episode_0074

Two days later.

At Director Go Tae-min’s studio. The conference room.

As befitting a director nicknamed the “Delicate Maestro,” Director Go’s studio conference room was quite far from ordinary.

Especially considering the grand piano that took up a prominent spot.

The production team for ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow,’ Director Go Tae-min, CEO Kim Yi-seo, and lastly, Sua, were seated.

The atmosphere was, of course, awkward.

Sua fidgeted with her hands resting on her lap.

‘You called me even after I said I’d decline? Ugh, uncomfortable.’

It was an uncomfortable situation, like sitting on pins and needles.

Also, she couldn’t understand the attitude Go Tae-min was showing. Kim Yi-seo clearly conveyed her refusal, but the director was looking at Sua with quite a profound gaze.

‘Does he want me to change my mind? I still don’t want to do the 7th grade role though. Of course, I have to refuse politely.’

It was easy to refuse Director Kim Joon-gi because he sent Secretary Seo Jae-woo. It ended with just saying no to the secretary.

However, Director Go Tae-min’s case was slightly different.

He cleared his schedule to arrange a meeting with Mystic, so Sua decided to be polite in her own way.

‘An actor’s ability isn’t just about acting well.’

Still continuing to manage her image.

These days, Sua was quite aware that actors should form good relationships with those around them. She had to be reborn as an actor that anyone could like.

Therefore, finishing something is as important as starting it. So, the goal for today’s meeting is to refuse in a way that leaves no lingering issues.

‘…I never thought I’d be thinking about things like this.’

Truly Sua the Great.

[Everyone thinks that. Sua Basic.]

The special trait immediately interjected, saying that she was just now doing the basics, but she ignored it. You stay quiet. Don’t talk to me.

At that moment, Go Tae-min smiled slightly.

“I heard that Sua-ssi expressed her intention to decline, could you just tell me what parts you didn’t like? That’s all I need.”

Around this point, Kim Yi-seo’s antennae twitched once.

‘He’s not questioning it. This is actually….’

Doesn’t it sound like he’s saying he’ll fix any inconveniences right away? Kim Yi-seo, with her business antennae raised, spoke.

“Will anything change depending on Sua’s answer?”

“Yes, it will.”

Go Tae-min nodded.

“If you have a big dislike, then there’s nothing we can do. That’s how things are in this industry, right? You can’t force things.”

Kim Yi-seo nodded. So did Sua.

You can force labor-like work, but you can’t force acting. You can’t draw out emotions you don’t even feel like having in the first place.

Kim Yi-seo continued.

“What if Sua’s dislikes are minor?”

“Then I’d consider making changes. I’ll be direct. I like Sua-ssi. I don’t care if she’s a rookie or not. I was already set on it and made the appointment that day.”

“….”

Kim Yi-seo immediately gave Sua a desperate look.

Sua could easily read the meaning.

They’re accommodating you this much, are you really not going to do it? They’ll even revise the script, and you’re still not doing it? That was the pleading expression.

Meanwhile, Go Tae-min’s gaze was directed at Sua.

“Should we hear what the person involved thinks first?”

Sua paused for a moment, thinking.

“Director-nim, this Kim So-hee character…”

“Kim So-hee? The main character of my work.”

“Is it really a fully formed role?”

“Formed? Could you please explain in more detail?”

Around this time, the entire production team, including Director Go Tae-min, was looking at Sua with more interested eyes than before.

Sua felt a slight burden and opened her mouth.

“I feel like it’s insufficient.”

“Insufficient?”

“Yes. I feel that the Kim So-hee character is missing many important elements. To the point where it could ruin the work.”

By the time Sua had spat out all the clues she had obtained through her special trait, the surroundings were already in quiet turmoil. The production team members had shocked expressions and were whispering amongst themselves.

Kim Yi-seo was sweating profusely and rolling her eyes. She was anxious about what would happen if this situation ended badly.

Then.

“I see. The main character of my work is lacking.”

Director Go Tae-min said that.

Because he spoke with so much force, Sua gripped her knees tightly. She was scared. Did I blurt it out too bluntly? Should I have expressed it more indirectly? Concerns like that soared.

However.

“…Sua-ssi’s eye for detail is definitely different.”

Go Tae-min said that with a bright smile.

“Honestly, I didn’t think something like that was really possible, but now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I don’t think I can deny it.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re right. Sua-ssi pointed it out accurately.”

Saying that, Go Tae-min handed Sua a new script. It was much thicker than the first one she received.

“Sua-ssi, take a look at this now. This is the real one. And…”

Go Tae-min’s head turned towards the production team. Right now, the production team’s faces all had shocked expressions.

“You all saw it clearly, right? Now get out!”

.

.

.

.

.

Conference room.

Only the production PD, Kim Yi-seo, and Go Tae-min remained.

Kim Yi-seo tilted her head first.

“What just happened…”

“It’s just as I said earlier. Sua-ssi pointed it out properly.”

“Was there really a problem with the Kim So-hee role?”

“Rather than a problem, there were parts that were empty.”

Go Tae-min continued.

“The reason So-hee is a piano prodigy is because she suffers from Savant syndrome. In other words, she has autism.”

“Ah…?”

“But the script I gave to Mystic didn’t have that element. She was just portrayed as a perfect piano prodigy, and Sua-ssi pointed that out as if she saw right through it.”

Go Tae-min stroked his chin as if he was still amazed.

“It’s amazing. I’m really surprised.”

He seemed to have a lot to say.

“There are so many things to praise, but first of all, her attitude is extraordinary.”

“What do you mean by attitude?”

“I couldn’t ignore my reputation, but Sua-ssi completely ignored it. She didn’t try to look good to me, and she didn’t seem to be trying to read the room. She was just focused on the script.”

“She’s always been like that. I’ve seen it a lot.”

“That attitude might also be a talent given by heaven. Or maybe it’s the influence of being from overseas? Friends from foreign countries tend to be less concerned about what others think.”

Around that time, Kim Yi-seo organized what she wanted to say.

“First of all, thank you for praising Mystic’s actor. But…”

Kim Yi-seo’s expression became quite serious.

“May I ask why you did that test? You could have given us the completed script from the beginning.”

“That’s because…”

Go Tae-min smiled gently.

“Many people were curious.”

“Curious?”

“They were curious whether Sua-ssi dismissed Director Kim Joon-gi simply by luck. But thanks to the situation just now, it’s become clear. So, the reason wasn’t just luck.”

Did she dismiss Director Kim Joon-gi simply by luck?

Or did she have a near-future premonition?

This was something that Kim Yi-seo was a little pricked by. In fact, Kim Yi-seo herself had some curiosity about that part.

But thinking about it now, Director Go Tae-min was right.

Now it’s even more certain. Sua is not someone who relies on luck, and she accurately sees the elements that make a script successful.

However, perhaps misunderstanding Kim Yi-seo’s silence, Director Go Tae-min added a few words.

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t do this because I doubted Sua-ssi. I was actually in a position to fully trust Sua-ssi, and this was ultimately for Sua-ssi’s sake.”

“Does that mean this test helped Sua?”

“Of course.”

Director Go Tae-min nodded.

“Just because I want to cast a certain rookie doesn’t mean it immediately becomes a reality. Film is a medium that is created together. I mean, even if you just look at the production team, they exist.”

“That’s right.”

“Therefore, even if I’m interested in Sua-ssi, it’s not going to be smooth sailing. There’s a lot of opposition among the production team members who didn’t visit the Special Task Force 808 set, and among the people involved.”

Kim Yi-seo nodded quietly.

Well, that’s understandable.

Special Task Force 808 hasn’t aired yet, and to some people, Sua is still just a rookie. They must be thinking that she’s not enough to be paired with the giant Go Tae-min.

“…If you haven’t seen Sua, it’s understandable that you’d be against it.”

“That’s right. I like using rookies, but most people hate it. They think you have to mix in some top actors to get good results. It’s actually a valid point.”

Go Tae-min shrugged his shoulders.

“In fact, another top actor was already eyeing the Kim So-hee role. From their perspective, there’s no need to use a rookie. They can just use a top actor.”

“A top actor? May I ask who it is?”

“Ham A-yoon.”

“Ham A-yoon!”

Kim Yi-seo reacted strongly. It was understandable. Ham A-yoon is considered to be on almost the same level as Seo Yeon-joo.

“But.”

Go Tae-min continued smoothly.

“Now that everyone has clearly seen Sua’s eye for detail, my opinion has gained a lot of power. The steps for Sua, a rookie, to participate in my work have been steadily built.”

“Ah…”

Kim Yi-seo quietly admired.

The giant is different after all.

He wanted to use Sua in this work no matter what, so he prepared this opportunity. I understand now.

This was an inevitable story that Kim Yi-seo would be happy about.

If Go Tae-min hadn’t created this opportunity, persuading the people around them who looked unfavorably on Sua would have been solely Kim Yi-seo’s responsibility. It was like getting rid of a huge burden with ease.

Go Tae-min opened his mouth again.

“So, from now on, shall we divide the roles?”

“Divide the roles…”

“Yes. Divide the roles. I’ll persuade the production team, and CEO Kim can persuade Sua. That would be perfect.”

Go Tae-min’s deep eyes shone.

“I definitely want Sua-ssi to play the Kim So-hee role.”