YHJ Broadcasting Station fell silent, as if someone had poured cold water over it.
It couldn’t be helped.
The person the director had just pointed out was none other than the South Korean actress.
Following this, what had been thought of as the impressive performance of Reika, which had been highly praised, continued to play, but the director’s gaze was already on the woman who had exited the screen.
“What should we do, Director Nanjou?”
“This is truly an unexpected situation.”
Director Nanjou Kazuo, who had brought Seoyeon over from Japan, wiped the sweat off his forehead.
It couldn’t be helped. So much effort had been devoted to inviting him to Japan this time.
It wasn’t something that could be done just with money; it was impossible to move him under normal circumstances.
He was someone brought in with the help of every available connection from the film production committee, after an immense amount of effort.
“Ah, Mr. Baldwin.”
Eventually, it was left to Director Nanjou, possessing the best English skills, to speak.
Asher Baldwin.
An American director who had worked in various genres and gained fame through independent films before making an acclaimed fantasy film which won him a directing award.
He continued this streak with several biographical films that received numerous awards.
His resume was not just “impressive,” but extraordinary.
However, a few years ago, he stumbled.
Since about five years ago, he hadn’t produced anything significant.
Still, his reputation was strong enough that it was by no means accurate to declare him washed up.
‘But probably, because of that situation, he could just barely be brought over to Japan.’
Director Nanjou sighed inwardly as he observed Asher Baldwin regarding him with an indifferent expression.
The filming environment in Japan and abroad differed in many ways.
The behavior of such internationally renowned directors usually isn’t accepted by production committees, and this was an unfamiliar experience for the broadcasting PD as well.
In Japan, even compared to regular salarymen, directors often earn less.
“I requested it just now.”
“Are you asking who that actress is?”
“Yes, that actress. The one mixed in with the extras.”
Asher Baldwin signaled with his hand to rewind the footage. He showed no interest in the acting of Reika, Japan’s celebrated actress.
As a result, the broadcasting station, which had been strongly promoting Reika, had no choice but to chime in.
“Might I ask the reason?”
At this, Asher Baldwin’s perfectly groomed eyebrows twitched, as if trying to see if the question was sincere.
It was as if his gaze was saying, “Do you really not see it?”
‘Of course.’
Director Nanjou understood. Likely, most people in this room did too. Even those who had disregarded the Korean actress would surely find themselves unable to look away once the video was made.
A one-minute video.
Simple gestures, a few words.
Diverse expressions in between.
While many memorable elements could be pointed out, the two most striking were:
‘Appearance.’
The most striking aspect of this single minute would be nothing else but her looks.
And the second point was:
‘Presence.’
It was almost hard to say this, but in this short video, no one else stood out. Even with the main male lead, Kento, featured in one scene, attention was drawn to an unknown extra instead.
An old comic came to mind. Although it had an unfortunate ending, there was a famous line from it:
“An extra completely steals the scene.”
Though grim humor, this scene somewhat resonated with that.
“You understand.”
Asher Baldwin looked at Nanjou’s face and spoke. Why he had pointed out this female actress in that particular scene.
“The ability to draw someone’s gaze is an important talent for an actor, above all else. No… I’ve phrased it incorrectly.”
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“In precise terms, it is a crucial quality for a leading actor.”
Though she wouldn’t qualify as an extra. Still, the scene was clearly intended to make her stand out.
‘The director had vision.’
Asher Baldwin thought so. However, it was based on the premise that he understood the talent of the female actress.
Honestly, he slightly looked down on films and dramas made in Japan. In fact, even now, he still felt that way.
But within these one minute compositions, there were things he could roughly glean. Whether by chance or by deliberate design.
“Therefore, this actor…”
“What do you mean?”
“Hah.”
Asher shook his head. After such an explanation, it was only natural that they should have understood it. However, the Japanese staff simply wore blank expressions.
“I’m saying I would like to use this actor if we were to make a film.”
It was the expected response.
Director Nanjou felt like collapsing from this terrible situation. At least it was fortunate that Asher Baldwin didn’t walk out, calling all the Japanese actors garbage.
Until now, whenever they showed him other actors’ profiles, he had signaled his desire to leave immediately.
In reality, Asher Baldwin was known to be cantankerous.
Someone who would say what he needed to say, even if it meant never stepping foot on Japanese soil again.
“This actor is somewhat… difficult.”
“What? Didn’t we show you the video to highlight this actress? You didn’t mention it. Isn’t that actress Koto Reika?”
It seemed Asher was definitely mistaken. After all, he hadn’t even glanced at Reika’s performance.
To him, from the start, she had just been one of the extras.
“That actress is from South Korea.”
With a hint of panic, Director Nanjou revealed the name of the actress who had visited the station not long ago. Just last week, an interview variety show had aired, and YHJ had begun taking an interest in her through the “Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo” incident.
And the name of that actress from South Korea was…
And she, the South Korean actress, was…
“Hold on, Seoyeon! Joo Seohui, get this off me right now! Get it off, I said! Why are you looking at me like that?”
It was a scene where the character had clung closely to her close friend.
Seoyeon had become a master in romance.
It had been a long journey.
After listening to Yeo-hee’s stories of the past, she grasped the gist, watched several related films, and recently had completed a few female-oriented romantic fantasy novels to understand what they were like.
“Still, there are many aspects of female-oriented fantasies that I don’t fully comprehend.”
But, even if she tried to perform such romantic roles, her romance scenes were pushed back significantly.
They usually shot the important scenes first and followed with the romance scenes for continuity.
“Of course, that’s natural.”
A rather cool male voice echoed faintly in her ear.
By the way, at that moment, Seoyeon wasn’t directly speaking with that man.
Discord.
She was in the middle of a voice chat, playing games.
And the person she conversed with in such a way was the only one around her—someone who was the only one less skilled at gaming than her.
This person was Park Jung-woo.
“First of all, the character Yuna that you mentioned, isn’t she more of an antagonist? It makes sense to showcase her role as a villain first and then move on to the romance scenes; it’s more emotionally stable and easier that way.”
“It’s more about the fact that the Japanese filming will happen later.”
“Ah, is it because there’s no suitable building for the Michiko’s Mansion scenes?”
“Yes.”
Seoyeon deftly threw mushrooms with her mouse. Watching the opponent struggle as they stepped on them gave her immense satisfaction.
“Director Baek Min, I’ve heard of him, but he’s really something. Would he really go to Japan just for that?”
“It’s not just that—most of the necessary scenery and landscapes were located in Japan.”
“Are there a lot of snowy scenes?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, it makes sense. There are only a few places like Japan for that. And CG? It’s expensive. Ah!”
As he spoke, Park Jung-woo’s character died.
Although being killed by a cold wind isn’t particularly devastating, usually…
“You die way too much. You’re almost like a T-rex that charges recklessly.”
“Don’t attach that meme to me.”
“But your death count is higher than mine.”
Listening to Seoyeon’s slightly conceited voice, Park Jung-woo felt his forehead burning with anger. Honestly, Park Jung-woo only really played games when he had time to relax.
However, being mocked like this by Seoyeon repeatedly, he began practicing alone.
He realized anew how much it irritated him to be considered bad at games.
“I’m Platinum tier already.”
“…”
Seoyeon momentarily lost for words. In the physical-focused Cold Wind game, Seoyeon practically flew around, but the Summoner’s Rift was different.
Of course, Seoyeon too was Platinum, but Jungwoo climbed the tiers with fewer attempts.
Having neglected to advance for a while while focusing on Cold Wind, Seoyeon sensed a crisis.
“People look bad when they start with their tiers.”
“…Didn’t you say the same thing to me before?”
“And these days, high school students don’t really play League anymore.”
“How about Valorant?”
“Somewhat…”
Though it felt like many high school students didn’t play PC games much anymore.
Anyway, while talking, Seoyeon suddenly remembered Joo Young-bin.
Given her involvement with Yeo-hee, she knew that Young-bin was pondering various things on the Masked Singer program.
Should he create his own game?
Or should he stay in the company?
Still, it worried her to think about game creation, for various reasons.
‘I have to help Yeo-hee, too.’
Anyway, she had to reciprocate because Yeo-hee had helped her performances so much.
What had she said?
Ah, probably something like:
“Um… You don’t have to overexert yourself. But could you please tell Sua that I’d like to meet her once later? I said it, but it’s for Sua, not Young-bin. Really? But you don’t have to push yourself. Seriously.”
It definitely wasn’t advice from an adult wanting her not to overexert herself. The moment the word “please” was used, it contradicted itself.
Besides, calling her “mom” from the start—it was a rather suspicious sentence loaded with ulterior motives.
‘If I deliver this message, will it become a drama about extramarital affairs?’
Seoyeon began to feel a little concerned.
Had she underestimated Yeo-hee’s lingering feelings?
She thought they had only remained good memories, but perhaps she had been mistaken.
Realizing this, Seoyeon suddenly checked the time.
“Oh, I should probably wrap it up. It’s time for an appointment.”
“You? An appointment?”
“…Isn’t that like saying I don’t make plans? I’m busy, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, Ms. Actress Choo Seoyeon. You’re doing well, aren’t you?”
“If I hurry there now, I can make it in 5 minutes. Do you want to spar?”
“Huh? Here in Gangnam?”
“So 5 minutes.”
“What, do you have wings?”
While thinking it was absurd, Jungwoo couldn’t decide if it was real or a joke. Of course, it was a lie. No matter how good Seoyeon was, there was no way she could run to Gangnam in five minutes—it was something only a plane could accomplish.
However, Jungwoo couldn’t dismiss Seoyeon’s words as a joke right away. Somehow, it felt like she really could do it.
“Of course it’s a joke. Do you really believe that?”
“…No. Alright.”
Jungwoo sighed. More than that, he was curious about the appointment Seoyeon had mentioned.
Most of the time, when Seoyeon didn’t have anything to do, she spent her time gaming. Even if she didn’t play with Jungwoo, she spent plenty of time on console games.
“I’m going to a friend’s place.”
“A friend? The ‘friend in training’?”
“Technically, yes. We just found it fun to call her that.”
“Ah, Joo Seohui…”
Recalling the junior actress who had carried the baggage of being a parachute recruit all her life, Park Jungwoo sighed.
‘I must never give her a reason to do the same to me.’
While Seoyeon thought of herself as quite forgiving, Jungwoo knew better.
She was forgiving in most areas, but if her pride was hurt…
She became unusually petty in that aspect.
Truthfully, Seoyeon had rarely truly realized how wealthy Seohui was.
At some point, the good cars Seohui showed off had turned into a really nice bicycle.
And besides that, Seohui never wore particularly expensive clothes.
She had invited Seoyeon to Mi-Rae Park once, but honestly, it hadn’t hit home.
To her, it felt like Seohui simply took on company gigs and participated in events—nothing more, nothing less.
However, people are complex.
“How is it?”
Raising her gaze upwards, Seoyeon replied,
“…It’s big.”
That this vast garden and grand detached house belonged to Seohui left Seoyeon momentarily speechless.
Seoyeon’s home wasn’t poor by any means, but this was something different. It was on a completely different level.
“This place is a bit out of the city center, so the land is cheaper.”
Even though Seohui said it so casually, it wasn’t something Seoyeon could nod at just like that.
“Look, Jiyoun doesn’t even care.”
“I come here often. And why are you grinning like that?”
“Hm? No, nothing.”
Joo Seohui subconsciously rubbed her face with both hands.
It was indeed a rare occasion for her friend to visit her at home.
Even more!
Seoyeon had specifically asked to come this time.
‘Could this be the end of “friend candidate” era?’
Though she was half-joking about calling Seoyeon a friend in training, or a “friend aspirant,” Seohui recognized that this was a very special moment.
“By the way, what is that thing, I-Jiyeon?”
“What? This is beer.”
“?”
“It’s non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic.”
But even non-alcoholic beer can’t be purchased by minors, right?
Looking at I-Jiyeon with an interrogative gaze.
“Just brought it from home. Don’t you have stuff like that?”
At that moment, Seohui narrowed her eyes again.
Could this person really be part of a gang or something?
Seohui couldn’t shake the suspicion.
