episode_0026

The casting negotiations for Seo Yisoo’s “Sea Diary” went very positively.

Given how impressive Seo Yisoo’s acting in “Minseo” was, it was only natural.

However, it wasn’t without its challenges.

Director Han Kyungjin spoke up.

“It will take about a month until the crank-in. Our production team will do our best to arrange the shooting schedule, so… I’ll need the actors to prepare their roles well.”

Acting, right away.

It wasn’t that Seo Yisoo’s acting was bad, of course.

The issue lay elsewhere.

“Um… it’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but the situation is a bit heavy on the actor’s shoulders. It’s because of ‘Minjun.’”

Minjun.

Minseo’s younger brother.

But with a different skin color setting.

Meaning he’s biracial.

Whether it’s a movie or a drama, casting a role with a biracial or foreign character setting posed a difficulty.

Because it required capturing both the exotic appearance and acting skills.

“As you know, our production is low-budget. Maybe… it won’t be easy to find an actor who perfectly fits the criteria.”

Even in big-budget blockbusters, there are challenges, but “Sea Diary” was low-budget.

And not just any low-budget, but a level where the break-even point was less than 300,000 viewers.

Considering that the break-even point for blockbusters with over 10 billion won starts at 3 million viewers.

It’s possible to imagine how tight the budget for “Sea Diary” would be.

That’s why Han Kyungjin entrusted Seo Yisoo, who would have to match Minjun’s role countless times, with the task of refining her acting.

“Perhaps Seo Yisoo will have to lead many scenes. So, if possible, it would be good to refine your acting a bit more before the crank-in.”

It wasn’t enough to just do well on her own.

She needed to cover and pull along the lacking parts of the co-star’s role.

For that, more technical acting was required than now.

It meant she needed to refine her acting.

“Can I ask for your help?”

Perhaps, from Seo Yisoo’s perspective, it was a burdensome task.

After all, wasn’t she also a novice actor herself?

Having just entered the world of acting with “My Manager.”

Starting with baby steps.

“Are you okay with it?”

After the meeting.

On the way back in the car with Seo Yisoo.

Shin Jihu cautiously asked.

“What’s the matter?”

“Minjun. You’re still a rookie yourself. It seems like a demanding request to help the co-star.”

“Oh, that.”

“Yeah, that. Honestly, it’s a request you don’t have to fulfill. If you feel like you can’t do it, it’s okay to refuse.”

“Hmm? Well.”

Seo Yisoo’s voice was unexpectedly calm, far from worried.

Shin Jihu checked Seo Yisoo through the rearview mirror.

Her smiling face.

As always.

‘Oh. Did she just not care about anything?’

Yeah. That’s just like Seo Yisoo.

As Shin Jihu muttered to himself.

“I mean, Shin Jihu.”

Seo Yisoo said.

“I’m fine with anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yeah. Anything.”

Whether it’s honing her acting skills.

Or helping other lacking actors.

Anything.

“If it’s related to acting, I’m fine with it.”

Shin Jihu found this side of Seo Yisoo a bit surprising.

“It’s actually quite exciting.”

“Worries? Not necessary? You’re also a rookie in acting. If things don’t go well, you might also be held responsible.”

“What’s the harm in that?”

“Huh?”

“If things don’t go well, I’ll just do something fun to make it go well again.”

“Hmm.”

Shin Jihu was a bit impressed by that statement.

Not because Seo Yisoo said something extraordinary.

But because she was so positive about acting.

No worries, no fears, no anxieties.

There was not a single negative emotion.

“Don’t worry. Living in worry, aren’t we just dying too early?”

Looking back.

Pausing to contemplate.

Those are things that only those who live forever do.

Those who die early are too busy just enjoying the moment.

Shin Ji-hoo once again checked Seo Yi-soo’s appearance in the mirror.

With a faint smile.

Seo Yi-soo, speaking calmly.

She seemed as innocent as a child who sees the world too simply.

But at the same time. Simultaneously.

That Seo Yi-soo, after endless wandering, seemed like an explorer who, after losing too much, finally found a whole new world where she could freely let go of herself.

“…….”

Shin Ji-hoo quietly watched Seo Yi-soo.

“Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that? Did I… say something strange again?”

“No. Not at all. You seem fine just the way you are. Don’t worry about anything.”

“Is that so. Well, anyway, what I want to say is, just trust me.”

Trust yourself.

You’ll do well.

Seo Yi-soo said confidently.

And.

One week later.

“Shin Ji-hoo….”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think I can do it.”

“Oh, is that so.”

Seo Yi-soo fell into endless despair.

***

“I think I have no talent.”

“…….”

“I’m really stupid. I can’t understand what the instructors are saying at all.”

“…….”

“Shin Ji-hoo. Please say something.”

“Well. Trust yourself. You.”

“That’s… canceled.”

“Hmm.”

Shin Ji-hoo couldn’t help but chuckle.

It was all because of Seo Yi-soo.

Telling her to trust herself.

Who would have thought that she would end up in such a pitiful state in just a week?

He was becoming ridiculous to himself, who had admired Seo Yi-soo last week.

“Is it that difficult?”

“It’s incredibly difficult.”

There was nothing particularly special going on.

At the request of Director Han Kyung-jin, Seo Yi-soo decided to refine her acting skills.

And her agency, KS Entertainment, was a leading talent management company in Korea.

Naturally, there were plenty of acting studios and instructors for her to practice with.

Shin Ji-hoo immediately assigned an instructor who was recognized by the company to Seo Yi-soo.

And Seo Yi-soo.

She was struggling to keep up with the instructor’s lessons.

“Why do people here make their words so complicated?”

“Well….”

‘Isn’t it because you’re stupid?’

He wanted to say that, but Shin Ji-hoo held back.

He didn’t want to hurt Seo Yi-soo, who was already immersed in negative emotions.

Instead, he pondered on how to resolve the situation.

“How about assigning a different instructor?”

“I don’t think that will improve the situation….”

Seo Yi-soo was not just stupid.

She couldn’t understand why earthlings made their words so complicated.

But she tried her best to interpret and learn from them.

But even that didn’t yield good results.

After mastering her acting skills and applying them to her performance….

“The more I learn about acting, the worse my evaluations get.”

Seo Yi-soo’s strengths disappeared.

The sense of reality that tore apart the script.

And emotional expression.

As she applied her acting skills, they became ordinary.

So learning more would only have a negative impact.

“Hmm. What should I do.”

Shin Ji-hoo pondered, stroking his chin.

As Seo Yi-soo’s strengths disappeared the more she learned acting skills.

Could it be that technical acting didn’t suit Seo Yi-soo?

“No. Something’s not right.”

As Shin Ji-hoo pondered, he remembered that Seo Yi-soo had learned acting skills not long ago.

In the final moments of “My Manager,” Seo Yi-soo started acting with technical skills instead of pure play.

Shin Ji-hoo didn’t know what play was, but he knew that Seo Yi-soo took her first step in acting with technical skills back then.

“How did she learn the skills back then?”

What’s different between then and now?

Seo Yi-soo was the same then and now.

If there’s a difference….

“Ah.”

It must be someone asking who the teacher is.

“…How was your schedule lately, actor?”

I hope she was free.

Shin Ji-hoo picked up her phone and searched for the contact.

The person on the other end of the line was, of course, Gil Hye-yeon.

***

“Teach me acting. Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to receive a call from my manager?”

“It… really is shameful.”

“I’m Gil Hye-yeon. I’ve been so busy since that my evaluations have gone up.”

“It’s just… I can’t believe this strange situation happened again, really.”

“Really, if I couldn’t speak.”

“Thank you so much for coming. Actor.”

It was lucky.

Gil Hye-yeon had received praise for her performance in , which had raised her evaluations significantly.

So she was in the midst of a busy schedule.

Today happened to be her only day off.

“Well… even if I had free time, if someone else had called, I would have ignored it.”

Gil Hye-yeon said, turning her gaze.

There was a naive-looking junior actress there, sparkling with admiration as she looked up at her.

She had just turned twenty.

So, a young actress who seemed more like a girl than a woman was looking at her with a delighted expression.

It was Seo Yi-soo.

Having wanted to meet this girl for a long time.

Gil Hye-yeon had visited KS Entertainment on her precious day off.

Gil Hye-yeon’s eyes softened.

“Long time no see?”

“Th-th!”

Seo Yi-soo was so delighted that she couldn’t even speak properly, her lips just trembling.

After finishing filming , the two hadn’t seen each other again.

Seo Yi-soo had to leave the set after finishing filming.

And Gil Hye-yeon, who had appeared as the supporting actress until the end of the project, had to focus on a tight filming schedule.

So they hadn’t been able to contact each other properly.

Seeing each other again like this made them genuinely happy.

“Ugh.”

Gil Hye-yeon made a stern expression at the greeting.

“You want me to call you ‘unnie’?”

“Ah.”

Seo Yi-soo hesitated for a moment.

She had indeed made a promise like that.

But it still felt strange to use that word as her life as a human woman was still unfamiliar.

However, the person in front of her was Gil Hye-yeon.

After Shin Ji-hoo, the second person who had treated her well.

Seo Yi-soo didn’t want to disappoint Gil Hye-yeon.

“Un… un….”

Trying to force the word out, she moved her lips, but the words didn’t come out easily.

In the end.

“Un, someday. Someday I’ll definitely do it, so please bear with me today….”

Seo Yi-soo had to plead while watching Gil Hye-yeon’s reaction.

Hoping not to disappoint her and not to feel regretful for not being able to call her ‘unnie’ affectionately.

“Pfft.”

Gil Hye-yeon found Seo Yi-soo cute in that moment.

Yes. Even on set, she could feel that Seo Yi-soo liked her this much.

In the entertainment industry, where there were hidden corners that were different from the surface.

Gil Hye-yeon, who had been worn down in such a place, liked Seo Yi-soo for being like this.

That’s why she had agreed to Shin Ji-hoo’s request today.

“Okay. I’ll wait.”

Saying that, Gil Hye-yeon patted Seo Yi-soo’s head.

Not rejecting her touch but rather lifting her chin and enjoying it felt truly sisterly.

Perhaps it sparked a desire to take care of her.

“Yes, you want me to teach you acting?”

“Yes. Given the current situation…”

“Really? That’s strange.”

Gil Hye-yeon chuckled.

“If an acting teacher employed by a company like KS Entertainment, a major corporation, can’t adapt to all kinds of talents, then who can.”

Receiving their acting guidance, Gil Hye-yeon was not convinced that her strengths had become blurred.

“Su, can you show me your acting? Just like you learned.”

“Of course. Watch closely.”

Gil Hye-yeon observed Seo Yi-su’s acting once.

“Hmm?”

And she sensed something.

“Try again. But this time, just do it the way you want.”

Watching Seo Yi-su perform the acting as she used to do, ignoring the techniques she had learned, Gil Hye-yeon exclaimed in realization.