Hobbyist VTuber

---

Originally, the role of a villain is to drive the plot forward.

The tension and sense of crisis brought by the villain become the immersion of the drama.

The most important thing in playing a villain is charisma.

Establishing a strong presence and maximizing the story’s interest is the essence of a villain’s existence.

So, perhaps.

“I thought it might still be too heavy for Lee Ha-eun.”

Among those who doubted Ha-eun’s casting was Seo Jin-tae, who played Jeon Jae-han.

It wasn’t that they underestimated Ha-eun’s acting skills.

But the fact that she had no experience playing a villain was concerning.

This was something Seo Jin-tae, a renowned actor, couldn’t help but worry about.

The doubts about Ha-eun stemmed from Seo Jin-tae’s experience as an actor.

Everyone has a first time.

Everyone is clumsy at first.

“But there are always exceptions.”

At least, in the world of acting Seo Jin-tae is part of, a ‘first performance’ couldn’t be outstanding.

Experience was the most significant factor in acting.

But that’s all in the past now.

“Ha-eun.”

“Yes?”

“Your acting was terrifying. I think I understand why Seong-jae recommended you.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Ha-eun’s performance was impressive enough to earn praise from veteran actor Seo Jin-tae.

Now, it was meaningless to debate whether she had experience playing a villain or not.

In Seo Jin-tae’s view, Ha-eun’s villainous performance wasn’t something she hadn’t done before, but something she hadn’t shown before.

Especially, those emotionless eyes in S#18 were definitely not those of a beginner.

‘It was purely chilling.’

Eyes completely free from guilt.

A gray world where no morals or ethics could function.

It was a gaze that showed she lived in a completely different world from ordinary people.

Above all, the fact that her appearance couldn’t be understood by normal values made her seem like a true psychopath.

The chilling performance in S#18 made me look back at the ordinary performance in S#17.

‘An acting that makes you realize you were deceived… There’s a real veteran here.’

Seo Jin-tae’s gaze towards Ha-eun was filled with deep seriousness.

Despite it being a completely different acting style from before, her proficiency suggested she could excel in other styles as well.

There was no visible limit to her acting.

At least, not right now.

‘No wonder Yoo Seong-jae said kids these days are scary.’

That’s why he requested a script reading for the scene where Jeon Jae-han appears.

Now that he knew she could perfectly portray Lee Ye-seo, he wanted to face her directly.

“How about S#29, Director?”

S#29.

It wasn’t a blood-stained scene like S#18.

But it was the moment Lee Ye-seo and Jeon Jae-han realized they were enemies.

‘The showdown between Lee Ha-eun and Seo Jin-tae.’

‘Seo senior, you’re not holding back from the first day of reading.’

‘This was supposed to be in the trailer, right?’

And so, everyone’s gaze turned to one side.

Lee Ha-eun and Seo Jin-tae.

The rising star versus the established star.

The two stood up and faced each other in the empty space.

‘Neither is backing down.’

‘It’s not easy to face either of them.’

‘It must be even more intense on set.’

Just by looking at each other, a heavy atmosphere spread around.

Even before they started acting, it felt like they were already sizing each other up.

Long hair.

Sharp, cat-like eyes.

An overall youthful impression but with an aura that wasn’t easily approachable.

This was how Seo Jin-tae saw Ha-eun, truly actor-like.

He understood more clearly why Yoo Seong-jae recommended Ha-eun for the role of Lee Ye-seo.

Not long after, the script reading for S#29 began.

Ha-eun and Seo Jin-tae were enveloped in the aura of Lee Ye-seo and Jeon Jae-han.

“Please cooperate for a moment. A homeless person has gone missing.”

“But why are you looking here?”

“Well, the last footage of the homeless person was entering this building.”

“I see.”

Ha-eun pretended to make a call, then turned her head.

After whispering as if talking to someone, she faced Seo Jin-tae again.

“I contacted the security room. The CCTV files from the date you mentioned are lost.”

“Ah, lost? The CCTV files?”

“Yes. Lost.”

At the same time, sharp eyes met.

Seo Jin-tae, staring intently at Ha-eun, asked why the CCTV files were lost.

But, even as a company director.

“There might have been an error in the storage. Or the CCTV was broken.”

It was difficult to know the exact status of the building’s entrance CCTV.

There was no need to hide anything while avoiding Seo Jin-tae’s gaze.

Then, image-making began.

Mixing what the other expected and what they hoped for from Ha-eun.

“*Smirk*”

“I’ll contact you as soon as it’s restored.”

“Please do so as quickly as possible. The golden time for missing persons is crucial.”

Ha-eun elicited the necessary response.

The owner of a reputable company.

At the same time, the grandfather from a past life.

“Then, take care.”

“Yes, you too.”

It was about handling people.

The successor education Lee Ye-seo received since childhood wasn’t much different from what Ha-eun remembered.

Thus, Seo Jin-tae couldn’t distinguish between Ha-eun’s acting and her real self.

Only Jeon Jae-han, with his keen instincts, sensed something was off.

Others wouldn’t even think to direct their suspicions towards Lee Ye-seo.

This was the same for other actors and staff who had just witnessed Lee Ye-seo’s true nature.

Even knowing it was all an act, they couldn’t help but be deceived.

“Was it… okay?”

“There’s nothing to feedback. You’re really good.”

And so, the script reading for <Veterans> continued for quite a while.

“Good job, everyone.”

Director Kim Hong-seong, with a satisfied expression, said, “See you next time,” before they finally stepped out.

Ha-eun headed to the black van as usual.

It was after that she heard some news from Joo Jung-yoon.

“Charcoal volunteer work?”

“Yes. Jang Seong-ho called personally.”

In conclusion, she agreed.

It was a good thing after all.

It didn’t clash with her existing schedule.

If you can help, help.

There’s no need for any other reason when people help each other.

Two days later, she reunited with Jang Seong-ho.

Even though it had been over half a year since <2 Days & 1 Night> filming, it didn’t feel awkward.

“Ugh, that Nam-soo guy broke his leg. Anyway, thanks for coming. Really.”

Next was Jang Seong-ho’s question about whether she had done charcoal volunteer work before.

Ha-eun honestly replied that today was her first time seeing charcoal.

However, once Ha-eun’s hands were equipped with work gloves.

More precisely, once she knew the location of the first house to visit.

“Seong-ho, Seong-ho.”

“Huh?”

“That kid you brought. She’s carrying four charcoal briquettes at once… Should we stop her?”

“…Four at once?”

Ha-eun’s exercise obsession had resurfaced.

This was because charcoal volunteer work was a highly effective aerobic exercise.

Crucially, it was purely for helping others, which broke Ha-eun’s brakes.

There was no harm in carrying four briquettes at once instead of one, so she gently brushed off Jang Seong-ho’s concerns.

“Last time during the watermelon harvest, she was like this too. What if you break your arm…!”

“I’m not overdoing it. Really.”

“Oh my…”

And so, the charcoal volunteer work ended much earlier than planned.

The praise of being a strongman from the elderly who received the charcoal was a bonus.

“That girl is so strong~. She could be an athlete.”

“…Ahaha.”

The wrinkled faces were filled with pride and gratitude.

Ha-eun responded by promising to come back next year and wishing them well.

But, just in case.

If, by any chance.

‘…What if they get shocked watching <Veterans>?’

If the elderly she met today watch <Veterans> in the distant future.

‘Should I have told them in advance…?’

It seemed a bit awkward.

It’s not uncommon for the elderly to genuinely hate or fear villains in movies or dramas.

But she couldn’t ask them not to watch <Veterans>.

Thus, Ha-eun finally understood why former CEO Jeong Do-cheol had been worried about her villainous acting.

 

---