episode_0186

『….』

​

Sooa still held the blade to her eye.

​

It was hard for the onlookers to even breathe. It was so precarious, as if one wrong nudge to Sooa’s elbow could send an eyeball flying.

​

How must Park Woongjae be feeling, standing face to face with her?

​

He still couldn’t bring himself to utter those mere three words.

​

‘I know this is a shoot. I definitely know it.’

​

He knew it perfectly well, but still. He couldn’t see Sooa as Sooa right now. The person standing before him felt only like Lim Soohee, sprung straight from the script.

​

Meanwhile, Director Park Mooryong didn’t call “NG” (no good).

​

In fact, he didn’t even know if it was an NG.

​

‘Sooa’s acting is insane! Woongjae is struggling to keep up! What kind of ad-lib is he preparing?’

​

The balding Park Mooryong’s mind was filling with immense expectations. Even though the climax scene had already passed, he felt like he was filming a new climax every time.

​

『Hah….』

​

Around this time, Park Woongjae let out a hollow laugh.

​

『Hah…. Hahaha…! Hahahahaha…!』

​

It was a laugh mixed with self-disgust.

​

He knew perfectly well this was a shoot, but he was afraid Sooa might actually gouge his eye out, so he couldn’t say his lines. In other words, he was completely devoured by Sooa.

​

He was just laughing and waiting for the “NG” sign to drop when…

​

“Okay! No need for another take! Absolutely okay!”

​

That’s all Director Park Mooryong shouted.

​

No, actually, he didn’t just shout. He dashed between Sooa and Park Woongjae and put his arms around both of their shoulders at the same time.

​

“Isn’t this the first time you two have worked together? Plus, it’s a hastily revised script, so I was expecting to redo it at least five times! Absolutely amazing!”

​

“I’m glad you liked it,” Sooa said, relieved internally.

​

‘Phew, finally over. It’s just a prop, but it’s scary as hell.’

​

Sooa hastily put down the sashimi prop.

​

Even though it was a fake sashimi, she broke out in a cold sweat every time she held it. Sharp objects were scary to her, just by their existence. It probably wasn’t just Sooa. Normal people would probably feel the same.

​

“I can’t find words to say you’re the best!”

​

After that, the bald, octopus-monster Director Park Mooryong kept yelling something or other, but Sooa lightly let it go in one ear and out the other.

​

Huh? This wasn’t because Sooa’s personality was bad!

​

—This guy, he’s fun to beat up.

—What was that just now? When did you hit him?

—Hehehe, it’s more fun when you don’t know.

—You crazy bitch! Argh!

​

Her mind was even more chaotic than before, and that drew her attention. Before she knew it, ‘Lim Soohee’ had taken root in her mind.

.

.

.

.

.

Afterward, Director Park Mooryong and the staff spent some time watching the scene they had just filmed on the monitor. Park Woongjae approached cautiously.

​

He kept tilting his head in confusion.

​

“Um, Director Park Mooryong.”

“I’m listening. Speak.”

“…Is it really okay not to reshoot that scene?”

​

However, Park Woongjae was taken aback when he met Park Mooryong’s gaze. Park Mooryong was giving him a look that said, “Why would you say such a ridiculous thing?”

“Reshoot what? This scene?”

“Yes. Because I did it differently from the original lines.”

“No, your ad-lib was excellent. You simultaneously hinted at the answer and expressed that you liked Lim Soohee, didn’t you? The character really came to life, so it’s fine.”

​

“Is that so….”

​

“Why, was that your first ad-lib in your acting career?”

“Yes. I haven’t really done ad-libs in my 15 years.”

​

In fact, he wondered if this could even be called an ad-lib. It was just an unintentional act. But Director Park Mooryong smiled brightly.

“That’s what happens to everyone when they film with Sooa. Even actors as stiff as you come up with amazing ad-libs when they shoot with Sooa.”

​

Hearing that, a curiosity suddenly arose.

​

‘Maybe those people’s actions were forced as well? So, in other words, Sooa has the ability to force her co-stars to do certain ad-libs….’

​

Park Woongjae shook his head, thinking that couldn’t be possible, but he soon fell into contemplation again. Thinking about it again, if the subject was Sooa, it seemed possible.

​

Eventually, he went to see Sooa directly. They weren’t exactly close, but he couldn’t bear his curiosity.

​

“Sooa-ssi, may I ask you a few questions?”

“Yes.”

“Today, we aimed to film according to the revised version Sooa-ssi suggested, but I did the last part differently, right? I was wondering if that made you uncomfortable or anything….”

​

Park Woongjae thought this situation was funny as he spoke. More precisely, he was ridiculous. To be using utmost respect to ask a question to a much younger rookie.

​

Sooa thought for a moment, then.

“Oh, I wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”

“I see. In that case….”

​

Park Woongjae subtly probed Sooa.

​

“…Did you perhaps, predict my reaction?”

​

“A little bit.”

​

Sooa nodded.

​

Actually, she had predicted it completely, not just a little bit. In the script Sooa had experienced, the character played by Park Woongjae had burst into laughter. But if she said she had predicted it completely, she thought it would seem a bit strange, so she changed her words. Sooa smart!

​

‘Hehehe, I’m a genius at social life now!’

​

While Sooa was swimming in a sea of pride.

​

“….”

​

Park Woongjae froze. It was because he felt a wall. In a way, Sooa in his mind was being forged into a genius actress who could even control the other person’s reactions.

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, those watching the scene from above were just as surprised. Especially Yusaku.

​

‘…This is her state when she’s not demonstrating her full ability?’

​

Kim Iso had told Yusaku a strategic lie, saying that Sooa wasn’t demonstrating her full abilities because she was too busy these days, and Yusaku firmly believed it. Therefore, he couldn’t help but be several times more surprised.

​

‘Being an actor…. is such a wonderful job….’

​

Sawako in her wheelchair muttered so.

​

Sawako was now even feeling touched by the profession of acting. She puts on the role all over her body to make someone else’s writing a reality. How beautiful is that?

​

‘I want to work several times harder from now on. Just the fact that there’s someone who tries so hard to realize my writing makes me go crazy.’

​

All sorts of emotions swirled in her heart.

​

The excitement that such an amazing person was acting out Sawako’s writing. On the other hand, the worry that she could write a script that was worthy of such an actress. She felt restless.

​

Thump, thump, thump…!

​

Sawako, feeling her heart start to beat for the first time, turned her head. She was curious about what expression her mother, Akiko, would be making.

​

When she thought about it, Sawako had never been able to accurately read her mother’s intentions even once. She always pressured Sawako with a vague attitude.

​

However.

​

“….”

​

Only now did it feel like she could see her mother’s intentions. That appearance of taking off her sunglasses and opening her eyes clearly.

​

Her mother seemed to have a lot on her mind.

◈◈◈◈◈

Afterward.

​

Before she knew it, night had fallen on the junkyard, but the lights of the ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ production team were brighter than the sun. It’s pointless to even discuss their passion.

​

“It’s finally the last scene! Let’s go in one take!”

“Everyone fighting! Focus until the end!”

​

In the midst of this, Seo Yeonju linked arms with Sooa.

“Sooa-ya, it’s finally the last scene?”

“Yeah. I’m definitely going to finish it in one take.”

​

Sooa burned with determination. Why? It was because the Lies, Lies, Lies script experience wasn’t pleasant. She killed people and died herself, so there was no way it would be good….

​

Of course, the perk erased most of the unpleasantness as soon as the experience was over, but still! It was a bit… you know! Sooa wanted to experience only pretty and happy things. Hehe.

​

Seo Yeonju brought her face close to Sooa’s.

“Really? I was thinking of not ending it in one take.”

“Huh?”

“By causing a lot of NGs and filming with you all night long.”

​

But she soon snickered.

“Just kidding. The staff would have a hard time.”

“…Right.”

​

Sooa nodded. But why? It felt like Yeonju was really disappointed. Sooa was also a little sad that filming with Yeonju was ending.

​

‘But we can just work together on another project.’

​

Yeah, wouldn’t that work? Sooa smart!

​

At that moment, Director Park Mooryong grabbed a megaphone.

​

“Ready! Action!”

​

Now it was time to capture the last scene.

◈◈◈◈◈

『So that’s how it was? I see. Lim Soohee. You are…!』

​

Bang!

​

The boss of the Gyeil gang (Sooa) shoots a hole in his temple while smiling after finishing his recollection of Lim Soohee. The trigger is, of course, pulled by Park Siyeon (Seo Yeonju).

​

Even so, the boss of the Gyeil gang died understanding.

​

Why Lim Soohee was so desperate, and what she did all sorts of rough things for. What kind of worries she sometimes had…. Lim Soohee eventually achieved Park Siyeon’s self-realization through her death.

​

After that, after finishing all the revenge.

​

Park Siyeon took briquettes, a lighter, and soju and got into a car in the junkyard. It was a very stylish sports car that didn’t suit the place.

​

It was worth it. It was the Gyeil gang boss’s car.

​

『Heu-ha-hat.』

​

Park Siyeon first drank the soju like water. She wasn’t laughing because she was happy; she was a little amused by her situation.

​

『Ugh…. Disgusting….』

​

But even so, Park Siyeon continued to drink soju. Just when she felt like her body wouldn’t move properly, she lit the briquettes. Yes, she got drunk to die.

​

It would be easy to commit suicide with a gun, but unfortunately, the only bullet she had was used to kill the Gyeil gang boss.

​

A little while later.

​

Thump!

​

Soohee got into the passenger seat of the car.

​

『Oh! It’s Soohee! My friend, Lim Soohee!』

​

Park Siyeon was so drunk right now that she couldn’t even tell if this was real or not. Actually, she didn’t really care. She was prepared to die in the first place, so what was important?

​

『….』

​

Soohee slowly scanned the inside of the car with her finger.

​

『Nice car.』

​

『Right? I completely succeeded!』

​

Park Siyeon shouted excitedly.

​

『Should I tell you a story? I killed all the kids who bullied you and me! It’s quite long, but….』

​

Park Siyeon then babbled on for a long time.

​

Soohee sometimes sympathized with Yeonju’s words and sometimes smiled and responded. She waited patiently until Yeonju’s story was completely over.

​

『How was it? I did really well, right! Hurry up and praise me!』

​

『Yeah. You did well. But.』

​

It was then that Soohee pointed to the briquettes with her eyes.

​

『What is this? Are you trying to die?』

​

『This is…. Um…. Oh, that’s right.』

​

Park Siyeon scratched her head as if she had just remembered. That’s right. I’m dying. But why? It’s not painful at all. Rather, she’s excited to see Soohee.

​

『Well, I’ve done everything I needed to do anyway? I’m going to rest now!』

​

『You can’t do that.』

​

Soohee’s voice was very firm.

​

Thanks to that, Park Siyeon’s expression gradually hardened in a similar way. At first, she tried to gloss over it with a smile, but Soohee’s face was too scary for that.

​

『…Why are you doing this? Do you have to do this to the very end?』

​

There was resentment mixed in Park Siyeon’s voice.

​

『I’m not a bastard anymore, am I? I’m human. I did what I wanted to do. I’ve gotten all my revenge. Can’t you just praise me?』

​

『I can’t praise you for trying to die.』

​

『Then what do you want me to do with my life?』

​

Park Siyeon asked accusingly.

​

『I killed people and quit being a prosecutor. I don’t have anything I can do. But still, you want me to live? You’re telling me to live?』

​

『You’re a con artist. That’s enough.』

​

『Are you messing with me right now?』

​

Park Siyeon frowned.

​

『You’re telling me to live my whole life scamming people….』

​

But Park Siyeon couldn’t continue her words.

​

Suddenly, there was a shock as if she had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer. She could guess what Soohee was saying. But she still didn’t have confidence.

​

Could she really have meant it that way?

​

『…You, could it be.』

​

But she couldn’t ask Soohee again.

​

Suddenly, Soohee smiled and rolled up her sleeves.

​

『Why are you asking me? You know the answer best, right?』

​

Then she swung her fist with all her might.

​

Crash!

​

The sound of the window glass shattering.

​

That was the end. She completely lost consciousness.

.

.

.

.

.

Park Siyeon grabbed onto her faint consciousness. Everything was heavy and unpleasant, as if she were running in water.

​

『…up!』

​

A very faint sound echoed in her ear.

​

『…Wake up!』

​

Soon, it got closer and bigger.

​

『Miss, wake up! Miss!』

​

『Huh…!』

​

Only then did Park Siyeon take a deep breath and open her eyes wide. At the same time, her head ached as if it were about to break, but even that was welcome. She felt like she had come back to life.

​

『Oh? She, she woke up! Miss! Can you see me?』

​

Park Siyeon couldn’t even answer and repeated her ragged breathing. Only after a while did she understand the situation. The window of the car where she had lit the briquettes was broken. Someone had found Park Siyeon, pulled her out, and called the rescue team.

​

People were talking about something or other.

​

『Are you her guardian?』

​

『I’m not her guardian…. I just found her….』

​

『I’ll move her first. Lift!』

​

Even while being carried on a stretcher, Park Siyeon looked at the broken car window. Of course, Soohee wasn’t inside. Soohee was just a death vision she saw right before she died.

​

However.

​

Soohee’s words were still clear in her mind. Even now, confused by the alcohol and briquette smoke.

​

‘Con artist. I am a con artist….’

​

Was the meaning that Park Siyeon thought of right?

​

In the end, she couldn’t ask Soohee again.

​

But Park Siyeon was sure. Somehow, she felt like Soohee had saved her again this time.

​

Thump!

​

Park Siyeon smiled while wearing an oxygen mask.

​

Yeah, let’s live.

​

Let’s live while scamming people to our heart’s content.

​

Even if I live hard from now on, it’s enough, I can be happy, I can live in a world without you, and if I look at it until the end, it will have value.

​

I’m going to scam myself, not anyone else, on a scale I’ve never done in my life. Yeah. I’ll try to do that.

​

“Anyway…. You’re naughty….”

​

Park Siyeon murmured so and closed her eyes.

​

The corners of her lips covered with an oxygen mask were raised.

.

.

.

.

.

A few years later.

​

『Huff…. Huff….』

​

In the foggy dawn, Park Siyeon is running diligently along a promenade. Just looking at the sweat on her face shows how hard she’s working.

​

『Huff…. Huff….』

​

How long did she run like that?

​

『Phew….』

​

Park Siyeon suddenly stopped at a point overlooking the sea. She is still alive. It’s not a life that’s great enough for her to brag to others, but still.

​

Park Siyeon stretched her arms out to the left and right and then inhaled.

​

Life isn’t something that’s incredibly good, but it’s not so bad that you should quit. What’s more, she is immature. She will probably do a lot of stupid things that don’t suit her age in the future, and she may think about wanting to die again someday.

​

But.

​

Even so.

​

Even if that’s the case.

​

She lives her life deceiving herself that these are good days. If she lives while holding on like that, there will be a day that’s really good. Right, Lim Soohee?

​

『Damn life, I’m so happy I’m going crazy….』

​

So, is this a lie or not?

​

Lies, Lies, Lies. The End

◈◈◈◈◈

Vroom!

​

After that, the car carrying the Japanese golden-handed writer, Minami Akiko, headed to the airport. Akiko had no expectations for Korea, so she had booked her return flight early, but that had become a poison now.

​

She even felt like she wanted to stay on set a little longer, but she couldn’t. She was too old to change even the schedule she had already set, and she had accomplished a lot. Her pride was too strong for her to endure shame.

​

“….”

​

Akiko didn’t say anything inside.

​

The same was true of her closest aides who were with her. But it wasn’t an awkward silence. They were all lost in their own thoughts.

​

Then suddenly.

“I want to hear your opinion.”

​

Akiko broke the silence first.

“How was it?”

“There’s no need to ask that.”

​

The manager opened his mouth immediately.

“The afterglow left a deep impression on me. Especially the epilogue scene…. Seo Yeonju-ssi’s expression after the running….”

​

Then people around nodded one by one.

“That’s right. That ending was good.”

“Ah, I was moved by that wistful smile….”

​

“Was the last line genuine?”

“I don’t think it matters whether it’s genuine or not. That’s the theme of the work. Although, that’s just my opinion.”

​

It was a story that Akiko also agreed with to some extent. It was the first time she had encountered the work today, and she had only seen the back part without knowing the front part, but she still felt that it wasn’t bad.

​

However.

“Not that.”

​

That wasn’t the story that Akiko was asking about now.

“If not that, then?”

“I’m asking about Lee Sooa’s acting.”

​

“Ah, you’re talking about Sooa-ssi. In that case….”

But after that, there was silence. Those who had been excitedly talking about the ending of ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ were silent now. Like they had encountered a difficult problem.

​

After a while, the manager eventually shook his head.

“I was very impressed, but it’s hard to express it accurately. Rather, I want to ask you. What did you think of Sooa-ssi’s acting, Akiko-jakka (author)-nim?”

​

“I didn’t think anything of it.”

​

Akiko put on her sunglasses quietly.

​

“…Except that quite a big deal has happened.”