episode_0235

Interview site of Minami Akiko.

[Director Yusaku said: “Lee Sua of MDD 808, I knew she had ‘alexithymia’ and was certain. I will create a work that can never be contained in a contest.” ]

Everyone became thoughtful at the news that dropped like a bomb out of nowhere, including Akiko, the central figure in this setting.

“…” “Hmm?”

Akiko, feigning composure as much as possible, examined the source of the article. She would have preferred it to be a tabloid, but it was a credible media outlet. Meaning, it wasn’t a lie.

Meanwhile, the reporters exchanged opinions.

‘This isn’t a lie, right? It’s official, isn’t it?’

‘Director Yusaku casting a Korean actress in a Yakuza film was already shocking enough, but to think that actress has alexithymia? Seriously?’

‘What on earth is going on?’

It was a natural question for them.

Casting a Korean actress in a Yakuza film that best captures the Japanese essence, even more, that the actress is a woman, and even has alexithymia…

Each point was absurd on its own.

Then, one of the reporters spoke.

“Ah, Akiko-nim. Were you already aware that Lee Sua, famous for MDD 808, has alexithymia, and that Director Yusaku was predicting his victory?”

Akiko immediately opened her mouth.

“I didn’t know.”

“What will happen from now on? I definitely think it will be a big topic in Japan.”

“I only care about my work. There’s no problem.”

Akiko knew. If she showed a flustered or shaken appearance here, she would be torn apart by the hyenas. Therefore, she pretended to be calm with all her might.

…Even though she was quite surprised inside.

‘What? Lee Sua has alexithymia?’

On the other hand, the reporters did not miss this timing.

Looking even more excited than during the first interview. Their expressions showed they had more questions for Akiko.

“Akiko-nim, what are your plans for the future?”

“I can’t tell you all the details.”

“Writer-nim, it’s already surprising that Director Yusaku chose your daughter, Sawako-yang, to collaborate with, but it’s also questionable to cast an actress with alexithymia in the lead role of a Yakuza film. Could you explain this part a little…?”

“You should ask Director Yusaku himself about that.”

Because of the sharp answer, the reporters’ expressions turned sour. Akiko quickly added.

“Hmm, Director Yusaku is not a director who does meaningless things. There must be a reason.”

“Ah?”

“Anyway, I think you reporters just need to know that we are fighting each other with all our strength. My production team and I will pour our hearts into the production of ‘Rage.’”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“We’ll end the interview here for today.”

The reporters’ faces were generally satisfied.

Today’s interview was actually just a simple, routine procedure, but thanks to the sudden news about Director Yusaku, interesting questions and answers could be exchanged.

Akiko, who turned around and left the room, bit her lip. Her face was also crumpled.

‘…What on earth is he thinking, and what’s the situation?’

Akiko realized that the topicality had been caught up with in an instant. So much so that she even felt like she had been caught up in Director Yusaku’s plan.

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Afterward.

The Japanese community began to boil in earnest.

It was a natural thing. They had just learned that Sua, the lead of MDD 808, has alexithymia.

Starting to ignite one beat later than Korea.

【Japan】

[Director Yusaku finally breaks his silence, the lead in ‘Weed’ is Korean rookie actress Lee Sua. Is alexithymia a barrier? No, it will rather be a strength.]

Because a major Japanese media outlet asked, it was immediately plastered on the portal site’s main page. Even if you click on the article title.

[“I didn’t know.”]

[“I only care about my work. There’s no problem.”]

Akiko’s reaction, which couldn’t completely hide her embarrassment, was also included. Even the mighty Akiko is flustered by the topic, it was enough reason for other media outlets to rush in all at once.

[Lee Sua’s alexithymia, did Director Yusaku know from the beginning? Why did he have to choose her?]

[The writer is a middle school student, the lead is a rookie actress… An incomprehensible eccentricity? Or the realization of a master?]

As such articles poured out, people interested in the Japanese entertainment industry were stirred up. Every time they stirred up, it was natural for all sorts of stories and reactions to come and go.

─I watched MDD 808 really enjoyably, and that actress had alexithymia? I was very surprised.

─…I admit she’s incredibly pretty, but wouldn’t that make her unsuitable for the lead role in a Yakuza film? I think Director Yusaku took a risk.

─A rookie actress, alexithymia, a middle school writer… Each one is too unstable, but when you put them all together, it’s funny. Actually, isn’t Director Yusaku doing it half for fun?

─Isn’t it just media play to attract attention?

─Has Director Yusaku finally caught the art disease?

─Leaving aside the mother and daughter’s competition, I respect actress Lee Sua. Even though she has alexithymia, she’s trying to understand the human heart as an actress… I cried!

─Lee Sua! Awesome person!

Because it was such a big topic, it didn’t even take a day for it to be re-exported back to Korea.

About half a day later.

【Korea】

Various Korean communities.

[(From) The reaction of Japanese people who have just learned that Lee Sua, the hot actress these days, has alexithymia]

[Director Yusaku said he was even more certain of success because he knew Sua had alexithymia!]

The number of views is copied as soon as it’s posted.

Why? Because there was no better material for Koreans than overseas reactions. Is an actor they like being recognized and surprising people overseas? Feeling pleased.

[Emergency) Breaking News) Lee Sua’s Japanese debut official confirmation]

[Does the gallery leader’s Japanese debut have no impact at all?]

This firepower of the community was a huge boon for Mystic. Enough to clap and like it.

In fact, most Korean users didn’t know much about the Japanese Akiko-Sawako competition structure, but now it has begun to be known in Korea in earnest. People were very interested.

Therefore, the media soon followed the community.

[Starcatch exclusive / Director Yusaku, going to the end with Lee Sua. Will prove it locally in Japan with ‘Weed’.]

Tabloids that suspected Sua no longer showed their faces.

[Overcoming alexithymia and debuting in Japan in her first year… Industry experts say “First in history”]

It’s hard to debut in Japan, but rather, even the other side welcomed and rejoiced, so there’s nothing to say. Soon, only articles supporting Sua poured out.

─Wow, that’s right, that’s right, they should take her in Japan too ㅠㅠ Our unnie is so good at acting, there’s no way they wouldn’t take her

─Director Yusaku has always liked Korea! But I didn’t know he would reveal it so coolly like this! Thank you!

─Let’s do well in Japan too!! Fighting!!

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The next day. Mystic Headquarters.

Kim Yi-seo was on the phone busily with someone immediately after coming to the CEO’s office in the morning. The other party was none other than Director Yusaku.

Kim Yi-seo said with a smile.

“You were planning to pull it off like this? Excellent.”

“The director says he wants to thank Sua-ssi instead. Because of the courage to reveal that she has alexithymia to the world.”

The answer was代transalted.

“…That’s true too. Sua is very brave.”

“Director Yusaku says he would like to ask for your continued support in the future. He says he will be as considerate as possible to Sua-ssi, and will try to film sensitively so that she can better understand emotions.”

“Yes. I look forward to working with you even more in the future.”

While Kim Yi-seo and Yusaku were having a heartwarming conversation about Sua, Sua herself was.

“Hey, Sua-ya, how about this one today?”

Yeon-ju was doing her nails at the salon. It’s been a long time since she had her nails done. It was slowly time to change them.

“…”

Sua nodded vigorously. Today, she’s going to try penguin nails. A black background expressing a white belly.

Yeon-ju chattered endlessly beside her.

“Wow… All the internet is just talking about you. It seems like Japan and Korea are all going crazy?”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, yeah. Look at this.”

Sua blinked.

‘I actually have emotions… Ah, never mind! I can’t turn back now! Just accept it! Rather, enjoy it! Enjoy it!’

She was slowly reaching the point where she was adapting herself.

In other words, Sua adaptation! Sua nirvana!

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day. Deep night streets of Yeoksam-dong.

With the surrounding traffic controlled, filming equipment was brought in. The logo on the back of the staff’s T-shirts was Netflix.

It was the filming team of ‘Alien Game’.

“Everyone, come out!”

At the staff’s signal, extras staggering as if drunk filled the street. The plan is to create a nightlife district atmosphere. Sung Si-hyun (Sua) stood in the middle of that space.

Soon, Director Kim Young-gon, with his Guan Yu beard, grabbed the megaphone.

“Okay! Let’s start filming!”

Immediately after, a camera closely approached Sua. Sua came out of a pub with a heavily drunk face, then staggered and clicked her tongue.

“Aww…. It’s no fun. No fun….”

Sung Si-hyun won the Alien Game and escaped.

No, it was ambiguous to call it an escape.

─I don’t want to! I don’t want to go out! Please give me more games! Please!

It was closer to being kicked out?

“After experiencing such a game, the world is no fun. I wanted to do it a little more….”

Like a dopamine addict, Sung Si-hyun quickly adapted to the Alien Game, and after winning, she was kicked out by the aliens for begging for more games. Receiving 30 billion won.

Sung Si-hyun yawned and scratched her stomach.

“Ugh, it’s nice to have a lot of money, but it’s really no fun. I’m tired of spending money at hostess bars and clubs….”

Because she had money, human relationships became easy. She tried making people bark like dogs, buying them things to win their favor, and she did everything. The important thing is.

“It’s no fun! It’s no fun!”

Sung Si-hyun got angry like that.

“Huh?”

Suddenly.

She got a good idea.

“Enhancement…. That’s right, there was enhancement.”

That was enhancement.

The element that gave Sung Si-hyun her first distant dopamine. At the same time, the element that caused her to be kidnapped for the Alien Game.

Sung Si-hyun shouted wildly at the sky.

“Enhancement! Enhancement window! Enhancement interface! Enhancement!”

But there is no response.

In the past, an enhancement notification window popped up when she saw humans or objects, but now there isn’t. It’s frustrating and annoying.

“Enhancement! Earth Enhancement! Earth Amplification!”

After shouting like that for a while.

“….”

Soon, she slumped and sighed.

“Aww, there’s nothing going on after all.”

The camera captures Sung Si-hyun (Sua)’s back as she staggers away, frozen in place. As Sung Si-hyun’s back gradually becomes smaller.

Creak….

Creak, creak….

Sung Si-hyun didn’t notice, but cracks started to appear on the ground in the place where she shouted for enhancement earlier.

Something ominous is showing.

[Enhancement successful.]

A notification window that suddenly popped up.

“What?”

At that moment when Sung Si-hyun was flustered.

“I love it so much! Okay!”

Director Kim Young-gon, with his Guan Yu beard, got up from his seat with an emotional expression. The other staff members were clapping and cheering as well. It was truly a festival atmosphere.

It wasn’t because Sua acted well.

Today is an important day for ‘Alien Game’.

That’s right, because the scene just now was the last filming.

“Everyone has worked hard! There were so many twists and turns, but in the end, we only captured good things on camera! Thank you all for believing in me and following me!”

As Director Kim Young-gon shouted, the other staff members increased the sound of their applause. The actors who participated in the filming are the same.

Clap clap clap clap─!

After that, Sua’s childhood friend, Deer─Go Eun-bi, started to let out a sigh of relief, and Sua also went around busily greeting the staff.

“Thank you everyone. See you next time.”

This wasn’t for image management.

Just, Sua likes people. Looking back at the lonely days of the past, she is grateful for every day now. Just knowing that if she gives a greeting, that greeting will come back.

For the staff, it was touching that an actor with a high stock kept her manners. Thanks to that, the atmosphere became warm.

“Wow, I came to my senses and it’s over.”

“All the actors have worked hard!”

“Oh, the staff members have also worked hard!”

“But what happens when the Earth succeeds in enhancement? I’m so curious!”

“Only writer Hong Ye-ji would know that.”

“Writer Hong! Please answer! Please!”

Then Hong Ye-ji just smiles meaningfully.

“Hmm…. Wouldn’t I reveal it when the day comes when season 2 is produced? It’s still a secret.”

Of course, the answer was in her head.

The stronger the Earth becomes, the closer it becomes to an apocalyptic world. Why? Because humans are pests to the Earth. To put it shortly, a competition between the Earth and humans begins.

Well, that’s Hong Ye-ji’s thought.

“Huh? What, is a rookie writer already thinking of season 2? Already?”

“No, it’s not such an arrogant intention.”

Laughter erupted everywhere in the playful atmosphere.

Sua thought.

I hope every day is filled with this kind of daily life. Sua happiness!

◈◈◈◈◈

A week later. Seoul Yongsan War Memorial.

Meaaaeaeam─! Meaaaeaeam─!

It’s really midsummer now.

The outdoors is chaotic with the sound of cicadas, and the clothes of passersby have become shorter. Currently, inside the Yongsan War Memorial, soldiers are busily moving and installing chairs.

“Phew…. Still, the inside is a bit cool.”

“So, who’s coming to today’s Troop Comfort Train performance?”

The reason was simple.

Because today, a Troop Comfort Train event is scheduled to take place.

One of the soldiers expressed his dissatisfaction.

“This Troop Comfort Train is strange. Isn’t it usually common to disclose the lineup in detail before the performance?”

“Hey, this Troop Comfort Train was almost canceled and barely happened. We should be grateful that it’s even happening.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“It was postponed three times, so I thought it wouldn’t happen at all, but it’s good that it’s happening anyway. Sigh.”

This Troop Comfort Train had a lot of talk about being canceled or not due to various circumstances, but it was decided to proceed with it after many twists and turns. However, because it wandered so much, the detailed lineup was not disclosed.

Therefore, it is impossible to be sure who will come today.

The soldier sighed.

“Don’t expect much. These days, the Troop Comfort Train is not like it used to be. In the first place, they give so little money that girl groups don’t come often, right? In the end, it turned into a talent show dance performance by celebrity soldiers or male soldiers.”

“Hmm…. I don’t want to watch male performances.”

But that’s when it happened.

“Huh? Who went up on stage?”

The soldiers’ eyes turned quickly.

There was really someone there. You can’t guess their body type because they’re wearing really baggy pants and a very large hoodie with the hood pulled down, but anyway, it’s definitely a person.

‘…A person? That’s a weird body type. Is it a duck?’

The appearance was slightly duck-like.

The clothes were so big up and down that they were loose, but the appearance of the buttocks being tight was like that.

Anyway, the soldiers shouted.

“You can’t go up there!”

“Who are you?”

Then the uninvited guest on stage took off their hood.

“Huh?”

“Huh…?”

“Huuuuuuuuuuh!”

The soldiers’ eyes widened three times.

The reason is the appearance that is revealed when the hood is removed.

Pure white hair cascading down to her waist, there wasn’t a soldier in Korea who couldn’t recognize that face.

“Th, th, th, th, th, th, that that!”

“Isn’t that Lee Sua!”

“Lee Sua! It’s Lee Sua!”

Yes, Lee Sua finally came to meet the soldiers.