“Uh…?”
“Lies, Lies, Lies” filming crew collectively voiced out their admiration-laden questions. Their vision was solely focused on Yeon-joo.
This was something none of them had anticipated.
How frustrated they must be. How infuriated they must be.
Seo Yeon-joo, however, chose nothing.
To uphold the value of ‘honesty’ that Lim Soo-hee had passionately argued for even on her deathbed, she grasped the dagger, fully aware that it was an action with no chance of success. Her expression was remarkably calm, almost disbelieving for someone on the brink of death.
No, rather, she appeared relieved.
‘…I think I understand Writer Lee Geum-sook’s intentions.’
This was Park Mu-ryong’s thought.
Why had Writer Lee Geum-sook and Director Choi Hee-won insisted on this absurd choice of an “open script”? It finally made sense. Just look at the current result before everyone’s eyes.
Seo Yeon-joo had previously approached Park Mu-ryong, saying she couldn’t perform this scene, but ironically, the emotion she was now displaying in front of everyone was perfect.
It felt as though Park Si-yeon herself had manifested.
‘…I never even considered this until I saw Miss Yeon-joo’s performance, but now it seems so obvious. Park Si-yeon would have really acted this way. She is embodying her own character.’
There’s a difference between behavior that can be easily accepted and actions that genuinely inspire admiration. Yes, Seo Yeon-joo was now a top-tier performer.
After being dragged around by all sorts of worldly things like a dog, her gaze had now finally become truly human, and it was captivating.
“…”
Director Park Mu-ryong stood there blankly for a while, and then finally shouted,
“Okay, okay! That’s a wrap!”
The supporting actors in their suits let out sighs of relief simultaneously.
Although there were some remaining scenes to film, they had no choice but to stop. While they marveled at Seo Yeon-joo’s interpretation, no one truly understood what was to happen next.
A quick strategy meeting was necessary.
“Hey, Yeon-joo! Hurry over here! What happens next?”
“Everyone, shhh! Focus on Miss Yeon-joo!”
Everyone quieted down their breathing and listened intently to Yeon-joo’s interpretation of Park Si-yeon’s actions. They were astounded in an instant.
“…It’s really fine. Let’s just think about the lines.”
The actor playing the boss of the Gillyeop faction immediately agreed, and it didn’t take much time to prepare for filming again. Director Park Mu-ryong tightly gripped the megaphone.
“Let’s go! Ready! Action!”
It was a voice filled with excitement more than ever before.
.
.
.
.
.
Park Si-yeon’s (Seo Yeon-joo’s) desperate act was predictably not threatening. After all, she had never wielded a sword before, which was only natural.
Seo Yeon-joo dropped to her knees in front of the boss of the Gillyeop faction.
They had moved the scene to a secluded warehouse, and the Gillyeop boss sat comfortably in a chair, calmly gazing down at Seo Yeon-joo. Her face revealed no anger, just ambiguity.
Finally, he smirked.
“I thought you were bluffing, but here you are. Are you insane?”
Of course, he wasn’t just kindly asking. He had a sushi knife pressed lightly against Seo Yeon-joo’s neck, enough pressure to make a drop of blood appear.
However,
Seo Yeon-joo, surprisingly, smiled.
This puzzled the underlings guarding the side. Where was this composed demeanor coming from?
“So, you’re really going to kill me? Don’t you want to live?”
The boss hastily withdrew the knife. Seo Yeon-joo had moved her neck toward the tip of the blade. If he hadn’t pulled his hand back, her neck would have been pierced just now.
“…”
The boss moved his tongue inside his mouth for a moment. He realized that Park Si-yeon’s actions were not mere bluster.
A question started to form on his face.
“Huh… you’re serious, aren’t you? Why? Why are you doing this?”
“Well, I don’t give anything away for free. I only took money to take the job, and I gave my body for success.”
“Will you tell me why before you die?”
“You wouldn’t save me anyway, you piece of trash.”
Park Si-yeon had no regrets about dying right now.
She adhered to Lim Soo-hee’s request that she live as a human.
No matter how much her body would be torn apart, she was still moving with integrity. She wasn’t bound by anything else. Yes, she was finally human.
“So is this because you’re a prosecutor? You’re actually pretty smart.”
“That’s right. You dumb gangster.”
“Alright, then you die now.”
The boss grabbed Seo Yeon-joo’s neck and moved the knife towards her nostrils, seemingly ready to make her death as painful as possible.
But,
he didn’t kill her.
Instead, he lightly tapped her forehead with the back of the knife.
“You’re actually quite a con artist. You have a way of making people confused. Hey, Park Si-yeon, you’re an interesting woman.”
The boss stepped down from his chair to lock eyes with Seo Yeon-joo.
“Park Si-yeon, what would you do if I saved you?”
“What nonsense is this?”
“They all know me just as a gangster who works for money, and that’s not exactly wrong, but it’s not exactly right either. I’m human too. I lose my temper and my mind sometimes.”
“…”
“I have one job for you before you die.”
“What job?”
Then the boss smiled.
“Gang In-hak, the guy who betrayed you. I’ll give you a chance to kill him.”
“…”
“And don’t think of any tricks. I’m just letting you take care of Kang In-hak, and after that, you’ll die quietly. Think of it as your last meal.”
Seo Yeon-joo stared directly at the boss.
“…”
But she didn’t say a word.
Seo Yeon-joo moved her lips a few times silently, and then rolled her eyes. It was impossible to tell if she was filled with anger or laughter, making it an odd sight.
Then,
“Okayyyyyyy!”
Director Park Mu-ryong’s loud voice echoed.
The bald Director Mu-ryong and the staff all rushed towards Yeon-joo. It didn’t take long for a circle of people to form around her.
However, once they reached close enough, no one spoke. They were overwhelmed with awe and couldn’t find words.
Their admiration only swirled in their minds for a while.
‘She’s crazy… she’s truly crazy….’
‘This isn’t Miss Yeon-joo; this is Park Si-yeon.’
‘Our movie is going to be a hit, isn’t it? Definitely!’
Amidst this whirlwind of admiration,
Seo Yeon-joo quietly turned her head. Without giving her surrounding people any attention, she found Sua still lying on the sand and stared at her.
Interestingly, Sua was also looking at her now.
Yeon-joo mouthed the words,
‘Thank you. Really.’
◈◈◈◈◈
That night,
Yeon-joo was busy checking her DMs.
[ Miss Yeon-joo, you were really amazing today! ]
[ Miss Yeon-joo, I’m so grateful ㅠㅠㅠ ]
[ Thank you for creating such an amazing scene! ]
She happily replied.
▶ It’s all thanks to Sua’s advice. Actually, the scene was Sua’s interpretation. I could never have done it alone. So please thank Sua.
After that, messages like “Wait, is this really true?!” flooded in, but by then Seo Yeon-joo had already slipped into bed.
Something was strange.
She’d never felt so pleasant exhaustion like this.
“Why do I feel… so restless?”
Even without antidepressants, she felt peaceful, and without sleeping pills, sleepiness gradually came to her. It felt like soaking in a warm hot spring, calming her mind.
Soon,
Yeon-joo fell asleep unaware.
.
.
.
.
.
‘Huh?’
When she regained her senses, she was back in that space.
‘…Where is this?’
Looking around, Yeon-joo was certain. This was the place where she had gained enlightenment while filming the climax scene.
──What is life?
Still, this question kept repeating itself.
Even the younger versions of herself were there.
“Parents not fighting is restraining them.”
“Attempting not to become a victim of bullying.”
“Living is like being condemned to exist.”
“Getting prettier and prettier.”
“It’s a lifelong acting job.”
“…”
Seo Yeon-joo felt bitter but soon understood.
Because the past can never change. Even if Seo Yeon-joo now gained a different insight, that wouldn’t alter it.
──What is life?
So, they kept repeating the same answers, trapped at a certain point. As if they were being tortured.
“…”
Yeon-joo suddenly thought,
This is just a dream, right? Then can’t I try anything I want? She was sick of simply standing by.
Ultimately, confidently, she stepped forward.
She had a job to do.
“Why aren’t you embarrassed arguing like this in front of your child? Go fight quietly somewhere else, or better yet, get a decent divorce. Why are you doing such a ridiculous thing?”
She yelled at the parents of <7-year-old> Yeon-joo.
“Wh-who are you?!”
“You, you little brat, why do you torment others? Worry about your own future. Do you even know you’re going to end up spending your life gambling online? Your profile on social media will be a laughingstock.”
She taught <15-year-old> Yeon-joo’s bullies a lesson.
“This is mine! Why are you taking it?!”
“Barbecue charcoal? Confiscated. Suicide is not an option.”
She prevented <17-year-old> Yeon-joo’s attempt at suicide.
Yeon-joo smiled. It was unexpectedly enjoyable.
“What? What is this?”
“You think you only have to work hard at sports, don’t you? Actually, diet is crucial. Eat this. I’m giving you a special tip. Your figure’s completion will be shortened by a good two years.”
She took care of <20-year-old> Yeon-joo’s diet.
“Aiya! What are you doing?! Let go!”
“You think you’re so smart, do you? Stop pretending like you know everything about life. Initially, you couldn’t even do method acting anyway. You’re just a stupid, clueless idiot.”
“What do you know about me? Why are you pretending to?”
“Be quiet. Enjoy acting; don’t think of it as mere survival. Consider it as something enjoyable.”
She gave stern advice to <21-year-old> Yeon-joo.
Now everything was done.
When Yeon-joo turned around, 7-year-old, 15-year-old, 17-year-old, 20-year-old, and 21-year-old versions of herself were trailing behind, their faces full of questions and wonder.
“Who are you, sister?”
“That’s right! Who are you to say such things?”
“How would you know how hard my life is?”
“You don’t know anything, yet you speak irresponsibly!”
Then, Yeon-joo looked affectionately at them and quietly opened and closed her fists.
Suddenly, in her palm was a badge that read <25-year-old>. She knew how to use it. Quietly, Seo Yeon-joo pinned it to her blouse.
“!”
The eyes of every younger Yeon-joo widened.
“Alright, everyone, sit down!”
Seo Yeon-joo lightly tapped the floor with her palm.
“I’m going to tell you what the life of Seo Yeon-joo is about. And how to live!”
A warm, bright smile.
The girl who had been afraid of the dark future was now a woman who knew how to enjoy the present moment. She could even reflect on her distant past with a sense of fulfillment.
Learn to love herself. Enjoy the present.
Seo Yeon-joo’s world.
It was filled with affection and joy.
