"Ah, so that's the story."

Though it felt like she was being treated a bit harshly, that wasn’t the main issue. The real purpose of today was to talk to Actor Lee Sang-soo about Gyeongseong Lady.

Sudden actor departures were fairly common occurrences. It often caused delays in production.

However, for someone in a position like Director Baek Min, who couldn’t easily find a replacement, it could be a fatal issue.

"Director Baek Min has always been a picky one."

Actor Lee Sang-soo nodded at the mention. It might have been an embarrassing comment for someone asking for a favor, but ultimately, Director Baek Min had to give the okay on Lee Sang-soo's performance before they could start filming.

And this was despite the difficulty of finding the right actor for the role.

"He’s stubborn too. Though I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing. It’s good for a young director to have a bit of stubbornness. It’s not ideal to be too concerned about what actors think."

Of course, it was all about maintaining the right balance. Director Baek Min was a master at that.

'But.'

Lee Sang-soo felt a strange feeling from Seoyeon’s proposal. It was as if he’d had an inexplicable premonition that something like this would eventually happen.

'An actor that would draw me back into the film industry.'

To be honest, Lee Sang-soo still hadn’t completely gotten over the shock of going international. Seeing the look on Lee Sang-soo’s face, Actor Song Kwang-min let out a sigh.

He could roughly guess what Lee Sang-soo was thinking.

"Seoyeon, you know, it’s quite rude to ask a senior actor to take on a role like that."

Of course, Seoyeon was well aware of that. It was as if she was offering a role that someone else had cast aside to Lee Sang-soo.

Even if she asked for his help, he could still feel that way. And this wasn’t even a highly coveted role—it was a villainous role, at that. The main antagonist of the story.

Seoyeon had learned one thing while filming The Chaser: the importance of a villain. In dramas and films alike.

The depth of the villain’s portrayal could make or break the immersion of the story. That was one reason why Seoyeon had been praised for her role as Cha Seo-ah.

So yes, the villain was crucial. Although in Gyeongseong Lady, Seoyeon played a character close to being a villain.

However, she wasn’t a complete villain. There was someone manipulating her—a person who could be called the main villain of Gyeongseong Lady.

Goto Isamu. The mastermind behind everything in Gyeongseong Lady.

"Alright, Seoyeon, apologize to Actor Lee Sang-soo, and let’s go fishing."

Song Kwang-min said, tossing out the suggestion with a light-hearted smile. It wasn’t a serious apology, just a way to lighten the mood.

'Will this be okay?'

Jiyeon also found it hard to say anything. Compared to Sang-soo and Song Kwang-min, both Seoyeon and Jiyeon had far less experience.

Should she speak up? Or would it be better to hold back?

From Jiyeon’s perspective, Seoyeon’s boldness in bringing up the matter so bluntly was astonishing. She’d expected her to handle it with more care, perhaps in a discreet manner.

But who would have guessed she’d bring it up directly at a fishing spot?

'Actor Lee Sang-soo.'

But Seoyeon knew. Lee Sang-soo was still dreaming.

He simply had no one to push him forward. Seoyeon knew this because of his last interview before he decided to retire a few years down the line.

"The sudden retirement, it’s not really like that."

With a bitter smile, Lee Sang-soo had said those words.

"I was just a coward. How many years did I take off? Five? No, seven? I took a really long break."

He counted the years with his fingers.

"During that time, I was a burden to those around me. To those who waited for me to pull myself together, to return to the film industry someday."

Lee Sang-soo said he was lucky. He had fans who waited for him to come back. And fellow actors who believed in him.

But that’s all they did—just wait.

"It’s silly to say, but."

He spoke up.

"If back then, someone had forcibly dragged me back onto the set—if there had been someone selfish enough to push me around—what might have happened?"

A coward. Lee Sang-soo called himself a coward. He’d failed once, and it left him unable to walk forward on his own.

He’d gotten too old, too fearful to take on new challenges. His youthful recklessness had faded, leaving him just an old man wasting away.

"But I know that’s impossible. That’s why I’m retiring without any regrets."

He chuckled. At the time, Seoyeon couldn’t distinguish that smile from the truth.

He was an excellent actor, so perhaps he was acting even then. After all, the article that followed read:

[Lee Sang-soo’s Clear Smile, After Letting Go of Everything]

That was the headline. It said he’d let go of all regrets and retired with a clear mind.

'No.'

But Seoyeon knew better now. She’d come to understand emotions, and she knew what she’d seen in her past life.

She had watched countless people to mimic emotions.

She had watched countless works. Some of them even starred Lee Sang-soo.

Not knowing emotions at the time, she could see things in that smile that she couldn’t empathize with back then. A person who has truly let go doesn’t smile like that.

He still held onto regrets, even up to the moment he retired.

'This is.'

This role in Gyeongseong Lady was something Seoyeon genuinely recommended to Lee Sang-soo as an actor. It might have been a connection made through a variety show.

But maybe it was because of his interview that still lingered in her memory, clearer than ever.

This role was one that could finally put his regrets to rest. Undoubtedly.

"…Seoyeon."

"Yes."

"You know my situation, right?"

"Yes. I’m aware."

At Lee Sang-soo’s sudden remark, Song Kwang-min froze. He hadn’t expected Lee Sang-soo to answer so seriously.

"And you also know I won’t refuse."

At Seoyeon’s words, Lee Sang-soo burst into laughter.

"You have an uncanny sense. Yes, I won’t refuse."

"Really?"

This time, it was Song Kwang-min who seemed more surprised. Even Jiyeon’s eyes widened.

Judging from Lee Sang-soo’s expression, he’d seemed like he was about to turn her down.

'From the moment he accepted the fishing invitation, he had no intention of refusing.'

Seoyeon had anticipated this response. She’d mentioned on the phone that this wasn’t just about fishing but also about discussing a role.

For a veteran actor like Lee Sang-soo, he would know why she’d asked him to meet. And by agreeing to go fishing, he’d already decided.

If he didn’t want to, he wouldn’t have even set up the meeting when she’d called.

"But."

With a hearty smile, Lee Sang-soo looked at Seoyeon with serious eyes.

"When I act, make sure you’re my scene partner."

"Sorry?"

"You have a deep connection to the role, after all."

As he said, the role of Goto Isamu was indeed linked to Seoyeon’s character, Kasugayama Yuina, as her servant. Technically, he was more like her butler.

Therefore, he was the one manipulating Yuina and driving the events.

"Director Baek Min said he’d decide after seeing the acting."

What Lee Sang-soo was implying was clear. He wanted Seoyeon to be his partner for that role, like an audition that wasn’t really an audition.

Both Song Kwang-min and Jiyeon were stunned by his words. They hadn’t expected him to say something like that to Seoyeon.

Seoyeon’s eyes narrowed. It looked like a smile, but perhaps there was some anticipation there.

"Yes, I’ll let Director Baek Min know."

With that calm response, Lee Sang-soo slowly nodded.

'They’ll see then.'

Director Baek Min. His films often found more acclaim overseas than domestically. Rumors about Gyeongseong Lady had also reached him.

The industry was small. For a veteran actor like Lee Sang-soo, many things naturally reached his ears.

He’d heard that investors had quickly committed to this Baek Min film. And that prominent young actresses like Jo Seohui and Ju Seoyeon were cast in this LGBT-themed movie.

It might not receive much recognition domestically. But from the start, it was aimed at the international market.

'International, huh.'

That was a dream he’d harbored since his youth. Perhaps this was a chance for him to revisit that dream.

"Ah, but send me the script first. I’ll have to see it before I make a final decision."

Of course, it all depended on whether Seoyeon could reignite that spark of passion within him. That inner fire had dwindled to ashes.

 

When Lee Sang-soo accepted Seoyeon’s proposal, Director Baek Min seemed quite surprised.

He had thought it might come across as rather rude.

But all Sang-soo had asked for was for Seoyeon to be his acting partner. He acted as if this test was an obvious step.

"I’ll let you know as soon as a date is set."

Director Baek Min was cautious. He didn’t show much joy about Lee Sang-soo’s participation in his film.

Perhaps it was due to Sang-soo’s long hiatus.

'There were also rumors that he’d lost his passion after his Hollywood failure.'

He probably thought Sang-soo might deliver a half-hearted performance. Seoyeon didn’t find Director Baek Min’s attitude particularly negative.

After all, a film wasn’t made by one person alone.

"Seoyeon, you should inform your manager about things like this, right?"

"Yes."

From her manager Park Eun-ha’s perspective, it was enough to make her panic.

She knew Seoyeon had connections with other actors, but she hadn’t realized she’d become so close with someone like Lee Sang-soo.

Moreover, for this casting, Seoyeon had to perform alongside him.

'Doesn’t she feel any pressure?'

Manager Park Eun-ha felt like her blood was running dry. Lee Sang-soo was one of the top actors in Korea.

The fact that he’d specifically chosen her for this test was enough to make anyone lose sleep from the pressure. And yet, what was Seoyeon doing right now?

'She’s listening to music?'

Nodding along with her headphones in, she seemed completely at ease.

"What are you listening to?"

"Ah, today’s the day the Sky Garden trailer is released."

"Oh, right."

Of course, Park Eun-ha had already seen the trailer. The production team had sent her the finished version.

It was excellent. It showed a sharp side of Seoyeon that hadn’t been seen in a while, contrasting with her recent variety show appearances.

"The song in it is great too. Did Summer Girls work on it?"

Seoyeon’s lips curled slightly at Eun-ha’s words.

'Huh?'

In the past, Park Eun-ha might not have recognized Seoyeon’s expressions, but now she knew better. Seoyeon was one of the easiest people to read.

That face meant she was itching to brag.

"…No way, that song."

"Yeah, I sang it."

"Really?!"

Eun-ha was genuinely shocked. She knew Seoyeon had been steadily improving her singing skills.

But to this extent? She knew Seoyeon had participated in the Sky Garden OST.

But she hadn’t connected it to that song.

"With a lot of help from Wizard and Nahyi."

Seoyeon shrugged. She wasn’t the same as she’d been when she’d clumsily sung in Dream Future.

Even Summer Girls’ main vocalist, Cha Nahyi, had given her a thumbs up.

'I can’t wait to brag.'

Once the trailer dropped, she’d show it off. With that thought, Seoyeon headed to KMB.

The main producer of Sky Garden, Lee Min-hwa, had something to say before the trailer was released.

And then.

"Why don’t we keep it a secret that you sang the song in this trailer?"

"…What?"

This was a suggestion she hadn’t expected at all.