Episode 71: Collaboration
“You must be wondering what I’m getting at. But I’m serious. She might not realize it herself, but to me, Zia definitely has talent in that field.”
As Lee Ahjeong’s words followed my brief freeze, the heat surging through me turned cold.
Being yanked back to reason just as I anticipated a blissful, instinct-driven moment wasn’t pleasant.
“Could you come down now, sunbae?”
A smile crept onto my lips as I spoke.
“Yujin-ah?”
“Now?”
The surprise in the voices of the two women—Zia before me and Ahjeong on the phone—was palpable.
My sudden shift from seeming ready to pounce to inviting someone over, and tackling a favor tied to a grand condition like first place on the spot, threw them off.
“Yes, now.”
Unfazed, I ended the call with a deepening smile.
“It’s Ahjeong noona?”
“Yeah. She has something serious to discuss. I’ll remove my makeup and change. Take off the apron for now. I’ll handle the dishes later.”
Realizing the caller from my request, Zia nodded, and I headed to the small room serving as our dressing area.
And then—
‘Come to think of it, that was this year.’
Stripping off my clothes with nimble hands, I entertain a thought only a regressed soul could have.
In my past life, 2025.
Lee Ahjeong left MyWay after a decade, joining another agency.
‘Though it’s not a complete break from MyWay.’
With her relentless dual career in singing and acting, her support team grew too large for MyWay alone.
That team birthed BNW Entertainment, a MyWay subsidiary.
Brand New World.
Touted as a one-person agency for Ahjeong, she surpassed that perception.
Like her mentor Seo Yoonje, she didn’t hoard her skilled staff.
Three years later, in her mid-30s, she’d unearthed buried talents, forming the “Lee Ahjeong faction” and earning the nickname “Seo Yoonje of actors.”
‘Did she see that in Zia?’
One puzzle I couldn’t solve was why Ahjeong favored Zia so much.
If this offer stems from that vision, her affection makes sense.
‘Like Seo Yoonje saw Ahjeong and me. Like I saw Tae-oh.’
If Zia appears that way in Ahjeong’s eyes, resistance would be futile.
Ding-dong.
Lost in thought about Zia’s potential matching Ahjeong’s discerning eye, the doorbell snaps me back.
“Yujin… -ssi…?”
“She’s changing. Would you like some water?”
“Yes, thanks.”
Ahjeong’s slightly breathless voice filters through.
‘She’s pretty fired up.’
Despite her earlier fluster, she must’ve been eager, racing down the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.
I’m not the only one in a hurry.
Leaving my clothes strewn, I dash to the bathroom attached to the dressing room.
Wiping off makeup takes time, so by the time I return, her panting has long ceased.
“You cleaned up your makeup well.”
“Thanks. Na-hee-ssi taught me.”
“Getting used to her skill level from the start isn’t good.”
Exchanging light banter with Ahjeong, I catch Zia’s gaze.
Her look signals no time for small talk. I slide beside her.
“Zia-ya.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s stop overthinking and start.”
“What?”
“Acting.”
I dive straight in.
Ahjeong looks blindsided by the abrupt topic, but Zia’s reaction is more dramatic.
“Huh? No, suddenly… me? Acting? That’s nonsense.”
Her trembling eyes and jumbled words betray her panic.
Ignoring it, I hold her gaze steadily.
“Uh… when did you know…?”
Her voice drops as she asks, and I answer honestly.
“I thought you suited being on camera the day we took photos. I realized you were interested when we canceled our trip. Around then, you started watching dramas and movies like you were studying.”
“Did I…?”
“Yeah.”
“Ugh…”
As Zia and I converse, Ahjeong’s expression brightens.
“I played dumb. Unless you said you wanted it, I couldn’t help. Like singing, acting relies on emotion—not something I can spoon-feed.”
My role was limited to creating opportunities—exposing her to more works.
Like building a step to reach high-hanging grapes.
Despite our smartphone preference, we bought a massive TV for this, hoping it’d aid her serious expressions while watching others act.
“No way, that TV too… Ha… so that’s why…”
Realizing this now, Zia glances at the lone TV in the living room before burying her face in her hands.
I turn to Lee Ahjeong.
It’s her turn now.
‘Where I fell short…’
Unlike me, who only sensed Zia’s inclinations, Ahjeong sees the strength in her to walk that path.
“Didn’t expect this turn. Things might move faster now.”
Zia lifts her head slightly at her words.
Though likely in a daze, she’s not oblivious to why Ahjeong is here.
“Noona wants you to try acting, Zia. You’ve got talent.”
“Me…?”
“Yes.”
Ahjeong nods firmly and succinctly.
“The talent I see in actors is one thing: empathy. The ability to internalize others’ emotions and lives. Whether it’s embodying a role or calculating a character’s actions, without empathy, acting doesn’t stand a chance. In that, Zia, you’ve got top-tier potential.”
She gently takes Zia’s hands and continues.
“Your empathy, shaped by Yujin-ssi’s goals and made your own, is remarkable. Sure, you need to broaden it beyond him and refine expressing it situationally, but that’s learnable. I did it. I’ll teach you.”
“Noona…”
“The key was sparking that desire. That’s why I asked through Yujin-ssi. But you already felt it? Luck like this… Isn’t this more like I’ve been swept into Yujin-ssi’s plan?”
“Pfft…”
Zia chuckles at Ahjeong’s playful jab at me.
“Zia-ya, how about giving acting a shot? I think it’d be fun to act with you.”
Before I can protest, Ahjeong whispers this to Zia.
“…”
Zia glances between Ahjeong’s pale hands holding hers and my steady gaze, then—
“…”
—nods faintly, agreeing to our collaboration.
“Thanks again today.”
I thank Suhyuk for driving through the harsh wind and enter MyWay’s office.
At the elevator, someone holds the open button, waiting.
“Ailee?”
“Why so late? Should’ve just gone up.”
She must’ve waited seeing me arrive.
Usually a hassle, but past work hours, it’s fine.
“Heading in now?”
“Yeah, I stopped by to see Composer Ji-woo.”
“Tough work.”
Fate, it seems, is inevitable.
Pre-regression, Ji-woo was overworked at Starlight; now, it’s MyWay.
Though MyWay’s culture isn’t that harsh—
“Ugh, it’s his work style. What can I do but adapt?”
“Ha.”
I laugh, realizing his pre-regression struggle was his own choice.
Ailee smirks at my chuckle.
“Yujin-ssi, you’ve seemed really happy lately.”
“Have I?”
“With the music show win and chart top spot holding strong, no wonder.”
I smile at her words.
It’s part of the joy, but not the core.
“Oh, and Zia-ssi quit her part-time job?”
“Yeah, to pursue something she wants.”
Zia’s stagnant clock is ticking again.
Deciding to train with Ahjeong, she quit first.
Taleia Café, run by Mrs. Moon Sukhee as a hobby, and Zia’s job—a subtle financial support for us—ended without fuss.
“Phew, a relief. Lately, more customers visiting Zia stressed me out.”
Mrs. Moon even sent her off lightly, likely genuine about the stress.
As one of the few who knew Zia’s hidden intent with me, she supported it.
Quitting didn’t end their shared experiences.
‘Missing her face a bit…’
Her happiness apart from me stings slightly, but her pursuit of her dream offers a new kind of joy.
Ding.
As I savor that in my mind, the elevator reaches our floor.
“Let’s go, Ailee.”
“Yes.”
We step out in sync.
Passing the familiar A&R team hallway, we enter MyWay’s conference room.
CEO Seo Yoonje, at the head, waves lightly to welcome us.
“Congrats.”
Ailee whispers and joins the A&R team.
“It’s just this much.”
I shrug, muttering, and take the seat reserved for me below Yoonje.
As everyone settles, a staff member at the mic announces the start.
“Then, let’s begin the concept meeting for Hylliy’s new song ‘Mysty.’”
My official debut as Producer Han Yujin begins.