Seo-jun

So-yeon

In-ha

Do-soon

Chapter 1 – Too Pretty for Her Own Good

“Have you ever dated?”

The audition director, scrutinizing the profile video closely, threw a pointed question as sharp as his gaze.

“Ah… no.”

So-yeon felt a sting and dragged out her words, unable to hide her embarrassment.

“Then, have you ever had a crush… Never mind, it seems like you’ve never even held hands with the opposite s*x. Am I right?”

Eom So-yeon was literally a born single. Except for her dad, she had never had even the slightest physical contact with a man. Despite being a young director, his ability to see through people was like that of a wise old sage. He was more like a fortune teller than a film director.

“…”

Wrapped in the feeling of being stripped bare, So-yeon’s complexion turned as red as a ripe rose, not even five minutes after entering the room for the audition.

Perhaps his eyes were tired. The director nervously removed his gold-rimmed glasses and pressed his temples with two fingers. His face was more like a pretty boy than a man, but the atmosphere he exuded was as harsh and difficult as the rumors said.

“Are you a college student?”

“Yes.”

When he asked with eyes as sharp as a snake’s and a stiff tone, So-yeon’s large eyes, which looked like they might soon shed tears, helplessly dropped to the floor. However, her stubbornly moving lips and soft voice were different. As if determined to overcome this embarrassing moment, she was as firm as could be.

“I’m a junior, twenty-two years old.”

“Twenty-two… Young enough, I guess. But acting really benefits from experience. Especially if you’re as bad at acting as you, Ms. Eom So-yeon, such efforts seem necessary.”

“…”

So-yeon quickly bit her lips that were about to open.

She felt bitter and unjustly treated, as her entire acting ability was being dismissed simply because she lacked romantic experience.

For the sake of basic physical strength, she exercised daily without fail, and she wrestled with all kinds of books for delicate psychological expression. Studying and practicing characters from various works every day was a given. It was no exaggeration to say that she spent every waking moment dedicated to acting.

You don’t even know me…

If asked what she had done to become a good actress, she could confidently speak volumes.

But ‘romance’ was the one area where So-yeon found herself utterly speechless, only able to fidget with her fingertips.

“The determination to become an actor. How far do you think you can go with just that? The actress needed for the movie <Even Villains Cry> is a woman who knows all the sweet and bitter tastes of life, even if she’s young. Did you come knowing that? Your outfit concept is exactly like a rebellious rich girl. Did you come knowing what kind of person’s life you need to blend into, aside from this flashy outfit and makeup?”

“…”

Of course, she knew. She had counted down the days for this day, and she had prepared meticulously for today.

There was much she wanted to say, but So-yeon couldn’t bring herself to speak.

It wasn’t because she was intimidated from the start. Despite her hard work, she knew herself that her acting skills weren’t perfect enough to boast about. It was a reckless challenge driven by enthusiasm, so she couldn’t refute anything.

“At first glance, you only look like a princess who grew up sheltered. And we’re dying because of novices like you who rush into auditions.”

Director Yoon Ji-wan relentlessly criticized with sharp words, and So-yeon just listened quietly. Being called a princess stung, and she barely held back from shouting. She resolved to grow and make him regret it later.

“There’s no point in saying more, so if you understand, just leave!”

Having conducted auditions for a whopping nine hours straight, Director Yoon Ji-wan’s face showed clear signs of exhaustion, and his angry voice cutting her off didn’t contain any consideration or possibility for Eom So-yeon.

“Let the next person come in.”

“Yes, Director.”

At the command, the assistant director signaled to the staff waiting outside the room, and soon another actor entered for the audition.

“…”

So-yeon, mercilessly dismissed from the director’s sight, had to leave without a word.So-yeon, mercilessly dismissed from the director’s sight, had to leave without a word.

Along with the unfiltered criticism and the humiliation of being harshly criticized, tears welled up in her clear, large eyes as a bonus.

***

After being thoroughly shattered at the movie audition, So-yeon walked aimlessly.

Ah… I’m so exhausted…

Her slender ankles seemed about to break as she walked endlessly, and her shaken mental state lost not only her sense of direction but even her sense of time. She couldn’t even realize that the street she was walking on was somewhere in the middle of Gangnam, or that it had turned from day to night.

Her worldview, which had been solid until this morning, was now completely shattered.

She had always dreamed of being an actress.

A person who embodies genuine emotions in their acting.

Her parents in Canada had told her that if she wanted her dream of becoming an actress recognized, she should attend the most prestigious university for acting. That’s why So-yeon had worked tirelessly to juggle acting and studies, eventually getting into the highly esteemed S University.

Before becoming a university student, she had no time to be distracted by anything else due to entrance exam preparations. After enrolling, she hadn’t leisurely strolled around the beautiful campus, let alone attended school festivals. She was focused solely on acting and the necessary things to become a good actress.

She was indifferent to meetings and MTs because she was quite satisfied with her life, which allowed her to progress slowly but surely.

(T/N: “MT”, which stands for Membership Training, is basically a retreat where a group of people go away together and carry out a variety of group-bonding activities and training activities.)

However, today, everything felt difficult for So-yeon, and the overwhelming emptiness that swept over her made her soul waver precariously.

School, acting practice, auditions…

These three things were her life. To others, it might seem a boring and worthless life, but for Eom So-yeon, it was a fierce effort to achieve her one and only dream.

It’s not like she lived this way because she didn’t know how to enjoy life. It’s not like she poured everything into a hamster wheel because she didn’t know how to deviate from the norm.

But someone’s harsh words suddenly reduced her to a princess who hadn’t experienced anything, pouring cold water on the life she had passionately and diligently lived.

So-yeon was deeply saddened that even her bright future seemed instantly tattered.

Don’t just endure; do everything you want. Just for today, let yourself go. There’s no right answer in this unpredictable world.

Whether it was a devil or an angel, or just a voice inside her, the whisper echoing in her heart was quite tempting. But it was also true that she was scared to let everything go.

Hesitatingly walking, So-yeon lifted her head as if she had made a decision.

Yeah. What do I have to lose, anyway? Right now, I’m nothing. Like a blank canvas. Who knows? Maybe unexpected good fortune will come to me.

Before she knew it, So-yeon was entering the El Stella Hotel.

As if drawn by some strong, unknown force.

***

It could have been that she was dazzled by the splendid exterior and the dazzling lights of the lobby, befitting a luxury hotel.

In any case, the cold winter wind was blowing, making it chilly, and her tired feet ached with a dull pain. Thinking it was a good opportunity, So-yeon decided to head toward the elevator.

The lounge cocktail bar was located on the upper floors of the hotel. Entering there, So-yeon looked around.

Should she say it’s atmospheric or beautiful? The first thing that caught her eye was the pretty lights softly illuminating the room.

Although she came in thinking it wouldn’t be bad to soothe her troubled mind with a cocktail, So-yeon felt her shoulders shrink for no reason. She had no reason not to be confident in a place where only adults frequent, but the unfamiliarity of being there for the first time made her feel smaller than a mosquito.

Gulp.

Swallowing dry saliva diluted the unfamiliar pressure, and So-yeon took somewhat awkward steps further inside.

Contrary to her worries, So-yeon’s presence shone brightly as she entered the bar. As if to prove that, several people’s eyes glanced at her. Her attire, which was unusually dressed up for her due to the audition, matched perfectly with this sophisticated place. Moreover, her naturally radiant beauty made her stand out wherever she went.

Sitting at a four-person table by the window, having circled halfway around the oval indoor fountain, So-yeon gently took off her cream-colored cashmere coat and draped it over the back of her chair.

The increased number of gazes was due to her feminine silhouette being fully revealed over her tight coral mini dress. Was she conscious of their gaze? So-yeon quickly grabbed the hem of her slightly rolled-up skirt and pulled it down, then coyly crossed one leg over the other, wrapped in long boots.

“What can I get you?”

A waiter approached and asked in a friendly tone, and So-yeon blinked slowly, recalling something. She had once practiced a scene where the female lead drinks in the movie ‘Our Night.’ Who knew she’d use it now?

“I’d like a Redberry Punch, do you have it?”

Despite the heavy makeup, her youthful face was unavoidable, but So-yeon acted as mature and skilled as possible.

“Of course.”

“Make it stronger with vodka than with sparkling water. I want to get a bit drunk today.”

So-yeon managed to wink at the bridge of her nose, exuding ease perfectly.

“Anything else you need?”

The waiter grinned. The young lady, trying to act sexy, seemed cute to him.

“Ah, and some gambas too, please. It’s dinner time and I’m a bit hungry.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare it shortly.”

So-yeon watched the waiter’s polite departure, her lips curling up prettily.

She was still cute even in the final moments, but she was completely unaware of it. So-yeon leaned her elbows on the table and leisurely surveyed the interior.

But this place was a world of stars, big and small, a veritable starry heaven. She hadn’t noticed at first, but upon closer inspection, quite a few familiar celebrity faces caught her eye. From people she might have seen somewhere to top stars so rare that her jaw dropped, it was quite entertaining to see them all.

For a moment, she wondered if she had come to a place she shouldn’t have, but no one had stopped her from entering.

So, well.

So-yeon shifted her gaze to the panoramic view of Gangnam streets through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her eyes, filled with the city’s lights, were noticeably larger and lighter in color than those of ordinary people. Perhaps it was because of those transparent and clear eyes that she seemed even more mysterious.

But suddenly, her clear eyes wavered slightly. The sky, which had been stagnant earlier, was now snowing. The rather large snowflakes, like cotton balls, appeared even whiter under the lights. It was the first heavy snow she had seen this year.

Wow, it’s beautiful…

So-yeon’s eyes narrowed into crescents.

Soon, the ordered cocktail and gambas were placed on the table.

The piano melody that matched the snowy night and the spicy vodka with a hint of strawberry seemed to instantly offset the bitter feeling she had experienced at the audition.

It was when So-yeon’s lips, intoxicated by the wonderful atmosphere, were dancing for a while.

Knock, knock.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Someone tapped the table twice and threw a smooth, low voice at So-yeon.

Curious, she lifted her head, and at that moment, she couldn’t make a sound as her eyes widened and her hair stood on end.

“…”

So, this man is…!

Although she only scanned him briefly, this man, with his sophisticated scent and dazzling radiance, was very tall, easily over 190 cm. In her zero-reality state, So-yeon couldn’t believe the man standing before her.

“Have you been here long?”

The man sat down right beside So-yeon without permission and casually spoke again.

His red lips, smiling slightly, were excessively alluring. Momentarily captivated by his insane charisma, So-yeon couldn’t properly question him and just mumbled.

“Y-yes?”

“If I asked, you should answer.”

“Oh, not long… I think it’s been about 15 minutes… But why are you asking…”

Her trembling lips barely managed to give a mechanical response to the man’s question. However, what he said next was even more incomprehensible.

“That’s a relief. I hurried here, worried someone might hit on you. You’re too pretty for your own good.”

“…?”

Pretty… Me?

As So-yeon looked surprised, the man leaned over her face with his robust upper body.

Skillfully blocking others from seeing.

Covered by him, So-yeon found herself nestled in the man’s embrace.

Even considering the closeness, his chest was excessively wide, like an endless sea.

Thump, thump, thump, thump…