The YHJ broadcasting station fell into a sudden, stunned silence, as if cold water had been poured over the entire room.
And it was no surprise why.
The person the director had just pointed out was none other than a Korean actress.
Even as the clip continued, showcasing what they believed to be Goto Reika’s powerful performance, the director’s focus remained on the woman who had already exited the scene.
‘What do we do now, Director Nanjou?’
‘This is completely unexpected.’
Even Nanjou Kazuo, the producer who had brought Seoyeon to Japan, wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.
It was understandable.
Enormous effort had gone into inviting this director to Japan. Simply throwing money at the issue hadn’t been enough to move someone of his stature.
They had had to mobilize every connection in the Film Production Committee to finally convince him to come.
"Mr. Baldwin," Nanjou finally spoke up, his English being the most fluent in the room.
Asher Baldwin.
An American director who had worked across various genres, building his reputation through indie films. His fantasy masterpiece, funded after years of smaller projects, had won him an Academy Award.
Subsequent biographical films had brought him multiple accolades. His resume was nothing short of extraordinary.
However, his career had hit a snag about five years ago. He hadn’t delivered any major box office hits since then.
Of course, this slump was relative. His films weren’t failures by any means—just not up to the standards of his earlier successes.
‘Which is probably why we managed to lure him to Japan at all.’
Nanjou sighed inwardly as Baldwin stared at him with a detached expression.
The difference between Japan’s and Hollywood’s production environments was vast.
For Japanese producers, dealing with such a high-profile foreign director was an entirely new experience. Japanese directors were often treated like ordinary salarymen, sometimes even worse.
"I made a request," Baldwin said.
"You mean about the actress?"
"Yes, the actress among the extras in that scene."
Baldwin gestured for the clip to be rewound.
It was clear he had zero interest in the performance of Goto Reika, Japan’s celebrated actress.
This left the broadcasting station, which had been pushing Reika heavily, feeling bitter.
"May I ask why?"
Nanjou’s hesitant question made Baldwin’s sharp eyebrows twitch.
It was as if Baldwin were glaring at him, questioning whether they even had the ability to see talent.
‘Of course I know.’
Nanjou was well aware, as were most of the people in the room.
Even those who dismissed the Korean actress in public couldn’t tear their eyes away from her during the footage.
A mere one-minute scene.
Simple movements, a few lines, and a cascade of subtle emotional shifts.
There were many impressive elements, but two stood out most clearly:
In that brief minute, her looks left a lasting impression above all else.
- Presence.
Frankly, the scene swallowed everyone else.
Despite the male lead Kento being present, all eyes were drawn to the unnamed extra.
It brought to mind a quote from a manga Nanjou had once read, which had unfortunately been discontinued:
"The extra stole the scene."
It wasn’t funny. In fact, it was unsettlingly accurate.
"You understand, don’t you?"
Baldwin read Nanjou’s expression and spoke.
"Catching the audience’s attention is one of the most crucial talents an actor can have. Or rather..."
He paused to rephrase.
"It’s an essential quality for a lead actor."
It sounded as though he was saying she was too noticeable to be an extra.
But that wasn’t entirely the case.
Judging by the scene, it had been designed to highlight her from the start.
"The director has a good eye," Baldwin thought.
Of course, this assumed the director had recognized her talent.
Truthfully, Baldwin had a tendency to look down on Japanese films and dramas.
And he still did to some extent.
But this one-minute clip offered something more. Whether by accident or design, it was clear.
"That actress, then," Baldwin said.
"What do you mean?"
"Ha."
Baldwin shook his head in disbelief.
Even after all he’d said, they looked at him with blank expressions.
"I mean, if I’m making this film, I want her in it."
It was a predictable statement, yet Nanjou felt as though he might collapse from the stress.
At least Baldwin hadn’t stormed out, declaring all Japanese actresses trash. That would have been the worst outcome.
He had already been visibly unimpressed by the other actors they had shown him.
Asher Baldwin was notorious for his uncompromising personality.
If it came down to it, he wouldn’t hesitate to walk away and never return to Japan.
"That actress might be difficult to cast," Nanjou managed to say.
"Why? Wasn’t this footage shown to highlight her? Didn’t you mention Goto Reika?"
Clearly, Baldwin had misunderstood.
No wonder he hadn’t paid any attention to Reika’s performance.
To him, the actress had been lumped in with the extras.
"The actress you’re referring to is Korean."
At this, Nanjou revealed the name of the actress who had recently been at the broadcasting station for an interview related to Kyungsung Lady.
It was the name of the Korean actress.
And that actress was—
"Wait, wait! Jo Seohui, get this thing off of me! Take it off! Why are you looking at me like that?!"
—currently in the middle of clinging to her friend with an exaggerated expression.
Seoyeon had become something of a romance master.
After hearing Yeohee’s past story and watching numerous related films, she had even finished several romance-themed fantasy novels targeted at female readers.
"I still don’t fully get female-oriented fantasy, though."
Despite her efforts, Seoyeon’s romance scenes had been pushed back in the filming schedule.
Most of the key scenes were shot first, with romance coming later.
[That’s only natural.]
A cool male voice echoed through her headset.
For context, Seoyeon wasn’t having an actual phone call.
It was Discord. She was voice chatting while playing a game.
And the person on the other end was none other than Park Jungwoo—the only person in her circle worse at gaming than she was.
[Yuina is a villain first, right? It makes sense to establish that before diving into romance—it keeps the emotional shifts more manageable.]
"Well, it’s more because the next scenes are set in Japan."
[Oh, they couldn’t find a suitable location for Michiko’s mansion?]
"Right."
Seoyeon clicked her mouse furiously, throwing mushrooms as her opponent stumbled over them. Watching her opponent’s agony brought her immense satisfaction.
[Director Baek Min—he really went all out, huh? Flying to Japan just for that?]
"It wasn’t just that; a lot of the landscapes they needed were in Japan."
[Lots of snowy scenes?]
"Yes."
The conversation was interrupted by Jungwoo’s character dying in the game.
"Wow, you’re dying a lot. Are you trying to be a headbutting dinosaur or something?"
[Don’t try to stick that meme on me.]
"But you have a higher death count than I do."
Seoyeon’s teasing voice only made Jungwoo’s frustration grow.
Despite his casual gaming habits, her taunts had driven him to secretly practice, determined not to be outdone.
[Hey, I’m already in Platinum rank.]
"..."
Seoyeon fell silent.
While her physical gameplay in ARAM was strong, summoner’s rift was a different story.
Though also in Platinum, Jungwoo had climbed with far fewer matches.
Feeling a sense of urgency, Seoyeon realized she might need to return to ranked play.
"You know, people who bring up their rank sound lame."
[Didn’t you say that to me once?]
"And high schoolers don’t even play LoL that much anymore."
[Then what, Valorant?]
"Something like that..."
As their banter continued, Seoyeon suddenly remembered Yeohee and the various dilemmas she had faced during Masked Singer.
Her thoughts trailed off into the lingering complexity of Yeohee’s emotions.
"I’ll have to meet Suah someday, no matter what."
The peculiar request made by Yeohee still echoed in her mind.
‘I hope this doesn’t turn into a melodrama about an affair.’
Seoyeon shook her head, unsure if she had underestimated Yeohee’s lingering feelings.
Just then, she glanced at the time.
"Oh, I think I need to log off. I have an appointment."
[You? An appointment?]
"...It sounds like you’re saying I don’t have anyone to meet. I’m a busy person, you know."
[Sure, sure. Ju Seoyeon, the rising star.]
"I could be there in five minutes. Want to spar?"
*[Huh? This is Gangnam.]
"Exactly. Five minutes."
[What are you, a plane?]
Despite knowing it was absurd, Jungwoo couldn’t help but wonder if she was serious.
"It’s obviously a joke. Did you actually believe me?"
[...No. Whatever.]
Jungwoo sighed. But he couldn’t shake the curiosity about Seoyeon’s appointment.
Whenever she wasn’t busy, Seoyeon typically spent her free time gaming.
"I’m visiting a friend’s reservist."
[Reservist friend?]
"Well, technically a friend, but I call them that for fun."
[Ah, Jo Seohui...]
Thinking of the actress notorious for being labeled a parachute hire, Jungwoo sighed again.
"I’ll make sure never to give her that kind of leverage."
Even though Seoyeon considered herself lenient, Jungwoo knew better.
She was lenient about most things—but not when it came to her pride.
To be honest, Seoyeon had never really felt the weight of how wealthy Seohui was.
The flashy cars Seohui used to drive had, at some point, been swapped for high-end bicycles.
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She didn’t wear particularly expensive clothes either.
Even when she once took Seoyeon to Mirinae Park, it hadn’t left much of an impression.
From Seoyeon’s perspective, it felt like Seohui was just doing her job and participating in an event. Nothing more, nothing less.
But people are funny like that.
"What do you think?"
Seoyeon tilted her head back, taking in the view.
"...It’s huge."
She was momentarily at a loss for words.
This massive garden with an equally enormous detached house—it was Seohui’s home.
While Seoyeon didn’t come from a poor family, this felt... different.
A world apart from her own home.
"This place is a little out of the city center, so the land’s cheaper."
Even though Seohui said it so casually, Seoyeon couldn’t just nod and agree.
"See? Jiyeon doesn’t even care."
"I’ve been here plenty of times. And you, why are you grinning like that?"
"Me? Oh, nothing."
Seohui, who had been smiling, rubbed her cheeks lightly with her hands.
After all, it had been ages since a friend visited her home.
More importantly!
Seoyeon had been the one to suggest coming over this time.
‘Could it be? Am I finally graduating from being a "semi-friend" or a "friend-in-progress"?’
Half a friend. A friend-in-waiting. Or perhaps a "hopeful acquaintance."
Seohui was well aware that these were the vibes she gave off.
Which is why Seoyeon’s visit to her house today was something special.
"But, Jiyeon, what’s that?"
"Huh? This? It’s beer."
"?"
"Non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic beer."
Wait, isn’t even non-alcoholic beer off-limits for minors?
Seoyeon gave Jiyeon a skeptical look.
"I just found it at home, so I brought it. Isn’t that normal?"
Seohui squinted at Jiyeon, narrowing her eyes again.
Was she... a delinquent?
The suspicion lingered in Seohui’s mind.