Part 21

“The writer asked us to postpone our meeting by an hour. Seems like something urgent came up.”

“I’ll wait.”

Today she had a meeting with the writer of the drama she was going to be in. Seowoo and Ki Sung-hyun, the two lead actors, and Cho Young-eun, the writer. The three of them were meeting for a meal together.

“The CEO isn’t coming with us?”

“Nah. No reason for him to come with us when he’s probably busy. Where’s Oppa though?”

“He’s in a brief meeting. It should be over by now.”

As if she were Seung-min’s personal assistant, Jung-ah had all of Seung-min’s schedule in mind.

She could almost be considered Seung-min’s secretary.

Jung-ah’s brow furrowed as she stared at her tablet.

“What are you looking at?”

“Oh, the CEO’s business trip got confirmed. I’m just making the bookings.”

“But why are you doing it? Doesn’t he have a secretary?”

Seowoo, who was sitting on the couch in the office, looked at Jung-ah with a puzzled expression. Even though they had always gotten along, seeing Jung-ah taking care of everything made Seowoo feel a bit strange.

“It’s just… it’s what I’ve always done, and I’m comfortable with it.”

Maybe…….

Narrowing her eyes and shaking her head, Seowoo swallowed the question she was about to ask.

Just then, Seung-min burst through the door, furious.

“CEO!”

“Wait. I’ll see what I can do.”

Behind him, the rookie actress named Hyo-ryung, whom they had seen before, also entered. Surprised, Jung-ah and Seowoo turned their heads to look at them.

“I’m Moon Seung-min from MS Entertainment.”

He calmly explained the situation.

He seemed to be talking about a drama that Hyo-ryung had decided to enter a while ago. Jung-ah and Seowoo, who had been listening earlier, looked at him with serious faces.

Hyo-ryung stood behind Seung-min, nervously fidgeting and shedding tears.

“I’d like to know the reason for reversing your decision to cast our actress.”

Hyo-ryung had fought hard to secure this role through numerous auditions.

But now they were reconsidering her casting.

It was unfair to the person on the receiving end. Depending on the size of the company and its investors, it was as common as flipping a coin for a director to replace an actor.

“Don’t just say it’s due to internal circumstances. Give us a reason we can understand… Hello? Hello!”

The call was eventually disconnected.

“Ugh, damn.”

Seung-min grumbled as he stared at the disconnected phone.

“CEO.”

“Hold on. What?”

“The decision has already been made. It’s even in the news.”

Hyo-ryung burst into tears. Jung-ah stood up and hugged the sobbing Hyo-ryung.

“Did you suddenly receive a call? About changing the casting?”

“We had already scheduled the script reading date. I don’t know why it suddenly changed.”

Seowoo let out a small sigh.

It was unfortunate, but MS Entertainment was still a small company that was just starting out. It wouldn’t be resolved just because Seung-min took action. Besides, the decision seemed to have been made and even reported in the news.

“But the problem is, it wasn’t just Hyo-ryung, but Seung-a and Eunjoo also received calls. Something seems off.”

“What do you mean? Why would they?” 

“Please calm down a bit. Seowoo, good luck with your meeting. I’ll look into it a bit more and come back.”

Seung-min promptly left the office. Jung-ah, who had been staring at the door, started to comfort Hyo-ryung again.

“Hyo-ryung, stop crying, okay?”

Jung-ah knew how hard Hyo-ryung had worked to get the role. She remembered the joy Hyo-ryung had shown upon receiving the news of being accepted.

“I have to go to a meeting. Hyo-ryung, I’ll look into it too, so please wait a bit longer. Don’t cry too much.”

“Keep in touch. In-ryul will be waiting for you in the parking lot.”

“Yeah.”

As Seowoo walked out of the office, she thought to herself.

“Surely… it can’t be.”

A bad feeling passed through her mind. It was too suspicious for three people to suddenly receive such notifications.

She shook her head and tried to push the thought away as she walked.

*** 

“This is the first time I’ve seen you since I went to give you the script, right?”

“Yes. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Oh, it’s so nice to see you in Seoul again.”

Writer Cho Young-eun’s face lit up with joy.

Young-eun was the first drama writer Seowoo had worked with. Young-eun was someone who went to great lengths to cast actors who fit the image, down to the smallest supporting roles.

Seowoo first met Young-eun at the audition venue back then. Memories of that time flooded back to her.

“I’m also very glad to see you, Writer-nim.”

“Sung-hyun said he’s running late because of traffic. Is this your first time meeting him?”

“Yeah. I’ve seen him on TV sometimes while flipping through channels, but it’s my first time meeting him in person.”

“You wouldn’t believe how well-suited he is. Both in appearance and personality. Diligent, serious, and mature.”

Young-eun praised Sung-hyun until her mouth went dry.

In reality, there was little information about Sung-hyun. While the story and the role she was playing were the main reasons Seowoo decided to return, it was also important for her to have chemistry with her co-star, so she listened to Young-eun’s story.

“Where are you living now?”

“I live in Dogok-dong.”

“I think Sung-hyun said he lives there too, so it must be nearby. That’s good.”

Thanks to Young-eun’s story, she unintentionally learned a lot about Sung-hyun.

Ding.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“He’s here. Come in.”

As Young-eun responded, the door slowly opened, revealing Sung-hyun. Sung-hyun, who was neatly dressed in a suit, looked even better in person.

His crisp features and sharp jawline, along with his prominent nose, naturally drew attention.

As Seowoo rose from her chair, Sung-hyun walked over and greeted them.

“I apologize for being late. There was an accident and we got stuck in traffic.”

“It’s okay. We arrived just a while ago. If you’ve never met Seowoo, say hello.”

Only then did Sung-hyun’s gaze fall on Seowoo.

Despite her casual attire, her outstanding beauty was undeniable. Once hailed as everyone’s first love, Seowoo’s popularity during her prime was considerable. 

Her innocent yet alluring face remained unchanged over the years.

Sung-hyun stared at her as if mesmerized.

“I’ve heard so much about you, it’s nice to meet you.”

As Seowoo smiled and greeted him first, Sung-hyun bowed courteously towards her.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Ki Sung-hyun.”

Sung-hyun extended his hand in front of her. Seowoo gave him a small smile and took his hand.

After a brief handshake, Sung-hyun quickly pulled out a chair for Seowoo.

“Thank you.”

He bowed lightly and sat down next to her. Looking at them, Young-eun smiled with great satisfaction.

“You two look perfect together. Did you see the news? It’s all over the place right now.”

Seowoo’s first comeback project.

And since they were meeting with Sung-hyun, whose stock was on the rise, their drama news was the talk of the town.

“Actually, when I heard that the senior had confirmed for the drama, I was so excited that I went to find the writer. I really wanted to do it.”

“That’s right, it’s true.”

Sung-hyun cautiously brought up the subject.

The actress he had been dying to work with once was back. So, Sung-hyun was also very eager for the opportunity.

Of course, the script was excellent. It was the kind of desperate romance that he really wanted to try, and he felt he could do well with her.

And when he saw her in person, he knew he had made the right choice.

“Thank you.”

“Please feel free to talk.”

“I’m a bit reserved. I’ll take my time.”

Seowoo awkwardly smiled and politely declined. Seeing her like that, Young-eun couldn’t help but feel wistful for her.

Seowoo used to be cheerful and bubbly, but after her marriage, divorce, and other hardships, she became increasingly isolated.

Feeling sorry for Seowoo, Young-eun envisioned a work for her that would bring her back to the top of her game.

With the hope that she would dazzle brightly again.

“Come on, let’s eat. We’ll talk while we eat.”

With Sung-hyun’s arrival, the food began to arrive. The neatly arranged Korean set meal was delicious.

Talks about the project, recent updates, and everyday stories ensued, creating a lively atmosphere.

“Mr. Sung-hyun, I heard you’re going to model a new car for K Group.”

Seowoo’s chopsticks paused. Sung-hyun noticed her reaction and awkwardly pulled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Congratulations. You really suit the image of a new car model.”

“Thank you.”

For a moment, Seowoo’s gaze dimmed.

She had momentarily forgotten about Seung-min, Hyo-ryung, and the casting changes at their agency.

And even Jiwook.

She wished it weren’t true, but all her instincts were pointing in one direction. Given his background, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

As she tried to organize her thoughts on how to confirm, she looked up and saw Young-eun.

“Writer-nim, I have a personal question. It’s a bit private.”

“Go ahead.”

Sung-hyun, who was sitting next to her, began to focus on her story.

During her hiatus, she had cut off contact with everyone involved in broadcasting, so no matter how much she searched her contacts, she had no one to ask.

Putting down her chopsticks and taking a sip of water, she pursed her lips.

“What’s with the long face?”

“Well, it’s about… Director Choo Min-kyu’s drama.”

“Oh, yeah, I heard about it. The one with writer Song?”

“Yeah. I heard that the casting was finalized, but they said it was suddenly changed. I know it’s not uncommon, but have you heard anything?”

At her question, Young-eun narrowed her eyes and thought for a moment.

Writer Song was Young-eun’s disciple. So there was a lingering hope, or maybe just a wish for her to ask discreetly. 

“I’ll make a call.”

“Writer.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll ask without mentioning your name.”

Young-eun reassured her, picked up her cell phone, and dialed the number. Seowoo nervously clasped her hands together.

“Writer Song, it’s me. I just want to ask you something.”

Young-eun was on the phone for a moment. Although Seowoo couldn’t hear the other person’s voice, just by listening to Young-eun’s responses, one could infer the content of the conversation.

Seowoo’s complexion grew darker. Her anxiety gradually turned into certainty.

After hanging up, Young-eun curled her lips awkwardly.

“You got the gist, didn’t you?”

“…….”

“Says they’ve changed investors. But, uh…”

“I understand.”

“So suddenly there’s a problem with the casting.”

In short, it meant Jiwook had intervened. 

She had been in disbelief, but it was becoming undeniable.

“The actor before the change was from your agency, right?”

“….Yes.”

Frustration suddenly brought on a thirst. Seowoo gulped down some water.

‘I’ve never failed at something once I’ve set my mind to it. So it’s best for you to accept it as soon as possible. Before I take action.’

Suddenly, his words came to mind.

It felt like her conscience was being twisted.

Seowoo’s face showed signs of defeat. The recent encounter between Seung-min, Jiwook, and her at her home flashed through her mind.

“Thank you for looking into it, Writer.”

“What did I do?”

“I’m sorry I asked you something personal…… on our first meeting.”

Seowoo also apologized to Sung-hyun, who was sitting next to her. She felt sorry for making him listen to conversations he didn’t want to hear.

“No, it’s okay.”

Sung-hyun waved his hand in the air and gave me a faint smile.

Knock, knock.

As the awkwardness continued, there was a knock on the door and a staff member entered.

“I’ll have dessert ready for you.”

Seowoo fell into thought for a moment.