episode_0181

Hotel near the filming location of ‘Lie, Lie, Lie.’

A rather awkward meeting took place.

It was none other than the meeting of Minami and her mother. Sawako sat in a wheelchair, her gaze lowered, and remained mostly silent.

‘As expected, she’s still very afraid of Akiko.’

That was Director Yuusaku’s brief impression.

In his eyes, Sawako was shrinking in front of her mother, Akiko. She didn’t seem purely happy about the reunion; rather, she seemed more overwhelmed.

“Have you been well? You’ve gained some weight.”

“Yes. I’ve been well.”

“Weight gain isn’t a good sign for a writer. A novice writer’s growth usually comes through suffering. I suspect you haven’t just been idly enjoying yourself in Korea…”

“…”

Sawako seemed to be contemplating her answer. Seeing her overwhelmed, Director Yuusaku finally intervened.

“Let’s go inside now. After all, we can only see Sua’s acting tomorrow, and today we should all get some rest.”

Then, Akiko chuckled and nodded.

“Well, alright.”

“And there are a few precautions we must take tomorrow. Thanks to the persuasion of the Mystic CEO, we were able to get permission to be on set, but it’s still a big occasion.”

“Of course. Why? Are you worried I’ll cause trouble?”

Akiko said this, slightly lowering her sunglasses.

Earrings, bracelets, necklaces… Right now, she was covered in so much jewelry that she could be called a walking jewelry box. A human adorned in jewels.

Akiko spoke.

“Anyway, you decided to film Sawako’s script solely because of this actress, Lee Sua, right?”

“That’s right.”

Director Yuusaku continued without hesitation.

“I thought that Sua alone would be enough.”

“I wonder if Director Yuusaku’s judgment is as excellent as it used to be? This is the first time I’ve seen you so attached.”

“Well, you’ll see for yourself.”

Yuusaku’s attitude was resolute, as if no other words were necessary, and Akiko understood his meaning.

Therefore.

Soon, Akiko also chuckled and nodded.

“Alright. I’ll see it with my own two eyes tomorrow. Whether Director Yuusaku’s judgment has become clouded, or whether Lee Sua is a runaway train that everyone has to get on. I’ll know when I see it myself.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, inside Sua’s mind.

[Sua Association]

A huge banner hung as an interview was in full swing.

Three judges sat at a long, straight desk: Yoo Han-Sua, Wi Ji-hye-Sua, and Lee Kang-cheol-Sua.

But what was amazing was the crowd gathered in front of them. All sorts of Suas were lined up in a row.

Wi Ji-hye yawned.

“She finally picked a day. I hate anything bothersome.”

Then, Kim Yu-han spoke.

“It can’t be helped. Sua sunbae has taken on too many scripts in a short period, and her inner self is full of roles. We need to prune them. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise?”

“Something terrible will happen. Halmanggu, what if 100 roles were to live inside Sua sunbae’s mind? Would she become 100 times smarter?”

“Hmm.”

Wi Ji-hye pondered for a moment before shaking her head.

“I don’t think so. There’s no way she could handle 100 people. She’d go crazy or her head would explode.”

“Yes. And if Sua sunbae’s head explodes, we’ll die too. So, let’s carefully select them without complaint.”

Eventually, Wi Ji-hye agreed, and the official interviews began. First, the Suas born from ‘supporting’ roles were mostly destined to fail.

When you think about it, it’s only natural. Supporting roles. The characters themselves aren’t detailed, so there’s no point in keeping them inside.

Of course, some protested in the middle.

“Me, I’m failing? That doesn’t make sense?”

“Don’t raise your voice. Leave nicely.”

“How can I not raise my voice? Look over there!”

The supporting role Sua pointed to So-hee-Sua, who was far away. She was playing with toys, making *ttuttaddadda* sounds.

“…Why am I failing when that guy gets to stay? Huh?”

“That one is most similar to this body’s owner. Special admission? Something like that. Don’t think too deeply about it.”

“What? What nonsense…!”

“Disappear.”

Wi Ji-hye swung her sword, and the supporting role Sua disappeared with a *poof*. After that, many extras were filtered out.

And at some point.

“Hello…”

This time, it was also a supporting role.

But her attire was quite unique, and from that alone, her identity could be inferred. It was the maid Sua, wearing a maid uniform.

The role Sua played in the movie ‘High Society’ and also the role that allowed her to learn ‘acting cute.’

“Tell me ten or more of your strengths.”

“Cleaning and laundry…”

The maid Sua trailed off.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have anything else.”

“Passed.”

“…?”

The maid Sua looked like she wanted to ask why she had passed, but she couldn’t. The interview continued.

And a lot of time passed.

“What a load of crap. Kill them.”

An interviewee appeared, uttering bold words.

It was none other than Soo-hee-Sua.

In other words, the gangster Sua in a suit. The very role Sua played in ‘Lie, Lie, Lie.’

“Oh?”

“Hmm?”

Wi Ji-hye and Kim Yu-han showed interest in the gangster Sua, but regardless, the gangster Sua spat.

“You’re not children, you’re just playing house.”

“Passed.”

“What?”

“You’re fun. My body was itching for a fight, so this is good.”

Wi Ji-hye and the other Suas began to warm up, but for some reason, the gangster Sua felt chills down her spine.

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, Sua in the outside world was on the phone.

“What? Really?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

The person on the other end was none other than Sika-rin Go Eun-bi. Sua widened her eyes as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

“Shark’s Playground got canceled?”

“Yes, how many times do I have to say it?”

Go Eun-bi’s voice was mixed with a sigh.

“You know that ‘Shark’ the streamer planned Shark’s Playground, right? It seems that Shark rigged the map to benefit only his close streamer associates.”

“Rigged the map?”

Sua thought for a moment and then said.

“…Isn’t it okay to do some rigging?”

“Are you sick or something?”

“What?”

“Oh, you’re a patient. I almost got angry. I’ll continue to explain.”

“Huh?”

“There were people who shared in advance the locations where valuable resources were buried or where rare items dropped. That was revealed, and of course, it caused a huge uproar.”

“Then what about the talent show?”

“It’s over. You can assume you won’t need Su-Miho for a while. The higher-ups are already having a meeting, so I’ll let you know the details when the results come out.”

“Hmm, well, okay.”

“…Shark’s Playground was canceled, but you still have to participate with Su-Miho if a big event comes up later, right? Lee Sua, don’t pretend you don’t know when the time comes!”

“Okay. I said okay.”

I understand perfectly, Sua understands!

After hanging up the phone, Sua fell into thought.

‘It was a song I prepared for the talent show.’

But Sua’s stage to show off her song disappeared. What should she do? Was it all in vain to learn the song?

But she was able to shake her head.

‘Drama OST.’

Hong Ye-ji didn’t ask Sua for amazing singing skills? It’s better this way. Singing skills were needed for Sua in some way.

*Tting*

Proof of that was the newly arrived message.

[Sender: Kim Yi-seo]

▷ Sua, I sent the van.

▷ Warm up your voice well inside the vehicle. It seems like there will be a singing test as soon as Sua arrives.

…Okay, now is the time for Sua to sing.

◈◈◈◈◈

Afterward, Sua arrived at Netflix Korea.

The name of being the world’s number one OTT platform was not in vain. Inside the Netflix building, there was a luxurious music studio. Just like the basics.

‘Oh… A space for people who make music? That kind of feeling?’

Various instruments, recording booths, and sound equipment… Things that shouldn’t be familiar to Sua were all familiar to her now, as if she had grabbed them at her first birthday.

‘It’s thanks to the special perk I already experienced!’

I regressed more than 10,000 times as Geumhwa-jo, right? The life of a singer-songwriter I experienced after that helped. I touched most of the equipment back then.

“The star of the day! Ms. Sua has arrived!”

The ‘Title Undecided’ production team enthusiastically welcomed Sua.

Netflix officials, Lee Seo-jung who starred with Sua, Lee Geum-suk’s team, Hong Ye-ji, and even Sawako. With so many people, Sua’s tension increased.

*Thump thump thump*!

Her heart started beating loudly again.

‘Ugh, I’m so nervous? I have to do well…’

I only had to sing alone in karaoke, so there was nothing to be nervous about, but when I thought about so many people watching Sua’s song, I was very nervous.

And they weren’t just watching.

‘It’s burdensome! They’re looking at me with such expectant eyes!’

Yes, their eyes were all expectant.

But.

Suddenly.

“…”

Sua was able to gain tremendous courage.

‘…Hong Ye-ji sunbae?’

In one corner, Hong Ye-ji was praying with her hands clasped together. Her mouth kept moving, constantly reciting something.

Judging from the shape of her mouth, it was please, Sua, sing… or something like that. Sua had never seen someone so earnest.

Even without hearing everything, the meaning was understood.

Yes, that is.

Sua also clenched her fist tightly.

‘I understand. Trust me.’