episode_0242

Reading session for Park Yumi Writer’s ‘High Society’.

The actors, staff, crew, and even reporters sat at desks arranged in a ㅁ shape, waiting in advance. Despite the considerable number of people gathered, the atmosphere was quite still at this moment.

The reason was simple.

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

The topic of conversation, which had been lively until just now, changed because Lee Soo-ah had appeared. You can’t talk about someone in front of them. Everyone quickly moved and did their jobs.

“Ahem, I need to read the script a few more times…”

“What are you all doing? Let’s check the camera settings too!”

However.

“…”

While pretending to focus on their work, everyone glanced at Soo-ah, rolling their eyes. As if sizing her up.

Soo-ah felt all those gazes as she moved.

‘Huh? My seat is all the way at the end.’

[Maid Role / Lee Soo-ah Nim]

Her seat, which she found not long after, was quite out of the way. It’s natural since it’s a supporting role that only shows up briefly.

But.

‘Oh, I unconsciously thought my seat would be in the center? Lee Soo-ah, you’ve become quite arrogant.’

Soo-ah said that to herself anew.

Even though you’re a hot topic these days, you’re still a rookie who hasn’t even been in the industry for a year. Get a grip. Arrogant ideas are not allowed. Always maintain your initial mindset and be polite.

While Soo-ah was busy brainwashing herself.

Watching Soo-ah silently take her seat, the other actors began to talk. Even though Soo-ah was having childish thoughts inside, she was only cold on the outside.

“Soo-ah-ssi has a unique vibe. She came as a special appearance extra, but her aura is that of a lead.”

“I know. But it’s different from being rude. I heard she greets people well if you actually talk to her.”

“…The only drawback is that it’s too difficult to approach her.”

“Yeah, that’s true. It’s hard to get close.”

“Ugh, we’re about to have a reading and we’re so nervous we feel like we’re dying, I’m jealous. She doesn’t seem nervous at all.”

“Of course she’s not nervous. She’s already finished filming ‘Alien Game,’ which is Netflix’s signature work.”

That’s already how much the actors are talking.

The reporters aren’t stopping either.

“She’s a hot topic in both Korea and Japan right now because of herself, I wonder if she knows?”

“Of course she knows. She doesn’t talk much, but she seems very perceptive. She probably intended it from the start.”

“…Lee Soo-ah’s agency representative is blessed. They’re blessed.”

“Her eyes change completely when she concentrates. Look at her, look at her scanning the script now.”

In reality, Soo-ah had her ears perked up.

‘Huh? It sounds like they’re talking about me again? What are they saying? Compliments? I want to hear too!’

It’s certain that people are whispering, but it’s frustrating because she can’t hear exactly what they’re saying. And she felt lonely too.

Why? When you think about it, Soo-ah has always had fellow actors wherever she went. Kim Sun-il, Seo Yeon-ju of Mystic….

But there’s no one she knows here at all.

In other words, Soo-ah is being excluded.

‘Ugh, I really just need to quickly finish this and leave.’

Tension and awkwardness combine, making it no different than torture. The coldness of her past relationships came to mind, making her feel inexplicably sad.

Is there a way to get through this time as quickly as possible?

‘Ah!’

Soo-ah soon figured it out. Soo-ah is a genius!

‘Soo-ah Association!’

Soo-ah convened the Soo-ah Association.

You don’t have friends to play with in reality? That’s okay! Because you can chat with the Soo-ah Association inside your head! Is that really okay? Anyway!

‘Soo-ah Association! Soo-ah Association! Come out quickly! Let’s chat!’

But what was this?

Only Wi Ji-hye Soo-ah peeked out.

-Did you call?

‘Yeah. I don’t know anyone here and it’s too awkward, but I’m too nervous to just wait. I want to chat with you guys and pass the time. Where are the others?’

Then Wi Ji-hye Soo-ah shook her head.

-That won’t do. That should not be done.

‘What? Why!’

Then Wi Ji-hye Soo-ah pulled something out with her hand. It wasn’t a sword, but a thin wooden switch.

Soon she glared.

-The reading is right around the corner, and you’re going to chat? Have you already lost your initial intention? This is no time to be doing anything but immersing yourself in the role! Now, do it!

‘…’

Lee Soo-ah loses. Refuted.

She couldn’t really refute it because it was true.

Soo-ah scratched her head for a moment.

‘Okay…’

She quietly began the immersion. Soo-ah is dejected….

Sssssss─!

. . . . .

After finishing the ‘maid’ role immersion.

Sssssss─!

When Soo-ah returned to reality.

“Hmm…”

Soo-ah sensed that her perspective had changed. She sees subtle elements that she didn’t see before. It’s because the ‘maid’s’ perspective is overlapping with her own.

[The proficiency of ‘Fox-like Behavior’ increases.]

‘Something feels ticklish in my lower abdomen?’

It’s a feeling that people call ‘erotic’, but Soo-ah didn’t really know it. It’s certain that a change has occurred.

‘Why do men keep catching my eye?’

Men keep catching her eye more than women.

However, this isn’t a feeling because she likes men or because she’s crazy about men.

-What can I take from that prey?

Yes, that was the mindset that had spread throughout Soo-ah.

She sees men as prey. Soo-ah is a predator who seduces them and seizes profits.

Men are just consumables who are seduced by Soo-ah, become slaves, and give her this and that. That’s how it feels.

‘Ugh, it always feels like this when I’m in the mood of the “maid.”‘

When Soo-ah was immersed in the maid’s mood.

“Nice to meet you all, am I too late?”

An actor familiar to Soo-ah appeared.

…No, actually, he’s not familiar. He was about to be familiar, but she couldn’t remember him at the last minute. Who was that again?

-Isn’t that Hwang Myung-pil? The person who was next to Do-hee-ssi when she peed her pants during Special Task Force 808. Hwang Myung-pil-ssi also had modifiers like ‘luxury supporting actor’ and such.

Soo-ah remembered then.

‘Ah, that’s right! That’s it! Hwang Myung-pil!’

-Is Hwang Myung-pil-ssi your friend? Why are you using informal speech?

‘Ah, that’s right! That’s it! Hwang Myung-pil Ssi!’

Yes, yes, anyway, the person who appeared now is Hwang Myung-pil.

◈◈◈◈◈

Hwang Myung-pil.

A middle-aged actor whose hair had turned white, but it actually suited him better. When he appeared wearing a suit, he gave off the feeling of a successful businessman.

Writer Park Yumi must have cast him with that in mind.

“…”

He turned his head to check on Soo-ah’s appearance first. Because he is playing the ‘chaebol’ who is interested in Soo-ah, who is the ‘maid’ today, and ends up being seduced by her.

But questions were already springing up.

What Soo-ah looks like now, it’s like.

‘Are you going to seduce men with that look? Really?’

She has a cold and sharp appearance like an icicle. How on earth is she going to seduce men?

Hwang Myung-pil stared at Soo-ah.

‘Isn’t that closer to a domineering countenance than seduction…?’

If cute women seduce men like foxes and make them lose their minds, Soo-ah, as seen by Hwang Myung-pil, was closer to a wolf or a queen.

Like, the feeling of putting a leash on a man and dragging him around. A feeling that there wouldn’t be any aegyo at all.

Of course, he’s not ignoring Soo-ah’s acting skills themselves. Hwang Myung-pil was together with her during the filming of ‘Special Task Force 808’ and saw the birth of Kim Yu-han with his own eyes.

But….

Even so….

‘I already know that Soo-ah-ssi is very good at acting. But this feels like a different texture. What did Writer Park Yumi see when casting her?’

It’s not a malicious question, but a pure question.

No matter how many times he imagines it, the only thing he can think of is that if their eyes meet, his “thing” will shrink. That’s the most logical idea.

Hwang Myung-pil reviewed the script once again.

S # 43 ─Mansion Interior / Day

Chaebol returns home early.

Accidentally sees the maid through the crack in the master bedroom door.

Tries to pass by without thinking, but the maid clearly seduces the chaebol first. He struggles, but is eventually drawn in.

‘I’m not the one who lusts after the maid first. The maid seduces me first. Clearly.’

In other words, it means that the scene should be that Soo-ah, the maid, first seduces the chaebol (Hwang Myung-pil), who had no intention.

It’s completely different from a scene where Hwang Myung-pil simply sees a pretty woman and can’t resist her. It’s like heaven and earth.

‘What kind of performance will she show? I’m looking forward to it.’

But of course, it didn’t end with just looking forward to it.

There’s one more thing.

‘I was disappointed during the filming of Special Task Force 808.’

That is, regret.

Hwang Myung-pil tried to get as much screen time as possible with ad-libs next to Soo-ah during the filming of Special Task Force 8, but it was fruitless. Rather, he was just swept away and ended up only admiring her.

How hard did he practice after being shocked by that?

‘I’m different from then too. I practiced acting like crazy.’

The only thing Hwang Myung-pil has is the modifier ‘luxury supporting actor’ attached to his name. At one time, ad-libs were also his outstanding strength.

But today Hwang Myung-pil didn’t participate in ‘High Society’ as a supporting role. He’s the chaebol, a clear lead role.

An opportunity that he must never miss.

That’s why he shouldn’t just be pushed around by Lee Soo-ah.

Soon a conclusion was reached.

‘…Soo-ah-ssi, I hope you give it your all.’

Hwang Myung-pil is also thinking of showing his achievements so far.