My Stars Say Your Name | WOOSAN

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The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Wooyoung’s hospital room, casting a gentle glow. Wooyoung was in the middle of his daily check-up, the nurse methodically checking his vitals and noting his progress. Just then, the door opened, and San entered, using a walker for support. Wooyoung’s face lit up with a smile at the sight of him.

"Hey, San!" Wooyoung greeted warmly.

San smiled back, a warmth in his eyes that was becoming familiar. “Hey, Wooyoung. Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all. Come on in.”

San made his way to a chair beside Wooyoung’s bed, settling down with a sigh. The nurse finished her tasks and left, leaving the two men in a comfortable silence. They began to talk about their favorite books and movies, sharing anecdotes and recommendations.

“Have you read ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho?” San asked.

Wooyoung nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! It’s one of my favorites. The journey, the self-discovery, it’s all so inspiring.”

San smiled. “It’s a beautiful story. I always felt connected to Santiago’s journey, the way he learns that the treasure he seeks is within him all along.”

Wooyoung looked thoughtful, then shifted the conversation. “San, can I ask you something serious?”

San’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of curiosity. “Of course, Wooyoung. What’s on your mind?”

Wooyoung took a deep breath. “Do you think people will still remember you as the superstar you once were? I mean, you were such a big deal before… everything happened.”

San’s expression grew somber, but he maintained a gentle smile. “Wooyoung, the world is unfaithful. Humans are unfaithful. Look at my parents. They left me when I needed them the most. The world quickly forgets and moves on. No one stops to remember. Fame is like sand slipping through your fingers. No matter how tightly you hold on, it eventually slips away.”

Wooyoung listened intently, absorbing San’s words.

San continued, “Fame is built with difficulty, through years of hard work and sacrifice. But it fades so easily. People’s attention shifts, new faces emerge, and before you know it, you’re just a memory. The world is ever-changing, and it doesn’t wait for anyone.”

Wooyoung frowned. “That sounds so... disheartening.”

San nodded. “It can be. But it’s also a reminder to live authentically. Fame is fleeting, but the impact we have on the people around us, the kindness we show, those things linger. You see, Wooyoung, even if the world forgets me, the moments I shared with people, the joy I brought, that’s what truly matters.”

Wooyoung’s eyes glistened with understanding. “I guess it’s about the personal connections we make, the memories we create with others.”

San smiled. “Exactly. The world may not remember us as superstars, but the people whose lives we touched, they will. And that’s more meaningful than any fame.”

The room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of San’s words settling in. Wooyoung felt a sense of clarity, a new perspective on life and legacy.

San broke the silence with a lighter tone. “So, what’s your favorite movie?”

Wooyoung chuckled, grateful for the shift in mood. “It’s hard to choose, but I think ‘Inception’ is up there. The complexity, the layers of dreams within dreams, it’s just mind-blowing.”

San grinned. “Great choice. I love movies that make you think, that challenge your perception of reality.”

Their conversation flowed easily from there, touching on various topics, their bond growing stronger with each shared thought and experience. The connection they forged in that room became a testament to the enduring power of human connection, even in the face of forgotten fame and fleeting glory.