'Should I buy a lottery ticket today?'
I can smell the shampoo from Semi's hair as she pulls on my arm.
Her hair lightly tickles the bridge of my nose.
"Is script practice that important?"
"What? Ah, yes! Of course!"
Perhaps because the script reading is tomorrow, Semi's acting spirit was burning bright.
The way she wanted me to take her and look over the script right away was so cute.
So this is why people become fans.
"Semi-ssi, would you like to listen to the music too? Our drama's OST..."
"No. I'm not going to listen."
"Hey, you're still group members."
"The script reading tomorrow is more important."
"Well, that's true."
As expected, she's a natural-born actress.
An actress's mindset is to focus only on acting.
What have they been doing, letting a talent like this go to waste until now?
If you gather all the members, each one has their own personality and great skills.
I think they would have been much more successful if they had focused on individual activities from the beginning, rather than as a whole group.
"Semi-ssi?"
"Yes, Writer-nim."
Honestly, I want to be with her too.
But right now, the music work is important.
"Hmm, what should I do? I think I have to go back."
"What? Where..."
"The music studio I just came out of."
"N-no, you can't go there...!"
"Why not?"
"Then I'll go with you!"
"???"
You said you wouldn't listen to the music.
A moment later,
when I re-entered the recording studio.
Reimi was talking about music with Yuna.
"Oh? Writer-nim, you're back?"
"Yes. Because the song is good."
"Hmph..."
Semi added a little comment from the side, but I let it go in one ear and out the other.
A pouting look because I was supposed to practice acting with her but didn't.
Soon, I plopped down in the seat where the light was leaking out and opened my laptop.
Reimi was surprised and threw a question at me.
"Writer-nim? What are you doing there?"
"I was thinking of writing here while listening to the music. Is that not okay?"
"It's not that you can't, but... why don't you sit on the sofa? Why on the floor like that...?"
"I just like leaning against the wall."
"I-is that so?"
She reacted as if she didn't understand, but there was nothing I could say.
Honestly, it's nonsense to expect someone to understand a transcendent system ability.
However, Semi then squatted down right next to me.
"I'm going to read my script here too. I also like being against the wall."
Reimi gave a light laugh and asked me.
"Then shall I play you a new song?"
"Yes. Please do."
Maybe I can register other songs in the system.
However, the system also activated for the second song I heard.
Ding-dong—
[Music with 81% compatibility with the work's atmosphere has been discovered.] [Do you want to add this music to the work? (Y/N)]
'Is Reimi a genius?'
Participating in the OST of a popular drama.
It was one of the ways an unknown composer could easily chart.
Especially with the skills of Reimi, who had composed a significant number of Purple Girls' songs.
'It's a win-win for both of us.'
Not only that, but it's also important that the tone and vocals match the drama's atmosphere.
"Yuna-ssi, you're also a really great singer."
"Ah, thank you!"
She tended to be severely underrated because she hadn't yet won first place on a music show.
But she was a singer of considerable skill not just in Purple Girls, but among all girl groups.
'If our drama just succeeds, she'll be number one in no time.'
It was a prime opportunity for composer Reimi and singer Yuna to rise to fame together.
Even to my untrained ears, the song was very good.
"Isn't this too good to be used in my drama?"
"Hey, what are you talking about?"
High-class music that seemed like it should be used in a high-quality music drama.
The atmospheric mood and addictive melody were superb.
It reminded me of the songs by singer Jang Beom-june, who had recently all-killed the charts with an OST.
'Purple Girls is overflowing with talent.'
They weren't a popular girl group for no reason.
I don't understand why they haven't won first place yet.
"Doesn't Reimi-ssi compose most of Purple Girls' songs?"
"Yes. Most of the B-side tracks are..."
"What about the title tracks?"
"Ah, I've never had one of my songs as a title track yet."
Hmm, I think that's exactly the reason they haven't gotten first place.
After that, Reimi played about ten more songs for me.
A fact I realized while listening to that many additional songs.
The system only activates for music with a compatibility of roughly 80% or higher.
'It was similar when I registered Ji Seongho.'
The same method as the function that activates when you touch a specific actor for 5 seconds.
If I focused and listened to live music from beginning to end, the system would activate.
"Reimi-ssi, please pass on the fourth and seventh songs to the music director as well."
"Wow, I also thought those two were the best fit."
"Really?"
"Do you have a deep knowledge of music?"
"Ahaha, it's not like that..."
Semi is sparkling her eyes at me from the side, and it's making me feel pressured.
'I should probably start wrapping up the script soon...'
There was still a lot of time left, but evening was approaching.
The music was more or less sorted out, so I focused on writing the script again.
In particular, I compared the development with the version I had written in advance.
A moment later,
Clack-clack, clack-clack-clack—
Around the time I had progressed to the midpoint of this part's script.
I recognized that the surrounding noise had disappeared and raised my head.
"Semi-ssi?"
Semi, who had been squatting next to me, was sleeping soundly, making soft breathing sounds.
Besides her, the other two members were already gone from the studio.
"Is she sleeping...?"
They should have looked after their fellow member; do they have no loyalty?Semi-ssi must have been bored too, there's no reason for her to stay here.
Slide—
I carefully made her head lean against my shoulder.
Half of it was to satisfy my own selfish desires, but her head also looked uncomfortable.
'I'm glad I was born a writer.'
Soon, the studio was filled with the sound of my laptop and the soft breathing of a girl.
A long time passed after I finished my work, but she didn't seem to have any intention of waking up.
Just as I had no intention of waking her.
In the end, she was able to sleep soundly until her manager called.
The filming set of a YouTube channel with 3 million subscribers.
A top star interview, under the name "Longterview," was in full swing.
The host, a former comedian, threw a question at the middle-aged man.
"Sir, shall we talk about your work now? Many fans are curious."
"Hmm, what's so special about an actor doing a project?"
An actor famous as a movie star was appearing in a drama, which had become a hot topic.
The questions about that would surely be the core of this interview.
"What was the reason for you to appear in a drama this time, instead of on the big screen?"
"Well. I have a connection with Tempest Entertainment, and..."
"Ah, so you're saying it's out of consideration for your former agency?"
"No. To be honest, I didn't have any intention of appearing in a drama."
"What? Then..."
"I'm an actor too. The script was really good. Haha."
The great actor, Choi Manho, who was addressed as "sir," said with a hearty laugh.
He was famous for not usually giving formal compliments.
At this, the host's eyes lit up and he added a word.
"Wow, to hear such words from actor Choi Manho. The writer must be very happy."
"I'm the one who's happier, since I received a good script."
An actor who received a higher appearance fee than all of "Pure-hearted Macho's" lead actors combined.
In reality, he was a presence who played a role more important than the leads in this drama.
"The full name is 'The Chaebol Heir is a Pure-hearted Macho,' is that correct?"
"Yes. That's right."
"And the exact role you're playing is..."
"The male protagonist's father, the chaebol chairman role."
"Wow... with actor Choi Manho playing the chairman, it feels like the drama is going to be a hit already."
"The roles of the lead actors are more important than mine."
In a way, it was an obvious statement, but depending on how you heard it, it was a strangely meaningful one.
"As far as I know, the script reading is tomorrow."
"Yes. It probably is."
"Could you perhaps give a word to your junior actors?"
"Does this broadcast go out right away?"
"I'll ask the editor to make sure to upload it by tomorrow morning."
"Hmm..."
Choi Manho grinned and opened his mouth.
"My obscure period lasted 27 years."
"What? Why that, all of a sudden..."
"I hope that my juniors are people who understand well what kind of opportunity they have been given."
"Ahaha. R-right. That's a given."
"And, I really hate actors who treat acting like a joke."
"Ah... is that so."
A no-backing-down, tough-guy way of speaking.
The host tried to smooth things over, but Choi Manho added another word.
He added that he hoped the last comment would absolutely not be edited out.
"Well then, this has been the Longterview with the trustworthy actor, Mr. Choi Manho!"
A hidden mission to edit it into a 15-minute video by tomorrow morning.
The five editors split the video, each taking charge of editing 3 minutes.
In particular, the editor in charge of the last part clutched his head.
He had to soften actor Choi's aggressive comments, even if just a little.
The next day, the day of the script reading.
I yawned and got out of bed in my room.
"Hyaaawn, I didn't get to practice with her at all yesterday."
Semi had been sleeping so soundly that I couldn't do anything.
When her manager's phone call startled her awake.
Semi, who was on the verge of tears, asking why I hadn't woken her up since it was already so late.
She had vowed to show a good performance at the script reading, even if she had to stay up all night.
"Hmm, she didn't really stay up all night practicing, did she?"
Somehow, it overlaps with my own image of studying before an exam, so it doesn't feel unfamiliar.
Wouldn't that side of her also look cute to the fans who have fallen for her, like me?
If this drama just does well, the number of fans who love Semi in Korea will increase in an instant.
No, these days, the rights for K-dramas sell like hotcakes abroad, so we can expect overseas fans as well.
I checked today's issues on my smartphone.
"It's been crazy since this morning."
Actor Choi Manho's interview video was on everyone's lips in real-time.
Most of the actors will probably come after seeing the video, so I hope they're not nervous.
Especially since Semi's personality is the type to be greatly influenced by external factors.
Tiring—
At that moment, a message came from Director Sung.
［Writer-nim, let's meet an hour early and have a quick meeting. Director Bang is calling for us.］
"Director Bang?"
Is there a reason for the department head to come to a script reading?
Especially for a drama he doesn't even have high hopes for.
If I had to find a reason, there could only be one.
"Actor Choi Manho."
Since Tempest had cast a top-tier movie actor, he probably wanted to see his face.
Maybe... I hope not, but the fire might fall on me.
For example, telling me to revise the script.
"Revise it."
"..."
Why is Director Bang doing this to me?At this point, maybe he just hates me.
"Director-nim, have you by any chance read the entire script?"
"Of course. With actor Choi Manho appearing in a JTBS drama, do you think I wouldn't have?"
"In terms of quality, there is nothing to edit."
"My goodness, just looking at the latest part, actor Choi Manho's scenes are only 20. What kind of nonsense is it to pay a high price for that?"
"No, it's not about the money..."
"I believe the success of this drama depends on Mr. Choi. Am I the only one who thinks so?"
"From the early to mid-parts, the lead actors' potential will explode. Even Director Sung agreed on that..."
I glanced over at Director Sung.
But he turned his head and avoided my gaze.
'Damn it.'
It seems he has already promised to remain neutral.
Or, maybe he agrees with the department head.
This kind of problem arises when you bring a precious actor to a humble place.
'I have to succeed just to spite him. Really.'
If I succeed with just three projects with the system's ability, I won't have to suffer this kind of humiliation.
Creeeak—
At that moment, the door opened and footsteps were heard.
Someone slowly walked over and spoke.
"I am against revising the script."
Hearing the deep voice, I whipped my head around to see it was actor Choi Manho.
He was the most senior, yet he was the first to arrive at the script reading.
"Oh, Mr. Choi, how have you been?"
"Yes. And you, Director-nim?"
"Haha. We filmed together when I was at KBC."
"Ah, you were the assistant director then? I remember."
"My, I didn't think Mr. Choi would remember me."
"I was also unknown back then. It was only natural to memorize the names of all the staff."
Actor Choi Manho exchanged pleasantries for a while and then returned to the main topic.
"If my role's screen time increases, the drama's charm will decrease."
"Hey, still. The amount of screen time is too..."
"In movies, short scenes often make a bigger impact. I think my role is exactly that kind of case."
"Ah, r-really?"
"Yes, Director-nim."
"Well, if the actor says so, then it must be so. Haha."
Choi Manho added a word to the retreating Director Bang.
"Let's have a drink today. I'll contact you after the script reading is over."
"That would be great for me."
Thanks to that, Director Bang left in a good mood.
From my perspective, it felt as reassuring as gaining a powerful army.
"Writer-nim, I enjoyed the script. It was fun."
"Th-thank you."
Hearing such words from a great actor, I didn't know what to do with myself.
I was even more dumbfounded when he suggested we exchange numbers.
"I hope you'll write an interesting movie scenario next time as well."
"Of course. I'll be sure to contact you then!"
"If possible, something other than romance... crime or noir would be even better."
"Ah, haha..."
I don't think that's something I can choose.
A moment later, the actors arrived at the meeting place one by one.
Most of them froze upon seeing Choi Manho, who was the first to arrive and was waiting.
But the fresh rookies like Im Jaejun and Ji Seongho burned with passion.
Seeing their spirited gazes, it seemed they had come with their swords properly sharpened.
And of course, Semi was just like them...
"I-I'm Purple Girls' Semi. S-seniors, I look forward to working with you..."
Huh? Something's strange.
Semi did worry a lot about the script reading yesterday, but.
'...It seems she ended up staying up all night.'
Her bloodshot eyes proved her fatigue, and her trembling fingertips indicated her anxiety.
Semi, who usually seemed to have a weak mentality, was particularly nervous today.
"Um... we still have 20 minutes left, so we'll be back before then!"
In the end, her manager asked for their understanding and briefly left the room.
But even at a glance, it didn't seem like a problem that could be easily solved.
"I'm a little worried..."