“…What did you just say?”
Yang Ha-rin’s first words were exactly that. Despite her voice being as desolate as the wind brushing through a meadow, Sua only tilted her head in confusion.
“Huh?”
It wasn’t that she hadn’t heard it.
Rather, it was a face that showed she didn’t understand why Yang Ha-rin was asking such a question. It was more than enough reason for Ha-rin’s anger to rise.
“Are you sure you’re clear about what you just said?”
“Hmm?”
Only then did Sua start to carefully recap her own words.
–You must be surprised by your own reflection sometimes.
Right, she hadn’t given the wrong answer. Sometimes it actually happens.
“Yes, I’m fully aware of what I said.”
“….”
Ha-rin narrowed her eyes mockingly.
‘What’s the game here? Trying to intimidate me?’
Yang Ha-rin wasn’t dull enough to be swayed by such words.
“Hold on.”
At that moment, someone lightly tapped Yang Ha-rin on the arm. Though touching the usually sensitive Yang Ha-rin was a risky move, the situation being what it was, they had reached out unknowingly.
It was none other than Director Park Jun.
He whispered softly.
“Ha-rin. This is the last applicant, let’s just go through the motions and send them on their way. There’s nothing to gain from raising your voice needlessly.”
“Mmmph.”
Eventually, Yang Ha-rin nodded.
No matter how rude the person, she was to be the one to win the rookie award. It was beneath her to exchange verbal blows with just any applicant. Arguing itself would already be shameful.
‘Mask-wise, she’s fine. But is this person only relying on that?’
Yang Ha-rin, who had already composed her expression, spoke again.
“Please introduce yourself briefly, just the key points.”
“Eh? An introduction? I didn’t prepare that…”
“…?”
Yang Ha-rin looked at Sua with a bewildered expression.
Today, nearly a hundred applicants had come, but this type was a first. Everyone was trying their best to leave a good impression on Yang Ha-rin, yet here was someone who seemingly had no preparation.
‘Really ignorant, or is she just being cocky?’
The interviewee’s face was as impassive as a mannequin, making it hard to read her intentions. If this was all planned, Ha-rin thought, it was highly skilled.
Ha-rin explained again with patience.
“Just explain yourself lightly. Anything will do.”
“I’m Sua.”
As Yang Ha-rin nodded and leaned in to listen, surprisingly, there were no more words. The introduction was already over.
“… Just your name, and that’s it?”
“Yes.”
Ha-rin’s calm exterior cracked slightly.
‘This feels like something a master director would do….’
Does she have credentials that Yang Ha-rin doesn’t know about? She opened Sua’s application with wide eyes and scanned it.
‘Empty. Nothing. No credentials whatsoever.’
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
This wasn’t a simple college club making a video project. This was the casting of a co-lead to stand beside the promising Yang Ha-rin.
Because of this, today’s applicants had all shown a desperate determination. Yet here was a rookie with no credentials who dared to challenge Yang Ha-rin with a mere name.
“Well, I see. Judging from your credentials, you’ve nothing much to say, other than your name. Also, it appears you’re missing some basic knowledge.”
Sua nodded as if remembering something, replying.
“Yes, you’re right. I had something I wanted to ask.”
“Hmm?”
“About the role of Wi Ji-hye. Isn’t it possible to audition for that?”
“What…?”
But from Yang Ha-rin’s standpoint, this was a situation she could only frown upon.
‘What gives her the gall to want MY role? What exactly does she base this on?’
Was she simply starting trouble about the role of Wi Ji-hye, or did she genuinely have confidence in it? Whichever way you look at it, it didn’t seem right.
Unless she had completely lost her fear.
At this moment, she almost wanted to throw the water in the cup at her and send her away. But she couldn’t do that. She was Yang Ha-rin, the actress who was going to win the rookie award of the year.
Thus, keeping her composure as much as possible, she questioned.
“Aren’t you a rookie with no credentials?”
“That’s correct.”
“Didn’t you know that Wi Ji-hye is my role? Such a question should be followed by some proof, don’t you think? If you had any sense at all.”
“Actually, don’t misunderstand me.”
Sua replied calmly.
“I’m asking purely out of genuine interest. Because it’s the role I’m most confident in.”
“…You damn thing.”
Before she knew it, Yang Ha-rin covered her mouth after blurting out the words.
Because she had never been in a situation like this, the words had come out without going through the filter of reason.
‘I said such an undignified thing…’
Or could this have been another provocation?
Had the other party tried to collapse her dignity, and did she just succumb flawlessly? If that was the case, it meant she’d lost the verbal battle.
“Uh….”
Yang Ha-rin composed her breathing.
“You’re not exactly behaving like a rookie. Not at all.”
“Recently, I’ve been hearing that a lot.”
“…”
A phrase that seemed like humble acquiescence but, coming from this person, felt different. As if not giving an inch.
Yang Ha-rin eventually smiled.
Once beyond the unpleasant ravine, it felt oddly pleasant, even intriguing.
What kind of person is this applicant, really?
“Well, fine. I’m not going to criticize your attitude for now.”
“Hmm… Thank you?”
“However, there is something very important for you to keep in mind. There comes a time when this attitude of yours will be a serious issue. When is that?”
“…When exactly?”
“That’s when your acting skills come across as average.”
Yang Ha-rin’s tone became very serious.
“If you’re talent turns out to be bad, I’ll have no reason to be upset. I’ll just send you away, we’ll never see each other again.”
“Hmm…”
“In fact, even if your talent is good, I won’t be upset. I’ll think you’ve merely earned confidence that matches your talent. However—”
With a fiercely bright stare, Ha-rin looked directly at Sua.
“…People with mediocre talents tend to have baseless self-confidence. If you’re in that group, be prepared. I’ll use every means at my disposal to call you out for today’s discourtesy.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re bad.
It doesn’t matter if you’re good.
Only this: If you dare to provoke me with mediocre skills, I will see you pay somehow. Park Jun, aware of Yang Ha-rin’s tenacity, was already breaking a cold sweat.
Is her declaration really that terrifying?
“….”
Sua remained silent for a while.
Just as Ha-rin’s lips were about to curl into a smirk,
“Sorry, could you reexplain that once more? I’m not really following…”
“…Clearly, you’re insane.”
Yang Ha-rin turned her gaze to Park Jun.
“In that case, I should apologize to Director Park.”
“Eh, euh… Why all of a sudden….”
“I wasted his precious time dealing with someone of unsound mind. I should sincerely apologize. As Director Park mentioned, I should’ve just done the interview and sent her away.”
“I’ll get a coffee and resume interviews after that.”
With that short statement, Yang Ha-rin left the interview room.
◈◈◈◈◈
After Ha-rin left, Park Jun approached Sua with a horrified expression.
“Applicant, why did you do that?”
“Yes?”
“That’s Yang Ha-rin. Yang Ha-rin! Don’t you know her!”
“Ah, yes. Yang Ha-rin.”
Sua nodded silently.
Yang Ha-rin was someone Sua vaguely recognized. From just recalling the group chats, she was an idol-turned-actress and a potential rookie award contender. That much was clear.
With a stern face, Park Jun said,
“Yang Ha-rin’s character is pretty sensitive.”
“That feels accurate. What can I do?”
“Even more so! You should’ve been extra careful! Provoking her since entering the interview room?! This is the first time I’ve ever seen Ha-rin so upset! The situation has become serious!”
“…The more I live, the more I’ve learned things don’t go according to my will. I’ve grown quite accustomed to this kind of treatment now.”
“Hey, what is she talking about…?”
Park Jun was unable to make ends meet in his explanation due to Sua’s utterly innocent gaze. There was no hint of deception, no sign that she had ever lied.
A person who’s completely unpredictable. With that thought in mind, Park Jun let out a deep sigh, abandoning the explanation.
“Alright, let’s say that’s true. Regardless, it’s a fact that Miss Ha-rin’s mood has been severely disrupted. What that means is that, Miss Sua, your upcoming interview difficulty has risen significantly.”
“That’s fine.”
“…Hmm?”
“Probably, it will be alright. Just let me act.”
Park Jun looked at Sua as if observing a yokai, but truthfully, all this kind of attention was already something Sua was used to.
No, to be more precise, looking back on Sua’s life, she had been accustomed to this kind of treatment almost all the time.
Choi Hee-won PD, Lee Geum-sook writer, Kim Sun-il, Seo Yeon-joo… These people were just a few who unexpectedly favored her well.
Their situations and this one only differed because Sua had yet to show her acting skills.
‘My ultimate effort is that, and nothing more.’
Just as Sua pondered that internally—
“Hey, Miss Sua. Your ambition is commendable, but…”
Park Jun sighed heavily.
“Frankly, you’ve already missed the mark for today’s interview.”
“Eh?”
“First, Ha-rin’s quite discerning when it comes to talent, and even if you passed, there’s another issue. Just from such minimal conversation, we’ve already seen this kind of atmosphere. Imagine how much they’ll clash once filming starts?”
“Aaa…”
“Clashes between the two leads will naturally make things difficult for both involved, and it will divide the people around them. You’re a rookie after all. Once complaints start circling around, can you handle them? Of course not.”
Sua scratched her head. She hadn’t intended to create conflict, and she didn’t feel like they had really clashed much.
“Still, I want to try acting.”
“Indeed, you should try acting since you’ve come this far… But in case you don’t make it, don’t be too disheartened. There are many opportunities in the world, and perhaps letting it go this time might be for the best anyway.”
“No, I won’t let it go.”
Is this a strong interest in this work? No director dislikes such reactions. Park Jun’s expression relaxed a bit.
He handed over a sheet of paper with a gentler attitude this time.
“These are the rules for today’s interview. Please read them beforehand.”
“Ah.”
As Sua read, it was simple enough:
“Recreate any part of the script from the role you’ve chosen, ensuring it’s exactly 10 minutes long. Understand correctly?”
“Precisely. I’ll support you.”
…though the movie is doomed anyway. Park Jun stifled the words lingering on his lips.
.
.
.
.
.
While waiting for Yang Ha-rin’s return,
Sua suddenly noticed a significant change.
“Huh.”
[Short Historical Film ‘Sword’]
✔ Sufficient Realization Elements
✔ Experienced / Grade 2
Alright, this part was familiar…
Ha-ryeong (Lead) — Suitability F
Hwa-cheon (Co-lead) — Suitability F
Cheon-gi (Co-lead) — Suitability F…
‘What? Their suitability ratings have all dropped to F?’
Still Grade 2 for ‘Sword’, meaning Sua still must include it in her filmography. But the issue is with the roles’ suitability.
What could’ve caused this sudden drop?
‘Ah?’
A theory came to mind after a while.
‘Could it be because of the conversation with Yang Ha-rin?’
Seems likely.
Sua was aware that Yang Ha-rin’s mood was extremely disrupted regardless of the intention. This likely increased the interview standards significantly, hence leading to this change.
Amidst her musings, one point caught Sua’s eye.
Wi Ji-hye (Lead) — Suitability A
Wi Ji-hye. The clear-cut main protagonist of ‘Sword’.
This role remains at Suitability A. In fact, it is now the only role maintaining such a rating.
With that clarity, Sua’s task was set. To be in ‘Sword’, she had to secure the role of Wi Ji-hye.
‘But the role of Wi Ji-hye is already Yang Ha-rin’s…’
A headache was already forming. The role she had to secure was already Yang Ha-rin’s. How could she possibly take it?
“Uh… What to do with this…”
Sua practiced the script through various roles.
The content of ‘Sword’ was rather straightforward.
The unparalleled Wi Ji-hye, her student Hwa-cheon on death’s door.
Hwa-cheon wished to learn the master’s technique.
Wi Ji-hye never teaches.
Hwa-cheon’s admiration eventually turns to hatred.
Summarized in a mere five lines.
“Even though the content is simple… Hmm, what to do…”
As Sua mindlessly glanced at the interview conditions—
[Conditions]
✔ Recreate any part using the chosen role but ensure the performance is exactly 10 minutes long. No exceptions.
A light bulb clicked in her head.
Sua revisited the script.
She reviewed the interview conditions again.
To Director Park Jun seated far away, it seemed like an instantaneous moment. Sua revisited the script again and delved into the interview conditions once more.
Repeating that process thrice,
‘I’ve found it. The answer.’
◈◈◈◈◈
“The world is vast, but inspiration is scarce.”
Outside. Yang Ha-rin sipped her coffee and muttered to herself while talking on the phone with her agent.
“Director, it seems this movie might not work out.”
“Really? Considering we’ve invested in it, another flop would be a first.”
“What can you expect when there’s a lack of inspiring actors?”
“Not a single one? None at all?”
“We have one applicant left, but essentially, I consider it a no-show. Some odd one came in, completely out of touch.”
“Director Park’s run is coming to an end, seems like. Ha-rin, just try another project. You too, take a break.”
“I hate these gaps in work. I was really trying hard to nail down the rookie award.”
“Still, I understand. I’ll have a word with Director Park.”
After ending the call and returning,
“….”
Yang Ha-rin paused.
She carefully glanced around her surroundings by slightly tilting her head.
The familiar interview room, Director Park seated at a straight desk, and an odd applicant standing in the center—it was exactly the same scene as before she went outside.
Still, there was a distinct difference.
‘What is it?’
A different sensation from before.
She quickly realized that it was due to Sua.
That peculiar applicant was holding a wooden practice sword in preparation for the act, or rather, she started the moment Yang Ha-rin stepped into the interview room.
Still,
‘Ha-ryeong? Wi Ji-hye? No, Hwa-cheon?’
Which role exactly? She couldn’t tell yet…
