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[The three ladies who took over the entire end-of-year box office.]
*Miss Gyeongseong*, whose domestic audience numbers had slightly stalled, was recently trending upward again due to the buzz in Japan.
Of course, it was also thanks to Seo-hee and Ji-yeon, who took charge of domestic promotions in place of Seo-yeon handling the Japanese promotions, working hard to promote it.
Thus, the people involved in *Miss Gyeongseong* smiled brightly, but not everyone was smiling.
For example, *Geukammudo*, which ambitiously premiered around the same time.
It was an 'anti-Japanese film' that could definitely gather a certain number of audiences.
It happened to be set in the same Japanese colonial era as *Miss Gyeongseong*, and the lead was none other than actor Kang Seo-hyeok.
After actor Lee Sang-soo went into hiding, Kang Seo-hyeok was an actor who took over the roles Lee originally would have played and made a name for himself.
He was originally supposed to play Goto Isamu in *Miss Gyeongseong*, but he chose the more commercial *Geukammudo*.
"Hah, 3 million."
"It's not a flop, right? A flop."
"People are talking about whether we'll even break even, and you're saying it's not a flop?"
"Shush, Actor Kang Seo-hyeok will hear you."
"Ah."
A drinking session with the actors who appeared in *Geukammudo*.
Kang Seo-hyeok listened to the actors' words and gripped his glass tightly.
The other actors flinched at his action.
It was inevitable.
The spot of actor Lee Sang-soo, who was currently the talk of the town, originally belonged to Kang Seo-hyeok.
All the popularity he was getting right now should have been his to enjoy.
The revival of an actor they thought was a has-been.
On the other hand, what about himself?
'Ah, so he had such a secret weapon.'
During the previous Japanese shoot, Kang Seo-hyeok visited the set of *Miss Gyeongseong*.
The subtle atmosphere he felt at that time.
Probably, it was to hide actor Lee Sang-soo.
And.
'Rising star, Joo Seo-yeon.'
A rising star in the industry.
If one were to name the most radiant actress this year, she would definitely be the one.
Getting a hot response in Japan?
That doesn't matter at all.
Kang Seo-hyeok recalled Joo Seo-yeon, whom he had bumped into then.
The look in her eyes as she stared intently at him.
'It's infuriating.'
He, Kang Seo-hyeok, had been completely defeated, by no one else.
Because of a lack of acting skills?
Lee Sang-soo's acting was great, but he didn't think his acting was inferior to his.
Or was *Geukammudo* that poorly made of a movie?
That's not it.
Even if it's average, it's not a worthless movie.
Then why?
'The power of an actor.'
Aggro, so to speak.
A certain actor pulled it to an absurd degree.
So that the public's gaze had no choice but to turn to *Miss Gyeongseong*.
Joo Seo-yeon lived a really busy year, gathering people's attention in various ways.
That influence reached *Miss Gyeongseong* intact.
Originally, *Miss Gyeongseong* was not a movie that would receive this much attention.
If it had opened normally, maybe 5 million?
That would have been the Maginot Line.
But now, even if slow, it was gradually approaching 10 million.
Considering the Japanese audience numbers, it was virtually the same as achieving over 10 million.
Because there had never been a Korean movie that was this big of a hit in Japan.
It was generating buzz so massive that an ordinary 10-million movie couldn't even hold a candle to it.
The name value of the actors who appeared in it would also be incomparable to before.
Especially the three leading ladies.
"……Joo Seo-yeon."
For the first time in a while, a flame burned in Kang Seo-hyeok's eyes.
A great actor.
He was the one who had obtained that title, which only the top few actors in South Korea could attain.
For such a person like himself to lose to a newly rising star.
He could choose to go along with it, but he didn't want to.
He only had the desire to definitely get revenge for this humiliation.
"You said you're appearing in Director Jo Bang-woo's movie."
Coincidentally, there was a script that came in around the same time.
A movie that would overlap with the release date of Director Jo Bang-woo's movie.
He intended to challenge her to a match once again then.
With the resolve to never lose next time.
***
Arthur Diaz found the current situation quite absurd.
The filming of *Mine* proceeded relatively peacefully, and was quite smooth without any major trouble.
The problem was the protagonist, Joo Seo-yeon.
She said she was going to Japan for a short while to promote *Miss Gyeongseong*, and she was literally bringing a storm with her.
To the point where even Narumi Sora, who was scheduled to film today, was dragged into the impact.
"Sora, did you see the reactions? They're looking for you a lot in Japan?"
"I, I saw. But…… honestly, I can't believe it."
A person's life can change overnight, but this was too sudden.
Besides, Sora hadn't even done anything.
It was because of Seo-yeon's performance that Sora was dragged along as well.
Therefore, the people who participated in the audition for *Mine* were also checking the internet reactions for themselves.
Wondering if they might have also become some kind of issue like Narumi Sora.
'If I knew this would happen, I would have tried to take on Actor Joo Seo-yeon too!'
Most of them didn't even dare to try, so they didn't have any scenes with Seo-yeon.
The only one who got a little bit of talk was Han So-yu, who competed in the preliminaries.
And Min Do-ha, who was chased around by Seo-yeon the whole time.
"Do-ha, they're calling you Initial D Girl in Japan? What does that mean?"
"W, well. Ahaha……."
"Being called Initial D Girl makes you sound like a big deal."
Park Dae-hyeok, a supporting actor participating in *Mine* this time, gave Min Do-ha a thumbs up.
Min Do-ha couldn't be called the lead, but she still had the weight of at least the queen of supporting roles.
Moreover, since she seemed to be friends with Seo-yeon, who kept skyrocketing recently, he wanted to get close to her.
'I need to somehow make up for what happened with that bastard Sim Cheong-seok.'
For him, who had picked a fight with Sim Cheong-seok for no reason and left a bad impression on Seo-yeon, every day was agonizing.
As Seo-yeon's recognition rose, he felt parched for no reason.
'It's because of that bastard Kang Se-hyun!'
Because he pointlessly picked a fight with Sim Cheong-seok, who was friends with Joo Seo-yeon, his days were a path of thorns.
Anyway, Park Dae-hyeok appealed his friendliness to Min Do-ha as much as possible, but.
'This is for real.'
Min Do-ha smiled awkwardly at Park Dae-hyeok, but inside, she was boiling with anger.
'That's a racing game. If you don't know, just shut up.'
From a famous racing game in Japan, the 'D' was taken from Do-ha's English spelling, making her 'Initial D Girl'.
The reason goes without saying.
Min Do-ha's screaming voice as she ran away from Seo-yeon…… the rest is omitted.
Anyway, because of that, even though her recognition increased, Min Do-ha was put in a position where she could never be happy about it.
What if she went to a Japanese event like this.
"Do-ha, try doing that. That."
"Yes? ……Again?"
"Yes, hurry. Hurry."
And herself screaming, and people bursting into laughter.
Herself smiling awkwardly.
Min Do-ha, imagining such things, shook her head vigorously.
It was a living nightmare.
'I, I have to somehow make up for this supercar image in this drama.'
In a way, she had the same worry as Seo-yeon, who was the culprit of that meme.
Of course, Min Do-ha would never accept that.
As Min Do-ha unexpectedly burned with motivation.
"One actor is influencing the whole set, Arthur."
Arthur frowned at Oliver's words.
With this situation, the attention that would have been focused on Arthur was now directed at Seo-yeon.
It wasn't a situation he liked very much.
Arthur wasn't particularly bothered by the Japanese reaction, but he wasn't very pleased that the attention focused on him was being stolen.
'……But it's not like she rose simply by luck.'
Arthur also saw *Miss Gyeongseong* recently.
Joo Seo-yeon in that movie was different from the Seo-yeon he had seen on set.
Seo-yeon often showed a somewhat 4th-dimensional side here, but the Seo-yeon in *Miss Gyeongseong*.
Yuina felt completely different.
'Stella didn't say that for nothing.'
Seo-yeon, who shared a scene with Stella at the auction house, didn't fall behind Stella at all.
Stella expressed that she had lost.
Just as she said, in that scene, Yuina, played by Seo-yeon, had a stronger presence than Rosalyn, the role played by Stella.
Of course, Rosalyn was just a cameo.
Or a minor role, so it was a fight she was bound to be at a disadvantage in.
But Stella was Stella.
A person who could transcend the limits of her role by her very existence.
Arthur disliked Stella, but he didn't deny her skills as an actress.
She was a genius.
Unlike himself, who was merely a flame, she was a real 'star'.
'And yet, she won.'
He let out a smirk without realizing it.
Looking at Seo-yeon, who had just arrived on set and was bowing her head repeatedly, he felt strength entering his hands.
Until now, he had only thought of her as 'at best, a rookie actress hyped up in a small country'. Just to that extent.
……Of course, after acting with her, his thoughts changed a little, but it was just to that extent.
Honestly, he had been looking down on her.
"Anyway, it seems I'm lacking when it comes to action acting, Oliver."
"Arthur?"
"I'll handle the basic action and the scenes where it makes sense for me to appear. But I won't push beyond that."
Saying he wouldn't push himself to do action acting.
It meant he would focus solely on his own acting.
At the same time, it meant he was lacking compared to Seo-yeon, who performed action acting, and this was also an admission of Seo-yeon's skill.
Saying that when it came to action acting, she was much better than him.
'It seems seeing *Miss Gyeongseong* changed his mind a lot.'
Looking at his friend who had finally gotten serious, Oliver nodded.
And slowly, he stretched his body.
'……Feels like I've become a hero fighting a monster.'
Thinking that, Oliver laughed heartily.
Until now, Arthur had taken charge of the action acting.
Even though he was by his side.
He surely wanted to compete with Seo-yeon in action acting and win.
But now, he cleanly admitted his own shortcomings.
It meant they had decided to perfectly divide the roles, just like when filming in Hollywood.
Oliver's once gentle eyes flashed sharply.
Because he, too, didn't want to lose on his home ground.
***
"Seo-yeon, you don't have any other separate schedules now, right?"
"Yes. As far as I know, I don't."
"If the lead, Seo-yeon, isn't here, we'll be in trouble too. Anyway, this is a great boon for *Mine* this time, so it's fine."
Seo-yeon nodded at Director Han Ye-geon's words.
Honestly, the current situation was just baffling to Seo-yeon.
Who would have thought that *Mine* would become a hot topic because of *Miss Gyeongseong*.
If it gets hot in Japan, Korea is naturally affected as well.
*Hyper Action Star* came up in people's mouths again, and naturally, the expectations for *Mine* grew.
'The atmosphere on set is really good, too.'
Han Ye-geon was very satisfied with the atmosphere on set.
It was only natural.
As with all movies and dramas, riding the word-of-mouth wave is the hardest part.
It was already riding the word-of-mouth wave.
A situation where people are paying attention is something that doesn't normally happen.
Literally, all they had to do was pick up a spoon to a prepared meal.
So, it was natural for the actors to be full of motivation.
Because no one would want to miss an opportunity that had come.
"If expectations are high, the expected value for the movie rises that much as well."
"Yes."
"Especially since you've shown a lot so far, Seo-yeon. Because you've shown a lot, it'll be even higher."
Action.
Seeing Seo-yeon's performance on variety shows, many people would be expecting Seo-yeon's outstanding physical abilities and action.
"So, I'm also planning to look at it strictly. It would be good if you keep this in mind."
"Yes, I understand."
Seo-yeon nodded at Han Ye-geon's serious words.
Hearing that Han Ye-geon, who was already strict, would be looking at it strictly, Seo-yeon couldn't help but feel nervous inside.
'It feels like things have gotten really big.'
Honestly, Seo-yeon was flustered by the buzz in Japan, but she was still just happy.
Truly fortunately!
Because her image was well-protected and didn't get ruined like in Korea.
"Now then, let's begin!"
Han Ye-geon shouted to the actors and staff on set.
From now on, 80% of all the filming would be action scenes.
The 20% without action was the peaceful school life of the protagonist, 'Jin Yeon-seo'.
And the things Jin Yeon-seo learned about what a 'normal girl' was through her adoptive parents.
Once past that, the confrontation between Jin Yeon-seo and the 'Research Institute' would become the main content.
'Today's filming scene is the first engagement.'
The protagonist, Jin Yeon-seo, had forgotten about the Research Institute and was continuing her peaceful school life.
Just as her parents said, she didn't show any special appearances and lived normally.
'I don't know what Yeon-seo went through, but you have to endure it.'
Her parents had said that.
Once you make an enemy, they will endlessly come looking for you.
Yeon-seo liked this peace, so she said she would.
'But.'
Meanwhile, Yeon-seo met a girl at the academy.
She was 'Shin Ah-rin'.
With her earnest impression, she quickly became friends with Yeon-seo at the academy.
And they became close enough to go home together after academy.
"After school, Yeon-seo is attacked."
Han Ye-geon said.
Looking at Sora, whose face was tense.
"At this time, for Shin Ah-rin, please act as if you're flustered but your eyes are checking on Yeon-seo. You have to show through minor actions that there is something about her."
Narumi Sora nodded.
Secretly expressing something wasn't as easy as it sounded.
"And this time, the attacker is Adam Lowell. So, Actor Arthur was originally going to act, but."
Han Ye-geon said while looking at Oliver next to Arthur.
"Whatever I can do, Oliver can do too. Even if you matched the timing with me, Oliver will do it the same way, so you don't need to worry."
"……Is that so."
Even so, it seemed like it would be different from matching the timing together.
Han Ye-geon nodded after saying that.
Anyway, if they tried it once and it didn't fit, they could just give them some time to match the timing.
"At this time, Adam Lowell is hiding his identity, so he shouldn't spit out any lines and must act only with his eyes. Arthur, you will film this part separately, right?"
"Yes, Oliver will do the action. I will do the other scenes."
"Good."
Editing might become a bit tricky, but this was his job anyway.
Han Ye-geon thought so and looked at Seo-yeon, who was wearing a school uniform.
She was slowly stretching and looking at Oliver.
'It'll be fun.'
Seo-yeon didn't have much experience with action acting yet.
Especially matching the timing like this was her first time.
Above all, doing it with someone as special as Oliver was a first, so she was secretly looking forward to it.
The stunt double cherished by Arthur, who was considered a rising star among the many actors in Hollywood.
A skilled man whom he would call 'the real deal'.
Because she was very curious about what Oliver's skills would be like.