Chapter 864: Cover Photo (1)

"To star in a project with my mom as co-leads and win a joint Grand Prize!"

Miso had some big dreams. Most actors, when asked about their dreams, usually gave vague answers sprinkled with poetic metaphors, talking about longevity or artistry. However, Miso was different. She gave a clear, confident answer.

She wanted to share the lead role with Yoo-Jin and win a Grand Prize together.

It meant she didn't just want to be a child actor—she wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with her mother, one of the most talented actresses in Korea.

Jang Ji-Hye looked visibly surprised and asked again, "Does your mom know about your dream as an actress?"

Just then, Miso let out a soft sigh. "Yeah..."

Jang Ji-Hye tilted her head, puzzled. "Why the sigh?"

With a worried look, Miso lifted her head. "Mom says I should aim to be a better actress than her. She said that my dream is too small."

'

Yoo-Jin thought dreaming of standing alongside her was too small? Yoo-Jin, what on earth did you say to her

?'

The truth was, what Miso wanted—to share the lead and win a Grand Prize together—was no small feat at all. Setting aside the project itself, just shedding the label of 'child actor' wasn't something that could be done with good acting alone. It would take a performance so exceptional it completely erased the image of being a kid, one that could dominate even seasoned adult actors.

And to match Yoo-Jin on-screen meant not just holding her own against Korea's top actress, but performing at her level or better.

'

Is that even possible

?'

Jang Ji-Hye, clearly just as baffled, asked again. "Your mom really said that? Actress Jung Yoo-Jin?"

Miso sighed again and nodded. "Yes. She said that kids are supposed to surpass their parents."

Yoo-Jin clearly wanted Miso to become an even better actress than herself. It was probably the universal wish of every parent to see their child do better than they did.

Still, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. It was almost ridiculous. This was Yoo-Jin undervaluing herself too much, and overestimating Miso just as much. I figured I would definitely need to talk to Yoo-Jin when we got home.

Just then, Jang Ji-Hye chuckled. "Wow, Miss Yoo-Jin must be strict at home. Telling her daughter to surpass the genius actress Jung Yoo-Jin?

Hahaha.

"

Miso puffed out her cheeks in protest. "She is! My mom thinks I'm the prettiest girl in the world and that I can do anything. It's a bit much sometimes."

Jang Ji-Hye smiled gently at her. "Well, Miso... That's because she's your mom."

"Because she's my mom?"

"Yeah. She loves you so, so much. When you love someone that much, they just seem amazing in everything. I'm the same with my kid. They're so adorable, you start to think they're perfect. It's like wearing rose-colored glasses."

Miso tilted her head thoughtfully, then asked, "So... Mom expects a lot from me because she loves me?"

"Exactly. So don't feel too pressured. Just do what you can. Moms love their kids no matter what."

Moved by the warmth in Jang Ji-Hye's voice, Miso seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then she smiled brightly and bowed her head. "Thank you!"

Jang Ji-Hye grinned and nodded. "Alright then, back to the original question... What are you going to do to achieve your dream as an actress, Miso?"

I expected her to say she would work hard. Yet once again, Miso gave an unexpected answer.

Miso looked at me and said, "Uncle Yoon-Ho just needs to pick good projects for me!"

Jang Ji-Hye gave me a look of disbelief and said, "She's got an eye for talent, picking the one with the best instincts for choosing projects... Yoo-Jin's raising a monster, isn't she?"

I couldn't help but nod in agreement. Miso instinctively knew what would get her closer to her dream the fastest.

***

"Great job, Miso."

"Thank you!"

The interview with Jang Ji-Hye, which was supposed to last thirty minutes, ended up running for a full hour.

Click.

Jang Ji-Hye turned off the interview camera and stood from her seat. "Alright, let's go pick the cover photo."

Miso gave a bright smile and nodded. "Okay."

We followed Jang Ji-Hye out of the conference room and headed back into the studio next door. All that was left for Womans was to select the cover image from the photographer's picks.

But when we returned to the studio, Jin Sol-Ah was in the middle of her shoot for the back cover.

Jang Ji-Hye came to an abrupt stop. "Let's wait a bit before checking. Looks like they're wrapping up over there."

"Yes, ma'am."

I also stopped, holding Miso's hand, and turned to observe Jin Sol-Ah's shoot in progress in front of the photographer.

Dressed in the bridal robes she had worn in

Queen Jeong-Hee

, Jin Sol-Ah had her hair in a large traditional wig and wore elegant ceremonial garments, facing the camera. But instead of the joyous expression suited to a wedding, her face was filled with sorrow.

Just as I was wondering why, the photographer spoke up. "I heard for Queen Jeong-Soon, her wedding to King Danjong was one of the most painful moments of her life. So try to bring out even more sorrow in your expression. Yes, hold the norigae in your right hand and drop your gaze slightly. Good, very good. Shooting!"

When Queen Jeong-Soon married Danjong in the drama, it was already after Prince Suyang had seized power in the Gyeyujeongnan[1].

Even historically, becoming Danjong's wife meant stepping into a tragic fate. So photographer Eun Chae-Sik was asking Jin Sol-Ah to capture that moment of pain.

Click. Click.

The shutter echoed as the shoot continued.

Then Eun Chae-Sik pulled back from the camera with a disappointed voice. "Everything's good, but I wish it were a little more intense. If we could just get a single tear with that expression... I can give you artificial tears. Could you cry just one drop?"

Just then, Jin Sol-Ah closed her eyes while holding her pose. "No, give me just a moment."

"Of course."

About thirty seconds passed. Then Jin Sol-Ah opened her eyes. Tears welled up at the corners, and her face was now immersed in a depth of sorrow completely different from before. No matter Jin Sol-Ah's personality or ambition, this moment showed her skill was the real deal.

Eun Chae-Sik lit up at the sight. "This is perfect. Just keep your movements minimal and act through the camera. I'll follow with the lens. Ready... Three, two, one... action!"

Eun Chae-Sik was using three cameras. One he operated manually, another was set for continuous shooting, and the third captured video footage. He had one on burst mode while he looked through the viewfinder and pressed the shutter himself.

Click click click click.

The rapid shutter sounds echoed through the studio. Only one photo would be used for the back cover, but to get that perfect shot, hundreds were taken.

At that moment, Jin Sol-Ah began to wear an expression so sorrowful it could make anyone's chest ache. A large tear welled up in the center of her eye which rolled down her cheek like a pearl. Her expression wasn't that of a bride walking to her wedding, but of a condemned soul stepping toward the gallows.

Clearly impressed by her expression, Eun Chae-Sik was about to call it a perfect cut.

At that moment, Jin Sol-Ah slowly lifted her gaze. With very deliberate motion, she raised her head and looked straight toward us. With tears still trailing down her face, Jin Sol-Ah began to smile. What appeared then was the face of the world's most sorrowful woman, and at the same time, its most blissful one.

Honestly, if I didn't know Jin Sol-Ah's true self, my heart might have skipped a beat at how beautiful she looked. But knowing everything about her, not even the way she wore that longing expression moved my heart in the slightest.

I heard Jang Ji-Hye mutter beside me. "She's no ordinary one either... pulling off an expression like that."

"That's probably why she's so popular these days," I replied, nodding in agreement.

At that moment, I felt Miso's small hand grip mine a little tighter. She was unconsciously showing a flicker of competitiveness.

I let out a small smile.

Then, Jin Sol-Ah fluttered her eyes open and sighed,

Blink.

"Mr. Eun, I'm done."

Eun Chae-Sik looked away from the viewfinder and spoke. "

Ah

, okay! Yes, we've got it! Wow, Ms. Sol-Ah, that was incredible. This might just be a legendary cover—or back cover, I should say.

Hahaha

."

Jin Sol-Ah smiled sweetly and bowed. "Thank you."

The staff immediately erupted in applause and praise.

"You were amazing, Ms. Sol-Ah!"

"Seriously the best. You were better than any professional model."

Jin Sol-Ah kept thanking them with a glowing smile. Then, she turned to me and asked, "What did you think, Mr. Jung? How was I?"

Miso instinctively tightened her grip on my hand again.

I squeezed Miso's hand back and replied flatly, "I'm not sure. If you're curious about feedback, maybe ask your own talent agent."

Jin Sol-Ah was the type to fixate once she had a goal. So I gave her a blunt, final answer to leave no room for misunderstanding.

"You could at least give me a simple reaction. Geez, so harsh."

She pouted playfully, lips pushed out in mock offense.

Thankfully, Jang Ji-Hye stepped in to cut her off. "Ms. Sol-Ah, we'll finalize the back cover shot after a bit of post-processing, so go ahead and change into something more comfortable. We'll do the interview after that."

"Yes, ma'am." Jin Sol-Ah bowed again and waved at both me and Miso. "See you next time. It was nice meeting you too, Miso. Let's meet again soon."

Jin Sol-Ah waved sweetly, but Miso gave only a half-hearted little nod in return.

Then, the moment Jin Sol-Ah walked away, Miso tugged urgently at my hand. "Uncle Yoon-Ho! Uncle Yoon-Ho!"

"Yes, what is it?"

Miso's eyes were filled with urgency. "Can I take more photos?"

"Why? You already got great shots earlier."

Miso shook her head fiercely. "I have to do better than that auntie! I'm the front cover model!"

Because she was the front cover model for the May issue, Miso felt she had to outshine the back cover model.

Jang Ji-Hye, holding back a smile, responded warmly. "Wow, Miso's a pro. That's right. If you're a professional, you can't let yourself get used to losing. Alright, just a moment." She turned to photographer Eun Chae-Sik. "Team Lead Eun, what do you think? The current photo we've got reserved for the front cover—how does it compare to that last one of Jin Sol-Ah's? Can it hold its own?"

Eun Chae-Sik hesitated for a moment, then spoke honestly. "To be completely frank, Ms. Sol-Ah's photo turned out incredibly well. That last moment, with Queen Jeong-Soon's mournful expression and that faint smile... Even for a front cover, it's one of the best I've ever seen."

When it came to photos, nothing was more accurate than a photographer's trained eye.

"Okay. Then we'll go with Miso's idea and do another shoot."

"Right now?"

"Yes. Why? Is that a problem?"

"It's just... I can't picture a concept that could top Ms. Jin Sol-Ah's photo."

To shoot a great portrait, a photographer needed a deep understanding of the subject and the emotional context. Just earlier, he had guided Jin Sol-Ah through the detailed emotions of Queen Jeong-Soon's tragic wedding. But now, asked to do a new shoot on the spot, he couldn't envision what kind of scene could possibly surpass that last image.

"Can't we just use a shot from

Hwaranjeon

?"

"If we just use a still, it'll fall short of the one we already picked. But what you're asking for is a shot that beats Ms. Jin Sol-Ah's. Even if Miso nails the expression, I need at least a day or two to plan a composition that can compete. I can't picture anything right now."

'

He doesn't know what moment to shoot

?'

Then it was up to me to help.

I turned to Jang Ji-Hye and Eun Chae-Sik. "How about this? We re-create a scene from

Hwaranjeon

or

Haze

with Miso and pick the best one as the new cover. I have the references right here."

As I spoke, I pulled out my phone and showed them videos of Miso performing those scenes on set. The first was the resurrection scene of young Princess Yu-Hwa from

Hwaranjeon

, after she survives eating a poisonous mushroom.

Eun Chae-Sik murmured in awe. "The energy in this is incredible. Just watching it makes you smile."

Jang Ji-Hye nodded in agreement. "Yes. I remember this from TV. That moment when Miso came back to life was breathtaking. I thought it had a lot of CGI, but... it was mostly just her acting?"

"Yes. That's a scene she filmed months ago for

Hwaranjeon.

Next is the dance scene from

Haze.

"

Miso appeared on screen in hanbok, singing and dancing. Just like how the Namhae children's folk choir had been entranced back then, both Jang Ji-Hye and Eun Chae-Sik were left speechless. Miso's smile on screen was utterly captivating.

[Playback ends.]

Eun Chae-Sik exclaimed, "Wow. Both of these are amazing. How do we choose?"

Jang Ji-Hye pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's do what Chief Jung suggested. Shoot both and decide after."

"Understood. But... this isn't a set. Will Miso be able to act properly here?"

It was much harder to act in a bare studio than on a fully set stage.

At that moment, Miso raised her hand high and shouted, "I can do both!"

Jang Ji-Hye nodded. "The actress says she can do it. What about you, Team Lead Eun? Are you saying you can't?"

Eun Chae-Sik looked at Miso with a half-doubtful, half-curious expression. Miso met his gaze with unwavering eyes and gave him a confident smile. Eventually, he gave in.

"If the model says yes, how can the cameraman say no? Let's do it."

Jang Ji-Hye clapped her hands once. "Okay! Let's get going."

"

Ah

, judging by the composition, we'll need to shoot the first one with her lying down."

"That's up to you, Team Lead Eun."

"Got it." Then Eun Chae-Sik turned to his staff and started barking orders. "Get two outfits—one white mourning robe for kids and one pretty white hanbok! Set up a temporary changing area on-site!"

"Yes, sir!"

"And since the model will be lying down, bring me a platform to stand on. Set up the continuous shooting and video cameras up top on the ceiling rig, pointed downward!"

"Understood!"

The studio burst into activity at Eun Chae-Sik's commands. One staff member brought over a platform about fifty centimeters high. Another marked a large cross on the floor with tape where Miso would lie down.

"Cross-marking complete."

Soon after, the cameras were mounted on the overhead rig, angled to shoot from above.

"Camera installation complete."

"Great. Double-check the mounts. If they fall, Miso could get hurt." With that, Eun Chae-Sik climbed onto the platform, camera in hand. "Someone hold my waist so I don't fall."

"I'll do it," a staff member said, stepping up to support him from behind.

From above, Eun Chae-Sik aimed his lens down at the spot where Miso would be and took a few test shots.

"Test shot—one, two."

Before Miso even arrived, the entire set was prepped and ready.

At that moment, Jin Sol-Ah, already changed out of her costume, approached us. "What's all the fuss about?"

Jang Ji-Hye gave a little shrug. "

Oh,

Miso's doing some additional front cover shots."

"Additional shots?"

"Yeah. Seems like she got a little motivated, maybe from how well you did earlier."

"

Oh

, really? But why's she lying down?"

"The composition works better that way, apparently."

"I see."

Jin Sol-Ah nodded along, but the corner of her mouth curled ever so slightly upward. That confident smirk seemed to suggest she thought there was no way a little kid like Miso could outshine her as a model. She clearly thought the front cover wouldn't stand a chance against hers.

"

Pftt

."

I chuckled without meaning to.

Jin Sol-Ah caught my smile and frowned. "Why are you laughing, Mr. Jung?"

Still smiling, I replied, "You'll see for yourself. Then you'll understand just what kind of kid Miso is."

'

Jin Sol-Ah. You're about to see with your own eyes what a real genius looks like

.'

1. violent political coup in early Joseon Dynasty Korea, where Grand Prince Suyang (Sejo) seized power from his 12-year-old nephew, King Danjong, by slaughtering key, trusted officials like Kim Jongseo ☜