Chapter 52
Chapter 52: Time Slot Scheduling
Translated by POWERPUFF
Among the actors of “Afterlife Restaurant,” none had acted with Cha Minhee before, but there was no one who hadn’t seen her acting.
The performances she showed as a child actress had been that impactful.
So when news broke that she would take the female lead, everyone had high expectations.
But the moment they met her, those expectations faded slightly.
She was too different from what they had imagined.
What they remembered as her greatest strength was her realism and the power that seemed to break through the screen.
Yet the Cha Minhee they saw now didn’t just seem ordinary—she seemed lethargic.
Honestly, some even wondered if she was truly the same genius child actress they remembered.
Still, they couldn’t completely lose hope.
Because what she had shown in the past was undeniably real.
So they watched the script reading with moderate expectations.
And the moment it began, everyone had the same thought.
“She really is that genius…”
The moment she spoke her lines, life filled her otherwise cold and indifferent expression.
It was hard to believe she was the same person from moments ago.
“Dear, do you know what happened today?”
“I spent the whole day at the palace, how would I know?”
The same was true for Baek Seungchan.
He was simply reading lines, yet his delivery carried weight.
Just by listening, the scene vividly came to life.
After their short but powerful reading ended, the actors were bewildered.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be simple…?”
“That didn’t feel simple at all…”
The deeper they went, the more intensity their lines carried.
Even Park Taeho was flustered.
“What’s with those two?”
Though they were supposed to keep it light, their performance could’ve been used as is.
He even grew concerned.
Other actors might become exhausted trying to match their level.
“Well… maybe it’ll settle down.”
He thought the next scene would be calmer.
But he overlooked something.
“Sir! What did the child do wrong! Please, spare the child!”
It was Kim Namseok.
Having just witnessed Baek Seungchan and Cha Minhee, he believed that level was the standard and poured everything into his performance.
With the added results of his training under Baek Seungchan, his acting was exceptional.
“What’s with him too…”
“Isn’t he a rookie?”
Now, the other actors realized they couldn’t hold back.
“I can’t just half-do this…”
“I’m a senior, I can’t look sloppy…”
“Everyone’s going all out… I should too…”
Even if they weren’t the main actors, they couldn’t afford to seem inferior.
“…Actually, this might not be bad.”
Observing the situation, Park Taeho thought the atmosphere created by the three main actors was positive.
It ignited passion in the entire cast.
And so, the script reading became unexpectedly intense.
What started at 10 AM had already reached noon.
“Alright, let’s break for lunch.”
“Already?”
“Time flew by.”
Immersed in the reading, they were surprised.
“You can use the cafeteria downstairs.”
The lunch was at Dream Entertainment’s cafeteria.
No one complained.
“Finally, I get to try this place.”
“I’ve heard it’s really good.”
It was famous among agencies.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
“I kind of want to join this company now.”
Everyone was satisfied.
They discussed the script reading.
“Cha Minhee is incredible.”
“Yeah, her immersion gave me chills.”
“And Seungchan too—how is he still a rookie?”
“I told you, he’s different.”
“And Kim Namseok…”
“I heard he’s new, but his immersion is insane.”
All praise.
After lunch, the reading resumed and concluded successfully.
“Surviving in the Jungle” was SBC’s flagship variety show, led by comedian Lee Byungman.
It had run for 10 years in seasonal format, now handled by PD Lee Junghoon.
He was busy preparing the new season.
Then someone visited his office.
“Senior, what brings you here?”
It was Kang Chanhee, head of programming at SBC.
“Just came to talk. Here, coffee.”
They preferred vending machine coffee over café drinks.
“How’s preparation going?”
“It’s tough. Location scouting isn’t easy.”
They had to consider safety, visuals, and permissions.
“And I heard your station signed with Studio Dream.”
“Yeah, and that’s the problem.”
“What problem?”
“The time slot.”
Though the contract was signed, the broadcast time wasn’t finalized.
“What’s the issue?”
“A slot just opened.”
“Ah, Jung Minho’s incident?”
Jung Minho, an A-list actor, had caused a DUI accident, canceling his drama.
“Yes, now the prime-time slot is empty.”
Originally, “Afterlife Restaurant” was planned for Wednesday-Thursday 9 PM.
But now, Friday-Saturday 9 PM was available.
“I see why you’re”
Older viewers preferred familiar A-list actors.
But this drama had mostly lesser-known actors.
“So what do you think?”
“Me? Put it in prime time.”
“Really?”
“Those leads are going to blow up.”
He believed in Baek Seungchan and Cha Minhee.
“If he wins Rookie of the Year, imagine the impact.”
Kang Chanhee hesitated.
Baek Seungchan lacked experience.
Cha Minhee had a long hiatus.
“Then go see the filming yourself.”
“…You’re right.”
After leaving, Lee Junghoon muttered,
“Why ask me then?”
Then smiled.
“He’s definitely winning Rookie of the Year.”
He also thought Baek Seungchan would fit perfectly in his variety show.
“Let’s make him top priority.”
And a few days later, filming for “Afterlife Restaurant” began,
and Kang Chanhee visited the set.