Chapter 105

Jiyeon considers herself and Seoyeon to be very close friends.

First off, they’ve spent nearly ten years together, always by each other’s side, and they’ve shared many experiences.

Acting, for one.

Academically and in many other aspects, they’ve relied on each other quite a bit.

…And if it weren’t for Seoyeon, I probably wouldn’t have become a Vtuber at all.

Now, it’s something she enjoys for the sake of refreshing herself.

Since Jiyeon was confident in communicating with others and planning content, it worked out.

Anyway…

‘I really don’t know what this girl is thinking.’

A same-sex love movie.

Apparently, it’s about love between women.

‘Baek Min’s film.’

Of course, Jiyeon also knows this director. He’s a director with a strong artistic bent and someone who’s received more recognition overseas than in Korea.

In other words, his movies are the gateway for overseas success, but that’s beside the point.

‘How can she be so calm about this?’

Jiyeon looked at Seoyeon groggily. In response to Jiyeon’s gaze, Seoyeon merely tilted her head slightly—a characteristic gesture she used when she wondered if she had done something wrong.

Looking at that, you’d think Seoyeon had pure intentions, but…

‘No, no. It feels stranger to assume she had ill intentions.’

But isn’t that right? If adult actors were to see it, they might rationally take it in stride, but Jiyeon is still in high school. Isn’t this kind of reaction normal?

In fact, it’s Seoyeon’s calmness that surprises her. Sometimes, Jiyeon thinks about how professional Seoyeon truly is when it comes to work—treating it as separate from personal feelings. Jiyeon doesn’t quite understand how Seoyeon so clearly divides those two.

‘And what do you plan to tell your school friends about this, huh?’

Even if Jiyeon gets good reactions from co-starring, what would their school friends think if they saw that their classmate, who they always see together, appeared in such a movie?

“Do you not like it?”

“…”

Seoyeon’s repeat question carried a faintly dispirited tone, almost like a puppy with its tail between its legs. It seems that Seoyeon believed this movie would be greatly beneficial to Jiyeon.

‘Geez.’

Jiyeon shut her eyes after looking at Seoyeon.

Yeah, so what?

Who am I to be picky when all I’ve done so far is act in cable dramas? If it’s a Baek Min movie, it’s right to participate, whether as an extra or not.

“I’m not saying I dislike it.”

“Really? But you seem kind of bewildered.”

“Hey, Sooyeon! Of course, I’d be bewildered!”

“Why?”

“Why? Isn’t it obvious?”

Seohui observed their conversation with great interest.

‘They must be really close.’

Apparently, Seohui didn’t know who Jiyeon was.

But, after a quick search while they were speaking, she learned:

‘She’s currently acting in a cable drama.’

Humming thoughtfully, Seohui rested her chin in her hand as she watched the two.

Being an actor from a young age can make socializing difficult. Making friends is hard since playing with peers is not exactly easy, and as life becomes more adult-oriented, your peers can start to feel childishly immature.

‘Same profession, and a close friend since childhood?’

Seohui felt a pang of envy.

It seemed that Seoyeon, though having a small circle of friends, had deep relationships.

Without any peers among the younger actresses, Seohui wondered how she might be able to somehow interject herself into their relationship.

“Seohui senior.”

“Yes?”

“So, when exactly does the audition for ‘Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo’ start?”

Seoyeon had been to auditions several times before. Since Seohui said auditions were being prepared, Seoyeon naturally thought it was a regular audition.

“You don’t need to try out.”

“Me?”

“Considering your recognition from ‘The Chaser’ and ‘Dream Future,’ it seems unnecessary.”

Seohui had personally strongly recommended her, which likely caught Director Baek Min’s attention. He had watched ‘The Chaser,’ and Seohui heard his evaluation just yesterday.

“Seohui, are you really close to actress Sooyeon?”

That question startled Seohui for a brief moment. Did he doubt their relationship?

“Yes, we’re best friends. We’ve known each other for 10 years!”

“Ah, that’s right. You both auditioned together in ‘The Moon That Hid the Sun.'”

“Yeah, I lost that time… I lost all the time.”

She remembered herself as an arrogant child back then, and perhaps she still was to some extent. Though technically arrogant, it served as her way of standing tall and protecting her self-respect, so she saw no reason to change.

“First, I did check ‘The Chaser’ and ‘Dream Future’ as recommended.”

“How was it?”

With a twinkle in her eyes, Seohui inquired. Director Baek Min chuckled at her, finding it rare to see Seohui look so young and lighthearted.

“‘The Chaser’ was impressive, but ‘Dream Future’ was very pleasing.”

“Really?”

Although Seohui thought it was usually the other way around, she didn’t show it.

“Well, I’m shooting a romance.”

“Right.”

“In that sense, her performance in ‘Dream Future’ really inspired me.”

It was the day before. Episode 11 of ‘Dream Future.’

“Cute and innocent.”

Recalling Joo Ha-rin’s performance from yesterday, Director Baek Min remembered hearing about a number of issues during filming.

The scriptwriter deviated personally, reducing her role.

Interestingly, by reducing her role, Ha-rin’s narrative became more understandable.

Ha-rin pairs up with Park Min-yul, but compared to other couples in the drama, their relationship was progressing slowly since she didn’t appear much in the story.

However, understanding her unrequited love for Kim Si-hwan made her eventual romance with Park Min-yul feel justified.

“Her acting of being surprised by the approach of someone who liked her, as opposed to her one-sided crush.”

That image of an innocent girl who doesn’t know love—her awkwardness and confusion while adjusting to emotional interactions with others—it was so delicate and tender.

Acting? It was so real that it didn’t feel like acting at all.

Personally, it completely wiped the image of Cha Soo-ah from ‘The Chaser’ from Director Baek Min’s mind.

The audience would likely feel the same way. Only a few days ago, Baek Min had a meeting with GH Group.

Back then, the cultural ventures manager, Kang Tae-jin, said this:

“What a pity, Director Baek. I thought it was a good opportunity.”

“I apologize, but I want to make the movies I love.”

“I’ve heard. You’ve secured funding from various sources.”

The snake-like-eyed man chuckled.

“Do you know an actress named Sooyeon Joo?”

“Huh?”

Caught off-guard by the unexpected mention, Baek Min was surprised. It was the actress Seohui had talked about all along.

“She seemed like she’d fit well in your movies, Director Baek.”

“My movie?”

“Yes, since your films are very emotional.”

“Emotional?”

That implied that Sooyeon was an emotionally resonant actress.

“Though we initially considered ‘Cha Soo-ah’…”

He smirked toward Director Baek.

“We thought someone might be interested in ‘Joo Ha-rin’ too.”

Inside, Baek Min laughed dryly at the man’s attempt to subtly fish for more screen time or recognition through him.

Even with their collaboration going south, the man still hoped to use the actress somehow.

That comment about Sooyeon was a passive-aggressive claim of having found her first.

If her recognition grew, whoever claimed her would be the one to benefit the most.

However, Baek Min’s interest was genuine.

Sooyeon Joo had only had major roles in four projects, but she was memorable. The gradual emotional growth of a character who didn’t yet know love fit exactly what Baek Min wanted.

It aligned perfectly with what Baek Min had envisioned for ‘Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo.’

Slowly opening his eyes after closing them, Baek Min turned his gaze toward Seohui quietly sitting in front of him.

“If Seohui-ya and Seoyeon-ya could appear in my movie, I’d be delighted.”

“Wow, that’s really kind of you.”

Saying that, Seohui felt a little surprised. Didn’t he say there would be auditions earlier?

Still, it was convenient.

Ah, come to think of it, that girl had asked her to recommend someone else.

“If there’s another actor you’d like to recommend…”

“Ah, it’s fine. The audition is always open.”

This was his way of saying she should try out for an audition, without specifying the role.

Seohui sighed.

The two girls in front of her—Sooyeon Joo and Jiyeon Lee.

Especially Seoyeon looked a little startled, likely thinking she’d have to audition too.

But Baek Min seemed to approve of Seoyeon more than expected.

“So, the audition is just for you.”

“Don’t be condescending.”

Unconsciously pointing at Jiyeon, Seohui carefully pulled her hand back. Too harsh.

Yet, strangely, this critique from a peer felt oddly refreshing. It was like breaking down a wall, something she rarely felt, given how people around her usually held her in awe.

“Hmm, well… Anyway, you’ll have to audition. I informed Director Baek.”

Hearing that, Jiyeon paused briefly.

She wasn’t too concerned about needing to audition, unlike Seoyeon, whose achievements included being a top-grossing actress and starring in popular network dramas. Comparing herself to someone like Seoyeon right now seemed ridiculous.

Though she’s fallen slightly behind again.

‘This, I should definitely do.’

It’s an opportunity to place herself on the same level as Seoyeon.

In that sense…

“Thank you.”

“Huh?”

“You said you’d mention me, right?”

Seohui was startled by Jiyeon’s words. Hadn’t she seemed to dislike her before? Was this actually… gratitude?

“Mmph! This? It’s not that hard for someone like me.”

As she said that, she glanced briefly at Seoyeon, who now was looking at Seohui with disapproval.

‘What now?’

Looking at Seohui with eyes of complaint, Seoyeon huffed and turned her head.

After all, she had never heard Jiyeon express gratitude so directly. It was always Seoyeon who cleaned up Jiyeon’s messes, and while Seoyeon got numerous thanks from others, reciprocal gratitude toward Jiyeon was rare.

‘Anyway…’

Seoyeon glanced at Jiyeon.

Audition.

While Seoyeon knew Jiyeon’s skills, it was hard to predict the standards Director Baek might use, given this was his project.

Originally, Seoyeon had planned to work with Jiyeon to ace this together, but…

‘I’m sure she’ll be fine.’

Trustingly, Seoyeon believed in Jiyeon. After all, she had closely observed Jiyeon for a decade.

***

“Sir.”

Manager Eun-ha’s expression was quite weary due to her recent overload of work. Naturally, her phone was buzzing constantly with incoming calls.

Most of them were related to Seoyeon.

A rising star. Now that her value was increasing, many were trying to cash in on her during the cheapest period.

Others waited, viewing her sudden popularity as a bubble that would eventually burst, looking for the right moment to scoop her up at a lower price once it did.

“Advertising is approximately this, but we’ve also had numerous inquiries for variety shows.”

“Variety? Let me see.”

The president of Nova Entertainment, Kang Chan-yul, glanced through the recent offers. Being one of the few talents that Kang Chan-yul personally oversaw, it was natural.

To Kang Chan-yul, Seoyeon was like a precious star. A gem that will shine even brighter with polish.

Naturally, he checked into her schedule.

Even Seoyeon agreed because she didn’t fully understand the industry’s operations yet.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm.”

Typically, choices like these needed to consider the actor’s traits. You had actors who stuck to mystery and stayed away from variety shows. Some selectively chose ads for fear of damaging their image.

‘Reflecting on the variety shows she’s done before…’

‘Kings to Kings’ and ‘Survival Without Humans.’

Both were shows that Seoyeon really enjoyed, though those following her during filming might have found it quite tough then.

“A more active variety show might be good…”

Mumbling to himself, Kang Chan-yul nodded at one variety offering. Given how busy she’d been recently, perhaps it was a good idea to give her some relaxation time.

‘Is this really relaxation?’

Eun-ha couldn’t help but think that maybe it wasn’t a way to relax Seoyeon but Kang Chan-yul himself.

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