episode_0019

In dramas, every character is assigned their own narrative.

The character Cha Yeon-soo was no exception.

A top star.

Cold-hearted.

A woman who only interacts with others through the divided emotions of love and hate.

A despicable villain who tormented the female lead Yena for a single reason that annoyed her.

She, too, had her own narrative.

As the story progressed.

Her despicable actions awakened the protagonist Oh Han-seong (played by Kang Seong-woo).

Han-seong, with his overwhelming charisma and skills honed in the entertainment industry, crushed Cha Yeon-soo’s schemes.

Recurring failures lead to desperate measures.

Cha Yeon-soo crosses more and more lines.

Han-seong predicts her misdeeds and exposes them as scandals.

Cha Yeon-soo’s true nature, hidden until now, is revealed to the world.

Her image plummets.

Everyone points fingers at her.

The downfall of the arrogant top star can be traced back to the footsteps of the senior Oh Han-seong.

“I’m sorry. We’ll have to cancel Cha’s casting.”

The work comes to a halt.

“We’ve decided to pull the ads immediately. Extension contract? Can’t you see the situation? Prepare the penalty fee.”

The advertising contract is terminated due to the agency’s fault, resulting in a hefty penalty fee.

Popularity, reputation, money, even people.

Cha Yeon-soo loses everything.

And so.

“My Manager” Episode 6.

#New 45

-Cha Yeon-soo’s penthouse

“Ha…, ha….”

Cha Yeon-soo’s manager Sora (played by Gil Hye-yeon) runs.

Just like when she first appeared, running through the broadcasting station while being bullied by Cha Yeon-soo.

Breathing heavily, she heads towards Cha Yeon-soo with an anxious heart, worried she might be late.

“Sora, Cha Yeon-soo is already finished. Don’t worry about her, come join our team.”

Han-seong’s offer echoes in her ears.

As the lead actress Yena rises to stardom, Han-seong emerges as one of O Entertainment’s key figures.

The agency is busy preparing a dedicated team for Yena.

Despite using Cha Yeon-soo to endanger Yena, Han-seong still holds a soft spot for Sora, who didn’t abandon her conscience.

That’s why he made the offer.

To leave the scandal-ridden Cha Yeon-soo and come to him.

“….”

Sora, upon hearing the offer, falls silent for a moment.

At first glance, it seems like she’s contemplating the offer.

But she’s not.

“Han-seong.”

“….?”

“If the same scandal were to hit Yena, would you also leave your lead actress behind?”

“….”

At the question, Han-seong remains silent.

Even if a scandal were to ruin Yena, he wouldn’t leave her because he’s her manager.

A manager cannot abandon their assigned entertainer.

Because he’s a man, he loves the shining Yena.

Because he’s Han-seong.

Having once lost everything as a top star, he knows how deep a pit an entertainer can fall into in such situations.

So, he would do his best to protect her by her side.

“I’m the same. Han-seong.”

Even though she was a rookie manager.

Even though she had only been bullied until now.

Sora was also a competent manager.

As a manager, she had been watching over Han-seong’s struggles, occasionally helping him and growing alongside him.

“I’m also Cha Yeon-soo’s manager.”

I’m a manager.

Her manager.

I can’t abandon my entertainer.

Sora says.

And so now.

She runs.

-Currently, the customer cannot be reached by phone….

“Ah, why isn’t she answering the phone.”

They couldn’t reach Cha Yeon-soo.

No matter how many times they called or messaged.

There was no response from her.

Sora is engulfed in a sense of foreboding.

That’s why she was running.

In case Cha Yeon-soo made a choice she shouldn’t have.

Afraid she might let go of the last remaining thread of life she had after losing everything.

That’s why she runs.

She runs, praying that she’s not too late.

*Huff, huff…*

And finally.

Ring, ring-

She arrived at Cha Yeon-soo’s office building.

Entering without hesitation after entering the password.

And there, waiting for her was Cha Yeon-soo, packing up with a cold expression.

“Why are you here? You don’t need to come anymore.”

***

“Um…”

“Will this scene turn out well? It’s supposed to be the highlight of episode 6.”

“I don’t know. I trust actress Gil Hye-yeon, but… my scene partner is Seo Yi-soo.”

The atmosphere on set was filled with doubt.

Because of Seo Yi-soo.

In episode 6 of “My Manager,” scene number 45.

This scene was crucial.

It was the climax of the character arc of Cha Yeon-soo.

And it was also a turning point for the supporting actress Gil Hye-yeon’s character.

That’s why the script highlighted this scene as one of the key moments in episode 6.

To make the whole episode shine, this scene had to be done right.

There was no room for mistakes.

It was a scene that required the actors’ full commitment.

So people were worried.

Especially about whether the inexperienced actress Seo Yi-soo could pull off this scene.

“If she messes up, we might end up reshooting this scene all day.”

“What can we do? We can’t just gloss over this scene. We need to be prepared for an all-nighter.”

Amidst the concerns.

“But… Seo Yi-soo has been improving her acting little by little recently.”

Despite the worries, there was a subtle sense of hope.

People’s attention was focused on the 20-year-old actress standing at the center of the set.

“For now… let’s watch.”

They wanted to see what kind of performance she would deliver.

In the midst of everyone’s interest.

Seo Yi-soo.

The rookie actress who had never succeeded in acting, the novice. An alien who wasn’t even human. No, a dragon.

She felt a bit strange.

She was in a daze.

Her forehead kept itching today.

She felt a sensation in her fingertips.

A concrete sensation that felt like she could touch something if she reached out.

Her whole body felt light, and her mind was racing in all directions.

It was a strange feeling.

She had never felt anything like it before.

Her mind and body were out of control.

She suddenly felt anxious.

“Have I been worrying too much lately that something strange is happening?”

Maybe that was the case.

Recently, she had put in a lot of effort to incorporate acting into her play.

She had worked so hard as if she had never done anything like this before.

“I’ll teach you until you understand. Don’t worry.”

It was because of Gil Hye-yeon.

Out of sympathy, or maybe because they had become close.

Gil Hye-yeon had spent her time teaching Seo Yi-soo how to act.

She didn’t want to disappoint her.

That feeling made Seo Yi-soo strive harder.

But despite her lofty passion.

“But… strangely, I’m not nervous at all.”

She wasn’t nervous at all.

She should have been worried that all her efforts would go to waste if she failed, but she didn’t feel that way at all.

“It’s okay. Even if I fail this time, I’m still your manager. I’ll give you another chance.”

It was because of Shin Ji-hoo.

He was making sure Seo Yi-soo didn’t feel too much pressure.

Seo Isu didn’t know it, but all these environmental and psychological factors were converging to haunt her mind right now.

Extreme focus enveloped her.

And, centered around her.

The scene began to unfold.

“Camera.”

“Roll!”

“Sound.”

“Speed!”

Lights came on for the camera and sound equipment.

“We’ll slate it!”

The assistant director raised the slate.

“45, take 3, scene 1!”

45th take, 3rd scene. The first attempt.

The shooting began.

“……”

“……”

Amidst the silence.

People’s attention was drawn.

“Haa, haa….”

As Gil Hye-yeon entered, gasping for breath.

A voice flew towards her.

“Why are you here? You shouldn’t need to come now.”

‘Huh?’

‘What?’

People turned their heads towards the source of the voice.

Their expressions were unanimous.

They were surprised.

‘What’s going on? Something seems different….’

‘I don’t know what it is.’

They realized that Seo Isu’s acting had changed from before.

But they couldn’t quite grasp what that change was.

Most of them were staff on set, not acting experts.

However, those looking at the monitor with Director Jo Gil-san were different.

“Director, this….”

“Shh. Keep quiet. If any noise gets mixed in, we’ll never be able to reshoot.”

Jo Gil-san ordered even the staff’s breathing to be silenced.

It had to be that way.

‘Seo Isu, the actress….’

He looked at the monitor.

Seo Isu’s acting had changed.

To those watching in person, it might have been subtle.

But through the lens of the camera.

Looking at the world filtered through the camera lens, the change was glaringly obvious.

‘She’s starting to understand the framing.’

Seo Isu’s change was a change only visible through the lens.

And actors were people who acted within the lens.

“Haa…. Why.”

Sora straightened her breathless waist and looked at Cha Yeon-su.

“Why, can’t I reach you?”

“Why should I be reachable?”

“I’m your manager.”

“Ahaha. You’re still saying that? This unnie, she’s really funny.”

The two actresses exchanged lines.

Words hold emotions.

The conversation between the two was no different.

Emotions were being conveyed through words.

And because of those emotions.

Those emotions were highlighted within the visual framing, making the delivery more intense than ever before.

The people checking the monitor forgot to speak.

“Unnie.”

Inside the monitor.

“I mean it. I’m no longer a star, no popularity, no money.”

With a sarcastic laugh.

“But I’m still Cha Yeon-su.”

Seo Isu was unfolding her ‘acting.’

***

“What on earth are you talking about? Instead, don’t give up like this. Surely you can make a comeback. I’ll help you. I’m your manager.”

“Pfft.”

I let out a chuckle.

It was because of this woman.

This unnie, really.

Still talking nonsense.

It was so funny I couldn’t bear it.

But….

I felt emotions from her.

“Please. Let’s not give up like this.”

Her sense of duty, friendship, compassion….

If those emotions were to be combined, they would undoubtedly be tied together by the emotion of kindness.

“….”

The moment I lost everything.

The person who used to mistreat me, yet still showed that she cared for me.

That was, how should I put it.

She was trying to move me too much.

Her sincerity was so clear that it overwhelmed and touched my heart.

“Unnie.”

That’s why.

“Such cheesy words. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

So I.

Rejected her heartfelt feelings with a mocking smile.

Because I was Cha Yeon-su.

Because I was Cha Yeon-su.

A person who divided all incoming people into love and hate, and responded accordingly.

That twisted person.

That was me.

I didn’t know how to live any other way.

“Are you going to help me? Because you’re the manager? Hmph! Unni. It should be the actress who helps. This is like a scene from a drama.”

When faced with hatred, I had to respond with hatred.

When given love, I had to respond with love.

I have brought success to all those who have shown me love.

In return for their love.

“Ahaha! Ha….”

I have lost everything now.

I no longer had the means to repay those who loved me.

That’s why.

Because I couldn’t repay them.

I had to reject love.

Otherwise… the identity of Cha Yeon-soo that I had built up all these years would crumble.

I have lived as Cha Yeon-soo.

I couldn’t let that happen.

I have lost everything now.

Popularity, money, future. I lost it all.

All that remained in my hands was my meager identity as Cha Yeon-soo.

That one identity, I could never give up.

Embracing that small self-esteem, I had to confidently exit the stage.

Standing tall.

More dignified than anyone else.

Like a top star.

That’s how.

That’s how it had to be.

That’s how I was.

“….”

With that self-awareness.

I felt a strange sensation.

‘Is this the end….’

I felt like I was running towards the ‘end’.

I sensed that the time for ‘Cha Yeon-soo’ to leave the stage was approaching.

Something, felt unfair.

I am Cha Yeon-soo.

I am a top star.

Why is the end of my stage so miserable and pathetic?

I knew there was no way to resist.

But, for some reason, I felt provoked.

‘I can’t just leave quietly.’

I laughed deeply.

“Unni.”

I moved along the markings on the floor.

Approaching the woman who was looking at me helplessly.

Facing her, eye to eye.

I.

“If you want to film a melodrama.”

I unleashed the madness of the character Cha Yeon-soo that I embodied.

“Go to those whose minds are like flower gardens, like you.”

I deliberately acted more provocatively.

I revealed all the madness I harbored.

I showed how broken and grotesque I was.

“Get lost right now.”

I had one thing in mind.

To show that I am Cha Yeon-soo.

How twisted I am.

And how lovable I am.

I wanted to show everyone watching me.

That’s why I spoke.

That’s why I wore a sneer.

All my madness and emotions were overflowing in all directions.