In the midst of Seo-yeon’s wild gaze, Jo Seo-hee was in a bit of a panic.
Lee Ji-yeon, on the other hand, was still tense.
Unlike the two of them, Ji-yeon hadn’t received any solid results yet.
Audition.
Of course, there wouldn’t be an answer today, but she wanted to at least hear how it had gone.
“First, you need to understand what kind of character Yeon Seon-ye is.”
Seo-yeon had told Ji-yeon that while they were practicing.
“Compared to the two ladies, Seon-ye has a relatively commoner’s impression. After all, she’s just an ordinary person who happened to receive a commission.”
Yeon Seon-ye was a girl who was the sole breadwinner for her younger sibling.
However, she accidentally applied for a maid job and was successfully chosen.
A man approached her, brimming with joy.
He promised Seon-ye a huge sum of money if she killed Michiko and brought back a certain necklace.
Seon-ye later realized that her being selected as a maid was also part of the man’s plan.
But no matter how big the money was, killing someone was a dealbreaker for Seon-ye, so she tried to refuse.
“But you have a younger sibling, right?”
With his mention of her sibling, she couldn’t help but be persuaded.
“Of course, Seon-ye isn’t without her extraordinary traits, but at least her overall vibe is very ordinary.”
In fact, she felt like her presence was pretty weak.
So, the strong emotional line Ji-yeon was displaying right now didn’t quite fit.
The character Yeon Seon-ye wasn’t that type of person who expressed her feelings so vividly.
“And the most important thing is…”
The core of this performance depended on how to express Yeon Seon-ye.
Would she showcase her own interpretation of the character during the audition?
Or would she perfectly embody the character as per the script?
In auditions, one must know the judges’ preferences.
First off, Seo-yeon knew Jo Seo-hee was an absolute goody-goody.
She didn’t particularly enjoy adventures.
If she interpreted Yeon Seon-ye independently from the script, there’s no way she’d like it.
Of course, since Seo-hee was participating more as an actress than a judge, her opinion might be weak but the chances of that emotion reflecting in her performance were high.
“Director Baek Min’s tendencies.”
Seo-yeon had only experienced Director Baek through news or articles.
He always had a smiling face.
He was laid-back and well-respected by actors.
However, after seeing his works, Seo-yeon felt that he was not the type to welcome actors interpreting characters independently.
He preferred those who fit exactly into the picture he created.
That’s why he liked Seo-hee.
“She gets lots of flattery from actors like Jeong Eun-seon or Director Baek.”
The model student, the top student.
With talent on top of that, Seo-hee must look exceptionally pretty to them.
On the other hand, Seo-yeon, who often included her independent interpretations, probably looked like a troublemaker to them.
“In that sense, I think it’s beneficial for you.”
With that, Seo-yeon observed Ji-yeon’s eyes.
“Beneficial?”
“Yep. For you, this character might feel incredibly familiar.”
Seo-yeon didn’t specify what exactly that was.
Well, it’s the red medicine!
Ramiel and Lee Ji-yeon were distinctly different.
Seo-yeon always thumped her head thinking that way.
Anyway, this time, it was good material that couldn’t be ignored.
“Yeon Seon-ye is a girl breadwinner with a solid will. She also harbors sympathy for Michiko.”
The emotions stemming from that were quite complicated.
Essentially, Yeon Seon-ye didn’t really favor Japanese people.
She simply wanted to work as a maid for her younger sibling’s sake.
Likewise, to save her younger sibling’s life with the big money, she plots against Michiko.
However, living in the mansion, she vaguely feels an emptiness in Michiko’s glamorous life.
A woman with no real family, unlike herself.
Surrounded only by enemies.
Michiko often changed her maids and servants, likely due to that environment.
“……”
Lee Ji-yeon was momentarily at a loss for words after Seo-yeon’s comments.
She was probably pondering how to intertwine Ramiel and Yeon Seon-ye.
Of course, there were many differences between Yeon Seon-ye and Ramiel.
But at least, their fundamental motivations felt similar to her.
Of course, character-wise.
“I’m not saying you should just replicate it. But it will certainly serve as a reference.”
Just like when acting Cha Seo-ah.
Seo-yeon had referred to her past self.
“I’m sure it will be okay.”
If Yeon Seon-ye, resembling Ramiel, stepped forward, she would likely fit into the picture Director Baek wanted to create.
“Honestly, I don’t really wish for that.”
Ramiel should just be Ramiel!!
If Ramiel became the inspiration for this [Gyeongseong Young Lady], Seo-yeon would have to watch Ramiel connect with Michiko with her own eyes!!
What a dreadful prospect!
But then again, for her friend’s sake, there was no choice in the matter.
Seo-yeon gave that advice while biting back tears of blood.
Well, it wasn’t a pure one-hundred percent Ramiel, but that was the gist of it.
“You’re talking about Ramiel, right?”
Seo-yeon’s words were something Ji-yeon faintly felt as well.
Of course, RP and acting had slightly different aspects.
If Seo-yeon were to hear it, she’d probably spit blood, but at least Ji-yeon thought so.
In fact, compared to Seo-yeon, who was ultimately an amateur when it came to Vtubing, Ji-yeon was professional, so her view might hold more weight.
Regardless, at least in the aspect of creating a ‘character’, they might share similarities.
More routinely, the principles of how the character Ramiel acted.
That certainly aligned with certain aspects of Yeon Seon-ye.
“Maternal love.”
Putting aside her viewers who would always call out for “Mama Mama”, Ji-yeon actually intended to project that as well.
That must have resonated.
Once her decision was made, the next step was simple.
She would extract anything that could be drawn from Ramiel and embody that in Yeon Seon-ye.
And how well it manifested, honestly, she wasn’t sure.
“Hmm.”
In the audition room, Director Baek was just calmly watching Ji-yeon with a smile.
“Good performance.”
That was the only remark.
No other frills or detailed acting guidance.
Those who came before her had at least received some comments, but Ji-yeon got nothing particularly noteworthy.
Was something wrong?
Feeling a bit dispirited, Ji-yeon lowered her head and stepped back.
After all, it would take time for results to come out, giving her plenty of time to collect herself.
Watching Ji-yeon’s back, Seo-yeon muttered.
“Director.”
“Yes?”
The judges casually asked Director Baek, who hadn’t said much.
“Weren’t you tough on her?”
At that statement, Director Baek just smiled gently.
*
After Ji-yeon’s audition ended, Seo-yeon was a bit more reserved.
For good reason, since Director Baek had not given any significant feedback.
When she casually inquired with Jo Seo-hee about what had been said behind the scenes, she was met with a cold response.
“That’s something we can’t discuss.”
How unreasonably cold!
Jo Seo-hee, you little rascal.
Anyway, the top student, the model student.
That title didn’t follow her for nothing; Jo Seo-hee was quite thorough in that regard.
Of course, Jo Seo-hee found Seo-yeon’s reaction rather puzzling.
“Wasn’t Lee Ji-yeon’s performance really good?”
Was she perhaps upset at that moment because she didn’t like the acting?
Jo Seo-hee’s doubts only deepened.
“Normally, results would be announced a week later…”
“And?”
“But there’s currently a little problem, so I’m not sure. It shouldn’t be particularly late, though.”
A problem had arisen?
That probably meant some issue had come up with Director Baek’s film.
“I’ll let you know later. You need to know since you’re part of the film this time.”
That simply meant she couldn’t discuss what Director Baek said.
Seo-yeon nodded obediently.
Anyway, Seo-yeon concluded her discussion with Jo Seo-hee.
“I should lay low for a while.”
That was the conclusion.
After all, who knew when the audition results would be clear?
Even if she seemed clueless, she was actually very attentive.
At least, until results came out, Lee Ji-yeon would probably be feeling pretty low.
She didn’t cling to her at school for no reason, nor did she whine with annoying remarks.
Especially on Ramiel’s broadcasts, she modestly sent super chats of only ten thousand won, writing rare, mild comments.
“Given the situation, it’s commendable she sticks to her broadcast times.”
In that regard, Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon were quite similar.
If anything, Seo-yeon tended to be relatively gentle in these matters.
“Oh, is it airing today?”
So, Seo-yeon also focused on catching up with her delayed schedule as much as possible.
First off, the advertisements.
A meeting to set up the advertisement schedule for Aids, which had just been contracted previously.
“We plan to start shooting next week. I heard [Sky Garden] will start airing in a month, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
By the time six episodes of the drama were filmed, it would be ready for broadcast.
A Wednesday-Thursday drama.
For the record, the drama that PD Baek was directing was scheduled for Monday-Tuesday.
He had gathered excellent actors and had a star screenwriter.
While [Sky Garden] had received some investment from KMB, it still paled in comparison to PD Baek’s drama. Instead, this one had the significant influence of the current drama director, Ha Tae-oh.
Given that, internally there was even talk of a proxy war between Drama 1 and Drama 2.
Though losing wouldn’t immediately bring a blow, for those currently weighing their options, it would act as a barometer of sorts.
“[Sky Garden] has received positive internal reviews, so there are high expectations. For now, we should follow the actress’s guidance… You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
In reality, Aids had duly sponsored [Sky Garden] as Seo-yeon had said.
That’s why the chairs featured prominently in the broadcasts were primarily Aids’.
“Then we need to finalize the broadcast concept. You mentioned a sophisticated image, anything else?”
Aids’ advertising planning team leader, Kwak Hyun-woo, asked, to which Seo-yeon nodded.
“Yes, I think that’s fine.”
It was nice that he would somewhat incorporate the actor’s opinions.
Well, initially, she had requested to lower the pay for it.
“Oh, will our chairs appear in this variety show too?”
“…….”
Seo-yeon hesitated for a moment before nodding.
They would show up, yes, they would.
“Oh, they’re definitely going to appear. Since you’re a student, it makes sense to show you sitting while studying.”
Of course, they would be used for heavy drama scenes too but Seo-yeon refrained from mentioning that.
‘The PD might have edited that out.’
Her blunder of not holding back when Young-bin teased her.
With the knowledge that if filming were subject to such reactions, Young-bin might shrink away, she decided against vocalizing it.
‘Having a more healthy image should be acceptable.’
Even if it gets broadcast without editing, it should be fine.
Seo-yeon tried to think positively.
“I’m looking forward to it. We should keep an eye on it from this variety show.”
With a big grin, Kwak Hyun-woo said, and Seo-yeon nodded with an ambiguous smile.
He would probably be shocked to discover that Aids chairs were indeed going to hit the screen in ways he never anticipated.
*
– Is today the day Seo-yeon appears on the variety show?
– It’s tomorrow.
Seo-yeon’s fan cafe was already buzzing.
Every time Seo-yeon displays new sides during variety shows, fans were excited about what she’d show this time.
– Recently, there are a bunch of people trying to slander our Seo-yeon. Cut it out already.
– For real, it’s only the Dotom one-punch level, haha.
– Isn’t that manipulated?
– Nope, it’s the real deal, you can see her hitting in slow-mo.
With the coinciding events from [Hyper Action Star], various topics were stirring up debates.
There were even some saying that she seemed to be focusing more on variety shows than acting lately.
– Aren’t all actors usually like that?
– How many actors actually shoot multiple projects in a year?
– True.
– Someone like Seo-yeon is actually quite diligent about acting, for real.
– But is Golden Duckling any good? I don’t watch observational variety shows at all.
– It turns into a power battle in the latest episode and is totally boring.
– ??????
Thus, the short preview for the upcoming [Golden Duckling] floated around before airing.
The clip was only about fifteen seconds long.
However, the scene of Seo-yeon studying attentively along with captured shots of her family appeared in the fan cafe.
Naturally, given the short duration, the clips weren’t lengthy.
– Wait, who’s that woman?
– Seo-yeon’s mom?
– Mom? Just looking at her, it’s obviously her sister, right?
– Wow, I thought Seo-yeon was already pretty grown, but woah, this is unreal!
– Genetics are insane.
The first debate sparked centered around who the woman was bringing fruit to studying Seo-yeon in the brief glimpse.
Despite her appearance being only for a few seconds, the comments filled with lament followed.
However, the next male silhouette appeared.
At first glance, viewers simply thought he was Seo-yeon’s father and left it at that, but when the screenshots circulated in the community, opinions shifted drastically.
– Isn’t that Joo Young-bin???
– Who’s that???
– Wasn’t he the development team leader for Unchained? Is that correct?
– Yeah, I definitely saw him at the announcement event. He was one of the guys who put his head down.
– He must have moved over from Unchained, right?
– But Unchained stabilized now, no?
– That means he must have been the one who was responsible for fixing things up before moving over.
– Wait, for real?
For a while, he was the flagship project manager at Raywill Games, and the revelation set the community ablaze.
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