I Want to Be a VTuber Chapter 160

"I see, so that was the situation."

His treatment had been oddly poor, but that wasn't the important thing.

Today's purpose was, above all, to talk to actor Lee Sang-soo about the project.

An actor's sudden departure was quite a common occurrence.

It was also common for production delays to happen because of it.

However, for someone in a position like Director Baek Min, where it was hard to find a replacement right away, it could be a rather fatal problem.

"Director Baek Min has always been quite fastidious."

Actor Lee Sang-soo listened to our story and nodded.

It was an embarrassing thing to say given we were the ones asking, but regardless, filming could only begin if Director Baek Min saw Lee Sang-soo's acting and gave the okay sign.

Even in a situation where it was difficult to find a suitable replacement.

"He's stubborn too. Of course, I don't view that negatively. For a young director, it's good to have a fair amount of stubbornness. Being overly conscious of the actors' moods isn't a good thing either."

Provided it's kept within appropriate boundaries, of course.

Director Baek Min was someone who observed that boundary uncannily well.

'However.'

Lee Sang-soo felt a peculiar sensation at Seo-yeon's proposal.

Perhaps it was because he had a vague premonition that something like this would happen someday.

'An actor who would call me back into the film industry.'

Honestly, Lee Sang-soo still hadn't fully recovered from the shock of his failed overseas venture.

Actor Song Kwang-min, who was watching Lee Sang-soo's expression, soon let out a sigh.

Because he roughly guessed what actor Lee Sang-soo was thinking.

"Miss Seo-yeon, casually asking a senior actor for such a role is quite disrespectful."

Of course, Seo-yeon also knew that.

Because it was like recommending a role that someone had abandoned to Lee Sang-soo.

Even if she were just asking if he could help, the person on the receiving end could perceive it that way.

Moreover, it wasn't even a coveted role by any standard, but one with an uncertain future.

It was even a villain role.

The main villain of the work.

If there was something Seo-yeon realized while filming , it was the importance of the villain.

In dramas, and in movies.

Depending on how charismatic the villain's characterization is, the audience's immersion in the story changes.

That was the same reason Seo-yeon received such high praise for her role as 'Cha Seo-ah'.

Therefore, the villain is important.

Of course, in , Seo-yeon's character was also close to being a villain.

However, she wasn't a complete villain.

There was someone manipulating her, and that person was the one who could be called the main villain of .

Gotou Isamu.

The mastermind who schemed everything in .

"Now, now, Miss Seo-yeon, apologize to Mr. Lee Sang-soo, and let's get back to fishing."

Actor Song Kwang-min lightly threw those words out with a smiling face.

Of course, he didn't mean for her to genuinely apologize; he was just trying to smoothly change the mood.

'Will it be okay?'

Honestly, Ji-yeon also found it difficult to say anything.

After all, compared to Lee Sang-soo or Song Kwang-min, Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon's careers were quite short.

She wondered if it was appropriate to carelessly push the issue any further here.

Or whether it would be better to cling a little more, leaving her hesitant.

Rather, from Ji-yeon's perspective, she was bewildered that Seo-yeon had brought this up so recklessly.

She had honestly thought Seo-yeon would ask more cautiously.

Or at least bring it up privately.

But she never expected Seo-yeon to blurt out the situation right there while fishing.

'Actor Lee Sang-soo.'

But Seo-yeon knows.

Actor Lee Sang-soo was still dreaming.

Only, there was no one to push him forward.

Seo-yeon knew this because of an interview Lee Sang-soo gave years from now, when he finally decided to retire.

"A sudden retirement? It's not really like that."

With a bitter smile, actor Lee Sang-soo said so.

"I was just a coward. How many years did I rest? Almost 5? Or 7? I rested for a very long time."

Lee Sang-soo counted the years, folding his fingers one by one.

"For such a long time, I was a burden to those around me. To the people who stood by me, waiting for me to pull myself together and return to the film industry someday."

Actor Lee Sang-soo said that he was a lucky person.

There were always fans who waited for him to return.

And, there were actors who believed in him.

However, they all just waited.

"It may sound ridiculous, but..."

Actor Lee Sang-soo said.

"If only. Back then, if there had been someone who dragged me back onto the set by force. If there had been someone who was a bit selfish and acted recklessly. I often wonder what it would have been like."

Coward.

Actor Lee Sang-soo himself said he was a coward.

From a single major failure, he became unable to walk on his own two feet.

He had grown too old, his body now fearing new challenges.

The reckless audacity of his youth had withered away, and he had become nothing more than a rotting old man in the corner of his room.

"But I also know that was impossible. So, I am now retiring with no lingering regrets."

Heh heh, Lee Sang-soo chuckled.

At the time, Seo-yeon couldn't discern the true meaning behind Lee Sang-soo's laugh.

Because he was such a superb actor, perhaps he was acting even then.

Actually, the article published after the interview was.

[Actor Lee Sang-soo's Clear Smile, Having Shaken Off Everything]

Because such an article was published.

It wrote about how he had discarded all his lingering attachments and retired with a clear mind.

That was merely what was written.

'No.'

But Seo-yeon knows.

Now that she understood emotions, she couldn't help but know.

What her previous life had witnessed.

To emulate emotions, Seo-yeon had observed countless people.

She had seen many works.

Among them were several works featuring Lee Sang-soo.

Because she hadn't understood emotions, because she couldn't empathize with that smile at all, there were things she could see.

Someone who has truly shaken off everything does not smile like that.

The lingering regrets had remained, right up to the very moment of his retirement.

'This is.'

Apart from the project , this was a role Seo-yeon genuinely wanted to recommend to the actor named Lee Sang-soo.

Even though their connection was formed on a variety show.

Perhaps it was because of his interview, which surfaced even more vividly due to this unforgettable memory.

She wasn't entirely sure.

But this was a role that could resolve his lingering regrets.

Without a doubt.

"……Miss Seo-yeon."

"Yes."

"You know my situation, right?"

"Yes. I know."

At Lee Sang-soo suddenly bringing up the subject, actor Song Kwang-min stiffened.

It seemed he didn't expect Lee Sang-soo to answer so seriously.

"And that you won't decline, either."

At Seo-yeon's words, Lee Sang-soo burst out laughing.

"You're as sharp as a ghost. Alright, I won't decline."

"Really?"

Rather, Song Kwang-min next to him was more surprised.

Lee Ji-yeon's eyes also widened.

That was because, judging by Lee Sang-soo's expression just a moment ago, it looked as though he would immediately refuse.

'From the moment he accepted this fishing trip, he probably had no intention of declining.'

It was the answer Seo-yeon had expected.

In the first place, Seo-yeon had told Lee Sang-soo over the phone that she wanted to meet not just for fishing, but to discuss a role.

A veteran actor like Lee Sang-soo would have known exactly why Seo-yeon was reaching out to him.

Yet, the very fact that he showed up for this fishing trip meant Lee Sang-soo had no intention of declining.

If he had been against it, he wouldn't have agreed to meet when Seo-yeon first called.

"Instead."

Lee Sang-soo, who had been laughing heartily, soon looked at Seo-yeon with serious eyes and spoke.

"When I do my acting, I want you, Miss Seo-yeon, to be the one receiving it."

"Pardon?"

"Since the vacant role is deeply connected to you, Miss Seo-yeon."

Just as he said, Gotou Isamu, the vacant role this time, was the servant of Kasugayama Yuina, whom Seo-yeon was playing.

To be precise, he was a figure close to a butler.

Thus, he was the one manipulating Yuina and orchestrating the situation.

"Director Baek Min said it. He'll decide after seeing the acting."

Lee Sang-soo was saying this.

He was asking for Seo-yeon to be the one to receive his acting at that time.

An audition that was not an audition.

It meant he wanted to entrust that to Seo-yeon.

That remark was also a bewildering one to Song Kwang-min and Lee Ji-yeon.

Because they didn't know that a veteran actor like Lee Sang-soo would say such a thing to Seo-yeon.

At his words, Seo-yeon's eyes narrowed.

It seemed like she was smiling.

Or perhaps it was a look harboring some sense of anticipation.

"Yes, I will let Director Baek Min know."

At that calm answer.

Lee Sang-soo nodded slowly.

'I'll know then.'

Director Baek Min.

His movies were often rated higher overseas than domestically.

He had naturally heard the rumors about this as well.

This industry is incredibly small.

For a veteran actor like Lee Sang-soo, there were naturally quite a few rumors that reached his ears.

For a Baek Min film, the investors had made a decision unusually fast.

Or the fact that it was a lesbian film featuring prominent young actresses like Jo Seo-hee and Joo Seo-yeon.

It might be difficult to receive proper recognition domestically.

But it was a film targeting the overseas market from the very beginning.

'Overseas.'

The dream he had dreamed since his youth.

Perhaps, this could be a re-challenge toward his dream.

"Ah, of course, send me the script first. I need to read it before making a decision."

Though that was assuming Seo-yeon could reignite the embers of acting that had gone cold in his heart.

Yes, because the desire remaining in his heart had now been reduced to burnt-out ashes.

***

Once Lee Sang-soo accepted Seo-yeon's proposal, Director Baek Min was naturally quite surprised as well.

Because he thought it could be a quite rude remark.

But all he asked for was to have Seo-yeon as his scene partner when he acted.

As if he thought such a test should naturally be taken.

"I will let you know the date as soon as it's decided."

Director Baek Min was being quite cautious.

He didn't show any great joy at the prospect of Lee Sang-soo appearing in his film.

Probably because Lee Sang-soo was an actor who had a significant hiatus.

'And there were rumors that his passion had cooled after his failure in Hollywood.'

It seemed he thought there was a possibility Lee Sang-soo might just phone in his performance.

Seo-yeon didn't think Director Baek Min's attitude was particularly unreasonable either.

Because making a movie wasn't a one-person endeavor.

"Seo-yeon, you need to tell your manager about things like this next time, okay?"

"Yes."

Of course, from the perspective of her manager, Park Eun-ha, it was a terrifying prospect.

She knew Seo-yeon had built some friendships with other actors, but she never expected her to have gotten so close to Lee Sang-soo.

Moreover, to secure Lee Sang-soo's casting this time, Seo-yeon had to act alongside him.

'Is she not feeling the pressure?'

Rather, it was her manager, Park Eun-ha, whose blood was running dry with anxiety.

Lee Sang-soo was one of the finest actors in South Korea, easily counted on one hand.

For an actor of that caliber to request her as his scene partner for this test, the pressure would be enough to keep anyone awake at night.

Yet, what was Seo-yeon doing right now?

'She's listening to music?'

She was bobbing her head along with her earphones, wearing a thoroughly satisfied expression.

"What are you listening to?"

"Pardon? Ah, the trailer for was released today."

"Ah, that's right."

Of course, Park Eun-ha had already seen the trailer.

Because the production team had sent over the completed version.

The footage was excellent.

Unlike Seo-yeon's recent appearances on variety shows, it truly showcased the sharp, ideal image of Seo-yeon for the first time in a while.

"The insert song was really good too. Did Summer Girls work on that?"

At Park Eun-ha's words, the corners of Seo-yeon's mouth twitched oddly.

'Huh?'

In the past, Park Eun-ha wouldn't have been able to properly read Seo-yeon's expression, but it was different now.

Surprisingly, if observed closely, there was no one whose expressions were as easy to read as Seo-yeon's.

That was, to put it simply, the face she made when she had something to boast about.

"……Don't tell me, that song."

"Yes, I sang it."

"Really?!"

Park Eun-ha was genuinely surprised.

She knew that Seo-yeon's singing skills were steadily improving.

But she had improved this much?

She knew Seo-yeon had participated in the OST for .

But she never would have matched that voice to this song.

"The magician, Na-hee unnie, helped me a lot."

Seo-yeon shrugged her shoulders and said.

The Seo-yeon who sang awkwardly in no longer existed.

After all, even Cha Na-hee, the main vocalist of Summer Girls, had given her a thumbs up.

'I want to brag quickly.'

I'll have to boast once the trailer drops today.

With such thoughts, Seo-yeon headed to KMB.

That was because Lee Min-hwa, the main PD of , had said he wanted to speak with her before the trailer was released today.

And.

"Would you consider hiding the fact that you sang the song included in this trailer, Miss Seo-yeon?"

"……Pardon?"

This was yet another proposal she hadn't anticipated at all.