The next day arrived faster than Min-ji expected.
By morning, the industry was already buzzing News spread quickly—too quickly like it was intentionally spread that Min-ji had officially terminated her contract with VREX.
And if that was not shocking enough then the news that She had joined Dayo’s cast for the project a train to Busan.
At first, it sounded unbelievable.
Then disbelief turned into shock and shock turned into gossip.
"How could she do that?"
"Does she know what she’s risking?"
"Leaving a top agency for a project with no future?"
"Isn’t that director the one from Arica?"
"Yes he is the one."
"If he doesn’t co back, his career here is finished."
"I an I even heard they offered her an upgrade in her contract yesterday."
"WHAT!! Was it not yesterday that she terminated the contract?"
"Yes."
"So you an she terminated the contract even after the they offered her and upgrade?."
"Yup and not for a better one but for a ban movie"
"A ban movie?."
"What ? Don’t tell you haven’t heard ?."
"Heard of what exactly?."
"Are you even in the industry ?."
"Alright you know i haven’t been online so just spill."
"Hmm aight so according my source an Arican director ca to Korean and he kinda offended soone from the VIREX executives and they placed a ban on him and his movies."
"So no actor or actress is to work with him or any projevt he works so according to what I heard Min-ji actually got the role for this movie before the movie got ban and the director asked her to join the movie again."
"And she accepted now and that’s how we got to this."
"Wow this Min-ji girl really has guts."
Different versions of the stories were flying.
Whispers filled offices, coffee shops, studios, and online forums. So people pitied her. Others mocked her. A few admired her courage but said nothing out loud.
To most of them, Min-ji had just made a foolish choice.
But to Min-ji, it felt like freedom.
For the first ti in years, she could breathe.
After years of not seeing roles she could see light at the end of her own tunnel
The contract termination was completed that morning.
It did not take long.
The lawyers handled everything cleanly. The penalty fee was paid imdiately.
₩180,000,000.
A large sum.
But not impossible.
Dayo did not even blink when he approved it.
Once the docunts were signed and stamped, the bond that had tied Minji down for years was finally broken.
No more silent punishnt.
No more waiting.
No more being shelved because she didn’t "fit the company’s plans."
As she walked out of the building, she felt lighter, almost unreal—like she had been carrying invisible chains without knowing it.
Later that day, Dayo t her briefly and handed her the finalized script again.
M.S Ignition.
She read it once more, slowly this ti.
Her role was not the lead.
She was a supporting actress.
But it was a strong role.
A aningful role.
One that would leave an impression.
And more importantly, it was a role that would actually be seen.
That alone made her smile.
For Minji, that was enough.
Elsewhere, Dayo sat alone in his office.
The sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting long shadows across the floor. His desk was cluttered with files, casting lists, and notes written in both Korean and English.
His phone rang.
He picked it up.
"Sir," the lawyer’s voice ca through. "Everything is settled."
Dayo nodded, even though the other person couldn’t see him.
"Good," he said.
"Minji is officially free."
"Understood."
The call ended.
Dayo leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.
That was one battle won.
But the war wasn’t over.
He picked up a file and scanned through the remaining cast list.
Most roles were filled.
The adults.
The supporting characters.
The background roles.
Even the difficult ones.
Only one remained.
The child role.
The most important emotional anchor of the movie.
And also the hardest to fill.
Dayo rubbed his temple lightly.
Most promising child actors were already locked into long-term agency contracts. Others were overexposed. So lacked the emotional depth the role required.
This role couldn’t be forced.
It had to feel real.
He stood up and walked toward the window, staring out at the city.
"Why is this one always the hardest?" he muttered.
A knock ca at the door.
"Co in," Dayo said.
The door opened.
Park stepped in.
"Boss," Park Hyun-Seo greeted with a small bow. "Good afternoon."
"Park," Dayo replied, smiling slightly. "How are you?"
"I’m good," Park Hyun-Seo . Then he hesitated. "Ah—sorry, boss. I brought my child to the studio today."
Dayo turned back, surprised.
"You did?"
"Yes," Park Hyun-Seo said quickly. "You ntioned before that it was okay."
Dayo waved his hand dismissively. "Of course. That’s fine."
Park stepped aside.
A small figure peeked out from behind him.
A little girl.
She wasn’t shy.
Just cautious and curious she was looking around.
She stepped forward and bowed politely.
"Hello," she said in a soft, clear voice. "Thank you for giving my dad a chance."
Dayo blinked Then he smiled he always had a soft spots for children evidence to how he dotes his sister and Sharon’s daughter Deborah.
"Well," he said warmly, crouching slightly to her level, "you’re very polite."
Park Hyun-Seo chuckled. "She hears everything at ho."
Dayo laughed lightly. "That’s good."
The little girl looked up at him curiously, her eyes bright and attentive.
For a brief second, Dayo thought of sothing and quickly focused his consciousness in his mind and...
Sothing about her expression felt... familiar.
Not her face.
Her eyes.
The way she looked—calm, observant, quietly aware.
Dayo straightened slowly.
An idea flashed through his mind.
Sharp.
Clear.
He looked at the child again, this ti more carefully.
And what he saw made his mind made his want to run to hug her.
He just used his director Instinct and what je saw made his Jaw almost wide open he had to call his nerves.
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