Chapter 48
Chapter 48: “Afterlife Restaurant” Audition
Translated by POWERPUFF
No matter how much Baek Seungchan was the main character of the project, he was still a rookie with less than a year of acting experience.
For someone like him, serving as a judge in an audition could be quite burdensome.
In fact, many of the actors being evaluated had more acting experience than him.
However, due to the strong insistence of Park Taeho and Kim Sehee, Baek Seungchan ended up taking the role of judge.
Both of them acknowledged not only his acting skills but also his keen eye for talent.
“Seungchan, don’t feel too pressured. Just speak comfortably if there’s anything you want to say.”
“That’s right. Today, you’re sitting here not as a junior, but as a judge.”
The two tried to make him feel at ease, thinking he might feel burdened.
“Yes, I’ll be comfortable.”
Contrary to their concerns, Baek Seungchan didn’t feel burdened at all.
Rather, he intended to find truly capable actors with a sharp, discerning gaze.
“If I’m going to do this, I should do it properly.”
Once he started something, he had no intention of doing it half-heartedly.
That applied to both acting and the project itself.
And for that, the actors he worked with also had to be solid.
The first audition was for the slave villain who killed the protagonist’s wife.
Though not the main character, it was a crucial leading role, which drew over a hundred applicants.
As he looked through the profiles, the door opened and the first participant entered.
A clean-looking man in his late 30s.
With 15 years of acting experience, he had many supporting roles under his belt.
“Hello, I’m Jung Min-tae.”
After a brief introduction, he began the assigned acting.
The role was of a slave who, after being saved from death, expressed gratitude, only to kill his benefactor when they turned their back.
It was a simplified version of the villain’s role in the actual drama.
After briefly closing his eyes to immerse himself, the man began.
“Th-thank you, sir, for saving me.”
Baek Seungchan carefully observed his acting.
“Die! Die!”
As expected of an experienced actor, his voice projection and expressions were decent.
But that was all.
There was nothing particularly special.
It was simply the level one could achieve with experience.
For such an important villain role, it wasn’t enough.
“Did you prepare anything else?”
After the assigned acting, Park Taeho asked.
In auditions, actors often prepared free acting or personal talents to showcase themselves.
“Yes, I prepared a free performance.”
“Go ahead.”
The man immediately began his free acting.
It depicted the resentment of an oppressed slave.
“He must have done this kind of acting a lot.”
This performance was much more natural than before.
But the result didn’t change much.
It still lacked what was needed for a major villain role.
“Jung Min-tae, thank you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After he left, Park Taeho turned to the others.
“Seungchan, what did you think?”
“I think he lacks a unique color. For a villain that needs strong presence, he doesn’t seem suitable.”
Baek Seungchan spoke honestly.
“Keep evaluating like that.”
“Sounds good.”
Both Park Taeho and Kim Sehee smiled in satisfaction.
They shared the same opinion.
Many more actors followed.
“Hello!”
Some greeted loudly enough to fill the room.
“How much? How much do you want! My entire fortune? Don’t be ridiculous!”
Others prepared unique performances, even singing.
But most of them lacked in acting.
Eventually, the auditions were nearing their end.
“There’s no one who really stands out. What do you think, Writer Kim?”
“I feel the same.”
“What about you, Seungchan?”
“Same here. No one really stands out.”
Though some weren’t bad, none felt like a must-cast.
Knock knock.
Just as they were feeling disappointed, the next participant entered.
“…”
Baek Seungchan, Park Taeho, and Kim Sehee all froze.
They couldn’t help it.
Greasy hair, a filthy face, sunken cheeks as if he hadn’t eaten for days, and hollow eyes.
A foul smell even filled the room after he entered.
He looked more like a beggar than an audition participant.
[37 years old, Kim Namseok]
Park Taeho checked the profile just in case.
“Are you Kim Namseok?”
“Yes… that’s right…”
Even his voice lacked strength.
“Are you unwell?”
Kim Sehee asked with concern.
“N-no. I just haven’t eaten for a few days.”
“You haven’t eaten?”
“Yes. The role is a slave…”
Kim Namseok spoke quietly.
He explained that after reading the script, he imagined a runaway slave who had suffered and starved.
To understand that feeling, he had consumed only minimal water for a week and hadn’t washed.
“So you starved yourself?”
Park Taeho asked in disbelief.
“Yes… I didn’t think there was any other way…”
Kim Namseok left a stronger impression than anyone before him.
And that wasn’t all.
“You worked at S Electronics until recently?”
“Yes.”
He had worked at one of Korea’s top companies until six months ago.
“Why did you quit?”
“I wanted to act.”
“You quit S Electronics… to act?”
Park Taeho was even more shocked than before.
“I had always dreamed of acting. If I delayed any longer, it would be too late.”
“You’re quite extreme…”
Though reckless, his decision was undeniably bold.
But this was an audition. Acting mattered most.
“Please show us your performance.”
“Yes.”
Kim Namseok closed his eyes, breathing deeply to immerse himself.
The three watched with anticipation.
“Oh.”
The moment he opened his eyes, Park Taeho and Kim Sehee quietly gasped.
Baek Seungchan also looked at him with interest.
“That level of focus is impressive.”
His lifeless eyes suddenly changed.
Emotion filled them.
But the acting still had flaws.
“Th-thank you, sir…”
It felt awkward.
“Die! You must die!”
His performance ended.
“Thank you.”
There was slight disappointment on the judges’ faces.
“Did you prepare any free acting?”
“No…”
With little experience, even the assigned acting had been overwhelming for him.
“Alright.”
His audition ended.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“It started well, though.”
As he left, they felt regret.
At this rate, he would fail.
But then—
“Wait a moment, Kim Namseok.”
Baek Seungchan stopped him.
“What is it, Seungchan?”
“It feels like a waste. May we see his acting one more time?”
Baek Seungchan saw clear talent in him.
And he was confident he could bring it out.
“Well, if you want to, let’s try.”
Though unsure of its value, Park Taeho agreed.
“Kim Namseok, I’ll act as your counterpart. Please perform the same scene again.”
“Ah… okay.”
Given another chance, Kim Namseok brightened.
“Let me know when you’re ready.”
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes again to immerse himself.
Baek Seungchan quietly observed.
“I’m ready.”
When Kim Namseok opened his eyes again, they had changed once more.
Seeing that, Baek Seungchan was certain.
Such change couldn’t happen without talent for immersion.
At that moment, Baek Seungchan’s eyes also changed.
The ordinary young man became a noble elder, his gaze carrying the weight of years.
“Is your body alright?”
His deep voice filled the room.
Park Taeho and Kim Sehee were stunned.
This was a completely different depth from what they had seen before.
They realized their own arrogance.
And felt grateful to work with such an actor.
But the most shocked person was Kim Namseok.
“…”
His eyes trembled violently.
He was overwhelmed by Baek Seungchan’s aura.
It felt as if the nobleman he imagined was standing before him.
But he quickly regained his focus.
This was his last chance.
“Th-thank you, sir…”
He delivered the lines he had practiced countless times.
The judges’ expressions changed.
His gaze, expression, and voice—
They conveyed genuine gratitude.
Completely different from before.
“I only did what was right. Rest until you fully recover.”
“Th-thank you.”
Baek Seungchan ad-libbed and turned his back.
“…”
At that moment, Kim Namseok’s expression twisted into something demonic.
His kind eyes filled with malice.
He raised both hands as if striking, and Baek Seungchan fell forward in sync.
Kim Namseok continued, mimicking striking him down.
“Die! Die!”
His voice was filled with hatred.
“All nobles must die…”
He finished with madness gleaming in his eyes.
“….”
When their acting ended, silence filled the room that had just been loud with his voice.