Chapter 252: Krystal Video Calling Jung Soo Jung
As it approached noon, Lin Xiuyuan and Jung Soo Yeon left together.
Lin Xiaolu continued to be busy with work; Sulli’s film crew had already started filming, and the film crew for The Heirs was also almost ready.
As the female lead and the center visual of Girls’ Generation, it was almost impossible for her not to be busy.
On the other hand, Jung Soo Yeon, due to her identity as a designer, had recently received many invitations to fashion industry events, which was undoubtedly a great thing for her and SM Entertainment.
So, she was currently in a transition period, which allowed her to adjust a bit, rest, and also sort out her schedule.
The sunlight was perfect, and the air carried the slight coolness of early autumn.
Walking alongside Lin Xiuyuan, Jung Soo Yeon felt the wind blowing from the intersection gently lift the hem of her clothes, as if reminding her of the changing season.
At the same time, she felt a light and slightly accelerated heartbeat, as if she always felt a strange sense of peace whenever she was with Lin Xiuyuan recently.
Lin Xiuyuan noticed her slight shiver, his gaze briefly swept over her profile, and then returned to the front.
He then quickly ushered her into the car and skillfully started it, his movements crisp and natural.
Soon, the car radio softly played background music, its melody unhurried, as if creating a quiet space for the two of them.
“I really didn’t expect you to proactively suggest visiting the set.”
After getting into the car, Jung Soo Yeon turned her head to look at him, her tone carrying a hint of teasing, but a flicker of care crossed her eyes.
Leaning sideways in the front passenger seat, she held her small handbag, her peripheral vision occasionally glancing at Lin Xiuyuan, with a hint of subtle inquiry hidden in the depths of her gaze.
“What can I do? She’s your sister, and also Krystal’s past self, so I have to keep an eye on her.”
Lin Xiuyuan held the steering wheel with one hand, his other hand resting casually on his leg.
He shifted gears, pressed the accelerator, and drove the car towards the location Sulli had provided, his movements calm and natural.
Just then, Jung Soo Yeon suddenly spoke, “By the way, Xiuyuan~ What was Jessica’s expression like when she answered?”
Her voice was not loud, with a hint of curiosity.
Lin Xiuyuan, looking straight ahead, replied, “Well, how should I put it? It was a very normal reaction. Even after hearing that Jung Soo Yeon was asking, she only showed curiosity towards me, not towards you.”
Jung Soo Yeon pursed her lips, not pressing further, and quietly gazed out at the rapidly receding streetscape.
After a few seconds, she suddenly chuckled softly, “So Xiuyuan~ personally, how do you think I’m doing now in 2025? How do you think she’s doing?”
Lin Xiuyuan understood the implication in her words, turned his head to glance at her, and the corner of his lips curved slightly, “So, do you want to hear the truth, or do you want me to just brush it off?”
Jung Soo Yeon froze for a moment, not answering, and instead turned her head to the other side in a rather silent manner.
The sunlight outside the car window was just right, softly illuminating the contour of her profile, but her eyes were somewhat unfocused.
After a brief silence, she said softly, “Tell me the truth, I’m quite curious.”
“The truth.” Lin Xiuyuan’s smile was faint, with a touch of composure. “Actually, from my perspective outside your circle, Jessica’s actions back then were purely to maximize her interests. It was a very normal thing. The only unfortunate part was that she ran into a big pit and fell in completely.”
Jung Soo Yeon couldn’t help but chuckle softly and shake her head, “You didn’t speak so nicely before, Xiuyuan.”
“Alright, she ran into an idiot, which led to her falling into a pit.”
After chuckling, Lin Xiuyuan continued.
“But I asked Krystal later, and her income didn’t decrease too much. Maybe it was just the loss of profit sharing, so even with less work and popularity, her income didn’t have a significant deficit.”
While saying this, Lin Xiuyuan’s words carried a hint of helplessness and rational analysis, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel as if sorting out his own logic.
“It’s just that she was later pulled into another pit by that idiot, which resulted in her being blacklisted in Hong Kong and Macau, forcing her to withdraw from her work there.”
Then, Lin Xiuyuan’s gaze briefly swept over Jung Soo Yeon, noticing her brows furrow slightly, her lips seemingly holding a hint of concern, yet she deliberately composed her expression.
“But she was quite lucky. Just as she was blacklisted, that global shutdown happened, lasting for several years. After the economy recovered, she leveraged the connections she had accumulated during those years to directly enter the domestic entertainment industry to make money. So, in my opinion, although Jessica’s journey was bumpy, her life situation wasn’t much worse than when she was in the group.”
Finally, perhaps feeling he had spoken too objectively, Lin Xiuyuan’s lips curved, and the “Dragon King” persona activated as he began his rant.
“But if you look at it from a fan’s perspective, then I have something to say.”
With a devilishly charming smile, he continued, “For example, the idiot I just mentioned is Jessica. Because she misjudged one man, she caused Girls’ Generation, which could have risen further with the internet boom, to fall into obscurity. It’s truly a shame.”
He then added, “Even if she had calmly weathered those two years and then pursued her own endeavors, her income wouldn’t have been much different from what she has now, and there wouldn’t have been any stains or blacklists.”
Throughout the journey, Jung Soo Yeon listened to Lin Xiuyuan’s words, falling into deep thought.
She had, in fact, thought of all these things after reading so much news and information in 2025.
She had only asked him to hear the answer from his mouth and compare it with her own thoughts.
Seeing the slightly somber atmosphere in the car after his rant, Lin Xiuyuan lightly raised an eyebrow and, with a hint of teasing, changed the subject.
“By the way, after I go and find Jinjin later, I must ask her what happened and why she cleared all the chat records in my group.”
Jung Soo Yeon, who had been a bit lost in thought, heard this and her heart skipped a beat. She coughed lightly, “Um, that… that was me asking Sulli to clear them. Last night, we were discussing some topics in the group that were not suitable for children and not appropriate for you to be involved in, so we deleted them.”
Lin Xiuyuan looked up at her, and Jung Soo Yeon happened to turn her head at the same time.
His gaze, filled with inquiry and a touch of warmth, met Jung Soo Yeon’s for a moment, causing the air in the car to become slightly tense.
But Lin Xiuyuan quickly smiled, his expression relaxing, “Alright.”
After smiling, he casually asked, leaning back in his seat, “So what were you guys talking about that was so explosive that you had to clear the records?”
Jung Soo Yeon froze for a moment, quickly forcing a smile, her eyes darting around, “Oh, it’s just girl talk, don’t ask.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan also chuckled and stopped pressing.
As they chatted and laughed, the car drove into the district where the film crew was located. After lowering the car window and confirming their identities with the outer personnel, they drove further inside.
Soon, a van could be seen parked by the roadside from a distance, along with busy staff members coming and going.
Lin Xiuyuan parked the car on the side, preparing to get out with Jung Soo Yeon.
However, before getting out, Jung Soo Yeon put on her sunglasses, her aura instantly turning a bit colder, as if she had switched to professional mode.
She then casually brushed her long hair, elegant and determined, with a hint of imperceptible pride.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan, who had just turned off the engine, couldn’t help but tease, “Wow, is this the so-called idol mode?”
Jung Soo Yeon rolled her eyes at him and didn’t retort. Instead, she adjusted her long hair, elegantly got out of the car, and led Lin Xiuyuan towards the makeup room.
As they reached the doorway, they saw Sulli walking out from inside holding a script, almost bumping into them.
“Ah!” Sulli paused for a moment, then broke into a surprised smile, “Oppa~, Unnie, you’re finally here! If you’re any later, we’ll be moving after we finish filming.”
“Are you in such a hurry? Be careful when you walk.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled, reached out to take the script from her, and then asked, “So, should the support vehicle I arranged be driven here, or to your next location?”
“You even arranged a support vehicle?” Sulli was surprised.
Jung Soo Yeon was also a bit shocked, tilting her head slightly to look at Lin Xiuyuan, a hint of disbelief and curiosity flashing in her eyes, “When did you arrange that? How come I didn’t know anything about it?”
The main point was that they had been together since this morning until just now, and neither had heard the other make any phone calls to communicate about this.
So Jung Soo Yeon couldn’t help but be a bit shocked, raising her eyebrows slightly.
“What’s there to communicate about? Just add a friend, find some promotional material online, print it, stick it on the coffee truck, and pay for a day. I think you’ve misunderstood; I didn’t get any small accessories or gifts, just a regular coffee and food truck.”
Lin Xiuyuan shook his phone, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance yet sounding perfectly natural as he clearly explained his actions.
Then Sulli smiled, “Oppa, just a regular food truck is enough. Those small gifts are too much trouble, and some staff might not even want them.”
“Yes, they should be here soon,” Lin Xiuyuan glanced towards the intersection.
As the three of them stood at the doorway chatting, the makeup room door was pushed open, and Jung Soo Jung walked out.
As she stepped out, her eyes held a habitual coldness, as if she was still immersed in the character’s emotions.
But when she clearly saw the people standing at the doorway, her expression visibly faltered.
Jung Soo Jung, with her still delicate features, had gained some flesh on her cheeks and arms compared to before to match the character’s image.
However, that slight weight gain made her appear softer and closer to the realism required by the role.
Yet, this change brought a hint of surprise to those who knew her well.
That kind of aura was like the one Lin Xiuyuan saw in her during the “Crystal Ball” period in later years; she was no longer a sharp young girl but had gained some roundness… it was funny.
“Why are you all here?”
Her voice was calm, deliberately concealing something, but her eyes involuntarily shifted between Lin Xiuyuan and Jung Soo Yeon.
Finally, she hesitantly settled on Sulli’s face, as if silently seeking an answer.
Sulli immediately beamed, her eyes curving into crescent moons, and said cheerfully, “Unnie said she wanted to give you a surprise, so she specifically came to visit the set~! That’s why I told Oppa and the others the address! And, Soo Jung, Oppa even specially prepared your support vehicle!”
“Support vehicle?” Jung Soo Jung blinked, her eyes instinctively looking towards Lin Xiuyuan, her gaze showing surprise and bewilderment.
Lin Xiuyuan simply smiled faintly, casually waving his hand, “It’s just a regular coffee truck, with some refreshing drinks and snacks for everyone. It’s nothing special, don’t take it to heart.”
Jung Soo Jung paused for a few seconds, then sincerely bowed slightly, her voice earnest, “Thank you very much.”
Jung Soo Yeon, standing beside them, quietly watched Jung Soo Jung, and a sense of unease subtly arose in her heart.
This was because she keenly sensed that Jung Soo Jung’s current state seemed more fatigued than she had anticipated.
Her slightly fuller figure and eyes that couldn’t hide her weariness silently spoke of her recent hardships.
“Soo Jung, come here for a moment.”
After saying this, Jung Soo Yeon, without giving her a chance to refuse, gently took her arm and led her aside with an unyielding force.
“Unnie, I still need to prepare for the next scene…”
“Just for a moment,” Jung Soo Yeon’s voice was soft, but carried an irrefutable certainty.
The two walked to the side and spoke in hushed tones.
Due to work, they hadn’t had a proper face-to-face chat like this in a while.
Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze held both heartache and a rare, elder sisterly presence, leaving Jung Soo Jung with no choice but to respond obediently.
On the other side, Lin Xiuyuan, who remained in his spot, was accompanied by Sulli as they walked around the set, observing.
Sulli lively introduced him to the filming scenes and staff, occasionally cracking jokes, her eyes sparkling, making the atmosphere feel relaxed and at ease.
Before long, a coffee support vehicle with a simple banner slowly arrived.
The metal exterior of the food truck gleamed in the sunlight. The side of the truck was painted with words like “Cheer up, Jung Soo Jung, filming crew, you’ve worked hard.” Though not luxurious, it was filled with sincerity.
Lin Xiuyuan and Sulli went together to greet the director.
The director had originally planned to rest after completing the planned scenes, but seeing as Sulli was the screenwriter, and considering the need to adjust the crew’s atmosphere, he waved his hand and announced a half-hour early break, so everyone could enjoy lunch and coffee together.
Soon, the film crew staff gathered by the food truck in small groups, the atmosphere lively and relaxed.
Before long, Jung Soo Yeon also walked over, linking arms with Jung Soo Jung, both of them looking much more relaxed.
…
Not long ago.
When Jung Soo Yeon gently took Jung Soo Jung’s hand and led her to a less crowded corner of the set, she immediately lowered her voice and asked with concern.
“Soo Jung,”
Jung Soo Yeon’s voice was soft, but carried undeniable seriousness, “When you were filming recently, did you encounter any difficulties?”
Jung Soo Jung subconsciously looked away, forcing a smile, her tone feigning lightness, “No, everything’s fine… maybe I’m just tired from continuous filming.”
“Don’t try to fool me.” Jung Soo Yeon gazed at her steadily, her eyes seeming to penetrate all pretenses and reach the truth in her heart, “Is there anything you really can’t tell Unnie?”
Jung Soo Jung bit her lower lip, met Jung Soo Yeon’s gaze for a few seconds, and finally relented, her voice lowering, “Um… there are some problems.”
Hearing this, Jung Soo Yeon sighed, her voice softening a bit, “Didn’t Xiuyuan and Xiaolu give you some acting scripts before? Didn’t they help?”
“They were helpful,” Jung Soo Jung nodded slightly, but then sighed again, her brows laced with helplessness, “But how should I put it? I understand the content, and I can perform it. It’s just… when filming, I always feel like something is missing.”
She paused, her gaze drifting slightly, her fingers rubbing her clothes, as if trying to smooth out her inner anxiety.
“The director doesn’t have very high requirements; my scenes are passable. But if we want a better, more natural effect, then it might not be so good.”
Speaking of this, Jung Soo Jung couldn’t help but think of what Sulli had told her about “method acting.”
But that kind of approach, which required genuine emotional investment, seemed ethereal and out of reach for her.
The main reason was that in her life, there was no one who could truly move her.
Around her were only company colleagues or friends from the industry; no one had yet made her feel such emotions.
In Jung Soo Jung’s opinion, if she were to try “method acting,” she would want the subject to be someone she genuinely liked, not just anyone.
These thoughts swirled in her mind but were not spoken.
She remained silent, a shadow of gloom hanging over her face.
Jung Soo Yeon saw this situation, and her heart felt heavy as if something was pressing down on it.
If it were before, she might not have been so persistent in her questioning.
Everyone was striving for their careers, each moving along their own track, and she was accustomed to maintaining a certain distance between sisters.
But now, things were different.
Ever since she learned about everything in 2025, knowing what Jung Soo Jung would experience and lose because of her.
Those images would surface repeatedly, making Jung Soo Yeon’s heart ache, and she wanted to do her best to compensate for something on this end.
What was in the future could no longer be mended, which made Jung Soo Yeon care even more about the Jung Soo Jung of the present.
“Silly girl,” Jung Soo Yeon reached out and ruffled her sister’s long hair, her gaze as soft as overflowing warm water, “If you really can’t get past it, just say it. Don’t bottle it up alone.”
Jung Soo Jung just pursed her lips and didn’t explain further. That silence made Jung Soo Yeon’s heart ache even more.
Just then, a car horn sounded from outside the film set.
The support vehicle had arrived.
Jung Soo Yeon took her sister’s hand and said, “Don’t think about it for now, let’s go see the support vehicle. We can also go talk to Xiuyuan, maybe he can help you.”
“Ah, Unnie, are you serious? What can he help me with?” Jung Soo Jung blinked, half-believing and half-doubting.
“He can find you a teacher.”
Jung Soo Yeon’s tone was light, but her eyes held certainty and tenderness, as if all this was already under control.
…
The group took coffee and sandwiches from the food truck and then walked to the rest area designated for actors not far away.
Folding tables and chairs were set up here. Although the setup was simple, the shade provided by the umbrella and the temporarily hung curtains managed to block out the glaring sun.
The air was filled with the aroma of coffee, the fragrance of sandwiches, and the faint hum of machinery in the distance, giving the space a sense of makeshift busyness, yet also making it feel very lived-in.
After the four of them sat down, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Sulli was the first to speak, smiling as she chatted with Lin Xiuyuan about the structure of the film crew.
She recounted in detail how the lighting crew set up lights for the best atmosphere, what important items the props team had recently misplaced, and even the minor frictions between the directing and producing teams.
Lin Xiuyuan listened and nodded, occasionally asking follow-up questions, his eyes filled with ease and curiosity, which made Sulli more and more excited as she spoke, her voice and laughter becoming brighter.
Midway through, she suddenly clapped her hand as if remembering something, her eyes shining as she looked at Lin Xiuyuan, “Oppa, do you remember when we joked about you becoming a director?”
“I remember. I thought you guys were crazy back then.” Lin Xiuyuan smiled, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness.
“Indeed. Back then, it seemed interesting, but now I realize directing is really too difficult. It’s not just about filming, but also coordinating with various teams. It’s practically devil’s work.”
“What you call it is ‘wishful thinking’,” Lin Xiuyuan was amused, took a sip of coffee, and casually teased, “If you really made me a director, I’d probably run away in three days.”
Sulli couldn’t help but giggle, her laughter filled with a sunshine-like lightness.
Just then, Jung Soo Yeon gently interjected, her tone calm but naturally shifting the topic, “Speaking of which, how is the progress of your actor group? I heard from Soo Jung just now that it seems quite tight recently?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Xiuyuan subconsciously looked at Jung Soo Jung.
Her slightly plump appearance almost made him burst out laughing, and he even felt the urge to take out his phone, take pictures, and send them to the future Krystal in the group chat.
However, before he could act on it, Jung Soo Yeon seemed to sense something and said, “By the way, Xiuyuan, could you find a teacher for Soo Jung to take lessons?”
Hearing this, Lin Xiuyuan was taken aback, “Ah, how would the lessons work?”
He understood Jung Soo Yeon’s intention, which was undoubtedly about Krystal, “Do you want me to arrange a meeting?”
“No, no.”
To his surprise, Jung Soo Yeon immediately shook her head, “No need to meet. It would be like an online class. Soo Jung can turn on her camera, and that teacher can guide her from their computer. It would be like when Yoona did it, and it would probably be much better than letting Soo Jung figure it out alone.”
Jung Soo Jung tilted her head slightly, a flicker of hesitation and curiosity in her eyes. Her lips moved gently, as if weighing the pros and cons.
Sulli, standing nearby, noticed her reaction and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips.
As for Lin Xiuyuan, he took a serious look at Jung Soo Yeon. Seeing her still shaking her head, he then said, “I’ll ask the person, but does Soo Jung have time?”
Before Jung Soo Jung could speak, Sulli immediately chimed in, “Yes, Soo Jung’s schedule lately is mostly filming. Apart from filming, she has very few other commitments, so she has time.”
Jung Soo Jung nodded gently, her lips pursed, “Yes, that’s right.”
A hint of relaxation showed in her eyes, as if she had a small expectation for future arrangements.
The steam from the coffee drifted gently in the breeze, the conversation and laughter of the four interweaving, making this temporary rest area feel exceptionally warm and real.
……
……
Evening, 2025.
Inside the villa, the night was quiet. Outside the window, only the faint sound of wind from a distance and the occasional cry of night birds could be heard.
Krystal, just back from being “interrogated” by Jessica, received a new “job” from Lin Xiuyuan as soon as she entered. A amused yet slightly surprised expression was on her face.
“Ah, you’re asking me to teach myself. I don’t even know where to start. Yoona unnie was an example before, Xiuyuan~”
Krystal said this while shrugging slightly, her movements carrying a hint of helplessness but also a relaxed smile. She then sat down beside Lin Xiuyuan.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. Your sister is concerned about Jung Soo Jung, so she asked for your help. Shall I go tell her we can’t do it?”
With that, Lin Xiuyuan got up to return to the 2013 apartment, but Krystal grabbed his arm, “Hey! I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it. I’m just a bit confused because it’s so sudden. Give me a moment to adjust.”
Her voice carried a hint of acting cute and still some lingering nervousness. Her eyes flickered slightly, “I’m mainly a little worried that Jung Soo Jung might recognize me.”
“If you don’t turn on the camera, it’ll be fine,” Lin Xiuyuan added with a smile.
“My voice is fine too,” Krystal blinked.
“Have you forgotten Taeyeon’s situation?” Lin Xiuyuan said with a smile, then added, “How about we have a video call?”
Krystal hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
And so, a few minutes later, the two of them returned to the 2013 apartment.
Sulli hadn’t finished work yet and was still with Jung Soo Jung at the film crew.
Lin Xiuyuan, along with Krystal, returned to his bedroom, opened the computer, logged into his account, and then directly made a video call to Sulli.
Since it was a desktop computer, this computer didn’t have a camera, only a microphone. There was no need to worry about Krystal’s face being captured by hackers.
The night shrouded the apartment, with only the faint glow from the computer screen illuminating their faces, carrying a gentle warmth.
The computer screen lit up, revealing the film crew’s location on Sulli’s end.
After Lin Xiuyuan communicated with Sulli for a bit, she also turned the camera around, pointing it at the filming Jung Soo Jung.
Under the dim yellow lighting, Jung Soo Jung was wearing a thick mascot costume, her face beaded with sweat.
Due to the needs of the role, her figure seemed to have become a bit rounder compared to when they met at noon. It was likely due to some technological enhancements. Even her movements revealed a slight clumsiness.
Seeing this, Lin Xiuyuan finally couldn’t help but laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly, his laughter low but irrepressible, “Haha, I didn’t dare to laugh at noon. Crystal ball, hahahaha, you look so funny now.”
“Hey!”
Krystal, sitting beside him, immediately reached out and swatted him. Though her eyes were full of laughter, they also held a protective feeling for “herself.” “What are you laughing at? That’s me.”
She bit her lip and added, a hint of teasing in the corner of her eyes, “Tell me, did you laugh like this when you saw me before 2025?”
“I didn’t, really didn’t,”
Lin Xiuyuan quickly waved his hands, suppressing his laughter, and coughed softly as a cover.
Krystal’s expression gradually calmed down, and she stared intently at the screen. She didn’t speak hastily but carefully observed Jung Soo Jung’s performance.
She watched in silence, only her brow occasionally furrowing slightly, as if contemplating something.
When a scene finished and the director called “cut,” Jung Soo Jung took her script and retreated to the side to rest.
Seeing an opening, Sulli immediately walked over with her phone, smiling as she approached Jung Soo Jung, “Hee hee, Soo Jung, guess who’s on the phone?”
Jung Soo Jung was opening a bottle of water, her eyebrows raised, “Who?”
“Oppa came by at noon, and didn’t Soo Yeon unnie ask him to find you an acting teacher? The online lesson kind…” Sulli said very casually, smiling brightly, “This is her.”
“Ah?” Jung Soo Jung was stunned, almost dropping the water bottle in her hand.
She looked at the camera with disbelief, or rather, at the dark void in the corner.
Her tone was full of surprise, “It’s only been a few hours? No way…”
Lin Xiuyuan, on the other side of the screen, greeted her with a smile, “Hi, Soo Jung. It’s mainly because Soo Yeon is quite concerned, so I found someone to try and see the effect first.”
Saying this, he gently pushed the microphone towards Krystal.
Krystal pursed her lips, her expression serious, and spoke calmly and firmly, “Soo Jung.”
Her voice was soft but carried a warmth that made Jung Soo Jung on the other end of the phone pause slightly, her gaze involuntarily focusing.
That voice… sounded a bit familiar, but she couldn’t say why.
Although she was just a stranger, an “online lesson teacher,” the sense of familiarity made her instinctively straighten her back, her expression showing a hint of shock and curiosity.
Her eyes widened slightly, as if searching for a fragment in her memory.
“Have… have I heard your voice somewhere before?”
After a moment, Jung Soo Jung couldn’t help but ask instinctively.
Her voice trembled slightly, her eyes narrowed, trying hard to capture more clues from the phone screen in Sulli’s hand.
Krystal on this side of the screen felt a gentle tremor in her heart.
Through Sulli’s camera, she clearly saw herself from 2013, fumbling with her acting.
The youthful aura, the sharpness and stubbornness in her eyes, unmarred by time, were still there, yet mixed with the confusion and hesitation of a newborn.
This made her murmur inwardly: So… that’s what I was like back then.
Both familiar and strange.
Like seeing a long-lost shadow in a mirror, with a gentle yet slightly piercing sense of unfamiliarity.
Her emotions flickered slightly, but Krystal quickly regained her composure, putting away her inner feelings. Her tone, however, carried an unavoidable complexity.
She knew that the person on the other end was not “someone else” but her past self.
Precisely because of this, she understood the problem better than anyone and wanted to push her more, to help her grow faster.
“I watched your last scene.”
Krystal spoke again, her voice firmer than before, carrying a calm strength.
“Actually, your problem isn’t with the lines or the blocking, but with your emotional connection. You had the feeling in the first half, but it broke when you transitioned. Your expression didn’t keep up, so the audience felt it was ‘fake.’ It’s like you were acting, not in that situation.”
Jung Soo Jung frowned slightly upon hearing this.
Being evaluated by that familiar voice, she felt a bit awkward. Although she wanted to retort, she was suppressed by the other person’s certainty and couldn’t speak.
And Krystal continued to point out, “And then there’s your gaze. I don’t know if you’ve noticed or felt it.”
“What?” Jung Soo Jung asked.
“It’s that when you deliver your lines, you always glance down, as if looking for ants or seeking a sense of security. This might be related to being an idol. You’re used to looking for the camera, for the fans. But in TV series, the camera magnifies everything, and the audience sees you as evasive, not expressive.”
As soon as Krystal finished speaking, the water bottle in Jung Soo Jung’s hand creaked as she gripped it.
She was somewhat astonished, and even more so, frightened.
How could this so-called “teacher” pinpoint her problems so accurately after watching for just a few minutes?
It was as if she understood her better than she understood herself.
Is this what a great teacher is like?
Is this how Yoona unnie improved her acting skills with such a teacher?
Krystal on the screen also fell silent for a moment, as if letting Jung Soo Jung digest each word.
Then she slowly added, her tone conveying the sentiment and warmth of someone who had been through it.
“Actually, acting isn’t just about lines and actions; it’s a combination of emotions and experiences. Your current performance is passable, but to be better, you must find something that truly moves you internally. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, there will always be a barrier.”
Before and after the computer screen, the “Jung Soo Jung” of two time-spaces formed a stark contrast.
One had a slightly flushed face, a somber and silent expression, with youthful immaturity and unease in her eyes.
The other had clear eyes and a sharp tone, but mixed with a trace of indescribable heartache and expectation.
At this moment, however, Lin Xiuyuan interjected with a smile, his voice carrying a hint of teasing, “Don’t just point out problems without solving them. What if Soo Jung gets even more confused? Tell me, what should she do?”
Krystal glared at him, secretly thinking this guy truly “enjoyed stirring up trouble,” but she still turned her attention back to Jung Soo Jung on the screen.
“Alright, I’ll give you a very basic training method first.”
Pausing for a moment, she tried to soften her voice, but it still carried a hint of strictness and undeniable authority, “The most important thing is to start with your gaze. The eye acting skills you’ve honed throughout your years as an idol must be gradually changed, Soo Jung.”
Jung Soo Jung paused slightly and softly repeated, “Ah, gaze?”
In the bedroom, Krystal leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing through the screen directly into Jung Soo Jung’s eyes, as if penetrating time and space.
“Yes, it’s the gaze,”
Speaking slowly, her voice was firm and penetrating, “From today onwards, you need to learn to immerse yourself in the role, not perform for anyone. Your gaze is the bridge to your emotions. If the bridge isn’t built, even perfect lines and actions are just superficial.”
Her gaze swept over Jung Soo Jung on the screen, then briefly scanned the bedroom, “Your gaze is too unfocused now; it lacks stability. So when your lines are interrupted, your emotions break down with them. You need to first learn to fix your gaze, let it support your emotions, not be dragged by them.”
Then, looking at a bottle of water on the table, she continued, “Anything will do. A water bottle, or the pen on the table. Stare at it, not its shape, but ‘see through it.’ Imagine there’s an emotion hidden behind it, like you’re staring at someone you want to talk to.”
“Talk to it?” Jung Soo Jung softly repeated, a hint of confusion in her eyebrows.
Krystal nodded, “Yes, even if it’s just a cup, you have to treat it as someone who can respond to you. Look at it and say a line, then film it with your phone and watch it back later to see if your gaze is trembling. Then say a second line, a third line, until your gaze is steady on it, not flickering or avoiding. Only then will your emotions not drop.”
She paused and added seriously, “If you can ‘talk’ to an inanimate object, then when you’re acting with a real actor, your gaze will have power and won’t be hollow.”
Jung Soo Jung on the screen subconsciously pursed her lips, her fingers gently stroking the water bottle.
This method sounded a bit strange, but… it didn’t seem entirely unreasonable.
Krystal seemed to read her hesitation and continued, “It’s okay if you don’t believe me. Pick up the water bottle in your hand, stare at it, and pretend it’s the person you want to confide in. For example…”
She paused, her eyes flickered, and she slowly uttered a few words, “For example, imagine it’s Xiuyuan~”
“Huh?”
Jung Soo Jung froze instantly, a blush rising on her cheeks. She instinctively glanced at Sulli, who was sitting calmly drinking water beside her.
On the other end of the call, Krystal’s lips curved slightly. She didn’t explain further, just quietly watched herself in the video.
The air seemed to fall silent, with only the sound of breathing and the faint wind from afar accompanying the silence.
Then, the next scene needed to be filmed.
When Jung Soo Jung finished filming and rushed back to the rest area, the video on the screen had gone dark.
Seeing her looking somewhat dazed, Sulli, holding her phone, smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Soo Jung. That was just a trial lesson. The real lesson starts tomorrow during the day.”
Jung Soo Jung was taken aback, picked up the water bottle from the table, and took a sip. However, her mind was still occupied by that voice from earlier.
After a long while, she raised her eyes, her expression filled with confusion and bewilderment, “Sulli ah, do you know that teacher from earlier? I just feel like her voice is so familiar.”
Sulli almost burst out laughing, thinking to herself: No wonder it sounds familiar. That’s your future self.
But she maintained an innocent facade, shook her head, “I don’t know her. Maybe her voice just sounds similar to someone you’ve heard before.”
Saying that, she changed the subject and asked casually, “By the way, Soo Jung, what do you think of the method she just taught?”
Jung Soo Jung was silent for two seconds, her brow furrowed slightly, as if weighing or organizing her thoughts.
She pursed her lips and answered hesitantly, “I can’t really say, but I can try. It’s just…”
At this point, her expression faltered slightly, and a hint of unease flashed in her eyes, “Her last sentence, telling me to practice as if it were Lin Xiuyuan, made me feel a bit confused, and even… a little offended.”
Sulli immediately sensed the subtlety in her tone and quickly explained, waving her hand with a laugh, “Hey, maybe because oppa was nearby, that’s why the teacher said that. Don’t overthink it.”
Jung Soo Jung hummed softly, her expression gradually easing. She didn’t press further.
She just put down the water bottle, sat back in her chair, slowly adjusted her breathing, and then stared at a pen on the table in front of her, starting to try the method taught in the video.
Her gaze gradually focused, filled with concentration, as if trying to grasp a sliver of genuine feeling from this subtle practice.
At the same time, that voice continued to echo in her mind.
Really, just a little similar?
So familiar… very familiar.
Daily ten thousand word update finished, thanks to my godfathers for their support and votes.
Daily ten thousand word progress bar: 89/100.
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