***
"Mr. Jung. Thank you for the coffee and also informing us about this situation. Ms. Lee specifically asked me to convey her thanks to you."
As there were many people watching, Kim Soll-Ip delivered the message to me on Lee Ji-Yeon's behalf. As she handed over the empty thermos, Kim Soll-Ip took a quick look around and whispered.
"Also, she mentioned that Miss Yoo-Jin will appear in Episodes 25 and 26."
'Yoo-Jin is going to appear in two more episodes?'
I felt like I had received an unexpected gift. However, Lee Ji-Yeon's gift didn't just end there.
"Also, please take this."
On the small note were handwritten numbers.
[Writer Lee Ji-Yeon]
[010-9XXX-1234]
"This is Ms. Lee's phone number. You can also add her on KkTalk using this number as well."
Lee Ji-Yeon wasn't the type to hand out her business card to just anyone. But when she took a liking to an actor, she'd often make this gesture.
'Is she considering Yoo-Jin for her next drama?'
However, there was an issue with Lee Ji-Yeon's next drama. To be exact, the issue was not with the drama itself but with external complications.
Lee Ji-Yeon's offer would definitely be a gift under normal circumstances, but this one was risky since we might eventually have to decline her offer for Yoo-Jin to appear in any of her upcoming dramas.
Nonetheless, I decided to accept the business card politely with gratitude for now.
"Thank you so much, Writer Kim."
Kim Soll-Ip flipped her hair back and smiled.
"Ah, every time you call me that, it really makes me feel like a writer when I'm not."
"But you are a writer."
"I haven't even managed to get my work on TV yet. Calling me a writer is a bit too much, hahaha."
Seeing Kim Soll-Ip's smile, I made a bold decision. Rather than Lee Ji-Yeon's next drama, I was interested in Kim Soll-Ip's first debut drama.
I quickly checked my surroundings. Yoo-Jin was in the middle of shooting and Oh Duk-Gu was on the phone. Confirming that no one was listening, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Um, Ms. Kim. I actually have a favor to ask you."
"What is it? Go ahead and tell me."
Kim Soll-Ip said I could leave her a message if I had a request for Lee Ji-Yeon, explaining that Lee Ji-Yeon was actually a quite warm-hearted and receptive person, contrary to rumors.
"Rather than that, I was wondering if you could consider Yoo-Jin in your debut drama."
"I'm sorry? Not in Ms. Lee's next drama, but…my debut drama? Are you sure you're asking the right thing?"
Kim Soll-Ip looked genuinely surprised by my request.
"Yes, of course!"
There were over 10,000 individuals preparing to become drama writers but only fewer than hundred would be given the chance to see their script come to life as a broadcast drama series. The number of writers who become as famous as Lee Ji-Yeon could be counted on one's hand. Writers who managed to succeed against all odds were those known to produce provocative and cliche drama scripts.
However, Kim Soll-Ip would come to stand out as a writer known for her meticulous and intricately woven plot, along with her witty dialogues. She would become one of the few writers to capture both high viewer ratings and the hearts of critics.
"You seem to be serious about this."
"Yes, I am."
Kim Soll-Ip examined my expression once again.
"Sigh. Mr. Jung. I need a script, investors, and a slot for airing in order for my drama to debut. You might forget about me by the time my first script comes out."
But that wasn't the case.
Kim Soll-Ip's script was already prepared and would soon be adapted into a drama. In just a matter of days, the production schedule for SBC's The Strongest Wife set to air in April, would be canceled and Lee Ji-Yeon would take an active role in supporting Kim Soll-Ip's debut.
With the help of many investors and Lee Ji-Yeon leveraging her reputation to promote Kim Soll-Ip, the latter would soon start production for her drama.
Nonetheless, Kim Soll-Ip was unaware of this at the moment and mumbled to herself.
"You don't even know what I'd write…"
'Ah. Was that it?'
Every writer hoped for their work to be recognized. However, putting forth such a request before she even had a script seemed to make me appear a little too rash and presumptuous.
I wanted to tell her that I watched Blue Sky three times in my past life, but I held myself back because she would think I was crazy if I did.
Instead, I shared a fact that only she and I were privy to at the moment.
"I enjoyed reading Good Person."
Instantly, Kim Soll-Ip's smiling face turned awkward.
Good Person was one of her early works, posted on Drama Work, a website for aspiring drama writers, under her pseudonym, "Bluebird".
Kim Soll-Ip avoided my gaze with an uncomfortable smile and stammered.
"W-what is that? Haha. I'm not really a good person…"
"Ms. Bluebird. Come on and be honest with me and…uff!"
Kim Soll-Ip quickly covered my mouth with her hand. She was fairly well-known among aspiring writers, but she seemed embarrassed.
"Do you happen to be a member of Drama Work?"
Unable to answer because my mouth was still covered, I nodded in response.
"Oh, I-I'm sorry. But please promise me you won't ever tell anyone about it!"
Kim Soll-Ip gestured with her free hand and pleaded. She removed her hand after seeing me nod vigorously once more.
"Huff, huff. I thought I was going to die."
"Oh, don't be so dramatic."
Flustered, the twenty-eight year old Kim Soll-Ip fanned her flushed face with her hand, but she soon let out a soft laughter.
She looked quite cute when embarrassed.
"How on earth did you know Bluebird was my nickname? My curiosity will keep me up all night if you don't tell me."
"In exchange for telling you how I found out…please help Yoo-Jin do well in the audition."
"But you know that the casting of actors is handled by the production company."
"I'm not talking about that. You know there's something called a writer's recommendation, right? I'm sure you'd have enough influence to choose the actors you want for at least a couple of roles."
At that moment, Kim Soll-Ip looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.