episode_0022
by fnovelpiaA heavy silence hung in the CT Entertainment CEO’s office.
“…Excuse me?”
Yang Harin asked back after a long pause.
It was understandable. In her not-so-short life, she had never once been told she didn’t know her place.
Especially not by Kim Seonil.
Yang Harin had always looked up to Kim Seonil as a role model. The rookie award, his acting skills, and even his sharp attitude. That’s why the shock hitting her head right now was so immense.
“Seonil oppa, what do you mean by that?”
Her voice was filled with confusion, but Kim Seonil’s eyes didn’t waver even slightly. As if to say, you heard right.
“…Oppa, do you know that woman too? Who is this Lee Sua person?”
Kim Seonil tried to say something but swallowed it back down.
“…”
He couldn’t easily reveal the fact that Lee Sua had landed the lead role in Special Task Force 808. That was a huge bomb he was going to detonate later.
Therefore, instead.
“…Yang Harin.”
“Yes?”
“Do I have to explain everything to you one by one?”
“…!”
Yang Harin’s face was completely shocked as she clamped her mouth shut. After a long time, she slowly shook her head and muttered.
“I can’t understand it at all. I can do that level of acting too. Why do you keep saying she’s better than me…”
“Then why didn’t you clash with her? I wonder which one would have broken.”
“Clashing in the first place is ridiculous! I’m a strong contender for the rookie award, and she’s a complete newbie! We’re on different levels!”
Yang Harin’s words even had a pleading tone, but Kim Seonil didn’t engage with her any further. Instead, he simply turned his gaze towards Director Park.
Park Jun flinched slightly under his very sharp gaze.
“Director Park, I understand the circumstances, but.”
“Seonil-ah…”
“I didn’t realize your eye was only this good.”
Kim Seonil said calmly.
“I clearly knew who was better.”
Director Park didn’t answer. Or rather, he seemed unable to answer, wearing an ambiguous expression.
Amid the chilling atmosphere and everyone’s shock, Kim Seonil grabbed his coat. Just then, the CEO finally spoke.
“…From what I’ve gathered, it seems Kim actor is quite fond of this Lee Sua or whatever the interviewee is?”
“Let’s get our words straight.”
Kim Seonil replied firmly.
“Rather than being fond of her, I’ve simply acknowledged her.”
“Kim actor acknowledging a newbie? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The CEO and Yang Harin looked like they had a lot to say, but Kim Seonil cleanly ignored everything and moved his feet.
“Since the movie’s already been scrapped, I’ll be going now.”
.
.
.
.
.
“Seonil-ah!”
As soon as he left the CT Entertainment building, Park Jun chased after Kim Seonil.
“Seonil-ah, let’s talk for a bit! Just one question!”
Kim Seonil stopped, and Park Jun caught his breath, panting. The difference between the two was stark, as the other man stood so composed.
Park Jun asked after regaining his breath.
“Lee Sua, does that woman really have something more? I’ve never seen you act like this before.”
“…You chased me all the way here just to ask that?”
“Of course. What else would I ask about? Oh, the movie?”
Park Jun waved his hand dismissively.
“It’s okay. I was going to retire anyway, right? I actually wanted the movie to be scrapped. I didn’t want to be leashed by CT Entertainment, and I didn’t want to see Yang Harin ruin a newbie.”
“Well, if you don’t have any regrets, that’s a relief.”
“So, what’s so special about that newbie?”
Park Jun recalled Kim Seonil’s usual attitude.
‘The balancer of the set.’
All sorts of things happen on set. There are times when the actors or staff are in bad shape, but you can’t easily point it out.
Kim Seonil always stepped up in those situations. Even if he had to take the blame, he was willing to be brave in order to create a better work.
In the midst of that, Kim Seonil rarely gave praise.
He would simply give a response as if you had just done your job after achieving something close to perfect, but now he was praising a newbie so highly. It was impossible not to be curious.
“Hmm.”
Kim Seonil tilted his head and crossed his arms.
“I don’t think that’s something you should be asking me.”
“Huh?”
“You have eyes, don’t you? You saw her act directly.”
“…Ah, that’s right. She really was amazing.”
Park Jun nodded in agreement.
“For a moment, I even considered giving up my decision to scrap the movie! But I still think it’s too dangerous to have a newbie next to Harin…”
Kim Seonil knew what Park Jun was worried about.
He had seen countless newbies whose marrow had been sucked dry by Yang Harin before being thrown away. He was worried that a shining uncut gem would be crushed.
However, in his opinion, Lee Sua was different.
“She wouldn’t be eaten by Yang Harin. It might be the other way around.”
“Her attitude was unusual too. Harin kept firing words at her relentlessly, but she didn’t even blink once.”
Director Park tilted his head in confusion.
“Now that I think about it, that’s strange? Why would someone with outstanding acting skills and even your recognition come to an audition like this?”
“Director Park.”
Kim Seonil said softly.
“Do you remember Lee Sua saying that she acts as a hobby?”
“Oh. She did. But is that real? That doesn’t make sense.”
“There are some actors like that. They don’t consider money or interests at all, and they just jump into works that they think are right.”
“What? So you’re saying…”
Just as Director Park was thinking, could it be?
Kim Seonil nodded.
“She liked Director’s work. Perhaps even more than I did. I only decided to make a special appearance, but she was determined to play the lead role.”
“Li-liked my work?”
Park Jun’s eyes widened.
“This work of mine? This work with absolutely no mass appeal?”
Kim Seonil simply stared at Park Jun instead of answering. His face seemed to say that he didn’t need to answer.
“No, if that’s true, it’s too bitter…”
Park Jun scratched the back of his neck.
“There’s an actor who readily showed interest in my work, and she’s even talented, but I have to let her go. It hurts so much. If my situation were only a little better…”
“Director Park.”
Kim Seonil called out to Director Park once more.
“This time, I’ll ask you just one thing.”
“Huh?”
“Director Park, are you really okay with letting go of this movie?”
Park Jun was taken aback by the unexpected question.
“Well, why are you suddenly saying that…?”
“You still seem to have a lot of lingering feelings, Director Park.”
Park Jun was speechless.
“Coincidentally, there’s also a talented person who likes Director’s work.”
“…”
Soon, he muttered the words he had heard blankly.
“Lingering…feelings…”
Perhaps that was the case.
If the situation weren’t so dire, if he could have received investment from various places, if he could have cast everyone according to Park Jun’s wishes… would things have been different?
“…”
Things would have been different.
He was just tired of reality, and it wasn’t as if his affection for this work had faded. However, the shock was even greater when he had it confirmed by someone else.
“It’s not too late. Try to hold on to it. CT Entertainment has already let go, and we can find money somehow, right?”
Kim Seonil left only those words behind.
“…”
Park Jun stayed in his place for a long time.
His face was more thoughtful than ever.
◈◈◈◈◈
A high-end Chinese restaurant.
The red and sophisticated space was large. A large round table, and lavish food adorning the top.
The production team of Special Task Force 808.
But today, there were many faces besides PD Choi Heewon, writer Lee Geumsuk, and Seo Yeonju. All of them were key supporting actors who would fill in the gaps in the drama.
Writer Lee Geumsuk spoke first, picking up her chopsticks.
“That’s right. We need a gathering like this. If it’s awkward when we start filming, even the acting that would have come out won’t.”
“That’s right. We should familiarize ourselves with each other beforehand.”
While PD Choi Heewon nodded, Seo Yeonju picked up a small piece of Dongpo pork with her chopsticks.
“Isn’t this kind of gathering most needed for Kim Seonil? The most suitable guy didn’t come. How annoying.”
“Hahaha, you can say that again.”
“No. Thinking about it, I don’t think he needs to come. He’s the kind of guy who can’t make friends no matter how many of these gatherings he has.”
That’s when it happened.
The production team executives, who were chatting comfortably, suddenly felt something sparkling. It was the way the supporting actors were looking from across the table.
“Um…”
“Perhaps…”
“Hmm…”
Soon, they all opened their mouths with baby bird-like eyes.
“Isn’t the person who’s playing Kim Yuhan coming today…?”
Then, the executives sitting side by side burst into laughter.
“Of course. I was wondering when that question would come up.”
“They looked so eager to ask from the beginning.”
When writer Lee Geumsuk and PD Choi Heewon responded playfully, the supporting actors became even more earnest.
“What’s with that reaction? We’re serious. We couldn’t sleep because we were wondering who was cast for Kim Yuhan…”
“Really?”
“Yes! We’re going to be waiting forever!”
But even Seo Yeonju, who they trusted, was only chuckling with a mischievous expression, and the supporting actors became even more heated.
“Th-then, just tell us if it’s Jo Ilhyun or not! People are all speculating that it’s Jo Ilhyun!”
“Or is it Choi Kangwoo? I’m a fan of Choi Kangwoo.”
But Choi Heewon’s defense was as solid as his muscles.
“Keep speculating. Let’s enjoy the process.”
“Aren’t you hiding it too much? This is a meeting to greet each other before filming, but we can’t even say hello if you do this.”
“There’s no way you’ll be able to get close to him anyway. More importantly.”
He skillfully changed the subject.
“To pour all our efforts into this work, we’ll be conducting the script reading in the form of a mock shoot this year.”
“…?”
Then, the supporting actors’ faces tilted askew all at once, and they soon exchanged bewildered glances with each other.
“A mock shoot…?”
“Really?”
“Won’t that cost several times more than a script reading?”
Their doubts were valid.
A script reading is just gathering together and going through the lines, but a mock shoot is like acting in a real situation on set. The resources consumed are doubled.
“PD, are you doing this because you’re anxious?”
“We also have a lot of filming experience. It’s enough to warm up by gathering beforehand and just doing a script reading.”
That’s when it happened.
“It’s not to get you used to filming.”
Seo Yeonju’s voice was relaxed and calm.
“It’s to get you used to the monster. The acting monster.”
◈◈◈◈◈
The next day.
“Hmm~ hmmm~ hhhmmm~”
Sua was lying in bed, hugging a stuffed rabbit tightly, fiddling with her phone.
Is it okay to do this?
“Uhhh, it feels so good to rest…”
It’s okay.
The short film appearance schedule was gone, and she hadn’t even received the Special Task Force 808 script yet. Even the drink CF was still a few days away, so she was a legitimate unemployed person.
Of course, she wasn’t just spending all her time playing.
She had also recorded herself acting on her phone and observed it a few times. She wasn’t completely lazy either.
[Deer: @Monkey let’s play games]
[Monkey: Dude WTF]
[Monkey: I’m busy browsing the internet]
[Deer: Why are you swearing]
[Monkey: Because of Yang Harin;]
[Monkey: There’s an article saying she suddenly quit the project she was going to do]
Sua, who was reading silently, reacted without realizing it.
“Wow, the entertainment industry is so fast.”
For an article to come out the day after an audition that a movie had been scrapped. The entertainment industry was even faster than Sua had thought.
[Monkey: I don’t know why it was scrapped;]
[Monkey: There’s no detailed information in the article either]
“I think I know why?”
Sua thought of Yang Harin’s attitude. Her arrogant attitude, the kind of bullying that no one could tolerate… Could it be that the movie was scrapped because they couldn’t find a single co-star?
[Sua: Yang Harin’s bullying is too severe]
Oops, she quickly corrected it. She shouldn’t show that she knew.
[Sua: No, she just has that kind of look. ]
[Deer: If we’re going by looks, you’re a murderer]
─The chat room admin has kicked Deer out of the chat room─
─Deer has entered the chat room─
[Black Bear: Sua is scary tho]
[Field Mouse: Every shot is a crime scene ]
[Monkey: ? Why are you slandering Harin]
[Monkey: She’s completely different from you, who’s so venomous]
[Monkey: She just has a pure, angelic heart]
“…Why did I video call them back then. Sigh.”
She shouldn’t have shown her face to these guys.
But even in this situation, Sua actually learned something.
‘So that’s why actors manage their image?’
Realizing that even the terrible Yang Harin was still being seen this way by the public, she firmly decided that she too should manage her image well as an actress.
‘Come to think of it, that’s true? Even the scary Kim Seonil is popular with fans for his gentle image…’
She made a decision. A very firm one.
“Alright. I’m going to manage my image too. A cool and charismatic older sister who’s good at acting… I’m going to do that…”
Of course, she didn’t say this in the group chat.
…For now, only to her precious bunny friend.
“Right, Torsuna? Your unnie is that kind of person, right? Tell me. A crazy bitch who bites if you try to do bad things.”
Somehow, the bunny seemed to be shaking its head. Just as Sua was rubbing her cheeks against the bunny, playing around.
─♩♪♬
A phone call came.
Great. Image management practice.
“…Hello.”
Sua answered the phone as coldly as possible.
“Ah, s-sorry! I’m Park Jun, the director of the short film ‘Sword’. You said you wanted the role of Wi Jihye, Sua-ssi…!”
“…Huh?”
Why was this person calling?
Sua blinked and sat up straight.
“Sua-ssi, I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”
“Yes?”
“I still love this work so much. I haven’t secured any investment or actors yet, but I’ll do anything to complete it.”
“What are you suddenly…”
“So, I was wondering if you could spare some time?”
Sua thought for a moment.
“…No?”
She answered firmly.
What was there to discuss about a project that had already been scrapped?
“Su-Sua-ssi. Don’t say that, just for a moment…”
“I’m sorry. Have a good day.”
Sua hung up the phone as if running away.
Her heart had already cooled, and she thought it would be incredibly awkward if she got involved with Yang Harin again.
But that’s when it happened.
“…Huh?”
Sua’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
The status window, which was different from before, was displaying a fact that was hard to believe. As if showing off.
[Short Film ‘Sword’]
▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements
▶ Experience Completed / 1.5 Grade
“1.5 Grade?”
Sua rubbed her eyes once and looked again.
“…”
It was still 1.5 Grade. But why.
“1.5 Grade? No, weren’t you 2 Grade?”
Of course, she didn’t know the principle, but one thing was very clear. The short film ‘Sword’ had jumped up a grade by almost one level.
Why did it go up? By what principle? For what reason?
“…Ah, I’m going crazy. Should I have done it then?”
Just as she was tearing at her hair.
─♩♪♬
The phone rang again.
The same number as before. It was Director Park Jun.
“…!”
Sua immediately answered the phone.
But perhaps the other person was even more urgent than Sua, as a rushed voice poured out as soon as the phone connected.
“I’m sorry for contacting you so many times. But Sua-ssi, it’ll only take a moment. Just a moment…!”
“…”
Sua thought for a moment.
“…”
After hesitating for a long time.
“Well, since you’re saying it like that… Especially…”
Image management, image management…
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