When Seoyeon portrayed Hong Jeonghee, she didn’t avoid performing deeply emotional acting, akin to method acting, because she disliked it.

    She lacked information.

    In the end, Seoyeon’s usual emotional acting was akin to that of a veteran actor.

    That is, she acted based on firsthand experiences or information she had seen.

    Conversely, it took her time to understand emotions in situations she hadn’t experienced or unique characters that deviated from the “norm.”

    In her previous life, emotions were something Seoyeon learned academically.

    Though this disadvantage was eliminated in her current reincarnation, it was still challenging to grasp emotions she had not consciously felt or experienced.

    In other words, the character “Hong Jeonghee” was merely a script to Seoyeon.

    There were many aspects of Hong Jeonghee’s words and behavior that she found difficult to understand.

    Therefore, Seoyeon interpreted the emotions written in the script to the best of her ability and portrayed her version of Hong Jeonghee.

    ‘Of course, that alone isn’t enough to beat Pyo Jiwoo, who has a complete grasp of the character.’

    The answer lay before her.

    Thus, she observed Jiwoo’s actions.

    In theater, a character’s psychology is expressed through movements.

    Those intense actions helped Seoyeon understand Hong Jeonghee as a character.

    ‘Alright, let’s do this.’

    With a single breath,

    She opened her eyes, looking at the judges.

    “Song Minseo.”

    Hong Jeonghee called out to Song Minseo.

    Upon reflection, this was a peculiar action.

    Song Minseo had a hearing impairment and could not hear Hong Jeonghee’s words.

    However, Hong Jeonghee spoke to Song Minseo without any sign language.

    One might argue that this was done in theater to convey Hong Jeonghee’s words to the audience.

    However, other characters in the play used simple sign language when conversing with Song Minseo.

    In other words, Hong Jeonghee’s actions and words were essentially monologues.

    They didn’t matter if Song Minseo could hear them.

    “You’re just a deaf person.”

    It wasn’t a sarcastic comment.

    Surprisingly, the emotion in this line was inferiority.

    Such was Hong Jeonghee.

    Watching Seoyeon’s performance, Jo Do-yul pondered.

    ‘The performance is different from before. Yet, it’s not completely different.’

    Initially, it seemed like she was mimicking Jiwoo.

    But it wasn’t merely that feeling.

    It was as if she understood the character by watching Jiwoo, and the depth of emotion in her performance had increased significantly.

    Jo Do-yul was likely not the only one who felt this way.

    The other judges were also scribbling something as they watched Seoyeon’s performance with a captivated look.

    “Hmm? Think about it. Do you believe he truly has feelings for you?”

    Hong Jeonghee berated Song Minseo even more because of her inferiority complex towards Song Minseo’s hearing impairment.

    She resorted to violence, ensuring Song Minseo couldn’t hear her words.

    “He’s only going along with your vile schemes.”

    The sense of superiority gained from this.

    Seoyeon uttered her lines, understanding that vile heart.

    “A vile woman who uses her disability to exploit the goodwill of others.”

    Ultimately, Hong Jeonghee’s lines were solely about belittling Song Minseo.

    And simultaneously,

    “Pathetic.”

    Those words were also directed at herself.

    Pathetic.

    Hong Jeonghee knew she was pathetic.@@@@

    But it didn’t matter.

    If she could exclude Song Minseo and somehow drive her away from Bae Seonghak.

    Perhaps she could occupy the empty space beside him.

    While concealing such sinister thoughts, she disparaged Song Minseo, but Song Minseo responded to Hong Jeonghee’s words with composure.

    Witnessing this, Hong Jeonghee’s actions became more intense.

    Her voice rose, and she resorted to violence.

    Seoyeon followed Jiwoo’s blocking, imitating her movements and correcting some actions on the spot.

    ‘This is Jiwoo’s. But Hong Jeonghee... would be a bit different.’

    Of course, this was merely Seoyeon’s interpretation.

    However, unlike before, that interpretation was based on understanding.

    Though similar in essence, Seoyeon painted over Jiwoo’s color with her own.

    A painting crafted with the water currents of the sea.

    So that it could be beautifully displayed in an aquarium.

    A new understanding of emotion.

    Through that emotion, she acted out a new “Hong Jeonghee.”

    At last, she was perfectly depicted.

    “I’m finished.”

    Seoyeon calmly answered.

    She swept her disheveled hair back.

    As she straightened her wrinkled collar and faced forward, the judges were all deep in thought, with their mouths slightly agape.

    ‘This is...’

    This is problematic.

    Occasionally, such situations arise.

    An audition where you hesitate, unsure of whom to choose.

    ‘Both of them suit Hong Jeonghee.’

    ‘Visually, isn’t Pyo Jiwoo more fitting?’

    ‘Joo Seoyeon’s appearance is too dazzling. But that can be covered with makeup.’

    Each performance had its unique characteristics.

    She had considered it, but only slightly!

    After all, she was still a minor, still a child.

    Just a little.

    Just a little, really...

    Tears welled up in Jiwoo’s eyes.

    “Boohoo!!”

    “Eek.”

    Naturally, Seoyeon could only grimace at her tears.

    In many ways.

    “Sniff.”

    And so.

    After a short period of time.

    “...If you do anything suspicious, I’ll report you.”

    Hearing Seoyeon’s words, Jiwoo felt sorrow once again.

    She hadn’t done anything yet, but Seoyeon treated her as if she were a criminal.

    Of course, this wasn’t Seoyeon’s intention.

    The memories of her previous life were simply too vivid.

    ‘She did carve up a person, after all...’

    As mentioned, the reason Seoyeon became aware of the play “Eyes Closed” was none other than the news.

    A news report about an assault case.

    In that news, the suspect was none other than the Jiwoo before her.

    The victim was Min Seo-ho.

    In some ways, the incident was the result of Min Seo-ho’s own actions, but the fact that Jiwoo had stormed into a club with a knife and stabbed Min Seo-ho, who was with friends, was a topic of online discussion for a while.

    ‘Min Seo-ho surviving that situation is impressive, though.’

    In any case, Jiwoo managed to get past the club’s guards and accomplish that.

    She was even called “Swordmaster Pyo” on internet forums for a while.

    If she had brought a knife today... Seoyeon couldn’t guarantee the outcome.

    ‘Still.’

    Seoyeon watched the sniffling, tearful Jiwoo.

    At least for now, she wasn’t the Jiwoo she had seen in the news.

    Moreover, after witnessing her performance, Seoyeon didn’t want such a destructive future for her.

    “Pyo Jiwoo... unnie.”

    “Huh?”

    It still felt somewhat awkward to use the term “unnie.”

    With that thought, Seoyeon continued speaking.

    “If it’s alright, would you like to go somewhere with me in three days?”

    Knowing what she did now, she believed the past incident wouldn’t occur.

    Now that Jiwoo hadn’t become Min Seo-ho’s lover yet.

    “Sehee, don’t you think it’s time to take on a drama or something?”

    Inside the spacious van, Manager Shin Yu-gyeong remarked to Jo Sehee, who was idly playing with her phone.

    They had known each other for over a decade and were like sisters, so such remarks were possible.

    Shin Yu-gyeong had numerous grievances regarding Jo Sehee’s recent behavior.

    She couldn’t hold back any longer, prompting her to speak.

    “Lately, I just don’t feel motivated.”

    “...Well, you have been working really hard.”

    Seventeen.

    Jo Sehee, who rarely attended school and devoted herself to work, was undoubtedly at the top among her peers.

    The only person comparable was Park Jungwoo, who was three years older.

    ‘No, it’s not just among peers. How many current actresses can surpass Jo Sehee?’

    The “hitmaker.”

    That label was attached to her a year ago.

    In other words, when Jo Sehee was in her third year of middle school.

    Two movies, four dramas.

    All of them achieved astonishing success and were hits.

    Although she only starred in one of them, what did it matter?

    In the end, her reputation had skyrocketed.

    If she attended school, students would undoubtedly flock to her, eager to talk.

    That’s the level of popularity and recognition she had achieved.

    However, Jo Sehee’s face appeared profoundly bored.

    “I don’t really feel like acting.”

    “Are you burned out? Then why not take a few months off?”

    Take a break.

    That was a word that hadn’t been used in relation to Jo Sehee for about ten years.

    When did she start working so hard?

    Jo Sehee thought of the person who had been the catalyst for this.

    ‘Did she really retire?’

    Joo Seoyeon.

    She repeated that name to herself several times.

    In truth, they had only exchanged a few words.

    Yet, had anyone else had such a profound impact on her?

    “Take a break, see some plays or musicals, enjoy some cultural activities. Who knows? You might find inspiration again.”

    Musicals, movies.

    Shin Yu-gyeong’s intentions were clear.

    Still, since Jo Sehee’s nature was that of an actress, watching such performances might inspire her again.

    ‘Unnie is right, I should take a break.’

    Plays, huh.

    For Jo Sehee, who primarily worked in dramas and movies, the word was somewhat unfamiliar.

    So, she had a bit of interest.

    Yes, just a little.