One week later.
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[Sua Gallery]
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[Title: Is the Gallery Host Really Retiring?]
[What? I’ve just become a fan…]
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[Title: Retirement is Definitely Not Happening]
[Still, I do think there’s some truth to the depression rumors. Shooting the short film Sword and Special Mobile Unit 808 almost simultaneously? Constant method acting would tire anyone out.]
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[Title: Gallery Host, Please Let Us Know What’s Happening…]
[You closed your SNS account and everything…]
—
This was the result of an entire week spent in suspense.
If this were a fruit, it had ripened deliciously. In simpler terms, it was about time to stop. Excess can be harmful.
“…Lying for too long is also a form of deception.”
The line between a pleasant public relations campaign and brainwashing is thin.
Still.
Kim I-seo was the representative who knew how to handle public opinion.
The moment Sua began to feel guilty for fooling people, the moment she began to think it was time to stop, the next move was already set. This was the reason the two of them were now stepping out of the van.
Yes, it was time to prepare something substantial and unveil it. It was the perfect moment to shout, “And this is what Sua is about to do!”
Get ready for it! SuaBoom!
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Creak—!
The two entered an upscale Korean restaurant.
It wasn’t to fill their stomachs. They were there to sign the official contract for the Netflix debut project Upper Class, penned by writer Park Yu-mi, the work that helped Sua hone her fox-like acting skills.
The writer greeted them with a warm smile, already seated at the table.
“Hurry and sit. The food is going to get cold.”
“As long as the contract is warm, that’s all that matters.”
“President Kim, your humor hasn’t changed a bit.”
Meanwhile, Sua was careful to maintain her image.
Thanks to her newly acquired “fox-like skills,” it felt much easier than before. She could now reflect on what kind of impression her actions would leave and adjust accordingly.
Sua’sfox! Sua’s tail! Swish swish!
Kim I-seo confirmed with a nod.
“Of course, the role you mentioned before, right?”
“Correct. A very brief yet intense role, playing a maid who tempts with her body. However, as per Mystic’s request, there will be no explicit back exposure.”
“Understood. Just the neck and armpits.”
Kim I-seo nodded in agreement.
Writer Park Yu-mi spoke with a piece of fish at her lips.
“To think about it now, it’s still surprising. I once thought seduction without nudity was impossible, but you’ve proven me wrong, Sua. Please bring the same flair to the main shoot.”
“I will.”
“Maybe one day I’ll need to see what’s beneath that costume. Could you have a tail growing on your butt? That’s how captivating your performance was.”
Everyone chuckled at Park’s joke.
Sua smiled inwardly.
Whenever the fox theme came up, she couldn’t help but be amused. Hehe.
As the meal continued, the atmosphere grew lighter.
“To be honest, I was flabbergasted when you said you’d take that trashy script. My masterpiece was being criticized, and now you’re working on this? I truly wondered if you were serious.”
“That’s what you mentioned before.”
This statement left the Upper Class production team stunned, and Park Yu-mi laughed the hardest.
“But now, I only feel reassured. The maid’s role was tricky—too small for a lead yet too complex for just anyone. You’ve filled that spot perfectly, Miss Sua. It feels like that long-term pain has finally eased.”
“Understood. I’ll do my best.”
“We all must give our best—look at the chaos Special Mobile Unit 808 created? Thanks to that, we’re all fools now. We spent entire nights debating whether it was Isu-An or Sua-An… and it turns out it was both you, Miss Sua.”
“Consider it a double win for my image. I’m thrilled!”
This was the Sua who could now confidently respond to such situations—thanks to the harmony between her “fox-like behavior” and Kim Yu-han’s guidance.
Of course, amidst all this, her head felt like it might explode. There was an audible cracking sound.
“…Ugh, this is too much for me to handle.”
—
[Aren’t you already living like that?]
[Exactly.]
—
As her association’s voice faded, the meal wrapped up, and the dishes were cleared away. Writer Park Yu-mi signaled with a nod. Within moments, the production team laid out the documents.
Finally, the official Upper Class contract.
“While screaming about Special Mobile Unit 808, I found myself thoroughly captivated by you, Miss Sua. Please make the maid scenes in Upper Class just as enchanting. I’ll clean up the shooting schedule and script and send it over to the headquarters promptly.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, really. That day, I should have stamped the contract despite everything. Stocks don’t rise like this. Who would have guessed we’d sign you at this price in just a few days?”
Kim I-seo laughed.
“Still, it’s not a losing contract, is it?”
“I hope not. Definitely.”
With that, the contract was finalized, and further guidance was sent to Mystic.
Meanwhile, the special features began to shimmer.
[Upper Class]
✔ All elements accounted for.
✔ Rating improved from 2.8 to 1.5.
Writer Park Yu-mi rested her chin while glancing suggestively at Sua.
“I only thought of you as a wolf until now, but the more I see you, the more alluring aspects I notice. Are you part-fox?”
Both the special notifications and the “fox” reference were delightful for Sua.
—
Sua and Kim I-seo kept moving without pause.
Ah, this time, there was one more addition: Seo Yeon-joo. They had to discuss the project Lies, Lies, Lies.
The venue was an exclusive sashimi restaurant.
“Still, Director Park Mu-ryong looks like a samurai when you think about it.”
That was Sua’s impression upon reuniting with the filmmaker.
His mustache was meticulously trimmed, but his hairline… it was nearly gone. Partial baldness, not total, but it was still visible.
“…Or maybe it’s an octopus?”
Sua put down the sliced octopus she’d picked up with her chopsticks. Somehow, eating it in front of a bald person felt off.
Director Park Mu-ryong boomed with a hearty voice.
“I was already thrilled to secure Yeon-joo as my lead. Now, with Miss Sua joining, I feel incredibly reassured!”
His tone was bright. And rightfully so.
After all, the vacancy caused by the controversial departure of another actor due to inappropriate comments had to be filled. And the replacement was none other than Sua, whose value skyrocketed. Wouldn’t anyone welcome her with open arms?
Indeed, Park Mu-ryong was practically brimming with energy, even though his body remained still.
“I never imagined Kim Yu-han was Miss Sua. After the short film award, I thought you were resting, but then you showed up! The back of my neck still tingles!”
“Hopefully, it was a pleasant surprise.”
Kim I-seo smiled faintly, and Seo Yeon-joo shrugged.
“Director Park, you should thank me. Sua decided to join because she wanted to help me. So, wouldn’t it be fine to order me another plate of shrimp sashimi? The biggest one.”
“Of course!”
“Huh? I was joking.”
“I don’t joke.”
Park Mu-ryong spoke with serious eyes.
“More importantly, the contract fee will be based on the current market!”
What’s more, he smoothly mentioned what Mystic would have hesitated to discuss, deciding upfront to generously distribute the contract money. Truly, it was a grateful gesture.
Thanks to his decisiveness, the contract was signed swiftly.
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After Mystic’s departure, the production team spoke.
“Director, you spent a lot of money. More on the contract fee than you would for a leading actor!”
“You weren’t going to oppose it either, were you? In this industry, it’s better to work with someone who’s curt but sharp than someone who’s overly friendly and incompetent. Miss Sua fits that description.”
“Agreed.”
Heads nodded in unison. No one opposed Director Park’s actions or Sua’s participation.
“Besides, her filmography is absurd. A grand prize winner at the short film festival and the lead in Special Mobile Unit 808, which crossed a 40% viewership rating. Where do such newcomers come from?”
“Yeon-joo is called ‘Umbrella Flower,’ right? I fully understand why. But personally, I have one lingering question.”
“Yes?”
“Why do you keep staring at me, Miss Sua?”
Park Mu-ryong stroked his mustache.
“…What were you trying to say?”
Fortunately, Sua wasn’t there. It was just because you’re bald. What reason could there possibly be…?
—
Inside the van heading back to Mystic headquarters.
“Sua, we’ll release the casting announcements starting tomorrow.”
That was Kim I-seo’s statement.
Sua nodded. To those who had worried about whether she’d retire, tomorrow would bring good news. She had secured two significant contracts!
‘Hold on until tomorrow, everyone. I’ll reward you with good news. And I’ll work hard on my acting! Extremely so!’
Sua whispered to herself, cherishing the attention directed her way. The days before she became an actor were tough, after all. From now on, she would work even harder.
Suafans matter! Sua loves everyone!
Then Seo Yeon-joo spoke.
“I’m touched. Sua is joining my project as well.”
“Big sister, you helped me once too.”
“That’s right.”
Seo Yeon-joo smiled.
“Back then, I thought I was just assisting a promising newcomer. But what’s this? Now, it feels like a giant star has fallen on me! Am I going to die?”
Her playful tone, her ever-fitting hairband, her purity—all were perfect in Sua’s eyes.
Seo Yeon-joo seemed genuinely happy, but Sua couldn’t fully enjoy the moment. The reason was…
[Lies, Lies, Lies]
✔ All elements accounted for.
✔ Rating improved from 3.8 to 3.5.
The shock of the special notification was too much.
“…This can’t be right.”
The reveal of Sua’s true identity had only resulted in a minuscule rating bump. It was incomprehensible. After Kim Yu-han’s identity was revealed, everything else saw significant increases.
“Why is this happening? I can’t make sense of it…”
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand.
The internet was buzzing with talk about Sua. Wasn’t something bigger needed to create even more impact?
Then Seo Yeon-joo stretched.
“Still, I’m kind of sad. I wanted to live with Sua longer.”
“With me?”
“Yeah. I get lonely easily.”
“…I can’t imagine you being lonely, Big sister.”
She truly couldn’t.
To Sua, Seo Yeon-joo was sociable, beautiful, and possessed a wonderful personality. Sua knew what people like her lived like.
Your phonebook would never end when opened, and you’d receive more than a hundred birthday gifts… That kind of life.
So Sua said,
“Big Sister, you must have been loved immensely since you were little.”
“Since I was little?”
“Yeah.”
“When I was little… If we’re talking about my childhood… It was pretty cold. I can’t think of any other way to describe it.”
With a quick smile, she laughed.
“Yeah, that’s right. It was freezing.”
But there was something strange.
Sua sensed an unfathomable depth of shadows in that smile. A disturbingly intense thought flashed through her mind.
“…”
Maybe… just maybe, Seo Yeon-joo herself was the reason the script rating dropped. A dizzying and unprecedented thought that she’d never considered.
