R: I heard you have amazing plans for this year. That you’ll be appearing in a film. You’re the first such famous theater personality to cross over to film, aren’t you?

B: So far.

R: Actually, we debated this project internally quite a bit. When a theater actor crosses into a new field, how much should Mylot, a theater magazine, cover? But there’s also the person who is an actor, who acts…… Above all, you’re symbolic in many ways. Some interpret it as a new direction for young people.

B: I’m not sure. Since I can’t represent all theater actors, I’ll be careful with my words. Um, I’m still at a stage where I’m finding my way.

R: Film is a very unfamiliar medium to the public, isn’t it? Would you like to talk about that?

B: Sure. Hmm, where should I begin……

R: They say it will be the kingdom’s first feature-length film. That will draw a lot of attention, but taking on such a challenge isn’t an easy decision, is it? Especially for someone like you who has already reached the pinnacle of one industry.

B: Pinnacle? That’s excessive packaging. I’m not that kind of person. At least not now.

A teacup hits the saucer. Slow rhythm of tapping on the table edge. A long groan follows.

B: Challenges are always difficult. But I think you can’t avoid them forever. If I settle, I’ll stop here permanently. Just as I am, in a form I don’t like.

R: That’s quite surprising. People who imagine ‘Bria Sol’ as the public sees her might be shocked. You’ve always shown a perfect and sophisticated image, haven’t you? It seems like you’d never fail.

B: That was true. But I’ve had my own struggles too. I’ve thought poorly of myself, and I’ve felt ugly jealousy toward others. Even now, I haven’t completely shaken it all off.

Brief silence.

The sound of drinking tea rings quite clearly. The sound of arranging clothes.

B: Film is certainly an enormous challenge. Moreover, the role I’ve taken isn’t what I’ve shown people so far…… nor what people expect.

R: Can you give a little hint about what kind of role it is?

B: It’s a character with a very wide emotional range. Someone who doesn’t shy away from dirty work to achieve their ambitions. Roughly summarized, it’s a thriller about a beggar born at the bottom trying to enter high society.

R: That’s very interesting. But as you said, it’s different from the roles you’ve mainly played. You’ve portrayed brilliant geniuses, clean and noble characters, dignified prophets, righteous heroes, and so on.

B: Haha, that’s right. But…… it’s not always like that. Like the play I did last year.

R: “Lilipe of Winter Castle”?

B: Yes, that’s right. It was a very challenging role for me. Depressing, gloomy, with nothing to like about it…… It was essentially a role where the actor had to captivate the audience through personal charisma alone.

R: I remember. It was very fresh because it wasn’t the image you had shown before.

B: And it failed.

Brief silence.

B: I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just the truth.

R: But to say it failed, well, um…… many people came to see it, and……

B: I think it was a good script. The stage design was excellent, and many people worked hard both on and off stage. But…… yes, I didn’t handle it well.

R: You were quite magnificent though.

B: Thank you for saying so. But…… I know best what was lacking. How fiercely the critics scolded me!

R: Do you read all of those?

B: How could I not? I don’t get too emotional about it, but I can’t completely ignore it either. No actor I know can completely disregard public opinion. Um, some do have trusted people who filter it for them.

R: I thought you had such a cold and thorough impression that you wouldn’t care about such evaluations.

B: That’s impossible. I’m an actor too. Someone who lives on others’ attention. Anyway, that production, in common terms, failed. With my name attached, people would have had high expectations…… I betrayed those expectations.

R: To call it betrayal……

B: Oh, really, it’s fine. Truly. Rather, I…… though I’m saying this now, I think I’m fortunate to have had such an experience.

R: Fortunate?

B: I’ve failed once, so what’s stopping me from failing twice? I’ve been living quite anxiously until now. My reputation or affection or whatever—haven’t you ever felt that way? Moments when all your achievements feel like sandcastles. Doubting your abilities, wondering if everything you’ve achieved was just luck, becoming confused.

R: I’ve actually often thought that luck doesn’t favor me.

B: That could be the case too. Anyway, I was once consumed by such thoughts. You could say I was buried in them. As you know, my mother’s reputation is extraordinary, right? As her daughter, I’ve reaped those benefits thoroughly. Among actors, there are probably very few who received as much support as I did. Maybe three or four at most?

R: But without effort, you wouldn’t have made a name for yourself like you have now. Even if you had, it would have just been a brief flash before fading.

B: That’s right. I didn’t just sit still relying only on my mother. When I was young, I confidently believed I was the second-best actor after my mother. A bit later, I wondered if this was enough, if this level was sufficient even if not completely satisfying…… There were brief days when I tried to be lazy like that. ……Then I met her—

R: Perry Humble?

B: Yes, that’s right. Her.

Faint laughter.

B: I’ll skip the stories involving her. I’ve talked about them several times elsewhere.

R: Are you still close these days?

B: We’re at the same agency, so more or less. Perry is a good stimulus. She keeps me from settling. That certain “isn’t this enough?”…… I’m not originally the type to stay still, but still.

R: What a coincidence. A few days ago in an interview, she mentioned you too.

B: ……She did?

R: Yes. She called you a good friend and shared various stories, but for the details, please check the next issue of Mylot.

B: Haha, I will.

R: I’d like to hear more about the set. You’re an expert in theater, but this is your first time in film, right? What differences have you noticed?

B: Many. There’s the common point of acting, but the atmosphere on set is different too…… In theater, once it starts, it runs straight through to the end, right? All the way until the curtain falls. But film is different. Scenes aren’t shot in chronological order, and the same scene might be filmed multiple times.

R: Multiple times?

B: It seems they need to film from various angles. It’s like having the “curtain” fall hundreds of times. It’s unfamiliar, but I’m gradually adapting. Though it’s obvious, there are fewer spatial constraints compared to theater, which makes it different.

R: That makes me even more excited.

B: Haha, please look forward to it. They say it will be completed by this winter at the earliest.

R: I think many of your fans will be sleepless with anticipation. I’m eagerly looking forward to it too.

B: Thank you.

R: There are voices of concern that you might completely leave the stage. If you could leave a final word for those people?

B: That won’t happen. People addicted to the stage can never come down from it. And in a way, film is also a kind of stage. Even if the form changes. Ah, this is something Perry often says too…… I’ll always be where there’s an audience.

R: I’m very much looking forward to your future endeavors as well. This has been a wonderful story that showcases the charm of actor Bria Sol. Thank you so much for this long interview.

B: It was my pleasure.

※※※

Late lunch.

The reporter looked up abruptly while putting away the recorder. The midday sunlight illuminated her neat features completely.

Gently, her long eye corners formed an arch-like curve. The long necklace attached to her thin earlobes moved slowly. The woman with long, fine blonde hair greeted kindly.

“You worked hard today.”

“Not at all, it’s you who…… came out so early.”

“I arrived almost on time, didn’t I?”

“Some people are 20, 30 minutes late. Sometimes they’re even two hours late without any notice. I suppose everyone’s schedules are busy.”

The hand rolling the wheelchair wheel was relaxed. The young reporter, crossing the empty corridor, asked in a subtle tone.

“Since this is off the record, may I ask, does Ms. Humble have no interest in film?”

“I wonder. She really loves meeting audiences.”

Her pace, matched to the wheelchair, was leisurely. Bria Sol, touching her elaborate earrings, added casually.

“Did she not say much in the interview?”

“Ahaha, that day we mainly discussed her next project. Actually, my colleague is a huge fan of Ms. Humble. You know about Perrys, right? Last year, they were in a frenzy for a whole month preparing some birthday event. Anyway, that friend kept pestering me about why I didn’t ask about it.”