Chapter 148

Seoyeon had recently been testing the waters to converse with writer Min Se-hee.

There were two main reasons for this. One was, of course, personal.

And the other reason was related to the script revisions.

“Yes, there has been a bit of a change in the script.”

“Yes, yes.”

Writer Min Se-hee, stammering slightly, nodded repeatedly.

In a drama, the writer’s influence is considerably strong. Even more so for a star writer. However, Min Se-hee was not a star writer. This was, after all, her first genuine work. Thus, if someone of even moderate reputation suggested something, it was nearly impossible for her to ignore it.

Especially in the case of Seoyeon.

“Seoyeon seems somewhat difficult.”

Though it was the kind of comment that would make Seoyeon dispirited if heard, it was undeniably true. After all, Seoyeon, with her hamster-like appearance and her tendency to act like Popeye the Sailor, threatened Min Se-hee in several ways. Though Min Se-hee had the cute face of a cat, Seoyeon had the battle prowess akin to numerous felled foes.

In response to this, Min Se-hee had, to some degree, incorporated such impressions into the recent script revisions.

“Why does Yoo-ju use a chair shot here…?”

Seoyeon was truly perplexed. After all, [Sky Garden] was a drama she had watched in her past life.

Though Seoyeon hadn’t felt much for dramas laden with romance, [Sky Garden] had genuinely captivated her. Given her speculations, Seoyeon trusted this [Sky Garden] immensely. It was, after all, a drama that had garnered legendary ratings in its finale. And now, with this scene that suddenly featured a chair shot in the remake, Seoyeon was naturally disconcerted.

“That, that’s because Seoyeon’s image has been receiving good reviews for action…”

“Would I really use a chair like that?”

“Ah, well… It’s not that, but action has been a recent focus.”

Undoubtedly, the popularity Seoyeon had garnered from [Hyper Action Star] had influenced the script. But even so, a chair shot?

It felt as if the story had suddenly turned into a delinquent drama.

“I don’t use chairs like that.”

“…?”

“The opinion was that hands alone would suffice.”

By the way, the scene itself was originally planned to exist. Yoo-ju, given her outsider status at the high-class Taeyang High School, had always faced judgment. As the top student, she naturally became the target of jealousy and sabotage.

Right as Yoo-ju was handling these situations with her unique presence and eloquence, a minor skirmish occurs. Just then ‘Lee Min-hyeok, the eldest son of the Lee Hyuk-su household,’ appears and saves her. That scene had created excitement, making viewers question if he was the male lead. Of course, it turned out in the next episode that the sabotage had been commissioned by Min-hyeok himself.

‘So, that’s why new writers waver in such areas.’

Indeed, how had such a drama come out in her past life? There had undoubtedly been wavering factors before…

‘Perhaps the actors on set adjusted things.’

It seemed that it wasn’t far-fetched given the ease with which the drama could sway.

Anyway, the script was the most important right now.

“That’s true. The scene didn’t quite match the tone of the drama, did it?”

Fortunately, Min Se-hee swiftly agreed to revise it. However, she had a slightly lingering look of regret.

Was she really that eager to see a scene where I use a chair?

‘I’ve taken up a chair advertisement.’

Though, to be fair, the school chair was a different brand, and had Seoyeon struck with a chair from her ad, it might’ve become a legendary PPL moment.

“So, the script needs to be revised then…”

Just as Min Se-hee was about to leave, Seoyeon hastily grabbed her shoulder.

Although the initial conversation started due to the script, this was a good opportunity to finally ask what Seoyeon had wanted to talk about for a while now. After all, no one knew when Min Se-hee would still be at the set.

“Hi-iik!!”

Min Se-hee’s reaction was undeniably dramatic. When Seoyeon grabbed her shoulder, she shuddered violently, resembling a mouse caught by the scruff in a cat’s mouth.

“…”

“Ah, well, I was just startled.”

Min Se-hee tried to pass it off as just being startled, but it was much more than that.

These weren’t just ordinary hands, after all. These were hands that could deflect incoming paintballs and toss people around with ease. If Min Se-hee were held by these hands, it was evident that she would end up as fish flakes. It reinforced the notion:

‘Yoo-ju certainly won’t need to use chairs.’

She already had perfectly strong hands. Though Yoo-ju and Seoyeon were fictional characters, this thought swirled in her mind.

“Anyway.”

After a brief pause, Seoyeon carefully chose her words before speaking.

“Do you think… Is it possible that there’s a screenplay on a theme I want to make?”

“Huh?”

“…A movie screenplay.”

Seoyeon, who had initially refrained from speaking, slowly continued.

“I was wondering if Writer Min Se-hee might take responsibility for it.”

“Movie? You want to make a movie, Seoyeon?”

Min Se-hee expressed her surprise, indicating how unexpected it was. Of course, there were actors who aspired to be directors, but wasn’t Seoyeon a bit too young for that?

“I won’t be directing it. But, I want to make a movie.”

“That’s a hard thing to say.”

Indeed, it was intriguing what kind of movie Seoyeon wanted to create. It certainly sparked curiosity.

“But it’s not impossible.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Min Se-hee certainly knew that her debut drama was [Sky Garden]. Though she could be considered a rookie screenwriter, she had a basic understanding of the industry given her prior involvement in various projects as a backup writer.

It depended on whether the project would proceed as a small independent film or with a large investment. Was Seoyeon leaning towards the latter?

“Yeah.”

“In that case, we’d need to find a studio first and push the plans while securing funding…”

Of course, securing funding was always the toughest part. However, Min Se-hee somewhat felt the latter might be easier:

“Director Jo.”

The Director Jo household was wealthy. Beyond measure.

If viewed by their ranking in the financial world, they were certainly in the top range.

Indeed, there were signs they recently developed an interest in the cultural industry, possibly through their daughter. While it was unclear if it was their first attempt with something like [Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo], one could speculate.

“Then there’s GH Group.”

The popularity of [Hyper Action Star] revealed just how significant Seoyeon was to GH Group. Min Se-hee had seen enough of that variety show to understand its script – the show had clearly been tailored for Seoyeon from start to finish. Likely, if Seoyeon expressed a desire for a movie, GH would be one of the first groups to jump at the opportunity.

“Of course, Seoyeon will star in it.”

“Yeah.”

“Typically, an actor’s reputation influences the investment or production of a movie. They say an actor’s fee takes up a large portion of the total movie budget, so the more you charge, the easier you save on costs. And…”

“And?”

“If a star writer or director gets involved, it becomes even more secure.”

With an impactful screenplay, making a movie was no longer impossible.

But…

“I’m not at that level yet.”

Min Se-hee sighed. She was curious about the movie Seoyeon wanted to create, but she deemed herself incapable of handling the responsibility.

“Um… Well, I am no famous writer, and Seoyeon could surely find better ones…”

Min Se-hee’s tone carried a sense of bewilderment. She half-expected Seoyeon to be joking, but Seoyeon’s face remained serious.

“You can do it.”

Seoyeon believed. Just looking at the [Sky Garden] written by Min Se-hee, Seoyeon felt it perfectly matched the movie she wished to create. Surely, she would be able to beautifully portray the themes Seoyeon envisioned.

That’s what she confidently thought.

“You’ll become a star writer.”

That’s why Seoyeon spoke firmly.

“I will definitely make [Sky Garden] a stepping stone for that…”

As she spoke with such conviction,

“…I will ensure that happens.”

And with that, Min Se-hee unconsciously nodded. After all, if things went just as planned, there was no downside for her.

***

Seoyeon thought.

The two people she met at the previous fan meeting weren’t new notions to her. In fact, she had been pondering this since a long time ago. Ever since she had become an actress.

Possibly, the reason she exclusively clung to acting was tied to this.

As an actress, appearing on screen and TV was the only way she could communicate with that person.

“Joo Seo-yeon.”

Her name.

Seoyeon softly muttered the name in her head, recalling fragments of memories from her past life. There was no doubt it also included her own name. The memory now blurred, but it was a word that had been called out to her by someone else.

That someone.

The person she’d just met recently.

“I need to graduate.”

From her past life.

But it wasn’t yet possible. She’d confirmed through the recent fan meeting that she still bore some lingering attachment.

As long as the past version of herself existed, there were emotions Seoyeon would never obtain. And she believed that was undesirable.

Thus, this was her preparation—for graduating from that life.

It was still a distant goal, but she needed it step by step.

She hoped this movie would become her diploma.

Thinking this, Seoyeon exhaled.

“Anyway.”

Seoyeon lifted her head.

Her room came into view, but it looked different from usual— today, this place was a filming set.

“Golden Duckling.”

A new variety show Seoyeon was attempting, an observation variety aimed at showcasing young stars’ daily lives. Frankly speaking, she wasn’t quite sure what was expected from her even though it was labeled as “observation.”

“…Just act normally, like you usually do.” The PD from [Golden Duckling], Hwan Hyang-young, had said this, but actually overemphasized not showing her natural self.

After all, it was still a variety show.

“Other people seem so busy doing various things…”

Seoyeon pondered seriously.

Should she engage in external activities like others? Perhaps she should.

“Studying should be enough by now.”

She closed the notebook she’d been jotting in. Honestly, she hadn’t been studying.

More like fantasizing about an ambiguous future—not daydreams, but plans. Wrapped it up as “studying” and succeeded in making it seem that way for the camera installed in her room.

Anyway, [Golden Duckling] was a show where young stars shared their daily routines. If they neglected their studies, it could stir various controversies.

– Aren’t you a student? Why isn’t she studying?

– Ah, haha, when you’re already earning well, why bother studying right? haha.

Such sarcastic comments often appeared. Because of this, the participating actors usually included some scenes of study, even if just for appearances.

The difference between being seen and being unseen was more significant than expected.

While Seoyeon tapped on the chair, she wondered,

“Do I need to deliver some lines?”

She had planned to casually advertise the chair through product placement… but it felt awkward. The chair she was currently sitting on was set to feature in an upcoming ad.

The filming for the ad hadn’t been done yet, but pre-practice was essential.

“How could I advertise the chairs?”

Incidentally, all the chairs in her room had been replaced with the brand Aids.

She wanted to subtly promote them but found it surprisingly hard.

“….”

So, what should she do now?

Seoyeon seriously thought about it.

Her usual routine involved playing games and watching Vtubers, followed by various video content.

Exercise was typically a morning activity, so it was awkward to go now. Also, by afternoon, the gym was usually crowded, and under the piercing gazes of others, it was difficult to exercise properly.

“Hmm.”

Seoyeon returned to her seat.

If she could just act normally as they asked, should she simply continue watching Vtubers?

While contemplating this,

“Uw, our daughter~. Mom brought some fruits.”

“Ye… Yes?”

Seoyeon naturally turned her head to reply, only to freeze as she saw Sua enter with a different demeanor from usual.

“What is this?”

Sua looked unusually polished.

She wasn’t the type to over-accessorize at home, and she usually wore casual, comfortable clothing suitable for a housewife. But today, Sua had a complete makeover.

From head to toe, she was perfectly styled.

She looked far from being in her late thirties. More like someone in their twenties.

“Isn’t this a bit… unrealistic?”

Seoyeon seriously thought so.

Oddly, she realized her own appearance might not really be enhanced with much touch-up, leading her to conclude it might just be good genes.

But regardless, her attire also caught Seoyeon’s attention.

Comfortable yet oddly revealing clothing.

Absolutely not something Sua normally owned.

“Could it be… Mr. Park Jeong-woo’s mom?”

The only person who could style Sua like this to that extent was likely his mom. Jiyeon’s mom tried hard but was obviously lacking in finesse.

“How well she knows her weapon.”

Seoyeon unconsciously marveled.

The first thing Seoyeon noticed was the impressive size.

Looking at it naturally brought her own chest into view, but it wasn’t out of envy.

After all, she had inherited that gene.

“Surely not me, right?”

This was enough already.

Despite her efforts to burn fat through exercise, her presence was growing more prominent, leading her to recently start worrying about needing new bras, heightening her unease.

“What’ll our daughter do now? Play games? Or that thing?”

‘That thing’ clearly referred to Vtubers. But given Sua’s look now, watching Vtubers could kill her.

Her expression clearly said “You need proper image management.”

“Ah, image.”

Realizing that, she remembered the purpose of filming for this observation show.

Image.

She had to completely depart from her eccentric image!

“What should I do?”

She technically had already “studied,”

so, maybe she should try some sports now?

“Games?”

Technically, esports qualify, didn’t they?

While pondering this,

“Dad’s here.”

The door creaked open.

The sound caused both Seoyeon and Sua to instantaneously turn toward it.

Why is he here at this time?

Both had the same reaction. Given the hour, Young-bin should have been at the office, in the middle of his workday.

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