Chapter 25 : Production Press Conference (2)

On the day of the press conference,

Yuna headed to the event hall wearing the school uniform from The Heirs.

It was because all the actors had promised to wear their characters’ school uniforms for the drama’s promotion.

“…Huh? She came wearing Chanel here too.”

Siyeon also wore the Chanel she had received as a sponsorship.

In her tweed jacket, Siyeon shone brighter than anyone.

Her aura and stunning appearance made it hard to believe she was a rookie.

Although Siyeon wore it due to the sponsorship condition, Yuna found it quite unpleasant.

Siyeon was greeting fellow actors and staff with warmth.

“…Hmm. This is the last time I’ll see her smile like that.”

Yuna intended to reveal Siyeon’s true nature at the press conference.

Recently, there was a scene where Uriel assaulted and bullied Kang Yasul during filming.

While it was inevitable that Kang Yasul would get hit in the script,

“Ah, ah. It still hurts.”

Siyeon had genuinely hit Yuna during a scene.

Though it was supposed to be light taps, bruises appeared on the spot.

Yuna hadn’t noticed it during filming, but the pain intensified later.

It was clear that Siyeon had cleverly expressed her dissatisfaction with Yuna.

Perhaps, since she was once the Assassination Girl, she might have learned martial arts.

If Yuna subtly mentioned this at the press conference, Siyeon’s character would become a topic of controversy.

“I want to be friends with Siyeon, but she seems to dislike me for some reason. Hehe… I could say something like that.”

Everyone knew about the relationship between Yuna and Siyeon.

Yuna thought she could flip the atmosphere around with this opportunity.

She was planning to expose how cunning the younger actress was.

“10 minutes until it starts!”

The staff’s voice echoed through the waiting room.

Outside, reporters and audience members were buzzing with excitement.

“This is the first time I’ve been to a press conference with this much attention. It’s all thanks to Siyeon.”

“Well, it’s because of Kang Eungsook’s script. What can I say?”

“No, it’s because of this low kick. Everyone’s so excited about your acting. And you’re a middle schooler in a Kang Eungsook drama!”

The people preparing to go on stage all greeted Siyeon.

Yuna shot a glance at her before heading toward the stage.

A moment later, as expected, the press conference was held in a heated atmosphere.

“And, Yuna, you’re playing Kang Yasul this time. But didn’t you originally audition for Uriel’s role?”

The MC asked Yuna a question.

This was the moment Yuna had been waiting for, and she grabbed the microphone.

It was exactly the question she had hoped for.

But just as she was about to begin her prepared speech,

“…Huh? What’s this?”

“This is real?”

“Y-Yuna, is this video real?”

Suddenly, there was a buzz among the reporters and audience.

The MC was flustered by the unexpected situation.

“What… what’s going on?”

“Who… who did this?”

It wasn’t just the MC who was stunned.

Director Kang Shinyul also confirmed the identity of the ‘video’ being mentioned.

The atmosphere on stage quickly turned tense.

“…Uh… Haha, please, just a moment. There will be time for questions later. For now…”

The MC tried to calm the situation.

But despite that, everyone knew something was wrong.

The video that had spread on the internet showed Siyeon crying after being splashed with water by Yuna during a final script reading.

It was Yuna’s first time experiencing a press conference, but judging by the crowd size, it seemed like a pretty big event.

“This press conference has received so much attention. It’s all thanks to Siyeon.”

“Well, it’s because of Kang Eungsook’s script. What can I say.”

Lee Minwoo chuckled, expressing modesty.

He wasn’t sure, but it seemed like it was the biggest one ever.

“Actors playing student roles, please come on stage!”

The actors playing students from Empire High School were set to enter together.

They were supposed to go up on stage and pose at the photo zone.

There were several pre-arranged poses, with idol Jeong Sujin leading.

“Siyeon, don’t be nervous. It might be blinding because of the flashes, but don’t blink too much or your photos will look funny.”

“Okay.”

Jeong Sujin, who was behind Yuna, spoke.

She meant the flashes would be blinding.

There were definitely a lot of cameras.

But it didn’t matter to Yuna.

Her pupils were strong enough to withstand even flashbangs, so camera flashes were nothing.

With a relaxed smile, Yuna faced the bursting flashes.

“Ah, wonderful. All the actors are in their school uniforms, and you’d believe they’re high schoolers, wouldn’t you? But in fact, none of them are.”

The MC joked, and Yuna, being a middle schooler, didn’t find it incorrect.

“Siyeon, look this way too!”

“Please make a heart with your hands!”

Requests pouring in from the cameras.

I was flustered, not knowing what they were saying, but quickly followed Jeong Sujin’s movements.

It was clear that, being an idol, she was skilled at being playful.

The other actors did something as well, but it felt a bit awkward.

This is the difference between actors and idols.

“Wowwwww! Siyeon!”

“Siyeon, look this way!”

“Ahhhhhh-“

“…?”

Then, cheers directed at me came from one side.

They were gathered in one place holding my pictures and signs.

“Ah, I see. The rising star Siyeon’s popularity is huge. Now, let’s bring the actors on stage.”

I see. So, those must be my fan club.

I had heard about my fan club from Jeoyoung.

They were fans who had gathered before my official debut, so they must be true fans.

He told me to respond well to them.

And he had even sent Dongsoo to infiltrate the fan club.

It seemed like the fan club had its base on the internet.

They mostly discussed my past videos and The Heirs progress details on the fan cafe.

I waved at them with a smile.

Then they screamed.

It felt strange. Fans?

I never thought I’d have something like that.

From what I’ve learned, the relationship between fans and stars isn’t one-sided.

It’s more of a transactional relationship.

Fans offer love, support, and various kinds of backing to the star.

In return, stars do things their fans want.

I hadn’t asked for it, but I’d definitely have to reciprocate.

In a transactional relationship, if you owe a debt, you never know what might happen later.

I should learn more about fan service from Jeong Sujin later.

“Now, the youngest on set, and a rising star. Kim Siyeon!”

“Yes!”

I responded, holding the microphone.

“Are you really a middle schooler?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Wow… but really, your beauty… I’ve seen your past garter belt and filler ads, and even then, your face was extraordinary. Does your mother also have an exceptional appearance?”

What kind of question is that? People here seem obsessed with looks.

But Jeong Sujin told me that I should always show a lovable side in front of people.

Everything is captured on camera, so I need to be cautious.

So, I’ll perform as the young rising star flawlessly.

“Yes!”

But for this question, I didn’t have a proper answer in mind.

It’s just the way I was born. So what?

“By the way, Siyeon was famous as Assassination Girl in the past. Is becoming an assassin still your dream?”

“Yes!”

Hahahahaha-

Laughter erupted from the audience.

“Could you show us one today?”

“Yes!”

There was no reason not to. I could just show the moves like before.

But then, the MC seemed to have remembered something.

“Ah! Speaking of which, I recently watched an old video of Siyeon. And since it’s ‘assassination,’ there must be a target, right? Is there anyone among the actors who would like to be ‘assassinated’ by Siyeon? Or perhaps we could call an audience member?”

“Me, me!”

“Me too!”

The audience reacted intensely at once.

Most of them were from my fan club.

They’re acting like they want to die. People from this world are strange.

Of course, no one should actually end their life.

“Um… then. Huh? This woman here in the front. Let’s bring her up.”

“Yaho!”

The MC picked someone, and a woman came up on stage.

When she came up, not only the audience but the actors on stage reacted with surprise.

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere. Could it be… announcer Shin Minjeong?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m a fan of Siyeon, so I came all the way here.”

“Wow~ Even announcer Shin Minjeong is a fan of Siyeon. I knew it. Everyone, let’s give her a round of applause!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap-

I see. She’s an announcer I’ve seen somewhere before.

The announcer is also obsessed with wanting to die.

“In fact, I do Judo as a hobby. So I wanted to try…”

“Great! So, announcer Shin Minjeong will try to avoid Siyeon’s assassination. Since Siyeon is a professional assassin, we’ll give her just one chance. If she succeeds, Siyeon loses.”

“Yes. Understood.”

She learned Judo. Clearly, her body balance was better than ordinary women’s.

But even so, there’s no way she could be my match.

Everyone was watching the stage with great interest.

“Alright then… Start!”

As soon as the MC spoke, I immediately lunged toward Shin Minjeong.

With it, cheers erupted.

It’s too early to be impressed by just a leap.

“Ugh…?”

Shin Minjeong was flustered by my quick movements.

But soon enough, she tried to grab my collar, so it seems she knows a bit of Judo.

But with such hand movements, she can’t catch me.

Swish-

I lightly swung my arm to knock her hand away.

Perhaps because I applied some force, Shin Minjeong let out a low scream as her arm was abruptly twisted.

Swoosh-

I immediately darted past Shin Minjeong’s side, moving behind her.

Then, I struck the back of her neck with the edge of my hand.

Wham-

Shin Minjeong collapsed.

“Wow-! What did I just see?”

Waaaaaa-

The audience and actors cheered.

I placed a hand over my chest and bowed.

The cheers grew louder with my elegant bow.

“Wow, as expected. Your skills are amazing. You could probably appear in an action drama next.”

“I’d love to try an action role too.”

“Alright, directors, please contact us. Siyeon is waiting for an action role.”

In fact, there were times during The Heirs when I felt a bit bored.

It wasn’t quite like the spy or action movies I used to watch.

Next time, I’d like to try something in that genre.

“Now, announcer Shin Minjeong? You put on an excellent performance, but you can stand up now.”

Meanwhile, Shin Minjeong remained lying on the floor.

Oh no, did I misjudge the strength?

Shin Minjeong didn’t move at all.

“Announcer Shin Minjeong? Ha, haha! As expected, you’ve been in front of the camera for so long, your acting is as good as any actor’s.”

“Will you get up now?”

Shin Minjeong didn’t budge.

The audience, sensing something strange, fell silent.

“Haha, haha! Hahahahaha…”

The MC, flustered and unsure what to do.

Staff quickly came up to lift Shin Minjeong and escort her off the stage.

“Please, applause!”

• Wow, waaa!

Awkward cheers erupted.

I tried to hide my expression as I returned to my seat.

…Next time, I’ll need to be more careful with my strength in situations like this.