Chapter 65: Happiness is not something pure. (3)

After finishing her Kim Yuhan makeup, Lee Sua headed straight to the sound team.

What exactly does the sound team do?

Sua had no idea. She hadn’t even known such a group existed, nor had she paid any attention to them after becoming an actress. But things were different now—she was currently developing her Musician trait.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll find a way to confirm my progress.

A short while later, after arriving at the sound team’s workspace, Sua quietly observed the scene.

“This background music is way too outdated. It suddenly feels like an old-school horror movie. Let’s just cut it.”

“You can’t tweak the synthesizer like that.”

“I don’t get it. We’re the sound team. We shouldn’t overreach. The music’s presence is too overpowering.”

The atmosphere was tense.

Most of the sound team members had their brows furrowed in frustration, and their words were anything but kind. Even from Sua’s perspective, it was clear they’d hit a roadblock.

However, Sua’s focus soon shifted entirely to something else.

The background music.

It grated on her ears.

Why is this so unpleasant to listen to?

Unconsciously, Sua furrowed her own brows.

Should I say something?

The impulse briefly flickered in her mind, but she quickly shook it off. Just as actors have their roles, the sound team had their own jobs. She had no right to interfere.

But as time passed, Sua’s patience wore thin.

Is this what obsessive-compulsive disorder feels like? I can’t take it anymore.

She had to admit it: her ears simply couldn’t tolerate the noise any longer.

And so, now.

Sua stood tall, lifting her chin confidently. Sua the Proud.

“Uh… what?”

“Kim Yuhan…? Sua?”

“Huh?”

The sound team collectively widened their eyes in disbelief.

Their shock was justified. It was surprising enough for an outsider to offer the sound team advice, but for that outsider to be Sua? No one could’ve predicted this.

With a slightly arrogant air, Sua crossed her arms, still holding her chin high. Sua the Grand.

However, Sua the Grand was quickly disarmed. For some reason, everyone was staring at her chest, making her self-conscious.

Nevertheless, the background music sample continued playing.

With a new idea in mind, Sua spoke again.

“The runtime feels longer than expected. This sample alone won’t be enough to cover the scene. Let’s add another.”

One of the sound team members, startled, removed their headset and let it rest around their neck as they asked:

“Are you saying… we should create another piece of background music?”

“There’s no need to create anything new.”

Sua shook her head.

“A classical piece should suffice. Something like Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude would be perfect. Calm and understated.”

“…Classical music?”

“Yes. If the copyright fees are too high, we could find a similar classical piece and recreate it in MIDI format. The idea is to capture that kind of atmosphere.”

“I mean… classical music here, in this scene?”

It was only then that Sua realized what the confusion was about. It wasn’t that they didn’t understand her suggestion—they simply couldn’t fathom how classical music could suit the scene.

“It makes sense. From the murderer’s perspective, this is their moment of calm. To them, the victim is just an instrument. It should feel tranquil.”

“Huh? You’re matching the background music to the murderer’s perspective?”

The sound team finally seemed to grasp her point, their faces lighting up in astonishment.

Until then, they had focused on creating urgent background music, reflecting the victim’s fear and desperation. It was a natural approach.

But Sua had introduced the opposite perspective.

“Making background music from the victim’s perspective is too cliché. It’s easy for anyone to understand what the victim feels—fear and dread, plain and simple.”

“Well, that’s true…”

“But the murderer’s mind is unhinged. It’s not something an ordinary person can relate to. Expressing that would be far more compelling.”

Sua’s advice ended there.

The sound team, however, couldn’t hold back their amazement.

“Sua, have you studied sound design before? You seem more skilled than we are.”

“It’s not just studying. Have you actually worked in sound production? You seem familiar with this program… when did you learn?”

“I mean, this software costs thousands. This is crazy.”

Sua simply crossed her arms and nodded silently. Applaud me. Praise me.

Mhm. Sua the Proud.

As she basked in their admiration, Sua suddenly thought of the arctic fox from The Little Prince. The arctic fox, with its beauty and abilities, ultimately lived happily with the prince.

…Of course, Sua had never actually read The Little Prince. She only knew about the boa constrictor swallowing the elephant. After that, she wasn’t sure if the fox even appeared.

Who cares if I don’t know? This is amazing. My abilities are incredible.

She couldn’t help but feel proud. It was the moment she realized her Musician trait was proving to be highly effective.

However.

The ones who were truly shocked weren’t just the members of the sound team.

Director Go Tae-min, standing off to the side, quietly stroked his chin.

Acting is one thing, but does she have such deep knowledge of music too?

His surprise wasn’t unique. Members of the Crescendo Begins Tomorrow production team, who were nearby, and even a few wandering actors all shared similar reactions.

They whispered busily among themselves.

“That editing program she was using—wasn’t it in English? There’s no Korean version of it, right?”

“Does that mean she’s fluent in foreign languages too?”

Of course, this was a huge misunderstanding. Sua didn’t know a word of English. She’d only seen that program used by certain characters in her experiences with music-based scripts.

But Sua couldn’t correct them. They were whispering in low voices, audible only to each other.

“She’s definitely from overseas, isn’t she?”

“Definitely? Did you already know?”

“No, but it’s obvious, isn’t it? Just look at her.”

“Oh, I get it now. She must have trained abroad to prepare for an international career. She’s probably filming 808 in Korea temporarily because of some circumstances. It all makes sense!”

Meanwhile, Sua, still narrowing her eyes, focused solely on the background music. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 was soothing to her every time she heard it.

As Sua stood at the eye of the storm, oblivious to the growing misunderstandings around her, the rumors continued to spread.

Even Kim Yi-seo, who had hurried to follow Sua after noticing her darting around the set, was swept up in the confusion.

What is even happening right now?

Kim Yi-seo had been nervous about Sua possibly crossing paths with Director Go Tae-min. To avoid any awkward situations, she had tried to stay close.

And now, she too was utterly shocked.

Is Sua really from overseas? That would explain why she asked for the original versions of foreign-language scripts. So she’s part of Mystic Entertainment’s international lineup?

Calculations raced through Kim Yi-seo’s mind.

This is a huge advantage. Just enormous.

Excitement bubbled up inside her.

Eventually, everyone who witnessed the scene came to the same conclusion.

I need to treat Sua even better.

I have to get on her good side.

I should at least make sure she remembers my face.

***

Time flew by.

Finally, 15 minutes before the climax scene filming.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

Someone on set muttered, and it was true.

Unlike usual, the area was crowded with a large number of people. They were dressed like ordinary citizens, but they weren’t here out of curiosity.

They were all extras.

Most of them had been recruited through part-time job postings. Currently dressed in “civilian” costumes, they were set to appear in the climax scene.

Many of the extras marveled at the set, but soon their attention was drawn to someone else.

Lee Sua.

“Wow, her vibe is something else.”

“Is she a woman? Oh, yeah, her body says she is.”

“I overheard earlier during makeup—apparently, she’s not just a great actress but also really good at music.”

“Really? If she’s that talented, why have I never seen her before? She’s completely new to me.”

“She’s from abroad. Honestly, you don’t see faces like hers often in Korea. When this airs, she’s going to get so many fans. Look, people are already staring.”

Meanwhile, Sua…

Thump-thump-thump.

Her heart was pounding.

The sudden crowd of unfamiliar faces made her nervous. She had only just gotten used to the people on set, and now all these strangers appeared! Why?

Her expression grew serious, causing Seo Yeon-ju, who had been waiting for a chance to approach her, to hesitate.

I really wanted to ask if she’s from overseas, but the mood’s just not right. I guess I’ll have to hold back.

Of course, Seo Yeon-ju wasn’t the only one feeling this way. The other actors from Special Task Force 808 were also curious but remained silent.

At that moment, Hwang Myung-pil suddenly scratched his head and asked, “Hey, Sua, are you from abroad? I always thought your face looked a bit exotic.”

“Senior Hwang Myung-pil! What are you asking her?!”

While the others were shocked, they eagerly awaited Sua’s answer.

Hwang Myung-pil may have been tactless, but everyone shared his curiosity. However, Sua didn’t respond.

What is he even talking about?

She couldn’t answer a question she didn’t understand.

Just then, Park Do-hee quickly tugged at Hwang Myung-pil’s arm.

“Senior Hwang! What are you doing? She’s busy preparing for the climax scene! Please, come over here!”

“But you guys have been whispering about whether she’s from abroad too, haven’t you? Wouldn’t it be better to ask directly?”

“W-we never said that! Sua, don’t misunderstand!”

Ignoring the commotion, Sua decided to stay quiet. Sometimes, staying silent was the best strategy.

“I’ll just focus on my script.”

With that brief statement, Sua opened her script.

“…Huh?”

And immediately, she was flustered.