To sum up, it’s just the sin of being too immersed.
“…No. What are you doing? You shouldn’t act like that.”
Yes, one phrase slipped out purely because I was overly absorbed.
Sua bit her tongue in surprise right after.
Lately, her tongue never seemed to get a break, but this time, she was especially shocked. The fact that she couldn’t even feel the pain from biting her tongue was the proof.
She had briefly hoped the mask might have muffled the sound, but apparently, it didn’t work. The focus was already on Sua.
From a director’s chair sat Choi Hee-won PD, asking, “Ms. Sua, did you have something to say?”
“Ah.”
Her mind went completely blank.
What would be the best response to diffuse this situation? Unfortunately, she couldn’t deliberate for long. The other person’s reply came much faster.
“Are you telling me not to act like that?”
It was Park Do-hee’s cutting remark. Sua felt uneasy.
“…I didn’t realize it would be audible.”
Even Sua thought it was a stupid answer.
“Lee Sua, what’s that supposed to mean? Shouldn’t you first clarify that you didn’t mean it? What are you even doing now?!”
But the problem was that no one around seemed to think she was acting overly silly. Instead, they reinforced the situation with an even stronger tone.
“…”
It was only natural for the situation to become more serious.
While some people, like Choi Hee-won PD, were genuinely curious about what was going on, not everyone would have the same impression. Just by looking at Park Do-hee’s face, you could tell she was visibly upset.
“Interrupting a scene like this is the first time for me. What exactly are you trying to do here? And why, even though you’re not the PD, do you have a say in someone else’s acting?”
Then came an unexpected voice.
“The scene will need to be re-shot, yes.”
It was Kim Sun-il.
“Huh?”
Kim Sun-il addressed the furrowed Park Do-hee.
“Lee Kang-cheol is a character who commands deep trust from those around him. However, the look in Do-hee’s eyes was off. It wasn’t there.”
Then Seo Yeon-ju, who had been listening on the side, quietly added her two cents.
“Yeah. I noticed it as well but had some doubts, so when the PD didn’t interrupt, I figured I’d keep going.”
“I was going to stop the scene.”
It was Choi Hee-won PD speaking again.
“Ms. Sua acted faster, so I missed the timing.”
The seemingly rock-solid Choi Hee-won PD continued.
“Even in the midst of being startled and rushed, the relief Lee Kang-cheol felt should have been apparent. I assumed someone of Do-hee’s level would have already analyzed that.”
Sua nodded. Of course, only in her mind.
That’s right, that’s right. The discrepancy I sensed was exactly what they said. Shouldn’t I have been the one to clearly explain all this? But what can I do with no verbal talent?
…And Sua thought to herself. I should be more mindful about when I speak.
“Hmm, I’m sorry. We’ll try again.”
In the end, Park Do-hee accepted it, seemingly resolving the issue, but the ripple effect was unavoidable. The stares directed at Sua had only multiplied since earlier.
Confused eyes darted toward her.
Could it be that Sua had accurately anticipated every element and intentionally stopped the scene? Or was it perhaps simply that Park Do-hee just didn’t appeal to her?
And even if that were the case, would a rookie actor really disrupt the filming?
While such thoughts swirled in everyone’s minds…
“Alright, let’s wrap up the trial run here.”
Choi Hee-won PD announced the end of the scene.
“Onto the next scene. Sua, Do-hee, to your positions!”
Finally, it was Sua’s turn. With immense tension.
While adjusting her hat on the way, there was a moment when her shoulder brushed against Park Do-hee’s.
“And so, I’ll see just how good you are.”
It seemed the previous moment had left a mark.
Sua didn’t find it unpleasant, though. Just that…
“…I’m curious too.”
Well, indeed? How good am I?
◈◈◈◈◈
In the story, Lee Kang-cheol is portrayed as an upright figure.
However, Kim Yu-han’s first appearance is completely the opposite.
S#24
Kim Yu-han (played by Lee Sua), possessing uncontrollable genius, has a rather unusual background. Though he’s excellent in deducing the identity of the criminal, the criminal is always mysteriously missing afterward.
Brilliant detective. Yet simultaneously, he has the lowest arrest rate.
A peculiar paradox.
Kim Yu-han had a secret…
The scene shifted.
The club was blaring music loud enough to burst one’s eardrums.
Ting!
Lee Garan Officer (played by Park Do-hee) toasted with her glass confidently.
Inside the club, a place where people indulged in ecstatic dance.
In truth, Lee Garan Officer was not who she claimed to be; she was a traitor. She provided private information to criminal organizations and received hefty cash rewards in return.
Consuming was, indeed, incredibly pleasurable.
Money earned easily didn’t matter how it was spent. The information of a few people could easily replenish the cash flow.
On her way to the restroom, Lee Garan (Park Do-hee) naturally bumped shoulders with someone. It wasn’t an accident. It was a method of exchanging information within the shadowy underworld.
The other person helped her regain her balance and quietly asked,
– The target this time?
– Naturally, I’ve secured them already. You’re going to love it.
The voice replied enthusiastically, perhaps under the influence of alcohol?
No, it wasn’t that. That person was drunk on the thrill of choosing a target for the criminal organization to torment, knowing she would also be paid.
– Orphanage-born. The face is incredibly refined.
– Killing them would be no hassle then.
– Exactly. And that’s not all. They study all day in a private study room and work part-time on weekends. So diligent. Imagine how amusing it would be to utterly ruin someone who lives so earnestly in a single day.
– You’re really getting into it, huh.
At that, Lee Garan giggled.
– That’s right. Oh, this is addictive.
The other person slipped a few bills into the cleavage of her dress, and she turned back with satisfaction. Just as she was about to indulge in more liquor…
“…”
A massive feeling of unease jarred her consciousness.
They had never paid her in this manner.
In other words, the person she had just conversed with was an imposter, someone pretending to deceive her. Something was wrong. But before she could react…
Bang!
A blunt impact exploded at the back of her skull.
Some sort of pain accompanied the increasingly dimming vision, and the final words she heard were…
– That shouldn’t have happened.
It was most likely those words.
◈◈◈◈◈
Park Do-hee was blindfolded and tied to a chair.
This trial filming was simple. Kim Yu-han, disguised as a criminal organization member, kidnaps Lee Garan and delivers private justice.
In other words, this was the scene where Sua interrogates Do-hee.
While Choi Hee-won PD waited for the cue, Park Do-hee revisited her thoughts on the earlier event, the time when Sua had corrected her.
Lee Sua.
It was easy to admit that her gaze was not ordinary.
But wasn’t it too absurd that a female actor was playing Kim Yu-han, a male character? Besides, that was not all.
Her overly casual outfit.
That only showed her misunderstanding of Kim Yu-han’s role. At best, she looked like a freshman heading to the orientation.
That said, what Sua had told Do-hee…
– No, what are you doing? You shouldn’t act like that.
Frankly, curiosity outweighed the feeling of irritation.
What was she thinking?
What was this rookie thinking when she said that?
Was it a rookie mistake motivated by a craving for attention, or did she spot something that Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-ju had seen first?
While those thoughts lingered in Park Do-hee’s mind, Choi Hee-won PD called out,
“Standby! Cue!”
Choi Hee-won’s cue cleared all extraneous thoughts from Park Do-hee’s mind. She focused entirely on her role.
I am a traitor. A mole for the criminal organization.
However…
‘So, you’re awake?’
“…!”
Instantly, Park Do-hee’s eyelids, covered by the blindfold, fluttered violently.
The voice that gently brushed her ear was bizarrely sticky.
‘Welcome.’
The sensation of a hand presumed to be the opponent softly stroking her hair startled her without her awareness. She could swear it felt like a giant snake coiling around her.
At the same time, the sharp sting of an intoxicating perfume assaulted her nostrils. Though the fragrance seemed pleasant, it caused a wave of nausea.
It wasn’t the fault of the scent. It was the oppressive atmosphere.
‘We’re old acquaintances. Nice to meet you, Officer Garan.’
Slurrr…
The blindfold was suddenly removed from her vision.
“…Huff.”
Park Do-hee involuntarily gasped.
The sight of the person revealed through the gap between the hat and mask was shocking.
Eyes.
Just those piercing eyes were enough to raise goosebumps all over her body.
Slip… Slip…
Sua’s hand continued to graze various parts of Park Do-hee’s body. It didn’t stop at just combing her hair.
The gaze that stared at Park Do-hee seemed affectionate, her touch as if caressing a woman’s cheek.
Yet, Park Do-hee’s impression was different. The warmth of love had no place here; only an inexplicable chill of dread.
It wasn’t until later that she understood.
At this moment,
Lee Sua was the embodiment of death herself.
It was terrifying. Scary.
The entity that expresses affection, that regards someone as a lover… Naturally, it could only mean they were about to meet their end.
Certainly, this action was an affirmation from Sua—she was going to kill Park Do-hee with her whole presence.
Kwang!
Sua suddenly yanked Park Do-hee’s hair tightly.
“Huu… Huu…!”
Park Do-hee reacted in surprise—it wasn’t an act.
‘I finally caught you. You got caught.’
As she spoke, the light of insight, sharpened more keenly than anyone’s, flashed in her eyes. She quietly murmured,
‘Why did you do it? Eventually, all the bad guys fall into my hands.’
‘W-what…are you trying to do? This, let go! You’re a detective, aren’t you? All you can do is arrest. Why… why are you doing this…?’
‘You’re wrong.’
‘Wh…what?’
That’s when Sua firmly grabbed Park Do-hee’s neck.
‘I’m Kim Yu-han. Someone who finds bastards like you and kills them.’
Even though it seemed like she was only gripping him firmly, Park Do-hee genuinely struggled to breathe. It felt as though something was constricting her madly.
‘Therefore, starting now…’
Sua whispered softly.
‘…you’ll experience it. Lose it. One by one.’
“Huu… Huu… Huff…!”
Her grip on Do-hee’s neck tightened gradually.
She’s going to kill me. I’m going to die. I will absolutely die.
Park Do-hee was certain. This wasn’t acting.
No matter how this happened, she didn’t meet Sua until today, yet the sensation told her instinctively that Sua was definitely trying to kill her right now.
Why? Why?
-The truth is, I want to see how well you can do.
Was it because of those words?
Unfair. I don’t want to die.
Tears gathered in the corner of Park Do-hee’s eyes.
And then,
An unexpected event occurred.
“Huhhhgggghhh!”
Park Do-hee bit into Sua’s arm.
This incident was not in the script, and Do-hee’s eyes were filled with the will to survive, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Huuu… Huuuhhhh!”
Her actions were purely driven by instinct. There was no longer any awareness of acting. The only thought was that she couldn’t let her guard down or else she would die.
However,
Moments later,
Do-hee’s expression turned dumbfounded.
“…”
Because she heard the faint sound of a whistle.
…Suddenly?
It didn’t stop there. Soon, a leisurely laughing voice followed.
“…”
Even though Park Do-hee’s mouth was still clamped onto Sua’s arm, her jaw relaxed completely out of bewilderment.
Slowly,
Her eyes gradually moved upward.
And locked.
Sua.
She was looking down at Park Do-hee as if she was the most adorable thing in the world. The tender gaze—just that.
‘You’re really cute, aren’t you?’
As the shock rippled through Park Do-hee’s eyes like an earthquake, Sua slowly bent down until their eyes were level. Her still unoccupied hand gently caressed Do-hee.
‘Keep fighting like this. Don’t break.’
Park Do-hee’s face, which had been ready to harbor any kind of survival instincts, shattered in shock. It was just a moment before Sua pulled down her black mask, revealing her plump lips.
‘…Got it?’
Pa.
A kiss was placed on Park Do-hee’s forehead.
That was all.
“Ah…”
And then Park Do-hee’s eyes rolled back as she fainted.
…
.
..
Suddenly, everyone went silent as if by a mutual agreement.
“Writer. PD Choi.”
Renowned supporting actor Hwang Myung-pil asked,
“…What is this madman? What if we really bring in Kim Yu-han?”
