“For example, the role of Wi Ji-hye.”
Sua’s plan to secure the role of Wi Ji-hye was simple.
‘Make the opponent curious.’
Herself, who had to act as Ha-ryeong.
The 10-minute time limit.
By combining the two, the answer came easily.
First, she would give her all to the performance, then leave an action that seemed like an ad-lib at the end as bait.
Of course, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
‘Ugh, even if I act tough a hundred times, I’m still nervous.’
Especially in front of someone as fierce as Yang Ha-rin.
Still, she proceeded. She had to spout aggressive words that were far from her true feelings and occasionally fake being nonchalant, but…
So what? This was to secure an A-grade fitting role, so she could endure the trembling in her heart for a moment.
Through continuously reaffirming to herself things like “You’re going to be a great actor, so don’t be afraid,” the result was undoubtedly effective.
The proof was that Park Jun and Yang Ha-rin requested an additional five minutes of her audition. Yeah, Sua’s plan had undoubtedly worked.
‘Now, I just wait for the answer….’
Sua waited calmly for the other party’s response.
However, the silence stretched much longer than expected. Neither Ha-rin nor Park Jun took their eyes off Sua, which was all they did for quite some time.
It wasn’t until quite a while later that Park Jun asked.
“…Where is your agency, Sua?”
“I don’t have an agency.”
“No agency, huh? Oh, that’s right. No experience, nothing… But with this skill, why not?”
Just as Park Jun was about to ask something else,
“Certainly, her acting was watchable.”
A sharp voice cut in. It was Yang Ha-rin.
“No, it was unique. The best among today’s interviewees.”
Ha-rin’s brief compliment was enough to shock Park Jun, who was seated beside her. Apparently, it was quite a rare occurrence.
Would she be given the role of Wi Ji-hye? Sua wondered at that moment.
“However.”
Yang Ha-rin’s frosty voice continued.
“You’re arrogant. Why do you keep trying to invade my territory?”
“You keep provoking me. You don’t know your place.”
Provoking. Overstepping.
At the onslaught of harsh words, Sua instantly understood.
‘Hmm, this woman is seriously misunderstanding.’
In fact, Sua had somewhat anticipated this.
Any actor yearns for the chance to stand in front of the camera, and it’s natural to have affection for the role they’ve been given. Even if she asked in the most straightforward way possible, it likely wouldn’t have been received well. Sua herself was well aware that her impression and tone could come across as sharp to others.
“You’ve been given the role of Ha-ryeong. It’s already commendable to be hired as a housemaid; why do you keep trying to act like the mistress?”
…But why was she subjected to such remarks?
‘Thinking about it, I don’t really have a reason to argue endlessly.’
A short film like “Sword” is grade 2. It might bolster her filmography, but asking if it’s worth risking her life for it—it’s not.
Sure. In this case, there’s no need for her to push forward.
She’s already secured a grade 1 role in “Special Mobile Unit 808,” and she has the yet-to-come Grade 2 commercial for a beverage.
“The role of Wi Ji-hye will definitely not be given to you. Understand that.”
Just as Ha-rin was nailing down the statement, Park Jun intervened.
“This was ultimately an audition for the role of Ha-ryeong, and Ha-rin has been so eager for the role of Wi Ji-hye…”
His voice was quite urgent, the tone of someone seeking to mediate.
“Sua’s performance was not at all bad. We will seriously consider her for the Ha-ryeong role…”
“No.”
Sua politely bowed.
“In fact, I only came here assuming I’d get the role of Wi Ji-hye.”
There’s nothing she can do about it. The role of Ha-ryeong with an F rating is like a poisoned chalice—too dangerous.
Upon hearing this, Park Jun’s eyes widened dramatically. It looked like they might pop out and roll on the floor.
Perhaps he was worried that Sua was going to continue her disagreement with Yang Ha-rin. So, Sua quickly added.
“Also, I understand that the role of Wi Ji-hye is secure with a capable person and that the director’s advice about incompatible chemistry was right. You can go ahead and count me as rejected. Thank you.”
Sua thought to herself that the Special Mobile Unit 808 production team wasn’t exactly angels after all—though they were probably being overly kind to her.
Still, it’s better to feel burdened than unpleasant, right?
“Uh, Sua…”
Park Jun’s voice reached her back once, but Sua decided to pretend she didn’t hear. She’d already made up her mind.
■■■■■
Yang Ha-rin’s agency, CT Entertainment building.
Currently, there was an unexpected visitor in the lavish and spacious president’s office. If you imagined a particularly brilliant crow transformed into a human, it might feel something like this.
A sleek and dark presence who was slowly infusing the space with a sense of elegance. The president spoke to this man.
“Kim Sun-il, your face has improved significantly, hasn’t it? I only learned from the news about the script production with writer Lee Geum-sook.”
Kim Sun-il quietly sipped his tea, nodding his head. Of course, he carefully wrapped the cup handle with a handkerchief before grasping it.
“Still, I must say, do I have to learn about you being in my project from the news? You could’ve informed me first.”
“I was busy.”
“You’re as heartless as ever. You were even like that when you left our agency.”
The president chuckled without any sign of displeasure.
Originally, they were a family. Kim Sun-il was a newcomer from CT Entertainment and remained so until he moved to Seo Yeon-joo’s agency.
Thanks to that, now even if they rarely had business, the reason Kim Sun-il visited this place was simple.
“Still, old bonds give a certain reassurance, don’t they? Since you’re in the project I’m investing in, Kim actor promised to make a special appearance.”
“Old bonds?”
The short film “Sword” funded by CT Entertainment. Kim Sun-il had promised a special appearance.
“Just the script was good, that’s all.”
Of course, Kim Sun-il drew a clear line.
He was not someone who allowed personal feelings to sway his decision to act. He always looked out for clean projects and happened to find Park Director’s “Sword” script decent.
The president was still smiling.
“Still, it’s a pity now. It seems like the movie with Kim actor’s special appearance might just be scrapped after all. I invested money, Ha-rin was all set, Kim actor was lined up for a special appearance…”
“So it’s come to that at last.”
Kim Sun-il nodded as if he had anticipated this.
Initially, he had learned of Park Director’s announcement of retirement and decided to back the script he thought was too good to let go. But it was not uncommon for Park to cancel something, even a project like this.
“Then, I’ll leave as soon as I’m done.”
“On this visit, at least say hello to Ha-rin? You know well, right? Ha-rin really admires Kim actor.”
“No time to waste.”
—Clunk!
However, Kim Sun-il’s departure was interrupted by the entry of two people. Park Director and Yang Ha-rin who had just returned after the audition sessions.
The president greeted them first.
“Back? Looks like things didn’t go well.”
“Damn it.”
Ha-rin mutters irritably. As she sinks into a plush leather sofa that hugs her body.
The president spoke to Ha-rin first.
“Ha-rin, there’s no rush. Taking a break won’t even show. You’re still the most promising contender for newcomer awards.”
“Not the same thing, though. Hey? Sun-il Oppa?”
But Ha-rin paid no attention to the president’s words. She was drawn to another presence.
Her irritable face quickly smoothed out.
“Sun-il Oppa, what brings you here?”
“Why?”
“I was just really surprised, that’s all. How are you doing lately? I’ve been working hard lately. My goal right now is to win a award just like Sun-il Oppa used to.”
“Uh…”
Of course, Ha-rin’s favorite actor was Kim Sun-il.
But Kim Sun-il himself showed little interest in Ha-rin. More accurately, he quite disliked her.
‘Taking advantage of others.’
Though she might seem similar to him at first glance, she’s vastly different—like the sky and the earth apart.
While Kim pursues perfection in the work, Ha-rin solely pursues her own perfection. In other words, she doesn’t care if the work is shredded to pieces as long as she receives the spotlight.
He was completely opposite to Kim, who would do anything for the sake of the work he aimed to perfect impeccably, even kneel if necessary.
The president shook his head.
“Anyway, she loses her composure the moment Kim actor shows up. Director Park, did you know that? Your short film received a promise of a special appearance from Kim actor. He says the script is rather good.”
“…Really?”
Ha-rin’s voice rose with excitement.
“Ah, then it should have been taken forward somehow!”
“But you said there were no promising talents in the auditions, didn’t you? What can you do.”
Then Park Director cautiously interjected.
“In fact, there wasn’t someone who stood out. There was a particularly noticeable auditionee.”
“Then why did you drop it?”
The president showed interest but Ha-rin scowled.
“Ahhh, Director Park. Don’t even mention that strange woman. I don’t know what her name was, Sua or something? Just bad karma.”
The movement of Kim Sun-il, who was preparing to leave, froze mid-motion.
“…”
He paused all actions and contemplated for a moment. On the name he had just heard. Whether it might be a mere homonym.
Yet he finally spoke, driven by a strong curiosity.
“What did you just say?”
“Oh, it’s nothing that Oppa needs to worry about. Something insignificant. I’ll probably forget it by tomorrow.”
“That was not what I meant. The name.”
“Name? Oh, her name? It’s Sua… Sua Yi.”
Sua Yi. He had definitely heard the name correctly.
Kim Sun-il furrowed his brows.
“Why? Does Sun-il Oppa know her?”
“….”
Kim Sun-il did not provide an answer. He merely pondered.
Sua Yi? What’s she doing coming for an audition?
No, in fact, it wasn’t strange. As a newcomer, it was natural that she would work hard to build her filmography.
But what made Kim Sun-il ponder over one point.
“That means this Sua Yi acknowledged the script I was eyeing too. So does that mean her discernment is also a step above?”
He’s always praised by fans for only picking out the best scripts, but this script he chose also caught Sua Yi’s attention.
Yeah, it’s clear—she definitely has sharp eyesight.
“So, what did Sua Yi do?”
Ha-rin was happy to speak up. It’s not every day that Kim Sun-il engages her in conversation.
“Just acted, you know. It was an audition.”
“Hmm.”
Even with just that much, Kim Sun-il already slightly tilted his lips upward, nodding his head. He had already guessed what Yang Ha-rin and Director Park observed.
She must have delivered an incredible performance. Likely left an indelible impression.
Kim Sun-il redirected his gaze toward Director Park.
“Director Park, how was it?”
“I don’t even know how to describe it…”
“Probably it was spot-on for the role, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. There was nothing to criticize, and it even made me refresh my perspective as if realizing ‘Oh, that’s how this character should be.'”
“Acting learned out of interest couldn’t be that good.”
“Huh? Don’t joke around. Or, wait, Kim Sun-il, you don’t joke around, right? Oh, was she an acquaintance?”
Midway through the stunned Director Park’s sentence, Kim Sun-il asked further.
“If Sua Yi had joined, there wouldn’t have been any reason to drop this movie, right?”
“Ah, that is…”
Director Park scratched his head.
“Sua Yi wanted another character, which was already assigned to Young Ha-rin. The chemistry between the two didn’t seem good either.”
“And thus, the project was dropped, right?”
“Exactly.”
This time Kim Sun-il’s gaze was directed at Ha-rin.
“Why didn’t you give the role to her?”
“How could I give it to a fresh debut? I have my pride, you know.”
Ha-rin responded as if it were obvious.
“Isn’t that novice too cocky and out of place? Besides, I can handle that degree of acting just fine.”
“So you just turned her away?”
“Of course I said a firm no.”
After listening, Kim Sun-il burst into a smirk.
“She sure doesn’t know her place, huh?”
“Yeah, right? She should feel fortunate to even be offered a supporting role.”
“Not quite.”
Kim Sun-il cut the statement short with decisive finality.
“Directing that at you.”
At that moment, the man’s and young Ha-rin’s gazes meet in the air, locking eyes.
Ha-rin tilted her head slightly in disbelief at the words she had just heard, yet Kim Sun-il’s expression was unmistakably sharp.
“Yang Ha-rin. You don’t know your place either, do you?”
