Hobbyist VTuber

---

A life of wealth with nothing to envy.

A peaceful existence under the protection of a prestigious family.

People who genuinely care for her.

An old friend and fiancé.

Miss Kim Jeong-hyun’s life was one where she had more to lose.

Having just gained Ha-eun, the weight of ‘loss’ was something abstract to her.

Thus, Kim Jeong-hyun’s final emotional line, turning her back on all that was precious and heading to Japan.

The vague emotional line that would mark the end of the drama <The Sunshine> required days of contemplation.

“It’s impossible to act exactly the same. The independence fighters were such remarkable people.”

Baek Tae-hoon responded to Ha-eun’s question about Kim Jeong-hyun’s emotional line.

The unwavering resolve of those who risked their lives for independence is not easily understood.

He said they were great people because they chose paths that were rationally incomprehensible.

“We are ultimately messengers. So, we must first clarify what we want to convey.”

The arduous and sorrowful tale of those who sacrificed everything for their country’s independence.

Instead of forcing Ha-eun to mimic what she couldn’t understand, Baek Tae-hoon advised focusing on the overall theme of <The Sunshine>.

Special people in a harsh reality.

Starting as enemies, they ended up helping each other for something more important.

And in that process emerged.

“Bang! Bang bang!!”

“…Run!”

A struggle to save each other’s lives.

Ha-eun’s expressions, voice, and gestures were already predetermined.

She had seen it all clearly in a past life and slowly followed those footsteps in this life.

“Bang!”

“First, hide until dawn.”

“…Understood.”

Precarious and nerve-wracking scenes.

For the tense moments that would mark the end of <The Sunshine>, Ha-eun had to adjust her acting direction until the very last moment.

What was needed was acting focused on the overall situation.

Pretending to be Park Joo-ho’s wife, entering Japan, assassinating a Japanese official, and then.

Kim Jeong-hyun and Park Joo-ho hiding in a shabby warehouse, evading Japanese soldiers’ bullets.

“As soon as dawn breaks, we’ll head straight to the embassy.”

“But, do we have to stick so close…?”

“Freeze to death if you want to stay apart.”

“…You could speak more kindly….”

To appear both shabby and beautiful.

To clearly understand what the melodrama genre is like, more than ever before.

First, guilt.

Then, shame.

Finally, quietly nestled in the arms of the man who became the object of gratitude and love.

In the end, it’s a drama.

In the end, it’s the actor’s performance, the script’s lines, and the director’s vision.

Thus, even more so, the final image of Kim Jeong-hyun that Ha-eun remembers.

Free yet regretful, sad yet intense, the subtle afterglow of that small giant.

“Swish. Swoosh, swoosh….”

Ha-eun captured it in front of the camera, doing her best in the form of acting she excels at.

<The Sunshine> was a drama that deserved to be called a masterpiece until the very end.

Therefore, a performance worthy of a masterpiece was necessary.

The ‘situation’ crafted by Ha-eun had to ultimately fall within the category of ‘acting.’

Soon, alphabets began to appear on the frost-covered window.

The weak index finger traced a word that eventually revealed itself clearly before Park Joo-ho.

“Lost”

“…Current Joseon has lost its way. Tossed by foreign powers, it doesn’t even know where to head….”

The alphabet L.

What Kim Jeong-hyun had continuously studied before Park Joo-ho in the past.

The letter that initially caused unintended misunderstandings now became Kim Jeong-hyun’s final request.

“…I’m trying to save you, not Joseon.”

“Joseon abandoned you, but you didn’t abandon Joseon…did you…? Or not…?”

It was passed on to Park Joo-ho, who was sharing his warmth with that small back.

The voice that continued to tremble, breaking and struggling to continue.

The naturally fading gaze.

The remaining warmth gradually cooling, more palpable than ever.

Yet, Park Joo-ho didn’t know.

He thought it was just another earnest plea, like any other.

A desperate voice asking him to strive for that damned Joseon, something he had heard countless times.

“Even if we don’t walk together…it’s fine. Just pass by and, with your kindness, take a look.”

He thought it was nothing more than an attempt to persuade Park Joo-ho.

He had no idea that a bullet had lodged in Kim Jeong-hyun’s thigh, that the wound was continuously bleeding.

But.

After the momentary silence ended.

“Tap.”

“…I loved you. Even though I knew I wasn’t worthy….”

A single tear fell, conveying a sincerity that couldn’t be ignored.

The truth that the accumulated gratitude towards Park Joo-ho had unknowingly turned into love.

“…I was happy. Truly. To be your wife, even if just for a while….”

Still looking at the scattered luggage and the window, not at Park Joo-ho behind her.

The young lady, leaning against Park Joo-ho, didn’t turn around.

Because, hoping for an answer.

Wanting Park Joo-ho to accept Kim Jeong-hyun’s personal feelings was purely her own selfish desire.

She just conveyed.

Conveying the feelings she had kept inside for so long was the right way to end it.

However, unlike Kim Jeong-hyun.

“Swish. Swoosh….”

Park Joo-ho’s hand, slowly reaching towards the window, didn’t remain silent.

Soon, a small curve was drawn over Kim Jeong-hyun’s “Lost.”

“Lose”

“…I lost. You’re a woman I just can’t…win against.”

For a moment, her breath stopped at the calm voice from behind.

Yet, without any concern, the American’s hand overlapped with Kim Jeong-hyun’s.

Kim Jeong-hyun’s gaze was still forward, not backward.

Because she couldn’t let Park Joo-ho see her pale complexion.

Because she couldn’t let Park Joo-ho suffer in vain to save her already doomed self.

But, she couldn’t let go of the hand that was softly yet firmly holding hers.

Even if it was just selfishness, even if just for a moment.

Even if just for a fleeting moment.

“Tap. Tap, tap….”

“…I’m sorry…. Really, I’m sorry….”

She truly wanted to be with Park Joo-ho.

With a tearful voice, she answered Park Joo-ho’s heart.

And so, time passed.

The dark night sky gradually turned into the blue of dawn.

The sun rose over the horizon, turning the blue dawn sky into a deep yellow.

Not long after, sunlight streamed through the small warehouse window.

Warmly shining down on the two, Park Joo-ho opened his mouth to say they should head to the U.S. embassy soon.

“Thud.”

The hand that had been holding Kim Jeong-hyun’s weakly fell to the wooden floor of the warehouse.

Only then could he face the massive bleeding from Kim Jeong-hyun.

“…Hey.”

The single call with a clear destination went unanswered.

Naturally, his hand began to tremble.

“I said I lost. So, why….”

“Thud. Thud.”

“…This can’t be. You can’t do this…can you…?”

The reddened eyes gazed hazily at the already closed eyes.

The warmth in liquid form falling onto Kim Jeong-hyun’s black suit, covered in dust.

Yet, the slowly zooming-out scene gradually moved away, ending with Park Joo-ho’s head bowed towards Kim Jeong-hyun.

Not long after, the scene captured the entire shabby warehouse, not the two protagonists.

The quiet background music that had started playing heightened the bitter atmosphere.

The scene gradually shifted locations.

The places Kim Jeong-hyun had passed through were shown one after another, finally arriving in Joseon across the sea.

Soon, the screen filled with the familiar faces of many.

Thus, the images of the numerous people Kim Jeong-hyun had connected with in <The Sunshine> unfolded again and again.

“Swish.”

“…A butterfly?”

A white butterfly flew to Hwang Tae-seong, sitting alone in a vast tiled house.

After seemingly looking at Hwang Tae-seong, the butterfly soon spread its wings and flew high into the sky.

What followed were scenes akin to the epilogue of <The Sunshine>.

It showed how Park Joo-ho, unable to refuse Kim Jeong-hyun’s final request, lived on, and how Joseon fared afterward.

And finally.

At the moment <The Sunshine> drew its final period.

“Swish.”

“………….”

The photo of Kim Jeong-hyun and Park Joo-ho, taken long ago to pretend to be a married couple, briefly appeared.

Park Joo-ho’s gaze, silently looking at it, was filled with memories of the past.

“Director Kwon, the ratings….”

“27.4 percent. …I thought such numbers were only possible on public broadcasts.”

“It’s thanks to everyone. Good job, everyone.”

With unforgettable moments that couldn’t be returned to, <The Sunshine> was completely concluded.

The internet naturally buzzed with the drama ending in a sad ending, not a happy one.

Across SNS and communities, discussions about the final episode of <The Sunshine> spread.

Yet, the absence of harsh criticism was proof of the drama’s excellence.

However, because Ha-eun’s final performance was deeply etched in people’s minds.

Interest in Lee Ha-eun soared even higher.

Perhaps that’s why.

[ Pinocchio (피노키오) _

One day in spring (봄의 어느날) ]

Pinocchio’s new album, released the day after the final episode of <The Sunshine>.

Especially the title track 『One Day in Spring』 music video briefly topped the trending videos.

The unique clear vocals, non-stimulating lyrics, and various factors contributed to the album’s success.

But the lingering impact of <The Sunshine>, not yet fully faded, evoked a nostalgic effect, reminiscing about memories.

Ha-eun, walking the streets in a school uniform.

The school days everyone had.

“♪You and I─♬ Will we ever think it’s okay─♬”

It also made people imagine the hypothetical future where Kim Jeong-hyun, the girl, became ordinarily happy.

Ending in a sad ending, the lingering impact kept people’s attention focused.

This was the same for Na-el, a fervent fan of <The Sunshine>.

Ha-eun’s 『One Day in Spring』 was always included in her playlist.

However, at least for now.

“♪─────♬”

She never imagined that a dream-like moment would come, listening to Lee Ha-eun and Wonderland Broadcasting’s after-party.

Especially listening to 『One Day in Spring』 live right in front of her.

“…I could die happy now….”

“Th-that’s a bit….”

 

---