Chapter : 12
“Hey, Yoon Hae-in.”
“…?”
At the familiar, yet unexpected voice, Hae-in turned her head. The face she recognized, though not pleasantly, came into view. A woman with a short bob brushing her ears, giving off a cold impression.
“Long time no see. I thought you had retired, but here you are again.”
It was Do Do-kyung, a classmate from Kyungsung Arts University and an active stage actress.
Knowing her, Hae-in anticipated the words that would follow. Do-kyung was the kind of person who would speak her mind bluntly, even in front of professors. Hae-in quietly braced herself for what was coming.
‘They’ve published an insane number of articles,’ she thought.
“And those provocative articles were everywhere too,” Do-kyung added.
Some people never change. Hearing the words she expected coming from Do-kyung, Hae-in strangely felt her tension ease.
Facing the people she had been avoiding out of fear, one by one, she now felt her long-dormant heart start to beat again.
At that moment, Do-joon stood backstage, arms crossed, quietly observing Hae-in.
He already knew about her condition today, her sleep schedule, and even what she had for breakfast, all through Ga-young, the road manager who had been hurriedly assigned.
Having scouted many top rookie actors in the U.S., he knew exactly how to manage his own actors.
He remembered Yoon Hae-in crying as she said she wanted to stand in front of the camera again. The longing in her eyes seemed to almost strangle him with its intensity.
“Huh… I hope she’s okay.”
Do-joon muttered to himself. This would be Hae-in’s first shoot in years, so he worried. Yet, at least now, she seemed comfortable.
It was the image he had always hoped for—Hae-in in the way she had appeared in Temptation. A faint smile appeared on Do-joon’s face as he watched her.
“Let’s begin filming. Slate, please!”
Clap.
As the slate clapped, the MC walked onto the stage and began the opening greetings. Wearing an in-ear, the MC was a top-rated announcer.
“Hello, everyone! I’m announcer Kim Hyo-jin, the MC for [The One: Actresses]. I’m truly honored to host the auditions that have become the hottest topic this season. Look behind me! You can see these beautiful actresses standing like flowers, can’t you?”
Hae-in smiled brightly at the camera, following the script she had received in advance.
Hyo-jin, holding onto the image of her smile, read through the cue cards flawlessly.
“[The One: Actresses] is an audition to select the actress who will play the lead role in the 50-billion-won blockbuster, From Crown Princess to Gisaeng, scheduled to shoot next year. The distribution rights have already been pre-sold beyond Asia—to China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and even the U.S., U.K., and North America.”
The MC drew some audience reaction before continuing, looking confidently into the camera.
“This open audition recruited participants for about six months. Only actors with experience in at least one drama or film could participate, and only those currently affiliated with an agency were eligible. The competition is expected to be fierce, and your votes as viewers will also play a role! So, are you ready for [The One: Actresses]? Shall we begin?”
“Cut!”
At the PD’s signal, Hyo-jin paused. The opening was complete for now; the actual broadcast would later show an edited intro video.
An assistant writer ran onto the stage.
“Actors! We will now start drawing scripts. As mentioned earlier, there are ten scripts prepared, and once you choose, you cannot switch!”
The assistant glanced at her watch.
“You have ten minutes. Fix your hair and makeup, then gather back on stage!”
No sooner had she finished speaking than stylists waiting backstage rushed onto the stage.
For [The One: Actresses], each agency was responsible for the hair and makeup of its actors to ensure quality. After all, an actor’s appearance could also be part of the competition.
Hae-in laughed as Ga-young, carrying a makeup box, ran toward her.
“Where are you off to? A makeup practical exam?”
“Hey. This isn’t enough. I almost brought another box. Under the lights, the makeup looks weaker than expected. I’ll add some shimmer under your eyes. Slightly dewy eyes, okay?”
“…Okay.”
Seventy actors.
Behind every fresh smile could be hidden a blade. Now, the real competition was about to begin.
Clap!
The slate clapped again, and Hyo-jin continued.
“Here are today’s ten scripts. Seventy actors will draw a numbered script, after which the veiled judges will be introduced. Once the judges are introduced, the numbers of each script will also be revealed!”
As Hyo-jin finished speaking, staff pushed in a large tray. Ten small boxes made from expensive materials had been carefully placed on it.
“Let’s start with the actor in seat number one, front row.”
Hae-in looked at the number attached to her right hip. Until the number of participants dropped below thirty, she would be called by her number, not her name.
Was this what it felt like to be in a Miss Korea pageant?
Actors in front disappeared one by one, and Hae-in realized her turn had come. As if on cue, Hyo-jin called her number.
“Actor number 27! Please choose a script from the box of your choice!”
Her heart pounded harder, as if it might burst from her chest. Hae-in took a deep breath.
Why was this so nerve-wracking? She didn’t know what the ten scripts contained, but as long as it wasn’t Temptation, she could handle it.
With trembling hands, she reached into the last box—number seven.
Behind her, over forty people took their scripts, curiosity and pressure mixing over the sealed, blank scripts.
“Alright! Script selection is complete. Now, let’s introduce the judges! First, we have the master of historical dramas, Director Lee Byung-in!”
Lee Byung-in. Hae-in knew him well, having appeared as a supporting actor in his works during her early career.
Strict about acting, protective of the set, and intolerant of poor actors, his presence immediately raised tension among the seventy actors.
He was known to curse at actors who made mistakes on set, but also for being fair and impartial. Hae-in felt relieved, while the actresses around her let out audible sighs.
Avoiding the camera obsessively following her, Hae-in turned her gaze backstage.
Since when had Do-joon been watching her? Meeting his gaze across the room made her heart sink.
Was it the tension? Or was it that look in his eyes?
Hae-in couldn’t look away from Do-joon, and he didn’t avert his eyes from her either.
“Before we introduce the next judge, we have prepared a special segment. This would be too ordinary otherwise.”
Hae-in and the other actors looked confused.
The MC, however, calmly flipped through the cue cards, seemingly enjoying the actors’ flustered expressions as her cheeks turned red.
Unexpected murmurs buzzed around the room.
