Chapter 18: I Admit It

“Ugh…!”

Director Park Jun drank the wine as if it were soju.

His behavior was entirely out of place for such a high-end restaurant, but no one pointed it out. The deep worry that appeared on his face was the reason for this.

“…Oh my, if I had known this would happen, I should have gone to a seafood restaurant instead. It looks like you need soju, not wine.”

Seo Yeon-ju spoke with a concerned expression.

“Don’t drink too much. It may taste sweet, but it’s quite strong. You’ll definitely have a headache the next day.”

Park Jun shook his head.

“I’d rather feel physical pain. This emotional anguish is torture. It’s so hard to endure.”

“You shouldn’t be thinking about either pain,” Seo Yeon-ju said, looking at Kim Sun-il.

At that moment, their eyes met, and they both nodded simultaneously. They were probably feeling the same way.

“If Director Park is struggling, it’s hard for us too,” Seo Yeon-ju said.

The film that had brought Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il to their current position was none other than Director Park Jun’s work. At that time, their positions were completely different. Director Park, who was once full of influence, had guided the two young actors, but now the roles had reversed.

Lee Geum-sook, the screenwriter, also briefly closed her laptop.

“Have you hit a burnout? I’ll vouch for you. Director Park is an excellent director. Don’t feel so self-loathing. But…”

She trailed off. There was a significant difference between PD Choi Heewon, Lee Geum-sook, and Director Park.

“…It seems that what Director Park wants is quite different from what the public prefers. It’s just that the direction doesn’t align.”

The reason why “Special Task Force 808” hadn’t been produced so far was simple. Despite their burning desire to create it, Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Heewon had always held back. They relentlessly pursued mass appeal, and if the balance couldn’t be achieved, they knew when to give up.

However, Director Park was a man with an artistic spirit who stubbornly pushed forward. Neither path could be called the definitive right one, but it was clear that his work hadn’t been widely embraced by the public.

Director Park just tasted the bitterness of it all.

“How’s ‘Special Task Force 808’ going? Is it progressing well?”

“It couldn’t be smoother. Even when the writer’s wrist was hurting, she still said she was happy. And rightly so. The script that hadn’t progressed for so long is now in her hands,” PD Choi Heewon replied.

Director Park nodded quietly.

“Yeah, I saw the news. The staff gathered so quickly, huh? It’s amazing to think how many people were desperate to work on this project. I couldn’t help but feel envious.”

“It’s a drama that had been stuck in the hearts of many people. Now that there’s an opportunity to release it, everyone is rushing in,” PD Choi Heewon said.

“But,”

At that moment, Kim Sun-il, who had been washing dishes, spoke up.

“There’s no need to just ask about our well-being. I need to know what’s really going on. You’ve got to tell me.”

“My current project… the sword, you know…”

Park Jun swallowed a large gulp of wine before speaking.

“What the writer said is right. I know that I’m a director who can’t compromise on mass appeal. That’s why I changed my goal.”

“Changed your goal? What do you mean?”

“Of course, I mean awards.”

Park Jun’s voice grew very dark as he continued.

“Awards aren’t just given for box office success. It’s possible to win with artistic merit alone. That’s why I poured my heart into this project. I worked like it was my last, but…”

He was talking about the creation of the historical short film, Sword.

A direct confrontation with the artistic spirit and artistry that Park Jun held. He wanted to confirm that the path he had been pursuing was not wrong, and that is why winning an award became even more crucial for him.

“Hmm?”

Seo Yeon-ju tilted her head in confusion as she listened.

“Isn’t Director Park’s movie going smoothly right now? I think I saw an article saying that he received a good amount of investment?”

“It’s true that I received a huge investment. But even that article isn’t all positive. They’ve put a leash around my neck in front of everyone.”

Seo Yeon-ju nodded as if she understood.

“Ah, so they’ve invested and now they’re telling you not to do anything reckless? Well, that’s usually the point of those investment articles…”

“Investment is fine, and I don’t mind the leash they’ve put on me in front of everyone. But the problem is the conditions! Those damn conditions…!”

His anguish was so deep that he even pulled at his hair, and the doubt in the eyes of those gathered around him grew even larger.

“…What are the conditions? Can I ask?”

“Yang Ha-rin.”

And at last, those three words were spoken.

It was just a name, but immediately, an invisible exclamation mark appeared over everyone’s heads. They understood instantly why Park Jun was struggling so much.

The people sitting around exchanged looks and spoke one by one.

“If it’s Yang Ha-rin…”

“Hm, I already know what kind of condition this is.”

“This sounds troublesome.”

“This will be very difficult.”

Park Jun nodded at all their responses.

“They want to have two co-leads in the project. They’ll bring in a rookie actor who can inspire Yang Ha-rin. That’s the condition.”

“Are they trying to grab someone else again? This is crazy.”

Seo Yeon-ju shook her head in disbelief.

To grow by using another actor as a stepping stone? It sounded like a good idea, but in the case of Yang Ha-rin, it was different. That was the problem.

“Yang Ha-rin, she relentlessly torments her co-actors. Like a wringer, she squeezes out everything she can from them, taking all the good qualities for herself…”

“Exactly. So many new actors have quit because of her. Improving acting skills is good, but using others as sacrifices is just wrong.”

“Hm.”

PD Choi Heewon crossed his arms, deep in thought.

“The situation is tough. The article has already been released, so we can’t just step in and invest now.”

“Of course. Even if we manage to get funding for this project, no one will want to invest in the next one.”

Seo Yeon-ju agreed actively.

“If this were a regular project, I’d be calling all my junior colleagues. There are so many who are desperate to stand in front of the camera.”

“…No, we can’t. We’ll just cause trauma.”

“I’m worried about that too. I’m afraid that if they act with Yang Ha-rin, they’ll just end up getting hurt.”

At that moment, Kim Sun-il, who had finished washing the dishes, spoke up.

“He’s a rookie, and he won’t even be able to compete with Yang Ha-rin.”

“There’s one person.”

“…Are you saying there’s a rookie who can withstand Yang Ha-rin?”

As Park Jun voiced his large doubt, the people around him widened their eyes as if agreeing with Kim Sun-il’s statement.

“Ah, right? That’s true…”

“Yes. That person, I think, could hold up against Yang Ha-rin.”

Park Jun blinked in stunned silence.

“…Wait, you’re saying there’s such a rookie? Who is it?”

“Who else would it be? The one who took the role of Kim Yuhan.”

Lee Geum-sook, the writer, grinned as she spoke.

“It’s confidential, so I can’t tell you exactly who they are.”

“Ah, of course. I understand the situation, so I won’t ask. I see… the actor who took the role of Kim Yuhan… huh?”

Park Jun couldn’t continue his sentence.

He was suddenly shocked to the point of being speechless.

“What did you just say? A rookie is playing the role of Kim Yuhan? Not just any role, but Kim Yuhan?”

“That’s right.”

“…Are you messing with me?”

But Park Jun couldn’t help but be even more shocked. The expressions of those around him didn’t suggest they were joking.

“This can’t be… a rookie grabbing that role…”

“They’re a person who’s hard to predict and difficult to approach, but maybe that’s why they might be interested in your project, Director Park. Should I ask them casually?”

It was an enticing idea.

However, Park Jun still shook his head.

“It’s not possible from the start. My project needs a female lead. The role of Kim Yuhan would be a male role.”

“Well, there’s a reason for that…”

“No. Just hearing it is enough. I promised myself something when I came here today. To act with dignity. I’ve already received enough favors, so I won’t ask for anything more. So—”

Thud.

Park Jun weakly put down his wine glass.

“…I think I’ll just cancel this project. I’m grateful for the time spent filming, but I’m retiring. Just like that.”

A director who had once been famous now spoke of a humble retirement.

Sadly, it was not an unusual story in this industry. A very sad reality.

One week later.

[Deer: Let’s play. Just three rounds ᄀᄀ]
[Monkeying: I’m a bit busy today]
[Deer: You have no reason to be busy]
[Deer: Gaming, drama, movies, and gallery are all you do]
[Monkeying:ᄋᄋ I’m busy trying to do all four]

Monkeying had been very busy since morning.

Of course, it wasn’t because he was busy with anything that could be considered “respectable.”

Tat-tat-tat!

His fingers quickly hammered away at the keyboard.

Games, movies, dramas… Monkeying loved entertainment more than anyone, but today, he had something else planned.

[Special Task Force 808 Gallery]
This is a space for free discussions and exchanging information about the drama ‘Special Task Force 808’. Please leave various stories here.

“Wow, it’s finally here.”

Recently, articles had been flooding in, and now there was even a community dedicated solely to the Special Task Force 808 drama. Today, Monkeying planned to hang out here.

However, the speed at which new posts were being uploaded was something to be amazed at. Each time he refreshed, almost an entire page would be pushed down.

“…Wow, why is it so crowded? Is this the number one real-time hot gallery? There are so many people expecting this?”

[Title: Main Cast Posters Released]
[(Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il photos)
Both visuals are insane… How could you not watch this?

• Seo Yeon-ju in a uniform, hehe.
• Kim Sun-il, isn’t he more of a murderer than a cop?
• Kim Sun-il’s gaze is terrifying, haha.]

[Title: Found Out Who Kim Yuhan Actor Is, haha]
[(A shot of a person aiming a gun at a monitor)]
Guys,
I’ve got you covered.
What if this was just a bait post? Huh?
What if it was a brutal or disgusting picture?
Next time, don’t just click on any post randomly.

• Don’t mess with people who are desperate.
• Thank you, great one.
• I’m alive because of this, thank you.

[Title: (Serious) Speculation on Kim Yuhan Actor]
[Hey kids, it’s me, the guy who’s always right on other drama galleries. Kim Yuhan is a genius detective role (cut)
I think it might be one of these male actors.]

• This theory gives me chills.
• I accidentally hit the recommend button after reading this.
• Jo Il-hyun is a really plausible guess, haha.

“Crazy, I just skimmed through the posts, and the time passed in an instant.”

There were so many people that all kinds of characters gathered.

The supporters, the pranksters, and the ones having fun speculating about unknown facts…

Monkeying thought for a moment, then just wrote a post.

[Title: Recommendations for Chicken]
[I must eat chicken the day this airs.]

He was serious. How could he resist?

Meanwhile, on the day of the short film “Sword” interview.

“Thank you for your time. We will contact you later.”

Director Park Jun saw off the actor who had just finished the interview and immediately marked an “X” on the list. It meant they were rejected.

At that moment, the woman sitting next to him let out a pleased laugh.

“You’re surprisingly strict with the selection process. What if we let in some trashy ones?”

She, like Park Jun, had marked an “X” on the list in front of her. She was the actress who had secured the leading role in Sword.
It was Yang Ha-rin.

Her demeanor was as dignified as ever. Dark hair as if it contained the darkest time before dawn, and calm, subdued eyes. The atmosphere around her seemed to freeze.

Park Jun nodded.

“…Of course, it should be a thorough selection. After all, you’re the one who’s going to be acting with her, not just anyone.”

“Director Park, you’ve finally come to your senses. I’m glad.”

Yang Ha-rin nodded with satisfaction, but Park Jun lowered his head and frowned. The reason was that his feelings were completely different from what appeared on the surface.

‘I’m being strict for you? Nonsense.’

Several actors with impressive acting skills had shown up today, but Park Jun crossed them all off with an “X,” rejecting them. He swallowed his frustration.

There was only one reason.

…No matter how much I want to complete my film, I can’t do it by sacrificing others. Absolutely not.

Yes, that was the only reason.

Yang Ha-rin would undoubtedly torment her co-actors in every way possible. In the most selfish manner, crafting a potion that was purely for her own benefit, drinking it all down.

It couldn’t happen. He couldn’t watch that unfold.

Yang Ha-rin stretched her arms then, but even in this ordinary action, there was no sign of weakness.

“We’re down to just one candidate for the interview now.”

“Uh, uh… right.”

Park Jun, snapping out of his thoughts, hastily nodded.

Yang Ha-rin flashed a meaningful smile at Park Jun.

What a name. Pray that this person is worth it. If not, Director Park’s film will be ruined. After all, Lee Sua…

“Even after all the effort.”

“Yeah, I just hope they turn out to be amazing.”

Though she said that, Park Jun’s inner thoughts were different.

A rookie like Yang Ha-rin showing up unexpectedly?

‘I don’t even hope for that anymore.’

It was almost impossible, and bearing the weight of such an impossible expectation would only make his heart sour. Park Jun chose to stick with more realistic possibilities. Now, he simply hoped the movie would fail.

At that moment.

“Hello.”

A woman walked in through the open door.

As a director, Park Jun’s instinct kicked in, and he immediately assessed the person’s appearance.

‘Great proportions, and when she stands in front of the camera, her overall curves will look really good. Especially her legs. And her face… huh?’

He was soon taken aback.

The interviewee’s face was far sharper and colder than he had imagined. It was almost warm in comparison to Yang Ha-rin, who was sitting beside him.

“…!”

He quickly shook his head.

‘I just looked at her face, and now I’m thinking these things!’

He immediately reflected on himself, trying to shake off the hope he had unwittingly held onto.

It was because he had placed hope in just her appearance. That faint hope of thinking maybe she could stand alongside Yang Ha-rin.

Meanwhile, it seemed Yang Ha-rin had noticed the interviewee’s appearance as well.

Tilting her head slightly, she stared at the interviewee intently. However, what happened next was something Park Jun hadn’t anticipated. The interviewee didn’t shy away from Yang Ha-rin’s gaze.

The eye contact between the two lasted for quite a while.

Eventually, Yang Ha-rin brought one hand to her face. With a dismissive motion, she shook her head up and down.

“…Could you open your eyes more gently? Sometimes you must be surprised when you look in the mirror.”

Her voice was as cold as a frozen blade.

Your expression is so arrogant, fix it right now. That was the meaning. Yang Ha-rin had phrased it somewhat tactfully.

But soon, her expression turned blank.

“I admit it.”

The response she received was only that.