Chapter 15: Fated Chemistry

CEO Min Ja-young, a renowned drama writer and rookie director, said this seemed like a good project for my next work.

And today, I came to the production studio.

In the distance, I saw Ko Eun-hyuk heading toward the meeting room I was supposed to go to.

“No way.”

…Did my changed future also change my co-star?

Originally, my co-star was a male actor who insulted me, someone who loved putting others down from head to toe…

But the person in front of me was definitely Ko Eun-hyuk.

The guy who bombed his audition for Youth 2015 with terrible acting is my co-star now…?

Fate is fate, I guess.

Spotting me, Ko Eun-hyuk bowed and greeted me.

“H-Hello!”

“…Uh, hello?”

“You remember me…?”

I nodded. I shouldn’t judge by looks, but… it’s only been six months, and he’s gotten better-looking.

“…I’m glad you remember.”

Has his acting improved? He probably started acting around the same time as me. Back then, I was too overwhelmed to recall Ko Eun-hyuk’s early career.

“Im Bada-ssi, Ko Eun-hyuk-ssi, come inside.”

The assistant director for Save Me called us. Entering the meeting room, we saw the director and writer seated.

“Hello, I’m Im Bada.”

“Uh, hello! I’m Ko Eun-hyuk.”

We greeted the director and writer and took our seats.

“……”

“……”

The director was known for being quiet. His nickname, Kang Jo-yong, came from his real name, Kang Jo-jo.

“You two look good together.”

“…Uh, th-thank you.”

“I’ll tell you about the characters you’ll be playing.”

In Save Me, Ewha-won and Min Do-hyuk are a sub-couple, enemies. They’re called a hate relationship.

“But Min Do-hyuk is an arrogant character, so he shouldn’t bow to others. I want our actors to fully embody their characters.”

Director Kang Jo-jo’s tone showed concern that Ko Eun-hyuk’s kindness might bleed into his acting.

Writer Lee Mi-na smiled warmly, looking between me and Ko Eun-hyuk.

“Director, don’t they look great together? The moment they walked in, I thought they were Ewha-won and Do-hyuk.”

“…I thought the same.”

Ko Eun-hyuk blushed at the embarrassing praise.

“The cold beauty and cold handsome combo is always thrilling. I love this pair.”

“Other actors are coming in an hour.”

“I know~ But these two are the best. They’ll look perfect on camera.”

However, we were here for an audition, not a guaranteed casting. They’d check our chemistry, then our acting, before finalizing.

Since Director Kang Jo-jo prioritizes “acting” chemistry, even great acting could lead to rejection if it doesn’t mesh with the co-star.

“…Now we’ll see your acting. We’ll start with improv.”

Ko Eun-hyuk’s eyes shook nervously at the mention of improv. He’d probably expected to follow the script.

“Any acting is fine. Just show us the Ewha-won and Do-hyuk we want.”

At the call to show Ewha-won and Min Do-hyuk from episode 1’s script, Ko Eun-hyuk’s fist trembled slightly.

As tension rose, Writer Lee Mi-na cheered us on.

“Fighting!”

Despite her encouragement, knowing she scrutinized acting more closely than the director, I couldn’t relax.

Director Kang Jo-jo, arms crossed, explained the scene.

“Min Do-hyuk hears that Seo Min-sung, an illegitimate child, was born to his father. While Do-hyuk drinks, Ewha-won appears.”

Drinking?

I placed my chair across from his. I needed a prop.

‘Nothing sets the mood like a coat.’

“Writer-nim, can I borrow a coat?”

“A coat?”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead.”

Wearing Lee Mi-na’s coat, I went to the door.

“Shall we start?”

“Yes…!”

“Yes.”

Ko Eun-hyuk, instantly immersed, swayed as if drunk, grabbing a water bottle from the floor and pouring some into the cap.

“Haa… fuck.”

Drip, drip, drip.

As his monologue continued with the sound of water, I walked forward, delivering my line.

“Ajumma, here…”

“…..”

When my line cut off, Ko Eun-hyuk turned to look.

“What.”

“……”

“Min Do-hyuk, you drink soju too?”

★★★

Writer Lee Mi-na stared at Im Bada, captivated, as if she was Ewha-won.

‘Perfect from the first line!’

Ewha-won’s expression, shocked that Min Do-hyuk, who only drinks wine and whiskey, is drinking soju, was flawless.

Her eyebrows rose and fell freely before she moved to Min Do-hyuk’s side.

“…Be quiet and leave.”

“I’m a customer here too.”

Sitting down, Ewha-won flipped her coat back and gestured to the ajumma.

“One hot udon, please.”

“You look familiar with this place.”

“I came here a lot with my unnie.”

“Oh, that commoner… ha.”

Min Do-hyuk downed his drink, frowning.

“You’ll get drunk drinking like that.”

Ewha-won lightly rubbed his chin and grabbed the water bottle.

‘…She really studied episode 1’s script.’

Lee Mi-na observed Im Bada’s every move. It was one of Ewha-won’s habitual actions from the script.

Rubbing someone’s chin to look down on them.

Ewha-won was that kind of character—a noble woman who always had to be superior.

“…If I get drunk, will you help?”

“What kind of help?”

“Take me home.”

“Which home? Mine? Or yours?”

“…Yours.”

“My place? Why would I?”

Facing Min Do-hyuk’s rare vulnerability, Ewha-won’s true colors emerged.

With a small laugh, she scanned Ko Eun-hyuk from head to toe, as if lost in thought.

“I don’t have a taste for bringing another woman’s man to my place.”

“Then change your taste.”

As Lee Mi-na had written, their fiery exchange thrilled her.

‘My characters feel alive.’

Ewha-won propped her chin, shaking the water bottle.

“What’s Min Do-hyuk-ssi gonna give me?”

“…Need money?”

At the word “money,” Im Bada scoffed.

“I’ve got plenty of money.”

“I know.”

“Knowing that, you’re trying to rile me up?”

Min Do-hyuk smiled, his half-dazed eyes on Ewha-won.

“No.”

Their gazes locked, and for a few minutes, no lines were spoken. Everyone swallowed or watched in silence.

It might’ve seemed like the improv ended, but Director Kang Jo-jo observed closely.

“Min Do-hyuk-ssi, grant me one wish.”

“A wish?”

Facing his hazy gaze, Ewha-won leaned forward, whispering.

“Don’t refuse.”

“……”

“That’s what I hate most.”

As Im Bada finished, Ko Eun-hyuk collapsed, as if passing out drunk.

The improv ended. Back to herself, Im Bada carried her chair to her seat.

Ko Eun-hyuk, catching his breath, seemed to have been holding it.

“……”

“……”

Lee Mi-na knew from the improv: these two understood Ewha-won and Min Do-hyuk well.

Other actors auditioned first, but none interpreted the characters this well.

Compared to Im Bada, Ko Eun-hyuk lacked in vocalization and eye control.

But Im Bada stole the focus, masking Ko Eun-hyuk’s flaws.

Her acting in person was intense—vocalization, diction, and above all, her haughty gaze pierced Lee Mi-na’s heart.

‘She’s Ewha-won.’

Im Bada is Ewha-won.

Fresh look, fresh acting, fresh chemistry.

Everything was perfect, but with no word from Director Kang Jo-jo, Lee Mi-na stayed quiet.

“Nice acting.”

Then, Director Kang Jo-jo’s next words nearly made her grab him by the collar.

“…To be honest, I wasn’t planning to cast Im Bada-ssi.”

What?

★★★

…Huh?

I sat down to hear what came next, pausing as I removed the coat.

Did he not like me?

But in my past life, with Director Kang Jo-jo…

Oh, my memories might be idealized. I never really talked to him. Never had more than necessary conversations.

How did I forget that?

“…Im Bada-ssi’s presence was too strong.”

“…..”

“I thought her intensity might overshadow the leads’ narrative.”

Lee Mi-na tilted her head, quietly saying to Kang Jo-jo, “Director, it’s because Im Bada-ssi’s acting is so good.”

“Yes. But.”

A soft smile curved Kang Jo-jo’s lips, as if satisfied.

“The improv changed my mind.”

I earned Director Kang Jo-jo’s approval.

Through acting.

“I solidified my decision with the improv too. However.”

Lee Mi-na explained Ko Eun-hyuk’s acting shortcomings, speaking carefully as he jotted notes.

“Ko Eun-hyuk-ssi, as a rookie, the chaebol third-gen role might be a bit heavy.”

“Yes…!”

“But with some improvement, I think you could make a great Min Do-hyuk.”

“…Thank you so much!”

This pairing felt like it’d pass the audition.

For Kang Jo-jo to say that much.

I returned the coat to Lee Mi-na and left the meeting room. At the same time, Ko Eun-hyuk and I sighed in relief.

Catching his eye, I spoke.

“Your acting, compared to before…”

“Yes.”

“It’s improved.”

It was shockingly better. How did he improve so fast?

“I practiced a lot…”

“How? At that stage, you couldn’t have improved this much in six months.”

At my question, Ko Eun-hyuk wobbled, as if dizzy.

“I practiced a lot.”

“So you’re saying you’re a genius?”

That’s the deal.

He waved his hands, denying it, but I shrugged.

It’d be good to know how he practiced. I could use it later.

“…Uh, your chemistry was great.”

“Mine too.”

“…Yes!”

Looking at this acting genius, I felt a warm pang of envy.

On my way home, I warned Ko Eun-hyuk.

“I won’t go easy during the actual shoot.”

“Huh? What?”

“Your acting. I’m not planning to lose.”

He looked at me, puzzled, then spoke.

“…I.”

As if about to say something, he stepped closer, glancing around.

“It’s not confirmed yet.”

“…..”

“Let’s get along for now.”

Is this something to say to someone I was just growling at? Does he really want to be friends?

“…Alright.”

My voice cracked for a moment.

“Yes…!”

Then, I heard murmuring and turned.

Who was it?

“What? A rookie from the audition?”

It was that sunbae.

My former co-star.

Kim Jung-woo.

“Hello, Sunbae-nim. I’ll head out…”

Talking to Kim Jung-woo wouldn’t do any good, so I tried to greet him and slip away quietly.

“Are you two dating?”

“…..”

“Already cozying up as rookies.”

That’s right.

The reason I didn’t want to meet Kim Jung-woo came back clearly.

Kim Jung-woo had a nasty personality and assumed anyone close was a couple.

An extreme “We Got Married” fanatic.