Chapter 11: Script and Soul

“Bada-ssi, thank you.”

Smiling brightly as if nothing had happened, the Youth 2015 writer greeted her, eyes glistening with tears.

“Honestly, people around me tried to stop it. You were rejected twice, so why bother doing it…”

‘Wow… she’s got a way with words.’

Im Hoon blinked, watching Im Bada speak candidly, her words hitting like a punch to the gut.

“But I really liked Park Hae-in’s character. Even if it makes me look like a fool, I didn’t want to let this character go.”

“I’m glad. That you liked Park Hae-in. If it wasn’t for you, Bada-ssi, we couldn’t have done the reshoot.”

In truth, without a reshoot, Park Hae-in’s scenes might have been entirely cut, airing from later episodes.

The sudden gender swap from male to female could confuse viewers.

But someone in the community, claiming to be a drama insider, leaked that Noen and Im Bada had filmed the same scene, and despite the crew’s quick response, screenshots spread, fueling public demand for Im Bada’s version to be aired.

Recently, Im Bada’s impactful performance in The Life of a Prosecutor had left a mark on audiences. Filming the same role in this situation naturally caused a stir.

But if she didn’t take the role, the reshoot wouldn’t happen.

Having been rejected twice already, the situation was uncertain, yet Im Hoon found himself secretly hopeful.

He’d felt during their shoot together that if not now, he might never get to act with her again.

‘Still, isn’t she too much of a pushover? No matter how much she loves the character…’

After The Life of a Prosecutor finale aired, she’d likely get tons of scripts. And she’s doing this reshoot?

“I’m just so happy to play Park Hae-in again.”

Right, that’s who she is.

In Im Hoon’s mind, Im Bada shifted from “pushover” to “acting-obsessed.”

Rising slowly, Im Hoon approached her and extended his hand.

“Ahem, well, let’s do this right, us Ims.”

Im Bada stared at his hand for a moment before smiling.

“Looking forward to it.”

She shook his hand, her smile radiant.

The meeting quickly set the reshoot for the following Saturday.

“See you next Saturday.”

★★★

“Argh! Noen, just disappear!”

Ko Eun-bi screamed, pounding a cushion with loud thumps.

For Ko Eun-bi, who’d declared Youth 2013 her life’s drama, the Youth series was special. But watching episode 1 of Youth 2015, she couldn’t help but feel utterly disappointed.

To a drama nerd—a “drama otaku”—a story’s structure is crucial.

But Ko Eun-bi valued characters even more. If the actor or acting was subpar, she lost interest in the drama.

“If you can’t act, don’t do dramas!”

In this moment, realizing her near-life-changing drama was ruined by Noen’s acting and controversy, Ko Eun-bi felt emptiness and rage, as if she’d lost her purpose.

Bang! Bang bang!

While venting on the cushion, her eyes narrowed.

She spotted a post about Youth 2015 on the open portal site.

Wondering what new incident had popped up, she hurriedly clicked.

[Im Bada Joins .]

[ to Reshoot Noen’s Scenes.]

[Im Bada Apologizes to Viewers for the Inconvenience.]

“What what what!”

Reshooting? Really Im Bada?!

Thrilled, Ko Eun-bi rushed to the community to post about Im Bada.

[(Youth 2015) OMG? They’re Really Reshooting!]

– Insane!

– OMG?

– Youth 2015? Park Hae-in?

– Epic ᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲ

– Love it

[(Youth 2015) Im Bada’s Article Made Me Emotional…]

Q: How do you feel about joining ?

Im Bada: (with a sad expression) Honestly, I was most worried about surprising the viewers of Youth 2015. A male character suddenly becoming female—wouldn’t that shock the audience?

Q: We heard you failed the extra audition and Park Hae-in audition twice. Why did you decide to do it again?

Im Bada: (laughing) My friends are probably tired of hearing this, but I loved Park Hae-in’s character so much. It lingered in my mind like the fever of a first love, and I wanted to act it.

Q: Lastly, to the viewers of ?

Im Bada: Please give Youth 2015 lots of love.

– First love fever ᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲᅲ

– How great is Park Hae-in’s character that that awful actor ruined it?

– Youth 2015’s writer cared a lot about Park Hae-in, so it’s great Im Bada’s doing it.

– Male to female character? If the acting’s good, it’s fine.

– Im Bada seems so nice.

– I wouldn’t do it if it were me, she must be kind.

– Lol I’d hate a company after failing an interview twice

[(Youth 2015) The Crew Seems Happy, They Posted Photos]

(ImBadaInSchoolUniform.jpg) (ImHoonPracticingActing.jpg)

– Im-Im friendship, they’re asking for love?

– Damn, I’ll give that love.

– Im Hoon getting acting lessons from Im Bada?

– Hoon-ah, work on your acting too.

– Im Bada in a bob and school uniform is insane haha. She’s just Park Hae-in.

Ko Eun-bi’s heart raced as she saw the Park Hae-in she’d imagined in those photos. She couldn’t wait to see the reshot Youth 2015.

[(Im Bada) Im Bada’s Gonna Make It Big]

– Can’t argue with this.

– Came to argue but can’t ;

– Im Bada’s gonna make it.

– She’d probably nail a murderer role too.

– Already calling her unnie…

– I knew she’d make it from the start. A rookie with solid acting skills who appeared like a comet in The Life of a Prosecutor.

– Great personality, and seeing these photos, she’s not flashy-pretty but has this strange, captivating pull.

– Is this what they call camera charm?

In a recent behind-the-scenes video of The Life of a Prosecutor, the actors’ affection for Im Bada was evident.

[(Im Bada) Haha Bada Greets the Camera Every Time She Sees It]

– So cute

– Wow

– Adorable

– First time stanning an actress ;

Ko Eun-bi had sworn Cheon Ian would be her last celebrity obsession.

She only occasionally commented in Im Bada’s category because she stood out.

Ahem.

Clearing her throat, Ko Eun-bi searched Im Bada on the portal site, checking her filmography.

A so-called “filmo sweep” to see if she’d appeared in other dramas or short films.

As expected, only The Life of a Prosecutor came up.

Then she stumbled upon Im Bada’s profile.

‘What’s with this profile picture?’

It was a screenshot from The Life of a Prosecutor.

And then she noticed.

“Huh? No agency!?”

For Im Bada’s future, an agency would be good, but it might be too early for offers.

Just then, a teaser for Youth 2015 popped up.

“Whoa…”

A photo showed Im Bada’s mid-length bob now a sharp, short bob.

★★★

Back at the Youth 2015 filming studio.

After monitoring, I’d thought a short bob would suit better than a mid-length one, so I got my hair cut in the makeup bus as soon as I arrived.

Long hair, then short. It’s a new experience.

“How do you act so well?”

A sudden question made me look up. Im Hoon stood before me.

“…What?”

He’d been speaking informally since that moment, and he didn’t seem to care.

“Why so surprised?”

“Well, it’s surprising.”

Sipping the iced Americano his manager gave me, I mulled over his words.

‘Did he find his own answer after I didn’t respond last time?’

He seemed to have thought hard about it. But.

“I’m not teaching you.”

“What? Why!”

“I’m not skilled enough to teach anyone.”

With my stats and the “eraser in my head” still lingering, I had my own problems.

Hearing my answer, Im Hoon frowned.

“They’ll compare our acting, and I can’t stand looking bad.”

“That’s because you’re not good enough.”

“Exactly! That’s why I’m asking you to teach me.”

‘Is that the attitude of someone asking for help?’

Dumbfounded, I raised my script to block his view.

“Ugh… Instead of this, read your script more.”

“Don’t give me that ‘I studied math, English, and Korean’ vibe like a perfect-scorer.”

“I’m serious.”

Acting is built over time.

There are those who are naturally good and those who build their skills slowly. I’m…

“You’re misunderstanding. I wasn’t always good at acting.”

“……”

No response. I lowered my script slightly to see Im Hoon narrowing his eyes, skeptical.

“…I’m serious.”

“Then at least give me some advice.”

Advice? Advice…

I snapped my script shut.

“The script.”

“What, just read the script?”

“If others read it 30 times, I read it 31. If they read it 40, I read it 41. The answers are in the script. If you still don’t get it, study the character.”

“Character study? I do that too.”

“Do that too”?

I shook my head. Sure, he studies, but he misses the character’s bigger picture.

“What kind of kid is Jae-wook?”

“Jung Jae-wook? Just a delinquent teen.”

‘Ugh.’

Thwack!

Taking advantage of his manager’s absence, I tapped his head with the script.

“Ow! Why hit me!”

“Just a tap. So your hair doesn’t get messed up.”

“Words would’ve worked. I’m a non-violence guy, you know?”

‘Non-violence? After all that growling before?’

His initial image was fading fast. I spoke again.

“How can you immerse yourself in Jung Jae-wook if you don’t even know him? Do you study? How many times do you read the script? If you don’t have the basics and just focus on looking good, it won’t work.”

“That’s…!”

Struck by my words, Im Hoon fell silent.

“But I’m curious about something.”

“…What?”

“Why do you suddenly want to improve your acting?”

In my past life, Im Hoon got by on his looks, steadily building his filmography despite acting controversies.

‘Why does he suddenly want to act well? He could stay an actor as is.’

Im Hoon’s gaze dropped to the floor, his voice shrinking to a whisper.

“To… be as good as you…”

‘I’m his growth catalyst?’

“You hated me, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, I did.”

‘Oh, now that we’re closer, he admits it outright?’

As I raised my script to tap him again, Im Hoon’s eyes blazed like burning logs.

“But acting with you made me want to be like you. To do acting that pulls in your co-star…”

If that’s the case…

I can share a bit.

“Study the character more. And when acting, use proper speech.”

“Proper speech?”

“Yeah, listen to my lines.”

I delivered the same line twice—once slightly slurring, then clearly enunciating.

“Which one sticks in your ear?”

“The second one…”

“Right. Most viewers feel our acting through our delivery, without subtitles. Clear enunciation gets you halfway there.”

I pulled a Korean dictionary from my bag and handed it to him.

“A dictionary? You carry this around?”

“Yeah, it’s useful. It’s got long and short vowels.”

“Long and short vowels? You even care about that?”

“Yup. Did you think you’d get good at acting by being casual and waiting for it to happen?”

Im Hoon, as if not hearing me, eagerly flipped through the script and dictionary.

“Got it. I’ll study.”

“It’ll help when you do historical dramas.”

He grinned.

“Planning to do a historical drama with me?”

“Dream on.”

Im Hoon shot up at my words, hands on his hips.

“Hey! Don’t underestimate me. You’re the junior, I’m the senior.”

“…Huh?”

Then he turned and strode to Director Kim Ha-sin, leaving me alone, laughing in disbelief.

“Unbelievable.”

‘Well… acting with others who grow alongside you would be fun.’

But sadly, his agency would soon hold him back.

They’re a mess.