Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The First Script Reading
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The group practice room where comprehensive evaluation rehearsals were held.
Today was the day for the first script reading.
Since they'd spent time creating a new character for Moon Woo-hyuk, their team had started a bit later than the others.
Holding the already completed script, the team members sat in a row on the floor.
Even Song Ha-na had spread out Moon Woo-hyuk's mat on the floor and sat on it today.
Once all the team members had gathered without anyone missing, Yoon Jong-hoon, gripping the script, clapped it against his palm to draw everyone's attention.
"The ensemble actors will probably join us before we put on the show. We'll need a few days of practice with them."
For the comprehensive evaluation, if you applied to the school in advance, they provided ensemble actors to fill out the stage.
Yoon Jong-hoon had requested ensemble actors from the school early on, so they were already secured.
Since they didn't need to be there for the script reading, the plan was to proceed just with the Cheongyeom Arts High students today.
It wasn't the final version yet, so the scripts everyone held were relatively clean.
Only my script had pages that were loose, tattered, and ragged.
Even though it wasn't the final script, maybe because it had been a while since I'd prepared for an audition, I'd gotten really into it.
Nothing to brag about—I tried to hide it subtly, but Song Ha-na spotted it and said in disbelief,
"Did you drop your script in a ditch or something?"
It had only been two days since we got the scripts.
She couldn't believe it had gotten that dirty in just two days, so she figured it must have rolled around somewhere.
"Ahaha." I gave an embarrassed laugh and fiddled with the script.
"No, it's not like that."
It was already a bit embarrassing.
Had I read it that messily?
Everyone else's was pristine, making the comparison way too stark.
"You did that to it in just two days?"
Yoon Jong-hoon also fixed his gaze on the ragged script and asked.
I'd never heard anyone say Yoon Jong-hoon lacked passion.
But looking at that, it was clear he'd read it dozens of times already.
"Doesn't that mean you've memorized all the lines?"
Yoon Jong-hoon said it half-jokingly.
The team members chuckled, saying that couldn't be possible.
Meanwhile, I just blankly looked around.
Why is everyone laughing?
"Of course. Naturally."
The room went dead silent in an instant.
Did I say something wrong again?
I glanced sideways and saw Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk staring at me with queasy expressions.
What's your problem? You're both hardworking too—why pick on me?
I made an aggrieved face as if to ask why, but they just turned their heads away.
Everyone else was the same.
Seeing them act like they hadn't heard me at all, I quietly shut my mouth.
Yoon Jong-hoon grinned at me once, then got to the point.
"This is the character for Woo-hyuk we talked about last time. Everyone, give it a read."
Yoon Jong-hoon passed around a few pages with the character introduction and lines.
As soon as everyone got them, they started reading intently.
Moon Woo-hyuk, the one who would actually play the role, was reading harder than anyone, as if the paper might burn a hole through it.
"Sorry to Do-hyun, who's already memorized the lines, but since we've added this new character, there's still room for revisions."
"Memorizing lines wasn't the goal, so it's fine."
I'd read it to understand and immerse myself in the character, so the lines were just a bonus that stuck.
This time, I caught Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk shooting me annoyed looks before turning away.
……Why do I suddenly feel left out?
"The script will be fully fixed by tomorrow, and it'll go to our advisor teacher by the end of this week. The advisor will join the reading after it's finalized."
For the comprehensive evaluation, each team got assigned one advisor teacher.
They helped coordinate the overall process or gave advice.
Usually, it was randomly assigned from the musical or directing department faculty.
"When do the numbers come out?"
Song Ha-na pointed to the blank spots for the numbers.
The lyrics were roughly there, but the melodies hadn't come yet.
"We'll fix the script completely by tomorrow, and we've been working on the numbers since the start of the semester, so…"
Yoon Jong-hoon thought for a moment before speaking.
"Still, they'll be ready within next week. It won't be that late, so don't worry."
Yoon Jong-hoon continued with a confident expression.
"We're definitely taking first place with this show."
Yoon Jong-hoon's goal wasn't just first place.
He'd been aiming for a production contract with the school since his first year.
At Cheongyeom Arts High, the school provided a composer through a faculty member, but in exchange, the copyright for the numbers went to the school.
However, if the show was a big success, he could sign a production contract with the school as its director.
Of course, commercial use of the show was prohibited before graduation.
But after graduation, if the director or playwright of that show wanted to stage it, they could receive massive support from the Cheongyeom Foundation.
That's what Yoon Jong-hoon was gunning for.
Usually, only third-year directing majors aimed for school production contracts.
He really wasn't your typical thinker.
"Of course. With me here, if we don't get first, it's the show's fault. Everyone, work hard."
Not "let's work hard," but "work hard."
Classic Song Ha-na.
But Yoon Jong-hoon had quickly grasped her personality, so he knew there was no malice in it.
Observing people was an essential skill for a director.
Meanwhile,
'He really made a pretty good character.'
Moon Woo-hyuk couldn't take his eyes off the description of his new character.
He liked the one Yoon Jong-hoon had created.
It was a role he hadn't tried much before, and the part was bigger than expected.
A villain who could openly torment the protagonist, no less.
A charismatic villain—he figured it'd be popular.
'With this…'
It was the perfect chance to torment Do-hyun without losing the audience's favor.
He clenched his fists, vowing to work hard, when
"How is it? Like it?"
Yoon Jong-hoon asked with a sly grin.
Moon Woo-hyuk lifted his head from the paper and grinned back at Yoon Jong-hoon.
"You bet."
"Good. Then shall we start the real script reading?"
It wasn't just sitting in a circle reading lines.
They held their scripts and moved lightly as if on stage.
The team members set up chairs like a stage.
The male and female leads sat in the center.
Once the simple setup was done, they placed a camera in front.
The reading practice would be done with the camera right in front.
"Think of this camera as the audience and just act naturally."
At the camera operator's words, Song Ha-na and I nodded.
With the camera set, the script reading standby was complete.
Everyone held their scripts and looked at Yoon Jong-hoon.
Yoon Jong-hoon waited silently, then gave the signal.
The first scene they rehearsed was the initial meeting between Damious and Elpodi.
Elpodi visits Damious's hotel and sees women lost in gambling in room 201.
"Eyes filled with emptiness, hearts hollow with starved hope."
Song Ha-na spat out the line, imagining the women lost in gambling.
It was originally a number spot, but since the numbers weren't ready, they'd use lines instead of song today.
Since it was a script reading, she didn't put too much power into the acting.
Even so, the urgency and desperation seeped into the lines quite well.
'Good start.'
Yoon Jong-hoon stared silently at the two, holding back the urge to hum.
"You can change if you leave this place."
Song Ha-na's line ended, and it was my turn next.
"The only soul flowing in stopped time. The sound of souls whispering in your ears."
Damious appeared with a mad, gleeful voice, like he'd found rare entertainment after a long time.
Even sitting still without moving, his natural acting tone flowed effortlessly.
I acted without paying any mind to the camera.
It was an impressive level of focus and immersion that didn't feel like a mere script reading.
Song Ha-na found herself getting drawn in more and more, caught by Do-hyun's gaze and serious posture.
As she recited Elpodi's lines, desperately trying to get the women out, she grew even more urgent.
"This place is dangerous—it's not right."
Terrified Elpodi—Song Ha-na's voice overlapped with Damious actor Do-hyun's.
"Then run. I won't hold you."
Even without a number, the rapid back-and-forth between Song Ha-na and me created the illusion of song.
And so, the first script reading scene ended.
"Cut!"
'This guy…'
Song Ha-na had planned to half-ass the script reading at first.
But doing it with Do-hyun, she got immersed and focused without realizing.
He must have studied the script a ton—his immersion was on another level.
Do-hyun had already shaken off Damious and was quenching his throat with the water bottle beside him.
Helping your scene partner immerse was a huge skill.
Even after the reading ended, Song Ha-na couldn't tear her eyes from Do-hyun, as if she were still Elpodi.
Clap clap—
The directors' applause snapped Song Ha-na back to reality, and she quickly looked away.
"Wow. That's not script reading level."
Yoon Jong-hoon burst into applause at the picture even better than he'd hoped.
Moon Woo-hyuk was surprised too, seeing how well the two breathed together on their first try.
Short life though it was, he'd spent over half his acting career with Song Ha-na.
Watching her immerse so deeply with someone other than him felt weird.
But he quickly pulled himself together and refocused on his character.
'I can't lose to Lee Do-hyun.'
Once Song Ha-na's focus loosened a bit, she looked at Do-hyun again.
She knew he was good, but he exceeded her expectations by far.
The first round of script reading continued.
During that time, Moon Woo-hyuk analyzed his character until the paper Yoon Jong-hoon gave him was ragged.
After the reading, the team gathered to review the camera footage.
"Okay, here, Ha-na—you can see you're aware of the camera, right? Even for practice, you can't be that conscious of it."
Song Ha-na nodded along as she watched the video.
Even with her high standards, she acknowledged and fixed what needed fixing.
Otherwise, she couldn't grow.
"Do-hyun."
Yoon Jong-hoon was at a loss for words.
Truth be told, Do-hyun hadn't minded the camera at all.
Shockingly so.
And that wasn't all.
You could feel he'd nearly completed the character Damious through his analysis.
Yoon Jong-hoon usually pointed out even slight deviations from his intended character.
But with the Damious Do-hyun had brought to life, it felt like you shouldn't touch it…
As he pondered what to say,
Scratch scratch.
"What are you doing?"
Before Yoon Jong-hoon could gather his thoughts, he spotted Do-hyun diligently taking notes while watching the video alone.
Seeing that, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Looks like he doesn't need advice.
"My hand feels a bit awkward… Maybe tilt my head down more."
He was scribbling densely in his notebook, oblivious to those around him.
'What the hell.'
Song Ha-na's brow furrowed at Do-hyun's display.
She'd always lived life working hard at everything.
Yet every time she saw Do-hyun, he seemed to be growing.
It felt like he had something she didn't.
Suddenly, she recalled the script reading from moments ago, how she'd been sucked right in.
This was an opportunity.
Song Ha-na gazed down at the crown of Do-hyun's head, focused as if diving into the video, and thought.
Maybe through breathing with Do-hyun, she could learn something too.