ALL NOVEL Chapter 133
A bit late to the game, but Seo-yeon felt the pressure of being the lead in Sky Garden.
Of course, it wasn’t that she disliked it.
It was just that she realized what being cast in advance really meant during their previous meeting.
‘Thinking back, I did most of my auditions.’
Even the recent filming of Hyper Action Star was fundamentally just an ‘audition’.
With its highly comedic nature, and ample room for ‘acting skills’ to come into play, it was undeniably an audition.
Each episode’s participants were graded, leading to eliminations.
However, Seo-yeon was in a very advantageous position in this audition.
GH Group probably anticipated this and intentionally prepared for an audition like this.
The average viewer rating was around 6 percent.
Considering it was a cable variety show, that’s a pretty decent score.
Plus, with the extensive sharing on Shorts, they gained even more recognition beyond those ratings.
If the movie is released this way, it will surely have a significant promotional effect.
‘But still, it’s technically an audition…’
Even if they believed in Seo-yeon’s abilities, nothing was 100 percent certain.
In the end, anything could happen during an audition.
However, in the case of Sky Garden, she was purely cast in advance.
Without any audition at all.
So it was understandable that other actors might hold some grievances.
Recognition is also a significant ability for actors, but it might seem unjust to younger actors.
So she had to perform well.
Being pre-cast, if she didn’t meet expectations, she’d definitely hear the chatter.
‘At least the senior actors are looking kindly upon me.’
The middle-aged actors present were essentially the ‘parents’ in the story, essentially other main characters.
They had generally favorable views of Seo-yeon.
Whenever they met, they would tell her how impressed they were with The Chaser and Dream Future.
But, if she failed to show that same level of performance on set, that goodwill could crumble.
“Ugh.”
Seo-yeon crossed her arms and sighed.
Currently, she was alone in the practice room prepared by Nova Entertainment, reading the script and rehearsing.
She thought about asking Ji-yeon for help, but Ji-yeon was busy with the Gyeongseong Young Lady audition.
On top of that, Ramiel had a steady stream of broadcasts.
‘The protagonist of Sky Garden, Lee Yoo-joo, is quite a pessimistic character.’
She had a nearly perfect curriculum left behind by her older brother.
Her family was an ordinary middle-class one.
But her brother was a top student at the highest university in Seoul—a fictional university called Baekyeon University, scoring perfectly on the college entrance exam.
That was made possible because her father was once a successful entrance exam coordinator.
However, he lost his footing when students he coached repeatedly failed the exams.
Thus, his son’s top admission became a point of pride.
This time, they hoped Yoo-joo would follow in her brother’s footsteps.
Because of that, Yoo-joo was a master of self-discipline and managed herself like a full-fledged exam coordinator.
She could perfectly memorize her admission plan.
As a side note, they could have approached Yoo-joo’s father, but that wasn’t an option.
Their families had previously refused his help, leading to Yoo-joo’s father’s rejection.
So, parents were trying to build connections through Yoo-joo.
‘…An admission coordinator?’
From Seo-yeon’s perspective, these elements were hard to relate to.
She had never really been tied to studying.
Seo-yeon’s parents were content as long as she studied diligently like a student.
She had never even received private tutoring before.
Well, that was partly because Seo-yeon followed her path as an actress, but…
‘Even without that, I wouldn’t have gone this far. Oh, this really exists?’
Seo-yeon tilted her head as she looked up “admission coordinator” on her smartphone.
Is there really someone who meticulously manages a student’s private life like in this script?
They manage students’ stress, their advantages as students, and even ensure they get good evaluations in their school records.
‘Is this what rich folks do?’
If she casually asked Writer Min Se-hee about it…
“Of course, there are some exaggerations.”
“Some, you say?”
“Honestly, the really rich can probably buy their way out of anything, right?”
Well, that could certainly be true.
“However, there are definitely people who buy their way to honor. I think this drama focuses more on that aspect.”
It’s been exaggerated but not entirely made up.
She stated that she had done her own research to complete the script.
But still, Seo-yeon found it hard to relate to the script of Sky Garden.
Is it really like that?
It felt like they were filming a story made from imagination.
Maybe it’s actually similar to a historical drama.
Most of the atmosphere has to be conjured in your mind.
But unlike that, in historical dramas, you could at least relate to them through history, even if there might be some fanciful elements.
‘Private education, and the lives of the upper class.’
Moreover, she was just a middle-class ‘Lee Yoo-joo’.
Pessimistic and focused solely on studying.
‘I understand why they asked if she was a top student.’
There was really only one person to reference.
Seo-yeon’s class representative, Gil Da-hyun.
‘However, a bit more intense emotion might be needed.’
The emotions she had to express as Yoo-joo were among the most challenging Seo-yeon had encountered.
With her pessimistic nature.
Unlike Seo-yeon, who enjoys the gaze and compliments of others, Yoo-joo despised such attention and praise.
Ultimately, all of it came down to wanting to get close to herself.
And loathing those who hold expectations she doesn’t want to meet.
Yes, loathing.
That deep-seated emotion stemming from her pessimistic nature.
Seo-yeon had never truly hated anyone.
Even when she got mad at ‘Summer Girl’ who bullied Cha Na-hee, she was simply angry, not hateful.
‘If I understood that feeling a bit more…’
But it was an emotion she didn’t particularly want to understand.
After all, it’s quite an uncomfortable feeling to have, isn’t it?
But despite that.
Seo-yeon was curious about the depiction of the upper class in Sky Garden.
Is it really like that?
Or is it just an exaggeration?
That curiosity.
If she could grasp that, she felt it would help her acting as well.
With that thought in mind, Seo-yeon contacted someone who might know.
Recently, someone who had a handle on her.
“What’s it like in the upper class?”
Jo Seo-hee hurried over at Seo-yeon’s call.
Her usual limousine was nowhere to be seen.
A bicycle.
She was drenched in sweat, having pedaled hard to get there.
“……”
Seeing Seo-hee’s appearance, which looked nothing like an upper-class person, Seo-yeon stared.
That gaze emanated a vibe of ‘Something seems off.’
Noticing the gaze, Seo-hee pouted and crossed her arms.
“This bike costs thirty million won.”
“?”
“The bicycle.”
Seo-yeon’s eyes widened.
Wait, what kind of bicycle costs that much?
‘What’s the difference from a neighborhood Samchunri bike?’
Just by looking, she couldn’t tell at all.
Regardless, hearing the price of the bike suddenly made Seo-hee, seated atop it, look wealthy and upper-class.
“Ahem! So, what’s up?”
Though she had partially heard through the phone, Seo-hee checked Seo-yeon’s demeanor.
Pretending not to care, she was actually quite observant of Seo-yeon’s reactions.
Sneaking glances.
Was she feeling good or bad? Her face was being thoroughly scrutinized.
‘It’s impossible to tell just by looking at her face.’
Seo-yeon typically had a blank expression.
No matter what was said, there was seldom any reaction from her.
When contacted, responses were usually just a few emojis.
Especially after the fifth episode of Hyper Action Star, it had gotten even worse.
‘I don’t regret the betrayal…’
It felt like a thought she had had before, but it was genuine.
The shock of a double betrayal might have created a perception of Seo-hee as a traitor in her mind.
‘But that’s just an image from entertainment.’
She didn’t bother herself too much about that.
But Seo-yeon was different.
Lee Ji-yeon mentioned,
“You could say she’s completely sulking.”
“Re, really?”
“I can tell from the emojis.”
Was it?
But the more she looked, the clearer it became.
Most were just indifferent emojis.
So it was clear she was indeed sulking.
That was why she and Ji-yeon had been busy preparing various things.
“Is there something you want to ask?”
Seo-yeon’s call had prompted a quick response for that very reason.
To restore her sinking likability!
“Upper class.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s about the drama we’re filming this time.”
Only then did Seo-yeon begin to share the details.
It seemed this new drama would partially address the lives of the upper class.
‘…Sounds exciting, right?’
Just from hearing the story, it sounded incredibly interesting.
Wasn’t this originally supposed to become a cable variety show?
‘Speaking of which, wasn’t it Jung-woo who said that?’
Writer Min Se-hee might be shy, but she’s a highly talented writer.
Could it be that she’s truly the daughter of a great actor?
Her understanding of people was quite clear.
“……Hmm.”
Seo-hee deliberated over Seo-yeon’s request.
Honestly, showing them wasn’t difficult.
But figuring out how to show them was the tricky part.
To be honest, Seo-hee didn’t really intertwine much with that crowd.
They typically didn’t enjoy flaunting their faces, treating Seo-hee, who worked as an actress, as something of a curiosity.
If anything, they had elevated her like a celebrity, while not being inclined to do the same for themselves.
“Alright.”
Eventually, Seo-hee nodded.
Just so happened, there was something suitable she could offer.
*
And thus, Seo-yeon found herself invited to a party hosted by the upper class.
It was, in a word, a birthday party.
According to Seo-hee, it was someone’s daughter from a certain company.
Seo-hee had been invited, and she asked if it was alright for Seo-yeon to tag along.
“Well, it seems you weren’t refused.”
“Why would they refuse?”
Seo-hee chuckled.
Inside a grand limousine, resting her chin on her hand, she caressed the hem of her white dress.
“These things may be termed birthday parties, but for the most part, it’s an exhibition to showcase connections. If a rising star like you attends, they’d probably be desperate to invite you.”
Is that so?
Despite her thoughts, Seo-yeon fiddled with her black dress.
It felt slightly too extravagant for a high school student.
Of course, Seo-yeon wasn’t generally opposed to wearing skirts.
She remembered hearing that skirts were even used as battle attire in Scotland.
Especially when executing kicks, wearing a skirt had its perks.
To be precise, pants often tore when kicking high… something like that.
“But the dress code is a hassle. Usually, there’s just a general guideline.”
Seo-hee’s grumbling took Seo-yeon by surprise.
So such things really existed.
While she had simply worn the dress because it was a party, hearing Seo-hee made her realize that generally, the host indicates a dress code for such parties.
There could be instances where the party is themed around something specific.
Sometimes they designate colors, like white or black.
Today was business attire and dresses.
“I just can’t believe how over-the-top everyone is. I know that person. They’re just now a high schooler, but they’re completely lost in their own world.”
Seo-hee snapped her white fan somewhat playfully in hand.
‘She brought a fan.’
It was hard not to think she truly resembled a villainous noblewoman.
Her hair was styled up, and anyone could be subdued by her striking beauty.
Though she probably looked no different from Seo-yeon.
“Let’s go.”
With that, Seo-yeon followed Seo-hee inside.
It was a lavish hotel known throughout Seoul.
It was especially famous for its delicious food.
‘Renting the whole hotel, huh?’
They rented the entire hall for a party.
To be honest, it was hard for Seo-yeon to even imagine such a scale.
Upon entering the hall, the opulence was unmistakable.
Naturally, Seo-yeon knew most of these people.
Dressed in a way reminiscent of celebrities, they mingled.
Amidst them, there was someone Seo-yeon recognized.
‘It was Ro.’
The leader of Just X and the big brother figure.
Also known as the idol who “takes the pills.”
“This time, I’m opening a club. Be sure to drop by, alright? You all know that.”
Watching him, Seo-yeon squinted.