NOVEL NEXT Chapter 160
“Indeed, was there such a circumstance?”
It was oddly amusing how one’s treatment felt harsh, but the important thing was that it didn’t matter.
Today’s goal, after all, was to discuss the [Gyeongseong Young Lady] matter with actor Lee Sang-soo.
Sudden departures of actors were quite common occurrences.
It often caused delays in production as well.
However, if you were in a position like Director Baek Min, where finding an actor fast wasn’t possible, it could become quite a critical issue.
“Director Baek is originally a bit picky.”
When Lee Sang-soo heard our conversation, he nodded his head.
It was an awkward thing to say from the perspective of someone asking for a favor, but ultimately, Baek Min had to give the okay sign after watching Lee Sang-soo’s acting before shooting could commence.
Even in a situation where it was difficult to find suitable actors.
“He’s stubborn. Of course, I don’t see it negatively. Being a young director, it’s good to have a bit of stubbornness. Too much consideration for actors isn’t great either, you know.”
Of course, only to a reasonable extent.
Director Baek was incredibly good at maintaining that boundary.
‘However.’
Lee Sang-soo felt a peculiar emotion at Seo-yeon’s proposal.
Perhaps it was a vague premonition that such an event would occur someday.
‘An actor who would call me back into the film industry.’
Honestly, Lee Sang-soo had yet to recover from the shock of going overseas.
Seeing Lee Sang-soo’s expression, actor Song Kwang-min soon sighed.
He could roughly guess what Lee Sang-soo was thinking.
“Seo-yeon, it’s quite rude to casually ask a senior actor for such a role.”
Of course, Seo-yeon was aware of that.
It felt like forcing an abandoned role onto Lee Sang-soo.
Even if she wondered if he could help, the receiving side might feel that way.
Especially when the role wasn’t even tempting and had an uncertain future.
Moreover, it was the main antagonist.
The main antagonist of the story.
If Seo-yeon had learned something while shooting [The Chaser], it was the importance of antagonists.
In dramas and movies.
The appeal of the antagonist’s design influences the immersion in the piece.
That’s why Seo-yeon received such rave reviews as “Cha Seo-ah.”
So, the antagonist was important.
Of course, in [Gyeongseong Young Lady], Seo-yeon was also a character close to being an antagonist.
But not a complete antagonist.
There was someone who manipulated her, and that person could be considered the main villain of [Gyeongseong Young Lady].
Koto Isamu.
That was the mastermind behind everything in [Gyeongseong Young Lady].
“Alright, Seo-yeon, apologize to actor Lee Sang-soo, and let’s go fishing.”
Actor Song Kwang-min casually threw out those words with a smile.
Of course, it wasn’t a genuine apology but an attempt to shift the mood appropriately.
‘Is that okay?’
Ji-yeon honestly found it hard to say anything.
After all, both Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon were inexperienced compared to Lee Sang-soo or Song Kwang-min.
Whether it was okay to speak out more here.
Or to cling a little more was something she hesitated over.
From Ji-yeon’s perspective, she was even more bewildered that Seo-yeon had pulled the situation like a bull in a china shop.
Honestly, she thought she would ask more cautiously.
Or at least, in a more discreet manner.
But who would have thought she would lay out her circumstances bluntly at a fishing spot?
‘Actor Lee Sang-soo is…’
But Seo-yeon knew.
Actor Lee Sang-soo was still dreaming.
He just hadn’t had anyone to nudge him along.
Seo-yeon knew this because of the last interview Lee Sang-soo gave when he decided to retire a few years later.
“It’s not a sudden retirement; I wouldn’t say that.”
With a bitter smile, actor Lee Sang-soo said that.
“I was just a coward. How many years did I take a break? Almost five? No, seven years? I took a really long break.”
He counted the years on his fingers one by one.
“During such a long time, I was a burden to those around me. To those who waited for me to gather my heart and hoped that I would return to the film industry someday.”
Actor Lee Sang-soo said he was a lucky person.
There were always fans who waited for him to come back.
And there were actors who believed in him.
But they all just waited.
“It’s a silly thing to say.”
Actor Lee Sang-soo continued.
“What if there had been someone back then who forcefully dragged me back into the game? A somewhat selfish person who acted on their own? What would it have been like? I think of that.”
A coward.
Actor Lee Sang-soo called himself a coward.
Because of one great failure, he became unable to walk on his own.
He became too old and fearful of challenges.
The reckless spirit of his youth had faded, and he just rotted away like an old man in his room.
“But, I know that it couldn’t have been like that. So, I will retire without regrets now.”
He chuckled, and actor Lee Sang-soo laughed.
Seo-yeon couldn’t discern the meaning behind his smile back then.
He was such an excellent actor that he might have been acting even then.
In fact, the article published after the interview read:
[Lee Sang-soo’s Bright Smile After Pouring It All Out]
It was written like that.
He retired with a clear heart after letting go of all regrets.
It was just written that way.
‘No.’
But Seo-yeon knows.
Now that she has learned about emotions, she can’t help but know.
What her past self saw.
Seo-yeon had watched many people to mimic emotions.
She had seen many works.
Among those, there were several featuring actor Lee Sang-soo.
Because she didn’t understand emotions, there were things she could see that she couldn’t empathize with in that smile.
Truly, someone who has poured everything out wouldn’t smile like that.
Regrets remained until the moment of retirement.
‘This is.’
Beyond the work [Gyeongseong Young Lady], this was a role that Seo-yeon genuinely wanted to offer to actor Lee Sang-soo.
Though they had met through a variety show, perhaps because of this unforgettable memory, his interview resurfaced more vividly.
She wasn’t sure, but.
This was a role that could help fulfill his lingering regrets.
“I’m telling you, Seo-yeon.”
“Yes.”
“You understand my circumstances, right?”
“Yes, I understand.”
The sudden words from actor Lee Sang-soo made Song Kwang-min freeze.
It seemed he didn’t expect actor Lee Sang-soo to respond so seriously.
“I also know you won’t reject me.”
At Seo-yeon’s words, actor Lee Sang-soo burst into laughter.
“You have quite the intuition. Yes, I will not decline.”
“Really?!”
But it was Song Kwang-min who was more surprised.
Ji-yeon’s eyes widened too.
Indeed, just looking at actor Lee Sang-soo’s face a moment ago, it looked like he would decline at any moment.
‘Initially, after accepting this fishing invite, he probably never thought to decline.’
Seo-yeon had guessed the answer already.
To begin with, Seo-yeon had called actor Lee Sang-soo, expressing that she wanted to meet not just for fishing but to discuss a role.
An actor like Lee Sang-soo would know Seo-yeon’s true intentions for inviting him.
But at this fishing event, actor Lee Sang-soo had no thoughts of rejection.
If he had disliked it, he wouldn’t have set an appointment with Seo-yeon when she called in the first place.
“Instead.”
As he was smiling heartily, actor Lee Sang-soo looked at Seo-yeon with serious eyes and said.
“When I act, I’d like you to accept it.”
“Yes?”
“Well, the vacant role is quite closely linked to you.”
In accordance with those words, the vacant role of Koto Isamu, was the butler to Yuina Kasugayama, whom Seo-yeon played.
To be precise, it was closer to that of a housemaid.
So he was the one who guided Yuina to steer situations.
“Director Baek said he would decide after watching the performance.”
What actor Lee Sang-soo meant was this.
That he wanted Seo-yeon to be the one to accept him for his performance.
An audition-like audition.
He wanted to leave that to Seo-yeon.
That utterance shocked both Song Kwang-min and Ji-yeon.
They never expected elder actor Lee Sang-soo to say something like this to Seo-yeon.
With such words, Seo-yeon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It seemed like they were not entirely devoid of a smile.
Or maybe it was a look of some expectation.
“Yes, I will let Director Baek know.”
With that calm response.
Actor Lee Sang-soo slowly nodded.
‘By then, you will understand.’
Director Baek.
His movies often received higher accolades abroad than domestically.
Of course, he had heard rumors about [Gyeongseong Young Lady].
This industry was exceedingly small.
Elder actor Lee Sang-soo had undoubtedly heard many conversations.
There were a few about director Baek’s movies, where investors quickly made decisions.
There were also talks about a same-sex film featuring prominent young actresses like Jo Seo-hee and Joo Seo-yeon.
Though it would be difficult to receive appropriate evaluations in the country,
The movie was aimed at the overseas market.
‘Overseas.’
That was a dream he had harbored since his younger days.
Perhaps this could be a second chance for him to chase that dream.
“Oh, of course, first send me the script. I need to see it before deciding.”
Although this was when he could spark the dwindling embers of acting in his heart.
Indeed, the passion that remained inside him had turned to mere ashes by now.
*
As actor Lee Sang-soo accepted Seo-yeon’s proposal, naturally, director Baek Min was also quite surprised.
He had thought it could be quite rude to approach him like that.
However, what he asked for was merely to name Seo-yeon as the partner for his acting.
As if he believed such a test was something to be expected.
“First, I will inform you as soon as the date is set.”
Director Baek was remarkably cautious.
He didn’t show joy even as actor Lee Sang-soo agreed to appear in his movie.
Probably because he was aware that actor Lee Sang-soo had a considerable gap in his acting career.
‘There are rumors he lost passion after failing in Hollywood.’
He seemed to believe that there was a possibility he might just give a half-hearted performance.
Seo-yeon didn’t think badly of director Baek’s attitude either.
Because movies are not solely made by one person.
“Seo-yeon, next time, should you tell your manager sister about this too?”
“Yes.”
Of course, for her manager Park Eun-ha, it was something that could cause a shock.
While she knew Seo-yeon had some acquaintances among other actors, she never imagined she would become so close to actor Lee Sang-soo.
Moreover, for this casting of actor Lee Sang-soo, Seo-yeon would have to act with him.
‘Isn’t that burdensome?’
Instead, manager Park Eun-ha was on the verge of losing her color.
Actor Lee Sang-soo was one of the top actors in South Korea.
If that actor pointed to her as a partner in this audition, she might not get a wink of sleep due to the pressure.
But now, what was Seo-yeon doing?
‘Listening to music?’
She was nodding her head with her earphones in, displaying a satisfied expression.
“What are you listening to?”
“Yes? Ah, today the [Sky Garden] preview is being released.”
“Oh, right?”
Of course, Park Eun-ha had already seen that preview.
The completed work had been sent by the production team.
The video was excellent.
Unlike the recent appearances of Seo-yeon in variety shows, it captured the sharp essence of Seo-yeon after quite some time.
“The song that’s embedded in it is nice; is it the one worked on with Summer Girl?”
Upon hearing Park Eun-ha’s words, Seo-yeon’s mouth did a peculiar twitch.
‘Huh?’
In the past, Park Eun-ha wouldn’t have been able to properly recognize Seo-yeon’s expression, but now it was different.
Looking closely, there was no other person whose expressions were as easy to read as Seo-yeon.
That was a face that seemed to imply she had something to brag about.
“…Don’t tell me, that song.”
“Yes, I sang it.”
“Really?!”
Park Eun-ha was genuinely surprised.
She knew Seo-yeon’s singing ability had been steadily improving.
But had it grown this much?
She was aware that Seo-yeon participated in the [Sky Garden] OST.
But this song didn’t seem to match her at all.
“Magical Love, my unni Na-hee helped me a lot.”
Seo-yeon shrugged her shoulders as she said.
She was no longer the awkward girl who sang clumsily in [Dream Future].
Even the main vocalist of Summer Girl, Cha Na-hee, had given a thumbs up.
‘I want to brag about it quickly.’
Once the preview comes out today, I have to tell everyone.
With that thought, Seo-yeon headed towards KMB.
Before the release of today’s preview, the main PD of [Sky Garden], Lee Min-hwa, had mentioned there was something she wanted to say.
And.
“Would you not want to keep it a secret that the song included in this preview is sung by Seo-yeon?”
“…What?”
This was an utterly unforeseen proposal.