First, the profile photo shoot was quickly completed.
Bwooong—!
Inside the van heading towards Mystic Headquarters.
Unlike the usual hustle and bustle, Sua was alone this time.
Currently, all members of Mystic were busy, but she wasn’t bored. She was too absorbed in looking at her own profile pictures.
“What does this even look like? Some kind of male idol.”
That was her brief impression.
For the fictitious male actor profile of Lee Su-an, she wore a jet-black, short wig, received appropriate makeup, and even went through a final retouching process.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t boring at all.
It was probably because the profile shooting team and stylists were so enthusiastic. It was their first time doing such work, and they were delighted.
Sua felt the same way.
It was fun. It had been enjoyable.
“…There’s no way people won’t be fooled by this, right?”
Even Sua, the one involved, almost got tricked. If someone else saw it, there would be no way for them to discern the truth, unless it was revealed.
Sua thought to herself.
Feels like I’m a spy now. Agent Sua.
But then, that’s when it happened.
—Hm, I have a nagging feeling.
A line from Wi Ji-hye Sua.
“What is it?”
—About the Lee Su-an article. It was written incorrectly.
“I didn’t want to write anything bad myself.”
When someone gets the chance to write their own article, how many people would choose to write something negative about themselves?
At least Sua didn’t want to. She had lived as a dullard for too long. She was thirsty for compliments.
—It feels overly exaggerated. Once a fire gets out of control, it can consume everything, including the owner. What were you thinking?
—Isn’t it because you got upset that you couldn’t write it yourself?
But Yu Han Sua suddenly interjected.
—What?
Sua could sense Wi Ji-hye’s face turning red.
Yeah, Wi Ji-hye had been grumbling from the start. Muttering something about writing her own conclusions.
That’s when Wi Ji-hye crossed her arms.
—I admit I feel regret, but Sua’s exaggeration went too far. Mocking god? That’s the worst kind of genius ever. Those words will eventually harm you too.
—No, Sua Senior did an excellent job, and that’s why I decided to step back completely.
“Eh? Really?”
Sua asked back. Did I do well?
Then Yu Han Sua smiled.
—Yes. Thanks to Senior Sua’s article, the whole broadcasting station is now in chaos, spewing nonsense like crazy.
“That’s true. Looks a little overdone.”
Sua had seen it while doing her makeup.
For romances, it would be extremely sticky situations. For action, it would involve splitting mountains. There was a lot of seasoning.
—Because of this, community members are furious now. They all have pitchforks in their hands, ready to stab if there’s nothing satisfying waiting for them.
“…Um? Then I guess I’m in danger too?”
Sua’s body trembled slightly. ShiverSua…
—No.
But Yu Han Sua’s voice was firm.
—Did Senior Sua not give her best performance? Thus, this is a great strategy. Even if some fail to prove themselves and die from it, as long as you survive, it’s a win.
—Maybe Senior Sua will be the only one left standing, and the rest will be wiped out. This could be called the ultimate move.
—At least, it’s a story of everyone being forced to stake their lives in this fight. What was meant to be a practice has now become a battle for survival.
—Exactly. A fight with no retreat.
“But will it really turn out that way?”
—Have confidence. Although it stemmed from ignorance, the results might still be fine.
But Sua’s trembling wouldn’t stop.
Ah, I don’t want to get stabbed by pitchforks.
Afresh, praying now for good results.
◈◈◈◈◈
After arriving at Mystic.
Sua noticed the interior had changed.
Previously, the profiles were arranged in the order of Seo Yeon-ju, Sua, and Kim Sun-il, but now there was a new display case. It contained Sua’s broken trophy.
“Wow, this display case looks cool.”
A renewed sense of appreciation.
Having a talent agency, filling a line in the filmography, and having a case showcasing one’s achievements—all these made her feel the urge to work even harder with renewed determination.
Then, someone approached.
“Ah, Sua. You’re here?”
It was the representative, Kim I-seo.
Her two large hairpins on her fringe were as striking as always. However, today, the shadows under her eyes were more prominent, enough for Sua to think of a baby panda.
It was clear she had been very busy just moments ago. Even the fact that she had just pulled her phone away from her ear was a giveaway.
“You’ve worked hard so early. Changing into the profile was tough, right?”
“Representative, it’s more work for you…”
“No, I’m happy to be able to work. Do you know how many entertainment companies exist where there’s nothing to do but bite their nails?”
Sua soon started walking with Kim I-seo.
Kim I-seo pressed her palm to her forehead.
“The entertainment industry is very busy now. There’s been a real commotion. Of course, if we scrutinize, it’s a good kind of chaos.”
Sua understood there was no exaggeration in her words.
Because everywhere she looked, there was a hurried atmosphere. When she’d come here to discuss a contract before, it had been rather leisurely. Now, it was different, resembling a battlefield.
“Isn’t this scene from a movie?”
Yeah, those scenes where the country goes bankrupt and all employees are frantically answering phones.
Sua’s eyes saw employees who looked exactly like that.
“We can’t answer questions about the actor’s private life.”
“You’re asking for both Seoyeon-ju and Kim Seon-il? Once we have the representative’s answer, when do you expect the answer?”
“For sponsorship-related contacts, there’s a separate email address. We’ll fetch it, so please send your formats accordingly.”
“Actor Sua advertisement? Hmm, where did you say?”
Kim I-seo shrugged, looking up at Sua.
“It’s been like this ever since the short film festival. Yeon-ju and Sua won awards, and coincidentally, both belong to our Mystic. A tidal wave of effects is rushing in.”
“Yeon-ju Oppa—”
“and Seon-il…”
“Oppa,”—the word couldn’t quite come out.
“…did they not always have good popularity? It didn’t feel this busy when I visited before.”
“Yes, their popularity has always been good. If we had only received calls about them, we could’ve handled it this time as well. But.”
Kim I-seo poked Sua’s chest with her index finger.
“Thanks to a new rookie like Yuseong—”
“E?”
“Can you imagine? Sua’s still a rookie, but inquiries are already flooding in, comparable to those for Yeon-ju and Seon-il.”
“I feel kind of sorry. It feels like it’s because of me that everyone’s so busy.”
“Don’t worry. If an entertainment company is overwhelmed, that also means it has earned the right to grow. In other words, thanks to Sua, Mystic might soon expand. Once Special Mobile Unit 808 airs, things will stabilize since we should get some results.”
“I really hope things go well.”
It was genuine. The employees looked incredibly strained.
…Also, there’s that part where I don’t want to get stabbed by pitchforks.
“Let’s adjust the schedule for casting later, and come this way first. There’s something to show you, Sua.”
“Okay.”
Sua continued walking with Kim I-seo.
“Did you still need the animal script that I asked before?”
“It’s okay now.”
“Ahh, the reason I brought up the script—”
Kim I-seo pointed ahead with her chin.
“All those stacks over there are scripts. Only the ones that came in under Sua’s name, and there are this many. I asked because I thought perhaps there might be some that Sua would like.”
“Hooek…?”
Without realizing it, Sua let out a heavy breath.
Because the number of scripts stacked in front of her was overwhelming.
To begin with, they weren’t just stacked as scripts. They filled entire boxes, so large it might rival the size of moving cargo.
Sua’s eyes sparkled. SuaGlitter!
She almost let her mouth water, but controlled herself just enough. As Sua headed straight toward the parcel boxes with quick steps—
“Sua, before that.”
Kim I-seo’s words stopped Sua mid-step.
“What criteria will we use to accept offers?”
“Hmm, what kind of casting specifically?”
“Everything other than dramas or movies. That is, not roles, but situations where they want the real Sua. Things like interviews or observation variety shows.”
Interviews? Observation variety shows?
Sua felt it was a bit premature at the moment.
For roles, you could experience or rehearse as a special advantage, but for interviews or variety shows, that’s not possible, right? And when facing unexpected situations, it’s not like she can easily consult with her little Sua selves.
“But letting go of these opportunities seems a bit of a waste.”
So Sua decided to buy time.
“I’ll think about it while the drama airs.”
“Um.”
Fortunately, Kim I-seo nodded.
“True, Sua’s right. Once the airing starts, your value will skyrocket, and there’s no need to agree now.”
It wasn’t like there was some great strategy involved,
but anyway, she nodded. SuaNod.
“And Sua, you should realize that Sua and Su-an will be marketed as separate personas. Keep that in mind.”
“I agree.”
A sincere acknowledgment from Sua.
In fact, Sua found it fun too. The feeling of secretly pulling the strings in the background, like a great villain. Hahaha. SuaVillain!
Kim I-seo waved her hand.
“Then, I’ll be off. Before Special Mobile Unit 808 starts airing, stay on standby. Feel free to look through the scripts.”
“Of course.”
Only then did Sua place her hand on the stack of script boxes. She had been itching to open them ever since.
But.
“Hmm?”
Sua tilted her head almost immediately.
Unlike the beautifully packaged boxes, one lone script lay separated like an island. That was odd, since all the boxes were completely sealed with tape.
“Representative, what’s this?”
When Sua pointed to it, Kim I-seo wore an expression as if she had just remembered something.
“Oh, that seems to be left by Yeon-ju.”
Apparently, it was Seo Yeon-ju’s script.
“She agreed to do a film, right? While checking everything that came under Sua’s name—she probably forgot amid her rounds.”
Wow, the representative sneaks in quite impressive impersonations, doesn’t she?
Sua thought this while placing her hand on the script, inwardly curious about which piece Seo Yeon-ju would join.
But.
“…?”
Soon, Sua found herself curiously smoothing the script.
Because of the very fact that…
[Lies, Lies, Lies.]
▶ Full realization elements present.
▶ Rating 5
It was rated a solid 5.
“…!”
But that was just the beginning. The fleeting moment between Sua’s confusion turning into shock was brief.
001—Park Si-yeon (Seo Yeon-ju)
002—Lim Soo-hee (Lee Su-a)
003—Park Dong-cheol (Compatibility F)
Instead of suitability for the Park Si-yeon role, Seo Yeon-ju’s name was written, and for Lim Soo-hee’s role, Sua’s name was printed clearly.
Sua swallowed hard.
“Representative, over there.”
“I’m listening, Sua.”
“Has Unni Yeon-ju already signed a contract?”
“Of course, as the lead.”
The situation isn’t good. It’s just a 5-rating script.
Then.
Paaaah—!
A notification window suddenly appeared before her eyes.
Sua’s eyes widened.
[Yeoncheon-kyung]
▶ Kim Sun-il—Peace
▶ Seo Yeon-ju—
Suddenly, among the list of Yeoncheon-kyung, Seo Yeon-ju’s name appeared.
However.
[Yeoncheon-kyung]
▶ Kim Sun-il—Peace
▶ □□□
Seo Yeon-ju’s name repeatedly appeared and disappeared, eventually vanishing completely.
Sua was only perplexed. What does this mean?
But,
Even while she knew nothing, she could still be shocked.
“…!”
Paaaah—!
Yet another new notification window appeared.
[Seo Yeon-ju—Yeoncheon-kyung liberation unavailable.]
[Dullard verdict.]
That was something Sua simply couldn’t believe.
