139: Chapter 139 is generating an explosive amount of buzz!

After Director Jeong slammed the door and left, the audition room was silent for a full minute.

Director Lee Chang-dong leaned back in his chair, let out a long breath, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples vigorously.

Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye picked up her water bottle to take a sip, her fingers trembling slightly.

Producer Park Sung-ho's face remained pale; he looked at the door, then at Song Tianhao, wanting to say something but holding back.

Song Tianhao walked to the door, closed it again, locked it, and then returned to his seat.

He picked up the fountain pen on the table, twirled it around his fingertip, and said in a calm voice, "Let's continue."

Producer Park Sung-ho finally couldn't help but ask, "President Song, the way you treated Director Jeong just now... won't it..."

"Producer Park." Song Tianhao interrupted him, his tone devoid of fluctuation, "CJ is the investor, but the final decision-making power for 'dark light' rests with the director and the production team. Since Sky Entertainment is participating in the investment, it has the right to recommend actors."

He paused, "As for the actor's personal conduct and contract issues, we have already made that clear just now. Han Hyo-joo is now an actor under Sky Entertainment; her past and the disputes with CJ end here."

"If CJ exerts pressure on movie scheduling or other aspects due to personal grudges, the entire project will suffer losses. I believe Chairman Lee Jae-hyun is not that unprofessional."

The "Chairman Lee" he referred to was Chairman Lee Jae-hyun of CJ Group. This statement was clever; it not only pointed out that Director Jeong was merely management at CJ Entertainment and did not represent the entire CJ Group, but it also elevated the conflict from personal grudges to project interests.

Producer Park Sung-ho opened his mouth but didn't say anything more. He knew Song Tianhao was right; CJ was not monolithic, and Director Jeong was just a director who could not represent the entire CJ. Moreover, the things Song Tianhao had just revealed... were enough to keep Director Jeong quiet for a long time.

Director Lee Chang-dong put his glasses back on and looked at Song Tianhao with a complicated expression, "President Song, your methods are quite ruthless."

"Director, some people are not worth treating with an artist's approach." Song Tianhao nodded slightly, "Apologies for delaying the audition process. Let's continue discussing the character."

The topic returned to the right track, but the atmosphere had changed. Director Jeong's intrusion was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake; although the ripples gradually subsided, there were already undercurrents moving beneath the water.

"Both of them are very good." Director Lee Chang-dong spoke first, his fingers tapping lightly on the script, "So good that... it's difficult to choose."

Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye nodded, her tone troubled, "Son Ye-jin's performance has top-tier completeness, control, and layering. Her Yoon Soo-ah, the coldness beneath the gentle exterior, that sense of alienation, is very precise. Moreover, she has high audience recognition and low commercial risk."

"But Han Hyo-joo..." Producer Park Sung-ho continued, his expression conflicted, "That outburst just now still gives me chills. That progression from fear to numbness and then to determination was so impactful. Her Yoon Soo-ah has a destructive beauty, which is a relatively weaker aspect of Son Ye-jin's performance."

Director Lee Chang-dong was silent for a moment, then looked at Song Tianhao, "What does President Song think?"

Song Tianhao did not answer immediately. He picked up the resumes of Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo, placed them side-by-side on the table, looked at them for a few seconds, and then looked up, "Director, Screenwriter, Producer Park, are we being limited by the premise that we 'can only choose one'?"

The three of them looked at him simultaneously.

"What do you mean?" Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye pushed up her glasses.

Song Tianhao leaned forward slightly and tapped his finger on the two resumes, "Son Ye-jin's Yoon Soo-ah is the 'light'—a Yoon Soo-ah who is gentle on the surface, cold inside, but still trying to maintain a human shell."

"Han Hyo-joo's Yoon Soo-ah is the 'shadow'—a Yoon Soo-ah who has been pushed to the brink, unleashed her dark side, and begun to fight violence with violence. Both of these are Yoon Soo-ah, just at different stages, or rather... different personality facets."

Director Lee Chang-dong's eyes lit up.

Song Tianhao continued, "The core of the 'dark light' script is exploring human alienation in extreme environments. The process of Yoon Soo-ah transforming from a kind nurse to a serial killer is the film's greatest dramatic tension. If we only choose one actor, then no matter who we choose, it means giving up another possibility."

"Son Ye-jin can play the repression and gentleness of the early stage well, and she can also play the coldness of the later stage, but that explosive, almost manic dark side is not her strongest suit."

"Han Hyo-joo is the exact opposite; she excels at that sense of fragmentation and destruction, but the early gentleness and endurance might not be as delicate as Son Ye-jin's."

He paused, looking at Director Lee Chang-dong, "Director, what do you think if we let Son Ye-jin play the first two-thirds of Yoon Soo-ah—the nurse who is still struggling and trying to maintain normalcy—and let Han Hyo-joo play the last third of Yoon Soo-ah—the avenger who has completely unleashed her darkness and begun the killing?"

"In the end, it is revealed that they are actually the presentation of the same person at different stages, or even... two personalities split from the same person. Wouldn't that be more impactful?"

Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye sat up straight abruptly, her eyes behind her glasses widening, "Double female leads? No, two facets of the same character, performed by two actors?"

"Correct." Song Tianhao nodded, "It's not simply 'one actor playing two roles,' but 'two actors jointly interpreting the different stages and different personalities of one role.'"

"In the first half of the movie, the audience sees Son Ye-jin's Yoon Soo-ah—gentle, repressed, and in pain. In the middle, Han Hyo-joo's Yoon Soo-ah begins to appear. At first, the audience will think this is another person, or perhaps a hallucination or imagination of Yoon Soo-ah."

"Until the end, when the truth is revealed: Han Hyo-joo's Yoon Soo-ah is the 'protective personality' split from Son Ye-jin's Yoon Soo-ah under extreme pressure. She is her 'shadow,' executing the dark deeds that she dares not do but longs to do."

Director Lee Chang-dong's fingers stopped. He looked at Song Tianhao, his gaze as sharp as a knife, "You mean... split personality?"

"Not entirely traditional split personality. It's more like an artistic symbolic treatment." Song Tianhao shook his head, "'Light' and 'shadow,' 'surface' and 'interior,' 'good' and 'evil.'"

"Yoon Soo-ah doesn't actually have schizophrenia, but the struggle between these two forces within her is externalized into two concrete images, presented by two actors. Finally, they merge into one, completing the character's full arc."

The audition room fell into silence again, but this time, the silence was filled with excitement and shock.

Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye had already taken out a pen and was frantically recording something in the margins of the script, muttering to herself, "Light and shadow, surface and interior, two sides of the same person... My God, this setting will double the dramatic conflict! The character depth will also..."

Producer Park Sung-ho also reacted, his eyes lighting up, "If it's like this, then there are so many promotional angles! 'Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo co-star for the first time, interpreting the light and dark of the same character,' 'Director Lee Chang-dong's breakthrough work, one person with two faces, extreme tearing'... The topic will be absolutely explosive!"

Director Lee Chang-dong did not speak. He closed his eyes, his fingers tapping lightly on the table with a fast rhythm, showing that he was thinking intensely.

After a full two minutes, he opened his eyes, looked at Song Tianhao, and said slowly, "This idea... is very bold. Very bold. But the difficulty in executing it is also extreme."

"The performances of the two actors must be highly compatible; the rhythm, details, breathing, and even the transition of a single glance must be seamless. Otherwise, the audience will feel it's disjointed and think it's just a gimmick."

"That's why we need you, Director, to take control." Song Tianhao said calmly, "I believe that with your prowess, combined with the cooperation of two top-tier actors, it can be completely achieved."

He paused, "Furthermore, this way, it's not 'Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo competing for one role,' but 'Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo collaborating to create a more complex and profound Yoon Soo-ah.' For them, this is not a compromise; it's an upgrade, a greater challenge, and a higher honor."

Director Lee Chang-dong stared at Song Tianhao for a few seconds and suddenly smiled. It was the smile of a true artist whose creative flame had been ignited, "President Song, it's a real pity you're not a director."

"I'm just providing a line of thought." Song Tianhao also relaxed, leaning back in his chair, "The final decision rests with you. Moreover, whether this idea is feasible depends on the willingness of the two actors, and... whether they can perform that subtle connection of 'being two people, yet being one person.'"

"Call them back." Director Lee Chang-dong said to his assistant, his tone filled with impatience.

Five minutes later, Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo returned to the audition room. Both of them looked a bit nervous, especially Han Hyo-joo, whose eyes were still a bit red, but she had touched up her makeup and was trying hard to maintain composure.

Director Lee Chang-dong did not beat around the bush and spoke directly, "Ye-jin, Hyo-joo, the performances just now were both outstanding. So outstanding that it's very difficult for us to choose."

Son Ye-jin pursed her lips slightly, and Han Hyo-joo's fingers curled.

"Therefore, President Song has proposed a new plan." Director Lee Chang-dong looked at Song Tianhao, "You explain it."

Song Tianhao stood up, walked to a whiteboard nearby, picked up a marker, and explained while drawing.

He drew a simple timeline on the whiteboard, wrote "Yoon Soo-ah" in the middle, then extended to the left from "Yoon Soo-ah" and wrote "Light (Son Ye-jin)," and extended to the right, writing "Shadow (Han Hyo-joo)."

He connected them with arrows, labeling them "early-stage repression," "mid-stage splitting hints," and "late-stage truth revealed."

"Simply put, we are not choosing one; we are choosing two." Song Tianhao turned and looked at the two actresses, "Son Ye-jin will play 'Light' Yoon Soo-ah—the nurse who is gentle on the surface, repressed inside, and struggling to maintain normalcy."

"Han Hyo-joo will play 'Shadow' Yoon Soo-ah, the dark side split from the heart of 'Light' Yoon Soo-ah, the avenger who executes the killings. You are not playing two roles; you are jointly interpreting different facets of one character."

"In the first half of the movie, Son Ye-jin will be the focus, with Han Hyo-joo's image appearing as a phantom, a nightmare, or a hint. Starting in the middle, Han Hyo-joo's screen time will increase, and the audience will wonder who this is. Until the end, when the truth is revealed, you are the 'light' and 'shadow' of the same person."

He put down the pen and looked at the two, "This means you need to have extremely strong chemistry. Your gazes, tones, and small gestures must be distinct but also connected. You must make the audience feel that Han Hyo-joo is the monster released from deep within Son Ye-jin's heart."

"Likewise, Son Ye-jin is also the fragile host for which Han Hyo-joo, the monster, exists. You are each other's mirror, each other's other half."

Both Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo were stunned.

This idea was too sudden, and also too... tempting.

For an actor, what could be more attractive than interpreting such a complex, layered character? Moreover, it's not something to be completed by one person alone, but by two people working together; the challenges and possibilities within this made their hearts race.

Son Ye-jin spoke first, her voice hesitant, but her eyes bright, "Director, does President Song mean that we... will play Yoon Soo-ah together?"

"Yes," Director Lee Chang-dong nodded. "You are no longer competitors; you are partners. But the challenge is even greater because you must 'share' a role. Your performances must interlock like gears; if either of your rhythms is off, it will ruin the whole.

Furthermore, the distribution of scenes, the connection of emotions, and the transition points of the personality... all require extremely precise arrangement."

Han Hyo-joo's hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but from excitement. She looked at Song Tianhao, her voice slightly hoarse: "President... can I, can I really work with Senior Son Ye-jin..."

"Not 'with', but 'together'," Song Tianhao corrected. "You are each other's complement, each other's extension. There is no lead or supporting role; together, you constitute the complete character of 'Yoon Soo-ah'.

Hyo-joo-ssi, the destructive power in your performance just now is the core of 'Shadow' Yoon Soo-ah. Son Ye-jin-ssi's delicacy and control are the foundation of 'Light' Yoon Soo-ah. Only when combined will you create a complete, three-dimensional Yoon Soo-ah that audiences can love, hate, and sympathize with simultaneously."

Son Ye-jin took a deep breath and looked at Han Hyo-joo. Han Hyo-joo looked back at her. Their gazes met in the air—filled with surprise, scrutiny, and hesitation, but more than that, with a sense of eagerness, the kind of excitement that top actors feel when faced with a high-difficulty challenge.

"I'm willing," Son Ye-jin spoke first, her tone firm. "If the director and screenwriter think it's feasible, I'm willing to try. Working with Hyo-joo-ssi will be a very special experience."

"I, I'm willing too!" Han Hyo-joo nodded hurriedly, her eyes reddening again, but this time from excitement. "Thank you, Director, thank you, President, for giving me this opportunity... I will definitely work hard and make sure I don't fall out of sync with Senior Son Ye-jin's performance!"

Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye had already excitedly begun discussing the direction of the script revisions with Producer Park Sung-ho in low voices.

Director Lee Chang-dong wore the first truly relaxed smile he had shown in days. He looked at Song Tianhao and nodded heavily. "It's settled then. Dual Yoon Soo-ah. Ye-jin, Hyo-joo, for the next few months, you must live together, read the script together, and find the feeling together.

I need you to know each other as well as you know yourselves. Can you do that?"

"We can!" the two said in unison.

"Good!" Director Lee Chang-dong slapped the table and stood up. "President Song, this idea saved 'dark light' and saved me. I originally felt the script was missing something, and now I know—what was missing was this extreme contrast between 'the sense of tearing' and 'the sense of unity'. Light and shadow... good, excellent!"

Song Tianhao smiled as well and signaled his assistant. The assistant quickly entered with a tray holding several glasses of bubbly "champagne" and a few plates of delicate snacks.

"This is non-alcoholic." Song Tianhao picked up a glass and toasted the group. "So, let's celebrate 'dark light' finding its perfect 'Light' and 'Shadow'. And let's celebrate the official launch of Sky Entertainment's first fully invested and controlled film."

Everyone raised their glasses. Even the usually stern Director Lee Chang-dong smiled for once and clinked glasses with Song Tianhao. When Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo clinked glasses, they looked at each other and smiled. In that smile, there was relief, mutual appreciation, and anticipation for the future.

"For Yoon Soo-ah," Son Ye-jin said softly.

"For Yoon Soo-ah," Han Hyo-joo repeated, her voice firm.

Their glasses clinked gently, making a crisp sound.

The celebratory atmosphere didn't last long. Director Lee Chang-dong couldn't wait to drag Screenwriter Kim Ji-hye back to the office to revise the script, and Producer Park Sung-ho also had to go and readjust the budget and filming schedule.

Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo were required to come to the Sky Production Center every day starting tomorrow to undergo "fusion training" under the guidance of Director Lee Chang-dong.

Everyone left one after another. Finally, only Song Tianhao and Director Lee Chang-dong remained in the audition room.

Outside the window, the sky had darkened, and the city lights were turning on one by one, like scattered galaxies.

Director Lee Chang-dong stood by the window, looking at the night view, and suddenly spoke in a somewhat heavy voice: "President Song, your move today was truly brilliant. The dual-actress, no, the 'two-faced' Yoon Soo-ah setup—if it succeeds, 'dark light' will become a classic."

He turned around and looked at Song Tianhao. "However, you have also offended Director Jung Chang-ho and CJ Entertainment to the core. I've dealt with Director Jung Chang-ho; he is petty, vengeful, and uses underhanded tactics. Today, he suffered such a big loss and lost so much face here; he will definitely not let this go."

Song Tianhao swirled the glass in his hand as bubbles slowly rose. "I know."

"CJ Entertainment has immense power in distribution, cinema chains, and media resources," Director Lee Chang-dong warned. "If they are determined to block 'dark light', even if the film is made, the release will be very troublesome. They can manipulate scheduling, promotion, and even film reviews."

"Then let them do it," Song Tianhao said calmly. "Director Lee, you only need to focus on making a masterpiece that leaves everyone speechless. Leave the rest to me. The funds will be fully in place by 10 AM tomorrow morning.

During filming, Sky Entertainment will form a dedicated team to handle all logistics and security for the crew. As for the media, I have arrangements. CJ Entertainment's power is indeed great, but South Korea does not have only one voice."

Director Lee Chang-dong looked at Song Tianhao. This young man was nearly twenty years his junior, yet he stood there calm and composed, as if everything was under his control. This kind of confidence wasn't feigned; it was a composure based on absolute strength and control.

"Who... exactly is behind you?" Director Lee Chang-dong couldn't help but ask. He didn't really believe that a rookie actor who was unknown two years ago could build such a massive entertainment empire in such a short time and be able to go head-to-head with a giant like CJ Entertainment.

Song Tianhao smiled but didn't answer; he just raised his glass and finished the remaining "champagne" in one gulp. "Director, in this world, money and power can indeed solve many problems sometimes.

But there are some things that money and power cannot buy—like your talent, like the acting skills of Son Ye-jin and Han Hyo-joo, and like the core power of a good story. 'dark light' has these, and that is enough. As for the rest..." He put down the glass. "When soldiers come, block them with generals; when water comes, block it with earth. I'll be waiting for them."

Director Lee Chang-dong was silent for a moment, then smiled, shook his head, and patted Song Tianhao on the shoulder. "Good, then I will focus on filming. Leave the rest to you."

The two chatted a bit more about the script and preparation details, and then Director Lee Chang-dong left.

Song Tianhao walked to the window alone and looked downstairs. At the entrance of the Sky Production Center, Director Jung Chang-ho's black imported sedan had just driven off, moving fast, carrying a sense of anger. Across the street, an inconspicuous gray sedan was still parked there, and the person inside seemed to be on the phone. Song Tianhao took a glance and withdrew his gaze. He knew that was the person Director Jung Chang-ho had left behind to tail him. It didn't matter; let them watch.

He took out his phone; the screen lit up with a few unread messages. One was from Jang Se-hoon: "President, Han Hyo-joo-ssi's contract termination procedures have all been completed, and the breach of contract penalty has been paid. CJ Entertainment didn't block it; it went very smoothly. Also, Director Jung Chang-ho's face was livid when he left, and he slammed the car door before getting in. Do you need to strengthen security for yourself and the two actresses?"

Song Tianhao replied: "Normal arrangements are fine. Also, check on other projects Director Jung Chang-ho has been in contact with recently, especially film and television investments. Make a list for me."

Just as he sent it, two new messages popped up almost simultaneously. One was from Son Ye-jin: "President, I have many new ideas regarding 'Light' and 'Shadow' Yoon Soo-ah—about the transition points of the personality, the details of the eyes, and even the differences in walking posture... The more I think about it, the more excited I get.

I wonder if you are free tonight to come to my apartment... We can have a drink and discuss the script in detail? I feel there are some parts that need deep communication with you. Address: Cheongdam-dong XX Apartment 1901"

The other one was from Han Hyo-joo: "President, today was really... thank you very much. I, I still can't quite find the psychological anchor for 'Shadow' Yoon Soo-ah.

Her psychological state when killing—besides hatred and despair, there should be something else... I can't explain it clearly. If you aren't busy, could you guide me? I'm at the hotel suite arranged by the crew... Address: Gangnam District XX Hotel Top Floor Suite. Also, I... I'm a bit afraid of the dark, the hotel room is too big, and being alone is a bit... I can't sleep. If it's possible..."

Two messages, two locations, two types of invitations, two tones. Son Ye-jin's invitation was direct and open, under the guise of discussing the script, but that "deep communication" and the apartment address already revealed enough hints. She was two years older than Han Hyo-joo, had a stronger aura, and a higher posture; even when being proactive, she carried a sense of "I am giving you an opportunity."

Han Hyo-joo's invitation was more subtle, softer, carrying a sense of seeking help and dependency. She had just escaped suffering and felt gratitude and adoration for Song Tianhao, as well as a kind of fledgling complex. Fear of the dark and being unable to sleep were both real emotions and a veiled invitation.

Song Tianhao looked at the phone screen, smiled, and pressed his temples. He first replied to Son Ye-jin: "Okay. I'll be there in an hour. It just so happens I have some thoughts regarding the 'mirror details' of 'Light' Yoon Soo-ah and 'Shadow' Yoon Soo-ah that we can talk about."

Then he replied to Han Hyo-joo: "Wait a moment, I'll contact you after I finish what I'm doing. Don't worry, write down your thoughts first, any fragments are fine, even just a few words. Also, have the hotel send up a cup of warm milk to help you sleep. I'll call you when I arrive."

After sending, he put his phone back in his pocket and looked out the window. The city lights were brilliant, the night was gentle, yet it also hid countless undercurrents and desires.

Downstairs, that gray sedan was still parked there, and the person inside seemed to still be reporting. Song Tianhao turned around, picked up the suit jacket draped over the back of the chair, hung it over his arm, and walked out of the audition room.

The corridor was brightly lit, and the security personnel were still dutifully standing at their posts. He walked toward the elevator and pressed the down button. While waiting, he took out his phone, looked at those two messages again, and muttered to himself, his voice carrying a hint of amusement and anticipation: "It seems... I'll have to pull an all-nighter tonight."

The elevator door opened, and he walked in. The mirror-like walls of the cabin reflected his figure—suit crisp, expression calm—only the faint smile at the corner of his mouth betrayed the fact that tonight might not be peaceful.

The elevator descended, the numbers changing. On the first floor, the lobby was brightly lit. Jang Se-hoon was already waiting at the entrance; seeing him come out, he immediately stepped forward: "President, the car is ready. Back to the company or..."

Song Tianhao looked at his watch; it was 8:40 PM. "Go to Cheongdam-dong," he said.