Chapter 36: Intimidating Encounters

Is it right to feel this kind of intensity from a person? Just meeting her eyes felt like facing a giant snake with its jaws wide open—chilling.

“Yup, Im Bada!” Jo Jang-hee said.

‘Stay calm. Stay calm.’

I softened my stiffened expression, forcing a smile. But her curious, piercing gaze made my heart uneasy. Ominous.

“Hmm…”

“…..”

“Hmmm? Wow, nice face.”

Evaluating me like a piece of meat, Jo Jang-hee handed me a steaming paper cup of Americano.

“Want this? You look tired.”

‘Why’s she being friendly?’

A mischievous grin spread across her face.

Then I got it. She was testing me—curious about my reaction.

Given her past behavior, refusing might lead to relentless torment. A polite way to decline…

‘Got it.’

“Thanks, unnie! But…”

“Huh?”

“I like my Americano cold. Can’t handle hot ones.”

Calling her “unnie” to soften the rejection. Would it work? Doubtful, but I leaned into it.

“You… just called me unnie?”

Frowning, she let out a scoffing laugh, incredulous.

‘Didn’t work? I’m screwed.’

Feigning shock, I apologized. “Oh, I’ve watched so many of your works, I felt too comfortable and called you unnie. My apologies for the disrespect…”

“You’re pretty fun, huh? Disrespect? I’m kinda flattered.”

Her frown vanished, replaced by a big laugh.

‘Her reaction’s not bad.’

You can’t spit on a smiling face, right? Plus, I sounded like I admired her, so maybe she wouldn’t be harsh.

I did study her acting a lot, so it wasn’t a lie.

But I never dreamed this tactic would work on her.

“Call me unnie from now on, got it, kiddo?”

Kiddo? My expression nearly crumbled. The warm, cozy word felt eerie coming from her.

“I’m in a great mood. Wanna know why I approached you?”

“Huh?”

‘Didn’t even ask, and she’s spilling?’

Before I could respond, she tilted her head slightly, lowering her gaze, and spoke.

“Heard you’re close with Tae Jin-hwa. Wanted to mess with you a bit, but you’re not like her. You know how to flatter. Keep calling me unnie.”

“Yes, unnie, I will.”

I emphasized “unnie,” gently curling my lips.

“Right, exactly. Kids these days don’t do social skills like this. This is what I wanted.”

They don’t avoid it—they’re too scared.

“Jo Jang-hee-ssi!”

A distant call for her brought relief, but she slung her arm around my shoulder.

“Coming with me?”

“What?”

“You’re here to shoot, right? Staying here?”

“Haha… yeah, gotta go.”

Humming, she seemed pleased.

“Here’s my junior, actor Im Bada.”

“Hello, I’m Im Bada.”

She dragged me around, introducing me to the staff like I was a pet.

Is this normal?

Then—

“Bada-ssi!”

A man with tied-back hair, in black joggers and vintage boots, waved and approached.

“Oh, hello.”

“I’m Director Shin Yi-sang.”

I’d pictured directors with glasses, dark circles, and exhaustion, but…

‘My bias was off.’

“I’m Im Bada. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

As we shook hands, Jo Jang-hee cut in.

“Yi-sang, doesn’t she have a great face?”

She poked my cheeks, proudly showing me off to Shin Yi-sang.

“Im Bada-ssi’s got an amazing look. I picked her, you know. Like her, noona?”

“She called me unnie right off the bat.”

“Bold move!”

Their casual banter showed Jo Jang-hee and Shin Yi-sang were close.

‘She’s endlessly kind to those she likes?’

Seeing her, I realized you can’t judge a person by one side. Everyone’s multidimensional.

Shin Yi-sang checked his watch and said, “Just one scene today, and you’re here early?”

“I need time to warm up.”

“Warm up? You seem like a seasoned pro for a rookie.”

“Glad it looks that way.”

I came early since it’s not my main project, to catch the character’s vibe.

“What, here for fun?” Jo Jang-hee quipped.

How does she jump to that? Wasn’t she just friendly?

She’s unpredictable.

“No, I came to see your acting, sunbae-nim.”

It might sound like an excuse, but I genuinely wanted to watch her.

“What acting?”

“All of it.”

“Flatterer, as expected.”

“No way.”

Who wouldn’t be curious about a box-office guarantee’s acting? How she works on set, reads scripts—I wanted to see it all.

“I’m just curious about unnie’s acting.”

She clicked her tongue. “Look at this kid…”

“Bada-ssi, you’re smooth,” Shin Yi-sang said.

“Right?” she replied.

In the warm atmosphere, Shin Yi-sang handed me the screenplay.

“You know why today’s shoot matters, right?”

A shot at the prequel’s lead.

“I know.”

As the conversation went on without Jo Jang-hee, she pouted.

“Hmph, I’m left out?”

‘She’s so moody, like a rollercoaster. Simple, but hard to pin down.’

Should I just stop thinking?

“Noona, it’s something I can’t share, even if I wanted to. You know how it is,” Shin Yi-sang said smoothly, apologizing.

She shrugged it off. “Fine, if you say so.”

“Had enough rest—ready for a reshoot?”

“Reshoot?”

Her smooth brow wrinkled at the word.

I thought she was done after chewing out that extra.

“Why? Don’t like the extra?”

“Yeah, she’s awful. I love the script, but her acting makes me not want to do it. Can’t stand facing her.”

“Ugh, I get it.”

Following her gaze, I saw the extra from earlier, trembling. It reminded me of my past life—pity surged.

“Just one more try, please,” Shin Yi-sang said.

Then, placing a hand on my shoulder, she continued.

“How about our Bada doing that extra’s scene?”

“Me? That scene?”

‘Curious about my acting now?’

“You’re supposed to be great. Showing it could help her, right?”

“No way I’d help…”

Raising an eyebrow, Jo Jang-hee leaned close, whispering.

“Hmm, why so shy? You get it but play dumb.”

Her grip tightened, her whisper like a devil plotting to steal my soul.

‘She wants to judge me in front of the extra.’

Officially, it’s to help the extra, but her real intent was clear.

If I refuse, she’ll hurl insults at the trembling extra.

And make me feel guilty—classic gaslighting.

If I act but don’t satisfy her, she’ll say I’m no better than the extra.

My temper flared. I wasn’t letting this slide.

“Then I have a condition.”

“Hmm?”

“You’ll do it?”

I needed something to quell my irritation.

“What? Money? Food? A one-day date pass?”

Grinning, she pinched my cheek gently, finding my proposal amusing.

“Grant me one wish.”

“A wish? What kind?”

“Telling you now ruins the fun.”

I didn’t even have a wish yet, but I acted like I did, shedding my jacket.

“Director, what’s the scene?”

“It’s a face-off with Jo Jang-hee.”

So… a scene where islander #1, forced to submit to Jo Jang-hee’s Hessler cult, resists and refuses to reveal where the zombies are hiding.

‘I’ll need time.’

“Can you give me some time?”

“Just a few lines, and you need time?” Jo Jang-hee scoffed.

“Acting doesn’t just happen. I’m a rookie, unnie.”

Calling myself a rookie, she sat back, crossing her legs, gesturing to go ahead.

“I’m expecting a lot, Bada-ya.”

“Of course.”

Now I understood why the sub-quest was to impress Jo Jang-hee.

‘Show her with my acting.’

“Unnie, look forward to it.”

★★★

Jo Jang-hee lit up like she’d found a fun toy.

‘What a fun kid.’

Im Bada’s “rising star” title didn’t impress her. Actors rise and fall yearly.

But one thing intrigued and irked her.

Hearing Bada was close to Tae Jin-hwa sparked curiosity. What’s so special about her? Why’s Tae Jin-hwa, who only had Cheon Ian, so protective?

So curious, Jo Jang-hee, who hated talk shows, watched Banggooseok Yeopo.

Seeing Bada in person, she got it.

‘Perfect to keep close and nurture.’

Her calm, smiling greeting was refreshing. Most people tremble or flee from her, making life dull. Bada was a fun addition.

‘Asking for a wish?’

“Hah.”

Cute. Adorable. Her bold junior’s words were so amusing her stomach hurt. If not for Tae Jin-hwa, she’d have claimed her.

“Sorry, Yi-sang. I went ahead without discussing.”

“No problem. More acting variety’s great for me.”

“Then, let’s enjoy.”

“Manager!”

“Yes, noona!”

She beckoned her manager closer.

“What’s up?”

“YoungYoung.”

“Why that drama?”

“When’s it shooting?”

“Around the same time as The Tormented Him and the Happy Her…”

“Hmm, too bad.”

No time to play.

“Get Im Bada’s number later.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The manager draped a blanket over her shoulders, placing a warm Americano beside her.

“That’s it.”

“Call if you need me.”

“Come on your own.”

“Yes!”

As the manager stepped back, Shin Yi-sang whispered, “Noona, you seem in a good mood.”

“It’s fun. Watching a rookie hustle.”

“What if she quits because of you?”

“Well…”

If she’d quit, she wouldn’t have asked for a wish.

Smirking, Jo Jang-hee flipped through the script, eyeing Bada studying it.

“She doesn’t seem like that. If she hated it, she wouldn’t ask for a wish.”

“True.”

“We just watch. How cute is she?”

“Your personality’s always…” Shin Yi-sang trailed off.

“What?”

“Nothing. Beautiful.”

“Nice save?”

“Thanks.”

But when would it end?

‘Boring.’

After 40 minutes, Bada approached, smiling.

“I’m ready to start.”

“Alone?”

“No.”

Smiling, with tissue stuffed in her nose from a nosebleed, she looked a bit goofy.

“Unnie, stand in front of me.”

“Me?”

“This scene’s about defying you with conviction. Without you, it’d just be pointless rebellion and death.”

Persuasive. Jo Jang-hee stood, tossing the blanket on the chair.

“Bad acting, you know what happens.”

“Of course.”

“No wish for you.”