-You… want to do me a favor, don’t you?
On the screen, a scene from 〈Freshman Welcome Party〉 played on endless repeat.
“Why did she change the lines?”
The lines were different from what Yeoreum had said that day. Surely this was the correct version, yet a corner of my mind felt uneasy.
‘…I don’t know the reason.’
[Another interpretation? Ad-lib? Or did she just forget?]
The words being written at Gyeoul’s fingertips began to scatter increasingly carelessly.
Ssshk—.
Gyeoul dragged her pen long across the chaotic words.
It was frustrating to try reanalyzing a movie that had already been fully interpreted, all because of Han Yeoreum.
“I’m curious.”
Gyeoul had a habit of obsessively digging into and analyzing something once she became curious.
Right now, the thing Gyeoul was most curious about was Han Yeoreum. She couldn’t forget the reaction the moment Yeoreum finished her acting.
‘Surely, everyone’s attention was on Han Yeoreum…’
Gyeoul wanted to watch that performance again. She wanted to scrutinize, analyze, and confirm every single detail.
‘…That way, it won’t happen again.’
It was brief, but she couldn’t forget the feeling of being a supporting character. At this rate, she might make the same mistakes she did a few years ago.
Gyeoul recalled the reason she had to step away from acting for a while a few years ago.
@SunwooSunwook
An unusually soulless performance. It was the result of being obsessed with the “textbook” approach.
A strange drama that, despite being served on a well-set table, had no flavor at all.
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Even though it was written by a famous critic, it didn’t have much of an impact. Few people sympathized with it.
That was because the acting performance Gyeoul had shown back then lacked nothing.
‘But…’
It felt as if everything had been pierced through. After countless observations, Gyeoul had been acting using only what was closest to the “correct” answer.
Instead of empathy, judgment. Instead of understanding, analysis. That was the Gyeoul she had built up.
“I’m uneasy.”
She had thought she had barely reached near perfection over the years. But the moment she decided to make a comeback, a variable appeared right before her eyes.
“…Let’s analyze this a bit more.”
That was why Han Yeoreum was needed. To be precise, it was Han Yeoreum’s acting.
Skills
〈The Lead on Stage〉 B
〈The One Who Dominates the Spotlight〉 B+
Above Gyeoul, who was quietly smiling, the status window glowed brightly.
* * *
It seems a new semester really is a new semester.
“Yeo~reum~! I’m telling you, let’s have a drink~.”
“We’ve had a few gatherings just among the classmates… and Han Yeoreum’s attendance is disappointing.”
The still-excited classmates grabbed my arm and shook it. The problem was that as soon as we got into college, we joined the group chat and met every single day.
‘Even though I ran off every day as soon as class ended, they still haven’t given up.’
Even so, I’ll continue to skip faithfully from now on.
‘It seems like I even have a decent excuse now.’
Perfect. Shall I have a subtle bragging moment?
“No, I’ve got something to go to soon. Let’s drink later, later.”
At my refusal, my classmates freaked out as if shouting.
“What? What is it?”
“Movies? Dramas? Whoa, are you crazy…!”
“It’s nothing special, just a small web drama.”
Actually, it’s really something. The day I signed the contract, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep all night.
‘My very first time being cast in a lead role…!’
Let’s make everyone even more excited.
Faced with a barrage of questions, I lowered the corner of my mouth, about to smile, and showed them my phone.
[Lead Role: Han Yeoreum]
The schedule sheet boldly had my name listed as the lead.
“Even if it’s a web drama, you’re the lead? Whoa, that’s awesome~ Han Yeoreum~!”
“Since you’re the first among us to debut, should we call you ‘senior’ from now on?”
I pretended to be humble while enjoying my classmates’ praise.
‘Just a little more praise…’
It was then. I paused for a moment at the soft scent of perfume brushing against my nose.
‘…Expensive, nice scent. I’ve smelled this somewhere before…’
This kind of scent isn’t common… where have I smelled it before?
‘Isn’t this the scent from the first floor of a department store?’
It feels as if the scent strip handed out by the staff is moving. The instruction sheet seems like it would say something like this.
「A sparkling freshness unfolds, with the bittersweetness of grapefruit.
Assam, offering warmth with a full-bodied malt aroma complemented by fruity notes.
The finish leaves a long-lasting trail with a sensual, deep, and woody note.」
‘Reminds me of when I worked at a perfume pop-up store. The hourly pay was pretty good.’
It was a time when I savored a luxurious scent that’s hard to come by.
“Yeoreum’s doing a web drama?”
My body shivered at the voice I heard right next to my ear.
‘I’m doomed. It’s Myeong Jeha…!’
Somehow, this is a scent that shouldn’t be coming from just anyone.
Every time I ran into Myeong Jeha at school, I desperately bolted to avoid talking to him, but I’ve finally been caught.
‘This is why being in a small department never works out.’
“Jeha-ya!”
“Myeong Jeha is here?”
Everyone is suddenly paying attention to Myeong Jeha.
I was frozen in place, unable to even think about turning my head.
‘Let’s… just smile for now…’
I felt like my face might twitch a little, but I forced a smile anyway.
“Ha… ha. Well then, I should! Go! And prepare! For the script! Reading!”
I’m screwed. I totally sounded like I was reading from a textbook just now.
But my classmates, distracted by the appearance of a real celebrity, didn’t seem to think much of it.
“Later! See you later, classmates.”‘
And I tried to use my well-practiced escape skills to slip away quickly, but…
“When are you going to tell me that lie you promised? I’ve been waiting.”
Myeong Jeha quickened his pace and closed the distance, sticking right beside me.
Correction: Myeong Jeha was walking at his usual pace.
‘I’m the only one struggling to pick up the pace here.’
I kept my head down and walked straight ahead with all my might.
“Wwhat? I… don’t really… understand what you’re… saying…?”
“Yeoreum-ah.”
Myeong Jeha called my name in a calm voice, but there was a subtle pressure behind it.
“Don’t do that. Replacing the lead of a small web drama is nothing to me.”
Those words made me stop walking.
A chill swept through me. For a moment, it felt like all the blood drained from my body.
‘This crazy b*stard…’
I know better than anyone how common it is in this industry to replace a cast member.
Because there are so many delayed projects that you couldn’t even count them on both hands.
“You’re finally making eye contact.”
If anyone else saw Myeong Jeha smiling like that, they’d think he was just greeting me pleasantly. My hands curled into fists on their own.
“Yeoreum’s expression is scary.”
“If you mess with my casting, I won’t let it slide.”
“If you tell me the title of the web drama, I’ll just let you go.”
I looked up at Myeong Jeha with eyes full of distrust.
For someone acting like a thug shaking me down, his face was way too neat and handsome.
But I wouldn’t be fooled.
“What makes you think I’d trust you?”
“If you don’t like it, forget it.”
Myeong Jeha shrugged his shoulders and brushed past me.
His willingness to walk away so easily only made a wave of fear crash over me.
‘What the— is he really leaving?’
Myeong Jeha’s retreating back radiated the kind of confidence that said he could dig up something that trivial anytime he wanted.
‘What if he actually goes and changes the casting?’
The thought of my schedule sheet getting scrapped and being kicked out of the cast group chat made my legs move on their own.
That just couldn’t happen.
“…You really won’t change the casting? If I just say so?”
I hurried after Myeong Jeha, practically out of breath. Somehow he had gotten so far ahead in just those few seconds.
“Hmm… I don’t know… I’m kind of starting to change my mind right now.”
Myeong Jeha didn’t show even a hint of courtesy like slowing his pace for me.
I practically half-ran to match Myeong Jeha’s long strides as I answered.
“<The Cherry on the Parfait Belongs to the Heroine>!!! There!!! Happy now!!!”
The title was embarrassing even to say out loud. Perhaps finally feeling a bit better, Myeong Jeha matched his pace with mine. I barely caught up to him, panting as I waited for his response.
Myeong Jeha wore a brief, thoughtful expression, then tilted his head and asked.
“Why… are you doing that?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You already know.”
It seemed that Myeong Jeha had judged me as a regressor in his mind. The nuance was like, “Why did you choose that instead of a better opportunity?”
‘He speaks as if I already know.’
I pondered for a moment.
Depending on my answer, it could end up looking like I’m admitting I’m a regressor.
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