Chapter 77: What a mess.
“Yoo Yeon Seo?”
Choi Jaewon’s eyes widened when he heard that Yoo Yeon Seo had joined the drama ‘The Deprived People Season 2’ as the role of Itaewo.
“Why him, of all people?”
“I don’t know either.”
His manager’s answer sounded annoyingly indifferent. Choi Jaewon was an actor who had been part of the drama since season 1.
“You know I had some… unpleasant history with him, right?”
“What can you do? It’s already confirmed. Just bear with it, bro.”
“Doesn’t he feel uncomfortable around me?”
Of course, he wasn’t saying this out of consideration. He meant to say that he was surprised that Yoo Yeon Seo wasn’t scared of him after they had such a heated confrontation.
‘He’s not afraid of you, why would he be? He’s a third-generation chaebol with a silver spoon in his mouth.’
Well, the only thing that Choi Jaewon had over him was his acting skills, but that seemed to be a thing of the past now. Choi Jaewon’s manager had a lot to say, but he held his tongue. He tried his best to calm down his client.
“But I heard he’s improved his personality lately.”
“Do you believe that?”
“No, but his reputation in the industry is no joke these days. He might even act respectfully towards you.”
“He’s just faking it, you know? Have you seen this business before? Are you my manager or his?”
He snapped at him unnecessarily. His manager tried to smooth things over.
“Of course, I’m your manager. I’m just telling you not to worry too much.”
“Ugh, so annoying.”
Choi Jaewon turned away and muttered to himself. Actually, he was aware of the rumors surrounding Yoo Yeon Seo. He had become more cooperative and his acting skills had noticeably improved.
And on top of that, he had made it to the nominations for the awards ceremony, while Choi Jaewon had been left out. Choi Jaewon bit his nails nervously.
“Just rest, bro. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
His manager, who had been watching him carefully, quickly left the place.
“He’s just provoking me.”
The manager, who had been with Choi Jaewon for four years, could guess what his client was thinking. He noticed that Choi Jaewon became more irritable whenever he faced Yoo Yeon Seo.
He probably saw him as a potential rival, but honestly, he couldn’t compete with him in terms of his innate background. His appearance was obviously inferior to Yoo Yeon Seo’s. And his acting skills, which used to be his advantage, were now questionable.
‘How far will he go this time? I feel suffocated.’
The manager sighed deeply. He had to deal with Choi Jaewon’s emotional garbage, which had become sharper.
‘Ah, I want to quit.’
He walked home with a heavy step.
***
Choi Jaewon’s eyes bulged when he saw Yoo Yeon Seo greeting Ryu Hyekyung warmly.
When they had met in the same drama before, Yoo Yeon Seo had arrived just in time and didn’t talk to anyone. Even when they started the reading and introduced themselves, he only nodded his head once and didn’t say his name.
I’m from a different world than you. He had a look of contempt and a haughty attitude that rubbed Choi Jaewon the wrong way from the start.
Of course, Yoo Yeon Seo had always been like that, and Choi Jaewon was just overreacting.
‘That bastard is all fake.’
How far will his pretense go? I’d love to expose him. Choi Jaewon gritted his teeth as he saw Yoo Yeon Seo waving his hand cheerfully at him.
‘Huh? That manager…’
Choi Jaewon’s manager looked at Itaekyung, who was tapping Yoo Yeon Seo’s shoulder and telling him to stop, with curiosity. He recognized the face behind Yoo Yeon Seo, who was famous for changing his managers. Could it be that he came back?
‘That’s interesting.’
Yoo Yeon Seo’s runaway manager never returned. His face changed every time they saw him, and the people in the industry thought that Yoo Yeon Seo’s personality was not normal.
Choi Jaewon’s manager met eyes with Im Seunghyun, who was standing behind Itaekyung. He felt a pressure even though he was smiling. He was not just a manager, but a director-level?
‘Wow, what a body.’
He looked more like a bodyguard than a director. Choi Jaewon’s manager pretended to be casual.
“Hi. Long time no see.”
“Hello. Please speak comfortably, bro.”
“Should I?”
Choi Jaewon glared at him, but Yoo Yeon Seo ignored him and bowed to Go Hyojoon, whom he met again.
Go Hyojoon was a mysterious character who joined the drama in season 2, and he played an important role as the mental pillar of the protagonist’s group in the future.
“I saw the guest house episode… How is he, is he safe?”
“Watch the broadcast. Isn’t next week the finale?”
“Ah…”
Go Hyojoon clicked his tongue in disappointment. He didn’t have any feelings for Yoo Yeon Seo, but he thought he could be friends with him after seeing how Park Seunghwan treated him.
Park Seunghwan was kind to everyone and had a dignified quality that suited a top actor, but he also had a clear line for people he didn’t like.
So, Yoo Yeon Seo had passed the test to enter Park Seunghwan’s fence.
‘Or maybe Seunghwan hyung entered his fence.’
He had too much to fit into his fence. Anyway, Go Hyojoon thought it would be nice to get along with him.
“Do you want to have a drink with Seunghwan hyung and me later?”
“I’d be honored.”
“What, honored? But…”
As he sat next to Yoo Yeon Seo and chatted, Go Hyojoon glanced at his wristwatch and spoke loudly for everyone to hear.
“Isn’t the reading time over? We haven’t even started yet… Who hasn’t arrived?”
It wasn’t a reading for publicity purposes with the press invited, and it was Go Hyojoon, so he could say anything. He was the oldest and most influential top actor here. Even the writer and the director were looking at their watches awkwardly.
‘He’s really late.’
Go Hyojoon wasn’t trying to assert his authority, but the reading time had passed by more than 20 minutes and there was still no sign of anyone.
“Is that actor always this late? Does he also show up late for filming?”
“No, no. He’s in the elevator now.”
The assistant director answered hastily.
The man who stole death, Jibumwoo’s role, An Hyunsung, was still not in his seat. An Hyunsung was a model-turned-actor, and although his acting career was still at a rookie level, he was a constant name on the fan-made casting list of the original work.
His agency took advantage of that and kept pushing for him, and eventually he signed a contract with good conditions for a rookie. The fans of the original work praised the production company for finally doing their job and supported An Hyunsung.
But no matter how much he had the fans on his back, he was still a rookie actor who was the main lead, and it was unacceptable for him to be this late.
“How can the main lead be this late?”
Go Hyojoon’s voice rose higher. This guy had a hot temper. Yoo Yeon Seo chimed in to appease him.
“Right. He doesn’t have the basics.”
The space that had quieted down due to Go Hyojoon’s words became even more tense as Yoo Yeon Seo’s sharp reply followed.
‘Wow, his personality hasn’t changed.’
‘But he’s right.’
The other actors drank water to moisten their throats and looked at their scripts with awkwardness.
‘See? He’s fake.’
Choi Jaewon snorted inwardly, but he also frowned as he looked at the clock on his phone.
He didn’t like An Hyunsung either. He was a rookie who got the lead role with his face alone and acted arrogantly as he climbed up the ladder.
Just then, the door opened and someone rushed in.
“Hello!”
An Hyunsung smiled brightly and bowed his upper body. Choi Jaewon shouted.
“Hey, Hyunsung. How can you come now? What time is it?!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. There was a traffic jam. I’m really sorry.”
He said there was a traffic jam, but the coffee cup in his hand was conspicuously visible. He didn’t think to leave early in case of traffic, but he did think to buy coffee from the cafe on the first floor of the building?
‘I should have been the lead instead.’
Choi Jaewon tried to control his expression and looked at the script.
“Okay, everyone is here, so let’s start the reading.”
The assistant director, who brightened up, quickly started the reading.
After the reading was over, Yoo Yeon Seo looked around.
‘Crazy, they said his acting improved, and it’s true. What did he do? Could it be… he took drugs? That would be great.’
How should I get revenge on Yoo Yeon Seo? Choi Jaewon, who was watching him closely, and
‘So, if I get close to him, I’ll be connected to Juseong, right?’
Ryu Hyekyung, who was eyeing him during the reading.
‘Ah, am I too late? It’s okay. I have no chance of leaving the drama anyway. I’m such a precious person.’
And the lead actor who had star disease with the fans on his back.
‘Wow…’
What a mess.
Yoo Yeon Seo smiled as if he was amused. He didn’t mind Choi Jaewon, and Ryu Hyekyung had something to dig out, so it was fine. An Hyunsung? As long as he didn’t show up late for filming, it was fine.
And who would dare to harm Yoo Yeon Seo?
There was only one thing that worried him.
‘It shouldn’t have a negative impact on the work.’
Reading and filming were different, so he shouldn’t jump to conclusions. He sighed softly and got up from his seat.
“Let’s go.”
Ryu Hyekyung stared at Yoo Yeon Seo’s back as he left. She got up from her seat and followed him.
“Hey… Yeonseo.”
Yeonseo? She approached him casually, but Yoo Yeon Seo managed his expression and turned around.
“Yes, senior.”
“Senior? That’s too stiff. We’re going to see each other for a few months anyway…”
She finished her calculations.
Yoo Yeon Seo laughed inwardly. He could hear the sound of her brain working even when they were sitting next to each other during the reading.
“We’re going to be mother and son when we start filming, so you can call me mom comfortably.”
“Oh, that…”
He called Choi Yujin mother, but he didn’t want to call her ‘mom’ even if it was because of the role. Yoo Yeon Seo hardened his expression, and Ryu Hyekyung did the same.
“I’ll just call you aunt. I’m not used to calling someone mom.”
“Oh, aunt?”
Ryu Hyekyung was taken aback. She was conscious of Yoo Yeon Seo’s background and decided to put on a thick face.
One of her members had married into a chaebol family, and Ryu Hyekyung was one of the people who felt the change in Lee Heeseo’s position. She also had a desire to enter the upper class like Lee Heeseo.
‘You’re not used to calling someone mom, what a lame excuse.’
She didn’t panic at Yoo Yeon Seo’s wall and smiled awkwardly. She tapped his arm.
“You don’t want to call me mom that much? I didn’t say anything difficult. I’m a little hurt.”
“I don’t even call Chairman Choi mom.”
She wasn’t the only one who was watching him. Yoo Yeon Seo gave a bitter smile and lowered his head slightly.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I guess it doesn’t stick to my mouth.”
“Well, I guess it’s understandable. You’re already grown up and you have a new mom.”
“By the way… you were in the same group as my biological mother, right?”
Ryu Hyekyung’s eyes sparkled. It was a moment, but Yoo Yeon Seo noticed the subtle change.
“Actually, there’s no one left to remember her. I can’t even talk about her at home. And I can’t reach her side of the family…”
Come on, use me. Yoo Yeon Seo threw a bait.
“Oh, really? How can you not talk about your own mother?”
“You know, my family.”
The rumors surrounding Lee Heeseo’s death were still ongoing. In a bad way.
“So, if you don’t mind… can I ask you some questions about her?”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“Thank you. Not now, but later… when we film. You go first, we’re on an odd floor.”
Yoo Yeon Seo smiled with relief. Ryu Hyekyung also smiled happily. She got on the elevator and the floor numbers went down.
He still fixed his eyes on the elevator, and Yoo Yeon Seo wiped his smile and said quietly.
“Mr. Im Seunghyun.”
“Yes.”
“Investigate everything about Ryu Hyekyung.”
“I’ll send it to you by 8 a.m. tomorrow.”
He nodded his head slightly at the reliable answer.
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