episode_0036

“So, this is the final decision on Ha-rin’s project, right?”

Yang Ha-rin didn’t bother answering and just nodded slightly.

She still hasn’t broken her community addiction, and she has no intention of doing so. She’s refreshing the Yang Ha-rin gallery ten times over.

The staff member next to her answered instead.

“Yes. It’s Director Jo Eui-shin’s work, and he’ll be proceeding with Ha-rin as the lead role. He seems to be very taken with her.”

“Unlike some, Director Jo Eui-shin has a keen eye. It’s appreciated, so let them know we won’t hold back on our support.”

“Yes, I’ll relay that immediately.” “How are the filming equipment and other conditions looking?”

“Absolutely perfect. Especially now that our capital is combined. It’ll be the most well-funded short film ever.”

“Not bad. It’s the icing on the cake if we can throw a ton of money at it.”

The CEO thought. It doesn’t matter how much money goes into it.

The moment they achieve victory with the project’s performance, they’ll also win in the public opinion war, and around that time, Yang Ha-rin’s position will become even more solid. They can earn back double the money they spent.

The CEO was confident that he would do anything to make sure that happened.

“Did those sons of bitches shooting ‘Sword’ start filming today?”

“Yes. Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il are working together. As you instructed, we haven’t released the news of their joining yet.”

“Mystic Entertainment snatched our spot right up, didn’t they? The more I think about it, the more resentful I feel. Are they trying to mess with CT Entertainment or what?”

*Tap tap tap.*

He seemed to get upset, tapping the desk with his fingertips.

“Some newbie punk tried to steal Ha-rin’s spot, and now these fledgling entertainment companies are trying to take our place? That damn short film, by the way. Mystic funded that too, right?”

“Yes. I think CEO Kim Yi-seo provided the funding.”

“Ha.”

The CEO of CT Entertainment scoffed.

“Good. If that’s how they want to play it, we need to escalate things. So a bigger explosion goes off. So the losing side doesn’t leave a trace behind.”

“When you say escalate…”

“It’s not just about Ha-rin crushing some newbie. We’re going to obliterate Mystic too. It’s simple, isn’t it? It’s not like we’re sweating it, or that there’s any chance we’ll lose.”

That’s when it happened.

“There’s exactly one scenario where we might lose.”

Yang Ha-rin, who had been staring at her phone with a blank expression, spoke for the first time. Of course, she was still looking at the screen.

“Lee Soo-ah. If that trash really acts better than me, and gets a higher score than me. Then we lose.”

“What are the chances of that happening? That’s basically a non-existent scenario, right?”

“That’s right. It’s practically impossible. So, what I’m saying is…”

Yang Ha-rin finally looked at the CEO.

“…get the job done faster. What are you hesitating about?”

“Alright, I got it. Hey! Release the joining articles right now!”

Soon, the articles that had been prepared in advance exploded one after another.

[ Seo Yeon-ju & Kim Seon-il join Director Park’s work! ]

[ Isn’t it too early to step up due to loyalty….? ]

[ ‘Golden Filmography.’ Finally, a blemish? ]

At the same time, a text message arrived for the CEO of CT Entertainment.

A moment later, he smirked.

“…This, is the heavens on our side?”

[ Son Ji-ah ]

▷ Lee Soo-ah’s acting is seriously bad. 0 points.

▷ At the level of an aspiring actor. No, even lower.

▷ It’s questionable how she got the lead role.

The content of the text message was as follows. He shouted excitedly.

“Damn ‘Sword’! Ha-rin pulling out of there was a stroke of genius! It’s looking great! The whole universe is helping us!”

◈◈◈◈◈

The atmosphere on the set of ‘Sword’ was pretty good. The sight of everyone moving quickly without exception was spectacular.

And Soo-ah, the person who created that scene…

‘It’s going much smoother than I thought.’

She was simply happy that she wasn’t being ignored.

From the beginning, Soo-ah had never deliberately tried to encourage anyone. She was just trying to not look like a pushover…

‘Once we get into the actual filming, I’ll do my best to act, and that’s it. Okay. As long as I do that, there’s no problem. Yeah, yeah.’

Just as the plan was being established in Soo-ah’s head.

“Soo-ah-ssi.”

Someone approached. It was none other than Seo Yeon-ju.

Seo Yeon-ju looked infinitely pure to Soo-ah. For her to speak to her first. Soo-ah felt burdened, happy, and nervous.

“I heard everything from Director Park. That you instantly revived the bad atmosphere? To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for the set. I was worried that the extras’ NGs would repeat and it wouldn’t be completed within the time limit…. That kind of thing….”

Soon, Seo Yeon-ju shrugged.

“It was completely unfounded. Soo-ah-ssi is different after all.”

“….”

What is this woman saying? But Soo-ah had no worries. She now had a total of five swords in her grasp.

“That’s possible.”

First Stance. Pretend to understand.

She thought that would be enough, but unexpectedly, the other party didn’t back down.

“Soo-ah-ssi, about that. Are you busy right now?”

When Soo-ah nodded.

“Great. Then help me for a bit.”

“…Help?”

“Yes. I want you, Soo-ah-ssi, to help me.”

Seo Yeon-ju curled up the corners of her mouth into a smile.

“There’s about 10 minutes left until the main filming, so it would be good for the leads to warm up together. And it would be even better if we get to know each other?”

An opportunity to get closer to Seo Yeon-ju?

Soo-ah wanted to run out with both hands raised, but the problem was the risk. It’s better to stay still than to say something.

…Alright, let’s go safely. Safely.

Soo-ah had no choice but to take out the Fourth Stance. Soo-ah Rage.

Pretend to be angry.

But Seo Yeon-ju smiled as if she was pleased.

“Hey, what’s with that expression? Let’s be comfortable, comfortable. Just 1 minute of free acting. Soo-ah-ssi acts as Wi Ji-hye, and I act as Ha-ryeong, her disciple. That’s it.”

Also, there was still no sign of her backing down at all.

…This was a big deal.

“…?”

Wasn’t my stance an invincible technique? Soo-ah was confused. In fact, it wasn’t like Seo Yeon-ju didn’t have any crisis.

‘Why is she so scary? I almost sat down.’

Seo Yeon-ju almost sat down at Soo-ah’s face, which was close to a serious expression. She thought they had become quite close after a few days, but was it just her imagination?

She’s really difficult.

…If you think about it, why does she want to become friends with a newbie so much? It’s not like her. It’s a matter of pride and it’s strange, but she doesn’t feel that way when she approaches Soo-ah.

Maybe it’s because she’s serious about acting. She was convinced that her acting would definitely improve if she worked with Soo-ah.

Anyway.

‘Both Soo-ah-ssi and I have skills, so 1 minute is enough. It’s like adjusting the moves and coordinating things in advance.’

In fact, Seo Yeon-ju was a bit burdened with more than 1 minute. First of all, Soo-ah’s expression was too fierce. This was only a warm-up, and she didn’t want to waste her energy before the main filming.

“….”

Meanwhile, Soo-ah glanced around.

There were people who had gathered in the meantime.

“Warming up?”

“What is it? Wow, free acting between the leads?”

“Oh! I was curious about that anyway!”

Everyone was pretending not to, but they were listening to Seo Yeon-ju’s words, and the other extras were quickly gathering.

Among them was Son Ji-ah, a spy from CT Entertainment. It was a great opportunity to check Lee Soo-ah’s acting skills. She secured a scenic spot while preparing to type on her cell phone at any time.

Now, it was difficult for Soo-ah to refuse outright. It meant that it was already too late to escape with various excuses.

But the biggest problem was separate.

It was that the item was free acting.

‘Free acting? It doesn’t work with a special trait?’

After listening to the explanation, free acting was a concept similar to playing house or TRPG. For 1 minute, Soo-ah lives like Wi Ji-hye, and Seo Yeon-ju lives like Ha-ryeong, her disciple.

Unlike ad-libs that only need to vary 1 percent out of 100 percent, this is an area where you have to create 100 percent purity from scratch. You can’t get help from special traits.

‘What should I do. What should I do. What should I do.’

Just in case, Soo-ah put her hand on her head or chest, but a special trait for free acting didn’t activate. What to do.

“Soo-ah-ssi, then let’s start right away.”

Seo Yeon-ju seriously fiddled with a prop sword. Cold sweat began to pour like rain from Soo-ah’s entire body.

She felt the sweat dripping down her spine, and the space between her chest and thighs was already wet. It was only natural. She was about to be disgraced in front of everyone.

Soo-ah miraculously grabbed her spirit, which was about to break.

It was almost a superhuman will in Lee Soo-ah’s standards.

‘1 minute, because it’s 1 minute. If I somehow endure for 1 minute….’

Soo-ah awkwardly pulled out the prop sword.

Seo Yeon-ju spoke first.

『If you really must leave, then cut me down and go.』

『Huh? Oh, no. I’m not going….』

As soon as Soo-ah answered that way.

“Huh?” “Huh?” “Oh?”

Everyone who was watching the free acting had wide eyes.

The reason was obvious.

『Then I’ll be going…. I’m busy….』

It was because Lee Soo-ah’s acting was hopelessly irreparable waste.

…It was just nonsensical garbage.

But among them, the person who was most shocked was Seo Yeon-ju. Her eyes were also shaking as if there was an earthquake.

What should she say, she was just endlessly embarrassed.

‘This, what is this…? Is there some kind of trick…?’

It was a completely unexpected situation.

She ordered the role of Wi Ji-hye, but why did a retard arrive?

Seo Yeon-ju moved again to read Soo-ah’s intentions. It was an action that blocked Soo-ah, who was trying to avoid her, with a quick movement.

『Where are you going? Am I that hateful to you?』

『 Ah, no? 』

『 Really! Do I have to swing my sword for you to answer! 』

『 Ugh! 』

Soo-ah flinched and dropped her sword.

She didn’t get hit. She was just scared.

“….”

Seo Yeon-ju quietly blinked her eyes. She had nothing to say.

It’s not just Seo Yeon-ju.

Son Ji-ah, the spy from CT Entertainment, was also shocked. She was currently feeling like someone had hit her in the back of the head with a hammer.

‘What is she?’

She took the lead role with that kind of acting skills?

There’s an actor who was charmed by this retard’s acting? There’s an investor who paid for the production costs? They pushed out Yang Ha-rin to make this retard the lead role?

Is the world deceiving me? If not, was the genre entertainment and not a short film? Hidden camera or something?

“….”

No. You can’t jump to conclusions until you see Seo Yeon-ju’s reaction. Son Ji-ah waited for Seo Yeon-ju to say something.

Seo Yeon-ju stood there silently for a while.

“…Soo-ah-ssi-like. You worked hard.”

She said that and raised her fist like Ha-ryeong. It was a word that was accepted by those around her with completely different meanings.

Son Ji-ah’s head began to spin rapidly.

‘Soo-ah-ssi-like? That means she’s always been like that, right?’

It’s certain. No matter how many times she thinks about it, there’s no other meaning.

Son Ji-ah, who had come to a conclusion, frantically typed on her cell phone.

[ Recipient: CEO of CT Entertainment ]

▶ Lee Soo-ah’s acting is seriously bad. 0 points.

▶ At the level of an aspiring actor. No, even lower.

▶ It’s questionable how she got the lead role.

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Afterwards.

After Seo Yeon-ju returned near Kim Seon-il.

As if time had stopped, Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il did not have any conversations, and they did not seem to have any intention of moving.

However, they had eyes that seemed to have realized something.

“….”

A silence that seemed like it would never break.

Soon, Kim Seon-il moved his lips first.

“About Lee Soo-ah’s acting just now….”

“That’s right. I noticed it too. Maybe Soo-ah-ssi….”

The two curled up the corners of their mouths at the same time.

“She’s going to hide her cards until the end.”

“She’s going to hide her cards until the end.”

It was a very wrong realization, but Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il were more serious now than ever before.

“Seo Yeon-ju. Don’t even think about doing it half-assed.”

Kim Seon-il said while rubbing his chin.

“Lee Soo-ah, I’m not going to lose to you today, no matter what.”

“….”

Seo Yeon-ju nodded silently.

It was only 2 minutes before the start of the main filming.