First Day (3)
Yoo-Jin gave an honest answer to Lee Ji-Yeon's question and smiled brightly at me with a look that seemed to say 'I did good, right?'
'Why would she give me the credit instead of claiming it for herself to find favor with the writer?'
I was grateful yet perplexed by her naive honesty.
'She should have just told the writer that she had practiced hard.'
I quickly responded to Lee Ji-Yeon, who was looking at me curiously.
"Yes, Ms. Lee. I just gave her a little advice because I've seen your dramas and read your scripts in the past."
"Hmm, it's very unusual for a talent agent to read my work. Do you want to be a writer by any chance?"
Lee Ji-Yeon still looked confused as if she didn't understand.
"No. I read all your work simply because I'm a fan. I've read the scripts of 'Mother's Song' and 'The Story of You, Me, and Our Daughter.'"
Lee Ji-Yeon's eyebrows twitched every time I mentioned the title of her work. It seemed like she was surprised a talent agent would know so much about her work.
To a writer, their work was no different from their own alter ego or a child. Therefore, it was only natural for her to feel happy when she received compliments for her work.
"Hm~. What was your favorite?"
"I liked 'Mother's Song' the best."
"You have a good eye. It took me five years to write that one."
Lee Ji-Yeon fell into deep thoughts for a moment with a proud smile on her face, possibly reminiscing the time she wrote that piece of work.
Seeing this as an opportunity to make a good impression, I decided to seize the moment. After all, she really liked the coffee I made for her in the past life.
"Excuse me, Ms. Lee. The set is much colder than you think. I'm sure a hot cup of coffee will help you keep warm."
Lee Ji-Yeon frowned slightly when she saw my thermal bottle.
"Coffee? No, no. I don't drink coffee unless it's Nespressure Ristretto~."
When Lee Ji-Yeon shook her head, Kim Soll-Ip smiled broadly and gratefully accepted the offer instead.
"This is perfect. It was quite cold out here. I'll take it."
"Here you go, Ms. Kim."
Kim Soll-Ip dismissively waved her hands as I poured coffee into her cup.
"Haha, Mr. Jung. You're too kind. It feels good to be addressed that way, but I'm not a writer yet."
"What do you mean, Soll-Ip~? You're a writer for sure."
Lee Ji-Yeon seemed annoyed by Kim Soll-Ip's reply.
'I guess these two have a good relationship. That's surprising.'
Contrary to how it seemed, Lee Ji-Yeon was going out of her way to save face for Assistant Writer Kim Soll-Ip.
Drip, drip, drip.
"Hmm. This coffee smells amazing. Um, Mr. Jung. Do you mind if I grab another cup?" Kim Soll-Ip said as she took in the aroma of the coffee from her paper cup.
"Not at all. Have as much as you want."
Lee Ji-Yeon, who was sniffing the smell of coffee without realizing it, exclaimed in a loud voice.
"Soll-Ip~. I told you I don't want it!"
"Come on, Ms, Lee. You always say that but end up taking mine. That's why I need to prepare yours in advance."
"I'm not going to drink it! I mean it this time!"
Lee Ji-Yeon turned her head away like an upset child.
"Are you sure you don't want to drink it? Fine. Then I'll just drink both of them."
"Shut up~. Why do you always make me repeat myself? You know I hate that!"
I was surprised to see how adeptly Kim Soll-Ip handled Lee Ji-Yeon's sharp attitude. Then again, I recalled how Kim Soll-Ip had successfully served as Lee Ji-Yeon's assistant for five years, a position known to be so challenging that made her predecessors quit after a month.
'Thinking about it, she was quite impressive.'
Holding two cups of coffee, Kim Soll-Ip expressed her gratitude.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot. Mr. Jung. Could you give me your name card?"
"Of course, Ms. Kim."
My seemingly useless name cards had already been handed out twice on my first day of traveling back in time.
'I have a feeling things are going to go well.'
"Ah, just a second."
Kim Soll-Ip bit on her paper cup to free her right hand so she could take my name card.
At that moment, I saw a group of producer directors and assistant directors rushing towards us from afar.
"Ms. Lee~!"
Producer Director Park called out in a flustered tone, out of breath from running upon seeing Lee Ji-Yeon.
"Oh my, I thought you would be too busy to come, huff, huff. What brings you to the set?"
just stopped by before heading to my office. Why? Am I not allowed to come here?"
"No, of course you can. Your joke always makes me laugh, hahaha."
The staff paid no attention to me or Yoo-Jin and moved to the set with Lee Ji-Yeon, as if we didn't exist.
After everyone had left, Yoo-Jin placed her hand over her heart and blushed.
"You did great. You passed."
Yoo-Jin opened her eyes wide and looked at me, unsure of what I meant.
"I'm saying that Ms. Lee approved of your acting. You exceeded my expectations."
Yoo-Jin's face lit up.
"Really? You think so?"
"Yes. I bet no actress in Korea can play the role of Lee Seol-Ran better than you can right now. I guarantee it."
Yoo-Jin smiled brightly as I gave her a thumbs-up.
"Hehe, I feel so good about myself."
"Also, Ms. Lee rarely asks actors for their names. The fact that she asked for yours means you really stood out. Just keep up the good work and act with confidence, alright?"
"Okay!"
Confidence radiated from Yoo-Jin's face.
The conversation took longer than expected, but there was still about an hour and twenty minutes left before Miso's accident would take place.
I sighed and checked my planner once again.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: December 12th, 2019]
-05:30 PM: Kangdongkyung University Hospital Funeral Hall. Miso died.
The schedule of Miso's death still remained unchanged in the planner. The only way for me to rest assured was to bring Miso here myself.
"Yoo-Jin."
"Yes?"
"Do you feel confident about the main shoot?"
Yoo-Jin contemplated for a moment before nodding.
"Yes. After acting in front of Ms. Lee, the main shoot doesn't seem like a big deal anymore."
"Good. Just do as you did in front of Ms. Lee. I'm sorry to tell you this, but I need to step away for a bit. If I don't return by 3 PM, take a cab to MBS studio. You remember Assistant Director Lee Chang-Hwan, right? Just follow his instructions on set."
"Yes, I remember him from the last time I met him…but are you going somewhere far?"
Yoo-Jin asked anxiously.
"No. Another actor from our company is in the vicinity so I'm just checking in with them. I'm just giving you a heads-up in case I don't come back in time. Sorry. I should be with you while you shoot, but…"
"Oppa, then what do we do about Miso? I thought we were going to show her around the broadcasting station today?"
"I'll pick Miso up on my way back. I'll take her straight to MBS if I end up being late, so don't worry."
Yoo-Jin nodded.
"Alright, I understand. But you'll have to buy me and Miso a delicious meal for supper later!"
"Okay, got it."
'I guess I'll let her start her diet tomorrow.'
Yoo-Jin responded with a fist pump and smiled broadly.
"Then dessert is on me after supper tonight."
To me, what Yoo-Jin said sounded like 'I want to have a delicious supper and also a dessert because I'll start my diet tomorrow anyway.'
'Fine. I'll let her have it, but just for today.'
"Alright. But if Ms. Lee asks for coffee later, make sure you give her the one in the thermal bottle. Don't forget to give some to Ms. Kim as well."
I was confident that Lee Ji-Yeon would definitely want more coffee once she had tried it. After all, how we got close in my past life was thanks to her falling in love with the coffee I made. A hot cup of coffee would be perfect to warm her up since it was about to snow.
"Okay. Don't worry about me and go ahead."
I rushed to the parking lot, desperately hoping that nothing would happen to Miso.
'Miso, I'm on my way.'
I drove to Lira Kindergarten in Cheonho-dong, while praying that nothing would happen.