episode_0139
by adminThe next day.
The rooftop of Mystic Headquarters.
The weather these days was exceptionally wonderful.
Warm sunlight. A breeze that tickled the skin.
Swoosh─
Seo Yeon-joo took it all in, reciting her line.
“Believe it or not. I only ever speak the truth.”
And then a moment of silence.
“Hoo…”
Seo Yeon-joo sighed and took out her phone. Her concentration was slipping. It was time for a break.
She quickly decided what to do. She’d recently had a simple photoshoot, and she wanted to check the public’s reaction.
[Seo Yeon-joo Photoshoot: An innocent smile + slender legs that make you want to play tennis with her. How can you not look at this?]
─ Yeon-joo *unnie* ㅠ You’re always so pretty ─ Wow, she’s even prettier sweating ─ Makes me feel like this is how I should be spending my youth ─ I’ve been memory-manipulated into thinking she was my first love ─ The headband suits you so well!
Thankfully, the reaction was mostly positive.
Seo Yeon-joo’s fingers, moving at a steady pace, suddenly hitched, as if encountering an obstacle.
─ It seems like “Outstar” will be the defining work in Seo Yeon-joo’s filmography. Honestly, besides her innocent image, what else is there? ─ Her photoshoots and product commercials are definitely more famous. She’s destined to be replaced by anyone with a prettier innocent face.
─ Why does she sometimes upload concept photos that don’t match her image on social media? Is she on drugs or something?
─ Have you guys seen Seo Yeon-joo’s old photos? lololol
Seo Yeon-joo unconsciously moved her fingers.
[What do you know?]
But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to reply.
Instead, she put her phone away, walked to the railing, and gripped it. The view of the city below was dizzyingly clear. Cars moving neatly, people striding purposefully.
That place looks so peaceful.
Wouldn’t it be soft if I touched it?
“… ”
But Seo Yeon-joo soon shook her head.
“… No.”
She took a couple of steps back from the railing and grabbed her script. She was cast in the lead role of “Lies, Lies, Lies.”
“Let’s at least do this. Just this.”
The role of Park Si-yeon.
There was no role more suited to her, and no role she could play so easily.
It would be perfect to decorate her finale.
◈◈◈◈◈
Japan.
In a massive conference room, a meeting for the “Noir Scenario Competition” was underway, and the number of people gathered was immense.
“Director, are you serious? You’re going to select this?”
Someone shouted.
The atmosphere was anything but smooth.
Director Yusaku, a renowned filmmaker, sat at the head of the table holding up a script, and the faces of those filling the remaining seats were uneasy.
“Yes. I’ve decided to make this the winning entry.”
Come to think of it, the situation itself was bizarre.
Mother, writer Minami Akiko.
Daughter, writer Minami Sawako.
Director Yusaku had singled out his daughter’s script as the winner in Korea and quickly returned to Japan. So it was strange. Why hadn’t the competition already ended?
The reason was simple.
“Director, can’t you reconsider?”
“Yes. We really don’t understand…”
“Director Yusaku, please rethink this.”
The opposition was too strong.
One person stepped forward and spoke.
“Not a single person here disrespects you, Director. But why is there so much opposition? The difference in skill between the mother and daughter is extreme. This is just not it.”
In fact, the voices of those opposing were polite. Yes, they were just deeply shocked. If the opposing party wasn’t Yusaku, they would’ve already grabbed him by the collar.
The production team leader for the competition spoke up.
“Director, do you really have to use this middle schooler’s script?”
“Yes. How many times have I said it?”
“I don’t intend to disregard someone based on their age. But looking solely at their skill, there’s a huge difference. The degree of polish, the detailed content, the mother’s script is far superior, isn’t it?”
The team leader continued in a calm tone.
“Even the daughter violated the rules, right? She revised a script that had already been submitted. That’s grounds for disqualification.”
“Hmm.”
That was true.
Originally, the mother and daughter had jointly written a story about a spy planted in a *yakuza* organization who is struggling with their identity. But the daughter suddenly made a complete revision to the story.
And with a completely different story, at that.
Eventually, Yusaku nodded.
“I admit that. But I saw something. If I combine the potential in this script with the potential of a Korean actor…”
“Director, please.”
A dying voice came from across the table.
“There’s a rumor going around about competitions these days. You know it, right?”
“I know it.”
“Yes. The film production promised as a prize is just for promotion, and the quality is garbage. It’s better not to watch it. That’s what people are saying in general.”
The team leader continued in a pleading tone.
“But what’s the goal of this Noir Competition?”
“To make something really good, of course. I know. Your ambition to shake up Japan is just as strong as mine.”
“Why are you making such a choice when you have such ambitions? The script was written by an inexperienced middle schooler, the theme is *yakuza*, and you’re casting a Korean actress in the lead role… I don’t even know where to begin objecting. Please consider our feelings as well.”
Suddenly, Director Yusaku asked.
“What kind of movie do you want?”
“Of course, a noir that’s faithful to the basics.”
“So you’re saying you want to keep doing the same old thing. Are you going to retire after only making that for your entire life? Are you only going to film *yakuza* fighting all day long?”
“We’ve also tried to make changes.”
The production team leader said in a bitter voice.
“But every attempt has failed, and we realized afterwards. *Yakuza* are most successful when they’re handled in the most basic way.”
“I want to take a chance. I want to shed light on how those who want to retire from that society try to return to ordinary society, rather than just focusing on *yakuza* fighting mindlessly.”
“Taking a chance with a script that a middle schooler hurriedly revised? I wouldn’t mind if it was your personal project, Director, but this is a competition.”
It was then.
Bang!
The conference room door opened, and two women appeared.
One was a middle-aged woman draped in luxury brands with a cold expression, while the other looked like a faded flower that would break if you touched it. Especially because of her appearance in a wheelchair with a pale face.
“…!”
Those in the meeting quickly lowered their voices.
Mother and daughter. Both were writers, after all.
More precisely, they were watching the mother’s mood. Akiko had too much influence.
The relationship between the mother and daughter didn’t seem to be good. The daughter seemed more intimidated by her mother.
The production team leader greeted them awkwardly.
“Ahem, ahem, you’ve arrived. Writer Akiko.”
“Has the winning entry been decided?”
“Well, that’s…”
“That’s?”
“Not yet, the Director is still making a decision…”
The production team looked at Yusaku as if they were in trouble.
The mother frowned. She was displeased. She was also aware that only Yusaku was objecting.
“Is this something that requires so much deliberation—”
But it was then.
“Congratulations.”
Director Yusaku stood up and interrupted.
“As you expected, and as everyone predicted, Akiko-ssi’s work has been selected as the winning entry. Congratulations.”
“…!”
At first, everyone was flustered, but soon their expressions brightened.
It was understandable. Yusaku had finally abandoned his stubbornness and declared the mother’s victory.
The daughter hung her head low.
It seemed she had high expectations.
“However.”
But Yusaku’s words weren’t over yet.
He looked at the production team again and said.
“I will not be participating in this production.”
“…?”
“…!”
Immediately, everyone’s faces went blank.
“Director?”
“What do you mean?”
Yusaku continued calmly.
“From the start, I was only in charge of the judging, right? It means I won’t be signing an additional contract for the production.”
“So, why…”
“From the start, Akiko-ssi’s script doesn’t need me. It’s so meticulous and faithful to the basics, as the production team said. Whoever shoots it, the result will be similar.”
Yusaku approached the daughter.
“So I’m thinking of producing a movie with the daughter, Sawako-yang’s script. Didn’t someone actually say it earlier? If you want to take a chance, challenge it with a personal project.”
“… ”
“Sawako-yang, who violated the rules, is disqualified. There won’t be a problem with fairness.”
Everyone was so shocked that they couldn’t easily open their mouths.
Yusaku’s words themselves weren’t wrong, but everyone had assumed that he would definitely be involved in the production as well.
“Well, it’s fine.”
The one who broke the silence was the mother—Akiko.
She gestured with her chin toward her daughter in the wheelchair.
“But you have to hear Sawako’s thoughts.”
“Of course. I won’t do it if your daughter refuses.”
After everyone’s gaze focused on the daughter—Sawako.
She surprisingly nodded timidly.
“…!”
Everyone’s face except for the mother—Akiko and Yusaku’s faces are dyed with shock. Because they didn’t expect a positive answer.
“You’re going to produce it at the same time?”
“With the same theme?”
“…So it’s going to be a head-to-head match?”
It wasn’t the fact that they were producing it that was surprising.
It’s just that the fact that the mother’s side and the daughter’s side were competing was monumental.
At the same time, it was very cruel.
One side would inevitably win, and the losing side would have no choice but to be trampled on. The mother approached the daughter.
“Sawako.”
“Yes.”
“I often regret my childhood.”
She fiddled with the luxury earrings in her ear.
“The time I spent trying to save garbage manuscripts was a waste. It’s just that writing a new one is the answer. I spent months, even years, holding onto them and making them into movies, and it made me feel so dirty when they flopped.”
Soon, Akiko raised the corners of her mouth.
“You’re going to experience that from now on.”
“… ”
“It’s something that every writer has to go through at least once, so I won’t stop you. It’ll be very miserable, but it’s a helpful experience. Learn while regretting this choice for a long time.”
“What?”
“The first principle, throw away failed manuscripts without hesitation.”
The tone is calm, but the content is not at all.
Many of the production team members swallowed dryly.
‘She’s raising her daughter like some kind of assistant writer…’
‘Does that mean that her daughter’s work will end up wasting time and failing miserably? She should just stop her. It’s too cruel.’
‘I heard she treats her daughter harshly, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent.’
Afterwards, the conference room was empty, with everyone having left.
Only the daughter, Sawako, and Yusaku remained.
“I know my skills are lacking. But.”
The daughter, Sawako, carefully parted her lips.
“…I didn’t want to give up on my manuscript. According to my mother, this is a useless stubbornness. Director, am I really heading towards a predetermined failure?”
“You won’t know until you finish it.”
“My mother evaluated my writing as a failed manuscript. That means there’s a high probability of failure. Should I stop? I don’t care if I fail, but Director Yusaku has a lot to lose.”
“I know why you revised the script midway through.”
Director Yusaku looked into Sawako’s eyes.
“You no longer wanted to write like your mother and wanted to write your own story, right? That’s why you wanted to save it at all costs?”
“… ”
Sawako blushed slightly and nodded.
“So, Director, are you cheering me on and helping me?”
“No? I just like this scenario better.”
Director Yusaku smiled brightly.
“So let’s do it. I’ve found a great actor.”
The profile he took out was none other than Sua.
◈◈◈◈◈
Hong Ye-ji’s studio apartment.
Tadadak!
Hong Ye-ji was completely focused on the game.
It was a rhythm game where you pressed the keyboard keys to match the timing of the falling notes, and it was so much fun. Hong Ye-ji realized anew. As expected, she found everything fun except writing.
There was a reason for her leisure today.
“Sua is Kim Yu-han, what an amazing stroke of luck.”
Hong Ye-ji wanted to shout in elation after realizing Kim Yu-han’s true identity. Would she, who was on a successful path, bother with Hong Ye-ji’s trash script?
She would pick much better things.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.
Hong Ye-ji handled it carefully.
An added safety measure. The fact that she requested the casting of Lee Seo-jung was exactly that. Who is Lee Seo-jung? Isn’t Lee Seo-jung the quintessential self-willed actress?
─♩♪♬
It was then that the phone rang. The caller was writer Lee Geum-suk.
Hong Ye-ji lowered the PC volume and answered the phone.
“This is Hong Ye-ji. I’m on the phone.”
“Yeah. Ye-ji, what’s that keyboard sound?”
“I’m playing a game.”
“Hahaha, are you already keeping me in check? Don’t worry. I won’t steal your script. You can be honest and say you’re writing.”
“It’s a game. I’ll even tell you the name. DJ…”
“More importantly, Ye-ji. I wanted to talk to you about Lee Seo-jung.”
“Yes.”
Hong Ye-ji pressed the esc button to stop the game. It was because she was nervous. Maybe Lee Seo-jung hadn’t accepted it.
“…Well, she rejected it right away.”
“Yes. It can’t be helped.”
Hong Ye-ji jumped up from her seat like a spring.
Her body was in an uproar, but she barely managed to keep a straight face. Don’t get excited. She tried to calmly part her lips.
“It’s okay. I’ll come back stronger. I need to write a next project that will cast all the actors I want.”
In fact, she was never going to come back, though.
Right then.
“No. You don’t have to give up yet.”
“Huh?”
“Rather, Sua-yang contacted me to say that she definitely wanted to do it. So I used my brains in various ways.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve arranged a meeting with Lee Seo-jung. Let’s all go out with Sua-ssi and our entire team. We’ll try to persuade her one last time.”
“Writer-nim.”
Hong Ye-ji’s voice became firm.
“A writer should only compete with their writing.”
“Huh?”
“The moment I get rejected, I’ve already lost. Grabbing them again through a meeting? This is disrespectful to each other and doesn’t help improve writing skills. Please forget about it.”
“That attitude of yours.”
Writer Lee Geum-suk put strength into her voice.
“I can’t help but help you after seeing that desperation.”
…I am desperate, but not in that direction?
“Just listen to me this time. There will be a meeting after the final episode of Special Task Force 808 airs, so be prepared.”
“… ”
After hanging up the phone, Hong Ye-ji couldn’t play the game.
It was because she felt somehow ominous.
◈◈◈◈◈
Afterwards, time passed quickly.
Currently, Sua was suffering from all sorts of gifts.
[Seo Yeon-joo has sent a gift.]
[Cheesecake exchange coupon]
[Eat something sweet!]
[Kim Yi-seo has sent a gift.]
[Cactus + flowerpot exchange coupon]
[Try raising plants. It will help.]
[Kim Seon-il has sent a gift.]
[Cleaning tool set exchange coupon]
[Cleaning makes you feel good.]
‘Everyone’s sending something that’s like them?’
You can see their personalities just by looking at the gifts?
Kim Seon-il’s cleaning tools were especially like him. He even sent a bunch of links to various cleaning videos. His mysophobia is different….
Anyway, the atmosphere at Mystic was that they were taking care of Sua even more like family than before after the meeting. Sua felt happy, but also sentimental and complicated.
‘No, wait a minute.’
Sua suddenly recalled the past.
‘Come to think of it, even if I wasn’t completely incapable of feeling emotions, I think I was clumsy at expressing them. There were many moments in life when I didn’t know what emotions to feel or what expressions to make.’
Sua was really bad at human relationships.
She didn’t even know when to get angry, when to be happy, and when someone hated her, she would suffer silently and timidly.
As a result, she was always lonely. It’s hard to deal with humans.
She just played games in her room all the time.
She was always envious of those surrounded by a harmonious atmosphere.
“… ”
Thinking about it that way, the current situation looks a little different.
‘Okay, now that it’s come to this. Let’s learn some emotions and become more mature. Let’s also learn how to communicate with people.’
She clenched her fists. Sua Power!
‘Instead of just managing my image, I’m going to increase the number of people I can truly communicate with in the future!’
This was a very grand idea to change not just the ‘act,’ but the very foundation. Of course, Sua didn’t know such concepts and only vaguely aimed for them.
─ Finally, she’s aiming to escape from being socially maladjusted. ─ Good for you. You’ve matured a little.
Meanwhile, the internet was in an uproar.
[Special Task Force 808 Gallery]
[Title: I’m a little worried because it’s Lee Geum-suk] [Title: Is there no chance of a Season 2?] [Title: Just give us a happy ending, please] [Title: Will there be a Lee Geum-suk Drift?] [Title: Season 2 is definitely coming, there are a lot of hints]
Of course, this was the same in the group chat.
[Sua Task Force]
[Deer: SuaSuaSua] [Deer: Tell me the ending, I’m curious] [Weasel: Yeah, I’m curious too] [Weasel: Is Season 2 coming out? I’ll write an article in advance] [Monkeying: Will there be a drift?]
Why do my ears hurt when I’m just looking at it?
Sua covered her phone and focused her attention on the TV.
The end is as important as the beginning. No, it’s even more important because even if the beginning is weak, the end can be great.
Just looking at her own life, that’s the case. She started so humbly, but now she’s facing a huge inflection point?
So, Sua needed to fix her gaze on the TV at this moment. She had to confirm the end of the world she had created.
[Special Task Force 808]
[─Episode 12─]
The Final Episode.
Finally, it was time to confirm the finale.
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