CHAPTER 76

Having secured the role of Twilight on her own, Yoo-Jin's first audition was a significant feat and a resounding success.

***

In the meantime, a tense meeting between the chiefs was escalating in the manager director's office at Hoop Entertainment.

"Mr. Kim! Are you joking right now?"

The unfazed Kim Dong-Soo shrugged his shoulders with a sly expression despite Kang Ji-Yung's shout. "Joking? No way. Yung-In made the decision herself after reading Ms. Kim Soll-Ip's script. Oh, and of course I tried to dissuade her. But what can I do when the actress insists?"

"Then what is going to happen to Wind, Cloud, Moon that Miss Ju Yung-In was originally supposed to appear in?"

"I took care of that already. I apologized to Writer Choi Sora and PD Park Jun-Ki. I also sent them an apology gift so there is no need to worry. Actually, Ms. Choi even said it's better this way since she dislikes Yung-In to begin with."

When Kim Dong-Soo finished speaking, Gu Seong-Cheol instantly burst into anger. "Chief Kim, are you kidding me right now? What do you mean there's no need to worry? Even if the writer lets it slide, SBC might think otherwise! The role was confirmed and the reporters already know about it as well! And why the same broadcasting station, huh?"

Park Sang-Yung from Actor Division 1 nodded in agreement as he understood the severity of a confirmed lead actress suddenly dropping out of a scheduled drama.

"Hold on. We should be talking to Yung-In about this. Where is she right now?"

"She already went to the audition site."

"Today…? But Yoo-Jin is there right now. Wait. Did you do this on purpose?"

When Gu Seong-Cheol accused Kim Dong-Soo, he feigned innocence. "Hey, Chief Gu. Don't be too harsh now. I told you I didn't do anything."

"Even so, you should've told us in advance if she was applying for the same drama! What would the production company think of us?"

"Don't you remember the managing director telling us to operate the divisions independently of each other? She said it was Mr. Kang's special instruction. Isn't that right, Ms. Kang?"

Kang Ji-Yung massaged her temples to ease her headache. As Kim Dong-Soo had a point, she had no choice but to contain her anger.

***

I calmed Yoo-Jin, who was ecstatic from passing the audition, down and headed to the parking lot.

"Yes, Mr. Gu. The audition ended successfully."

-Were there any issues?

There were many issues, but I replied that there were none since the outcome was good. However, Gu Seong-Cheol's voice sounded grim for some reason.

-Well…Yoon-Ho. We have a problem.

I could hear Gu Seong-Cheol's sigh over the phone.

"What's the problem?"

-Ju Yung-In ditched her confirmed lead role and went there instead.

"There? You mean here?"

-Yes. She wants to audition for the lead role.

I was so dumbfounded that I was speechless. For Ju Yung-In to recklessly ditch a lead role she had already secured was like declaring that she would never work with that drama's production team ever again.

'Why would she choose our drama at the risk of causing such a scandal?'

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: 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.