Chapter 203

The rise in popularity of Seoyeon, the female lead in *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*, in Japan, served as a significant boon for the production itself.

However, due to Director Baek Min’s unique style, achieving blockbuster success might have been challenging.

Originally, the director already had a certain degree of recognition, and while the cast largely consisted of unknown actors and actresses, the involvement of Seohui Jo and Sooyeon Joo somewhat made up for that.

Receiving a love call from Japan was nothing short of a reason to smile for the existing investors.

“Honestly, we have one more secret weapon.”

Hwang Taesang, the director of the cultural industry department at Best One, beamed at Best One’s director, Park Hoon.

“Actor Lee Sang-soo.”

Currently, a prominent actor in South Korea who had not appeared in any work since his failed attempt to break into Hollywood—a meticulously kept secret and the true secret weapon of *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*.

“I’m not quite sure if he’ll live up to his reputation.”

“Surely he will. After all, it was Director Baek Min himself who adjusted his vision and gave the okay.”

Park Hoon had heard that Actor Lee Sang-soo was part of the movie but didn’t know all the details. He couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Is that true?”

“That’s correct. Information directly from Director Baek Min.”

“That’s quite unexpected. Director Baek Min adjusting his vision?”

“I agree. He’s a talented director, but also quite stubborn, isn’t he?”

Experience over ability. And Director Baek Min was a filmmaker with a clear vision.

If an actor did not fit his ideas, even someone with immense talent wouldn’t be chosen.

“And how exactly did Actor Lee Sang-soo end up joining this project? I heard he would not budge from his position.”

“Word has it that Actor Sooyeon Joo brought him here personally…”

“Sooyeon Joo?”

How could a young actress who had only returned a year ago convince Actor Lee Sang-soo?

Was it perhaps the connection formed during the filming of *Star Fisher*?

Still, that alone didn’t seem sufficient to move Actor Lee Sang-soo…

“In any case, this movie from Director Baek Min is filled with good news.”

“It might even be due to Seohui Jo. Since Actor Sooyeon Joo seems to be friendly with Seohui Jo.”

Seohui Jo had never experienced failure since her days as a child actress. Some even claimed that she turned failures into successes. Jokingly referred to as a “fairy of luck.”

“Seohui Jo being a fan of Director Baek Min is our lucky break.”

“Hmm, if that’s the case, it’s quite strange that Newlike didn’t get involved.”

“It’s no secret, right? And Seohui Jo herself does not wish to use their assistance.”

To be honest, Hwang Taesang considered Seohui Jo’s actions to be mere youthful arrogance.

“Perhaps, being young, she feels embarrassed to receive help from her parents.”

Or simply pride. Every project Seohui Jo participated in turned out to be a hit. Had all those films been Newlike productions, one could only imagine the profits.

“That’s unknown. Seohui Jo is a very clear-headed girl.”

“You seem to know her quite well.”

“Weren’t you at the company where I used to work? I have seen her a few times.”

Looking out at the view of Gangnam from his high-rise office, Director Park Hoon of Best One thought.

“There must be a reason.”

For instance, perhaps due to the matter involving her mother.

‘Or perhaps she believes that using their power would bring her harm.’

Using Newlike’s influence would undoubtedly make Seohui Jo’s acting career much easier. Directors and producers would all be pandering to her. But once she started using such power, could she ever stop?

Rather than being an actress, she would become the darling of Newlike. An actress by hobby, the third generation of a wealthy family.

Maybe what Seohui Jo was avoiding was just that perception. To protect herself as an actress.

To keep herself safe, whichever way you look at it, it was a path an ordinary person wouldn’t dare choose.

“Of course, this is a great thing for us.”

A top actor, Lee Sang-soo. And among younger actors, Seohui Jo, who is ranked as one of the highest alongside Jung-woo Park.

Finally, this year’s rising star.

‘Sooyeon Joo.’

The attention Seoyeon is receiving in Japan right now is far from ordinary.

Is it solely because of her looks? It’s unlikely.

Seoyeon has shown three things in Japan:

Her ghostly acting, without holding back, in variety shows. A short cameo in a drama lasting a mere minute. Finally, an event connected to *Dream Future* which wasn’t that extravagant.

Even with that, she became a hot topic.

‘If Seohui Jo is a fairy of luck, what should we call this one?’

She’s different. Whether it’s presence or aura.

It’s understandable why Seohui Jo follows Seoyeon around.

‘New star.’

Perhaps instinctively chasing after the brilliance of someone like her own mother.

***

Finally, the long-delayed shooting of *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* started.

Honestly, Seoyeon hadn’t thought too much about it.

She was just too busy, and *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* was not a movie that required much worrying anyway. In her past life, it had gone through various challenges but managed to open despite a less-than-stellar cast.

In this life, with an even better cast now, there was no way there would be problems. On the contrary, Newlike, the investors for this movie, had stumbled into a gold mine.

So she had been waiting for the shoot day without any particular thoughts.

‘But upon reading the script…’

She received the script quite a while ago, and it didn’t raise any concerns at the time.

However, as the shoot approached, the thought of performing those scenes with Seohui Jo or Jiyeon gave her cause for pause.

What was this?

*Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* had quite a lot of romance scenes. Initially intended for an adults-only rating, the script was toned down due to the younger cast. Although, this part wasn’t much different from her past life. The last time, they couldn’t find a proper cast, so they switched to an all-ages script.

Just the same…

‘Romance… acting.’

And with someone of the same gender, no less. Seoyeon had already pulled some tricks on *Dream Future*, but *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* had even more shocking scenes that couldn’t be bypassed.

‘Oh… this is tough.’

She was sure she couldn’t achieve method acting. Although, it had been quite a while since she felt the need for the technique.

Still, she was slightly worried about whether she could properly convey the emotional lines.

‘But…’

Seoyeon closed the script and lost herself in thought.

A lot of eyes followed her actions today.

It was the day of *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*’s script reading. Thinking about going with Jiyeon earlier, but ultimately decided to come earlier. She had a lot to think about.

The script was one issue, but the potential impact of filming *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* was another.

‘They did say there’s interest in Japan, after all.’

This was something that hadn’t happened in her previous life. *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* did well overseas but only debuted in Japan two years after it released in South Korea.

Though it had been released in other countries beforehand. Japan’s release was simply delayed.

However, this time, Japan was hoping to release it first, which was very amusing.

‘…What will happen?’

Seoyeon decided to join this project because of Seohui Jo’s persuasion. It wasn’t that she couldn’t refuse Seohui Jo, but it was simply a great opportunity.

Purely, it was a wonderful chance for her as an actress.

A chance to elevate her reputation. *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo*, well-received internationally, provided a stepping stone for the actors involved.

True, many of them faltered afterwards with scandals or flops, but it was important that the opportunity existed.

Especially to Seoyeon. The prestige gained from *Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* was crucial.

‘Actors need recognition if they want funding, and it’s usually impossible without such recognition.’

Of course, it’s not that Seoyeon aspired to be a film director or anything like that.

Still, she had plans to create movies. Vague plans so far, but…

‘Graduation.’

This word has a very special meaning to Seoyeon. Typically, virtual YouTubers use the term ‘graduation’ to signal their retirement.

This word signifies more than merely ending an activity. In a sense, it resembles death, a final farewell.

Therefore, Seoyeon’s envisioned ‘graduation’ may be somewhat similar. Although prolonged in its execution.

‘Learned from *Masked Singer*.’

Meeting her mother from her previous life and seeing her as a regular mother who gave birth to a common daughter, and hearing her current mother, Sua’s question…

‘Why does Seoyeon work so hard as an actress?’

She realized it then. The reason why she couldn’t pursue the things she wanted to do when she was young.

Being a VTuber represented the dream she long held in her previous life.

But doing this now felt like being stuck indefinitely in the past.

Realizing she still had unresolved issues and doubting her intentions, she contemplated.

Could becoming an actress have been just a trace of her old self? Was she trying to communicate her safety through TVs and movies?

The suspicion that this was due to something unresolved in her.

‘So, I need to graduate from my previous life’s me.’

Though, this graduation doesn’t mean quitting acting. It’s actually essential for her to continue as an actress, Sooyeon Joo.

Plus, it’s preparation to achieve what she’s dreamed of since she was little through Sooyeon Joo.

Seoyeon knew the answer.

So, she had asked writer Min Se-hee about it and felt a bit too rushed.

But then, through Aunt Yeo-hee, she calmed down, believing she didn’t need to hurry towards her dream.

Anyhow.

No rush. Just move steadily and carefully. With that decision made.

‘Though.’

All these sudden contemplations were, after all, due to the acting required by the script.

Playing love. A theme far too difficult for the present-day Seoyeon.

To Seoyeon, emotions are like paints. She used them to create her performances. Naturally, the deeper the understanding, the richer the color and the more beautiful the piece.

For this very reason, love was hard, as it requires a deeper understanding and connection with others, compared to other emotions.

Though someday, she wished to fully understand it like other feelings.

For now, she needed to find a way to fake it.

‘Especially with Jiyeon.’

Though she made several excuses, the situation was rather simple. She had to perform a romantic scene with her close friend.

Moreover, being the character Kasugayama Yuina, Seoyeon was the villainous lady who had unrequited love for the protagonist. Realizing this again, Seoyeon’s head started to ache.

“Looking forward to your acting, right?”

Without realizing Seoyeon’s mood, Seohui Jo approached cheerfully.

Naturally, Seoyeon attempted to glare at Seohui Jo but stopped herself.

“Yes, I am.”

After all, there were parts to look forward to as well.

***

Seohui Jo was in a great mood. Excited for the script reading, she couldn’t even sleep properly.

So she played some sleep music on YouTube, tossing and turning until dawn. Finally getting some rest, she now found herself at the filming location in top condition.

‘Is she worried about the acting?’

Seoyeon was quieter than usual, intensely reading the script—an uncommon sight before such an event.

As for Jiyeon, who arrived just now?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

She immediately replied with sarcasm, sharp eyes and sharper words.

Though sitting politely due to the presence of senior actors, Seohui Jo couldn’t help but suspect.

‘Hopefully, there won’t be any school bullying scandals later.’

*Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo* was also crucial for her. Though she knew through time spent together that Jiyeon wasn’t that kind of person…still, her looks gave off some delinquent vibes.

“Alright, let’s start. You’ve already met, right? Shall I go over introductions again?”

Director Baek Min’s words lightened the somewhat heavy atmosphere of the filming set. Surprisingly quiet for a script reading session.

The reason was simple.

‘These actresses have quite the presence these days.’

‘When the three of them sit together, it feels…’

Seoyeon meticulously examining the script, Seohui Jo sitting beside her casting glances. And Jiyeon, pretending not to, giving the same furtive looks at Sooyeon and Seohui Jo.

With looks so distinct and unapproachable, it was naturally difficult to initiate conversations with them.

This atmosphere led the supporting actors to remain mostly silent.

Thus, the filming set naturally grew silent.

“Then, to lighten the mood, let’s begin gently. Who should start?”

Director Baek Min glanced around the set while deciding who should go first.

‘I better go first.’

Seohui Jo directed her gaze at Director Baek Min, silently implying her eagerness.

‘Seems like Seoyeon needs some time to prepare.’

Given Director Baek Min’s nature, he would undoubtedly choose Seoyeon if not Seohui Jo.

She better take the lead to avoid that. Thinking this, she signaled her intent more vividly.

“The first scene starts with Actors Jiyeon and Sooyeon. We will save Seohui Jo for later since she’s itching to do it.”

Smiling at Seohui Jo, Director Baek Min made the call, understanding her eagerness for a small joke.

Due to this, Seoyeon, suddenly called upon, eyed Seohui Jo narrowly.

‘Oh, isn’t this unfair?’

Of course, Seohui Jo genuinely felt wronged.

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