YDCF 28

Chapter – 28

Not long after, all the filming wrapped up, and evening had arrived.

Since this was the first location shoot for Your Blue Name, they had planned a dinner gathering at a nearby samgyeopsal restaurant.

When we opened the door and stepped inside, the production staff who had arrived earlier had already set the table and were waiting. The spicy, savory smell of grilled meat wafted into my nose.

“Wow, this smells amazing!”
“Isn’t this why they call me the Samgyeopsal Artist, Director?”

Amusing as always, Gamcho’s joke earned him a double-handed round of applause from Director Woo Byunghwa.

I went to a corner to sit with Woon Seongha, since I had to keep an eye on this outsider.

Because the teacher and Park Yeonhee hadn’t arrived yet, I ended up eating alone with Woon Seongha.

“Eat a lot, Sae-i.”

Apparently having worked part-time at a barbecue restaurant, Woon Seongha’s grilling skills were top-notch.

“You should eat too. I’ll stop giving it to you now.”
“But…”

Still, every piece of meat that was grilled ended up on my plate. No matter how many times I told him to eat some himself, he refused to listen.

Eventually, I made him a wrap and, after several hand gestures from him, he finally gave in. I quickly shoved it into my open mouth.

‘He’s eating that wrap without messing up his face…’

Watching Woon Seongha chew with a slightly flushed face while I drank water, I was interrupted by a sudden voice.

“Do-yeon is cheating on Hajin~”
“I just took a video of me feeding him and sent it to Do Jae-hyeon.”
“Oh, did he reply? Show me!”
“No reply yet!”

Apparently, the seniors had playfully sent a video of Woon Seongha being fed to Do Jae-hyeon.

I thought, There’s no way he’d react, right?

…But then my phone vibrated.

[☎ FaceCall Incoming]

Do Jae-hyeon had immediately called me via video.

After rejecting once, he called again instantly, and I surrendered. The moment I answered, he asked in a cold tone:

“Joo Sae-i. Who’s that? An actor? Who is he that you’re feeding? What’s going on?”

“…Ask one thing at a time. And remember, I’m your older sister.”

“That’s not important right now.”

What could be more important than me being his older sister…?

“Is he some weirdo? If you were forced to feed him, tell me. I’ll come right now…”

“No!”

Just as I was about to answer, Woon Seongha snatched the phone from my hand and spoke instead.

“He’s Sae-i’s school friend.”
“A friend…?”
“Yes, my only one.”

Why did he emphasize “only one”? I’m not advertising that I have no friends…

Woon Seongha wasn’t letting go of my phone.

“Joo Sae-i, tell him we’re closer.”
“Sae-i doesn’t lie.”
“What did you just say…!”
“Of course I’d be closer to someone my age than a younger brother who doesn’t even call me ‘noona.’”

For someone so gentle, why is he acting like this?

Woon Seongha continued to provoke Do Jae-hyeon, watching his flustered reaction with the smugness of a large dog victorious over a hunting hound.

You two will have to shoot a project together and even travel someday…

Before sparks could fly again, I retrieved my phone and abruptly ended the call. Do Jae-hyeon tried contacting me several more times, but I ignored him.

Soon, the teacher and Park Yeonhee finished their conversation outside and entered together.

Once the chaotic atmosphere settled, the director took a small megaphone and made an announcement.

“Everyone, eat up quickly! Today, Writer Choi will also be joining us!”
“Oh…!”

The news that the formidable Choi Kijeong would be attending the dinner made everyone uneasy again.

Amid the murmurs, Park Yeonhee carefully nudged me from across the table.

“How have you been?”
“Ah, yes! How about you, sunbae… have you been well?”
“As always, same as ever.”

Park Yeonhee smiled weakly.

“Last time, I was too aggressive. Sorry for tearing your business card suddenly.”
“No, it’s fine! I was actually thankful. It felt like you were looking out for me…”
“Of course I care. Seeing you always reminds me of my younger self…”

We even resembled each other, after all.

Maybe that’s why her reaction was so intense when she handed me the Mora Planning card. It was like a kind of trauma.

“This might sound heavy, but I’ve been through a lot at that company.”
“….”
“I just don’t want you to suffer the same way by signing a bad contract.”

Park Yeonhee smiled faintly, but there was a tinge of sadness in her eyes. She was kind and capable, yet had been hurt by the constraints of contracts.

Maybe that’s why Grandpa…

Perhaps that was why he started Wave Actors. To prevent talented young performers from being constrained by unfair contracts and fading away before they could shine.

When I first learned about Mora Planning, I constantly questioned whether it was my place to intervene. I was afraid that if I stepped in, I wouldn’t be able to help anyone.

Now, I had made up my mind.

I need to tell Grandpa.

There was no reason to hesitate while a young actor in front of me was about to be hindered from showcasing her talent.

“Thank you for your hard work…”

I took a few well-grilled pieces of meat from my plate and offered them to Park Yeonhee.

Seeing the young me taking care of her, Park Yeonhee finally smiled genuinely.

Several tens of minutes later.

“Here comes our genius, Writer Choi!”
“Waaaah!”

When Choi Kijeong entered, Director Woo Byunghwa waved energetically to greet her.

“Here’s a seat for you!”

One of the staff, slightly tipsy and not afraid of her, tapped the seat next to him. Choi Kijeong politely declined and turned her gaze to find one particular person.

The reason she came to this dinner right after finishing a deadline.

“Sae-i, why are you hiding in the corner like this?”

She immediately dragged a small chair next to mine. Leaning in as if to share a secret, she spoke.

“…You know my sister, right? Choi Ki-young.”

Hearing another star writer’s name from this star writer, I paused mid-sip.

The Choi sisters were often mentioned together, but in terms of influence, the older sister was more powerful.

“Of course I know! I really admire her.”
“Oh, more than me?”
“Th-That’s….”
“Just kidding.”

Choi Kijeong smiled lightly and picked up a well-grilled piece of meat.

“My sister has just finished preparing her new work.”

Having set the stage, she let the suspense build a little, taking a bite and observing my reaction.

So far, I looked completely clueless about why she was bringing this up.

This isn’t working. I need to be straightforward.

Even the most talented actors are sometimes naive—so Choi Kijeong decided to drop the pretense and get to the point.

“She wants you to be the main character in her next work.”

“The… main character?”

I widened my eyes and asked again. My voice was loud enough for nearby actors to notice.

For the renowned Choi Ki-young to want a rookie as her lead, it was hard to believe even if someone heard it.

If you don’t believe it… well, it’s true. She wants this actor.

Choi Kijeong rummaged through her bag and soon handed me a piece of paper.

“It’s not an immediate contract offer, but contact this. She’ll arrange a meeting.”

Handing me the note with her sister’s number and email, Choi Kijeong watched me receive it like it was treasure.

She’s my actor!

No matter how close the sister was, Choi Kijeong couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to monopolize her.

“Geez, Sae-i, you’re going to get super famous like this.”

She teased further:

“Then make sure you mention me in interviews. Say that it was Choi Kijeong, not Choi Ki-young, who discovered you!”
“Yes… yes…! I will!”

Choi Kijeong wanted to monopolize this brilliant, inexperienced rookie. If she could have her all to herself, she’d happily work like a horse and produce five works in a year.