episode_0049

Kim Iseo and Sua’s video call continued.

“…Excellent.”

That was Kim Iseo’s reaction immediately after seeing Sua. The two faced each other on the screen and talked.

“Sua, you’re saying you filmed in this state?”

“Yes.”

“And this is all Sua’s idea?”

Sua nodded, and Kim Iseo swallowed her admiration.

‘Excellent. Very excellent.’

It’s so different from the styling Kim Iseo had expected, but if you asked if the result was bad, absolutely not. Rather, the result exceeded expectations, which is just amazing.

‘I like that it doesn’t feel artificially decorated. Not excessive, and most of all, natural. This will definitely reduce the resistance first.’

Kim Iseo thought so and looked at Sua again.

Since she just wiped off the styling, some ends of her hair are sticking out, and her white hair feels rough overall. But even so, her features were still clear.

‘An unfinished feeling full of potential… It makes me want to mess with it as I please. That’s what she intended.’

People admire already completed works, but they dream when they see the potential of an unfinished state. They definitely want to be involved in the process of reaching completion.

And Kim Iseo thought that Sua’s current appearance perfectly captured that point. Since she, who prides herself on having a good eye, felt it, it would naturally work for others as well.

“Sua, you worked hard. You did well.”

Therefore, this was the best thing Kim Iseo could say.

The CEO, in a good mood, continued.

“Come to think of it, I told them you wouldn’t audition for Director Kim Jun-gi’s work. Seo Jae-woo, the chief manager, must have made a big fuss. He kept begging us to at least show your face.”

Sua then remembered Director Kim Jun-gi’s movie, “Life is All About Money.” That’s right. There was such a movie, wasn’t there?

…Isn’t it common sense to forget about 6th-grade movies?

“Thank you.”

Sua responded briefly.

She was grateful to Kim Iseo, who handled things efficiently, and also a little grateful to the 6th-grade script of “Life is All About Money.”

Anyway, thanks to that, she realized the potential of her special ability much more, and even acquired piano skills and music theory.

‘Is the special ability affecting my personality, making it change…?’

Sua had been feeling that she had become noticeably more mature lately, and it was then that Kim Iseo continued.

“Well, I refused with the best answer I could. Since Sua is a rookie, we’ll focus only on Special Mobile Unit 808 for now.”

“I think that’s good enough.”

“Good enough indeed. If I had said that Sua’s heart wasn’t racing… it would have been a complete disaster.”

Kim Iseo grimaced as if even imagining it was dizzying.

“Of course, even with the softened version I gave, he’s probably still fuming. Director Kim Jun-gi holds grudges for so long. We had discussions about Yeonju’s appearance before, and there were conflicts then too.”

“He’s a tiring person in many ways.”

“He’s someone who values face more than logic. He thinks rookies like Sua absolutely have to show their face at his audition. In young people’s terms, he’s a total *kkondae*.”

Sua could only nod.

Grudges? Honestly, I don’t even feel it as a penalty.

It’s a hundred times better to endure the grudge than to fully immerse myself in a 6th-grade movie, right?

Okay, Sua *ttokttok*.

“Showing my face is a bit much. It feels like the visit is more important than the acting. I want to do my best every time.”

Sua was inwardly surprised. See, see, I told you I’ve changed a little. I’m spouting out answers like this now, unlike before.

“I like that attitude of yours too, Sua. Besides, if you accidentally get accepted, it’ll be even harder to back out. We’ll just have to deal with becoming awkward with the Kim Jun-gi line in the future.”

“Yes.”

Then, Kim Iseo, who had been watching for a reaction, thought.

‘She’s not very scared even after hearing that she’s at odds with a renowned director? Is she bold, or does she have a plan?’

For some reason, Kim Iseo thought it was the latter, knowing Sua.

Kim Iseo even imagined Sua setting up her own division and doing various things, but she soon stopped. Anyway, it’s a distant story to think about now.

The conclusion is one. The die is already cast.

Kim Iseo will trust this Sua.

“Sua, do you remember what you told me before?”

“What are you referring to?”

“Instead of turning down Director Kim Jun-gi’s work, you’ll find works that make Sua’s heart race and work very hard on them.”

“I remember.”

“Good. You just have to prove it slowly from now on. Someday, make me feel that my judgment in trusting Sua completely was correct.”

It was then that Kim Iseo’s phone received a text message.

One good thing about video calls with wireless earphones. You don’t have to hold the phone to your ear. Thanks to that, Kim Iseo could check the text message even while talking to Sua.

[Sender: Director Park Joon]

▷ CEO of Mystic, it says you are currently on a call, so I am inevitably leaving a message via text. Please check it later.

Park Joon, isn’t that the director of the short film “Sword”? There was no reason to delay, so Kim Iseo immediately moved her fingers.

▶ I can check texts now. Tell me.

▷ How have you been? I contacted you after hearing that Sua joined Mystic. Congratulations on the good contract.

▶ Thank you. Is the purpose of this text just congratulations?

▷ That’s not it. If you have some leeway, please prepare a dress for Sua. I think there will be an occasion to wear it.

▶ …A dress?

Kim Iseo tilted her head slightly.

Whether for filming or for real, dresses in the entertainment industry are among the most expensive clothes. It was not a request that could be easily made, so a question mark popped up.

▷ I’m editing “Sword” and it’s really something. I don’t know if I should be making such a fuss, but I think it’ll get through the main competition.

▶ Busan International Short Film Festival?

▷ Yes. That’s right.

Whether “Sword” actually gets through the main competition later or not, Kim Iseo, in her position, couldn’t help but be pleased with this contact.

‘Director Park Joon had only been going downhill recently, so his self-esteem was hitting rock bottom, but now he’s even making contact like this? How much did he like the filming?’

It must be Sua who changed Director Park Joon like this, and Sua is currently under Mystic. So Kim Iseo had reason to be happy. Also, since she felt good, there was no reason to refuse.

▶ I’ll pick out a pretty one.

▷ Thank you! Since I’ve gone and made this request to the CEO, I’ll really do my best with the thought that there’s no turning back!

“CEO.”

It was then that Sua’s voice was heard. Kim Iseo hastily took her eyes off the phone screen and focused on the call.

“Ah, Sua. Sorry. I got an urgent text.”

“It’s okay. More than that, could you look into scripts related to music? The movie doesn’t have to be about music. Even a role that simply plays music is fine.”

“…Music?”

Kim Iseo tilted her head to the side.

As always, she was hearing something too unexpected.

“Why music all of a sudden?”

Sua thought for a moment.

“I just have a lot of hobbies to begin with.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, at the filming studio for Special Mobile Unit 808.

With less than a week left until the main filming, everyone was moving feverishly.

Writer Lee Geum-suk was adjusting to the atmosphere of the set while typing on her laptop, and the staff were all running around. Directing them was Choi Hee-won PD, who was walking so much that the soles of her shoes were wearing out.

“This part here… it’s better to use a water truck. Since it’s a crime scene anyway, I think it would be much better if it was all wet and drizzling.”

“Yes. I think so too. And another good thing about the floor being wet is that the police siren is reflected on the floor. That feeling is good.”

“You know two things when I say one. Anyway, we’ve all looked at everything at least once, and the director of photography will gather the camera team separately, please? Let’s look at it again among ourselves.”

“Yes!”

This wasn’t just the passion of the production team. Kim Seon-il was also seen checking the lines of movement here and there.

The staff muttered from time to time.

“Seon-il is so diligent.”

“He’s always been passionate about this work, and he even took care of the casting. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d go this far at first… but now I see he deserves it. What kind of passion is that?”

It wasn’t just Kim Seon-il. Park Do-hee and Hwang Myung-pil, as well as other actors, were also seen visiting the set. Their reason was to rehearse their acting on set.

It was a pleasant and very surprising thing for the production team. A filming set is usually not this kind of place. It’s a dark and chilly place.

“We’ll re-check the status in 30 minutes! I’m going to rest for a while now! The rest of you, don’t overdo it too much and take breaks in between!”

Choi Hee-won PD shouted loudly once and then came to Lee Geum-suk’s side, and Lee Geum-suk stretched out as if to rest as well.

“It’s stiff. I’m going to die.”

“Was the script work going well?”

“Up to here with my capabilities? I’ll have to see the actors’ performances for the rest. I’ll have to revise it again when I see that.”

“You’re saying things that will make the actors cry blood.”

“Hey, if you want to participate in my work, you have to be prepared for this much.”

Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won, who had been chatting as usual for a while, soon stopped having any conversation. It wasn’t because they were awkward. It was just because they didn’t have the strength to chat anymore. They were both completely exhausted.

But then.

“Well, Sua…”

“…Really? Director Kim Jun-gi’s work?”

Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won’s ears perked up. They were interested in any story about Sua, even if it was just idle chatter.

Unable to overcome their curiosity, the two approached and asked.

“You were talking about Sua, right? I want to hear it too.”

“Ah, well, it’s nothing special… No, is it something special? Do you know about the new work that Director Kim Jun-gi is producing this time?”

“‘Life is All About Money’? Of course, I know?”

“The word is that Sua turned down the audition.”

“…?”

Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won blinked simultaneously.

“Not that she was turned down, but that she turned it down? Director Kim Jun-gi’s work? Where did that story even start?”

“There’s Chief Manager Seo Jae-woo under Director Kim Jun-gi, and he seems to have been chewed out a lot. It seems to have started with him complaining while drunk at a get-together. He said it was a secret, but there’s no such thing in this industry, right? Thanks to that, the story keeps going around.”

It was not surprising that a person who was drunk leaked information. From the beginning, this industry is very cruel. It is common to force people to drink alcohol in order to obtain information.

So what surprised writer Lee Geum-suk and PD Choi Hee-won was another part. The part that Sua rejected Director Kim Jun-gi’s work.

Writer Lee Geum-suk and PD Choi Hee-won looked at each other and said.

“If it’s Director Kim Jun-gi’s work this time… didn’t they say they were lowering the age to 15? It seems like it would have been worth doing? Why didn’t she do it?”

“…That’s right. Even the schedule is in the second half of this year. There wouldn’t have been any burden on Sua’s schedule.”

Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won turned their heads to hear the reason.

Park Do-hee just shrugged.

“She said she’d focus on the work she’s doing now. That’s how she refused.”

She pointed her chin at the other actors gathered around.

“That’s why so many actors gathered today. Sua, who is the lead and also a good actor, is giving up the work of a renowned director to focus only on this work, so we have to work hard too.”

Of course, this was a very different misunderstanding from Sua’s intentions, but it was enough to impress Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won.

The two thought at the same time.

‘…She’s throwing away such a good opportunity? For our work?’

After retreating from the actors who were continuing their chatter, writer Lee Geum-suk and PD Choi Hee-won looked at each other and muttered.

“I’m touched. Sua thinks so much of our work…”

“But Sua’s personality isn’t someone who just moves with emotions, is she? Just look back at when we negotiated the contract. It means something didn’t fit her calculations…”

PD Choi Hee-won said something as if something had occurred to her.

“Could it be that she sensed something?”

“Sensed?”

“Yes. That Special Mobile Unit 808 and Sword will be successful, and that something bad will happen to Director Kim Jun-gi’s new work…”

“…Eh, is that possible? It’s not like she’s a fortune teller.”

“Well, I think I said something wrong too.”

The two shook their heads at the same time.

If that really happened, it would be terrifying. But why? For some reason, it seemed like Lee Sua would really do that.

It was then.

“PD! PD Choi Hee-won!”

The movie sound director ran towards PD Choi Hee-won.

But his appearance was quite different from usual. Usually, he just runs, but now he was running with a phone in his hand. As if he was coming to hand over the phone.

“What’s wrong?”

Then, the sound director replied without even wiping away his sweat.

“Well, PD, um…”

“Speak calmly. What’s wrong?”

“Well, I think you should take this first.”

This was the first time he had seen the sound director so flustered. So Choi Hee-won took the phone with a slightly bewildered heart.

“Hello. Choi Hee-won PD?”

“Yes. Who is this?”

“It’s me. Director Go Tae-min.”

“Yes. Director Go Tae-min. Wait, Go Tae-min? Director Go Tae-min…?”

Choi Hee-won PD’s eyes, which had been like rocks, widened.

“I was talking to the sound director and thought this was something I should talk to Choi PD about, so I asked him to switch. I’m making too much of a demand during a busy time?”

“N, no way! Please speak comfortably.”

PD Choi Hee-won was polite first.

It was natural. Director Go Tae-min was a high-ranking master. Choi Hee-won knew that Go Tae-min was also the head of a group of directors that included Kim Jun-gi and Park Joon.

“I heard you’re going into main filming in 5 days?”

“Yes. That’s right. We have to move forward like crazy now. I heard that Director Go is planning a movie related to music.”

“Yes. So I’m talking to the sound directors and listening to various things, and the friend who is in charge of the background music for this work is especially passionate. So I became curious about the atmosphere on set. I was wondering what it was like that they’re working so hard.”

“You’re curious about the atmosphere on set…”

“Yes. I want to go and see it once.”

“Ah, that’s definitely not a difficult thing. Please come.”

PD Choi Hee-won readily agreed. It’s very common for high-ranking directors or actors to visit other filming sets. It would be something to be thankful for if Go Tae-min came.

But then.

“And there’s Park Do-hee, right?”

“Do-hee? Yes. She’s here.”

Director Go Tae-min brought up a very unexpected story.

“Do-hee actually auditioned for my work, but her acting was a bit ambiguous, so I kept her on hold. But this time, I heard that she did really well in the mock filming for Special Mobile Unit 808?”

“Ah? If it’s that scene, it’s probably with Sua…”

“I heard she put on the performance of a lifetime, I’m going to see that myself.”