What Are You Doing Here?
"What are you going to do if Ms. Kim gets upset and decides to scrap this drama and switch over to KBC or MBS? You all never want to see me again, is that it, huh?"
As Jung Sam-Ryong reprimanded them, beads of cold sweat formed on the heads of the production company executives as they bowed their heads.
The power held by a broadcasting company's CP was indeed absolute—and this was especially true for someone like Jung Sam-Ryong, a candidate for the next station director. Falling out of favor with him could not only jeopardize future dramas but also sour relations with SBC entirely.
Jo Eung-Gu bowed his head hastily. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jung. Ms. Kim, we made a mistake."
Cha Soo-Yeon also quickly stood up and bowed. "I'll take responsibility and step down from this drama."
Cha Soo-Yeon tried to cover for everyone at her level. Although the production portion might face some issues, it could still proceed if they replaced Cha Soo-Yeon with someone else. After all, what was more pressing at the moment was to appease the CP, especially since he had the authority over the scheduling of future dramas.
Just as the atmosphere was becoming more tense, Kim Soll-Ip, who had been silent until then, stepped forward.
"May I say something?"
"Sigh. I'm too embarrassed to face Ms. Kim now."
Jung Sam-Ryong had set the stage for Kim Soll-Ip to speak up.
Kim Soll-Ip started to speak and assert her position as a writer.
"Mr. Jo, Ms. Cha. Wouldn't it be better not to embarrass each other like this?"
The heads of the Blue Dragon staff dropped even lower.
Kim Soll-Ip took a deep breath before continuing. "I've spent five years at the broadcasting station under Ms. Lee. Just know that if you treat me like a novice, I have other plans in mind."
The 'Ms. Lee' she referred to was undoubtedly the renowned Writer Lee Ji-Yeon. When Kim Soll-Ip glanced sharply at the Blue Dragon production team, the staff shivered.
Then, Kim Soll-Ip took a deep breath and forced a smile. "That's all I have to say. And Mr. Jung, please relax. I'm not going anywhere. I chose SBC because of you, after all. What would that make me if you keep getting upset like this?"
Her change in expression to a brighter one was followed by Jung Sam-Ryong's agreement.
"Hahaha. I appreciate your understanding."
With Jung Sam-Ryong's laughter, Jo Eung-Gu and Cha Soo-Yeon finally relaxed. Only then did the staff of Blue Dragon realize that Kim Soll-Ip was not someone to be taken lightly.
"Oh, and Ms. Cha."
"Yes? Yes, Ms. Kim?"
"There's no need for you to step down. I know your capabilities," said Kim Soll-Ip.
Cha Soo-Yeon bowed repeatedly at Kim Soll-Ip's generosity. She had once underestimated Kim Soll-Ip for being too young and looked down on her, but that was no longer the case.
"Thank you, Ms. Kim."
Kim Soll-Ip displayed her control of the situation, a skill she had learned from Lee Ji-Yeon.
"So, the role of Twilight is decided, right?"
"Of course. Can I bring the two actresses back in?"
"Yes, please do that."
With Kim Soll-Ip's permission, Cha Soo-Yeon quickly sent the staff to bring the two actresses back.
***
"Thank you so much. I will give it all I've got for this role."
Kim Soll-Ip and Jung Sam-Ryong gave a warm smile when Yoo-Jin bowed.
Cha Soo-Yeon's polite apology followed. "Miss Jin-Hee, you did very well too. It's a pity that you didn't get the role today but hopefully, we'll have a chance to work together in the future."
At that moment, Park Jin-Hee tightly bit her lips and suddenly made an unexpected statement. "Ms. Cha, Mr. Jo. I must be in this drama!"
"Huh?"
"Pardon?"
"What is she talking about?"
All the staff members who were in the midst of gathering the documents on the table stopped and made surprised expressions upon seeing tears well up in Park Jin-Hee's big eyes.
"This audition is my last chance. If I don't get a role in this drama, I'll retire."
'Wait, what? Is she actually using this tactic here?'
I had seen her use this tactic to get a role in my previous life when Park Jin-Hee was with Top Entertainment. However, I never knew she had been employing this tactic this early on.
Jung Sam-Ryong, who had known Park Jin-Hee since her child actress days, seemed to be falling for her act.
"What? Jin-Hee! What do you mean you'll retire? What are you talking about all of a sudden?" he exclaimed with a perplexed expression.
Park Jin-hee sobbed with tears now falling from her eyes. "I've been trying hard to shed my child actress image for the past three years. But if I fail this time, I'll have no other choice."
The judges were visibly flustered by Park Jin-Hee's sudden outburst, but it was unlikely to affect the decision to give Yoo-Jin the role because Jung Sam-Ryong was a reasonable man.
Cha Soo-Yeon quietly observed the situation and suggested a compromise. "Ms. Kim, Miss Jin-Hee's acting was pretty good as well. So how about offering her the role of the third daughter?"
Everyone's attention shifted to Cha Soo-Yeon.
'Casting Park Jin-Hee for third daughter Kim Autumn's role? But Autumn is the character that clashes the most with Kim Twilight who will be played by Yoo-Jin.'
But Jung Sam-Ryong seemed to find Cha Soo-Yeon's idea quite plausible.
"That's not a bad idea. Miss Jin-Hee's acting is impressive, after all."
Soon, Jo Eung-Gu began to nod in agreement.
As a result, Kim Soll-Ip seemed to be considering the suggestion.
"...There are 15 applicants who applied for the role of the third sister, Autumn—so I can't just give her the role. If she passes the audition fairly, I won't object. But Autumn is a character that's completely different from the second sister, Twilight. Is that okay?"
The third sister, Autumn, was quite a rebellious character.
But Park Jin-Hee nodded continuously, grateful for the opportunity.
"Yes, I'm fine with it. I'll do my best. Thank you! Thank you."
Her repeated thanks prompted Jung Sam-Ryong to gesture for her to calm down. "Hey, you didn't get the role yet! You still need to pass the audition," he reminded Park Jin-Hee.
Park Jin-Hee wiped her tears away. "I'm confident I will pass the audition."
Jung Sam-Ryong acknowledged her confidence. "Yes, I know your abilities, Miss Jin-Hee."
Cha Soo-Yeon also let out a sigh of relief at the thought of not having to return the money they had received from Ace Entertainment.
Although I was concerned about Park Jin-Hee staying in the drama, at least her acting wasn't infuriating like Park Eun-Bin's. In this unpredictable industry, it was sometimes better to work with someone you know.
'Well, I guess I can tolerate Park Jin-Hee.'
After all, not every role could be filled with the ideal candidate I wanted. This compromise was satisfactory. Besides, Park Jin-Hee could still lose the role of Autumn to Choi Eun-Woo, the actress who played the role of Autumn in my past life.
With the situation resolved, Cha Soo-Yeon announced the schedule for the first script reading.
"Mr. Jung. I'll send you a text about it later, but the first script reading is next week on the 15th, at 3 PM. Please don't forget."
"Well understood, Ms. Cha!"