“….”
Sua’s thoughts momentarily froze. Chaos ensued.
The overwhelming surprise caused her body to stiffen, but Sua managed to勉强 glance at the person in front of her.
“What… what is this? What is it?”
She hoped, perhaps, that her eyes were deceiving her, but they were accurate. The woman in front of her was indeed that person.
“Japanese tutoring teacher? Why are you here?”
The woman currently held up an employee ID from “Joge Korea.”
Come to think of it, it might not be such a strange occurrence. People skilled in foreign languages often do similar jobs but switching workplaces is common enough. Did she quit private tutoring?
The next moment, though, fear crept in.
“I was terrible at Japanese, wasn’t I?”
Sua recalled past conversations with her teacher.
─Sua, what was this character?
─ひ…. It could be… Uh…
─You said ‘hi,’ didn’t you?
─Ah…
─It looks like a smiling mouth, so ‘hi.’ Associating it like this shouldn’t be too hard, right? Please, Sua.
Sua could not easily respond.
If she had simply struggled with grammar or sentences, it’d be one thing, but shockingly, Sua was a student who couldn’t even memorize hiragana or katakana.
If translated into Korean, it was as if she didn’t know consonants or vowels.
Not knowing the difference between a ‘NA’ bar and a ‘GI’ line? That was Sua.
What should I do?
At this moment, Sua was drenched in sweat, anxious. How could the girl who didn’t get it even with spoon-feeding become an expert at Japanese?
Still, wasn’t she always diligent? She always acted politely and, yes, worked hard like crazy. Perhaps there’s a way to weasel out of this situation somehow? Still, it seems impossible.
She felt incredibly uneasy.
Of course, it’s no surprise. If her tutoring teacher were to talk about her lack of knowledge back then, it’d certainly hurt her image.
Meanwhile, her teacher spoke again.
“Sua, don’t you recognize me?”
Sua sensed a faint note of hurt in her teacher’s voice. Hmm, no wonder. She’s awfully offended.
‘Of course, I remember you!’
But she couldn’t just easily answer.
It was too public to comfortably chat. Sua, as an actor now, must manage appearances. How in the world could she handle this?
“Uh-huh…”
Sua hesitated for a moment.
“…Anyway, I’ve been known to forget stuff easily.”
Her tutoring teacher started to understand something different altogether. No, wait! Don’t jump to conclusions like that!
At that moment, Kim I-seo interjected.
“Is something the matter?”
Then the team leader of Joge Korea spoke.
“Hmm. Looks like these two met at some point.”
Attention from the staff gathered swiftly. Naturally. There wasn’t a single person in the room uninterested in Sua, and suddenly a story about her past popped up.
Some of the staff chimed in.
“If you two know each other, why isn’t Sua saying anything?”
“Or maybe you’re just an acquaintance? Maybe you’ve just seen her at some random event in the past?”
“Hyeseo, I understand why you’d want to acknowledge Sua, but the meeting hasn’t finished yet!”
This caused a slight feeling of injustice for the teacher.
“Being an acquaintance is too harsh. No, that’s not it. Please don’t misunderstand. We definitely knew each other.”
Sua felt even more apologetic.
“Yes, that’s correct. We do know each other…”
But perhaps because of Sua’s uninspired tone, no one in the meeting room took her words seriously.
“Sua is reluctantly admitting it, isn’t she?”
“Hyesoo, stop making Sua uncomfortable.”
“Alright, everyone’s going too far.”
Sua felt utterly trapped.
Her Japanese tutor had, despite all the frustrations, always been kind to her. Sua wanted to at least exchange pleasantries, but…
“Should I explain it somehow?”
The problem, as always, was the explanation. She could not just plainly say she had gained super powers. And yet, hiding it left no way to make sense of anything.
Even talking about her efforts would be useless. Why? Because she had worked hard back then—her teacher knows. Sua had been the type of student who worked hard but still didn’t get it.
Meanwhile, Kim I-seo was lost in thought.
“Well, it’s a natural phenomenon. Sua is currently the hottest rookie in Korea, after all. It’s about time old acquaintances start appearing.”
She toyed with her hair pin as she continued her thoughts.
“Sua probably started acting right after arriving in Korea, so there must naturally be some connections around.”
To Sua, the situation felt incredibly prickly.
She secretly wished the topic would be changed. If only they could finish the meeting and talk to the Japanese teacher separately, how wonderful would that be? But people were already intensely curious.
The staff chimed in one by one.
“Were you acquainted before Sua debuted? I wonder what she was like then.”
“Incredibly popular, right?”
“Was she more like Kim Yu-han or Wi Ji-hye back then?”
The mention of Sua’s association with those names caused Kim Yu-han and Wi Ji-hye Sua factions to frown. Sua quickly calmed them, silently telling them not to get worked up—they already knew she wasn’t like them.
The bigger issue right now was the unsettling gazes from everyone in the room.
Sua could only say one thing:
“I tried my best.”
…Yes! It’s true; I tried!
“Even if Sua worked hard, she must’ve attracted a lot of guys. Wasn’t she popular even back then?”
“…Not really…”
Sua suddenly remembered an incident with a coworker after an office dinner. It had taken place at a hunting bar.
─Sua, please relax your expression a bit. Do you know how many men stop when they see your face?
In the end, no one approached that day.
The staff burst into laughter.
“No way!”
“Maybe Sua’s just too picky?”
Of course, their gazes soon turned to the Japanese tutor. She might know about past situations, after all.
“Hyeseo, didn’t you know her back then? Do you know anything?”
“…Not really. I think she was similar to now.”
“Huh?”
“She was polite and always worked hard. We studied Japanese together… Ah, forget it. It’s annoying. I won’t say anything.”
Her slightly offended tone made everyone laugh. They assumed she was just fanning the flames because she was a fan.
On the other hand, Sua was deeply moved.
‘This person is standing by me!’
The tutoring teacher did not say one word that could harm Sua. Sua’s eyes started to water. Teacher…
At that moment,
Kim I-seo whispered to Sua.
“Did you study Japanese together?”
“Uh, it was in group form.”
“…Group form?”
Kim I-seo repeated the words.
‘Hmm, could it be?’
She came to her own reasonable conclusion.
‘She probably taught Japanese. After all, it’d be a waste to keep a talent like that to yourself. She might have been doing charity work for years…’
While each person was caught in their own misconceptions,
Sua quickly spoke up.
“…Let’s conclude the meeting first.”
Everyone suddenly realized their mistake. The team leader, slightly embarrassed, began speaking.
“We were so engaged in conversation that the break went on too long. Sorry about that. Sure, let’s wrap up the meeting.”
◈◈◈◈◈
An hour later.
The meeting was packed with every second and minute, and therefore progressed seamlessly. There were no conflicts, as Joge Korea desperately wanted Sua.
“The products I’ve marked with a highlighter will have a real wear model… and for the rest, Sua will just be holding hangers for the photo.”
“Yes.”
“The shooting schedule will be set generously on our end, and Mystic will choose one suitable day from that.”
Products and schedules were all decided.
Now there was just one thing left. Kim I-seo spoke up.
“The minimum figure we had in mind for Sua is this.”
Sua, who hadn’t been paying much attention, was startled. The sum was enormous. Manager, is this okay?
But Joge Korea responded with a smile.
“The number’s close to our limit. Yes, let’s proceed with this.”
There was no choice but to be astonished. Kim I-seo must have known Joge Korea’s circumstances, striking the exact right amount. Once again, it was fortunate to have such a good manager.
At that moment, Kim I-seo whispered:
“Sua, should we reveal it?”
“…What do you mean?”
I’m talking about your inability to express emotions.”
In that instant,
‘Aha?’
Sua realized. Eureka!
How to make her former tutor not feel abandoned!
Sua quickly whispered to Iseo.
…
…
…
…
…
After the meeting ended,
“Joge Korea” employees chose to gossip instead of leaving the meeting room. Their topics were already set. They had been graced by the presence of Sua.
“Sua in person is amazing.”
“Yeah, I’ve been curious about her real personality and whether it’s similar to Kim Yu-han’s, but no, she’s very grounded.”
“…That’s why it’s so impressive, isn’t it? Someone so calm, how did she pull off Kim Yu-han’s character?”
Meanwhile, the Japanese teacher—Hyeseo—remained silent. Gradually, the employees’ attention turned her way.
“Hyeseo, tell us something about Sua.”
“You said ‘witness’ before, didn’t you?”
“Wow, you’re really hurt. If you know Sua, why not just tell us?”
Hyeseo reluctantly admitted, “We were together in a group Japanese tutoring session. She was definitely serious, even if she was pretty reserved.”
“Isn’t Sua considered an overseas expert, so she must be great at Japanese?”
“…”
Hyeseo was beginning to question her own memories. Was Sua really better than she recalled? Had she judged her too harshly?
It’s no surprise, with how perfect Sua appears now. It makes her doubt her own recollections.
“The study group friends must have gone wild. Who would’ve imagined someone they studied Japanese with would end up on TV and then hit big on dramas?”
“Yes.”
By that point, Hyeseo’s eyes widened.
Kim Iseo was signaling her outside the meeting room, indicating for her to come out briefly.
Is this gesture for me? She pointed to her chin, and Iseo nodded.
“…”
Hyeseo gulped and followed. When she came to her senses, she was sitting in a Mystic van.
“What is this about?”
Hyeseo blinked in confusion, but Iseo smiled.
“Sua was sure you’d feel abandoned, so…”
At the same time, Sua greeted her.
“Long time no see.”
“Ah, yes…”
Hyeseo replied somewhat awkwardly, but her feelings of abandonment quickly melted away due to the special invitation.
And shortly after,
“Since it’s confidential, Sua seems to especially value you, so I’ll let you in on something.”
“What?”
“In fact, our Sua…”
While Sua remained silent, Kim I-seo continued explaining. Hyeseo’s eyes widened in shock.
A few moments later,
As Hyeseo stepped out of the van, her eyes were slightly misty.
…
…
…
…
…
Vroom!
Heading back to Mystic’s headquarters, inside the van, Sua sighed in relief.
“Meeting someone from the past for the first time was surprising. I should get used to it; more people will show up.”
Sua was calming her panic and simultaneously reflecting. How different from before! Sua has grown!
At that moment, Kim Yu-han spoke up.
─See? We emphasized how beneficial such elements could be even back then. Friends actually helped create a perfect excuse—this inability to express emotions.
“…Though the latter half is true, there was really no other way out.”
Sua nodded.
Fortunately, the Japanese tutor had no hard feelings toward Sua, and after explaining with this excuse, she even looked at Sua with a fervent gaze of support—almost making Sua feel apologetic.
─If there are old acquaintances who bear ill will toward Sua, just ignore them. You crush them as you march down the path to success. But…
“But?”
─The problem lies with those who treated Sua with kindness in the past. They observed Sua with affection and understand her better than others. As a result, they may find it hard to understand the current situation even while cheering her on.
“Using emotional expression disorder as an excuse helps those people avoid feeling abandoned. I get it.”
─…Really understand so quickly? You’ve improved significantly, haven’t you?
Yu-han’s eyes widened in surprise.
This feels good!
◈◈◈◈◈
The next day.
The internet is like a school of sharks. Always looking for prey to tear apart in the ocean of information.
A perfect bite was thrown their way.
[‘Sua Lee,’ Selected as Joge Korea’s Summer Specialty Model]
A simple but powerful piece of news: Sua would be starring in Joge Korea’s summer special.
[Is Joge Korea’s Special Feature a Swimsuit Issue?]
[‘Shhh, It’s a Secret.’ Kim Yu-han, who Cross-Dressed, Says “It Will Be Something Big”]
It’s impossible not to attract attention with the hottest rookie joining the most anticipated photo book. As a result, those who were wondering about Sua’s next move immediately went wild.
On the other hand, Special Mobile Unit 808, particularly Kim Yu-han, had already become a trend. Just check MyTube.
[Channel: “Nannom”]
[Let’s Try Hunting While Cross-Dressing]
[Channel: “Voice Actor Cho Ho-jin”]
[24 Voices of Special Mobile Unit 808]
[Channel: “Hair Artist Sang-hwa”]
[Following ‘Kim Yu-han’ Ruined My Hair… Let’s Fix It! Challenge!]
Some criticized MyTubers for always latching onto the latest trends to survive.
But that makes it even clearer.
What they’re latching onto now is none other than Sua. This proves Sua is the hottest rising star in Korea right now.
And then one more thing.
Articles about Netflix also started pouring out.
[Netflix’s Korean Debut Headliner, Led by Hong Ye-ji]
Contents covered Netflix’s imminent arrival in Korea and Hong Ye-ji’s role as the main writer. Most people didn’t even know who Hong Ye-ji was.
However,
At least people knew about Lee Seo-jung and Sua Lee.
[Netflix Writer Hong Ye-ji — Lee Seo-jung and Sua Lee Casted: Will it Capture Overseas Viewers?]
Even just in terms of casting, it was enough to generate excitement.
─Who’s Hong Ye-ji?
─Wow, but Sua? This is insane.
─Netflix is super popular overseas, right? Does Sua join directly as a rookie? ほㄷㄷ
─Oh, and Lee Seo-jung is joining too? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
─What’s the genre even?
─What’s the genre? What’s the genre? Genre!
─I want more info!!
[Hong Ye-ji: ‘I don’t want to focus too much on the title and genre. I’d rather not prejudge the work.’]
─??? So much confidence.
─What’s she been preparing?
─Is this clickbait?
─I should give it a try.
─If it’s boring, I’ll complain a lot.
Meanwhile, journalists used these uncertainties to their advantage, and thus drew enormous amounts of attention.
In short,
If Hong Ye-ji knew, she’d probably be deeply gratified.
◈◈◈◈◈
Two days later.
Sua had to move quickly once more.
She rechecked the text message from her manager on her phone.
[From: Manager Kim I-seo]
Sua, do you know your variety show is airing soon?
It’s important that people keep talking about you while you’re shooting movies and dramas. That’s why variety shows and promotions are crucial.
But Sua is above small things, right? That’s why we chose NeoLive. I saw the estimates, and there seemed to be a massive effect.
I’d love to join but unfortunately, I have to take care of Yeon-ju tonight. See you later.
As a result, Sua was now at the NeoLive headquarters.
‘NeoLive Project…’
Sua wasn’t exactly sure what this project involved.
From what she remembered, there was supposed to be just one collaborative stream with a deer, but suddenly, what project?
Well, she’d listen and decide now. The manager wasn’t necessary. Even if Goeunbi worked here, why couldn’t Sua do it? Besides, there’s the Sua Association!
When she entered the meeting room, a lot of people were there.
“Oh! Miss Sua has arrived!”
Everyone stood up and greeted her. Of course, Goeunbi just gave a slight wave, and Sua nodded in return.
“Was your trip exhausting? It’s truly wonderful to meet you.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful to be invited.”
“Very well, let’s begin then…”
The man quickly started, seemingly the planner of this project. You could see the passion in his face; he was clearly set on fully committing to this event.
“Sua, would you look at this design first?”
Sua glanced at it absent-mindedly and was impressed.
‘Oh?’
She saw a very cute character.
“It’s a personified Arctic Fox character. We discovered Sua’s pet is an Arctic Fox.”
Indeed, it was a white character with fox ears—right on target.
“It’s incredibly cute. What’s the purpose?”
“It’s Sua’s avatar.”
“…My avatar?”
She couldn’t help but tilt her head.
“Ah, is it for collab streams? Creating something like this for just a broadcast seems excessive.”
“Not at all. Compared to the money your advertising will bring, it’s actually a very valuable investment.”
“…Thank you, I’ll make good use of it.”
Sua gave a brief acknowledgment and asked,
“Does this mean I’ll use this avatar to chat with Shikarin? Maybe play a game or have an interview?”
“No, that’d be a disappointment for someone of Sua’s stature. We’ve grandly prepared much more suitable for her.”
Sua felt slightly uneasy at this point.
‘Hmm?’
Grand preparations? What?
On the other hand, the planner was excited to continue.
“We’ll create a false project for the debut of NeoLive’s new junior streamer, and broadcast it for just a day.”
“Just one day? Personal streaming?”
“Yes. The effect of advertising reaches its peak with a twist. Think of it as a one-day hidden camera.”
The planner smirked,
“Deceive the audience—it’s Sua’s specialty, isn’t it?”
Sua silently screamed inside. Suaaaa!
