Chapter 10
…This wasn’t a diary.
In fact, one of the pages was completely filled with the same sentence over and over again.
Even flipping to the next page, the content was nearly identical.
It said:
– I’m going to win first place in this competition. I’m going to win first place in this competition. I’m going to win first place…
What in the world?
I let out a small, incredulous laugh.
So I was like this, huh?
Was this the so-called Law of Attraction or something?
I turned to the next page.
And then—
– This time, I’ll definitely beat Haehwoo.
…Haehwoo? Who’s that?
Judging by the context, it’s definitely a name, but…
Frustrated, I tapped my head a couple of times.
Telling it to hurry up and work.
But there was no progress.
Well, it’s not like I can force it.
I only recently woke up from a coma—maybe it’ll come to me soon.
And according to my uncle, although I won occasionally, I came in second place more often.
Which means… maybe this Haehwoo guy was the one who always got first.
Anyway, that aside—
If this really was the Law of Attraction at work…
Then maybe it did come true, in the end.
Since I can remember my past life now.
‘Looks like I really wanted it badly.’
Seeing how far I went with this…
I carefully closed my secret notebook(?) and congratulated myself inwardly for succeeding with the Law of Attraction.
“…?”
Now that I say it like that, I sound like a third person. Whatever—sometimes I get confused like this.
I guess I’ll adjust with time.
Maybe because of the earlier surprise, the headache had cleared up a bit.
It was probably time to take a shower.
Clack—
When I opened the door and stepped out, the two freeloaders were laughing at the TV.
They get along, then fight, then make up again.
Their relationship was kind of complicated.
I thought about sitting with them and watching for a bit, but ended up heading to the bathroom instead.
Ssshh—
Warm water streamed from the showerhead as I closed my eyes.
It felt like the fatigue was being washed away.
Did I always like showers this much?
Probably.
If not, I wouldn’t be standing here this long.
Even after a long shower, my uncle was still laughing in front of the TV. Dad had gone to his room.
Come to think of it—wasn’t my uncle supposed to be job-hunting?
Hmm… maybe not.
“Is it funny?”
“Yeah. Wanna watch with me?”
“Nope.”
“……”
I was just tired, that’s all.
We had filmed for quite a while today.
I was about to head to my room, then paused.
Suddenly turned around.
I went to my parents’ room.
“Hmm? Hyeseong, what is it?”
Mom, with a sheet mask on, peeked out her face.
“I’m trying to sleep, but it’s a bit noisy outside.”
“…What?! He’s still watching TV?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
At last, things started to settle down.
The conversation from outside was kind of entertaining.
“Just let me finish this episode…”
“Do you know what time it is?! Turn it off!”
“It’s almost done…”
“5, 4…”
“Okay, okay. I’ll turn it off and go in.”
Yeah, I get it now.
There’s a definite hierarchy in this house.
Lights off, I lay in bed.
As soon as I closed my eyes, drowsiness washed over me.
Just when I felt like I’d drift off and wake up to morning light—
A sharp thought pierced my brain.
Oh.
Come to think of it…
Why did I fall into a coma?
Was it an accident? Or did I collapse again from dizziness?
I couldn’t remember anything at all.
But I was way too tired to care right now.
I’ll ask tomorrow.
* * *
Author Park Eun-kyung woke to the ringing of her phone early in the morning. The caller ID flashed the name of PD Seo Gyo-il from the drama division.
“Yes, PD-nim.”
The moment she answered, it was about child actor casting.
Despite a week of auditions, they hadn’t found a suitable candidate.
“They were all about the same?”
For the first three days, Park Eun-kyung had personally participated in the auditions.
But being so busy, she’d had to leave, after giving very specific guidelines.
The problem was—
– You know we’ve looked everywhere, not just among child actors, but among middle and high school piano majors nationwide.
The criteria were just too strict.
With a sigh, Park Eun-kyung got out of bed.
As she smoothed her tangled curls on the pillow, she looked out the window.
November Waltz was her first attempt at a musical drama in 15 years of writing.
A classical music piece—layered with romance.
“Really? Not a single one among the music majors? I said acting wasn’t the main concern. There aren’t even that many lines in that scene.”
– The kids are all great at playing, but the problem is camera presence. They just don’t look like a younger version of Inwoo.
That was important too. She nodded.
Inwoo was the male lead of November Waltz—a top star playing the role of a genius pianist.
The child actor had to resemble him to some extent.
It might sound harsh, but that’s reality.
– Honestly, you’re being a little too picky. You want both looks and skill. Either that or do a close-up and use a hand double.
“PD-nim, there’s no negotiating on this.”
There was a firm edge to her voice.
Her perfectionism was well known in the industry.
But this wasn’t just stubbornness.
“You realize the piano scene in the flashback is the biggest payoff moment in the whole series, right?”
She walked to the living room and opened her laptop.
Profiles from the past week appeared—handsome kids with modeling experience, piano competition winners, and child actors pushed by their agencies claiming “our kid plays piano well.”
‘Plays well, my foot.’
She winced, remembering the disappointment.
Inwoo’s character was supposed to be a genius—not someone who just knew a few New Age pieces.
The agencies were just trying to use her name to get their kids in.
– So what now? We don’t have much time.
Seo PD’s voice was full of urgency.
The production deadline was looming.
– Writer Park, about rewriting the script…
“No. Absolutely not.”
She rejected the idea instantly.
The protagonist’s childhood piano scenes were essential for the emotional weight of the story.
– We’ll have to decide soon.
Park Eun-kyung covered her face with her palm.
If it were up to her, she’d postpone the show just to find the right child actor.
But reality wouldn’t allow that.
“Let’s just keep looking a little bit longer.”
– Sigh…
Just then, an email notification popped up.
New candidates from the casting director.
“…Maybe I really am being too picky.”
She muttered to herself—but Seo PD jumped in to agree.
She closed the laptop.
Morning sunlight poured through the window.
Had it gotten this late already?
She got up and started making coffee.
“PD-nim, let’s have a meeting this afternoon.”
– A meeting?
“I want to review the profiles myself.”
– Weren’t you busy with writing?
“I am, but I can’t focus until this is resolved.”
– Alright. Come by around lunch.
She hung up.
Then she asked herself—
Why was she so obsessed with getting this casting perfect?
November Waltz was already a hot topic. A top star’s comeback, and her new project—expectations were sky-high.
People in the industry were already predicting double-digit ratings.
Was that why?
Because of the pressure and attention?
No.
This drama meant more than just another hit.
It was about healing through music—about talent and destiny.
She’d carried this idea with her since she was a junior writer.
And the flashback scene… it was the heart of that story.
Even for a one-time appearance, the casting had to be perfect.
“Ugh… this is driving me nuts…”
* * *
At that moment—
“My sweet grandbaby, my grandbaby…”
My maternal grandmother, hunched over, greeted me with teary eyes.
I had visited my maternal side to say hello after waking from the coma.
The moment she saw me, she cried nonstop, rubbing my cheek.
“Heuk… uhuuk…”
It feels wrong to say, but to be honest—
From my perspective, it was a total stranger rubbing my face.
I didn’t remember her at all.
Even seeing her now—nothing.
And yet—
“Grandma, I’m okay now.”
“…Really?”
I pretended to remember.
Just because… I wanted to.
“Yes, really. How about you, Grandma?”
“…Eh?”
“Your leg was bothering you, right?”
I said it after spotting the elderly walker in the living room.
Four wheels, with handles for support.
Judging by the worn-out grip, she’d been using it since before I fell into the coma.
“…I’m fine, I’m fine…”
My family looked on warmly.
As if touched that I remembered.
Luckily, it went over well.
“Don’t you ever get sick again, alright?”
“Of course.”
“Good…”
Her wrinkled hand finally left my cheek.
Her warmth still lingered.
“It’s not your fault, so stay strong…”
It was then that Mom and Uncle quickly cut her off.
“Uh, Mom!”
“…Didn’t you say you made something tasty for Hyeseong? Let’s eat. He must be starving after the long trip from Seoul.”
Huh. What was that?
Grandma headed to the kitchen.
Mom and Uncle followed. Dad stared out the veranda in silence.
Soon, we were all seated at the table.
Steam rose from the stew.
Pumpkin pancakes sizzled golden brown.
There was homemade kimchi and pickled peppers too.
So much food…
The glazed braised fish fell apart at the touch of chopsticks.
I tried a bit of everything and said to Grandma:
“Your cooking is still the best, Grandma.”
Still.
“That’s right, you’ve always loved her cooking.”
“Remember when you tried my food and said it didn’t taste like Grandma’s and made a fuss?”
“Did I eat a lot?”
Yeah, that sounds about right.
After we finished eating, Grandma stood up.
“Heave-ho.”
“Where are you going?”
“Gotta bring out your favorite sweet rice drink.”
So I liked sikhye too, huh?
I felt like my memories were slowly returning.
“Sit down, it’s just right over there.”
She stopped Uncle from getting up and headed to the kitchen.
While we waited, the family chatted like always.
“Who’s the better cook? Grandma or bro-in-law?”
“Grandma.”
“…Son?”
“There’s definitely a difference.”
“…Guess I better step up.”
Uncle laughed.
It stopped only after Dad said, “Don’t even think about moving back to Seoul.”
He tried to play it off by sipping water.
Oh, right.
There was something I meant to ask.
“Hey, I’m curious about something.”
“Why your uncle’s cooking is so bad?”
“Stay here forever, will you?”
“Aw, come on~”
I said:
“How did I end up in a coma, anyway?”
Until just a moment ago, the room was filled with laughter.
But in that instant—
“……”
“……”
A heavy silence fell.
