Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: [Black Knight's Her]
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The script had started making the rounds at the agencies exactly one month earlier.
Once word got out that it was a project helmed by PD Kim Mi-hyeon from MBY Broadcasting Station, agencies and actors alike showed a ton of interest.
PD Kim Mi-hyeon was already a proven hitmaker with a string of successful shows under her belt.
It was only natural for her projects to generate buzz.
But before long, the reactions shifted from interest to outright excitement.
"Whoa—this thing's a hit!"
"It's seriously fun."
"It's just the script? How can it be this good?"
Finding genuine enjoyment in a screenplay was a rare occurrence.
Yet actors and industry folks who'd read *Black Knight's Her* were all having the same response.
"The character Lee Se-ha is so captivating."
"She pops right off the page—the personality really comes alive."
"If this becomes a drama, all the spotlight's gonna go to the female lead."
Among the characters in the novel, the heroine was by far the most alluring.
The male lead was solid, but he didn't hold a candle to her.
She was the one driving the story forward.
It was engaging, the characters felt real.
There were plenty of hooks to draw in viewers.
Naturally, a slew of talented actresses started vying for the role.
The first round of auditions featured a number of heavy-hitting actresses.
Everyone figured the lead would come out of that group.
But the results were unexpected.
"All eliminated?!"
It was shocking.
Among the actresses in the first round was even a Best Actress award winner.
And she got cut.
Then came the day of the second round.
The actresses headed to the broadcasting station with tense expressions.
* * *
Upon arriving at the station, Tae-seong attended a meeting with the drama staff.
"Seven actresses are auditioning today. Check the list in the documents up front."
Tae-seong reviewed the lineup of actresses.
Four out of the seven were big names, well-known to the public.
Household names where the face came to mind instantly upon hearing it.
The other three, though? Not so much.
Rookies or actresses whose names rang a vague bell but whose faces didn't.
'Will we find her today, I wonder?'
Lee Se-ha.
It wasn't about finding a celebrity lookalike.
Looks mattered, but she had to be able to embody the character.
"Our writer, what're you pondering so deeply?"
"Just thinking about which actresses are coming in today."
"You recognize a fair few, right?"
"I know the names and faces of four, but the rest are unfamiliar."
"That figures. They're more supporting-actress level than leads. And Han Tae-eun is a debutante this time around."
"I see."
"Honestly, we all thought the lead would come out of the first round."
PD Kim spoke frankly.
"We know the actresses from round one could land leads anywhere."
"Yes, they're all incredible performers. But..."
"It's the image, isn't it?"
"The character I poured the most effort into while writing the novel was Lee Se-ha. As I shaped her, a clear image formed in my mind, and now I'm being picky about it."
"Hmm, I get that. Most male writers focus more on the male lead, but in *Black Knight's Her*, you really lavished attention on Lee Se-ha."
"Well, it's a romance novel. The main audience is women, so it makes sense to zero in on a female character."
"True. Dramas are the same way. But no actress is a perfect match for any character. So try to temper your expectations a bit."
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
"Heh, let's have a good one today."
"Yes."
The meeting wrapped up.
Left alone, Tae-seong gazed out the window.
It was a clear, sunny day without a speck of fine dust.
Suddenly, her smile crossed his mind.
* * *
The first actress was a high-profile one.
She'd starred in multiple hit shows.
Her endorsement fees matched her fame.
Her acting was solid.
She clearly understood the character of Lee Se-ha.
But that was it.
"Good job."
At Tae-seong's words, PD Kim let out a quiet sigh.
'She was the kind of actress whose casting alone would promote the show...'
It was a shame.
But with the contract already signed.
Pulling the plug now wasn't an option.
'Even if we could, it wouldn't come to that...'
PD Kim was already hooked on *Black Knight's Her*.
She was a producer, but at heart, a creator too.
She knew full well the charm it held.
'Can't afford any more delays. And who knows if a project like *Black Knight's Her* will ever land in my lap again.'
When she'd first reviewed it.
She hadn't expected much.
Having sifted through countless scripts over the years, it had become routine.
Purely mechanical.
But as she turned the first page, her mindset shifted.
Her heart raced, her mind dove in deeper.
She got lost in the story as a reader, not a PD, flipping pages eagerly.
She ended up rereading it two, three times.
Her conclusion: she had to have it.
'I took heat from upstairs over the writer's demanding terms...'
But it was worth it.
The issue was casting.
The script was ready, production funding secured.
Just cast the actors and secure sponsorship, and they could start filming.
Yet casting was eating up time.
It was making her anxious.
'Please, let us lock in the female lead today...'
But against PD Kim's desperate hope, Tae-seong shook his head each time.
After the sixth actress finished.
PD Kim asked Tae-seong.
"What'd you think? She seemed pretty good this time."
"Out of everyone today, she grasped Lee Se-ha the best."
"Really?"
It was the first positive comment from him.
"But it wasn't a 'this is the one' feeling."
"Ugh—again?"
"Sorry for the hassle. But Lee Se-ha is the heart of the story. Viewers will focus on her too."
"You're right..."
"So I want to find the most perfect fit possible."
PD Kim nodded.
It was a problem.
She wanted to finalize the actress and start production yesterday, but Tae-seong kept convincing her otherwise.
'Is it because he's the writer? How does he argue so well?'
"Um, PD?"
"Yeah?"
A staffer approached and called her.
As she stepped away, Tae-seong turned back to the script.
A moment later.
She returned.
"Writer, what do we do? The last actress hasn't shown up yet."
"Hmm. Let's wait a bit. I can't clear my schedule every day either."
"Okay, got it."
PD Kim informed the other staffers.
Meanwhile, left alone, Tae-seong checked the time.
Four hours had passed since auditions began.
'Showing up late to an important audition like this.'
It didn't sit well.
* * *
Two more hours ticked by.
Still no sign of the last actress.
Irritation was creeping onto the crew's faces.
PD Kim was no exception.
"No contact at all! What the hell?!"
"Sorry. I'll try calling again."
"Hurry up!"
She was a senior PD.
Her subordinates were breaking into cold sweats.
PD Kim watched the rushing staffer, then approached Tae-seong.
"Writer, I'm so sorry—what should we do? Can't reach her agency either, and time keeps dragging. The standby actor for the other role had another gig and left."
"Hmm. It's getting late—maybe call it here for today?"
"You sure? What about this actress then...?"
"If she can't even keep an appointment, no need to see her act..."
Clunk—!
The door swung open then.
In walked a middle-aged actor.
Gasping for breath, his face twisted PD Kim's.
"Sor... sorry! I'm really, really late!"
"Director Choi, do you know what time it is? Auditions started at 10 a.m...."
"PD Kim... I'm sorry. I had a regional shoot yesterday, wrapped up and was driving back at dawn... There was an accident on the highway."
"An accident...?"
PD Kim and everyone in the room wore stunned expressions.
Tae-seong was no different.
"Well, why didn't you call ahead...?"
"I'm sorry... My smartphone got smashed... No way to contact anyone..."
PD Kim knew the deal.
Director Choi called himself a rep, but his agency had just one employee.
That employee doubled as a manager for other actors.
Knowing his situation, PD Kim couldn't chew him out further.
"How's your condition?"
"I'm fine... But this is shameless of me... Could she still audition? Please, I beg you!"
"This is..."
Embarrassment crossed PD Kim's face.
After waiting this long, part of her wanted to send him packing.
But hearing his story tugged at her heartstrings.
"Let's do the audition."
The response came from behind.
She turned to see Tae-seong standing there.
Casting the female lead was fully delegated to him.
With his approval, PD Kim nodded too.
"Let us know when you're ready."
"Yes! I'll bring the actress right now! Thank you! Truly, thank you!"
Director Choi bowed repeatedly.
Desperation poured from him.
People make mistakes.
Judging a life on a single slip was unfair.
Especially for someone this eager.
Knowing that, Tae-seong decided to give her one more chance.