Chapter 230: A First-Time Experience (2)
Chapter 230: A First-Time Experience (2)
A heavy, confused atmosphere hung over the crew of Gyeongseong Lady ahead of their overseas shoot.
The actors, in particular, were busy gauging each other’s reactions.
Among them, some were casting glances at Lee Sang-soo.
It was only natural.
He was an actor who had once failed on the international stage.
In contrast, the person currently on set was the youngest winner of the Best Actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival.
She had already reached the heights that every actor dreams of.
Stella Baldwin.
A blonde girl with a beaming smile.
In her white dress, with her deep blue eyes, she looked like a single, fleeting flower.
"Wow, she’s seriously so pretty."
"She feels completely different from how she looks in movies."
Perhaps she heard the whispers around her.
Stella’s gaze shifted, and she smiled toward those who had just been talking.
"Thank you."
Of course, for Seo-yeon, who knew her true nature, the only possible reaction was a silent ugh.
Unlike when she was alone with Seo-yeon, Stella was currently the picture of an angel.
And she’s only answering in English.
Looking at her now, her face practically screamed, 'I don't speak a word of Korean.'
She had only used Korean once.
When she met Lee Ji-yeon and Jo Seo-hee.
In other words, she was speaking entirely in English to everyone except for the trio, including Seo-yeon.
"Lame."
Lee Ji-yeon, watching Stella, crossed her arms and spoke.
"She feels like one of those people who’s pitch-black on the inside."
"Hmm, I agree. I had high expectations after seeing her in movies, but..."
Jo Seo-hee clicked her tongue as she watched Stella greet the staff at the airport.
As someone acquainted with the children of other chaebol families, this was a very familiar feeling.
The type of people who smile on the outside while harboring a nest of vipers within.
For Seo-hee, who had imagined an innocent angel, this was quite off-putting.
"Ju Seo-yeon, she can speak Korean, right?"
"Yeah, she can. But how did you know?"
Did she figure it out just from that Puyo Puyo incident earlier?
If so, her observation skills were incredible.
"Otherwise, there’s no way you’d be able to have a proper conversation with someone that shady."
"...I can speak English too."
"Oh yeah? What was your English grade?"
"..."
How cold this reality was, judging everything by grades.
Seo-yeon couldn't help but lament inwardly.
Honestly, wasn't it enough to just be good at Korean?
She hadn't been particularly interested in English since her past life.
"Just kidding. More importantly, you don't usually like people like that. The ones who are different on the inside."
Ji-yeon whispered softly.
As she said, Seo-yeon didn't particularly like the two-faced type.
Especially since Seo-yeon, who was skilled at reading emotions, could see through most of their true intentions.
But I can't really see through Stella.
That was the strange part.
Was it simply acting?
But if that were the case, her usual words and actions were far too raw.
If she were acting, she could easily package herself into a much better persona.
Just like the one she was showing to other people right now.
And yet, she didn't show that attitude to Seo-yeon.
It’s similar to... a sense of kinship, but not quite.
What could it be?
Seo-yeon felt a puzzling sensation.
The sense of dissonance she felt when watching her actions and the movies she starred in.
And the emotions that strangely clicked into place.
Seo-yeon thought about the person named 'Stella' for a moment.
The first thing that came to mind was her 'narrative.'
Asher Baldwin’s adopted daughter.
Being an adopted daughter meant, in other words, that she was originally an orphan.
The United States doesn't officially have orphanages; they usually use foster care.
It’s a system designed to raise abandoned children in proper homes rather than institutions.
Foster families receive support from the government, but if it's determined they aren't raising the child properly, the child is moved to another home.
Five times.
That was the number of families Stella had cycled through.
Waking up early in the morning, Seo-yeon had looked up information about her before the sleeping Stella woke up.
She had moved through five homes while growing up, and while living in the last one, she caught Asher Baldwin’s eye and became his adopted daughter.
That was the year Stella turned seven.
Why did Asher Baldwin suggest the path of an actress after seeing Stella?
Why did Stella choose acting as her profession among so many other options?
Seo-yeon searched the internet, but the reasons didn't come up.
As she was staring at Stella while lost in thought, their eyes happened to meet.
Stella must have felt Seo-yeon looking at her.
Meeting her gaze, Stella gave a bright smile and waved her hand friendly.
In response, Seo-yeon waved back.
She was a handful, but her looks were certainly top-tier.
"Ju Seo-yeon."
"Yeah?"
"You’ve already gotten pretty close, haven't you?"
"Huh?"
Wasn't waving just... waving?
Lee Ji-yeon spoke with a strangely grumpy face before turning her gaze away.
"It’s not like we’re particularly close."
"Hmm, really?"
Whether they were close or not, Seo-yeon and Stella had only met a day ago.
At Seo-yeon’s answer, Ji-yeon narrowed her eyes for a moment before nodding.
It wasn't that Ji-yeon had a problem with Seo-yeon becoming friends with someone.
It was just that Stella... felt off.
It’s like standing in front of a masterpiece in a museum.
It wasn't just that Stella’s personality was rotten or that she had a foul mouth.
She felt fundamentally unsettling, so Ji-yeon didn't want Seo-yeon to be around her.
She’s just like Ju Seo-yeon when she was little.
Ji-yeon thought.
Back then, she was a child herself, so she didn't fully understand the dissonance, but if she met her now, the Seo-yeon of that time would have given off a similar feeling to the current Stella.
*
And so, they arrived in Japan.
Seo-yeon hadn't expected to return to Japan so soon.
Furthermore, Stella, who had come to Korea on a whim, was promptly escorted away by bodyguards waiting at the airport.
"I'm going now, then."
Stella said to Seo-yeon in passing as she walked away with light steps.
Her deep blue eyes, contrasting with Seo-yeon’s, took her in fully.
"But your eyes aren't red today. Is it only when you sleep?"
Stella had many questions about Seo-yeon in her own right.
Most of all, her eyes.
They were definitely red when their eyes met at dawn.
In the morning, they were brown, even if they were a bit reddish.
Are they sleeping lenses?
It was a question that arose even though she knew it made no sense.
Honestly, Stella wanted to stay with Seo-yeon longer, but since her father would surely be furious if she stayed any longer, she had no choice but to be dragged away by the bodyguards.
"What a shame. But we’ll see each other again soon."
Leaving behind those meaningful words.
She was a woman who appeared and disappeared like a literal storm.
"Director Baek Min?"
When Jo Seo-hee asked tentatively about Stella’s cryptic words.
"Let’s move out as well."
Director Baek Min simply replied with a smile.
When he spoke like that, it usually meant he had something in mind.
For the record, they weren't going straight to the filming site.
They had to drop off their luggage at the hotel and visit one place first.
The YHJ broadcasting station in Japan.
Though they blended in naturally, the Gyeongseong Lady filming team currently included Japanese broadcasting staff dispatched from YHJ.
"Isn't this a huge hit for us?"
The broadcasting staff who had come from Japan were stunned.
Those who had accompanied them to film Seo-yeon’s documentary let out hollow laughs at the series of events.
"Stella suddenly shows up? And just to see actress Ju Seo-yeon?"
"Honestly, we felt that Ju Seo-yeon wasn't ordinary, but actress Stella’s behavior is unexpected. I can't even begin to guess what she’s thinking."
They had watched Seo-yeon’s acting from the sidelines while filming Gyeongseong Lady.
So, they knew very well how talented an actress Seo-yeon was.
To be honest.
The scene where she argued with Michiko was a masterpiece.
At that time, every actor had given a passionate performance.
Because of that, Seo-yeon’s acting stood out even more.
Since the person receiving the performance did it so well, Seo-yeon’s acting shone even brighter.
To the point where one’s eyes would be drawn to Seo-yeon rather than Jo Seo-hee, who was already famous in Korea.
"But just for that..."
They had heard why Stella came to Korea.
It was because Asher Baldwin, while watching a Japanese drama, saw Seo-yeon appearing in a cameo and said he specifically wanted to cast her.
Upon hearing that, Stella had immediately flown over to Korea.
"An actress that the Baldwin father and daughter are interested in... if this goes into the documentary, won't people say we're exaggerating?"
"Eh~, but what can we do? We’ve already filmed it all."
"Then there’s no helping it."
"Right?"
Of course, from their perspective, they were just delighted.
When this broadcast aired, just how much of a sensation would it cause?
Just thinking about it made their hearts flutter with excitement.
*
I want to go to Akihabara.
Seo-yeon thought as she was being taken to the YHJ broadcasting station in Tokyo.
There was so much merch she hadn't been able to buy last time; her mind was filled with only those thoughts.
And perhaps he noticed her thoughts.
"Since there’s no filming schedule today, the young actors are free to rest."
Director Baek Min had coolly made the announcement.
"Really? Then we can just rest freely?"
Jo Seo-hee asked, seemingly suspicious of Director Baek Min’s words, but he only smiled.
"Miss Seo-hee, do I really sound that suspicious? I feel like you ask me that every time."
"A-Ah, no. It’s not exactly like that."
Honestly, it was exactly like that.
Seo-yeon also found it hard to take Director Baek Min’s words at face value.
He’s strangely the type of mastermind you see in manga or movies.
He always wore a gentle smile, but his attitude when working was nothing short of cold-blooded.
He had the kind of visuals where it wouldn't be out of place if he suddenly said, "I will stand in the heavens."
"Ju Seo-yeon, you’re going to go buy merch again, aren't you?"
"Huh? M-Merch?"
"I was asked by your mother. She told me to keep an eye on you so you don't buy too much because there’s no place to put it."
Seo-yeon was flustered by Ji-yeon’s words.
It wasn't just the fact that Ji-yeon had been asked by Sua.
What on earth does she usually talk about with my mom?
Originally, Ji-yeon tended to find Sua very uncomfortable.
Well, it was only natural since she had a history of losing her temper and lunging at her once in middle school.
But recently, that discomfort had vanished, and they felt very close.
Why was that?
Seo-yeon looked at Ji-yeon with suspicious eyes, but she naturally just looked back at Seo-yeon with a "What, what?" expression.
"Yeah, that’s right. Aunt Sua asked me too."
Seo-yeon was flustered once again by Jo Seo-hee, who added to Ji-yeon’s words.
You too?
Ji-yeon was one thing since they had known each other since they were young, but why Jo Seo-hee?
Shouldn't she have no reason to be involved with Sua at all?
Seo-yeon looked at Ji-yeon and Seo-hee with questioning eyes, but the two obviously couldn't give her the reason.
I mean.
I can't exactly tell you that she gives me the money she gets from your donations every time.
Since Seo-yeon shooting money through donations was almost a daily occurrence, they naturally had to meet Sua often.
Recently, it felt like they were settling up once a week, but before, they had met almost every day.
"You’re going to Akihabara again, right?"
"Yeah. It’s close from here."
"...Well, I don't mind, but play with us for a bit before you go shopping. Don't just play alone."
"Got it."
But even if she said that, was there anything in Akihabara that Lee Ji-yeon or Jo Seo-hee would like?
A game center wouldn't be bad.
There were several large-scale game centers in Akihabara.
Though they were mostly places where you could play crane games.
Anyway, following Seo-yeon, the three immediately moved to Akihabara.
One good thing was that, unlike in Korea, they didn't need to hide their faces.
"I didn't need to hide mine in the first place, though."
Ji-yeon said, but for the incredibly famous Seo-yeon and Seo-hee, there was a sense of liberation and freedom that came from simply not wearing a disguise.
Of course.
Everyone is having a hard time making eye contact.
Walking the streets with their faces fully exposed for the first time in a while, they could feel people who saw their faces subtly averting their gaze.
When they stood waiting for a traffic light, everyone kept their distance from the three.
Seriously, because of Lee Ji-yeon.
Jo Seo-hee does have that kind of vibe in Japan.
Because Ju Seo-yeon is glaring at her surroundings too much.
Each of them sighed, thinking it was because of the others.
None of them thought it was because of themselves.
Anyway, after those twists and turns, they arrived at the game center.
"Oh, this place is actually pretty decent?"
"There are dolls and stuff, not just figures. That one’s cute."
Just as Seo-hee and Ji-yeon were marveling at the crane game machines they were seeing for the first time.
"Hello?"
A blonde girl suddenly appeared in front of them.
The surroundings instantly buzzed at the sight of the girl who was as beautiful as an angel.
"See? I told you we’d see each other soon."
There was only one blonde girl who would talk to Seo-yeon like this.
Stella Baldwin was beaming at Seo-yeon.
But how did she know they would come to this game center?
"...How did you know to come here this time?"
At this point, she was practically a stalker.
"Well, I heard it from your managers."
"...The managers told you that?"
"Yeah."
Stella’s gaze moved to Ji-yeon’s hand.
There was a camera there, filming the three of them.
A cam, so to speak.
It was naturally something the Japanese filming crew had requested.
They had asked for footage of the three of them hanging out.
"Because if I appear, it’s a win-win in many ways, right?"
Well, that was true.
Seo-yeon looked at Stella with a pitying gaze.
After all, her impression of her wasn't great because of the behavior she’d shown in Korea.
"Don't talk like that in Japan too."
"Huh? Like what?"
"Saying things like 'all Asians look the same.' We're filming."
"Ah, I shouldn't do that?"
It was even more surprising that she was asking if she shouldn't.
Not just Seo-yeon, but Ji-yeon and Seo-hee also seemed taken aback by Stella’s remark.
"Hmm? Ah? Aha, I see. It’s a kind of black joke, you see."
"Black joke?"
"Because I'm treated as Asian overseas. It’s like a Black person making a Black joke, so to speak."
Stella’s words were quite unexpected.
That Stella was treated as Asian overseas.
"Well, I don't know where half of my blood comes from. I don't care, either."
Mixed race.
To Seo-yeon, she just looked like a foreigner, but if you looked closely, Stella’s features had quite a few Asian elements.
"Yeah, well. If that’s how it looks. I’ll try my best to hold back."
"Maybe you should just not do it at all."
"Ahaha, don't be like that. More importantly, how about that? I'm good at that."
As she said that, what Stella pointed to was none other than a punch machine.
Seeing it, Ji-yeon shuddered.
Seo-hee naturally looked at Seo-yeon.
The shocking sight she had seen at the mansion naturally came to mind.
And as for Seo-yeon.
"I'm good at it too."
She said, shrugging her shoulders.
To be honest, she had never actually hit a punch machine before.
But she had burst many sandbags, so she was confident.
"Really? Then you want to have a match with me?"
"Sure."
"How about a bet? The loser buys dinner today."
"Really?"
Seo-yeon nodded immediately.
It would be a bit much if she had suggested it, but since Stella suggested it first, she was innocent, wasn't she?
I should look up some Japanese omakase places.
Since Stella probably had plenty of money, there was no need to pick a cheap place.
"Then I’ll go first."
Full of motivation, Seo-yeon stepped forward.
As the pretty girl stood in front of the punch machine, the eyes of those in the game center naturally gathered.
"Ah, you’ll hurt your hand if you hit it like that."
"Who is she? She’s gorgeous."
"I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere."
Such voices could be heard from the surroundings.
Most were comments pointing out Seo-yeon’s posture.
Usually, before hitting a punch machine, one holds their right wrist with their left hand.
It’s to prevent injury as much as it is to provide more power.
But since Seo-yeon just had her right hand raised, it was only natural for such comments to come out.
Of course, Seo-yeon didn't think for a second that she would get hurt.
She just thought.
I should hit it somewhat gently.
K-BOOM!!
A thunderous sound erupted, as if the punch machine were breaking.
Even though there was a shock-absorbing part in the back, the sound was loud enough to echo throughout the entire center.
Everyone’s gaze converged in an instant.
"Ju Seo-yeon, that punch machine isn't coming back up. Are Japanese ones like that?"
"..."
Ji-yeon spoke as she looked at the punch machine, which was acting strangely.
Somehow, this felt weird.
It should have come back up after being hit, but no score was displayed, and it didn't come up.
Of course, Ji-yeon said it out of concern that the machine might have broken.
"Huh?"
Stella hovered around the machine, tilting her head with her smile still in place.
"...Huuuh?"
Something was definitely strange.