Voluminous, long hair.
Slightly thin yet sharp eyes.
Beautiful appearance.
Lastly, a neat school uniform.
“Come to think of it, didn’t I hear that she did a photoshoot not long ago?”
An aura distinctly different from that of an ordinary person radiated from every visible part.
A clear sense of presence that felt natural.
The weighty presence that Yu Sung-jae had evaluated Ha Eun as an actor was still very much there at this moment.
That made it all the more intriguing.
“A static villain. I feel like she’d fit perfectly into that role…”
What would happen if the charisma that suppresses the presence of those around her were to manifest in a negative way?
What if Ha Eun’s calmness turned into an indifference towards immoral actions? What feeling would that evoke?
Perhaps one would have no choice but to accept it.
Would it not become undeniable that Ha Eun was a villain?
“It must be intense, for sure.”
In Yu Sung-jae’s opinion, Ha Eun’s appearance and acting were well suited for a villain.
The ability to completely dominate a scene is one of the essential conditions for a villain.
Thus, he recommended Ha Eun for the villain role in the vacant position of <The Veterans>.
This was also why he pushed for a meeting between Ha Eun and Director Kim Hong-seong, citing that seeing is believing.
Not long after, Kim Hong-seong, who had been observing Ha Eun for a while, opened his mouth again.
“The Veterans is a crime movie. The overall story revolves around righteous detectives trying to capture a great evil called ‘Lee Yeo-seo.’”
While there are some comedic elements sprinkled throughout,
Kim Hong-seong began to explain the characteristics of ‘Lee Yeo-seo.’
“Lee Yeo-seo is someone without any constraints. Being the third generation of a conglomerate, there’s no one who can stop her from doing whatever she wants.”
In other words, it meant she would be engaging in actions that should be restricted by others.
Lifting his gaze slightly to scrutinize Ha Eun, Director Kim Hong-seong continued calmly.
“In the story, Lee Yeo-seo commits various illegal acts, but she has no self-awareness of committing those illegal acts.”
“Then, she wouldn’t be excited or agitated by those illegal acts. It’s just her daily life.”
“Yes. Lee Yeo-seo believes she lives an ordinary life like everyone else. Therefore, there’s nothing particularly strange about her from the outside.”
Although her true nature is horrifically monstrous, she appears normal.
For Ha Eun, it was unnecessary to try to understand such statements.
‘…It feels strange.’
Acting as if she were normal while hiding her true self was something she had already grown tired of.
The only difference between Ha Eun and Lee Yeo-seo was whether that masterful act was intentional or unintentional.
Being the third generation of a conglomerate.
Living a life that seemed ordinary to others.
Not revealing her emotional side—all seemed the same.
Ultimately, the cause of all this was the home environment that made an abnormal person appear normal to others, just like Ha Eun.
“Lee Yeo-seo has been educated as a third-generation conglomerate since she was young. Except for a few close associates, no one can even imagine her true self due to her meticulous image management.”
She concealed what needed to be hidden.
Legally.
Or whether it was morally right or wrong didn’t matter.
“However, it’s not that she hides her true self because she considers it to be evil. She conceals it because it would cause a stir if others found out.”
She simply hides it due to personal necessity.
There is no distinction of good and evil anywhere.
“For Lee Yeo-seo, there is nothing she cannot do. There is only what would cause a stir if done.”
Still, she engaged in various illegal acts because she wanted to.
She tormented because she wanted to torment, played with because she wanted to play, and killed because she wanted to kill.
As long as she doesn’t get caught, she can do whatever she wants.
It’s simple if anything, and the principle behind Lee Yeo-seo’s actions is that simple.
Thus, she could remain unexcited or agitated even when committing undesirable acts.
As long as she wasn’t caught, there wouldn’t be any problem.
There was never any need to become emotional in the first place.
“Lee Yeo-seo is a person who doesn’t hesitate or waver when executing her plans. Even after finishing a task, she neither feels relieved nor thrills.”
For Lee Yeo-seo, every moment is an ordinary day.
From opening her eyes in the morning to closing them at night, there’s nothing special.
She simply goes about her usual routine.
It’s why Kim Hong-seong said there are no scenes in <The Veterans> where Lee Yeo-seo exhibits guilt.
The morals and ethics one should naturally possess as a person should not be the criteria for Lee Yeo-seo’s judgment.
“There have been many villains intoxicated by their own wicked deeds. However, there are few villains for whom evil acts are part of their daily life.”
The mask of normalcy, which naturally covers up Lee Yeo-seo’s day-to-day life, is vital.
Yet, Lee Yeo-seo acts as if her wicked deeds also fall within the bounds of normal.
The most crucial aspect of performing as Lee Yeo-seo is the normalization of her evil deeds.
Her demeanor should not differ when meeting business people as a third-generation conglomerate compared to dealing with her “toys” being tormented.
“If someone is older than her, she’ll use respectful language and occasionally engage in ordinary chit-chat. One could say she remains calm in various situations.”
Though it’s an issue that she remains calm even when treating people like toys.
After succinctly explaining the psychopathic traits displayed by Lee Yeo-seo, Kim Hong-seong finalized his statement.
“Right now, both Sung-jae and I must act in such a way that it wouldn’t be unusual for us to be killed by Ha Eun. It’s not an easy role.”
For the audience of <The Veterans>, Lee Yeo-seo had to be seen as someone who would kill if she felt like it.
There should be no moral consideration evident in any part of Lee Yeo-seo.
“However, I think Ha Eun can perform it well. I haven’t seen anyone with a poker face like hers.”
Kim Hong-seong still found it impossible to read Ha Eun’s emotions.
Despite the clarity of her presence.
As someone who was meeting Ha Eun for the first time, Kim Hong-seong couldn’t decipher what the calm face in front of him was thinking or what feelings she was experiencing.
Ironically, it was Ha Eun’s demeanor that made him believe she would be a fitting actress for Lee Yeo-seo.
As expected, in Ha Eun’s response, there was no sign of emotional agitation.
Only a calm voice reached his ears.
“I’ll do it.”
With a thud, the script for <The Veterans> held in Ha Eun’s hand was lightly set down on the table.
Following that was a positive expression of intent.
“I’ll have to discuss it with the company. But personally, I think it’s a role I want to take on.”
She felt she could act well.
The quietly murmured soliloquy contained multiple meanings.
“Perhaps… just perhaps…”
If the former Ha Eun had been a bit more proactive, she might have walked a path similar to Lee Yeo-seo.
Although, she certainly had no intention of enjoying acts like murder.
Deceiving others solely based on her own needs without moral considerations had similarities to Lee Yeo-seo.
Either way, it’s undeniable that the former Ha Eun lacked a normal perspective.
She seemed unsure about what was morally right and wrong.
Perhaps not knowing the difference between right and wrong led her to endure her parents’ abuse.
‘…In the past, everything was my fault.’
The misfortunes she had to endure throughout her life were solely believed to stem from the former Ha Eun.
She thought that if she had done a little better, or if she had been a bit more perfect, she wouldn’t have had to go through it.
She never really considered it was something wrong in the first place.
Thanks to that, she had to die with twisted values until the very end.
However, now it was different.
It had to be different.
“Thank you for the good suggestion. I’ll strive to offer a good response.”
She decided to participate in a movie that would eventually surpass ten million viewers.
The character of Lee Yeo-seo, who was not a normal person but wanted to be seen as one, was a fragment of Ha Eun’s past.
Ha Eun did not want to be held back by painful memories.
Ultimately, she sought to completely shed her former life.
“I’m glad you answered the call, Sung-jae. Thank you.”
“Was it only words?”
“…Should I buy you coffee or something?”
“Ah, I was half-joking.”
“Ha Eun, are you going to the New Year’s bell ceremony with your parents?”
At the moment when filming for <The Sunshine> just ended.
As Ha Eun boarded her van, Ju Jung-yun asked her about tonight.
The returned answer was negative.
“I have other work. My parents are going to the New Year’s bell ceremony.”
“What work could you possibly have at midnight?”
“I do. It’s really important work.”
Of course, she hadn’t revealed the true nature of it.
Thus, she had to drop off Ha Eun in front of her house with some lingering confusion.
“Then, should we discuss your participation in The Veterans at the company tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm, you’re working on January 1 as well…”
“I can just take a taxi myself.”
“Ah, no. If you take a taxi, I’ll get scolded.”
Eventually, with a “See you tomorrow morning” message, Ju Jung-yun and her van disappeared into the distance.
Ha Eun’s “important work” began about two hours after that.
Click.
<Together until the last of this year─☆>
– Diah
– You knew I was lonely, huh?
– Of course, I need to be with my boyfriend on December 31.
– While others are all off, only Diah is here.
In the chatroom for an unexpected broadcast not listed on the schedule, the sentiment of the fans was overwhelmingly positive.
Although she had to make Sung-yoon feel a little left out in return for gaining the favor of the fans.
‘I heard raising a daughter is useless. Sigh.’
‘They say it’s something company-related. Why is Dad so narrow-minded?’
‘What kind of company makes you work until midnight?’
Of course, she did not mention her other company this time either.
She had no intention of opening up about it herself, no matter when.
Anyway, Na-yeon and Sung-yoon had left a few minutes ago to attend the New Year’s bell ceremony.
In this moment, she was with the fans.
“Thanks for your hard work this year~.”
– Thanks~
– Why is it ending so soon?
– Where’s my time???
Not long after, while waiting for the countdown to the New Year while casually chatting into the broadcast mic, the countdown finally began.
The countdown started.
– 888
– 7
– 6
– 666
– 974 (deleted message)
– 555
– Re
– 55
In that instant, watching the rising chat, she briefly fell into thought before her mouth opened at the clear chime from the New Year’s bell live broadcast.
– Dong~~~~.
“Everyone, may you have many blessings in the New Year.”
Almost simultaneously, click.*
She turned off the New Year’s bell broadcast and immediately clicked on her familiar icon.
Soon, majestic background music poured in.
The broadcast title had already changed.
<The first supply of the New Year is mine>
“Ten minutes later, at the Shabongi system. Of course, the Noh Eul I meet in between will be immediately eliminated~.”
– Baekakwi again
– Damn, another Battle Island
– This time it’s in Asia? We’re doomed, lol
– Looks like we’re accumulating karma right from the first day of the New Year, Diah-Diah.
