8 - The Second is Proficient
In the past, she trusted her agency. Not knowing they were trying to get rid of Im Se-ah. What did Ji-man give them that made them turn their backs on their own actress so easily?
It seemed her value in CEO Heo's eyes was truly insignificant.
After pondering for a while, she made up her mind. How many years was her contract with UZ Entertainment? When the contract expired, she would have to move agencies.
"Good. I'm glad you'll be a good rival to Yuri. I'll take Yuri to the audition, so I won't assign you a separate manager."
Se-ah watched with a bewildered expression as CEO Heo patted her on the shoulder as if to tell her to work hard. It meant that they wouldn't assign her a separate manager to cut costs. It seemed Yuri had also received the audition offer.
I don't have any schedules to speak of yet, so... She tried to think positively as she sighed and knocked on the head of department's office door.
She really had to move agencies. Later, she would go home and review her contract, and look into other agencies to see if there were any good ones.
"Come in."
When she opened the door, she saw Song Yun-mi, the head of department, sitting at a large desk, checking documents. When Se-ah came in and bowed, she gestured for her to sit on the sofa. It didn't seem to be an urgent document, as Head of Department Song Yun-mi immediately came and sat in front of her.
"Did the narration recording go well?"
"Yes. It was similar to the radio, so I finished it well."
She had been so conscious of being photographed that she had a headache, but Se-ah quickly managed her expression and looked at Head of Department Song Yun-mi.
"Good job. Here are the works that have audition offers."
"Works?"
Her eyes widened in surprise at the word implying more than one. In fact, the head of department had laid out three scripts on the table.
"One is a web drama, and two are commercial films."
"Are the roles highlighted with a fluorescent pen the ones I'm auditioning for?"
"That's right. I have something else to tell you..."
According to Head of Department Song's explanation, the audition dates for the web drama and one of the commercial films overlapped. And the director of the other commercial film wasn't a very good person.
"Take a good look at them first."
"Yes, Head of Department."
"Would you like some coffee?"
"Ah, I'll do it..."
"I make the best coffee in my office. Just look at that."
Head of Department Song simply asked, "Black?" about her coffee preference and then started the coffee machine on one side.
Se-ah barely nodded and managed to turn her gaze to the script. She didn't recognize it when she saw the title, but as she looked through it, something vaguely came to mind.
The commercial film with the overlapping audition with the web drama was a project that had been abandoned during filming. So there was no reason to audition for it.
And the other commercial film had achieved 8 million viewers and was quite a hit. The work and the role were good, but Head of Department Song Yun-mi's words that the director wasn't good bothered her.
Not during this film shoot, but a few years later, that director would cause a stir by assaulting an actor.
'A web drama...'
Her choices narrowed. Se-ah carefully examined the synopsis and script of the web drama.
Director Kim Seong-cheol. A chill ran down her spine when she saw the name written on the front cover. Director Kim would make a movie that would attract ten million viewers a few years later.
There was a role in that movie that she really wanted to try. Se-ah felt like her hands were sweating. She had to do well in this audition no matter what.
'Elite High School Romance Records'.
She wondered if she was too old to take on a teen drama, but she soon realized that she was 25, not 35. It was common for actors in their early to mid-20s to play teenagers, so it was fine.
"Drink this while you look."
"Thank you."
She took a sip of the warm, steaming coffee and checked the script. Just looking at the title, it seemed like a purely innocent love story, but it was more than that.
It was a coming-of-age drama about a female lead with dreams and passion for becoming a pianist. She really liked the honest and steadfast role.
"I want to audition for the web drama."
"Only that?"
"Yes."
After hearing her answer, Head of Department Song Yun-mi pondered for a moment, then nodded, saying she understood.
"You may already know, but Heo Yuri will also be auditioning."
"I understand."
She nodded calmly, as she had already been told by CEO Heo. But there was one thing she was curious about: was Yuri also auditioning for the lead role like her?
"Heo Yuri will also be auditioning for the lead role of Seo Ji-an."
Head of Department Song Yun-mi, who knew exactly what she was curious about, smiled and added.
"And they're looking at designated acting, so prepare well."
She handed her an additional designated acting script and told her the date.
"Oh, you don't have a manager yet, do you?"
"Yes. It's okay. I can take public transportation."
"What are you talking about? Your schedule is going to increase soon, you know?"
Head of Department Song Yun-mi, who was nagging about how she would handle it, picked up her phone and scanned her contact list.
"Let's see. I'll find you a good one."
"Um, Head of Department. I don't think the CEO has any intention of assigning me a manager yet."
"What?"
She told Song Yun-mi, who was bewildered as if she didn't understand, about what happened when she met CEO Heo earlier. She felt like a child tattling to her mother, but she also felt relieved.
"Tsk, doesn't know how to see people."
Head of Department Song Yun-mi, who glared in the direction of the CEO's office, sighed deeply and stared at Se-ah.
"I know the road managers better, so don't worry."
Thanks to Head of Department Song Yun-mi, who went on and on about CEO Heo, saying that he didn't know how to recognize actors and that she didn't know where he was investing, she was able to laugh heartily for the first time in a while.
***
That night. Geon-ha hesitated whether to listen to Se-ah's radio show or not. Looking at the clock, it was already about halfway through. His hand, unable to make a decision easily, turned on the radio on its own.
- ...were you? You must have been tired and exhausted...
Her voice flowed out quietly and gently. It was a low tone that was good for ending the day comfortably.
He had first seen Se-ah in an independent film he had come across by chance two years ago. He couldn't take his eyes off her acting, which conveyed a calm yet deep and intense emotion, and he watched it several times.
Around that time, she started a radio show, and he was looking forward to her future activities, but for some reason, it was difficult to see her in any works.
Geon-ha was curious about her. Whether she was similar to him. Why she was acting, and why he couldn't see her face these days.
He knew that he had a natural talent for acting. It was interesting. The experience of becoming someone completely different from himself. But the more experience he gained, the more disappointed he became.
He was always thirsty for not being able to perfectly blend into a single play with his co-star.
However, Se-ah's acting in the independent film gave him goosebumps. If it was this person, if he worked on a project with someone who acted like this... it would be possible to blend perfectly into the play.
However, Geon-ha couldn't easily recommend her, fearing that she might get caught up in bad rumors.
He hoped that she would be active soon, so that he could act with her someday.
'No. I'm not interested.'
She seemed to lack the will to act, just like Seung-yeop said. And she seemed very sensitive.
He could see anxiety in her eyes as she looked around, as if she was conscious of people's attention. She had chosen a job that required her to stand in front of the public. In that situation, there would be a limit to her acting someday.
It was a pity. He was listening to Se-ah's whispering voice when he raised his hand to turn off the radio. He should stop listening to this channel now.
- You know. I'm only telling you this.
A voice full of laughter rang out softly like the wind. As if whispering in his ear. At that, Geon-ha lowered the hand he had raised to turn off the radio.
- I didn't know how to achieve my dreams until now. But now that I've given up completely and lived a different life, I think I know a little bit about how to achieve my dreams.
Geon-ha suddenly became curious. She seemed afraid of other people's attention and didn't seem to have any will to act, so why did she choose this job?
"Okay. Let's stop paying attention."
As he recalled Se-ah's eyes, which were shaking with an unknown fear as she fiercely pushed away his hand, a sigh escaped.
- I'm auditioning a lot here and there these days, so I think you'll be able to see me more often in the future. If you see me, please pretend to know me, even if it's online, okay? I'll listen to a song and go.
She was going around auditioning? She had a lively voice, as if she wasn't the same person who seemed uninterested in work earlier.
His brow furrowed involuntarily at her duplicity. Was she a two-faced person?
Or was there a reason? Geon-ha tried to stop paying attention to Se-ah, but the desire to work with her on a project someday did not easily subside.
As quiet music flowed and he pondered Se-ah's words, his eyes sank deeply.
***
"Hello, Se-ah. I'm Ma Ye-won."
It was the day of the dinner with music video director Park Jun-hyung and singer THAN. Song Yun-mi, the head of department, said she had sent a manager.
She had prepared quickly, planning to take the bus. Because a manager had been assigned, she had the leisure to even drink coffee at a cafe near her house because she had time to spare.
"Hello. I'm Im Se-ah."
She was 26 years old, one year older than her. Se-ah handed Ye-won the milk tea she was holding.
"It's milk tea. I was worried you might not like coffee..."
"Oh, thank you."
Ye-won, who said that she liked iced Americano the most, but also liked milk tea very much, opened the car door.
"The car is small and compact, but the driver is good at driving."
Manager Ye-won wrinkled her nose and started the engine. This was a good enough car. What if it was small? It was faster than the bus and more comfortable than a taxi.
"The appointment is at 1 o'clock, right?"
"Yes. Eonni."
At the word eonni that she had carefully uttered, Ye-won widened her eyes in surprise and then laughed coolly.
"I like hearing that."
"You can speak comfortably."
"Okay. Let's go!"
Ye-won, who seemed to have a very good personality, was definitely someone that Head of Department Song Yun-mi would recommend.
The weather was clear, and her first impression of her manager was good. A smile bloomed on Se-ah's face as she headed to the appointment.
