72: Chapter 72 Third Brother!

At the JYP Entertainment building, the air was forever thick with a unique blend of sweat, coffee, and the scent of 'one more time.' Unlike the refined order of SM Entertainment, this place exuded a busy, somewhat 'family workshop' style of energy (and chaos).

Lee Tima expertly swiped the temporary pass Jiang Zhiyu had somehow obtained and skipped through the hallways. She was even more familiar with this place than with SM Entertainment; after all, she had 'terrorized' ITZY here (as 'Z'), shared a 'gorilla-to-gorilla' connection with President Park Jin-young (?), and nearly turned the cafeteria lady into her personal informant.

Today, she carried an 'important diplomatic mission' entrusted to her by Jiang Zhiyu—recruiting more JYP artists for cameos in the special episode of destined kim hyo-soon, especially... ITZY, who had already appeared in the main series, and a 'key figure' Jiang Zhiyu had specifically named.

First, she made her way outside ITZY's practice room. Through the glass, she could see five figures drenched in sweat, moving to intense music as they performed their final high-intensity practice before their comeback. Leader Hwang Yeji's gaze was still as sharp as a cat's, Shin Ryujin's movements were full of swag, Lee Chaeryeong's dance was flexible yet powerful, Lia was working hard to keep up with the rhythm, and Shin Yuna was radiating energy.

Lee Tima waited for the song to end, and during their break, she knocked on the door and poked her little head in. 'Annyeonghaseyo, Unnies!'

'Tima?!' The five members of ITZY were stunned for a moment before breaking into surprised smiles. They had a deep impression of this little sister who was young but incredibly talented (Z), had a quirky personality, and was quite close to President Park.

'What are you doing here? Z... oh, no, Tima?' Shin Ryujin walked over and ruffled her hair (Lee Tima's pigtails fell victim to her hands today).

Lee Tima giggled and dodged. 'I'm here to play! And... I have something super great to discuss with you, Unnies!'

She pulled the five members of ITZY into a corner, lowered her voice, and spoke with a mysterious and excited expression. 'Unnies, do you want to... act?'

'Act?' Lee Chaeryeong blinked.

'Us? Actresses?' Shin Yuna pointed at herself with a 'are you kidding me' look on her face.

Hwang Yeji and Shin Ryujin exchanged curious glances, while Lia looked thoughtful.

'Yes!' Lee Tima nodded vigorously and began her smooth-talking technique. 'My oppa... I mean, Producer Jiang, you know him, right? That special episode of destined kim hyo-soon he’s making is super popular! Im Yoona Unnie is the lead! In the main series, didn't Park Jin-young Oppa and Junho Oppa come for cameos? It was so well-received!'

She described it vividly (the sanitized version, of course): 'The special episode is about a confused angel making a fool of themselves in the human world. It's hilarious! It needs a lot of cute neighbors and friends!'

She looked at them one by one. 'Hwang Yeji Unnie, you can play a cool-looking girl who secretly takes care of stray cats! Shin Ryujin Unnie, you're perfect for the cool girl who tries "junk food" with the angel and ends up with diarrhea (wait, that example isn't right)... I mean, a cool girl who shares secrets! Lee Chaeryeong Unnie can be the gentle, caring older sister who always brings snacks to the angel and Kim Hyo-soon! Lia Unnie can be a musically gifted vocal teacher who teaches the angel how to sing pop songs out of tune (oops)! And Shin Yuna Unnie will be the high-energy, lively maknae who takes the angel and Kim Hyo-soon on "adventures"!'

The roles she described were all simple and likable, fitting their individual image characteristics, and the screen time wouldn't be too much—true 'icing on the cake' cameos.

'The most important thing is!' Lee Tima threw out her trump card, her eyes shining like stars. 'In the future, when you go out, besides being "So-and-so from ITZY," you can also say—"I am Actress So-and-so! I acted in TVN's destined kim hyo-soon!" Isn't that super cool?! An actress! Another identity, another path! Park Jin-young Oppa will definitely support it too! He loves it when we try new things!'

Her pitch, combining 'rare opportunity' (starring Im Yoona, TVN platform), 'interesting roles' (simple and likable), 'future development' (broadening their fields), and 'President's preference' (Park Jin-young's encouragement of innovation), was indeed very attractive to the ITZY members, who were in their rising phase and seeking multi-faceted development.

Hwang Yeji was a bit tempted but still said cautiously, 'But... our comeback schedule is very tight, I don't know about the timing...'

'It's just a cameo! Not much screen time! We can finish it in one or two days of concentrated filming! My op—Producer Jiang said the timing can completely accommodate your schedule, Unnies!' Lee Tima patted her small chest as she guaranteed.

Shin Ryujin rubbed her chin. 'Sounds pretty good... but what about the script? Is it really funny? It won't be like...' She recalled the 'painful' experience of being dominated by 'Z' while practicing the dark style of Poison Apple (even though it was a hit).

'Absolutely funny! Heartwarming and hilarious! I swear on all my rabbit hats!' Lee Tima held up three fingers with a serious expression.

The ITZY members were amused by her and looked at each other, clearly moved. This was indeed a good opportunity, especially for accumulating acting experience.

'We'll discuss it with Manager Oppa and ask for the company's opinion,' Hwang Yeji, as the leader, gave a steady response.

'Mm-hmm! No problem!' Lee Tima knew she had already succeeded more than halfway. She left Jiang Zhiyu's contact information and a project summary, chatted with them for a while about fun practice stories, and then made her exit to head toward her next target.

Her goal was clear—the personal practice room on the other side of the JYP building that was said to be frequently used lately.

Before knocking, she straightened her little dress, cleared her throat, and then put on her most well-behaved and cute smile before knocking on the door.

'Come in.' A somewhat tired but still sweet voice came from inside.

Lee Tima pushed the door open. Inside the practice room, TWICE member Im Nayeon was sitting on the floor resting, with water and a towel next to her, and soothing music playing from the speakers. She seemed to be preparing for some solo activity (likely a solo project), with a faint trace of anxiety and anticipation between her brows.

'Nayeon Unnie! Annyeonghaseyo!' Lee Tima called out sweetly.

'Oh? Tima?' Im Nayeon was also surprised to see her, but quickly broke into a smile and gestured for her to come sit. 'What are you doing at JYP? Looking for Park Jin-young Oppa? Or do you have another "earth-shattering" song for TWICE?' She made a little joke, clearly knowing that 'Z' was Lee Tima.

'Hehe, I'm not here for Park Jin-young Oppa today, and I'm not here to write songs.' Lee Tima sat down next to her, swinging her legs as she got straight to the point. 'Unnie, are you preparing for your solo lately? Is it exhausting?'

At the mention of her solo, Im Nayeon's eyes lit up, but then she sighed, half-joking and half-serious. 'I'm preparing... but the President's solo projects are like summer thunderstorms; they come out of nowhere and get postponed just as fast... Right now, I'm in a "Ready for Comeback Sub-unit" state—always prepared, but never knowing when I'll actually take the stage.' She mimicked a waiting pose with a bit of that TWICE-patented variety sense, but Tima could hear the underlying helplessness.

Lee Tima immediately followed her lead, her little face scrunched up in empathy. 'Exactly! Presidents are all like that! Making empty promises! Keeping people in suspense! So, Unnie, we can't just hang ourselves on a single tree! We have to find more things to do, enrich ourselves, and... well, give the President a little pressure!' She pumped her small fist.

Im Nayeon was amused by her. 'You little rascal, what kind of mischievous idea do you have now?'

Lee Tima immediately leaned in and said mysteriously, 'Unnie, do you want to... be an "actress" for a bit during the hiatus while waiting for your solo? Just to satisfy your acting itch?'

'An actress?' Im Nayeon was stunned, then burst out laughing. 'Me? Act? Stop joking, I even look awkward doing skits on variety shows...'

'This time is different!' Lee Tima interrupted her and began a new round of promotion. 'It's my oppa... Producer Jiang's new project! TVN's destined kim hyo-soon special episode! Starring Im Yoona Unnie!'

She took the pitch she gave ITZY and refined it, tailoring it to Im Nayeon's characteristics. 'It needs a character with incredible public appeal, someone full of vitality whose smile can light up the entire screen—a "national favorite"! I thought about it over and over, and besides you, Nayeon Unnie, who else is there?!'

She grabbed Im Nayeon's hand, her eyes sparkling. 'Unnie, you can play someone sunny and cheerful! Someone who loves life! Someone who always brings laughter and energy to the unlucky angel and Kim Hyo-soon! A bakery part-timer! Or a flower shop owner! Or... just a lucky goddess (pseudo) who's always happy-go-lucky but has amazing luck! Not a lot of screen time, but absolutely brilliant! It'll let everyone see your natural, healing potential as an actress beyond your stage charm!'

She specifically emphasized 'acting potential' and 'national favorability,' which were exactly where Im Nayeon's strengths lay.

'And!' Lee Tima lowered her voice as if sharing a secret technique. 'After acting, when people introduce you, it won't just be "TWICE's Im Nayeon," but "Actress Im Nayeon"! How cool is that? When your solo comes out, won't that provide ready-made buzz and a crossover popularity boost? When the President sees how multi-talented you are, maybe the solo project will move even faster!'

That last sentence accurately hit exactly what Im Nayeon was most concerned about.

The smile on Im Nayeon's face gradually faded as she fell into serious thought. She certainly craved her solo, but in the process of waiting, a high-quality film or television cameo opportunity could indeed maintain her exposure, allow her to try a new field, and build experience—it might even benefit her musical image. Not to mention, the project sounded truly good, and the platform and lead actress were very attractive.

'It sounds... quite interesting,' Im Nayeon said hesitantly. 'But my acting...'

'Don't worry about acting!' Lee Tima immediately guaranteed. 'The role is tailor-made for you! Just play yourself! Producer Jiang... he’s the best at digging out an artist's inherent charm! Plus, there's a top-tier senior like Im Yoona Unnie on set; you can pick up some tricks from her!'

Finally, she used her aegyo technique, grabbing Im Nayeon's arm and shaking it. 'Unnie~ just try it~ treat it like a trip out to have fun, take some pretty pictures, eat the production set meals (even if they might not be great), and you get an "Actress" title out of it—it's such a good deal!'

Im Nayeon was worn down by her persistence and was indeed moved. She thought for a moment and said, 'Alright... I'll think about it seriously and talk to the company. Give me the detailed information to look over.'

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Yay! Unnie is the best!" Lee Tima jumped up, stuffed the prepared materials into Im Nayeon's hands, chatted with her affectionately for a few more moments, and then left, feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Walking out of the JYP Entertainment building, the afternoon sun felt warm and cozy.

Lee Tima looked back at the vibrant building and nodded with satisfaction.

The intention for ITZY to make a cameo was basically secured.

Im Nayeon, this "big fish," had also been successfully hooked (or at least, she was tempted).

She took out her phone and sent a message to Jiang Zhiyu:

"Oppa! Task completion rate 120%! Both the ITZY Unnies and Nayeon Unnie are very interested! The materials have been delivered! Remember to reward me with a chicken leg! Fried chicken! A whole one!"

After sending it, she skipped towards the subway station, already planning which Unnie's set she would visit to mooch food and drinks once filming officially started (and, incidentally, to watch how Oppa continued his "evil" plan).

TG Entertainment's "diplomatic ambassador," Lee Tima, had achieved remarkable results in her first independent mission.

Meanwhile, on Jiang Zhiyu's strategic map, the important puzzle piece that was JYP Entertainment was being quietly slotted into place.

A few days later, at the preparation site for the special episode of "destined kim hyo-soon"—a rented studio decorated to look like an old neighborhood. The air was filled with the mixed scent of fresh paint, wood, and electronic equipment, with staff members bustling about, making final adjustments before the shoot began.

Jang Wonyoung, accompanied by her Manager and assistant, quietly arrived for a "set visit." This was one of the requirements proposed by Starship and CJ after their preliminary discussions with TG Entertainment/TVN, allowing the artist to personally experience the atmosphere and production quality of the set.

Jiang Zhiyu greeted them at the entrance in person. He was wearing a sharp, dark casual outfit today, with a warm yet professional smile on his face. He looked slightly different from the gentle senior he had been at the coffee shop, now exuding more of the crisp efficiency of a hands-on producer.

"Welcome, Wonyoung, and everyone, to the preparation site for the special episode of 'destined kim hyo-soon'." Jiang Zhiyu enthusiastically led them inside.

The interior of the studio was spacious and cleverly divided into several areas: the interior of Kim Hyo-soon's semi-basement home, a dilapidated yet cozy hallway, and a partial set of the neighbor's house next door. Although not yet fully decorated, the strong sense of lived-in atmosphere and the meticulously aged details were already taking shape, showing that the production team had invested both effort and budget into art design and set construction.

Jiang Zhiyu walked along, introducing everything as if he knew every item by heart:

"This is Kim Hyo-soon and her grandmother's room. All the props were scoured from antique markets to ensure authenticity."

"This stove is actually functional, and we will film scenes of Kim Hyo-soon cooking here."

"Look at this window; we specifically added water stains and mildew effects, but the glass is wiped clean, symbolizing hope amidst adversity."

His introduction was professional and detailed, showing his dedication and care for the project. Jang Wonyoung followed behind him, looking around curiously, her clear eyes filled with wonder. This immersive set environment was completely different from the stages and MV filming sets she was accustomed to; it was full of narrative depth and the feel of everyday life.

After touring the main scenes, Jiang Zhiyu took them to see the temporary wardrobe room and prop storage. The clothing racks were hung with various old clothes that fit the era and the characters' identities, all cleaned and ironed immaculately. The prop storage was even more impressive, filled with everything from vintage telephones to enamel mugs.

"We will custom-tailor the 'Young Angel' costume for Wonyoung based on the character's needs. It needs to have the dreamy elements of an angel while fitting her 'disguise' as someone temporarily fallen to the human world." Jiang Zhiyu pointed to a piece of pearlescent white fabric and said, "We might use this material for accents."

Jang Wonyoung listened and nodded from time to time, clearly satisfied with the professionalism and dedication of the production team. She could feel that this was not a project that had been rushed or put together perfunctorily.

As the tour neared its end, Jiang Zhiyu led Jang Wonyoung to a relatively quiet rest area nearby and had a staff member bring over some drinks.

Jang Wonyoung held the warm citron tea, hesitated for a moment, then lifted those beautiful eyes to look at Jiang Zhiyu, saying in a soft but sincere voice:

"Producer Jiang, thank you... for giving me this opportunity to be exposed to such a dedicated production team and such an interesting character."

Her gratitude was from the bottom of her heart. Today's visit had greatly increased her favorability toward this project and the team.

Jiang Zhiyu beamed, waved his hand, and spoke in a relaxed and encouraging tone:

"Hahaha, Wonyoung is too polite. Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared; in the end, it's because you yourself, Wonyoung, are excellent!"

He gave a thumbs-up without hesitation, his eyes bright:

"I have a good eye for people! You absolutely have the potential to become a superstar! Thumbs up!"

His praise was direct and warm, carrying an unquestionable affirmation that made Jang Wonyoung blush with embarrassment, but it also stirred a warm current and a surge of motivation in her heart.

However, that warmth was soon overshadowed by a hint of gloom. Jang Wonyoung pursed her lips, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the paper cup, a look of hesitation and struggle on her face. She glanced at her Manager, who was whispering and confirming something with a staff member not far away, then looked back at Jiang Zhiyu, lowering her voice further, sounding a bit confused and uneasy:

"But... Producer Jiang, before I came, Manager Oppa mentioned something to me... He said that when the company was reviewing the script, they seemed... seemed to see some... unpleasant plot points? Regarding... regarding the Young Angel part?"

At this point, her cheeks turned even redder, as if it were difficult to say: "It seems... related to... a bathroom? Manager Oppa told me to be careful and protect myself..."

It had come, as expected. Jiang Zhiyu understood in his heart; Starship and CJ had indeed not been completely reassured and had still found "clues" in the script, and they had warned the artist herself.

But there was not a trace of anything unusual on his face; instead, he showed an expression of understanding and empathy, even wearing an open-minded smile that seemed to say "this is normal." He leaned forward slightly and, in the tone of an experienced person—or perhaps a trustworthy elder (?)—said earnestly:

"Wonyoung, I understand your concerns. I also understand the caution of the company and Manager Oppa. This is very normal and shows that they are responsible for you."

He paused, his eyes becoming deep, as if imparting some life philosophy:

"But, Wonyoung, you must know that whether you are an artist or just a person, on the road of growth, you will always encounter some... well, small challenges that seem a bit embarrassing, a bit difficult, or make you feel a bit uncomfortable."

He used his hand to gesture the shape of a small hill:

"Things like this are just like a small hill on the road of life. You look at it from afar and think, 'Ah, it's so hard to climb,' 'How embarrassing,' 'I don't want to face it.' But if you go around it because of fear, or simply turn around and walk away, then you will never know how beautiful the scenery is after climbing over this small hill, or how full the sense of achievement in your heart will be."

His tone was full of encouragement:

"The profession of an actor is even more so. Sometimes, for the sake of the character, for the sake of the work, and to bring laughter and emotion to the audience, we need to try things we wouldn't normally do and overcome some psychological barriers. This process itself is a valuable growth and training experience."

He looked at Jang Wonyoung's thoughtful eyes and continued his "earnest teachings":

"Take this 'unpleasant plot point,' for example. I admit that the script does design a small segment where the Young Angel, due to a magical mishap, has a bit of... well, an interesting interaction with a bathroom. But!"

He emphasized his tone, highlighting the key point:

"First, this is entirely based on the reasonable plot development of the character being 'clumsy' and 'having magic go wrong.' It is meant to create comedic effect, absolutely not to be vulgar or to grab attention."

"Second, when filming, we will use the safest and most interesting way to present it—it might be cartoon special effects, it might be camera angles—we will absolutely not let you actually touch anything dirty or dangerous. Your safety and image are the production team's top priority."

"Third, and most importantly—" Jiang Zhiyu's eyes were incredibly sincere, "it is precisely by overcoming this little bit of 'embarrassment' and perfectly portraying this 'little accident' that we can most vividly display the Young Angel's clumsiness, cuteness, and growth, making the audience completely fall in love with this character through laughter. And you, Wonyoung, can also prove to everyone that you are not just a beautiful idol, but an excellent actor who dares to challenge yourself, is dedicated and professional, and can handle complex comedic situations!"

He concluded, his voice full of strength:

"The sense of achievement after overcoming difficulties is truly fulfilling! I believe that with your intelligence and potential, Wonyoung, you will definitely be able to handle this 'small hill' and stand on the top, seeing a wider view. By then, everyone will give you a thumbs up and say: 'Look, Jang Wonyoung, not only can she sing and dance, but her acting is so inspired and she's so uninhibited! She really is a treasure of an actor!'"

His words appealed to reason (character needs, comedic effect), moved with emotion (overcoming growth, proving oneself), and tempted with benefits (audience love, actor recognition), while repeatedly guaranteeing safety and technical handling.

Listening, the hesitation and anxiety in Jang Wonyoung's eyes were gradually replaced by a look of contemplation, and even a glimmer of being persuaded.

Jiang Zhiyu's words, though containing elements of "sweet-talking," were not entirely without reason. As an artist in her rising phase, she truly longed for a breakthrough, longed to prove her many possibilities. If this "small hill" was really, as he said, safe, interesting, and key to showing the character's charm... it seemed, worth a try?

She hadn't fully made up her mind yet, but the scales in her heart had undoubtedly tilted a few more degrees in the direction Jiang Zhiyu hoped for.

Jiang Zhiyu watched her changing expression and knew the timing was right, so he said no more, just smiling and patting her shoulder (ceremonially): "No need to rush to make a decision, Wonyoung. Go back and think about it carefully, and communicate with Manager Oppa again. The door to the production team is always open for you."

He believed that with today's visit and his "life mentor"-like guidance, coupled with Starship/CJ's optimism about the overall project... the possibility of this "Young Angel," Jang Wonyoung, flying into his production team was becoming greater and greater.

Sunlight slanted in from the high windows of the studio, casting mottled light and shadows on the piled-up props.

A psychological battle over a "small hill" had temporarily come to an end.

And the real "filming challenge" was still waiting ahead.