episode_0014

The meeting went on all night at the lodging.

“I rushed over because I heard the casting problem was finally being resolved. But what? Did I hear you correctly?”

Casting director. The person in charge of selecting actors suitable for the drama. He pushed up his glasses.

“Kim Yu-han, you’re giving this role to a rookie?”

“That’s right.”

Muscular Choi Hee-won PD nodded. Perhaps it was because his answer was too calm, but the casting director took a breath.

“I ran around until my shoes wore out trying to find an actor suitable for Kim Yu-han. But I couldn’t find anyone. At least tell me the name. What’s the name?”

“Lee Soo-ah.”

“Lee Soo-ah… Let’s see….”

The casting director immediately started searching on his phone. After a while, he blinked, having found nothing.

“A complete rookie? Nothing comes up?”

As the casting director’s embarrassment continued to grow, the production manager of the drama production company, ‘Art Warehouse,’ was just as perplexed.

He had rushed over at the news that writer Lee Geum-suk’s script and Choi Hee-won PD’s direction were resuming, but as soon as he arrived, all he heard was incomprehensible conversation.

…A rookie for the Kim Yu-han role? A rookie casting meeting?

“I personally find some parts hard to understand.”

Eventually, the production manager opened his mouth. He was stroking his well-groomed mustache with his fingers.

“If a rookie actor is really the right person for the Kim Yu-han role, shouldn’t we not have to worry at all about how to bring them in?”

“Hmm.”

“I’m asking because I really don’t understand. Writer Lee’s script, Director Choi Hee-won’s direction, and two highly-regarded actors. Shouldn’t they be begging to be involved?”

The casting director also nodded in agreement.

“I agree. How is this even a topic for a meeting…?”

“Certainly, you’d think that if you only heard the word ‘rookie.’”

“Does that mean your opinion will change if we see something?”

“That’s right.”

Choi Hee-won PD nodded.

“No matter how much I explain with words, we’ll only raise more questions. Let’s just watch a quick video.”

Only then did the casting director and production manager nod. Just talking about it is just theory. They’ll understand if they see it.

However, there was a problem from the start.

The casting director immediately frowned.

“…What is this? Isn’t this a store CCTV?”

“That’s right. We promised not to do any pre-shooting. This is all the footage we have.”

“PD-nim, you’re really going too far.”

The casting director adjusted his glasses.

“How can you check with a store CCTV? You can barely see anything even when you zoom in as much as possible, and the quality is terrible.”

His complaint was perfectly valid, but writer Lee and Choi Hee-won PD showed no signs of anxiety or displeasure.

They just played the video. Quite confidently.

“…What are we even supposed to be looking at?”

Even the production manager of ‘Art Warehouse’ muttered that.

No matter how hard you try, it’s just a store CCTV. The angle is terrible, and the quality is terrible when you zoom in to focus on Soo-ah. Watching this video itself is a waste of time.

However.

『Wow, you’re so kind!』

The acting started, and Soo-ah glanced at the store CCTV once. From that short but intense moment.

“…!”

Image quality no longer mattered.

.

.

.

.

.

“…”

Only silence filled the space.

The production manager and casting director no longer raised objections. To be exact, it would be more accurate to say that they couldn’t.

The reason was, of course, Lee Soo-ah’s acting. Writer Lee and Choi Hee-won PD just looked at them with understanding, as they themselves had experienced the same reaction at first.

“…She instinctively finds the camera?”

The casting director opened his mouth. He must have been quite surprised, as he touched the glasses he had already adjusted several times.

“I don’t know if she found the camera as an actress or because of Kim Yu-han’s habit of carefully observing her surroundings. But whatever the reason, it’s amazing.”

His voice was full of excitement.

“When you ask most people to act, they ask about the camera position and so on. They’re just trying to follow instructions as closely as possible. But this is different? It feels like she’s telling us to follow her.”

“Moreover, Kim Yu-han is an incomplete role. It also means she’s that confident in her interpretation.”

“Here, here, PD-nim! Stop the video at this part!”

At the casting director’s words, the video was paused.

The moment when Lee Kang-chul and Kim Yu-han shake hands for the first time. The part where Kim Yu-han quickly scans Lee Kang-chul.

“You can’t even practice rolling your eyes like that. These days, they often use CG to handle things like eyelid twitches.”

“The fact that she did that purely on her own….”

“…means she’s become one with the character.”

The casting director ruffled his hair as if he was frustrated.

“Where has she been all this time? If there was a rookie like this, I wouldn’t have had to run around!”

“We don’t know about her past either. But, if we put together the given clues, we can guess.”

Choi Hee-won PD continued calmly.

“Soo-ah-ssi’s hobby is acting. But at the same time, there’s nothing she hasn’t tried as a hobby. That means she’s also excellent in other fields.”

“If that’s true, then there’s no drama she can’t handle, whether it’s cooking, action, or romance… Are you serious?”

“No, no, no, wait! That’s enough!”

It was the production manager of ‘Art Warehouse’ who suddenly shouted. He cut off everyone’s words with a serious face.

“Just one more time. No, just three times….”

They all enjoyed watching Lee Soo-ah’s acting again. It didn’t even stop at three times. Four times, five times.

The disadvantage of the store CCTV now became an element that amplified expectations. Even with such low quality, it was to this extent, so it was impossible not to want to see her in person.

Eventually, the production manager nodded in surrender.

“We have to bring this person in. I admit it.”

Writer Lee Geum-suk’s face brightened as if she had been waiting for this.

“Actually, we all knew that this script was a double-edged sword for us, right? It’s great to read in writing, but it was impossible to evolve it into a drama.”

“Soo-ah-ssi has become the last piece for this script that we couldn’t throw away or bring to life.”

No one else objected to writer Lee and Choi Hee-won PD’s words. The assistant writers in the back, like a fence, nodded like chicks, except….

The production manager stroked his mustache.

“First of all, I understand why we’re even having a casting meeting for just a rookie. However, shouldn’t the amount be a bit cheaper?”

“I don’t think so. Soo-ah also received an unofficial interview fee.”

“…Interview fee?”

The production manager narrowed his brows. Has there ever been a precedent for giving that to a rookie? No, it was right to think there was no precedent.

But seeing her skills, it’s somewhat understandable.

“I understand. A special rookie, so a pocket money kind of thing? How much did you give her?”

“Kim Sun-il’s personal money, 300. Seo Yeon-ju’s credit card.”

“…?”

The casting director’s eyes widened as he listened from the side.

“What? What did you give her?”

“I gave her exactly what I just said.”

“…No, then there’s nothing left to give!”

The casting director continued, very excited.

“She’s good at acting? Yes, I admit it. But the drama industry has assets that can’t always be converted into money.”

He tapped the script with his fingernails.

“This rookie will have writer Lee’s work written on the first line of her resume. Even the actors she’s appearing with are amazing. This experience alone is amazing, and on top of that, 3 million won and a credit card? Hey, that’s enough!”

Lee Geum-suk just shrugged.

“That’s what I thought, but anyway, we’re the ‘eul’ (subordinate). The moment we think the other side is nothing special, it’s meaningless.”

“They’ll feel like this is nothing special? That’s impossible!”

Then, writer Lee changed the video that was on her laptop. This time, it was the CCTV from downstairs in the cafe.

“…”

The casting director and production manager quietly stared at it.

“…!”

Soon, they had no choice but to jump up in surprise.

“This, no, is this… real?”

It’s shocking enough that Kim Sun-il, who is known for being picky, is kneeling, but Seo Yeon-ju even took out a credit card from her purse and handed it to her.

But the truly shocking thing is what comes next.

Her expression. Lee Soo-ah’s face.

A look of looking down on mere trash, eyes that say that you taking away my time is truly annoying….

She’s not happy at all. She’s annoyed. Clearly.

The casting director took off his glasses and said.

“Wow, this is driving me crazy. What kind of monster is this…?”

That day at dawn, the contract was revised several times.

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, Soo-ah got out of the taxi safely.

‘Phew, that’s a relief….’

Her impression upon returning home was this short.

She was worried that only the experience would be vivid and the reproduction would be terrible, but judging from the reaction, that wasn’t the case. She wanted to work even harder.

‘Today was a busy day.’

She confirmed the amazing power of her special ability.

She realized that her acting wasn’t bad.

She also realized that this appearance isn’t just a disadvantage.

As a result, she was very proud even though her body was tired.

‘…I want to try everything. Very hard.’

She was excited because she felt like she had finally found her way in her life, which had been wandering without talent or color. Her heart is pounding.

‘Let’s get some rest today. I’m so sleepy.’

It was when Soo-ah quietly strengthened her resolve.

Suddenly—

Suddenly, her steps, which had been moving without rest, froze. Something stopped her as if to show off. It was because an irresistible force existed.

[Doll Department Store]

Staring at the clear display case, Soo-ah thought.

‘Why am I like this?’

No matter how much she thought about it, dolls were not her interest. Yes, it was a conclusion that wouldn’t change even if she thought about it a hundred or a thousand times.

Again and again.

Again and again.

“…?”

Her gaze was drawn to a rabbit doll. All the other dolls were fine, but only the rabbit doll. Like an instinct.

In fact, she was already aware of it.

After becoming a woman, her speech changed, and many of her habits changed as well. Could it be that even her tastes are undergoing a change?

Hey, but still, dolls are a bit much. I’m not a kid.

Soo-ah shook her head vigorously.

“You can’t do this. You have to become a great actress.”

If she’s going to become an actress, she wants to become a great actress. A sophisticated and sharp woman. So dolls are absolutely out of the question.

“…Yeah, that’s nonsense. I’m definitely not interested.”

Soo-ah muttered confidently.

Even as she threw open the doors of the doll department store.

“Welcome~”

“…Huh?”

◈◈◈◈◈

The next morning.

Soo-ah was very busy from the morning.

Thump! Thump!

The two rabbit dolls, one in each of her hands, collided. Soo-ah is currently lying on her stomach with a cushion on the floor under her chest, and occasionally kicking her feet.

For reference, she bought the two dolls with Seo Yeon-ju’s card. Free.

Huh? Are you asking if she’s just playing?

That’s not it! At least, Soo-ah definitely thought so.

Even though it looks like simple doll play, she’s actually practicing while reading several scripts. For reference, what’s currently in progress is a forbidden love between a princess and a bodyguard that perfectly suits Soo-ah’s taste….

The princess rabbit doll turned her back.

『Give up. Heaven has forbidden it.』

But, tot tot tot, Soo-ah moved her hands. The bodyguard rabbit doll diligently follows the princess rabbit doll.

『This is forbidden, that is forbidden. Forbidden, does that make money? Ah-ssi is only looking for forbidden things.』

Slap! Then the princess doll slapped her cheek.

『I told you not to! If you haven’t changed your mind after thinking about it ten times, then think about it a hundred times and change it!』

『Even if I think about it a hundred times, this is the only way. Ah-ssi.』

It was then.

─♩♪♬

The phone rang. An unknown number.

“Aish.”

Bad words came out of Soo-ah’s mouth. But the really important part was about to start….

The moment she answered the phone without thinking.

“Hello?”

A familiar voice rang in her ear. A refreshing tone like the wind on a clear summer day by the sea.

“Is this Soo-ah-ssi’s phone number? This is Seo Yeon-ju.”

“Ah, yes. It is.”

Soo-ah answered, but she was still dazed.

How does Seo Yeon-ju know my number? Oh, did she call about the contract? Then there’s nothing strange about it, I guess.

However.

“Soo-ah-ssi, did you happen to buy any dolls?”

“…!”

The words that followed were like something hitting Soo-ah on the back of the head. After muting the microphone, she frantically ran to check the card Seo Yeon-ju gave her.

‘No, this sends a transaction history? It doesn’t just send the amount, it even sends detailed information about what I bought?’

But she didn’t have much time to think.

“Hello? Huh, can you hear me?”

“Ah, yes. Wh-why?”

Her brain stopped.

Of course it would. What kind of image would she have if she was buying dolls at this age? The perfect actress image that Soo-ah had planned would be completely ruined.

Even more, this is not good for Soo-ah now that she is about to sign a contract. She needs to act like she has as much as possible so that the contract conditions are good.

Is this the end? Is it already twisted?

The moment she thought that.

“I saw a doll on the transaction history? I was wondering if you had lost your card.”

“….”

Soon, Soo-ah’s expression became determined.

“Yes. I lost it.”