Two weeks into filming the movie, Aster was already juggling overlapping schedules—photoshoots, brand endorsement meetings, and now, a surprise invitation to a popular weekend variety show.
He blinked at the email Yanna forwarded to him. "Wait... they want me on the promo roundtable for Burning Sky?"
Yanna nodded with a grin. "Yup. Even if you only had five scenes in that drama, you're blowing up now. They want faces the audience recognizes."
Aster couldn't argue. Ever since his shampoo commercial went viral—and the episode where he calmly solved a chaotic game in a travel variety show—his social media had exploded. Fans were reposting his scenes, calling him "Prince Charming 2.0," and making edits that even he blushed at.
Still, Burning Sky was a project before he came back.
It will air in 2 weeks. In his past life, no one paid much attention to the quiet soldier with the tragic death. Now, it seemed fate had rewritten even that.
The studio was buzzing when he arrived at the filming location for the variety show. A live studio audience, cameras being set up, stylists and makeup artists scurrying around.
"Yo! Look who it is—Mr. Overnight Sensation!"
Aster turned to see Kai, one of the male leads from Burning Sky. Tall, charming, and popular with fans, Kai had always been the face of their press runs.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Kai added with a raised brow, tone teasing but laced with something just a little tight. "Thought only the main cast got these gigs."
Aster smiled, relaxed. "Guess I'm the bonus merch."
A few of the production crew chuckled nearby. Kai's smile tightened.
"I think it's great he's here," said Naomi, another Burning Sky actress, waving from the makeup chair. "Aster's got good variety sense. The audience loves seeing fresh blood."
"Especially good-looking blood," muttered another actor under his breath. Aster caught it but didn't react.
The live taping began smoothly. The hosts were playful and sharp, guiding the cast through a mixture of Q&As, behind-the-scenes trivia, and light-hearted games. When Aster's turn came to reenact a scene from the show—one where his character died dramatically under gunfire—the crowd cheered at the raw emotion in his delivery.
"You know," said the host, nudging his co-host, "he was only in five scenes, but people still cry over that death."
"They even made fan edits of it! Like a whole tragic love arc," the other host chimed in.
Aster laughed along, keeping his cool. But he could feel the envious glances some of the others sent his way.
"Do you have other acting plans now?" one of the hosts asked.
"I do," Aster said, microphone steady in his hand. "It's always been my dream. You'll probably see more of me. Hope you won't be fed up with my face." He teased the audience.
That earned a round of applause and giggles.
Between segments, Aster sat beside Naomi in the break lounge. She handed him a bottle of water. "You're handling this well. You weren't like this before."
"Before?" Aster tilted his head.
"I mean during the drama. You were quiet, reserved. But now—" she grinned, "—you're smooth. Confident. Like you found your footing."
Aster smiled faintly. If only she knew.
In this life, he had found his footing.
After the taping, the cast gathered for a final group shot. As they posed for the camera, a wave of fans outside the studio called out Aster's name.
"Aster! Look over here!"
"Give us a heart!"
"Prince Aster!"
A few of the others flinched at how loud the crowd got.
Kai offered a dry smile. "They really like you, huh?"
"Guess I'm just lucky today," Aster said lightly.
As they left the studio, his phone buzzed.
Adrian:
Saw some clips. You looked good. But that boy is mine.
Aster snorted quietly, typing back.
Aster:
Jealous much?
Adrian:
Possessive. I own that. There's a difference.
The driver opened the car door. Aster slid into the backseat, letting his head fall back against the cushion. Through the tinted window, he watched fans wave goodbye.
Some were holding signs with his name now.
His name.
In the first life, he never even got this far.
Back then, all his variety show appearances were awkward and heavily edited. He was barely promoted, half-forgotten, drowned under the weight of forced marital status, betrayal, and a career that withered before it bloomed.
But this time...
This time, he was being seen.