Chapter 136: Actress
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: Actress
Seeing the crowds swarming near the casino entrance made me want to turn back immediately.
They weren't just there to gamble; a massive crowd had gathered to watch the filming scheduled for today.
"There are so many people."
"……."
I’d taken a quick break from work to come watch Seo Ye-rin with Yoo Ah-rin, but Ah-rin had been keeping her mouth shut tight for a while now.
"What? Again? What is it this time?"
"What? Again? What is it this time?"
Ah-rin grumbled back, looking exasperated by my question. She started poking my chest with her finger, demanding an explanation.
"Why are you so obsessed with butts? Starting from the other day and even yesterday! You keep slapping my butt when no one’s looking!"
"……It’s fun."
After swatting her backside a few times during drinks yesterday, her reactions had become quite satisfying.
"It’s sexual harassment! You jerk! Are you some kind of perverted boss?!"
"I am your boss! And you enjoyed it too!"
"Shut up! I did not!"
I distinctly remember a rather sweet moan escaping her every time I did it, though.
"Tsk, fine. If you say so."
"Seriously, don't do it. Okay? Promise?"
"Fine, I got it."
I usually got pushed around by her, so I was just trying to get some revenge in my own way. Now that she’d shut that down, I had to wonder how I should strike back next time.
"My butt turned red yesterday because of you."
‘……I’d like to see that.’
As my gaze drifted toward her rear, she hurriedly covered it with both hands, huffing in indignation.
"Don't."
"I said I wouldn't. Why are you accusing an innocent man?"
Well, maybe not entirely innocent. It was true that my eyes had just been drawn to her tempting curves.
"I saw your fingers twitching!"
Shit, she caught me.
"My fingers weren't twitching because I wanted to touch your butt."
I put on my best poker face and retorted immediately. Ah-rin took a step closer and challenged me.
"Then why were they twitching? The span was exactly the size of a butt-grab."
"I was thinking about grabbing Seo Ye-rin’s bre—Oof!"
"You crazy bastard!"
Her fist flew straight in. I tried to twist my body to dodge, but I ended up moving right into the path of the punch.
I curled up, groaning in pain, while Ah-rin huffed and stomped off toward the front. I followed her, weaving through the crowd, and there I saw Seo Ye-rin talking with the other actors.
"There are so many famous people."
Ah-rin stood there with her mouth agape, staring at the people around Ye-rin. They were definitely faces I’d seen on TV or in movies a few times. Seeing her there, it felt natural that Ye-rin belonged in that circle.
Among them was Cha Seung-ho, whom we’d talked about yesterday.
‘……She compared me to a guy like that?’
He was a handsome man on par with Chan-woo. He was so good-looking it made me wonder if Ye-rin choosing me over him was some kind of joke. I felt a little intimidated.
I thought about calling out to her to say hello, but filming resumed, so we both stayed quiet. I’d heard they sometimes cordoned off sets to prevent people from watching, but since this was a hotel, there didn't seem to be any strict control.
Thanks to that, I got to watch Ye-rin act.
She was wearing a one-piece dress, likely provided by the production, and the vibe was unmistakable. A wealthy young lady from a rich family. Even indoors, her elegant movements while wearing sunglasses were impressive.
"Isn't that a bit too revealing?"
"It has to be. The setting is a casino."
"……."
"Are you Ye-rin’s dad or something?"
I shut my mouth at Ah-rin’s absurd question. Given the setting, the revealing outfit did fit the image perfectly.
"Isn't she prettier than the female lead?"
"Wait, wasn't she the lead?"
"Wow, look at her body."
The murmurs from the crowd were mostly about Ye-rin. Some people were searching for her name on their phones, wondering who she was, while others recognized her as the "Dae-Han-Dang Bakery Beauty."
"……."
A strange sense of discomfort settled in my chest, but I ignored it for now. Regardless, Ye-rin began her performance.
She played the role of a socialite who points the way for the fleeing protagonist without a single line of dialogue. Her gestures were far cry from the clumsy acting she’d shown us while drinking yesterday; they were poised, serious, and elegant.
Even though it was just that one gesture.
‘Ah.’
I felt a sudden certainty that this girl was meant to be an actress.
"Let's head back."
After staring blankly at Ye-rin for a moment, I turned away with an awkward smile. We’d only come during a brief break, so we couldn't stay long.
"……What?"
As we stepped out of the crowd, Ah-rin looked at me with a subtle expression.
"What is it? You don't look so good."
"I just don't like crowded places."
"I don't think that's it."
She was sharp as ever.
"Let's just go. The managers will be mad."
"……."
As I forced a change of subject and quickened my pace, Ah-rin hurriedly caught up and linked her arm with mine. She was holding on tight enough to hurt, almost as if she were protesting that she wouldn't let go.
It wasn't just my emotions wavering; Ah-rin seemed to be feeling a strange sense of anxiety as well.
I kept my mouth shut and slowed my pace to match hers.
*
"Ye-rin, you were really good."
"Exactly. Wow, I felt totally outclassed. Is this what a genius looks like?"
"Hehe, thank you."
Ye-rin couldn't hide the corners of her mouth twitching upward at the actors' praise. It wasn't just that she liked the compliments; she was excited at the thought of going back and bragging about it. She’d been praised by professional actors, after all.
"But by any chance, today……."
"Hey, hey, don't pressure her."
The actors were chatting in front of her, but their voices didn't reach Ye-rin’s ears. She glanced down at her phone and then scanned the surroundings.
‘They said they were coming.’
They’d definitely said they would come watch during their break. She’d even sent a Tok saying they were about to start, so they should have been here.
"Ah……."
That was when a man and a woman caught Ye-rin’s eye. Kim Woo-jin and Yoo Ah-rin were walking away, their backs turned as they headed back to work.
Ah-rin was familiarly clinging to his arm, and Kim Woo-jin was matching his stride to hers.
"……."
A strange emotion welled up inside her. She’d been in such a good mood just a moment ago. She’d received praise and was excited to brag to Kim Woo-jin and her other friends.
"Ye-rin, the director said that last scene was so good he’s definitely putting it in the trailer."
Even the good news from the lead, Cha Seung-ho, couldn't put Ye-rin’s mind at ease.
‘I thought I could be fine with it.’
Between Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin, things had been a bit vague lately, but she’d felt relieved thinking their friendship wouldn't fall apart.
Grip.
Her hand tightened around her phone. After staring blankly at the two of them walking away, Ye-rin finally couldn't take it anymore and pulled up the community.
She did it all the time, but today she posted the words with a much deeper sense of emotion.
"Haah."
A bitter breath escaped her.
Not at all. Not even a little bit.
Nothing felt better.
*
"What?! Is that true?!"
The Assistant Director jumped out of his seat instinctively upon receiving the call from the Gold One Hotel management.
"Ah, thank you so much! Yes! Yes! Thank you truly!"
He even bowed several times while on the phone, which said everything.
Click.
The call ended, and the Assistant Director broke into a wide grin, punching the air.
"Nice! Nice! Nice!"
Gold One, which had strictly forbidden filming inside the casino, had granted them a full two days to film in the interior. That was more than enough.
Filming was only allowed late at night when the casino was closed, but they’d even shown the kindness of offering to lend lighting and interior uniforms. He didn't know why the conservative Gold One had suddenly become so cooperative, but...
"Just imagine how much production cost we’re saving."
With a much more realistic background and no need for separate sets or CG, the budget would be slashed. He immediately contacted the filming crew and the actors to share the news, and everyone was thrilled.
"That’s great news, Director."
"Right? Ahem, but Actor Cha……."
While talking to the lead, Cha Seung-ho, the Assistant Director subtly made a suggestion.
"You know Ye-rin, who filmed today?"
"Ah, yes. You even memorized her name?"
How could he not? They say you can recognize a genius from the start. Ye-rin clearly had the potential to become a great actress.
"What if we utilize Ye-rin a bit more? Give her a few more lines and make her a brief supporting ally."
"You know we already have our eyes on her, right?"
Cha Seung-ho spoke up, worried they might try to snatch her away, and the Assistant Director laughed hollowly.
"Of course I know. I’m just the director, anyway. It’s just a waste for her to appear for such a short time. Seeing her today, her acting is a bit raw, but she’s good."
"……."
"We’re going to put Ye-rin’s scene in the trailer, so it’d be a shame if that’s all there is. Wouldn't it be better for YS if she appeared more?"
"Well, I suppose so."
It was a chance for a next-generation star to make an impression on the audience before her official debut.
"……I’ll try talking to Ye-rin."
"Right, I’m counting on you."
After ending the call, the Assistant Director immediately dialed the screenwriter.