episode_0041
by adminThe bus is leaving Wanju and heading towards Seoul.
Sua was alone, guarding her window seat. To others, she might appear cool and aloof, but the reality was different. Sua was actually in a very good mood.
‘Yippee.’
Everyone on the production team for “Sword” only looked at her with kind eyes, and there was even someone who wanted to take her on as their acting teacher. Of course, she refused and sent them away.
‘I’m too busy taking care of myself to take on a student? That’s ridiculous.’
She doesn’t have the time, nor the confidence to teach. She’s not there yet.
But so what? The fact that something like that happened makes her feel good. It’s like when a guy asks for Sua’s number – even if she doesn’t want to date him, her self-esteem goes up.
Exciting. It’s really exciting, but she’s almost frustrated that she has nowhere to share this excitement. Ah, right. What about the group chat?
Sua immediately pulled out her phone.
[Sua: Alright, everyone, pay attention.]
[Sua: I have a very important announcement!]
[Deer: If you don’t say it in 3 seconds, I’ll kill you]
Just as Sua was about to start.
“Sua-ssi.”
Sua hurriedly put her phone away. Director Park Joon, of all people, had taken the seat next to her.
He spoke as if he understood.
“Were you checking your schedule? Well, with Sua-ssi’s talent, you must be getting busier every day. You’ll probably start thinking that you need two bodies soon. It’s what happens to rising stars.”
No, I was going to brag in the group chat. But Sua just nodded. Sua acknowledged.
“I acknowledge it.”
“It’s better to get used to it quickly. You’re already doing a drama, right? What do you think will happen when that starts airing and the viewers catch sight of you? Sua-ssi will need ten bodies.”
“Hmm.”
Sua nodded while thinking, ‘Will that day really come for me? A celebrity’s life… I kind of want to live it.’
Meanwhile, Director Park Joon was looking at Sua as if she were a family heirloom. He carefully chose his words before speaking.
“By the way, Sua-ssi, what’s your agency situation?”
“Agency?”
“Yes. Ever since the mock filming for Special Task Force 808, rumors have been circulating in the industry about a monster rookie. Just hearing about it, I knew it had to be about you.”
Park Joon continued, more excited than anyone else.
“Emails, messages, calls, actual meetings… they must have been coming at you from every angle, but I’m curious what ended up happening.”
“I’m looking into it. I’m positively considering one place.”
In reality, it was a total lie. She’d been too busy with filming to look into anything, and Mystic was the only agency she’d met with so far.
Park Joon’s eyes widened.
“Positively considering one place? That’s unexpected. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you rejected them all. I even speculated that your goal might be to start a one-person agency.”
“Well, I considered that too.”
Sua thought, ‘I might be getting a little shameless.’
“Sua-ssi, do you know anything about industry standards?”
“Not really. It’s not something I’m interested in.”
“Then I hope my story will be helpful. Since Mystic provided the investment, shall I use Mystic’s standards as an example?”
“…Whatever’s easiest.”
She said it casually, but Sua was actually listening very closely. This was very important information for her. It was a chance to hear about the industry standards she’d always been curious about, right?
“Even though Mystic is new, it’s a dream company for unknowns. Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il are there, and since the number of actors is small, they can provide detailed care. It’s an agency that people would want to get into even if they had to slip them a lot of money.”
“…”
Sua thought, ‘Then should I have signed a contract that day when I met with CEO Kim Iseo? Did I make a big mistake?’
But.
“But Sua-ssi’s case is quite different.”
Park Joon’s following words were slightly different from what Sua had expected.
“Sua-ssi, do you know what agency CEOs do?”
“Hmm…”
“They put a price on actors. But think about it logically. What price would be put on Sua-ssi right now?”
‘I don’t know? Am I lacking common sense?’
“You landed the lead role in Special Task Force 808, you turned the mock filming set upside down, and you’re dragging around agency managers in droves. How much value do you think that adds up to? Do you have any idea?”
“I acknowledge it.”
“Huh? What are you acknowledging since earlier?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Sua quickly corrected herself. It was a habit.
In any case, it was quite difficult to put a price on herself. She needed to know the standards to even begin to price things. How would she know this industry’s units?
Then Park Joon took it upon himself to explain.
“Sua-ssi, you might think that your only strength is that you’re a good actor, but agencies see things very differently. They’re running you through countless calculators.”
“I completely understand.”
“All actors are basically seedlings. Agencies water them directly and raise them. They provide skin care, send them to academies if necessary, and have them exercise… But what about Sua-ssi?”
Park Joon’s voice even had a hint of excitement.
“Sua-ssi is already a tree. All they have to do is take you and plant you! It’s obvious that you’ll bear fruit in dramas, commercials, and variety shows, so how can they resist?”
“I understand perfectly.”
…This wasn’t “Sua understands.” It was ‘I actually understand.’
‘Wow, now that I hear it, I’m really amazing?’
She’d only been thinking, “I’m not at a level where I can be ignored anymore” – but thanks to this conversation, Sua realized her position anew. At the same time, she felt gratitude towards Park Joon.
“Sua-ssi.”
Just then, Park Joon opened his mouth with a serious face.
“You have a dream car, right? Tell them to get you one.”
…What?
◈◈◈◈◈
As Sua was heading from Wanju to Seoul, the Special Task Force 808 production team was also working diligently. They were currently working with reporters they had previously secured to churn out all sorts of articles.
[‘Special Task Force 808’ Successfully Completes Mock Filming!]
[Is Special Task Force 808 Worth Taking Over the Living Room?]
Actually, there was no need to collaborate with reporters.
It was a script by the legendary writer Lee Geum-sook, directed by the legendary PD Choi Hee-won, starring Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il… Rather, the reporters were eager to write articles, and thanks to that, articles poured out like rain.
[Facts You Didn’t Know About ‘Special Task Force 808,’ Who Invested?]
[Groundbreaking Mock Filming…. ‘Everyone Passed’]
[Seo Yeon-joo-Kim Sun-il Appearance, Wishing for a Hit!]
But what good are promotional articles if they’re only written in print?
The production team released some of the still cuts they had taken during the mock filming, and at the same time, they also released the poster that would become the face of Special Task Force 808. Of course, Kim Yu-han, the top secret, was only shown in silhouette.
They were determined to keep him hidden until the very end.
And in the midst of this storm, Kim Sun-ah, the youngest reporter at “Star Catch,” was still working without having submitted her resignation. She suddenly stopped what she was doing and looked at the article she had written.
[Special Task Force 808, The Identity of Kim Yu-han? Lee Sua!]
“…”
Even she thought it was a very absurd article.
“…Am I finally crazy? Am I really writing this?”
But there’s no reason to be afraid. If it’s true, then it’s a good thing, and if it’s not true, then she can just submit her resignation as originally planned. She decided to just think that way.
Kim Sun-ah only worried about when to post it.
Meanwhile.
On MuteB, the most popular online video sharing platform in the world, an official channel for “Special Task Force 808” was created.
Of course, videos were uploaded as well. Well-made still cuts were used as thumbnails, and the titles were all carefully selected.
[Mock Filming Sneak Peek] “Lee Kang-cheol-ssi will have to do it~?” Seo Yeon-joo, Surprise Command to Kim Sun-il! #SpecialTaskForce808
Special Task Force 808 Outstar ▶ https─
Special Task Force 808 Homepage ▶ https─
The video was exactly 1 minute long. But the two-shot of Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il in uniform alone attracted quite a bit of attention.
No, in fact, the word “quite” is a big understatement. It attracted a lot of attention. Exactly 1.6 million views in two days.
This firepower naturally led to the gallery.
[Special Task Force 808 Gallery]
[Title: Did You See the Sneak Peek, You Crazy Bastards]
[Did you see the sneak peek, you crazy bastards, if you haven’t seen it, just go and watch it right now before I beat you up, Seo Yeon-joo’s uniform, Seo Yeon-joo is just]
-What, did you become mentally challenged…?
-I understand that feeling
-Surprisingly, I understand everything you mean
[Title: The Identity of Kim Yu-han is Finally! Coming Out!]
[It’s Really Not Long Now, Holding My Breath]
-I’m holding my breath too
-Are you all breathing with gills
-Jo Il-hyun no matter what, Jo Il-hyun no matter what
That day, the Special Task Force 808 Gallery proudly took first place as the real-time trending gallery.
Now, it was truly a countdown until the huge time bomb exploded.
◈◈◈◈◈
For Sua, hectic days continued.
Another two days passed after that.
Ta-da!
“Cheers!”
“Please, I hope our Director Park can win an award!”
“Everyone really worked hard!”
The filming of the short film “Sword” was completely finished, and to celebrate, the entire production team gathered for a dinner party. The entire *gopchang* (grilled intestines) restaurant, known for its high price, was rented out.
No, to be exact, CEO Kim Iseo of Mystic rented it out.
Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-joo couldn’t come because they were busy with their schedules, but Sua came. She came very deliberately.
Everyone was very surprised that Sua came, and they were also very happy to see her, but Sua didn’t have a big reason. She just couldn’t resist being able to eat *gopchang* and beer for free.
Anyway.
“Haa, it’s a shame that it’s a short film.”
“I know, right? I wanted to see more of Sua-ssi’s acting.”
“How about we work harder and catch up to Sua-ssi? We can meet again in another project, right? Then we can see each other again.”
“Ugh, I wonder how many years I’d have to practice to make that possible…”
Even though it was only a period of less than a week, the supporting actors had become incredibly close. Just looking at the atmosphere, you could believe it was a high school reunion.
They even created a group chat and a club among themselves. It was with the aim of growing together. From Director Park Joon’s point of view, it was a very heartwarming thing.
Meanwhile, Sua’s situation was a little different.
“…”
Sua had skipped lunch on purpose with the determination to eat a lot of *gopchang*, but far from getting her money’s worth, she hadn’t even eaten three pieces yet. The hand holding the chopsticks was almost still.
Was it because there were many eyes glancing at Sua? Because there were too many stories being told about Sua?
Those weren’t wrong reasons, but they weren’t the biggest cause either. Right now, Sua was, well, having feelings naturally arise as she was put at the center of this atmosphere. She was feeling them.
‘This atmosphere…. It’s fascinating….’
Everyone worked hard to create a piece of work, and they all cheer for it to do well with one mind and one heart. This atmosphere, where they support each other, was a first for Sua.
The fact that Sua herself was the center of that, it was bound to be fascinating.
Sua suddenly traced back the filming process of “Sword.”
Everything was new, so nearly a week felt like the blink of an eye. She had to manage her image while performing practical acting, and it was difficult for all sorts of reasons. So much so that after returning home, she would sleep like a corpse.
But Sua was certain.
She would do this even if she went back to a week ago.
‘Sense of accomplishment. It’s no joke.’
There was no sense of accomplishment in Sua’s life.
She couldn’t do anything, so she was lethargic, and because she was lethargic, there was nothing she could accomplish. But now Sua is moving forward with her own strength, not anyone else’s. She changes her life herself.
The world was no longer changing Sua’s life.
‘…I hope there will be many more days like this in the future.’
Of course, she had only taken one step now. To reach higher places, she would have to walk like crazy from now on.
Sua was thinking that while holding chopsticks in her mouth.
“Sua-ssi!”
One of the supporting actors carefully called Sua.
“Don’t you like *gopchang* very much? You haven’t eaten any?”
“Sua-ssi, eat a lot! You worked the hardest!”
“My skin was all messed up after going to the forest, but Sua-ssi doesn’t show it even after working so hard. Look at how smooth her skin is.”
Sua was only shaking her hand very slowly.
The difference from before was that she didn’t say the words “stop it” out loud. If she did that, people would actually stop. That was unacceptable.
Never stop! Keep praising me!
After a while, Park Joon calmed them down.
“Alright, everyone, don’t bother Sua-ssi too much. I can’t tell you everything, but Sua-ssi is separately working on a huge project. She’s a precious person.”
But it was a statement that made the supporting actors even more excited.
“A huge project?”
“What is it? What is it?”
Sua was only maintaining a blank expression with 4-second Sua Anger. Her mouth was itching, but she had to keep the confidentiality clause. Because it was a contract.
“Maybe Special Task Force 808…?”
“No way, that’s not it. Kim Yu-han is a man.”
It was then.
“Sua-ssi! Then let’s all take a picture together! A picture, a picture!”
“That’s right! This isn’t the time to be leisurely eating *gopchang*! When else will we get to take a picture with Sua-ssi? We should take it in advance!”
“…A picture?”
As if the word “picture” was a trigger, they moved with perfect coordination as if they had promised to do so in advance. Before long, they gathered around Sua as if they were taking a group photo at a wedding.
“Sua-ssi, strike a pose! A pose!”
“Give us a V!”
“Is it possible for you to smile!”
“Anything is fine! Sua-ssi, do everything!”
Sua quietly spread her hands to make a V shape. Would it be weird if she had a blank expression in the photo? Image management is important. Coolly. Raise the corners of her lips to a degree that’s not too much.
“…”
People around swallowed hard.
A hybrid of a cute gesture and a murderous expression. That’s how it looked to others, but no one pointed it out. To be exact, no one had the courage to do so.
“S-Sua-ssi! I’ll take another picture just once! Please!”
It was a lie. Sua was tormented with nearly a hundred photos.
.
.
.
.
.
It was a long time before Sua regained her freedom.
Now that the atmosphere was at its peak with drunkenness mixed in, Sua chose to get some fresh air outside. Heavy drinking wasn’t her style.
But soon, one person came out as well.
It was Director Park Joon.
He pulled out a canned coffee from the vending machine across the street and handed it to Sua. The two of them sat side by side outside the *gopchang* restaurant.
Dark night. Store lights. Cool weather.
Now that Sua was in a great mood, Park Joon asked.
“Sua-ssi, how do you feel about being harassed so much by people?”
How do I feel? I’m really out of my mind. But it didn’t feel bad either. It was fascinating that she, who had been useless until now, was being sought after by others so much.
But I can’t say all of this. 0-Second Humility.
“I understand it.”
“That’s a very Sua-ssi-like attitude. That’s right. You understand it. How can anyone resist being attached to Sua? But Sua-ssi, will you be able to understand even if the whole nation is like this later?”
“…”
…That’s a little scary.
“That’s a thing of the future.”
“It won’t be as far in the future as you think? In my opinion, it’s not that far away. I think it’ll be like that soon.”
Park Joon put strength into his voice.
“Sua-ssi, anyway, thank you. Thanks to you, we successfully finished filming. From tomorrow, I’m just going to be editing all day.”
“You’re suffering.”
“No. Far from suffering, it’s like I have something to enjoy. The scenes that Sua-ssi acted in? Each and every one of them is really amazing! I think it’ll be the most difficult but also the most enjoyable moment.”
Then, as if he suddenly remembered something.
“Ah.”
Park Joon hastily took the canned coffee away from his mouth.
“Sua-ssi, and please prepare yourself mentally. No, does Sua-ssi not need that kind of thing? Even though it’s a rather large event….”
“Prepare myself mentally? A large event?”
As Sua tilted her head.
“Yes. Even if it’s just a hunch, I think we’re definitely going to break through to the finals. If that happens, Sua-ssi’s attendance is mandatory. Sua-ssi played Wi Ji-hye, who is the beginning and end of this work.”
“Hmm.”
“Of course, well, if you’re too busy, it can’t be helped, but there’s a reason why I’m emphasizing it so much that I’m saying it’s mandatory. All sorts of masters gather at the short film festival. It’s beneficial for Sua-ssi to just make eye contact with them!”
Park Joon seemed to be about to say something endlessly.
─♩♪♬
It was then that Sua’s phone rang.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“Ah, please, take your time. I’ll go in and take care of the staff and supporting actors.”
After Park Joon entered the *gopchang* restaurant, Sua answered the phone.
“Hello.”
“Sua-yang, it’s me. Writer Lee Geum-sook.”
Sua quietly nodded. Now, writer Lee Geum-sook was a very familiar figure to Sua.
“What’s the matter?”
“Sua-ssi, soldiers going to the battlefield wear combat uniforms, right?”
“…I guess so? But the story about soldiers is sudden.”
‘Did she perhaps write a scene where Kim Yu-han is dragged to the battlefield? Experiencing that would be hard.’ That’s what Sua was thinking when.
“Sua-yang is an actor now. What is the combat uniform for an actor? Styling. Or things that are called coordi. Embellishment.”
Writer Lee Geum-sook continued slowly.
“There are a lot of people sticking to Sua-yang these days, right? Styling is a great help in that regard as well. Just that atmosphere alone becomes a weapon for relationships and negotiations. Anyway….”
Sua just listened for now.
“…Finally, Sua-yang’s styling is coming together. It looks perfect to me, and I think we can leave for the salon right away tomorrow morning after waking up. Of course, our production team is going together as well.”
“Hmm.”
‘Styling? Am I finally being made up too?’
Sua nodded with a subtle excitement, but on the other hand, she became curious. ‘What kind of styling am I getting?’
“First, please tell me what kind of styling it is.”
“Of course I have to tell you. But before that, do you know what the characteristics of great styling are?”
“Not really.”
“It’s that images immediately come to mind. Seo Yeon-joo is a rabbit, Kim Sun-il is a crow. That kind of thing. Sua-yang is getting that kind of thing now too.”
“What am I?”
Sua asked with half curiosity and half anticipation.
“Sua-yang is an Arctic Fox.”
An animal she hadn’t even thought of came out as the answer.
“…An Arctic Fox?”
“Yes. I’m going to dye Sua-yang all white.”
The voice of Writer Lee Geum-sook, who said that, felt more excited than any moment Sua had had a conversation with her so far.
“I guarantee it. There won’t be anyone who doesn’t fall for you.”
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