Chapter Index

    Work space.

    ***

    No less than three assistant writers were engrossed in writing the script.

    ***

    Even though delivery food containers were piled up like a mountain, not a single one of them could clean up. They were too short on time just to work on the script.

    ***

    “What are we going to do about Kim Yu-han’s role? Get rid of it?”

    “We can’t. If we don’t have Kim Yu-han, we can’t even move forward in the first place.”

    “But we can’t change Kim Yu-han’s personality either…”

    “We have to change it somehow. There’s no actor who can pull it off.”

    ***

    With their eyes glued to their respective laptops, they busily moved their mouths. Of course, their fingers were even busier.

    ***

    These three were all Lee Geum-suk’s assistant writers.

    “Ah… I’m really going crazy…”

    ***

    Eventually, one of them fell back and groaned.

    “It’s so sad that we have to do this kind of work. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with writer Lee’s writing. It’s almost perfect.”

    “I know, but it’s a problem because dramas are different from writing.”

    ***

    All three were working while receiving a considerable allowance, but that alone wasn’t their driving force.

    ***

    They felt that this script, which seemed endlessly perfect to them, must be made into a drama. That was their only desire.

    ***

    When this script first appeared, they were just happy.

    ***

    [Writer Lee Geum-suk, “To Present Ambitious Next Work”]

    [Already 2 Top Actors Join…. Who is Directing?]

    ***

    A script with no superfluous characters, Director Choi Hee-won, famous for his directing, Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il, whose stock prices are rising day by day….

    ***

    Yeah, they just thought it was a dragon soaring into the sky.

    ***

    The reality was an *imugi* full of resentment.

    Why? Because they couldn’t find the *yeouiju* for the ‘Kim Yu-han’ role.

    ***

    “It’s a shame to cut out writer Lee’s script, but if we leave it as is, there’s no actor who can pull it off. I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy.”

    ***

    That was the reason why the speed wasn’t increasing even though the three of them were working while putting off cleaning.

    ***

    It would be best to leave Kim Yu-han as is, but if they leave him as is without changing him, they can’t cast him…

    “These days, there aren’t even any actors who want to interview.”

    “…That’s because Kim Sun-il sent them all back. He interferes with all the other castings as well. He’s a germaphobe himself.”

    “Kim Sun-il’s eye is accurate, but it’s too much.”

    ***

    Just then, one of the assistant writers’ phones rang.

    “Ah, yes. I answered the phone. Ah! Writer *nim*! Yes…!”

    ***

    However, it didn’t take long for her voice to darken. Soon, she hung up the phone with a tearful face.

    ***

    “Guys…”

    “What’s wrong?”

    “What happened?”

    ***

    As anxiety spread across everyone’s faces.

    ***

    “Writer *nim* is coming now with Director Choi Hee-won and two actors. It looks like they’re going to call it quits today….”

    ***

    Haaaah, everyone sighed at the same time.

    ***

    There was no way to save this gloomy atmosphere.

    ***

    ◈◈◈◈◈

    ***

    A little later.

    ***

    The assistant writers stood in a row like chicks and greeted the VIPs. They were all disheveled, wearing hoodies with the drawstrings pulled tight.

    ***

    Director Choi Hee-won burst out laughing.

    “Writer *nim*, you’re blessed. I can tell just by looking at the assistant writers’ appearances. They’re very hardworking people.”

    “Of course, they have to work hard. Look at how much bonus I give them.”

    ***

    After that, Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il entered…. It was truly a luxurious moment when these people gathered in one place.

    ***

    “Um, Writer *nim*!”

    ***

    But before they could even sit down, the assistant writers, who had been watching the mood, rushed to writer Lee Geum-suk.

    “Writer *nim*! Please don’t call it quits!”

    “We’ll modify Kim Yu-han somehow so that there’s an actor who fits him. It’s too bad that this drama won’t happen!”

    “Please think again!”

    ***

    Each and every one of them had desperate faces.

    ***

    However, writer Lee Geum-suk only exchanged glances with Director Choi Hee-won and burst into a silly laugh.

    ***

    “Look at these guys? Who told you that you can call it quits on my work?”

    “…Huh?”

    ***

    The assistant writers blinked at the same time like baby birds.

    ***

    “Uh…. Weren’t you gathering here today to end it?”

    “End it? I gathered here with the intention of making it.”

    ***

    Just then, as the noisy atmosphere loosened up a bit.

    ***

    “Don’t give false hope. There’s a much higher chance of it falling through.”

    ***

    Kim Sun-il interjected in a cool voice like a cold wind. He was applying hand sanitizer due to his unique germaphobia.

    ***

    Seo Yeon-ju glared at Kim Sun-il right away.

    “Watch your mouth a little? You’ll change your mind soon, too.”

    ***

    “Show me and then talk. Don’t drag it out.”

    ***

    While the two actors were bickering, writer Lee Geum-suk turned on the super-large TV hanging on the wall. She was also working on linking it to her phone.

    ***

    “Okay. I was going to watch it right away anyway. Assistant writers, you guys come and watch too. We gathered here to watch it together.”

    ***

    “Huh? Us?”

    ***

    Writer Lee Geum-suk played a video instead of answering, and the connected TV began to spit out the scene.

    ***

    An audition scene of a contestant, the main character was Lee Soo-ah.

    ***

    The assistant writers all tilted their heads.

    “…Huh? Kim Yu-han is supposed to be a man, isn’t he?”

    ***

    But Choi Hee-won and Lee Geum-suk just quietly raised the corners of their mouths. As if there was a reason for the confidence we had.

    ***

    Seo Yeon-ju asked Kim Sun-il.

    ***

    “She’s the first-day contestant I told you about. What’s your first impression?”

    “Below expectations. She has the face of someone who can only play villains.”

    ***

    It was just a harsh review, but Seo Yeon-ju smiled instead.

    “You know what? I used to think the same thing as you.”

    “Shut up if you’re going to say unpleasant things.”

    ***

    At that time, the assistant writers next to them started to open their mouths one by one.

    “It’s too different from writer Lee *nim*’s script, isn’t it?”

    “Yeah. Her impression is so strong that there isn’t really a role that suits her…”

    ***

    But then.

    ***

    Lee Soo-ah’s face, which everyone said was strong, collapsed at once.

    ***

    A face that seemed to have no idea what despair was looked terrified, a strangely conveyed embarrassment and dismay.

    ***

    The shortcomings that everyone had discussed were spectacularly sublimated into strengths. A predictable face, but unpredictable acting skills.

    ***

    Writer Lee Geum-suk handed her cell phone to the assistant writers without saying a word, and the assistant writers repeatedly played the video as if possessed. There was no end to that repetition.

    ***

    “No, this face…. She’s doing this kind of acting?”

    “This doesn’t make sense, but it does work…?”

    ***

    The assistant writers’ mouths were wide open.

    ***

    “Why don’t we know about her when she’s that skilled? I’ve never seen her before?”

    “No experience. She said acting is a hobby.”

    “…Writer *nim*, are you teasing us?”

    ***

    “It’s true. She says that herself.”

    ***

    Lee Geum-suk’s words were true. That was the self-introduction that came out in a few words exchanged with Seo Yeon-ju later. It was enough of an element to make the assistant writers’ mouths drop open.

    ***

    “Awesome.”

    ***

    “I think we can postpone the script revision for a while? I really want this actor to have a role… .”

    ***

    It was then.

    “Hey, is the second audition tomorrow?”

    ***

    The assistant writers closed their mouths.

    ***

    He had been picky about the casting of other roles every time, and he never gave in. Since there was no reaction yet, they couldn’t help but be cautious.

    ***

    It was Seo Yeon-ju who answered his question.

    “Yeah. Can’t you tell?”

    “There must be a separate script for the audition. Give it to me.”

    Kim Sun-il received a script from Seo Yeon-ju. It was a short script that was originally prepared for the second mission, not writer Lee Geum-suk’s script.

    “Hmm…”

    Kim Sun-il narrowed his brows.

    “Hey, I wonder if she has an eye for the script.”

    “Why?”

    “This script is trash. Even if it’s an audition, I’d be disappointed if she glibly acted even this.”

    “That’s because Son Ji-woong PD prepared it. Actually, I’m thinking of telling her to quit the audition anyway. I’ll show her writer Lee Geum-suk’s script and just have her go straight into the drama.”

    “Hmm…”

    Kim Sun-il hesitated for a moment.

    “No, don’t tell her yet.”

    ***

    “…What? Why all of a sudden?”

    ***

    Kim Sun-il was still just looking at the one contestant trapped on the screen.

    “I’m curious about her reaction.”

    ***

    ◈◈◈◈◈

    ***

    Meanwhile, in Lee Soo-ah’s studio apartment.

    ***

    “…Huh?”

    ***

    Soo-ah, who was looking at the link she received from Son Ji-woong PD, expressed her doubts. It was because she saw a scene that was different from what she expected.

    ***

    “Huh? What? Huh?”

    ***

    Soo-ah observed the appearance she acted in repeatedly. At least about twenty times, if you estimate it low.

    ***

    Eventually, she had no choice but to admit it.

    “I’m pretty good at acting?”

    ***

    It feels quite awkward to face herself on the screen, but acting skills should be discussed separately from that.

    ***

    “No, I’m even a little good?”

    ***

    It felt like she was seeing a completely different person. It’s as if the role she experienced in the script was there, not Soo-ah herself. The reproduction she did herself was more excellent than expected.

    ***

    Soo-ah’s eyes sparkled.

    ***

    ‘If this happens, all the problems will be solved at once!’

    ***

    First of all, the grade written on the script, it was revealed that the concern that it would be grade 5 because Soo-ah couldn’t reproduce it properly was unfounded. It has become certain that it is a measure of box office success.

    ***

    Also, the words the judges said to Soo-ah after the first audition, and the actions Son Ji-woong showed afterward…

    ***

    That was all understood.

    “Was I, in fact, regarded as a great person?”

    ***

    When you summarize the situation, it was simple and clear.

    ***

    She obtained the privilege of experiencing the script, and her reproduction skills are not bad. Is that all? She can even check the grade of a work that hasn’t even been completed yet.

    ***

    This….

    ***

    Then….

    If she does well….

    “An actor…! Can I really become an actor…!”

    ***

    Just then, when a rose-colored carpet was laid out in Soo-ah’s head.

    ***

    ─♩♪♬

    ***

    The phone rang. The caller was Son Ji-woong PD.

    ***

    Soo-ah no longer hesitated to answer the phone. Heh, I found out that I have a knack for acting.

    ***

    “Hello.”

    “Soo-ah *ssi*, this is Son Ji-woong PD. Did you check the link?”

    “Yes.”

    ***

    “I was worried because the capacity was large, but I’m glad there were no problems with playback. And um, maybe, it’s not like this… .”

    ***

    I could feel Son Ji-woong looking at Soo-ah’s reaction.

    ***

    “…Have you thought about appearing in the second audition?”

    “Yes. I thought about it.”

    “Ah, you thought about it.”

    ***

    What is it, usually they don’t answer like this. I heard Son Ji-woong muttering very quietly from across the street.

    ***

    Soo-ah thought. Did I make a mistake just now?

    ***

    “Why?”

    “Yes? Ah, it’s nothing. Don’t misunderstand that I was angry with Soo-ah *ssi*. Just…. Um…”

    ***

    I could feel Son Ji-woong hesitating about something, so it was really awkward to say that Soo-ah had decided to appear.

    ***

    Just waiting.

    “Soo-ah *ssi*, how about this. I shouldn’t do this originally. I’ll show you the script that will be used in the second audition in advance.”

    “…?”

    ***

    Soo-ah tilted her head.

    “…Is that okay?”

    “It’s a script exclusively for how I became an actor, but you must never say that you received it in advance.”

    ***

    “I won’t.”

    “Then don’t hang up the phone first, and can you check your message?”

    ***

    While saying that, Son Ji-woong added in a desperate voice.

    ***

    “Soo-ah *ssi*, this is really the first time I’ve provided this kind of benefit to a participant. I hope to see your face tomorrow if possible.”

    ***

    After that, the script flew to Soo-ah’s message. Since she was wearing wireless earphones, it wasn’t difficult to do both talking and reading.

    ***

    Soo-ah quickly skimmed through the script.

    ***

    She didn’t feel afraid.

    No, rather, she is full of excitement now.

    ***

    I have three very reliable special advantages.

    ***

    However.

    ***

    S#2 Torture Room / Dawn

    Script for the Second Mission

    ‘…?’

    ***

    Why is the location like this?

    Soo-ah’s pupils shook once.

    ***

    A “It’s been quite a while since you betrayed us. Did they treat you pretty well over there? You even abandoned your family-like colleagues.”

    ***

    You (with a lisp from having a tooth pulled) “Hic….”

    ***

    ‘…?’

    ***

    Soo-ah’s pupils shook again.

    ***

    A “From now on, you’re going to beg me to kill you. Cool, right?”

    (Standing up, rolling up his shirt sleeves)

    (Reaching out to hand an assistant a tool)

    ***

    You looking contemptuous.

    After that, various brutal tortures follow.

    You can’t sleep, and the nails are pricked with needles.

    ***

    Your body is cut off piece by piece, and even after all four limbs are cut off, you choose loyalty and remain silent. A becomes impatient because he cannot get information.

    ***

    “….”

    ***

    Soo-ah closed the message window.

    “Um, I think I’ll drop out.”

    “Yes?”

    0 Comments

    Heads up! Your comment will be invisible to other guests and subscribers (except for replies), including you after a grace period.
    Note
    // Script to navigate with arrow keys