Admiration

Chapter 1 : Supreme Queen

"Yoo Joonghyuk, what was your journey to stardom like? Could you share some advice for aspiring actors?"

"Yoo Joonghyuk, please tell us about your self-care routine! How do you maintain your flawless skin and energy?"

The questions flew at her from every direction, each interviewer and paparazzo vying for her attention. But Yoo Joonghyuk remained silent, her eyes cold and distant as she pushed through the crowd, the roar of their voices growing more chaotic. She slipped into the back seat of her car, the door shutting with a final thud, silencing the noise outside.

As the driver pulled away, she leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment. The tension in her shoulders seemed to melt away, but the exhaustion lingered. With a heavy sigh, she muttered to herself, "Hah... damn it, dealing with people is so damn exhausting." Her voice was laced with frustration, a rare crack in her usually unshakable composure.

The car smoothly merged into traffic, the city lights flickering by in a blur. Yoo Joonghyuk stared out of the window, her reflection faintly visible against the darkened glass. The silence inside the car was almost comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos she had just escaped.

The driver, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. He had driven her countless times before, and though he was used to her silence, today she seemed more drained than usual.

"Rough day, Miss Yoo?" he asked, his voice gentle yet respectful, aware of her usual preference for silence.

Yoo Joonghyuk opened her eyes and met his gaze in the mirror. She hesitated for a moment, then responded, her tone slightly softer than before. "You could say that. People can be... exhausting."

He nodded, understanding. "I can only imagine. You deal with so many of them every day. It must be hard to keep up that facade all the time."

A small, bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "It is. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s all worth it."

The driver didn’t reply immediately, carefully navigating the car through a busy intersection. After a moment, he spoke again, his words thoughtful. "You know, Miss Yoo, I’ve seen many people come and go in this industry. But you... you have something different. You don’t just act—you embody every role, every moment. That’s what makes you stand out."

Yoo Joonghyuk was silent for a moment, his words sinking in. She wasn’t one for compliments, but there was something sincere in his tone that made her pause. "Thank you," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The driver smiled, a subtle warmth in his expression. "Of course, Miss Yoo. Just remember to take care of yourself too. Fame isn’t worth it if you lose yourself along the way."

She leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes once more. "I’ll try," she murmured, her voice fading as she let the comfort of the car and the steady rhythm of the road lull her into a rare moment of peace.

The car continued to glide through the city streets, eventually leaving behind the bustling heart of the city. The scenery outside began to change, the lights dimming as they approached a more secluded area. Yoo Joonghyuk opened her eyes just as they turned onto a quiet, tree-lined street. The sign ahead read Underworld Co., a nondescript building with a sleek, modern design that hid its true purpose from the world.

The driver slowed to a stop in front of the entrance, the headlights briefly illuminating the glass doors. "We’re here, Miss Yoo," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror once more.

Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, gathering herself before stepping out of the car. "Thank you," she said, her voice steadier now.

"Anytime, Miss Yoo. I'll be waiting here," the driver replied, tipping his hat slightly as she exited the vehicle.