“I'm sure you know as well, but top stars aren’t built purely off talent. They also need a sturdy backing. She’ll have to do a lot of work behind the scenes. She’ll have to make connections, whether it be directors, writers, or reporters. She’ll need to get friendly with all of them.”

“I agree, sir.”

“I'm actually starting to take quite a liking to her.”

“Really?"

“Since you’ve brought her here, how about a camera test?”

Humiko, ecstatic from Harada’s expected positive reaction, smiled and blurted out.

“Sounds good!”

Harada extinguished his cigarette, smiled, looked up to Humiko and said.

“I’ll call the studio, so let's head that way.”

The conversation ended, and the two followed Harada to his Broadcasting station near Tokyo Tower. During the ride, in Harada’s high class, black sedan, Harada suggested giving Soojin a Japanese name. After rolling her mind for a bit, Humiko came up with the name: Haruko.

“Alright, from now on her name is Haruko, and she’s the daughter of my distant relative.”

“And don’t forget. From this point on, nobody can know that she’s Korean, that’s my condition. If you break that condition, I can’t guarantee her success. Do I make myself clear? Also don’t worry about Aya and Komuro, I’ll make sure they stay quiet."

Losing her Korean identity didn’t affect Soojin much, she had sweated out the love for her home country long ago, through unbearable sorrow and misfortune.

The black sedan arrived at J Broadcasting Station, and a security guard with a cap saluted to Harada. The three stepped out of the sedan and quickly headed inside, and stepped into the elevator. As soon as the elevator doors opened to the 7th floor, the clamor of employees could be heard. They were running back and forth busily, carrying cameras, lightning fixtures, and scripts. Pasted thickly on the walls of the hallway were various program pamphlets, photos of celebrities, play posters and drama schedules. As Harada walked through the hallway, all the employees who spotted him gave deep bows.

“Right this way.”

Harada led Soojin and Humiko to his office, sat the two on the couch, went to his desk, opened the drawer and pulled out a cigar. He put the cigar in his mouth and called for a photographer. Soon a photographer wearing a vest with many pockets and horn-rimmed glasses and long sideburns came in, scratching his head.

“Have this girl do a camera test.”

The photographer looked over to Soojin, and was startled from her beauty. He quickly shook it off and bowed to Harada.

“Yes, boss.”

“Oh, and do it in Studio A7, I’ll come over that way soon.”

A7 was the studio where Aya’s nude photos were taken.

“Yes, boss”

Soojin followed the photographer to the room.

Harada flipped through his business cards, while puffing his cigar.

“A7? I want to see it too.”

“Once everything is ready we’ll go.”

***

Inside of the A7 studio.

Soojin, sat at the vanity table, surrounded by experienced looking female staff, helping her with her makeup. Once her makeup was finished, she sat on a couch watching the photographers and assistants prepare the set, as she waited. The photographer adjusted the aperture of the lens, while the assistants adjusted the ceiling and spotlights. Once everything seemed ready, the photographer beckoned Soojin. Soojin went and stood against the backdrop.

“Ms. Haruko, try a confident pose.”

The lights shifted to focus on her, making a mechanical noise. Soojin was stunned by their unbearable brightness. Opposite from Soojin was a soundproof glass wall. Behind it Humiko and Harada watched. They could see inside the studio, but Soojin couldn’t see them. Harada hit the mic button and ordered to the photographer: “Let’s start.” Chainsmoker Harada’s cigar didn’t leave his fingers for a second. He took another puff and belted, filling the room with smoke.

“Is it your first time watching this type of shoot?”

Harada asked to humiko, as he watched Soojin with a penetrating gaze.

“No sir, we do them a lot at the academy.”

“She seems nervous.”

“Maybe because it’s her first time.”

But Soojin Soon became used to the studio's atmosphere, and followed the orders the photographer was giving her.

“Bring her a script.”

A few scripts arrived per Harada’s request. Soojin read the scripts. Sad acting, happy acting, crazy bitch acting, gleeful acting etc. Soojin summoned every ounce of her acting ability and put it on full display. Harada and Humiko watched in awe.

“Wow, she’s a prodigy… seriously amazing.”

Harada had never seen someone who could memorize a script just by reading it once. A craggy grin bloomed across his face.

“How is this possible? She’s a natural!”

“What did I tell you? She’s the real deal!”

After the script reading ended, one of the assistants brought a swimsuit.

“Change into this.”

Soojin received the swimsuit and went into the changing room. Soojin looked at herself in the mirror. The white bikini was tiny, without reserve. ‘They want me to wear this? I’m not miss Korea, why do I need a bikini? This is just a camera test. Is this really necessary?’. Soojin thought when she heard a shout from outside.

“Come on out!”

The photographer and assistants all swallowed when they saw Soojin come out in the white bikini. Soojin had an entrancing body. This photographer had taken photos of countless female celebrities, but he thought Soojin’s looks were truly unique. The photographer was at a loss the entire shoot. On the other side of the soundproof glass, Harada gave a thumbs up.

“The more I see of her, the better she gets!”

“Yes, Mr Harada. Just as I told you.”

“She truly is just as you said.”

Harada pressed the mic button.

“Good job. Bring the tape to my office.”

***