Seonyang Media.
Primarily an internet newspaper company specializing in entertainment news.
Striking a relatively neutral tone, it’s recognized for its fast-breaking news in the entertainment field, and despite its size, it boasts a large number of loyal subscribers.
However, recently, there was a piece of news from this source.
It was about none other than the currently hot actress Sooyeon Joo.
“After ‘Sky Garden’ concluded, it seemed unusually quiet, but it seems like there were communications going on with parties in Japan?”
At the words of a fellow journalist, the gaze of a female journalist shifted.
Han Sun-ah.
She is Seoyeon’s number one fan and the person who periodically handles articles on Seoyeon.
“Yes, I went to Japan recently because of that matter.”
“Ah, because of the broadcast shooting in Japan?”
“Yes. There’s also that.”
Han Sun-ah had recently visited Japan.
Of course, she would have to return soon.
The reason for her recent trip there was because Seoyeon, who had just finished “Sky Garden,” had headed to Japan.
“Everyone thought Seoyeon was going to shoot CFs or something with ‘Sky Garden,’ but it turns out she’s directly jumping into a new project. What kind of iron-clad human is this?”
“To be honest, I’m a little worried too.”
Certainly, from a journalist’s point of view, there was nothing bad about Seoyeon actively working since that would generate more articles.
Particularly, with a rising star who had achieved consecutive successes in series after series, this was even more significant, especially for this year’s leading actress.
However, as a fan, there was no denying some concern.
“Since ‘Sky Garden’ made such a massive hit, she could have taken some rest…”
“Sky Garden” set the record for having the highest ratings among dramas in recent years.
Even in comparison to the peak of television drama ratings from ten years ago, it was undoubtedly a hit.
In fact, the ratings were so high that they likely approached 50%, nearing nearly 40%.
Naturally, the value of the actors who participated in that drama skyrocketed, along with the increased appraisal of the drama’s writer.
Particularly, Min Se-hee, who followed up her success in “Dream Future” with another massive hit in “Sky Garden,” was drawing attention from other broadcasting companies, probably leaving her somewhat bewildered.
“It’s hard to even secure an interview with the actors from ‘Sky Garden.’”
“Especially the younger actors. They tend to have strong egos.”
It makes sense.
At first, they were more open to interviews.
They likely thought that their rising popularity due to the hit show ‘Sky Garden’ was beneficial.
However, most of what reporters were curious about related to the main character, ‘Seoyeon Joo.’
What was it like on the set?
What thoughts came to mind when watching her performance?
These questions could come across as quite impolite.
After receiving such questions a few times, most actors began declining interviews.
“Even I, who am asking now, questioned similarly.”
The fellow journalist awkwardly laughed but managed to obtain some level of response.
The leading actor who played the son of Lee Hyuk-soo’s family in “Sky Garden”: Kim Hyun-seok, who portrayed Lee Min-hyeok, the older brother of Lee Min-seo.
He looked too proud to initiate conversation about Joo Seoyeon but eventually started talking.
“Perhaps, if you weren’t directly facing Joo Seoyeon’s acting, you wouldn’t perceive just how extraordinary it is.”
Kim Hyun-seok spoke with an unusually curt but sincere tone.
“To be honest, when face-to-face, just keeping up and properly receiving her lines can be difficult. There’s something called tone in acting, right? You can instantly feel it. ‘Oh, she’s holding back and not performing fully in order to consider my part.’”
“Is it really that noticeable?”
“Well, of course, it varies from scene to scene. Even when acting without exerting herself, it doesn’t seem forced. But there are moments where the emotions surge too strongly. ‘Sky Garden’ had particularly many of those moments.”
This was evident during the explosive emotional scenes involving Lee Yoo-joo in the later episodes of the drama.
“…Honestly, I fell short in this drama. However, if we were to collaborate again, I’ll perform differently.”
“Ah, stop being so humble, you too, Kim Hyun-seok as an actor gave an incredible performance. To be honest, I was captivated while watching.”
“Thank you.”
Kim Hyun-seok smiled warmly as he continued speaking and indicated that what he shared was his personal opinion.
“Of course, given how busy the other party is, there’s a possibility we might not work together again. They’ve recently gone to Japan for a new movie shoot, haven’t they?”
“Oh, I know it’s not related to the movie they just filmed.”
“Is that so? Actually, I have some information from a friend in Japan recently.”
What Kim Hyun-seok shared next was rather surprising.
“Asher Baldwin?”
“That’s correct.”
“Is it alright to share such crucial information with me?”
“Everyone knows you’re the main actress’s fan, so what’s the harm? And I simply don’t have the energy to go all the way to Japan. I’m busy interviewing other actors anyway.”
Actually, it was unfortunate.
Though unfortunate, what he was investigating currently was also very significant.
After all, he secured exclusive reporting for the upcoming new movie from director Jo Bang-woo.
Eventually, after some deliberation, he decided to share the information with Han Sun-ah, a journalist who was relatively close to him.
“Miss Han Sun-ah, if she ever owes a favor, it won’t be disadvantageous right?”
Han Sun-ah was a passionate journalist with fast hands and excellent action. If she were to owe them a favor, she would undoubtedly secure comparable information and share it with him.
Especially regarding:
“This time Asher Baldwin…”
And matters concerning ‘Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo.’
“This year has been great, but next year is even more promising.”
Saying this while handing the information to Sun-ah, the co-worker journalist continued.
Sun-ah, eager to fly to Japan again, nodded.
This year alone, Sooyeon Joo has been called a ‘rising star.’
Most journalists thought it would be hard to outdo this year in terms of career achievements, but Han Sun-ah thought differently.
‘With Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo and the information I just heard…’
And then there’s “Mine (film).”
It already started to become something to look forward to.
Next year for Sooyeon Joo.
“Today’s scene, although light-hearted, is an extremely important scene in the story.”
Director Baek Min addressed the staff and actors on the set like that.
The scene involving Kasugayama Yuina and Amanabi Michiko in a scuffle.
It could seem simple but was, in fact, an important scene.
This is the part where Yuina forgets her position and fights with Michiko.
During their childhood, Michiko and Yuina had met and were certainly close friends.
However, due to certain events later, they drifted apart.
The incident that occurred between the parents of Michiko and Yuina.
And the character Yeon Seonye, who gets caught in the middle of their relationship.
Essentially, this is a scene where all three main characters appear.
‘Just reading the script shows how intense the emotional fluctuations will be.’
Seoyeon glanced over that section and paused briefly to think.
The scene might seem overtly emotional on first glance.
But from a good perspective, it’s the type designed to move the audience’s emotions.
‘On the downside, it could come off as too cheesy.’
Seoyeon doesn’t like the terms ‘cheesy’ or ‘overly exaggerated emotions.’
She knows the recent trend favors more understated emotional portrayals.
But many words and scenes labeled as ‘cheesy’ or ‘overdone’ nowadays should not be dismissed so easily.
‘They’re relatively bold in including such scenes.’
She doesn’t necessarily dislike it. However, in these situations, if the acting isn’t perfect, the outcome could end up worse.
If the emotional impact fails to resonate with the audience, the cheese factor will only stand out.
Thus, Seoyeon couldn’t help but give it her all, investing more emotion than usual.
That said,
‘Can I execute it properly?’
Seoyeon clenched her fists as she mulled over it.
It was a part where she slightly erred in “The Chaser.”
When too immersed in a role, there’s sometimes a risk of losing control.
‘Even the supposedly invincible TS powers seem a little exaggerated.’
Seoyeon doesn’t even know her own limits.
She can generally do anything she sets her mind to.
So it’s impossible for her to fully exert herself on anything.
Is there a reason for this?
She doesn’t know.
Right now, avoiding the same mistake as in “The Chaser” during this performance is important.
“Why do you look so troubled?”
Joo Seohui noticed Seoyeon’s face and stealthily asked.
“It’s nothing.”
“Hm.”
With that response, Joo Seohui narrowed her eyes, sensing that it wasn’t truly “nothing.”
“You must perform this scene well.”
“What?”
“The acting, I mean. Don’t hold back this time, just like you did before during ‘Sky Garden.'”
Holding back?
Seoyeon blinked in surprise.
“Actually, I didn’t deliberately hold back then.”
“Pfft, don’t lie. It was obvious! The actors who took the scenes definitely felt it more intensely. Like, the difference between acting with Lee Mi-ran and Kim Hyun-seok. Completely different.”
Lee Mi-ran was the actress playing the matriarch of the Lee Hyuk-soo family in “Sky Garden,” another major role.
Given her renowned acting skills, it was natural for her to stand out significantly compared to Kim Hyun-seok.
The audience might not have noticed, but Joo Seohui couldn’t miss it.
Having watched Seoyeon’s performances closely all along.
“Of course, I know you won’t slack off. But I’ve had high expectations for you.”
Joo Seohui folded her arms and, due to her current disguise as Amanabi Michiko, looked like a villainess tenfold.
“You must perform impeccably for several reasons.”
For several reasons.
It was quite a meaningful statement.
“Will you hurt yourself?”
Hearing this, Jiyeon, who happened to be nearby, chimed in. Today’s scene included not just Seoyeon and Joo Seohui, but Jiyeon too.
‘Feels like some really rebellious talk.’
If Jiyeon were in her normal state rather than in her disguise as the innocent Yeon Seonye, she would definitely feel the rebellious undertone in that statement.
“Even if I get a little hurt, it’s fine.”
Seoyeon glanced at Joo Seohui replying with a trembling voice.
Well, with the recent events, she probably knows, right?
‘Plus, since she mentioned it in ‘Hyper Action Star,’ it’s hard to miss.’
Despite this, she seems rather calm.
But looking at her reaction, she seems aware.
Still, it implies she values this work immensely.
‘Acting with sincerity,’ Seohui had said at the pajama party.
Seoyeon learned a bit about Seohui’s past during that pajama party, for instance, when the term ‘parachute’ was mentioned.
Listening to that story, Seoyeon couldn’t help but understand.
Although acknowledged, respectful use of honorifics will continue.
It’s all because Seohui reacts in a relatable way.
Thinking to that point, Seoyeon chuckled softly.
“Certainly, I’ll act impeccably.”
Seoyeon unclenched her fists.
While indeed apprehensive of possibly losing control while immersing herself into the role,
Nonetheless, it’s just apprehension.
She’s worked hard, and many around her have helped her so far.
“There won’t be any mistakes.”
With that affirmation from Seoyeon, the filming officially commenced.
“Sir.”
Isamu, quietly observing the set, was approached by an actor.
Hwang Che-hoon, who played the male antagonist initially trying to kill Michiko in the Amanabi house.
“You’re off-set today, aren’t you?”
“But Seoyeon’s acting is about to start, isn’t it?”
Nonchalantly saying this, Isamu surprised Hwang Che-hoon.
He had known Isamu to be someone who never paid much heed to others.
“Seems like the rumors are true.”
“Rumors?”
“That rising star Sooyeon Joo brought you back into the industry.”
“That’s accurate.”
Isamu didn’t deny it.
Their first meeting was during “Star Fisher.”
At that time, upon receiving the invitation to act together, he thought of her as a somewhat bold young actress.
However, when they actually performed together, he realized she wasn’t just another bold actress.
“When the movie releases, everyone will be shocked, no one would have guessed that you’d be in this movie.”
“Even if I wasn’t…”
Isamu paused his words and glanced at the set where filming was about to start. Replicating a street scene from the Japanese colonial era in Seoul.
The extras were in place, and among them were Amanabi Michiko and Kasugayama Yuina as they met.
Had they just met, it could have easily gone by unnoticed.
However, Yuina sensed a peculiar tension between them. Not only their relationship but also due to roughly understanding Michiko’s intention.
Especially since Yuina was already questioning her own purpose due to recent events with Isamu.
Should she really kill Michiko?
And could she kill Yeon Seonye?
These internal struggles.
Though close to giving up, Michiko’s presence stirred her emotions anew.
So she couldn’t help but act.
Because only Yuina had fully understood Michiko’s intentions.
「Michiko!!」
Through the sounds of the bustling crowd, Yuina’s voice rang out.
Her call drew Michiko’s attention, and simultaneously, Yeon Seonye’s eyes turned towards them.
But before they could react:
Without a second thought, Yuina dropped her ever-present tobacco pipe, grabbed Michiko by the collar, and shoved her against the wall.
「You!」
A moment ago, Yuina was in a daze.
After quarreling with Isamu, she was feeling quite disoriented.
But while casually tailing Michiko and Yeon Seonye, she understood something.
Michiko’s intention.
「You’re preparing to die, aren’t you?」
Because she’d read Michiko’s resolved heart to suicide.
