The next morning.
Mystic Entertainment’s president office.
With two large hairpins decorating Kim I-seo’s space, it evoked the feel of a university professor’s study. This setup occasionally made Kim I-seo appear as though she were a daughter peeking into her parents’ domain.
However, anyone facing Kim I-seo’s current expression would not dare to utter such thoughts. She was extremely serious right now.
“Drink it. It’s expensive tea.”
“Thank you.”
Seo Yeon-joo and Kim I-seo sat facing each other.
While the rich aroma of tea spread in the air, neither person lifted their cup to their lips. Kim I-seo spoke first.
“Yeon-joo is finally making a comeback on the cinema screen.”
“That’s right. I’ve been focusing mainly on dramas lately.”
“I’m always grateful to diligent Yeon-joo. I admire and support how well you’ve done. But because of that….”
Kim I-seo lightly tapped the documents on her desk with her fingertips.
“…I wanted to bring this up because I’m concerned. I’ve already gathered all the information. Do you really want to let this slide?”
Yeon-joo glanced briefly at the papers.
[Yeon-joo was a case of a real life-changing story.]
[Yeon-joo was just someone who was bullied…]
[I’m not trying to humiliate this actor, but rumors about her parents circulated back then…]
Kim I-seo crossed her arms and spoke.
“Of course, the majority loves Yeon-joo, and these stories are just a small portion. But as your representative, it’s really bothersome. I’m also worried that false stories might spread later.”
“Representative, you’re too kind.”
“Threats, insults, spreading false information… legal action would be entirely possible. If there’s any measure you’d like to take, let me know.”
“I’m fine.”
Yeon-joo quietly sipped her tea.
“Just leave it. I don’t care.”
There was a somewhat bittersweet expression on her face.
—
8:00 PM.
At a time when most office workers had already finished their day, Mystic released all the information they had carefully prepared. They aimed for this particular hour because the now-relaxed individuals were likely to check their phones.
[I Su-a retiring? … “Baseless claims”.]
[Su-a, known for her role as Kim Yu-han, is making her debut in movies. She will once again be co-starring with Seo Yeon-joo.]
[Netflix too? Su-a enters the K-drama market through Park Yu-mi’s work. Her role remains undisclosed.]
The contents, of course, were about “Lies, Lies, Lies” and “The Upper Class.” The reactions from the public were predictably fiery.
— Wow, she’s jumping straight into big projects ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
— The final episode of Special Mobile Unit 808 hasn’t even aired yet, and here’s this good news. sniff, I’m excited!
— I’m so relieved she’s not retiring!
— There were rumors about depression and stuff, but it turns out they were all bogus… This is why tabloids should have their keyboards taken away.
— What role is she taking?
— Someone, please tell us her role! I beg you!
By simply announcing her next schedule, there were even grateful comments for her not retiring.
Su-a realized it: first impressions and timing are crucial. Right now, riding the wave of Special Mobile Unit 808, she was being treated with more importance than she imagined.
Mystic was happy their plan worked, the fans were happy Su-a wasn’t retiring, and Su-a was thankful—so everyone was happy! …At least, it seemed that way.
Also, something was now certain.
[(Exclusive) Summary of Su-a’s Journey: A career labeled ‘Midas touch’—Can Su-a’s success story continue?]
Su-a was no longer seen as just another rookie; many were curious about her next success.
—
10:00 PM.
After arriving at Mystic Headquarters, Su-a was touching her cheeks repeatedly.
Wait, why is she doing that all of a sudden?
“Wow, my skin is so smooth! I’m feeling amazing!”
She had just come from a facial treatment!
Su-a thought to herself—this was a brand-new world!
The warm treatment, the various applications, and the massage—it all melted away her worries and fatigue. She felt like this was the purpose for which she had earned money all this while.
The exfoliation was especially refreshing.
Su-a kept touching her cheeks while thinking.
“Feels like my life is skyrocketing… Will I get even better later? Maybe walk the red carpet someday?”
She dreamt of a rosy future for herself.
“On another note, I need to get my driver’s license. But I own three cars and haven’t driven any of them yet. However, since I always travel by van, it feels unnecessary…”
—Isn’t it because you’re not confident about passing the test?
—Let’s not test her driving abilities. It’s safer for everyone.
—Agreed, let’s not jeopardize peace.
“…”
At that moment, just as Su-a was pondering this response internally…
“Su-a!”
Kim I-seo rushed in and grabbed Su-a’s hand abruptly.
“Su-a! No!”
“…?”
“Are you considering doing something to your face right now?”
“Wha…?”
What? The representative maintained her serious expression as she continued.
“It’s a common phenomenon. You grow used to your reflection in the mirror, but when you see yourself through a camera, something seems off, so you’re tempted to alter it through surgery. But Su-a, you don’t need to.”
“Hmm?”
“Su-a, you’re already perfect the way you are. Understand?”
“…Got it.”
Su-a had unknowingly received a compliment. Su-a, thank you?
After comforting Su-a a few more times, I-seo finally relaxed. She seemed to misunderstand that Su-a was considering plastic surgery.
“Let’s head upstairs now; there’s an important meeting.”
“Sure.”
Su-a quietly followed the representative.
—
The meeting room door opened, revealing its interior. Two familiar faces: Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il.
Yeon-joo greeted first by raising her hand.
“Ah, Su-a came?”
“Yeah.”
Then Su-a turned her gaze to Sun-il.
“How’s your younger sister’s situation?”
“Thanks to you, it’s all good.”
Yeon-joo, wearing a hairband, was as beautiful as ever, while Kim Sun-il, still choosing all-black outfits, looked happier than before and less haggard.
Su-a wondered only after taking her seat.
‘What kind of meeting requires everyone to gather here?’
Just then.
Clatter—
The sound of a teacup meeting its saucer came from far across the room. Su-a then realized there were visitors present aside from the Mystic team.
“…?”
She internally gasped.
‘What? Who are they?’
Something felt familiar.
It was true that more people now looked familiar to Su-a, but this was a face impossible to miss. The person was—
“—!”
Recognition caused Su-a’s eyes to widen in shock.
Right at that moment, the visitors greeted her one by one.
“Hello.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Hi.”
In order: Saeng-ji, Deer, and Monkeying.
Su-a was about to leap out of her seat. The Su-a Team was reunited. It felt like lightning had struck her brain.
‘What’s happening? Why are they here?’
It felt like discovering fish frolicking in the mountains.
These were people who had no place being here. How could she possibly process their presence? Or rather, her brain had already frozen.
Yeon-joo smiled and spoke.
“Su-a, say hi. They’re not our guests, they’re yours.”
“Mine…?”
Yeon-joo chuckled at Su-a’s reaction.
“You’re wondering why we’re here, right? Of course, we should be here. We owe gratitude to the people who help you. Since you’re important to us, they are too.”
“…”
Su-a wanted to shake her head. If you value me so much, please leave this place immediately. Seriously.
These guys are dangerous, okay!
Yeon-joo pointed at them one by one.
“First, the Star Catch manager.”
Ah, naturally, Saeng-ji could be here. She was a journalist in the entertainment industry even before Su-a started acting.
However.
“Next, this gentleman is the cafe president and a monitoring expert.”
Monitoring expert? Isn’t that just a shut-in?
…Moreover, you’re the president of a fan cafe? What do I do with your expectations? What about my sense of awe?
“And finally, this masked figure is the industry’s top Virtual YouTuber who did an amazing job promoting Special Mobile Unit 808.”
Isn’t she the most fierce woman in the industry?
“…”
Su-a remained completely dumbfounded.
Honestly, she was more than just confused—it was unsettling.
‘Ah, what do I do? It feels like I’m dangling off a cliff!’
These individuals know Su-a’s true self entirely.
Some even mistook her for someone with servant syndrome. If they bring up that story, she might die of embarrassment.
Kim Sun-il spoke up.
“Su-a, you should at least greet them. They’re your guests.”
“…”
Even greeting them felt difficult.
Since Su-a couldn’t tell how much they had already revealed.
Could they already have spoken of Su-a’s dark past? Her usual personality? Or… that damn servant syndrome?
Still, at that moment.
The other side greeted her first.
“Hello, Su-a. I’m Kim Sun-a, a journalist.”
“Hello, Su-a. I’m the fan cafe president.”
This caused Su-a to be puzzled again.
‘Why are they acting like this? As if meeting for the first time?’
Of course, this was a better situation. Pretending to be strangers would help maintain her established image.
But she wondered, why are they doing this?
“…”
Su-a soon realized.
‘Ah, these guys are mad at me.’
Clearly very mad.
After all, thinking Su-a was Kim Yu-han must have been a major shock. Simultaneously, she probably felt betrayed.
…Scary! What if they play tricks because they’re sulking?
Su-a slightly bowed her head.
“…Hello.”
The greetings with Monkeying and Saeng-ji were done. The only one left was Deer.
Just as Su-a was about to bow again.
Kim I-seo spoke.
“Surprising, isn’t it? Aren’t you friends with Lady Deer?”
“…”
Su-a’s movement stopped abruptly.
Anxiety surged uncontrollably within her.
‘Oh no, this is bad.’
Deer had been the friendliest towards Su-a in the Su-a Team. She was also the fiercest.
“…”
Why would Deer reveal that they were friends? Is she planning to divulge everything in this meeting? That video of her scream flashed through Su-a’s mind. It was certainly plausible she would do it.
The silence lengthened naturally.
The members of Mystic began to look bewildered.
“Su-a, why aren’t you greeting her? Aren’t you happy to see her?”
“Maybe you’re not really friends?”
Su-a shook her head against Kim Sun-il’s question.
“Actually, we are friends.”
“Really? Then why?”
Eventually…
Su-a, unable to withstand the atmosphere, reluctantly muttered the greeting.
“Ah, hello… nice to see you…”
The problem was that she said it in a strange tone. Not only the tone but also the awkward pauses between words—it made her sound like an idiot.
Immediately afterwards, Su-a pinched her thigh.
This idiot Su-a! What is she doing? Why speak with that tone? Is she about to lose the image she’s worked so hard to build? And most importantly, why are these people here?
“…”
At that moment, Deer lowered her black mask.
Cold sweat trickled down Su-a’s spine. What is she about to say? One second felt like a year.
Then Deer—Go Eun-bi—spoke.
“Don’t you seem more human now when you say hi?”
“…?”
Su-a tilted her head, not understanding what Deer was talking about.
Meanwhile, a question mark already hovered in the minds of the Mystic team. They seemed to have understood Deer’s words.
‘What is she saying? ‘More human’…?’
‘Isn’t Su-a a human?’
‘Wait? Is there an issue with Su-a?’
It was a question directed at Su-a.
After all, Deer’s statement sounded like a greeting for a non-human entity. Just then, Deer spoke again.
“It’s much better than before. Seeing you get along well with others makes me happy. I was worried because you used to be so machine-like.”
“…”
Su-a blankly blinked.
What’s this talk about machines?
“Ah, seriously?”
Then Seo Yeon-joo spoke up.
Her eyes flashed like a detective.
“…I’ve heard of it before. Alexithymia.”
Afterwards, Yeon-joo quickly turned and grabbed Su-a’s shoulder.
“Su-a, have you been pretending all this while, acting human emotions?”
At the same time, it felt like a light bulb switched on over the heads of the Mystic staff.
‘Isn’t it said that if you continuously engage in method acting, you might lose your human qualities? Have you always been emotionally void? Su-a’s talents aren’t something she gained effortlessly.’
‘This world! Was Su-a, with every interaction, recalling appropriate emotions for the situation and putting on an act? How exhausting must that have been for her every moment? She must have put in tremendous effort to mix with us.’
‘Su-a, did you endure such pain? Now it makes sense. That’s why you always seemed so reserved and occasionally awkward. It wasn’t your Korean being poor; it was something far deeper.’
As all these mistaken impressions tangled together in the air, Su-a was merely confused. Unable to understand what was going on, the silence felt unbearably heavy.
Unaware that she was being perceived as an emotionless acting machine, Su-a was simply curious.
‘Machine? Why are these people acting this way?’
But one thing was clear.
For some unknown reason, her friends were helping her. Protecting her image in the entertainment industry.
Why? What for?
She soon found out the answer.
Her phone buzzed just then.
[Sender: Go Eun-bi]
> We did good, didn’t we?
> The agency probably thinks you’re just an acting machine?
> So the rise in your contract is partly thanks to us?
> Pay us back someday.
> Take Kim Yu-han out on a date sometime.
> ㅇㅋ? You’ll do it, right?
What? What is this?
Su-a felt like she had been hit on the back of the head with a shock.
“…”
It turned out she had been mistaken all along.
Her friends were in no way irritated. Rather, they had pinned extremely high expectations on her. Su-a placed her hand on her forehead. The truth was so dizzying it felt like vertigo.
