episode_0241

One week later.

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*Meeeee-eee! Meeeee-eee!*

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In the middle of summer, when the cicadas began their full-fledged rampage, Soo-ah fanned herself and stood at the entrance of a large studio building.

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‘It’s hot…. This is too hot….’

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The heat is no joke.

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In my heart, I want to stick out my tongue and pant, but I can’t. Because I’m actress Lee Soo-ah. I have to manage my image wherever I go. Soo-ah is perfect. Soo-ah is careful!

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But there was another problem.

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‘…I’m even sleepy. I’m sleepy in this heat, which is unpleasant.’

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I feel like I’m going crazy from sleepiness, but I can’t even fall asleep because it’s so hot. I’m experiencing a ridiculously bad synergy effect. That’s summer for you.

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Huh? Why didn’t I get enough sleep last night?

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‘I couldn’t sleep!’

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Soo-ah thought she had a good reason not to sleep. Soo-ah is wronged, so to speak.

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‘How can I resist when the internet is full of stories about me? I kept watching, thinking I’d watch a little more, and then….’

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…I woke up and it was morning.

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Looking up stories about myself on the internet is incredibly addictive. It will probably be like that in the future. It’s always thrilling, new, and fun.

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And so, next to Soo-ah, who is currently half-dead…

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“Hello? This is Kim Yi-seo, CEO of Mystic.”

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Kim Yi-seo was there.

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Her dark circles are almost like a panda’s, but she never stops working. She’s still on the phone as if it’s a part of her.

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“I’m sorry. It’s a great offer, but Soo-ah can’t accept any offers right now. As you know, we have a lot of urgent matters….”

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After gaining popularity in both Korea and Japan, Kim Yi-seo’s phone has been ringing all day long like a crybaby.

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If the CEO’s phone is this busy, there’s no need to even look at Mystic headquarters. All the employees are barely holding on, suffering from work and phone calls all day long.

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Soo-ah swallowed hard.

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‘Everyone is having a hard time….’

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Suddenly, this thought came to mind.

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‘Everyone seems to be getting busier as I get busier, is there anything I can do for these people?’

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─There’s no reason to even think about that. Just do your best with the work given to you, Soo-ah *sunbae*.

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‘Really? Is that enough?’

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─Of course? They also get a great profit every time your name value increases, you know? Everyone may be physically tired, but there’s a reason why they’re persevering so hard. Soo-ah *sunbae* is currently giving them enough profit to withstand all kinds of hardships.

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‘Ah? Is that so?’

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─Yes. So don’t just worry about what you see, and just keep doing what you’re doing. You have to think about two things, not just one.

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‘…I guess so. I feel better thanks to you.’

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Soo-ah realized.

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It’s really a foolish, childish idea to stop myself to reduce the workload of those people. I should just work harder and think about taking care of them more.

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‘Hoo, good.’

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Then I have to successfully solve the task at hand. From now on, there will be a script reading for Park Yu-mi’s “High Society.” The work that birthed Maid Soo-ah.

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*Shhh-!*

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Just as the elevator doors of the building opened, Kim Yi-seo hung up the phone and said, looking at Soo-ah.

“Oh, the phone has been ringing all day.”

“I feel a little sorry when I see that.”

“Don’t feel sorry, feel proud. I’m actually happy that I can work so hard.”

“Then…. I understand.”

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Soo-ah shrugged her shoulders slightly. Soo-ah is confident.

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Then Kim Yi-seo burst out laughing.

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“Good. Soo-ah looks better when she’s confident. Oh, but when I come to my senses, it’s another reading. There probably isn’t another actor who does readings as often as Soo-ah, right?”

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“…Isn’t this how much everyone does?”

“Not at all? Especially rookies can’t even imagine this.”

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Kim Yi-seo wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

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“The good thing is that today’s reading won’t take up too much time. The maid’s role is very short.”

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Soo-ah nodded silently.

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“I have to get it done short and sweet.”

The spirit is perfect. Soo-ah’s will! Soo-ah’s passion!

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*Thump-!*

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At the same time, the sound of the elevator stopping.

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It’s time for the “High Society” script reading.

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.

.

.

.

.

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Soo-ah entered the script reading site.

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Not surprisingly, this place was the same as other reading sites, except for the building, with desks arranged in a ㅁ shape.

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‘Is this desk structure starting to feel familiar now? It’s also very familiar. I’m not as nervous as I used to be.’

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Soo-ah felt proud of herself for realizing these points. Isn’t it proof that I’ve grown a little as an actress?

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But it seems that Soo-ah arrived late. Most of the seats were already filled. Besides.

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‘Huh? Are they talking about me?’

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Soo-ah involuntarily perked up her ears.

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“Is Soo-ah really coming today?”

“Actually, it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t come. Her role is so short. But won’t she come? It’s advantageous to make an impression on writer Park Yu-mi and build connections, right?”

“That’s right. If she comes today, I definitely want to see her. There’s only stories about Soo-ah on the internet all day.”

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I couldn’t help but listen.

Because they were all talking about me.

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“Speaking of the internet, everyone saw that article, right? I was so surprised. Soo-ah doesn’t seem to have an image that goes well with singing.”

“That’s right. But I’m looking forward to it because they say she’s good.”

“They say she’s burning up in Japan with alexithymia, but it seems like the news is a beat late. I guess we’ve already finished being surprised.”

“I felt relieved when I saw the news that they were going head-to-head. Why don’t they believe it even though it’s an official statement from the agency?”

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The people involved in “High Society,” the actors who will participate in the reading, and the reporters who will cover the site today are all separate, but the topic is the same. They are all busy discussing Soo-ah.

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Just then.

“Ahem, ahem.”

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Soo-ah cleared her throat.

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I would normally greet people out loud, but I felt a little embarrassed to reveal myself because everyone was talking about me from all directions. So I made a subtle gesture on my own.

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“….”

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The space became silent in an instant.

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“Hello everyone. I’m actress Lee Soo-ah.”

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Soo-ah greeted with her shoulders raised high.

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I’m the one you’re all talking about!

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◈◈◈◈◈

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At the same time. The hallway of the studio building.

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Now that Soo-ah has entered the reading site, Kim Yi-seo is still wandering around in the hallway.

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Why? Because she’s still on the phone.

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It really seems like the phone is on fire.

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“Hello. This is Kim Yi-seo, CEO of Mystic.”

“This is the Netflix team leader! Can I talk to you for a moment?”

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This time, the person on the phone is the team leader of Netflix Korea headquarters.

“Of course. Please speak.”

“First of all, regarding the simultaneous launch of ‘Alien Game’ in Japan, there will be an offline event in Japan in about two weeks. It’s not confirmed, but around that time? What is Soo-ah’s schedule like?”

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Soo-ah is about to make her debut in Japan.

And “Alien Game” will be launched on Netflix Japan.

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Due to the coincidental factors, Mystic readily accepted the Japanese offline event. It’s an opportunity to make an impression and increase favorability in the local area, so we can’t throw it away, right?

“Around two weeks later….”

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Kim Yi-seo quickly flipped through the calendar in her head.

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“As you know, Soo-ah is getting busier as time goes on. I’d rather move up the schedule. Is that possible?”

“Oh, Soo-ah is the main character, so of course it’s possible. But we have to move it up quickly. We might have to go as early as next week?”

“Next week. It’s possible.”

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Kim Yi-seo nodded.

“I’ll get ready with Soo-ah to match next week.”

“Okay! CEO, then I’ll see you then!”

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Immediately after ending the call, Kim Yi-seo turned on the notepad on her phone. At the same time as exhaling a deep sigh.

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“Hoo… Busy, busy…. It wasn’t this bad when Sun-il and Yeon-joo were at their busiest. It’s overwhelming.”

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Even while muttering that, her fingers are constantly moving. Quickly organize Soo-ah’s schedule.

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[Soo-ah’s schedule]

─’Alien Game’ local event in Japan

─’Celebrity Zoo’ variety show filming

─’Crescendo From Tomorrow’ filming

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“Every single one is huge. Soo-ah is a monster.”

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At that time.

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─♩♪♬

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The phone rings again.

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“Huh?”

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Kim Yi-seo tilted her head without realizing it.

“Director Park Moo-ryong is calling?”

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It’s been a long time since Director Park Moo-ryong, who is bald, called. So I answered the phone first.

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“Yes, what’s wrong, Director?”

“You sound so busy just from your voice, I don’t even have time to ask how you’re doing. Can I get straight to the point?”

Kim Yi-seo nodded with difficulty.

“…I would appreciate it if you would. I can’t lie right now. Let’s ask each other how we’re doing later over a meal.”

“Let’s do that. And are you free in three days?”

“My time? Or Soo-ah’s time? Which one is it?”

“Of course, I’m asking about both.”

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Park Moo-ryong continued.

“I’ve finished ‘Lies, Lies, Lies.’ Should we have a private screening? It’s coming out soon, right?”

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“Ah…!”

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Only then did Kim Yi-seo open her eyes wide. At the same time, I realized once again that time is passing too fast.

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The fruit of Yeon-joo and Soo-ah’s sweat.

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The release of “Lies, Lies, Lies” is imminent.