Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Is This a Korean Actress?
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"Let me see... I heard she's waiting in front of the subway station for now..."
She'd just gotten off the plane and was checking her messages while talking.
Han Jeong-hwa, head of Venaris's advertising department.
Normally, she wouldn't have time for something like this, but she'd volunteered for it herself.
She was the one who'd sparked this whole thing in the first place, and she took the lead to show initiative—plus, it was a chance to handle Venaris's Japan ad shoot at the same time.
Thanks to this, the already skyrocketing morale in her department from recent successes shot even higher...
But honestly, her real reason for coming here was far more personal than business.
'Hehe... A trip with Han-seo oppa...'
The fact that her counterpart was a woman? Honestly, it didn't matter anymore.
Chae Soo-jeong's face, which never got old no matter how long she stared at it on the flight over.
Sure, even women like pretty faces, but Han Jeong-hwa took it to another level.
She even had Han-seo's voice saved on her phone and was listening to it right now. For a fan still burning with passion like her, a chance to travel with her ultimate bias was something she couldn't pass up.
Brimming with excitement at the start of what felt like the most satisfying trip ever, Jeong-hwa led Chae Soo-jeong and her daughter through Narita Airport—a place she'd frequented back in her junior staff days—to the station area.
Japan.
In her past life, she'd visited a few times.
Not for work—just pure travel and hobbies.
It was close enough that a day or two off was all it took, no big deal.
Even with that past experience, this life's first trip to Japan felt fresh—especially since it was for a sort of "business trip."
And for our daughter, too, who was looking around with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Seon-hwa, you have to hold Mommy's hand tight. Got it?"
"Yes!"
She'd traveled the world countless times as a world star in her past life, but this was her first overseas trip now.
Every street sign, every shop, every person's vibe—it all had to feel so new and exciting.
Feeling a strange sense of pride watching her curiosity overflow, I took Seon-hwa's hand and finally stepped into the broadcasting station.
"Welcome. This is Director Oda Kyosuke."
Yukari introduced him in fluent Korean.
I greeted the man before me as politely as possible.
Sunglasses on, bushy beard—he gave off a strict, no-nonsense vibe. A middle-aged guy, through and through.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Chae Soo-jeong."
I could have said it in Japanese, but I didn't bother.
A Japanese quirk: Say even a little Japanese, and they assume you're fluent and unload a torrent of words.
From past trips, I knew it was easier for everyone if I started with "I don't speak Japanese."
Watching me do just that...
Director Oda,
and the woman standing behind him.
She looked like an actress—pretty enough—and she started speaking stiffly in Japanese to Yukari beside her.
It was fast, full of complex words—I couldn't follow the conversation.
But the vibe, plus my actor's sharp observation skills, let me guess what they were saying.
Stern Director Oda,
the actress seeming dissatisfied,
Yukari looking awkward.
In this atmosphere, it had to be...
'Not convinced yet... something like that?'
She'd shown it in the drama, but they wanted to see it live, it seemed.
I let out a small sigh and, watching the three pause their talk,
started walking toward them slowly.
If they weren't convinced, I'd show them.
Exactly what they wanted.
"Director, what do you think? Still want to cast that woman?"
"Well..."
The woman asking in a stiff voice was Watanabe Yuyuko.
One of the actresses in Mask Hero. The director couldn't give her a straight answer.
Yukari, watching him, made a cautious suggestion.
"If you're that unsure, why not have her act once and decide?"
"Hm..."
At Yukari's words, Director Oda pondered with a serious expression.
Yuyuko's complaints from behind didn't matter.
The only issue was whether he could solidify his conviction right now.
He'd watched the video of Chae Soo-jeong, then binged her Korean historical drama from start to finish. That had convinced him.
She could pull off the role he'd created.
Her being Korean was a slight concern, but after disappointing so many actors,
language barriers aside, it wasn't a dealbreaker.
But now,
with the actress right in front of him, he was a bit thrown.
'The vibe... it's way different from the video.'
He'd pictured Chae Soo-jeong as haughty and charismatic.
A queen in every sense—elegant, noble.
But the real deal? Just a pretty young woman.
More precisely, with the kid beside her, she gave off a warm, cozy feel—far from majestic or ruthless.
'Sure, acting changes some people... but this gap is huge.'
Actors play all kinds, but he'd wanted at least a wolf, if not a lion.
Right now, with her daughter, she looked like the gentlest lamb.
Of course, he'd confirmed her skills on video, but he needed to see it live.
Worried he might be misjudging, Director Oda gave careful instructions through Yukari as interpreter.
"Ms. Chae Soo-jeong."
"Yes."
"I'd like to see your skills. Could you... act now? Yes, that Queen Dowager role you showed."
The role that brought this Korean woman all the way to Japan.
At his request, Chae Soo-jeong gave a calm smile.
And.
"Of course."
She slowly closed her eyes to gather her emotions. A faint sense of dissonance hit the air.
And.
"!"
The moment she opened them.
Director Oda's pupils dilated.
It was like blood spreading across pristine white paper.
That pure, almost bland whiteness stained vivid red—crimson on crimson.
So dramatic, so clear,
an overwhelming presence that devoured everything around it.
Even without a word, an unmistakable dignity radiated.
The gentle woman from before was gone.
She was slightly shorter, so he had to look up,
yet it felt like she was gazing down at him.
Her gaze alone made him feel inferior.
Director Oda knew exactly what to call such a being.
Sovereign.
Standing side by side, yet untouchable at the same level.
One enthroned high, with the right to make multitudes kneel.
To evoke that with no lines,
just expression and aura—
Director Oda felt ridiculous for his earlier doubts.
"...Impressive. As expected... my eyes didn't deceive me."
"..."
"..."
Yukari and Yuyuko had no reply.
Yukari, who'd orchestrated this, had expectations, but even she was shocked.
She'd predicted great acting, but facing that majesty head-on was another level.
But Yukari's surprise
was nothing compared to the actress behind her.
Watanabe Yuyuko.
Originally slated as the lead in Mask Hero,
but demoted to supporting after failing to meet Director Oda's expectations.
She had solid popularity and confidence in her acting, so the failure stung a bit—but not for long.
His pickiness was infamous.
Even better actors than her had been rejected, so landing a supporting role was lucky.
But then she heard the news:
A Korean actress for that role. It soured her mood.
'I knew he was an eccentric, but a Korean here?'
Not intense patriotism, but after Japanese stars got pushed aside, picking a Korean felt off.
'Has Oda finally lost it...? Didn't think it was that bad...'
She stewed silently and showed up for the first meeting.
Seeing the woman—Chae Soo-jeong—for the first time,
Yuyuko scoffed inwardly.
Pretty face, cute doll-like daughter she wanted to hug—but that was it.
Nothing special about this actress otherwise. Yuyuko started looking down on her.
'Ha, is this Korea's actress?'
Sneering inside at the fuss over someone like this.
However.
"!?"
Witnessing the "acting" right after,
facing that irresistible majesty head-on.
One thought filled Yuyuko's stunned mind.
'...Th... This is... Korea's actress?'