MTA 10

MTA

Posted by Elsa, Released on October 14, 2025

Chapter : 10

Director Kang’s voice continued.

“Honestly, we’ll only know for sure if we meet the former agency CEO. It’s been quite a while since they left the industry, but I’ve already made contact just in case.”

Yoon Hae-in.

What kind of life did she even live?

Do-jun abruptly stood up. He wanted to see Hae-in immediately. To apologize for what he said earlier—or rather, just to say he was sorry.

The conference room was quiet; everyone else had left.

“Did you sleep with the new CEO?”

Breaking the silence, Jin-won’s voice floated through, scanning Hae-in with a look of disbelief. So this was what he’d called her out for after all.

“What?”

“Well, to put it bluntly, the lead actress role for next year’s historical drama was supposed to go to Baek Ah-yeon. So why give you an audition the moment the CEO changes? And of all people, now you’re at odds with Baek Ah-yeon and could get kicked out of your company.”

“Baek Ah-yeon said that?”

“Don’t even bring up her name. The room is full of actors, and yet they’re putting you, who hasn’t added a single project to your filmography in five years, in front of the AJ CEO? Does that make sense?”

So the rumor had already spread. He didn’t need to see it to know. Baek Ah-yeon, who had left the CEO’s office earlier, had probably cried as if the world had abandoned her and told those who pitied her:

For some unknown reason, the CEO decided to give Yoon Hae-in a chance.

Whatever was said afterward, it was predictable.

No one could tell exactly what their relationship was, but the story would have been told: regardless of her career, Hae-in was given the opportunity.

Rumors like this weren’t new in this industry.

Hae-in tried to calm herself, pressing her trembling fingers against her thigh.

Of course, she intended to refuse. Even if they gave her time to think, standing in front of a camera as an actress would be impossible for her.

At least, until she heard Jin-won’s next words.

“I told you not to. Well, you wouldn’t anyway.”

Jin-won took a step closer and whispered into her ear.

“…Hae-in, I know it’s impossible for you to stand in front of the camera.”

“I hope my sister shines brightly.”

After Jin-won spoke with a decisive tone, confident she wouldn’t attend the audition, Hae-in’s voice echoed like a vision. Her pupils trembled slightly.

“Why do you think I wouldn’t do it?”

“You’re not serious, are you? Do you have any idea why they want to use a retired actress like you as a card?”

“Not long ago, you said I lost passion for my dream. Weren’t you the one who wanted to see me full of passion more than anyone?”

“Hey, if you go to the audition, reporters will swarm like wild dogs, and your name will flood real-time search trends. It’ll obviously become an issue: taking a forgotten old actress and putting her in front of the camera.”

“Are you afraid I’ll make a comeback? Afraid the public will care about me, Yoon Hae-in, who you’ve underestimated for the past four years?”

“Haha. Seriously, what’s wrong with you? Are you stupid or an idiot? They’ll milk ratings from you, make a fuss about you trembling in front of the camera, stir up attention, and then discard you. Don’t you get it?”

Hae-in bit her lower lip hard. Normally, it would have drawn blood, but her lips were perfectly fine—just like the gaze Jin-won fixed on her.

“Or is it that you want to use your sister’s case to make a comeback? Squeeze a few tears in front of the camera…”

Smack!

Hae-in’s small hand struck Jin-won’s cheek, tilting his head to the side.

“How dare you… how dare you bring up my sister? How can you talk about it in front of me as if it’s nothing?!”

Her vision had felt stifling all day.

Perhaps it was the tears she had held back since Paris, or maybe the exhaustion of the day. As the tears trickled down her cheeks and fell to the floor, she finally understood why.

The desperate wish to stand in front of the camera again, and the hopelessness of feeling she could not.

The fear that if even a little more time passed, everyone would forget her, and the self-blame for being unable to take a step forward despite that fear.

Jin-won, staring at Hae-in’s tears, spoke through a restrained anger.

“I’ll let the fact that you hit me slide this once. Don’t go to that audition. I don’t think the CEO plans to send anyone else. Just don’t. If you don’t want to be humiliated in front of the camera, stay quietly as an employee here, Hae-in.”

“Oppa… you’re honestly scared, aren’t you? You said you fell in love at first sight watching me win Best Actress. Now I’ve barely moved past minor roles, and you’re afraid I’ll soar while you’ve always dismissed me?”

“Hey!”

Bang!

Jin-won shoved Hae-in roughly against the wall, just as Do-jun entered the room.

He had been looking for Yoon Hae-in, and when he saw the lights on in the conference room, he came, suspecting something. He overheard the entire conversation.

Do-jun forcefully pulled Jin-won off Hae-in.

“…Sir.”

Seeing Hae-in looking at him with red-rimmed eyes, Do-jun felt an indescribable emotion rise within him. Why was she always crying when he saw her?

His gaze then turned icy toward Jin-won. Words sharp as knives spilled from Do-jun’s mouth as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“It’s embarrassing that someone like you represents our company. You’re Jin-won Lee, right? AJ values the character of each actor. I’ll reconsider your contract.”

Even holding back his anger, he radiated an unparalleled authority. Jin-won quickly grabbed his arm, pleading. He had worked so hard to sign with AJ.

“W-Wait, sir… Hae-in and I… it’s personal… it’s not a matter of character, but a romantic entanglement… can’t you understand that?”

Hae-in sighed softly as she looked at his pathetic behavior.

“It’s true the company encouraged Yoon Hae-in to audition. However, deciding whether to participate is entirely her choice. I cannot condone forcing her to act against her will while making such vile claims.”

Do-jun looked at Hae-in, expressionless, as if there was nothing more to say.

Hae-in opened her mouth very slowly. Words she could say, yet perhaps shouldn’t, hovered at her lips.

Could she even dare stand in front of the camera again?

On the day she had received the most brilliant applause, her sister had slipped away. Could she, who couldn’t even protect the only sister she had in the world, stand under the dazzling lights again?

Hae-jin…

What would you say if you saw me now?

Even though she hadn’t spoken, guilt overwhelmed her at the thought of her sister watching from the heavens.

But… she wanted to do it.

“…I’ll do it. I’ll try.”

“Hey, Yoon Hae-in!”

“I want to try. I’ll summon the courage again. Please help me.”

Tears began to stream down Hae-in’s cheeks once more. Do-jun wanted to comfort her but concealed his feelings.

“I’ll put you back in your original position, Yoon Hae-in.”

Do-jun nodded, eyes red. It seemed like an emotional decision, but Hae-in could feel his gratitude for the difficult choice he had made for her.

[Actress Yoon Hae-in joins [The One: Actresses]]

[AJ Entertainment signs exclusive contract with former in-house actress Yoon Hae-in]