Chapter 237: Surviving in Japan (3)

A kiss scene.

It was a performance that any actor was bound to encounter at least once.

If a movie or drama involved romance, such a scene was almost a certainty.

Seo-yeon was well aware of this.

She had simply spent time wondering how she would handle it if she ever had to do one herself.

To begin with, most of the films she had appeared in so far had excluded such elements. Since Seo-yeon possessed knowledge of the future, avoiding them hadn't been difficult.

Gyeongseong Lady was the same.

Kasugayama Yuina was in a position where she harbored an unrequited love for the protagonist, Yeon Seon-ye, but aside from that, there wasn't much intense physical contact. At most, it involved brushing a shoulder, caressing a face, or touching a lip.

The film simply portrayed those elements somewhat vividly.

Of course, even during those shoots, Seo-yeon had been more flustered than she expected.

And why wouldn't she be?

Caressing the face of a friend she’d known for ten years while flirting with her created a truly bizarre sensation.

'How am I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠supposed to look our classmates in the eye after the movie comes out?'

Ji-yeon had said that with a laugh after the filming ended.

Regardless, having received lessons on unrequited love from Yeo-hee, Seo-yeon was able to bring those emotions to life relatively well, even in a romantic context.

The subtle advances.

The complex heart of Yuina, who couldn't bring herself to step any closer.

The conflict between her own goals and Yeon Seon-ye’s safety.

Those aspects were quite to the liking of Seo-yeon, who enjoyed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emotional acting. It was a romantic performance that made her feel both embarrassed to show others and excited to see the result.

Yes, she hadn't thought much of it until that point.

"Seo-yeon, you only have the final wrap-up shots left back in Korea, so you can rest for now."

Director Baek Min-chan spoke with a gentle smile.

Up to that point, everything was fine.

However, the face of actor Lee Sang-soo seemed to darken slightly as he thought about the acting they had to do once they returned to Korea.

Seo-yeon’s first thought was simply that the long and eventful filming of Gyeongseong Lady was finally coming to an end.

"Ji-yeon and Seo-hee still have a lot of filming left, though."

They had to cram in all the scenes they hadn't been able to shoot yet. Specifically, every scene taking place at the 'Amanami Mansion.'

And most of those scenes involved the romance between Yeon Seon-ye and Michiko.

The reason Yuina had nothing left to shoot for that part was simple: even if there was business at the Amanami household, Goto Isamu was the one who went.

"Filming will start in a few days. Make sure you keep your emotions dialed in until then."

And then he added:

"So the kiss scene doesn't look amateurish."

Seo-yeon had avoided such elements in her own roles as much as possible.

Only then did she realize. Even if she didn't have to do it, a kiss scene strictly existed for the other actors.

*

"Actress Ju Seo-yeon is acting a bit strange, isn't she?"

"Maybe it hasn't sunk in yet that her filming is over?"

"Ah~, maybe. Honestly, the shoot for Gyeongseong Lady felt exceptionally long to me, too."

"Well, things were rocky even before we started."

The staff's chatter drifted past her ears.

Currently, Seo-yeon was at a restaurant with the film crew.

Holding her spoon, Seo-yeon thought to herself.

'A kiss scene...'

It was a fairly expensive sushi place. Since Jo Seo-hee had recommended it, it was undoubtedly the height of luxury.

For the record, Lee Ji-yeon and Jo Seo-hee were sitting side by side. Seo-yeon was sitting directly across from them.

Naturally, Seo-yeon’s eyes drifted to their faces. More specifically, their lips.

'So, they’re going to rub those together? Pressing their mouths against each other... they’re going to do that?'

It didn't feel real.

The vast universe was still swirling behind Seo-yeon’s back—the countless histories of human romance.

Gyeongseong Lady was rated for all ages, so the scene wouldn't be intense. Even so, a kiss scene was included. Even dramas featuring minors had kiss scenes, after all. It was even more expected in a movie.

Furthermore, the three characters in the story were adults.

The two of them, currently munching away on sushi, didn't seem to have a single thought about it. Lee Ji-yeon was eating with a ferocity that suggested she wanted every piece of sushi dead.

'Ramiel and Alice.'

Suddenly, Alice’s Red Pill flashed through her mind, but Seo-yeon quickly pushed it away. Seo-yeon didn't keep memories of Jo Seo-hee broadcasting with full-body tracking equipment. Even if they surfaced, she erased them immediately, so for all intents and purposes, she didn't remember.

Over the two of them eating sushi, 3D avatars naturally overlapped.

Wasn't this... a legitimate Yuri move?

No, it was a Yuri movie, after all.

'I’m not particularly into that sort of thing, though.'

To begin with, Seo-yeon didn't even like it when Ramiel got involved with other streamers. No, wait, it wasn't Ramiel. It was Lee Ji-yeon and Jo Seo-hee.

Seo-yeon rubbed her eyes. Quite hard.

"Hey, Ju Seo-yeon. Why are you looking at us like that?"

"...Huh?"

"I know your eyes are naturally reddish, but they’re totally bloodshot right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now. It’s creepy."

Seo-yeon checked her reflection in her phone screen. Just as Ji-yeon said, her eyes were bloodshot.

'Did I stare too hard?'

But she couldn't help it. Looking at the two of them, she couldn't think of anything else but the words 'kiss scene.'

'What am I doing? I'm not a middle schooler.'

Seo-yeon let out a sigh and tried to compose herself.

"Um, hey, Seo-hee. Can I ask you one thing?"

"...Uh, yeah?"

Jo Seo-hee’s expression turned awkward at the strange mix of casual and formal speech. She looked like she wanted to tell her to just speak casually.

'I want to speak casually, too.'

But after using formal speech for so long, it wasn't easy. It was already a step forward that she’d gone from 'Seo-hee-ssi' to just 'Seo-hee.'

"You disappeared with Stella at the end. What did you two talk about?"

Seo-yeon brought it up to distract herself from the kiss scene. She had actually been meaning to ask, but the universe of the kiss scene had been floating in her head, preventing her.

"Hmph, it was nothing."

Jo Seo-hee was usually soft-hearted toward Seo-yeon, but that was only because Seo-yeon was like her own pet. Normally, Jo Seo-hee was exactly the kind of woman she looked like. She had a temper, so putting her and Stella together was bound to be chilling.

Separately, it seemed Jo Seo-hee had been quite disappointed in Stella.

'That’s strange. I thought Jo Seo-hee would have wanted to be friends with Stella.'

It seemed Jo Seo-hee had her own standards when it came to acting. Seo-yeon hadn't known before, but after visiting her house, she had a rough idea of what those standards were. She liked actors who possessed the same brilliant talent as her mother, the legendary actress.

'It’s a bit embarrassing to say it myself, though.'

But since Jo Seo-hee’s father, Jo Seok-hwan, had said it, there was no helping it.

Anyway, Stella was exactly the type Jo Seo-hee should have liked. She was the 'fairy of the century,' and her acting skills were beyond reproach.

'Well, I won this time, though.'

Seo-yeon shrugged. By anyone's standards, it was her victory by decision. Well, it was a bit silly for a cameo and a lead to compete, but a win was a win.

"I kept watching her, and there were things I didn't like. So there were a few things I wanted to ask. Hmph, but just as I thought... she wasn't acting with very good intentions."

"What? You mean she acted with us just to sabotage us or something?"

"No, it had nothing to do with us. I’m talking about her method of acting. And her wanting to cameo in our movie wasn't just to steal the scene like you did, Seo-yeon."

Then what was the reason?

As Seo-yeon stared blankly, Jo Seo-hee crossed her arms and snorted. Of course, she wasn't snorting at Seo-yeon. It was likely directed at Stella. If someone just handed her a folding fan, she would look exactly like a Villainess.

"...Well, I’m not one to talk, but anyway, Stella’s objective was a bit unpleasant."

"No, what was it?"

"It’s... a bit much to say. It’s a personal matter."

'Then don't make me curious!'

Seo-yeon glared at Jo Seo-hee, grumbling. Jo Seo-hee flinched but shook her head firmly, indicating she wouldn't budge.

Fine then.

Seo-yeon looked away from Seo-hee and back to her sushi. At least she had managed to forget about the kiss scene for a moment.

Of course...

"Alright, let's get into the scene!"

That effect only lasted for three days. The romance part between Yeon Seon-ye and Michiko began immediately.

*

YHJ Broadcasting Station, Japan.

They were currently discussing the filming of Gyeongseong Lady. They were deeply involved with the media outlets distributing the film, and they were also preparing a special broadcast related to it.

"The acting sequence between Stella and Ju Seo-yeon was a truly unexpected windfall."

"Wow, if this makes it in, the popularity will be insane, won't it?"

Stella had always been popular in Japan. The fact that she was mixed-race and the 'fairy of the century' label were things the Japanese audience particularly loved.

But now, Seo-yeon was added to the mix. She was a Korean actress who had trended several times in Japan recently. Thanks to her, the popularity of Dream Future, which was currently airing in Japan, had soared even higher, to the point where people were suggesting a remake.

'Well, if that happens, the actress playing Jo Ha-rin will be breaking a sweat.'

The performance that stood out most in Dream Future was 'Jo Ha-rin.' And was her beauty anything ordinary? Honestly, even he felt his breath catch for a moment when he first saw Seo-yeon. It was unfortunate, but there was no actress in Japan with that kind of look and aura. He could say that with certainty.

Thinking about it that way, he felt that the role of Jo Ha-rin might be the only one they couldn't fill.

"I heard Ju Seo-yeon’s schedule is opening up a bit."

"But we can't just invite her alone."

"That’s true. Man, but the scenes are great. The Korean film-making style is quite sophisticated, isn't it? The method is different from Japan's."

"They say the Korean film industry is basically similar to Hollywood's. Besides, well... the market is ultimately decided by money."

"Hey, if we're just looking at the market, ours is much bigger."

That was true. At least in terms of the overall film market. However...

'The amount that goes to the director and actors is much higher in Korea.'

Naturally, that led to a difference in the attitudes of the directors and actors. Of course, Japan still had many masters and excellent actors. The power of Japanese culture was immense, so they were holding their own, but it was true that Japanese movies and dramas hadn't been performing well globally lately.

They had brought in Asher Baldwin to improve that situation, but...

'I have no idea what that man is thinking.'

It was hard to tell if he was there to film a movie or just on vacation. Still, it was a relief that Stella was being quite proactive. Honestly, he thought she had just followed Asher, but from YHJ’s perspective, her light footsteps were a huge help. Above all, putting her with Ju Seo-yeon created a lot of buzz.

"But, Stella... she looks so overconfident that I kind of want to tease her."

"Ju Seo-yeon has that side to her, too."

"No, no. Ju Seo-yeon is just the calm, cool type, but Stella has that specific doyagao? That shameless, smug look, you know?"

"Ah, hahaha, I know exactly what you mean."

The producers, who were sharing such a conversation, suddenly had a thought.

"Ah, the other Korean actresses had great characters, too."

"A variety show together... is there any way we can get them on? Even just one more."

"Personally, I’d like to include a Japanese actress for promotion..."

But what would be good?

As they put their heads together, one of them spoke up.

"...How about Survival?"

"Pardon?"

It was an unexpected proposal.

*

"First of all, let me say that you must not approach this scene with a light heart."

Director Baek Min-chan ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spoke in a uncharacteristically serious tone. Ji-yeon and Seo-hee nodded with tense faces.

Today’s filming was almost over. All that remained was the first kiss scene.

"It’s not just about the action; you have to show the inner self. More platonically."

Since it was for all ages, there were limits to what could be shown. They couldn't go beyond a kiss scene. In fact, Director Baek had originally intended for an adult version, but it had been changed at the request of the investors.

So, all ages. At most, it would be rated 15+.

Therefore, for this scene to appear more intimate, the emotion had to come through more than the action.

"Michiko now realizes her feelings for Yeon Seon-ye and wants to actively express them."

And it was the same for Yeon Seon-ye. She had already forgotten her initial goal, and upon realizing that she was part of the reason Michiko had tried to take her own life, she began to reflect. In effect, she had shifted her stance toward antagonizing Yuina.

"Of course, I’m sure Seo-hee will lead well. You’ve done this many times, haven't you?"

"...Um, this is my first kiss scene, too."

"Oh, is that so?"

Director Baek looked at Seo-hee as if surprised. Seo-hee, in turn, was flustered by his gaze. How exactly had he been viewing her? Did she look that experienced?

"Then, let's start filming. You two, please get ready."

With Director Baek’s words, the cameras began to roll.

Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon faced each other. Michiko and Yeon Seon-ye.

While the staff watched the two of them, Seo-yeon sat in a chair among them, staring intensely.

'Seo-yeon’s eyes are bloodshot.'

'She must be really tired.'

She heard the staff whispering, but Seo-yeon just remained silent. She was currently overwhelmed by a feeling that was hard to describe.

And then.

"My lady, you must be a natural. How can you... be so good at this?"

Seo-yeon collapsed on the spot.