“….”
For a while, there was nothing but silence.
How long had that silence lasted?
After a considerable moment, Kim I-seo was the first to speak.
“If I’ve understood correctly…”
While pointing with her index finger at the script in Sua’s hand, she continued.
“You’re saying that you want to jump into this unpredictable drama, one that defies definition, this so-called ‘mad’ genre piece?”
The tip of Kim I-seo’s finger trembled.
‘I didn’t even mention that a script was coming to Sua, and certainly not that it was going into production. Yet somehow, she’s picked this one out? How deeply was it appealing to her?’
At that moment, Sua nodded.
“Yes. I feel like it’s something I can’t afford to miss.”
“Wait. Just wait a moment.”
Kim I-seo hastily cut the conversation off, handing over the script she had been discussing with Park Yu-mi’s staff.
“Check this one out too. It’s a masterpiece by Park Yu-mi. Compare, and then choose, okay? Sua has more options than just this.”
But there was no dramatic twist.
Sua shook her head.
“No, I think this one is better.”
“Reason.”
Without the slightest pause, Kim I-seo fired out her demand.
“Explain your reasoning.”
Sua remained silent for a moment.
It wasn’t that the explanation was difficult. It was just hard to decide where to start. She began to calmly organize the various thoughts in her mind.
‘…First of all, it’s absurdly fun.’
This wasn’t about viewer enjoyment but about the experiential fun. For Sua, who could truly inhabit the world of her roles, this script was much like an amusement park—a place where everything is available, even including glowing dinosaur monsters at the very end.
Of course, the Suha Guild was vehemently opposed.
─It’s bizarre. What kind of content is this…?
─What is this?
─Just, it’s interesting, I get it. But is this really the best choice? At least ponder it for three days, isn’t that wise?
─Woo! It’s fun!
‘What…?’
Sua felt a strange sense of unease. Why wasn’t So-hee Sua protesting? If only everyone didn’t like it as much…
In any case, amidst all these small Suhas, chaos erupted.
‘I’m not that dumb, you know?’
Sua protested.
If jumping into production was only due to the fun of the experience, then Sua would indeed be foolish. Experience can be acquired simply from the script.
‘Alright, everyone, take a look at this!’
[ Upper Stream ]
▶ Abundant material to work with
▶ 2.8 level
[ Unclassified – Unsolved ]
▶ Abundant material to work with
▶ 1.5 level
Wi Ji-hye burst out laughing.
─Of course! This is the first time we’ve seen a 15 level!
─Truly a relief…wait, huh?
No. It’s 1.5 level.
It was an incredible moment. To start at 1.5 level, how?
‘Can this even be possible? How is this possible?’
It was astonishing that such content possessed such an extreme level. Sua soon stopped trying to figure out the cause. After all, it was unknowable.
─…Is this actually true?
─It can’t be. This shouldn’t be allowed.
The smaller Suhas seemed to feel a certain sense of self-loathing.
─A 1.5 level? Is this world comparable to mine?
─If this is the level, why even bother with detective work…?
─Wah! Wahah! Earth is going boom!
What was even more astonishing…
[ Unclassified – Unsolved ]
[ *Multiple Special Abilities Included ]
Sua glanced further down.
[ Rap skill enhancement, cheek-slapping proficiency increased, Hwa-Tu proficiency increased, composure during alien incursions on Earth, better handling in case of a gate anomaly…]
─All these absurd elements…
─Isn’t this a mishmash?
‘No?’
Sua pointed downward.
[ …Special Bonus Feature Unlocked.]
Sua already had a bonus, but the role in the script’s world granted her a new status window. Consequently, her current bonus was imbued with an enhancement effect.
It was an overwhelming revelation.
The bonus that had already changed Sua’s life was not reaching its end. The prospect of new possibilities alone made her heart race.
─My life-long trained sword skills! My path that I’ve so rigorously practiced! How could they be equal or even inferior to the world like this…!
─Grandma?
─Kuh!
─This old woman collapses from another turn as dishwashing duty!
Amidst the turmoil of the Small Suha Guild,
Kim I-seo urged once more.
“Sua, is it difficult for you to explain why?”
Sua finally snapped out of her thoughts.
“This script is insane.”
“We agree.”
Kim I-seo closed her eyes tightly and sank into thought.
‘Sua is a shooting star. I promised no more doubt or wavering, right? OTT is different from traditional markets. Overseas viewers might dominate. So, perhaps Sua has a plan…’
But then she could not help but open her eyes wide.
‘…Even if that’s the case, what does it matter! With a script like this!’
It was truly a disheartening sentiment. Even Seo Yeon-ju, a staunch supporter of Sua, might throw her headband away.
With great effort, Kim I-seo maintained her composure and asked.
“Sua, have you ever seen surreal works? You know, the ones with heavy CG?”
“Of course.”
She had, naturally. Superhero movies and the like.
“Of course, it’s great if it succeeds. But if it flops, it’s an immense black mark. The history of black marks from CG-laden works is on another level. People see Sua as a sharp and stylish actress now. Wouldn’t it be awful if people capture every scene to mock her?”
“Um…”
“Then she ends up being the subject of community meme jokes.”
This was a terribly frightening thing, but Sua felt no fear in this moment. President, it’s okay—it’s a 1.5-level script.
With this in mind, Sua spoke just one word.
“…”
In her mind, she conjured up the image of Puss in Boots. Puss in Boots, with a pitiful expression, pleading earnestly…
“…”
Meanwhile, Kim I-seo involuntarily swallowed hard. For she felt Sua’s demeanor akin to a wolf baring its fangs, its fur bristling.
“President, can we not take on this project?”
“Is this really so desirable to you? Does it stir your heart, triggering Sua’s unique intuition?”
“Yes.”
“…”
In the end, Kim I-seo deeply bowed her head.
“…Then, there’s nothing else to do. Alright.”
She sighed repeatedly and wiped her sweat-drenched face with her palm. She looked like a boxing fighter who had just finished her match.
Even the face of someone who narrowly lost a fierce match.
“Ah, headache. The aftermath is already making my head ache.”
“Hmm…”
“If Sua is going to participate in the projects she prefers, that’s fine, but Park Yu-mi will not sit idly by, you know.”
“Would a simple rejection cause so much animosity?”
“Of course, Park Yu-mi is a good person. But…”
Kim I-seo looked up at Sua with a pitiful expression.
Yes, just like Sua had intended with Puss in Boots’ earnest plea.
“Think about it. Park Yu-mi sent the script after wanting you. But if you choose a different project, then what will her next move be?”
“…”
Sua remained silent.
Jumping to conclusions without warning? That seems a bit cheap, doesn’t it?
“Wouldn’t she check which project you rejected hers for, and examine the content too?”
“Ah.”
Only then did Sua swallow hard.
‘…Huh, now that I think about it, you’re right.’
Wouldn’t the author feel a strange and indescribable emotion upon seeing their hard-earned script losing out to a genre-defying story?
“Perhaps we need a very refined approach.”
“Of course. We need to ensure that misunderstandings don’t occur with Park Yu-mi. Sua must be involved mandatorily. This is the only way for everything to be clean.”
“Yes.”
“Of course, I don’t know if Park Yu-mi will understand, but…”
Kim I-seo made a call right in front of Sua.
“Yes. This is Kim I-seo, CEO of Mystic. Nothing too pressing, but I want to treat you to something. Is it common for you to step foot on Korean soil, Park Yu-mi? We can share some good food while having a conversation.”
After finishing the call,
Kim I-seo stood up, her face even paler than before.
“Let’s head to the parking lot… We’ll leave right away…”
…
…
…
…
…
In Sua’s inner world,
Kim Yu-han suddenly spoke up.
“Grandma Wi.”
“What.”
“I’m talking about that chaotic script.”
His face turned very serious.
“…I have absolutely no clue what I’m looking at. Once the filming starts, what kind of newcomers will end up playing the roles?”
Wi Ji-hye’s face soon grew serious as well.
◈◈◈◈◈
A few hours later.
In Lee Geum-sook’s studio.
Assistant writers patted Hong Ye-ji’s shoulders.
“Ye-ji, don’t get so down.”
“Yeah, right. You’ve already played such an active role, yet how many times have we seen this situation before? Your storyboard was even selected as the most famous scene from a previous work by Lee Geum-sook. You’re already excellent!”
No, it was just a mistake somewhere along the way.
“Yeah! You always point out setting errors!”
Just that when she read, she put a lot of effort into focusing on the details?
“Great lines have been crafted with your help.”
It was just that she punctuated lines with commas and periods?
“You’ve brought clarity to the characters’ emotional lines!”
It was because she just asked, ‘What is this character?’
“You’re such a great assistant but to me, you’re a role model.”
“Yeah. So don’t be upset just because Sua turned you down. This is only the first piece of work, anyway.”
Hong Ye-ji quietly stood up from her seat.
In her hands were a carry-on suitcase and bags filled with belongings.
“My practice has been insufficient. I will be returning stronger.”
“No, Ye-ji.”
“Don’t leave!”
Hong Ye-ji shook her head.
“I’m not leaving. I will return stronger. If you care about me, please don’t hold me back.”
Of course, her internal feeling was different.
No way, I’ll never come back. Maybe I’ll work as a part-time employee at an internet café.
At that moment, Lee Geum-sook appeared.
“Kids! Everyone come out!”
Hong Ye-ji quickly bowed her head.
“Thank you for everything, Teacher.”
“Yes, yes. I also thank you.”
Hong Ye-ji was surprised. The teacher accepted her gratitude more readily than expected. But then she felt happy.
The teacher doesn’t seem to be holding on tightly after all.
However.
“From here on, you should be referred to as Writer Hong, right? Nice to meet you.”
“Huh?”
“Someone from Mystic just contacted me. They want to have a look at your face. It seems they’re interested in discussing your work.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think? They want to discuss the drama from one of our Writer Hong’s pieces!”
The surrounding area erupted into chaos.
“Wow, it seems it’s really happening!”
“What’s going on here?”
Hong Ye-ji maintained a composed air.
“Seems like a polite refusal. Considering this writer’s reputation, it’s probably hard to rudely dismiss an assistant like me. Please deliver the message that there’s no need for them to come.”
“Sua said it was a crazy script. Have you ever seen her use such a bold expression?”
“Likely an adverse review. She’s sharp.”
“Not a bad review. She’s going to do it!”
“…”
Hong Ye-ji’s face turned curious.
Around her, the others showed signs of being genuinely touched.
“I understand. Writers get scared when trying something new, don’t they? You hesitate over whether your story will be loved.”
“Yes, it won’t be loved.”
“Still, they’ve already recognized your worth. Have some pride. You weren’t just an ordinary rookie, the way Sua noticed your talent from the first meeting.”
Lee Geum-sook nodded once, smiling.
“Yes, it’s like a genius spotting another genius.”
Before long, all the writers were looking at Hong Ye-ji with admiration and respect. Hong Ye-ji, closing her eyes tightly, spoke.
“Please don’t look at me that way.”
At which point the eyes of the assistant writers did change. They began to mix admiration and respect, hinting at a shift in their perception of her status.
“Ye-ji.”
Lee Geum-sook placed her hand on Hong Ye-ji’s shoulder.
“I’m already afraid of the success you’re about to achieve.”
Hong Ye-ji was truly afraid as well.
