Chapter Text
“And cut!!”
Pyuba snapped out of character, exhaling as he stretched his limbs out. It’s mental muscle memory, the act of getting into character, being someone you’re not. Pyuba wouldn’t say that he’s a good actor, despite the public’s opinion being the contrary. It was a stroke of luck that he got scouted by someone to be in a movie that performed exceptionally well, so much so that it catapulted him to stardom. He mingles with his costars, as this is his last day of filming in this particular drama.
“We’re going to miss you, Pyuba!!” He chuckles, smiling as he hugged the other back. Another costar chimes in, “It truly has been an honor working with you, do you have any idea of what you’ll work on next?”
He shakes his head, “Unfortunately, no. But I am hopeful that something will come along.” It’s the one thing about him that producers hate, the fact that he doesn’t sign onto a show unless it’s something he emotionally resonates with. Netizens would often call him “demanding” but really, he feels his performance would be subpar if the story doesn’t make him feel for the character.
He finishes talking with his costars, beginning to walk to the meeting rooms to start cleaning up. It’s not in his jurisdiction to clean it up, but unfortunately the habit never really died after his first televised drama. As he wiped the table down, his fingers brushed against a set of paper. He normally would’ve ignored it, however one look at the name attached has him geeking out inside. Suga, an author he adores the work of.
Looking closer, it appeared to be a script for a drama written by her. It seemed to be a fantastical retelling of The Odyssey, with Korean folklore added into the story. Were there problems in the script; a few, but for a pitch, it was pretty solid. It made him want to sign onto the project immediately, the second he steps out of this studio, he will contact her and express interest.
He starts to quicken his pace with his cleaning, way too excited for the project to do as thorough job as usual. He swings the door open, lunging inside the limousine and startling his agent Rai. She shrieks, the daylights being scared out of her. “Pyuba, what the hell!?”
He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, “Sorry Rai, but I think I might have found my next project.” She recovers her breath, slanting her head to the side. “Well, tell me what project has the honor of making you act like a fan girl at an idol concert.”
He squealed, “You know that one author that I read??”
Rai nodded, “Suga? Yeah, you constantly recommend her work. She’s decent, but way too saccharine for my taste, why?”
“Well, while I was cleaning the meeting rooms I stumbled upon a script for a show written by her, and I got a good feeling that this’ll be something incredible.”
Rai was skeptical about the project, but Pyuba’s optimism and giddiness was cracking through her defenses. She sighed, the decision was rash but it was incredibly rare for Pyuba to find a pitch that got him on board so quickly. She brought out her phone, which had Pyuba tilting his head at her. “What are you doing?”
She smirks, an air of a laugh escaping her. “I’m calling that author to schedule a meeting with her.” Pyuba gasped, before bursting into excitement and hugging Rai tightly while thanking her. She dialed the author’s business number, thus beginning the wait for her to pick up.
—
Suga groans, yawning as she stretches her arms upward. She knows that her sleeping into the late afternoon was not really productive, especially since she was still awaiting a call from any studio that was interested in her newest venture. Yet, it has been weeks since she sent out the first episode script and still no one called. She picked up her phone, seeing a number she didn’t recognize calling her. She answers, “Hello?”
Another woman’s voice speaks, “Hello, am I speaking to Suga?”
“Yes, what business do I owe the pleasure.”
“Well, I’m Pyuba’s agent and long story short, he found your script and is willing to star in your show.”
Suga’s heart froze for a moment as the news sank in. THE Pyuba wants to star in her drama?!! The attractive heartthrob of the nation, wants to be in her show?! Suga knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her show to get funding, if a big name like Pyuba is involved, then studios would be more likely to pick it up for a season or two. “Of course!!!”
“Perfect, he actually wants to meet with you to talk more about the script, if you’re free.”
Her heart was hammering at her ribcage, she almost thought she was dreaming. It certainly felt like a dream, her mouth blubbers random syllables that she couldn’t decipher. After a moment of freaking out, she snapped out of it and gave the agent her answer. “Yes, I can clear my schedule for this meeting!!! Would he be willing to meet with me at the greenhouse?” The hand holding her phone was shaking, all the while she paced around her tiny apartment.
“Excellent, I’ll also be attending for his security. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Suga murmurs a farewell, grabs a couch pillow and proceeds to scream into said pillow. Her legs kicking the air rapidly, she refused to believe that a famous actor that was notoriously difficult to sign on, was so eager to star in her series.
—
Suga taps her foot, she wasn’t impatient, rather she was anxious. This was a private meeting, that the public did not know about which could decide the fate of her series. She takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves when Pyuba arrives. Speaking of… she already knows what role he will have, the Faerie Prince. The airheaded hopeless romantic heir to the throne after the Faerie Queen.
She looks ahead, gasping softly at Pyuba. He was covered head to toe in clothing, but she knew exactly what he looked like. His brown, caramel skin gleams under the sunlight that hit his face. His eyes were heterochromatic, one hazel bordering on yellow and the other a clear sky blue. A strand of lemon cream, blonde hair rests above the bridge of his nose. His lips curl into a soft smile, giving a wave that never fails to swoon the nation when he does it on camera.
She shakes his hand, “It’s such an honor to meet you, sir.”
He giggles, the sound airy and delicate. “Please, just call me Pyuba. This is Rai, my friend and agent.” Suga turns to Rai, bowing to her as a greeting. She bows back, Suga tilts her head towards the indoor bench. “Why don’t we take a seat.” Pyuba nods, following her to the bench.
He puts his hands on his lap, “It’s funny, I’m actually a fan of your work.”
Suga gasps, “R-really now?”
Pyuba scratches his cheek lightly, “Yes, Midnight Summer is my favorite novel of yours.”
Suga blushes, the novel was one of her first works. Looking back on it, it was clunky in a few parts, especially in the second act. Her later novels were more liked than her first ones, still she felt immense pride in her work being loved by someone who had so much say. Pyuba tucked a blonde strand away from the four point star birthmark on his forehead, “Now, onto the reason for this meeting.” Suga gulps, not knowing what to expect. He takes a moment before speaking.
“There’s actually a few problems I have with the script,” for a moment Suga’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. Pyuba continues, “The script is great, but there’s a few things I think can make it phenomenal.” She nodded, while she was expecting producers to give her criticism on her script, she was not prepared to receive it from someone like Pyuba. “The main thing I have an issue with is the love potion, I think it would make the relationship more engaging if the potion aspect was removed entirely.”
Suga thinks about it, if Pyuba is not fully engaged then the whole project won’t get picked up by any studio without his name. So, for the sake of the story she wants to show, she’ll swallow her pride and oblige the request. “Oh, I can remove. It’s perfectly fine.” He nodded, now to the big part. “So, I already have the character you’re playing. The Faerie Prince; Viri.”
His brows rise, “Huh, I can see why you would pick that. And what of my costar?”
Suga clapped, “Well, you’re costar and character’s lover will be portrayed by Sha-mi.”
Rai chimes in, “You mean that kid who played the Fount Of Knowledge in that one movie?”
She nods, “Yes, he’s a dear childhood friend of mine. He hasn’t had any huge roles in a while, but I’m sure you and him will have good chemistry.”
She pulls out her phone, scrolling through her photos to find a picture of him. The latest photo she could find was a year ago, but was incredibly blurry with movement while taking the picture at the same. She giggles nervously, “I unfortunately can’t seem to find a presentable photo of him, he does have a instagram he posts sporadically though.”
Pyuba nodded, standing up and bowing to her, “It was very nice to meet you, Suga. I regret that we couldn’t talk longer, I have a variety show to do. But please keep me updated if the show gets picked up.”
She bowed back, wishing him a pleasant time on the show and leaving with Rai moments later. She spent the remainder of her time in the greenhouse studying the plants for the scenery of the Faerie Kingdom, she also had to make the producers aware that she was to be the one directing the series. She didn’t trust anyone’s hand that wasn’t hers on this particular project.
She stepped outside the building, pulled out her phone to post some photos of the plants. She figured that since the drama was almost guaranteed to get green lit, she might as well do some teasing for her loyal ecosystem of fans.
—
Suga stared at one particular contact in her phone, like it would delete itself if it were to look away. Finally she hit the call button and put the phone on speaker, it rings, once, twice. She was about to hang up before she heard it pick up, she held the phone to her lips.
“Hello?? Sha-mi??”
It takes a bit before he responds, “Oh, hey Sloth!!!”
She groaned, “You’re never going to let that nickname die are you?”
She hears a roar of laughter, shrieks of joy at her annoyance. “Never. Anyways, what’s up, you missed our monthly call last month.”
She rubbed the bridge of her nose, “I did. Well, I was in the middle of developing something during that period.”
A jeer echoes in her tiny apartment, “Oooohhhh, another novel about doomed lovers took your time away from little old me~?!”
“First of all, not all of my stories include the concept of doomed lovers. Secondly, no it wasn’t a novel this time. Rather a script for a drama.”
The teasing died down, “A drama?”
She hummed, “Mhm, and I already have you set as one of the two male leads-” before she could finish she was cut off.
“Suga, you are aware that I haven’t acted in any major role since I was sixteen, right? And what’s this about a second lead??”
“Sha-mi, please consider this. It could reboot your career, however I’m willing to understand if you’re not able to…”
“How many seasons?”
She was taken aback by the question, but lunges to answer. “The plan is for three, but with these studios, you never know.”
He goes silent for a moment, “Fine. I’ll be willing to play second fiddle to someone else.”
Suga squeals in delight, “Thank you so much Sha-mi!!! I’ll keep you updated on the status, byeeee!!!”
“Wait who’s going to be my co-” she hung up before she could let him get the last word in. She released the sigh of relief that was trapped in her lungs, knowing that her job for the day was done. Both leads have been secured, now to cast the ensemble, she will be aiming for more unknown actors for these roles.
Besides, she already has the biggest star casted as the second male lead and the first male lead who might have his comeback with the part. It would be shilling out if she were to get more big names, she needs the authenticity of fresh starters of the industry. Nevertheless, she’ll worry about that tomorrow, because that’s when she will be really pitching the drama to studios instead of being more vague by mailing them to the place.
She sets her alarm to sunrise and passed out on her mattress. Tomorrow will be the moment of truth.