The Crazy Woman Acts Too Well - Chapter 38

“Ugh… the first step has already gone wrong…”

In the temporary makeup tent of the makeup team, Sua, who was receiving her makeup while sitting, was trying to maintain a neutral expression, but in reality, she was feeling more troubled than anyone else.

If she stayed still, she would at least make it halfway.

No, if she stayed still, she could make it more than halfway.

This was a principle engraved in Sua’s bones and, at the same time, a realization of her own strength.

So, she tried her best to remain as still as possible. After quietly focusing on the filming, she had planned to disappear suddenly…

“Why is Seo Yeon-ju coming over here of all places?”

…Sua’s plan was completely ruined, all thanks to Seo Yeon-ju.

Of course, it was a very honorable thing for Sua that Seo Yeon-ju was approaching. She was a high-ranking actress, with a good personality and beautiful looks. There seemed to be no apparent flaws.

But it was a bit overwhelming for Sua, who had a shy temperament, to handle. Also, the situation had ultimately become a bit regrettable.

Sua suddenly felt regret toward herself as well.

Although she had diligently used special privileges to downplay her acting, she had clearly realized that free acting was still beyond her reach. She would have to conquer this area in the future.

Nothing was impossible. If she worked hard.

“Ugh, anyway, something has gone wrong. Everyone’s gazes have become strange.”

There was only one breakthrough. Only one.

…To prove herself in the actual filming.

“Okay, from now on, it’s all about acting.”

When Sua scratched her head awkwardly, it happened.

“Huh? The hairstyling has already been done! Don’t touch it!”

“Ah, sorry.”

Right. I was receiving makeup.

The stylist’s words suddenly echoed in her ears. And the feeling of the brush touching her face again made her realize the significance of the moment. She had just stepped into the starting line of this filming.

“I… I’m filming a movie. I’m filming a movie.”

The realization made her heart race again. Well, in truth, she had been nervous since she breathed in the air of the cypress forest.

Of course, compared to the Special Task Force 808, the set of “Sword” was much more modest.

You could tell by the equipment and the number of people.

Yet, the reason Sua was nervous was.

“This is not a rehearsal. This is the real deal!”

The real deal. That was the reason.

Not only that. She had been given the role of Wi Ji-hye, the central character of this work. All the staff would revolve around Sua.

Like planets orbiting the sun.

In Special Task Force 808, the main actors formed a triad, but in “Sword,” the dependency on Wi Ji-hye was extremely high.

Because of that, Sua’s shoulders felt even heavier. It felt different from when she worked with Kim Yuhan.

“It’s all on me. On me, no one else but me…”

Do well. Do well. I must do well.

But right now, Sua wasn’t repeating to herself that she had to do well just for her own success. She was thinking that it would be nice if everyone who had gathered despite the difficult conditions could rejoice together.

The name of that feeling was a sense of duty as the lead actress. It was just that, with Sua’s intellect, it was a bit hard to clearly distinguish that feeling.

“Right, there’s nothing to be afraid of. There will be plenty of filming ahead.”

While receiving makeup, Sua repeatedly told herself this. Most of the thoughts were things that would give her enough courage.

Then, at some point.

“Seo Sua, during the free acting, I really got caught off guard.”

Seo Yeon-ju, who had finished her makeup first, came over and spoke to her.

“Well, after all, here, we’re competitors. From Sua’s perspective, she probably didn’t want to reveal her hand. Should I be happy about this? Because it means Sua is trying to keep an eye on me.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Anyway, Sua, no, it’s hard for me to keep using formal speech now. Can I start using informal speech? Just to get a little closer.”

Sua couldn’t nod. There were still many brushes touching her face. Three, to be exact.

Perhaps because there was no negative response, Seo Yeon-ju smiled brightly and continued speaking.

“You met with our CEO, right? How was it? Did things go well? I’ve been really curious. Our CEO is not the usual type, you know.”

Just then, Sua’s makeup was finished. Once the brushes that had painted her skin tone suitable for the forest were put away, Sua spoke.

“I just exchanged a few greetings. We agreed to meet again later.”

“…Hmm? Really?”

Seo Yeon-ju tilted her head.

“Our CEO is someone who acts quickly. He makes decisions fast and never reverses them. But you’re telling me he made a promise to meet again and sent you off? That’s strange.”

After saying this, Seo Yeon-ju leaned in slightly.

The scent of her perfume hit Sua’s senses.

“So? Are you meeting with other agencies too?”

“Not yet. I’m busy.”

“Really? Or do you have some conditions you want met? Like, ‘If they don’t meet these conditions, I won’t even consider them.’ Something like that?”

Not at all, though. Sua had no knowledge about agencies or contracts.

But part of her wondered, could it be that in order to become a good actress, she had to set those kinds of standards?

Soon, Sua timidly asked.

“…Should I be thinking about things like that?”

Seo Yeon-ju looked a little surprised. At the moment when her face, which had been close to Sua’s, slightly pulled back.

But soon, Seo Yeon-ju smiled.

“Right, you’re right. That’s something agencies should be thinking about.”

“Do well in your first scene.” With that, Seo Yeon-ju left the tent, and Sua soon stood up, brushing herself off.

Before leaving, she placed her hand on the script one last time.

It was time to become Wi Ji-hye.

The actual filming. Finally, Sua’s turn had come.

It was also the moment when extras, who had been resting in various places, hurriedly gathered around the monitor.

Wi Ji-hye. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the fate of “Sword” rested on that role.

The extras spoke in tense voices.

“Finally, it’s Wi Ji-hye’s turn…”

“I wonder if it will go well?”

“We’re really pressed for time. The sun’s about to set. If there’s even one NG, we’ll have to stop filming for today and do it tomorrow.”

Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il were no exception.

Behind the director, Park Jun, who sat in front of the monitor, stood a crowd, with Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il naturally blending into the group.

“Director, I want to see it up close too.”

“Of course. But there aren’t any chairs, should I give you mine?”

“I’m fine. Should I give it to Kim Sun-il? Hey, do you need a chair?”

“…No thanks. I don’t want a chair that someone else has used.”

“Ugh. Your obsession with cleanliness.”

Even as Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il bickered, the tension on everyone’s faces only grew stronger.

They all had their necks craned, trying to observe every detail.

Between the cedar trees, in an open space resembling a circular meadow, Lee Sua and Son Jia stood facing each other.

It was clearly an appropriate place for a life-or-death battle, with five cameras set up at different angles.

Scene #16 Forest / Day

Yuhan (Son Jia) walks, seemingly entranced, while deeply contemplating something.

She snaps back to reality and finds herself in the forest.

As though she had made up her mind, her hand rests on the sword’s hilt.

Wi Ji-hye, sensing a presence, stops meditating and opens her eyelids.

Before long, Yuhan draws the sword and stands ready.

Both women sense that the time to end things has come.

Scene number, production name, roll number, take count, director’s name, cinematographer’s name, date… One of the crew members picks up the slate, which has all the details written clearly.

As he approaches the two actresses and opens the slate…

Crank-in.

Everyone held their breath.

In the circular open space between the trees, the two women stood facing each other.

Yet, they had not yet become Wi Ji-hye and Yuhan. They were still holding their positions as Lee Sua and Son Jia.

The wind howled, sweeping the surroundings like a gloomy tongue, and it was Son Jia, playing Yuhan, who first broke the silence.

“Lee Sua. You’re impressive, aren’t you?”

But Sua didn’t raise her tightly closed eyelids. She was completely immersed in something, only her lips moving.

“What do you mean?”

“You pushed Yang Ha-rin aside and landed the lead role. All by pure skill.”

Sua’s acting as Wi Ji-hye? Son Jia had already figured it out. After watching the free acting with Seo Yeon-ju, she was convinced.

So, Son Jia’s remark was clearly a provocation. She was questioning how someone with such skill could possibly land the lead role.

Sua knew what it meant, but she gave no response.

“I didn’t push her out. She left on her own.”

“Really?”

Son Jia shrugged her shoulders.

“This is just my opinion, but I think you don’t really know yourself.”

“That’s right.”

“Figured as much, huh? Yeah, you look like it.”

Son Jia smiled as if she were a good person.

‘She has no understanding of herself. If she even had a bit of self-awareness, she wouldn’t be so shameless.’

To Son Jia, Lee Sua had disastrous acting skills but seemed completely unaware of it.

If she were truly aware of her acting ability, she could never show such an attitude. No, she wouldn’t have even dared to take on the lead role in the first place.

‘This means she’s been heavily praised by those around her.’

Son Jia was certain. Lee Sua was a parachute recruit.

And indeed, the signs of a parachute recruit were abundantly clear.

What happens when someone with endlessly terrible acting skills only receives praise? This hybrid is born. At some point, they start to believe that they are truly delivering excellent performances.

It’s nothing short of disgusting.

“Well, I’ll admit, the backing is pretty solid.”

The two actors from Mystic Entertainment who are particularly protective of Lee Sua, and even Park Jun, who went as far as to abandon Yang Ha-rin and CT Entertainment, it’s clear that Lee Sua must have some form of support.

Is her parent some chaebol heir? But Lee Sua is a newcomer, so from her first project, she couldn’t possibly be secretly paying off big productions. So, they’re testing the waters with “The Sword”. Something fits perfectly.

“I don’t know who her backer is, but they sure wasted a lot of money.”

Even parachute recruits need some level of acting ability to land the role. No matter how good the parachute is, it’s meaningless if the skills are lackluster. Every time they act, it’s like cutting the string of their own parachute.

After finishing her calculations, Son Jia grinned.

“A skillful actress who pushed Yang Ha-rin aside! I think experiencing the acting of such an actress will be a huge help for me. So, here’s my request—can you give it your all in your performance?”

Of course, this was all part of a thoroughly calculated setup.

Lee Sua can’t act well, anyway. So, the more she is forced to give her best performance, the more disappointed the viewers will be as they watch her acting, causing their disappointment to grow even more.

“I’ll warn you in advance.”

But still with her eyes closed, Lee Sua’s answer was brief.

“When I start something, I can’t stop until I’m done.”

“…?”

What is she talking about? Son Jia tilted her head in confusion.

However, she didn’t have the chance to ask further.

Thwack—!

A crew member nearby struck the slate loudly. The filming of the life-or-death duel between Wi Ji-hye and Yuhan, scene 16, had begun.

Son Jia immediately put on the face of Yuhan.

“Good. Let’s go hard from the start.”

She intended to give her all.

It would be even better if she could overwhelm Lee Sua with her acting skills.

…To be outperformed by an extra in terms of acting? There’s no greater humiliation for an actor, right? How ridiculous would it look?

Son Jia, with her experience carefully built up through theater, was confident in her ‘movement’.

The proficiency and vividness of her sword-wielding motions. Because of the nature of theater, where everything must be communicated on stage, she had to hone her craft to survive, and now, she had become quite skilled.

In contrast, “The Sword” was lacking. Pitiful.

She had never heard that Lee Sua had received any swordsmanship training, and from the glimpse she saw during the free acting, it seemed like she was handling a sword for the first time.

Moreover, “The Sword” was a film with minimal action scenes.

It wasn’t a commercial film, but rather one that pursued artistry.

Unlike commercial films that captivate audiences with flashy action scenes, this was a fusion historical drama centered around philosophical sword debates. True to the nature of an art film.

The conclusion was simple.

Even if it’s just a simple sword-swinging move, the story goes that Son Jia’s swordsmanship, a mere extra’s performance, will be recorded as far superior to Lee Sua’s swordsmanship, which is supposed to be the greatest in the world according to the setting.

What’s the atmosphere on set going to be like afterward? It’s obvious without even looking.

The lead actress will be crushed when compared to a supporting role.

‘It must be getting tiring to just keep going. It’s time to die!’

A crazed smile spread across Son Jia’s lips.

With a sharp swing, the move was made. When it unfolded, the camera lens would capture it as a perfect sword strike.

Finally.

Wi Ji-hye’s eyes revealed themselves to the world.

Meanwhile, the hand holding the sword moved through a different time axis. The sword of the greatest in the world had already found its answer and was tracing the path of the blade.

Sssss—!

Like riding a wave, Wi Ji-hye’s sword climbed up along Son Jia’s blade. It was an enlightenment called ‘fencing’ in the world of sword fighters—knowing and breaking the opponent’s strength completely.

Clang!

As sunlight clashed with Wi Ji-hye’s blade, the cold light reflected off it, and a streak of bright white light flashed around Son Jia’s neck.

The whole process unfolded as naturally as a flowing river.

It was only a moment.

Whoosh—!

As if feeling the presence of the greatest in the world, a much more cautious wind swept through again, leaving an eerie stillness behind where Wi Ji-hye and Son Jia had stood.

Before long, Wi Ji-hye had passed by Son Jia. In the reversed position, Wi Ji-hye silently revealed only her back.

Son Jia’s hair on the back of her head shot up sharply, as if it had been violently struck, a beat later.

Boom—!

“…!”

Son Jia knew instinctively.

This scene would definitely require CGI later.

She didn’t even have to calculate it; the image formed in her mind. Her hair, which had been cut by the sword, would fall in a short, scattered mess.

It was that perfect a sword strike. The entire scene could be imagined.

But how?

…How on earth did Lee Sua do this?

For the first time, confusion appeared on Son Jia’s face as she jerked her head around, but Wi Ji-hye still didn’t look back.

However.

‘A life-or-death duel should not be so shabby.’

With a slow lowering of her sword, Wi Ji-hye’s voice carried power.

Following the resonating voice, the grass seemed to bow its head, and the trembling branches of the trees appeared fearful. The entire space around her began to move.

Mostly.

‘Because it is I, not anyone else, who drew the sword.’

The greatest in the world, Wi Ji-hye, spoke calmly to Son Jia, who had yet to become Yuhan. That was also a warning.

‘You too, give your all.’

Son Jia. Come at me with everything you’ve got as Yuhan.