Chapter 113: Toward the Mainstream (2)
Chapter 113: Toward the Mainstream (2)
"Na-hee, that was excellent acting!"
Director Kim Pil-seok said, clapping his hands.
The staff members also looked at Cha Na-hee with surprised eyes.
It was the first time she had received such high praise while filming Dream Future. Until now, the applause had always felt somewhat performative, but this time was different.
Everyone’s reaction was genuine.
And as she reflected on her own performance just now, she was surprised herself.
To think she could do something like that...
No, was that even acting?
As the heat that had flushed her body cooled down, she recalled the live performance—no, the scene—they had just shot.
The moment Seo-yeon stepped forward and began to sing.
Originally, Seo-yeon was supposed to diminish her presence or give a clumsy performance.
It was as if she was asking me if that was all I had.
Instead, Seo-yeon had done the opposite, exerting her full power to hijack Na-hee’s presence.
Acting? Yes, it was acting.
Seo-yeon was a monster capable of doing such things while performing.
Na-hee felt it.
But she couldn't let herself be overshadowed. Her pride as an idol wouldn't allow it.
The stage had already been set the moment she stepped out.
Perhaps she had felt it instinctively. The moment Seo-yeon stepped forward, Cha Na-hee’s emotions had no choice but to align with Song So-ha’s.
It was a scene that wasn't in the original script.
Panic, and bewilderment.
The jealousy she had felt toward Seo-yeon all this time.
The moment Seo-yeon stepped forward, that jealousy became the foundation of the stage, making 'Cha Na-hee' truly look like 'Song So-ha.'
Is this what it means to be an actor?
She had felt something similar when filming with Park Jung-woo during this shoot.
However, Seo-yeon’s approach was rougher and more instinctive—as if she were forcibly dragging Na-hee into her flow.
Thanks to that, Cha Na-hee was undeniably Song So-ha on that stage.
And the applause that followed on set began to echo among the viewers as well.
— Did you see episode 14 of Dream Future yesterday?
— Wow, it was seriously insane. Cha Na-hee as Song So-ha? What group was she from again? Her live performance was no joke.
— I’m so sad Jo Ha-rin got eliminated.
The showdown between Jo Ha-rin and Song So-ha.
To be honest, it felt less like acting and more like a genuine clash between idols.
The protagonist of the work was Song So-ha.
In that sense, the scene where Song So-ha took a step further in her confrontation with Jo Ha-rin was incredibly impressive.
And that footage...
"Pfft, she was practically playing with the performance."
"You see it that way too, Senior?"
Lee Sang-soo and Song Gwang-min, who had appeared together on Star Fisherman, were discussing episode 14 of Dream Future.
It wasn't a drama that usually suited their tastes.
Nevertheless, there was something about it that drew them in. By the time they realized it, they had watched the entire episode.
Especially yesterday's episode 14.
Any actor with a bit of a keen eye would have noticed it immediately.
"She naturally induced the other actor's emotions. And that means she moved the viewers' emotions along with them."
"You're right. If handled poorly, it could have been a very uncomfortable scene."
"It must have been an ad-lib."
If you rewatch the scene, the moment Seo-yeon steps forward, genuine emotion bursts out of Cha Na-hee. However, because it was so natural given the situation, none of the viewers realized it was technically an NG.
The NG naturally flowed into a shift in emotion, and Cha Na-hee became Song So-ha.
"To show this level of acting at her age..."
"It would be difficult unless she had observed the emotions of others for a very long time."
How could she do that at her age?
The question naturally arose. Her understanding of emotion was incredibly deep.
To be precise, it feels like she knows exactly how a person will react in a given situation.
It was as if she had mechanically learned what emotions others would show in response to her actions.
Of course, considering Seo-yeon’s age, it was impossible, but that was exactly how it felt.
"Senior."
"Yeah?"
"So, what are you going to do?"
Seo-yeon had asked Lee Sang-soo to watch this episode.
Her intention was crystal clear.
"Our junior is practically begging you to act like this."
"..."
After failing in Hollywood, he had forgotten his passion for acting.
A spark.
Once, a junior he was close to had said this:
‘One who possesses both starlight and a spark.’
Unfortunately, Lee Sang-soo was someone who possessed a spark.
He was an actor who couldn't shine on his own like starlight but instead performed by burning his own body.
Once that fire had been doused by a cold current and extinguished, it was hard to reignite. He couldn't even find enjoyment in watching dramas or movies anymore.
But.
Yesterday, for the first time in a long while, he felt entertained.
He felt a desire to try acting again.
"To be honest, this is what I was thinking."
"Pardon?"
"That I would retire completely once Star Fisherman ended."
"!!"
Song Gwang-min’s eyes widened at this first glimpse into the senior's inner thoughts.
Looking at him, Lee Sang-soo gave a small smirk.
"But it seems I won't be able to do that after all."
The spark that his young junior had breathed life into was now glowing faintly.
And the person who had provided that spark...
"Um, could you... teach me a bit about singing?"
"...Huh?"
...was currently making a personal request to Cha Na-hee.
*
It was back when she was shopping with Lee Ji-yeon.
Seo-yeon wasn't the type to go out and buy clothes for herself. She usually just wore whatever her mother, Sua, picked out for her, as she didn't really care about fashion.
"Ju Seo-yeon, why do you have such a pretty face and not use it?"
"I use it for acting."
"..."
"Sorry."
Seo-yeon apologized meekly at Lee Ji-yeon’s sharp glare. She thought it was a humorous response, but apparently, Ji-yeon didn't agree.
Anyway, she really hadn't given much thought to clothes before. But recently, after hanging around Ji-yeon, she had definitely started to take a bit of an interest.
Looking at Seo-yeon, Ji-yeon said with a slightly dubious expression, "...You strangely seem to like skirts."
"They're comfortable."
"You're probably the only person who thinks skirts are comfortable."
Well, strictly speaking, they were comfortable. In terms of mobility.
However, they weren't easy to wear because of people's gazes or the fact that they'd fly up if you ran even a little bit.
Come to think of it, it’s like she doesn't really know what embarrassment is.
The girl was occasionally dull when it came to emotions, but Ji-yeon wondered if she really didn't know.
They were cool in the summer but cold in the winter.
Even though Seo-yeon spent most of her time in her school uniform, she definitely preferred skirts.
This is definitely the influence of her mom's upbringing.
In fact, when she was younger, Seo-yeon only wore pants. Ji-yeon had thought that was strange back then, but because Sua had worked so hard to dress her up, she had ended up like this.
Hmm.
However, Ji-yeon felt inwardly uncomfortable with Sua. It was all because of what happened back in middle school...
"Pardon? An OST?"
Just then, she heard Seo-yeon’s voice.
An OST?
"What's going on?"
"Well..."
Seo-yeon hesitated on what to say first. Should she start by saying she might become the lead in a drama?
But...
At this point, she felt self-conscious around Ji-yeon. It felt like she was the only one landing roles one after another.
Ji-yeon hadn't landed any significant roles since her cable drama. She said she was taking a break, but still.
"I got a call asking if I could take the lead role in a new drama."
"From your manager?"
"Yeah."
Apparently, the script was originally intended for a general programming channel. The writer was Min Se-hee, someone who hadn't handled a major project yet.
However, because the latter half of Dream Future received such high praise, the higher-ups seemed to have taken an interest.
It was a drama with young actors as the leads, much like Dream Future. It seemed they had received a proposal to air it on KMB.
Upon hearing that, Min Se-hee had asked if it would be okay to cast Seo-yeon as the lead, and the higher-ups had given their approval.
"And since I showed a pretty good live performance in Dream Future this time..."
"It sounds like they're asking if you'd be interested in working on the OST."
Seo-yeon spoke calmly, trying not to act like she was being overly considerate.
Fortunately, Ji-yeon didn't seem to have any particular thoughts on the matter.
What can you do?
Of course, it wasn't that she didn't care. It was just that Ji-yeon knew Seo-yeon too well.
The young star.
Because she had been watching her since they were children, she knew exactly how large the gap between them was.
Even so, she couldn't just leave her be; she was worried, and her pride wouldn't allow it.
Gyeongseong Lady.
The opportunity Jo Seo-hee had brought her.
It was clear that Seo-hee had brought it with the sly intention of wanting to act with Seo-yeon, but it was also a huge opportunity for Ji-yeon.
In that regard, she was truly grateful to Jo Seo-hee.
I have to pass the audition.
It was a film by Director Baek Min, who preferred art films, so she said the competition might not be that high. But you never know.
"By the way, Lee Ji-yeon."
"Yeah."
"...Do you think I could learn from that person again?"
The 'Wizard' who occasionally did collaborations with 'Ramiel.' She was definitely referring to Han Da-young.
‘That person,’ she says.
Ji-yeon tilted her head at the strangely distant way of addressing her.
But then, she recalled how Seo-yeon would get strangely prickly whenever the 'Wizard' collaborated with 'Ramiel' and gave a small chuckle.
Even so, she wanted to learn singing from Han Da-young.
The Wizard was certainly a good singer. And a good teacher.
"But she went to Japan."
"?"
"She had a meeting scheduled with... some company in Japan."
"F-for how long?"
"She probably won't be back this month."
Ji-yeon almost said it was a VTuber agency but decided against it. After all, that was what they called 'Red Pill' information.
It was funny, but Seo-yeon was incredibly strict about those things.
"...Really?"
Seo-yeon was flustered by Ji-yeon’s words.
That was because there had been talk of doing a test at the studio before starting the OST.
That day was exactly two weeks away. If she performed poorly then, the OST could be canceled.
I don't want that.
To be honest, she wanted to work on the OST. She wanted to try anything she hadn't done before.
More than anything, since everyone kept saying she was a good singer, it was only human nature to want to sing more.
And, it'll be useful once I start being a VTuber...
Muttering such things to herself as an excuse, Seo-yeon grew ambitious about the OST project.
Come to think of it, agreeing to do the OST means I've also agreed to take the lead role.
She wondered if she had accepted too thoughtlessly.
But anyway, the audition date for the action movie planned by GH Group hadn't even been set yet.
As for Gyeongseong Lady, it would be months before filming started, and she didn't even need to audition for it anymore.
So, Seo-yeon was quite free at the moment.
"Usually, this is when you'd take a break while filming commercials or variety shows," Manager Park Eun-ha had said, but Seo-yeon wasn't really interested.
Seo-yeon’s overflowing stamina couldn't be satisfied with just commercials.
What should I do...
Seo-yeon hesitated. Was there anyone around who could help her?
Just as she was thinking that, one person came to mind.
There was one idol she had become close with while filming together!
*
"A guest?"
Rabin, from the girl group 'Summer Girl,' tilted her head at Cha Na-hee’s words.
"Ah, yeah."
Cha Na-hee spoke vaguely.
Cha Na-hee’s position within the group was delicate. Specifically, in terms of human relationships.
She had happened to blow up on a variety show and monopolized all the popularity. She also had the most broadcast activities.
This time, she had proven her skills through Dream Future, making the other members of 'Summer Girl' feel like mere extras.
Because of that, there was a sense of distance between Cha Na-hee and the other members.
She just got lucky.
Rabin narrowed her eyes as she looked at Cha Na-hee.
When they first debuted, Cha Na-hee had the lowest rank among the members. There were even rumors that she had only been picked for her visuals.
Aside from her looks and singing.
Rabin tried to think that way as she pondered.
Whoever Cha Na-hee brings along probably won't be much.
Cha Na-hee was on the timid side within the group. She was a deep thinker and cautious about making friends, so most of the people she knew were boring.
"Sure, I don't mind."
So, Rabin, the leader of 'Summer Girl,' gave her permission nonchalantly.
And the next day.
"Hello."
"..."
A slightly stiff voice.
Long, straight black hair and a neat school uniform.
A pale face and beauty so stunning it was almost chilling filled their vision.
This was an actress.
Moreover, she was the girl who had suddenly surged into the mainstream with The Chaser and Dream Future.
Ju Seo-yeon greeted them calmly.
And as she looked at the bewildered members, Seo-yeon thought:
Her legs are really thin.
They’d probably snap if I kicked them.