"Actors I used to see frequently on cable dramas are here."

With her eyes slightly open, Jiyeon immediately noticed the people around her. Like her, they were actors who appeared in cable dramas.

It seemed they recognized her too, nodding at her discreetly. They had crossed paths a couple of times before.

"Of course, to them, I'm just a rookie."

After all, considering their age, they were likely to think that way. The characters in Gyeongseong Lady were meant to be in their late teens to early twenties.

So, there weren’t any intense or highly explicit scenes in the drama. Instead, the focus was on delivering dense emotional performances, which required strong acting skills.

It was only natural that they preferred actors in their twenties. Teen actors often had unreliable acting skills, and while those in their twenties weren’t perfect either, they were generally more capable.

"Unless you're someone extraordinary like Jo Seohui or Ju Seoyeon, there aren’t many roles for teenage actors. This audition will probably be the same."

Having the same age as the character wasn’t necessarily an advantage. In fact, it was more of a penalty.

"Next, numbers 10 through 20, please."

Jiyeon’s number was near the thirtieth spot, almost at the end.

When she was younger, the wait used to feel boring. Later, as her thoughts grew more complicated, she became nervous, but now, she wasn't sure how she felt.

"Just like I practiced."

The practice she had done with Jo Seohui and Seoyeon. She wondered if she could perform as well as she did during those rehearsals.

As nervous tension began to gnaw at Jiyeon’s heart...

"Huh?"

She noticed someone in the crowd. Amidst the staff, there was a figure moving awkwardly, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask.

The appearance was suspicious, to say the least, but no one seemed to be stopping him. On the contrary, some of the staff greeted him warmly.

"…Could it be?"

Looking around the waiting area, the figure paused briefly when they glanced at Jiyeon before slipping away quietly. The way they moved reminded her of someone.

"…"

Though it wasn’t strange for such a person to be here. After all, they could be someone from the production team. Even though it piqued her curiosity, Jiyeon decided not to dwell on it.

Still…

"At least my nerves have calmed down a bit."

She could sense the presence of someone watching from somewhere. At the very least, Jiyeon could feel that much.

It was funny, really. Thanks to this strange feeling, her racing heart began to settle.

 

Today was Lee Jiyeon’s audition.

In fact, Seoyeon hadn’t intended to come here at all.

But this morning…

[Wanna come?]

A text from Jo Seohui. Clearly, Seohui was trying to create an opportunity to spend time with Seoyeon, as if that wasn't already obvious.

Seoyeon stared blankly at the message.

[You should watch your friend act with me.]

It sounded like she was subtly asking Seoyeon to come watch her as well. After all, Jo Seohui was indeed Jiyeon’s scene partner for today.

Though Jo Seohui was a strange person with her peculiar habits, Seoyeon couldn’t deny her impressive acting skills.

They had clashed since childhood, and as a result, Seoyeon had grown to be somewhat conscious of her. Jo Seohui’s acting was undeniably extraordinary. No, it would be more accurate to say it was excellent.

Even when they were child actors, Jo Seohui's performances were incredibly stable. And as she grew older, she was able to infuse even deeper emotions into her roles. In some ways, their acting methods were similar.

Jo Seohui wasn’t the method type; rather, she was the type to faithfully reproduce what she had learned.

[The audition scene is a love scene, so it’ll be fun to watch. And you're technically part of the production team.]

Upon reading this, Seoyeon’s eyes narrowed.

A love scene. Well, of course. After all, Seoyeon had helped Jiyeon practice for it.

She hadn’t thought much of it before, but now that she realized Jiyeon and Jo Seohui would be performing a love scene together, an indescribable feeling welled up inside her. After all, it was a love scene between a friend and a friend’s partner.

Perhaps this is why people say it’s hard to watch a movie with someone you know in it. Seoyeon felt a mix of curiosity and concern.

She wondered if Jiyeon could perform well opposite Jo Seohui. After mulling it over for a while, Seoyeon finally responded to the message.

[I’ll be there.]

And now, Seoyeon was hiding in a corner of the audition hall, watching the auditions unfold. She had briefly locked eyes with Jiyeon when she entered, but surely Jiyeon hadn’t noticed her.

"More importantly…"

Seoyeon observed the performances of the actors currently auditioning. The people outside probably had no idea what was happening inside.

"It’s a bit intense."

Though Jo Seohui often acted playful in her texts to Seoyeon, her actual demeanor resembled that of a villainous young lady. Today, she even brought a fan with her to the audition.

Jo Seohui’s character for this audition was a young lady from a prestigious family, and her appearance perfectly suited that role. She looked exactly like the villainous young lady she was supposed to portray.

"Director Baek Min had been planning to cast Jo Seohui from the start."

It made sense. After all, the role of ‘Amanabi Michiko,’ a young Japanese lady from an affluent family, seemed to fit Jo Seohui perfectly.

As the story is set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Michiko eventually travels to Japan with the protagonist after the ending. And today’s audition was for the role of the protagonist, Yeon Sun-ye.

"…"

At that moment, Seoyeon realized something.

"Wait, my role is a Japanese character?"

Seoyeon’s role was Kasugayama Yuina, a fact that dawned on her just now.

"Japanese dialogue… there’s going to be some, right?"

Suddenly, a hurdle appeared before her. It wasn’t that she couldn’t understand Japanese. Seoyeon had plenty of exposure to VTubers—no, anime and games—but speaking it was another matter, especially the pronunciation.

"…What should I do?"

Moreover, she expected to meet people in Japan for the Dream Future project. It seemed like she’d need to properly learn the language.

"Hm."

Seoyeon quickly regained her composure. There was still time, and she had already thought of someone who could help her.

For now, though, Jiyeon’s audition was more important.

"Next."

At Jo Seohui’s command, another actress, looking exhausted, left the stage. Though many of the actresses seemed confident, they fell like autumn leaves under the pressure of Jo Seohui’s fan.

"The audition scene is from the moment Michiko becomes deeply interested in Yeon Sun-ye."

In other words, Michiko had developed feelings for Sun-ye, but hadn’t yet realized it. Meanwhile, Sun-ye had no such feelings.

Michiko was a noblewoman, and Sun-ye had become her servant with the intent to kill her. However, contrary to her original goal, Sun-ye’s heart gradually turned toward Michiko.

Though she tried to avert her gaze from her target, Sun-ye couldn’t help but feel drawn to Michiko’s beauty. She empathized with Michiko’s situation and loneliness.

Sun-ye’s emotions toward Michiko were meant to be a blend of attraction, pity, and empathy.

The scene they were about to film wasn’t heavy on dialogue, but it required subtle emotional expressions. That’s why it was the perfect scene for the audition.

"Next."

Another actress was figuratively ‘beheaded’ by Jo Seohui’s fan. The actress walked away, her head hung low, fully aware of how disastrous her performance had been.

Her lines were shaky, and her movements lacked finesse. This wasn’t just her problem; most of the rookie actors in today’s audition were similar.

Even seasoned actors were faltering, so it was only natural that rookies struggled.

"Then again, I’m technically a rookie too."

Though Seoyeon had appeared in several productions recently, she was still a rookie, even if her debut had been years ago as a child actor.

"We're almost done. Numbers 30 through 40, please."

Unlike the intense atmosphere around Jo Seohui, Director Baek Min smiled warmly as he spoke. Though his tone was friendly, the papers in front of him were filled with meticulous notes.

"And now…"

The next number called was 30, Jiyeon’s number.

 

Jo Seohui quietly observed the actresses entering the room, her gaze calm and collected. Among them, four had acting experience, while one was a complete rookie.

"Lee Jiyeon."

Though she didn’t show it, she spotted Jiyeon among them.

At first glance, Jiyeon didn’t quite fit the role. Her features were too strong for the character of Yeon Sun-ye, who was supposed to have a gentle appearance. Jiyeon’s acting style was also intense. Frankly, if she didn’t adjust, she wouldn’t make it.

"If she doesn’t do it right, she’ll fail."

Jo Seohui had helped Jiyeon a lot during their practice sessions. Though she gave Jiyeon feedback on her acting, she hadn’t given any specific hints about the audition itself.

After all, offering special advice to one actor would have been unfair to the others. Jo Seohui had focused more on giving feedback about Jiyeon’s general acting, rather than specific guidance for the role of Yeon Sun-ye.

Though she didn’t want to give a bad impression since Jiyeon was close to Ju Seoyeon, if Jiyeon couldn’t perform, she deserved to fail.

"So, please, do well."

Jo Seohui could feel Seoyeon’s eyes on her from somewhere in the shadows. No doubt, Seoyeon was hiding, peeking out from behind something.

She had no idea why Seoyeon had come in disguise, but it was cute, so she let it be.

"Let’s start. Do you have the script?"

"I've memorized everything."

"Great. Let's begin right away."

Jo Seohui nodded at the 26th contestant, who boldly declared she had memorized the entire script.

But only five minutes later...

"It might have been better to bring the script with you."

"…Yes."

The contestant left with a dejected look. She had stumbled over a line, and her overall performance had been lacking.

Though it wasn’t uncommon for actors to mess up lines during filming—since it's rare to get a perfect take on the first try—her performance had been subpar in every other aspect as well.

In short, if she hadn’t messed up the lines, her acting might have been passable. That was Jo Seohui’s assessment.

"Number 30."

Finally, it was Jiyeon’s turn.

She walked up calmly, already showing more composure than the others.

Well, she wasn’t the type to feel pressured by Jo Seohui in the first place.

"We’ll start right away. Do you have the script?"

"I’ve memorized it all."

Of course, she had.

Jo Seohui nodded. She already knew Jiyeon had memorized the script. Since the script had been provided in advance, most of the contestants had done the same.

"Then let’s begin."

Jo Seohui glanced at Director Baek Min before turning back to Jiyeon. She unfurled her fan, hiding her mouth behind it.

Her eyes narrowed. Though her gaze wasn’t as sharp as Seoyeon’s crimson eyes, there was a definite intensity behind them. A still silence fell over the room.

It was hard to even say the first line, given the pressure emanating from Jo Seohui. The Jo Seohui Jiyeon had seen during practice was entirely different from the one standing before her now.

And so…

"Lady, your complexion hasn’t been looking well lately. Perhaps you should rest for a while?"

Jiyeon’s calm voice—no, Sun-ye’s voice—signaled the start of the scene. The lady sitting before Sun-ye, with her fan quietly spread, was Michiko.

Michiko gazed at Sun-ye, her eyes piercing through her, as if trying to devour her whole.

There was a wave of emotion behind those eyes, and Sun-ye could sense it, even if just a little. But she averted her gaze indifferently.

"No."

With a gentle snap of her fan, Michiko’s twisted smile was revealed as she spoke.

"Sun-ye, fetch me my shawl. There will be an auction today."

Her eyes glinted as though she were looking at a precious treasure. Just as others at the auction looked at her, so Michiko gazed at her maid.

Though Michiko herself wasn’t fully aware of it yet.

"Then, I should look my very best, shouldn’t I?"

Michiko gently pressed the fan against Sun-ye’s shoulder as she said this. It was a command, almost a demand.

Make yourself beautiful. Just as you wish.

That was the intent behind Michiko’s words. Sun-ye, flustered, avoided her gaze and bit her lip momentarily.

"Emotions."

Jo Seohui could feel the subtle emotional tone in Jiyeon’s performance. It seemed a bit less intense than during practice, but it suited the character of Sun-ye better.

The slightly muted tone gave a sense of vulnerability, allowing for stronger emotions to seep in. Had Ju Seoyeon taught her this?

"You must put on your makeup first, Lady. It won’t do to look for the shawl before that."

Sun-ye lowered her head as she spoke, as though rejecting Michiko’s advances.

Her voice was calm, innocent, like a child unaware of what was happening. Her tone had changed. No, her entire acting style had shifted.

"Motherly affection."

Ah, that’s what it was.

As mentioned before, Jiyeon’s presence was quite strong, making her somewhat of a mismatch for the gentle character of Yeon Sun-ye.

But now, as her intensity faded, her performance shifted toward a softer direction. The way she looked at Michiko, the way she moved her hands, her natural smile—it was all reminiscent of a mother looking at her daughter with tender affection.

Yet behind this maternal affection was pity. Pity for Michiko, which in turn fueled the motherly behavior that was meant to hold her back.

Thus, everything seemed perfectly natural.

"How did she change so much in such a short time?"

Was this still Sun-ye? Jo Seohui continued to watch Jiyeon’s performance.

She seamlessly deflected Michiko’s cutting remarks and gently ran her hand through Michiko’s hair, fixing her appearance as they spoke.

Her voice was refined, her demeanor elegant—completely unlike Jiyeon’s usual impression.

She seemed like someone who had dealt with countless difficult people, with an air of experience. Both her voice and her acting style had transformed.

This was no longer Jiyeon, nor Sun-ye. It was someone else entirely.

"It’s based on something."

Finally, Jo Seohui understood where Jiyeon had drawn this performance from.

Upon realizing it, Jo Seohui…

Michiko smiled, genuinely amused.

"Do you think I’m beautiful?"

"My lady, you’re more beautiful than any precious gem."

"I know that."

"You’ll be the most radiant presence at today’s event."

At those words, Michiko’s smile twisted further.

Though she didn’t know the full extent of it, she understood that her maid pitied her. And that knowledge both fueled her longing and wounded her pride.

"I hope you truly mean that."

Slowly, Michiko’s fan slid from Sun-ye’s shoulder, down her collarbone, and up to her chin.

With her face just inches away, Michiko pressed her fan firmly against Sun-ye’s lips, the same fan that had earlier touched her own lips.

"I hate liars more than anything."

With those words, the scene came to an end.

It was all so seamless.

The judges looked quietly impressed, while Director Baek Min wore an expression that was hard to describe.

In the corner, Seoyeon, who had been watching, was…

"…"

Her hands flew to her mouth, struggling to contain her shock.

She had said the love scene wouldn’t be too intense!

"And…"

At the same time, Seoyeon felt a bubbling anger rising within her.

Of course, it made sense. The foundation of Jiyeon’s performance was something Seoyeon cherished deeply.

Seoyeon trembled with frustration, while Jo Seohui, sensing Seoyeon’s gaze, couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered.

"Why is she reacting like that?"

Jo Seohui couldn’t help but be taken aback, especially since, in her eyes, Jiyeon’s audition had been a great success.