Silence flowed.
Arthur had a smiling face, but it would be more accurate to say it was frozen rather than smiling.
A face that hadn't properly registered what it had just heard.
The bodyguards beside him observed Arthur's mood, and the Korean actors were no different.
'Is she that close to Arthur Diaz?'
'If they were close, she wouldn't have refused him like that.'
'But didn't Arthur Diaz reach out to Joo Seo-yeon first?'
Who is he, Arthur Diaz.
Currently a rising star in Hollywood.
It is famous that renowned directors who know him by name alone have sent him countless love calls.
With a flawless personality and the ability to perfectly execute any acting role, he is an actor so perfect that he is called 'Mr. Perfect' among actors.
The fact that such an Arthur was appearing in a Korean drama was surprising enough, but....
'Is this okay?'
'The atmosphere...'
In the silence, Arthur's lips were seen trembling slightly.
His reaction was delayed because he hadn't expected to be openly rejected like this.
"You..."
It was when Arthur was about to say something.
"Friend~?!"
Jo Seo-hee, who arrived late after Arthur, said with sparkling eyes.
Actually, she had entered almost right after Arthur.
However, she went unnoticed because everyone's attention was focused on Arthur.
She was quietly coming in from afar, watching what Arthur and Joo Seo-yeon were talking about, when suddenly Seo-yeon said, 'This seat is for a friend!'
'Ah.'
Seo-yeon also belatedly discovered Seo-hee.
Probably because she was surrounded by other people, she was late to notice.
Since she had never directly called Seo-hee a 'friend' before, it was a slightly embarrassing situation.
"Heung, friend? Really? I'm your friend, right?"
"...Please don't keep asking that."
"We're friends, so why are you using formal language? Just speak comfortably. Say, Seo-hee-ah~."
Passing the frozen Arthur, Jo Seo-hee sat down confidently in the empty seat next to Seo-yeon and said so.
To think she would casually sit in the next seat like that.
Did she not hear the conversation between Arthur and Seo-yeon just now?
Anyway, with the situation turning out like this, it became harder for Arthur to bring up anything more.
"...Hmph."
Eventually, Arthur looked at the two girls for a moment before turning his back.
Only then did the surrounding actors let out a breath.
'What in the world is going on.'
'Joo Seo-yeon is one thing, but to think Jo Seo-hee would act like that.'
'Was she trying to protect actress Joo Seo-yeon from Arthur Diaz?'
'Seems like it.'
Jo Seo-hee had a wide network of connections throughout the entertainment industry.
In other words, unlike her appearance, she had a very sociable personality.
Since someone like her openly picked a fight with Arthur, people thought, 'She must have something in mind.'
Actually, Jo Seo-hee didn't have anything particular in mind.
The reason she acted like this today was purely because Seo-yeon called her a 'friend'.
"Say Seo-hee-ah for me."
"Absolutely not."
"Can't you at least drop the formalities?"
"No."
Seo-hee shrugged at Seo-yeon, who was speaking sullenly, perhaps feeling unnecessarily embarrassed.
It was a bit disappointing, but this side of Seo-yeon was something she couldn't see often, so it had a certain cuteness to it.
'I gained something right after coming to Korea.'
Jo Seo-hee belatedly realized that this gain originated from Arthur Diaz.
'Ah.'
Isn't this a big mistake?
With that thought, she took a glance at Arthur, but he wasn't giving any attention to Seo-hee and Seo-yeon.
However, he clearly didn't look like he was in a good mood.
'Heung.'
Looking at his face, Seo-hee narrowed her eyes.
'This might just be better.'
While she was soft toward Seo-yeon, Jo Seo-hee basically had a personality that matched her appearance.
Of course, that didn't mean her personality was bad.
But fundamentally, her disposition was similar to that of a noble young lady.
Especially to her enemies, she was nothing short of a villainess.
And, Arthur was an enemy to Jo Seo-hee.
To go back, when she was still in Japan.
It was the time when the last contact came from
Asking if she really wouldn't appear.
A time when she was agonizing over the request to appear together if possible.
Having already filmed a movie with Seo-yeon through
And, the day she made up her mind to inform the director of
[Hello, Tomie.]
"Were we close enough to call each other casually?"
[Ahaha, that's too much~. I was trying to tell you some good information. We can at least speak comfortably now, right?]
"That's because you..."
[You still can't speak comfortably with Seo-yeon, right? But I can.]
"...That's also just you speaking comfortably on your own."
Stella contacted her.
And with unexpected news, no less.
[Arthur Diaz will be participating in Mine.]
"Arthur Diaz? I heard the rumors, but is it confirmed?"
[Yeah, that's right. He'll participate. I worked hard to bring him in. His skills are certain... OTT drama? I think it'll be beneficial there.]
"Did you contact me just to tell me that?"
[Yeah, because I'm worried.]
Worried?
It was a word that didn't suit Stella at all.
Jo Seo-hee couldn't believe that Stella was genuinely worried about someone else.
Especially since she was already confused about whether the things Stella said to Seo-yeon before leaving for America were jokes or sincere.
[By luring Arthur so hard, he might end up developing ill feelings toward Seo-yeon for no reason.]
"Then it's your fault."
[But if I hadn't done that, he wouldn't have appeared.]
That was also true.
[So, I think it would be good if you were with her.]
"Me?"
[Yeah. You seem to have a lot of experience in this kind of thing. Seo-yeon probably doesn't know how to handle situations like this well.]
"That's..."
[And, you're Seo-yeon's friend, right? Wouldn't it be good to appear together?]
Friend, did it look like that?
Seo-hee's favorability toward Stella rose slightly.
"Ahem, right, a friend. Unlike you."
[Yeah, a friend unlike me. I probably belong somewhere similar to a friend.]
What, she knew?
As she quietly listened to Stella's words with a puzzled mind.
[But, I like this. More than a friend, this side... makes it easier to change the relationship, you see.]
"What?"
[Then, I'll leave it to you? If you're the one who made even Seo-yeon scream, Arthur Diaz should be simple.]
Stella hung up, leaving behind quite a meaningful remark.
And, the moment she hung up, Seo-hee expressed her intention to participate in
That was merely a week ago.
'I roughly heard about Arthur Diaz.'
About his personality and how he would act.
It was additionally conveyed through KakaoTalk.
So, pushing Arthur away to just this extent now was good.
Thinking that, Seo-hee turned her gaze, which had been directed at Arthur, straight ahead.
Because she saw a man walking out to the front of the gathered tables.
Han Ye-geon.
The director of
And beside him was Professor Kim Hong-baek of the Cheonghong Action School.
Since this film involved a lot of action, Professor Kim Hong-baek of the Cheonghong Action School had personally agreed to serve as an advisor.
"Ah, mic test."
Han Ye-geon grabbed the mic and roughly checked the volume level.
At the same time, he seemed to be estimating the number of people gathered in the venue.
Whether everyone had arrived, or if there were still some who hadn't.
'I heard about him, but he's young.'
Seo-yeon was inwardly surprised as she looked at him.
She had heard, but seeing him in person, he was even younger.
Thanks to Jo Seo-hee, who had been chattering beside her, suddenly quieting down, she could leisurely observe him.
Along with the woman sitting in the seat next to Seo-yeon.
She could feel the body of Narumi Sora, who had been silent from nervousness until now, stiffen even more.
It seemed that with the director coming forward, the reality of the filming starting soon had hit her.
In this
Especially for Sora, who had never appeared in a proper work before, this position would be twice as burdensome.
Right off the bat, the other Korean actors weren't sending friendly glances toward Sora.
Yes, just like.
"It's similar to the stares I got when I was called a parachute as a kid."
"Eok."
Seo-yeon, who had unintentionally muttered to herself, tilted her head when Seo-hee, sitting next to her, suddenly flinched.
"I wasn't talking to you, Seo-hee."
"...But I'm the subject of that remark."
"I don't care much about it anymore."
"You're saying you do care."
Anyway, Seo-yeon didn't like the looks directed at Narumi Sora.
Narumi Sora was an actress who was clearly selected through an audition.
Was it because she was a Japanese actress?
Or because her career was shallow?
Perhaps both applied.
However, Seo-yeon recognized that Narumi Sora was a remarkable enough actress.
Because as far as Seo-yeon knew, Narumi Sora was the person with the most outstanding physical abilities.
"Hello, I am Han Ye-geon, the director in charge of Mine."
While she was having those thoughts, Director Han Ye-geon opened his mouth.
In a considerably light tone.
Seo-yeon carefully observed Han Ye-geon standing in front.
Mid-to-late thirties?
Quite a young age for a director.
His stature was quite tall, looking over 180cm, and his hair was a bit long, tied back.
His impression was overall sharp, making her think he was a falcon-like person.
Dark circles peeked beneath his eyes, giving a strong feeling like that of an artist.
'Director Han Ye-geon is a director with a keen eye for direction. Some say the story is somewhat weak, but he is a director who overwhelms with direction and atmosphere. They said there's no one in Korea who uses CG as well as him.'
Recalling the information about Han Ye-geon floating around the internet, Seo-yeon quietly listened to his words.
"So to speak, it's something like a briefing. And I'm of the belief that it's good to see everyone's faces at least once before the script reading. Ah, I know some of you must have been busy, so I apologize for that."
Saying that, Han Ye-geon surveyed the cast present.
With the extras included, the number was considerable.
Roughly over a hundred people.
That would mean the GH Group was heavily investing in this drama.
"Our drama this time, Mine, is not a regular drama, but an OTT drama. Probably, there is no one here who has participated in an OTT drama yet. It's still unfamiliar in Korea."
A total of 6 episodes.
OTT dramas, which are often completed in 6 or 12 episodes, were unfamiliar to Korean actors.
Moreover, the amount of investment put into this drama was to the point where they couldn't understand it.
The only one who understood this situation was Seo-yeon.
Now, when
No, OTT dramas themselves hadn't yet become mainstream in the world.
"Our drama this time is aiming for overseas, not domestic. I would like you to keep that in mind. So we will have a lot of expectations, and of course, the filming might be tough."
Han Ye-geon calmly looked at Seo-yeon.
At his lead actress, who was not shaken at all in a situation where many were confused.
"As much as you have passed our strict standards, I think you will do well enough. Well, if it doesn't go well... we'll have to think about that then."
It sounded like a joke, but no one took it as one.
Often, when talking about Director Han Ye-geon, there is a phrase that comes up frequently.
'That director is a complete lunatic.'
'He suddenly changes the content like that?'
If he isn't satisfied with an actor's acting, or if they don't perform up to his satisfaction, Director Han Ye-geon doesn't hesitate to reduce their screen time and change the story.
So there were many cases where contractual problems arose.
Someone who was supposedly the lead had their importance reduced to a supporting role or less.
Maybe because of that, this time, the contract originally contained such a clause.
A clause stating that depending on the director's judgment, the importance or content may be changed midway.
An extremely unfair clause for the actors.
Even with that included, this many actors had gathered.
That was how powerful the GH Group was.
"Filming will begin in earnest next Monday."
After proceeding with the script reading, they were scheduled to go straight into filming.
At the quite tight schedule, the actors began to murmur.
"All filming will be finished before this year ends, and the goal is to release it next February or March."
So he intends to decide the outcome in just three months?
Everyone was at a loss for words.
Usually, they set a year for the work.
Depending on the case, it could be longer than that.
But three months.
An excessively short period.
No, finishing filming in such a short period? Does that make sense?
'No, it's not impossible.'
At the director's words, Jo Seo-hee stroked her chin.
If all the schedules were already out, it was possible.
The investment was certain, and OTT dramas didn't need to be coordinated with theaters.
Likewise, it had nothing to do with the broadcasting station's programming schedule.
Usually, the most time-consuming part was setting that schedule.
The problem was promotion.
'They're going to do promotion and production at the same time.'
Seo-hee finished her thoughts there and looked at Seo-yeon.
Somehow, it seemed Seo-yeon would become incredibly busy for the remaining two months.
***
"Mine? Three months? Haha, that guy. He must really be determined."
Baek Min, the director of
It was a rather cheerful laugh, unlike him.
Perhaps because all the filming was over, he too seemed relaxed.
"Ah, Miss Seo-yeon will be really busy. We're going into promotion soon too. We already made the PV, could you take a look at it later?"
"The PV is already out?"
Seo-yeon recently filmed the final scene of
The very last remaining scene.
The scene where Yuina lets go of Yeon-seon-ye.
It was essentially the scene where Yuina leaves Korea and bids farewell.
'What could have happened during that time.'
Director Baek Min thought as he looked at Seo-yeon.
Seo-yeon was weak at romantic acting.
She was just covering it up with various methods.
However, as her acting piled up, flesh was being added to that 'affection' acting.
Like a girl slowly getting to know that emotion.
Especially her last acting was more sorrowful and desperate than any acting she had shown in
"Ah, and I saw the Viol ad. Miss Seo-yeon, you really looked like a different person."
"I-is that so."
Seo-yeon smiled awkwardly.
Everyone said similar things after seeing the Viol ad.
That they didn't know if it was the same person.
Of course, Seo-yeon thought it was about that level, though.
"It's different, Joo Seo-yeon. I said it's completely different?"
"It is?"
"Yeah! So something happened, right? It's suspicious."
Lee Ji-yeon had been constantly pressing Seo-yeon.
Was this kid always this persistent, she thought, when.
Vrrr.
'Hmm?'
Suddenly, Seo-yeon's phone rang.
Wondering what it was, Seo-yeon inadvertently looked at the screen and narrowed her eyes.
"Why? Who is it? Is it Jung-woo sunbae?"
"Why are you bringing up sunbae?"
"...Hmm. It's not?"
She'd felt it lately, but ever since Stella, Lee Ji-yeon had been showing particular wariness regarding her human relationships.
Until now, she had mostly reacted nonchalantly no matter who Seo-yeon met, but lately, it felt a bit different.
'Anyway.'
Seo-yeon looked down at the screen again.
It wasn't anything special.
It was just a message from Pyo Ji-woo after a long time.
The content was roughly a KakaoTalk asking if she would come, as they were going to meet the people who did the play
It could be said it was something like an end-of-year get-together.
Well, there was still a little time left until the end of the year.
Of course, what caught Seo-yeon's attention wasn't the content of the message.
'The profile picture changed.'
Pyo Ji-woo's profile picture showed two people.
One was Pyo Ji-woo, smiling brightly.
And a man with his arm around Pyo Ji-woo's shoulder.
His face was covered with sunglasses and a mask, but Seo-yeon could guess who that man was.
Row of JustX.
At the end of this year.
The person running the club 'Shine Moon' where the incident would occur.