episode_0016

Sua froze.

Even though she seemed endlessly calm, in reality, she was just broken. Anyone would be in the face of such good conditions.

“This, now, so…”

“It’s 3 million won per episode. What do you think?”

What do I think? Suddenly, Saengji’s voice rang in her ears.

—…Why would a newbie like that get paid?

Don’t expect any rewards. It was advice from a working entertainment reporter. So, Sua had long given up on all her desires.

‘How much did I get for a month of working as a kitchen assistant? No, what’s there to compare? I got paid much less than this.’

The amount already written was 3 million won. Adding another million won here means she would be making 4 million won per episode. A groundbreaking condition unprecedented in Sua’s life.

“…”

Sua quietly covered her mouth while resting her chin on one hand. It was to hide her constantly rising lip corners.

On the other hand, PD Choi Heewon and the production manager quietly exchanged glances and had a secret conversation via text message. Sua’s seemingly serious face was the cause.

▶ I guess she’s not really attracted to this either.

A black message. PD Choi Heewon spoke first.

▷ But giving more than this would strain the production budget…

▶ How about we fix the amount at this level and try to persuade her by promising additional conditions?

▷ I guess we’ll have to. Any precautions?

▶ As you can see, she’s fierce. Don’t provoke her.

The production manager chuckled dryly.

Don’t provoke her, has he ever catered to a newbie before? But what’s truly amazing is that he finds it reasonable. He’s somehow understanding it himself.

‘She’s different from ordinary newbies. Both her face and attitude.’

The production manager carefully opened his mouth.

“First of all, Sua-ssi, do you know the treatment other newbies receive?”

“Not really.”

The shark doesn’t know the world of the minnows. And I guess it means she doesn’t need to know either. The production manager recalled. This negotiation won’t be easy after all.

“Of course, Sua-ssi is different from other newbies. But this is the condition we came up with, considering that point. Would it be okay if I explained it to you one by one?”

“Yes. Please do.”

Sua’s eyes sparkled.

He’s going to explain the reason for giving her 4 million won per episode. Who wouldn’t be excited? She adopted a listening posture.

Of course, Sua’s words sounded to the production manager like, ‘Go ahead and try.’ But her sparkling eyes were also a threat.

The production manager cleared his throat a couple of times.

“It might just seem like a condition of 4 million won per episode, but the reality is different. You need to understand the potential of the Kim Yuhan role.”

“Potential?”

“The Kim Yuhan role doesn’t have a set amount of screen time or filming sessions, right? That’s because writer Lee is writing it from scratch.”

He stroked his mustache and continued.

“If Sua-ssi’s Kim Yuhan is excellent, then the lines, filming time, and number of appearances will naturally increase. Of course, the money Sua-ssi receives will also increase.”

Sua nodded.

‘In other words, a structure where I earn as much as my capabilities allow.’

In the past, this kind of structure would have been terrifying, but now it’s quite welcome to Sua. Combining special benefits and effort, it won’t be bad.

Then suddenly.

“…But, is there enough money?”

Sua asked.

Meaning, is it okay to spend this much on a newbie like her? It was the result of Sua doing her own research. If you spend too much money on casting, the quality of other parts will decrease…

Immediately after, an immediate reaction erupted.

“Huh!”

“Ha!”

Choi Heewon and the production manager looked at each other and laughed.

“Manager, did you hear that? Sua-ssi is asking if it’s okay to take everything we have, down to the last penny.”

“I know, right. She really hit us hard, for a newbie.”

Sua was just dumbfounded.

“What nonsense…”

“Sua-ssi, it’s okay.”

The production manager nodded.

“If Sua-ssi does that well, the drama’s profits will already be enormous. So, it’s good for us too. Let’s do our best to create a mutually beneficial picture.”

“…Yes.”

“Oh, the contract details are strictly confidential. There’s an industry standard. There are many people who don’t welcome exceptional cases, and Sua-ssi’s very existence is still a secret.”

Sua just nodded like a baby bird. If they’re going to give her 4 million won per episode, what could be difficult?

After that, the signing went smoothly. In fact, Sua’s signature is usually a rabbit face doodle, but just in case, she only wrote her name in three letters.

The contract was finalized, and the production manager smiled.

“Thank you. How do you feel?”

Sua pondered for a moment.

Choosing her words carefully. A fairly honest impression.

“…Honestly, I’m a little dazed. Almost speechless.”

Choi Heewon and the manager’s faces hardened.

◈◈◈◈◈

Afterward, Sua was dragged to a Korean BBQ restaurant.

The reason was a company dinner. They said that since the drama production that had been stalled had resumed, a celebration was inevitable, and Sua thought to herself. It would be shameless to just take the meat to go, right?

“…Ehh.”

But immediately after arriving, she had to bite her tongue.

She came prepared to inhale the meat like a vacuum cleaner, but she forgot her hunger as soon as she stepped foot inside. It was because the scenery in front of her was so amazing.

‘Wait, is this really a Korean BBQ restaurant? Isn’t this a historical drama set?’

The long fence alone was amazing, but it couldn’t compare to the interior. A neatly maintained garden and a classic Korean house. This entire place is the company dinner location for the ‘Special Task Force 808 Production Team’ today.

At that moment, Sua sensed someone approaching her.

“You’re Sua-ssi, right? Wow, you look much more amazing in person.”

“…Who?”

“Ah, I’m the casting director.”

A skinny man with glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

“Hehe, I’m really looking forward to seeing how you’ll portray Kim Yuhan.”

He’s full of praise, but his expression keeps twitching. Sua knew what these kinds of faces were. Expressions of testing the waters because they have so much to say.

“It seems like you have something to say to me.”

“…”

Then the casting director’s face looked like he’d been caught red-handed, and then he sighed as if acknowledging it.

“…Sua-ssi, your eyes are sharp. Actually, looking at the expressions, the negotiation process didn’t seem very smooth.”

“No?”

I actually did very well, and very satisfied?

“There’s no need to deny it. PD Choi Heewon and the manager’s expressions were stiff. So, I decided to have a conversation with Sua-ssi to make up for it in some way.”

“Hmm.”

“I don’t know what amount Sua-ssi was hoping for. But I hope you’ll understand. I know for sure that this is the first time the production team has been so considerate of a newbie, even if I don’t know anything else.”

At this point, Sua realized that there was some serious misunderstanding. In other words, the casting director thought Sua was upset and came to comfort her.

“Don’t worry. I’m satisfied with this.”

“Yes? Didn’t the negotiation not go well? Sua-ssi, and PD Choi and the production manager’s expressions were not good…”

“…I don’t know about them. I’ve always looked like this.”

Sua was even more scared by the casting director’s words.

Why are those two’s expressions dark? Did I make a mistake? Oh, because I got a lot of money? I have to act hard…

While she was lost in all those thoughts.

“I had a lot of useless chatter because I was anxious. We started production with difficulty, and I wanted to continue in a happy atmosphere. First of all, enjoy the company dinner to the fullest today.”

The casting director smiled first and broke the silence. Unlike his skinny and sharp impression, he felt quite friendly.

After that, it was a full-fledged company dinner.

‘Ugh, is this really my place…?’

Indeed, the world of the rich is different from the beginning. It’s not enough to rent this luxurious Korean BBQ restaurant entirely, they even have a microphone prepared. It was a different world for Sua.

Amazing. This Korean BBQ restaurant, the situation, the atmosphere.

“Hello—!” “Please take care of me!” “Special Task Force 808, fighting!”

The people involved appeared with thunderous voices, Kim Sunil and Seo Yeonju appearing with an aura different from others… The restaurant, which felt so wide, was filled in an instant.

‘Am I sitting here too obviously, looking blank?’

Sua was worried. Maybe she’s just craning her neck like a meerkat in the grasslands. Looking stupid.

‘…That won’t do. I’m going to be a great actor.’

The answer she finally found. Just stare at the grill.

“…”

She was still for a while like that, but someone came up to her and started talking to her. It was the production manager from before.

“It might be a burden for Sua-ssi, but the work will proceed quite tightly. We’ll send you the script as soon as it’s completed.”

“Yes.”

“Our goal is to air this year, so the schedule is tight, and we’ll move forward like a truck with the brakes off. Luckily, we’ve already gathered all the staff—”

Her ears hurt. Sua nodded.

“I completely understand.”

In fact, she didn’t understand a single word. If you say it like this, I don’t know. Just tell me what to do…

“You don’t have a manager or coordinator yet, so it might be a little difficult, but this will be resolved later when you have an agency. If you have Sua-ssi’s skills, you’ll soon be flooded with offers. And—”

“Wait, wait.”

Sua finally stopped him.

“…Just tell me what I have to do.”

“Hehehe, just act well!”

“…”

Sua was even more disappointed after hearing the conclusion. Why didn’t you say that from the beginning. This simple content…

…Or is it? Maybe it’s my own stupidity?

That’s when it happened.

—Okay, everyone, please pay attention.

The amplified sound through the speaker echoed throughout the restaurant. The owner of the voice was writer Lee Geumsuk. She grabbed the microphone.

—I’m writer Lee Geumsuk. Honestly, I didn’t even expect that this script would go into production, but finally, the opportunity has come. I’ll really work hard. Please take care of me.

Clap, clap, clap. The sound of applause slowly spread.

Next was PD Choi Heewon.

—I’ll put a lot of effort into the directing. To those of you who will stand in front of the camera, I promise to capture moments that you will definitely be proud of later. Please take care of me.

A determination as solid as his muscles, confidence. Sua felt those things from his remarks. He’s solid.

And then Seo Yeonju.

—I’m Seo Yeonju. I’ll do well.

Next was Kim Sunil, but he didn’t receive the microphone. He said he didn’t want to hold a microphone that other people had touched. It was just like his mysophobia.

An unexpected thing happened in the next moment.

“…Huh?”

Sua muttered without realizing it. The microphone was passed into her hand. Moreover, it seemed like she was the only one who didn’t expect this. Everyone else was taking it for granted.

Soon, whispers came from all directions.

“That’s, the one who took on the Kim Yuhan role…”

“Is she really a newbie? What’s with that force…”

“Her mask is no joke.”

Sua barely steadied her trembling body. Her stomach felt very uneasy. Luckily, she hadn’t eaten any meat yet.

At that moment, Seo Yeonju came up and whispered to her.

“Sua-ssi, just say anything comfortably. Shooting a drama is like becoming one family during that time. Think of it as talking to your family and say anything.”

She even gives her a bright smile.

Sua rolled her sore tongue around in her mouth and pondered what to say. What would be good to say?

…No, in fact, since she’s a newbie, there are set things to say. I’ll work hard even in places that aren’t noticeable. Something like that.

Soon, Sua’s lips parted.

—I’ll try to be unnoticeable.

A moment of silence.

“That… clearly…”

And that was the start of PD Choi Heewon’s reaction.

“She’s going to make everyone unnoticeable except herself?”

“How great of a thing is she going to show us?”

“Against Seo Yeonju and Kim Sunil? That’s quite a nerve?”

“…Interesting.”

Reactions were erupting from everywhere. Among them, none of the reactions Sua intended were there.

Clap, clap, clap, clap—!

Soon, thunderous applause poured out.

“The newbie’s spirit is no joke! I like it even more!”

“Let’s all work hard together!”

“Hahaha! This company dinner is fun from the start!”

Sua somehow felt wronged.

“…” Clap, clap…. “Haha…. Hahaha….”

Soon, she also started laughing and clapping. Because she had clearly realized that no matter what she thought, no matter what she said, she could not go against this huge flow.

‘…I don’t know anymore. Let’s enjoy it. Let’s enjoy it.’

◈◈◈◈◈

After that, time passed quickly.

The rumor that the production of ‘Special Task Force 808’ had resumed spread quickly, and everyone was in an uproar thanks to it.

“Huh? I was preparing for the Kim Yuhan audition?”

“No, what! Some guy snatched it!”

First of all, it was naturally a big topic among male actors. The opportunity to be involved in this writer and PD Choi Heewon’s collaboration had flown away before their eyes.

Of course, the reporters were no exception either.

“Hey, you guys! Can’t you bring back even one scoop like this? We’re late again! Ugh, it’s so frustrating, I’m going crazy!”

The news of the production resuming was surprising in itself, so it was natural that the identity of the actor who took on Kim Yuhan was receiving a lot of attention.

“Can’t we find out and write an article about at least the identity of the actor in the Kim Yuhan role first? Is there any information coming from anywhere?”

“Not at all. It seems like they’re trying to keep it a secret altogether.”

“Isn’t ferreting out those secrets your job! Since it’s the Kim Yuhan role, it’s obviously a top-tier actor! Investigate everything from the top!”

But there was no way information could leak.

The drama production executives thoroughly concealed the identity of the Kim Yuhan actor, and the staff who didn’t participate in the company dinner only heard the news that Kim Yuhan had been cast. Even if they wanted to spread the rumor, they couldn’t because they didn’t know anything.

Thanks to that, the world’s curiosity doubled.

[Special Task Force 808… A top-tier actor in the lead at the very least] [One word from writer Lee Geumsuk. ‘I’m confident’.] [The production team’s confidence. Kim Yuhan will be perfect.]

Also, unanswered questions inevitably lead to speculation.

[Kim Yuhan… Which male actor could have taken it?] [Male actors who haven’t been seen lately TOP 10] [A collection of actors who seem like they would fit Kim Yuhan]

A situation even arose where pretty much all the male actors were dragged into the gossip. It’s only natural. The Kim Yuhan role is basically a man, after all.

Newbie reporter, Han Seonah, frowned.

“Ugh, my head hurts…. The Kim Yuhan role is a role that even decent actors were rejected for, who the hell took it?”

Han Seonah was hungry for a scoop. As a characteristic of an entertainment reporter, the more scoops they bring back, the higher their treatment and status rises.

…But will it work? No matter how much she thinks about it, she can’t even guess.

She sighed deeply and tapped on her cell phone. Being an entertainment reporter is a really difficult job. Even more so for a newbie.

[Saengji: Guys, I think I’ll be busy for a while] [Saengji: I’ll work hard and come back….]

However, Seonah was sincerely curious.

“The Kim Yuhan role, who is it? Who is it really…?”