Coming out after finishing her preparation for the shoot, she saw Lee Ji-yeon standing there in a long padded coat.
Seo-yeon tilted her head as she looked at Lee Ji-yeon.
Because today was not particularly a filming day for Lee Ji-yeon.
"Is something wrong?"
"What?"
"You're out here when it's your day off."
At Seo-yeon's words, Ji-yeon buried her mouth in her scarf and stared blankly at Seo-yeon.
"Today is Joo Seo-yeon's filming day, so I came to watch."
What connection did her own filming day have with Ji-yeon coming to watch?
Such a question crossed her mind, but she nodded in acknowledgment for now.
"Ms. Seo-yeon, let's slowly head in. Oh, you look amazing today as well?"
"Huh?"
"It's nothing. Let's go."
At the staff's words, Seo-yeon bowed her head and moved to her spot.
A kimono adorned with red butterflies.
Along with a smoking pipe held in her hand, and black hair styled with ornate hairpieces.
Not a single element was unremarkable.
Lee Ji-yeon watched that sight with both hands tucked into the pockets of her long padded coat.
Her coming to the set today was by no means a simple whim.
'Because she's been constantly agonizing recently.'
Lee Ji-yeon knew that Seo-yeon had been constantly agonizing over acting.
Seo-yeon always showed amazing results, but she was always sincere about acting and never spared any effort.
To put it bluntly, most of her life was filled with agonizing over acting.
Whatever she did, she considered it based on what would be helpful for her acting.
"Seo-yeon looks a bit confident today."
At that time, Jo Seo-hee approached and spoke to Ji-yeon.
"Yeah."
At Seo-hee's words, Ji-yeon answered briefly and looked at Seo-yeon, who was receiving acting direction from Director Baek Min on set.
The scenes being filmed today were largely two.
Actor Lee Sang-soo.
In other words, the scene where Goto Isamu and Kasugayama Yuina appear together.
And another scene where she confronts Michiko head-on.
They are not dramatic scenes.
If anything, they are scenes centered around dialogue.
'That's why acting ability is even more important.'
If it becomes a mere sequence of dialogue, it will only feel monotonous.
When talking to Goto Isamu, she had to show the appearance of a fragile Yuina swayed by him.
And, when talking to Michiko, she had to unconsciously reveal her feelings for Yeon Seon-ye.
To put it simply, the embodiment of unrequited love.
Jealousy.
'She must be roughly used to it by now.'
Lee Ji-yeon thought.
It had been like that since she was young.
Seo-yeon had a tendency not to properly recognize her own emotions.
As if learning belatedly what a person should have naturally known from the start.
In middle school, her reaction to that was a bit more extreme, but now it was not to that extent.
"But why did you come today when you're off?"
Seo-hee asked as if she were curious.
"Because it's the day Joo Seo-yeon acts."
"...Hmm."
At Ji-yeon's words, Seo-hee made a face as if she somewhat understood.
Of course, Ji-yeon didn't particularly react to Seo-hee's reaction.
Because she wasn't the type to particularly seek others' empathy for her own sentiments.
'Joo Seo-yeon.'
Honestly, there was a part of her that was curious about what feelings Seo-yeon had about filming the same movie as her.
Well, the probability of her not having any particular thoughts was highly likely.
Just something like, "It's nice to be filming together~", wouldn't it be around that level?
But Ji-yeon was a little different.
It was a natural thing.
Since childhood, Seo-yeon had been a guidepost to Ji-yeon.
Even when she rested for a long time, that didn't change.
Because she had a certain conviction that if she started acting again, she would quickly rise to the top.
And, just as Ji-yeon expected, Seo-yeon had achieved remarkable results over the past year.
'If.'
If Seo-yeon hadn't continued acting, Ji-yeon probably would have quit acting too.
To Lee Ji-yeon, acting was a truly important part of her life, but it wasn't everything.
Above all, she wouldn't be able to forget Seo-yeon's acting, which she would chase like an afterimage for the rest of her life.
Since childhood.
From the very first moment she acted together with Seo-yeon.
From the time they stood on stage as Snow White and the Prince.
"Hmph..."
Ji-yeon pulled her scarf up to her cheeks and stared at Seo-yeon.
Just try putting on a lackluster performance after getting my hopes up.
As she watched with such feelings in mind, Seo-yeon glanced her way and smiled with her eyes.
Compared to when she was young, she thought she really smiled well now.
"First, let me introduce Actor Lee Sang-soo, who plays Goto Isamu. There will probably be some people seeing him for the first time today."
Before the filming began in earnest, Director Baek Min said so while standing Actor Lee Sang-soo, who had finished his makeup, next to him.
At the appearance of Lee Sang-soo, whom they had only heard about by word of mouth, the set buzzed with excitement.
It truly made them realize that such a great actor was personally participating in this movie.
'But, didn't they say Actor Lee Sang-soo wasn't taking on any works?'
'They said Actor Joo Seo-yeon brought him in.'
'So, how...'
'I don't know that either.'
The sound of whispering among the staff could be heard.
At their reactions, Lee Sang-soo merely smiled softly.
"Then, I will explain the content of today's filming once again."
Director Baek Min's voice, a little more excited than usual, echoed through the room.
Although he was someone who always controlled his emotions well, today's filming seemed to be quite enjoyable for him.
"It's a scene where Yuina reminisces about her past together with Goto Isamu. At the same time, it's the scene where it's first revealed that Goto Isamu is the backer manipulating Yuina."
Until now, Goto Isamu had appeared as a figure backing the protagonist, Yeon Seon-ye.
The male servant who made the initial request and brought her strictly on Yuina's orders.
However, it is revealed here that he is no mere male servant.
"Until now, Yuina has mainly shown a sharp appearance as a villain, but here she must reveal herself in a more complex way."
Director Baek Min said, looking at Seo-yeon.
Yuina was a person who had her bearings.
In the first place, she didn't particularly desire anything.
Just that wealth Michiko possessed.
She was merely reclaiming what should have originally been Kasugayama's.
The relationship between the Amanabi family, Michiko's main house, and the Kasugayama family, Yuina's main house, was complex.
Originally, the Amanabi family had much weaker legitimacy and power compared to the Kasugayama family.
However, a problem arose when the younger sister of the former head of the Kasugayama family married the former head of the Amanabi family.
The former head of the Kasugayama family cherished his younger sister very much.
He treasured Michiko, the daughter born to such a sister, more than his own daughter.
That was because the wife of the Kasugayama head—in other words, Yuina's mother—was simply a marriage of convenience.
Therefore, he treated Michiko like a daughter rather than Yuina.
To the extent of passing down a significant portion of the Kasugayama inheritance to the Amanabi family.
"The complex feelings toward each other. That must be clearly revealed."
Having explained roughly up to that point, Director Baek Min clapped his hands.
"Then let's begin. Everyone, please go to your places."
With his words, the staff each took their places.
Among them were also people who came from Japan.
"Korean film shooting is originally very similar to the Hollywood method."
"Ah, is that so?"
"The shooting method, or the atmosphere on set. They say it's like that in many ways."
"Oh..."
Hiroshi Tanaka of YHJ Broadcasting nodded at his colleague journalist's words.
'Is that why?'
Recently, winds of change were blowing in the Japanese film industry in many ways.
They were paying attention to many things to improve costs and the field.
'Is bringing in a Hollywood director also for that reason?'
There was a movie YHJ was recently preparing by participating in the production committee.
For that, there were many opportunities to encounter various actors and directors, and he knew Seo-yeon's case was also part of that process.
Of course, in Seo-yeon's case, she had nothing to do with that movie being prepared.
This side purely valued her highly as an actress.
It was closer to building a connection just in case.
The real deal was the director recently brought in through the connections of the YHJ president.
A great director with experience winning the Academy Award for Best Director.
As they brought him in by paying a large sum this time, it was a part that showed how much YHJ valued this project.
'He probably said let's meet tomorrow.'
Thinking that he should ask about it once when reporting tomorrow after today's filming was over, Tanaka began to focus on the filming that was about to start.
Two people having a conversation against the backdrop of a classic mansion.
Kasugayama Yuina and Goto Isamu.
***
Yuina looking at her father's portrait.
There was no longing or love for her father in that gaze.
Looking at the portrait apathetically, her face only seemed impassive.
Hatred and anger.
And a complex emotion different from contempt was revealed in that gaze.
"My Lady."
The one who quietly approached and spoke to her was Goto Isamu.
The man who oversaw all the servants of this spacious Kasugayama mansion.
And the man who had stayed by Yuina's side the longest.
The only one who reached out a hand to her when she was left all alone in solitude.
"We are merely reclaiming what was originally yours, My Lady."
At those words, Yuina's gaze moved and looked at Isamu.
Isamu stood behind Yuina with his head bowed at first.
"The Amanabi family. From the beginning, they are lowly beings who dare not even reach the level to face us."
Yuina did not answer.
Because recently, there was someone shaking her heart.
That was the reason her heart didn't move as easily as before, even though she was looking at her father's portrait to fuel her hatred.
"Amanabi Michiko has taken away many things you should have enjoyed, My Lady."
Isamu slowly raised his gaze.
Looking at his lady who wasn't answering, toward the changed Yuina.
Goto Isamu was always a man who wore a benevolent smile.
Yeon Seon-ye was also taken in by his impression, and he had an appearance that anyone would call a good person.
However, those glistening eyes were dyed with madness.
A crack had appeared in the mask he always wore.
"Then why, what are you hesitating for?"
Taking big strides, he approached Yuina and grabbed her collar.
"Do not forget. That wench is simply bowing her head to us because she covets money. Her innate nature is street trash. She is merely a lowly bitch."
"Isamu."
"Recall it, My Lady."
Isamu continued speaking, ignoring Yuina's words that tried to stop him.
"Kasugayama Rihito is a traitor."
Isamu said so, mentioning the name of the former head.
"Despite being the head, that man lived for the Amanabi family, not the Kasugayama family."
Strength went into the hand gripping Yuina's collar.
His widely opened eyes were completely filled with Yuina.
"He left the inheritance to his sister's daughter, not his own. Ignoring the fact that his own daughter was reaching out her hand to him."
He spoke as if exhaling a breath.
"He threw away everything of Kasugayama. The family, and his own daughter."
Yuina bit her lower lip at those words.
Yes, that was right.
The former head, Kasugayama Rihito, had abandoned Yuina.
Therefore, bringing down the Amanabi family was only natural.
Because she was merely reclaiming what she should have originally had, what she should have enjoyed.
However.
Yuina took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
The surroundings instantly became quiet.
Everyone watching the series of events held their breath and observed the situation.
Especially Ji-yeon, who would be acting with her in the future, grabbed her own sleeve without even realizing it.
Goto Isamu.
Lee Sang-soo's acting was truly astounding.
To the point where she wondered if she could act properly in front of him if they were to act together in the future.
"Isamu."
Yuina opened her mouth.
Unlike Yuina's always sharp voice, a small resignation was contained within it.
A voice that could no longer contain hatred like before.
"You're right. I've always only had things taken from me. This time, of all times, is the chance to reclaim what's mine."
Those muttered words seemed to be spoken to herself rather than to Isamu.
No, they were actually words spoken to herself.
Seo-yeon honestly couldn't understand the emotions at this time.
From her perspective, why Yuina, who had only been robbed of things, was resigning here.
Because she couldn't fully comprehend the reason she was swayed.
However, after hearing Yeo-hee's story, she came to understand it a little.
She hadn't resigned.
Nor had she given up.
She simply couldn't do it.
Because she knew what would happen through her actions.
Because she could clearly see someone getting hurt.
She wanted to hate, but she found herself unable to hate anymore.
"But."
Yuina tightly gripped her collar.
After meeting Yeon Seon-ye.
And, encountering Michiko time and time again through her.
"I don't think I can do it."
Looking at Isamu, Yuina smiled.
That was the first genuine smile from Yuina to appear in the story.
A very bitter one.
The smile of a woman who chose another's happiness over her own.
At that smile, Goto Isamu couldn't help but lose his words.