22 - The Second is Skillfully
“Bloodline?”
Is she good because of her bloodline? Someone asked, showing interest. In such a competitive world, gossip and rumors about others were always of high interest.
“I’ve known her since high school. Her mother was a famous actress.”
“Was?”
Does that mean she isn’t anymore? Everyone’s mind raced. Who were the once-famous actresses who weren’t anymore?
“It was Senior Ahn Hye-soo.”
Yuri, who had been observing everyone’s reactions, mentioned a name that made someone gasp.
“Actress Ahn Hye-soo? Really?”
“She doesn’t look anything like her!”
“Does she look more like her father?”
Yuri smirked, seemingly amused by the reactions of those who had no idea. Hyun-joo, who was at the next table, stared at Yuri’s reaction. When their eyes met, Yuri got up from the table with the assistant director and moved to sit next to Hyun-joo.
“Anyway, I’m just saying it’s all because of her bloodline, nothing special.”
She whispered this to Hyun-joo, as if she was reluctant to say it to others. Hyun-joo frowned openly, but Yuri just smiled knowingly.
“Wow, so there was a reason she’s so good.”
Someone said loudly, and another person chimed in.
“A genius is a genius.”
“Actress Ahn Hye-soo was really good at acting too.”
“Right. When Se-ah acts now, it looks like she’ll surpass her mother.”
No, that’s not it… She wanted to emphasize that Im Se-ah’s talent was merely inherited, and that she was nothing special, but somehow it didn’t come out as intended. Yuri frowned at their conversation.
“Ugh. Everyone’s so dense.”
Yuri turned her head towards Hyun-joo and said, covering her mouth.
“My unni is even more amazing for acting the way she does now with just her own effort. They don’t even realize that, right?”
“Heo Yuri.”
Hyun-joo, who had been quietly eating, called out to Yuri. Yuri’s expression hardened at the formal and distancing address. Her face clearly showed that she thought she was being considerate, so why was Hyun-joo acting like this?
Hyun-joo sighed, turned her head, and looked directly at Yuri.
“Does it matter who’s more amazing?”
If Im Se-ah’s acting ability was simply due to genetics, why wouldn’t all the children of renowned actors pursue acting as their calling?
“The influence of bloodline can’t be denied, but in the end, it was Im Se-ah who acted. No one else.”
It was definitely an enviable talent. It must have had the strongest influence in creating the current Im Se-ah. But genes were just genes.
It was because she had a passion for this path and constantly studied that she had her current skills. That was an undeniable fact. That’s why the other staff members were predicting that she would surpass her mother.
“It seems you don’t enjoy this job at all.”
Instead of constantly studying acting and thinking about how to improve herself, she was only trying to tear others down. Hyun-joo delivered a cold, harsh remark, questioning whether she could survive in this industry with that kind of mindset.
“Hyun-joo, let’s go if you’re done eating. We have to go to the next schedule.”
Hyun-joo’s manager, who had been watching, glanced at Yuri and said. Yuri’s face looked like it would explode from shame.
“Okay.”
Hyun-joo rinsed her mouth with a sip of water, got up from her seat, and headed towards the assistant director. Since he was the highest-ranking person there, she greeted him and left the restaurant.
The sound of Yuri grinding her teeth could be heard from the table where she was left alone.
She clenched her fists tightly and trembled, but no one paid any attention to her.
“Good work, everyone!”
Director Kim Seong-cheol’s “Okay” and shouts of “Good work” echoed through the set. It was the actors and staff who had continued filming until the end, even though they probably couldn’t concentrate because of the company dinner.
“Alright, let’s move out now!”
Director Kim led the staff, his eyes searching for Se-ah.
“Se-ah.”
“Yes, Director.”
Se-ah, who was about to get into the car with her manager, turned around with a smile. Director Kim gestured for her to get into his car.
She informed Ye-won of the change and got into the staff car. It was a vehicle only for the directing team under Director Kim.
“You worked hard today, Se-ah.”
“No, Director.”
Yoon Joo-ho, who played the male lead Woo-seok, was an idol, so the filming was delayed due to overlapping schedules with a music show. The music show was live, and the slight delay coincided with rush hour, causing the situation.
Director Kim took out a script and showed it to Se-ah, who was curious about why he had called her.
“This is…”
“Want to take a look?”
Se-ah’s eyes widened at his words that he had wanted her to take on this role since the audition and that he hoped to work with her. Her gaze shifted from Director Kim to the script in his hand.
HIDE.
She bit her trembling lip slightly. Director Kim would have no idea that she was cheering inwardly. Se-ah scanned the title written in a stiff font on the cover several times. ‘Hide.’ It was a work she had wanted to do after her regression, and now it was in her hands.
“…”
She took a deep breath and opened the first page. It was the same story she knew.
In a future where digital technology was highly developed, a crisis arose in the country due to an information company called Link. People were dominated and controlled by Link, but they didn’t even realize it was domination and control.
Throughout reading the script, Se-ah wondered which role she would be playing. There was a role she wanted…
“I’d like Se-ah to take on the role of L17.”
Se-ah closed her eyes tightly and cheered silently. After quickly composing herself, she spoke calmly.
“Is it okay for me to take on this role?”
L17 was the role that Geon-ha had played in the past. He had lost so much weight that his large frame was barely noticeable, and he had perfectly embodied the unprecedented character.
“I’m confident that you can do it, Se-ah.”
At Director Kim’s firm gaze, she slowly nodded. There was no hesitation because it was a role she had wanted to play.
“You don’t have to answer right away.”
“No, Director. I’ll do it. I want to. This role.”
She clutched the script and looked earnestly at Director Kim Seong-cheol. She would definitely do it. She wouldn’t let down Director Kim’s expectations and confidence. And…
She would show herself to the world.
Se-ah’s eyes shone resolutely as she made her resolution.
The restaurant, where the company dinner was in full swing, was bustling. When Se-ah entered the venue with Director Kim, cheers erupted.
“Wow! What took you so long!”
“It’s the main character!”
“Im Se-ah! Im Se-ah!”
Startled by the sudden shouts, Se-ah flinched, and some of the drunk staff members came out and led her in.
“Come on, sit here.”
“Director, come quickly too!”
“We have a huge scoop. Hurry, hurry!”
Se-ah, who had no idea what was going on, sat down blankly. Once Director Kim was seated, people poured drinks into glasses and placed a plate of pre-grilled meat in front of them.
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I know, right? If you had told us, you would have become famous sooner. What a waste.”
What? Se-ah chuckled, unable to understand the incoherent words of the drunk people.
“What were you talking about?”
“Hey. You’re being too loud, you guys. Can’t you speak properly?”
Director Kim, who had poured a full glass of soju into his beer glass and downed it, scolded his staff with a hoarse voice. Then, someone burst into laughter and shouted loudly.
“Se-ah’s mother is Actress Ahn Hye-soo, right!”
Everyone in the restaurant turned their attention to Se-ah. Frankly, they thought it was something to be proud of, having a famous and talented actress as a mother. But Se-ah’s face, which had turned pale, looked bewildered.
The atmosphere froze instantly. Director Kim glared at the people around him, and the excited staff members returned to their seats. Then, they started talking about other topics.
“Have a drink.”
Director Kim poured soju into a glass. She watched it pour down and lifted the glass to drink.
“Tsk, tsk, you fools. I’ll apologize on their behalf.”
She might be an idol to others, but that wasn’t always the case for her children. Especially if they were in the same profession, they would be overshadowed by their parents’ status and undervalued no matter what they did, and if they did well, people would flaunt their bloodline.
Right now, they were just surprised and happy to have learned a new fact. But as they watched Se-ah’s activities in the future, they would unknowingly apply their biased standards. Director Kim poured soju into his beer glass again.
“I’ll make sure to keep a close eye on our kids, so don’t worry.”
Se-ah managed a smile and nodded. Her mother was still her idol, but it was another matter for it to be revealed to the world.
As Se-ah wondered how the staff had found out, her eyes fell on Yuri. Yuri was leaning back in her chair, sitting alone at a table for four. She didn’t know if she was drunk, but Yuri was openly grinding her teeth and looking at Se-ah.
‘It’s Heo Yuri.’
Yuri was the only one here who knew that her mother was Actress Ahn Hye-soo. The intention behind spreading the word was so clear that she was dumbfounded.
How could she choose such cowardly and petty tactics, both before and after her regression? How blind had her past self been to think that Yuri had a high desire for acting?
“Thank you. But don’t worry too much about it.”
It would be good if it didn’t spread right now, as she had just started her full-fledged activities.
But even if it wasn’t Yuri, it was a story that would be revealed someday. As long as she continued to act.
The public was saddened by the fact that Actress Ahn Hye-soo had passed away in an accident. And they still honored and missed Actress Ahn Hye-soo.
What was there to fear when she had even regressed? Se-ah decided to deal with it calmly. No matter what anyone said, the important thing was whether or not she could continue acting.
With a much more relaxed face, she clinked glasses with Director Kim.
Someday, when it was revealed that her mother was Actress Ahn Hye-soo, the fact that she was the daughter of a chaebol would also be revealed. She didn’t know what people would think. One thing was clear: Se-ah would no longer care about what anyone said. She would just prove herself to the world through her acting. That was all she needed.
The final filming for Elite High School Romance Records was over. Se-ah asked Ye-won to prepare an elegant bouquet of flowers and headed to her family home.
She got out of the car and rang the doorbell next to the large gate, and the door opened right away. After passing through the large garden and opening the familiar front door, Yongsan-daek greeted her busily.
“Oh, Miss! You’re here again. What are these flowers for?”
“They’re for my father.”
“Oh my! I’ll have to put them in his study.”
“Please prepare them. Then I’ll take them there.”
After waiting for a moment, Yongsan-daek brought the flowers in a simple vase.
“Where’s Father?”
“Oh my. He’s at the company at this hour. You’re too early. Are you going to have dinner before you leave?”
“No. Just please tell him that I’m sorry for not giving up.”
She said casually to Yongsan-daek, who was joking around, and headed to the study. She opened the thick door made of dark mahogany wood, and the densely packed bookshelves welcomed her.
