6 - The Second is Proficient
Huk! Director Shin, startled, swallowed his breath and bowed deeply. CEO Kim Yoon-deok, an elderly man, chuckled and accepted the greeting.
“I think we can go with this, Director Shin.”
“Pardon?”
“Heo Yuri, I mean. I’ve been watching the historical drama she’s in these days, and she’s so fresh and cute.”
Director Shin’s face turned as sour as Director Ju Hyeon-ho’s.
“The way she peeks out from behind the Snack Chips at the end and winks is sexy and nice.”
What the… Is this really what we’re going with? If the client wants it that way, there’s not much I can say. Director Shin glanced at Director Ju Hyeon-ho.
Director Ju Hyeon-ho maintained a poker face and nodded. It was a signal to do as CEO Kim Yoon-deok said.
“Yes. I understand.”
The filming ended just like that. They could have shot from various angles and filmed a couple more times for a better result, but he stopped. His motivation plummeted, and Director Shin bowed his head, saying he would do his best with the editing, and then turned away.
Yuri, who had been watching, giggled and approached CEO Kim Yoon-deok.
“Hello, CEO!”
“Hehehe. I’m enjoying your acting, Yuri.”
As she greeted him with a bright smile, CEO Kim Yoon-deok gave her a grandfatherly smile and put his arm around her shoulder. It was uncomfortable, but Yuri forced a smile, as he didn’t cross the line any further.
“Thank you.”
Her father, the head of her agency, had lobbied CEO Kim Yoon-deok separately, which was how she was able to land this commercial, she had heard.
“Okay. Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
It was unpleasant that he was acting so familiar, but Yuri endured and smiled until the end. These kinds of things were commonplace in the entertainment industry, after all. Sponsor relationships were practically open secrets.
Still, she was lucky that her father was the head of her agency, so she could avoid disgusting situations.
“Yes. I’ll see you next time. Goodbye.”
Yuri, smiling faintly, saw CEO Kim Yoon-deok off and returned to the waiting room. Se-ah was holding her bag, as if she was about to leave. They paused, standing face to face for a moment.
Se-ah passed by Yuri, as if she intended to leave without saying goodbye. Annoyed by this, Yuri roughly grabbed Se-ah’s arm and stopped her.
“Hey.”
Where do you think you’re going first? Yuri gestured to her manager to pack her things, then pushed Se-ah and met her gaze.
Im Se-ah seemed to have been thoroughly scolded by Director Shin today. And she had caught CEO Kim Yoon-deok’s eye, so she could get her face on the commercial more than that measly Snack Chips. I’m going to be more successful than you.
“You can’t beat me.”
Yuri smirked at Se-ah, who had a clueless expression, brushed past her shoulder, and left the waiting room. It had been a satisfying day.
A week later, today was the day she had to record the narration for the documentary.
Se-ah left home early and was on her way to the broadcasting station by bus. It was an offer she had received because of the radio show.
They had suggested it first, saying that her quiet yet precise voice, perfect for the early morning hours, would be a great fit for the documentary narration. She had simply liked it before her regression, but now it was a bit awkward.
It was because of the male actor she would be recording with.
Do Geon-ha. An actor who had been recognized for his overwhelming acting skills since his screen debut. In addition, he had an excellent eye for choosing projects, so any role he took on guaranteed both commercial success and artistic merit.
If that was all, it would be fine. Se-ah sighed deeply.
“Haa…”
Ji-man came to mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut. It was a scandal deliberately created for his benefit. It was like she had harmed Geon-ha, who had nothing to do with them. So, she couldn’t help but feel burdened by this schedule.
“Why did it have to be him?”
She felt sorry and more sorry. Even though it was something that hadn’t happened now.
At the time, Geon-ha had been caught up in the scandal for a while and was the subject of gossip. The sudden scandal was perfect for dragging down his good image. This was because he was an actor who had risen to fame since his debut, so there was a subtle envy and jealousy.
Even though his agency had issued a rebuttal, the media was determined to publish articles, so it didn’t subside easily. Fortunately, he had a good reputation among those in the industry, so after the scandal subsided, he showed his face in a project and proved himself with his acting, so that no one dared to refute him.
“Wait.”
Se-ah frowned at a sudden thought. Today’s photo was also among the photos that had caused the scandal. She remembered being dumbfounded because she had just been talking and laughing, but it was used in a malicious article.
“How long has this been going on…?”
It was absurd. She couldn’t let it happen again. They could publish such an article just from saying hello. What should she do?
She couldn’t just avoid greeting him. She couldn’t cancel the already scheduled event either.
Should she avoid eye contact as much as possible? It wasn’t her fault, but she couldn’t help it. One time was enough for falling into the same trap.
It would be better if Geon-ha thought badly of her.
She was just sighing when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She checked the caller ID and it was Manager Song Yoon-mi.
“Yes, Manager.”
What’s going on with the manager? Could it be that the music video audition has been canceled? Her voice trembled with anxiety.
- Se-ah. Are you okay?
“Yes?”
She was rather flustered by the sudden question. She didn’t know what she was being asked, and she was speechless for a moment, when she heard a quiet laugh from the other end.
- I thought you’d be upset about the Miso Confectionery commercial, I did.
“Ah, that.”
- I was worried for nothing.
Listening to the laughter-filled voice, a smile spread across Se-ah’s face as well. It was understandable that she would be worried. Yuri had risen to stardom overnight with the Snack Chips commercial.
This was because Miso Confectionery CEO Kim Yoon-deok and UZ Entertainment CEO Heo Jun-seong were openly pushing her. Yuri’s footage was much more exposed on television than her footage. Se-ah’s photos were hardly visible in the print ads.
It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t disappointed with the CEO, even though they were in the same agency. But since Yuri was CEO Heo Jun-seong’s daughter, it was clear that anyone would be treated the same way, so Se-ah had almost given up.
“I’m okay.”
- Yes, you’ll be more successful, Se-ah.
“Thank you.”
- I’m not just saying that, I really mean it.
Manager Song Yoon-mi continued, laughing into the phone.
- Heo Yuri is getting the public’s attention, but you’re getting the attention of the people in the industry right now. Do you know what I mean?
“Ah…”
- It’s true. Your acting skills are different.
Manager Song Yoon-mi encouraged her to be confident and added good news. It was about Director Park’s music video audition.
- Director Park called right away after seeing the commercial and your portfolio. He said he liked your acting and wanted to work with you. He wants to skip the audition.
“Yes? Really?”
It was unbelievable. Her voice trembled as she spoke, feeling dazed.
“He wants to skip the audition?”
- Yes. He said he wanted to have a meal with Dan or something. He’ll probably explain the concept then.
“Thank you, thank you, Manager.”
- Oh my, you don’t have to thank me…
Manager Song Yoon-mi, speaking coyly, trailed off, saying there was even more news. What could it be?
- Come to the company after you finish recording the documentary today. There’s a project that you’ve been offered an audition for.
Oh my gosh. What’s going on? It was hard to react properly because unbelievable things were happening one after another. Se-ah, who had been listening blankly, stood up and bowed, forgetting that she was on the bus.
“Thank you! Thank you, Manager!”
- Oh, you don’t have to thank me. It’s because your acting is good. Anyway, I’ll see you later. Call me when you’re done with your schedule and ready to leave.
Even after the call ended, she was still frozen. It was only after the bus driver shouted at her to sit down because it was dangerous that she was able to sit down.
A documentary broadcasting station at a time when there weren’t many people.
Se-ah, who had barely come to her senses and got off the bus, was still dazed and the world seemed white.
She was confirmed to appear in a music video without an audition, and she was asked to audition for another project. She was flustered but happy, and happy but flustered.
She didn’t know how she was walking and blankly entered the broadcasting station. She passed through the large hall, informed the manager that she was there for her schedule, and received an access card before entering. She was told it was on the third floor, so she had to go up, but she didn’t know where the elevator was.
Se-ah, looking around, found an escalator in the corner and moved her feet. Looking up, it seemed like it would go up to the third floor.
She got on the moving escalator and was putting her access card in her handbag when she felt someone standing behind her. She didn’t seem to need to greet them, as she didn’t know anyone here. As she was about to get off the escalator, someone running from the front didn’t see Se-ah and bumped into her.
“Uh-oh!”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Se-ah’s hair got caught in the broadcasting equipment that person was wearing around their neck. The part that was caught was pulled halfway before it came loose, and the person hurried away.
However, Se-ah lost her balance because she was caught in the gap of the escalator. And it was on the escalator going down.
“Huk!”
It was a dangerous situation that could have led to a major accident. She reached out to grab something, but there was nothing to grab, so she squeezed her eyes shut. Just then, someone grabbed her waist from behind as if hugging her.
“Ugh…”
“Are you okay?”
It seemed to be the person who had been standing behind her when she came up earlier. If it hadn’t been for this person, she would have had to go to the hospital after rolling down, let alone make it to her schedule.
Her whole body was trembling, and she unknowingly hugged the stranger’s arm tightly. She took a moment to catch her breath and put strength in her legs. She quickly pulled away from the stranger’s arms, where she had been held until now, and bowed her head deeply.
“Yes, thank you for catching m-me?”
The face she saw when she looked up was too unexpected. Do Geon-ha.
It was him, the one she wanted to avoid so much.
