episode_0208

“Sumi, how about this one?”

Before the script reading began, Sua looked for Sumi.

“Not really? Let me know if you see someone you like.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Sua swiped through her phone screen in front of Sumi. It was like she was showcasing Sumi’s potential husbands.

‘Why haven’t I thought of this before?’

I was overthinking it.

It’s simple if I just let Sumi choose directly.

Swish swish─

Sumi wagged her tail as if she felt good.

Sumi has always pretended to be okay, but she must have been very lonely inside. She had spent years at the center without any siblings, let alone friends.

Swipe swipe─

How long had she been swiping like that?

At some point.

“Ah, just now.”

Sumi reacted, and Sua stopped her finger.

“Oh, you like this one?”

“I don’t know if I *like* him, but… I’d like to meet him and talk.”

“Good, good. Great.”

Sua immediately contacted Director Go. Coincidentally, it was the dashing fox that Sua had previously noticed.

◈◈◈◈◈

While Sua was looking for Sumi’s groom, the script reading site was quickly taking shape.

[Nexflix ─ Alien Game]

It was just a wide, empty space.

But not anymore. The staff placed a U-shaped desk in the center and put down square tape around it like a border.

Netflix officials, managers, staff, and reporters would watch today’s reading from outside the tape.

“Setup complete!”

“Okay! Open the door and let the actors in!”

As the door to the reading site swung open, the actors who had joined ‘Alien Game’ appeared as if they had been waiting.

“Whew, it’s cool inside. Hello, everyone.”

“Please take care of me today!”

The interesting thing was that each person who appeared had a considerable reputation. Even the supporting actors were seasoned veterans, which made the extras’ jaws drop.

“There are quite a few famous supporting actors here…?”

“Lee Seo-jeong-nim! It’s Seo-jeong-nim! She’s even more gorgeous in person!”

There was a reason for the lavish lineup.

Even people who didn’t know Hong Ye-ji were drawn in like magnets after hearing the names of Lee Sua─Lee Seo-jeong. And such movements, in turn, became the cause of calling someone else again.

Of course, not everyone was amazing.

There was someone who appeared timidly and cautiously.

“Hello, everyone…. I’m Sikarine. I’ve gotten permission to film a vlog at the location today. I’m going to capture my first script reading. Of course, I’ll talk to Sua too.”

It was Deer─Sikarine─Go Eun-bi.

She was wearing a black mask and holding a selfie stick in her hand.

She felt awkward and conscious of everyone since she was the only one doing this…. But she couldn’t help it. It was a desperate opportunity.

‘That damn Shark’s Playground exploded and my red pill was revealed, and yet I can’t even paddle? I have to make a living too. Besides, I got permission, so what? Don’t be nervous.’

Eun-bi repeated her courage several times. Of course, it didn’t work very well, so her legs were still shaking.

First of all, if I’ve filmed this much, it should be enough for an intro video. She put away the selfie stick and started greeting people.

“Hello…. I’m Go Eun-bi….”

“Go Eun-bi? Who’s that?”

“Ah, I’m, Sua’s friend….”

“Oh? A VIP? Come over here!”

“….”

Eun-bi still couldn’t get used to the fact that being Sua’s friend was a panacea. Eun-bi checked her phone.

‘Actually, it’s embarrassing, but I even asked her for this.’

[Deer: Sua]

[Deer: What if I get bullied there?]

[Deer: Take care of me, okay? Please.]

[Deer: jbjb (please please) unnie]

…But it was the opposite. She had asked for the wrong thing. Eun-bi should have asked Sua to get people away from her.

“Oh? Sua-ssi’s friend?”

Why else? The extras were starting to flock to her.

“…Sua-ssi makes friends too?”

“I honestly applied because I was curious about Sua-ssi’s acting.”

“Me too. Did you know I debuted at the same time as Sua-ssi? But I’m still an extra, and there’s a lot of talk about Sua-ssi going overseas soon…. It’s amazing to watch.”

It was amazing to Eun-bi to listen.

‘Why is everyone gathering and talking about….’

Only Sua. It was amazing the more she thought about it. Despite there being so many amazing people, Sua’s name was overwhelmingly mentioned.

“Special Task Force 808 is doing well in Japan too.”

“What’s Sua-ssi like in person?”

“I heard there are a lot of ad-libs in her acting, is that true?”

The extras, who had been awkward, started to talk about Sua to break the ice and become friendly. Eun-bi still couldn’t get used to it. Sua getting this kind of treatment….

‘Even with Lee Seo-jeong right in front of them, they’re talking about Sua? Well, I guess it’s understandable?’

Sua’s rise was very steep. This was also the part that Deer, who was a game friend, felt most keenly.

And one more topic.

“I heard Seon-il-ssi joined. I heard it’s the first time Seon-il-ssi has joined without even looking at the script.”

“I heard that too. He’s usually very picky.”

“…Is there a reason why he’s being lenient this time?”

“There’s a rumor that Sua-ssi is the reason.”

In many ways, it was a mess because of Sua.

There was always suspicion and curiosity towards Sua.

Thoughts like, what kind of actor is she that she was able to gain so much buzz in such a short period?

But today, there was even a dating rumor attached.

Everyone imagined Sua dating in their heads. Of course, it didn’t work out well. Unimaginable.

‘Isn’t she going to twist the other person’s wrist if she holds hands?’

‘She’d rather eat than be eaten, right? Scary.’

At that time.

“Hello, everyone.”

Kim Seon-il appeared as usual. The way he was coordinated in all black from head to toe was like that.

Seon-il greeted here and there and felt a sense of incongruity.

‘It’s a little different from other filming locations.’

Everyone was looking at Seon-il with strange expressions.

Kim Seon-il was quick to notice, so he caught on to the subtle atmosphere. At the same time, he thought that he should be careful with his words and actions.

‘It’s my first time filming for Netflix, so most of the people are strangers, and Sua is the only one I know.’

Kim Seon-il wasn’t particularly sociable. He thought he should find writer Lee Geum-suk or Sua and stay by their side, when suddenly, he heard Sua’s voice.

“You really came? I wasn’t sure when I heard the news of you joining.”

Kim Seon-il was surprised inside, but he didn’t show it and turned around. Sua, with her white hair down, was right in front of him.

“Ah, Lee Sua.”

In his head, he recalled the advice Lee Sua had given him.

The advice that he should increase the amount of time he spends together to get closer. Sua had definitely told Seon-il that.

‘I hope we can make a good work together again this time.’

Seon-il wanted to say let’s work hard together. He understood Sua’s advice to mean that they should work hard together in acting.

“Special Task Force 808 is doing well in Japan. Congratulations.”

“Why are you talking like it’s someone else’s business? You’re a cast member too.”

“That’s true, but the response to your poster was especially good.”

“…So you ended up seeing that poster too.”

The two talked frankly. This was natural since they had been filming and suffering together since Special Task Force 808.

At some point, while they were talking.

“….”

As if promised, the conversation suddenly stopped.

It wasn’t that there was no topic to talk about, and it wasn’t that there was awkwardness between the two. But.

Sua was sweating profusely.

‘What? Why is everyone looking at me?’

Yes, that was the reason. Sua panics?

Are they interested in the way she’s talking to Seon-il? Or is it because she didn’t give her greetings? In any case, most of the people on the scene were staring at Sua. Intently.

Sua felt awkward and greeted them. To others, it looked like she was greeting them sharply with an uncomfortable heart.

“I’m actress Lee Sua.”

Everyone bowed slightly without realizing it and accepted her greeting. Some of the extras were frozen.

‘Even ice isn’t that cold….’

‘Whew, I almost made eye contact. Scary.’

‘An actor’s presence who hasn’t even debuted for a year? That’s it?’

While some were admiring Sua’s very existence.

‘Aren’t people who are dating in the company sharp to hide it? Is that really it? Ah, I’m so confused.’

‘Seon-il-ssi was pointing out the poster, isn’t that the one with the really big butt? Does it feel like he’s controlling his girlfriend’s skirt length?’

‘…An emotionless doll like her can date?’

Each person’s thoughts were entangled wildly in the air, but Sua was just embarrassed. Why isn’t anyone accepting my greeting?

You could say it was Sua’s disappointment.

Meanwhile, the last person arrived at the scene.

“Oh my, I’m the director and I’m the latest. I’m sorry.”

It was director Kim Young-gon, who had a beard like Guan Yu.

He, who had raised his name as an SF director, looked excited. He had only done works that compromised with his performance, but now he can do what he wants. His face is full of laughter.

“Okay, everyone! Let’s go to your seats. There are a lot of people who are meeting each other for the first time, but it’s noisy? Have you already become friends?”

When he clapped his hands, everyone quickly found their seats and moved.

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at the same time, at the same location.

There was another person who was buried in an avalanche of misunderstandings.

‘I’m finally doing a script reading.’

It was Hong Ye-ji. She wanted to run out of the place and go to the arcade right away. She wanted to move her fingers madly and play rhythm games, but even that was impossible, so she was just desperate.

“Hong writer-nim is looking dashing today too.”

“Shhh. Something must have come to her. It looks like she’s concentrating.”

Yeah, yeah, keep talking. Keep doing that.

Hong Ye-ji had now given up on getting out.

‘It’s out of my hands anyway. Just let them do it on their own….’

At that time when Hong Ye-ji was sighing deeply inside.

“Um, sunbae-nim.”

Minami Sawako spoke cautiously. The girl was chatting diligently with a translator app turned on.

“Here, about this part of the scenario….”

“Yes.”

“I’d like to make a slight modification, but I don’t know anything about the filming industry yet. I don’t know if asking for this kind of scene would be a nuisance or if it’s possible….”

“So, you want me to tell you the standard?”

“Yes. Please listen once and make a judgment.”

After that, Sawako whispered something in Hong Ye-ji’s ear.

“…!”

Hong Ye-ji was surprised.

She couldn’t help it. Because it was something like that.

In the end, Hong Ye-ji also shook her head.

“To be honest, I don’t know this well either. But if you’re just groaning inside, it’ll only be frustrating, and you’ll regret it later. Ask Sua-ssi directly once.”

“Ugh, Sua-ssi is too scary….”

But surprisingly, Sawako soon clenched her fists tightly.

“…I’ll still ask once. For sunbae’s work.”

“No, you don’t really need to do that for me….”

But Hong Ye-ji’s words didn’t reach her.

She’s really going. Hong Ye-ji quietly watched Sawako pushing her wheelchair and approaching Sua. She was curious what kind of answer Sua would give.

‘Wait a minute.’

And a beat later, she realized something was wrong.

‘Even the script discussions are being done by Sawako directly? Then what’s the reason for me to be here? What…?’

◈◈◈◈◈

An unexpected three-way meeting took place.

Lee Sua, Lee Seo-jeong, and Minami Sawako.

Sawako suddenly called two people. Sua and Lee Seo-jeong quietly waited for the girl to open her mouth.

“There’s something I want to discuss with the two of you.”

“Before that, there’s something I’m curious about.”

Sua tilted her head. With fluent Japanese.

“You’re discussing the script, but why did Sawako-yang come instead of Hong sunbae-nim? It’s Hong sunbae’s work.”

“Ah, that’s….”

Sawako hesitated and then said.

“Thankfully, it seems like she’s giving me the opportunity to gain experience on the filming site. She pointedly instructed me to go directly.”

“Ah.”

It was completely different from the truth, but Sua understood anyway.

Soon Sawako continued.

“First of all, it’s about Sumi.”

“Sumi?”

“Yes. I was wondering if we could have Sumi appear in the filming. Of course, if we include her, it would be a very short scene.”

“There’s no reason why not.”

Sua answered without hesitation.

We can stand in front of the camera with our cute Sumi? Of course I welcome it! You could say Sua’s welcome!

“Hey.”

It was at that time that Lee Seo-jeong interrupted.

She tilted her head crookedly.

“Hearing what you’re saying, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything to discuss with me? If that’s the case, couldn’t you have just called Lee Sua?”

“Ah, no. I’ll tell you now.”

Sawako straightened her upper body stiffly.

“This is a very important matter.”

But Sawako didn’t say anything after that. Her hesitating attitude was so thick that Sua and Lee Seo-jeong ended up urging her.

“What story is it that you’re doing that?”

“That’s right. We’ll know if you say it.”

“Ah, that’s…. So….”

Sawako’s face blushed slightly.

“…By any chance, is a *ppoppo* or kiss possible for the two of you?”