(Contains spoilers and story analysis, so please make sure you’ve finished reading before continuing!)

Hehe, hello everyone — it’s me again, An Lèo. If you’ve made it here, it means we’ve walked together through all 115 chapters of Hidden Spotlight. Once more, I want to sincerely thank you for the support you’ve given me throughout this journey.

This chapter is both a farewell and a small reflection I wanted to write after finishing my very first novel. Maybe it’ll be useful for those who dream of writing someday, or maybe it’s just something I’ll want to reread in the future — a reminder to myself.

-----------

From the very beginning, when the idea for the story first came to me, I paid special attention to the way each relationship would unfold. I didn’t want to write a story that only had one “main couple” and “side couple.” I wanted every pair to have their own emotional depth, their own flavor — strong enough that if you separated them, each could stand as a story on its own.

Namtan and Film’s love began with misunderstanding — one wounded by betrayal, the other burdened by guilt, choosing silence because explaining felt like it would only make things worse.

Milk and Love were the opposite. Milk fell first, while Love was quietly in love with Film. Only when Love chose to let go did Milk get the chance to step in and become her healer.

Emi and Bonnie started from the closest kind of bond — stable, dependable — yet they were the ones who drifted apart for the longest time, all because of things left unsaid.

Each love carried its own color, its own rhythm: some began with mistakes and found their way back, some learned to heal each other after heartbreak, and some — though fated — had to grow before they could return to one another. To me, that’s what makes love feel real — imperfect, unplanned, but always with a reason to go on.

-----------

If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that all four antagonists in the story have distinct shades — none of them are the same.

View is the only one who knew when to stop. She did terrible things, yes, but she still had a conscience — even helping Namtan find Film when she was kidnapped. She disappeared afterward, but I like to imagine she went on to live a peaceful life.

Mim was blinded by love — ten years consumed by jealousy and hatred toward Emi, isolating herself from the world, feeding a dark obsession just to get revenge. Everyone in the group suspected she might act, but a single moment of carelessness led to Film’s abduction.

June was born from injustice — the older sister of Film and Bonnie, she grew up under unequal treatment, and that resentment twisted into a need to destroy. The cracks in the group started from her quiet manipulations, though no one had proof. June is more tragic than evil — and her disappearance in the flames, body never found, will probably haunt Film and the others for a long time.

And then there’s Mewnich — the most perfectly disguised villain. For nearly the entire story, she appeared as a kind, harmless therapist. But behind that calm was envy — envy of Namtan and Film’s happiness, and grief over her brother’s death that festered into obsession. She chose to hide in the dark, using the identity of “Thanit” to approach them, manipulating Film’s mind through hypnosis.

None of these antagonists were purely “evil.” They were souls who once longed to be loved, but chose darkness over healing. Sometimes, the line between cruelty and pain is thinner than we think — it’s all about the choices they made.

-----------

When I started writing, I realized things weren’t as simple as they sounded. Even deciding how to open the story in a compelling way was hard — not to mention arranging the timeline so the subplots would develop naturally. I couldn’t just jump in and write; I had to create a full timeline for each chapter, set the context and emotional beats before letting the story flow. That’s the only way it could feel organic, not forced.

Still, there were parts I regretted. For instance, Emi and Bonnie’s reunion — their breakup made sense, but their reconciliation came too quickly, maybe even too easy (partly because I rushed to make every couple go public in Part 3). And Love’s shift from her one-sided love for Film to her relationship with Milk felt a bit abrupt, even though Milk had comforted her a thousand times before. These moments didn’t quite reach the emotional depth I had imagined.

-----------

The title Hidden Spotlight was decided from the very start, back when I envisioned a story filled with angst and drama. But as I reached the end, I just couldn’t bring myself to make any of them suffer more. They’d been through enough. I kept the title anyway — it fit the theme, and it carried a quiet sense of intrigue. And honestly, I really, really love the cover.

Out of all 115 chapters, my favorite is Chapter 42 — because it’s where Film was at her most adorable, funny, and loveable. More importantly, it was the first time she and Namtan opened up completely to each other. I reread that chapter for a whole week after finishing it — it just made my heart flutter every time. On the other hand, Chapter 60 took me the longest — an entire week — because, well… I’m not old enough to write explicit scenes yet. I had to balance it carefully, keeping it emotional without crossing the line.

-----------

The part I poured the most heart into was the ending — the Mewnich twist. I really hoped it would make readers go “wow.” But looking back, I admit some earlier parts felt repetitive or dull — maybe even enough to make some readers drop the story around the twenties. If you’ve stayed until the very end, I can only say: thank you, truly.

As for the final twist — the schizophrenia and the reveal of Dr. Mewnich — that wasn’t entirely my original idea. I drew inspiration from South Wind Knows  by Wu Tong Ci Yu, but built my own scenario around a shocking, unexpected villain. Still, I know some readers might have guessed early, since I’d already introduced three major villains before her.

-----------

I hope the sweet moments and the storms alike left at least a little mark on your heart. To me, a writer’s success isn’t just when readers love their characters — it’s when readers want to come back for their writing. Even if, one day, I write about a different idol or an entirely new story, I hope you’ll still want to read — because you enjoy my voice, my world, my ideas.

When I first posted Hidden Spotlight online, I received more attention than expected — it was exciting but also stressful. But by Chapter 2, interactions dropped drastically. That was when I realized my story wasn’t as strong as I’d imagined. Since then, I’ve cherished every like, every comment, every reader who stayed. You are the reason I didn’t give up when I hit creative blocks or self-doubt. Thank you so, so much.

-----------

A small note to those who want to write: I don’t have much experience, but there’s one saying I hold dear — “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” (Lao Tzu) Just start. If you never begin, you’ll never know how far you can go. Write, and someone will read. They’ll give feedback, and from that, you’ll grow. I used to be terrified of writing — even essays — but once I started drafting stories, I realized that writing, reading, revising, and repeating doesn’t just improve your skill; it helps you understand yourself. Maybe, like me, you’ll find the path that truly fits you.

-----------

Maybe our journey ends here for now. Without you, Hidden Spotlight would’ve remained just a quiet folder on my computer — a forgotten draft no one ever saw. But because of you — every view, every like, every small comment — this story became a real journey. A journey I didn’t have to walk alone.

I can’t promise I’ll keep writing forever, but if someday you stumble upon a new story of mine and think, “Ah, I know this voice,” then that alone will make me happy.

For now, I’ll be focusing on preparing for university exams this year, so I’ll take a break from writing. But please wait for me. I promise I’ll pass, and I’ll come back — ready to start a new journey with all of you once again.

One last time — thank you for believing in a clumsy beginner like me. Thank you for your patience, your kindness, your companionship. You’ve turned Hidden Spotlight from a silent draft into a story that truly mattered — one that was heard, one that was felt.

Let’s close Hidden Spotlight here, with gratitude and love.
Goodbye — and thank you, for everything.

September 17, 2025
𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐨