After their third NG, Haneul and Taeo find themselves side by side in the corner of the stage.
“Are we just going to be stuck here all day?” Haneul whispers, fighting a smile.
Taeo awkwardly scratches his head. “It’s just… I can’t look at that doll’s hair without losing it.”
From the audience, someone shouts, “Maybe you’re just too comfortable together!”
Both freeze and blush so fast it’s almost impressive.
“N-no, that’s not it!” they reply in unison, almost like they rehearsed.
Su-jin waves from the wings. “If it’s not true, prove it. Go again—no giggling!”
Jimin adds, “Let’s see if you two can actually pull it off this time!”
Haneul bites her lip to stifle a giggle. Taeo takes a dramatic deep breath.
Lights up, they clutch the doll and walk center stage together. Their eyes meet. Haneul mutters, “Seriously, let’s get it right this time.”
Taeo grins back and, totally unscripted, says, “I can’t help it—when you smile, my heart does weird things.”
Haneul freezes, forgetting her next line. The crowd erupts.
A panicked stagehand knocks over a box, and it’s another NG.
Catching each other’s gaze, both burst into laughter.
“Will we ever finish this stage tonight?” Haneul laughs.
Taeo retorts, “Well, if you stop cracking up first, maybe!”
The mood lightens, and from backstage Su-jin teases, “Are you two dating or what?”
Together they shout, “Absolutely not!” but their blushing faces betray them.
As the lights come up again, they brace themselves for one last try. But just as Haneul glances at Taeo, her heart trips over itself one more time.
Will these two ever make it through the scene without another interruption?