Chapter 161: Retrying the Dream (2)
Chapter 161: Retrying the Dream (2)
"I see. So that’s how it was."
Though his own treatment had been strangely neglected, that wasn't the important part.
The goal today was, first and foremost, to talk to the actor Lee Sang-soo about Gyeongseong Lady.
A sudden departure of an actor was a fairly frequent occurrence. It often caused delays in production, which was a common headache.
However, for someone in Director Baek Min’s position, who found it difficult to find a replacement immediately, it could be a fatal issue.
"Director Baek Min has always been the fastidious type."
Lee Sang-soo nodded after listening to their story.
It was an embarrassing thing to admit when they were the ones asking for a favor, but regardless, the filming could only begin if Director Baek Min gave the okay after seeing Lee Sang-soo’s acting. This was true even though they were in a bind and couldn't easily find a suitable actor.
"He’s stubborn, too. Of course, I don’t see that as a bad thing. He’s a young director, so it’s better for him to have some backbone. It’s never good to be too conscious of the actors' whims."
As long as he stayed within reasonable bounds, of course. And Director Baek Min was someone who walked that line with uncanny precision.
'However...'
Lee Sang-soo felt a strange sensation at Seo-yeon’s proposal. It was as if he had possessed a vague premonition that something like this would happen one day.
'An actress who would pull me back into the world of film.'
To be honest, Lee Sang-soo still hadn't fully recovered from the shock of his failed venture abroad.
Watching Lee Sang-soo’s expression, Song Gwang-min eventually let out a sigh. He could roughly guess what was going through the older actor's mind.
"Seo-yeon, it’s very rude to carelessly ask a senior actor to take a role like that."
Of course, Seo-yeon knew that. It looked as if she were offering Lee Sang-soo a role that someone else had abandoned. Even if she was just asking for help, the person on the receiving end could easily feel that way.
Furthermore, it wasn't even a role that anyone would obviously covet; it was a role with an uncertain future. On top of that, it was a villain. The main antagonist of the work.
If there was one thing Seo-yeon had realized while filming The Chaser, it was the importance of the villain—both in dramas and in movies. The immersion of the story changed depending on how charmingly the villain was crafted. That was the very reason Seo-yeon had received such high praise for her portrayal of 'Cha Seo-ah.'
So, the villain was important.
In Gyeongseong Lady, Seo-yeon’s character was also close to a villain. However, she wasn't the ultimate antagonist. There was someone pulling her strings, and that person was the true main villain of Gyeongseong Lady.
Goto Isamu.
He was the mastermind behind everything that happened in the story.
"Now, now. Seo-yeon, apologize to Mr. Lee Sang-soo, and let’s just get back to fishing."
Song Gwang-min tossed out the words lightly with a smile. He wasn't actually demanding a sincere apology; he was just trying to smooth over the atmosphere.
'Will this be okay?'
Ji-yeon, honestly, found it hard to speak up as well. Compared to Lee Sang-soo or Song Gwang-min, her and Seo-yeon’s careers were practically non-existent. She hesitated, wondering if it was okay to say more or if it would be better to push a little harder.
From Ji-yeon’s perspective, she was bewildered by how Seo-yeon had forced this situation like a bulldozer. She had expected Seo-yeon to be more cautious or perhaps ask privately. She never imagined Seo-yeon would just blurt out the situation right there while fishing.
'But Lee Sang-soo...'
Seo-yeon knew. Lee Sang-soo was still dreaming. He just didn't have anyone to give him a push.
The reason Seo-yeon knew this was because of the final interview Lee Sang-soo gave a few years later when he decided to retire.
"It’s not exactly a sudden retirement," Lee Sang-soo had said with a bitter smile. "I was just a coward. How many years did I rest? Almost five? No, seven? I rested for a very long time."
Lee Sang-soo had counted the years, folding his fingers one by one.
"During that long time, I was a nuisance to those around me. To the people who waited for me to pull myself together, waiting for the day I would return to the film industry."
Lee Sang-soo said he was a lucky man. There were always fans waiting for his return, and there were fellow actors who believed in him. But they all did nothing but wait.
"It sounds ridiculous, but..." Lee Sang-soo had continued. "I wonder what it would have been like if, back then, someone had forcibly dragged me back onto the stage. If there had been someone a bit selfish, someone who acted willfully. I think about that sometimes."
A coward.
Lee Sang-soo called himself a coward. After one major failure, he became unable to walk on his own two feet. He had grown too old, his body fearing any new challenge. The reckless passion of his youth had faded, leaving behind only an old man rotting away in a corner of his room.
"But I know that couldn't have happened. That’s why I’m retiring now without any lingering regrets."
He had laughed then. At the time, Seo-yeon couldn't distinguish the nature of that laughter. Since he was a brilliant actor, perhaps he had been acting even then. In fact, the article published after the interview read:
[Actor Lee Sang-soo’s Clear Smile After Letting Everything Go]
The article claimed he had retired with a clean heart, having cast aside all regrets. That was simply how it was written.
'No.'
But Seo-yeon knew. Now that she understood emotions, she couldn't help but know. She understood what her past self had actually seen.
To mimic emotions, Seo-yeon had observed countless people and watched many works. Among them were several featuring Lee Sang-soo. Because she hadn't known emotions back then and couldn't empathize with that smile at all, she had been able to see something else.
A person who has truly let everything go does not smile like that. The regret had remained until the very moment of his retirement.
'This is...'
Setting aside the work Gyeongseong Lady, this was a role Seo-yeon was sincerely recommending to the actor Lee Sang-soo.
Was it because of the connection they made on the variety show? Or was it because of that interview, which came back to her even more vividly now because of these unforgettable memories? She wasn't sure.
But this was a role that could resolve his regrets. She was certain of it.
"……Seo-yeon."
"Yes."
"You know my situation, don't you?"
"Yes. I know."
At Lee Sang-soo’s sudden words, Song Gwang-min froze. He seemingly hadn't expected Lee Sang-soo to respond so seriously.
"And I also know that you won't refuse."
At Seo-yeon’s remark, Lee Sang-soo burst into a sudden laugh.
"You're sharp as a tack. Fine, I won't refuse."
"Are you serious?"
Song Gwang-min, standing beside him, was even more shocked. Lee Ji-yeon’s eyes went wide as well. After all, looking at Lee Sang-soo’s face just a moment ago, it seemed like he was about to refuse immediately.
'In the first place, he wouldn't have accepted the invitation to fish if he intended to refuse.'
This was the answer Seo-yeon had anticipated. When she called him, she hadn't just invited him to fish; she told him she wanted to meet regarding a role. A veteran actor like Lee Sang-soo would have known exactly why she was calling. The fact that he showed up meant he had no intention of saying no. If he had truly been against it, he wouldn't have made the appointment in the first place.
"Instead."
Lee Sang-soo, who had been chuckling, suddenly looked at Seo-yeon with serious eyes.
"I’ll do it if you’re the one who acts opposite me during the test."
"Pardon?"
"Well, the vacant role has a deep connection with your character, doesn't it?"
As he said, the vacant role of Goto Isamu was the servant of Kasugayama Yuina, the character played by Seo-yeon. More precisely, he was a figure closer to a butler. He was the one who manipulated Yuina to drive the plot forward.
"Director Baek Min said it himself. He’ll decide after seeing the acting."
Lee Sang-soo was saying this: he wanted Seo-yeon to be the one to receive his acting when that time came. An audition that wasn't quite an audition. He wanted to entrust that role to Seo-yeon.
His words flustered both Song Gwang-min and Lee Ji-yeon. They never expected a veteran like Lee Sang-soo to say such a thing to Seo-yeon.
At his words, Seo-yeon’s eyes narrowed. It looked like she was smiling, or perhaps like she was harboring some kind of expectation.
"Yes, I’ll tell Director Baek Min that."
At her nonchalant reply, Lee Sang-soo slowly nodded.
'I’ll know then.'
Director Baek Min. His films were often more highly regarded abroad than domestically. Lee Sang-soo had, of course, heard the rumors about Gyeongseong Lady. This industry was very small. As a veteran, many stories had naturally reached his ears.
Stories about how investors were decided remarkably quickly for a Baek Min film. And how it was a lesbian film featuring prominent young actresses like Jo Seo-hee and Ju Seo-yeon. It might be difficult to get a proper evaluation in Korea, but it was a film aimed at the international market from the start.
'The international market.'
The dream he had harbored since his youth. Perhaps this would be his second attempt at that dream.
"Ah, but send me the script first. I have to see it before I make a final decision."
Of course, that was only if Seo-yeon could rekindle the embers of acting that had grown cold in his heart. Yes, the desire remaining in his heart had become nothing more than a pile of burnt-out ash.
*
When Lee Sang-soo accepted Seo-yeon’s proposal, Director Baek Min was naturally quite surprised. He had thought it might even be considered a rude request.
However, the only thing the actor had demanded was that Seo-yeon be his partner when he performed. It was as if he considered such a test to be a matter of course.
"I will let you know the date as soon as it’s decided."
Director Baek Min was very cautious. His face didn't show much joy, even though Lee Sang-soo was appearing in his film. It was likely because Lee Sang-soo had been on a long hiatus.
'There are rumors that his passion cooled after failing in Hollywood.'
He probably thought there was a possibility the actor might just phone it in. Seo-yeon didn't think Director Baek Min’s attitude was particularly bad. A movie wasn't something he filmed alone.
"Seo-yeon, next time, you have to tell me about things like this too, okay? I'm your manager."
"Yes."
From manager Park Eun-ha’s perspective, it was a heart-stopping affair. She knew Seo-yeon was somewhat close to other actors, but she hadn't realized she had become that close to Lee Sang-soo. Furthermore, for this casting to happen, Seo-yeon had to act alongside him.
'Isn't she feeling the pressure?'
If anything, it was Park Eun-ha who was worried sick. Lee Sang-soo was one of the top character actors in South Korea. If such an actor had singled her out as his partner for a test, most people wouldn't be able to sleep from the pressure.
But what was Seo-yeon doing right now?
'She’s listening to music?'
She was nodding her head to her earphones, wearing a satisfied expression.
"What are you listening to?"
"Oh? Ah, the trailer for Sky Garden is being released today."
"Ah, that’s right."
Park Eun-ha had already seen the trailer. The production team had sent over the finished version. The footage was excellent. Unlike the image Seo-yeon had been showing in variety shows lately, it felt like it properly showcased her sharp, professional aura for the first time in a while.
"The song in it was good, too. Was that worked on by Summer Girl?"
At Park Eun-ha’s question, the corners of Seo-yeon’s mouth twitched strangely.
'Huh?'
In the past, Park Eun-ha wouldn't have been able to distinguish Seo-yeon’s expressions properly, but it was different now. Surprisingly, if you looked closely, there was no one whose expressions were easier to read than Seo-yeon’s. That was, so to speak, the face she made when she had something she wanted to brag about.
"……Don't tell me, that song."
"Yes, I sang it."
"Really?!"
Park Eun-ha was genuinely shocked. She knew Seo-yeon’s singing skills had been steadily improving. But she hadn't realized they had improved this much. She knew Seo-yeon had participated in the Sky Garden OST, but she just couldn't match her voice to this song.
"The Wizard and Na-hee unnie helped me a lot."
Seo-yeon said with a shrug. The version of her that sang awkwardly in Dream Future was gone. Even Cha Na-hee, the main vocal of Summer Girl, had given her a thumbs-up.
'I want to brag about it soon.'
I’ll brag once the trailer comes out today.
With that thought, Seo-yeon headed to KMB. This was because Lee Min-hwa, the main PD of Sky Garden, said she had something to say before the trailer’s release.
And then.
"Regarding the song included in this trailer... how about we don't hide the fact that you sang it, Seo-yeon?"
"……Pardon?"
It was a proposal she hadn't expected at all.