Chapter 117: #PureLove

PD Kang Hyeon-seong of ‘Studio Snack’.

After leaving behind significant entertainment hits at KBM, he transitioned to a personal channel, yet his knack for catering to viewers’ tastes became even more refined.

Switching from official broadcast station entertainment to YouTube entertainment also meant that censorship standards became somewhat looser.

Wider freedom, accumulated connections, outstanding intuition.

Kang Hyeon-seong, equipped with all three, was currently focusing on one person.

Rookie actress, Lee Sua.

One of the staff members quickly took notes.

“Are you saying to add Sua-ssi to the casting list?”

“Yes.”

“It seems good.”

PD Kang Hyeon-seong nodded.

“It’s rare for someone to raise an Arctic fox, and it also feels like the complete opposite of her own character.”

“The setup is interesting.”

However, some staff members belatedly raised objections.

“But Sua-ssi’s character is too predictable.”

“That’s right.”

“Just looking at her face, you can obviously predict what the content will be like.”

“Cold, speaks little, and eventually, if she just sits there like a superior, the production team has to step in and make it funny….”

Their opinions also had merit.

‘Studio Snack’ was a channel large enough that they could afford to only call actors whose entertainment value was proven, so calling a rookie was no different from taking an unnecessary risk.

It was then that PD Kang Hyeon-seong pointed to the whiteboard with his chin.

“No.”

[ Companion Animals ]

“That’s why this theme is good.”

His eyes became sharper instead.

“Is there any human who can perfectly understand an animal’s heart?”

“No, at the very least, is there any human who can even converse with an animal?”

“Pardon?”

“Even among humans who can speak to each other, we don’t know their inner thoughts, so it’s even more so between humans and animals.”

“Perfectly understanding each other is impossible, and because of that, unexpected situations are bound to happen.”

PD Kang Hyeon-seong slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Of course, we’ll induce some unexpected situations with our missions.”

“And what happens when an unexpected situation occurs?”

“…Her stoic mask will come off too.”

“Exactly.”

“People get excited about that aspect.”

He continued speaking in a somewhat excited voice.

“The stoic actress gets flustered by unexpected situations, or bursts into laughter at her pet’s absurd behavior.”

“Isn’t it heartwarming if we show a side different from usual?”

“That’s certainly true.”

“Companion animals themselves are such a big variable.”

“The fact that we won’t hear complaints about devil’s editing seems like a good point too.”

The objecting staff members soon began to agree.

“Anyway, it’s not like we’re only calling Lee Sua.”

“We’ll be calling various other actors too, so let’s mix in a mask like that.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

After the meeting ended, PD Kang Hyeon-seong took off his cap and smiled.

“I can already hear it.”

“Hear it.”

“The sound of the view count clicking up.”

---

Early the next morning.

Sua’s house.

“Ughhh….”

Sua had stayed up all night.

Why, you ask?

Because using her phone was fun!

Wandering the internet world was just too enjoyable.

To confess honestly, Sua also left quite a few comments….

But she didn’t act too disgracefully!

Just agreeing when she saw posts praising Sua?

That much is okay, right!

Anyway.

“Agogo, I’m tired.”

“Am I okay like this….”

She was in a position where she had to leave for the Mystic headquarters soon.

Why else?

Because today was scheduled to be insanely busy too.

Didn’t she stay up all night because she had a day off?

Sua doesn’t care about things like that!

No, accurately, she aimed to sleep early but ended up succumbing to desire and using her phone.

–There are so many requests for variety shows and interviews, I think we need a meeting today. I’ll filter out the ones that seem too strange beforehand, so Sua, please check them in the afternoon.

Anyway, Kim Yiseo’s words were like this.

‘If I go on a variety show, I have to do it without privileges, I’m nervous….’

While Sua was having such thoughts, her phone was still a fireball.

Because Suagidongdae (Sua Mobile Force/Her friend group) was burning brightly.

[ Wonsunging: Ah, I’m going crazy because I’m busy. ]

[ Wonsunging: I’m a legend for doing this unpaid. ]

[ Saengji: My stomach hurts from drinking too much coffee…. ]

[ Wonsunging: When are you letting us video call Lee Suan. ]

[ Saseum: @Lee Sua ]

[ Saseum: Hey hey hey hey check your DMs please please ]

‘I’m grateful to everyone.’

‘I need to repay them somehow.’

She herself knew well that her friends had been working hard for her lately.

Sua briefly pondered what to do for them.

[ Sua: Okay, let’s set a definite date for the video call. ]

She promised a video call with Lee Suan.

…Well, since they want it, shouldn’t it be okay?

And she also proceeded with the private chat with Saseum.

[ Sua: Collaboration stream? ]

[ Sua: Even if I can, Suan-ssi might be a bit…. ]

It was obvious.

How could they both appear simultaneously when they were both her?

[ Saseum: Okay. I’m thankful just for you. ]

[ Saseum: But, Sua, perhaps, about, that. ]

[ Saseum: What’s your relationship with Suan-ssi? ]

[ Sua: I told you, just friends. ]

Sua furrowed her brow as she typed the reply.

‘Do they still suspect I’m dating Suan-ssi?’

But Saseum’s reaction was unexpected.

[ Saseum: No, ah, that’s not it. ]

[ Saseum: Ah, it’s nothing! ]

[ Saseum: I’ll figure something out somehow. ]

“…?”

‘Why are they acting like this?’

‘Like they caused some trouble.’

“So what should I do, should I sleep even just a little?”

But even as she said that, she fiddled with her phone.

[ @artic_fox_sua ]

[ 🔒Private Account ]

Posts 1

Followers 50k

Following 0

She considered turning her SNS account public again but decided against it.

She recognized that she was closer to a wolf than a fox, but perhaps hadn’t fully accepted it yet.

…I need time.

My heart hurts.

“Really, what should I do.”

“The sun has already risen.”

Having drunk an energy drink at dawn for web surfing, her current state felt quite unpleasant.

If she lies down to sleep, she can’t fall asleep, but trying to actually do something felt tiring.

However, Sua soon decided what to do.

“Ah, right.”

“Let’s organize that first.”

The scripts that arrived home via delivery.

You could believe it if someone said it was moving luggage.

There was a great need to clear them out.

Because they were taking up an insane amount of space.

Sua first placed a large empty box in the center of the space.

From now on, she planned to use this as a trash bin.

[ Adrenaline ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Grade 6

“What’s Grade 6 now.”

[ Carnival ]

▶ Insufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Grade 5

“…The grade is low, and even the elements are insufficient?”

Sua mercilessly tossed the subpar scripts into the empty box.

Meanwhile, the Sua Association also peeked its head out.

• ─Sua sunbae, please get a decent rookie if possible. If a strange tenant moves in, it becomes difficult for us too.
• ─Bring in someone good at housework….
• ─Woo woo…?
• ─R, run away!
• ─Hyaaak!

Sua pushed away her noisy inner self.

‘Alright.’

‘I’ll pick only the good ones, so wait.’

But a problem arose.

“Grade 6, Grade 5, Grade 5, Grade 4….”

She couldn’t even glimpse a Grade 1-2, and she hadn’t even seen a Grade 3, which she once thought was bad.

Grade 4 being the best?

Does this make sense?

‘There are so many scripts, but Grade 4 is the best?’

In the end, the script Sua finally chose was.

[ Lie, Lie, Lie. ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Grade 5

001 ─ Park Siyeon (Seo Yeon-ju)

002 ─ Im Suhie (Lee Sua)

She hardened her heart on this one after all.

Of course, there were occasional Grade 4 scripts, but she couldn’t ignore Seo Yeon-ju.

Perhaps she could overcome a one-grade difference by utilizing her abilities somehow.

Of course, this wasn’t some weak resolve either.

‘It’s not about accepting Grade 5.’

‘Let’s work as hard as possible and try to change the grade.’

‘So that Yeon-ju unnie doesn’t get ruined.’

At least in Sua’s head, it didn’t make sense.

Seo Yeon-ju being unable to unleash Yeongcheonkyung’s true power, it’s ridiculous.

And Im Suhie’s puzzle piece was also herself.

“Yes.”

“Let’s test my capabilities.”

Muttering that, Sua realized something new.

“…Have I matured?”

“To think I can even have thoughts like this.”

She had changed from before.

Quite a lot, at that.

“So, what is this work about?”

Sua lightly skimmed the beginning of the script.

Then, additional information was entered into her privilege.

[ Lie, Lie, Lie. ]

▶ Crime / Revenge / Politics

The content wasn’t particularly difficult.

“Aha, so this is why the title is Lie.”

“Yeon-ju unnie is a con artist?”

“And I’m an accomplice helping Yeon-ju unnie’s crime.”

It was about Seo Yeon-ju, who came from the streets, constantly pulling off large-scale scams and succeeding triumphantly.

Sua was a character created solely to assist Seo Yeon-ju’s crimes.

She didn’t know what kind of twist might be later, but she closed it for now.

Checking just this much was enough for the moment.

It was then that a message came from the CEO.

[ Sender: Kim Yiseo ]

▶ Sua, I sent the van.

It was already time to leave for the headquarters.

….

Sua arrived at the Mystic headquarters.

No, accurately, she had just gotten out in the parking lot, but Kim Yiseo was already there to meet her.

Sua感動 (Sua is touched).

Kim Yiseo, wearing two large hairpins, smiled.

“Sua, you’re here?”

“Rest a bit, then prepare for the Lee Suan makeup.”

“Special Mobile Force 808 hit it really big, you see.”

“There’s a lot we need to film with you in Lee Suan makeup.”

“Yes.”

“It seems better to do it all at once.”

Because each makeup session was such an arduous task.

Sua resolved to do all the video calls this time too.

It was then that Kim Yiseo tapped Sua’s shoulder.

“Why did you make your SNS account private?”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, that’s….”

Sua stammered.

It’s understandable, saying she did it because she was sulking was a bit…

But then.

“Good job.”

“Pardon?”

“Thanks to that, everyone flocked to the fan cafe.”

“I had no idea Sua had a knack for marketing too?”

“Um?”

“Followers are individuals, but people gathered in the fan cafe become a group.”

“They’ll unite strongly within the fence called Sua.”

“Good job.”

“To think of consolidating the fans already.”

No, well, that wasn’t it.

For now, Sua nods.

Kim Yiseo casually asked.

“Right.”

“And did you look through the scripts?”

“I threw most of them away, but I’ve decided on one for now.”

“Still, it’s a relief you found something you like.”

“What is it?”

“You know that movie Yeon-ju unnie is participating in?”

“I want to do it too.”

“Preferably in the role of the accomplice, Im Suhie.”

“Ah…!”

Kim Yiseo seemed quite pleased.

“I was secretly waiting for you to say that.”

“This time, if Sua follows Yeon-ju’s work, the picture looks heartwarming, doesn’t it?”

“Besides, since Sua also has experience now, a much better result will come out.”

“Uuuum….”

Well, the thing is, this is Grade 5.

[ Lie, Lie, Lie. ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Grade 5 → Grade 4

Ah, now that she joined, it became Grade 4.

Still a dismal number.

There was a great need to mull over a method.

Kim Yiseo, unaware of Sua’s thoughts, was simply happy.

“Yeon-ju’s production team is probably moving very urgently right now, so I’ll arrange a meeting as quickly as possible.”

“Moreover, since the role Sua wants is also decided, it seems better to hurry.”

“Yeees.”

And Kim Yiseo looked anew at the van Sua arrived in.

“Also, it seems about time to put together Sua’s dedicated team.”

“My dedicated team?”

“Yes.”

“Sua will only get busier, and I can’t always stick by your side.”

“Starting with a manager, a dedicated stylist.”

“Things like that.”

“Things you haven’t had until now.”

“Ahh.”

Sua decided on the team name in her head first.

Team Arctic Fox.

─♩♪♬

It was then that Kim Yiseo’s cell phone rang.

“Hello.”

“This is Kim Yiseo of Mystic.”

The CEO immediately adopted a serious expression for the call.

Then, after briefly muting the phone.

“Sua, by any chance, have you gotten quite close with the Arctic fox?”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, we can communicate?”

“…You’ve gotten that close already?”

Only then did Sua realize her slip-up.

She meant it in the sense that they were awkward, but thinking about it, wasn’t she the only one who could converse with pets?

Sure enough, Kim Yiseo misunderstood.

“Yes, PD-nim.”

“I’m listening.”

“Then I’ll ask first….”

Soon, she finished the call and turned back to Sua.

“Sua, Studio Snack is planning a companion animal special variety show.”

“With none other than PD Kang Hyeon-seong.”

“Studio Snack?”

“I know that channel too.”

She had seen it a few times when it popped up in her algorithm.

Bringing celebrities, talking, visiting famous restaurants, observing daily life.

A channel that does various things.

If she happened to watch it once, she always ended up watching until the end.

“…You seem like you wouldn’t have blood or tears, but surprisingly you’ve watched it.”

“Anyway, it’s a love call from PD Kang Hyeon-seong.”

“He wants Sua.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not just Sua going alone, but appearing together with your companion animal.”

“They plan to include a few other actors in that format too.”

Sua couldn’t help but contemplate.

Variety show.

Even appearing with her pet.

Would it be okay?

But soon, she felt her worries were likely unfounded.

‘…No, wait, isn’t this actually most advantageous for me?’

‘I can talk to Sumi, right?’

‘Wouldn’t it be quite stable?’

Moreover, Sumi is also thoughtful.

Perhaps equal to or less than Sua.

‘Yes.’

‘It doesn’t seem bad.’

Having become an actress, she couldn’t avoid variety shows forever, and she decided it would be better to gain experience by tackling advantageous programs first.

Sua is smart!

Sua nodded her head.

“Yes.”

“I’ll appear.”

“Understood.”

“Actually, besides this, casting inquiries have piled up enormously.”

“The rest, let’s discuss inside the building….”

It was then.

─♩♪♬

Kim Yiseo had to answer another incoming call.

“Yes.”

“Hello.”

But this time, her expression was different.

At first, she answered the phone with a business-like attitude, but gradually a smile spread across her lips.

Towards the end, she even burst out laughing openly.

It was an unfamiliar sight for Sua.

Eventually, Sua asked first.

“CEO-nim, what’s wrong?”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong?”

“It’s about Sua again.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve gotten properly caught up in gossip.”

Sua broke out in a cold sweat.

Gossip?

Could it be because she didn’t reply to her old acquaintances?

No matter how she thought about it, that seemed likely.

She should have at least called her Japanese teacher!

But who was it?

Who exposed Sua?

However.

Kim Yiseo grinned broadly.

“A dating rumor broke out.”

“With Suan-ssi.”