Chapter 187

Lee Sang-soo is an actor.

A senior actor.

Once, he experienced a significant failure in Hollywood.

However, no one denied that he had been one of Korea’s leading actors, with a career that put him among the best.

But everyone also knew that he was old.

“Professor, are you really all right with this?”

This was said within Lee Sang-soo’s agency.

“After being away for so long, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard? Especially for such an intense villain role?”

Even the manager who had worked with him for a long time and the other actors in the agency suggested he take more rest, giving time to adjust his mind.

“You don’t have to worry too much about the opinions of younger people.”

Even Song Guangmin, an actor who was friends with Lee Sang-soo and who was shooting *Star Fisher* with him, said as much. Though Song Guangmin also implied that if Lee Sang-soo wanted to do it, that was fine.

Still, no one truly believed in Lee Sang-soo’s return to movie-making. Whether it was because of the failure in Hollywood or just out of consideration, Lee could not tell. Honestly, he couldn’t distinguish the reasons; he was too old and not in a state to dwell on such thoughts.

“How ironic.”

Even he himself had lost confidence. The fiery passion for acting, which once burned brightly, had dwindled to just a faint ember.

Perhaps that’s why this next development stood out so much.

“I want to act in this movie with actor Lee Sang-soo.”

The young female actress who spoke so confidently about a subject everyone else avoided came to mind. It was Sooyeon Joo.

The girl who everyone praised as a genius actress. Now becoming an adult, she regarded him with calm eyes.

“It’s a role in director Baek Min’s movie. A villainous role with a very strong character—a role not just anyone can play.”

Her gaze seemed as if she didn’t even consider the possibility of him rejecting her.

They said there was an opening in Baek Min’s movie, and Seoyeon said they wanted actor Lee Sang-soo to fill the spot.

The funny part was, the actress who was pushing for Lee with such stubbornness was the one who trusted him the most.

While he himself was hesitating to return to acting in dramas or movies…

“Yes, I know.”

“You won’t reject it, right?”

Seoyeon spoke with certainty. As if she knew him better than anyone.

Her words felt almost magical, enough to make him nod without much thought. Like breathing life back into an ember that was about to go out.

That’s why he had made the offer.

Even if he said he would act, Director Baek Min would still insist on seeing a performance.

Most people would likely consider it merely a formality. Baek Min was the type to analyze rigorously, but the situation wouldn’t allow it.

So important was this role that no one else would want it when compared to the previous actor who left such a significant mark. Especially not for a Baek Min-directed movie, which wouldn’t guarantee box office success—his best works barely reached 3 million viewers. And with homosexual elements in this movie, it would likely do worse.

But Lee accepted, because of Seoyeon, for the confidence she had in him.

“I once had a friend who said something to me.”

“Hm?”

As he got out of the van upon arriving at the filming site, Lee Sang-soo spoke to his manager.

“There are mainly two kinds of stars. Those who carry a spark and those who carry starlight.”

“…Isn’t that something actor Park Sun-woong often says?”

“Ah, you know it too? Apparently, he really likes the sound of it, huh?”

Lee chuckled. Park Sun-woong, the man had a penchant for poetic expression.

Even if some found it cringeworthy, Lee could relate.

Everyone acknowledged that Lee was a great actor, a star amongst stars. Park Sun-woong, his junior, had said that when Lee made his Hollywood debut.

“You are a flame, senior.”

Most especially, the flame that burned with intensity—up close, hotter and brighter even than a star.

“Once it goes out, it will be very hard to reignite.”

“Hey, Park actor, if you want to speak ill of me, just say it.”

“Senior, I’m just worried as your junior.”

Right before Lee attempted Hollywood, they had such a conversation. And ultimately, it played out exactly as predicted. His flame had practically gone out, and there was no sign it would reignite.

It was so absurdly ironic that Lee laughed lightly to the manager and continued.

“But… there’s a saying, right?”

“What saying?”

“Even dead flames can be rekindled—something like that.”

“Hm?”

“Ah, yes. Even when something is completely extinguished, and no one thinks it will burn again.”

Sometimes, unbelievably and by sheer coincidence, the spark can reignite.

For instance, like Park said…

If you encounter someone who carries “starlight,” maybe your own spark might ignite again.

Somehow, vaguely, it felt that way.

***

Today, a new actor was reportedly scheduled to arrive to play the role of Isamu Goto.

They planned to check the actor’s performance, and if satisfactory, proceed as planned.

So, among the various vacancies present now, this crucial hole would be filled.

That was the extent of what the production crew coming to the set today had in mind.

“Why is actress Sooyeon present?”

“Is she here to be his counterpart in the audition?”

“I naturally assumed it would be Seohee.”

No, in the first place, one doesn’t always need a counterpart to assess acting skills, since acting can be done alone. Besides, today’s audition was, in fact, more ceremonial than anything.

Rather than delaying the filming again, it’s less damaging to try and secure an appropriate actor as soon as possible.

“So when will the actor for the Isamu Goto role arrive?”

“He’s not here yet, just around the scheduled time.”

“Hasn’t he just dropped out again?”

When asked by the director, Baek Min just smiled, saying that this person would likely surprise everyone, though it wasn’t immediately clear who.

Whoever it was, they must have been quite someone, given that they wouldn’t even bother coming for a lesser-known role in a Baek Min-directed movie.

At this moment, the door to the set opened.

“……!!”

The first to react was Seoyeon, who was going over the script. Her keen instincts had detected the slight hesitation of the person just outside the door.

“Hello everyone.”

An old actor walked in with a kind face. His silver hair and lined face told of his age.

But his strong gaze and resolute expression revealed a stubborn personality. Lee Sang-soo.

The grand actor who starred in numerous popular dramas and films had appeared on set. Judging by his reputation alone, he was far more accomplished than Kang Seo-hyuk, who was initially slated to play the Goto role.

In fact, he was a principled actor who would never have starred in a Baek Min-directed film.

The previously buzzing set fell silent all at once.

The unanticipated situation had left everyone dumbfounded. Even though Lee’s attempt in Hollywood ended in failure, the name “Lee Sang-soo” was not one to be trifled with.

“Hello, senior.”

It was Sooyeon who broke the silence, bowing politely as if she had known he was coming.

“Did Seoyeon already know about this?”

“Did the director tell her?”

“Then why didn’t you give us a hint too?”

With various thoughts circulating, everyone greeted Lee warmly.

Finally, Director Baek Min approached him.

“I look forward to your performance today.”

“Hehe, that’s quite a weighty statement.”

“Even after a little rest, your skills haven’t rusted, have they?”

With a warm smile, Baek Min’s statement made Lee also smile in return.

“Young directors like this are seldom seen these days.”

Though smiling, Lee knew that Director Baek Min had a very strong will.

If Goto Isamu did not meet his conception, Baek Min would boldly reject it—no matter who the person was or how much others opposed it.

Kang Seo-hyuk had been chosen for the Goto role precisely because his performance matched what Baek Min had envisioned for Goto.

But would Lee fit into this role?

Honestly, the probability that he’d differ from what Baek Min envisioned was high.

“Seoyeon.”

Baek Min then called out to Seoyeon, asking if she was ready.

“I’ve memorized the entire script. Any scene is fine.”

“Then, we’ll try scene 147.”

Scene 147.

This scene was one where Seoyeon’s character, “Lady Kasugayama Yuina,” and her servant, “Goto Isamu,” engage in a heated argument.

Precisely, it’s where Yuina realizes that Goto Isamu has betrayed her trust.

It’s a very intense emotional scene, but it’s also tricky for an audition due to its complexity.

To begin with, it includes the throwing of objects, use of various props, and calls for a sudden high level of emotional intensity—all reasons it felt too much for an audition.

“Wouldn’t it be better to start with something more routine for the audition?”

“Scene 147 seems a bit too extreme.”

Others raised similar concerns, but Director Baek had apparently settled on Scene 147 without any further consideration.

“Is Actor Lee Sang-soo okay with this?”

“I’m fine. I’ve had the script for a while.”

He didn’t even bring the script with him, not because he needed to—because he had already memorized it entirely.

“Then we’ll begin.”

With Director Baek’s announcement, the crew members moved to their positions as though it was an actual shoot—a very formal setup indeed.

With appropriate costumes, they could have filmed it as-is.

“Let’s begin.”

It was Director Baek’s calm cue, indicating this was still just an audition.

So there stood Lee, looking at the young actress before him.

“Kasugayama Yuina,” isn’t it?

The sharp and determined Lady’s role fit her perfectly—a character fully suitable for leading the villainy without fault.

Of course, the true villain is Goto Isamu, who manipulates her. Today’s Scene 147 shows his ultimate betrayal.

Through his manipulations, both the protagonist and Yuina herself are influenced, leading to changes in her character. The initial orders that led the protagonist into servitude came directly from Kasugayama Yuina.

Yet, simultaneously, it’s revealed that Goto had privately spoken to Yuina in a personal manner, persuading her to betray Michiko, and thus leading to Goto’s control over both the Amaban and Kasugayama properties for himself.

When Yuina realizes that Goto is not truly Isamu but is actually ‘Amaban Isamu,’ the truth unravels.

Now, Goto confronts the young lady, revealing all the truth since he has already obtained everything he wanted.

「Miss.」

Lee Sang-soo—rather, Goto Isamu—smiled cruelly. His old face twisted into something vile.

It was vile but not petty, more like the sinister smile of someone who has skillfully manipulated another for a long time.

It startled the crew on set; they realized Lee Sang-soo’s acting had not died yet.

「So what if you find out now? What difference does it make?」

Goto searched through his coat and found something, something about the size of a key.

Assuming from the shape, it seemed to be a key, though no props were prepared.

Everyone watching focused on Goto Isamu’s actions—not Lee’s. It was natural.

They marveled at his performance while Director Baek quietly observed, jotting down notes.

“Did the failure in Hollywood truly leave a scar?”

Lee Sang-soo was originally known for taking on roles like Goto Isamu—complex, striking characters.

But Lee always had a distinctive flair.

When Lee Sang-soo acted, there was a signature style—a recognition.

It was set.

This performance of ‘Goto Isamu’ felt like it stayed in that old pattern.

Perhaps, it failed to even show his usual strengths, because the scars left by his Hollywood failure had lingered.

Not as strong as before.

That was Director Baek Min’s judgment.

“But what about Seoyeon?”

Yet, she was a young actress, and the pressure of confronting him must have been immense, right? After all, wasn’t Lee Sang-soo an actor introduced by Seoyeon herself?

Seoyeon would feel the weight too. Should anything go wrong, it might even strain their relationship.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes,

Seoyeon quietly waited for Lee’s line to end.

「Still, isn’t this beneficial? You wanted to meet, and now you’ll have your chance.」

Ha ha, with the mocking tone of Goto Isamu’s speech, Seoyeon’s expression changed.

The blank face shifted, filling with anger—such an intense emotional transition it stopped Lee mid-line, the words caught in his throat.

The mistake felt so natural, almost seamless.

「Isamu. It’s best if you close that mouth of yours now.」

The low growl of Yuina’s voice, filled with hatred, split through the set.

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