episode_0048

Shin Ji-hoo’s first counterattack was successfully executed.

The red carpet scene of Seo Yi-soo was naturally a hot topic.

Among the many stars present, no other actress stood out more than Seo Yi-soo.

[ Bu-guk Festival, Seo Yi-soo on the red carpet]

– Oh my god…

– Who is she? I’ve never seen her before. Is she a rookie?

– That’s Seo Yi-soo.

– Oh, she was Seo Yi-soo?

– Did you not recognize her face?

Many controversies arose.

Until the scandal broke out, there was often little interest in who the actual target of the controversy was.

In such situations, no matter how much explanation is given, the public often does not listen.

Shin Ji-hoo’s goal today was to properly introduce to the public who Seo Yi-soo really is.

How beautiful she is.

And how charming she is.

It was to inform everyone that she is not just an undeserving celebrity as some of you may think.

But Shin Ji-hoo was not going to stop there.

Because Seo Yi-soo is an actress.

The ultimate language of an actress is acting, and that is how they shine in their work.

And “The Diary of the Sea” was a work that could fully showcase the charm of Seo Yi-soo as an actress.

On the day of the opening ceremony.

The “The Diary of the Sea” team decided to settle into their accommodation and rest comfortably.

Because on the opening day, only the selected opening film would be screened.

The real battle was the next day.

The moment when “The Diary of the Sea” would make its first appearance to the public.

Shin Ji-hoo planned to use all her connections and abilities to spread the news nationwide.

Everyone would soon realize how amazing and magical Seo Yi-soo’s acting is.

And then, this controversy would come to an end completely.

It might even turn into a form of buzz marketing.

It would contribute to spreading Seo Yi-soo’s name.

Shin Ji-hoo had ambitiously prepared all these plans.

“Sigh….”

Anticipating the decisive battle tomorrow.

Shin Ji-hoo gazes with a cool determination.

“Shin Ji-hoo! Mango shaved ice!”

…Wait.

Before that, she had to accept Seo Yi-soo’s generosity.

“I bought it earlier. Here.”

“Hehe. Alright. Well done, Shin Ji-hoo.”

“….”

This is subtly heartwarming.

While someone is running tirelessly for her sake.

The actress at the center of the controversy is only concerned about her food.

Does she even realize how much trouble she would have been in if it weren’t for me?

“You really should be grateful to me.”

“Yes. I’m grateful to you every day. You should know how grateful I am to you too.”

“…If you can’t say it.”

“Shin Ji-hoo, but more importantly, isn’t it boring to eat alone? Have a bite.”

Seo Yi-soo offers the spoon with a sunny smile.

But it was Shin Ji-hoo who bought the shaved ice.

It seemed like Seo Yi-soo was offering food to Shin Ji-hoo.

Shin Ji-hoo is puzzled.

She clicks her tongue and says, “I don’t like cold things. Shouldn’t we eat with the other actors?”

“Well….”

But as soon as she refused, Seo Yi-soo’s expression darkened rapidly.

“I want to eat with you more than anyone else right now. We haven’t had a chance to eat together because you’ve been so busy lately….”

She lowers her head in a truly hurt manner.

“….”

Well.

Since the scandal involving Seo Yi-soo broke out, Shin Ji-hoo had been running around trying to resolve the situation.

As a result, she hadn’t had much time to spend with Seo Yi-soo.

Seo Yi-soo seemed to be quite disappointed about that.

“Fine. Let’s eat.”

“…! Really? But didn’t you say you don’t like cold food?”

“Sometimes, even food you don’t like can be appealing.”

“That’s true. It happens sometimes. Yeah, yeah.”

In their accommodation.

In Seo Yi-soo’s room.

Shin Ji-hoo sat at the table across from her, enjoying a bowl of shaved ice.

“Ah! It’s cold.”

The shaved ice was indeed cold, even with just one bite.

Just that alone made Shin Ji-hoo’s head ache quite a bit.

“….”

But Shin Ji-hoo glanced briefly at Seo Eui-soo.

“Hehe….”

She was even humming as she ate the shaved ice.

Sometimes, when Shin Ji-hoo and her eyes met, Seo Eui-soo would smile softly.

She seemed to be in a particularly good mood.

So Shin Ji-hoo just endured the pain silently and continued to put the shaved ice in her mouth.

The cold ice had a sweet taste, and even after swallowing it, it clung to her mouth.

With each breath she took, the faint sweet scent lingered.

So Shin Ji-hoo felt somehow that tonight, the air was sweet.

It must be because of the shaved ice.

Mango shaved ice was sweet, after all.

***

The next day.

The “Sea Diary” team headed to the screening room with determined momentum.

“Finally, today’s the day.”

“Everyone, will you watch it well?”

“Don’t worry. The work is good.”

“More importantly, let’s think about what to say when we greet the audience after the screening.”

They were all quite aggressive.

Even though it was essentially a debut work being shown to the audience for the first time.

So despite the nerves and tension, they didn’t show it.

“Seo Eui-soo.”

“Hmm?”

Han Sun-yul called out to Seo Eui-soo.

“You’ve worked hard so far. When the work is released… when people see your acting, it will surely be okay. Criticizing even after seeing that kind of acting is just being petty, right?”

They didn’t share specific plans with Shin Ji-hoo.

But from the situation at hand, anyone could see the flow of controversy surrounding Seo Eui-soo.

With today’s screening of “Sea Diary” as a turning point.

It was inevitable that the flow of controversy surrounding Seo Eui-soo would change.

To the extent that they were convinced.

Seo Eui-soo had shown incredible acting.

They believed.

“Sea Diary” was a good work.

And that good work was transformed into something even more appealing by Seo Eui-soo’s acting.

There is no right answer in taste.

So there can’t be a work that satisfies everyone.

But it will surely receive good reviews.

“Hmm.”

Suddenly, Oh Kyung-bae wrinkled his nose.

“What’s wrong?”

When Han Sun-yul asked, Oh Kyung-bae shook his head, pondering.

“No, it’s just… I feel like I forgot something important. I don’t know what it is.”

“Think about it later. Right now, the work and Seo Eui-soo are the most important, right?”

“Yes. Let’s go quickly.”

It was a regrettable moment.

Oh Kyung-bae should have remembered what he had forgotten. No, what the “Sea Diary” team and Shin Ji-hoo had forgotten.

But they were just human.

Humans cannot predict the future.

They are beings who cannot guess what small clue they missed will come back as a boomerang.

That day.

After the screening of “Sea Diary” at the film festival.

“Wow.”

“It’s better than I thought.”

“I almost cried during that scene where Min-seo cries at the cliff. I almost cried too.”

The audience’s reaction was as expected.

They all had impressed faces, touched by the deep emotions conveyed in “Sea Diary.”

“Seo Eui-soo… She was a bit unpopular due to the controversy, but my thoughts changed after watching the movie.”

“Her acting is a bit rough, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her.”

“If her acting is this good, she’s worthy of being in a work even with little experience. It doesn’t seem like she’s being pushed by a big company, right?”

From ordinary audience members to critics and journalists.

They all marveled at Seo Eui-soo’s unexpected acting skills.

However…

“Right. Now that the first screening is over, the actors and director will come up for the stage greeting soon.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

However…

The problem started here.

After the screening, they had to do a stage greeting.

That means…

“I’m more interested in watching an interview with Seo Yisoo than anything else.”

“Me too, me too.”

Seo Yisoo also understood that she had to show herself in front of the general audience.

“Oh my, what should we do?”

“How can the actors… handle this?”

Han Sunyul, Oh Kyungbae, and Han Kyungjin too.

“Ah… why didn’t I think of this.”

Even Shin Jihuma, who was watching over them.

Everyone’s faces turned pale.

They all stared at Seo Yisoo as if they were under a spell.

“Huh? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

In their gaze.

Seo Yisoo remained the same.

Her speech was still strange.

Yes. That’s right.

Seo Yisoo is a strange woman.

Her colleagues, admiring her incredible talent and charm, simply considered those strange quirks as part of her personality.

But there was no guarantee that the public would see it the same way.

If someone like Seo Yisoo were to go on stage and have an interview with the audience without any filter…

On this day, while Seo Yisoo’s acting skills and qualifications might be resolved, another controversy would surely arise.

A controversy that was not about talent but something worse…

Like a controversy about her character.

“Ah…”

The male actors, director, and manager all let out a heavy sigh.

Despite the situation, time did not stop, and eventually, the team had no choice but to take the stage.

“The director and actors have taken their seats. Wow! It was such a touching piece. The audience loved it so much that they all gave a standing ovation.”

Without knowing the situation.

The woman in charge of the event chattered on.

And then she immediately handed over the microphone.

“Looking at the information about the work, it seems like is almost like a debut piece. Being invited to the Busan International Film Festival for your first work must feel special. Please share your thoughts!”

‘Oh. Why ask such a long question.’

Han Sunyul glanced at Seo Yisoo with a frustrated expression.

Seo Yisoo.

Grinned.

And made a strange gesture.

She looked as cheerful as usual.

What used to seem quite cute now felt terrifying.

Han Sunyul had a hunch.

That girl didn’t understand the question.

If she opened her mouth in that state, she would surely talk nonsense.

Seeing Seo Yisoo pursing her lips, Han Sunyul shouted frantically.

“I can’t express it in words! I’m really, really moved!”

“Oh? You don’t have to shout so loudly. Does that mean you’re that moved? How about the others?”

Another question.

Oh Kyungbae glanced at Seo Yisoo, trembling.

Grinning.

The same strange gesture.

Oh Kyungbae felt his heart sink.

‘Oh, that girl. She still doesn’t understand the question.’

Surely, if she opened her mouth, nonsense would come out.

Seeing Seo Yisoo’s lips twitching, Oh Kyungbae shouted frantically.

“I feel the same way! Actually, I was worried if I could continue working as an actor! Being invited to an international film festival is truly an honor!”

“Oh? This actor’s response is so passionate.”

And from the appearance of these two male actors, the host sensed something strange.

‘What’s going on? Why does Seo Yisoo get interrupted whenever she tries to speak? Is this… deliberate exclusion?’

She was a kind and upright person.

Even in her school days, when she saw a friend being unfairly excluded, she couldn’t just stand by and watch.

‘Right. This actress. There was a recent controversy, so maybe she’s being ignored because of that.’

The host was a kind person.

And she was not alone in this.

Everyone present felt the same way.

Oh Kyungbae and Han Sunyul too. They stepped forward to protect Seo Yisoo.

The host also expressed anger at the unfair treatment of Seo Yisoo.

Sometimes, destruction arises when everyone harbors good intentions.

“Yes. I heard the responses from both actors. Now, Seo Yisoo, could you please share your thoughts?”

The host nudged Seo Yisoo and handed her the microphone.

With this, there was no longer any way to silence Seo Yisoo.

A crisis is approaching.

“No…!”

As if predicting the precursor to destruction, Oh Gyeongbae silently screamed.

“No…!”

As if the end of the world had arrived, Han Seonyul silently screamed.

“No…!”

Even Shin Jihoo.

Imagining a world after destruction, he let out a silent scream.

And so.

As everyone’s gaze turned towards Seo Yisoo.

Smirk.

The innocent actress smirked.

Her lips quivered.

And then.

“….”

She spoke.