Legendary Superstar-Chapter 153: Cheer Up

"Hays…"

Minjae was sitting in the passenger seat of Donghyun’s car. His gaze was fixed outside the window as they passed by multiple tall buildings. Outside, the sky was cloudy. The sun was also starting to set, even though it was still early.

Minjae’s manager, Donghyun, sat in the driver’s seat, his one hand was on the wheel while the other one was holding onto a takeaway coffee, taking a few sips. He glanced sideways at Minjae, noticing the unusually quiet energy.

"You’re still thinking about it, huh?" Donghyun asked in a low voice. He was worried about it. He knew that it must have been hard for Minjae, especially since it was the first role he auditioned to that rejected him.

Minjae didn’t answer Donghyun at first. His fingers drummed lightly on his thigh, thinking hard.

"It’s hard not to," Minjae let out a small sigh. He could feel his heart aching. He didn’t know that it was this bad to feel rejected. Somehow, it was disheartening.

He knew he did his best. He knew he performed well. But, oh well, maybe it wasn’t really for him.

"I really wanted that role."

"I know. You worked hard for it." Donghyun nodded, as if he expected the answer.

Somehow, he sympathizes with him. Minjae was still young, and it was his first rejection. It may take long time, but he thought that, after a while, Minjae would also get used to it.

"Oh well, guess my audition wasn’t enough." Minjae leaned back in the seat and let out a dry chuckle.

"Minjae," Donghyun said firmly as he placed the coffee in the cup holder before looking at him again. "This is the industry. Sometimes, even if you’re the best one in the room, someone else gets the part. It’s not always about talent. There’s also timing and a lot of factors that they consider."

Minjae didn’t respond to it. He knew those things. But still, it felt new to be rejected. It was something that he didn’t know he’d experience.

Maybe he had gotten too comfortable that he forgot that there were a lot of talented individuals in the industry, those who were already established.

"I’m not saying it doesn’t suck," Donghyun added after a beat of silence. "But don’t let this one loss cloud what’s ahead of you. We’ve got a drama airing in less than a month. You’ve got a good role, and more than that, it’s your first lead."

Minjae’s lips twitched slightly.

"Well, yeah."

"That’s why you should cheer up." Donghyun replied quickly, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "The people are crazy about you. You know that, right? What’s important is that you’re growing. You have a long way to go."

"You think it’s enough?" Minjae finally turned his head to face him.

It made him think a lot about whether he was doing well.

"Yup. Just look at you. You’re drama hasn’t even aired, and your followers are already soaring high. You even got fan clubs and a line of offers from different endorsements." Donghyun smirked.

"I know for sure that you’ll get your Hwarang drama moment someday. But maybe just not this time."

That made Minjae smile, just a little.

"Yeah. Well, I’m also not mad that Seungmin got it," he murmured. "He deserves it. He’s worked hard too."

Donghyun glanced at him, noticing the soft tone in Minjae’s voice. There wasn’t any bitterness. He just said it with quiet and acceptance, and maybe a trace of respect.

"I mean it," Minjae added, his eyes flickering back to the window. "Seungmin… he deserves the role."

There was something else in the way Minjae said it. It was as if, on a deeper note, he knew who he was.

Donghyun raised a brow, catching the shift in his voice.

"You’re his fan or something?" He asked, followed by a short laugh.

Minjae shook his head slightly. "Not really."

Minjae let out a faint laugh under his breath.

"It’s just… I’ve seen his work. I’ve seen his passion. His drive. The way he always gives everything to every role, no matter how small it is."

"So, you’re a fan." Donghyun shook his head before laughing it off. "It’s fine to admit that. It’s not that bad. We’re all a fan of someone, you know."

Minjae gave a small smile but didn’t respond right away. His fingers, still resting on his thigh, curled lightly into a fist as he looked back out the window, watching the light dim between the tall buildings.

"I’m not a fan," he said again, softer this time. "It’s just… I know what kind of actor he is."

Donghyun glanced at him, waiting for more.

"I’ve just seen his work before," Minjae added simply, his tone neutral while his eyes fixed outside. There was something unspoken beneath his words, something heavier that Donghyun couldn’t quite point out.

Donghyun let out a breath and smiled a little.

"Well, that’s a lot of praise coming from you. Didn’t think you paid that much attention to other actors."

Minjae shrugged lightly. "I pay attention to people who deserve it."

"Well, at least Sooyun didn’t get the role. Can you imagine the look on your face if he did?" Donghyun let out a short laugh.

"Oh, come on." That made Minjae turn his head, lips twitching as if holding back a laugh. ’Yeah. It would be worse for us."

Donghyun laughed heartily, tapping the steering wheel with his fingers.

"Exactly! So cheer up now, will you? I don’t think I can handle a sulky Minjae for the rest of the day."

Minjae shook his head lightly, the smallest smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He didn’t say much. The ache in his chest hadn’t disappeared completely, but it felt a little lighter now.

"And hey, don’t forget about tomorrow." Donghyun took another sip of his coffee before glancing at him again.

Minjae raised an eyebrow. "What’s tomorrow?"

"We’ve got that meeting with Lux & Co., they said they want to discuss something. A good news maybe."