Vroom—!
Mystic’s van was speeding down the road.
The destination was Director Ko Tae-min’s studio.
To Sua, this was the first schedule after winning the award. Her eyes were fixed on the smartphone screen.
It was simply too entertaining catching up on the missed chat messages.
[ Sua Chatroom ]
[ Deer: @Sua ]
[ Deer: What are you doing? ]
[ Black Bear: (Sua MyTube link) ]
[ Black Bear: Is this AI, or is it really you? ]
[ Monkeying: Who would create an AI of Sua? ]
[ Black Bear: You’re right about that. ]
[ Black Bear: Anyway, the unit members want you to do a video call once before being assigned to their units after completing the training schedule. Is it possible? ]
The firepower in the chatroom was already this intense, and the number of posts uploaded to the community was even greater. Moreover, articles frequently appeared on the internet! Sua felt a great sense of pride.
However…
Sua suddenly furrowed her brows.
‘Hey you, why aren’t you going back to normal?’
[Hmm?]
‘Hmm what hmm! I told you to go back to the original tone!’
[Acknowledged.]
‘But why aren’t you going back!’
At this point, the special feature whispered calmly.
[Master’s heart.]
[The will to develop.]
[It’s very desperate right now.]
‘What? What does that have to do with anything?’
[This tone is most effective.]
[Mirror therapy is excellent.]
‘…’
Sua understood the principle itself.
Following Sua’s tone was the most stimulating and rapid method for growth, wasn’t it?
Part of her heart couldn’t help but feel bitter.
Am I really going to be my own cautionary example…?
‘Alright. Do as you see fit.’
[Special feature nods.]
‘…?’
Sua widened her eyes, her expression tinged with anger.
The driver, checking Sua’s face in the rearview mirror, flinched unintentionally as they carefully adjusted the steering wheel.
‘Stay within the lines. Don’t mimic my moves.’
[Special feature refuses.]
Now, even using advanced moves. She was at a loss.
‘Don’t do it. Warning from Sua.’
[Special feature ignores.]
‘Sua penetration.’
[Special feature recovery.]
‘Sua instant death.’
[Special feature revive.]
‘Sua victory.’
[Special feature nullified.]
Small Sua’s couldn’t help but interject.
–What a grand confrontation, making my heart swell.
–Not even the kids eating sweets squabble like this.
–I can’t watch anymore. I’m going to faint.
Just then.
Clunk!
The van finally came to a stop.
“Sua, we’ve arrived.”
Kim I-seo gave Sua a faint smile.
“Shall we go?”
Both interrupted their argument and nodded.
‘Sua nod.’
[Special feature nod.]
.
.
.
.
.
.
At Director Ko Tae-min’s studio.
They had arrived earlier than the appointed time, but it was already bustling. Of course, Sua understood. “Crescendo from Tomorrow” was such a heavily invested project.
The place was the same as before.
It was more like an exhibition hall than a conference room. It was the very space where a grand piano had been placed.
Creak—
Once they entered,
‘… Huh?’
Sua inadvertently checked the time.
‘Geez, I thought I was late.’
Despite arriving 20 minutes early, everyone was already present—the production team for “Crescendo from Tomorrow” and Ham Ah-yoon’s group, who had previously delivered an impressive performance.
Ko Tae-min stood up first.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
Still rail-thin with deeply sunken eyes, his tone was rather gentle. Kim I-seo and Sua nodded in unison.
Kim I-seo spoke first,
“I guess we should have come earlier.”
“Not at all. You’ve come rather early. Should we rest a bit before starting? We still have about 20 minutes.”
“There’s no need to delay. If everyone’s here, let’s begin.”
“Alright, that works.”
Subsequently, everyone gathered around the U-shaped desks in the conference room, with Ham Ah-yoon retaining her seat by the grand piano, but her gaze fixed intently on Sua alone.
At that moment, Director Ko Tae-min pushed something from the pile on the table towards Sua. It was a collection of articles about her winning.
“Congratulations, Sua, for winning the award.”
“Acknowledgement…”
Sua nearly said it, but she stopped herself.
No. It can’t be.
She had resolved to change herself. In order to stop the special feature’s mirror therapy, she needed to develop…
Therefore,
“Thank you, I’m delighted. But as I mentioned in my acceptance speech, it’s merely the start. I still have a long way to go.”
Even after just one response, her body felt stiff.
What should I say, it felt like trying to do the splits while being completely rigid and inflexible? It was hard, so hard. It wasn’t easy adapting to it. Is this something I need to keep doing to get stronger every moment?
[Special admiration]
[Special appreciation]
Sua ignored the special feature’s words.
Ko Tae-min continued.
“Actually, I was both congratulating and worrying.”
“Worrying, you say?”
“Because we haven’t signed a formal contract with you yet. I was worried about it. We would need to offer a much better deal than before to Sua, but I had no idea how much.”
“Ah, I see.”
Sua nodded.
That was true. They hadn’t yet drafted an official contract. A verbal agreement was all there was.
Only then did she understand why they’d gathered so early.
They were probably estimating her newfound worth.
At this point, Kim I-seo and Ko Tae-min’s thoughts intertwined.
‘Hmm, come to think of it, we haven’t signed the contract yet, and Sua’s worth has gone up. Should we try to squeeze out as much profit as possible, or would gaining goodwill be better?’
‘Even after the meeting, it’s hard to pin down the exact amount. We’ll have to gauge her a bit.’
It wasn’t because they wanted to outsmart her.
They genuinely wanted to accommodate her desires. After a brief moment of thought, Ko Tae-min spoke.
“Sua, do you remember what you mentioned earlier?”
“Which one?”
“About how you wished Ah-yoon could take up the role of Min-seo.”
“Yes, that hasn’t changed.”
[“Crescendo from Tomorrow”]
▶ Sufficient elements provided.
▶ Grade 1.5
001 — Kim So-hee (A grade)
002 — Park Min-seo (Ham Ah-yoon)
003 — Lee Seung-myeong (F grade)
This was clear just from looking at the special feature window again.
She was ideally suited to the A grade role of Kim So-hee, while Ham Ah-yoon was fixed as Park Min-seo. This is certainly the right answer.
“Sua, there’s some good news for you. Ham Ah-yoon has conditionally accepted the role of Min-seo.”
“Can I ask what the conditions are?”
Sua was about to lose her mind.
Hmm? Ahh? What? Uhh… Just stop!
“Yes. The moment Sua signs the contract, Ah-yoon will jump in as well. She hasn’t signed a formal contract either.”
“Alright. Let’s draft it.”
There was no reason to hesitate.
The rating starts at 1.5, and with effort, it could rise even more. They’ve already found all the puzzle pieces needed for each character role and assembled them correctly.
Moreover, perhaps…
Sua suddenly thought of Kim Sun-il.
‘Performance Ascension.’
The realm reached when acting transcends into heaven.
A secret technique to express yearnings through acting, and an unwavering will to impress one’s philosophy on the world.
Kim Sun-il had finally achieved it and proved himself.
Could someone’s Performance Ascension be seen this time around? Perhaps Sua could awaken it.
At that moment,
“Sua, one more thing.”
Sua’s thoughts didn’t have time to wander further.
It was Director Ko Tae-min’s too shocking proposal.
“Shouldn’t they be here by now?”
“What?”
“Didn’t I mention that you desired something, and I would somehow procure it as a thank-you? Surely, you haven’t forgotten?”
Director Ko Tae-min smiled brightly.
“I’m talking about the Arctic Fox. You said you wanted to keep one, right?”
An Arctic Fox really has arrived!
◈◈◈◈◈
tvS Broadcasting Station, designated press conference area.
In front of the door, a temporary sign was placed.
[Special Mobile Unit 808 Production Report]
Flash—!
Bang! Bang!
In the midst of the relentless flash photography, reporters sat lined up in rows, each holding a laptop.
Not a single breath of those present would be missed.
Kim Sun-il, Seo Yeon-joo, Director Choi Hee-won, and Scriptwriter Lee Geum-sook.
The venue for reporting the production of Special Mobile Unit 808.
As other broadcasting stations were also confidently hosting their own production report, this event was naturally scheduled as well, especially since Community interest in 808 was scorching hot.
First, the MC’s control was expertly managed.
“The existence or nonexistence of a love line between Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il! This is an issue currently receiving massive attention. Is there anything notable in this regard within the production?”
At this, Seo Yeon-joo smiled gently and moved her hand, placing it on Kim Sun-il’s shoulder.
“We definitely plan to showcase an extraordinary emotion. I assure you.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Kim Yu-han and Lee Kang-cheol were set to display a very complex and delicate emotion line. However, Seo Yeon-joo was a wise actor who knew how to best utilize such situations.
‘This suit should probably be thrown out.’
‘Oh, my nails touched it. It needs to be redone.’
Though Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il were indeed trembling internally…
The event continued seamlessly after that.
The resolute commitments made by the actors, witty questions, what Choi Hee-won directed, and Lee Geum-sook’s ultimate goal.
“…Well, I wrote it with that mindset. I think everyone can look forward to it. So, from this point, we’ll open the floor to questions.”
As Lee Geum-sook concluded her speech, hands shot up from all sides.
All of them belonged to the reporters, who were looking intently, eager to be called upon. After a brief moment of thought, Lee Geum-sook pointed to one of them.
“You. Please go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
At this, the reporter smiled.
There was a necklace-style badge that read Team Leader of Star Catch, but the face was young.
None other than Saeng-ji—Kim Sun-a.
“Amidst the rampant speculation about casting a newcomer as the lead actor, could you provide a clear explanation, perhaps?”
“Hmm, I’d like to tell you everything, but for now, it’s a secret…”
At this, Lee Geum-sook deliberately let the silence linger.
The reporters involuntarily swallowed dryly and watched as she pretended to exchange glances with people around her, before nodding with great thought. Of course, it was all an act.
Because all of this was meticulously planned.
“…Alright. Since there are so many people gathered here today, we should show some effort. I’ll clearly disclose something.”
“…!”
Immediately, the reporters set their hands on their laptops, ready to transcribe whatever was said.
“We initially had discussions about casting a newcomer as Kim Yu-han, and the most impressive one to us was Su-an. We’re so confident that Su-an will undoubtedly win this year’s rookie award.”
Moments later, the reporters took the bait.
“Isn’t this year’s crop of rookies competitive? Take Yang Ha-rin from idol background or Lee Sua who recently won an award. Do you believe Su-an will definitely dominate all of them?”
“Exactly. I see no rival.”
Subtly reframed the topic.
From,
“Why did we cast Su-an?”
to,
“Will Su-an win the rookie award this year?”
Through this, she didn’t outright say that Sua and Su-an were different people. It’s better not to cause public disapproval later.
It’s important not to lie.
After a while, the questioning paused momentarily.
Everyone was discussing in whispers for a while.
“Does it make sense? Isn’t it just boasting?”
“It seems like they used Lee-Geum-sook and Kim Sun-il because of budget constraints. Using rookies was probably due to limited funds…”
“MBQ and SBT’s production reports are similar too. Boasting seems to be the norm. It seems like just a gimmick they’re using.”
“Ah, forget it. Just stoke the flames. Their own words are already so provocative; we’d be doing them a disservice by not reporting it as we hear it.”
Soon, everyone’s thoughts were consumed by a single topic.
Something that’s perfect for causing a stir and igniting heated debates.
Simultaneously, it was the intended effect planned by the team behind 808.
“Already a three-way battle? Who will be this year’s rookie award winner?”
There was nothing else besides that.
The effect was impressive enough to evoke overwhelming enthusiasm.
“Yang Ha-rin seems to have the edge, doesn’t she?”
“Isn’t it Lee Sua when you consider the community reactions?”
“Su-an is also worth considering. It’s an exciting prospect.”
Even the immediate thoughts of the reporters were already divided.
A battle that had already begun.
In a chaotic era, a unifying hero was necessary.
— End —
