I Want to Be a VTuber

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In [Gyeongseong Young Lady], Seo-yeon’s role is Kasugayama Yuina.

In other words, she is the main antagonist acting from the surface.

The person pulling the strings behind Kasugayama Yuina is Koto Isamu, who appears early on as an ally to the protagonist.

It begins like this.

Kasugayama Yuina hires the protagonist, Yeon Seon-ye, to obtain the wealth of the Amanabi family.

Yeon Seon-ye’s role consists of two main tasks.

Finding the hidden location of the Amanabi family’s wealth and searching for the key to unlock it.

The second task is to kill the only heir, Amanabi Michiko.

“So, you’ll be able to obtain a large sum of money that allows you to live off of it for the rest of your life.”

Kasugayama Yuina said this with a smile.

Her eyes were half-squinted, and the smile on her lips twisted slightly.

It was as if that smile represented her true nature.

‘Jo Seo-yeon’s performance as a villain is always outstanding.’

‘Honestly, I think she could have played the protagonist role as well…’

The actors participating in this script reading each had such thoughts while watching Seo-yeon’s performance.

Even though she had just spoken her first line, there was something chilling about it.

I had felt it since Cha Seo-ah’s time, but Seo-yeon portrays the depths of humanity extraordinarily vividly.

Is this what they call method acting?

‘No.’

Lee Ji-yeon, who experienced that performance firsthand, knew that this wasn’t method acting.

Seo-yeon’s method acting is richer and deeper.

Especially when playing such a villain, Seo-yeon tends to refrain from method acting.

The impact lingers too long.

In fact, the role of a villain is the hardest for actors when they do method acting.

Seo-yeon found it to be even more challenging.

“Hey, why so quiet? If you’re just a streetwise girl, you should obediently wag your tail at your master’s words.”

With graceful steps, Yuina’s elegant hand reached Lee Ji-yeon.

That is, it touched the chin of the protagonist, “Yeon Seon-ye.”

Gently brushing her chin, she pressed her lips with her thumb.

Facing those red eyes that had come so close, Ji-yeon gulped.

This wasn’t necessarily acting.

In reality, it was just that she was flustered by Seo-yeon’s face suddenly coming so close.

Was that in the script?

No, such detailed actions weren’t mentioned.

As far as she remembered, Yuina’s action was simply stated as “gazes at Yeon Seon-ye with an enchanting smile.”

But now, it seemed Seo-yeon had added her personal character interpretation.

That made it difficult.

This thought wasn’t unique to Ji-yeon; the surrounding actors felt similarly.

‘The actress playing the protagonist only has a few appearances in cable dramas, right?’

‘It’s not like she was parachuted in, but this wouldn’t be easy.’

This wasn’t meant to undermine Ji-yeon’s performance.

Simply, it was about presence.

Could the protagonist make their appeal in front of such a “Yuina”?

Honestly, it wouldn’t be easy.

First and foremost, the character Yeon Seon-ye is an ordinary girl.

She is merely a skilled commoner.

Smart, but that doesn’t make her a special character.

Thus, even if she displays a presence similar to Seo-yeon’s, it poses a problem.

Moreover, it’s also problematic if the protagonist Yeon Seon-ye’s presence is completely overshadowed by Yuina.

Some delicate line had to be maintained.

Hence, it would be quite a challenging performance.

In the very moment she thought that,

Yeon Seon-ye bit Yuina’s finger, which had touched her lips.

“Ah!!”

Did she really just bite her finger there?

As Yuina withdrew her hand in surprise, Yeon Seon-ye smiled and said.

“Ah, I’m sorry. As you mentioned, being a streetwise girl, if something comes to my mouth, I might bite it without thinking.”

It was an ad-lib, but thinking of how it came after Yuina’s performance, it felt entirely natural.

For a moment, Ji-yeon almost checked the script, wondering if it was already included.

Thanks to that, Yuina’s presence significantly decreased, and Yeon Seon-ye’s presence came alive.

Without doing anything major, the character’s traits emerged clearly.

Skillful resilience.

Softness naturally overcame strength.

“Of course, as you said, if my lady promises, the streetwise girl will do everything you say.”

Yeon Seon-ye continued, bowing her head gracefully.

Gazing at Yuina with startled eyes.

“As long as my lady keeps the promise.”

At those words, Yuina’s eyes narrowed.

How dare a girl like you say something like that—such a fierce gaze was felt.

However, Yuina couldn’t recklessly cut off Yeon Seon-ye at the moment.

For one, Yeon Seon-ye was brought in by Koto Isamu, not Yuina.

There was no thief in this vicinity with skills surpassing hers.

Plus, there was her audacity to bite Yuina’s finger, though it was an ad-lib.

That character trait of Yeon Seon-ye was now clearly evident.

“…Of course. If a dog listens well, giving rewards is the master’s duty.”

With such lines, Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon simultaneously put down their scripts.

The reading of scene number S# 17 had come to an end.

The first encounter between Yeon Seon-ye and Yuina.

And it’s the most critical scene early in the film.

‘…This.’

Even after the acting had ended, no actor raised their hand, willing to continue.

It was because they had so many thoughts after witnessing the performance.

‘Wow, the youngsters these days are impressive…’

The most surprising was Lee Ji-yeon.

She, who had only been active in the general channels, was unexpectedly delivering such a performance.

Most notably, her momentary ad-lib left everyone astonished.

Baek Min, the director, who usually dislikes ad-libs, found himself nodding at Ji-yeon’s just now.

“I think this will feel much more natural. I hope you can perform the same during the actual filming.”

He even suggested script modifications.

With such a remarkable performance so early in the first script reading, the actors inevitably felt nervous.

Though they had prepared themselves since it was Director Baek Min’s film, the chance that their acting skills would be put to the test was significant.

*

To begin with, I did feel a bit excited.

Although I was a little burdened by the romance, today’s script reading didn’t necessitate acting out any romantic scenes.

The initial meeting between Yeon Seon-ye and Yuina.

Seeing Ji-yeon facing Seo-yeon with a script made Seo-yeon feel strangely pleased.

After all, it was the first shooting she would share with Ji-yeon.

So, she had to do her best.

At the same time, she wanted to show a splendid performance.

Naturally, she started thinking that way.

After all.

‘I should give Lee Ji-yeon a run for her money.’

Though she had already shown her performance during practice.

But practice and reality are different.

Especially during the script reading, things could get quite intense just like during actual filming.

In the case of a strict director, it often takes a long time.

For reference, Director Baek Min is of the finicky type.

Thus, she couldn’t reduce her effort.

Even if Ji-yeon made a mistake, this wasn’t the place to garner disapproval.

Yet, little did she know that she’d be caught off guard herself.

“I never thought you’d actually bite.”

“It doesn’t hurt anyway.”

Seo-yeon shot a glare at Ji-yeon’s annoying remark.

That wasn’t wrong.

Even if Ji-yeon bit down with all her strength, no mark would be left on Seo-yeon’s skin.

Her skin, untouched by the slightest scratch, wouldn’t easily bruise from Ji-yeon’s little bites.

But that doesn’t change the fact that it is what it is.

“But it was good. I was surprised, Lee Ji-yeon. You didn’t prepare that in advance, did you?”

Jo Seo-hee was one of the actors clapping fervently inside for Ji-yeon’s ad-lib, amazed at it herself.

Everyone knew Seo-yeon’s acting was superb, but Ji-yeon’s was unexpected.

“Jo Seo-yeon.”

“Yes?”

“That scream, it wasn’t acting, was it?”

“…….”

Of course, she would be startled.

Suddenly, a finger had been shoved into her lips and was bitten.

It wasn’t the pain but rather the shock that was natural.

“I was just a little flustered.”

She had been taken aback by the unexpected ad-lib.

Typically, when acting, Seo-yeon’s mind is as serene as a mirror lake.

To create the picture of emotion, she needs to maintain a calm atmosphere to ensure the brush strokes are steady.

This time, it was simply a bit of an exception.

“There won’t be a next time.”

“……Huh.”

Well, that seemed likely.

Ji-yeon also knew that Seo-yeon was meticulous when it came to acting.

She figured that it would suffice to scare her once.

Just as she thought that.

“Next, it’s my turn. I think we’ll have to do this scene together… is that okay?”

The baton was passed to Jo Seo-hee after Seo-yeon.

Although she had lost the first script reading, the second turn couldn’t be denied by Director Baek Min either.

For reference, this scene also included Ji-yeon.

Well, that was only natural.

Since Ji-yeon is the protagonist of this film.

‘I’ll need to tease them if they don’t do well.’

Whether it’s Ji-yeon or Jo Seo-hee.

Seo-yeon decided to fold her arms and watch their performances.

‘But what kind of scene is it?’

She flipped through the script to find the scene number that Director Baek Min required.

Then she located the scene that Ji-yeon and Seo-hee would be reading.

And—

‘Ugh.’

Seo-yeon was taken aback, staring at the script and at Jo Seo-hee and Ji-yeon standing in front of her.

“The young lady looks like a doll.”

“Why? Are you unable to resist the thread that shakes in the maid’s gestures?”

“That means you’re beautiful and graceful. Why do you speak like that?”

The scene wasn’t from the beginning but rather one that takes place further in.

It was a scene where they gradually built rapport with the young lady, Amanabi Michiko, after entering the mansion.

It was also the moment they exchanged glances for the first time.

“Seon-ye, dry my hair. Your touch is delicate, so it feels nice.”

Along with those words, Seon-ye’s hand touches Michiko’s long hair.

And their eyes meet while gently smiling at one another through the strands of hair.

‘Wait, no, hold on a second.’

Watching that, Seo-yeon was enveloped in emotions that were hard to explain.

Anyway, Yeon Seon-ye’s performance towards the young lady… was remarkably similar to Ramiel’s.

*

Recently, Seo-yeon had also become aware of a new emotion.

To put it plainly… tension.

Not that she had never felt nervous in her life, but this tension felt different from the usual.

She felt rather lost.

“What should I do….”

A week had passed since they completed the script reading.

Now, they would begin real filming next week, and various thoughts crossed her mind.

‘Jo Seo-hee, why is she so skilled?’

Even now, the image of Jo Seo-hee’s performance during the script reading would flash before her eyes.

Nothing extraordinary happened.

The performance of a girl realizing love while exchanging glances with Yeon Seon-ye.

Yeon Seon-ye gazed at Michiko as if looking at a rare treasure.

The performance was so natural that she accidentally found herself awestruck.

‘Well, it was bound to be natural.’

After all, she had infused affection into Ramiel’s performance.

But now, thinking of that affection being directed at Jo Seo-hee, Seo-yeon absentmindedly rummaged through her bag for coins.

‘Ugh, they confiscated it….’

They had even taken her stress-relief bubble wrap.

But she had nothing else that gave her a satisfying feeling to carry around.

‘….’

Seo-yeon briefly surveyed her surroundings.

She was currently at KMB Broadcasting Company.

There were many things to discuss regarding the prior Japanese broadcast.

For example, the question of whether or not to shoot a new CM related to [Dream Future].

‘The Chaser seems to be trying to do something as well.’

The Japanese release has been moved up, and it’s said to be coming out next month.

Such cases are quite rare for Korean films.

With the image of a murderer in the landmine genre… Well, over in Japan, Seo-yeon’s image isn’t ordinary either.

‘Anyway.’

Clearing her throat, Seo-yeon sneakily looked at the script.

There aren’t any vividly explicit scenes, but there were many moments that made her feel a bit embarrassed.

Some were performances Seo-yeon had to deliver too.

‘Doing this with Lee Ji-yeon….’

She had reacted lightly until now, but seeing it on the spot was proving to be a challenge.

She could understand now why Jo Seo-hee had startled her when she suggested it.

‘It’s somewhat similar to Jo Ha-rin, but this is even deeper.’

Kasugayama Yuina’s romance performance seemed akin to Jo Ha-rin’s.

Unable to easily express her feelings to the person she liked.

And the fact that the love doesn’t come to fruition.

‘While Jo Ha-rin could deceive and pass through, this one would be difficult.’

She felt a twinge of worry.

Seo-yeon’s acting generally starts with embellishing emotional elements.

If she doesn’t fully understand Yuina’s emotions, she might not be able to capture this crucial scene.

‘Should I ask Jeong-woo senior? …No.’

No matter how carefree Seo-yeon was, asking Jeong-woo for advice on this was a bit…

Moreover, even having the same gender as the actors didn’t provide anyone to ask.

Jeong Eun-seon, perhaps?

She would offer wise advice if she mentioned it, but meeting her would probably result in her scolding Seo-yeon.

That’s a given; they’d probably be chatting and would break into “A female actress shouldn’t go crawling around like that.”

Wasn’t that the attitude she wore when she shot Seo-yeon’s face with a glare, after she had just drilled a hole in a coconut on a deserted island?

Jeong Eun-seon valued a female actress’s dignity and image greatly.

Whenever she saw Seo-yeon being playful in a variety show, she would always send a message, voice note, or a text.

‘Hmm, if that’s the case, then…’

“What are you looking at?”

“!!”

Seo-yeon hurriedly closed the script and averted her gaze.

It’s not that there’s anything embarrassing in the script, but it felt somewhat awkward!

To make matters worse, it was a voice she recognized.

“Cough, cough. Why, why are you doing this?”

“Huh? No.”

Seo-yeon glanced away flustered, only to feel her anxiety dissipate almost immediately.

Instead, she found herself sending a somewhat pitiful gaze.

Seo-yeon had just now regained the calmness she had temporarily lost.

“Hello, Yeo-hee.”

“Ah, oh, hello? What a coincidence.”

With a naturally smiling face, she responded, causing Seo-yeon to narrow her eyes.

Thinking back, she could feel a vibe even before opening the script.

At that moment, she had just regarded her as a celebrity who recognized her…

‘Wait a moment.’

Seo-yeon looked at Yeo-hee, who had spoken to her, deep in thought.

Before her eyes was a woman who hadn’t forgotten her feelings for 20 years.

In other words, one could say that she was the perfect teaching material Seo-yeon needed for her acting right now.