Chapter 105: Action Movie (2)
Chapter 105: Action Movie (2)
Seo-yeon was twice surprised by Director Kang Tae-jin’s words.
First, by the fact that they were planning a variety show specifically for a movie.
Second, because it was a variety show she had never heard of in her past life.
‘As I thought. No matter how much I search my memory, I can’t find a variety show similar to this.’
That meant there was a high possibility it was an entirely new movie.
A film that Seo-yeon didn't know, one that hadn't existed in the past.
While surprised, her heart also fluttered with anticipation. After all, every movie Seo-yeon had encountered until now was something she had already seen.
“For your information, the director is Han Ye-geon,” Kang Tae-jin said, quietly observing Seo-yeon’s eyes.
She remembered hearing that name.
He was a director with a particular talent for directing action. He was known for having high standards, being somewhat dogmatic, and having a very distinct style.
“Well, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but he’s a bit of a difficult director to deal with. He’s been active in the industry for a long time, after all.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of him.”
“Then this will be quick.”
Kang Tae-jin was inwardly surprised as he looked at Seo-yeon, who was staring back at him calmly.
‘She’s remarkably composed for her age.’
First of all, she showed no signs of being particularly flustered or nervous in his presence. Was it because she was an actress?
Kang Tae-jin was usually able to see through other people’s emotions with ease. However, he couldn't read Seo-yeon at all. It was as if he were looking at Cha Seo-ah from the movie.
‘Did they call it Alexithymia?’
When he was young, Kang Tae-jin had also been told he was emotionally dull. He wondered if he had some kind of disorder, but it wasn't anything like that; he was just naturally a bit slow to react.
Regardless, he felt a certain level of empathy for Cha Seo-ah, so it wasn't a lie when he said he enjoyed The Chaser. Evaluating Seo-yeon highly and arranging this meeting were both things Kang Tae-jin had spearheaded.
Of course, he believed his high evaluation of Seo-yeon as a "product" was an objective judgment, not a subjective one.
“For now, the movie’s title is a working one: Mine. You could call it a modern fantasy featuring people with superpowers.”
Seo-yeon nodded slightly. As expected, she didn't know it.
“To put it simply, we’ve prepared a large-scale audition before filming begins. It’s an audition to cast the leads for the movie.”
Was he asking her to participate in that audition? As she looked at him with that question in her eyes, he continued.
“Yes, I would very much like for you, Actress Ju Seo-yeon, to appear in this movie audition. This variety show is scheduled to be broadcast on a major network.”
It seemed to be a properly planned audition variety show. However, one thing was questionable: why go through the trouble of calling Seo-yeon in person to ask her to participate? Usually, a request like this could be handled simply through her agency.
“Of course, I understand this might be a bit confusing from your perspective. I’m not asking you to star in the movie, but to participate in the audition for it.”
“That’s…”
She was about to say it wasn't a problem, but Director Kang was faster.
“The reason this project could even move forward is thanks to The Chaser.”
“Pardon?”
“Mine has strong action elements and thriller aspects. Since Korean movies have been struggling lately, it had been stuck in the planning stages for various reasons.”
However, it seemed the Chairman of GH Group had been very impressed by The Chaser.
“To put it plainly, Seo-yeon, you were called here at the Chairman’s request.”
“…”
This was a much bigger deal than she had thought. It wasn't just anyone, but the Chairman of GH Group who wanted Seo-yeon to appear in the movie.
“Actually, I’ve gathered various pieces of information. About the Cheonghong Action School and such… So I had a feeling that you, Actress Ju Seo-yeon, would be able to handle the audition brilliantly.”
“Is that so?”
“So, even if you happen to fail the audition for the lead, as long as you show a great performance, you won't have to worry much about having a role in the film.”
He was saying that while she would compete for the lead, even if she lost, they would still give her a part.
“…”
Even though they were clearly good words, they strangely pricked her pride. Looking at the director’s beaming expression, it was hard to tell if he was provoking her or if he truly believed in her.
‘A superpower action film.’
She thought she understood why filming had been delayed. To begin with, this was a genre that Western movies had been dominating recently—the superhero genre. It would inevitably be compared to them, which was likely why it had been pushed back.
Domestic films shot with similar concepts had been wiped out. If a thriller concept was added on top of that, there were many disadvantages.
“First, I’ll think about it positively.”
“Thank you.”
She wasn't sure if he was truly thankful. Thinking that couldn't be all, she looked at him again.
“Then, let’s move on to the next item.”
“Pardon?”
She looked at him as if to ask if he hadn't called her just for the movie audition.
“Didn't I tell you at the beginning? That there were several things I wanted to propose.”
Director Kang Tae-jin then handed over several documents.
“These are advertising proposals.”
“What?”
“The éclat Étoile advertisement was quite impressive.”
Kang Tae-jin studied Seo-yeon. She had a beauty so profound that few celebrities could even compare. Once she became an adult, that appearance would shine even brighter.
Add to that her potential as an actress. Taking everything into account, Kang Tae-jin wanted to secure Seo-yeon at all costs. While others were hesitating and crunching numbers, he acted on instinct.
Even though there were still discussions within GH Group, Kang Tae-jin wanted to claim Seo-yeon before anyone else.
“I want Actress Ju Seo-yeon to become the face of our GH Group.”
Kang Tae-jin had one goal. He wanted her face to be on every billboard in Seoul that bore the GH Group name. Of course, he needed to prepare step by step for that. He needed results that everyone in GH Group would find acceptable. These advertisements were the beginning.
*
The day after the meeting with GH Group.
Seo-yeon was in a bit of a daze. It was because the contracts she had received yesterday had given her a lot to think about.
Not only were they all advertisements with staggering figures, but there were as many as three proposals that Kang Tae-jin had offered. While they were a tier below the ads top-tier celebrities received, the amounts were more than enough.
‘Hmm.’
To be honest, the pressure felt greater. Especially since Director Kang Tae-jin’s thoughts were difficult to read.
‘Well, it’s not a bad opportunity, so I should go for it.’
He said the ads wouldn't be released immediately. Probably next year. To be precise, the full-scale advertising campaign would start right after the release of the movie Mine.
Conversely, it meant the success of Mine would be the "test" for Ju Seo-yeon as an actress. If she achieved mediocre results there, these three advertisements would likely be the end of it.
‘Mine, huh.’
Since it was a movie that had never even been released in her past life, it was hard to know how much potential it had. And there was one more thing. A very big problem that only Seo-yeon knew.
‘The release date overlaps with The Thief.’
It was the movie by Director Jo Min-tae, with whom Seo-yeon had a connection since childhood. A "ten-million-viewer" movie. And the lead actor in that film was Kim Jung-ha, the actor Seo-yeon had her first shoot with.
He was by no means an easy opponent. While The Chaser had completely crushed Utopia, The Thief was a different story. For the record, when The Thief was released, another blockbuster had come out at the same time. The Thief was the movie that literally trampled over it to reach ten million viewers.
If Mine went up against a movie like that, there was no telling how it would perform.
‘It would be right to avoid it.’
Honestly, she had no desire to go head-to-head with it. She didn't want to gamble, nor did she want to clash with people she had a connection with. But things rarely went the way she wanted.
‘Anyway.’
Lately, Seo-yeon felt eyes following her whenever she went to school. While The Chaser was in theaters, there was a sense of fear. People had scurried away as if she were a cockroach.
“You’re pretty popular these days, aren’t you?” Lee Ji-yeon said teasingly.
Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes and glared at Ji-yeon.
“H-hey, it’s scary when you glare like that!”
“I was just looking.”
Regardless of Ji-yeon’s teasing, ever since the 11th episode of Dream Future aired, the way the male students looked at Seo-yeon had changed in many ways. Jo Ha-rin was a very cute character in the show, and it felt like they were projecting Jo Ha-rin onto Seo-yeon.
‘More importantly.’
Seo-yeon glanced at Ji-yeon. Looking at Ramiel’s recent broadcasts, it felt like Lee Ji-yeon was making sure to watch all of Seo-yeon’s dramas and movies. Her reviews were very detailed and full of praise. There were so many compliments about Seo-yeon’s acting that it made her feel embarrassed just watching.
So, even though she wanted to thank her, there was no proper way to do it. Just as she was thinking of another way to repay her…
“You’re late.”
“………”
Jo Seo-hee had arrived, wearing her own high school uniform.
‘She must have plenty of other clothes, so why does she always walk around in her school uniform?’
Jo Seo-hee showing up at the school was no longer surprising. How many times had it been now? It was just the fact that she was always in uniform that bothered Seo-yeon.
“Well, obviously it’s because I come here right after school ends.”
“Is that so?”
“Unbelievable.”
Jo Seo-hee crossed her arms. Just looking at her, she looked exactly like an arrogant villainess. Honestly, the school uniform didn't really suit her image. Or did it? Surprisingly, it seemed okay.
“…Anyway.”
The three of them moved to a nearby cafe and began their conversation in earnest.
‘Why do we end up talking about this every time?’
Jo Seo-hee was actually quite nervous inside. After all, the reason they met today was none other than something related to Gyeongseong Lady.
‘Why, of all things!’
Honestly, Jo Seo-hee didn't have a prejudice against homosexuality. However, it was a different story when it became a role she had to play. An actor had to immerse themselves in their role, after all. Even more importantly…
‘I’ve never even done a romance role before.’
The movies that had made Jo Seo-hee popular were disaster films. She had no experience appearing in soft, fluffy dramas like Seo-yeon’s Dream Future. Her image was so strong that she rarely received roles with sweet romantic plotlines. Her age played a part in that as well.
And yet, her first romance movie was going to be a same-sex romance.
‘How can this girl be so calm?’
Looking at Seo-yeon standing there blankly, Jo Seo-hee felt even more nervous. She crossed her arms and tilted her chin up so it wouldn't show, but it was all an act.
‘Cha Seo-ah…’
She suddenly thought of The Chaser, which she had seen recently. Seo-yeon’s acting in that film had been a huge shock to Seo-hee. The thought that there was another actor her age who could act like that… Seo-yeon’s portrayal of Cha Seo-ah was so realistic that Seo-hee had even wondered if Seo-yeon herself suffered from the same condition.
‘Of course not.’
When she looked it up, it wasn't even a curable disease. Thinking about that made it even more amazing—that she could pull off such a poignant performance.
Anyway, Jo Seo-hee started by sharing those impressions. Her honest thoughts on The Chaser and Dream Future. And then…
“The auditions for Gyeongseong Lady are starting soon. Are you going to go?”
“Yes. I told you I would,” Seo-yeon said calmly.
It was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
‘And why does she only use honorifics with me?’
Jo Seo-hee felt slighted. Truly. We’re the same age.
“And… that audition. You’re saying the girl next to you wants to see it too?”
“…”
Lee Ji-yeon looked at Seo-yeon, wondering what this was about. She had followed them because she didn't like Jo Seo-hee, but now she was being asked to appear in the same movie?
‘And why is she glaring at me again?’
Looking at Lee Ji-yeon, Jo Seo-hee honestly felt they were "two of a kind." Her personality didn't seem very good either.
“What kind of movie is it?”
Still, she couldn't afford to get on the bad side of Ju Seo-yeon’s friend.
“You can speak comfortably.”
“What kind of movie is it?”
“…”
As soon as Jo Seo-hee told her to speak comfortably, Lee Ji-yeon dropped the honorifics. That was a bit startling, but…
‘Maybe.’
Jo Seo-hee looked at Seo-yeon with expectant eyes. Since her friend had dropped the honorifics, she hoped Seo-yeon would naturally do the same.
“It’s a movie by Director Baek Min-chan called Gyeongseong Lady.”
“Ah, the one you mentioned before.”
“Yeah, Seo-hee sunbae introduced it to me.”
Even though she felt the honorifics, hearing the words "Seo-hee sunbae" made her think, Hmm, this isn't so bad either.
‘I guess they’ve talked about it to some extent?’
Just as she was thinking what an open-minded person Seo-yeon was for telling her friend about such a thing without hesitation…
“For your information, it’s a same-sex romance film.”
“Aha, I see…”
Ji-yeon, who had been answering casually to Seo-yeon’s calm voice, suddenly stopped.
“…What?”
Lee Ji-yeon’s expression changed. Watching her, Jo Seo-hee took a sip of warm tea.
‘Ah, she didn't tell her properly.’
Looking at the two of them, Jo Seo-hee felt things were getting interesting.