Chapter 160

“Indeed, were there such circumstances.”

Although he was treated rather coldly, that wasn’t the main issue.

Today’s purpose was solely to speak with actor Lee Sang-soo regarding the *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* (Miss Gyeongseong) project.

Suddenly withdrawing from a role is a fairly common occurrence in the acting world.

Often, it leads to delays in production as well.

However, if the situation is like Director Baek Min’s—where finding an actor is particularly hard—it could be quite a critical problem.

“Director Baek Min has always been rather picky.”

Actor Lee Sang-soo nodded after hearing our story. While it was an awkward request from our end, the truth is that Director Baek Min has to give the okay for the filming to begin even with Lee Sang-soo involved.

That’s especially true given the delicate position we’re in—difficulty finding an actor notwithstanding.

“Though stubborn, I don’t see it as being a bad thing. It’s good for a young director to have the right amount of stubbornness. It’s also not ideal for directors to overly consider the actors’ preferences.”

Of course, within reasonable limits.

Director Baek Min perfectly adheres to this fine line.

‘Just…’

Actor Lee Sang-soo felt a peculiar sensation at Seoyeon’s proposal.

As if there had always been a vague foreboding that something like this would happen someday.

‘The actor destined to bring me back into the film industry.’

Frankly, Lee Sang-soo was still reeling from the shock of venturing overseas.

Watching Lee Sang-soo’s expression, actor Song Guang-min sighed, understanding roughly what was going through his mind.

“Seoyeon-ya, casually offering such roles to a senior actor is quite disrespectful.”

Seoyeon was aware of this, too. It felt like thrusting upon Lee Sang-soo something someone else had discarded.

Even if we were to ask for help, it could easily be perceived that way. Moreover, it’s not the kind of role anyone would be tempted by—a role with an uncertain future. Worse, it’s the main antagonist in the story.

Seoyeon had realized something while filming *The Chaser*: the importance of villains. In dramas and movies alike, the appeal of the villainous character impacts the audience’s immersion. And the reason Seoyeon had received great acclaim in her role as Cha Soo-ah was rooted in this.

Hence, a good villainous character is essential.

Even in *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*, Seoyeon’s role was closer to that of a villain.

Though not entirely villainous. Someone pulling the strings was manipulating her, and this character was essentially the main villain—the mastermind behind everything in *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*.

Goto Isamu.

The puppeteer of all the machinations in *Miss Gyeongseong*.

“Come on, Seoyeon, apologize to Lee Sang-soo’s actor and let’s go fishing.”

Actor Song Guang-min said this with a smile, not as a genuine apology but to smooth over the atmosphere.

‘Might this work?’

Jiyeon, too, was honest in saying it wasn’t easy to speak up. After all, compared to Seoyeon and Jiyeon, the experience of Lee Sang-soo and Song Guang-min was vast.

Should one speak up carelessly here? Or should one cling more desperately?

In truth, Jiyeon was somewhat surprised that Seoyeon had thrown herself into this situation so recklessly.

Honestly, she expected Seoyeon to be more cautious or perhaps discreet about it.

Who would’ve thought it would all come up so bluntly during a fishing trip?

‘But actor Lee Sang-soo—’

Seoyeon knew. Actor Lee Sang-soo was still dreaming.

Just, there was no one to give him the push he needed.

Seoyeon knew this from an interview actor Lee Sang-soo gave at the end, when he decided to retire a few years later.

“An abrupt retirement? Not really.”

With a bitter smile, actor Lee Sang-soo said as much.

“I was a coward, that’s all. How many years have I been idle? Almost five? No, seven? For such a long time, I disturbed those around me. The people who waited for me to compose myself, who hoped I would return to the film industry someday.”

Actor Lee Sang-soo said he was a lucky person. There had always been fans waiting for him to return. And trusted fellow actors who believed in him. But they all just waited silently.

“Sounds funny, but…”

Actor Lee Sang-soo continued.

“If someone had forcefully pushed me or, somewhat selfishly, dragged me back into the field during that time, I wonder if things would’ve been different.”

A coward.

Actor Lee Sang-soo called himself a coward.

After a major failure, he could no longer walk on his own.

He grew old, scared of challenges. The reckless vigor of his youth faded, and he decayed quietly in a corner like an old man.

“But even so, I know it couldn’t have been possible. So, now I’m retiring without any regret.”

With a laugh, actor Lee Sang-soo laughed. At the time, Seoyeon couldn’t tell what kind of laughter it was.

He was an excellent actor, so he might’ve been acting even then.

Indeed, the article published after the interview read:

*[Actor Lee Sang-soo’s Clear Smile, Unburdening Everything]*

It simply wrote that he retired with a clean mind, free from regret.

‘No, not true.’

But Seoyeon knew better.

With the emotional insight she had now, understanding was inevitable. What she saw in her past life was unmistakable.

Seoyeon observed countless individuals to mimic emotions and watched numerous works. Among them were a few appearances by actor Lee Sang-soo.

Because she didn’t understand feelings at the time, his laughter made no sense—she could only see what everyone else missed.

A person who has truly let go doesn’t laugh like that.

Regret lingered until the very moment of his retirement.

‘This is—’

Beyond *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*, this was a role Seoyeon earnestly recommended to actor Lee Sang-soo. Despite their connection through a variety show.

Could it be due to the unforgettable impression left by his interview?

She wasn’t sure, but this role could resolve his lingering regrets.

Certainly.

“…Seoyeon-ya.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know my situation?”

“Yes, I do.”

At Lee Sang-soo’s sudden question, actor Song Guang-min stiffened, clearly not expecting such a serious reply from him.

“And you know I won’t refuse, right?”

At Seoyeon’s confident reply, actor Lee Sang-soo burst into laughter.

“Sharp as ever, aren’t you? True, I won’t refuse.”

“Really?”

Standing nearby, Song Guang-min was more shocked.

After all, just by looking at actor Lee Sang-soo’s face, he seemed ready to turn Seoyeon down instantly.

‘From the moment he agreed to come fishing, there was no intention to refuse.’

Seoyeon had anticipated this response. Initially, she told actor Lee Sang-soo via phone that she wished to meet not just for fishing but for a role-related matter.

If one were an experienced actor like actor Lee Sang-soo, one would already understand the intention behind the invitation. When he agreed to come fishing, it was evident there was no intention to turn her down.

If he had no interest, he wouldn’t have even agreed to the meeting over the phone.

“On the condition that—”

Lee Sang-soo, who had been laughing jovially, now turned serious as he said,

“I’ll do it if Seoyeon-ya agrees to act alongside me.”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t the vacant role deeply connected to Seoyeon-ya anyway?”

Indeed, the vacant role of Goto Isamu was the servant—or rather, the butler—of Kasugayama Yuina, the role played by Seoyeon.

Thus, Goto Isamu was the one manipulating Yuina to drive the story forward.

“Director Baek Min said so. He plans to decide after observing our performance.”

This was what actor Lee Sang-soo was saying. He wanted Seoyeon to be his acting partner for this ‘audition’.

This left actor Song Guang-min and Jiyeon equally perplexed, as they hadn’t expected actor Lee Sang-soo to say such things to Seoyeon.

His words made Seoyeon squint her eyes slightly. It seemed to be a mix of a smile and anticipation.

“Yes, I’ll tell Director Baek Min that.”

At her calm response, actor Lee Sang-soo gave a slow nod.

‘By then, I’ll know.’

Director Baek Min.

His films often receive higher evaluations overseas than domestically. This *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* was no exception.

It’s a tight-knit industry, and seasoned actor Lee Sang-soo had naturally heard several things. This time, investors were unusually quick to commit, and it was also a lesbian film featuring strong actresses like Jo Seo-hee and Sooyeon Joo.

While it might not get proper recognition domestically, the movie was clearly targeting overseas markets.

‘Overseas—’

A dream he had harbored since his youth. Perhaps, it could be a chance to restart this dream.

“Ah, of course, send over the script first. Let me review it before deciding.”

If Seoyeon could reignite the dwindling flame of passion for acting in his heart…

Still, the lingering enthusiasm in his heart was now akin to ashes smoldering.

***

When actor Lee Sang-soo accepted Seoyeon’s offer, Director Baek Min was clearly surprised. He had thought his words might come off as somewhat impolite.

All he requested, however, was to have Seoyeon as the acting partner for the performance, making it seem as though this test was something natural.

“Once the dates are set, I’ll update you.”

Director Baek Min was exceedingly cautious. A face that didn’t betray joy even with actor Lee Sang-soo’s involvement in the movie.

Probably because actor Lee Sang-soo was known to have a significant hiatus after a failure in Hollywood and rumors of a waning passion for acting.

‘The talk about his waning passion after a failure in Hollywood is out there.’

There was a chance he might only perform perfunctorily. Seoyeon also didn’t find Director Baek Min’s attitude disagreeable. After all, movies weren’t shot by one person alone.

“Seoyeon-ya, next time, should you discuss such things with your manager-ssi too?”

“Yes.”

Naturally, manager Park Eun-ha would be startled upon hearing this. While the manager knew Seoyeon had some connections with other actors, she never imagined Seoyeon was so close with actor Lee Sang-soo.

Especially since, this time, for the casting of actor Lee Sang-soo, Seoyeon would need to perform alongside him.

‘Doesn’t she feel any pressure?’

Manager Park Eun-ha was nearly sweating blood. Actor Lee Sang-soo was a top-tier actor in South Korea.

If such an actor had personally named her as his partner in this audition, the pressure would be enough to keep one awake at night. But Seoyeon?

‘She’s just listening to music?’

She was contentedly nodding along to something through her earphones.

“What are you listening to?”

“Huh? Oh, the teaser for *Sky Garden* is about to be released today.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Of course, manager Park Eun-ha had already seen the teaser. The production team had sent the completed version.

It was excellent. Contrary to her recent variety show appearances, it offered a sharp portrayal of Seoyeon’s character.

“That song inserted in the teaser is really good, right? Is it from summer girl’s music?”

At this, Seoyeon smiled faintly.

‘Hmm?’

In the past, Park Eun-ha might not have been able to interpret Seoyeon’s expressions clearly, but now it was different. Surprisingly, when one looked closely, Seoyeon was quite easy to read.

That face was, in a way, the look someone wore when they wanted to boast about something.

“…Could it be, the song?”

“Yes, I sang it.”

“Seriously?!”

Park Eun-ha was genuinely impressed.

She had known Seoyeon’s singing ability was improving steadily.

But to this extent?

She knew Seoyeon had participated in the OST for *Sky Garden*.

But this song didn’t seem to match that fact at all.

“Both the wizard and sister Na-hee helped me a lot.”

With a shrug, Seoyeon mentioned this. No longer was there that amateurish singing from her *Dream Future* days.

Even Cha Na-hee, the main vocalist for summer girl, had given her a big thumbs-up.

‘I just want to show off quickly.’

Once the teaser airs today, I need to tell everyone. With that thought, Seoyeon headed towards KMB.

Because the main PD of *Sky Garden*, Lee Min-hwa, said she had something to say before the teaser’s release.

“About the song included in this teaser, Seoyeon-ya, would you not mind if I reveal that you sang it?”

“…Huh?”

It was an unexpected proposal.

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