Chapter 7: Between Apology and Ambition

A gift is a costly signal sent to strengthen a relationship between two people.

Therefore, gifts are usually exchanged only between equals or those who share a close bond.

A gift sent without such a relationship formed cannot truly be called a gift.

Especially when exchanged in a strict superior-subordinate relationship, what passes for gifts are essentially bribes.

“Please enjoy the meal. Seo Ji-won, I’m counting on you.”

I, Lee Jung-hyuk, am scattering bribes for the first time in my life.

With the hope that Seo Ji-won will become the lead actress in the upcoming .

Of course, this investment has cost me millions—from coffee carts to lunch boxes.

But it’s fine. This is a kind of investment.

An investment to complete the Netflix quest, earn streaming rights, and make money.

“Here’s a delicious lunch from Seo Ji-won~ Have a cup of coffee, too!”

“Writer-nim?”

Unlike the last time I saw her at the humble restaurant, Seo Ji-won had changed her hairstyle, cutting her hair into a short bob, probably for her role.

With a sharp bob that suited her cat-like aura perfectly, she looked like someone the twin brothers in  would fall for at first sight.

I concealed my inner dark thoughts and smiled warmly.

“Oh, our actress Seo. Have you eaten?”

“Writer-nim, why are you going to such lengths...?”

“‘Going to such lengths’? I’m investing in my actress to make the work succeed, so why would I regret it?”

“Why would you do this for someone like me?”

Am I a fan of Seo Ji-won?

I forced a smile to mask my intent, but Seo Ji-won wasn’t buying such superficial words. She pursed her lips tightly, showing no hint of belief.

That cautious, cat-like stance of hers, guarding her own dignity, made me quietly reveal the sincere truth I’d been hiding deep inside.

“I really want Seo Ji-won to succeed.”

“You want me to succeed?”

“I’m the one who ruined actress Seo Ji-won. My failing script isn’t her fault.”

“What do you mean...?”

Her voice choked up as she paused, taking a moment to compose herself.

No matter the reason, what I said to Seo Ji-won was heartfelt.

Before coming to the set, I’d reviewed the following episodes of  and reflected on Seo Ji-won’s acting so far.

Seo Ji-won was by far the best fit for the female lead in .

“So please, give me just one more chance. You’ve seen the script—you know I truly believe this project will succeed.”

Seo Ji-won’s eyes trembled almost visibly.

Just as she was about to say something, her lips moved but no words came out.

“Seo Ji-won, get ready for filming!”

“Yes, I’m coming!”

At the assistant director’s call, Seo Ji-won swiftly turned and hurried onto the set.

She glanced back at me as she went.

Seeing that, I called out again to the staff bustling around the set.

“Everyone, don’t forget to grab coffee and lunch boxes~ They’re from Seo Ji-won~”

Chapter 16 is filming.

So far, Seo Ji-won had filmed about eight times.

And each time, she had brought coffee or snacks along.

“Have some coffee~ Please take good care of Seo Ji-won.”

Lee Jung-hyuk was once again shouting Seo Ji-won’s name outside the filming location.

What began as a simple effort to support one actor had grown far beyond that.

All the actors and staff who constantly enjoyed the expensive lunch boxes and coffee were now busy whispering about Lee Jung-hyuk’s true identity.

“That guy always sends gifts during Seo Ji-won’s shoots, but he’s not even from Zeus’s side?”

“Didn’t you hear? He’s that drama writer, Lee Jung-hyuk.”

“Why is Lee Jung-hyuk so obsessed with Seo Ji-won?”

A man wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap approached, naturally joining the staff’s conversation.

“When a writer does whatever it takes to cast an actor, there are only two reasons.”

“What reasons?”

Choi, the veteran director of the  series, shrugged his shoulders and bit into a croissant brought from the snack cart.

* “Either the writer is scheming to personally benefit, or the casting is so important that they’re desperate.”

“Hyuk, are you saying Lee Jung-hyuk is trying to do something to Seo Ji-won?”

Choi gave a sly grin and sharply smacked the back of the other staff member’s head.

“If you were him, would you waste tens of millions on snacks and lunches at a big filming site after already winning a national hit drama? Why not just put up a huge banner in front of the station?”

“Even so, there’s no real reason to bet his life on Seo Ji-won’s casting. Her acting isn’t bad, but this is overkill.”

Choi, who had been in this industry for over ten years, shook his head, clicking his tongue.

“Lee Jung-hyuk has burned bridges with Mr. O. Casting will be tough from now on. It’s not just Seo Ji-won. Anyone would have to hustle and spend their own money like this to cast an actor in this state.”

“But even so, with the snack cart and coffee combined, he must have already thrown away at least a thousand dollars.”

“With the group’s ‘pillar husband’ title and divorce proceedings underway, the money must be endless.”

Is it?

Actually, it’s not.

While things didn’t go well with Mr. O, the casting of Seo Ji-won is all because of Netflix.

“Man, if you’re going to gossip, at least do it where no one can hear.”

But no matter what people say, I don’t care.

I saw Seo Ji-won stepping out of a van in the distance.

I greeted her warmly as she approached.

“Seo Ji-won, fighting again today.”

“Thank you... Writer-nim. I have to leave early today. My filming schedule got pushed back, so I have to return to the office.”

“Wow, Seo Ji-won’s thinking of me?”

“N-no, it’s not like that.”

She bowed her head politely, greeted me, then slipped quietly into her van.

Still, compared to before, her guard toward me had noticeably softened. That was a relief.

A black van with fully tinted windows pulled away from the  series filming site.

Seo Ji-won, sitting in the back seat, suddenly complained to Woo Manager, who was in the front passenger seat.

“Oppa, can you not tell Lee Jung-hyuk about my filming schedule? It’s uncomfortable when he keeps showing up.”

“Look at it positively. There’s no director who looks down on an actor who brings a snack cart. Have you ever seen a top star do that every shoot?”

Seo Ji-won bit the straw in her iced Americano from Lee Jung-hyuk’s coffee cart that Woo Manager had brought to the waiting room.

“What if weird rumors start...?”

“If a rumor spreads that the writer is so devoted to you because he wants you as the lead, that’s actually good.”

“I’m not talking about that. Writer-nim is a man. What if people misunderstand? You have to be careful about those things.”

“Those who really spread rumors don’t do it openly. They sneak around secretly and only get caught later, which causes the rumors.”

“Is that so...”

Seo Ji-won pulled out a thick script book titled ＊Smart Hospital Life＊, but then quickly closed it and took out the  script.

Because she had read it so many times, the edges of the script cover were worn and frayed.

Woo Manager chuckled quietly at Seo Ji-won’s behavior, seen clearly through the rearview mirror.

“If you find it so interesting, why don’t you just do it?”

“It’s not that it’s interesting. It’s just scary. I’m afraid of disappointing myself again.”

“Have some confidence. You’re really good at acting.”

“Enough... By the way, why did the CEO call us suddenly?”

The van stopped at a red light, and Woo Manager hesitated before speaking.

“Well... I think there’s a casting proposal from the drama side.”

“What drama?”

“I don’t know the details, but it’s a new work from writer Park Eunsook.”

“Writer Park Eunsook’s new drama? Seriously?”

“Yeah, the CEO will explain the details.”

“Alright then. Let’s hurry, oppa!”

Thanks to surprisingly light traffic, the black van with Seo Ji-won arrived at Zeus Entertainment in less than an hour.

As soon as she got out, Seo Ji-won quickened her pace toward the elevator connecting to the underground parking lot.

“If I’m going to be late today, oppa, you go in first.”

“Hey, Ji-won.”

“Hmm? What’s up, oppa?”

“Ah, never mind. Have a good meeting.”

Pressing the button for the CEO’s office on the top floor, Seo Ji-won noticed Woo Manager’s unusually subdued expression.

Just as I wondered if something was wrong, the elevator doors closed.

At the top floor, Seo Ji-won walked down a luxurious corridor lined with white marble flooring and stopped in front of the CEO’s door made of black ebony wood.

When she knocked, a voice said, “Come in,” and Seo Ji-won straightened her outfit before opening the door.

Inside the office, the youngest Miss Dolls member, Sujin Lee, wearing a composed expression, and Kang Chansuk, CEO of Zeus Entertainment, greeted Seo Ji-won with awkward smiles.

“You’re here.”

Seo Ji-won’s face stiffened at the unexpected sight.

With this kind of group gathering, it was rare to have a meeting with both the CEO and members.

Especially when it involved Sujin Lee, who shared a somewhat ambiguous route.

“Unnie, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, Sujin, so you’re here too.”

In South Korea, the most absolute standard of evaluation is always numbers.

Just like students are judged by their College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) grades, and employees by their annual salary.

Those in the entertainment industry are no different.

Idol evaluations are also ranked by numerical order.

From the major three agencies, Miss Dolls had never lacked in support, but their highest achievement had always been placing second or third on music charts.

Seo Ji-won was the most ambiguous member even within Miss Dolls.

She was a hexagonal member evenly skilled in vocals, dance, entertainment, acting, and visuals, often considered the best fit for the leader position.

But harsh online critics, claiming to be experts, called Seo Ji-won, who had transitioned to acting, a complete inferior to Sujin Lee, her fellow group member.

Sujin Lee, with outstanding singing ability as main vocalist, was building a successful filmography in both dramas and movies since her debut.

She had earned the title of “Skilled Acting Idol.”

And the casting offer from writer Park Eunsook’s new drama was not aimed at Seo Ji-won.

“So, you’re saying I’m going to join the drama Sujin is in? Thanks to Sujin?”

“Yeah, isn’t that great?”

“Unnie, this is huge, right? Honestly, I was so worried that writer Park would refuse. I asked the CEO to push hard. If we get a two-shot on screen, it’ll be a perfect setup when we go on stage. Opportunities like this are rare.”

“Yeah, if it weren’t for Sujin, I couldn’t even have imagined it. She’s so considerate.”

Seo Ji-won knew well that this proposal wasn’t out of genuine care from either Sujin or the CEO.

The contract handed to her by CEO Kang was clearly an annex agreeing that Sujin’s casting was guaranteed only if Seo Ji-won also appeared.

Moreover, Sujin was the lead, while Seo Ji-won’s role was supporting.

This was probably a condition set by the production company to save on casting costs.

As a former idol, Seo Ji-won was an actress who cost quite a bit compared to the size of her roles.

From Zeus Entertainment’s point of view, being cast in writer Park Eunsook’s new drama was itself a chance to boost her recognition and market value.

But if Sujin was the lead and Seo Ji-won was supporting, the situation was different.

The casting board clearly showed that Seo Ji-won would be compared unfavorably to Sujin.

“You went through a lot as Miss Dolls’ leader. Think of it as me repaying that debt. Even though I’m the youngest, I have to make this sacrifice for you.”

“Our Sujin is so thoughtful. Okay then, no more worries—let’s do it.”

Seo Ji-won hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I’m sorry. I need a little more time to think.”

“What are you thinking? Unnie, now’s not the time to hesitate.”

“The  series filming is almost done. We have to start the next project right away.”

“I’m sorry, CEO. I have a schedule, so I’ll leave first.”

“What schedule? I haven’t heard anything from Woo Manager.”

Seo Ji-won stood silently and got up.

“Unnie, what are you doing? Are you trying to make me feel bad?”

“Don’t be like that. Just think it over carefully, Ji-won. This is writer Park Eunsook’s work!”

“I’m sorry.”

Since she was young, Seo Ji-won had a habit of repeating “I’m sorry” and “Excuse me” so often it was almost automatic.

At moments like this, that thoughtless apology made her seem a little pitiable.

Outside the CEO’s office, Seo Ji-won took out her phone and called Woo Manager.

“Hey, oppa, it’s me. Sorry, have you already left work?”