Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: A Sort of Korea-Japan Showdown
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A project in the works at Asaha Broadcasting.
The live-action drama adaptation of the manga Predator.
As an SF genre, it was inevitable that it would consume far more budget on CG and other elements than your average drama, but Asaha Broadcasting boldly went ahead with it anyway.
The network had already tasted success with tokusatsu shows, a similar vein to live-action adaptations,
but above all, the biggest reason was the current Asaha station chief himself—
Matara Okida, a die-hard fan of Predator.
He'd been reading it since its serialization in magazines twenty years ago, owned the full collection at home, and still did full re-read marathons whenever he had time.
The station chief was what you'd call an OG core fan of Predator.
For him, after twenty long years,
the sudden anime adaptation of his all-time favorite Predator and its massive success was incredibly encouraging.
Thus, the lavish live-action drama production, backed by big money, was fueled in no small part by the big boss's personal fandom.
However, overzealousness can lead to rushing things, which often throws everything into disarray.
The Predator drama team found themselves in a slightly awkward spot right from the get-go.
"Hmm..."
"This... might cause some talk later on."
Ahead of full drama filming, they'd produced what was billed as a manga promo CM but was really a full PV.
Most roles were filled by actors already cast for the main series.
The lead, Inazuma Shinji, went to newcomer KuJo Sakuya,
who'd boosted his profile with solid acting in Mask Hero.
His base look matched the original Shinji pretty well anyway,
and since he'd just signed exclusive with Asaha, they were quite satisfied with him.
For the heroine, Musashino Sato, they cast Watanabe Yuyuko,
an Asaha exclusive actress with solid skills—what you might call great value for money.
By coincidence, both leads were from the previous Mask Hero - Black Moon,
but that was unavoidable given the network's budget constraints.
The chief was all-in, but with CG already eating up funds, they couldn't afford big-name outsiders.
Better to build up their own named actors and promising newbies—that was the conclusion.
The issue came with the character after Shinji and Sato, essentially the story's third lead.
Takami Yuka.
Per the chief and director's decision, she'd go to the actress who'd just played Queen Kaguya...
another Mask Hero alum with surprisingly affordable rates, the Korean Chae Soo-jeong.
But that's where the problem arose.
Unlike the other two leads ready to jump in immediately, Chae Soo-jeong hailed from across the sea—her main habitat, so to speak.
Bringing her back required time, and syncing with the CM schedule was proving tricky.
In this bind, the PD in charge made a proposal.
"It's just a PV anyway, and it'll double as promo. Let's use a big name for Takami Yuka."
"Y-Yeah... maybe?"
"Hmm... it would be easier that way right now..."
The Mask Hero cast wasn't bad, but their fame was a bit lacking.
With the anime hype still fresh, they needed to ramp up production fast,
so per the PD, for this CM-slash-PV, they'd recast Takami Yuka with...
a so-called top-class star.
The actress they landed: Kirishima Airin.
Winner of last year's Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Leading Actress,
a sensation for her seductive looks and stellar acting.
Calling her over cost a fortune, as you'd expect from a true name-brand star, but for a short CM stint, it was manageable.
"Alright, let's start shooting. Ready, action!"
-"I've always wondered... why was our Predator even born?"
She nailed the emotion in front of the camera.
Kirishima Airin.
As an established star, she captured Takami Yuka's image spot-on.
"Wow, impressive as expected."
"Japan's top actress really is on another level."
The crew marveled,
and the other actors gazed at her with envy.
But Airin herself wasn't all that invested in the moment.
'Eh... this is a piece of cake.'
Not a full drama—just a promo PV.
She was too big a deal to care much about gigs like this.
If not for her personal interest in Predator, she'd have passed.
To her, it was just a fun little memory and pocket change.
Nothing more.
If there was one feeling... mild pity.
For the actress set to play Takami Yuka for real, next in line after her.
That 'Korean actress' she'd vaguely heard about felt a tad pitiful.
With the PV hyping expectations sky-high, the real deal would inevitably face backlash.
'What can you do? She's up against me directly. Just chalk it up to bad luck.'
Didn't know her face, wasn't even Japanese, so no big deal,
but Airin sent a casual condolence as she wrapped the PV shoot.
"So, this is the PV that came out of all that?"
"Yes, they sent it over for you to check in advance."
Ara, the manager, played the video.
Very Japanese in vibe, pulled off nicely...? Honestly, hard to judge,
but anyway, flashy and grand as I nodded slowly.
"Surprisingly familiar faces. KuJo, Yuyuko, and such..."
"Same network, right? Easier chemistry, and saves on budget—makes sense."
Industry woes are universal.
Amid the mild familiarity,
I focused on the actress playing Takami Yuka in the PV.
Impressive skill radiating from the screen.
Fully immersed, textbook-clean acting without a wasted motion.
Clearly a pro. I asked in a serious tone,
"Who's this...?"
"Kirishima Airin. Hot rising star in Japan. Honestly, overkill for a PV. Asaha must've shelled out big."
"Hmm..."
Airin or whatever—first time seeing her in past or present life,
but her acting? Had to respect it.
Not for nothing she's acclaimed in Japan; she owned the character perfectly.
And that handed the baton straight to...
me, who now had to follow and get directly compared.
It stirred one emotion.
...This could be... fun?
First time ever, past and present combined.
Getting my acting pitted head-to-head like this.
Past life, I was an extra—no position or chance.
Now, short career—no such scenarios yet.
Unfamiliar, but that freshness sparked real interest.
Could be pressure, but for me with zero experience like this, the challenge excited me.
Feeling this novel thrill,
I resolved to meet this unintended "challenge" head-on with all I had.
Already planned to take it seriously, but now it lit a fire.
Kinda like a Korea-Japan battle, huh? I thought, a thick smile creeping across my lips.
"You're going to Japan?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
The long shoot for the movie Last Sign was finally wrapping soon.
Hearing Chae Soo-jeong's news, Elizabeth blinked in inner dismay.
Wait... drama shoot in Japan? I had plans after wrapping...
Her mental schedule flipped upside down.
Stunned for a moment,
she quickly regrouped.
No... Japan... it's close... might as well finish that trip we skipped last time...
Decision made, Elizabeth grabbed her phone right after parting with Soo-jeong.
But...
"Yeah, Papa, it's me. Extend the stay a bit more...? ...What the FuXX.."