episode_0215

‘Huh…?’

Sua carefully examined the Yeoncheongyeong Dogam (roll of names).

[Yeoncheongyeong Dogam]

[1. Kim Seon-il: Yeoncheongyeong ─ Reconciliation]

[2. Seo Yeon-ju: Yeoncheongyeong ─ Passionate Love]

[3. Yang Ha-rin ─ ■■■■]

She felt a sense of unease. Even Sua knew why.

Originally, number 3 was Hong Ye-ji, not Yang Ha-rin.

‘What’s this? Why the sudden change?’

It’s too complicated and overwhelming for Sua to think about alone.

She soon called Yu Han-sua to help her investigate.

─It’s not surprising that Yang Ha-rin *ssi* made it onto the Dogam. She must be working hard every day to participate in ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow.’

‘Yeah. The problem is Hong *sunbae*’s name disappeared.’

─She’s not at the filming location, she’s disappeared from the Dogam…it seems like Hong *jakga-nim* is the cause. Let’s ask when we can meet her.

Sua nodded and started walking.

It wasn’t difficult to get a word in with Director Kim Young-gon.

“Excuse me, when will Hong *jakga-nim* be arriving?”

“She’ll be arriving around tonight. If there aren’t many NGs, it will probably be after we film about two scenes.”

“Tonight….”

Sua fell into contemplation.

‘What should I do? Should I tell them to stop filming just in case? It would be safer to meet the writer first.’

─I don’t think there’s any need to do that. No, rather, you shouldn’t. You should focus on filming.

‘Really? Why?’

─Isn’t your current ranking around level 3?

‘Right?’

─Even if Hong *jakga-nim* is the cause, if it’s around level 2 or 3, the problem probably isn’t too serious.

‘Ah?’

─On the other hand, your ranking is going up every time you film a scene. So, I think you should do your best to film and raise your rank as much as possible, then meet her tonight.

‘Hmm, that’s true. Maybe I don’t need to be too hasty?’

Sua understood.

If the rank were 6-10, it would be a serious matter that would warrant stopping filming, but as it is, the rank is expected to settle at 2-3.

So, even if Hong Ye-ji is the cause, it doesn’t mean she’s carrying something terribly serious. Sua thought it made sense.

[Alien Game]

▶ Sufficient implementation elements

▶ 3.4 Rank

The current rank of Alien Game is 3.4.

‘If I could raise it to around 2.5 with the filming, that would be awesome….’

Coming here and seeing it, the situation wasn’t so bad.

Maybe it wasn’t as serious as Sua had thought.

‘Okay, I’ll do my best in my position!’

Her heart felt lighter.

◈◈◈◈◈

The road heading towards Wolmido.

The staff still had bright expressions.

“The nights in Wolmido are beautiful.”

“Don’t the neon signs make it pretty eerie? It feels like a theme park from a horror movie.”

“It’s even more so since the crowds have thinned out. The atmosphere is strange. If the actors really get into their roles, it will capture the feeling well.”

“Watching the actors’ performances today, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. It’s going very smoothly. I wonder if we can leave work early.”

So far, they had only filmed the entrance scene at Wolmido.

But even so, the staff’s expressions were bright. They had seen Sua’s excellent skills in that short amount of time.

“I’m even more curious about the story that comes next.”

“I know. Isn’t it funny that we’re filming without knowing the detailed story? But I’m not worried because it’s Sua *ssi*. Today’s work is exciting for the first time in a while.”

“I can’t sleep just out of curiosity, that’s the feeling.”

Kim Young-gon, who was wearing a Guan Yu beard, smiled contentedly nearby.

‘The reaction is already this good from the set, not bad.’

The capital of Nexflix, the actors’ performances…. He was confident in both, but the hidden card for ‘Alien Game’ was, after all, the story.

An unpredictable yet fun story.

Kim Young-gon soon grabbed the megaphone.

“Everyone, standby! Let’s start the abduction scene!”

Then, the lighting team placed eerie lights everywhere, and the stylists, including the makeup team, ran towards the actors.

It’s quiet.

The commotion from when they entered Wolmido was gone without a trace, and now it emphasizes the eerie atmosphere of the closed theme park.

As if something were about to happen any minute.

After a while, the makeup team shouted.

“Sua *ssi*’s makeup is done!”

“Seo-jeong *ssi*’s is done too!”

“Eun-bi *ssi* as well, over here!”

Even deer-like Go Eun-bi was mentioned. She was a supporting character, but still a participant in the Alien Game.

Sua suddenly almost burst out laughing.

‘Wow, Eun-bi, I didn’t know she could make that kind of face.’

Currently, Eun-bi looked extremely nervous.

Like a child lost in a department store looking for their parents. Was Sua like that before too? So naive.

Meanwhile, Director Kim Young-gon shouted.

“Let’s do our best until the end! Action!”

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The camera first focuses on Seong Si-hyeon (Sua).

Seong Si-hyeon walked around the unlit theme park without fear.

Did she have a lot of experience sleeping outdoors? This level of darkness couldn’t scare her. She had long been used to the darkness.

『Damn it… if I catch you, you’re dead…』

Seong Si-hyeon cursed. Her expression was contorted.

Because she felt completely fooled.

『No, didn’t you say you’d give me money if I did this? It was a lie!』

The story that she would get money if she wore the school uniform and name tag at the amusement park… Thinking about it now, she was an idiot for believing it. Stupid. Fool.

That was when.

Boom!

Suddenly, only one place in the unlit theme park lit up.

Seong Si-hyeon recognized it right away. The haunted house.

『…Scare House? Why is it suddenly on?』

The door also opened on its own. As if telling her to come in.

Seong Si-hyeon, a dopamine addict, had no reason to avoid it.

She was curious. Plus, she felt entitled to compensation.

She came all the way here in this outfit, so she felt like she should see something before she left. So, she started walking.

Confidently entering.

And a moment later.

『Huh?』

Seong Si-hyeon ran out of the haunted house with a pale face. But something grabbed her ankle and she fell.

In a short time, Seong Si-hyeon, with a pale face, moved her mouth, and scratched the floor with her fingernails. But something pulled Seong Si-hyeon into the haunted house.

The scream was heard only after that.

『Aaaaaaaaaaaah!』

The camera quietly showed the closed haunted house.

As if nothing had happened. Giving a big blow to the people who were watching off their guard.

It was clear that it would be effective for the viewers.

The reaction the staff were showing right now was proof.

“Sua *ssi*… I didn’t know she could even scream.”

“Did you see her pale face when she ran out of the haunted house? She was scratching the floor, it gave me goosebumps.”

“Sua *ssi* doesn’t even flinch at sexual harassment and retaliates, but even Sua *ssi* is surprised by aliens.”

“Of course, it takes aliens to surprise Sua *ssi*.”

At someone’s joke, the entire staff burst out laughing.

◈◈◈◈◈

Afterwards, early morning. A subway station in Seoul.

The ‘Alien Game’ production team, who had finished filming in Incheon, immediately set up equipment in Seoul without even taking a breath. Even though the sun was asleep, their passion was not extinguished.

The time is 3 AM.

Thanks to that, controlling the area was easy. There were hardly any people walking around now that the subway wasn’t running.

“Area control complete.”

“Let’s lower the lighting a little. It’s too artificial.”

Although their bodies were tired, the staff were even more nervous than when they were in Incheon. It was only natural. Because they were filming the opening scene of ‘Alien Game.’

The scene where Sua and Lee Seo-jeong play rock-paper-scissors.

It was the scene that vividly showed ‘Seong Si-hyeon’s’ character and made her decide to participate in the Alien Game. It played the most important role in the beginning of the work.

“All the extras playing homeless people, come in!”

“Okay! Let’s take our places in the designated locations!”

“I said come in, what are you doing not coming!”

“That person is a real homeless person!”

“…Really? Then just leave that person alone.”

After arranging everything from lighting to extras, the filming team captured the background with the camera. Checking if the picture looks good before filming is essential.

“Director Kim Young-gon, what do you think?”

“It’s not bad. But let’s remove some of the homeless extras. There are too many, it makes the picture look strange.”

“Understood. How about the costumes?”

“Take off one layer of clothing for everyone. It’s summer in the story.”

“Yes!”

While the production team was putting all their passion into preparing.

“Hmm….”

Sua, on the other hand, was sitting on a bench rubbing her chin.

Although she was wearing dingy sweatpants, her expression was as serious as a high school senior about to take the college entrance exam.

The staff whispered to each other when they saw that.

“Sua *ssi* never gets tired, does she?”

“She’s almost a workaholic. She actually hates resting more.”

“I see… Well, she must have a lot on her mind. It’s almost an ad-lib scene with Seo-jeong *ssi*.”

Sua, on the other hand, was in agony.

‘Ugh, I’m so sleepy I could die….’

Her body was terribly tired.

‘I want to lie down, close my eyes, and rest. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’d fall asleep… Especially since I’m nervous.’

The reason she was sleepy was simple. Once she put down her worries about the rating, the tension was belatedly released. The fatigue she hadn’t noticed came all at once, and it was no joke.

And the reason she was nervous was also simple.

‘It’s the same situation again after all.’

In the end, it felt like everything depended on Sua. The moment Sua messed up, the situation of the work would fall apart. In the midst of all this, what was in front of her was an ad-lib scene with Seo-jeong.

‘I’m going crazy. I wasn’t even nervous in Wolmido.’

In Wolmido, it didn’t matter how many people there were. She was so worried about the rating that she didn’t have time to worry about anything else. It’s funny that I’m nervous now.

She soon shook her head violently.

‘I have to do my best. I have no choice. Let’s finish this scene well, raise the rating as much as possible, and then meet Hong *sunbae-nim*.’

At that moment when she was steeling herself.

“Sua.”

Someone sat down next to Sua with a thud.

A familiar voice. When she turned her head, it was Mystic CEO Kim I-seo. Her eyes couldn’t help but widen.

“CEO-nim? What about Yeon-ju *unnie*’s schedule?”

“I finished it all and came to see Sua. I can’t just leave work alone when Sua’s working, can I?”

Sua’s heart warmed. Sua was moved!

Kim I-seo smiled brightly.

“But I’m wondering if I should have come? You don’t seem happy to see me, and you don’t seem to be having a hard time. Did I come for nothing?”

“No.”

That couldn’t be. Sua was serious. I-seo’s support was a great help right now when she was nervous in many ways.

So, Sua added.

“I feel energized when I see CEO-nim.”

“Thanks for saying that, even if it’s just empty words. Filming starts in 5 minutes.”

“It’s not empty words either.”

“Okay, okay. I’m going to go greet everyone?”

After finishing her words, Kim I-seo walked around busily. Moving so diligently must be the key to her success.

“….”

Sua returned to a dazed state. Sua was petrified.

Filming starts in 5 minutes?

Then I guess I’ll melt my brain for a while. I’m so tired.

However.

Still, the people around her wouldn’t leave Sua alone.

“Hey hey hey, Lee Sua.”

This time, deer-like Go Eun-bi sat next to Sua.

“Why are you so good at acting? I feel like there’s a wall between us. Ugh, I keep feeling like you’re a great person.”

“…Aren’t you supposed to feel like I’m a great person?”

“Of course not.”

Go Eun-bi nodded.

“You’re the mentally-challenged, unevolved, brain-dead Sua. That’s what’s cute.”

“….”

Sua narrowed her eyes and looked at Eun-bi.

She was about to argue, but Go Eun-bi’s actions weren’t over yet. She brought something cold to Sua’s cheek.

“Ugh!”

Sua unknowingly moved her face away.

The identity of the cold thing was an orange soda.

“What is it? Why are you putting it on my face?”

“Drink it. I’m buying it for you.”

“Okay, okay, that’s so you.”

Spouting out insults and then buying her something good at the end. Come to think of it, Eun-bi was always like that to Sua.

“Oh yeah. Lee Sua.”

“Why?”

“That… later….”

Eun-bi scratched her cheek.

“…Could you teach me how to act?”

“Acting?”

Sua blinked her eyes.

“Um, okay. Sure.”

She was originally going to play around with things like ‘Why should I?’ or ‘For free?’, but she couldn’t. Because Eun-bi’s expression was quite serious. Why is she suddenly so enthusiastic?

Meanwhile.

Lee Seo-jeong was having a separate conversation with Director Kim Young-gon.

“Seo-jeong *ssi*, the woman in the suit is originally supposed to glance around at the homeless people and finally arrive at Sua *ssi*, right?”

“Yes. I know.”

“But let’s not do that. From the beginning, don’t even glance at anyone other than Sua *ssi*. Let’s make it look like you knew everything from the beginning.”

“That’s not bad.”

Since it was right before filming, Lee Seo-jeong and Kim Young-gon were discussing various things in advance. Fortunately, there was no particular conflict of opinion. Soon, Director Kim Young-gon asked cautiously.

“…Um, Seo-jeong *ssi*, is there a perfectly planned out section for the blank parts? We don’t have any information from our perspective. We have to judge based on what’s captured on camera.”

“Yes. You don’t have to worry.”

“Filming by leaving it to the actor… this is actually unprecedented. If someone hears about it, they might laugh. What kind of work are you doing like that?”

Kim Young-gon tapped Lee Seo-jeong on the shoulder.

“But let’s have Seo-jeong *ssi* change that ridicule into cheers. Create a wonderful scene with Sua *ssi*.”

In fact, while saying these words to Lee Seo-jeong, one question arose in Kim Young-gon’s mind.

‘Why am I asking Seo-jeong *ssi* for help?’

Yes, that was the question.

In terms of experience, Sua was a newly debuted rookie, and Lee Seo-jeong was already a high-ranking actress. But rather, he was coming to Lee Seo-jeong and asking her for help?

Originally, it would be right to go to Sua.

‘Did my subconscious think that Sua *ssi* was higher? Huh, jeez, I can’t believe it….’

Kim Young-gon, who had reached that point in his thoughts, quickly made excuses. He was worried that Lee Seo-jeong might be upset.

“Ah, please don’t feel bad. It’s not that I don’t trust Seo-jeong *ssi* that I came to you separately. It’s just that since Seo-jeong *ssi* is the senior, I hope you will lead the scene.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll concentrate now.”

Kim Young-gon’s worries were valid.

Why? Because if it were Lee Seo-jeong normally, she would have been furious. But now, Lee Seo-jeong’s heart was very peaceful.

No, rather, it was filled with excitement.

‘My whole body was electrified when I got hit in the head. That means I can get hit by Sua from now on. It’s an opportunity to fulfill my desires legally. Yes, legal SM.’

Lee Seo-jeong was burning with her own desires.

Then suddenly. Unexpectedly.

‘Huh?’

An idea struck Lee Seo-jeong’s mind like a bolt of lightning. It was purely based on intuition, and it was also impromptu, but it was not something to be ignored.

There are times like that.

A moment when you want to bet everything on a light touch.

For Lee Seo-jeong, that was now.

‘Could this be…. Um, should I try it that way?’

◈◈◈◈◈

A while later.

“1 minute! Filming starts in exactly 1 minute!”

At Director Kim Young-gon’s shout, Lee Seo-jeong neatly straightened her suit. The extras playing homeless people also put their heart and soul into the details.

Sss sss─!

Sua also wore Seong Si-hyeon. The rank would go up every time she got good results from important scenes.

Amidst the orderly movements.

“Alien Game! We’ll hit the slate!”

One of the staff loudly hit the slate.

“Rock-paper-scissors scene ready! Action!”

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『It’s not such a bad proposal. Seong Si-hyeon *ssi*.』

The woman in the suit calls out Seong Si-hyeon’s name specifically.

『My name…?』

Many thoughts mixed on Seong Si-hyeon’s face. She has so many people she’s had problems with that she has a lot of anxiety.

The anxiety soon leads to suspicion and anger.

『You, you, you…! Who sent you…!』

Seong Si-hyeon grabs the woman in the suit by the collar.

『Tell me right now. Or I’ll kill you!』

『Now, now, calm down.』

But the attitude of the woman in the suit is very calm.

『I didn’t approach you with malicious intent.』

『Then…?』

『I have a lot of money, and I have a hobby of playing games with people who desperately need money. The rules are simple. I’ll give you 50,000 won every time you win rock-paper-scissors against me.』

『….』

A moment of silence. Many thoughts flash across Seong Si-hyeon’s face.

Soon, Seong Si-hyeon asked.

『R, really? You’ll give me 50,000 won if I win?』

『Of course.』

The woman in the suit’s smile deepens.

『But, if Si-hyeon *ssi* loses, there’s a price to pay.』

『Ah, what is it.』

Seong Si-hyeon contorts her face.

『I don’t have any money. Aww, I knew it.』

『You don’t need money. You can either let me hit you once, or you can kiss me. That’s it.』

『….』

Soon, Seong Si-hyeon became a soldier going to war.

『…You can’t change your mind later.』

The staff watching the situation were excited.

“What is this, the tension is crazy….”

“Who will win? I’m curious about the result too.”

“Isn’t Sua *ssi* going to win like during the script reading? The competition was completely overwhelming then. It seemed like they had already agreed that Sua *ssi* would win.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Meanwhile, Seong Si-hyeon and the woman in the suit who started the match.

『Rock, paper, scissors!』

Sua is scissors. Lee Seo-jeong is rock.

Sua’s defeat. But it’s as planned. Sua will now use the ‘Special Rock-Paper-Scissors’ she has learned to make a comeback. She intends to win in a row and completely wipe out the wad of money.

『Rock rock….』

But.

At that moment.

It was a flash. It was when Lee Seo-jeong suddenly moved her face closer.

『…Rock!』

Sua belatedly realized that she was in trouble. She was surprised that Lee Seo-jeong suddenly moved her face closer, and more than anything, her view was blocked so she couldn’t see the hands of the two people.

A moment later, the two people checked each other’s hands.

“….”

“….”

Both were speechless. However, Lee Seo-jeong swallowed hard. She clenched and unclenched her fist as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Ha…. Hahaha….”

Soon, she said while sweating coldly.

“I never thought it could be true, but she can really see and win….”

Soon, Lee Seo-jeong looked up at Lee Sua. It was at the same time as she was delivering her lines in the woman in the suit’s tone.

『Why? Seong Si-hyeon *ssi*.』

Lee Sua Rock. Lee Seo-jeong Rock.

Lee Seo-jeong’s victory. She smiled, revealing her teeth.

『Have you suddenly had a lot on your mind?』