Joo Seo-yeon had been scouting opportunities to talk with Min Se-hee recently.
There were two main reasons for this: one was purely personal.
The other reason?
“Recently, the script has changed a bit.”
“Y-yeah.”
Min Se-hee stuttered, nodding enthusiastically.
In dramas, the writer wields significant power.
Especially if they’re a star writer.
However, Min Se-hee is not a star writer.
This was essentially her first work.
So, she had to be careful with the words of somewhat famous actors.
Let alone when it’s about comments like,
“Seo-yeon is a bit too much.”
It would have made Seo-yeon sulky if she had heard it, but that was the truth.
Anyway, Seo-yeon was a fearsome presence to Min Se-hee, who looked like a hamster.
Her gaze was fierce, her face cute, but her combat prowess was strong enough to mow through numerous people… what an intimidating combo that was!
So, this kind of sentiment had slightly reflected in the recent script.
“Why is Yoo-joo doing a chair shot here…?”
Seo-yeon was genuinely puzzled.
No, [Sky Garden] was a drama she had seen in her previous life too.
While she normally didn’t feel much about romance-heavy dramas, she enjoyed [Sky Garden].
She could guess this was the reason.
Given that it was a drama that had incredibly legendary viewing ratings on a cable network.
But suddenly a chair shot?
There was no drama like that in her past life.
[Sky Garden] maintained an adequate level of tension throughout.
“W-well, it seems like Seo-yeon’s image has been positively received lately…”
“Do you think I’d go around doing chair shots?”
“Ah, n-no, that’s not what I meant… It’s just that action has become a topic of interest lately…”
It seemed that the recent popularity of [Hyper Action Star] had impacted the script.
But even so, a chair shot?
That suddenly turned this into some delinquent drama!
“I don’t use chairs.”
“…?”
“I was thinking I could go hand-to-hand.”
For reference, the scene itself did originally exist.
After all, Yoo-joo, who went to the wealthy Taeyang High School, was a somewhat unusual presence there.
Especially since Yoo-joo was the top student of her grade.
Naturally, there were many who looked down on her, and some tried to bully her.
While she was managing to resolve those issues using her unique presence and words, a small tussle broke out.
At that moment, “Lee Hyuk-soo’s eldest, Lee Min-hyeok,” appeared to save the day.
That was the rough scene.
It was the kind of moment that made viewers wonder, “Is he the male lead?” — quite thrilling at that!
If it wasn’t revealed in the next episode that Min-hyeok was behind that bullying, that would have added some real intrigue.
‘Definitely a rookie writer, easily shaken up by these sorts of things.’
How could such a drama come to life in her previous life?
Surely there had to be some elements back then that could have shaken things up…
‘Maybe the actors supported her during filming.’
Considering how easily she could be swayed now, that seemed pretty likely.
Anyway, what mattered was her current script.
“Well, yes, it certainly was a scene that didn’t fit the color of the drama.”
Fortunately, Min Se-hee agreed to revise it without any fuss.
But she looked a tad disappointed.
Did she really want to see me do a chair shot?
‘I just got a chair ad deal!’
Of course, the school chairs were a different kind.
If she ended up hitting someone with the ad chair, that could have made for a legendary product placement.
“Well then, I need to revise the script…”
Just as Min Se-hee was about to leave, Seo-yeon hurriedly grabbed her shoulder.
Although she had approached her because of the script, it felt like a good opportunity to ask something she wanted to know all along.
After all, who knows how long Min Se-hee would be coming to the set.
“Eek!!”
Min Se-hee’s reaction was nothing short of dramatic.
When Seo-yeon gripped her shoulder, she jumped in surprise like a mouse caught by a cat.
“…”
“Ah, I was a bit surprised.”
Min Se-hee offered an awkward excuse, but to put it mildly, it was a little bit exaggerated.
What kind of hand was that?
The hand that expertly deflected paintballs and tossed people around.
It was evident that someone like Min Se-hee would turn into jerky if captured by that hand.
Suddenly, Seo-yeon realized.
‘Yoo-joo definitely won’t need to use chairs.’
If her hands were the strongest power, why would she need a tool?
Of course, Yoo-joo and Seo-yeon were different characters, but such thoughts swirled in her mind.
“Anyway.”
After a moment’s pause, Seo-yeon spoke.
“Do you happen to have a screenplay topic that I really want to write about?”
“Yes?”
“…A movie script.”
Seo-yeon hesitated briefly before slowly continuing.
“I was wondering if writer Min Se-hee might take it on.”
“A movie? Seo-yeon wants to make one?”
Min Se-hee seemed genuinely surprised at Seo-yeon’s request.
Of course, some actors tried their hand at being film directors.
But wasn’t Seo-yeon a tad too young for that?
“I’m not going to direct it. But I do want to make a movie.”
“Well, that’s a difficult request.”
What could be the screenplay Seo-yeon wanted to create?
Min Se-hee was filled with curiosity over it.
“But it’s not impossible.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Min Se-hee was certainly aware that her debut work was [Sky Garden].
So she could call herself a rookie drama writer, though she had a rough understanding of how things worked.
Usually, there were many chances to participate as a preliminary writer.
That was who Min Se-hee was: an experienced newcomer.
“The main difference lies in whether it’s a small independent film or a large-scale one. Are you going for the latter?”
“Yes.”
“Then first, you should secure a studio and push through the project. You’ll need investments, though…”
It goes without saying that getting investments is typically the hardest part.
Ironically though, Min Se-hee thought the latter might actually be relatively easier.
‘Jo Seo-hee.’
Jo Seo-hee’s family had a ton of money.
It was a crazy amount.
Just looking at the business rankings, they ranked within the top tier.
Recently, they seemed to have taken an interest in the cultural industry because of their daughter.
Perhaps it was because they planned to exert some influence through [Gyeongseong Young Lady], but it was unclear.
‘GH Group is also a factor.’
Considering [Hyper Action Star], GH Group knew exactly how special they viewed Seo-yeon.
Having seen that variety show, Min Se-hee could grasp the general gist of its script.
From start to finish.
Literally tailored for Seo-yeon.
If Seo-yeon wanted to make a movie, they would have been the first to step in to help.
“Of course, Seo-yeon will be starring in it.”
“Yes.”
“The name value of an actor affects investment during the movie’s production. They say the majority of a movie’s budget is the actor’s salary, right? In other words, if your salary is high, it saves on the production cost. And…”
“And?”
“If a star writer joins in, it only solidifies things. Oh, and a director too.”
If the screenplay has some weight to it, making a movie dwindles down to something feasible.
But.
‘I’m not at that level.’
Min Se-hee let out a sigh.
While she was curious about the screenplay Seo-yeon wanted to create, she didn’t think she was at the level to take it on.
“…Then…”
Seo-yeon hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“If I were to make a movie, would you be able to handle the screenplay? Oh, as long as the subject matter I want to create is… acceptable.”
For once, Seo-yeon spoke hesitantly.
Even though she had a movie in mind that she wanted to create, she had no intention of dragging others into a potential failure.
If there was a chance for success, she wanted to approach it that way.
Naturally, that was everyone’s wish when making a movie, but still.
“Huh? I’m not particularly a famous writer or anything… If it’s Seo-yeon, you could find someone better.”
Min Se-hee reacted in surprise.
At first, it seemed like a joke, but Seo-yeon’s expression was serious.
“I can do it.”
Seo-yeon had faith.
Just by looking at [Sky Garden] that Min Se-hee had written, she felt that it fit well with the color of the movie she wanted to create.
She was sure Min Se-hee would artfully express what she envisioned.
That was the conviction she held.
“You will become a star writer.”
Thus, Seo-yeon spoke firmly.
“I will make this [Sky Garden].”
Conveying that certainty.
“I will get it done.”
At that, Min Se-hee found herself nodding along absentmindedly.
If it pans out as Seo-yeon said, there wouldn’t be any downside for her.
*
Seo-yeon pondered.
About the two people she met at the last fan meeting.
No, actually, she had been thinking about this for some time.
Since the moment she decided to become an actress.
Perhaps, the reason she was so single-mindedly devoted to acting without exploring other options was due to that.
The moment she appeared on screens, both big and small, was the only means of communication she had toward herself.
‘Joo Seo-yeon.’
Her own name.
Seo-yeon murmured it quietly and recalled memories from her previous life.
In them, her name was undeniably a part of it.
It was now fuzzy, but she remembered it not as her identity, but as a term that referred to someone.
That someone.
A person she had recently met.
‘I have to graduate.’
From her previous self.
But for now, she couldn’t.
She hadn’t realized it, but she confirmed once again that lingering feelings had stuck around like residue from that last fan meeting.
As long as her previous self existed, there were also certain emotions she could never obtain.
She didn’t think that was a good thing.
So, this was meant to be a preparation for that.
A preparation for graduation.
Although it was still far off, she would take it step by step.
She hoped this movie could serve as her diploma.
Taking a deep breath, Seo-yeon thought that way.
‘Anyways.’
Seo-yeon raised her head.
Her room came into view.
But it felt different from usual.
Well, today this place was a filming set.
Right where ‘Golden Duckling’ was happening.
The new variety show and observational entertainment she was trying out.
To be honest, she wasn’t quite sure what to do in observational entertainment.
‘…What should I do?’
“The usual, just live your life. Just like normal,” said PD Jeon Ha-young of [Golden Duckling], but that seemed to emphasize not showing her regular self even more.
Well, it was a variety show.
‘Others seem to be doing various activities.’
Seo-yeon thought seriously about it.
Should she go out and do things like others?
‘Studying can be put aside for now.’
Seo-yeon covered the notebook she had just been scribbling in.
To be honest, she hadn’t actually been studying.
More like daydreaming about a vague future… or let’s just say a plan instead.
Wrapping it up neat like a school assignment, she hoped to appear academic on the camera set up in her room.
Anyway, [Golden Duckling] was a broadcast showing young stars in their everyday lives.
If they appeared to neglect their studies, it could create quite the uproar.
– Aren’t you a student? Where’s your study scene?
– Haha, with all that money, who cares about studying?
Snarky comments like these often popped up.
Because of that, participating actors usually threw in some brief study scenes just to tick the box.
No difference between having it or not could be larger than imagined.
Seo-yeon lightly tapped the chair as her mind wandered.
‘Should I say a line or something?’
She attempted to naturally promote the chair… but it felt out of place.
Well, the chair she was currently sitting on was the one she’d soon be advertising.
While shooting hadn’t begun yet, she wanted to practice beforehand.
‘But how do I promote a chair?’
For reference, Seo-yeon had switched out all her home furniture to Aids chairs.
So she wanted to casually plug it, yet it didn’t come off naturally.
“…”
So, what should she do now?
Seo-yeon pondered seriously.
Now, what her usual activities involved were mostly gaming.
And binge-watching Vtuber videos.
Then came various media content viewing.
Since she typically exercised in the morning, it was a bit awkward to go now.
If she showed up in the afternoons, spots would be taken, and the gazes of so many people made it hard to work out properly.
‘Hm.’
Seo-yeon sat back down again.
Well, as they said to just do what she typically did, maybe she could just watch Vtubers?
As she mulled it over,
“U-our daughter~. Mom brought some fruit.”
“Y-yes… what?”
Seo-yeon quickly turned her head to respond, only to freeze upon seeing Min Suah entering the room.
‘What the…?’
Suah looked different today.
Typically, she was someone who didn’t dress much.
At home, she usually donned comfortable clothes like an ordinary housewife.
But not today.
It seemed Suah had been styled to perfection somewhere.
From head to toe, she was set up remarkably.
With that kind of look, she hardly seemed in her late thirties.
More like in her twenties!
‘That doesn’t make sense.’
Seo-yeon pondered seriously.
In a way, her appearance didn’t look retouched; it just felt as if she had genuinely good genes.
Anyway, while her appearance was striking, her outfit stood out as well.
She wore something that was comfortable as if for home yet strangely revealed her figure.
Definitely not an outfit Suah would own.
‘Wait, is it Park Jung-woo’s mother?’
Only a person who could dress her mother up to such a degree would be someone like that.
While Ji-yeon’s mother might be someone who invested time into styling herself, she lacked the actual skill.
‘Mother knows how to play her cards just right.’
Seo-yeon admired without even realizing it.
The first thing that caught her eye was something colossal.
Just looking at it, her gaze naturally shifted towards her own chest.
That movement came not from envy.
After all, she had inherited that genes!
‘Please, don’t let it be me.’
That much was enough.
Seo-yeon thought that way, but she had started feeling anxious lately.
Despite diligently exercising to burn fat, she found herself becoming more noticeable.
She even reached the point where new underwear was becoming necessary, so it’s natural to feel uneasy.
“So, what are you going to do now, my daughter? Gaming? Or that?”
‘That’ definitely referred to Vtubers.
But seeing the look in Suah’s eyes, one might feel they could die if they watched it now.
That gaze seemed to scream, ‘You need to manage your image properly.’
‘Ah, image.’
Thinking this way brought Seo-yeon back to the intention behind filming this observational variety show.
Image.
Aiming to completely shed her weird perception!
‘So what should I do?’
She had already studied a bit.
Well, to be precise, it wasn’t “studying,” but still.
What’s next? Should she try something active like sports?
‘Gaming?’
Technically, that counts as eSports, doesn’t it?
As these kinds of thoughts lingered in her mind.
“Apa’s home.”
Clang!
The sound of the house door opening echoed.
As the noise reached them, Seo-yeon and Suah turned their heads toward where the sound came from.
Why was that person here at this time??
Both displayed identical reactions.
This was usually when Joo Young-bin would be immersed in work at the company.
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