NOVEL WEB Chapter 278
The premiere date for <Gyeongseong Young Lady> is early November.
If we consider the film festival awards, it’s cutting it a bit close.
“It might be tough to get good reviews at the awards since the release is late.”
It might be better to aim for the Baeksang Arts Awards taking place next May instead.
Seo-yeon thought that while glancing at Ji-yeon.
“Ji-yeon probably won’t care much about that.”
Her tense face was understandable since this was her first major role, and the promotional event was ramping up.
More than anything, her first lead role.
The pressure that came with it was beyond imagination.
She couldn’t remain calm.
The thought that her failure could directly lead to the movie’s failure.
The possibility of ruining all the hard work of many people.
If people around her mocked her acting and said it was the reason for the failure,
how many actors could withstand that?
“But.”
Seo-yeon smiled softly as she looked at the nervous Ji-yeon.
“She wouldn’t like it if I comfort her.”
Seo-yeon knew that Ji-yeon had a strong sense of pride, having revealed her inner self to Seo-yeon in middle school.
So, she understood.
With a poke,
Seo-yeon gently jabbed Ji-yeon in the side with her finger.
Ji-yeon turned to Seo-yeon with an unhappy look.
“What the heck?”
“Just.”
“Hey, I’m nervous, so stop messing around!”
Normally, Ji-yeon would have fired back already, but today, her reactions were notably bland.
So, Seo-yeon poked her a few more times.
With each poke, Ji-yeon flinched.
No matter how lightly she poked, it still hurt when it was Seo-yeon doing the poking.
“Ugh, really! What if I mess with you during the interview?”
“That won’t work.”
“Geez.”
Ji-yeon glared at Seo-yeon while clutching her tender side.
After all, Seo-yeon’s skin wasn’t exactly thick, so no matter how much Ji-yeon poked, it was definitely Seo-yeon’s fingers that would be sore.
Ji-yeon clearly remembered when, in elementary school, she poked Seo-yeon hard to retaliate and ended up breaking her finger.
‘… What now?’
But at least she felt a bit relaxed.
Thinking about it, she felt oddly frustrated.
After all, she was the type that didn’t really show her true feelings to others.
Not to say she was expressionless like Seo-yeon, but her normally sullen expression led her parents to struggle to figure out whether Ji-yeon was in a good or bad mood.
“Why?”
The chic way she responded truly matched the cold beauty she was known to be.
But underneath that haughty exterior, she was really just a gentle lamb.
Usually, she was completely oblivious, but she occasionally noticed things like this quite well.
Is this a family trait?
‘Anyway.’
Thinking that, Ji-yeon sighed.
Her side was still slightly aching, but…
Definitely, it felt like she had calmed down a bit.
Thinking about that still annoyed her.
***
Today’s filming location was KMB Broadcasting Company.
Since they were now familiar with each other, those who saw Seo-yeon greeted her warmly.
Of course! The amazing work Seo-yeon had done at KMB this year was noteworthy.
There were probably many who would love to lay out a red carpet for Seo-yeon to walk on.
As they headed to the filming set, Director Baek Min, who had arrived first, greeted the two.
He briefly looked at Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon before smiling.
“You can relax. Ji-yeon and Seo-yeon.”
His smile had a way of putting people at ease.
But there was no ominous smile like that on set.
“Shall we go? The staff is calling us.”
Today’s broadcast was a light interview for promoting the movie.
KMB’s <Star Catch 24>, which deals with entertainment gossip, is broadcasted simultaneously on public channels and online to cater to the current generation.
It’s among the rare broadcasts from KMB official YouTube that gets a fair amount of views.
“Hello! I’m Gong Ye-chan.”
“I’m Lee Do-ah. I hope we have a good interview today.”
As they entered the studio with a pink backdrop, they were greeted by a handsome man and a female idol.
Although they belonged to different idol groups, they had gained significant recognition while hosting <Star Catch 24>.
In fact, they could be considered the main draw that boosted the viewership of <Star Catch 24>.
After greeting Director Baek Min, they watched as two actresses entered.
‘Whoa, I’ve heard about this, but…’
‘I can’t sit next to them.’
Gong Ye-chan and Lee Do-ah had those thoughts running through their minds, forcing stiff smiles.
Seeing Seo-yeon walk in slowly behind Ji-yeon made their mouths drop open naturally.
Joo Seo-yeon is one of the hottest figures in the entertainment industry.
Movies, dramas.
Not to mention variety shows and ads.
Her appearances drew explosive attention, as expected.
This led some idols and actors to go out of their way to connect with Seo-yeon.
After all, connections in the entertainment industry are incredibly valuable.
So, Gong Ye-chan and Lee Do-ah planned to exchange numbers with Seo-yeon, but had the following thoughts.
‘It seems too challenging to strike up a conversation.’
‘Same here.’
The moment they stood face to face with Seo-yeon was no minor pressure.
The vibe that emanated from her appearance.
Plus, the unique aura that came with being an actress.
Even though she was like a younger sister, it felt hard to engage with her easily.
“Please take a seat here… and we’ll begin once you’re ready.”
Gong Ye-chan was the primary host of the interview.
Lee Do-ah would sometimes chime in and ask occasional questions.
Once all three were seated, Gong Ye-chan exchanged glances for a moment before calmly opening his mouth at the camera operator’s OK signal.
“Wow, it’s truly an honor to meet you. I’m a fan of Director Baek Min’s films.
“Thank you. It must have been quite dull for you.”
“No, no, what are you saying? When I really watched it, it made me think, ‘Ah, this is what watching a movie is!’
With that light banter, the interview proceeded in a relaxed atmosphere.
The first questions were directed at Director Baek Min.
“I’ve heard <Gyeongseong Young Lady> deals with themes of homosexuality. I think that’s a very challenging aspect. From the trailer, it seems the atmosphere is quite different from your usual films.”
“Well, actually, quite a few things have changed during the planning process.”
They were discussing the film.
It was a standard interview explaining what <Gyeongseong Young Lady> is about.
Then, as the conversation with Director Baek was wrapping up, Gong Ye-chan finally turned to Seo-yeon, who had been waiting.
“In this trailer, Joo Seo-yeon’s intense acting really shone through. Wow, back at the beginning of this year, you captivated audiences as Cha Seo-ah in The Chaser and then left quite the impression once again at the end!”
“Oh, thank you.”
Seo-yeon responded calmly, but her eyes twitched oddly.
For Seo-yeon, who rarely changed her expression, this was quite an open display of her feelings.
“I heard there was considerable interest from Japan as well. Moreover, you’ve been making a remarkable impact on Japanese broadcasts. How did you end up participating in Japanese variety shows?”
But Gong Ye-chan, who didn’t know Seo-yeon well, continued to ask her questions.
The questions themselves weren’t anything unusual.
There was nothing particularly offensive about them.
Thus, neither Gong Ye-chan nor Lee Do-ah noticed Seo-yeon’s unusual demeanor.
But.
‘Oh no.’
Director Baek Min inwardly chuckled bitterly.
‘Seo-yeon is upset.’
Maybe it was because he had seen her in <Gyeongseong Young Lady>, but he could somewhat gauge Seo-yeon’s feelings now.
“…”
Seo-yeon briefly glanced at the clock on the set.
For sure, <Star Catch 24> would be uploaded as roughly a 20-minute video.
Though there would be edits according to the standard, the actual interview time typically ranges from one to two hours.
However, by the time Seo-yeon began her own interview after Director Baek Min, more than an hour had already passed.
“I’m curious to know what kind of acting you’re going to showcase this time. Any behind-the-scenes stories from the filming?”
Just as Gong Ye-chan was about to elaborate, he stumbled on his words for a moment.
The reason? Seo-yeon had subtly raised her right hand.
What’s this? Does she have something to say?
As they glanced at each other with these thoughts,
“Oh, it seems my interview is dragging on a bit.”
Typically, supporting roles don’t get much interview time.
At most.
Because what really matters in films is the lead, not the supporting characters.
‘Of course, Yuina is classified as a lead, but…’
Though she isn’t the main character.
Officially, the protagonists in <Gyeongseong Young Lady> are ‘Eun Seon-ye’ and ‘Michiko.’
Yuina, played by Seo-yeon, is classified as a ‘villain’ while also being a heroine, but she’s not the true protagonist.
‘But, why are they only asking me?’
Since this is a promotional event for the film, they should focus more on the lead actors.
So, Seo-yeon had planned to only respond to secondary questions.
But who would’ve thought they’d spend all this time on her?
If there was enough time, it wouldn’t have mattered, but they had other filming to attend to, which made it awkward to take up more time.
“Due to time constraints, it seems there may not be enough time for Ji-yeon’s interview.”
But the time spent on Seo-yeon up to this point had been excessive.
Most importantly, the first question directed at her instead of the main character Ji-yeon was bothersome.
‘Oops.’
Gong Ye-chan belatedly glanced at Ji-yeon, who was seated beside Seo-yeon.
Aside from the occasional question from Lee Do-ah, he had been focusing almost entirely on Seo-yeon.
Gong Ye-chan shot a glance at the PD of <Star Catch 24>.
That person also had a slightly frozen expression.
Generally, celebrities prefer to be in the spotlight.
Having asked Seo-yeon more questions during this interview meant her presence would likely increase in the broadcast, turning into an asset for her stardom.
However, he hadn’t anticipated he’d say something like this.
‘But it can’t be helped.’
Hearing that, the PD of <Star Catch 24> briefly glanced between Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon.
Who would the viewers be eager to hear from in this interview?
Whether it was the lead they hardly knew from the trailer or the genius actor who had been the talk of the town.
So, this was a realistic division of screen time.
Not that they hadn’t asked Ji-yeon anything at all, of course.
With that slight tension in the air,
“Really? I just had to sit quietly, so I found it convenient. I’m relieved that Joo Seo-yeon answered in my place.”
Ji-yeon casually replied with a shrug.
At that, Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes at Ji-yeon.
It was a look that seemed displeased.
Under that gaze, Ji-yeon poked Seo-yeon’s side with her index finger.
“Don’t just offload interviews onto me, alright? I’m nervous!”
Her light banter provided a much-needed breather for the atmosphere.
Thanks to that, the tense mood nearly disappeared.
“Ah, hahaha. You’re right, right! We should have let Ji-yeon enjoy herself more. By the way, I heard you two are classmates from the same high school?”
Gong Ye-chan quickly shifted the conversation back to their schools.
Though Seo-yeon shot him a sulky look for his swift transition, she said nothing more.
Ji-yeon kept poking her side.
Finally settling into the calm of the interview, Ji-yeon sighed inwardly.
In truth, she found it more comfortable this way.
‘Guess it’s only natural.’
Anyone would want to interview someone more famous and known.
Of course, she felt no disappointment over that or harbored any negativity about the situation.
‘After all, it’s just a matter of course.’
The world of acting is cold.
The delineations of talent are clearer than one might expect.
As Jo Seo-hee would put it, there are actors who shine like stars.
And then, there are actors whose light is less than a small match flame.
Some actors receive cheers upon their appearances, while others get furrowed brows just by being on screen.
Sometimes she ponders where she fits in.
Seo-yeon, without a doubt, would be the shining star.
And that had led Ji-yeon to lash out at Seo-yeon many times in the past.
Perhaps that was mostly due to her own adolescence.
Sort of a black history.
“I didn’t like that.”
Once the interview wrapped up, Seo-yeon was the first to speak up.
With a pout on her face.
This wasn’t a playful annoyed look; it was genuinely angry.
“It’s okay.”
“But…”
“Once the movie premieres, things will differ.”
In the van on the way back, Ji-yeon remarked.
She looked out the window at the swiftly passing scenery.
‘For real.’
She didn’t feel any despair about being an actor over such trivial matters.
Things would probably change once the movie launches.
That wasn’t just a bleak hope.
Ironically, Ji-yeon felt somewhat confident about this movie.
While she knew she herself belonged among the match flames,
‘Just because a mere match can sometimes turn into a big blaze.’
As she watched Ji-yeon supporting her chin, Seo-yeon tilted her head in curiosity.
Surprisingly calm for someone so prideful; it was quite unlike Ji-yeon.
‘… Seems like she’s genuinely okay.’
Then, she felt relieved.
As Ji-yeon said, things will likely change once it premieres.
Seo-yeon thought the same.
‘I hope it comes out soon.’
Seo-yeon simply thought that as she admired the rapidly passing scenery outside the window, hoping the time would come swiftly.
***
Thus, two weeks after the interview ended.
Mid-October.
The premiere date for <Gyeongseong Young Lady> was finally set.
“I’ll give out plenty of premiere tickets, so if there’s anyone you know well, feel free to share!”
As someone involved in the film industry, obtaining premiere tickets was a piece of cake.
Normally, she would have simply given them to her family, but this time Seo-yeon was different.
‘I should bring my school friends!’
Despite the ups and downs, after the last party, there were a good number of people starting to reach out to Seo-yeon.
Sure, there were still many times when they observed her from afar, but that was already something.
Especially the class president and her friends sometimes had lunch with Seo-yeon.
‘There are only a couple of months left in my first year.’
It was quite a sad thought that the strong ties she had built would be counting down to an end soon.
But there would still be classmates in the second year, so things might not be as hard then.
“Thank you, Seo-yeon! I’ll definitely go to the premiere!”
Thus, Seo-yeon shared the tickets she received with her classmates!
And feeling all proud of herself, she conveyed the news to Ji-yeon.
“Joo Seo-yeon, are you crazy?!”
Ji-yeon jumped up as if about to take off into the air.
“?”
“What do you mean, playing clueless? Why did you share those at school?!”
In any case, those who want to see it would go see it anyway, shouldn’t they?
That was the calm consideration Seo-yeon had, but then it hit her what kind of film <Gyeongseong Young Lady> actually was.
Typically, people wouldn’t look for a movie before it garnered any buzz.
The genre, for ordinary folks, was practically an enormous barrier.
“Ah.”
“What’s this ‘Ah’? I told you, how am I going to school from tomorrow?”
“No.”
“What do you mean no? You’re going to school alone from now on, okay?”
As Ji-yeon yelled and stormed off, Seo-yeon swallowed hard, watching her retreat.
‘… What should I do?’
She had a hard time imagining how the classmates would look at her after the premiere.