LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 515
Kang Ji-soo.
She grew up hearing all kinds of praise from friends and adults around her.
Basically smart and with looks that stood out since childhood, she always had many friends and a harmonious family, which led her to live with a resilient personality.
Always laughing and chatting at school.
At home, she listened well to her caring parents and studied hard.
If time passed like this and she became an adult, she would have been one of the outstanding members of society.
However.
When she became a senior in high school, her father’s newly started business crashed spectacularly, and her life began to change dramatically.
She could no longer attend the academy she was going to.
She had to fall asleep every night listening to her parents fight.
As a result, her self-esteem dropped, and she became increasingly quiet at school.
Due to her rapidly declining grades, she couldn’t get into the university she desired.
She wanted to retake the entrance exams, but the circumstances didn’t allow it, so she completely gave up on going to university and started working part-time to repay the debts.
Her father, who began doing manual labor, was always drunk and causing havoc at home, while her mother couldn’t curb her spending habits from their better days and gradually messed up the household finances.
In such a grim situation, she started to lose her smile and hope.
Because of that, one day she might have inadvertently clicked on an advertisement for a high-paying movie role that she found on the internet.
She was confident in her looks.
Perhaps she daydreamed that this opportunity might change her life—she diligently filled out her information on the application form.
And then.
The day after she submitted her information, she found herself in a very unfamiliar place after waking up.
“Where is this?”
“Hey!”
When she woke up, she realized she was in a very strange location.
“Let me out!”
Around her, there were others in the same situation, all wearing confused expressions, not understanding what was happening.
…What is going on here?
Surely I slept soundly at home yesterday.
And now I’m here.
Have I been kidnapped?
Is this some sort of hidden camera prank? It seems too elaborate for that.
In that moment.
The advertisement she had applied for before going to bed came to mind.
Was that advertisement where I carelessly wrote down my home address a scam for human trafficking?
[Hello, actors.]
A voice, the source of which she didn’t know, filled the space.
It was a heavy, middle-aged voice, somehow giving off a gentle image.
[And. Welcome to our movie.]
However.
Despite the polite tone, it was a dreadful premonition that signaled the beginning of hell.
**
After the filming ended.
“Cut!”
“Great work!”
It was just a test shoot, but she left the set with a satisfied smile.
Well, acting on set made it feel much more real.
To think she would need to act here continuously.
That’s pretty great.
The distance was long, but if it’s this kind of place, she would gladly come.
Plus, Park Kang-seok would be driving anyway.
“Mr. Soo-hyun.”
“Oh, yes, Director.”
As she was happily looking around the set, the director approached her.
“Your test was great. I’m looking forward to the official shoot.”
Maybe it was because they had just filmed their first scene? People seemed different.
This person wasn’t the madman director obsessed with the death game.
He was simply a superhuman who overcame pressure with outstanding skill and confidence.
“I was even better. It felt like I was actually in a real game instead of a set?”
“Haha, you’re too kind. Actually, it works in real life, too.”
“Really?”
“Of course, there are safety devices.”
Wow… It actually works?
They must have put serious effort into making this.
“It would be fun to actually do a real game for a variety show later.”
If they lowered the prize pool and tightened the safety measures, it might be enjoyable.
For such a survival game, I would also be willing to participate.
Not to mention, the viewer ratings would probably skyrocket.
“That’s something that an OTT company has proposed, actually.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’m seriously considering it after Season 2 ends.”
“Oh….”
Indeed.
Wouldn’t it be a shame to dismantle it after filming?
If Season 2 blows up, it could even be used for tourism.
“By the way, are we going right into the next shoot?”
“Hmm, yes, should we go watch it?”
“Yes, can I take a look?”
Under normal circumstances, she would head back immediately.
But since she was at the set, she felt curious about the next cut.
“Oh, of course. Feel free to watch.”
So, after waiting briefly from above the set, she saw extras flooding into the filming area.
Wow, seeing it from above really gives a sense of scale.
Compared to the usual few people filming with the black market, starting with a full set of extras here is a whole different level of intimidation.
And the fact that the set can even operate.
She wanted to secretly try moving something around with a hidden camera.
Well, anyway.
After watching a few more takes being filmed, it was time to leave the set for her schedule.
“It’s a shame. I wanted to see more.”
“Is it that good?”
“Just watching is fun.”
It felt like being at a zoo or some interesting theme park.
Perhaps after going through a few more shoots, she would get used to it, but for now, it was new and exciting.
“Where are we going next?”
“I have an advertising meeting at the broadcasting station.”
“It might take a while to get there.”
Well, the location of the set was indeed a problem.
I wonder how people without agencies get there.
They must either drive their own car or rely on the limited public transportation.
Thinking about how they struggle to come and then wait a long time to film, she felt grateful to be part of an agency.
Having a manager really is the best.
“After the meeting, I’ll head straight to the gym. There’s a bit of travel time, so it’s tight.”
“Oh, yes….”
…And they even provide free personal training.
So after the ad meeting and finishing her workout at the gym, she arrived home just in time for a late dinner.
“Where’s the food?”
“I ate a little….”
After arriving home, she staggered straight to her bed and collapsed.
After running around all day managing her schedule and then working out at the end, she had no energy left at all.
“Ugh….”
I’m too tired to broadcast….
I want to do it so badly, but my schedule for tomorrow is packed.
Naturally, she skipped the broadcast and fell asleep, and the next day was busy as well.
In the morning, a variety shoot, lunch for an ad, and a light meeting after dinner, followed by exercise.
Her day was completely packed.
Didn’t I take a holiday during the new year for no reason?
The price of screwing around during peak popularity is nothing short of severe.
I would almost want to slap my past self who thought everything would work out.
How could I even think about postponing this schedule?
What a madwoman….
Better finish this schedule than play another game.
Anyway.
Due to her busy schedule, there were some people who suffered.
[Miro, where the hell are you?]
[You bastard…]
They were none other than the viewers of Miro’s broadcast.
Those who eagerly awaited her broadcasts were voicing their complaints every time they entered the community.
[3rd try) If Miro comes today, pizza party!]
[A week and you’re saying four times, you stupid bastard…]
…This is a bit apologetic.
I think I need to go live every time, but I just can’t because I’m too tired.
That said, I can’t just start broadcasting in the car while I’m driving.
Should I cut back on a few schedules altogether?
…But thinking about that makes me feel a bit regretful since it’s the peak period.
If I were to reduce my workload, I would take on fewer projects….
After all, I’m not from a well-off background.
Looking at the skyrocketing ad rates, it just blinds me.
“Here’s the list.”
So, while thinking sadly about the viewers, I was going through the lists of variety and advertising offers with Park Kang-seok.
“Sorry, Miro fans….”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, never mind. Let’s take a look.”
Even just looking at the filled lists of commercials and variety programs lifted my spirits.
Isn’t this the very measure of a celebrity’s popularity?
So.
While I was reviewing the upcoming filming invitations for around next month….
“Huh? This one looks interesting.”
“What shoot is it?”
Among the usual lists, a particularly intriguing variety show caught my attention.
“Shall we go for it?”
“What… Ah.”
But am I even eligible to be on this?
“I can’t believe we’re getting a variety invitation for you, Soo-hyun.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one who found it surprising as Park Kang-seok looked equally taken aback.
“Right? Can we handle it?”
The production team sure has guts.
Or maybe they just invited me thinking about viewer ratings and hype.
No way, that was probably the only reason I thought as I read through the summary of the variety show again.
“A live broadcast where those with the most viewers win….”
“Are you really going to join?”
“Well, shall I try to set a new unbreakable record?”
Lately, there hasn’t been any interesting variety program, so this works out perfectly.
“Really?”
“Yes, this should be fun.”
Plus, aren’t there viewers waiting for my broadcast like they’re on the edge of their seats?
“…Then I’ll get in touch with them.”
“Yep, please set up a meeting date.”
Wow, I’m really going to get to do that full-cam broadcast I’ve always wanted.
Though it will be a one-off broadcast featuring not Miro, but actress Kim Soo-hyun.