episode_0245

“Ahem, ahem.”

Park Yu-mi, the writer, declared an NG (No Good) and cleared her throat.

Thanks to that, the gazes of everyone around who had been captivated by Sua were focused on Park Yu-mi.

No, actually, saying “everyone” is a lie.

Only the people who had come to their senses were looking at Park Yu-mi. There were still many people staring blankly with dazed or spaced-out expressions.

…Especially Hwang Myung-pil.

‘His condition looks pretty strange?’

It was as if he had suddenly realized the principles of the universe, or reached a state of nirvana. Park Yu-mi didn’t understand the concept of the post-nut clarity.

Anyway, now was the time to manage the situation.

Park Yu-mi picked up the microphone.

“Sua, who’s been a hot topic lately, came to the filming set, right? There will be many people seeing her in person for the first time. So I understand the urge to probe around. But…”

Park Yu-mi continued calmly.

“That should stop at the level of appropriate ad-libs. It’s a problem if it escalates into, ‘I want to see a new side of Sua, so I need to push her harder.’ Our goal is filming ‘High Society,’ not coming to see Sua, right?”

Hwang Myung-pil, who had finally come to his senses, scratched his head.

‘I guess it was misunderstood. It wasn’t like I was improvising to see Sua’s provocative side…’

But the funny thing was, he didn’t have any good excuses.

Why? Because Hwang Myung-pil had ended up wearing a completely satisfied expression with Sua right in front of him. It was only natural that Park Yu-mi would see it that way.

At this point, Sua was just blinking her eyes.

‘What’s going on? What’s the situation?’

You could say she was Sua-confused?

Park Yu-mi continued, addressing Hwang Myung-pil.

“Hwang Myung-pil-ssi.” (Honorific added, ‘ssi’) “Yes, Writer-nim.” (Honorific added, ‘nim’) “The ad-lib was good at first. I thought it was better to have a reason for a maid to gradually harbor desire and then seduce, rather than suddenly seducing.” “Yes.” “But please keep those ad-libs within your capabilities. An actor is an actor, and a role is a role, right? It’s a problem if you’re standing there blankly without coming to your senses.”

“…I understand.”

Actually, he wasn’t completely without a sense of injustice. Who could come to their senses after seeing Sua’s maid acting?

But that didn’t mean he was completely innocent either. It was true that the scene came about because he ad-libbed.

Park Yu-mi had sharply pointed that out.

If it’s a scene you can’t handle, then don’t do it.

Sua fidgeted with her toes for no reason.

‘That *ahjussi* seems to be getting scolded because of me? What is this?’ (Honorific added, ‘ahjussi’)

She was a little worried.

He doesn’t seem like a bad person like Kang Hak-man, right? I hope his reputation isn’t getting worse on set because of this?

But that was an unnecessary worry.

No one hated Hwang Myung-pil.

Rather, they were grateful.

‘Thank you, Hwang Myung-pil-ssi…’ (Honorific added, ‘ssi’) ‘I had a great time thanks to you…’ ‘Thank you, Hwang Myung-pil-ssi, Sua-ssi…’ (Honorifics added, ‘ssi’)

Meanwhile, Hwang Myung-pil reflected on himself.

‘Writer Park is right. The ad-lib itself is good, but you also need to know when to let go if you can’t handle it.’

Didn’t he realize it for sure through the reading just now?

If he cranks up the heat on Sua, who’s playing the ‘maid’ role, he won’t be able to handle it. How can he act when something that doesn’t even stand up in front of his wife is standing up now?

Moreover, it wasn’t just *it* standing up. Eventually….

‘….’

Anyway.

He deeply felt that his acting skills still didn’t reach Sua’s level. He should work harder in the future.

Hwang Myung-pil, having finished his thoughts, opened his mouth.

“Sua-ssi, I’m sorry. I ad-libbed and couldn’t handle it myself. I was too greedy.” (Honorific added, ‘ssi’)

“No, it’s okay. More than that, are you feeling sick somewhere?”

Sua asked, genuinely concerned.

The reason being, Hwang Myung-pil looked like he was in bad shape. The sight of him politely holding his hands together in front of his pants in front of Sua, who was a junior by far, looked awkward.

And that wasn’t all.

‘Why isn’t this *harabeoji* making eye contact with me?’ (Honorific added, ‘harabeoji’)

He kept subtly avoiding Sua’s gaze.

What’s going on? Did he get upset after being scolded by Writer Park just now? He shouldn’t be! He was the one who ad-libbed first!

“….”

Only the other men watching this situation became solemn. They felt like they knew why Hwang Myung-pil was standing so awkwardly. They were in the same boat.

Sua soon lost interest.

Everyone has their own circumstances, I guess. Life is full of Sua-like situations!

Besides, the experience just now wasn’t bad for Sua either. An experience of acting while reducing reliance on special powers?

It felt empowering and refreshing! So rewarding!

“I didn’t mind it. Do it if you want to.”

But in others’ ears, it just sounded like a chilling warning.

. . . . .

The ‘High Society’ script reading ended.

“Why is everyone suddenly going to the bathroom?”

Park Yu-mi muttered as if she were dumbfounded. Then, the cinematographer, who had been silently standing by her side, replied.

“They said they’re going to wake themselves up.”

“They already looked wide awake, why are they going to wake up?”

“Well, everyone has their own reasons. Ugh, honestly, I’m still hazy. Sua-ssi’s acting is still lingering in my mind…. Ah, more than that, where did Yejin-ssi go? There seem to be a few things we need to discuss after seeing her today.” (Honorifics added, ‘ssi’)

“She went to the van. Said she was going to change her underwear.”

“…You’re joking, right?”

But even as the cinematographer said it, he also thought, this might not be a joke.

Park Yu-mi just shrugged her shoulders.

“What can we do? It’s not like it’s something we can’t understand after seeing Sua-ssi’s acting, right? I might try to catch my husband tonight for the first time in a while.” (Honorific added, ‘ssi’)

“…Sua-ssi is really killing a lot of people.” (Honorific added, ‘ssi’) “What are you talking about?”

Writer Park soon left her spot and approached Sua.

“Sua-ssi!” (Honorific added, ‘ssi’) “Yes, Writer-nim.” (Honorific added, ‘nim’)

Sua turned around with a nonchalant gaze, and Park Yu-mi couldn’t help but admire her inwardly.

‘She’s back to her usual self. She completely shed the maid role in that short time? Her switch is that fast?’

But she couldn’t just ramble on while being immersed in admiration.

Park Yu-mi immediately got to the point.

“Your acting was excellent today? But, during the actual filming, please take it easy. You know, like you showed me at the restaurant. That level is just right.”

“I understand.”

Sua nodded vigorously. It means I can just do what I did during the experience, right? That’s much easier!

‘Huh?’

But after thinking about it, she felt wronged a beat later. What? Then what was the acting I just did! Don’t tell me to do it in the first place!

You could say she was Sua-wronged!

Then Yoo Han-sua immediately intervened.

─There’s no reason to feel wronged at all. First of all, didn’t you find out that you can improve your own skills while reducing your reliance on special powers?

‘What’s that? I never found that out?’

─…Let’s just say I found it out. Yes.

Yoo Han-sua shook her head.

─Anyway, there’s one more thing. You’ve instilled in the people on set the perception that the senior’s ‘maid’ is beyond doubt. The perfect image has become even more solid.

‘Hmm, thinking about it that way, it’s not bad.’

At that moment when Sua’s mood slightly improved.

Park Yu-mi spoke again.

“Actually, I’m considering raising the rating of ‘High Society’ itself.”

“Raise the rating itself?” “Yes, yes. Exactly as it sounds. If, just if, it goes to R-rated, we’ll go with the scene as it is. Okay?” “Yeah, sure, I understand.”

Sua agreed without much thought. The first time is hard, but the second time is easy, right? I’ve tried it once, so it’s okay.

“Good. Then let’s do that….”

Park Yu-mi trailed off.

Sua was just puzzled. What is it? Haven’t you said everything you wanted to say? Hey? Please let me go soon. I need to go back to the van and play with Sumi.

Then Park Yu-mi nudged Sua’s arm.

And whispered quietly so that no one around could hear.

“But Sua-ssi, you were really crazy. How do you melt people’s hearts? I’m planning to feed my husband eel today. Have you perhaps been in a relationship?” (Honorific added, ‘ssi’) “Husband? Eel? Relationship?”

Sua muttered three unknown things.

“I’ve never been in a relationship.” “Ah, right, because of the inability to express emotions.”

Park Yu-mi pondered for a moment.

“…Then just fleeting relationships where you sleep with them and leave?” “Of course, I have absolutely no experience with men either.” “…!”

Then Park Yu-mi’s eyes widened three times.

“Th, then is it learning through mechanical analysis after all?”

Sua didn’t really know, so she nodded.

Mechanical analysis. Learning.

‘That sounds like a cool phrase!’

─Sigh.

◈◈◈◈◈

3 days later. Mystic Headquarters.

“Rumble, rumble.” (So I swept through the place.)

“Awww─” (Really, Mother? You vanquished all the enemies.)

“Ah, awwww…?” (Va, vanquished? No, not like killing or anything….)

While Sua was talking and playing with Sumi.

Kim Yi-seo was busy on the phone next to them.

She was definitely in the same space as Sua, but it was like they were living in different worlds. Sua was endlessly relaxed, while Kim Yi-seo looked like she was running around in hell.

“So….”

Currently, Kim Yi-seo was on the phone with bald director Park Mu-ryong.

“So ‘Three Lies’ is complete, right? You mean you want to hold a preview screening for the people involved, and you want me and Sua to make time for it, is that how I understand it?”

“That’s right. But….”

Director Park Mu-ryong trailed off for a moment.

“…Are you perhaps on the phone at the zoo? I’ve been hearing some strange animal noises since a while ago.”

“Ah, I left the TV on. Don’t worry about it.” “It was the TV. Anyway, please come! The premiere is next month, so there’s no time other than now!”

“Next month, I understand.”

Kim Yi-seo thought for a moment after hanging up.

‘The premiere of ‘Three Lies’ is next month? Wait, I think Netflix is launching in Korea around that time too?’

If so, what’s going to happen is obvious.

Kim Yi-seo immediately called Sua.

“Sua.” “Arrr?” (What is it, CEO-nim?) (Honorific added, ‘nim’)

“‘Alien Game’ and ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ have overlapping release dates. The situation has become interesting.”

Sung Si-hyun, the dopamine addict from ‘Alien Game.’

Im Su-hee, the silent gangster from ‘Three Lies.’

Two very different people will appear at the same time.