episode_0103

The production team declared a state of emergency.

Naturally, the reporters’ commotion didn’t die down, and they were all frantically hammering at their laptops, trying to get a handle on their articles.

A scene that proved the topic had already changed significantly.

‘How did newcomer Lee Suan get the role of Kim Yuhan?’

No one was looking at the essence of the matter anymore.

‘Who will win the Rookie of the Year award?’

The focus was solely on that.

This was because the situation happened to align fortuitously.

Sua’s tvS, Yang Ha-rin’s MBQ, KBM, SBT.

Coincidentally, they all had a rookie in their casts. A competitive dynamic was naturally created.

Everyone was furiously pounding on their laptops.

Writer Lee Geum-suk and PD Choi Hee-won wore knowing smiles. This was exactly what they had intended.

PD Choi Hee-won whispered first.

“The picture seems to be coming together nicely.”

“That metaphor is a little strange.”

Writer Lee Geum-suk chuckled.

“The picture is already complete, and this is the process of gathering people to look at it. Luckily, it seems to be working. They’ll all come flocking with a lot of interest.”

“That’s absolutely right. We’re also lucky with the timing. Other broadcasting stations also have rookies in their casts.”

Choi Hee-won rubbed his chin, then suddenly said,

“Are we sure we can handle this? I think it might burn even hotter than we expected, which could be a problem.”

“I’m not worried at all. We know better than anyone that we’ve created a crazy masterpiece, right?”

“Indeed.”

The PD nodded quietly.

Sua, Kim Seon-il, Seo Yeon-ju, Park Do-hee, Hwang Myung-pil… everyone showed better-than-expected performances. There was no reason to be afraid.

“Let them frantically spread the fire over there, and we’ll just keep adding firewood. Let it burn brightly.”

“Sounds good.”

PD Choi Hee-won immediately whispered to Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il.

This was to prevent any unforeseen incidents.

If they didn’t coordinate their stories regarding the identities of Lee Sua and Lee Suan, the truth could unintentionally be revealed, leading to embarrassment.

However, both actors nodded as if they already knew. They were veteran-like with their sharp instincts, having experienced their share of ups and downs.

After a while, a reporter raised his hand.

“I have a question for Writer Lee and PD Choi.”

“Go ahead.”

“Due to the statement you just made, attention is heavily focused on who will get the Rookie Award, and I want to clarify one thing here.”

“What is it?”

“If Suan-ssi wins the Rookie Award, will that be due to the capabilities of the 808 production team? Or Suan-ssi’s personal capabilities?”

Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won slightly raised the corners of their mouths.

‘Oho.’

Because the question was very sharp.

Assuming Lee Suan wins the Rookie Award.

Is Lee Suan’s pure skill excellent, or do Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won have the confidence and ability to make even a raw rookie win the Rookie Award?

Because it had actually happened quite often.

A worthless rookie lucks out by joining a good project, takes on a suitable role, and wins the Rookie Award with a mediocre performance. It was bound to be a sharp question.

However.

The two even welcomed this question.

Because it was a perfect question to escalate the situation even further.

“Of course, it’s Suan-ssi’s personal ability.”

“…Huh?”

The reporter couldn’t hide his surprise.

Most people would leave room for an escape route when receiving such a question. Something along the lines of, “We did our best to create it, but there’s nothing we can do if the actor can’t handle it.”

“From the start, it was the script that could be completed thanks to Suan-ssi, and it was filming that could be finished thanks to Suan-ssi. I’ll say this upfront: there were no problems with the actors.”

However, the production team’s attitude was different.

If the work is successful, it’s Suan’s fault; if it fails, it’s the production team’s fault. The production team is rather taking risks for the rookie.

It was bound to be an uncommon sight in the industry.

“…The production team is very fond of Suan-ssi.”

The reporter could only say that.

Because there was nothing else to say.

However, another question was soon directed at Seo Yeon-ju.

“Seo Yeon-ju-ssi, how was it for you? There are two male actors nearby, and you’re the only woman. Is there a comparison? Is Suan-ssi awkward in many ways compared to Seon-il-ssi?”

It was a very rude question, even though it was delivered with a smile.

But Seo Yeon-ju smiled instead.

“Suan-ssi was great. I actually learned from him. How should I explain this? I almost fell for him at first sight?”

“…Huh?”

Immediately, the reporters frantically pounded on their laptops.

Seo Yeon-ju said she fell for a male actor. Wasn’t it a perfect topic to cover sensationally? Everyone seemed to think Seo Yeon-ju had made a slip of the tongue.

But it was different.

From the start, there was no risk for Seo Yeon-ju. It was a problem that would be resolved the moment it was revealed that Sua was a woman.

All the reporters were being played by the entire production team.

Slowly, PD Choi Hee-won grabbed the microphone.

“I’ll take one more question and conclude the production report.”

Then hands shot up into the air like bamboo shoots after rain.

“Me! Please, I’m begging you!”

“This is a really important question!”

“Over here! You haven’t called on this side even once!”

After fierce competition, one person was selected, and he grinned. As if he had been sharpening a hidden question of that magnitude.

“Seon-il-ssi, is there anyone besides Suan-ssi that you’re keeping an eye on? If so, please give us a light mention.”

“The actor who won the Grand Prize at the Short Film Festival was amazing.”

“The Short Film Festival Grand Prize… Ah? Are you talking about Sua-ssi?”

However, Kim Seon-il remained silent after that.

Thanks to that, the reporters were in an uproar.

“Seon-il-ssi, Seon-il-ssi named Sua-ssi!”

“So, does that mean Suan-ssi didn’t get acknowledged by Seon-il-ssi after all? But Seo Yeon-ju acknowledged Suan-ssi?”

“Whatever! There’s plenty to write about today!”

The reporters busily started contemplating what kind of article to write, who would win the Rookie Award, and so on, and the production team concluded the production report with satisfaction.

Now, only one thing remains. Airing it.

◈◈◈◈◈

Director Go Tae-min’s studio.

“…”

Kim Iseo quietly held up what was in her hand.

She currently had a copy of the signed contract in her hand, and she was struggling to avoid showing her trembling hands.

She wanted to hug it tightly right away.

‘Director Go Tae-min’s work. Crazy.’

She unknowingly muttered a low-quality exclamation.

She’d be grateful just to participate, but she was told that it was a project she would be working on with Ham A-yoon. It was certain that it would be a great addition to Sua’s filmography just by that alone.

‘Of course, that’s assuming it’s made properly…’

It’s Sua. There’s no way it won’t be made properly.

Kim Iseo asked Go Tae-min again.

“You said that you’ve already secured the investment?”

“Yes. I understand that CEO Kim invested the entire investment for ‘Sword,’ but there’s no need to do that for ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow.’ Rather, there are too many investors.”

“Well, just Director Go’s and Ham A-yoon-ssi’s name value alone is enough to attract a line. It’s only natural. I’m relieved.”

It was then.

The manager of AWA Entertainment, Ham A-yoon’s one-person agency.

She, who had apologized politely before, was still wearing a ball cap today, and she couldn’t hide the surprise that appeared on her face.

“It’s amazing. A rookie with a contract of this level?”

That’s right. I’m also amazed.

Kim Iseo barely swallowed the words she was about to say without realizing it.

The contract terms were shocking.

To the point where it would be okay to trample on industry standards and laugh at them.

But that’s why everyone was currently looking at Sua with amazement. The person in question was just looking at her phone.

‘…Is it not that surprising?’

But she soon understood.

‘It must be that she doesn’t have time to be surprised. A big schedule has been added. She’s probably checking her calendar and coordinating things.’

It was the wrong answer.

Sua was searching for Arctic foxes.

‘Wow, crazy. So cute. So lovable.’

The screen brightness was at 1, so people around her couldn’t see, but Sua was frantically looking at Arctic fox photos.

To think that such a cute creature exists in reality?

Of course, Sua didn’t say anything on the outside.

She was like that until she shook hands with Director Go Tae-min.

“Sua-ssi, please take good care of the role of Kim So-hee.”

“I’ll do my best.”

After that, it was Ham A-yoon who came to find Sua.

She was fluttering her blonde hair as in the last meeting. Sua suddenly thought of the dawn rising over the horizon.

“You’re Sua, right? Have you been practicing the piano at all?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmm…”

Sua regretted her answer as soon as she said it, but unexpectedly, Ham A-yoon readily nodded.

“Well, there has to be a strange clumsiness in Kim So-hee’s playing. It’s better not to practice. I understand.”

Well, uh, well, that wasn’t the reason, but…

“More than that.”

Ham A-yoon’s eyes became clear.

“Do you remember what you told me?”

“There were so many things, can you tell me specifically?”

Around this time, Sua was firmly pressing down on the tip of her right foot with her left foot. Ah, so normal conversations are this difficult.

She was dying to unleash her Sua-style Kung Fu.

“The expression you made while watching my performance. You promised to show it again when filming starts. And explain the reason.”

“Ah, ah.”

She remembered.

She said those words to attract Ham A-yoon.

Did she have a plan? She didn’t have anything like that yet!

Ham A-yoon looked like she wanted to say something more, but…

“Sorry, let’s talk about it later when we’re filming.”

Sua turned around first. She was gesturing to Kim Iseo to hurry back.

“…”

Ham A-yoon reached out as if she still had something to say, but soon returned and crossed her arms. There was no particular dissatisfaction on her face.

“She doesn’t waste a single moment.”

“Right. Ha-yoon-ah, isn’t that rookie really unique? I heard she even got the best award this time.”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“She might not be a rookie.”

When she saw my performance that day, she was making an expression as if she knew something – Ham A-yoon quietly swallowed the rest of her words.

Sua walked away, leaving all those words behind.

‘Arctic fox!’

But her mind was filled with thoughts of Arctic foxes.

‘Arctic fox! Arctic fox! Arctic fox!’

◈◈◈◈◈

“Squeak.”

Inside the cage, an Arctic fox was trapped.

The Arctic fox was currently very depressed.

“Squeeak…”

A fox that was 3 weeks old. About the size of a palm.

It can’t even get on anything properly. It keeps slipping and quickly runs out of energy. It was weak.

Young and ignorant, but the baby fox could instinctively feel that the climate surrounding it didn’t suit its body at all. It likes the cold.

But that wasn’t the cause of its depression.

“Squeak squeak…”

(What am I, anyway?)

Yes, that was this baby fox’s distress.

The baby fox was depressed because it hadn’t yet realized its identity, and it wanted to know for sure someday. It often thought while looking at the dogs and puppies in the cages across from it.

Do I look like that too? Am I that kind of being?

But it couldn’t find the answer.

Because it didn’t have a mother.

It was already alone when it woke up after being born, and it had no family to use as a model, so there was no way to realize its identity.

But then.

The baby fox perked up its ears.

Because it sensed overlapping footsteps and the presence of people at the same time.

In addition to the people who usually come, there were two unfamiliar scents.

The baby fox instinctively realized that two more women had come to visit.

Three women stared down at it.

“Oh, is this the baby?”

“Yes. These days, its fur is reddish because it’s hot, but it turns snow-white around winter. Indoor breeding is so difficult that I’ll explain a few things.”

“Yes. Please give me the details.”

“Compared to dogs or cats, they can’t control their urine well, and there are more than one or two picky things. So much so that Arctic foxes boast the number one abandonment rate─”

After hearing the voices for a while, the cage door opened.

Clang─!

Immediately, the baby fox’s vision gradually rose higher.

At the same time, a cozy sensation. Someone was picking it up.

The moment it raised its head and made eye contact.

“…!”

The baby fox shuddered.

It saw the Arctic life it had never experienced before unfolding. The being in front of it was as firm as a glacier and was definitely a predator in the food chain.

“O, oh my goodness…”

Also, a dangerous, sharp tone like a blade.

And a sensation of someone stroking its body savagely.

“…So cute!”

The Arctic fox instinctively knew from that sharp roar.

That this strong being was the female who would become its mother. It seemed that it would no longer experience confusion about its identity.

“Squeak!”

(Aha!)

Because it was definitely a majestic beast too.