NOVPUBHa-eun's performance in S#21 had been a slightly different style of acting for her.
Rather than immersing herself fully into the role of Yoo Ye-rim, her focus had been on delivering the script’s lines and actions with precision.
It did feel a little stiff, though.
That stiffness, however, was intentional—meant to convey that Yoo Ye-rim was acting out a fabricated persona. At the same time, Ha-eun had attempted to mimic Da-yeon’s distinctive acting style in her own way.
That’s why she was curious.
How had Da-yeon perceived her performance in S#21? Had Ha-eun’s portrayal of actress Min Da-yeon’s acting resonated with Da-yeon herself?
“How was it?”
Before the script reading resumed, Ha-eun took a moment to ask for Da-yeon’s thoughts.
But—
“...Can I be honest?”
“Huh?”
“I felt like I was looking at a yokai. A monster mimicking a human.”
“A-A yokai is a bit...”
Da-yeon’s response was far from what Ha-eun had expected.
Reflecting on her performance from a few minutes ago, Ha-eun wondered if she had overdone it.
I mean, it was a scene where she was faking a smile, so it couldn’t be helped.
Whenever Yoo Ye-rim was with someone, she was almost always acting out her fake persona.
Her true self didn’t emerge until the later parts of the story, when her secrets started unraveling.
That sense of unease and artificiality surrounding Yoo Ye-rim was deliberate—a device meant to make it clear to the audience that she was acting.
It made sense, then, that Da-yeon had found it unnerving.
“Still, think about it. You performed it your way earlier.”
“...Got it.”
And with that, the script reading resumed.
The actors and staff who had stepped away returned to their seats.
Just as Director Sung Chan-wook was about to speak, a voice interrupted him—
Slightly ahead of his timing, a middle-aged actor spoke up.
“Director, if it’s alright, I’d like to do a scene with Ha-eun this time.”
Jin Yoo-seok.
The actor playing Kim Seok-yoon, Kim Ji-min’s father.
A veteran actor who had ascended to the highest ranks in the industry, his gaze gleamed with curiosity as he looked at Ha-eun.
A curiosity born from an actor’s instinct.
“If it’s a scene between Yoo-seok and Ha-eun....”
“I was thinking of S#73.”
Having already heard of Ha-eun’s impressive acting skills, he had been looking forward to performing alongside her.
In a way, it was similar to the case with Seo Jin-tae from Veterans.
“What do you think, Ha-eun? Is there a different scene you’d prefer?”
“A-Ah, no. I think S#73 would be good.”
Like Seo Jin-tae, Jin Yoo-seok was far more senior to Ha-eun. 𝚗ovp𝚞b.𝚌om
Refusing his request wasn’t an option.
She was caught off guard—
She hadn’t expected Jin Yoo-seok to take such an interest in her.
We haven’t even introduced ourselves yet.
Still, with no time for formal greetings, she rose from her seat alongside him.
Moving toward the empty space where she had previously performed with Da-yeon.
After all, S#73 took place in a study and included a physical confrontation.
I think he’s about six years older than my dad... but he looks surprisingly young.
Actors were actors for a reason—standing face to face, Jin Yoo-seok looked much younger than his actual age.
His refined presence suited the role of Kim Seok-yoon, a university professor.
However, for Yoo Ye-rim, Jin Yoo-seok’s Kim Seok-yoon was nothing short of an enemy.
In S#73, they both knew each other’s secrets.
—Swish.
"Hello, father. Or should I call you Professor Kim instead?"
In an instant, Ha-eun’s gaze sharpened with hostility.
Despite the gentle smile on her face, the atmosphere shifted.
In response, the seasoned professor’s voice remained calm.
“Call me whatever you like.”
“Yes, Professor Kim.”
The setting—the study belonging to Kim Seok-yoon—reinforced his sense of dominance.
To the distinguished university professor, Yoo Ye-rim was just a high school girl.
A mere student, insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
His social status, his wealth—there was no comparison between them.
That was exactly why—
“You’ve been up to some interesting things. Fraud, theft... I had no idea such a rotten girl was hanging around my Ji-min.”
He had every reason to pressure Yoo Ye-rim into submission.
He had already figured out what she was plotting by staying close to his daughter, Kim Ji-min.
Looking down at her with the same composed expression, he continued.
Telling her to stay away from Ji-min.
Warning her that if she didn’t, she would be expelled from Cheongrim Arts High School.
“You should know your place. This house—this world—is not somewhere you belong.”
“Do yourself a favor and leave quietly. Otherwise, things will only get worse for you.”
Up to that point, Kim Seok-yoon hadn’t considered Yoo Ye-rim a threat.
What could someone like you possibly do?
No matter what you try, you’ll never reach my level.
He expected her to kneel and beg.
Or to lash out emotionally.
Not that it would matter—he had no intention of acknowledging her, regardless of her response.
But to his surprise—
“So what exactly is your point?”
There was no fear in Yoo Ye-rim’s expression.
The same smile remained on her face.
Her voice, too, was relaxed—so much so that Kim Seok-yoon frowned.
This wasn’t the reaction he had anticipated.
“...Who do you think you’re speaking to so rudely?”
“Hmm, Professor Kim?”
“Did you not understand me? Or are you just choosing to act out?”
“Sorry, but it’s neither.”
“...Hah.”
Annoyed by her unexpected defiance, Kim Seok-yoon took a step forward.
His steps were deliberate.
Intimidating.
But even as he closed the distance—
“Is it really so hard to understand when someone tells you to know your place?”
“I told you, I understand. Why do you keep repeating yourself...?”
Instead of shrinking away, Yoo Ye-rim calmly met his gaze.
Finally, he demanded to know what made her so bold.
And at last—
“Kim Se-young, was it? I heard she’s a student in your class.”
“What?”
“A married professor in his fifties, having an affair with one of his own students... Not exactly the best look for someone from a prestigious university, is it?”
Yoo Ye-rim’s smirk deepened as she revealed his darkest secret.
She raised her phone, displaying several incriminating photos.
“Classy choice in motels, Professor.”
And with that, she made it clear—
She had the evidence.
The same moment, her voice took on a teasing lilt.
“Your wife’s going to be so disappointed.”
Yoo Ye-rim, still smiling.
Kim Seok-yoon, his patience finally snapping.
—Whoosh!
“Oh my.”
In an instant, Kim Seok-yoon snatched the phone and hurled it across the room. The device shattered upon impact.
Yoo Ye-rim flinched slightly in surprise.
The next moment, Kim Seok-yoon’s cold, hardened expression remained as he wrapped his hands around her throat.
Then, forcefully, he shoved her all the way against the wall.
—Thud.
“You little brat... You think you can climb over your station without knowing your place...?”
Gritting his teeth, Kim Seok-yoon tightened his grip.
Yoo Ye-rim choked, gasping for air, yet instead of fear, she began threatening him in return.
“R-Reservations... Emails... do you know... about them? If something... were to happen to me... Ghhk...”
Even as her hands trembled while clutching at his, her expression was one of mockery.
Despite being strangled, she did not lose her composure until the very end.
It didn’t take long before Kim Seok-yoon’s fingers loosened.
—Thud.
“Keuk...! Hah, hah....”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Collapsing onto the floor of the study, Yoo Ye-rim gasped for air.
Once her breathing had somewhat stabilized, she slowly lifted her head.
“You went from laying hands on a college student to now attacking your daughter’s friend... I wonder how Ji-min would react if she found out.”
“Who the hell laid hands on who?! Don’t spout nonsense!”
“Hmm. Looking at me right now, don’t you think this is exactly the kind of situation that could be misunderstood? Maybe I should just scream.”
Casually, Yoo Ye-rim gestured to herself with a smirk.
Her disheveled blouse, the red marks around her throat, the wrinkled school uniform—
And even the buttons that had been completely torn off when Kim Seok-yoon grabbed her neck.
“If you’re confident you can handle the consequences, go ahead. Do it. Keep going, you insane bastard.”
A quiet chuckle escaped her lips as she staggered to her feet.
And then, almost immediately, came the final blow.
“Ji-min would love to know this. Not only did her dad cheat with a college student, but he even tried to rape her friend. A model professor, indeed.”
Those final words carried layers of meaning.
With that, Yoo Ye-rim exited the study.
Kim Seok-yoon was left alone. His expression twisted in a mix of horror and rage.
—Cut.
“...That was absolutely phenomenal from both of you.”
Director Sung Chan-wook’s satisfied voice rang out, and the tense, cluttered study dissolved back into the spacious meeting room.
A brief round of applause followed.
I thought she’d get swallowed up by Jin Yoo-seok’s presence.
But she stood her ground—no, in some moments, she even dominated him...
She really is a genius.
Despite Yoo Ye-rim being in a position of weakness in S#73, the scene had given off the opposite impression—she had turned the pressure back on her opponent.
No other words could describe it.
It was Yoo Ye-rim.
“Aigoo, Ha-eun, did I hurt your throat? I tried to be as gentle as possible, but if it hurt, I’m really sorry.”
“N-No, sunbae. It didn’t hurt at all, really.”
Seeing Ha-eun stand toe-to-toe with Jin Yoo-seok left many of the actors and staff deep in thought.
Jin Yoo-seok, despite his easygoing personality, had long been recognized as a formidable actor.
And yet, not once did Ha-eun’s presence get overshadowed by his performance.
In every moment of S#73, her presence had been vivid and undeniable.
...I need to step up my game. Even more than before.
That was the conclusion Da-yeon came to as she silently observed Ha-eun.
When it came to acting, Ha-eun was someone to be feared.
If you couldn’t hold your ground, you’d be swallowed whole.
Every actor who had watched the S#73 study scene had imprinted that lesson deep in their hearts.
The script reading for Parasite Family continued late into the evening.
Perhaps inspired by the fiery battle between Ha-eun and Jin Yoo-seok, most of the actors threw themselves into the reading with renewed passion.
“All right, that’s a wrap for today.”
The person who finally called it to an end was Director Sung Chan-wook.
He rose from his seat with a pleased expression, thanking everyone for their efforts.
A few moments later, after cautiously glancing around, Da-yeon approached Ha-eun.
“Are you hungry?”
“Huh? Why?”
“No reason... Just thought we could grab dinner nearby. I have some things I want to ask you.”
“Oh, uh, sure. That’s fine.”
About twenty minutes later, they arrived at a shabu-shabu restaurant.
As Ha-eun handed Da-yeon an apron provided by the staff, Da-yeon hesitated before speaking up.
“...Hey, Lee Ha-eun.”
“Yeah?”
“My acting... What did you think? Be honest.”
“Hmm....”
Ha-eun mulled over the right words, recalling Da-yeon’s performance during the script reading.
It wasn’t that Da-yeon had made any mistakes, but she wasn’t the type to settle for ‘good enough.’
“I think it might be better if you were a little less sharp.”
“Less sharp?”
“Yeah. Kim Ji-min doesn’t realize that Yoo Ye-rim is deceiving her. If it feels like she can already see through everything, wouldn’t that be a bit unnatural?”
“Hm....”
Even as the broth started to bubble—
Even as fresh vegetables and thinly sliced beef cooked in the steaming pot—
The feedback session didn’t end.
Because every time one topic was addressed, Da-yeon’s next question would immediately follow.
Unlike in the past, when her pride kept her from asking for advice, she now actively sought Ha-eun’s input.
And because of that, Ha-eun answered with equal sincerity.
The long feedback session only concluded when their managers arrived to pick them up.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
With that, Ha-eun and Da-yeon each got into their respective vans—one driven by Ju Jung-yoon, the other by Kim Jin-soo.
To be honest, even for Ha-eun, today had been a new experience.
I’m glad I accepted the casting offer.
Regardless of anything else, going head-to-head with Da-yeon in acting was exhilarating.
Though, technically speaking, wasn’t it kind of unfair for Da-yeon to get acting advice from her competition?
Still, as long as Da-yeon was satisfied with her own performance, Ha-eun had no objections.
That being said—
There was one area completely unrelated to acting.
Or rather—
[Teams are 1st-gen vs. 2nd-gen! No holding back just because they're seniors or juniors!]
When it came to the Illusionary Realm collaboration stream and its in-game competition, Da-yeon was on her own.
Because—
[The losing team must do a punishment chosen by the winning team!]
[Oh, then... if Diah-senpai loses, can we make her eat pineapple pizza?]
“...What?”
[You're gonna... make Diah eat pineapple pizza?]
[Hmm, I don’t see why not.]
[That sounds hilarious!!]
For Diah, this was nothing short of a death sentence.
And the one who sealed her fate? None other than Da-yeon’s VTuber persona, Hida.
—Biiiiiiip!
—“I must win.”
—Hida’s Noeulis are merciless LMAO
—Diah... eating pineapple pizza...?
—2nd-gen, let’s go! 2nd-gen, let’s go! 2nd-gen, let’s go!
—Witch-sama, farewell 😂😂
The chat exploded with cheers for Hida.
A stark contrast to a few days ago, when the Noeulis had been worried about Diah’s health.
Seeing them turn on her like this, Ha-eun made a vow—
She [N O V E L I G H T] had to win.
—Ding.
[User Kawatori has donated ₩10,000!]
: Are you going to lose?
“...I won’t.”
—How’s a Rogue supposed to win LMAO
—Isn't Battle of Legends premiering today?
—Best content, Rogue Rogue!
—Their team has Ocean (Diamond), Neon (Platinum), and Yoon (Platinum), while Diah’s the only Platinum on hers...
—Farewell, peasant who existed only before Ocean’s debut...
—Hawaiian mukbang, let’s goooooo!
