Chapter – 13
“I want… to live.”
After a long hesitation, the granddaughter unexpectedly spoke.
“I want to live… that’s why.”
She wanted to live.
With desperate eyes, the girl kept repeating that she had chosen acting because she wanted to live.
Like mother, like daughter.
It reminded him of decades ago when Joo Jeong-wol had begged desperately.
“Father, there’s Sudeok or Jeong-hee for the succession! Can’t you just let me do what I want…?”
“You are Dong-woo’s eldest daughter. You must continue the family business. Nothing will be overturned, so leave now.”
“…If I live like this, I’ll suffocate to death.”
“Human lives don’t end so easily, it seems.”
The daughter had said she wanted to follow the path of acting, that if she didn’t, she’d suffocate and die.
And now, the child she left behind was saying the same thing.
Joo Tae-baek, who moistened his dry lips with saliva, slowly spoke.
“All the women in the Joo family are the same…”
Joo Tae-baek did not trust people.
Even family members could turn their backs in the face of money and power. People who would fawn before him would bite like piranhas at the first chance.
The business world was exactly like that. Even his close friend Chairman Ryu had ruthlessly purged relatives.
So when Joo Sae-i resurfaced after keeping her distance, he wondered if she, too, had some hidden agenda.
Yet…
“…She’s just like Jeong-wol.”
Even though this child had come after some distance, just like Jeong-wol, her sincerity in acting might still be a lie.
Still, at that moment, Joo Tae-baek thought…
“Yes, people should live first.”
“…!”
“Try acting, the way you want. Give it your all.”
He willingly let himself be fooled by Sae-i’s radiant smile.
Some time later, near KDS headquarters, at the rental studio.
Sae-i’s gaze fell on the A4 paper posted on the door.
[Drama <Your Blue Name>]
[Script Reading Session]
Today was the first script reading of the so-called “Your Blue Name.”
Actors gathered to greet each other and read the script, coordinating their lines.
‘I was told it’s better to come early…’
Sae-i walked around the empty reading room. Her eyes darted around faster than her steps, memorizing the name tags at each seat.
She even looked up actors she might encounter often on set.
‘Ah, grown-up Do-yeon is actress Park Yeon-hee.’
Since it was a work by a star writer, there were many famous actors.
Just as she was about to take her assigned seat,
“Was wondering if anyone arrived before me… and it’s you, Sae-i?”
Sung Hye-sim’s voice came from behind.
“The vibe here feels different when you’re around, right?”
“Yes, it’s amazing.”
“You’re so fresh~”
Reacting lightly, she brought her palm near her mouth as if to whisper a secret. Sae-i leaned in.
“Did you analyze the script well? I haven’t had time to check recently.”
“Oh, yes! I brought it separately.”
“That’s admirable.”
Humming a tune, Sung Hye-sim sat down.
Once all the empty seats were filled, the director and writer, who had been waiting, sat in the center—perfect for observing the entire reading.
“The cameras aren’t fully set up yet, so start greeting each other first.”
“Eeek…!”
When writer Choi Ki-jung grabbed the mic and scanned the room, someone let out a nervous squeak upon locking eyes with him.
‘I’ve heard his reputation is terrible.’
Sae-i had heard through Sung Hye-sim that Choi Ki-jung’s nickname was “The Devil of Repeats.”
While other writers allowed actors to read lightly during script readings, Choi Ki-jung endlessly demanded, “Do it again,” which earned him that nickname.
‘Of course, since his works always succeed, no actor dares challenge him.’
Sure enough, after the nervous murmur, the reading room quickly froze.
“…Ugh, I’m nervous! Please go easy on us today, Director Choi?”
A supporting actor spoke in a coaxing voice to lighten the mood.
Only then did those nearby begin introducing themselves.
Sae-i glanced at Do Je-hyun, who would play Ha-jin’s child, sitting beside her.
‘Do Je-hyun!’
Do Je-hyun was one year younger than Sae-i but had been a child actor since elementary school.
Sae-i recognized him immediately. He had starred in historical dramas with over 50% ratings and blockbusters reaching ten million viewers—an icon of child actors.
He was also a model student, consistently volunteering and later donating to children’s centers.
He was the perfect actor to portray the childhood of “Ha-jin,” the male lead in Your Blue Name.
‘I should greet him…’
While hesitating, Sae-i took the opportunity when their eyes met to bow her head.
“I’m the child actor for the lead this time…”
“Joo Sae-i.”
“Huh?”
“I know your name. If you have time to chat, better read the script more. Don’t want to be compared today.”
The conversation ended there.
Sae-i, still trying to grasp the situation, turned her head.
‘A bit rude? Even if he’s a senior in the industry…’
And to top it off, he told her to read more if she didn’t want to be compared. It was clearly belittling.
‘Was Do Je-hyun always like this?’
No matter why he said it, it didn’t matter. She just had to prove herself with her skills.
‘…I’ll show him.’
Her competitive fire ignited immediately.
Do Je-hyun was very dissatisfied with his casting in Your Blue Summer.
This was his third time being a child actor in Choi Ki-jung’s works.
Choi Ki-jung’s belief was that the main characters needed a convincing past. Even the child actors in his troupe had to go through two or three confirmation steps for casting.
‘I even went through four auditions this time.’
Since the child character’s backstory was very important, Choi Ki-jung tested Je-hyun through four auditions.
But he had heard a rumor.
‘Sung Hye-sim recommended a new actress for the female lead’s child. She only auditioned once.’
A newcomer had landed a role that was nearly impossible to get.
Her name? Joo Sae-i. No acting experience.
She was so new that hardly any information was available.
‘Joo Sae-i… Joo Sae-i…’
Je-hyun waited for the day he could see this newcomer. He read the script thousands of times in preparation.
And now, she was beside him. A parachute casting, daring to speak first—it was absurd.
Cutting him off bluntly, Je-hyun’s irritation was clear. Sae-i shut her mouth, seeming a little deflated.
“…Ahem.”
He was slightly unsettled but forced his gaze back to the script.
Soon, the camera setup and production introductions ended, and it was time for the actors to formally greet.
The senior leads and Je-hyun finished their greetings. Now it was time for Sae-i, the child actor for Yeon-do-yeon, to speak.
‘She’ll probably greet timidly, like a typical inexperienced actor.’
He expected a meek, shy introduction.
Je-hyun scoffed, turning to glance at her.
Then it happened.
“Hello! I’m Joo! Sae-i! playing the young Do-yeon! This is my first official acting role, but I’ll work hard and learn a lot!”
Her confident tone surprised him.
In the warm atmosphere, Sae-i smiled lightly at him.
“…!”
Je-hyun’s shoulders tensed. Seeing her smile reminded him so much of…
‘…Yeon-do-yeon?’
Like the first love of Ha-jin, in the rainy season, soaked yet facing the fan breeze—a refreshing smile. Eyes folding lightly like rippling water. A voice as gentle as summer wind shaking leaves.
Everything Sae-i had just shown felt like Yeon-do-yeon’s smile to Je-hyun.
His heart skipped a beat, and he bit his lip.
