, "It's Bandi!"

With a beaming expression and a voice full of energy, Miso shouted just like the resurrected Princess Yu-Hwa had, spotting a firefly in the air and calling out to it. The swift, intense shift in emotion was the kind of performance only seasoned stage actors with years of monologue experience could pull off. It wasn't something easily imitated or perfected.

And yet, in the blink of an eye, Miso had flawlessly portrayed the transition from death to resurrection.

As everyone stared in stunned silence, Jin Sol-Ah standing beside me muttered in disbelief. "No way... How does a kid handle emotional shifts like that...?"

The confident look she wore just moments earlier had vanished, replaced entirely by a dark cloud of envy. It was all because of Miso, the eight-year-old acting prodigy, and the talent she had just displayed.

'Yeah. That expression suits you, Jin Sol-Ah.'

Realizing I was watching her, Jin Sol-Ah quickly turned her head away. Nevertheless, I had already expected this reaction. I shook my head and focused once more on Miso's shoot.

Yet no one called an end to the session. The shots were coming out too perfectly and greed had clouded everyone's judgment.

"Mrs. Jang? I think we've got more than enough."

President Jang Ji-Hye finally snapped out of it. "Huh? Oh, right. Team Lead Eun!"

Only then did Eun Chae-Sik break out of his trance and pull away from the viewfinder.

"Okay! Lights off."

Clack.

The bright lights dimmed and the cameras came to a halt. At that moment, the staff burst into cheers.

"Wow. Did a ghost of acting just possess her or something?"

"That was insane, Miso."

"Does Miso have an emotional switch built into her or what?"

"So this is why everyone raves about her... Miso really is something else."

Despite the praise, Miso kept lightly tapping her feet on the floor as if she had other things to do and asked, "Can I get up now?"

Eun Chae-Sik swallowed hard and shouted, "Ah, yes. Miso, great job. Want to take a break?"

Miso jumped up and shook her head. "Nope. We're super busy today, so I have to shoot right away."

Eun Chae-Sik blinked in disbelief. "You mean go straight into the next shoot?"

"Yup! My uncle has to head straight to the station after we finish here. But I insisted on filming again, so now we're short on time! We've got to hurry!"

"Oh, uh, alright. Then go get changed."

"Okay!"

As if the earlier performance had been nothing at all, Miso walked off toward the makeshift changing room.

***

The second scene to be shot was from Haze, where Wolryeong performs a traditional dance in front of the children. Miso returned wearing a white hanbok adorned with patterns. She looked even more radiant now, seemingly delighted by the beautiful outfit.

Eun Chae-Sik cleared away the platform and stepped back to prepare for the next shoot. This time, it wasn't a lying-down scene but a dance scene.

"Camera swapped out and ready?"

"Yes, sir."

A high-speed sports camera capable of shooting at thousandths of a second was set up directly in front of her. Next to it, a video camera was also positioned facing her.

Then came an unexpected direction from Eun Chae-Sik, who was supposed to be directing. "Miso, want to try this one however you like?"

"Really?" Miso asked back.

"Yeah. Don't worry about anything. I'll follow your lead with the camera."

Without replying, Miso gave a sly grin and immediately spread her arms and began to move delicately.

Once again, Miso immersed herself in the moment in the blink of an eye. It was another clear demonstration of what true genius looked like.

With a confident expression, Miso began the traditional Korean dance she had learned from Yeon Hwa-Seon. She lifted her shoulders, turned in place with small steps, and danced slowly. Her hands and feet traced circles and lines, capturing the grace unique to Korean dance.

No one could take their eyes off her.

Then, Miso began to sing with a clear, sweet voice.

『Cloud above Geumsan~

Do you carry snow, or do you carry rain~

...

I'll dance to the rhythm.

How delightful~

Oh, how lovely~』

She was perfectly combining a traditional folk song from Namhae County with the dance she had learned from Yeon Hwa-Seon.

Just like that, Miso completed the second cover shoot flawlessly.

***

"Huff, huff, huff."

Raising both arms to the sky, Miso came to a stop, breathing heavily. True to her professionalism, she didn't stop acting until she heard a cut.

"Team Lead Eun! Aren't you going to end the shoot? How long are you planning to go? I get that you're smitten with Miso, but come on, this is too much!"

Jang Ji-Hye's voice snapped Eun Chae-Sik out of his trance as he continued shooting without realizing it. "S-Sorry! Okay! That's a wrap!"

At that moment, Miso let out a long sigh and dropped her arms. "Phew~ it's over."

Cheers erupted once more in the studio.

"Miso is seriously the best!"

"She's pure art!"

As applause and compliments rained down, Miso bowed her head in all directions to thank them. "Thank you!" Then, having finished her bows, Miso waved at me. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! It's all done! We can go now!"

Even after delivering such an astonishing performance, all Miso said was that the job was done and it was time to leave. In other words, this level of acting was something she could summon at any time.

Realizing this, Jin Sol-Ah murmured to herself. "I... I'm just going to the restroom for a moment, Mrs. Jang. I'll do the interview after."

"Okay. Go ahead."

Crushed by the weight of utter defeat, Jin Sol-Ah bit her lip and turned away.

Clack, clack.

The sharp sound of her heels striking the floor echoed bitterly through the studio.

As the fuming Jin Sol-Ah stormed off, Jang Ji-Hye let out a quiet chuckle. "Looks like Jin Sol-Ah finally figured out why she's on the back cover instead of the front for the May issue."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Thanks to Miso's phenomenal performance, the cover shoot for the May issue of Womans wrapped up more than successfully.

***

Jang Ji-Hye was so pleased with the expressions captured in Miso's photos that she said she couldn't decide which one to use for the front cover. She said she would let me know once it was finalized. I said that was fine, then headed straight to the underground parking lot with Miso.

I had planned to drop her off at home first, but Miso said she wanted to see the writers. So instead, I picked up Writer Han Woo-Ju, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon, and Writer Kim Soll-Ip with Miso in the car and headed to MBS. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

With Episode 26 pulling in an absurd 40% viewership ratings and all the writers of Hwaranjeon present, the negotiation for extending the show's run ended overwhelmingly in our favor.

We sealed a massive deal: a 4-episode extension, 150 million won per episode, and 5% of ad revenue during those added episodes.

Naturally, President Choi Sang-Byung was fuming as he ranted at me.

"Chief Jung, let's never see each other again!"

"Really?"

"Hey, how could you take that seriously! I was just saying! And next time, don't bring Writer Lee with you. What am I supposed to do when the two of you gang up on me like that?"

Having thoroughly shaken down Choi Sang-Byung with Lee Ji-Yeon, he blurted out what he didn't truly mean. We politely declined his offer to buy dinner, deciding instead to hold a private celebration at home for our victorious negotiation. Lee Ji-Yeon wanted to have a fried chicken party with Yoo-Jin and Miso.

Screeech.

I pulled the Binz sedan into the front yard.

"Here we are. Let's get out."

From the rear right seat, Lee Ji-Yeon groaned about her legs cramping. "Yoon-Ho. Next time... let's just take my new Rose-Rise. This is too much."

Kim Soll-Ip, sitting in the rear left, chuckled. "You could've just taken your chauffeur-driven car and come comfortably. Why did you insist on riding in this one?"

Lee Ji-Yeon snapped back. "Then I wouldn't have been able to sit with our Miso, would I!"

For some reason, Miso had refused to part from me all day. So, Lee Ji-Yeon had no choice but to ride in the backseat of my Binz with her.

Then Han Woo-Ju, seated in the passenger seat, spoke apologetically to Lee Ji-Yeon. "Mrs. Lee, I should've taken the backseat. I'm sorry. I know your knees aren't in great shape."

"It's fine. You already moved your seat up. This isn't your fault, so don't say that. Writers shouldn't apologize so easily. Save it for when it really counts, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Lee Ji-Yeon had bad knees. Back when she was an unknown writer, she used to write her scripts not on a laptop but by hand on manuscript paper, sitting cross-legged. She was known then for her relentless drive—skipping meals, going without sleep, doing nothing but write. However, staying in that cramped position for too long without moving took its toll, and her knees became seriously damaged.

She could manage in her youth, but now, sitting too long with bent legs would quickly lead to cramps.

Click.

I turned off the ignition and said, "Next time, I'll bring the Binz Springer for a more comfortable ride. But for now, let's get out."

"My leg's cramping a bit. Just a moment."

At that moment, Miso stretched out her little hands and started massaging Lee Ji-Yeon's knees.

Knead knead.

Miso's tiny fingers worked gently across the aching joints.

"Please don't be in pain, Mrs. Lee. Hooo—"

Miso even blew warm air onto her knee, and Lee Ji-Yeon's cheeks twitched as she struggled to suppress a smile.

"Oof~ that feels so good," Lee Ji-Yeon said with a bright smile as she continued responding to Miso's gentle massage.

"Miso, I'm good now. Your hands must be tired. You can stop."

"I'll do a little more!"

Determined, Miso kept going. Lee Ji-Yeon looked at her with an affection she rarely showed anyone.

Then Lee Ji-Yeon clasped Miso's hands tightly. "All better now! Thank you, Miso."

Miso grinned from ear to ear.

Suddenly, Lee Ji-Yeon turned to me. "Yoon-Ho! I take it back. When you come to pick me up with Miso, make sure it's this car!"

"I'm sorry?"

"Anyway, if you want this kind of help again, that's what you've got to do."

'Was the massage really that good?'

Still, I couldn't keep putting her bad knees through a ride in this car.

"No, I'll definitely bring the bigger car next time." I said.

"I told you, it's fine."

"Then how about this—I'll hand over my 'Miso Massage Coupons.'"

I pulled three folded papers out of my wallet. In the center of each, Miso had written [Miso Massage Coupon] in her own handwriting, with childlike drawings of her hands on either side like abstract art.

Accepting them, Lee Ji-Yeon looked over at Miso. "Miso, can I really use these?"

Miso beamed. "But only at our house!"

"You mean you want me to come visit more often?"

"Yup!"

"Aww~ what a sweet girl." Lee Ji-Yeon hugged her tight and nuzzled Miso's cheek. After basking in that happiness for a moment, she said, "Yoon-Ho! With this, I'll call today's MBS trip even."

Lee Ji-Yeon had been a huge help during the MBS negotiations. I figured I could ask for more help with three coupons.

"Come on. That's three massage coupons. One visit doesn't cut it. You still owe us two more."

Lee Ji-Yeon smiled, pretending to grumble. "Deal!"

It was a win-win barter for everyone.

***

After receiving five piping-hot fried chickens, six cheese balls, and a set of cold draft beers from the delivery guy, I brought everything up to the living room of Yoo-Jin's second-floor home.

The three writers, Yoo-Jin, and Miso—now in her Powertuff Girls pajamas—were all gathered together chatting away.

I slipped off my shoes at the entrance and raised the plastic bags in both hands. "Let's eat."

Miso threw her arms up. "Chicken time!"

Han Woo-Ju, Kim Soll-Ip, and Yoo-Jin joined in, raising their hands excitedly. Lee Ji-Yeon mimicked them with a grin, lifting her arms too.

That's when Miso got up, bouncing her shoulders and wiggling her hips in a little dance.

『Chicken! Chicken!

Tasty and fattening

Chicken! Chicken!

Tastes better at night

Chicken! Chicken!

Pricier than pork belly

Chicken! Chicken!

But still irresistible

Chicken! Chicken!』

Everyone clapped along and cheered as they watched Miso dance.

"Chicken! Chicken!"

I took the chance to finish taking off my shoes and placed the food down in the living room.

When Miso's song ended, Lee Ji-Yeon called out, "Let's eat!"

Everyone opened the boxes and started setting up. I began unwrapping the pickled radish[1].

Just then, Miso raised a drumstick high and shouted as if she had just remembered something. "Oh, right!"

Yoo-Jin tilted her head. "Miso, what is it?"

Smiling brightly, Miso turned to Yoo-Jin and dropped a shocking line.

"Mommy! Mommy! You know, today at the shoot, some weird lady told Uncle Yoon-Ho she wanted to date him!"

Riiip.

The plastic in my hand tore harder than I meant to.

Drip.

Cold radish juice trickled down the back of my hand. And at the same time, a cold sweat began to slide down my spine.

1. Pickled radish for Korean fried chicken ☜