Chapter 8
In the past, Se-ah had trusted her agency completely — never realizing they had already decided to abandon her. She didn’t know what Ji-man had offered them, but it must have been something valuable enough to make them turn on their own actress so easily.
To CEO Heo, her worth must have been very small.
After thinking it over, she made up her mind. Her contract with UZ Entertainment still had a few years left, but once it expired, she would leave without hesitation.
“Good. I’m glad you and Yuri will make healthy rivals. Since you’ll be going to the audition with her, I won’t assign you a separate manager.”
CEO Heo patted her shoulder with a smile that pretended to be warm and walked away.
So it’s about saving money again, Se-ah thought, stunned. Apparently, Yuri had also been offered the same audition.
Well… I don’t have many schedules right now anyway. She tried to stay positive, sighed quietly, and knocked on the office door.
She really needed to change agencies. When she got home tonight, she’d review her contract and start researching better ones.
“Come in.”
Inside sat Manager Song Yoon-mi, checking some documents. As soon as Se-ah entered and greeted her politely, Yoon-mi gestured toward the sofa.
“How was the narration recording?”
“It went well. It felt similar to my radio work.”
Her head ached — she’d been too nervous about someone possibly taking her picture — but she quickly fixed her expression and smiled.
“Good job. Here are the audition scripts.”
“Scripts?”
Not just one, but plural. Her eyes widened. On the table, Yoon-mi spread out three scripts.
“One is a web drama, the other two are feature films.”
“The highlighted parts… are the roles offered to me?”
“That’s right. And there’s something else you should know.”
According to Yoon-mi, the web drama and one of the films had overlapping audition dates. The other film’s director, she warned, had a bad reputation.
“Go over them carefully.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Want some coffee?”
“Oh, I can make—”
“No, I make the best coffee in this office. Sit tight.”
Smiling, Yoon-mi asked, “Black?” and went to the coffee machine.
Se-ah nodded faintly and turned her focus to the scripts.
The titles didn’t immediately ring a bell, but as she read further, a memory stirred.
The film overlapping with the web drama… had been canceled mid-shoot in her past life. There was no reason to audition for that.
The other film, however, had been a huge box office hit, with over 8 million viewers. The script and role were good — but the director’s reputation bothered her.
Not during that particular project, but a few years later, that same director had become infamous for assaulting an actress on set.
Then that leaves the web drama…
Her choices narrowed. She began to read the web drama’s synopsis carefully.
When she saw the director’s name — Kim Sung-chul — chills ran down her spine.
He was the same man who, in the future, would go on to direct a ten-million-viewer blockbuster.
That future film had a role she’d always dreamed of playing.
Her palms grew damp. I have to do well in this audition.
“Elite High: Love Records.”
It was a youth romance drama. For a second, she wondered if she might be too old — then remembered, I’m twenty-five now, not thirty-five.
Plenty of actors in their early twenties played high school students. She’d be fine.
“Here, drink while you read.”
“Thank you.”
The warm coffee felt comforting. She took a sip and kept reading.
Despite the light title, the story wasn’t just a romance — it was a coming-of-age drama about a girl pursuing her dream to become a pianist.
A straightforward, strong-willed character — exactly her type of role.
“I’d like to audition for the web drama.”
“Only that one?”
“Yes.”
Manager Song thought for a moment, then nodded knowingly.
“You might already know, but Heo Yuri will audition for the same project.”
“I figured.”
She’d already heard from the CEO. Still, one question lingered — were they going for the same role?
“Yuri will also audition for the lead role — Seo Ji-an.”
Almost reading her thoughts, Yoon-mi smiled.
“And it’s a designated acting audition, so prepare carefully.”
She handed Se-ah a short scene script and the audition date.
“Oh, and you don’t have a manager yet, right?”
“No, but that’s fine. I can take public transport.”
“What? You can’t do that! Your schedule’s about to get busy.”
Muttering under her breath, Yoon-mi pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts.
“Let’s see… I know someone good. I’ll assign her to you.”
“Um, ma’am… the CEO said he doesn’t plan to assign me a manager yet.”
“What?”
Yoon-mi looked genuinely stunned. Se-ah hesitated, then explained what had happened earlier with CEO Heo.
It felt a bit like tattling — but strangely satisfying.
“My goodness. That man has no eye for talent.”
Yoon-mi sighed heavily, glaring in the direction of the CEO’s office.
“Don’t worry. I know all the road managers personally — I’ll take care of it.”
As she complained — about how the CEO couldn’t recognize good actors and wasted investments — Se-ah couldn’t help laughing for the first time in a while.
***
That night, Do Gun-ha debated whether or not to listen to Se-ah’s radio show.
It was already halfway through. Still, before he knew it, his hand had turned the radio on.
“…Were you okay today? It must’ve been exhausting, right?”
Her soft, calm voice flowed through the speakers — soothing and warm, perfect for ending the day.
He had first seen her two years ago, in an independent film.
Her quiet yet powerful performance had been unforgettable — so real that he’d rewatched it several times.
When she started doing radio, he’d looked forward to her next roles… but for some reason, she’d rarely appeared in anything since.
Gun-ha had always been curious about her.
Was she like him? What drove her to act? Why had she disappeared from the screen?
He knew he was born with a natural gift for acting — but no matter how skilled he became, something always felt missing.
He could never completely merge with his co-actors in a scene.
But watching Se-ah’s performance had been different — she had that quality.
With someone like her, he felt, true immersion in a role might finally be possible.
Still, he hadn’t dared to recommend her for projects. He didn’t want to risk her reputation.
He had simply hoped she’d return to acting — and that someday, they’d work together.
But then he remembered her cold words earlier:
“No, thank you. I’m not interested.”
Just as his manager had said, she seemed indifferent — maybe even tired of the profession.
She had looked anxious too, constantly glancing around as if afraid of being watched.
For an actress, that kind of fear could be fatal.
He sighed. Disappointed, he reached to turn the radio off — when her voice suddenly shifted.
“You know, there’s something I want to tell you all…”
Her tone was soft and playful, like she was whispering right beside his ear. His hand froze midair.
“Until recently, I didn’t know how to chase my dreams. But after giving up and living differently for a while… I think I finally understand a little.”
He blinked, surprised.
She was scared of people’s eyes — even seemed disinterested in acting — and yet she spoke like someone who still burned with a dream.
“These days, I’ve been auditioning a lot, so I think you’ll be seeing more of me soon. If you spot me somewhere, please say hi — even if it’s just online. Let’s listen to a song now.”
Auditioning? That didn’t sound like the same woman from earlier that day.
Her lively, hopeful voice completely contradicted the nervous, distant actress he had met.
Was she two-faced? Or was there something more beneath the surface?
Gun-ha leaned back in his chair, lost in thought as calm music filled the room.
Whatever the case, he couldn’t shake off his curiosity.
***
“Hello, Se-ah. I’m Ma Ye-won.”
It was the day of her meeting with Director Park Joon-hyung and singer Than for a new music video.
Manager Song had assigned her a driver — Ma Ye-won, a warm, cheerful woman around twenty-six, just a year older than Se-ah.
Se-ah had planned to take the bus, but thanks to having a manager, she had extra time to relax — even stopping by a café for a quick drink.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Im Se-ah.”
“Here, this is milk tea. I wasn’t sure if you liked coffee.”
“Oh wow, thank you!”
Ye-won smiled and opened the car door for her.
“It’s a small car, but I’m a good driver!” she joked, winking.
It was true — the car might be compact, but it was comfortable and much better than a bus.
“Our appointment’s at one, right?”
“Yes, unni.”
At that, Ye-won blinked in surprise — then laughed brightly.
“I like the sound of that.”
“Please feel free to speak comfortably.”
“Alright then. Let’s go!”
Ye-won’s friendly personality put Se-ah at ease immediately. No wonder Manager Song had recommended her.
The weather was clear, the manager was kind, and as they drove toward the restaurant, a gentle smile bloomed on Se-ah’s face.
