Sometimes, during the filming of a drama, the script gets replaced.
There can be several reasons for this.

Perhaps the viewer response was overwhelmingly negative, necessitating urgent revisions.
Or maybe the original writer had to step down or was replaced.
It could also happen if the scriptwriting process couldn’t keep up with the filming schedule.

In most cases, the scripts that were prepared beforehand would have been written before these changes, so the newly revised scripts often arrived on the day of filming.

“Is this for real?”
“......”

The idol-turned-actors Ma Yeon-woo, Cha Na-hee, and Aiden all had complex expressions.
Cha Na-hee, at least, had some acting experience, but for the other two, this was their first time acting.
Not that Cha Na-hee’s situation was much better.

‘This is my first time working with a last-minute script…’

She was starting to feel gloomy.
After all, who was getting the most criticism in Dream Future right now? It was none other than Song So-ha.
The character that Cha Na-hee was playing.

‘I feel like it’s my fault Jo Ha-rin’s screen time keeps getting cut.’

Even though Director Kim Pil-seok had said that the script changes were due to Writer Lim Jinha’s personal bias, it was still hard to accept.
Even without personal bias, the script would have likely been revised anyway.

Jo Ha-rin, despite her limited screen time, was being mentioned as much as Song So-ha in online communities.
That meant their presence was roughly equivalent.

This also meant that the character Song So-ha, played by Cha Na-hee, had a weaker presence.

“......”

As the lead female character driving the story, this wasn’t a good sign.
Director Kim Pil-seok was starting to demand more from Cha Na-hee.

Even if Jo Ha-rin’s role grew and she became more popular, the lead of the drama was still Song So-ha.
If Song So-ha’s character didn’t resonate, the drama would fail.

‘She looks really troubled.’

As the hastily revised script was handed out, the actors’ faces generally darkened.
Only two remained calm.

Park Jung-woo and Ju Seoyeon.
Especially Park Jung-woo, who, with over ten years of experience as a child actor, was a seasoned veteran.
It might sound odd to call someone in their early twenties a veteran, but that’s what he was.

‘That girl doesn’t seem like someone who’s returning to acting after a ten-year break.’

Her screen time had suddenly increased.
This could have caused significant stress, but Seoyeon’s expression didn’t change.

She didn’t seem at all burdened by the sudden increase in lines.
On the contrary...

‘Why did Jo Ha-rin’s screen time increase so much?’

Ma Yeon-woo’s face had turned pale as he reviewed the script.
After nearly injuring his arm in an arm-wrestling match with Seoyeon, he had become much more subdued around her, though he had recently started to recover.

‘Apart from almost breaking my arm, she doesn’t seem like she has a particularly aggressive personality.’

After that incident, he started calling her by her name on set and tried to get along with her.
Seoyeon didn’t seem to mind either.

However...
After watching The Chaser together with his group, Just X, two days ago...

“Wow, that’s the same girl, right?”
“Isn’t she the one filming with Yeon-woo right now?”
“Is she really the same person? Man, I’m so glad I didn’t mess with her back then.”

The members of Just X made such comments as they looked at Ma Yeon-woo.
And Ma Yeon-woo understood what they were trying to say.

Their looks were mostly sympathetic.

‘...It’s just acting, though.’

That’s what he told himself, but the portrayal of Cha Seo-ah in the movie was so intense that it was hard to forget.
Those red eyes glowing in the rain.
The fire axe in her hand.

The ferocity with which she fought the last policeman, like a wild beast.
It overlapped with the memory of Seoyeon nearly breaking his arm.

“......”

Even if he knew it wasn’t real, perceptions are hard to shake.
But up until today, it hadn’t been a big deal.

In Dream Future, Jo Ha-rin didn’t have much screen time.
Even when he ran into Seoyeon on set, their interaction was limited to a brief nod.

There wasn’t much conversation, so it wasn’t uncomfortable to work with her.
At least, it hadn’t been until today.

“Um, Park-sunbae. Is this normal? Does the script really get changed like this all of a sudden?”

In reality, Ma Yeon-woo was four years older than Park Jung-woo, at twenty-four.
He was the second oldest in Just X.

However, since he was now in the acting world, he tried to be friendly and respectful to Park Jung-woo by calling him “sunbae” in a joking manner.

“It happens quite often.”
“R-Really?”
“Is something bothering you?”

Park Jung-woo’s calm voice made Ma Yeon-woo gulp.
Ma Yeon-woo had met plenty of handsome idols, but Park Jung-woo stood out.
There’s a saying that even the most attractive idols can look ordinary next to actors.

Ma Yeon-woo didn’t fully buy into that idea, but it did seem to apply to Park Jung-woo.
It wasn’t just his looks but also the aura that made him seem unapproachable.

An aura similar to the one Seoyeon had.
Seeing Ma Yeon-woo’s unease, Park Jung-woo couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

‘...It’s understandable that he’s feeling the pressure.’

Sudden script changes are tough for any actor.
But it’s even harder for someone making their acting debut, like Ma Yeon-woo.

Especially when their co-star is Seoyeon.

‘She’s no ordinary actor.’

Park Jung-woo had watched The Chaser.
And what he felt after watching it was...

‘I didn’t know she could go this far.’

Admiration and amazement.
Honestly, her performance as Jo Ha-rin was nothing compared to this.

A terrifying level of synchronization, emotions that cut through the screen.
A standard that every actor aspires to reach.

Seoyeon’s portrayal of Cha Seo-ah reached that level.
Even Jung-woo’s father, the actor Park Sun-woong, had commented on it.

“I knew Seoyeon was a good actress, but Cha Seo-ah was something else.”
“...Something else?”
“You must have felt it too. Seoyeon is known for her method acting, but Cha Seo-ah wasn’t like that.”

From the start, Seoyeon hadn’t used method acting since her return.
There hadn’t been a role that required that level of immersion, nor had there been the opportunity.

Her ten years of acting training had been enough to carry her through.
But Cha Seo-ah was different.

‘It’s almost like she became the character.’

It was almost as if she had become Cha Seo-ah.
The realism was so intense that it didn’t even feel like acting.

If Jung-woo had felt that way, the audience must have been even more struck by it.
In the movie, Cha Seo-ah’s screen time was significant, but her actual on-screen appearances weren’t that frequent.

Just bits and pieces during the murder scenes.
And the scenes of her working part-time.

The brief flashbacks whenever the two detectives were tracking Cha Seo-ah.
That was all, yet it sparked this much attention.

Usually, the title of a “ten-million-viewer actor” is reserved for the lead roles.
But no one hesitated to call Seoyeon, who played Cha Seo-ah, a “ten-million-viewer actress,” and for good reason.

‘...Does she really have that disorder...?’

Alexithymia, or the inability to express emotions.
Her understanding of it seemed unreal.
Her performance made it clear just how terrifying that condition could be.

That discomfort.

A human who doesn’t seem human.
Jung-woo briefly wondered if Seoyeon actually had that disorder.
Even Jo Seo-hee, who had watched the movie with him, had been so unsettled that she couldn’t sit still.

“I need to visit her later and see for myself.”

She had disappeared in a hurry after saying that.

‘But were they really that close?’

They didn’t seem particularly close, but Jo Seo-hee was always very friendly with Seoyeon.
Jung-woo didn’t know why, but it didn’t really matter.

‘...Well, there’s no way she actually has that condition.’

He remembered how he had followed Seoyeon around during Survivor Island.
Seoyeon was more emotional and sensitive than anyone.

It just took time for her emotions to surface.

So, Jung-woo didn’t think Seoyeon had that terrifying disorder.
Instead, he found himself feeling a sense of competition toward Seoyeon, who had delivered such an outstanding performance.

“There’s no need to feel too intimidated by Seoyeon’s acting. She’ll adjust to you just fine.”

Jung-woo figured Ma Yeon-woo’s anxiety stemmed from the overwhelming talent Seoyeon had displayed.
Even though Ma Yeon-woo was a decent idol, he had faced a lot of criticism for his acting.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Ma Yeon-woo gave up trying to explain to Park Jung-woo.
He couldn’t exactly admit that he was scared of acting with her.

“P-Park Jung-woo sunbae!”

Just then, a petite woman came running toward Jung-woo.
It was Min Se-hee, the new drama writer.

“Yes?”
“Do you know where I can find Ju Seoyeon?”
“She’s over there... Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no! I just need to explain a few things since her part has changed the most.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Thank you!!”

As Min Se-hee hurried away after bowing deeply, Jung-woo thought back to the script.

‘She’s probably going to explain the revised script.’

Seoyeon’s screen time had increased.
And there was definitely a love line.

With Ma Yeon-woo.
So, there would be a lot to go over with her.

“......”

Jung-woo stroked his chin thoughtfully.

A love line... It was something that was supposed to be there from the start.
But up until now, it had been cut due to Seoyeon’s reduced screen time.

‘Was it because the writer didn’t want Ma Yeon-woo’s character to have a love line with Seoyeon?’

That probably wasn’t the reason.
When reducing screen time, the love line was probably the easiest thing to cut.
Increasing the love line naturally increases the narrative complexity.

Considering that the writer herself had included a love line between Ma Yeon-woo and another character, it couldn’t have been due to personal feelings.

‘...However.’

Jung-woo’s expression grew serious.

Up until now, he had watched Seoyeon act.
And now, with the revised script in hand...

Comparing what he saw of Seoyeon on the deserted island with this script...

“Writer Min Se-hee.”
“Yes?”

Jung-woo stopped Min Se-hee just as she was about to leave.

“There’s something I’d like to ask you about the script.”
“W-What?!”

Min Se-hee froze, seeing the serious look on Jung-woo’s face.

Whenever he spoke like this, it usually meant a very troublesome situation was about to unfold.

As Seoyeon reviewed the revised script, her eyes widened in surprise.

She had memorized the original Dream Future script in its entirety.

She also knew how the original Dream Future was supposed to succeed.

‘Wasn’t Dream Future supposed to have low ratings until episode 7, when it would start climbing?’

The ratings pattern was almost identical to what she remembered from her previous life.

The first episode was only a success because of Seoyeon’s outstanding performance.

The first episode of Dream Future in her previous life had a rating of only 7%.
This time, thanks to Seoyeon’s stellar performance, it had soared to 15%, and even though the ratings started to decline afterward, they were still higher than in her previous life.

Originally, Dream Future was supposed to start gaining momentum from episode 7 onward, with the ratings significantly increasing.

The drama would eventually hit 20% ratings by the end.
Jo Ha-rin, whose screen time would have decreased by episode 7, wouldn’t have benefited much from the resurgence, but Seoyeon had been okay with that.

After episode 8, as the drama entered its final phase, the love lines would become more prominent.
However, Jo Ha-rin, whose screen time would have been reduced after episode 8, wouldn’t have been involved in that development.

But now?

‘My interactions with Park Min-yul have definitely increased.’

Park Min-yul, the character played by Ma Yeon-woo.
The fact that his role had been significantly expanded was a testament to Seoyeon’s growing popularity.

And after episode 7, if her screen time had increased, it meant that the romantic plotline had expanded as well.

‘Will I be able to handle this?’

Honestly, she wasn’t confident.
She couldn’t fully empathize with those emotions in the first place.

“J-Ju Seoyeon sunbaenim!!”

The sound of footsteps approached rapidly as Writer Min Se-hee rushed over, followed by Director Kim Pil-seok.

They were likely coming to coach her on the new script before the shoot.

“C-Could I make a few adjustments to your lines?”
“Huh?”

So, additional revisions were made, and new directions were given.

With the main writer replaced, the first shoot of Dream Future under the new script began.

And...

“Will Dream Future... be okay this week? I just hope the ratings don’t drop any further.”

The staff at KMB’s drama department were anxiously discussing the show.
The drama, which had started off strong with 15% ratings, had been on a downward trend.

Because of this, MDC’s drama airing at the same time was seeing a surge in viewership.

“They say the writer has been replaced.”
“But will that really lead to a dramatic improvement?”
“No, it usually doesn’t.”

Replacing the writer usually signaled trouble.
Scripts written last minute tend to be sloppy.

They used to enjoy watching the live chat reactions during the broadcast, but now they couldn’t bring themselves to look.

“Still, we need to check the ratings. It’s been about 20 minutes since the episode started, right? What’s the rating?”

They expected it to be about the same as before. It had been similar 10 minutes ago, so they didn’t expect any major changes.

“It’s at 14%.”
“Yeah, 14%... Wait, what?”

14%.

This was close to the highest rating the first episode had achieved.

“G-Go tell the producer immediately, hurry!!”
“Yes, sir!!”

The staff member quickly pulled up the live chat feed for Dream Future, trying to figure out what had happened in the past 10 minutes.