There was a moment of silence.
However, the two hands that were clasped together gradually grew warmer. Sua stared intently at Seo Yeon-joo’s eyes, and after a brief moment of contemplation, Yeon-joo finally nodded.
“…Yeah. Let’s do it.”
In the end, she nodded her head.
Neither of them moved to change the location for their conversation. Truthfully, they didn’t have the time. Sua was in a rush to convey what had come to her mind as soon as possible.
She felt anxious, fearing she might forget the realization she’d had.
It was Seo Yeon-joo who broke the silence first.
“Sua, you once said that honesty is about following the voice inside your heart. Are you saying you’ve figured out how to find and pursue that voice?”
“Yeah, this is just my thought.”
Sua nodded.
“First, the way to find the voice inside one’s heart is…”
Sua’s mind began to work more slowly as she carefully retraced her thoughts.
Honesty. The voice inside.
First of all, just blurting out whatever came to mind without considering someone else’s feelings probably wasn’t honesty. Hey, if that was honesty, then villains might just be the epitome of it.
“Right. It feels somewhat different from that.”
After much deliberation, Sua came to a conclusion.
Honesty, rudeness, and integrity were all different things. If she were to discuss honesty specifically, it probably came down to…
“Trust.”
Sua believed that to be honest, one needed certain ingredients, starting with trust in oneself.
After all, the person you spend the most time with in your life is yourself, right? Everyone has been observing their own self since they were young, without a single interruption.
“So it’s possible to predict what actions I’ll take. I’ve known myself the longest.”
Recalling how one had dealt with particular situations and the emotions attached, it wasn’t hard to believe, “So I’ll probably handle this situation the same way again.”
Only then could one move on to the next step.
“Honesty is about expressing that trust in oneself.”
Even when one lacks power and possession, the act of laying bare one’s inner feelings, taking whatever repercussions come from doing what you want willingly—that was true honesty.
“…That’s what I think.”
After carefully organizing her thoughts, Sua spoke them aloud. Yeon-joo listened intently and ended up smiling.
“Seems reasonable. It’s also very intriguing.”
Yeon-joo nodded and added:
“In other words, I’ve been someone who doesn’t know myself well and also lacks trust in myself. Yes, that’s true. After considering it, it seems Sua, you’re right.”
“But you? What are you talking about? You’re such a great person.”
“Actually, I’ve never been honest even once.”
Sua tilted her head, not understanding what Yeon-joo was saying. The image of Yeon-joo in her mind was too monumental to match this confession.
But Yeon-joo continued.
“Everyone praises me, but none of it is true. I’ve never done method acting. Honestly, I might just be someone who’s good at imitating others.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re saying. Regardless, this is all the answer to your question. I hope it helps.”
Sua responded uncomfortably.
Seo Yeon-joo’s self-assessment was hard to empathize with. At that slightly awkward moment, the door to the waiting room suddenly opened.
Whoosh!
“Seems like it won’t work. Yeon-joo, let’s continue our conversation…”
Director Park Mu-ryong rushed in but froze upon seeing Sua. He cleared his throat nervously.
“…Sua is here? Sua, it’s nothing serious. It’s just that Yeon-joo and I haven’t finished our discussion. Yeon-joo, can we talk a little longer?”
“I agree.”
“…Really?”
Park Mu-ryong blinked even though he himself had made the suggestion, startled by Yeon-joo’s easy agreement.
Yeon-joo, without a word, walked back into the waiting room. Director Park Mu-ryong gave Sua an awkward smile before following her in.
“Hoo…”
Only then did Sua let out a deep breath.
She didn’t know exactly what Yeon-joo was thinking or what was going on with Director Park Mu-ryong. Ultimately, the world held more unknowns than what she knew.
Regardless, all she hoped was that the answer she had truly thought about would be helpful. She hoped the shooting would be completed successfully, and that everyone would end up happy at the conclusion.
Just like Kim Sun-il and the miracle that one day befell his siblings.
In the midst of the waiting room.
Director Park Mu-ryong was the first to speak.
“Yeon-joo, are you still set on your decision?”
…
Seo Yeon-joo maintained silence for a moment before the director continued.
“Many people have worked hard for this production, even when actor Seon-hwan stirred up controversy on SNS and left, we still made it this far. That’s how many people have committed their love or their all to this production.”
“I’ll have to cover any losses with my own money.”
“This isn’t about monetary issues. Moreover…”
Director Park Mu-ryong shook his head.
“No one doubts your skills, Yeon-joo. I don’t either. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine you not being able to act out that scene. If anything, I have high expectations.”
“I’m not that extraordinary an actor, but…”
“Well, let’s set aside the fact that many people have worked hard on this production, the vast amounts of money that have been invested, and the immense expectations we have for you.”
“What do you mean by setting them aside?”
“It means I’m suggesting we move past those things and discuss something else. I have no intention of coercing you or appealing for sympathy.”
Director Park Mu-ryong’s expression became stern.
“Do you truly have no regrets?”
As he spoke, he looked straight at Yeon-joo.
“Be honest with yourself.”
“Honest…”
Involuntarily, Yeon-joo furrowed her brows.
Honesty.
Ultimately, was it all about that topic? She didn’t know at all.
“Let me tell you this upfront: if the climax scene’s shooting ends in failure, there will be no one blaming you. After all, we were the ones who recklessly pushed for changes to the script.”
“…”
“Still, wouldn’t it be worth giving it a try? It feels a shame to pass over this without even attempting. I’m confident that you yourself will have a lot of regrets if you don’t.”
Director Park Mu-ryong crossed his arms.
“Of course, the final decision is yours. I’m not going to pressure you. If you believe you won’t regret not trying, then let’s let it go.”
…
Seo Yeon-joo paused for thought.
‘What is honesty? I still don’t understand.’
Even after listening to Sua’s explanation, she was still unsure. She didn’t understand the concept of honesty, so naturally, she felt uncertain whether she could portray this scene.
However…
‘Sua.’
The thought of Sua lingered in her mind. Sua wasn’t some sage who knew all the answers in the world, but she had genuinely spent all day pondering Yeon-joo’s question out of sincerity. For that reason, out of respect and gratitude…
“…Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
Yeon-joo finally nodded her head.
Deep into the night.
Though it was the time when ordinary people should be asleep, the filming site was more lively than ever. It was finally time to shoot the climactic scene.
Excitement filled the minds of the staff.
“With Sua arriving on set, incredible scenes have been born one after another. This climax will be nothing short of a true climax, surely. I’m excited!”
“Upon reviewing the script, I noticed they left the lines quite open-ended. I wonder how Yeon-joo is interpreting it? Especially since it’s a collaboration with Sua, it’s bound to be spectacular.”
The staff, unaware of the full story behind the scene, approached the moment with pure anticipation, akin to an audience waiting for a grand magic show.
In the midst of this excitement…
‘I can do this. I’ve already done it once, right?’
Sua quietly reflected on the past.
When filming the climax scene with the Special Mobile Unit 808, her role was much the same. She just needed to give it her all again.
‘I’ve practiced this more than ten times during the break. I will definitely not make a mistake. Please, let a miracle happen…’
And please, let it align with my expectations.
At that moment, someone approached her.
It was Seo Yeon-joo.
“Sua, are you alright? The truth is, I haven’t been able to interpret this scene at all. We might get NGs repeatedly until dawn, or we might not even get an OK at the end.”
“…”
Yeon-joo’s usual tone, laced with playful mischief.
But this time, it was just a disguise. Sua detected a slight tremble in her voice.
‘So, my guess was right.’
Since their conversation, Sua had repeatedly reflected on their dialogue. Yeon-joo herself had claimed she wasn’t extraordinary and lacked confidence.
‘At first, it seemed like nonsense, but after considering it multiple times, it seems Yeon-joo sincerely holds that belief. That’s why she’s so troubled.’
But it was alright.
Because Sua had figured out the solution.
And if this solution doesn’t work, it’s still better than having no solution. She just hoped it would all work out.
Therefore…
“It’s fine. Sister, trust me.”
Sua spoke bravely, pretending to be more confident than she felt.
“Alright! Here comes the climax! Let’s go!”
Director Park Mu-ryong yelled into the megaphone.
“Action!”
Swish!
Sua immediately pulled Lim Soo-hee in.
“Lies, Lies, Lies.”
▶ Element sufficient
▶ ■ rated
[Encyclopedia: Yeoncheon-kyung]
[1. Kim Sun-il – Yeoncheon-kyung: Reconciliation]
[2. ■■■ – ■■■■]
Special windows flashed repeatedly but she ignored them, deciding to check afterward. Sua was determined to see Seo Yeon-joo’s name appear among the results.
