Chapter 99

Occasionally, during drama filming, scripts are replaced.

There are various reasons for this.

When the audience’s response is overwhelmingly negative, requiring urgent revisions.

Or if the drama writer is replaced mid-project.

When the scriptwriting pace doesn’t keep up with filming.

Naturally, since most prepared scripts are pre-revision, there are cases where new scripts arrive on the day of filming.

“Is this correct?”

“…”

Idol-turned actress, Yeon-woo Ma and Na-hee Cha, and Aiden had very complicated expressions.

At least Na-hee Cha had acting experience, but the other two were attempting acting for the first time.

Would Na-hee Cha’s situation be better? Not particularly.

‘This is my first time with a side-script…’

Already, it was starting to become depressing.

After all, who in the current *Dream Future* is being criticized the most? That would be Song So-ha.

In other words, the character that Na-hee Cha plays.

‘Because of me, Ha-rin Joo’s role keeps getting reduced.’

Director Kim Pil-seok says that Writer Lim Jin-ha’s personal ambitions caused the revised script, but there were parts that were hard to accept.

Even if those personal ambitions weren’t involved, the script certainly would have been revised.

The screen time for Jo Ha-rin, who has a small role, is similar to that of Song So-ha’s mention in the community.

Meaning roughly the same presence.

Which, in turn, implies that Song So-ha, Na-hee Cha’s character, has less presence.

“…”

This isn’t good for someone leading the drama as the female lead.

Director Kim Pil-seok’s requests for Na-hee Cha are also increasing.

Even if Jo Ha-rin’s role expands and becomes more popular here, the leading actress is Song So-ha.

If Song So-ha doesn’t shine, the drama dies.

‘Too many worries on that face.’

The atmosphere darkened when actors were handed the hastily revised side-scripts.

There were only two calm ones: Park Jung-woo and Sooyeon Joo.

In particular, Park Jung-woo had over 10 years of experience, starting as a child actor, making him a veteran despite being in his twenties.

Although it’s funny to call someone in their early twenties a veteran, he truly was.

‘This kid doesn’t seem like he returned after a 10-year hiatus at all.’

Suddenly, his role expanded.

This could have been a cause for great stress, but Sooyeon maintained a neutral expression.

Even the sudden increase in lines didn’t seem like a burden.

Rather,

‘Why has Jo Ha-rin’s role expanded so much?’

Ma Yeon-woo’s face turned pale while checking the script.

After narrowly injuring himself in an arm-wrestling match and cooling down around Sooyeon, his recovery from that situation had been improving.

‘Even though he almost broke my arm, it seems he isn’t particularly vicious.’

With that impression, Ma Yeon-woo had since treated the set like a friendly place, addressing Sooyeon by name.

Sooyeon didn’t seem to mind either.

However,

A couple of days ago, after watching *The Chaser* with other *Just X* members.

“Wow, is that her?”

“It’s the girl acting opposite Ma Yeon-woo in this drama.”

“Is that really the same person? Wow, I’m glad we didn’t mess with her back then.”

Members of *Just X* muttered such things while looking at Ma Yeon-woo.

And Ma Yeon-woo could tell what they were hinting at.

Mostly looks of sympathy.

‘… It’s just acting, anyway.’

Despite thinking this, the portrayal of Cha Sooah from the movie was incredibly vivid and unforgettable.

The fiery red eyes shining in the rain.

The fire axe she held in her hands.

The bestial rage with which she attacked the last police officer.

That image overlapped with the one of Sooyeon bending his arm.

“…”

Even knowing it wasn’t real, that’s how human perception works.

Still, it wasn’t too bad.

Jo Ha-rin’s role in *Dream Future* wasn’t significant.

Even when encountering Sooyeon on the set, they exchanged at most a polite nod.

There wasn’t much conversation in the first place, so there wasn’t much burden in interacting.

Until today, anyway.

“Um, Park Sunbae, is this right? Are scripts really adjusted this way?”

In reality, Ma Yeon-woo was four years older than Park Jung-woo.

Twenty-four years old.

The second oldest in *Just X*.

Nevertheless, once in the acting world, she usually referred to Park Jung-woo as “Sunbae” (senior) in a teasingly close manner.

“Pretty common.”

“That’s true?”

“Is there a problem?”

Park Jung-woo asked in an even tone while Ma Yeon-woo swallowed dryly.

As a popular idol, Ma Yeon-woo had obviously seen many handsome celebrities, but Park Jung-woo stood out even among them.

They often say that even the most handsome idols lose their edge next to actors.

Ma Yeon-woo didn’t fully agree with that notion, but Park Jung-woo definitely radiated that certain aura.

Not just his good looks, but an intimidating presence too.

Almost like Sooyeon’s.

Seeing Ma Yeon-woo’s unease, Park Jung-woo gave her a sympathetic look.

‘…Definitely something that could cause stress.’

Sudden script changes are difficult even for seasoned actors.

And now this was happening to an idol making her acting debut.

Especially since her co-star was Sooyeon.

‘That kid doesn’t do average. Her acting is extraordinary.’

Park Jung-woo had watched *The Chaser* as well.

And his thoughts were:

‘She could do this much.’

Admiration and astonishment.

Honestly, her acting was far better than Jo Ha-rin’s.

The overwhelming synchronization, the sharp emotions conveyed beyond the screen.

The benchmark of acting one should aspire to.

Sooyeon’s portrayal of Cha Sooah was exactly that level.

Even actor Park Sun-woong, Jungwoo’s father, had made comments after watching the film.

“Sooyeon acted well, but Cha Sooah was different.”

“Different?”

“Even you must’ve felt it. Sooyeon’s forte is said to be method acting, but Cha Sooah wasn’t an example of that.”

After all, since resuming acting, Sooyeon hadn’t used method acting much.

There was no specific role that required such immersion or even allowed it due to circumstances.

But the 10 years of acting skill were sufficient until now.

Except for Cha Sooah.

“It’s almost like ‘her.'”

So vivid that it didn’t feel like acting.

Jungwoo suspected that audiences would have met her portrayal raw and unfiltered.

In the movie, Cha Sooah didn’t appear much aside from snippets—when a murder case occurred, a part-time job scene, and short snippets of past memories pursued by two detectives—but they were enough to generate a buzz.

Traditionally, “10 million actor” refers to lead actors who have starred in movies with that box office record.

But it was for this reason that no one hesitated to call Sooyeon, who portrayed Cha Sooah, a “10 million actress.”

“Maybe she really has that kind of… condition.”

A term called “emotion expression inability syndrome.”

The understanding was on a whole other level.

It felt that way through acting alone—the fear it evoked.

The unsettling strangeness—human but not quite so.

Park Jung-woo even briefly wondered if Sooyeon had the condition.

Cho Seohee, who had watched the movie with him, was visibly restless.

“I have to meet her afterward, see it with my own eyes.”

She disappeared in a hurry after saying that.

“Is she that close that she worries this much?”

Not particularly this impression was strong, but Jo Soohee seemed particularly close with Sooyeon in various ways.

For reasons unknown, but anyway…

“… What, does she really have such a condition?”

Experienced during *Deserted Island Survival*—Sooyeon is incredibly emotional and rich in feeling.

It’s just that it needs a process to emerge.

Thus, Jungwoo didn’t think Sooyeon suffered from some terrible condition.

More like, Sooyeon’s acting made him develop a sense of competition.

“You don’t need to feel burdened by Sooyeon’s acting, she’ll adjust accordingly on her own.”

Anyway, Park Jung-woo believed Ma Yeon-woo’s stress stemmed from Sooyeon’s overwhelming acting skills.

She was reasonably talented as an idol, but Ma Yeon-woo was frequently labeled as “fake acting.”

‘No, it’s not that.’

Ma Yeon-woo gave up explaining more to Park Jung-woo.

She couldn’t really say it was hard to act because she was scared of the opposing actress.

“Ba, Park Jung-woo actor!”

Then, a petite woman rushed toward Jungwoo.

Min Se-hee, the newly appointed drama writer.

“Yes?”

“Ho, do you happen to know where actor Sooyeon Joo is?”

“Ah, over there. …By the way, is something the matter?”

“No! Just that, with the biggest changes, I need to explain the situation from various angles.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Then, thank you very much!!”

Min Se-hee bowed deeply and moved to leave, at which Park Jung-woo recalled the revised script again.

‘Explaining the revised script, no doubt.’

Her role had increased.

And, there was no doubt a love line.

With Ma Yeon-woo.

So there would be a lot to explain about that too.

“…”

Park Jung-woo absently wiped his chin with his thumb.

The love line… initially, it should have been included.

Until now, due to the reduced role, all those elements had been stripped.

‘Her reluctance to create a love line between herself and Ma Yeon-woo with Sooyeon.’

This was probably not due to such reasons.

It’s just that the parts that could be cut were mostly those.

The narrative naturally expands with increased love lines.

To begin with, since she’d already written a love line between Ma Yeon-woo and another actor, disliking it didn’t make sense.

‘…However.’

Park Jung-woo’s expression turned serious.

So far, Sooyeon’s acting.

Combined with the revised script.

Her emotions witnessed on the deserted island.

The comparison of these elements with this script.

“Min Se-hee writer.”

“Yes?”

Min Se-hee just about to turn away got held back by Jungwoo.

“I have a question about the script.”

“…”

Min Se-hee froze at Park Jung-woo’s suddenly serious expression.

Because usually when he asked like this, it foretold very tedious matters.

***

The pupils of Sooyeon Joo, after seeing the revised script, slightly wavered.

She had memorized the original story of *Dream Future*.

She also knew how *Dream Future* had succeeded in her previous life.

‘The ratings for *Dream Future* would surely start to reverse downward from episode 7.’

That trend in the change of ratings was nearly identical to her past life.

What had stood out was only the first episode, where Sooyeon’s performance had been a spectacle.

Though the ratings of *Dream Future* jumped to 15% due to Sooyeon’s powerful acting, originally in the past life, the ratings for episode 1 of *Dream Future* were only 7%.

It doubled the original’s rating, and even with the gradual downward slope afterward, it had performed better than in her previous life.

Ultimately, *Dream Future* would make its final push with a 20% rating peak.

Jo Ha-rin’s share had dwindled by episode 7 and missed out on much of that benefit, but even so, Sooyeon was fine.

Episodes 8 onwards were part of the latter phase of the drama when love lines were emphasized more.

However, without a significant role in those episodes for Jo Ha-rin, this didn’t occur.

But now?

‘Clearly, the interaction with Park Min-yul (Ma Yeon-woo’s character) has increased.’

The part showcasing Sooyeon’s popularity had certainly grown.

Moreover, the increase in share in episode 7 implied a surge in the romantic parts.

‘Would I be able to do it well?’

Honestly, she’s not confident.

Not when she can’t even properly empathize with such emotions.

“Joo, Joo, Joo… Sooyeon Joo!!”

The sound of footsteps and Min Se-hee rushing toward them was clear.

Alongside her was director Kim Fil-seok.

Undoubtedly, this was a pre-filming acting guidance session.

“Can we adjust some lines in the script?”

“Yes?”

Thus, the adjustments introduced in the revised script.

The new acting guidance.

Main writer replacement—this is how the first filming session of *Dream Future* began.

And,

“*Dream Future*… Will this week be okay? Hopefully ratings won’t decline further.”

KMB’s drama department staff were conversing anxiously about the situation.

Starting off at a solid 15%, the drama was steadily declining.

To that effect, MDC’s drama airing in the same time slot was overjoyed.

“The writer has been changed.”

“So, will this spur a dramatic turnaround?”

“No, usually not.”

Writer changes are typically seen as negative news.

Side-scripts tend to be sloppy, after all.

Previously viewing live chat reactions from the broadcast was entertaining, but it’s become too hard to even bear looking now.

“Still, we must check the ratings. About 20 minutes have passed since the start? What’s the number?”

The start was nearly the same as before. The readings 10 minutes ago also matched.

They presumed this time would show no significant change, too.

“Yes, it’s 14%.”

“So, 14%… Huh?”

14%

Nearing the peak ratings from episode 1.

“Quickly inform the producer!”

“Yes, sir!”

Panic ensued as he hurriedly skimmed through the live chat of *Dream Future* in the middle of airing, after the 10-minute period had passed.

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