“Is Harin’s work finally set to this one?”
Yang Ha-rin didn’t bother to answer, but simply nodded slightly.
She still hasn’t corrected, nor does she intend to correct, her addiction to community forums. She’s currently refreshing the Yang Harin gallery ten times.
A nearby staff member responded instead.
“Yes. It’s Director Jo Eui-shin’s work, and they plan to proceed by casting Harin as the main lead. It seems Harin suits them perfectly.”
“Director Jo Eui-shin has sharper eyes unlike others. Since it’s a favor, convey that we will not skimp on support.”
“Yes. I’ll pass it on immediately.”
“How about the other conditions, including the film equipment?”
“It’s excellent. Now, with the addition of our capital, it’s going to be the most well-endowed among short films.”
“That’s not bad. If we pour lots of money, it’ll be icing on the cake.”
The representative thought that it doesn’t matter how much money is spent.
The moment the work succeeds, they’ll also win the public opinion battle. By that time, Yang Harin’s position will be even stronger, and they can earn several times the amount of money they’ve spent.
The representative was confident to do anything to make sure it happens.
“Have the guys working on ‘Sword’ started filming today?”
“Yes. Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il were paired as you instructed, and the news of their joining hasn’t been leaked yet.”
“Seems like Mystic Entertainment quickly took our spot. The more I think about it, the more frustrating it gets. What are they trying to do against us, CT Entertainment?”
Click, click, click.
He tapped the edge of his desk with his fingernails, looking increasingly irritated.
“What rookie wants to take Harin’s place, and now newborn entertainment companies want to take our spot? You’re talking about the damn short film, right? Wasn’t the investment money supposed to come from Mystic?”
“Yes. It seems Kim I-seo is the representative who backed it.”
“Hmph.”
The representative of CT Entertainment sneered.
“Good. If they’re challenging us, we should also expand the game. A bigger explosion is coming. The side that loses will be wiped out completely.”
“Expand the game…what do you mean?”
“It’s not just about Harin stomping on a rookie. Let’s dismantle Mystic Entertainment as well. It’s simple, isn’t it? We’re not scared, and there’s no chance we could lose.”
Just then,
“There’s exactly one possibility that we might fail.”
For the first time, Yang Harin, who had been emotionlessly staring at her phone, spoke. Still, she didn’t take her eyes off the screen.
“Sua. If she outperforms me in acting and beats me in the performance results, then it’s our defeat.”
“Isn’t that absurd? It’s practically an impossible scenario?”
“Yes. Practically impossible. What I’m saying is…”
Yang Harin finally looked at the representative.
“…could you hurry up with things? What’s causing this hesitation?”
“Got it. Understand. Hey! Let’s release the joining article right away!”
Soon, the prepared articles were released one after another.
[Seo Yeon-ju & Kim Sun-il, Joining Director Park’s Work! ]
[Is it too rash to step forward with sincerity?]
[Will the ‘Golden Filmography’ have its first blemish?]
At the same time, a text message arrived for the representative of CT Entertainment.
After a moment, a smirk crept across his face.
“…It seems fate is on our side.”
The content of the text message was as follows:
[Son Ji-ah]
– Sua’s acting is seriously troubling. 0 points.
– Beginner acting level. No, even worse than that.
– Doubts how she secured the lead role.
“Damn ‘Sword’! It was truly a wise decision for Harin to pull out of there! Everything’s falling into place! The universe itself is helping us!”
◆◆◆◆◆
The atmosphere on the ‘Sword’ filming set was commendable. Everyone moved swiftly and efficiently, presenting a magnificent sight.
And Su-a, the one who made that possible…
‘Things are going much smoother than I expected.’
She was simply delighted that she wasn’t being ignored.
Initially, Su-a hadn’t done anything with a meticulous plan to boost morale. She had merely fought to not appear weak…
‘Once we enter the main shooting, I’ll give it my all and that’s it. All good. If I just do this, there won’t be any problems. Uh-huh.’
Just as Su-a’s plans were coming together in her mind,
“Miss Su-a.”
Someone approached her. It was none other than Seo Yeon-ju.
In Su-a’s eyes, Seo Yeon-ju was incredibly elegant. That she initiated a conversation made Su-a feel both burdened and good, yet nervous.
“Director Park told me everything. He said you instantly revived the bad atmosphere. Honestly, I had little expectation for the scene. I even worried that if the extras kept missing their cues, we wouldn’t finish in time…”
Seo Yeon-ju shrugged her shoulders soon after.
“It was an unnecessary worry. You truly are different, Miss Su-a.”
“…”
What is this woman talking about? However, Su-a wasn’t worried. At this point, she has an impressive five swords in her arsenal.
“That could be.”
1-second response: Pretend to understand.
Believing the interaction was over, Su-a was surprised when the other person didn’t step back.
“Miss Su-a, so… Are you busy right now?”
When Su-a nodded,
“Great. Could you help me for a moment?”
“Help?”
“Yes. No one but Miss Su-a can help me.”
Seo Yeon-ju smiled slightly.
“Since we have about ten minutes until the main shoot begins, it would be good for the leads to warm up. Plus, if we get closer in the process, that would be great too?”
An opportunity to get closer to Seo Yeon-ju?
Even with both hands raised, Su-a wanted to sprint forward. However, there was a problem: the potential danger. If she didn’t act, there wouldn’t be any issues.
…Alright, let’s play it safe. Safely.
Having no other option, Su-a pulled out the 4-second style: Anger mode.
Pretend to be annoyed.
But Seo Yeon-ju, contrary to Su-a’s expectations, even smiled cheerfully.
“Hey, what is that face about again? Let’s relax. Just a one-minute free acting. You act as Wi Ji-hye, and I act as Ha-ryeong. That’s it.”
Moreover, there was no sign of her stepping back yet.
…Big trouble.
“…”
Wasn’t my technique supposed to be unstoppable?
In fact, Seo Yeon-ju wasn’t without her own moment of crisis.
‘How can someone be so intimidating? I almost sat down from fear.’
With Su-a’s stern expression, Seo Yeon-ju almost fell to her knees. Thinking they had become decently close through the days of working together, was it all just her mistaken belief?
She’s really difficult.
Upon reflection, why is Seo Yeon-ju trying to get closer to a rookie? It’s not like her. It hurts her pride and feels odd, yet strangely, when approaching Su-a, those feelings didn’t arise.
It must be due to her dedication. Su-a’s sincerity in acting inspired confidence in Seo Yeon-ju that her own acting would improve together with her.
At any rate,
‘Since both Su-a and I have the skill, one minute will be enough. It’s like a trial run and adjusting before the main shoot.’
Actually, even a minute felt burdensome to Seo Yeon-ju. Su-a’s stare was too intimidating. This is merely a warm-up; she didn’t want to exhaust herself needlessly before the main shoot.
“…”
Meanwhile, Su-a glanced around.
There were people gathered nearby.
“Stretching?”
“What is it? Oh, lead actors are doing free acting?”
“Ah! I’ve been curious about that too!”
Though everyone tried to appear disinterested, they listened carefully to Seo Yeon-ju’s words, and extras quickly gathered.
Among them was Son Ji-ah, CT Entertainment’s spy. This was a perfect opportunity to confirm Sua’s acting skills. Preparing to text on her phone at any moment, she secured a prime viewing spot.
A situation was formed where Su-a couldn’t flatly refuse. It was already too late for any excuses.
However, the biggest problem was something else.
It was because the category was “free acting.”
“Free acting? That’s completely different from the special episode.”
Upon listening to the explanation, free acting seemed similar in concept to pretend play or TRPG. Over the span of a minute, Su-a had to live fully as Wi Ji-hye, while Seo Yeon-ju would live as Ha-ryeong, her disciple.
Unlike improvisation where only one percent deviation is allowed, this required a full 100% creative expression. There was no special episode to assist her.
‘What shall I do? What can I do? What am I to do?’
To be safe, Su-a placed her hands on her head or chest, but no special episode for free acting was triggered. What could she do?
“Miss Su-a, then, let’s start.”
Seo Yeon-ju seriously handled the prop sword as if it were real, and Su-a began to break out in cold sweat from head to toe.
She felt drops of sweat running down her back, and her chest and inner thighs were already damp. Of course, it was because she was about to embarrass herself in front of everyone.
Su-a clung to her wits, miraculously preventing herself from losing consciousness.
Under Su-a’s standards, it was almost superhuman willpower.
“One minute, just one minute. If I can just endure this minute…”
Su-a awkwardly picked up the prop sword.
Seo Yeon-ju spoke first.
『Truly, if you must leave, then cut me down first.』
『Uh? Nnoo, I’ll just stay then…』
As soon as Su-a responded in such a way,
“Hmm?”
“Eh?”
“Uh?”
Everyone watching the free acting scene had wide eyes.
The reason was obvious.
Sua’s acting was beyond help.
It was just plain, ridiculous garbage.
Among them, the most astonished was undoubtedly Seo Yeon-ju. Her eyes were shaking as if an earthquake had hit.
What could this be…? Is there some kind of trick?
An unexpected situation.
I ordered a Wi Ji-hye, but why does a retard arrive?
Seo Yeon-ju moved again to understand Su-a’s intentions. She swiftly blocked Su-a’s path as she tried to escape.
『Where are you going? Do I repel you so much?』
『Ah, no?』
『Truly! Must I swing my sword to get an answer from you!』
『Eek!』
Su-a shivered, dropped the sword from fear alone.
…
Without being struck, purely out of fright.
“….”
Seo Yeon-ju silently blinked. She had no words.
Not just Seo Yeon-ju.
The shock was mutual for CT Entertainment’s spy, Son Ji-ah. She felt as if someone had struck the back of her head with a hammer.
‘What the hell is this kid?’
A rookie who can claim a leading role with this level of acting?
An actor who fell in love with this girl’s acting? Or someone who invested production funds for her? That a person of such incompetence replaced Yang Harin as the lead?
Is the world conspiring against me? Is the genre not a short movie but a variety show? Maybe it’s a hidden camera prank?
“….”
No. It’s too early to jump to conclusions before observing Seo Yeon-ju’s reaction. Son Ji-ah waited for Seo Yeon-ju to say something, and after standing quietly for a while, she finally spoke.
“…Yes, that’s very Su-a-like. You’ve done well.”
She said this, raising a bow like Ha-ryeong. To those around her, what she said could be interpreted in a myriad of ways.
Son Ji-ah’s head began spinning.
‘She said it was very Su-a-like, meaning this was her norm?’
That’s definite. After reconsidering several times, there was no other interpretation.
Having reached a conclusion, Son Ji-ah quickly typed on her phone.
[Recipient: CT Entertainment CEO]
■ Su-a’s acting is catastrophic. 0 points.
■ Acting at the level of a beginner, rather, below it.
■ Doubtful how she has secured the lead role.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Later.
After Seo Yeon-ju returned to Kim Sun-il’s vicinity,
They didn’t have any conversation, nor did it seem they intended to move at all, as if time had frozen, though there was a look in their eyes as if they had realized something.
“…”
The suffocating silence seemed as if it would last forever.
Soon, Kim Sun-il was the first to move his lips.
“Regarding Sua’s acting just now…,”
“Right. I noticed it too. Sua must be…”
Both simultaneously lifted their lips into a smile.
“She plans to hide her cards until the end.”
“He plans to hide his cards until the end.”
Somehow it was a wrong realization, but Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il were more serious than ever.
“Yeon-ju. Get rid of any thought of slacking off.”
Kim Sun-il said, stroking his chin.
“Sua, I’ve decided not to lose to you today.”
“…”
Yeon-ju nodded silently.
There were only two minutes left until the main shoot began.
