episode_0010

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Kim Sun-il was unknowingly drumming his fingers on the desk.

The reason was Lee Soo-ah’s face. The unease that settled on her face conveyed an unknown anxiety to Kim Sun-il.

“…Why, did you find one you liked?”

A word spat out, unable to bear the silence.

Soo-ah didn’t answer aloud.

Instead, she approached Kim Sun-il and neatly stacked the scripts on the desk. It seemed she had a pre-determined order in mind.

“I think this is probably the order. Am I right?”

At first glance, it was an answer close to a non sequitur.

He told her to pick the best script, but she’s discussing the order. Isn’t this an absurd conversation? But there was conviction in Soo-ah’s expression.

“All five are scripts from the same drama, aren’t they?”

“…”

Kim Sun-il’s brow twitched.

Each script was so different, it seemed to belong to a different genre, and the only thing indicating character names were alphabets. If Soo-ah hadn’t had the special privilege, he would have been nicely embarrassed.

A trap designed solely to ensnare.

However, Soo-ah had a variable: the special privilege.

“Now I’ve seen one script. Give me the next one.”

Soo-ah spoke as politely as possible.

Of course, the meaning that statement held for Kim Sun-il was extraordinary. The smile was already gone from his face, having taken a proper hit.

‘…How on earth?’

Kim Sun-il’s mind was filled with questions.

These scripts were very cleverly edited. The genre, the characters, even the setting, all felt like completely different dramas.

Even if Soo-ah had only connected two of them, he would have praised her greatly. If she had connected three, he would have been deeply impressed.

But the answer Lee Soo-ah gave was on a different level.

Right in front of Kim Sun-il, she arranged all five in the correct order as if to show off. A genius talent that even simple descriptions couldn’t express.

‘There’s no way the script editing was flawed.’

Right, there’s no way. Even Kim Sun-il thought they were scripts from different dramas when he first looked at them.

Therefore, there was only one thing it could mean.

‘Does she really have such excellent judgment? Someone with no career and who says acting is just a hobby?’

He had no choice but to admit it.

Lee Soo-ah’s insight was on a different dimension.

“You have a very keen eye. Even saying you’re top-notch isn’t enough.”

“I’m glad.”

“This isn’t just a matter of being glad…”

Kim Sun-il didn’t finish his sentence. He almost blurted out that she had the talent of the ages, but barely managed to swallow it back down.

“…Maybe you’re even better than me.”

“You said your eyesight wasn’t good. That’s possible.”

“…”

Soo-ah just wanted to end the situation with a polite answer. Of course, this too was approaching Kim Sun-il with a very different meaning, relentlessly striking him….

“Haha!”

Suddenly, laughter erupted from around them.

“See, I told you Soo-ah-ssi was different! Seeing him take such a satisfying hit is so refreshing.”

Soo-ah barely stopped herself from letting out a gasp. Surprisingly, the voice just now was Seo Yeon-joo’s.

As she made eye contact with the somewhat embarrassed Soo-ah, she gave her a bright smile, and Soo-ah thought. It’s like a cheerful rabbit has transformed into a human.

A brightness that isn’t sharp, an untainted innocence. Those things are felt when looking at Seo Yeon-joo.

Meanwhile, the others couldn’t hide their surprise either.

PD Choi Hee-won and writer Lee Geum-sook looked at the arranged scripts for a long time, then came over and cautiously patted Soo-ah’s shoulder or arm. With very shocked faces.

“Soo-ah-yang, you must have been very taken aback, right? We all opposed it, but Sun-il-ssi is so picky. But this, I think I’m more taken aback? How did you even get the order right?”

“Since we stood by and watched, we can’t deny our responsibility either. We apologize. We were curious about Soo-ah-ssi’s insight. But I’m really surprised. You’re like a ghost.”

Soo-ah was just dazed.

‘What, weren’t you all in cahoots?’

An atmosphere where they were worried about Soo-ah rather than Kim Sun-il. Taking care of Soo-ah. It was quite different from what she had expected.

Did it show on her face? Seo Yeon-joo asked.

“Soo-ah-ssi, what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just…”

Soo-ah mumbled and replied.

“…It just feels like there’s not a single person on Kim Sun-il-ssi’s side.”

“Pardon?”

Then, the judges exchanged glances with each other.

“Hahahaha─!”

Soon, a very loud laugh erupted. Soo-ah was just bewildered. Huh, she didn’t say it to be funny.

Seo Yeon-joo casually linked arms with Soo-ah.

“Of course. Who would take the side of that jerk? People call him a handsome piece of garbage, but in reality, garbage is the right word, except for the acting. He’s useless.”

Soo-ah held her breath. Wow, Seo Yeon-joo linked arms with her.

Physical contact with a big star came with a much greater sense of tension than she had imagined.

Doing nothing but sweating profusely, this time writer Lee Geum-sook spread out other scripts.

“Soo-ah-yang, this is really just out of curiosity, but how about these? Would you like to pick the script you like best?”

“Hmm…”

Soo-ah looked at the scripts one by one.

Ah, of course, she didn’t forget to pretend to read, turning the pages appropriately. It would be like being a shaman if she judged them just by touching them.

It didn’t take long to discern them.

Soo-ah also discovered a trick around this point.

‘Oh? I can experience these as an extra?’

Even extra roles that were just one line of dialogue resulted in a completed experience. It was a clever move that allowed her to quickly grasp the quality of the scripts.

[ ‘Special Task Force 808’ Script ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Experience Complete / Grade 1

[ ‘Fist King’ Script ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Experience Complete / Grade 4

There were a total of 4, but 3 of them didn’t even catch her eye. The reason, of course, was.

‘Grade 1? It’s Grade 1?’

Even the notification for Grade 1 was extraordinary. It was like light was flashing and sparkling. Soo-ah pointed to it without hesitation.

“I like this one.”

Immediately, admiration erupted from across the table.

“Huh? She’s picking this writer’s next work accurately?”

“Crazy. Crazy…! It’s fate…!”

“…It’s really amazing. How can this be?”

However.

“…”

Unlike the other side, who were becoming increasingly happy, Soo-ah’s face gradually became subtle. No, to be honest, she was a little disappointed.

“…Um, but is this the end of the good opportunities?”

Soo-ah asked purely out of curiosity. She came because they said they would give her good opportunities, but they keep making her look at scripts….

However, the reaction was bigger than she expected. Everyone widened their eyes and their faces soon turned pale.

“Ah, Soo-ah-ssi. That’s…”

“Soo-ah-ssi, it’s not that…”

Soo-ah calmly continued.

“It’s nothing, I was just going to go home if it’s over.”

“…”

Then, a brief silence.

“Soo-ah-ssi, just wait a moment. Soo-ah-ssi!”

Seo Yeon-joo suddenly hugged Soo-ah’s waist.

“Of course this isn’t the end! Rather, it’s the real beginning from now on. Okay, first sit down with me.”

“…Eh?”

“I’m going to hold you tight so you can’t leave.”

As Seo Yeon-joo sat back down, Soo-ah naturally ended up sitting on Seo Yeon-joo’s lap.

While the thought, ‘Is this really okay?’ crossed her mind, a soft sensation and a clean fragrance tickled the tip of her nose.

“That’s right. Soo-ah-ssi, so far we’ve only satisfied our curiosity, haven’t we. From now on, we’re going to give you a great reward.”

“Soo-ah-yang, just wait a moment.”

Not only Seo Yeon-joo but all the judges are holding onto Soo-ah. An experience Soo-ah was experiencing for the first time.

“Yes, yes?”

Her brain broke down and stammered for a long time.

Writer Lee Geum-sook said to Soo-ah.

“Now that it’s come to this, let’s get straight to the point. The script that Soo-ah-ssi picked just now because you liked it, right?”

“Yes.”

“We’re putting our hearts and souls into making this masterpiece. Script, directing, casting actors. We’re doing everything with all our might.”

“It seems so.”

The notification was sparkling so brightly. Even Grade 1.

And after a while.

Writer Lee Geum-sook said something unbelievable.

“We want to cast Soo-ah-ssi.”

“Cast?”

“Yes. Cast. Soo-ah-ssi will take on one of the roles, stand in front of the camera and act, and the drama will be broadcast.”

“Eh.”

Soo-ah bit her tongue without realizing it.

At the same time, all movement stopped. It looked very cold to those around her, but in fact, she had completely broken down.

‘Cast? Me? They’re casting me in a Grade 1 script?’

Belatedly, her hand trembled.

‘Suddenly? This suddenly?’

Soo-ah’s head creaked as she turned towards writer Lee Geum-sook. Fortunately, the other person didn’t notice the awkwardness.

“Writer Lee’s drama casting… wasn’t that… a privilege you could only get by winning the audition…?”

“Soo-ah-ssi doesn’t need to do that. Because you proved it in front of us. And you did it brilliantly.”

“Oh…”

Soo-ah was at a loss for words.

When she dropped out of the audition, she gave up a lot.

She was going to build up her filmography step by step from the bottom, but it’s turning out like this? Really? Really?

“…”

Soo-ah quietly got up from her seat.

“…I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.”

For now, this was the best she could do.

She felt like she was going to jump for joy, and the sensation of sitting on Seo Yeon-joo’s lap was also strange. She needed to pull herself together.

◈◈◈◈◈

Restroom. Soo-ah swept her hair back several times.

“Awoo…. This is crazy. I’m so nervous.”

Being able to join writer Lee Geum-sook’s next work was a very violent hope. Enough to make her want to jump on the spot right away.

But, Soo-ah suddenly became curious about something.

“But, why is everyone being so unusually nice to me?”

Looking back on her past memories, praise was rare.

─Why don’t you do even a little more instead of making that face?

─What’s the point of being pretty? You’re really venomous….

─Why are you so angry?

─You’re scaring me to death. Please, lighten up your face.

Right, she had only ever heard those kinds of words.

The things Soo-ah was experiencing recently were completely different.

PD Son Ji-woong, who was clinging to Soo-ah, Seo Yeon-joo, who was being strangely friendly, and even the situation where they were desperately trying to stop her when she said she was going home….

“Yeah. It’s certain that they think well of me.”

As a result of thinking about the differences between the past and the present.

As a result of continuing to think.

“Ah?”

Something came to mind.

‘Thinking about it, I’ve never been good at anything before.’

Wherever she went, she gained favor with her pretty looks, but the time she enjoyed that popularity was short each time. In the end, all that was left was an ending where everyone feared or avoided Soo-ah.

“But, I’m pretty good at acting now, aren’t I?”

PD Choi Hee-won, PD Son Ji-woong, writer Lee Geum-sook, Seo Yeon-joo…. Even the grumpy Kim Sun-il acknowledged Soo-ah, didn’t he?

“Wait, could this be…!”

Soo-ah’s eyes widened.

Now, she has distinct strengths besides her looks. As a result, her face’s strong impression might be acting as a strength.

The three special privileges harmoniously intertwined with each other.

Then, can she be a little reckless in the future? Can she immediately demand what she wants, act strong, and so on?

That way, it’ll actually become a strength, right?

Soo-ah tapped her cheeks on the sink, her hands resting on either side.

“Me, should I go all-in on pushing this kind of image?”

This script is Grade 1. A whopping Grade 1.

If she does it right, it’s a life-changing reversal.

Soo-ah then tapped her cheeks, “Tok, tok, tok.”

“…Yeah, let’s push it properly once. A girl who’s good at acting and doesn’t look easy.”

She pictured herself succeeding in her head.

…Wow, it sounds good just thinking about it?

Soo-ah suddenly recalled the boxing movie from the script she had just experienced. She looked in the mirror and threw punches wildly.

Swoosh. Swoosh swoosh.

Does this get affected by the script too? I think I’m pretty good? Soo-ah expressed her excitement by punching into the air.

“Am I really going to succeed like this? In the future, I’ll be shoulder to shoulder with big stars, and I’ll receive awards too…?”

Swoosh! Swoosh swoosh!

Bang bang. Happy imaginations exploded like fireworks in her head.

“I’ll have my own fan cafe, and I’ll hold a press conference….”

Swish swish swoosh! Uppercut, bam!

It was then.

She turned her head to the side, sensing a sudden chill.

“….”

There was another customer in the cafe.

They even made eye contact.

Soo-ah immediately hid both hands behind her back.

“Ah, let me explain.”

A moment of silence. Soo-ah felt like someone was choking her.

“I’m an aspiring actress. This, it’s a boxing movie….”

“Ah, ah, it’s okay. I’m sorry…!”

Without giving her a chance to speak, she just ran away.

“….”

Soo-ah, left alone, quietly froze.

Very quietly. Without even a hint of movement.

Only her face, which was deeply bowed, was about to burst, red….

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, those who remained were busy discussing Soo-ah.

“Soo-ah-yang, I expected it, but she’s very picky. I didn’t think she wouldn’t immediately accept my next work.”

Seo Yeon-joo nodded at writer Lee Geum-sook’s words.

“She has a good eye, she acts well, and she’s incredibly strong-willed. You saw it, right? She wasn’t intimidated at all even in front of Kim Sun-il.”

“Haha, to think we’d be looking at a rookie with a discerning eye….”

Admiration for the monstrous rookie was one thing, but the main point they were discussing was different. It was Lee Soo-ah’s role.

Everyone had a lot to say.

“Doesn’t this role suit her? In terms of personality.”

“Then it’ll be too obvious. I think this one would be better.”

“Among the female roles, this one is the most…”

Differences of opinion are not easily narrowed. But even so, everyone was smiling instead of being angry.

“Whatever she does, I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to something this much.”

“I know, right.”

It was then that Soo-ah appeared.

Was she hot? Her face was quite red.

PD Choi Hee-won parted his lips.

“Soo-ah-ssi, we discussed the role we’re going to offer you. First, can you act out any scene from the role of ‘Kim Hyo-jin’?”

“Ah, yes.”

Soo-ah received the script without much thought and nodded.

‘Eh.’

But a moment later, she had no choice but to quietly bite her tongue.

[ Drama ‘Mobile Investigation Unit 808’ ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Experience Complete / Grade 1

Kim Yu-han (Leading Role) ─ 001

Lee Kang-cheol (Leading Role) ─ 002

Ha Yun-jin (Leading Role) ─ 003

It wasn’t there. There was no Kim Hyo-jin role experience.

Rustle— Rustle—

Soo-ah kept pretending to look at the script, but in reality, she was sweating profusely.

This is a test with a whopping Grade 1 script. She has to get it right, but no matter how much she looks, there’s no such role.

Seo Yeon-joo smiled brightly and said.

“Soo-ah-ssi, you can do it lightly. Lightly!”

Rustle— Rustle—

“…”

But Soo-ah could only feel bitter.

No, why that role out of all the many roles.

It seems like they assigned her a role with relatively little weight, considering that Soo-ah is a rookie, but that’s actually a poison to Soo-ah.

Should she give up?

No, no, no.

You just decided to live as a crazy bitch!

“…”

Finally, Soo-ah, who had finished contemplating, stopped looking at the script. It was at the same time as she tossed it on the floor with a thud.

There’s no other choice.

This is really the only way….

“I’m not going to do it lightly.”

“…?”

As expected, everyone has a surprised expression. It’s understandable. The rookie threw the script down. Soo-ah also doesn’t know if this is right, but….

Soo-ah, who received everyone’s attention, calmly continued. While trying to hide her trembling body.

“You have to give me at least a leading role.”