LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 136
Volume-filled, long strands of hair.
Slightly thin yet sharp eyes.
A handsome appearance.
And finally, a neat school uniform.
‘Come to think of it, I heard she did a photoshoot not too long ago.’
An aura distinctly different from ordinary people emanated from every visible part.
A naturally felt, distinct presence.
The weighty presence that made Yoo Sung-jae highly regard Ha-eun as an actor was still there at this very moment.
That made it all the more intriguing.
‘A static villain. It seems like it would suit her well…’
What would happen if the charisma that subtly suppresses the surroundings was exerted in a bad way?
What would it feel like if Ha-eun’s calmness turned into indifference towards immoral actions?
Perhaps, it would be impossible not to be convinced.
Wouldn’t it become undeniable that Ha-eun is a villain?
‘Intense, I bet. Definitely.’
In Yoo Sung-jae’s opinion, Ha-eun’s appearance and acting would suit a villain role well.
The ability to completely dominate a scene is one of the key conditions for a villain.
That’s why he recommended Ha-eun for the villain role in <Veterans>.
And that’s why he pushed for a meeting between Ha-eun and Director Kim Hong-sung, saying seeing is believing.
Not long after, Director Kim Hong-sung, who had been observing Ha-eun, spoke again.
“<Veterans> is a crime movie. The overall story is about righteous detectives trying to arrest a major criminal named ‘Yi Ye-seo.'”
Although there are comedic elements sprinkled throughout.
After mentioning another characteristic of <Veterans>, Director Kim began explaining the traits of ‘Yi Ye-seo.’
“Yi Ye-seo is someone who has no qualms. As a third-generation chaebol, there’s no one who can stop her from doing whatever she wants.”
In other words, she’s expected to do things that should be restrained by others.
Director Kim, who had been observing Ha-eun, continued calmly.
“In the movie, Yi Ye-seo commits various crimes, but she has no awareness that she’s committing crimes.”
“Then, she wouldn’t get excited or agitated by her crimes. It’s just her daily life.”
“Yes. Yi Ye-seo herself believes she’s living a normal life like everyone else. So, on the surface, there’s nothing particularly strange about her.”
Her true nature is horrifying, but her exterior is normal.
For Ha-eun, there was no need to try to understand.
‘…This feels strange.’
Acting like a normal person while hiding her true self was something she had done to the point of boredom.
The only difference between Ha-eun and Yi Ye-seo was whether such seamless acting was voluntary or involuntary.
Being a third-generation chaebol.
Living what seemed like a normal daily life to others.
Not showing any emotional side. It was all the same.
Crucially, the reason for all this.
The reason why an abnormal person seemed normal to others was due to her family environment, just like Ha-eun.
“Yi Ye-seo has been educated as a third-generation chaebol since she was young. Except for a few close associates, no one can even guess her true nature because she’s so thorough in managing her image.”
She hid because she needed to.
Legally.
Or, regardless of moral right or wrong.
“However, she doesn’t hide her true self because she thinks she’s evil. She hides it because it would cause a fuss if others found out.”
She hid it purely out of personal necessity.
There was no distinction between good and evil.
“For Yi Ye-seo, there’s no such thing as ‘something you shouldn’t do.’ Only ‘something that would cause a fuss if you do.'”
Yet, she committed various crimes because she wanted to.
She tormented because she wanted to torment, played because she wanted to play, killed because she wanted to kill.
As long as she didn’t get caught, it didn’t matter what she did.
It was a simple, straightforward principle for Yi Ye-seo.
Therefore, she could commit less-than-desirable acts without getting excited or agitated.
As long as she didn’t get caught, there was no problem.
There was no need to get emotional in the first place.
“Yi Ye-seo is someone who doesn’t hesitate or waver when doing something. She doesn’t feel relieved or thrilled after finishing something either.”
For Yi Ye-seo, every moment is just her normal daily life.
From the moment she wakes up to the moment she sleeps, there’s nothing special.
She just lives her daily life like any other day.
That’s why Director Kim said.
There’s no scene in <Veterans> where Yi Ye-seo shows guilt.
The morals and ethics that a person should naturally have shouldn’t be Yi Ye-seo’s judgment criteria.
“There have been many villains who revel in their evil deeds. But there are few villains whose evil deeds are just part of their daily life.”
The mask of normalcy naturally worn in the process of maintaining Yi Ye-seo’s daily life.
Yet, Yi Ye-seo acts as if even her evil deeds fall within the realm of normalcy.
The most important thing in portraying Yi Ye-seo is the normalization of evil.
Her attitude when meeting businesspeople as a third-generation chaebol and when meeting her ‘toys’ she torments shouldn’t be different.
“She uses honorifics with those older than her and often engages in casual chats. You could say she’s calm.”
The problem is that she’s calm even when playing with people like toys.
Director Kim, who succinctly explained Yi Ye-seo’s psychopathic tendencies, finally said.
“Even if Sung-jae and I were to be killed by Ha-eun—that is, Yi Ye-seo—right now, it shouldn’t feel out of place. It’s not an easy role.”
To the audience of <Veterans>, Yi Ye-seo should be seen as someone who kills if she feels like it.
There should be no trace of moral consideration in any part of Yi Ye-seo.
“But, I think Ha-eun can pull it off. I’ve never seen a poker face quite like Ha-eun’s.”
Director Kim still couldn’t read Ha-eun’s emotions.
Even though her presence was unmistakably clear.
As someone meeting Ha-eun for the first time, Director Kim couldn’t tell what thoughts or emotions lay behind that calm face.
Ironically, this very aspect of Ha-eun made Director Kim think she was perfect for the role of Yi Ye-seo.
Sure enough, Ha-eun’s response showed no emotional fluctuation.
All that was heard was a calm voice.
“I’ll do it.”
Thud. The script of <Veterans> in Ha-eun’s hand was lightly placed on the table.
Followed by a positive expression of intent.
“I’ll need to discuss it with the company, but personally, I feel this is a role I really want to do.”
She felt confident she could do it well.
The quietly murmured words carried multiple meanings.
‘Perhaps. Just perhaps…’
If Ha-eun from her past life had been a bit more proactive, might she have walked a path similar to Yi Ye-seo?
Though she wouldn’t have enjoyed killing.
Deceiving others solely for her own needs without moral consideration might have been similar to Yi Ye-seo.
Either way, it’s undeniable that Ha-eun from her past life didn’t have a normal perspective.
She didn’t seem to know what was morally right or wrong.
Perhaps, not knowing right from wrong, she tried to endure her parents’ abuse.
‘…Back then, everything was my fault.’
She believed the misfortune she endured her whole life stemmed solely from her past self.
She thought if she had done a bit better, been a bit more perfect, she could have avoided it.
She never really considered that it might have been wrong from the start.
As a result, she had to die with twisted values till the very end.
But now, it’s different.
Because it had to be different.
“Thank you for the great offer. I’ll do my best to give a good response.”
She decided to appear in a movie that would later surpass ten million viewers.
The character Yi Ye-seo, who wasn’t normal but tried to appear normal, was also a fragment of Ha-eun’s past.
She didn’t want to be held back by painful memories.
Ultimately, she wanted to completely shake off her past life.
“I’m glad I answered Sung-jae’s call. Thank you.”
“Just words?”
“…Should I buy you coffee?”
“Oh, I was half-joking.”
***
“Ha-eun, are you going to the New Year’s Eve bell-ringing event with your parents?”
Right after the filming of <The Sunshine> ended.
As usual, Joo Jung-yoon asked Ha-eun, who had just gotten into her van, about tonight.
The answer that came back was negative.
“I have something else to do. Only my parents are going to the bell-ringing event.”
“What could you possibly have to do at midnight?”
“I have something. Something very important.”
Of course, the real reason wasn’t disclosed.
So, she ended up dropping Ha-eun off at her house, still slightly puzzled.
“So, the <Veterans> role will be discussed at the company tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Ugh, working on January 1st…”
“I can just take a taxi by myself.”
“No, you can’t. I’ll get in trouble if you take a taxi.”
With a promise to meet tomorrow morning, Joo Jung-yoon and her van disappeared into the distance.
Ha-eun’s ‘important matter’ began about two hours later.
-Click.
<Spending the last moments of the year together─☆>
– Diha
– How did you know I was lonely?
– Of course, you should be with your boyfriend on December 31st.
– Everyone else went on break, but Diha is the only one.
The chat was in pure bliss over the surprise broadcast not on the schedule.
Though it meant disappointing Seong-yoon to gain the Noeul fans’ favor.
‘They say raising a daughter is useless, sigh.’
‘It’s company work, company work. Why are you so narrow-minded as a dad?’
‘What company makes you work till midnight?’
Of course, Ha-eun didn’t disclose her other company this time either.
She had no intention of revealing it herself, no matter when.
Anyway, Na-yeon and Seong-yoon left to watch the bell-ringing event a few minutes ago.
At this moment, she was with the Noeul fans.
“You’ve worked hard this year~.”
– Thx thx~
– Why is it already over?
– Where did my time go???
After some casual chat into the broadcast mic, she waited until the New Year countdown began.
Soon, the countdown started.
– 888
– 7
– 6
– 666
– 974 (deleted message)
– 555
– 레
– 55
Watching the rapidly rising chat, she fell silent for a moment.
Then, as the clear bell sound finally came from the live broadcast of the bell-ringing event, she spoke.
-Ding~~~~.
“Everyone, Happy New Year.”
Almost simultaneously, click.
After turning off the bell-ringing broadcast, she immediately clicked on a familiar icon.
The grand background music started.
The broadcast title had already changed.
<The first supply of the New Year is mine>
“In 10 minutes, at Shabongdi Island. Of course, any Noeul I meet along the way will be eliminated immediately~.”
– The demon is at it again
– Damn, it’s Battle Island again
– This time it’s the Asia server? We’re screwed lol
– Starting the New Year by accumulating more karma, Diha Diha