The director straightened his back and looked directly at Yeo Woon as he spoke.
“I like you, Yeo Woon. Actually, you’re not exactly the image I was looking for, but as I watched you, a picture started to form. What about you, Ji Wook?”
“…Not bad.”
Yeo Woon looked at the man talking to the camera. He had hardly opened his mouth throughout the audition except to reply.
Yeo Woon tilted her head. His expression was not very good, unlike what he had said.
Then the director, noticing Yeo Woon’s gaze, added.
“That means he likes it. Ji Wook is a bit unsociable. Now, let me introduce myself. I’m Byun Ju Ho. I’m in charge of the scenario and directing of this film. And over there is Min Ji Wook. Our director of photography. He may lack social skills but he takes great shots of female actors, so look forward to it.”
“Ah. Yes!”
Only then did Yeo Woon match faces with names and widen her eyes.
Wow, it was Director Byun Ju Ho!
Director Byun Ju Ho was a director who gained attention by winning the Best Film Award at an overseas academy film festival a few years ago. Yeo Woon tightly clasped her hands under the table.
Oh my god. Am I going to appear in a film by Director Byun Ju Ho?
She wasn’t sure how significant the character ‘Cha Yeon Joo,’ who she had just played, would be in the work, but the film was sure to be a milestone in Yeo Woon’s filmography simply by appearing in it.
Suddenly her heart began to pound like crazy.
“We still have a lot of time before the crank in. We haven’t even found our lead actress yet. Anyway, nice to meet you, Yeo Woon.”
Director Byun Ju Ho extended his hand to Yeo Woon as if to say let’s do our best. Yeo Woon stood up and shook his hand.
“It’s an honor, Director. Thank you.”
Yeo Woon bowed her head. Then the director started packing up, saying it was okay to go now. Seol Ji Oh, who had been sitting next to the director, also stood up.
“I will also take my leave now.”
“Ah. See you again, Actor Seol.”
Even when leaving, Yeo Woon politely said goodbye and left the meeting room.
Yeo Woon pinched her cheek, suppressing the urge to jump with joy on the spot and wondering if this was a dream.
“Is that okay?”
Suddenly, at the sound of the voice, Yeo Woon jumped, startled. When she turned around, Seol Ji Oh was looking down at her with his long, indifferent eyes.
Yeo Woon blinked and looked at Seol Ji Oh.
In fact, it was Seol Ji Oh who had arranged for her to audition today, so she owed him a huge debt. But there was just one thing. One part that was bothering her.
“Did I become…a huge fan of Mr. Seol Ji Oh out of the blue?”
“When the director asked, I thought of you, Yeo Woon. I had no choice but to recommend you.”
“Oh… You should have told me in advance. I was a bit taken aback.”
“So, you don’t like it?”
“Pardon?”
Seol Ji Oh got onto the arriving elevator first. At his questioning gaze asking if she wasn’t getting in, Yeo Woon hurriedly followed him in. As Seol Ji Oh pressed the close button, he spoke.
“Shouldn’t you be grateful to me? I got you recommended for Director Byun Ju Ho’s film.”
What Seol Ji Oh said was true. It was not just any film, but a film by Director Byun Ju Ho. Yeo Woon had indeed grabbed a tremendous opportunity.
Thinking about it, Yeo Woon realized she hadn’t thanked him yet, so she turned to bow her head to Seol Ji Oh.
“Thank you.”
At that, Seol Ji Oh laughed as if deflated.
“I’m being bowed to. Well, from today, try to be a fan of Seol Ji Oh. If you read the script, you’ll see that the character you’re playing loves the male lead too much.”
Loves him too much?
Yeo Woon looked up at Seol Ji Oh with a momentarily dumbfounded expression. Director Byun’s words about the character being obsessive came to mind, and her lips slightly parted. Only then did she realize.
In this movie, she would have to act as if she was obsessed with Seol Ji Oh. Obsessed, to an extreme degree.
Seol Ji Oh smiled at the flustered look on Yeo Woon’s face.
“Do you think you can handle liking me?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you think the director asked me to recommend an actress who’s my fan for no reason? The look in one’s eyes when they see someone they truly like, their actions, their tremors, their hidden desires. He wants all of these to show. That’s the only way the audience can accept the character’s actions.”
Yeo Woon’s expression turned serious. At that moment, the elevator arrived at the underground parking lot. Seol Ji Oh got off the elevator first and, looking at Yeo Woon who had yet to disembark, he spoke.
“Cha Yeon Joo is not simply a mad woman. She’s a woman in love. That’s what you, Yeo Woon, have to portray.”
Yeo Woon stared at Seol Ji Oh as he logically explained. His words were certainly correct, but Yeo Woon felt an odd resentment. She stepped out of the elevator and approached Seol Ji Oh to ask,
“So, are you saying I should really fall in love with Mr. Seol Ji Oh?”
Seol Ji Oh’s dark eyes stared back at Yeo Woon. Incredibly, his face showed something akin to pure curiosity.
“Why not?”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t it something you can do for the sake of acting?”
Yeo Woon was suddenly confused.
To really fall in love with the other actor for the sake of acting? Why on earth?
Yeo Woon didn’t understand. The film was just a film, acting was just acting.
Why did an actor have to expend their real emotions? Then, has Seol Ji Oh, who has done more than ten films, been passionately in love with every single one of his coactors?
“Is that your acting secret, Mr. Seol Ji Oh, falling in love for real?”
At Yeo Woon’s blunt question, Seol Ji Oh chuckled. This was an unexpected counterattack. Pulling up the corners of his mouth, Seol Ji Oh responded.
“It tends to be.”
Yeo Woon’s mouth fell open.
It tends to be?
Then with that actress he worked with not too long ago? And the one before her? And the one before that one……
“Do you want me to help you?”
While Yeo Woon was immersed in her own shock, Seol Ji Oh asked with a languid expression. Yeo Woon couldn’t immediately comprehend his words, her brows furrowed.
Help with what?
“Shall I make you like me? It’s not hard.”
Yeo Woon doubted her own ears. She stared at Seol Ji Oh, her mouth open in bewilderment.
What is he saying?
She thought it was some sort of movie line.
Yeo Woon laughed dryly, shaking her head, when Seol Ji Oh took a step closer.
“……?”
Yeo Woon’s eyes widened as she noticed the shadow coming closer. Seol Ji Oh’s body, carrying a clear intention, had somehow come close to Yeo Woon.
There’s a saying that people lose their words when they are too surprised.
Yeo Woon stepped back to avoid Seol Ji Oh, not uttering a word.
Thud. The back of Yeo Woon’s head hit the wall. It meant she had no place to retreat.
“……”
Seol Ji Oh just stared at Yeo Woon without saying anything. His black eyes held her gaze without room to escape. Unconsciously, Yeo Woon swallowed. Seol Ji Oh’s face, which stood still in front of her, was overly stimulating.
What on earth… what is he trying to do?
Yeo Woon could barely breathe and only blinked her eyes. Seol Ji Oh looked at Yeo Woon, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile.
And he lightly placed a hand above Yeo Woon’s head. Simultaneously, Yeo Woon’s heart dropped down to her stomach.
“You look prettier up close.”
Yeo Woon could feel her heart beating faster. And at the same time, she realized Seol Ji Oh’s impure intentions.
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
