Chapter 22: Sua Realizes Something

A heavy silence hung in the CEO’s office of CT Entertainment.

“…What?”

Yang Ha-rin only asked after a long while.

It was understandable. She had lived quite a life, and at least she had never heard anyone say she didn’t know her place.

Moreover, it was Kim Sun-il who had said those words.

Yang Ha-rin had been following Kim Sun-il as a role model. The Rookie of the Year award, his acting skills, and his sharp attitude. That’s why the shock hitting her now was immense.

“Sun-il oppa, what do you mean by that?”

Her voice was filled with confusion, but Kim Sun-il’s gaze remained unwavering, as if confirming what she had heard was right.

“…Oppa, do you know that woman? Who is Lee Sua?”

Kim Sun-il seemed to want to say something, but stopped himself.

He couldn’t easily reveal that Lee Sua had secured the lead role in Special Forces Unit 808. That was a huge bombshell that would explode later.

Instead, he said:

“…Yang Ha-rin.”

“Yes?”

“Do I really have to explain all of that?”

“…!”

Yang Ha-rin, her face completely shocked, pressed her lips together tightly. After a long pause, she slowly shook her head and muttered.

“I just don’t get it. I could do that level of acting too. Why does it always seem like she’s better than me…?”

“Then why didn’t you clash with her? Let’s see which one of you breaks.”

“Clashing itself doesn’t make sense! I’m the strong contender for Rookie of the Year, and she’s a complete newcomer! The levels are different!”

Yang Ha-rin’s voice had a pleading tone, but Kim Sun-il no longer engaged with her. This time, he turned his sharp gaze toward Director Park instead.

Director Park flinched slightly under the piercing gaze.

“Director Park, I understand the situation, but…”

“Sun-il…”

“I didn’t expect your eyes to be that shallow.”

Kim Sun-il spoke calmly.

“You must have known who was better.”

Director Park didn’t answer. It seemed as though he couldn’t answer, his face ambiguous.

The atmosphere grew cold, and as everyone was still in shock, Kim Sun-il was about to leave, gathering his outerwear. At that moment, the CEO finally spoke.

“…From what I’ve gathered, it seems like you were quite impressed by that interviewee, Lee Sua, or whatever her name is?”

“Let’s speak properly.”

Kim Sun-il responded firmly.

“It’s not that I was impressed, I simply acknowledged her.”

“Acknowledged by Kim Sun-il? That’s something I’ve never seen before.”

Both the CEO and Yang Ha-rin looked like they had plenty to say, but Kim Sun-il ignored them all and moved toward the door.

“This movie’s already been cancelled, so I’m leaving now.”

“Sun-il!”

As soon as he stepped out of CT Entertainment’s building, Director Park chased after him.

“Sun-il, let’s talk for a moment! I just need to ask you one thing!”

As Kim Sun-il stopped, Park Jun gasped and caught his breath. The contrast between them was stark, as Kim Sun-il stood with complete composure.

After catching his breath, Park Jun asked.

“Lee Sua, does that woman really have something more to her? I’ve never seen you act like this before.”

“…Did you chase me down just to ask that?”

“Of course. What else would I ask? Oh, the movie?”

Park Jun waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s fine. I had already decided to retire, didn’t I? I was honestly hoping the movie would get canceled. I don’t like being tied down by CT Entertainment, and I don’t want to watch Yang Ha-rin ruin a newcomer either.”

“Well, if you don’t care, then I guess it’s fine.”

“So, what’s with that newcomer?”

Park Jun reflected on Kim Sun-il’s usual attitude.

“The balance of the set.”

A lot can happen on a set. The actors or crew might be in poor condition, but sometimes it’s hard to point that out.

In those situations, Kim Sun-il was always the one to step up. Even if it meant taking the blame for things, he would gather the courage to make sure the project turned out better.

However, praise from Kim Sun-il was rare.

If something was nearly perfect, he would just acknowledge it as a job well done, nothing more. So, hearing Kim Sun-il speak so highly of this newcomer left Park Jun with no choice but to be curious.

“Hmmm.”

Kim Sun-il tilted his head and crossed his arms.

“I don’t think that’s something you should be asking me.”

“Hmm?”

“You have eyes, don’t you? You saw her act for yourself.”

“…Ah, that’s true. She was really impressive.”

Park Jun nodded as if acknowledging it.

“At one point, I even considered canceling the movie. But then again, having a rookie around Yang Ha-rin is too dangerous…”

Kim Sun-il understood what Park Jun was worried about.

He had seen many rookies who had been discarded after being chewed up by Yang Ha-rin. It made sense that Park Jun was worried about a shining gem breaking.

However, Kim Sun-il believed Lee Sua was different.

“She probably didn’t get eaten alive by Yang Ha-rin. If anything, the opposite could have happened.”

“The attitude was definitely extraordinary. Even when Ha-rin bombarded her with all sorts of comments, she didn’t even blink once.”

Park Jun tilted his head, thinking about it.

“Now that you mention it, it’s strange. She’s got outstanding acting skills, and she even earned your approval. So why would she show up for a mere interview like this?”

“Director Park.”

Kim Sun-il spoke quietly.

“Do you remember Lee Sua saying she does acting as a hobby?”

“Oh. Yeah. But is that really true? It doesn’t make sense.”

“There are occasionally actors like that. They don’t care about money or interests; they just jump into projects they believe are worth it.”

“What? So that means…”

As Park Jun thought, “No way,” Kim Sun-il nodded.

“She liked your work, Director. Maybe even more than mine. I just decided to make a special appearance, but she chose to take the lead role.”

“Since I’ve made up my mind.”

“Wh-What? You really like it?”

Park Jun’s eyes widened.

“My work? This movie with zero commercial appeal?”

Instead of answering, Kim Sun-il quietly looked at Park Jun. His face seemed to say that there was no need for him to answer.

“No, if that’s really true, it’s so bitter…”

Park Jun scratched the back of his neck.

“There’s an actor who actually showed interest in my work, and she’s even talented, but I have to let her go. It hurts so much. If only my situation was a little better…”

“Director Park.”

Kim Sun-il called out to him again.

“This time, I’ll ask you one thing.”

“Huh?”

“Director Park, are you really okay with letting this movie go?”

Park Jun was taken aback by the unexpected question.

“Well… I don’t know. Why are you asking such a thing all of a sudden…?”

“Director Park, you still seem to have some lingering attachment.”

Park Jun was left speechless.

“Turns out, there’s even a talented actor who likes your work.”

He muttered the words he had just heard in a daze.

“Lingering attachment…?”

Maybe that was true.

If the situation hadn’t been so dire, if he could have secured investments from various places, if he could have casted the actors he wanted…

Would it have been different?

…

It would have been.

He was simply worn out by reality, but his love for the project hadn’t faded. However, hearing it from someone else made the shock hit even harder.

“It’s not too late. Why don’t you try holding on to her? CT Entertainment has pulled out, and money… well, you can always find it again.”

Kim Sun-il left after saying just those words.

Park Jun stood there for a long time, deep in thought.

His face was more thoughtful than ever before.

In a high-end Chinese restaurant.

The space was large, red and sophisticated. A huge round table, and luxurious food arranged above.

The production team of Special Task Force 808.

However, today, there were more faces than just PD Choi Heewon, writer Lee Geum-sook, and Seo Yeon-ju. These were all key supporting actors who would fill the various roles in the drama.

Writer Lee Geum-sook was the first to pick up her chopsticks and spoke.

“Yes, this kind of gathering is necessary. If we’re awkward when filming starts, the acting won’t come out naturally.”

“Exactly. It’s good to get familiar with each other ahead of time.”

As PD Choi Heewon nodded, Seo Yeon-ju picked up a small piece of braised pork with her chopsticks.

“Actually, isn’t this kind of gathering most necessary for Kim Sun-il? The one who’s most suited for this didn’t come. How frustrating.”

“Hahaha, that’s true.”

“No, wait. Now that I think about it, maybe it’s okay that he didn’t come. Even if he had a hundred chances, he wouldn’t be able to make any friends.”

At that moment.

The production team members, who had been chatting comfortably, suddenly felt a spark of something. The supporting actors’ gazes from across the table were the cause.

“Excuse me…”

“Is it…?”

“Hmmm…”

And then, all at once, they opened their mouths with eyes like baby birds.

“Is the person playing Kim Yuhan’s role not coming today…?”

At this, the production team members, who were sitting together, burst into laughter.

“Of course. I was wondering when this question would come up.”

“They were clearly eager to ask it from the start.”

Writer Lee Geum-sook and PD Choi Heewon responded with playful remarks, and the supporting actors looked even more desperate.

“What’s with that reaction? We’re serious. We’ve been so curious about who’s playing Kim Yuhan’s role that we couldn’t even sleep…”

“Really?”

“Exactly! At this rate, we’ll lose our minds!”

However, even Seo Yeon-ju, whom they trusted, just gave a sly smile, and the supporting actors got even more excited.

“Then just tell us if it’s Jo Il-hyun or not! Everyone’s guessing it’s Jo Il-hyun!”

“Is it by any chance Choi Kang-woo? I’m a fan of Choi Kang-woo.”

But PD Choi Heewon’s defense was as solid as muscle.

“Keep guessing. Let’s enjoy the process too.”

“Aren’t you being a little too secretive? This is supposed to be a gathering for the actors to meet each other in advance, but if you keep this up, we won’t even get to introduce ourselves.”

“You won’t be able to get close to them anyway. More importantly…”

He smoothly changed the topic.

“To focus all our energy on this project, we’ll be doing this year’s script reading in a mock filming style.”

“…?”

At this, the supporting actors’ faces all tilted in confusion, and soon exchanged bewildered glances.

“Mock filming…?”

“Do we really have to?”

“It’ll cost several times more than a regular script reading.”

Their skepticism was justified.

A script reading simply involves sitting together and going over the lines, but mock filming means performing the script as if shooting on a set. It consumes a lot more resources.

“PD, is it because you’re anxious?”

“We have plenty of filming experience ourselves. We can just gather beforehand and do a simple script reading to warm up.”

At that moment.

“It’s not to get used to filming.”

Seo Yeon-ju’s voice flowed leisurely.

“It’s to get used to the monster. The acting monster.”

The next day.

“Hmmm~ Hmmm~ Hmmm~”

Sua lay on the bed, clutching a rabbit doll tightly, idly fiddling with her phone.

Is this okay?

“Ugh, it feels so good to rest….”

This is fine.

The schedule for the short film appearance is gone, and I haven’t even received the script for Special Forces 808 yet. Even the drink commercial has some time left, so I guess I can call myself a legal unemployed person.

Of course, I wasn’t spending all my time just lounging around.

I recorded myself acting on my phone and observed it a few times. I wasn’t being entirely lazy.

[Deer: @Monkey
Game login ᄀ] Ugh
[Monkey: Hey ᄉᄇ]
[Monkey: Busy with gallery work]
[Deer: Why are you cursing?]
[Monkey: Because of Yang Ha-rin;]
[Monkey: A news article came out saying she suddenly quit the project I was about to do]

Reading with my eyes, Sua responded without realizing it.

“Wow, the entertainment industry really moves fast.”

The movie I interviewed for yesterday was suddenly canceled overnight. The entertainment industry handled things much quicker than I had imagined.

[Monkey: I don’t know why it got canceled;]
[Monkey: There’s no detailed information in the article]

“I think I know why?”

Sua thought of Yang Ha-rin’s attitude. Arrogance, the kind of behavior no one could tolerate… Maybe she couldn’t even find a co-star, and that’s why it fell apart.

[Deer: Yang Ha-rin’s attitude was too overbearing]

Oops, I quickly edited it. I shouldn’t let them know I know her.

[Deer: No, I just thought she had that kind of look.]

[Deer: If we’re talking about looks, you’d be a murderer]
—Chatroom administrator kicked Deer out—

• Deer entered the chatroom –

[Black Bear: Sua is scary, though]
[Raw Earth: Everywhere she points the camera, it’s a crime scene]
[Monkey: Why are you slandering Ha-rin?]
[Monkey: Someone like you has a totally different vibe from her]
[Monkey: Just the way she thinks, she seems like an angel]

“…Why did I even video call them back then? Sigh.”

I really shouldn’t have shown them my face.

But even in this situation, Sua learned something.

‘So this is why actors care about image management.’

Realizing that even someone as terrible as Yang Ha-rin was still seen this way by the public, Sua decided she would also have to manage her own image well as an actress.

‘Come to think of it, it’s true. Even the scary Kim Sun-il is popular with fans for his kind image….’

She made a firm decision.

“Alright. I’ll manage my image too. I’ll be a great actress with charisma… I’ll do that….”

Of course, she didn’t say this in the group chat.

…For now, only to her precious rabbit friend.

“Right, Tosoon? I’m the kind of person who’d do that, right? Yeah, if I’m about to do something bad, I’d just bite back like a crazy person.”

For some reason, the rabbit seemed to shake its head. At that moment, when Sua was playfully rubbing her cheek against its belly, a phone call came in.

Nice. Time for some image management practice.

“…Hello?”

Sua answered the phone as coolly as possible.

“Ah, I’m sorry! This is Director Park Jun from the short film ‘Sword.’ You had mentioned that you wanted to play Wi Ji-hye’s role…!”

“…Huh?”

Why is this person calling me?

Sua blinked in surprise and adjusted her posture.

“Miss Sua, I’ve been really 고민 (worried).”

“Sorry?”

I really love this project. Although we haven’t secured the investment or the cast yet, I’m willing to do anything to complete it.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes for this work. Anything, really.”

“What…?”

“Can you spare some time for me?”

Sua hesitated for a moment.

“…No?”

She answered firmly.

What’s there to discuss about a project that’s already fallen apart?

“Miss Sua, please don’t say that. Just for a moment…”

“I’m sorry. Have a nice day.”

Sua hung up the phone quickly, almost running away.

Her interest had already waned, and she didn’t want to get tangled up with Yang Ha-rin again, as it would be very uncomfortable.

But just then…

“…Huh?”

Sua’s eyes grew wide in disbelief.

The special perks window had displayed an unbelievable fact, one that was hard to believe, and it was clearly visible.

[Short Film ‘Sword’]
Grade Level
Completed Experience / 1.5 Grade

“1.5 Grade?”

Sua rubbed her eyes and looked again.

It was still 1.5 Grade. But why?

“1.5 Grade? But you were supposed to be 2nd grade?”

While she didn’t understand the principle behind it, one thing was very clear: the short film ‘Sword’ had jumped up by a whole grade.

Why did it rise? By what principle? What’s the reason?

“…Ah, I’m going crazy. Should I have done it?”

Just then, another call came in.

It was the same number as before. Director Park Jun.

Sua immediately answered the call.

But the other person, perhaps even more desperate than Sua, immediately started speaking in a hurried tone as soon as the call connected.

“I’m really sorry to keep bothering you. But Miss Sua, it’ll only take a moment. Just a very short moment…!”

“….”

Sua thought for a moment.

After a pause.

“Well, since you’re asking so urgently… I guess…”

Image management, image management…