“Lies, Lies, Lies” filming location nearby hotel.
An awkward meeting took place. It was none other than the meeting between Minami and her daughter, Sawako. Sawako sat in her wheelchair, eyes downcast, and remained silent.
‘As expected, she’s still very afraid of Akiko.’
That was Director Yusaku’s brief impression. To him, Sawako appeared to be shrinking in the presence of her mother, Akiko. Instead of joyfully welcoming their reunion, she seemed more at a loss for what to do.
“Have you been well? You seem to have gained a bit of weight.”
“Yes, I’ve been well.”
“To an author, gaining weight isn’t a good sign. After all, a novice writer’s growth usually happens through suffering. I have my doubts about whether you’ve been spending your time appropriately in Korea…”
Sawako appeared to be pondering her response, unsure of how to reply. Eventually, Director Yusaku stepped in.
“Let’s head inside. We won’t be able to see Sua’s performance until tomorrow anyway, so let’s rest today.”
Akiko smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Well, fine.”
“And there are a few important things we need to keep in mind for tomorrow. Thanks to the persuasion of Mystic, we were given permission for the scene, but this is still a big event.”
“Of course. Why? Are you worried I might cause trouble?”
Akiko said this while slightly lowering her sunglasses. Her earrings, bracelets, and necklaces — she was covered in so many jewels that she could’ve been called a walking jewelry box.
In any case, Akiko spoke again.
“Still, the decision to adapt Sawako’s script into a movie based solely on the talent of one actor, Lee Sua?”
“That’s correct.”
Director Yusaku continued without hesitation.
“As long as Sua is here, everyone thinks it will be enough.”
“Director Yusaku’s discerning eye hasn’t changed much from before, has it? I’ve never seen you get this excited.”
“Well, you’ll see once you watch for yourself.”
Director Yusaku’s attitude was firm, indicating no need for further words, and Akiko seemed to have understood his intent.
Thus, Akiko smiled and nodded again.
“Well then, I’ll see for myself tomorrow. Whether or not Director Yusaku’s vision has clouded, or if Lee Sua is indeed the runaway train she claims to be. We’ll find out once I see it.”
—
Meanwhile, inside Sua’s mind.
[Sua Association]
A massive banner was hung as an interview was underway. Three judges sat at a long desk: Kim Yu-han, Wi Ji-hye Sua, and Lee Kang-cheol Sua.
However, what was remarkable was the crowd gathered on the other side. Various Suas lined up in a row.
Wi Ji-hye yawned.
“Well, they’ve finally set a date. I despise such inconveniences.”
At this, Kim Yu-han spoke.
“It can’t be helped. Senior Sua has been exposed to too many scripts in a short time, and all the roles have accumulated inside her mind. Some pruning is necessary. If not…”
“If not?”
“A terrible thing might happen. Old woman, what do you think would occur if Senior Sua had 100 roles alive inside her mind? Would she become 100 times smarter?”
“Mmm.”
Wi Ji-hye considered this for a moment before shaking her head.
“I don’t think so. She wouldn’t be able to handle 100 personas. She’d either go insane or her brain would explode.”
“Exactly. And if Senior Sua’s brain explodes, we all die. Therefore, without any complaints, let’s carefully select the roles.”
Eventually, Wi Ji-hye agreed, and the interview officially began. First off, the “supporting role” Suas were mostly eliminated.
Of course, it made sense. Supporting characters, being inherently vague, wouldn’t serve much purpose kept inside her mind.
Of course, there were objections.
“Me? I’m cut? That’s absurd!”
“Don’t yell. Leave gracefully.”
“Like I could keep calm? Look over there!”
Supporting Role Sua pointed toward So-hee Sua. She was playing with toys while humming a song.
“…And why is she selected while I’m cut? Right?”
“That one resembles the main host the most, wouldn’t you say? Special selection? Something like that. Don’t overthink it.”
“What? What nonsense is this…!”
“Disappear.”
When Wi Ji-hye swung her sword, Supporting Role Sua vanished with a “pop.” Many extras were filtered out this way.
And then, at some point,
“Hello…”
Another supporting role. However, this one was dressed rather uniquely, making her identity quite clear. It was Maid Sua.
The character Sua portrayed in the movie “Upper Class,” and the role that helped her learn “fox-like tricks.”
“List ten strengths of yours.”
“Cleaning and laundry…”
Maid Sua trailed off.
“Sorry, that’s all I have.”
“Pass.”
“…?”
Maid Sua looked like she wanted to ask why she’d been selected but couldn’t as the interview continued.
And after much time had passed,
“What a racket. Die.”
An interviewee with bold words appeared.
It was Soo-hee Sua.
Namely, Gangster Sua dressed in formal attire. The very role that Sua took on in “Lies, Lies, Lies.”
“Oh?”
“Hm?”
Wi Ji-hye and Kim Yu-han showed interest in Gangster Sua, but ignoring their attention, Gangster Sua spat.
“Even as adults, you’re playing kid games.”
“Pass.”
“What?”
“You’re interesting. My body was itching, and this is perfect.”
Wi Ji-hye and the Suas began to loosen up, but for some reason, Gangster Sua felt a chill run down her spine.
—
Meanwhile, in the outside world, Sua was on a phone call.
“What? Seriously?”
“That’s right.”
Her conversation partner was none other than Deer, or Shikarin, or Go Eun-bi. Sua widened her eyes in disbelief at what she’d just heard.
“You’re saying ‘Shark’s Playground’ is canceled?”
“Yeah, I’ve already told you this a few times.”
Go Eun-bi’s voice was tinged with sighs.
“Do you know who planned ‘Shark’s Playground’? A streamer named ‘Shark.’ It seems this Shark guy cheated by giving preferential treatment to his close streamer buddies when making the map.”
“Cheating in the map?”
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
“What?”
“Oh, my bad, forgot you’re ill! Let me continue.”
“Hmm?”
“Valuable resources or areas where rare items drop were shared in advance with certain people, and once that was exposed, chaos ensued obviously.”
“So what’s happening with the talent show?”
“It’s in disarray. You might not need to use Sumi-ho for a while, but they’re holding discussions higher up, so we’ll inform you when we get any results.”
“Hmm, okay.”
“…Look, ‘Shark’s Playground’ fell through, but if a big event happens later and you’re asked to use Sumi-ho, don’t play dumb, Lee Sua! Understand?”
“I do. Got it.”
Perfect comprehension, right? Sua understands!
After ending the call, Sua fell into thought.
“I prepared that song for the talent show…”
But alas, Sua’s song lost its platform. What now? Did she just learn the song for nothing?
However, Sua could shake her head.
“OST for a drama.”
Hadn’t Hong Ye-ji demanded incredible singing abilities from Sua? This was fortuitous. Sua needed singing skills in one form or another.
Ding!
A new message had just arrived.
[From: Kim I-seo]
✔ Sua, I’ve sent the van.
✔ Loosen up your vocal cords inside the vehicle. You might have to perform a singing test as soon as you arrive.
…Okay, time for Sua to sing.
—
Later, Sua arrived at Netflix Korea Branch.
The title of world’s number one OTT platform was not unwarranted. Luxurious music studios were housed within the Netflix building, a basic feature if anything.
“Whoa… a space for musicians?”
Various instruments, recording booths, and sound equipment — items that might have been unfamiliar to Sua normally but now seemed as familiar as items at a stone-throwing party thanks to the special benefits of having experienced everything.
“Thanks to returning through Gold Coins over ten thousand times! The life of a singer-songwriter I lived after that helped. I pretty much touched all kinds of equipment.”
“There she is! The star of today, Ms. Sua!”
The “Title Unconfirmed” production team greeted Sua with enthusiasm.
With Netflix personnel, Sua sharing the lead role with Lee Seo-jung, Lee Geum-sook’s team, Hong Ye-ji, and Sawako included, the crowd made Sua increasingly nervous.
Kuang kuang kuang!
Her racing heart began again.
“Ugh, it’s so nerve-racking. I really need to do well…”
In the karaoke room, she could’ve just sung by herself so there was no need to feel tense, but knowing that so many people would be watching her sing made her incredibly nervous.
And it wasn’t just watching.
“It’s overwhelming! They’re all so expectant…”
Indeed, everyone’s gaze conveyed high expectations.
However…
Suddenly…
“…”
Sua gained an immense surge of courage.
“…Is it Senior Hong Ye-ji?”
There in a corner, Hong Ye-ji stood with her hands clasped in prayer, lips moving nonstop. Judging by the shape of her mouth, she was saying things like “Please, Sua, singing…”
Sua had never seen such earnestness in anyone.
Without hearing everything, the meaning was clear.
So then.
Sua clenched her fists tightly.
“Understood. Trust me.”
