Chapter 21: I’m Talking to You

“For example, the role of Wi Ji-hye.”

Sua’s strategy to secure the role of Wi Ji-hye was simple.

‘Make the other person curious.’

The necessity to act as Haryeong.

The ten-minute time limit.

Combining these two, the answer was clear.

First, perform the best acting possible, and then, toward the end, set up an ad-lib move like a fishing hook.

Of course, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

‘Ugh, even pretending to be tough makes me nervous every time.’

Especially when facing someone fierce like Yang Ha-rin.

But she did it.

She had to spit out words that were harsher than her true feelings and sometimes pretend to be calm, but…

What was the harm?

It was for a top-tier role, so she could bear her trembling heart for a while.

Thus, after repeatedly telling herself, “You’ll be a great actor, don’t be afraid,” she tried, and in the end, it was clear that it had worked.

The proof was when Park Jun and Yang Ha-rin asked for five more minutes of acting.

Yes, Sua’s strategy had definitely worked.

‘Now I just need to wait for an answer…?’

Sua calmly waited for the other’s response.

However, the silence stretched longer than expected.

Both Ha-rin and Park Jun stared at her intently for a while.

It wasn’t until much later that Park Jun spoke.

“…Sua, may I ask where your agency is?”

“I don’t have an agency.”

“You don’t have an agency? Ah, right. No experience, nothing… But with this skill? Why?”

Just as Park Jun was about to ask something else.

“Indeed, the acting was acceptable.”

A sharp voice interrupted. It was Yang Ha-rin.

“No, it’s unique. She’s the best among all the candidates today.”

After a brief compliment, Park Jun, sitting next to her, seemed very surprised.

It seemed rare to him.

Would she give her the role of Wi Ji-hye? Just as Sua thought that.

“But…”

Yang Ha-rin’s icy voice continued.

“She’s getting cocky. Why does she keep eyeing my position?”

“Pardon?”

“She doesn’t stop provoking me. Doesn’t know her place.”

Provocation. Place.

With the harsh words, Sua quickly realized.

‘Ah, that woman is seriously misunderstanding something.’

In fact, Sua had expected this to some degree.

Any actor would desperately want the chance to stand before a camera, and it’s natural to develop an attachment to the role they play.

Even if she asked without any malice, it probably wouldn’t have been taken as intended.

She knew well that her impression and tone could come across sharply to others.

“What’s given to you is the role of Haryeong. You should be grateful even to be hired as a maid. Why do you keep acting like the owner of the house?”

…but hearing such words was unpleasant.

‘Come to think of it, I don’t really have a reason to beg.’

The short film “Sword” is rated as grade 2.

It will undoubtedly be a solid addition to the filmography, but if you ask whether it’s worth risking my life for, the answer is no.

Yeah, in that case, there’s no reason for me to step forward.

I’ve already secured a grade 1 with the Special Forces Unit 808, and the remaining beverage CF is also grade 2.

“I’m absolutely not giving the role of Wi Ji-hye. Just so you know.”

At that moment, Ha-rin nailed the point, and Park Jun immediately intervened.

“This was, after all, an audition for the role of Haryeong, and since Ha-rin really wanted the Wi Ji-hye role…”

His voice was quite urgent, trying to smooth things over.

“I’m not saying Sua’s acting wasn’t great. I’ll definitely consider her for the role of Haryeong…”

“No.”

Sua politely bowed her head.

“Actually, I came here with the role of Wi Ji-hye in mind.”

It was unavoidable. The role of Haryeong, with an F rating for suitability, was nothing more than a poisoned chalice, right?

It wouldn’t be wise to take that risk.

When Sua said this, Park Jun’s eyes widened in surprise. It almost seemed like they might pop out and roll on the floor.

Perhaps he was worried that Sua was continuing a power struggle with Yang Ha-rin.

So, Sua quickly added,

“I understand that the role of Wi Ji-hye is already firmly taken, and I think the director’s advice that we wouldn’t be a good match is correct. Please just consider me eliminated.”

Sua thought to herself that the Special Forces Unit 808 production team was unexpectedly kind.

Of course, they thought highly of her, which was a bit of a burden…

But still, the discomfort was a hundred times better than the unpleasantness, right?

“Excuse me, Sua…”

Park Jun’s voice hit the back of her head, but Sua decided to ignore it. She had already made up her mind.

At CT Entertainment, Yang Ha-rin’s agency.

In the luxurious and spacious CEO’s office, an unexpected guest was sitting.

This was probably what it would feel like if an exceptionally talented crow were shaped into a human.

A sleek and dark presence. The man, slowly filling the room with a sense of elegance, was addressed by the CEO.

“Kim Sun-il, your face looks much better. I saw in the news that Writer Lee Geum-sook is working on a script.”

Kim Sun-il quietly sipped his tea and nodded.

Ah, of course, he held the cup’s handle wrapped in a handkerchief.

“Still, why should I find out through the news that you’re involved in a project? Couldn’t you have contacted me first?”

“I was busy.”

“Still cold, aren’t you? You were like that when you left our agency too.”

The agency CEO laughed without any signs of displeasure.

They used to be family. Kim Sun-il had been a newcomer at CT Entertainment before moving to Seo Yeon-ju’s agency.

Though they hadn’t seen much of each other since, there was a simple reason for his visit today.

“Old ties are still strong, huh? I’m investing in a project, and Kim Sun-il promised to make a special appearance.”

“Old ties, what are you talking about?”

The CEO of CT Entertainment had invested in the short film “Sword,” and Kim Sun-il had promised to make a special appearance.

“It was just that the script was good.”

Of course, Kim Sun-il firmly drew a line.

Kim Sun-il never allowed himself to be swayed by personal feelings to the point of promising to appear in a project.

He always sought out clean, well-made works, and it just so happened that Park Jun’s “Sword” script was quite good.

The CEO continued to smile.

“However, it’s unfortunate. It seems like Kim Sun-il won’t actually be making a special appearance after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Actually, I just got a call. It seems like this movie might be cancelled. I funded it, got Ha-rin in, and even secured Kim Sun-il’s special appearance… but…”

“Is that how it turned out?”

Kim Sun-il nodded, as if he had expected it.

From the beginning, he had heard about Park Jun’s announcement of his retirement. Although he thought the script was too good to pass up, it was not surprising that Park Jun would cancel it.

“I’ll leave as soon as I finish this.”

“While you’re here, why not see Ha-rin’s face? You know her, right? Ha-rin really likes you, Kim Sun-il.”

“I’m short on time.”

With a sharp sound, the door opened—

But before Kim Sun-il could exit, two people entered. Park Jun and Yang Ha-rin had returned after finishing their interview schedules.

The CEO greeted them first.

“Back already? Looks like your expressions aren’t too great.”

“You’re annoying.”

Ha-rin muttered irritably, throwing herself onto the soft leather sofa.

The CEO spoke up to her first.

“Ha-rin, don’t rush things. You can take a break, it won’t even be noticeable. You’re still the most likely candidate for Best Newcomer.”

“That’s separate from my irritation, right?”

“Huh? Sun-il Oppa?”

However, Ha-rin didn’t seem to care about the CEO’s words anymore. She was distracted by someone else.

Her previously irritated face suddenly softened.

“Sun-il Oppa, what brings you here?”

“Why?”

“I’m just happy to see you. How have you been? I’ve been working hard lately. My goal is to win Best Newcomer, just like you did before.”

Ha-rin’s favorite actor was Kim Sun-il, so it was understandable.

However, Kim Sun-il didn’t show much interest in her.

No, to be precise, he felt closer to dislike than indifference.

“The way she feeds off others.”

She seemed similar to him, but she was entirely different—so different, it was like the difference between the sky and the earth.

Unlike him, who pursued perfection in his work, Ha-rin only sought her own perfection.

In other words, even if the work was torn apart, as long as she could shine in the spotlight, she didn’t care.

It was the complete opposite of what Kim Sun-il stood for.

He was someone who would do anything to make the work he believed in perfect—even if it meant kneeling.

The CEO shook his head.

“You really lose focus whenever you see Kim Sun-il. Park Jun, do you know this? Kim Sun-il promised to make a special appearance in your short film. The script is actually quite good.”

“…Really?”

Ha-rin raised her voice in response.

“Ah, then we should have pushed it through no matter what…!”

“Didn’t you say there were no promising candidates among the interviewees? What could we do?”

Then Park Jun cautiously interjected.

“Actually, it’s not that there were no promising candidates. There was one particularly noticeable interviewee.”

“Really? Then why did you cancel it?”

The CEO showed interest, but Ha-rin’s expression quickly soured.

“Ah, Park Director. Don’t even bring up that strange girl. I think her name was Lee Sua or something. She’s just so unlucky.”

Kim Sun-il, who had been getting ready to grab his outerwear, suddenly froze.

He stopped all his movements and briefly pondered. The name he had just heard. It couldn’t just be a coincidence, could it?

But he eventually spoke up. His curiosity had gotten the better of him.

“What did you just say?”

“Ah, it’s nothing you need to worry about, Oppa. It’s really no big deal. I’ll probably forget about it after a night’s sleep.”

“No, I’m talking about the name you just mentioned.”

“Name? The name? I said Lee Sua….”

Lee Sua. He had heard it right.

Kim Sun-il furrowed his brows.

“Why? Do you know her, Sun-il Oppa?”

“….”

Kim Sun-il didn’t respond right away. He just continued thinking.

Lee Sua. Why did she go to the interview?

No, actually, it wasn’t that strange. She was a newcomer, so it was natural for her to hustle for roles to build her filmography.

But there was one thing that kept Kim Sun-il thinking.

“Does this mean she also recognized the script I was interested in? Does this mean her taste is on a whole different level?”

Kim Sun-il, who was often praised by fans for picking only the best scripts, was now thinking that Lee Sua had also chosen the same one.

So, it seems her judgment is just as sharp.

“So, what did Lee Sua do?”

Ha-rin, looking excited, couldn’t help but speak up. It was rare for Kim Sun-il to speak to her like this.

“She just acted. You know, it was an interview.”

“Ha.”

Even though he had only heard that much, Kim Sun-il smiled and nodded. He had already made an educated guess about what Park Jun and Ha-rin had observed.

“She must have put on a fantastic performance. She really must have knocked them out.”

Kim Sun-il turned his gaze toward Park Jun.

“Director Park, how was it?”

“How do I even put this into words…”

“She probably became the character itself.”

“Exactly. There wasn’t a single thing to criticize, and in fact, I kept thinking, ‘Ah, that’s the kind of character she was.’”

“She learned acting as a hobby, and it’s already at that level.”

“What? Hey, don’t joke around. Oh, wait, Kim Sun-il isn’t the kind of actor who jokes around, right? Oh? By the way, do you know her…?”

In the midst of Park Jun breaking down, Kim Sun-il asked further.

“If Lee Sua had joined, there would be no reason to cancel the movie.”

“Ah, that’s the thing…”

Park Jun scratched his head.

“Lee Sua asked for a different role, but that role was already taken by Ha-rin. The chemistry between the two seemed really bad as well.”

“So, it ended up falling apart, huh?”

“Exactly.”

This time, Kim Sun-il’s gaze turned toward Ha-rin.

“Why didn’t you give her the role?”

“How could I give a role to a total newcomer? I have my pride.”

Ha-rin replied, as if it was absurd.

“The newcomer was arrogant, and she was completely clueless about her place. Besides, I could do that level of acting easily.”

“So, you just sent her away?”

“Of course. I told her straight out that it wasn’t happening.”

Hearing this, Kim Sun-il let out a small laugh.

“She definitely doesn’t know her place.”

“Right? She should be grateful if she even got a supporting role.”

“No.”

Kim Sun-il interrupted sharply.

“I’m talking about you.”

At that moment, the gazes between the man and Yang Ha-rin met in the air.

Yang Ha-rin tilted her head slightly, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard, but Kim Sun-il’s eyes were crystal clear.

“Yang Ha-rin. You don’t know your place, not by a long shot.”