episode_0015

“Yes. I lost it.”

A reflexive answer.

But Soo-ah didn’t have much of a choice. Considering the image they had of her, she could never admit to buying the doll herself.

‘They see me as someone amazing. I can’t shatter that illusion. It’s like kicking away my own good fortune…!’

Thankfully, the response she got was positive.

“Really? Then we need to cancel the card first.”

Soo-ah’s plan seemed to be working quite well. Until she let out a deep sigh of relief, that is.

“But, this is really infuriating. Don’t you think?”

“Yes?”

“If someone found a lost card, they should report it. Why would they suddenly use it themselves? We need to teach them a lesson about the harsh realities of life.”

“….”

What? The harsh realities of life?

I’m already eating that just fine even if you don’t feed it to me?

“I was thinking maybe a clueless kid did it, but if they were properly educated, they wouldn’t have done that with a found card. We should report it first. It’s a crime.”

“….”

A kid… a poorly educated kid…

And a crime…

Soo-ah was newly relieved that she hadn’t confessed to buying the doll. She almost got treated like a kid. But if they reported it, that would be a problem in its own right.

In the end, Soo-ah made a decision. Quite solemnly.

“Yeon-joo-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“That’s not what’s important right now, is it?”

She spat it out with great determination.

Yes, with the heart of a bodyguard she’d been playing just now. A feeling more desperate than anyone else’s, something she had to protect at all costs, even if it meant death…

“I naturally assumed it was about the contract.”

“…Ah, I understand what you mean.”

“…?”

Understand? Understand what?

Right now, Soo-ah couldn’t think of any words that were more frightening.

“Lee Geum-sook writer nim will be contacting you directly soon.”

“Yes?”

The first call with Seo Yeon-joo ended like that.

Truly short and intense.

.

.

.

.

.

“Hmm.”

Immediately after ending the call with Soo-ah, Seo Yeon-joo called someone else. Geumson, Lee Geum-sook writer nim.

“She said she didn’t buy it herself. Said she lost it.”

“Really? I thought so.”

There were various reasons why Seo Yeon-joo had given Soo-ah the card.

Wanting to make a good impression was genuine, but she also wanted to know everything about Soo-ah if possible. Understanding her spending habits and preferences would be helpful for the contract.

But it’s not easy as expected. Because of who she’s up against.

“Usually, when people receive my card, they treat it like a treasure, you know? Soo-ah-ssi is different. It feels like she doesn’t care at all.”

“Soo-ah-yang was extraordinary from her very first appearance.”

“And it feels like the card was intentionally lost.”

“Intentional loss? What do you mean?”

At the writer’s question, Seo Yeon-joo calmly continued.

“When she asked if the main purpose wasn’t related to the contract, goosebumps ran down my arms. It felt like she already knew my intentions.”

“I guess mediocre conditions won’t work.”

Lee Geum-sook writer nim chuckled.

“We were already talking about giving up on trying to save money anyway. Thanks for the hard work, Yeon-joo-ya.”

“Yes, I’ll hang up now.”

After ending the call, Yeon-joo checked Soo-ah’s messenger profile.

Simple. Photo, background, status message… The fact that nothing was written anywhere was particularly so. It suits her, one might say.

Suddenly, she reconsidered Soo-ah’s attitude. Her attitude of not apologizing even though she lost someone else’s card. No, rather, she seemed to be telling Seo Yeon-joo to apologize first, because she had read Yeon-joo’s intentions.

…Someone who can treat me like this. Doesn’t exist.

“Even though she’s younger than me, I want to call her *unnie*. What is she?”

◈◈◈◈◈

Soo-ah continued to focus on acting practice even after the call.

Ah, of course, with the rabbit dolls.

Thump thump.

The rabbit dolls bumping their heads. They feel good to touch and make her feel better, and because she’s doing acting practice at the same time, she’s not just spending her time being lazy.

…Well, at least that’s what Soo-ah thought.

─♩♪♬

Then the phone rang again.

“My phone’s a real crybaby these days. It’s always crying.”

Soo-ah muttered to herself and answered the phone.

“Hello.”

“Hello. Is this Lee Soo-ah-ssi?”

“Yes. Who is this?”

“I’m calling because you inquired about an energy drink commercial.”

“Ah.”

Soo-ah hadn’t forgotten. She had applied for various things besides this writer’s work.

“Originally, the audition date was this weekend, but it’s been pushed back a bit. Please be aware that it’s next Wednesday.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“…Were you perhaps offended by the content? We ask for your understanding.”

“No? I’m not angry.”

After repeating the explanations she had given countless times in her life, Soo-ah ended the call. Whew, I have to pass this one too.

She plans to build up her filmography, but not in a lazy way. She plans to use her time as diligently as possible.

“Let’s see, now the next thing to do is…”

Soo-ah scratched the side of her chest and muttered, but in reality, what she had to do was already decided.

Lee Geum-sook writer nim said she would call soon. In other words, she can’t postpone it anymore. She had to seek advice on the contract.

“…But where do I ask? The internet? A gallery?”

It’s too specific a situation to get help from the internet or a gallery. The moment she asks a question, it means that the author is identified as Soo-ah. In the end, she visited the group chat room after a long time.

[ Soo-ah: Guys guys guys ]

[ Soo-ah: Emergency emergency ]

[ Soo-ah: @(Everyone) ]

[ Deer: ㅇㅇ ]

[ Soo-ah: I’m serious right now. Someone help me. ]

[ Deer: Pregnant? ]

-The chat room administrator has removed Deer. – -Deer has entered. –

[ Monkeying: Soo-ah, it’s been a while. ]

[ Black Bear: I’m busy looking at charts. ]

[ Monkeying: I’m busy with gallery browsing too. ]

[ RawEgg: So what’s up? ]

[ Soo-ah: Anyone who knows the entertainment industry well! ]

[ Black Bear: Ask RawEgg. He’s a reporter. ]

[ RawEgg: Huh? ]

[ RawEgg: I am a reporter, but I don’t know everything. ]

“Wow, so it was true that you became a reporter?”

If that’s the case, there’s even less reason to hesitate. Anyway, he’ll know more than me, right? Soo-ah immediately called RawEgg.

◈◈◈◈◈

“Hello? RawEgg?”

“Yeah yeah. It’s been a long time, Baby Rabbit!”

A voice as bright as sunshine no matter when you hear it.

‘Actually, he suits being a squirrel more than a raw egg.’

That was what Soo-ah thought every time she talked to RawEgg. Cute and bright, a squirrel who runs around.

Even RawEgg doesn’t seem nervous or misunderstand Soo-ah’s voice. Thanks to the countless group calls they’ve had.

“Our Baby Rabbit~ It’s good to hear your voice after a long time.”

“…Hey, what an old name.”

In fact, Soo-ah’s first nickname was Baby Rabbit. It was confiscated right after the first call because it didn’t suit her at all.

‘What was I thinking?’

…Even she herself had no conscience. Why did she do that.

“More than that, RawEgg, we used to play games together, but when did you become a reporter? I’m the only one who’s become miserable.”

“I’ve always been steadily preparing. But what about Soo-ah? You said you have a serious problem. I’m really worried.”

“Ah, well, it’s nothing else.”

Soo-ah fiddled with the tip of her nose for no reason and asked.

“RawEgg, you’re an entertainment reporter, right? So do you know people like Kim Sun-il, Seo Yeon-joo, Lee Geum-sook writer nim, Choi Hee-won PD…?

“Of course I know them! Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-joo are actors, so that’s understandable, but how did you know Lee writer nim or Choi Hee-won-ssi?”

“Huh? Ah, just. Coincidentally.”

First, she mumbled vaguely. Empty wagons make a lot of noise, so she didn’t want to make a fuss about becoming an actor already.

“Even by chance, the people Soo-ah just mentioned have been saying they’re collaborating for years, but they’re just frying pancakes. The casting is having difficulties, so there’s no progress at all.”

“Difficulties… difficulties…”

Was she being offered such a difficult position? Soo-ah felt strangely good and nervous at the same time.

“Hey, RawEgg.”

“Yeah yeah!”

“If, let’s say, such a highly anticipated project starts production again.”

“How does it start? Soo-ah, if such a work starts production again, that itself will become an article. It’s even a scoop.”

“No no, just imagine.”

“Even that’s not easy to imagine… Okay, I got it.”

Soo-ah thought. It’s hard to make him imagine even once.

“How much do actors in such works get paid?”

“Seo Yeon-joo or Kim Sun-il? Of course, they get paid in the hundreds of millions of won, right?”

“Besides them, like supporting or minor roles.”

“That’s very different depending on the situation.”

“Let’s say a rookie with no experience takes on a unique role with an unspecified number of appearances.”

“Um…”

After a while.

RawEgg, who hadn’t answered, said.

“…Why should such a rookie get paid?”

“Huh?”

“That’s right, Soo-ah. Just dipping your toes in such a big pond is a huge experience and filmography. There are even people who would pay to participate in such works.”

“Ah, really?”

“Yeah yeah. I’m a little embarrassed because it’s such a ridiculous question. But what does this have to do with Soo-ah’s worries?”

“Oh, um, it’s a friend’s concern. A friend.”

Soo-ah made up an excuse and, after asking about various things, ended the call. Anyway, she realized one very important fact.

‘Even if I don’t get a penny, I’ll be thankful and bow!’

Lee Geum-sook writer nim’s text message had already arrived.

Now, it’s really time to sign the contract.

◈◈◈◈◈

The promised afternoon. Drama production company ‘Arts Warehouse’.

‘Wow, I’m getting intimidated… Look at the atmosphere…’

Soo-ah felt pressured as soon as she was guided inside. It was a very sophisticated conference room, and there were quite a few people waiting.

Lee Geum-sook writer nim, Choi Hee-won PD… That’s all Soo-ah knew. The rest were just related people. The problem was that there were almost ten of them.

Of course, the other party’s position was completely different. To them, the nervous Soo-ah seemed more sensitive than usual.

The space was getting cold, but Lee Geum-sook writer nim smiled.

“Soo-ah-yang, you came out today with the right attitude, didn’t you?”

“Attitude? Ah, yes. I was determined.”

She was already determined to participate even if she didn’t get a penny. Soo-ah nodded with that meaning, but.

“…Indeed, you don’t have any intention of giving in at all? I actually like that attitude.”

“What…”

What on earth is that writer talking about? Soo-ah swallowed a question mark and took a seat.

Immediately afterward, Choi Hee-won PD smiled and handed her some documents.

“We stayed up all night worrying about Soo-ah-ssi’s conditions. Please take your time to look them over.”

“Um.”

Soo-ah looked sophisticated and rested her chin in one hand.

[ The video production company ‘Arts Warehouse’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘Broadcasting Station or Production Company’) and ‘Production Company’ are producing a video Special Task Force 808 (Series of 24 Episodes) regarding─ ]

“…”

A chuckle escaped Soo-ah’s lips.

‘What is this? What is written here…?’

I really don’t understand anything. What is this?

But the people across from her flinched at Soo-ah’s chuckle. Choi Hee-won PD, whose shirt seemed about to burst because of his muscles, asked Soo-ah.

“Soo-ah-ssi, are you not very happy with the conditions?”

“No… It’s just that I don’t understand very well…”

Soo-ah vaguely made excuses. No, what does this mean? Just roughly skipping everything and looking for the numbers.

“You don’t understand.”

One word from Choi Hee-won PD.

Soo-ah was startled then.

At the same time, she swallowed hard. That’s because she belatedly realized that she had muttered her inner thoughts as they were.

“Ah, I mean…”

“Good. Then let’s add just one more small thing.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s add one million won more here. That’s what I mean.”

Soo-ah couldn’t believe her ears.

One million won? One million won, you said?

Is it really small? It’s big?

More than that, she was bothered by the words “from here”. Didn’t that mean that there was an originally promised amount? The moment Soo-ah’s gaze followed the end of Choi Hee-won PD’s finger.

‘Ugh.’

Soo-ah bit her tongue. And quite painfully.

[ 3,000,000 * 1st Episode Broadcast Filming + Meal Expenses ]

▶ Payment after withholding tax

▶ Appearance fee will be paid to the account designated by “Lee Soo-ah”

Three million won per episode.

That was the amount already promised to Soo-ah.