Chapter 19: When Acting Skills Are Mediocre

“What did you just say?”

Yang Ha-rin’s first words were like that. Despite the cold tone that swept through like the wind brushing the grass, Sua just tilted her head.

“Huh?”

It wasn’t because she didn’t hear it.

It was just that she couldn’t understand why Yang Ha-rin was asking.

Ha-rin had enough reason to be even more upset.

“I meant to ask if you actually know what you just said.”

“Mm?”

Only then did Sua carefully think back to her words.

─Sometimes, you might be shocked more than when you look in the mirror.

Yes, there was nothing wrong with her response. It actually happens sometimes.

“Yes. I know exactly what I said.”

Ha-rin narrowed her eyes as if to say, “How laughable.”

‘What is this? A power struggle?’

Yang Ha-rin was not foolish enough to be deceived by such words.

“Wait a minute.”

At that moment, someone lightly tapped Ha-rin’s arm. It was usually a bad move to touch someone as sensitive as Ha-rin, but the situation was such that the person couldn’t help but reach out.

It was none other than Director Park Jun.

He whispered quietly.

“Ha-rin, this is the last interview. Let’s just look at the acting and send them off. There’s nothing to gain by raising your voice.”

“Mm…”

In the end, Yang Ha-rin nodded.

Even though she was dealing with someone rude, she was about to win the Best New Actress award. There was no point in getting into a power struggle with a mere interviewee. Arguing would only bring disgrace.

‘The mask is fine, but is she doing this just because of that?’

Yang Ha-rin, having calmed her expression, spoke again.

“Please introduce yourself. Just briefly, the key points.”

“Huh? An introduction? I didn’t prepare for that…”

“…?”

Yang Ha-rin looked at Sua in disbelief.

Nearly a hundred interviewees had visited today, but this was the first time for such a type. All the others had been eager to impress Ha-rin by speaking as much as possible.

‘Is she really doing this because she doesn’t know? Or is she just being difficult?’

The interviewee’s face was expressionless, reminding Ha-rin of a mannequin. She had no idea what to make of her intentions. Ha-rin thought that if this was intentional, it would be a very skilled move.

With patience, Ha-rin explained again.

“You can just explain briefly. Anything.”

“I’m Lee Sua.”

Ha-rin nodded and listened carefully, but surprisingly, there were no further words. The introduction was already over.

“…Just your name and that’s it?”

“Yes.”

Ha-rin, who had been maintaining composure, had her expression stiffen a little.

‘Just saying your name? Something a master director would do…’

Did she have some kind of experience Ha-rin didn’t know about? Ha-rin opened her eyes wide and checked Sua’s application form.

‘It’s empty. Nothing. There’s no experience.’

The more she thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.

This is not a position for making video assignments in a college club.

It is a place to choose a co-lead who will stand shoulder to shoulder with the highly favored Best New Actress candidate, Yang Ha-rin.

That’s why didn’t all the interviewees show a desperate side today?

But for a newcomer with no experience to just say their name and try to engage in a power struggle—how could that be?

“That’s right. Looking at your experience, you probably didn’t have much to say besides your name. Plus, you seem to know very little about some things.”

Although the criticism was straightforward, Sua nodded as if something had just come to mind.

“Yes, that’s right. So, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Hm?”

“The role of Wi Ji-hye. Is there a way I could audition for that role?”

For Sua, it was a rather innocent question. Wi Ji-hye had an A compatibility rating, while Ha-rin had a B compatibility rating. Naturally, she wanted the role with the higher compatibility.

“What did you say?”

But from Yang Ha-rin’s point of view, she couldn’t help but frown.

‘She wants my role? What does she think she’s doing?’

Was she just bringing up the role of Wi Ji-hye to start an argument, or did she truly believe she had confidence in that role? Either way, it didn’t feel normal.

Unless she had completely lost her mind.

For a moment, Ha-rin thought about throwing the water in her cup and sending the person away.

But she knew she couldn’t do that. After all, she was Yang Ha-rin, the actress who would win the Best New Actress award this year.

So, she maintained her composure as much as possible and asked calmly.

“Aren’t you a newcomer with no experience?”

“That’s right.”

“You must know that Wi Ji-hye is my role, right? Questions like that should be asked after you prove something, don’t you think? If you had any sense, that is.”

“No, please don’t misunderstand.”

Sua responded casually.

“I was really just asking. That’s the role I’m most confident in.”

“…You crazy idiot.”

Ha-rin blurted out the words without thinking, quickly covering her mouth.

She had never encountered a situation like this before, so her words escaped without going through her rational thought process.

‘Did I just say something so low-class…?’

No, perhaps this was all part of the plan.

Had the other person provoked Ha-rin to break her composure, and had Ha-rin fallen for it? If so, didn’t it mean that she had lost the battle of wits?

“Hm….”

Ha-rin took a calm breath.

“You’re not like the typical newcomer. This isn’t normal.”

“Recently, I’ve been hearing that a lot.”

What seemed like an admission felt different when the other person said it. It felt like she wasn’t backing down at all.

Eventually, Ha-rin smiled.

After surpassing the unpleasant valley, she actually felt a sense of enjoyment. Now, she was even intrigued.

What kind of person was this interviewee, really?

“Well, fine. I won’t criticize that attitude for now.”

“Hm…. Thank you…?”

“But there’s one thing you need to keep in mind. That attitude will be a huge problem at some point. Do you know when that will be?”

“…When will that be?”

“It will be when your acting skills are mediocre.”

Yang Ha-rin’s voice became very serious.

“If your skills are terrible, I won’t have any reason to be upset. I can just send you away. We’ll never see each other again.”

“Hm….”

“Even if your skills are great, I won’t be upset. I’ll just think you have the confidence that matches your talent. But.”

Ha-rin stared at Sua with sharp, wide eyes.

“People with mediocre skills tend to have unfounded arrogance. If you’re one of those types, you better brace yourself. I’ll use every means possible to make you pay for your rudeness today.”

It didn’t matter if Sua’s skills were terrible.

It didn’t matter if Sua’s skills were great.

But, if she acted arrogant with mediocre skills, Ha-rin would make sure she paid for it in some way.

Park Jun, who knew Ha-rin’s severity, was breaking out in cold sweat.

Perhaps Ha-rin’s words had come across as quite terrifying.

For a while, Sua remained silent.

Just as Ha-rin’s lips were about to curve into a smirk.

“Excuse me, could you please repeat what you just said? I don’t quite understand… I’m completely confused…”

“…I guess you’re not in your right mind.”

Ha-rin shifted her gaze toward Park Jun.

“I should apologize to Director Park for wasting his valuable time dealing with someone who’s not in their right mind.”

“H-Huh? Why all of a sudden….”

“I should apologize to Director Park for wasting his time dealing with someone like this. As Director Park said, I should have just brushed it off and sent you home.”

Park Jun, nervously fidgeting, was only growing more anxious.

He had seen Ha-rin being sensitive countless times, but it was the first time she had shown this level of displeasure.

“I’ll bring you a cup of coffee. Let’s continue the interview afterward.”

With those short words, Ha-rin left the interview room.

After she left, Park Jun approached, his face filled with shock.

“What on earth was going on with the interviewee?”

“Hm?”

“That person was Yang Ha-rin. Yang Ha-rin! You know her, right?”

“Ah, yes. Yang Ha-rin.”

Sua simply nodded in silence.

She knew of Yang Ha-rin. From what she remembered in the group chat, she knew that Ha-rin was an idol-turned-actress and a strong candidate for the Best New Actress award.

Park Jun spoke with a stern expression.

“Yang Ha-rin’s real personality is very sensitive.”

“I think so too. What should I do?”

“If you thought so, you should have been more careful! How could you provoke her like that as soon as you entered the interview room? This is the first time I’ve seen Ha-rin this upset! The situation just got serious!”

“…I’ve realized that things don’t always go the way I want. At this point, I’m kind of used to being treated like this.”

“What are you saying…?”

Park Jun tried to explain something, but he couldn’t finish his sentence. The look in Sua’s eyes was truly innocent. She had an expression that suggested she had never told a lie.

She was an unpredictable person. Park Jun thought to himself with a sigh. He gave up on explaining.

“Let’s just say that’s the case. Anyway, it’s true that Ha-rin’s mood has become extremely uncomfortable. This means the difficulty of the interview you’re facing has increased.”

“It’s okay, though.”

“Hm?”

“I think it will be fine. Just let me act.”

Park Jun looked at Sua as if she were a monster, but Sua was quite accustomed to being treated this way.

In fact, when she looked back at her life, most moments had been like this.

PD Choi Heewon, writer Lee Geum-sook, Kim Sun-il, Seo Yeon-ju… These were the people who especially cared for Sua.

The only difference between them and the current situation was probably that Sua hadn’t shown her acting yet.

‘The best I can do is just that.’

It was then that Sua repeated this to herself.

“Excuse me, Sua, your ambition is commendable, but…”

Park Jun sighed deeply.

“Actually, today’s interview is already over.”

“What?”

“First of all, Ha-rin has very high standards, and even if you pass, it’s a problem. With just a few words exchanged, the atmosphere is like this—imagine how much they will fight once filming starts?”

“Hm….”

“If the two of them fight, it’s naturally hard for the parties involved, and the people around them will be divided. And you’re a newcomer. What will you do if complaints start coming from those around you? You won’t be able to handle it.”

Sua scratched her head. She had no intention of causing any trouble. She didn’t even think they had fought at all.

“I’ll still try acting.”

“Yes. Since you came all this way, you should try acting. But, just in case, don’t be too disappointed if you don’t make it. There are many opportunities in this world, and this might actually be one you’re better off missing.”

“No. I won’t miss this.”

Did that mean she was really interested in this project? No director would dislike such a reaction. Park Jun’s expression softened a little.

He handed her a piece of paper with a gentler attitude than before.

“This is the rule for today’s interview. Please read it beforehand.”

“Ah.”

When Sua read it, the content itself was simple.

“Recreate the assigned role from any part of the script, but it must be adjusted to a 10-minute duration. Did I understand that correctly?”

“Exactly. I’ll be cheering for you.”

This movie was going to flop anyway, but Park Jun managed to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

While waiting for Yang Ha-rin to return, Sua suddenly realized there was a significant change.

“Eh.”

[Short Historical Drama Film ‘Sword’]

‧Sufficiently implemented elements
Experience completed / Grade 2

Right, this was exactly as expected.

Haryeong (Lead) – Compatibility F
Hwacheon (Supporting) – Compatibility F
Cheongi (Supporting) – Compatibility F….

‘What’s going on? The compatibility has completely dropped to F across the board?’

‘Sword’ is still Grade 2. That means it’s still a project Sua must include in her filmography.

However, the issue lies with the compatibility of the roles.

Why did it suddenly drop so low…?

‘Ah?’

It didn’t take long for a guess to pop into her head.

‘Could it be because of the conversation with Yang Ha-rin?’

It seemed likely.

Regardless of the intent, Sua knew that Yang Ha-rin’s mood had drastically soured.

This had raised the interview standards significantly, and it seemed that this was the result.

Amidst this, one particular element caught Sua’s attention.

Wi Ji-hye (Lead)
• Compatibility A

Wi Ji-hye. The undeniable lead of ‘Sword’.

This role still has compatibility A. In fact, Wi Ji-hye is now the only one maintaining compatibility A.

This made Sua’s task clear. If she wanted to participate in ‘Sword’, she would have to secure the role of Wi Ji-hye.

‘But the Wi Ji-hye role is Yang Ha-rin’s…’

Sua already felt a headache. The role she needed to secure was already occupied by Yang Ha-rin, wasn’t it? How on earth could she snatch it away?

“Ugh… What do I do now…”

For now, Sua experienced the script with various roles.

The content of ‘Sword’ itself was fairly simple.

The greatest swordswoman, Wi Ji-hye.

Haryeong, her disciple, wants to inherit her swordsmanship.

Wi Ji-hye refuses to teach her.

Haryeong’s admiration eventually turns into hatred.

A plot that could be summarized in just five lines.

“The content is simple, but… hmm, what do I do…”

Even if she passed the ‘Haryeong’ role, its compatibility was F. Either way, it would result in an unfavorable outcome for her.

Moreover, since her relationship with Yang Ha-rin wasn’t good, she couldn’t even discuss conceding the role.

As Sua blankly examined the interview conditions, it happened.

“Hmm?”

[Conditions]
▶ Express the assigned role from any part of the script, but it must be adjusted to fit a 10-minute duration. No exceptions.

Suddenly, something flashed in Sua’s mind, like a lightbulb turning on.

She picked up the script again.

And she looked over the interview conditions once more.

It was only a brief moment for Park Jun, who sat far away on the opposite side.

Sua once again experienced the script and thoroughly examined the interview conditions.

After repeating this three times,

‘I found it. The answer.’

“The world is vast, and inspiration is rare.”

Outside, Yang Ha-rin mumbled while sipping coffee.

With her other hand, she held her phone and was speaking with the representative.

“Representative, I think this film is going to fall apart.”

“Really? It’s the first time I’m hearing about a film falling apart even though we provided funding.”

“What can we do? There aren’t any actors with potential.”

“Not even one? Seriously?”

“There’s still one interviewee left, but honestly, I consider it a failure. A strange person came in, and their mind wasn’t in the right place.”

“That director Park is about to break down soon too. Ha-rin, let’s just look into other options. You should take a short break as well.”

“I really hate having gaps between work. I worked so hard to secure the rookie award, after all.”

“Right, I’ll have a word with Director Park.”

When the call ended and Ha-rin returned,

She froze.

She subtly turned her head and carefully surveyed the area.

The familiar scene of the interview room, Director Park sitting at the desk, and the unusual interviewee standing in the middle. It was the same as when she went out to get some fresh air earlier.

But despite that,

‘What is this?’

It felt distinctly different from before.

Soon, she realized the cause was Lee Sua.

The unusual interviewee was preparing to act while holding a prop sword. No, more precisely, the moment Ha-rin entered the room, it had started.

But still,

‘Haryeong? Wi Ji-hye? No, Hwacheon?’

Which role is it? That part hadn’t been determined yet.