I Returned as a High School Girl

Chapter 194: Ideal Woman (1)

The production of Spokesperson?was finally able to gain traction after the investment from TP Entertainment.

‘Money is always the answer.’

Kang Ra-Eun was not able to erase her joyful smile from having successfully finished the negotiation. Director Seo and his team also felt the same way.

“I’d never thought TP Entertainment would invest in our film. This is all thanks to you, Ra-Eun. Thank you so much!”

“All I did was act as an intermediary. That aside...”

There was one more crucial thing to take into consideration besides acquiring an investor.

“When will you be casting for the roles?”

The film’s ticket sales often depended on the actors that starred in it. The more famous the actor was, the more interest that people would have in the film. Just that one small thing brought about an enormous effect.

Director Seo scratched his head in embarrassment once the casting was brought up.

“I haven’t found any decent actors yet.”

“Really? That’s perfect. I happen to have a cast lineup in mind. Would you like to hear it?”

Director Seo and the other members of the production team had already come to realize Ra-Eun’s capability after her synopsis feedback, so they wanted to hear what she had in mind.

There were a few characters besides Ra-Eun’s role, Na Ji-Yang, that were key to the story; Oh Tae-Min and Park Su-Won. They would act as Na Ji-Yang’s reliable supporters.

“I’m thinking of leaving the roles of Oh Tae-Min and Park Su-Won to Je-Woon sunbae and Han-Seok sunbae. What do you think?”

Director Seo gasped at the mention of those two names.

“Aren’t those two super busy?” he asked.

Je-Woon and Ji Han-Seok were extremely famous as of late, so countless production teams were likely already aiming to cast them. Director Seo was not confident that he would be able to compete against them, but Ra-Eun thought otherwise.

“You’ll be able to afford them since we’ve procured more than enough funds. And besides...”

Ra-Eun had another weapon besides money.

“I’m pretty sure they’ll agree to anything I ask them to, as long as it’s reasonable.”

Ra-Eun herself was her own trump card.

***

Ra-Eun called Ji Han-Seok about the casting, and his answer was obviously yes.

- I’ve also been looking for a film to star in. Also, I think Grandpa would love it very much if I starred in it.

“Because of the character Yang Han-Sik, right?”

- Yeah.

Yang Han-Sik was the main villain of Spokesperson, and it was no exaggeration to say that he was a carbon copy of Kim Han-Gyo.

- He absolutely despises that person, after all. He’d love it even if he sees a character that’s just like him in a film gets what’s coming to him.

“I’m sure he would.”

Of course, Ra-Eun had not decided to star in this film simply to vent her rage toward Han-Gyo; she was planning on landing a critical blow on him through Spokesperson.

- When does the production open?

“I’ll have to ask Director Seo about that.”

- Oh, right. You’re not a staff member.

Han-Seok had mistaken her for a member of the production team due to their conversation regarding the casting. Ra-Eun called her next target, Je-Woon, right after. However, her expectations had fallen through.

- I’m going to focus on my group this year. I also have a world tour planned.

Je-Woon was a singer before an actor, so he would prioritize his singing career over his acting career if he was put on a crossroads.

- I’m sorry, Ra-Eun.

“No, it’s okay, sunbae. Don’t worry about it.”

- How about I recommend someone to you as a token of my apology?

“Who?”

- His name is Min Se-Min. You’ve heard of him, haven’t you?

Min Se-Min was famous enough that there was absolutely no need for Je-Woon to introduce him. Not only did he have a tremendous acting career...

“He looks good in glasses, doesn’t he?”

- Yeah. He gives off an intelligent and aristocratic feel, too. Wouldn’t he be a good fit for the character Oh Tae-Min?

“He definitely would be.”

The character Oh Tae-Min was written to be a third-generation chaebol. Min Se-Min, who naturally emitted aristocratic energy, seemed to be a good fit for Oh Tae-Min.

“But would he star in our film? If I remember correctly, he’s already starring in a drama...”

Ra-Eun was worried whether or not he would accept the role when he was so busy.

- He’ll do it. I guarantee it.

Unlike the worried Ra-Eun, Je-Woon was completely certain.

“Why is that?”

- Umm... You can ask him yourself.

Her doubts only increased due to the sudden mystery.

***

Ra-Eun accompanied Director Seo to an office where Min Se-Min, a popular actor as of late, was waiting for them to have a meeting regarding the casting offer.

Se-Min’s face was engulfed in anxiety as soon as he laid eyes upon Ra-Eun.

“Greetings, Ra-Eun!”

Unlike the anxious Se-Min, Ra-Eun greeted him back calmly as usual. They were of the same age, but he had debuted five years earlier than her. Hence, Ra-Eun had decided to address him as ‘sunbae.’

“I’ve heard many things about you. You’re much more handsome in person,” Ra-Eun expressed.

“R-Really?” Se-Min remarked while scratching his left cheek.

Her compliment had not been mere lip service; she had been dead serious. Ra-Eun could understand from his semi-curly hair, smooth skin and beautiful facial features akin to a woman’s, why he had so many female fans.

‘I’d fall for him too if I was a woman.’

As soon as she thought that...

‘Are you insane, Kang Ra-Eun? He’s a man!’

She strongly denied her previous thought while shaking her head violently left and right. Her sudden action drew the attention of everyone that had attended the meeting.

“What’s wrong, Ra-Eun?”

“...It’s nothing. Let’s move on to discussing the production.”

She felt wronged for some reason.

***

It was not a simple feat to cast a popular actor. Money solved most problems, but it did not solve everything. No matter how much money was offered, actors sometimes refused if they saw some flaws to the production. There were bound to be risks involved with starring in a political film, but Se-Min came to his decision almost instantly.

“I’ll do it.”

Director Seo and the production team members brightened, but Ra-Eun had found it unexpected. Han-Seok’s answer was to be expected since he had feelings for Ra-Eun, but that was not the case for Se-Min. They were both in the acting industry, but they were not close; they had never even come face to face since they had not worked on the same productions. Although this had been their first time meeting, Se-Min had accepted their offer without a shred of hesitation.

‘I don’t know why, but all’s well that ends well.’

The reason did not matter. Ra-Eun and Director Seo left the meeting place after saying their goodbyes to Se-Min.

Director Seo said to Ra-Eun as soon as they went outside, “Ra-Eun. Did you entrust the role of Oh Tae-Min to Se-Min on purpose?”

“Huh? Why?”

It had not been on purpose. She had simply been recommended to him by Je-Woon because he was not available. Director Seo was bewildered by Ra-Eun’s attitude.

“Are you saying you did that without knowing?”

“Without knowing what?”

“The thing that Se-Min said about you in his last interview. I was sure that you had chosen him because of that.”

Ra-Eun had no idea what ‘that’ was. Director Seo asked her to wait for a moment and pulled up a transcript of the interview on his smartphone.

“You’ll find what Se-Min said about you if you scroll down.”

“...”

[Q: What is your ideal type of woman?]

[Min Se-Min: Someone like Miss Kang Ra-Eun is my ideal type of woman. Someone who’s never discouraged, always confident, capable, and charismatic enough to lead others. I’d love to marry someone like that someday.]

‘...I’m his ideal woman.’

No wonder. Ra-Eun finally understood why Je-Woon had been so mysterious during their last call.

***

Ra-Eun decided to use yet another one of her connections besides Min Se-Min. She offered a role to Lee Si-Ahn, the actress who had been Ra-Eun’s dream girl back when she was still a ‘he.’ Si-Ahn of course accepted the offer; she did not even need a reason nor need to think about the offer.

“It was my dream to star in a production with you, Ra-Eun sunbae,” Si-Ahn remarked with sparkling eyes.

Ra-Eun smiled in slight embarrassment. She liked that Si-Ahn was so enthusiastic, but she was worried about one thing.

“This character’s personality is the complete opposite of yours. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

The personality of the character that Si-Ahn would be playing was closer to Ra-Eun’s true personality; the character was straightforward and strong-willed, very different from how Ra-Eun perceived Si-Ahn. However, Si-Ahn was not worried.

“Actors need to be able to portray characters that don’t match their own personalities.”

Si-Ahn was overflowing with confidence unlike the first time that Ra-Eun had met her.

“Lean on me whenever you’re stumped on something while practicing. I’ll give you as much advice as I can,” Ra-Eun expressed.

“Okay, sunbae! Then... I have something I’d like to ask.”

“Sure. Lay it on me.”

Ra-Eun had been the one to give her the offer, so she had no plans to tell her to take care of things by herself. Si-Ahn reluctantly opened her mouth while pondering for a bit.

“There’s a scene in the script where my character turns down a man’s confession, but I’ve never been confessed to before. I’d really appreciate it if you could give me some advice on what tone I should use when performing the rejection.”

“You’ve seriously never been confessed to, Si-Ahn?”

“Yes. I went to an all-girls middle school and high school, and my university department consisted mostly of women. I’ve had barely any points of contact with men, so I’ve never had the opportunity.”

It was definitely not unusual. Si-Ahn would definitely have questions about it since she had no experience.

“You’ve been confessed to tons of times, haven’t you, sunbae?”

“Well...”

She definitely had, albeit against her will.

“Please teach me your ways!”

“...” after much pondering, Ra-Eun suggested, “I guess... smack them when they keep being a bother?”

“Sorry?”

“N-No. Forget I said that.”

It was not good advice, even by Ra-Eun’s standards.