SUMMARY: after a long first week of filming, things between you and sunghoon start to feel a little less awkward—until a sudden schedule change forces you to spend more time with another co-star, and you realize not everything on set is as simple as it seemed at the start.
PAIRING: idol!sunghoon x actress!reader
CONTENT CONTAINS: slow burn, jealousy tension, industry au, emotional discomfort, developing relationship, implied romantic tension
A/N: i’ve been obsessed with actor/idol aus lately and the idea of sunghoon acting in a romance drama just refused to leave my brain 😭 this is going to be a slow burn series so things start off a little awkward on purpose… trust the process
Acting wasn’t anything new to you.
After years in the industry, script readings had become second nature. You’d attended more than you could count, sitting through countless introductions, table reads, and production meetings. Some projects turned into career highlights, while others became distant memories the moment filming wrapped. As you stepped into the conference room for your newest drama, you weren’t entirely sure which category this one would fall into.
The room was already buzzing with conversation. Staff members moved between tables carrying paperwork while actors greeted one another, some meeting for the first time and others reuniting after previous projects. You offered polite bows to familiar faces as you made your way inside, searching for your assigned seat.
That’s when you spotted him.
You knew who he was, of course. Anyone living in South Korea knew who he was. Between ENHYPEN’s success and his growing popularity outside of music, his face wasn’t exactly easy to miss. Still, this would be the first time you’d ever actually worked together.
You’d expected him to be surrounded by people.
Instead, he sat quietly in his chair, script already open in front of him. He looked focused. Maybe a little nervous.
As if sensing your gaze, he glanced up.
For a brief moment, your eyes met.
Both of you immediately bowed.
The interaction lasted less than two seconds.
Yet somehow it managed to be awkward.
You quickly looked away and continued toward your seat, only to realize your assigned spot happened to be directly beside him.
The script reading began shortly afterward, saving both of you from any forced small talk. For the next couple of hours, the cast worked through the drama scene by scene while the writers and director occasionally paused to explain certain details. You found yourself paying more attention to Sunghoon than you’d expected.
This would be his first major acting role, and while there were moments where his nerves showed, he was surprisingly prepared. Every line had notes written beside it. Entire sections of the script were highlighted. Whenever the director offered feedback, he listened carefully before immediately applying it.
It was obvious he was taking this seriously.
By the time the reading ended, the room felt considerably lighter than before. Conversations started up again as people packed their belongings and discussed upcoming filming schedules. You were gathering your things when a voice beside you caught your attention.
Sunghoon looked almost as surprised as you did.
A small smile appeared on your face.
His ears immediately turned pink.
Neither of you said anything after that.
Not because the conversation was over.
More because neither of you seemed to know where to take it next.
A manager called his name moments later, effectively ending the interaction before either of you could figure it out.
Still, as you left the building that afternoon, you found yourself smiling slightly.
The conversation had lasted all of ten seconds.
The first few weeks of filming passed faster than expected.
Like every production, there was an adjustment period. Long hours became normal. Early call times became routine. Most days blurred together between filming, interviews, script revisions, and promotional content.
You and Sunghoon remained friendly, though neither of you had quite moved beyond awkwardness yet.
The first romantic scene the two of you filmed was proof of that.
The scene itself wasn’t difficult. It was a simple conversation between your characters, meant to establish emotional tension before the romance truly began. Yet somehow both of you managed to make it look like two strangers being forced to sit together during a group project.
The director noticed immediately.
“So,” he said after calling cut for the third time, “are we filming a romance drama, or should I tell the writers to switch genres?”
The entire set burst into laughter.
You immediately covered your face.
Across from you, Sunghoon looked equally embarrassed.
That only made everyone laugh harder.
For the first time, you heard him genuinely laugh too.
The sound caught you off guard.
Not because it was unusual, but because it felt natural. Relaxed. Like he’d forgotten about cameras and expectations for a second.
Something seemed to shift after that.
Not overnight, and not enough for anyone else to notice, but enough for the two of you.
The conversations became easier. The awkward silences became shorter. Questions about filming slowly turned into discussions about music, favorite foods, funny filming stories, and whatever happened to come up between takes. There were still moments where neither of you knew what to say, but they no longer felt uncomfortable.
As filming wrapped for the day a few weeks later, you found yourself walking toward your car with a small smile on your face.
For the first time since production had started, you realized you were actually looking forward to coming back tomorrow.
And for reasons you weren’t quite ready to admit, that realization had a lot to do with Park Sunghoon.
more parts coming VERY soon i promise :)
