Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Failed Love
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[People strive to seize opportunities.
Yet when one appears right before their eyes,
some hesitate and waver,
while others reach out with desperate courage.
That guy mustered his courage,
and I hesitated.
Yes.
The problem wasn't the deflated tire, nor the opportunity that slipped away.
It was the hesitation lurking in my heart.
The hesitation that kept me from taking one more step,
that I couldn't shake off even at the very last moment.
My utter foolishness.]
"Ah..."
A monologue laced with deep bitterness.
At the single scene unfolding alongside it,
Oh Young-ae and the viewers forgot even to type in the chat, letting out soft sighs tinged with regret.
A dark night alley shrouded in shadows.
In that place lit only by the hazy glow of a streetlamp,
a man and woman embraced, their lips locked in a kiss.
Kwon Chan-su.
And...
the woman whose lips met his...
The woman who chose what could be called love,
skipping the literary award ceremony that evening to come here.
Ha Yu-ra.
Gazing at them, as if they were the only two people in the world,
Choi Soo-jin turned away with a darkened expression and left the alley without strength.
Choi Soo-jin, walking silently without shedding a single tear.
Yet in her demeanor, there was a profound sorrow deeper than any wailing collapse on the ground.
The pain of a failed love.
Exposing that quiet yet vivid agony everyone experiences at least once in life,
she boarded a luxury foreign car that felt dazzling yet utterly pathetic in this moment and departed.
Immediately, the ads began to play.
Returning those captivated by the screen's world to reality,
and ventilating the sunken atmosphere.
Still feeling the lingering sadness that wouldn't fade, Oh Young-ae resumed her paused broadcast commentary.
"Haa... So it ends like this. There were some hints, but in the end, Yu-ra wins."
Oh Young-ae had secretly hoped Chan-su would end up with Soo-jin.
Though the bond between Chan-su and his childhood friend Ha Yu-ra grew clearer by the day,
Soo-jin's persistent efforts to express her affection made even Oh Young-ae—aside from being Chae Soo-jeong's die-hard fan—root for the character Choi Soo-jin.
And countless other viewers watching the drama felt the same.
A flood of viewers sending words of support to Soo-jin.
Though some had rooted for Yu-ra's love, even they offered comfort and cheers to the lonely departing Choi Soo-jin in this moment.
Meanwhile,
the culprit who made people feel the bitterness of a failed love and shed tears,
Chae Soo-jeong,
"Take my hand, Makado. If you and I join forces, we can rule this Earth... no, the entire universe."
"Never gonna happen!"
"If you realize Black Moon's true power... Ken didn't tell you about Asakura, your friend."
"He told me plenty! That you, Kaguya, killed my best friend!"
"No. I am your best friend, Asakura."
"!"
was fully embodying the evil overlord's aura with her all-out performance.
The tokusatsu shoot didn't take as long as I'd thought.
The transformation battle scenes, which made up half the footage, were performed by professional suit actors instead of me,
and since the narrative included not just me and the protagonist but also side characters' stories taking up significant runtime,
my own screen time was surprisingly limited.
Plus, tokusatsu's nature with few long takes, heavy editing,
and Director Oda's style of seamlessly stitching scenes,
meant we often bulk-shot minor scenes to pad the footage.
Like how Malfoy's total screen time across all Harry Potter films is just 31 minutes.
Especially since I had to return to Korea after Reply 1989 wrapped, I couldn't stay in Japan long,
so aside from a few high-impact key scenes, we filled in this way.
Thus, after three weeks of non-stop all-nighters and grueling marches,
I now lay utterly spent on the hotel bed.
"Mom, you okay?"
"No... not okay at all..."
"Hiiing..."
My body was so exhausted, no empty platitudes could cover it.
Even with my iron constitution, this was rough—others had it worse.
Some actors popped pills just to hold on,
and crew members collapsed from overwork and got carted off.
Japan's work intensity is murderous, squeezing people like dry towels.
Anyway, with my role's filming nearly done,
it was time to prepare for Korea.
Return meant jumping straight into the next schedule.
'First... rest today.'
I sank into the plush hotel bed, drifting off oblivious to the world.
Feeling my daughter's gentle hand stroking my hair.
The sight of her mom fast asleep.
Seon-hwa's gaze held a deep shadow.
Mom, who hadn't slept for days, focused solely on shooting.
Gently stroking her exhausted head as she slept soundly,
Seon-hwa whispered softly.
"Thank you..."
A voice carrying unusual gravity, unlike her usual self.
Then she leaned down
and kissed her mom's cheek.
"I love you... Mom."
"Seon-hwa-chan, message me on LINE when you get home, okay?"
"Yeah. Got it, Yuu-woo unnie."
Yuuko speaking in slightly awkward Korean.
Seon-hwa nodded, waving her phone with LINE open.
'Ka... kawaii...'
Watching her, Yuuko hugged the child in her arms even tighter.
Wishing she could take her home and raise her forever.
Yuuko truly regretted the impending farewell.
Meanwhile,
as Yuuko—who gave off subordinate No. 1 vibes not just in the drama but somehow in reality too—bid farewell to Seon-hwa on one side,
Chae Soo-jeong, who had reigned as queen here for weeks,
exchanged goodbyes with the others.
"Great work, Soo-jeong sunbaenim."
"Hng... I... not sad at all or anything... but... take care."
"Contact us if you come back to Japan."
Initially put off by her in various ways, but awed by her acting, the cast had grown fond of her naturally.
Especially her humble demeanor opposite her intense performances, always approachable and bright,
which now brought a touch of bitterness to their parting.
Chae Soo-jeong continued greetings while packing.
Watching her,
Kujo, who had waited his turn,
approached cautiously once the others looked away.
"...Are you leaving?"
Kujo's voice tinged with reluctance.
Chae Soo-jeong replied with her signature calm smile.
"Yes, shooting's done, so it's time to head home."
Her Japanese had improved notably in just under a month.
Still rough on fine pronunciation or complex words, but communication was feasible now.
Seeing this, Kujo gave a wry smile inwardly.
'She said she couldn't speak a lick of Japanese, but she learned fast. Genius, huh...'
Of course, it was really the 'Japanese' already in her head from anime and subculture, now rooted through weeks of shooting.
But unaware, Kujo was just amazed.
Anyway, watching his newfound colleague depart—
the person he set as his 'goal'—
Kujo spoke sincerely.
"Th-thank you so much. Thanks to you... I learned a lot as an actor."
"I'm glad to hear that. With your talent, Mr. Kujo, you'll do even better."
With that, she slung on her packed-full bag.
Then, looking straight at him, she said,
"Next time we meet, let's see each other from higher places."
"!"
A smile conveying relief and clear resolve.
Seeing that breathtaking beauty,
Kujo Sakuya felt his heart throb deeply for the first time in his life.
"Y-yes! Definitely... I will!"
"Hee-hee."
At his flustered yet earnest reply, Soo-jeong let out a small laugh.
A small, brilliantly shining laugh,
like a tiny gem...
Thus, Chae Soo-jeong returned to Korea after a heartwarming farewell in Japan.
Feeling bone-tired exhaustion still clinging, she planned to head home and collapse like the dead.
But...
"Huh? Yu-ra-ssi? What's up with the call..."
-"S-sunbaenim! You haven't cleared immigration yet, right? Don't come out the main exit!"
"...Huh? What's that sud—what do you mean? I'm already past baggage claim and heading through the gate...!?"
Perplexed by the unexpected call, Chae Soo-jeong passed through arrivals with Seon-hwa.
And.
"! Sh-she's out!"
"Chae Soo-jeong actress-nim! Is that you, Chae Soo-jeong actress-nim?"
"?!"
Camera flashes exploded right before her eyes.
Caught off guard, Chae Soo-jeong froze mid-step.
It was the day after Reply 1989's ratings hit 30%.