Chapter 39: What Are You Doing Here?

The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

Chapter 39: What Are You Doing Here?

"What are you going to do if Ms. Kim gets upset and decides to scrap this drama and switch over to KBC or MBS? You all never want to see me again, is that it, huh?"

As Jung Sam-Ryong reprimanded them, beads of cold sweat formed on the heads of the production company executives as they bowed their heads.

The power held by a broadcasting company's CP was indeed absolute—and this was especially true for someone like Jung Sam-Ryong, a candidate for the next station director. Falling out of favor with him could not only jeopardize future dramas but also sour relations with SBC entirely.

Jo Eung-Gu bowed his head hastily. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jung. Ms. Kim, we made a mistake."

Cha Soo-Yeon also quickly stood up and bowed. "I'll take responsibility and step down from this drama.”

Cha Soo-Yeon tried to cover for everyone at her level. Although the production portion might face some issues, it could still proceed if they replaced Cha Soo-Yeon with someone else. After all, what was more pressing at the moment was to appease the CP, especially since he had the authority over the scheduling of future dramas.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming more tense, Kim Soll-Ip, who had been silent until then, stepped forward.

"May I say something?"

"Sigh. I'm too embarrassed to face Ms. Kim now."

Jung Sam-Ryong had set the stage for Kim Soll-Ip to speak up.

Kim Soll-Ip started to speak and assert her position as a writer.

“Mr. Jo, Ms. Cha. Wouldn't it be better not to embarrass each other like this?"

The heads of the Blue Dragon staff dropped even lower.

Kim Soll-Ip took a deep breath before continuing. "I've spent five years at the broadcasting station under Ms. Lee. Just know that if you treat me like a novice, I have other plans in mind."

The 'Ms. Lee' she referred to was undoubtedly the renowned Writer Lee Ji-Yeon. When Kim Soll-Ip glanced sharply at the Blue Dragon production team, the staff shivered.

Then, Kim Soll-Ip took a deep breath and forced a smile. "That's all I have to say. And Mr. Jung, please relax. I'm not going anywhere. I chose SBC because of you, after all. What would that make me if you keep getting upset like this?”

Her change in expression to a brighter one was followed by Jung Sam-Ryong's agreement.

"Hahaha. I appreciate your understanding."

With Jung Sam-Ryong's laughter, Jo Eung-Gu and Cha Soo-Yeon finally relaxed. Only then did the staff of Blue Dragon realize that Kim Soll-Ip was not someone to be taken lightly.

"Oh, and Ms. Cha."

"Yes? Yes, Ms. Kim?"

"There’s no need for you to step down. I know your capabilities," said Kim Soll-Ip.

Cha Soo-Yeon bowed repeatedly at Kim Soll-Ip’s generosity. She had once underestimated Kim Soll-Ip for being too young and looked down on her, but that was no longer the case.

"Thank you, Ms. Kim."

Kim Soll-Ip displayed her control of the situation, a skill she had learned from Lee Ji-Yeon.

"So, the role of Twilight is decided, right?"

"Of course. Can I bring the two actresses back in?"

"Yes, please do that."

With Kim Soll-Ip's permission, Cha Soo-Yeon quickly sent the staff to bring the two actresses back.

***

"Thank you so much. I will give it all I’ve got for this role."

Kim Soll-Ip and Jung Sam-Ryong gave a warm smile when Yoo-Jin bowed.

Cha Soo-Yeon's polite apology followed. "Miss Jin-Hee, you did very well too. It's a pity that you didn’t get the role today but hopefully, we'll have a chance to work together in the future."

At that moment, Park Jin-Hee tightly bit her lips and suddenly made an unexpected statement. "Ms. Cha, Mr. Jo. I must be in this drama!"

“Huh?”

“Pardon?”

“What is she talking about?”

All the staff members who were in the midst of gathering the documents on the table stopped and made surprised expressions upon seeing tears well up in Park Jin-Hee’s big eyes.

"This audition is my last chance. If I don't get a role in this drama, I'll retire."

‘Wait, what? Is she actually using this tactic here?’

I had seen her use this tactic to get a role in my previous life when Park Jin-Hee was with Top Entertainment. However, I never knew she had been employing this tactic this early on.

Jung Sam-Ryong, who had known Park Jin-Hee since her child actress days, seemed to be falling for her act.

"What? Jin-Hee! What do you mean you’ll retire? What are you talking about all of a sudden?" he exclaimed with a perplexed expression.

Park Jin-hee sobbed with tears now falling from her eyes. "I've been trying hard to shed my child actress image for the past three years. But if I fail this time, I'll have no other choice."

The judges were visibly flustered by Park Jin-Hee’s sudden outburst, but it was unlikely to affect the decision to give Yoo-Jin the role because Jung Sam-Ryong was a reasonable man.

Cha Soo-Yeon quietly observed the situation and suggested a compromise. "Ms. Kim, Miss Jin-Hee's acting was pretty good as well. So how about offering her the role of the third daughter?"

Just then, Ju Yung-In's Binz Sprinter entered the underground parking lot.

"She's entering the parking lot right now."

-Don’t make a fuss but just treat her as an actress from another company. Make sure to explain the situation to Yoo-Jin as well.

"Okay, Mr. Gu."

After parking her Binz Sprinter, Ju Yung-In, who was impeccably dressed in a tailored school uniform for the lead role, stepped out of the car.

Kang Myung-Gil followed her out and asked about the audition. "Have you guys finished already?"

"Yes, Mr. Kang."

"And the result?"

"She got the role."

"Well, a writer's recommendation is like a pass without an exam."

It was disheartening that he didn't congratulate a fellow company actress who passed the audition but made a snide remark instead.

‘I don’t think I’ll ever like him.’

"I thought so too. But when we got here, they made Yoo-Jin compete against Park Jin-Hee from Ace Entertainment. Luckily, Yoo-Jin surpassed her in the audition and earned her role."

Kang Myung-Gil seemed slightly taken aback. "I-is that so?"

Then, Ju Yung-In, who had been listening to our conversation, came closer and greeted me first.

"We meet again, Mr. Jung."

‘Why is she acting so friendly?’

Unlike before, she even made eye contact. This was unusual for Ju Yung-In, who typically ignored those she deemed beneath her.

"Ah, yes. Sorry for any past inconvenience."

She even smiled slightly as I responded.

‘Why is she behaving so oddly? I’m getting scared.’

Normally, she wouldn't even speak to anyone below a team lead.

"Hello, sunbae-nim," Yoo-Jin greeted and bowed her head.

"Congratulations on getting the role. I have my audition today too. Ah, I'm auditioning for the lead role. It would be nice to be in the same drama together, wouldn’t it?"

Ju Yung-In's bright smile seemed utterly unnatural and awkward.

"Let's go, Yung-In. It's almost time for your audition."

"Alright then, we'll get going."

I immediately opened my planner as soon as the two left.

[Everyday V10]

[Date: March 2, 2020]

-7:50 PM SBC <Deleted Schedule>

(Deleted Schedule: <Wind, Cloud, Moon> Monitoring. Viewership ratings 6.5%. Starring Ju Yung-In.)

As expected, Ju Yung-In's original schedule had been deleted. Wind, Cloud, Moon was a fusion historical drama written by the rising Writer Choi Sora and PD Park Jun-Ki. However, it would end with disappointing viewership ratings of 13% due to historical inaccuracies and inadequate production budgets.

It would also be the point where Ju Yung-In, who had always picked popular dramas to appear in, stumbled a bit. But now, that future had changed. Although Ju Yung-In was reckless, she rarely took such risks in her work.

Although I was curious why Ju Yung-In had made this odd decision, I was more concerned about Yoo-Jin’s state of mind. As soon as Ju Yung-In and Kang Myung-Gil disappeared, Yoo-Jin sighed deeply.

"Sigh."

"What is it?"

"It’s hard whenever I see that sunbae."

"Ju Yung-In? Why?"

Yoo-Jin hesitated, unsure whether to tell me or not.

"I'm not asking you to tattle but I’m just trying to understand the situation. So feel free to tell me."

Yoo-Jin stuck out her tongue slightly. "You are totally telling me to tattle.”

"Hmm. Anyway, tell me. What did she do to you?"

I couldn't ignore this as the future was changing.

"Well... if I don’t tell you, who would I tell?"

Upon my insistence, Yoo-Jin finally opened her mouth to explain. "Yung-In sunbae always yelled at me every time she saw me, saying it would be better for me to leave the company."

"What? Tell me more about it."

Yoo-Jin started to tell me what happened between her and Ju Yung-In in the past.