Chapter 54:

Chapter 54:

Kim Suna briefly looked down at her feet. Her shoes were sparkling under the light.

""

It occurred to her that the only change since practice was her outfit. The weighty shoes increased the friction with the floor. Quietly gazing at her shoes, Kim Suna straightened up her back and headed straight towards Director Yoo Jaeho.

"Director."

"Eh, yes? What is it, Suna?"

"Would it be okay if I performed barefoot?"

"Barefoot?"

"Without shoes I think I might perform better."

Yoo Jaeho looked at Suna with a slightly flustered expression. Barefoot was an element he had not considered. However, there was no reason to reject Kim Suna's suggestion.

"Ah, of course! If that's what you prefer, Suna~!"

Yoo Jaeho immediately turned his head.

"Production team, can we get the floor cleaned up?"

"Sure!"

A few members of the production team quickly cleaned the floor with mops and wet wipes, and shooting resumed.

"Okay, let's roll the shoot!"

"Action!"

The hallway scene began again. Watching Suna start dancing barefoot, Han Yooil felt relieved.

Thankfully.'

It was distinctly different. Even though Yooil was not particularly knowledgeable about dance, he could tell that a performer' like her suited the dance better without shoes.

"Great!" Director Yoo Jaeho clapped his hands and exclaimed. "Okay!"

The assistant director quickly got up and began preparing for the next scene.

"Let's set up for the next scene~"

"Let's get the extras in place!"

During the short break given to the actors before the next scene, Kim Suna wiped her dirty feet and put her shoes back on. Even while putting her shoes on, she had a thoughtful expression on her face.

How about trying to dance barefoot?

How did he know?'

Han Yooil. He was someone she had barely even had a proper conversation with before. Her suppressed curiosity was piqued. She had not talked much with other actors on set. There was no reason to, and it should have been that way. Glancing around, Suna confirmed that her manager was not nearby. She turned her head slightly towards Han Yooil. She had intended to look secretly, but their eyes met.

"Thanks for earlier."

"No problem. The scene just now was really good, senior."

"You did well too, Yooil."

At that moment, Kim Suna stepped back from Yooil with a frozen expression on her face. Yooil saw it. He saw Kim Suna stiffen her face upon seeing a man who had just entered.

I think I've seen him during the reading session.'

A fairly aged, well-built man. He seemed to be Kim Suna's manager.

That's correct. At this point, Kim Suna's manager is a person who has been working as a secretary for over 8 years by the side of WW Entertainment's CEO, Lee Seokwoo.

The CEO's secretary?'

It was uncommon for a CEO's secretary to take on the role of a manager. Brion continued to answer his question.

CEO Lee Seokwoo is Kim Suna's stepfather. He remarried Kim Suna's mother 11 years ago and has been operating WW Entertainment ever since.

This was news to him.

Though it has never been publicized, most people in the entertainment industry are aware of this fact.

Yooil had read about it in articles. He knew that Kim Suna's mother had passed away a few years ago due to a chronic illness.

Has senior Kim Suna been with WW Entertainment since then?'

Yes. She has been with the same company for 10 years.

Yooil was unaware of this backstory. As he was sorting through his thoughts, Park Younghyun sat down beside Han Yooil. Since all the shooting scenes were piled up in the afternoon and he arrived early today, Younghyun had been waiting.

"Are you tired of waiting, senior?"

"No."

Park Younghyun responded in a low voice. Yooil hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"Actually, I was surprised to hear that senior was taking on the role of Seunghyun'. I'm a fan of yours."

At those words, Younghyun's eyes hardened imperceptibly.

Damn.'

It was obvious without looking.

It's probably about "<Open, Magic Door>" again.

Park Younghyun moved the corners of his mouth to create a polite smile. But then,

"I really enjoyed <Our Night Never Ends>'."

Younghyun looked at Yooil with surprised eyes.

"That work didn't perform very well."

"I saw it in the cinema. At a late-night screening."

It was the first time.

Someone remembered him for something other than a Magic Door kid'.

Younghyun opened and then closed his mouth. He didn't want to make a fuss just because someone had complimented a movie he was in.

Keep calm.'

He swallowed dryly and looked back at Yooil, who still had a clear gaze on him.

Younghyun was not the type to initiate conversations if it wasn't in front of the camera. He didn't enjoy chatting and found it hard to be as affable as the other actors.

However, seeing Han Yooil's face he found himself speaking without realizing it.

"I heard that Yooil directly connected the director and the writer."

"Ah."

So the rumor had spread that far.

Yooil smiled awkwardly.

"The script was already good. It was only a matter of time before it went into production."

Younghyun quietly observed him.

Kim Suna was also sitting beside them by now. Her gaze was constantly directed elsewhere, but it seemed like she was listening to their conversation.

Soon, the door opened, and the first candidate entered.

A face that couldn't hide its inherent arrogance and confidence, even though it seemed slightly tense.

Won Heesu clicked her tongue inwardly and smiled.

"Ah, Baek Junghyun. Welcome~"

* * *

Yooil was slightly taken aback by the smell of cigarettes as he entered the office.

The interior of the office, to put it nicely, resembled an artist's room from the '80s, or frankly, looked like a raccoon's den.

That must be Director Won Heesu.'

Correct.

Won Heesu was known for her relaxed shirts and her short hair with strands of white, a trademark look she had maintained for a long time, even during her long tenure as a university lecturer.

Today, Director Won was wearing a white shirt and navy pants.

"Hello, Director. My name is Han Yooil."

Won Heesu stared intently at Han Yooil, who bowed politely.

Her gaze seemed loose but was thoroughly scrutinizing.

Feeling the subtle tension, Yooil braced himself.

"Hmm, so you're the new face that's been gaining popularity lately?"

What's with that awkward phrasing.

As Yooil blinked in confusion, Won Heesu said,

"Take a seat for now."

As Yooil took his seat, he was immediately hit with a question.

"So, why <Jinhee>?"

The question came in an informal and relaxed tone. Won Heesu tilted her head slightly as she observed Yooil. Baek Junghyun, who had just left this office, had received the same question.

"I wanted to work with the director!"

He had answered with a cheerful laugh.

It was cute.'

But that wasn't enough.

Won Heesu's long-standing refusal to direct <Jinhee> wasn't without reason.

At least, I can't tarnish the reputation of Director Kim Soobong.'

She couldn't find a reason to remake that work at this time.

Yet, she harbored a dual desire.

If this work were to be brought into the world, she wanted to be the one holding the megaphone.

Casting had been a struggle.

Just as Oh Film had been courting Won Heesu, she had persistently pursued Seo Hyunju. Seo Hyunju, a woman in her forties, was an actress as elegant in appearance as she was superb in her acting skills.

But the choice of Seo Hyunju was for a greater reason.

It was because she was smart.

Smart enough to recognize and appreciate the mise-en-scne and true value of Director Kim Soobong's work.

Won Heesu looked at Han Yooil, seated before her.

Handsome, yes, but sitting there in plain clothes, not acting, Yooil seemed somewhat bland at first glance.

What answer will this young lamb offer?'

Just then,

"I wanted to become Kiwoon."

Won Heesu's eyebrows rose at that remark.

"You wanted to become Kiwoon?"

"Yes."

"And the reason?"

The assistant director noticed it. Curiosity was creeping into Won Heesu's indifferent eyes.

Yooil continued slowly,

"Watching <Jinhee>, I thought Kiwoon was more than just Jinhee's man."

"Then what is he?"

"Jinhee's pure past and dream."

And he added one more thing,

"And at the same time, Jinhee's wish ()."

""

Won Heesu's face showed amusement now.

"Kiwoon. Yes. Director Kim Soobong is a man who doesn't name his characters lightly."

She stubbed out her cigarette and shifted her position, leaning towards Yooil.

"So. How will you portray that? A person who is the past, the dream, and the wish?"

Won Heesu's gaze was fixed squarely on Yooil.

Han Yooil felt like he could hear her words even though she hadn't spoken them.

Prove it. Show me why you should be Kiwoon.

Receiving that gaze, Yooil closed his eyes.

Won Heesu observed every minute change on Yooil's face.

His eyebrows slightly lowered his eyelashes quivered finely.

Then, he opened his eyes again.

Eyes moistened, his gaze wandered aimlessly in the air.

Then, his gaze settled on one point.

Like a person who, after a long ordeal, has found light. His eyes conveyed ecstasy, joy, and also loneliness.

"My existence vanished without a trace. From the moment I met you."

!'

Won Heesu found herself unwittingly opening her mouth wide in astonishment.