Article Excerpt – KDrama World Insider

Kang Hana, Lee Junho, and Seo Jisoo Cast in New Melodrama: Sparks Expected On and Off Screen!

The upcoming drama Between the Lights has fans buzzing with excitement, as beloved actress Kang Hana, who first captured hearts as a child star, reunites with international sensation Lee Junho. The two starred together in the iconic drama Snow's Promise over a decade ago, and their childhood bond has fueled fan anticipation for their on-screen reunion. But it's not just their history that has viewers talking—rising star Seo Jisoo, known for his magnetic charm and charismatic roles, will complete the love triangle that has already drawn attention from the media.

The drama, set to be directed by renowned filmmaker Park Minjoon, explores themes of rekindled first love, rivalry, and the struggle between personal desires and public personas. With Kang Hana's calm, composed image and Lee Junho's mysterious global allure, combined with Seo Jisoo's unpredictable energy, fans are gearing up for a rollercoaster of emotions. The chemistry between the leads is already palpable in the teasers, and rumors are swirling about potential off-screen sparks.

With all three actors' popularity at an all-time high, Between the Lights is expected to be the next big hit in Korean melodramas, cementing Kang Hana's status as Korea's "Winter Blossom," a title she's worn gracefully throughout her career. Will their off-screen history translate into on-screen magic? The nation can't wait to find out.

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The flash of the camera brings me back to reality, though I've never really escaped the grip of the lights. The makeup artist dabs a bit more powder on my face, barely touching my skin, and steps back. Her eyes sweep over me, checking for flaws, but I know there's nothing left to adjust. I've been sitting here for almost an hour, poised, every angle calculated.

It's just another day as the face of Everly Cosmetics, another shoot where they expect me to exude effortless elegance. Another day where my face is all that matters.

"Beautiful, Hana-ssi. Absolutely perfect." The photographer's voice is muffled behind the lens as he takes another burst of shots. I give him a small, polite smile—my go-to expression in these moments. Not too wide, not too soft. The exact balance they've come to expect from Korea's Winter Blossom. I don't remember the last time I smiled for real.

The assistant holds up a mirror, but I wave it away. I already know how I look. The face everyone sees—the perfectly crafted, polished version of Kang Hana that the world admires. Yet, today, something feels off. The headline from this morning's article plays on a loop in my mind. Sparks Expected On and Off Screen. The words don't sit well with me. They never do.

Junho is back. And Jisoo... well, he's always been there, hovering at the edge of my life like a shadow I can't quite shake. The idea of being caught between them—both in the drama and in real life—feels almost absurd. Almost.

"Take five," the photographer calls, finally lowering his camera.

I stand, my body moving automatically as I step out of the lights. Someone hands me a bottle of water, I thank them with a small nod, an walk into the makeup area. My phone buzzes on the table beside me, and I glance at it—another message from Soo-Yeon, no doubt about the upcoming press conference. But before I can reach for it, my thoughts drift back to the article, and the reunion looming over me like a storm cloud.

How am I supposed to act when I see him again? The boy who was once my first love, now a man the entire world wants?

I stare at the water bottle for a second, lost in my thoughts about Junho and the ridiculous way the media insists on turning our childhood into some kind of fairy tale. My fingers tighten around the bottle cap as I twist it open, but my grip is too tight, and the cap slips out of my hand with a loud clink on the floor.

Of course. Perfectly poised Winter Blossom can't even open a bottle without messing up today.

"Hana-ssi, are you okay?" one of the assistants asks, rushing over like I just shattered a priceless vase. I wave them off quickly.

"I'm fine. Just... distracted."

Distracted? More like haunted. Junho's return isn't just a small bump in the road—it's a full-blown collision of past and present, and somehow, I'm expected to keep smiling and posing through it all. The fact that Seo Jisoo is also involved just makes the whole situation feel like some kind of cosmic joke. And of course, the universe didn't stop there. No, they've gone ahead and cast all three of us in a melodrama together. Perfect.

I sink into a chair in the makeup area, tapping my phone to see Soo-Yeon's message.

Soo-Yeon [1:32PM]:
"Confirmed! Press conference next Monday. You, Junho, and Jisoo will be seated together. Prepare for chaos, haha! Fighting, unnie 💪💖"

I close my eyes and rub my temples. Chaos? That's one way to put it. The media will be frothing at the mouth to catch even the smallest hint of tension between us. They'll probably analyze every glance, every word, every breath. And to top it all off, Jisoo will probably make one of his inappropriate jokes—because why wouldn't he? He thrives on stirring the pot.

I can already imagine it: Junho, with that quiet, cool demeanor of his, acting like nothing has changed. Meanwhile, Jisoo will probably lean over during the press conference, smirk, and say something like, "Hana, which one of us looks better in real life? Be honest."

I groan aloud, shaking the ridiculous image out of my head, just as someone knocks on the dressing room door.

"Come in," I call, half expecting another assistant with a handful of Everly's signature snow bloom lip glosses. But instead, it's my manager, Soo-Yeon, with her usual whirlwind energy, grinning as she saunters in.

"Well, well, well. Look at you, already getting stressed over a little love triangle, huh?" She plops down beside me, flipping her phone open like she's about to spill some hot gossip. "Don't worry, unnie. If it gets too dramatic, just make sure to act surprised in front of the cameras. Maybe throw a shoe at Jisoo. The audience will love it."

I roll my eyes but can't help the small laugh that escapes. "A shoe? Really?"

"Or better yet," she says, leaning in conspiratorially, "just sigh dramatically, lock eyes with Junho, and whisper, 'Oppa... I've never moved on.' Trust me, ratings will skyrocket."

"Very helpful, thank you," I reply, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Should I also faint for dramatic effect?"

Soo-Yeon grins. "If you could manage a single tear running down your cheek without smudging the makeup, we might be able to land you another brand deal. Waterproof mascara this time."

I chuckle, but even as I laugh, the knot in my stomach tightens again. The reality of facing Junho and Jisoo—both on and off camera—is creeping up faster than I'd like. And while Soo-Yeon's jokes help lighten the mood, I know that when the time comes, no amount of sarcasm or dry humor will protect me from the storm that's brewing.

I sip my water, hoping that maybe—just maybe—the cameras will miss the awkward moments I know are bound to come. But who am I kidding? I'm an actress. Awkward is just part of the job.

Soo-Yeon stretches her legs out in front of her, scrolling through her phone as she smirks. "Speaking of awkward moments, did you see the fan theories flying around online?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Please, no."

"Oh yes," she says, grinning like a cat who's caught the juiciest mouse. "Apparently, there's a whole thread dedicated to speculating which one of them—Junho or Jisoo—you'll end up with in real life. They're even placing bets. Jisoo's ahead by a landslide, by the way."

"What? Jisoo?" I almost choke on my water. "Why him?"

"Well, it's obvious, unnie," Soo-Yeon says, flipping her hair dramatically. "The man has been trying to flirt with you for years. Even netizens know he's all over you, and now with you two starring together in a love triangle? Oh, they're eating it up."

I can't help but groan. This is my life now.

"I don't even understand how people can read so much into every interaction. It's acting. That's it."

Soo-Yeon snorts. "Sure, it's just acting... except for the fact that Jisoo acts like a lovesick puppy every time you're within a ten-foot radius. He basically wrote his name on the betting board himself."

I sigh, pressing my palms against my cheeks in frustration. "He's just... Jisoo. He's like that with everyone."

"With everyone?" Soo-Yeon gives me a deadpan look. "Does he text 'good morning, queen' to everyone at 6 a.m. every day?"

I blink. "He doesn't do that."

I think.

"Right, unnie. Sure. Because last time I checked, 'everyone' wasn't getting heart emojis on the regular."

I laugh, despite myself, but I can't deny the anxiety swirling in my stomach. Junho's return, Jisoo's persistent flirting, the upcoming drama, the press conference. Everything feels like it's moving faster than I can keep up with.

"Junho's different, though," I murmur, more to myself than to Soo-Yeon.

Her teasing expression softens slightly, and she looks at me with concern. "Are you nervous about seeing him again?"

I hesitate. "It's been... a long time. We haven't really spoken since he left for the States."

Soo-Yeon sighs, leaning back in her chair. "Well, brace yourself, because the public is going to feast on this reunion. The whole 'first love' angle? They'll be digging up clips from Snow's Promise before you know it, comparing every glance, every smile. And Jisoo will be right there, throwing gasoline on the fire."

I rub my forehead. "Great. Just what I needed. An all-you-can-eat buffet of my personal life."

Before Soo-Yeon can say something snarky, the photographer reappears, clapping his hands. "Alright, everyone! Back to set! Hana-ssi, we need you back under the lights. Let's capture that Winter Blossom magic!"

I stand up, smoothing down my dress as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The composed, calm face of Kang Hana stares back at me, the one the world knows. The one I'm supposed to be. I put on my best smile—cool, serene, flawless.

But underneath, there's a storm brewing, one I can't quite control. And soon enough, I'll have to face it.

Junho. Jisoo. The drama. The media. The weight of it all presses down on me, but I take a deep breath and step back under the lights. Because that's what I do. I perform.

Even when I don't have all the answers.

The camera flashes once more, and I slip back into character.