Chapter 4

“Hmph.”

With my arms crossed and my eyes tightly closed, I contemplated.

“I’m nervous.”

Of course, just because my gender had changed didn’t mean I wasn’t still human. Fear was still fearful, and tension still tense.

“It wasn’t like this during the audition.”

Frankly, I had expected to fail the audition. Maybe the mindset of treating everything as experience turned out to be an advantage.

“Wow, Seoyeon, are you nervous?”

“No, I’m not.”

“You are, aren’t you?”

“I’m not.”

At moments like these, Sua’s sharp insight pierced into my heart.

I glared at her with a pout, but Sua embraced me tightly with her ample bosom.

Hmph, whatever.

“This must be the studio; let’s go in.”

At my father, Joo Yeong-bin’s words, I nodded.

I couldn’t quite picture how large the studio was.

After all, this was my first time here.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

As we entered the studio, CF director Cho Min-tae greeted us as if he had been waiting.

During the brief conversation my parents had, I took the opportunity to look around the studio.

“Amazing.”

The set was filled with various props, like reflectors and cameras, neatly arranged in a square space. It seemed the staff had meticulously decorated it, giving it a charming composition.

This was clearly different from the audition room, which was simply a large space.

It truly felt much more professional.

“Hi.”

“Aren’t you the famous Joo Seo-yeon? I’m looking forward to your acting today,” Cho Min-tae said.

I bounced around, greeting the staff with a playful bow—an especially potent weapon for children.

Even in my past life, when my nieces greeted me this way, it inevitably led to me opening my wallet.

Naturally, when I, who was especially adorable, greeted the staff like this, their expressions softened immediately.

“Reputation management is crucial.”

Who knows, I might end up succeeding as a Vtuber and getting broadcasted. Preparing for such possibilities is essential.

“Goodness, how cute!”

“If only our daughter could be even half as adorable as her…”

As expected, my playful bow elicited sighs of admiration.

“Huh?”

While moving around and greeting people, I noticed a woman sitting anxiously on a white plastic chair, deep in thought.

“Kim Jung-ha.”

The Kim Jung-ha I knew was the renowned actress. Seeing her before she succeeded was a strange experience.

“Hello, Kim Jung-ha Ma’am.”

Apparently surprised by my bow, her eyes widened.

“Are you the child actress for this CF?” she asked.

“Yes, that’s me. I’m Joo Seo-yeon.”

Though I found the term ‘child actress’ slightly uncomfortable, I nodded in agreement.

“Wow… people really are different.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

She slouched in her plastic chair, looking nothing like the confident actress I’d imagined. She more closely resembled a hikikomori, the embodiment of solitude.

“Can we align our breathing?”

Given how nervous I already was, her demeanor made me rethink leaning on her reputation.

“Jung-ha! Seo-yeon!”

Another staff member gestured us over.

“We’re about to begin shooting. Have you memorized your lines?”

Upon hearing this, I recalled leaving my copy in the car. The advertisement script given after the audition results via mail differed greatly from what I had anticipated. It wasn’t like a drama or movie script filled with dense dialogue; it rather resembled a webtoon.

With illustrations and dialogue, it visually outlined the scene concepts and direction.

“So, this is different from acting.”

The commercial film director’s eye for aesthetics is crucial. The goal is to create images that resonate both visually and audibly with people. Though at first I didn’t understand what this exactly meant, it quickly became clear upon reading the script.

“I need to borrow some of this artistic sense when I start as a Vtuber.”

If only I could harness such aesthetic talent! Notably, Cho Min-tae, not just as the CF director but also a future blockbuster director, was an excellent resource.

Considering future guest appearances, it was crucial to make a good impression now.

“Alright, let’s get started!”

At Cho Min-tae’s command, the area came alive with movement; even a low-budget ad needed such many hands.

Flash!

The lights illuminated simultaneously, with the staff busily adjusting reflectors. Lighting, both for sets and actors, was crucial in commercials.

“Seo-yeon seems as calm as steel—not nervous at all, I see?”

Watching me, Cho Min-tae chuckled. He clearly exuded more of a ‘director’ aura now compared to during the audition.

“Uhm, yes.”

Pretending to be calm, a slight tremor betrayed my composure. Laughter from my observing parents filled my ears.

‘I’ll have to have a word with them later.’

Other than a slight quiver in my voice, my poker face remained unshaken. Arms crossed defiantly, I stood beside Kim Jung-ha who adjusted her footing nervously.

“Alright, let’s start with the first cut.”

This seemed to be the same scene as the one from the script I had read.

“Alright, action!”

With Cho Min-tae’s word, the filming commenced.

* * *

Kim Jung-ha had thought from the start when she first saw Seo-yeon.

‘She’s a natural-born actress.’

Someone destined by heaven to be an actor the moment she was born. Her instincts told her this.

And when the actual filming started, she truly understood it—how swiftly an emotionless face could bloom with life.

The soy milk in her hand appeared so sweet, like the nectar of the gods.

More importantly, it wasn’t just an appearance of sweetness.

“Big sister, is this milk? Or soy milk?”

The smiling child wasn’t Seo-yeon anymore. It was as if the child from the script had come to life.

“Method acting.”

Though illogical, the thought came instinctively to her. It felt as if Seo-yeon had transformed into someone else entirely.

If this isn’t method acting, then what is?

It was precisely because of Seo-yeon’s performance that Kim Jung-ha felt compelled to match the performance.

“Hmm.”

The expression of Cho Min-tae’s mouth twisted upon observing the scene, indicating dissatisfaction.

“Cut, cut! Let’s do it again. Jung-ha, try to be more natural.”

“Yes, yes.”

Typically in films, it is often the child actor’s performance that falls short, but now it was her own.

‘I’m not suited for such static acting.’

She shouldn’t have been picky, but this was where Kim Jung-ha stood now.

‘Especially with someone monstrous like her.’

This further dented her confidence.

Perhaps acting wasn’t really suitable for her after all.

“Cut! Again!”

Even after reshooting the first cut multiple times, the situation didn’t improve. The atmosphere of the filming set grew heavy, and Cho Min-tae’s brows furrowed deeper.

‘It’s all sticky now.’

The soy milk she had slightly sipped started to feel repulsive. And yet, this feeling wasn’t entirely due to the soy milk.

“Director!”

At that moment, Seo-yeon raised her hand while silently acting.

‘I think the second cut would be better.’

Her innocent words made the surrounding staff burst into laughter. It was uncommon for actors to suggest alternative routes.

But their laughter wasn’t malicious. It was because Seo-yeon was a child, and because she had been delivering an outstanding performance that they could forgive the comment.

“You mean the second cut?”

Cho Min-tae reviewed the second cut upon Seo-yeon’s suggestion. He wanted to create a more family-oriented atmosphere, so it wasn’t entirely appealing to him.

‘It’s too bubbly a concept.’

He glanced at Jung-ha with a slight concern.

‘Would she be comfortable?’

Both static acting and energetic acting have their own challenges.

If the static acting goes wrong, like now, it could appear aimless.

On the other hand, if the energetic acting goes awry, it could seem too childish.

Given that Jung-ha had difficulty with the static acting, the lively atmosphere of the second cut would surely pose its challenges as well.

“Let’s try it.”

Since continuously attempting the first cut wouldn’t likely lead to progress anyway.

The biggest obstacle in food ad shooting is actually eating the food. Fortunately, with soy milk, pretending was possible, but the directors believed that actual eating could help bring out natural emotions.

When the filming restarted,

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it good?”

The staff were surprised at what they saw. The lively acting seemed to invigorate Jung-ha, who began to shine brightly.

Instead of rejuvenating, her acting began to reach sky-high intensity.

‘That’s exactly right.’

In this commercial, Jung-ha and Seo-yeon shared a sisterly concept: a cheerful older sister and an energetic younger sister.

Seo-yeon’s performance was magnificent. She truly exemplified a vivacious younger sister.

‘Ah, this is how.’

Contrasting the mild admiration the staff felt, Cho Min-tae’s skin prickled. The performance mirrored exactly what Seo-yeon had shown at the audition.

‘How could it be so identical?’

Could it be?

There had been no script leaks.

Staring blankly at the performance, even ‘cut’ was forgotten.

“Ah, sorry. Cut! Fantastic. I think this will work.”

After all the toil, the OK sign came at once, rendering it all worthwhile. Wiping the sweat off her brow, Jung-ha couldn’t believe the situation.

‘One take? Really?’

Still, confident in her lively acting abilities, she tried her best. She hadn’t expected the OK sign to come so quickly.

‘This child planned it, I suppose?’

Seo-yeon’s decision to suggest the second cut was even more surprising than before.

‘Probably just a coincidence?’

If she had orchestrated it, it was terrifying.

When could she have observed so much about him?

“Alright, let’s review this. Jung-ha, Seo-yeon, please come over here.”

Both Jung-ha and Seo-yeon approached the camera that had just filmed the ad.

On the small rectangular screen, the video they had just shot played.

“Big sister, this is soy milk!”

The video started with Seo-yeon’s cheerful shout. As it played, the staff briefly marveled, and Jung-ha blinked in stunned silence.

‘Wow, it’s so clean?’

Is filming supposed to be this easy?

While pondering, she glanced at Cho Min-tae’s face.

‘Wait a moment?’

Cho Min-tae appeared deep in thought, his brow furrowed.

It wasn’t just Cho Min-tae.

Seo-yeon also seemed lost in thought.

“That’s strange. This is definitely fine…”

Cho Min-tae reviewed the video multiple times.

Kim Jung-ha’s acting was flawless.

Seo-yeon’s acting was also excellent.

Or was it?

Was this really good enough?

“We should reshoot this.”

Before Cho Min-tae could speak, Seo-yeon’s words preempted him.

This was Seo-yeon’s first CF filming. Additionally, it was her first time reviewing footage right after filming.

Still, with eyes to see, it was clear whether something was odd or not. Especially if it was her own fault.

“It’s because I didn’t do well.”

Jung-ha couldn’t understand what Seo-yeon meant.

What was wrong with their recent shot?

‘Ah.’

Only then did she comprehend.

The reason Seo-yeon wanted a reshoot.

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