NOVEL NEXT Chapter 253
“Seoul Escape” is basically a movie with action in it.
However, there aren’t really any scenes where they just fight wildly.
People who died from a gas leak attack like zombies, but there are no scenes of fighting against them.
Mostly just avoiding, running away, and hiding.
Reaching the goal and escaping like that is essentially the ultimate purpose of this movie.
The protagonists aren’t the type to run around solving incidents.
So there’s not much solemnity either.
The fate of the world doesn’t rest on them, nor does it.
After all, the military and police end up solving the incident.
“But, in the end, that running-away action is important.”
So, does that mean the protagonists do nothing? Absolutely not.
They help countless people escape by assisting those around them.
They fully show the heroic side of what they can do as citizens.
The driving force behind what the protagonists can do is climbing.
That is, scaling walls.
At the same time, there are also scenes where parkour is applied.
Seo-yeon also had no resistance to such action.
It would’ve been troublesome if there were scenes of fighting zombies, though.
The reason “Seoul Escape” didn’t hesitate was because there wasn’t much fighting action.
After all, fighting action will be pouring out in the upcoming movie “Mine.”
“How is it, Seo-yeon? Are you okay?”
Director Jo Bang-woo asked Seo-yeon seriously.
If Seo-yeon said no, they could just do a separate test.
There was no need to accept Hwang Min-hwa’s offer.
‘This is awkward.’
Seo-yeon’s awkward smile wasn’t for no reason.
‘How far do I have to climb?’
That was the concern.
Climbing quickly is possible.
Honestly, without even crawling, just jumping might reach that far.
So the problem is how fast and how to climb.
‘Would beating Hwang Min-hwa be enough?’
I don’t even know how good Hwang Min-hwa is.
Seeing her so confident, she might be at a pro level.
On top of that, Seo-yeon has been worrying about her image lately.
If footage of her flying around here gets out, it’ll be a problem.
‘The bear-riding scene hasn’t even aired yet.’
Then Seo-yeon’s image would spiral out of control again.
Just look at the post on Joo Seo-yeon’s fan cafe yesterday……
==
Post: Breaking) Joo Seo-yeon dispatched to North Korea by the NIS ㄷㄷㄷㄷ
So what’s the title of Joo Seo-yeon’s next movie??
Replies:
– I thought unification was finally happening
– The chance to avoid the military just flew away
– Gyeongseong Young Lady
– So who’s stronger, Joo Seo-yeon or the Taepodong missile?
==
……Those kinds of comments are still popping up.
Thanks to her recent efforts in “Magical Girl Harara,” it’s only gotten to this point.
And it’s not just Seo-yeon’s fans or viewers.
Seo-yeon glanced at Park Jung-woo.
‘I should care about my image around others too.’
Sometimes she wonders.
What does Park Jung-woo even think of her?
Sometimes when playing games, Park Jung-woo seriously asks things like:
[Can you beat Eun Ga-nu in his prime?]
[Who’s Eun Ga-nu?]
[A martial artist.]
[….]
Well, I guess I could beat him.
Eun Ga-nu probably isn’t stronger than a bear.
But, is that even the right question?
The real problem is that he’s not joking but genuinely curious.
‘He wasn’t like this when we met in “Past Memories.”‘
Back then, he was cuter, wasn’t he?
He couldn’t even make eye contact, and his voice trembled—it’s still vivid in my memory.
‘It was similar during the recent ad shoot too.’
What’s the difference between Princess Yeonhwa Joo Seo-yeon and just Joo Seo-yeon?
Seo-yeon got annoyed for no reason.
Of course, Seo-yeon isn’t just watching Park Jung-woo’s reactions.
But it’s not just him who sees her that way, right?
‘The variety show PDs are a bit suspicious too.’
So, Director Jo Bang-woo’s gaze felt refreshing for the first time in a while.
A gaze worried about Seo-yeon competing against Hwang Min-hwa.
To him, Seo-yeon is the young Princess Yeonhwa from 10 years ago, no matter what she’s done since.
Seo-yeon didn’t want to ruin that image!
No, there should be at least one person who sees her that way.
‘Here, it’s one by one…….’
Seo-yeon knew herself—if she competed here, she’d definitely climb up excitedly.
Then Park Jung-woo would probably say something like:
“Climbing the wall looks just like a cockroach.”
“…….”
“Must be the hair. That shiny black hair is just like……”
“…….”
He might not go that far, but the possibility is definitely there.
Knowing that, Seo-yeon couldn’t help but hesitate.
So…….
“Oh my, are you not confident?”
“Yes, let’s give it a try.”
Seo-yeon accepted Hwang Min-hwa’s challenge.
***
“Hey, Park Jung-woo.”
Director Jo Bang-woo called Park Jung-woo in a low voice.
“Yes?”
“Is Joo Seo-yeon overdoing it?”
“Huh??”
Park Jung-woo looked at Seo-yeon, who was casually touching the climbing wall.
Overdoing it?
Well, if you insist, it’s not entirely wrong.
Not Seo-yeon, but the wall seems to be overdoing it.
“I’ve heard Joo Seo-yeon is good at sports, but there’s also the height difference.”
“It’s fine.”
“Hmm. You’re quite something. You’re so cold to Joo Seo-yeon sometimes. A man shouldn’t be like that.”
“……”
“Joo Seo-yeon must feel so awkward. Hwang Min-hwa is good at action and sports among actresses, and being compared next to her…….”
Park Jung-woo felt genuinely wronged.
How am I supposed to worry about Joo Seo-yeon here?
It seems Director Jo Bang-woo sees Seo-yeon as the endlessly fragile young Princess Yeonhwa.
Park Jung-woo thought.
I need to correct Director Jo Bang-woo’s perception.
Joo Seo-yeon isn’t just climbing that wall—she could break it.
“Director. Joo Seo-yeon is……”
Park Jung-woo stopped there.
Because Seo-yeon was staring right at him.
With glowing red eyes, no less.
“……She does have a bit of a fragile side. I’m starting to worry a little too.”
Mainly about my life.
Park Jung-woo smirked at Seo-yeon.
Seo-yeon finally looked away at Park Jung-woo’s smile.
‘Could she have heard our conversation?’
It’s unlikely, but with Seo-yeon, it’s possible.
“This is just a test, so no need to focus too much on winning or losing.”
At the staff’s words, the three actresses nodded.
Yes, three actresses.
‘Why am I here?’
Joo Seo-yeon, Hwang Min-hwa, and the actress paired with them, Kim Si-yu, really wanted to go home.
Stuck together because they couldn’t leave the two competing.
Why, though.
“Then we’ll begin. Ready…….”
The three actresses stiffened with tension as they looked at the wall.
Of course, Hwang Min-hwa was relatively relaxed.
‘I’ll climb up moderately and watch the others climb.’
She didn’t even consider losing.
Only amateurs would fall for Seo-yeon’s variety show image.
She’s known to be good at sports, but Hwang Min-hwa knows many who aren’t.
And look at Seo-yeon’s appearance.
Honestly, her delicate, pure looks are unmatched.
“Start!!”
At the staff’s shout, Hwang Min-hwa reached out powerfully toward the hold.
A hold refers to the protruding rocks on the climbing wall.
The moment she grabbed it and pulled her body up.
Crack.
A strange sound came from the side.
Turning her head, she saw fragments of the hold in Seo-yeon’s hand.
Seo-yeon, unusually flustered, glanced at Director Jo Bang-woo.
‘Hmph, bad luck.’
For such a sturdy hold to break? How unlucky can you…….
‘But why did the hold break?’
That thing is really sturdy and doesn’t break easily, so?
Hwang Min-hwa stopped climbing and glanced to the side for a moment.
She noticed Seo-yeon starting to climb up belatedly.
‘What, what? Why is she so fast?’
Even though the holds were clearly broken, slowing her down, Seo-yeon quickly reached a position similar to Hwang Min-hwa’s.
In fact, it was less like climbing the wall and more like grabbing the holds and flying up in one swift motion.
But.
*Clunk.*
“……!!”
Seo-yeon felt it the moment she climbed up.
‘This is for kids, huh?’
It was obvious they had brought leftover props.
Of course, just because it’s for kids doesn’t mean it’s weak or anything.
They can’t afford accidents.
But this one was clearly cheap.
It’s just for testing, so they wouldn’t use expensive stuff anyway.
Honestly, it didn’t seem like they planned to use it today.
There’s no need for actual climbing during a physical ability test.
It was just set up formally for the audition.
But still, isn’t it a bit much for the hold to break just because I grabbed it?
And the problem wasn’t just the hold.
As Seo-yeon tried to climb, she felt the climbing wall fixed to the wall wobble slightly.
At the same time, she felt Park Jung-woo flinch too.
She didn’t need to look back to know.
‘Wow, Joo Seo-yeon. She’s pretty heavy, huh.’
That gaze.
‘No, I’m not that heavy!’
This time, Seo-yeon felt wronged too.
She’s a bit on the heavier side, but her weight is relatively human.
It’s not like she’s obese or anything.
She’s just heavier than she looks!
*Creak!*
“!”
She felt the holds on her hands and feet shaking.
No, even cheap stuff has its limits.
In the end, Seo-yeon had no choice but to climb up before the shaky holds broke.
And when she reached the top.
“Ah.”
She realized belatedly.
That by the time Seo-yeon reached the top, Hwang Min-hwa hadn’t even made it halfway.
***
“Oops, it seems this wasn’t properly fixed. My apologies.”
“…….”
“How did you even climb up holding that?”
It seemed there was a mistake in the setup.
Hearing the staff’s words, Hwang Min-hwa was dumbfounded.
‘She climbed up that fast with *that*?’
They usually test one person at a time, so they didn’t expect multiple people to climb at once.
That’s why the climbing holds at Seo-yeon’s position, which was quite far out, weren’t perfectly secured.
And she managed to climb up holding that?
Hwang Min-hwa was beyond dumbfounded—she was utterly shocked.
“Ah, it’s fine. At least no one got hurt.”
“Oh, thank you for saying that.”
At Seo-yeon’s words, the staff kept bowing their heads.
Hwang Min-hwa was furious at Seo-yeon’s attitude.
Losing to something like this is already 50% annoying!
If she were in that position, Hwang Min-hwa would’ve definitely gotten hurt, unlike Seo-yeon!
“Hey. Is that all you have to say? What if someone got hurt because of this?”
“W-well…”
“It’s for an audition, so you didn’t set it up properly? What’s that about? And Joo Seo-yeon.”
“Yes?”
“You need to speak up about this stuff. Being too nice makes you a pushover, not a good person.”
At Hwang Min-hwa’s words, Seo-yeon blinked, then nodded.
Seeing Seo-yeon’s attitude, Hwang Min-hwa snorted.
What she just said wasn’t really for Seo-yeon’s sake.
She was just angry, that’s all.
She couldn’t help but realize.
That she had completely lost this audition.
In acting, in physical ability.
Seo-yeon’s acting was something even Hwang Min-hwa had struggled with.
But while Hwang Min-hwa played a more classic romantic heroine,
Seo-yeon emphasized a lighter, sitcom-like side.
‘Looks like the lead role is out of reach, maybe a supporting role…’
Thinking that far, Hwang Min-hwa shook her head.
No, absolutely not!!
“Anyway, we’re done here, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
At the staff’s words, Hwang Min-hwa stomped out of the audition room.
It seemed she was really angry about losing so completely.
‘But seriously, how did she climb up like that?’
Hwang Min-hwa briefly wondered but quickly brushed it off.
Thinking that the variety show image wasn’t entirely fake.
“Honestly.”
While watching Hwang Min-hwa’s retreating figure, Park Jung-woo approached.
“I thought you broke it.”
“Am I the Hulk or something? Breaking everything I touch.”
“Ahem.”
Park Jung-woo awkwardly cleared his throat.
Anyway, it’s only because it was Seo-yeon that nothing happened—it could’ve been a real accident.
As Hwang Min-hwa said, it was a situation where some anger was justified.
Director Jo Bang-woo also seemed deeply sorry and personally apologized to Seo-yeon.
Of course, Seo-yeon understood.
‘It seems the filming conditions are really poor.’
If even equipment like this isn’t properly maintained,
it’s a clear sign that the situation with *Seoul Escape* is a complete mess.
“Well, it’s fine. I kind of expected it.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah. More than that, it seems the investors aren’t spending money properly.”
“Seems like it. They’re already worried about the theaters.”
Director Jo Bang-woo was busy discussing the broken climbing wall and other issues.
‘And the supporting role is a problem too.’
Thinking of Hwang Min-hwa, who had stormed out in anger earlier.
After all, Hwang Min-hwa was originally supposed to be in this movie.
But if she’s out, that leaves a gap.
A supporting role.
But her role in the movie was significant, as she played a crucial part.
‘Not as much as Hwang Min-hwa, but someone who can replace her adequately…’
No one came to mind immediately.
Lee Ji-yeon and Jo Seo-hee still have a lot of filming left for *Gyeongseong Young Lady*.
‘Now that I think about it.’
Seo-yeon recalled the actress who had awkwardly left with Hwang Min-hwa earlier.
Though overshadowed by the two, her acting was…
“Hmm.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Boring.”
After that conversation, Seo-yeon parted ways with Park Jung-woo.
Since her audition was over, it felt awkward to stay any longer.
The audition results would be announced in a week.
She just hoped for a good outcome.
“So, Seo-yeon, how was the audition? I heard Hwang Min-hwa was there.”
As Seo-yeon left the audition room, Park Eun-ha was waiting for her.
She had come alone, but she couldn’t leave alone.
“Yeah, she was there.”
“……Really?”
Park Eun-ha had a history of bad blood with Hwang Min-hwa.
Having hoped Seo-yeon would put her in her place, the audition result was quite satisfying.
According to what she heard from Park Jung-woo, Seo-yeon had completely crushed Hwang Min-hwa’s pride.
‘Serves her right.’
As Park Eun-ha was thinking that.
“But, Hwang Min-hwa seems like a pretty decent person.”
“……?”
“She actually cared about my image and looked out for me.”
She cared for the fragile actress and even helped her at the end.
Seo-yeon thought Hwang Min-hwa might be a tough person but surprisingly kind.
Or maybe she was just being nice because it was her?
“You’re being gaslit!!”
Of course, Park Eun-ha was furious hearing that.
Anyway, a few days passed.
The air date for the Japanese variety show Seo-yeon appeared on was approaching.