Seoyeon was first of all surprised twice by Director Kang Tae-jin's words.
First, by the statement that they were planning a variety show for a movie.
Second, because it was a variety show she had never heard of in her previous life.
'As expected, no matter how much I think about it, I can't find a variety show similar to this.'
Then it was highly likely to be an entirely new movie.
A movie Seoyeon didn't know, one that didn't exist in the past.
While surprised by that, she also felt a thrill of excitement.
After all, every movie Seoyeon had seen so far had been ones she had already watched in her past life.
"For your information, the director is Director Han Ye-geon."
Kang Tae-jin said so and quietly stared into Seoyeon's eyes.
She remembered hearing the director's name.
A director with expertise in action choreography.
His standards were that high, but he was somewhat dogmatic and had a very distinct style.
"Well, I'm not sure if you know, but he is a somewhat difficult director to deal with. He has, after all, been active in the industry for a long time."
"Yes, I've heard of him."
"Then that saves us some explanation."
Kang Tae-jin was inwardly surprised as he looked at Seoyeon, who was calmly looking back at him.
'She's quite detached for such a young age.'
First of all, there was no sign of her being greatly flustered or nervous when dealing with him.
Was it because she was an actress?
Kang Tae-jin could easily see through others' emotions.
But he couldn't figure out Seoyeon at all.
Just like Cha Seo-ah, whom he had seen in the movie.
'Was it called an emotion expression disorder?'
When he was young, Kang Tae-jin was also told he was emotionally dull.
He wondered if he had some disease, but it wasn't really like that; he was just purely a bit dull.
Anyway, since there was a part of him that could relate to Cha Seo-ah, it was no lie that he enjoyed watching
Highly evaluating Seoyeon, as well as setting up this meeting, were things Kang Tae-jin had taken the initiative to do.
Of course, he believed that highly evaluating the product named Seoyeon was an objective judgment, not at all a subjective one.
"First, the movie's title is still a working title, but it's 'Moin (Demon)'. It could be called a modern fantasy where superpowered people appear."
Seoyeon nodded faintly.
It was indeed something she didn't know.
"To put it simply, before filming that movie, we prepared a large-scale audition. In other words, an audition to select the movie's lead."
Was he asking her to participate in that audition? As she looked at him with that question in mind,
"Yes, I would like Actor Joo Seo-yeon to definitely appear in the movie audition. This variety show is scheduled to air on a public broadcast network as well."
It seemed like a properly planned audition variety show.
However, one questionable point was that he went out of his way to call Seoyeon and ask her to participate in the audition.
Usually, for something like this, they could simply request it through her agency.
"Of course, I think it might be a bit bewildering from Actor Joo Seo-yeon's perspective. It's not asking you to appear in the movie, but asking you to participate in the audition for the movie."
"That's..."
She was about to answer that it wasn't really the case, but Director Kang Tae-jin's words were faster.
"The reason this project related to the movie could proceed is thanks to
"Pardon?"
"For one thing, this 'Moin' has strong action elements and thriller aspects as well. With recent Korean movies doing poorly, it remained in the planning stage in many ways."
But it seemed the representative of GH Group was very impressed by
"In a way, I called you at the representative's request, Miss Seoyeon."
"..."
It was a much bigger deal than she had thought.
It meant that none other than the representative of GH Group had called her, wishing for Seoyeon to definitely appear in the movie.
"Actually, we had various pieces of information. About Cheonghong Action School, for example... So, I also had the thought that if it's Actor Joo Seo-yeon, you could do excellently in the audition as well."
"Is that so."
"Therefore, even if you fail the audition, if you show an outstanding performance, you won't have to worry much about getting a role."
It meant they would compete for the lead role, but even if she fell through, they would give Seoyeon a role.
"..."
Even though it was clearly a good thing to say, it strangely hurt her pride.
Looking at the director's beaming expression, there were many parts that were hard to tell whether he was provoking her or genuinely believing in Seoyeon.
'Superpowered action movie.'
She felt like she understood why the filming had been delayed.
Originally, this was a genre that Western movies had firmly dominated recently.
The genre classified as hero movies.
It was probably delayed because it was inevitably bound to be compared to those.
Domestic movies filmed with similar concepts were completely wiped out.
If a thriller concept was added to that, there were many disadvantageous aspects.
"For now, I'll think about it positively."
"Thank you."
She didn't know if he was really thankful.
She looked at him, wondering if that was all.
"Then, let's move on to the next item."
"Pardon?"
She looked at him with eyes asking if he hadn't called her just to request her appearance in the movie audition.
"Didn't I tell you at the beginning? I have a few things to propose."
Following that, Director Kang Tae-jin handed over some documents.
"It's an advertising proposal."
"Pardon?"
"The Eclat Etoile advertisement this time was quite impressive."
Kang Tae-jin examined Seoyeon.
A beauty so outstanding that even among celebrities, no one dared to compare.
Once she became an adult, that appearance would shine even brighter.
Add to that her potential as an actress.
Taking everything into account, Kang Tae-jin wanted to firmly grab hold of Seoyeon.
While others were hesitating and tapping on their calculators, he stepped forward more instinctively.
Even within the GH Group, there were still talks going around, but Kang Tae-jin wanted to secure Seoyeon faster than anyone else.
"I hope that Actor Joo Seo-yeon will become the face of our GH Group."
Kang Tae-jin had one goal.
It was to have her face on every billboard in Seoul bearing the GH Group's name.
Of course, to do that, it was necessary to prepare step by step.
A track record that would convince everyone in the GH Group.
These advertisements were the beginning.
***
The day after the meeting with the GH Group.
Seoyeon became a bit dazed.
That was only natural, as she had many thoughts due to the contracts she received yesterday.
There were also ads that made her gasp at the sheer amount, and the ads Director Kang Tae-jin had proposed yesterday were a staggering three.
They were one tier lower than the ads top-tier celebrities received, but looking at the figures alone, it was a level she couldn't complain about.
'Umm.'
Honestly, the burdensome part was bigger.
Especially since Director Kang Tae-jin's thoughts were also difficult to read in some ways.
'For now, it's not a bad opportunity, so I should do it.'
They said that shooting the ads wouldn't immediately tie her down anyway.
Probably next year.
To be exact, they would start the ads in earnest right after the movie
Conversely, the box office success of
If she achieved ambiguous results there, these three ads would be the end.
'
Since it was a movie that hadn't even been released in the first place, it was hard to know how much potential it had.
And one more thing.
There was a very big problem that only Seoyeon knew.
'The release date overlaps with
The movie by Director Cho Min-tae, who had been connected to Seoyeon since childhood.
A ten-million viewer movie.
And the lead appearing in it was Actor Kim Jung-ha, who had her first shoot with Seoyeon.
It was definitely not an easy opponent.
Although
For reference, when
It was
If
'That's something I should probably avoid.'
Honestly, she didn't want to clash with it either.
She had no intention of gambling unnecessarily, nor did she want to cause friction with people she had ties with.
But would things go as Seoyeon wanted?
'Anyway.'
Lately, Seoyeon felt the gazes that followed her when she went to school.
When
As if they were scurrying away as though Seoyeon was a cockroach.
"You're popular these days, huh?"
Lee Ji-yeon said teasingly.
Seoyeon narrowed her eyes and glared at Ji-yeon.
"Yeah, it's scary when you glare at me like that."
"I was just looking."
Anyway, as Ji-yeon teased, the way male students looked at Seoyeon changed in many ways from the time episode 11 of
Jo Ha-rin in the drama was a very cute woman, and it felt like they were superimposing Jo Ha-rin and Seoyeon.
'More than that.'
Seoyeon glanced at Ji-yeon.
Looking at Ramiel's recent broadcasts, it felt like Lee Ji-yeon made sure to watch Seoyeon's dramas and movies.
The reviews were also very detailed and full of praise.
There was also a lot of praise for Seoyeon's acting, making her feel unnecessarily embarrassed when reading them.
So she wanted to say thank you, but had no proper way to do it.
Therefore, just as she was thinking of repaying her in a different way.
"You're late."
"......."
Cho Seo-hee came by.
Wearing her own high school uniform.
'She must have a lot of clothes to wear, so why does she go around in a uniform?'
It was no longer flustering that Cho Seo-hee came to the school.
How many times had this been now?
However, it bothered her that she wore a uniform every time she came.
"That's obvious because I come right after school."
"Is that so?"
"I'm dumbfounded."
Cho Seo-hee crossed her arms.
Just looking at that appearance, she looked like an arrogant villainess.
Honestly, the uniform didn't suit her well.
Or did it? Unexpectedly, it seemed to look okay.
"...Anyway."
The three moved to a nearby cafe, and then began their main conversation.
'Why do we always end up having this kind of conversation?'
Cho Seo-hee was honestly nervous inside.
That was because the reason they met this time was none other than matters related to
'Why on earth of all things!'
Honestly, Cho Seo-hee didn't have prejudices against homosexuality.
However, if that became a role she had to take on, it was bound to be problematic in many ways.
After all, an actor must immerse themselves in their role.
Most importantly.
'I haven't even done romance acting before.'
The movie that originally brought Cho Seo-hee huge popularity was a disaster movie.
She also didn't have experience appearing in a soft drama like Seoyeon's
From the start, her impression was so strong that roles involving sweet romance didn't come to her easily.
Her age was also a factor.
But her first romance movie was going to be a homosexual movie.
'Why is this girl so nonchalant?'
Looking at Seoyeon standing there blankly, Seo-hee actually felt nervous.
She was crossing her arms and raising her chin so it wouldn't show, but it was all acting.
'Cha Seo-ah...'
Suddenly,
The acting Seoyeon showed there came as a big shock to Seo-hee inwardly.
The thought that there was another actor among her peers who could act like this.
The acting of 'Cha Seo-ah' shown by Seoyeon was so realistic that it even made her wonder if Seoyeon herself had suffered from such a disease.
'Of course not.'
When she looked it up, it wasn't a curable disease in the first place.
Thinking about that, it was even more amazing.
That she could act so passionately to that extent.
Anyway, Seo-hee first spoke of those impressions.
Honest impressions about
And.
"The audition for
"Yes. I told you."
Seoyeon said calmly.
She really didn't know what she was thinking.
'More than that, why does she only speak formally to me?'
Seo-hee felt disappointed.
Seriously.
We're the same age.
"And... that audition. Are you saying the kid next to you also wants to take it together?"
"..."
Lee Ji-yeon looked at Seoyeon, wondering what this nonsense was about.
She already didn't like Cho Seo-hee and had followed her closely, and now she was suddenly asking her to appear in the same movie?
'Why is she glaring at me again?'
Looking at Lee Ji-yeon, Seo-hee honestly thought of her as a bit of a kindred spirit.
Because her personality didn't look very good.
"What kind of movie is it?"
But since she was Joo Seo-yeon's friend, she couldn't make herself look bad.
"Speak comfortably."
"What kind of movie is it?"
"..."
As soon as Cho Seo-hee told her to speak comfortably, Lee Ji-yeon dropped her formal speech.
That point was a bit flustering, but.
'Maybe.'
Seo-hee looked at Seoyeon with expectant eyes.
Since her friend had dropped it, wouldn't she naturally drop it too?
"It's Director Baek Min's movie called
"Ah, the one you mentioned before."
"Yeah, Seo-hee sunbae-nim introduced it."
Feeling the honorifics, but hearing the words 'Seo-hee sunbae', um, this isn't too bad either.
She thought.
'Has it been somewhat decided?'
The moment she thought, 'She's telling her friend about that without any hesitation, her way of thinking is really open.'
"For your information, it's a homosexual movie."
"Aha, righ..."
At Seoyeon's overly nonchalant voice, Ji-yeon, who was answering docilely, stopped mid-sentence.
"...What?"
Lee Ji-yeon's expression changed.
Looking at that sight, Cho Seo-hee took a sip of warm tea.
'Ah, she didn't tell her properly.'
Looking at the two, Cho Seo-hee became inwardly excited.