Chapter 14: Yes. I Lost It.

The meeting had been going on all night at the accommodation.

“I rushed over because I heard the casting issue was finally getting resolved. But what’s this? Am I hearing correctly?”

The casting director, who was in charge of selecting suitable actors for the drama, pushed up his glasses.

“You’re casting a newcomer for the role of Kim Yuhan?”

“That’s correct.”

The muscular PD Choi Heewon nodded. Was it because the answer was so nonchalant? The casting director let out a sigh.

“I’ve been running around like crazy trying to find an actor fit for Kim Yuhan, but I couldn’t find one. Come on, just tell me their name. What’s the name?”

“It’s Lee Sua.”

“Lee Sua… Let’s see…”

The casting director immediately began searching on his phone. After a while, he blinked in surprise when he found nothing.

“Really, a total newcomer? There’s nothing coming up?”

As the casting director’s confusion grew, the production manager of the drama company ‘Art Warehouse’ was also left speechless.

When news of the collaboration between writer Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Heewon spread, he rushed over, but upon arrival, all he encountered was a baffling conversation.

“A newcomer for the role of Kim Yuhan? A casting meeting for a newcomer?”

“I personally find this hard to understand.”

Eventually, the production manager spoke up while stroking his well-groomed mustache with his finger.

“If the perfect actor for Kim Yuhan is truly a newcomer, then there’s no need to even consider how to bring them in, right?”

“Hm.”

“I’m asking because I genuinely don’t understand. This script by writer Lee Geum-sook, the direction by PD Choi Heewon, and two high-ranking actors… It would be more appropriate for them to beg to be included, wouldn’t it?”

The casting director nodded in agreement.

“I agree. How is this even a topic of discussion?”

“Certainly, if you just hear the word ‘newcomer,’ that’s what you’d think.”

“So, what you’re saying is that once we see it, our thoughts will change?”

“That’s right.”

PD Choi Heewon nodded.

“No matter how much we explain with words, the only thing that will grow is doubt. Let’s just show it with a video.”

At that, the casting director and production manager both nodded. There’s no use in just talking, let’s see it and then decide.

But from the very start, there was noise.

The casting director immediately frowned.

“What’s this? Is this some kind of store CCTV footage?”

“That’s correct. We agreed beforehand not to film anything. This is all the footage we have left.”

“PD, this is really too much.”

The casting director adjusted his glasses once more.

“Checking with store CCTV? That’s barely even visible, and the quality is terrible.”

His complaints were entirely reasonable, but writer Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Heewon didn’t seem at all anxious or upset.

They simply played the video. Quite confidently.

“…What am I supposed to be looking at?”

Even the production manager of ‘Art Warehouse’ muttered to himself in confusion.

No matter how hard they tried, it was just store CCTV. The angle was a mess, and when they zoomed in to focus on Sua, the quality was terrible. Watching this kind of footage was enough to ruin anyone’s appetite.

However,

“Wow, how kind!”

The acting began, and Sua stared at the store CCTV. From that brief but intense moment,

“…!”

The quality no longer mattered.

Silence filled the room.

The production manager and casting director no longer raised any complaints. To be exact, it was more like they couldn’t express any more dissatisfaction.

The reason, of course, was Lee Sua’s acting. Writer Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Heewon simply watched them with understanding expressions, as they had experienced the same reaction when they first saw it.

“…She instinctively looks for the camera, doesn’t she?”

The casting director spoke up. Clearly surprised, he adjusted his glasses several times as he continued.

“I don’t know if she found the camera because she’s an actress or because of Kim Yuhan’s traits, where he carefully scans his surroundings. But whatever the reason, this is impressive.”

His voice was full of excitement.

“Most actors, when you ask them to perform, will ask where the camera is and such. They’ll do their best to follow the instructions. But this… this is different. It feels like she’s asking us to follow her lead.”

“Kim Yuhan’s character isn’t even fully developed yet. This shows that she has the confidence to interpret the role in her own way.”

“Here, here, PD! Pause it for a second!”

At the casting director’s request, the video was paused.

The moment when Lee Kang-cheol and Kim Yuhan shook hands during their first meeting. Kim Yuhan quickly scanned Lee Kang-cheol’s entire body.

“The way her eyes move like that, you can’t teach that. These days, eyelid twitches or other movements are often handled by CGI.”

“Doing that purely on her own…”

“That means she’s completely in sync with her character.”

The casting director ruffled his hair in frustration.

“Where has she been all this time? If I knew there was a newcomer like this, I wouldn’t have had to run around!”

“We don’t know her past. But, combining the clues we have, it’s starting to make sense.”

PD Choi Heewon spoke calmly.

“Sua’s acting is just a hobby for her. But she says she hasn’t left anything out—she’s done everything. That means she’s probably talented in other areas as well.”

“If that’s true, she could handle cooking, action, romance… There’s no drama she couldn’t pull off. Are you serious?”

“No, no, no, wait! Hold on!”

The production manager of ‘Art Warehouse’ suddenly shouted, cutting everyone off with a serious expression.

“Let’s watch it again, just once more. No, just three more times…”

They all happily rewatched Lee Sua’s performance. And it didn’t stop at three times. Four, five times.

The disadvantage of it being store CCTV now turned into an element of growing anticipation. If it looked this good in low quality, how amazing would it be to see it in person?

Finally, the production manager, seemingly giving in, nodded.

“This girl, we have to bring her on board. I admit it.”

Writer Lee Geum-sook lit up, as if waiting for this moment.

“Actually, this script was a thorn in our side as well, you know? It looked great in print, but when it came to adapting it into a drama, it was simply impossible—a real thorn in our side.”

“A script that couldn’t be thrown away or brought to life, but Sua became the missing piece.”

No one opposed the words of writer Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Heewon anymore. The assistant writers, who were positioned like a fence behind them, nodded like chicks, but only…

The production manager stroked his mustache.

“First, I understand why you’re having a casting meeting for a newbie. But, don’t you think the price could be a bit lower?”

“That won’t work. Sua already received an unofficial interview fee.”

“…Interview fee?”

The production manager furrowed his brows. Was there ever a precedent for giving such a thing to a newcomer? No, there was no precedent, and it felt right to think so.

But looking at her talent, it somehow made sense.

“I understand. She’s a unique newcomer, so you gave her a little pocket money, right? How much did you give her?”

“300,000 from Kim Sun-il’s personal funds. And Seo Yeon-ju’s credit card.”

The casting director, who had been listening, widened his eyes.

“What? What did you give her?”

“What I just said. Exactly that.”

“…Well, there’s nothing more to give now!”

The casting director continued excitedly.

“She’s a good actor? Yes, I admit that. But the drama industry is about things you can’t necessarily quantify with money.”

He tapped the script with his fingertips.

“This newcomer will have this writer’s name on her career’s first line. And the actors she’s working with are well-established. Just this experience alone is huge. 300,000 won and a credit card too? That’s more than enough!”

Writer Lee Geum-sook just shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s what I thought too, but still, we’re the ones at a disadvantage here. Once the other side thinks it’s no big deal, there’s no point.”

“You think they’d feel that way? Impossible!”

At that, writer Lee Geum-sook switched the video on her laptop. This time, it was the CCTV footage from downstairs at the café.

Both the casting director and production manager quietly watched it.

Soon, they jumped up in shock.

“This, no, is this… real?”

It was shocking enough that Kim Sun-il, who was notoriously difficult, knelt down, but Seo Yeon-ju also handed over her credit card from her chest.

But what was truly shocking came next.

Her expression. Lee Sua’s face.

A look that seemed to look down on mere trash, an expression that said, “You’re stealing my time, how dare you…”

She wasn’t happy at all. She was irritated. Clearly.

The casting director took off his glasses and spoke.

“Wow, this is crazy. How can such a monster exist…?”

That early morning, the contract was revised several times.

Meanwhile, Sua safely got out of the taxi.

“Huff… thank goodness…”

Her thoughts as she headed home were this short.

The experience was vivid, but I was worried that the reproduction might be terrible. However, seeing the reactions, that wasn’t the case. I felt even more motivated to do my best.

‘Today has been a busy day, really busy.’

I confirmed the amazing ability of the special skills.

I also realized that my acting wasn’t bad.

And I understood that this appearance wasn’t just a disadvantage.

As a result, even though my body was tired, I felt very proud.

…I want to try everything now. Very hard.

My life, which had been aimlessly drifting without talent or direction, now feels like it’s finally found its path. I’m excited. My heart is pounding.

‘First, let’s rest today. I’m so sleepy.’

It was when Sua quietly made up her mind.

Suddenly, as her steps toward a break came to a halt, something stopped her, forcing her to stand still. There was an inevitable force at play.

[The Doll Department Store]

As she stared at the transparent display case, Sua thought to herself.

‘Why am I like this?’

No matter how much she thought about it, dolls had never been her interest. That was the conclusion that didn’t change no matter how many times she thought about it.

But still.

Over and over again.

Her gaze was drawn to the bunny doll. All the other dolls were fine, but for some reason, only the bunny doll. It was instinctual.

In fact, she had already been aware of it.

Since becoming a woman, her way of speaking had changed, and so had many of her habits. Could it be that even her tastes were undergoing a transformation?

No, still, dolls? She wasn’t a little girl.

Sua shook her head vigorously.

“I shouldn’t be like this. You’re going to be a great actress.”

If she was going to be an actress, she wanted to be a glamorous one. Elegant and sharp, that kind of woman. So dolls were absolutely a no-go.

“…Yeah, that’s nonsense. I’m not interested at all.”

Sua murmured confidently.

And yet, she opened the door to the doll department store.

“Welcome~”

•Huh?

The next morning.

Sua was extremely busy from the moment she woke up.

Bang! Bang!

The two bunny dolls in her hands clashed against each other. Currently, Sua was lying on the floor with her chest pressed against the ground like a cushion, occasionally tapping her feet.

By the way, the two dolls were bought with Seo Yeon-ju’s credit card. Free of charge.

Huh? Isn’t she just playing around?

No! At least, Sua was certain she wasn’t.

She was reading several scripts and practicing. By the way, the one she was working on at that moment was just right for her tastes—though it looked like simple doll play, it was actually the forbidden love between a princess and her bodyguard…

The princess bunny doll quickly turned its back.

“Give it up. It’s forbidden by the heavens.”

However, Sua moved her hands. The bodyguard bunny doll hurriedly followed behind the princess bunny doll.

“This is forbidden, that’s forbidden. Forbidden, does this become money? My lady, all you seek are prohibitions.”

Slap! The princess doll slapped the bodyguard doll.

“I told you not to do it! Have you not changed your mind after thinking about it ten times? Then think about it a hundred times and change your mind!”

“Even if I think a hundred times, there is only this path, my lady.”

It was then.

The phone rang. An unknown number.

“Damn.”

A bad word slipped out of Sua’s mouth. But from this moment on, this was the crucial part…

Without much thought, she picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

A familiar voice dug into her ear. A refreshing tone, like the wind by the sea on a clear summer day.

“Is this Sua’s number? It’s Seo Yeon-ju.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

Sua replied, still a little dazed.

How does Seo Yeon-ju know my number? Oh, maybe it’s about the contract? Then it wouldn’t be strange.

However.

“Sua, did you buy a doll by any chance?”

“…!”

The words that followed hit the back of Sua’s head like a sudden blow. She muted the mic and frantically checked the card Seo Yeon-ju had given her.

“Wait, is this the statement that goes through? Not just the amount, but does it also detail exactly what was bought?”

But there was no time to think further.

“Hello? Can you not hear me well?”

“Ah, yes. Uh, yes. Why, what’s wrong?”

Her brain froze.

No wonder. If I’m buying dolls at this age, what will my image be like? The perfect image of an actress she had planned would completely crumble.

Even worse, with a contract looming, this wasn’t good at all. She had to pretend to be as composed as possible to get better terms.

Is this the end? Has it already gone awry?

Just as she thought that.

“I saw a doll on the statement. I thought maybe you lost your card.”

At that moment, Sua’s expression became serious.

“Yes. I lost it.”