The production team had declared a state of chaos.
Naturally, the frenzied commotion among journalists showed no signs of abating, each furiously typing away on their laptops in a frantic attempt to craft their stories.
A scene that clearly indicated the topic had taken a significant turn.
‘How did the rookie Lee Su-an manage to secure the role meant for Kim Yu-han?’
No one was looking at the essence anymore.
‘Who will claim the title of Rookie of the Year?’
The focus was entirely on that.
It was a situation perfectly aligned by circumstance.
Sua’s tvS, along with Yang Ha-rin’s MBQ, KBM, and SBT, coincidentally each cast a rookie into their shows. Naturally, a competitive dynamic arose.
The frantic typing on laptops persisted.
Writers Lee Geum-sook and Director Choi Hee-won exchanged glances with a renewed sense of satisfaction—it was exactly what they had intended.
Director Choi Hee-won whispered first, “It looks like it’s taking shape nicely.”
“That metaphor is a bit strange.”
Lee Geum-sook chuckled, “The picture is already finished; we’re just gathering an audience to admire it now. It fortunately seems to be having a big impact. Everyone will surely come pouring in with their full interest.”
“Indeed, our timing is quite good as well. Given that other broadcasting stations also include a rookie in their lineup.”
Choi Hee-won rubbed his chin, then paused, “Do you think we can handle this? It’s growing hotter than we anticipated.”
“No worries at all. We know we’ve created a remarkable piece, don’t we?”
“Indeed.”
The director quietly nodded.
Sua, Kim Sun-il, Yeon-joo, Park Do-hee, Hwang Myung-pil…all had surpassed expectations in their performances. There was no reason to be afraid.
“With the fire raging over there, we’ll just keep tossing in logs. Let it burn fiercely.”
“Very well.”
Director Choi Hee-won immediately gave a heads up to Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il.
It was to prevent any unforeseen issues.
If they didn’t get their stories straight regarding the identity of Sua and Su-an, the truth might accidentally get revealed, leading to embarrassment.
However, both actors nodded in understanding, as if they had already grasped the situation. Their experience made them perceptive.
Moments later, a journalist raised their hand.
“Question for Writer Sua and Director Choi.”
“All right.”
“As the statement earlier has intensified interest over who might approach the Rookie Award, there’s something I’d like to clarify.”
“What is it?”
“If Su-an were to win the Rookie Award, would that be the capability of the 808 production team, or Su-an’s individual talent?”
Sua and Choi Hee-won exchanged slight smirks.
‘Ah.’
It was a clever question.
If Su-an were to win the Rookie Award, it was asking whether it was due to Su-an’s pure talent or the writer and director’s ability to make even a novice capable of receiving the award.
Because such things had genuinely happened before.
A minor rookie, lucky enough to get into a good production, takes an adequate role and wins an award for rookie of the year with mediocre acting.
‘If the production team had been different, they might’ve struggled to answer this question.’
Answering one way might cast blame on the team if the production failed; the other way could make the rookie responsible if it flopped. It was a pointed question, indeed.
But for them, it was rather welcomed.
This was a great opportunity to expand the stage.
“Of course it’s Su-an’s personal talent.”
“…Hmm?”
The journalist couldn’t conceal their surprise.
Most people would subtly leave room when answering, saying something like ‘we’ve done our best, but if the actors can’t handle it, there’s nothing we can do.’
“It’s because of Su-an that the script was finished and the filming was completed. Let me say it plainly; there was never any issue with the actors.”
But the production team took a different stance.
Being modest, acknowledging that if the production succeeds, credit goes to Su-an, and if it fails, the fault lies with the team. Showing bravery on behalf of the rookie.
A rare sight in the industry.
“…The production team holds Su-an in high regard.”
The journalist could only remark, there was nothing else left to say.
Then, questions turned to Yeon-joo.
“Ms. Yeon-joo, how about you? With two male actors around you, is there any comparison? Perhaps Su-an seems less skilled compared to Mr. Sun-il?”
A fairly rude question, disguised by its friendly tone.
But Yeon-joo smiled.
“Su-an was excellent. If anything, I learned from them. It’s hard to explain, but I almost fell for them at first glance?”
The journalists wildly typed away on their notebooks after that.
Seizing it as great sensational material, all seemed to think it was a slip of the tongue from Yeon-joo.
But that wasn’t the case.
Yeon-joo had no risk to start with—it would be resolved the moment Sua’s gender was revealed.
Everyone being played by the production team.
Then Director Choi Hee-won took the mic.
“We will receive one more question and conclude the production report.”
Arms shot up everywhere.
“Me! Please!”
“This is a truly important question!”
“Over here! You haven’t called on me yet!”
After a fierce competition, one person was chosen and grinned slyly, as if saving the best question for last.
“Mr. Sun-il, aside from Su-an, do you have any other rookies you’re keeping an eye on? If so, could you give us a light mention?”
“The actor who won the grand prize at the Short Film Festival—heard they were quite something.”
“The grand prize at the Short Film Festival… Oh? You mean Ms. Sua?”
Kim Sun-il remained silent thereafter.
Causing an uproar among the reporters.
“Sun-il mentioned Su-an!”
“So Su-an didn’t gain Sun-il’s approval after all? And Yeon-joo did?”
“Anything works! We’ve got more than enough content for our stories today!”
The reporters started busy debates on what report they would produce and who might claim the Rookie Award while the production team concluded their report with satisfaction.
Now, all that remained was one thing—broadcasting.
In Ko Tae-min’s studio…
Kim I-seo quietly held the object in her hands.
She held a copy of the signed contract—a contract whose weight made her hands tremble as she tried to hide it.
She wanted nothing more than to hug it tightly that instant.
‘A Ko Tae-min project? Unreal.’
She muttered involuntarily.
She couldn’t help but be astonished, even knowing how significant it was just to participate. And it was even more amazing considering this was a project with Ham Ah-yoon. That alone was set to be a remarkable filmography for Sua.
‘Of course, assuming everything goes well…’
But this was Sua. There was no way it couldn’t work out.
Kim I-seo asked Ko Tae-min again.
“Did you say the investment acquisition was already complete?”
“Yes. Mr. Kim invested the whole budget for ‘Sword,’ but ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’ will manage without that. In fact, we have too many investors.”
“Well, obviously. With your reputation, Director Ko, and Ham Ah-yoon’s, the lines will be long. That makes a relief.”
At that moment,
The manager from AWA Entertainment, the one-person agency of Ham Ah-yoon.
The same one who had previously apologized politely was there, still wearing her baseball cap, and couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“Even for a rookie, this level of contract is… stunning.”
“You’re right. Even I find it stunning.”
The contract conditions were extraordinary—mockingly so, even to the industry standards.
Yet, because of that, everyone was now amazed by Sua. Sua herself was absorbed in her phone screen.
‘…Is this not even all that surprising?’
But soon she understood.
‘Wasting time would be a shame. A huge schedule addition awaits. She must be reconciling things while checking the calendar.’
Wrong.
Sua was searching for images of Arctic Foxes.
‘Wow, this is insane. They’re so adorable. So charming.’
Despite the screen brightness set to 1 to avoid detection, Sua was scrutinizing each photo of the Arctic Fox.
How could such adorable creatures exist in reality?
Of course, Sua showed nothing outwardly.
It continued this way until the handshake with Ko Tae-min.
“Ms. Sua, I look forward to your performance as Kim So-hee.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Later, Ham Ah-yoon approached Sua.
The same sight as their last meeting—an ethereal golden-haired figure came to Sua, who suddenly thought of dawn rising over the horizon.
“Sua, right? How about piano practice? Have you practiced?”
“Not at all.”
“Hmm…”
After answering, Sua hesitated, yet surprisingly, Ham Ah-yoon nodded understandingly.
“True, Kim So-hee’s performance needs a certain clumsy charm. Not practicing might be better. Got it.”
Though, um, that wasn’t quite it…
“Anyway.”
Ham Ah-yoon’s gaze sharpened.
“Do you remember the story you told me?”
“I’ve told so many stories. Could you specify?”
By then, Sua was unintentionally pinching her right foot with her left—realizing the struggle of normal conversation.
She just wanted to swing her Sua-styled sword and go mad.
“I promised to show you the same look I had during my performance when filming begins—one with explanation too.”
“Ah…”
Sua remembered.
She had said that to get Ham Ah-yoon involved.
Had there been a plan? Not yet!
Ham Ah-yoon appeared to have more to say but…
“Sorry, let’s discuss this during the filming.”
Sua turned around first. There was a gesture urging Kim I-seo to hurry up and come back.
“…”
Ham Ah-yoon hesitated to extend her hand and then crossed her arms, showing no apparent dissatisfaction.
“Wow, they really don’t waste a moment.”
“That’s right. Ham Ah-yoon, isn’t this rookie truly special? I heard they won one of the biggest awards this time.”
“Nope.”
“Hmm?”
“Maybe not a rookie after all.”
‘When I saw her expression while watching my performance, she seemed to know something’—Ham Ah-yoon quietly swallowed the rest of her thoughts.
Sua walked ahead, leaving all those words behind.
‘Arctic Fox!’
But her mind was entirely on the arctic fox.
‘Arctic Fox! Arctic Fox! Arctic Fox!’
Inside the iron enclosure lay a single arctic fox.
This arctic fox was extremely low-spirited.
“Cry.”
Three weeks old, about the size of a handprint.
It can’t properly mount anything, always slipping and running out of energy. It knows it is weak.
Even though young and naive, the young fox could feel instinctively that the current environment was unsuitable—preferring cold.
But that wasn’t the reason for its sadness.
“Sob…”
(What am I, in the first place?)
Yes, that was the young fox’s torment.
Even though too young to know much, it was deeply saddened by its identity confusion and yearned to find out someday. It often thought about it while watching the dogs or puppies across its pen.
Am I like them? Am I the same kind of creature?
But there was no way to know.
Since it lacked a mother.
When it woke up, it was alone—without any family to model after, thus lost in understanding its identity.
Then, suddenly,
Its ears perked up.
The sound of footsteps approached, and unfamiliar smells—two in number.
Instinctively, the pup recognized the arrival of two new women.
Three women now observed it intently.
“Oh my, is this the one?”
“Yes. The coat color becomes reddish due to the summer heat, but it will turn completely white by winter. Since this species is hard to rear indoors, I’ll explain a few things.”
“Yes, please give me detailed instructions.”
“Compared to dogs and cats, they have difficulty with bladder control. There are many such delicate behaviors. No wonder they often say Arctic foxes lead in abandonment rates—”
After a while of talking, the iron enclosure door opened.
Clang – !
Immediately, the fox pup found its view rising higher.
Simultaneously, it felt warmth. Someone had picked it up.
When the pup looked up and met the eyes,
“…”
The pup trembled.
A sight unfolded of the Arctic life it had never experienced before. The person before its eyes resembled a glacier so strong and fierce, undoubtedly at the top of the food chain.
“Goodness…”
An unsteady, sharp voice.
And the intense sensation of that entity caressing its body down.
“…How can it be this cute!”
At that commanding roar, the Arctic Fox instinctively understood.
This powerful creature could provide the motherly figure it lacked. It felt as if it wouldn’t need to wrestle with identity confusion anymore.
“Cry!”
(Ah-ha!)
If this was possible, it meant it was also a mighty predator.
