The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

[Astrid Townsend v: Hello everyone, this is Astrid and I will be playing the role of 'Luan Escanor' in the upcoming TV show adaptation of [The Great War]. I was fortunate enough to be selected to be part of this wonderful show together with many amazing and talented cast and crews. It's really been an honor to be part of a production of this magnitude. Please, look forward to the show. [The Great War] team, fighting! ^^]

His followers, which now had reached more than seven million, started to comment below his post.

[Waa... congratulations, Aster! I'm so happy for you!]

[You deserve this blessing! I'm rooting for you, Aster! Fighting!~]

[When it was announced that the adaptation for <The Great War> had been greenlit, I never thought that you would be chosen to play Luan Escanor. But I can definitely see the vision of choosing Astrid. It's a good choice.]

[I can't believe I can finally watch Aster in a weekly program. I'm so excited to watch <The Great War> from next week!]

[Aster, don't listen to any negative comments online. Many of us believe in you. Fighting!~]

There were many more comments of congratulations posted under Astrid's post. Most of them seemed to have adapted the phrase 'fighting!' and used it to cheer him on.

When Astrid read those comments, he couldn't help but feel warm inside. Because it was the phrase he used in the first variety program he appeared in. Them using it like this meant that they had been his face since or maybe even earlier than that. Not only that, they were also calling him by his nickname.

He was happy knowing that the people following him on [Cyberspace] were now starting to be composed of real fans and not just someone who followed him for his face or anything similar.

Aside from the fact that having people truly support him felt amazing, having fans who would be there with him and follow his career was something that any person in the entertainment industry would long for. Because that was the sign that one had truly become a celebrity.

Of course, he would give back as much as he received. And the way to do that was to do his best in every role he was given. To give them the best performance and go beyond their expectation. To make sure that they wouldn't regret being his fan.

Comments continued to appear under his post. One particular comment caught his attention.

[Hi, I'm not really a fan, so I wonder what does the expression 'fighting!' mean? It seems that a lot of people is using it. Was it something particularly unique to Astrid Townsend's fans?]

[This is what it means.]

A reply came to that comment attaching a GIF of Astrid. It was a scene from [Fieldtrip] where he did the 'fighting' gesture.

[Oh, I think I somehow understand.] â€" replied by the one who asked what 'fighting' meant.

[Ah, seeing that GIF again, I suddenly felt energized.]

[I know, right? It's like Aster is telling us to do our best.]

[Whenever I feel tired, I just looked at that GIF and I feel like I could work for the whole day.]

Of course, as there were many people congratulating and praising Astrid, there were also those who posted negative and malicious comments.

[Heh, you should really thank the people who put you in that role. Tell me, what kind of magic did you use so a rookie like you can be part of this production?]

[He must have really 'pleased' one of the producers of the show.]

[Yujin should be Luan Escanor!]

[What are you doing robbing other talented actors of this role? Do you think you deserve it?]

[Maybe it's nepotism. Why else would a rookie be part of the main cast of such a big production?]

[That pretty face definitely did its work.]

[Is Polaris really not paying people to get this guy roles? Because why is he getting good roles left and right?]

[It's either he's related to some higher-up or he's sleeping with one.]

These kinds of comments floated on the reply section of Astrid's post. He didn't mind since he had already expected this to some extent. Hate comments were something unavoidable in this industry. If one couldn't stomach the negative things they read online, then they wouldn't be able to last long here.

What surprised him was the amount of replies that defended him from such comments.

[Why are you making up things like that as if what you're saying was the truth? Stop inventing stuff without proof and just admit that you're a troll and a hater.]

[You're asking how Aster got this role? Of course it's because he passed the audition!]

[Do  you really think Director Scott would just allow anyone in his comeback work without testing their acting skills? Aster obviously passed the audition that's why he was given that role.]

[Why are your minds all in the gutter? Was there a law that says a newcomer couldn't be part of a big production unless they did something shady behind the scene? Talent exists, you know? Or have you never heard of it?]

[I bet these people were those types who stayed inside their rooms and doesn't do anything but hate everyone and anyone.]

[Did you people even watched at least <The Sleeping God> or <Blind Justice>? Because if you do, there's no way you can doubt Aster's talent.]

[Are we going to be subjected to these same kinds of comments every time Aster got a role? Seriously, it's like these people didn't even have a shred of critical thinking.]

[Let's not feed the trolls and just hype up Aster's new role.]

[At this time, shouldn't Brother White appear and give these annoying people his amazing brand of tongue lashing?]

[Knowing Brother White, he would definitely appear sooner or later.]

[Right, he's Aster's number one fan, after all.]

Reading the comments looking for Wulfric, Astrid couldn't help but shook his head and a smile of helplessness crossed his lips. He couldn't believe that people were really treating the prince of the Empire as his number one fan.