Possessed 10 Million Actors

In the face of KL Entertainment's Room 2 Director's words, Inoue felt like she had been hit in the back of the head.

Should she do it or not? If she does, what will become of her life from now on?

It wasn't a deliberation she had anticipated during the audition. She was literally ‘dumbfounded' by the unexpected words.

"Don't think too negatively. Inoue, you probably understand, but our KL Entertainment is not a small company, and the hospital we know is the best in the industry. The surgery period will be incredibly short. You know that Korean plastic surgery is the best in the world, right?"

As Inoue, with unfocused eyes, looked at herself, the Room 2 Director smiled and said, "And Inoue is on the lucky side. There's a director who wants to use a Japanese actress at a good time, so that's why you were allowed to audition at this late hour. The role is quite good too."

The phrase ‘good role' made Inoue's gaze waver. Like drug addicts reacting to the word ‘drug,' the phrase ‘good role' was just as provocative, especially for actors, especially for those dreaming of becoming actors.

Inoue clenched her fist tighter. Even though she had heard the insulting words of getting surgery directly, the phrase ‘good role' made her feel miserable.

‘I don't want to run away anymore…'

But, as Inoue said to Katahiro on the bus, she had already escaped from Japan to come to Korea. In doing so, she gained the important realization that there is no paradise for those who flee.

‘Now, the only remaining options are to accept this proposal… or give up acting altogether.'

That was the thought, but Inoue knew well that she couldn't easily give up on acting.

Then, what should she do? There was only one option left.

Inoue squeezed her fist even tighter against her thigh. And at the moment she was about to say something, she felt the sensation of paper being crumpled in her pocket.

Not like a receipt or a note, but the firm and thick feeling of paper.

‘…Katahiro's director business card.'

It was Katahiro's business card that said to contact him if this audition didn't go well. As his face came to mind, the last words he said echoed in Inoue's ears.

"Perhaps… it shouldn't happen, but if someone criticizes Inoue's appearance, don't waver. Inoue is someone who can portray her own beauty through acting."

To change herself or give up acting—she thought those were the only two options, but there was one more option.

"Director Katahiro hasn't confirmed anything about the project yet…"

Even so, if it were Director Katahiro, he would support the kind of acting she wanted to do. Of course, she would have to continue working part-time to make ends meet.

"Hoo!"

Inoue took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. Inoue's decisive reaction made Room 2 Director smile like a snake.

"Did you decide to give it a try with me?"

"Director, do you happen to know Japanese?"

Without answering her question and abruptly switching to Japanese, the Room 2 Director looked at the team leader beside her with a puzzled expression.

"Japanese? Well, most of the judges here can understand it to some extent."

"Then, I'll speak in Japanese. I feel like I need to express my thoughts accurately."

Inoue said with a firm voice.

"First of all, thank you for giving me the audition opportunity. However, I didn't start acting simply to look good to others. Unfortunately, it seems that our directions are different. I will pursue my own acting."

"…"

"That's it."

Inoue's eyes, which were filled with confusion and anxiety just a while ago, were clear again.

"Inoue, what I said might have hurt your pride a bit, but think about it again. Actors who want such opportunities have struggled in both Korea and Japan. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

The Room 2 Director persuaded Inoue, paying attention to her change.

"And as I mentioned earlier, the hospitals we work with at KL Entertainment are among the best. You can't even make a reservation without an introduction. I'm confident that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Inoue."

If the voice a moment ago was like the seductive voice of a devil, now the Room 2 Director's voice was like that of an angel.

A voice that genuinely wanted to help Inoue.

"I'm fine. So, please give that opportunity to someone else."

But Inoue, who had already made up her mind, didn't waver.

"Thank you for staying late to see the audition. I'll take my leave now."

Inoue, finishing her words, tried to leave the room without looking back.

"Well, if that's how you feel, there's nothing we can do. You're free to go."

Just before she opened the door, the Room 2 Director spoke.

"However, let me say one more thing. This might be a precaution, but if you go out and talk about what I said, it won't do any good. You might even end up backfiring. We've already checked all electronic devices when you entered, so there's no evidence. You probably understand roughly what I mean, considering your age, right?"

Inoue, about to exit, hesitated for a moment.

"I hope you understand. Anyway, you're free to go."

With that, Inoue left without saying a word.

"Ha, that damn woman. Selling herself so dearly. What a cheap woman."

The Room 2 Director muttered curses while taking out a cigarette from inside his jacket.

"Light."

"Yes, yes!"

The team leader hurriedly provided his lighter. Fortunately, the team leader quickly found a lighter and lit the Room 2 Director's cigarette.

Phew.

As smoke emanated, the team leader hastily opened the window and turned on the ventilation.

With a loud noise, the smoke in the room was instantly sucked out. The papers inside the room fluttered due to the much stronger effect compared to the ventilation in a meat restaurant.

"Phew…"

The Room 2 Director, who smoked the cigarette to the end, irritably took another drag, and the team leader quickly lit it again. After smoking one after another, she seemed somewhat satisfied. With a much softer voice than before, she asked:

"Among the Japanese actresses who auditioned, was there anyone else Park Bokyeong PD specifically mentioned, aside from her?"

"I'm sorry. There was only that woman."

"Hmm. She's twisting things. Why is that bastard suddenly obsessed with a Japanese actress? If he liked her looks, he should've just cast her. Why create such a fuss for us?"

"Haha… Park Bokyeong PD seems very sincere about character development, don't you think?"

"Sincere about character development? What a joke. He's just trying to please his eyes."

The Room 2 Director asked with her hair roughly tousled:

"Among the actresses in our Room 2, who were about to enter Park PD's project?"

"Yes. And both of them said they would bring in a certain actress, Inoue, for their project…"

"I know! But she already stormed out. What should we do? Kidnap her or something?"

"Oh, no. It's not like that. I just…"

The team leader, hesitatingly speaking, earned a pitiful look from the Room 2 Director. After gently massaging her temples for a moment, she sighed.

"Well, we can't help it. You better find someone similar to her quickly. Whether it's a Japanese exchange student or someone active in Hallyu. Since it's a minor role, acting skills don't matter."

"Understood. But, Director…"

"Why?"

"Do you think Park PD might have seen that woman, Inoue, even if she wasn't his choice?"

"Do I have time to spare? Absolutely not. Do you keep asking obvious questions?"

It was the expected answer. The team leader asked one more question.

“Then what if the woman suggested getting surgery and wanted to sign a contract? How would you handle it?”

"Just stick her in a PD Park film, and it's done. Am I her mother? Do I have to take care of everything from one to ten?"

"…"

"Why ask something so obvious? It's not like we audition actors once or twice."

As the 2nd manager dismissed the strange question with an air of ‘Why ask such an obvious thing?', her phone rang. Checking the caller ID, she grumbled, "Damn, why does this pervert keep calling," and cleared her throat before answering the call.

"Oh my~ PD Park Bokyung, at this late hour, for what reason? Yes? Ah, that friend? I saw her in person, but she wasn't that great. Hmm. I'd rather you leave it to us in our company. We have a newcomer with a similar vibe, innocent and all… Yeah. Leave it to me; I'll persuade her."

The 2nd manager left the room. Watching her back, the team leader had only one thought in his mind.

The 2nd manager, that woman is really a nasty one.

***

"Are you Director Katahiro?"

Katahiro was puzzled as he looked at the man who spoke to him in Japanese.

"Yes, if you mean Katahiro Takeshi…"

Even in Japan, where no one recognized him, he was already the second person in Korea. Katahiro nodded as he met the man's eyes.

"It's an honor to welcome the representative's guest. I am So Imhoon, the general manager of ‘The OS Hotel Gangnam.'"

"Huh?"

The representative's guest? Honor? General manager? Katahiro couldn't help but spit out an unwittingly ridiculous question.

Whether he didn't hear it or didn't want to upset the guest's mood, Imhoon continued to guide Katahiro into the hotel without a change in his expression.

"We'll escort you inside. Please come in."

"Oh, yes…"

Although it seemed that he was being escorted, Katahiro felt uncomfortable, as if he were being dragged away in handcuffs. It was the first time he had received such treatment.

"Is this all your luggage, sir? We'll take you to your room."

Katahiro clutched his bag as the friendly staff member tried to take it.

"No, it's okay. I'll go on my own. Yes."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, then. Good night."

Hurriedly, Katahiro ran to the elevator. Even in the elevator, he felt tension on his face, like the protagonist fleeing from ghosts or monsters in a horror movie.

Once inside, he pressed the button for the 22nd floor. Even the friendly staff members looking at him through the gap in the elevator door were making that comforting smile again. Surely, it was a smile that should put his mind at ease, but Katahiro felt uncomfortable.

"What's this? Why are they treating me so well?"

Suddenly, Katahiro recalled his late mother's words. ‘Behind unexplained kindness hides a frightening conspiracy.'

[22nd floor.]

As the elevator door opened, Katahiro quickly began searching for room 57. His initial intention was to calm his mind alone in the room and try to make sense of the situation.

"55, 56… Here it is."

Holding the keycard, Katahiro opened the door.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, a beautiful Seoul skyline, similar to Tokyo but distinctly different, greeted him.

"Are they expecting so much from my work to give me a room like this just for a meeting?"

As Katahiro reached for the fridge to find water, there was a knock.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone had come to find him.