"Then, there are no more actors to be selected from Hyper Action Star, correct?"
After the public audition show Hyper Action Star ended, the investors and production team gathered to review the selections multiple tis.
The first three choices were quickly confird.
The protagonist, Ju Seoyeon, along with Narumi Sora, who had faced her in the finals.
And Jo Sehee.
In Jo Sehee’s case, it wasn’t her "action" performance in Hyper Action Star that secured her spot. Rather, it was her career background and the strong impression she had left in variety shows that gave her an advantage.
"Then, what about Han Soyu?"
"Not a bad choice. She put on a great performance alongside Ju Seoyeon during the preliminaries."
"Yes, and since action acting is her forte, she’s a solid pick. Alright, moving on…."
Unfortunately, aside from a handful of exceptions, very few actors from Hyper Action Star had secured roles beyond extras.
Most were just background actors.
Still, even that was a precious opportunity for them.
After all, the show had featured only actresses, which made competition even tougher. But still, a loss was a loss.
"They just don’t have the acting skills to hold substantial screen ti."
"Action and stunt work are important, sure, but too many of them lacked fundantal acting ability."
Despite being an ambitious project, Hyper Action Star had only produced one standout talent apart from Narumi Sora.
Not that it was unexpected—the show had been planned from the beginning to boost Ju Seoyeon, the designated lead.
Viewed from that angle, it had been a success.
But people are naturally greedy.
When things go exactly as predicted, it’s hard not to feel disappointed.
With most of the focus on stunt and action work, too many contestants fell short when it ca to the basics of acting.
"The action was great!"
"Wow, she pulled off that stunt on the spot!"
Yet, when it ca ti to cast supporting roles, they hesitated.
"What about Min Doha?"
"Oh, right, Min Doha!"
Soone among the staff brought up her na.
Min Doha.
A young actress who had beco a surprising topic of discussion during Hyper Action Star.
"Didn’t Director Han Yegun also say she was good?"
"Yeah, well."
Han Yegun answered vaguely.
To be honest, he had taken a liking to Min Doha.
More than anything, it was because of how convincingly she had portrayed the act of running away.
"It really looked like she was being chased by an actual monster."
"Would that be considered thod acting? I heard she ended up in the hospital after filming."
"Wow, an actress who gets that imrsed in a role."
"She’s been in other dramas too, right? How was her acting there?"
"Just average. She didn’t get much screen ti, though."
"Oh, so she’s the kind that only shines when given a chance? Not bad."
The staff had a favorable impression of Min Doha.
For Han Yegun, there were still so doubts, but it was undeniable that Min Doha had left a strong impression on Hyper Action Star.
"Would you call her… an extra? But she has so presence, so maybe a supporting role?"
"She’s a scene-stealer, so yeah, a supporting role fits."
"Not exactly the kind of role most actors would want, though."
"Co on, this is still a big opportunity. Better than being a naless extra."
After exchanging glances, they all nodded in agreent.
No one had suggested any other actor, which ant—
This role belonged to Min Doha.
And so, today.
Min Doha found herself in the one situation she had been dreading the most—
An action scene with Ju Seoyeon.
"For now, Doha, just perform exactly like you did in Hyper Action Star."
Action advisor Kim Hongbaek spoke as he studied Min Doha’s expression.
Her pupils were visibly shaking. Her breathing had quickened.
Seeing that, Kim Hongbaek couldn’t help but be impressed.
"It’s just practice, and yet she’s already this imrsed?"
He had seen Ju Seoyeon act only once before.
Back when she was practicing a fight scene for The Chaser, she had rehearsed the convenience store brawl with him over and over.
"That ti, Seoyeon had this exact sa aura."
During the practice runs, it wasn’t noticeable.
But once acting was added to the mix, even in a rehearsal setting, the energy shifted completely.
It felt like standing in front of the real Cha Seoa.
In that mont, during the rehearsal, Kim Hongbaek had the distinct sensation of facing an actual murderer.
He had fought special forces operatives and professional martial artists countless tis, but this was different.
It wasn’t the trained intent to kill.
It was raw, indiscriminate malice.
The cold, crimson gleam in her eyes had haunted his dreams for days.
"Min Doha isn’t at that level, but… she’s reacting in the sa way Seoyeon did back then."
The scene hadn’t even started, and yet she was already terrified.
What a perfect level of preparedness.
Min Doha’s role was Shim Sojin.
The first person in the research lab to try and stop the escaping protagonist.
And three years later, she would return—
This ti, attacking the protagonist to drag her back.
A recurring antagonist…
Though, given that she was mostly on the losing end, villain might not be the right word.
"For the first scene, you’ll fight the protagonist, get beaten, and flee."
"…I get beaten?"
"Yes? Didn’t you read the script?"
"Oh, no. I did."
Min Doha cast a quick glance at Seoyeon, who was throwing sharp punches in the air.
The whoosh of her strikes sounded disturbingly sharp.
"Um… what happens if I get hit a little too hard…?"
Why did those strikes sound like a whip cutting through the air?
If she actually got hit by that, her head would probably launch off like a golf ball off a tee.
"Seoyeon is a professional. She knows what she’s doing."
"……."
"Besides, in Hyper Action Star, you took quite a few hits, didn’t you?"
If the question was whether she had experience—
Yes, she had.
After all, she had been in an action film that grossed over 4 million viewers.
Getting hit was part of the job.
…But.
"I’ve only ever been hit by people before…."
"? What else would you be hit by?"
Kim Hongbaek chuckled, assuming it was a joke.
Obviously, actors perford fight scenes with other humans.
If soone had to act getting hit by an animal, they wouldn’t just be acting.
They’d actually get injured.
Regardless, he decided they were ready to start rehearsals.
"Alright, Seoyeon, if you’re all ward up, co over here. Doha looks like she’s itching to go."
"No, I’m NOT!!"
"Really? I was actually thinking the sa thing."
"That’s NOT true!!"
"So even though it’s just practice, I’ll be giving it my all."
At Seoyeon’s words, Min Doha felt chills run down her spine.
She trembled, pulling herself into character. Seoyeon nodded approvingly.
"As expected."
Even back in Hyper Action Star, she had noticed it—Min Doha had a gift for capturing emotion.
Normally, she carried the air of a sharp, career-minded actress.
But when she acted, it was as if she changed masks entirely.
"She’s skilled. You can tell from the way she handled rappelling and gunplay."
Back in Hyper Action Star, Seoyeon had pursued Min Doha intentionally.
If the prey didn’t run properly, the chase wasn’t fun.
But Min Doha had used everything at her disposal.
She had ducked and slid between obstacles while sprinting.
Even while shooting at Seoyeon, she had vaulted over walls.
And her aim wasn’t bad, either.
Each shot was on target.
For a weapon as inaccurate as a pistol, her marksmanship had been solid.
It had left an impression.
"She deserved a bigger role."
Seoyeon was dissatisfied that Min Doha’s character had such little screen ti.
Maybe because in Hyper Action Star, she had only shown action without demonstrating acting ability.
But Seoyeon believed Min Doha had far more potential.
"With this film, the audience will finally see Min Doha’s true talent."
But first—she wanted to bring Min Doha into Nova Entertainnt.
After all, Seoyeon wanted Nova to grow.
The bigger the agency, the more money she could make.
"Ah, right—I forgot to ask Nahee about that last ti."
The idol group Sumr Girls under Hoyeon Entertainnt was nearing the end of their contract.
Seoyeon really wanted to poach Nahee.
But she hadn’t brought it up yet.
"Anyway…."
Before starting the rehearsal, Seoyeon casually spoke to Min Doha.
"Min Doha, which agency are you signed with?"
"Huh?"
Min Doha flinched at the sudden question.
"Why is she asking about my agency all of a sudden?"
Could it be that she planned to storm in and do sothing to her agency?
Min Doha imagined waking up one day to find her company in ruins.
"I-It’s not a big agency that soone like you would even know about. It’s small… very small."
"Is that so? By the way, you’re older than , so you can speak comfortably."
"H-How could I possibly…?"
"How could she possibly?"
Seoyeon tilted her head.
Ah, was she the type to take seniority in debut years seriously?
Though Seoyeon had debuted early, she had only been active properly this year. Many people didn’t even acknowledge her as a full-fledged actress yet.
So she had been treating herself as if she had just debuted this year.
But to think Min Doha would actually treat her as a senior…
"It’s fine, really. Speak casually. I’d feel more comfortable that way."
"O-Okay, then… I’ll try."
Her voice trembled excessively, and Seoyeon found it odd for a mont. But then she quickly realized sothing and bowed her head apologetically.
"Oh, I interrupted your emotional prep, didn’t I? Sorry about that."
"N-No! No, really, it’s fine!"
When an actor is deep in emotional imrsion, it’s a strict rule not to disturb them.
Especially for thod acting or roles requiring deep emotional engagent.
Seoyeon herself could switch in and out of character at an unnatural speed, so it wasn’t an issue for her.
But for Min Doha, it might have been incredibly disruptive.
"Seoyeon, you’ll walk forward slowly, and Doha, you’ll attack from the left," said Kim Hongbaek, the action director.
"Oh, Doha, rember that Shim Sojin—your character—has body-enhancent abilities later, but at this point, she’s still just a highly trained agent. She’s not a superhuman yet. Got it?"
"Yes."
"So first, use the baton in your hand to strike Seoyeon’s head. Not wildly, but with the precision of a professional. Here’s the reference video."
The footage he played showed law enforcent officers demonstrating baton techniques.
"Of course, these are ant for subduing regular people, so we’ll need to adjust it. Rember, Jin Yeonseo, Seoyeon’s character, has regeneration abilities. Basic attacks won’t be effective."
Kim Hongbaek then stepped forward and demonstrated, swinging a plastic baton at Seoyeon to illustrate the motion.
Seoyeon walked forward normally, and he swung downward from behind, aiming for her cervical spine.
Seoyeon reacted, turning swiftly and raising her arm to block.
"At this mont, Jin Yeonseo’s right arm is disabled. But she counterattacks with her left hand—"
Min Doha was supposed to swing the baton again, striking Jin Yeonseo’s elbow from the side.
"Thinking she’s immobilized both arms, Shim Sojin lets her guard down for a mont—"
Kim Hongbaek then mimicked pushing his foot forward in a kick.
"And this front kick sends Shim Sojin flying backward."
Shim Sojin—Min Doha’s role.
To demonstrate the full motion, Kim Hongbaek threw himself onto the ground.
"The mats are in place, so don’t hold back. Just fall properly."
Then, he broke down the movents, repeating them multiple tis for clarity.
After practicing with Seoyeon and Doha separately, he finally nodded.
"That should do it. Let’s give it a try."
At that signal, he gestured for them to proceed.
"A-Alright."
Min Doha swallowed hard.
For now, this scene involved her attacking Seoyeon more.
Seoyeon’s only retaliation was a simple front kick.
And even then, Doha wasn’t actually getting hit.
She just had to ti her fall properly and roll onto the mat.
Despite this, her hands were trembling.
Even the surrounding crew, who had been observing casually, began watching with tense eyes.
As if… as if Shim Sojin was genuinely facing Jin Yeonseo.
The atmosphere was thick with an ominous weight, like a trained soldier bracing to engage with the first-ever superhuman.
At this stage, Shim Sojin was still just a human.
An elite agent, yes—but nothing compared to a real superhuman.
So even soone as battle-hardened as Shim Sojin should feel nervous.
And right now, Min Doha was channeling that anxiety flawlessly.
"Is she really rehearsing, or is she actually feeling that way?"
Seoyeon was impressed by her dedication.
At the sa ti, she felt a little ashad.
Had she been too caught up in the praise she’d been receiving lately?
"If Doha-unnie is serious about this, then I’ll do my best too."
"Unnie? Serious?"
Min Doha tilted her head, confused.
Seoyeon closed her eyes for a mont.
And suddenly—
A heavy silence fell over the set.
The faint sound of Seoyeon’s breathing beca the only thing audible.
Huu… huu…
With each asured breath, her aura shifted.
The attention that had been on Min Doha gradually turned toward Seoyeon.
Even Arthur Diaz, who had been warming up for his own rehearsal with Narumi Sora, glanced over.
After Seoyeon and Doha finished, it would be Arthur and Sora’s turn.
But despite that, Arthur couldn’t ignore what was happening.
"I don’t like this feeling."
It was sothing he had encountered before—
A sensation that occasionally surfaced in Hollywood, among those rare, exceptional freaks.
A presence too distinct to overlook.
"…Hoo."
Seoyeon’s breath ca to an abrupt stop.
A crescent-shaped smile ford on her lips.
"Alright."
Her eyes fluttered open.
Her crimson irises glowed as they locked onto Min Doha.
She was smiling.
But there was no feeling in it.
A hollow, chanical expression.
A failed attempt at emoting?
No.
Jin Yeonseo, at this point in the story, had never learned emotions.
This wasn’t an unnatural performance.
This was Jin Yeonseo—an entity mimicking human expressions without truly understanding them.
Like a smile forcefully painted onto a blank canvas.
An uncanny, deeply unsettling sight.
A simulacrum of humanity.
"Shall we begin?"
She spoke with a softness that imitated warmth.
The staff murmured in awe.
In that instant, Ju Seoyeon had disappeared.
What stood before them was Jin Yeonseo—a silent, living embodint of eerie stillness.
A monster in human form.
Min Doha, unlike the others, could not bring herself to be impressed.
She didn’t even think about comnting.
Instead—
"H-Hhrrk…"
A strangled sound slipped from her throat.
"No… no, there’s no way this girl hasn’t actually killed soone before. This isn’t right. Sobody, notice this already!"
But, of course—
No one heard Min Doha’s silent scream.
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