'I see some familiar faces from daily dramas.'
Opening her eyes softly, Ji-yeon examined the people who caught her eye first.
Actors who, like Ji-yeon, had appeared in daily dramas.
It seemed they recognized her as well, as she felt them subtly nodding their heads.
It felt like bumping into an acquaintance once or twice in passing.
'Of course, to them, I'm just a kid too.'
Anyway, considering their age, that makes sense.
The ages of the characters in
So even within the work, the scenes aren't fiercely intense or high in mature content.
At its core, handling the emotional nuances densely is crucial, and it requires the acting skills to match.
Therefore, they had no choice but to prefer actors in their twenties.
The acting skills of teenagers are unstable, and while those in their twenties are similarly subtle, they are still better than teenagers.
'In the end, unless the setting is a school, audiences generally perceive the roles as being in their twenties or older.'
Unless one possesses something overwhelming like Jo Seo-hee or Ju Seo-yeon, the roles available to teenage actors are few.
Probably the same goes for this audition.
The same age as the role.
That is closer to a penalty than an advantage.
"Next, numbers up to 10, please enter."
Ji-yeon's turn was almost thirtieth.
It was nearly the very end of the order.
When she was young, this time was simply boring.
After she started overthinking a bit more, she used to get nervous, but now she wasn't sure.
'Just like I practiced.'
The practice she had with Jo Seo-hee, and with Seo-yeon.
The question of whether she could really do it just like she did back then.
Back then, when the unsteady tension was eating away at Ji-yeon's heart.
'Huh?'
A person entered Ji-yeon's sight.
A figure moving somewhat awkwardly among the staff.
A hat, sunglasses, and even a mask.
An incredibly suspicious appearance, yet no one was stopping them.
Rather, some of the audition staff even greeted them warmly.
'...Could it be?'
Looking around.
After examining the waiting personnel in the audition hall, they paused for a moment at Ji-yeon.
Then, slipping away quietly, it reminded her of someone.
'...'
Well, it's not strange for them to be here.
Aren't they an insider in the first place?
It did bother her a bit, but Ji-yeon soon decided to ignore it.
Still.
'It seems my tension has eased a little.'
She felt a presence watching her from somewhere in hiding.
At least, Ji-yeon herself could feel it.
It was a bit amusing, but thanks to that, Ji-yeon could feel her erratically beating heart calm down.
***
Today was Lee Ji-yeon's audition.
Actually, Seo-yeon hadn't particularly intended to come here.
But this morning.
[Will you come?]
That kind of message she received from Jo Seo-hee.
Probably, she was trying to create an opportunity to have even a little time to meet with Seo-yeon.
Seeing right through it, Seo-yeon had stared intently at the message, but.
[You have to watch your friend act with me.]
Although it had the nuance of asking to be watched herself, Ji-yeon's opposing role today was definitely Jo Seo-hee.
Jo Seo-hee had a peculiar way of acting just like herself, but even Seo-yeon couldn't help but acknowledge her acting.
Because they had clashed since childhood, Seo-yeon was also secretly conscious of her.
In reality, Jo Seo-hee's acting was exceptionally outstanding.
No, it would be more accurate to say it was remarkable.
Jo Seo-hee had shown very stable acting even during her child actor days, but as she grew older, she became able to imbue her emotions much more deeply into it.
In a way, it shared many similarities with Seo-yeon's emotional mimicry.
Because Jo Seo-hee was more of a type who faithfully reproduced what she had learned, rather than a method actor.
[The audition scene is a love scene, so it'll be fun to watch. And you're an insider too.]
At Jo Seo-hee's words, Seo-yeon's eyes narrowed.
A love scene.
Well, that's true. It was Seo-yeon who had helped with Ji-yeon's practice right away.
She hadn't thought much of it until now, but hearing that Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon were doing a love scene made her feel something truly hard to describe. After all, it was a love scene between a friend and her friend's sponsor.
Is this why it's hard to watch movies featuring acquaintances? She felt something like that, but also definite curiosity.
And worry.
Whether Ji-yeon could act well against Jo Seo-hee.
Like that, after pondering for a moment, Seo-yeon sent a reply.
[I'll come.]
And so, right now.
Seo-yeon was hiding in a corner of the audition hall, watching the audition.
On her way in, she made eye contact with Ji-yeon, but she probably didn't notice, right?
'More than that.'
Seo-yeon examined the acting of the actors currently auditioning.
The people outside probably didn't know what situation was unfolding inside, but.
'It's a bit... intense.'
Although Jo Seo-hee was being flirtatious with Seo-yeon over text, in reality, she gave off the impression of a villainous young lady.
On top of that, she was even holding a folding fan at the audition today.
Probably because Jo Seo-hee's role this time was a young lady of a noble house.
And since it was a villainous young lady that perfectly fit that image, she seemed to want to bring out that concept.
'Director Baek Min wanted to cast Jo Seo-hee from the very beginning.'
She could understand the reason.
Just as she herself had perfectly fit the role of Cha Seo-ah.
The role that could be called a young lady of a noble house in the work, 'Amanabi Michiko'.
As the name suggests, she is Japanese, and it is a role that can appear because the work's setting is the Japanese colonial period.
According to the script, she crosses over to Japan with the protagonist after the ending.
And the current audition was to select that protagonist, 'Yeon Seon-ye'.
"...."
Having thought up to that point, Seo-yeon suddenly realized one fact.
'My role is Japanese?'
For reference, the role Seo-yeon was going to take was the role of Kasugayama Yuina.
Realizing it anew, Seo-yeon...
'There'll be Japanese dialogue... right?'
Suddenly faced with one hurdle.
No, she could listen to Japanese.
That was because Seo-yeon had watched so many VTubers... no, anyway, she had plenty of opportunities to encounter anime and games.
But speaking it was an entirely different matter.
For example, pronunciation.
'...What should I do?'
Moreover, it seemed like they were expecting to meet once in Japan regarding
She felt like she definitely needed to learn it properly.
'Hmm.'
Seo-yeon soon regained her composure.
There was time anyway.
And because one person came to mind whom she could ask for help.
And right now, Ji-yeon's audition was more important.
"Next."
At Jo Seo-hee's words spoken with a stiff expression, the actor who had just auditioned stepped back with a haggard face.
There were many actresses who looked quite intimidating, but with a single swing of Jo Seo-hee's fan, they fell away like falling autumn leaves.
'The scene used for the audition was after Michiko developed a deep interest in Yeon Seon-ye.'
In a manner of speaking, she harbored affection but had yet to realize it.
And Yeon Seon-ye didn't have such feelings yet.
She was nothing more than a noble young lady.
Furthermore, the reason Yeon Seon-ye entered Michiko's service as a maid was to take her life.
But contrary to her intentions, her heart was gradually being drawn to Michiko.
Because she was a target to be killed, she averted her eyes, yet she was drawn to the beautiful Michiko.
Compassion for the situation she was in.
Empathy for her loneliness.
That was supposed to be the emotion Yeon Seon-ye directed toward Michiko.
The scene they were trying to shoot now wasn't difficult in terms of dialogue, but the emotional line was that much more important.
That was why it was the most suitable scene for the audition.
Smack!
"Next."
Another actress was eliminated by Jo Seo-hee's fan as if her head had been severed.
The actress, stepping back with her head hung low, had a face that knew just how disastrous her acting had been.
She stuttered her lines, and her gestures were lacking in many ways.
This wasn't just her problem.
Among the rookie actors, the ones who came to the audition today were generally similar.
Even experienced actors were shaken, so there was no way rookies would be fine.
'But I'm also classified as a rookie...'
Although she had appeared in consecutive works recently, Seo-yeon was actually a rookie too.
It was just that her debut year traced back to her child actor days, making it incredibly fast.
"We're almost done now. Numbers up to 30, please enter."
Unlike the fierce Jo Seo-hee, Director Baek Min laughed heartily as he spoke.
His words were warm, but the paper in front of him was densely packed with writing.
'Now...'
And the number called this time was up to 30.
It was exactly Lee Ji-yeon's turn.
***
Jo Seo-hee watched the incoming actresses, observing them with a tranquil gaze.
Four of them had experience.
One was a complete rookie.
'Lee Ji-yeon.'
She didn't show it, but she could see Lee Ji-yeon mixed in among them.
First of all, Lee Ji-yeon gave off a feeling of both fitting and not fitting the role.
Because her impression was so strong, she was somewhat disconnected from the role of 'Yeon Seon-ye', who was set to have a relatively gentle image.
Her acting tone was also strong.
Honestly, it was dangerous if she stayed like that.
'If she doesn't do it right, she'll be eliminated.'
First of all, during practice, Jo Seo-hee had helped Lee Ji-yeon quite a bit.
She watched her acting, but she hadn't given any special hints regarding this audition.
Because if she had told her something, it would have been a great discourtesy to the other actors.
Rather than giving advice about the role of 'Yeon Seon-ye', Jo Seo-hee focused on giving feedback on Lee Ji-yeon's personal acting.
Anyway, since she was a close friend of Ju Seo-yeon, she didn't want to leave a bad impression if possible.
But if she couldn't do it, she had to be eliminated.
'So, please, let her do well.'
Jo Seo-hee felt the gaze of Seo-yeon, who was hiding in the shadows right now.
There was no need to look far; the one poking her face out while hiding must be Seo-yeon.
She didn't know why she bothered to come in disguise, but it was cute, so whatever.
"Then we'll start right away. Your script?"
"I've memorized it all."
"Alright, let's start right away."
Jo Seo-hee nodded at the words of Applicant 26, who confidently said she had memorized all her lines.
And barely 5 minutes later.
"I think it would have been better if you just held the script."
"...Yes."
The applicant returned looking dejected.
There was a part where her lines got stuck in the middle, so points were deducted.
Usually, even in filming, there are no cases where it ends in one take, so getting a line wrong can happen, but the other aspects were also too lacking.
In other words, an acting performance that could only be overlooked if 'at least the lines' weren't wrong.
That was the evaluation Jo Seo-hee gave.
"Number 30."
Finally, it was Lee Ji-yeon's turn.
Standing calmly in front of her, she still gave a better impression than the other applicants.
Well, she was the type who didn't feel much pressure from her to begin with.
"We'll start right away. Your script?"
"I've memorized it all."
Of course she did.
Jo Seo-hee nodded.
She had known from before that Ji-yeon had memorized all her lines.
Also, since the script itself was given in advance, there were far more people who memorized it.
"Then I'll begin."
Jo Seo-hee glanced at Director Baek Min before looking back at Ji-yeon.
Then, she swished open the fan in her hand and covered her mouth.
Her eyes narrowing.
Though they weren't red like Seo-yeon's, there was definitely power in that gaze.
A tranquil silence.
The pressure Jo Seo-hee exerted was so immense that it was even hard to utter the first word.
A completely different feeling from the Jo Seo-hee she had seen during practice.
Like that.
"My lady, your complexion has been poor lately. How about getting some rest?"
The acting began along with the quiet voice of Ji-yeon—Seon-ye.
In the ticking of the clock, the young lady who had quietly opened her fan and watched Seon-ye.
Michiko quietly observed Seon-ye.
That gaze looked at Seon-ye as if trying to devour her, stirring up her insides.
A wavering emotion was felt.
Seon-ye read that emotion, even if just a little.
But she turned her head away nonchalantly.
"No."
The lips revealed as the fan slowly lowered.
A twisted smile directed at Seon-ye.
"Seon-ye, fetch me a shawl. We are holding an auction today as well."
Those eyes were the eyes of someone looking at a very precious treasure.
Lingering, like how others looked at her in the auction house.
Michiko was looking at her maid with those eyes.
Although she herself didn't even properly realize that fact.
"Then, shouldn't you look your prettiest?"
Pressing lightly on Seon-ye's shoulder with her fan, Michiko spoke like that.
That was a kind of petulance.
Make me pretty.
As you desire.
Michiko's words revealed such an intention.
At those words, Seon-ye panicked and averted her eyes, biting her lower lip for a moment.
'Emotion.'
Jo Seo-hee felt the emotional line that faintly emanated from Ji-yeon.
It seemed deeper before, but now the color seemed somewhat faded.
That wasn't a bad thing.
It was rather a color that suited Seon-ye.
Somewhat light, giving the feeling that other strong colors could easily mix in.
Did Ju Seo-yeon teach her that?
"You must do your makeup first, my lady. It is not right to look for a shawl first."
Seon-ye said so, bowing her head.
It was as if she was rejecting Michiko's approach.
Her voice was peaceful, innocent like a child who knew nothing.
A feeling that her demeanor had changed.
No, it seemed the tone of her acting had changed.
'Maternal love.'
Ah, right.
It was that kind of feeling.
As said, Lee Ji-yeon's impression was quite strong.
Therefore, there were many parts that didn't fit well with the character Yeon Seon-ye.
But as that color faded, the direction of her acting also changed.
The gaze looking at Michiko, those hand gestures.
Her natural smile had an affection like a mother sending to her daughter.
However, the fundamental emotion hidden behind that maternal love was pity.
The maternal love born of pity stood as a barrier against Michiko.
Therefore, her actions were extremely natural.
'How did her vibe change in such a short period of time?'
More than that, is it fitting for Seon-ye?
Jo Seo-hee continued to watch Ji-yeon's acting.
She naturally deflected Michiko's biting remarks.
And then, Michiko's hair.
Calmly fixing her face, she spoke of various things.
Her voice was very elegant, different from Ji-yeon's usual impression.
Like a veteran who had dealt with many unreasonable people.
The tone of her voice.
The tone of her acting.
That color belonged to someone other than Lee Ji-yeon, and other than Seon-ye.
It was clearly acting grounded in something.
'Could it be?'
Jo Seo-hee looked at Lee Ji-yeon.
She saw Seon-ye's face.
Only then could she tell where Lee Ji-yeon had derived this acting from.
Upon realizing that fact, Jo Seo-hee...
...was able to let out a pleasant laugh as Michiko.
"Do you think I am beautiful?"
"My lady, you are more beautiful than any precious jewel."
"I know."
"You will shine the most beautifully at today's gathering."
At those words, Michiko's lips twisted even more.
The pity hidden behind maternal love.
Although she didn't know that exact truth, she knew that this maid pitied her.
For Michiko, that was desperately longed for, yet it simultaneously pricked her pride.
"I hope those words are sincere."
Slowly, Michiko's fan rode down Seon-ye's shoulder.
Traced her collarbone.
And reached her jaw.
Bringing her face close enough to feel each other's breath, she firmly pressed her fan against her lips.
The very end of the fan that had pressed against her own lips earlier, now pressing against Seon-ye's.
"For I despise lies above all else."
With that final line, the scene came to a close.
So very naturally.
The judges who saw that had internally shocked faces.
Director Baek Min even had a face that was hard to describe.
From the corner, Seo-yeon, who had been watching that performance...
'......'
...covered her mouth with both hands, her face screaming "What, what?!", unable to contain her astonishment.
Wait, didn't they say the love scene wasn't that intense?
'And.'
At the same time, she could feel her insides churning with rage.
That was because the foundation of the acting Ji-yeon was showcasing right now was something Seo-yeon cherished so deeply.
Seo-yeon was literally shaking with fury.
Feeling the gaze of such a Seo-yeon, Jo Seo-hee...
'Why, why is she like that?'
...couldn't help but be a little flustered.
Because, by her own assessment, Ji-yeon's audition was incredibly successful.