Sua narrowed her eyebrows. The reason was an unexpected phone call.
‘A what? Voice phishing?’
Yet, it was slightly different from what she knew.
Typically, these calls pretended to be government officials and would try to coerce advance payments, but this one introduced the caller as an actor and mentioned giving her money.
“I…”
She was about to firmly say that such calls shouldn’t be made.
“One hundred twenty thousand won? Alright. I’ll consider it as round-trip fare.”
“Hmm?”
Sua expressed her confusion.
Moreover, upon further consideration, there were other oddities. The caller’s Korean was flawless, the number was normal, and the pronunciation didn’t get muddled even in lower tones.
“Come immediately. Time is precious.”
Upon hearing it again, the voice was splendid—so much so that it didn’t feel like a sloppy criminal phone call. Is this technology more advanced now?
Regardless, as she was about to hang up, a soft rustling sound came through. That sound of the phone being handed over. Eventually, a completely different voice came through.
“Hello? Can you hear me clearly?”
The voice was extremely firm.
“Sua-ssi, since Sun-il-ssi is quite inarticulate, I’ve taken over. I am PD Choi Hee-won. Do you remember me?”
“Ah? Rock-solid.”
The word slipped out unconsciously.
But the image of Choi Hee-won that remained in Sua’s mind was indeed that of a solid human figure, with a massive build and prominent muscles.
“…Wait, why are there two of you?”
The fact that PD Choi Hee-won was involved meant that this call was not a voice phishing scam. Could the person who just spoke with her really have been an actual actor?
As Sua’s mind raced,
“I’m glad you remember. Sun-il-ssi was a bit too aggressive, but we simply want to see you again right now.”
“This is sudden.”
A single word involuntarily escaped the confusion.
“Haha, just like you. I keep flinching even though I’m this big. But Sua-ssi, this was also very sudden for us.”
PD Choi Hee-won said it in a firm but calm tone.
“We naturally assumed we’d see you in the second round, but when we heard you stepped down, it truly caught us off guard. Many people were looking forward to your performance. Was there any other reason?”
“Reason…”
There was nothing more to think about.
Torture. No thanks.
“It’s the script I didn’t like.”
“The script’s no good… Indeed, as I’ve heard.”
PD Choi Hee-won’s words continued.
“Sua-ssi, you previously mentioned that you participated in the audition as a hobby. Dropping out because the script isn’t good… That seems possible. It’s understandable.”
“Really?”
“By leaving because the script wasn’t good, the audition was like eaten up by you. All your experience was just snatched away.”
“What?”
Sua thought. How many question marks had she spat out today?
“But Sua-ssi.”
At that moment, PD Choi Hee-won’s voice deepened.
“By saying you won’t act if the script is bad, doesn’t that also mean you will act if the script is good? Am I correct?”
“First, please reveal the reason you called.”
“The question I just mentioned is the primary matter.”
PD Choi Hee-won calmly replied.
“We would like to discuss the best possible opportunity for Sua-ssi.”
Opportunity?
She furrowed her brow immediately, guessing what was coming.
“I won’t do any audition. My mind does not change.”
She disliked scripts that felt like torture, and even if they offered to change the second-round script, that too was unacceptable. It wouldn’t be fair to everyone involved if she rejoined, and her conscience would never let her rest.
“I see. You felt like the audition was a narrow lake.”
“Yes?”
“To put it metaphorically, I believe that for Sua-ssi, I’ve brought the vast opportunity of an ocean. Just looking around would be sufficient.”
“…”
She wasn’t sure what exactly they thought of her, but the phrase “a vast opportunity” caught her attention. An opportunity likened to an ocean?
Sua checked the things she had lined up for herself.
[Energy Drink CF]
[Short Historical Film ‘Sword’]
She had already applied for both, and nothing else caught her attention, so this might not be so bad.
“Great opportunity… An oceanic opportunity…”
Right when Sua was muttering that,
“Hahaha!”
A loud burst of laughter came unexpectedly, almost making her drop her phone in shock.
“…Why, why, why?”
“Ah, I apologize. I simply foresaw what you’d look like—someone who wouldn’t bat an eye at such an offer.”
“Totally unrealistic…”
“Yes. Most likely, they were unrealistically proposing all sorts of nonsense. But I’m different. I promise it’s a great opportunity.”
“…Are you listening to me?”
As rock-solid as ever. No connection in this conversation.
Still, I’m not losing anything, so it should be okay, right?
“I’m listening. Please state any conditions.”
“No…”
A deep sigh escaped her.
She thought. Better to say what she came to say.
“By the way, this isn’t some hidden-camera show, is it?”
“No, absolutely not.”
“And who exactly do you mean by ‘us’?”
“Besides myself and Sun-il-ssi, there are a few faces that Sua-ssi might be familiar with. I’ll send the address right away.”
After a moment of thought, Sua accepted the proposal.
With that, the call ended.
◈◈◈◈◈
Immediately after the call, the address arrived via text. The moment it hit, reality set in.
“It wasn’t a voice phishing scam, was it?”
No, no, that doesn’t seem right either.
It might be somewhat similar. Still, one can’t let one’s guard down. There’s no telling what they might do after luring Sua with the promise of a great opportunity. In any industry, letting one’s guard down can easily lead to failure, as she well knew.
“And I don’t know either of these two people…”
An opportunity wider than an ocean but not an audition.
After hearing that and accepting so immediately, the problem was the lack of information. She didn’t know Kim Sun-il or Choi Hee-won.
Sua immediately picked up her phone.
After entering the actors’ forum, she began to write two posts.
[Kim Sun-il isn’t really that bad]
[Choi Hee-won isn’t really that bad]
Somewhat abstract posts. Typically, such posts drew detailed responses, and afterward, she went on to undress and bathe.
A short while later,
The still-moist Sua carefully dried off, meticulously reaching even beneath her chest.
“…Wow. The responses are hot.”
As expected, Sua’s posts were receiving much attention.
[Title: Kim Sun-il isn’t really that bad]
– Isn’t Kim Sun-il doing great these days?
– Haven’t you watched ‘Psychometry’?
– Don’t know the ‘SuperTrash’ meme?
– You need to be more active online.
– Just from ads, you can see Kim Sun-il is very popular right now.
[Title: Choi Hee-won isn’t really that bad]
– We’ve watched him too long; it feels like that.
– It’s because he’s familiar that we always find him reliable.
– He’s even working on a new project with Lee Geum-sook.
– Then tell us someone who does better direction. 😄
“They seem really remarkable. Quite… overwhelming.”
A little scared, she tried to shake off the distracting thoughts. In all honesty, it’s fine to feel nervous as long as the other party doesn’t notice.
After drying her hair and doing some basic makeup, preparing herself thoroughly, the group chat dinged after a long time.
[Mention: Sua]
[Are you alive?]
[Why haven’t you spoken lately?]
Remembering that this was the first time she hadn’t chattered since unlocking the special content.
Hitting her cheek with her finger, she glanced at the screen.
“Come to think of it…”
Soccer, golf, swimming… Sua found games enjoyable even after suffering countless disappointments.
She naturally made game friends and eventually created a group chat. For the resurrected Sua, who lacked both family and friends, it was a kind of refuge.
Though they had never met in person.
Sua lightly touched her screen after putting on a hint of lipstick.
[Sua: Me]
[Sua: Just busy with work again]
[Heunggom: When will you quit this one again?]
[Saeum: After one day, you’ll feel the wall again, right?]
[Saeum: Let’s play tonight.]
[Monkeying: Is this your second job after Saeng-ji?]
[Saeng-ji: What are you doing anyway?]
“Ah?”
Upon reflection, one more person had a job. The friend with the mouse profile who mentioned being a journalist. …
“Maybe I shouldn’t say it yet. I’m too embarrassed.”
Smiling a little, Sua tapped the screen.
[Sua: 😄]
[Sua: This time is different, I promise.]
[Saeng-ji: Ida! (Playing soccer and sprained ankle)]
[Monkeying: Ida! (Opening the game and couldn’t start)]
[Heunggom: Ida! (Burning the food)]
[Saeum: Ida! (Running for 3 minutes and falling)]
Afterward, countless jokes and laughs plastered the chat, but she didn’t mind. This unique warmth of the place always managed to ease her tension.
Sua left her house smiling for the first time in a long while.
◈◈◈◈◈
After giving the address received from the taxi driver, the destination turned out to be a giant café. Sua stared blankly at its sleek exterior for a while.
“…Wow, coming to such a place.”
A café that looked like it would attract the elite. To Sua, who wasn’t very knowledgeable about photos or coffee, it was just a pretty building.
—We’ve taken the entire 3rd floor.
—Please come up easily.
This was the additional message she received from PD Choi Hee-won.
Sua tried to reassure herself that there was no need to tremble so much as she ascended the stairs. Upon arriving at the third floor, everyone except one person was familiar. The judges from ‘This is How I Became an Actor.’
Surprisingly—and quite unexpectedly—Seo Yeon-joo waved and smiled at her first.
“Hey? Sua-ssi! Sua-ssi!”
The feeling of being greeted with a smile by Seo Yeon-joo who had become so extraordinary was incredibly grand.
Even PD Choi Hee-won and Lee Geum-sook’s reactions weren’t much different. Warm welcomes with smiles. In fact, the latter approached straight away, handing Sua a business card.
“Sorry you had to come all this way. Choose whatever you want from the 1st floor.”
“I’m fine.”
Sua politely returned the card.
Well, politely pretending, but in reality, her hands were trembling…
She could not accept such offers to buy things for her.
There were too many options for coffee and desserts. She didn’t know what she should order. Even just standing in front of the counter felt somewhat intimidating.
“Are you really sure you don’t want anything?”
“Yes, I’d prefer we jump straight to the main topic.”
“Alright. The main topic is that Sun-il-ssi has something he wants to say first. Do you not know him? His tone might be a little rough, so please don’t worry about it.”
“I don’t think Sua-ssi would be easily intimidated. Honestly, she seems even more intimidating…”
While Seo Yeon-joo answered in place of Lee Geum-sook, Sua finally turned her head and scanned her surroundings.
Where Entertainment PD Son Ji-woong would usually be seated, a man with neatly combed hair was sitting.
“Kim Sun-il.”
No explanation was needed.
It was because of the comments she’d read about the “Fantastic Trash” that he fit this description so perfectly. His all-black attire was composed yet with a hint of rudeness in his facial expressions above.
An actor, truly different from Seo Yeon-joo.
If Seo Yeon-joo was light, Kim Sun-il was darkness.
Kim Sun-il tilted his head slightly.
“Let me ask a few questions.”
Subtle yet precise movements.
“You said the script didn’t resonate with you. What exactly did you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. I didn’t like it.”
“Was it just that you were bored, or simply uninterested? As someone with no experience, you’re not really in a position to pick and choose scripts.”
Sua slowly shook her head.
“I don’t need to pile up credentials. I won’t do scripts I don’t like.”
“…”
Kim Sun-il’s eyes narrowed.
Sua’s demeanor was different from what he’d expected.
“Does she have her own acting values?”
Regardless of how good an actor might be, newcomers always bowed their heads. That’s because they need to fill their empty credentials by taking on any work they can.
However, Sua sitting across from Kim Sun-il was different.
Without a hint of hesitation, there seemed to be an attitude in her implying that no matter how big the audition, if it went against her principles, she’d just walk away. Such confidence.
Kim Sun-il silently took a sip of coffee.
…Unknowable.
The more questions he asked, the more his curiosity grew.
“Good. Having standards for scripts is a good attitude. However…”
Kim Sun-il continued speaking.
“Eliminating bad scripts and selecting good ones… fundamentally, you need to have an eye for discerning scripts. Right?”
“I suppose.”
“Great. See, I feel a bit lost right now.”
A sardonic smile spread across Kim Sun-il’s face.
“Looking at such a remarkable junior, I feel the urge to offer a good opportunity. But my own eye isn’t that sharp. I can’t choose good scripts.”
“…That must be hard for you.”
Kim Sun-il’s eyebrows involuntarily twitched.
“…She really replied like that?”
Unusual. Truly strange. With a slight look of pity, she nodded. And yet she remained completely unshrunk in front of Kim Sun-il.
He took a while before continuing his words.
“But fortunately, someone with a discerning eye like you has come. Why don’t you pick a script yourself? It seems like it could be mutually beneficial.”
Raising his chin slightly,
“If you choose a good script, then I get the credit for recommending it, and you benefit too… Warm, yes?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Nothing complicated. I’ll show you a few scripts, and you can select one. We’ll give you ample time.”
Clack clack.
Kim Sun-il tapped his fingernails against the table. There were five slim scripts lying there among the coffee and dessert.
“All of these were written by Lee Geum-sook. Take a look.”
“What are you hoping for exactly?”
“Pick what you consider to be the best option. I’ll give you an opportunity to participate in that drama. My lack of vision has made it impossible for me to choose.”
Sua sighed inwardly.
“Expected this. This wasn’t about giving away opportunities easily.”
Sua wasn’t entirely clueless.
Kim Sun-il had clearly put her to the test. It was obvious; among the five, only one choice was correct.
That would be the one closest to the right answer.
“Difficult? It’s fine to quit. I did the same.”
“No.”
However,
“It won’t take long. Wait a moment.”
Brief words. And that was her response.
..
..
..
..
..
How much time had passed?
A smirk graced Kim Sun-il’s lips.
“That’s to be expected.”
Looking at Sua’s actions, they seemed bizarre to him.
She was flipping through the pages at an extraordinary speed. At that pace, it would be virtually impossible to read the contents. Probably due to her impatience, it was merely her hands moving.
Also, Sua occasionally took strangely curious actions.
Placing her hand on top of a script and closing her eyes briefly. Was she trying to empathize with it, or perhaps sensing some kind of aura? It was absurd and even laughable.
“Maybe the refusal of the second round was just out of fear.”
One who flees from scary scripts.
One who correctly selects bad scripts and discards them.
The difference between the two was immense—like the gap between heaven and earth.
The former was a coward. The latter was first-class.
Had Sua possibly been first-class all along? No, judging by how she struggled with the mere five slim scripts, that seemed unlikely.
Alright, she wasn’t a serious, principled newcomer. She was just a coward who feared the second round.
Let’s call it quits. As Kim Sun-il was about to say that,
Sua raised her eyelids then.
Meeting his gaze. A pair of eyes shining like jade and gemstones.
Even her expression wasn’t neutral. There was a hint of a smile at the corner of her lips.
“…”
Kim Sun-il felt some strange inconsistency.
