The Crazy Woman Acts Too Well - Chapter 189
There was a moment of silence afterward.
Lee Geum-sook had gone over Sun-il’s words several times in her mind.
“Hmm?”
And that was the reaction after quite a while.
“Sun-il, did you really say you’d participate?”
“Yes.”
“Not my next piece, but Ye-ji’s script, correct?”
“That’s right. A Netflix flagship production.”
“Hmm?”
Lee Geum-sook grew more puzzled. Kim Sun-il’s statement didn’t align with his usual behavior. He had always pursued perfection in his works and would do anything for it.
This situation was strange.
“Sun-il, you haven’t even read Ye-ji’s script, have you?”
Kim Sun-il hadn’t even looked at Hong Ye-ji’s script yet—how could he declare his intention to join this project? It wasn’t even about personal preference or finishing touches.
“Considering who you are, wouldn’t you ask for the script first?”
Kim Sun-il felt a pang but managed to respond calmly.
“I’ve developed an interest in the OTT market. The trust built over the years with your circle, Ms. Lee Geum-sook, is sufficient.”
“You saying that is touching, but seriously? Why are you suddenly so unrestrictive? It’s unsettling.”
“I’m not joking. I truly mean it.”
“Yeah, I can tell you’re sincere, but still…”
At that moment, Writer Lee thought of someone.
“Did you discuss this with Mystic’s CEO Kim I-seo?”
“Not yet, but I don’t think she’ll object.”
In fact, Kim I-seo would likely be delighted if Kim Sun-il decided to do something. Kim Sun-il had repeatedly and rigidly turned down every proposal Kim I-seo made.
Lee Geum-sook’s voice carried a tone of puzzlement.
“Sun-il, your participation will definitely strengthen the male lead side, but I’m curious why you want to do this. Is there a reason behind this sudden decision? Does it have something to do with your sister again?”
Kim Sun-il brought up an appropriate reason.
“We’re in an industry where one can be forgotten if they take just a little rest, so it’s necessary to stay active. Also, my schedule was free at the moment.”
“So you also want to venture into OTT?”
“Yes.”
“Alright….”
Writer Lee thought for a while, but it didn’t last long. There was no reason to delve deep into Sun-il’s strange behavior. His joining was a tremendous boon.
“Understood. We welcome you with open arms. Let’s schedule a meeting right away.”
◈◈◈◈◈
The next morning, Mystic Headquarters.
Sua was stroking Sumi’s head in the rest area.
“Sumi, wait here for a bit. I’ll go to a meeting and come back.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Sumi didn’t know what “meeting” meant but didn’t question it either. She trusted her mother completely.
“If you get hungry or anything, just signal to the people around you. They’ll probably give you whatever you want.”
“Are they under your command, Mother? I understand. I’ll conduct myself with dignity.”
“Hmm?”
Sua wondered how to explain this but soon decided to leave it as it was. People who treated Sumi casually were surprisingly very happy.
Well, it made sense. The mischievous acts of this little arctic fox amounted to body slams at most. Who wouldn’t be happy when such an adorable furball came running towards them?
Hmm, yeah, in the end, everyone was happy, wasn’t it?
At that moment, Kim I-seo spoke up.
“Sua, let’s go. We have guests waiting.”
“Yes.”
Then Sua and Kim I-seo headed to the conference room on the upper floor of Mystic Headquarters. Due to Kim I-seo emphasizing the importance of this meeting multiple times, Sua was quite tense—though only on the surface.
Wait. Was Sua actually nervous?
No, not really. She was more preoccupied with thoughts like:
“Mystic’s building is large and has quite a few unused spaces. Should we just convert one of them into Sumi’s room? Fully decorated with high-end interior design and expensive toys…”
Sua had these thoughts as she walked.
Living with Sumi had just begun. Sumi had never complained about her lonely life at the center, and Sua was extremely grateful.
Sua, happy and moved!
At that moment, Kim I-seo broke the silence unexpectedly.
“To be honest, I’m a bit nervous.”
“Hmm?”
“Director Yusaku is well-known on both sides of Korea and Japan. If this goes well, Sua, you’ll establish recognition in Japan too. In a big way.”
Ah, the meeting Sua was about to handle now, which Kim I-seo repeatedly emphasized as crucial, was none other than a meeting with Director Yusaku.
Despite repeatedly postponing, the time had finally come. Today, Mystics would meet with Yusaku.
However, Sua’s response was rather casual.
“I have no specific thoughts about it.”
She wasn’t bluffing; it was genuine. Why?
“Yusaku? That grandfather who broke my trophy?”
When Sua thought of ‘Yusaku’, the first thing that came to mind was the grandfather who broke her trophy during the short film award ceremony. It was, to this day, a somewhat regrettable memory for her first ever award.
Wi Ji-hye chimed in casually.
—He’s such an odd one. Usually, someone should be the most nervous in a situation like this…
—Young kids are typically like that. They’re scared of their seniors in their early teens but don’t fear adults.
“Ait, what do you mean by that? You’re making me nervous now.”
At that moment, Sua arrived at the conference room.
Mystic employees stood at regular intervals by the entrance, prepared to provide any necessary supplies anytime. This arrangement was also partly to present a lavish impression.
After all, the guest must feel welcomed.
While some might see this royal etiquette as superfluous, such gestures were important now for Sua. Sua was ascending to the ranks of “nobility.” Everyone she met and every opportunity she encountered aligned with that.
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…
“Dear Friends from Mystic, long time no see.”
Director Yusaku greeted them warmly, with a shy-looking girl seated in a wheelchair by his side.
‘Curious. Is that middle schooler a writer?’
On one hand, Sua felt some apprehension.
‘Didn’t they mention rewriting the entire script?’
Looking back, Sua hadn’t directly verified the revised script’s rating yet. The last meeting she attended was about how Sua seemed suited for the Yakuzas.
That was exactly why Sua delayed the meeting.
Sua postponed without checking the script’s rating. Kim I-seo delayed it strategically.
‘…Age doesn’t matter, but did she really write a script of a high level? She looks completely ordinary.’
Certainly, as no formal contract had been signed yet, Sua could turn it down if the rating was poor. But Sua wanted to break into Japan, so she hoped for the best.
Please, make it a good rating! Please, Sua sincerely wishes!
Meanwhile, Kim I-seo also greeted them politely.
“I’m thrilled to meet you both here in Korea.”
Sua bowed slightly. Kim I-seo used a translator, but Sua didn’t need one, being fluent in Japanese.
“I’m actor Sua.”
Upon hearing that, Director Yusaku smiled broadly.
“Every time I see Ms. Sua, she seems to grow tougher.”
Sua thought for a moment. Was this a compliment? It must be.
“…Thank you for the compliment.”
“I have many things to share, but today’s session will be led by this person, not me. Let’s start with introductions.”
Then, the girl seated in the wheelchair spoke up.
“Hello, Sua. My name is Sawako.”
“Yes. Hello.”
“I’m surprised… You speak Japanese so fluently…”
Indeed, Sawako’s face expressed considerable surprise. When she spent time with Ye-ji, dealing with language barriers was difficult, but with Sua, there was none.
Sua nodded.
“Of course. Please speak your mind.”
“A, then, first of all…”
Sawako played with her fingers and began.
“Firstly, I wanted to express my admiration for Ms. Sua’s acting. I’ve watched Special Mobile Unit 808 on my own.”
“It takes quite some time to watch all at once.”
“Instead, it felt too short and was extremely entertaining.”
For a while, Sua and Sawako exchanged stories, and Sua gradually began to relax.
‘It doesn’t feel like I’m dealing with a big-name writer but a fan of mine in middle school. This doesn’t seem too challenging.’
Thus, Sua’s mannerisms and speech grew increasingly relaxed, and Sawako carefully observed each of them.
‘She’s so flawless as a human being. It feels like an impeccable, unaltered sentence where you can’t touch a single word. It’s amazing to think that my writing will be handled by such an incredible actor.’
Sawako marveled at Sua in many ways.
‘Moreover, her singing is amazing, and she exudes trustworthiness.’
Eventually, Sawako gathered her courage.
She placed a script she had rewritten from beginning to end, a Yakuzas piece, on the table.
“Ms. Sua.”
“Yes.”
“This is the final version. If you find it to your liking after reading, would you sign the leading role contract?”
Only then did Sua suddenly feel her heart racing.
Thump, thump, thump—.
While all the previous conversations had been casual, now the real business-related sense hit her. Plus, she wondered what the script’s rating was.
‘Is the script’s rating okay? I hope it’s high… And if it’s high, what happens next? Am I really moving to Japan? Birth of the Japanese star, Sua!’
At some point in the distant past, she had watched a variety show dealing with the life of successful Korean stars in Japan. They owned three mansions each, didn’t they? Could Sua achieve something similar?
‘And in Japan, there are so many handsome and beautiful people. I might end up acting and eating together with them and visit tourist spots I’ve only seen in pictures?’
The mere thought made her happy. Despite Sua being somewhat timid by nature, overcoming this would just be a matter of adaptation!
“I’ll take a look for a moment.”
Sua began checking the script.
And…
Her gesture of flipping the pages subconsciously paused. Sawako too, clenched her fists in tension.
[HAPPY WORLD]
▶ Sufficient Realization Elements
▶ Grade 1
‘Is this real? Is this really true?’
Sua exclaimed inwardly.
‘Grade 1 from the very start?’
After pretending to read a bit more, Sua slowly and naturally lifted her head, her gaze now resolute as she stared at Sawako.
“Writer.”
Sua nodded.
“I will truly give my all.”
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Later.
The contract between Mystic and Yusaku was finalized smoothly. Sua entrusted the detailed matters to Kim I-seo, someone who always benefited her and was trustworthy.
Sua headed to the restroom and paused while washing her hands, staring blankly at the mirror. She couldn’t fully grasp the reality.
“Debut in Japan… I, Sua, am going to debut in Japan…”
Sua rarely traveled domestically, let alone internationally, often staying at home and not visiting many places in Korea itself.
And now, she was about to go abroad. Incredible.
“…”
Then, she glanced at the script again.
“Uh?”
Once more, she noticed a change.
[HAPPY WORLD]
▶ Sufficient Realization Elements
▶ /// Grade 1 ///
‘What’s this? Suddenly glowing gold?’
Being rated Grade 1 was impressive enough, but now it was even radiating gold. Entirely different from any faint ominous hint.
…As if suggesting it could advance to an even higher level.
‘Still, it feels like a good omen, right? Great! Let’s take it further!’
Sua was intrigued about what lay beyond Grade 1.
‘But, why does it suddenly sparkle like this?’
She pondered for a moment but couldn’t find a suitable answer.
‘Hmm? Could it be…’
…Perhaps it was due to Sua’s involvement?
‘Really? Does my participation alone boost the grade now?’
Though not definitive, it seemed plausible. After all, Sua was now a decent actress, wasn’t she? Go Sua!
◈◈◈◈◈
The next day. A vocal training center in Gangnam.
Employees enjoying their lunch hour were talking about Sua. They were the ones who once taught her to sing.
“Did you see the video where the actors of Special Mobile Unit 808 reacted to the best scenes of the series? It was funny.”
“Yes. Most of it focused on Sua and Sun-il.”
“Sua, will there be a second season of filming? By all accounts on the internet, she seems to have many upcoming projects in the pipeline.”
“Exactly. I’ve also heard about her debut in Japan. Wow, who would’ve thought Sua would become this big?”
One employee clicked their tongue.
Although people are now accustomed to her success, everyone was struck as if by lightning when Sua first appeared on TV. Sua? That Sua on TV?
“She might have no singing skills, but she must have some acting talent.”
“Not so fast. Maybe she does.”
Then, someone cautiously broached the subject.
“Speaking of which, haven’t you ever felt any dissonance in Sua as you watched her interviews or performances?”
“Dissonance?”
“Yes. Something about her voice… It’s different, no?”
“Oh, that, yeah, I’ve noticed that too. Sua’s voice isn’t that deep, definitely not. She was always clumsy at vocalizing and always cracked.
Could it be that she recently figured out how to use her voice?”
Some were confused since they were professionals who dealt with voices and found Sua’s transformation in her tone puzzling.
“Did we teach her in a wrong way?”
“If we did, we should really apologize…”
“I think our methods weren’t wrong. Basic throat exercises are pretty standard, but I have no clue. Did Sua deceive us?”
“Why would Sua deceive us?”
“To practice a non-singing role, maybe? She seems incredibly passionate, so it might have been genuine.”
“If that’s true, it’s really spine-tingling…”
Everyone was puzzled but couldn’t resolve the mystery among themselves.
In the midst of their rampant speculations, someone finally spoke after staying quiet for a while.
“Come to think of it…”
The director, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke up.
“Sua has another release at 3 PM, doesn’t she? What is it?”
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And finally, 3 PM.
[ Lee Sua Gallery ]
[ Title: Wow lololololo ]
[ Title: mc?mc?mc?mc ]
[ Title: Whoa, what is this? Insane ]
[ Title: Holy sh*t, she’s exploding lolol ]
[ Title: Sua! Sua! Sua! ]
[ Title: Oh my goodness ]
[ Title: Whoa… ]
[ Title: Pulled out the notepad, seriously okay ]
[ Title: Gallery form is insane ]
Not a single person properly utilized human language. It was as if animals had been given keyboards.
There was only one reason.
[ ‘Summer Special’ Lee Sua, Featured on the Cover of Small Korea in Swimsuit… Bold Coverage, Courageous Participation Draws Attention ]
Sua’s summer special pictorial was unveiled.