Chapter 37: Unexpected Bonds

Despite Jo Jang-hee’s claim that there’d be no wish granted, Im Bada’s expression remained bright.

“Of course it should be that way,” Bada replied.

“If I don’t like your acting, it’s over.”

The confidence radiating from her smiling face.

‘Pretty impressive.’

“Like it?” Jo Jang-hee asked.

“Huh? I like you too, unnie.”

Jo Jang-hee gently brushed a strand of hair from Bada’s cheek, flashing a smile like a fallen angel, both alluring and dangerous.

“That’s that, but you know if you waste this much time and flop, right? I’m expecting a lot.”

“…..”

Making me expect this much—if you can’t act, you’ll ruin my good mood.

Words like that should intimidate, but…

“Why assume I’ll fail?” Bada asked.

Jo Jang-hee sensed a tremor in her voice. Curious. Scared now? No.

‘Pride? This kid’s really something.’

Some rookie actors had pride in their craft. Jo Jang-hee was the type to crush that pride.

Was her acting pride that strong? Watching Prosecutor’s Saga, Jo had felt it—how much despair must Bada have faced to layer such deep, nuanced anger and frustration at her age?

Another curiosity sparked.

‘What acting would she show if pushed to despair again?’

With a wicked smile, Jo Jang-hee spoke. “Alright, let’s see it.”

Time to see how good she is.

“Manager!”

“Yes!”

“Water.”

Gotta wet the throat first. Lubricate for a strong voice.

“Here!”

As Jo drank, she glanced at Bada. “Want some?”

“Yup, gotta lubricate my throat too.”

What a kid—talks like she’s been acting for a decade.

Jo signaled her manager to pass water to Bada.

“Thanks!”

Then Bada approached the extra, saying, “Watch my acting. It’ll show you how it’s done.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Alright.”

‘Even in this moment, she’s looking out for the extra.’

Her actions oddly reminded Jo of Tae Jin-hwa. Synced up from being around her? Handing the empty water bottle to her manager, Jo shouted, “Ready to start?”

“Yup.”

“Director?”

To avoid spoilers, they were shooting the opening scene mid-schedule.

Director Shin Yi-sang cleared his throat, reading the script’s subtitle aloud.

“The foundations of the world shook. Yet, in the foretold apocalypse, human will stood unyielding, birthing a new creature—neither human nor zombie. The world seemed to regain balance.

But dissenters arose, ‘Hessler,’ intent on destroying these creatures and humans defying nature, to protect the last human world.”

Standing tall, head slightly bowed, Jo Jang-hee eyed Bada with a half-lidded gaze. “Did you stand by when they created zombie-humans, or did you help? Your answer determines your punishment.”

Her deep voice dripped with disdain for the kneeling figure before her.

Bada, kneeling on the dirt, staring at the ground, lifted her head to meet Jo’s gaze.

“…..”

A simple but raw motion, radiating defiance.

No lines, yet her eyes burned with resolute determination, as if ready to end her life.

‘She nailed the character exactly as the director wanted.’

Jo felt a slight shock at the performance.

In the corner, the extra stared intensely. That extra couldn’t even handle the script’s “(defiantly)” direction, swallowed by her co-star’s acting.

‘But this isn’t enough.’

It’s the actor’s skill issue. Bada’s performance was solid for an experienced actor, but not yet satisfying.

‘Perfect for a test.’

In this extreme scene, the director allowed ad-libs if emotions peaked.

“Why so silent?”

“…..”

“Are you speechless? Scared? Or scheming how to answer to survive?”

Tap. Tap.

Jo kicked Bada’s knee, like a cat checking if its toy mouse was dead.

An improvised action and line. How would Bada counter this ad-lib? Curiosity and anticipation quickened Jo’s pulse.

Then, a scoff escaped Bada’s lips.

“…Ha.”

Jo’s foot froze. The set fell silent, not even a breath audible.

“Punishment? Who are you to judge and punish us? You’re just human too.”

“……”

“Your so-called ‘just’ world will never come.”

That was the scripted dialogue.

Her calm yet heavy voice pressed down on the atmosphere. Then, countering Jo’s ad-lib:

“Do it, you damn bastards.”

With a smirk, Bada raised her middle finger at Jo.

Seeing it, Jo felt real irritation, not just acting.

‘This feels bad. Like she’s actually cursing me.’

Her cold gaze and contemptuous expression felt genuine.

‘If it’s real, she’s masking it with acting. If it’s acting, she’s making it feel real. Impressive.’

Jo raised her hand, stopping the scene. “That’s enough.”

Continuing would stoke her greed.

“…Im Bada?”

“…..”

Calling her again, puzzled, Jo saw Bada still glaring with contempt.

“Slate!”

Clack.

Bada blinked, snapping out of it.

“You okay?”

“…Huh? Wasn’t that continuing?”

“No.”

“Sorry, I got too immersed.”

“No, it was fresh and fun.”

Her acting was so gripping, Jo couldn’t nitpick. She even felt regret for not finding flaws.

“Hmm.”

“……”

“Hmmm~.”

But admitting it was good? Nope. Torn, Jo frowned.

“You’re the senior,” her manager, hands clasped like a eunuch, said, sensing her mood.

“So?”

“Act like one. You can use her later.”

Jo scowled, smacking her manager’s head. “Crazy?”

“What, noona?”

“I’m a nice person. What do you take me for?”

“What’d I do?”

“You’re the one using people. Scary.”

Her manager shut up, looking wronged.

★★★

I thought I’d die trembling when I flipped her off. Scared she’d see my real feelings, but she didn’t notice.

‘Thank goodness.’

The core of this performance was acting with absolute righteousness, as if humans weren’t everything.

“Why’d you act like that?” Jo asked.

“Huh?”

“It’s not even used in the final cut. You could’ve held back.”

Contradictory. She didn’t hold back, so I matched her.

“If I didn’t meet your acting with acting, you wouldn’t grant my wish.”

She’d have torn into me if I didn’t dive in, yet she’s brushing it off. I sighed.

Terrifying, but not a bad experience. I learned Jo Jang-hee’s acting style, so I was satisfied.

‘Her piercing intensity.’

Her acting felt like venom, stabbing my skin. I understood why she was hailed for villain roles.

“Your acting was good, but you know actors need to watch their quirks?”

“…Quirks?”

“You were slipping into them. Be careful.”

I hadn’t noticed.

“Thanks for pointing it out. Which part?”

“When emotions deepen, your voice drops too low. Adjusting tone for genres is easy, but habitual tones need care. What’s with that weird face?”

I must’ve looked touched by her detailed advice.

“Heh… didn’t expect you to teach me.”

“What do you take me for?”

“Unnie.”

“You’re likable. With juniors like you, the drama world gets richer. More to watch. Mutual benefit.”

Selfish, harsh, reckless, yet sincere about acting and mindful of the director’s vision.

“If you weren’t Tae Jin-hwa’s favorite, I’d snatch you up.”

I take back that praise. Stepping back, Jo clicked her tongue, narrowing her eyes.

“What’s so great about Tae Jin-hwa?”

“…Everything.”

“Blood pressure spiking. Get lost.”

She waved me off, annoyed.

“Yes, unnie.”

If she says go, I go.

‘Finally free!’

I happily skipped to Seo-eun unnie.

“Bada-ya, you okay!?”

She checked my face, concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Survived, as you can see.”

“You’re fearless.”

“Fearless? I was shaking.”

She glanced around, ensuring no one was near, and muttered, “You’re the only rookie who’d take on Jo Jang-hee.”

“Well…”

I was annoyed and wanted to show a rookie could do it.

“But she seemed to like you…”

“Huh?”

“Amazing, just amazing.”

She rubbed my chin gently.

“What’s with you attracting women like a magnet?”

“Unnie, what’s that mean?”

“I mean, every actress who likes you clings to you. Jo Jang-hee’s tough on rookies, but soft on you.”

“Really?”

“Another rookie asking for a wish? She’d curse them out.”

I wondered about that, recalling her “toy” gaze, chilling my spine.

‘No, I get it.’

It’s not just that I’m “fun.” She has some motive for being friendly.

“Um…”

As Seo-eun unnie and I spun Jo Jang-hee conspiracy theories, a soft voice called me.

“…Me?”

It was the extra Jo had berated—Seong Sae-byeok.

“I’m Seong Sae-byeok.”

“Oh, hello. I’m Im Bada.”

“Your acting… I saw it.”

Her name, Sae-byeok, suited her clear vibe.

“Did my acting help?”

“Yes! Totally! I get how I should act now.”

‘Like how Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim inspired me in my past life.’

I was glad to help someone. Giving a positive impact warmed my heart.

“And… I’m in YoungYoung too.”

“Wow!”

I grabbed her hands, cheering.

I know how precious each drama is to a hungry extra.

“Congrats!”

“Thanks.”

“What role?”

What could it be? A role with me? Sae-byeok looked down, shyly saying, “Maid…”

Her voice was so soft I couldn’t hear. I asked her to repeat.

“Your maid.”

She covered her face, embarrassed.

“…My maid?”