Chapter 221: Like Starlight (1)
Chapter 221: Like Starlight (1)
"Hmm, Asher Baldwin?"
Upon hearing the name, Jo Seo-hee crossed her arms, her face falling into a contemplative expression.
"Now that you mention it, I have heard something. There were rumors recently that Director Asher Baldwin was heading to Japan."
"Is he doing a project there?"
"Probably. But who knows? Hmm, maybe the Japanese side threw enough money at him."
Seo-yeon fell into thought at Seo-hee’s words.
The Japanese film industry was famous for not paying directors very much. It was a fact known even to Seo-yeon, who had relatively little knowledge of the industry's inner workings.
Besides, in my past life, there was no such thing as a Japanese film directed by Asher Baldwin.
If he had filmed something, there was no way Seo-yeon wouldn't know about it. Even though she was somewhat ignorant of international releases, a film by Asher Baldwin would have undoubtedly made its way to Korea.
If she didn't know it, there was a high probability it was never released in the first place.
As she was thinking this, Lee Ji-yeon, who had been quiet, spoke up.
"So, Ju Seo-yeon. Does that great director want to cast you as the lead?"
"I'm not sure about that."
From what she heard, it was a Japanese film to begin with. A Korean person playing the lead in a Japanese film was almost... no, it was practically unheard of.
Especially if it's a film funded by Japanese investors.
The Japanese film industry was likely taking various measures to revive its recently stagnant market. Bringing in a world-renowned foreign director might have been their bold move.
If that's the case, maybe things didn't work out in my past life, and the movie was never made.
It was a distinct possibility. It was true that Asher Baldwin’s reputation had taken a slight hit recently due to a minor slump. However, that didn't erase the fact that he was a two-time Academy Award winner for Best Director.
He was still one of the top masters in America, and his name alone carried enough weight to easily overshadow any director in Japan. No, the same would likely be true even compared to Korea.
In particular, Asher Baldwin was a director who captured both artistic merit and commercial success. People often say that trying to catch two rabbits leads to losing both, but he was a director capable of catching both.
"I'll have to hear the details first."
"Right. Even if it's not the lead, even a cameo is worth participating in. An Asher Baldwin film is worth that much."
Even Jo Seo-hee spoke calmly, though something seemed to be weighing on her mind.
"Since it's a Japanese film, I'm a bit worried about what the production environment will be like. Well, if Asher Baldwin requests it, the people he usually works with in the US will probably come over. Especially..."
"Especially?"
"Asher Baldwin has an adopted daughter. I believe she came to Japan with him this time."
Asher Baldwin’s adopted daughter.
Seo-yeon searched through her memories. She managed to recall someone with a similar name.
"Stella Baldwin."
"Oh, you know her? Not many people know she's his adopted daughter."
"They have the same last name."
"Baldwin is a pretty common surname... Anyway, if Asher Baldwin is filming a movie, there's a high chance she'll be appearing in it too."
Seo-yeon didn't know much about foreign actors. In fact, she knew even less about them than she did about directors. She knew directors through the fame of their films, but she had hardly ever watched foreign movies or dramas.
Because they weren't very helpful for emotional mimicry.
To begin with, Seo-yeon never watched movies or dramas 'for fun.' She only viewed them as reference material to mimic the emotions displayed in the works.
Therefore, all the films and dramas Seo-yeon watched were Korean. Emotional expressions and nuances varied by country; because cultures were different, watching a mix of everything had a high probability of having a negative impact on her acting.
In Stella's case, I know her for reasons unrelated to her work.
And mostly in a negative sense.
"So, if he's going to cast a foreign actress as the female lead, wouldn't it be her?"
"I suppose so."
"I don't know either. You said he hasn't even told you what the role is yet, right?"
"They seem a bit disorganized on their end too, but it looks like they brought it up first because my schedule is so busy."
"That makes sense."
Regardless, it seemed she would have to hear the details in Japan. Since Gyeongseong Lady had scenes to be filmed in Japan anyway, she would likely meet him then.
"But, Ju Seo-yeon."
"Yeah?"
"Did you see this?"
Seo-yeon blinked blankly at Ji-yeon’s sudden question.
"See what?"
"This."
As she spoke, Seo-yeon reflexively looked at the smartphone screen Ji-yeon held out. And there...
[I'm scared, Ramiel... The ghost is coming...]
"..."
Seo-yeon’s expressionless face cracked.
Who was that person in the video?
Was it her?
To begin with, she didn't talk like that, nor was she the type to cling to others. O-of course, it wasn't that Lee Ji-yeon was a stranger, but...
What on earth was that!
"I-it's edited, right?"
"How could it be? I thought I was going to die yesterday because you were hugging me all day."
No, it wasn't all day. It was just while they were sleeping and waking up.
However, Seo-yeon couldn't bring herself to deny it. It seemed that was indeed how she behaved after her memory cut out.
Yes, her drunken habit.
Watching herself babbling while drunk, Seo-yeon felt a throbbing headache coming on.
Am I... weak to alcohol?
Seo-yeon had confidence in this invincible TS body. Not just in terms of appearance, but internally as well. In fact, even if she ate spoiled food, her body didn't show any symptoms, and she hadn't been sick once so far.
But why alcohol, of all things?
"W-who filmed this?"
"Huh?"
"You were being held by me, so someone else must have filmed it."
Seo-yeon’s eyes darted around. Well, considering Ji-yeon and Seo-yeon were both here, there was only one person who could have filmed such a thing.
Jo Seo-hee, who was currently subtly avoiding her gaze.
"I guess my cat filmed it."
"You don't have a pet at home."
"..."
If she had known this would happen, she would have at least raised a cat. Seo-hee broke into a cold sweat under Seo-yeon’s piercing stare.
However, she didn't feel wronged today. After all, if she had the chance to film it again, she would.
...Anyway.
Seo-yeon thought as she deleted the video from Jo Seo-hee’s phone.
Asher Baldwin. And Stella.
Those two were the important ones. Beyond just the movie casting, there were several things weighing on her mind.
*
"Found a good actor? You look like you're in a good mood."
A luxury hotel in Japan.
Asher, who had just entered the main entrance, sighed at the buzzing sounds around him. He wondered if he should caution his daughter, who had appeared before people so abruptly. Did she think few people would recognize her in Japan?
"Didn't you say there were no actors you liked in Japan?"
"Saying it like that makes it sound like you're belittling Japanese actors."
"Huh? Isn't it the same thing? Papa, you hate Japanese-style acting."
At those words, Asher reflexively looked around. While it wasn't entirely different from the truth, it certainly wasn't something to be said aloud in Japan.
Fortunately, aside from the interpreter he brought and a few bodyguards, there was no one around who could understand the girl's English.
"They aren't Japanese. They're Korean."
"Isn't that basically the same?"
"You're being casually racist."
"Eh? I didn't mean it like that."
She let out a soft giggle, looking like a fairy. She was eighteen now. Considering that Western actors often matured quickly, she still had a youthful appearance.
"I mean, I'm half-Asian myself, aren't I?"
Whether she was Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, she didn't know.
At her words, Asher let out another sigh. In reality, Stella didn't particularly like Asians. That was why she had practically thrown a fit when he said he was going to Japan.
Originally, I wanted to cast Stella as the lead in my next film.
But it was impossible since it was a Japanese film. Moreover, since his momentum had recently stalled, he wanted to take some time. A film in Japan was, in fact, a challenge for him as well. An attempt in a new cultural sphere, a film infused with colors other than his own.
This child might even be able to win the Academy Award for Best Actress as the youngest recipient.
Asher’s opinion hadn't changed since the moment he first encountered Stella on the street. However, honestly, it might be difficult right now. Because Stella was such a genius, she had never met anyone who could rival her.
But...
That Korean actress would be a good stimulus.
Her appearance, her aura. And that power of immersion.
He had felt a shock similar to when he first saw Stella. He felt regret and joy that such an actor was in Japan, but...
Of all things, she had to be Korean.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"More importantly, I asked if you found a good actor. Aren't you going to answer?"
As Asher gathered his luggage and walked through the hotel lobby, Stella followed behind him, chattering away. Asher gave a small smirk at his daughter's reaction.
"Yes, I found one."
Of course, it went without saying that Stella’s face crumpled at those words.
*
"Director Baldwin?"
Director Baek Min looked slightly surprised at Seo-yeon’s words. Today, Seo-yeon needed to relay recent events before the next shoot.
"He's a great master. Well, it's only natural he'd show interest after seeing your acting, Seo-yeon."
Director Baek Min spoke, thought for a moment, and then continued.
"Director Baldwin is someone who has captured the acting style I pursue while also achieving commercial success. He's a director with much to learn from."
At Director Baek Min’s words, Jo Seo-hee, who was standing nearby, looked like she wanted to say something. Her face seemed to say, 'I like Director Baek Min’s movies better,' but it was difficult to say such a thing when the subject was someone like Asher Baldwin. There was a high chance Director Baek Min would treat it as empty flattery rather than a compliment.
"But a Japanese film... that's a bit disappointing. If it were a Hollywood production, even appearing as an extra would be far more valuable."
"That part isn't certain yet."
"I see. Well, if I were to make a guess..."
Since it was a Japanese film, it would likely be difficult to cast Seo-yeon as the lead. Then, an extra? Of course, Director Baek Min also thought 'extra' at first. But from what he heard, it didn't seem like that either.
If he had happened to see Seo-yeon’s acting, what role would Director Baek Min cast her in?
"Actually, it goes without saying."
"Yes?"
"Wouldn't it be a villain?"
"Pfft."
At Director Baek Min’s words, Jo Seo-hee, who was beside them, reflexively laughed. She bit her lower lip hard, but she couldn't seem to hold it in.
You're the same way.
Seo-yeon glared at Jo Seo-hee. More importantly, did she really delete that video? She hadn't checked properly since then, so she wasn't sure. She should have confiscated the phone and confirmed the deletion right then and there. Seo-yeon felt a lingering regret.
"...Villains are comfortable."
No, really. The funny thing was, her past life made it that way. Since she had experienced many discriminatory gazes or looks as if she were something alien, she tended to empathize with villains. Most villainous roles started their acting from such negative emotions.
Not that she only wanted to play villains, though.
I'd rather play the Butterfly Lady.
Kasugayama Yuina. Honestly, it was a burden at first, but it was a role she grew fond of the more she did it. Especially after understanding the emotional lines to some extent, she felt a bit of pity. If she had acted like this from the beginning, she could have produced better scenes more often.
"Anyway, there's still some time before the Japan shoot, so we should prioritize filming the scenes you're in, Seo-yeon."
"Ah, did the filming schedule change because of me...?"
"No, it didn't. But since there's a possibility you'll get busy, there's no harm in filming early."
The schedule was one thing, but it was better to film Seo-yeon’s acting in quick succession. Director Baek Min had reached that conclusion after seeing her work. Since her acting relied heavily on emotion, filming everything at once before those emotions faded resulted in better scenes.
"How about you, Seo-hee? Is that okay?"
"Ah, yes. I'm fine."
Director Baek Min nodded. Naturally, if there were many Kasugayama Yuina scenes, the lead actors would suffer the most. Because in parts where Yuina appeared, Michiko or Yeon Seon-ye were almost always involved. After them, it was definitely Goto Isamu.
"An American director showing interest, huh..."
However, after hearing Seo-yeon’s words, Lee Sang-soo had a worried look on his face. Since he was someone who had experienced a great failure in Hollywood, he seemed worried about Seo-yeon. Of course, even if Seo-yeon were to film a movie, it would be in the Japanese film industry, not Hollywood.
"Well, let's think about that later... Seo-yeon, and Seo-hee, are you both ready?"
"Ah, yes."
Seo-yeon nodded with a tense face. Director Baek Min looked slightly puzzled by her appearance.
"So even Seo-yeon gets nervous when she acts."
"Well... yes. I'm only human."
Seo-yeon laughed awkwardly. In fact, her nervousness about today's acting was for a different reason.
The scene where I get into a scuffle and fight with Michiko.
Jo Seo-hee, who didn't think much of Seo-yeon’s physical abilities, just tilted her head. However, Seo-yeon, who had a history of sending two actors to the hospital during the filming of The Chaser, couldn't help but be nervous.
After all, when she got immersed in a role, mistakes sometimes happened.