episode_0168

“Huh…?”

The ‘Lie, Lie, Lie’ filming crew collectively voiced their awe and confusion, their eyes fixed solely on Yeon-ju.

This wasn’t anticipated.

How much despair would she show? How much anger?

Seo Yeon-ju chose neither.

To protect the value of ‘honesty’ that Im Soo-hee discussed even as she died, she grasps the dagger, knowing full well it’s a hopeless endeavor. Her expression is unbelievably serene for someone facing death.

No, she even seems relieved.

‘…I think I understand Lee Geum-sook’s writer’s heart now.’

This was Park Moo-ryong’s thought.

Why did writer Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Hee-won push for the absurd choice of ‘open ending’? It finally made sense. Look at the result right before your eyes.

Seo Yeon-ju came to Park Moo-ryong, saying she couldn’t act out this scene, but in everyone’s eyes, the emotional depth Seo Yeon-ju is showing now is perfect.

It’s as if Park Si-yeon herself has manifested.

‘…I never thought about it before seeing Yeon-ju’s performance, but after seeing it, I think Park Si-yeon would really act like this. She *is* the character.’

It’s the difference between a passable action and a truly awe-inspiring one. Yes, Seo Yeon-ju is top-tier right now.

Her eyes, after being dragged around like a dog by all sorts of worldly things, now have a strange gleam of someone who has finally become human. Everyone was captivated by that reborn gaze.

“…”

Director Park Moo-ryong stood there blankly for a long while.

“O, okay! Let’s stop there for now!”

He belatedly shouted the “Okay” sign. At the same time, the supporting actors in suits let out sighs of relief.

There were still a few scenes left, but he had to stop. While admiring Yeon-ju’s interpretation, no one actually understood what was going to unfold.

A short strategy meeting was needed.

“Ye, Yeon-ju! Come quick! What happens next?”

“Everyone, shush! Focus on what Yeon-ju-ssi is saying!”

Everyone even held their breath as they listened to Yeon-ju’s explanation, and it only took a moment for everyone to be impressed by Park Si-yeon’s actions.

“…That’s actually really good! I’ll think about the lines right away.”

The supporting actor playing the boss of the Gyeil faction also immediately agreed, and it didn’t take long to prepare for filming again. Director Park Moo-ryong gripped the megaphone tightly.

“Let’s go right away! Ready! Actioooooon!”

His voice was more excited than ever.

. ​ . ​ . ​ . ​ .

Park Si-yeon’s (Seo Yeon-ju’s) struggles were naturally not threatening. It’s obvious since she’s never wielded a knife before.

Seo Yeon-ju knelt before the Gyeil faction leader.

They moved the location to a secluded warehouse, and the Gyeil faction leader, sitting comfortably in a chair, stared down at Seo Yeon-ju. There was no anger in his expression, just ambiguity.

Eventually, he chuckled.

“I didn’t think you’d actually attack. Are you crazy?”

Of course, he’s not just asking kindly. He held a sashimi knife to Seo Yeon-ju’s neck, applying just enough pressure to draw beads of blood.

However…

Seo Yeon-ju actually smiled.

This only added to the confusion of the gang members guarding him. Where is this composure coming from?

“Hurry up and kill me, then? Or are you going to die?”

Whoosh!

The boss quickly pulled the sashimi knife away. Seo Yeon-ju had abruptly moved her neck towards the edge of the sashimi knife. If he hadn’t pulled back, her neck would have been pierced just now.

“….”

The boss rolled his tongue around in his mouth for a moment. He realized that Park Si-yeon’s actions weren’t just a bluff.

Doubt had already spread across his face.

“This bitch is serious. Why are you doing this?”

“Hey, I don’t give anything away for free. I did the prosecutor thing because they paid me, and I gave my body for success.”

“Thinking of talking to save your life?”

“You’re not going to spare me anyway, you piece of trash.”

Park Si-yeon had no regrets even if she died now.

She kept Im Soo-hee’s words to live as a human.

No matter how mangled and damaged her body became, she was currently moving with agency. She’s not bound by anything else. Yes, she was finally human.

“…Is it because you’re a prosecutor? You’re smart.”

“That’s right. You stupid gangster.”

“Okay. Then die now.”

The boss grabbed Seo Yeon-ju’s neck and brought the sashimi knife towards her nostril, as if to kill her as painfully as possible.

However…

He still doesn’t kill her.

Instead, he tapped Seo Yeon-ju’s forehead with the flat of the knife.

“You really are a con artist, aren’t you? You have a way of captivating people. Hey, Park Si-yeon. You’re an interesting bitch.”

The boss got out of the chair and met Seo Yeon-ju’s gaze.

“Park Si-yeon, what would you do if I spared you?”

“What nonsense are you suddenly talking about?”

“Everyone around me only knows me as a gangster who’ll do anything for money, right? That’s not entirely wrong, but it’s not entirely right either. I’m a human too. A human who loses his head when he’s angry.”

“….”

“I’ll give you one job before you die.”

“What job?”

Then the boss raises the corners of his lips.

“Kang In-hak, who betrayed you. I’ll give you a chance to kill him.”

“….”

“Don’t even think about being cunning, okay? I’m just letting you deal with Kang In-hak, that’s it. After that, you die quietly too. Consider it your last supper.”

Seo Yeon-ju stared straight at the boss.

“….”

But she doesn’t utter a word.

Seo Yeon-ju moved her lips a few times without making a sound, then rolled her eyes. It was a strange sight, as it was impossible to tell whether she was holding back anger or laughter.

And…

“Okayyyyyy!”

Director Park Moo-ryong’s booming voice echoed.

The staff, including the bald Director Park Moo-ryong, rushed towards Yeon-ju all at once. It didn’t take long to form a human barricade.

However, everyone was speechless once they got close. They rushed over in excitement, but they were too busy being amazed to say anything.

Their admiration swirled in their minds for a while.

‘Crazy… She’s really crazy…’

‘This isn’t Seo Yeon-ju-ssi, it’s Park Si-yeon.’

‘I think our movie is going to be a hit? No, it definitely will be!’

In the midst of that whirlpool of admiration…

Seo Yeon-ju quietly turned her head. Without giving the people around her a glance, she looked straight at Soo-ah, who was still lying on the sand.

The funny thing is, Soo-ah was also looking at Yeon-ju.

Yeon-ju mouthed the words.

‘Thank you. Really.’

◈◈◈◈◈

That night.

Yeon-ju was busy checking her DMs.

[Yeon-ju-ssi, you were amazing today!]

[Yeon-ju-nim ㅠㅠㅠ Thank you so much ㅠㅠ]

[Thank you for creating a legendary scene!]

She wrote replies with a happy heart.

▶ It’s all thanks to Soo-ah’s advice. Actually, Soo-ah interpreted the scene. I could never have done it alone. So please give your thanks to Soo-ah.

After that, a flood of messages like, ‘Re, really?!’ came pouring in, but Seo Yeon-ju went to bed around that time.

It’s strange.

She’d never felt such pleasantly happy exhaustion before.

“Why am I so… sleepy…”

She didn’t take her antidepressants, but she felt at peace, and she didn’t take her sleeping pills, but she was drifting off to sleep. Her mind was at peace, as if she were soaking in a warm hot spring.

Soon.

Yeon-ju fell asleep without a sound.

. ​ . ​ . ​ . ​ .

‘Huh?’

When she came to her senses, she was in that space again.

‘…Where is this?’

Yeon-ju looked around and was certain. This was the place where she had gained enlightenment while filming the climax scene.

─What is life?

But this question was still being repeated.

There were even young Yeon-jus there.

“It’s stopping my parents from fighting.”

“It’s a desperate struggle to avoid being bullied.”

“It’s a punishment to have to live by force.”

“It’s becoming pretty.”

“It’s acting for a lifetime.”

“….”

Seo Yeon-ju thought it was bitter, but she soon understood.

Because the past never changes. Even if Seo Yeon-ju has now gained a different enlightenment.

─What is life?

So, they were stuck at a specific point in time, repeating the same answer. As if they were being tortured.

“….”

Yeon-ju suddenly thought.

This is a dream anyway, right? Then shouldn’t I be able to do whatever I want? She didn’t want to leave things as they were.

Eventually, she confidently took a step forward.

She had a task to do.

“Aren’t you ashamed to fight in front of your child? Either fight somewhere quiet, or just get a clean divorce. What’s this wishy-washy nonsense?”

She scolded Yeon-ju’s parents.

“Wh, who are you!” “You, why are you bullying other kids when you’re so small? Worry about your own future. Do you know you’re going to be living as an internet gambler at 25? You’ll be immortalized on social media.”

She also scolded those who bullied Yeon-ju.

“It’s my thing! Why are you suddenly taking it?” “The briquettes are confiscated. You can’t commit suicide.”

She completely prevented Yeon-ju’s suicide attempt.

Yeon-ju raised the corners of her lips. It was more fun than she thought.

“Wh, what is it?” “You think you just need to work out hard, right? Actually, diet is important. You have to eat this. Unnie is specially telling you this. It’ll shorten your body transformation by two years.”

She also took care of Yeon-ju’s diet.

“Ouch! What are you doing! Let go of me!” “It’s because you’re so arrogant. Don’t talk as if you’ve mastered everything in the world. In the first place, you’re a fool who can’t even do method acting, right?” “Do you know me? Why are you acting like you know me!” “Quiet. Try to enjoy acting. Don’t think of it as survival, just think of it as something fun.”

She even gave Yeon-ju some harsh advice.

Now everything was over.

When Yeon-ju turned around, 7-year-old, 15-year-old, 17-year-old, 20-year-old, and 21-year-old Yeon-jus were following her. All of them had expressions full of confusion and doubt on their faces.

“Who is unnie?” “That’s right! Who are you to say such things!” “You don’t know how hard my life is!” “You don’t even know! You’re just spouting irresponsible words!”

Then Yeon-ju looked at them fondly.

She quietly clenched and unclenched her fist.

Then, a name tag that read was in her palm. She knew how to use it. Seo Yeon-ju quietly pinned it to her chest.

“…!”

At the same time, the young Yeon-jus’ eyes widened.

“Alright, everyone, sit down!”

Seo Yeon-ju tapped the floor with her palm. “From now on, this unnie will tell you what Seo Yeon-ju’s life is like. And how to live it!”

The brightest smile.

The girl who was afraid of the dark future was now a woman who knew how to enjoy the present. She even knows how to feel proud by shedding light on a distant past.

She loves herself and enjoys the present.

Seo Yeon-ju’s Yeoncheon Gyeong.

It is a love(愛悅).