Chapter 27
Chapter 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Are you really going to have him appear?"
Drama director Min Su-jin asked with a venomous expression.
"It's already decided."
Kim PD replied in a voice laced with dissatisfaction.
It was a decision that had already been made.
That's why they'd called Tae-seong all the way here.
But now, at the last minute, she was causing trouble again, giving him a headache.
"No, even if it's just a cameo, how can you put someone who's not even an entertainer in front of the camera?"
"He nails the acting. Trust me on this one."
"Ugh... Fine, but I'm not taking responsibility for this. If the viewers freak out, you're handling it alone."
"Okay! I'll take full responsibility."
Kim PD gave his firm confirmation.
Only then did Director Min Su-jin back off a step.
"No, but unnie."
"What's with 'unnie' in a professional setting?"
"Cut the joking around. Seriously, what's gotten into you? Putting the original author on screen?"
"He's got a great image."
"Yeah, he does. Good skin, great proportions. But there are tons of people with that kind of look."
"He's the original author on top of that. That's enough to make headlines. Haven't you heard about the buzz around Black Knight's Her just from the filming announcements lately?"
"I don't read novels anyway."
"It's insane. The reactions are exploding. Even mom cafes are flooded with talk about Black Knight's Her."
"That much?"
Kim PD nodded.
"What do you think happens when the drama blows up and word gets out that the author's a total hunk?"
"It'll be a huge issue."
"And if he acts well on top of that?"
"Uh... That'd be the cherry on top. Total chaos, right?"
"That's exactly what our original author is."
"Really?"
"For real."
"He's really that good?"
"You think I'd put someone who can't act on my show?"
Min Su-jin shook her head.
At the very least, the Kim PD she knew wouldn't do that.
"So just trust me and let's start shooting."
"Okay!"
Min Su-jin shook off her lingering anxiety and responded energetically.
* * *
Black Knight's Her.
The male lead had been cast as the hot actor Lee Seong-woo.
With his tall stature, handsome looks, and solid acting chops, his star was rising fast.
Especially now that his new variety show was airing to massive attention, his price tag was skyrocketing.
On the flip side, the female lead, Park Eun-bi, lagged behind in name value.
She'd never even landed a supporting role in her previous works.
Mostly extras.
Naturally, negative rumors started swirling around her.
Comments too vile to repeat piled up.
The problem was the articles leaning negative too.
[Controversy Over Park Eun-bi, Cast as Female Lead in Black Knight's Her]
[Park Eun-bi Jumps Straight to Lead Role Overnight—Who Is She?]
Choi Woo-jong scowled as he read the headlines.
'Those bastards...'
He knew exactly who was behind these articles.
JU Entertainment.
The place he'd worked before going independent.
He hadn't left on good terms.
JU Entertainment was infamous for pimping out its actors.
He'd only recently found out.
Since it was illegal, only the execs handled it.
He'd learned by chance when an actress he managed got drunk and spilled the beans.
Even knowing that, he couldn't stay.
He quit and went solo.
He figured the actors loyal to him would follow.
Naive thinking.
Actors from a major agency don't jump ship to follow a lone manager.
Park Eun-bi was the only one who did.
The issue was JU Entertainment wanted him blacklisted from the industry.
That's why Park Eun-bi, despite her talent, couldn't book decent roles.
Just extra-level one-offs at best.
'She got lucky this time.'
Kim PD despised agency meddling.
And he had serious clout in the industry.
Even JU Entertainment couldn't push too hard.
More importantly, casting based on skill over fame had given Park Eun-bi her shot.
'She has to make the most of this opportunity.'
For that, Park Eun-bi needed to deliver.
All he could do was support her.
* * *
Principal filming began.
Today was episode 5.
Episodes 1 through 4 were already edited and done.
Air date was set.
First broadcast in two weeks.
Director Min Su-jin wanted to stockpile as much footage as possible beforehand.
Buffer shots meant smoother filming later.
"Cut!"
But today, interruptions were constant.
Because of Park Eun-bi.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
No one could say much seeing her bow deeply.
But irritation showed on their faces.
"Focus a little more! Cutting on a line flub is overkill."
"Yes! I'm sorry!"
Fourth line mistake already.
And it wasn't even tough dialogue, making it more frustrating.
"Writer-nim, sorry about this. We're running long today."
As shooting dragged, Kim PD apologized to Tae-seong.
"It's fine. Does Park Eun-bi usually NG this much?"
"No. First time I've seen her like this. Must be an off day."
Tae-seong nodded.
She definitely seemed off today.
Anxious, constantly glancing around.
'Signs of emotional instability. Means psychological distress...'
A symptom from major mental shock.
'Looks early-stage... Probably hit hard by those recent comments.'
Black Knight's Her was Tae-seong's passion project.
He kept tabs on drama news.
He knew about the flood of bad articles on Park Eun-bi.
And the comments—even he, an outsider, found them shocking.
'People can turn brutally cruel behind a screen. The internet's perfect for exposing that dark side.'
"Cut!"
Director Min Su-jin called cut again.
"Take a break and we'll retry!"
Third NG on the same scene.
Her patience seemed at its limit.
Park Eun-bi hung her head and headed to her car.
Seeing that, Tae-seong stood.
'This'll affect the production if it keeps up.'
He needed to stabilize her mentally first.
He approached as she neared her car.
"Eun-bi."
"Oh, Writer-nim."
Park Eun-bi knew who Tae-seong was.
The novel's author.
And that he was shooting today.
So she bowed.
"Sorry. My dumb NG's making you wait forever, right?"
"It's okay. My schedule's clear anyway. Eun-bi."
"Yes?"
"Have you read my novel?"
"Yes! All the serialized chapters!"
As expected.
Her passion from the audition.
Someone like that would devour the book.
"What do you think of Lee Se-ha?"
"Hmm... Energetic on the surface, but with deep darkness inside."
"Right. So how does she overcome her trauma?"
"She'd falter, but ultimately face it head-on boldly, right? Based on the Lee Se-ha so far..."
She trailed off, like something clicked.
"Definitely... boldly, straight on..."
"She will. You really get my writing. Casting you as the lead was spot-on."
She looked up at him.
Her clear, doe-like eyes felt just like Lee Se-ha's.
"Thank you! Writer-nim!"
"I'm the thankful one."
That should do it.
What she needed wasn't comfort or therapy.
Just a way to push through the current mess.
* * *
In tough moments.
Sometimes a single word helps more than grand gestures or aid.
That was Park Eun-bi.
Tae-seong's one piece of advice restored her to her usual self.
"Okay!"
Director Min Su-jin flashed a satisfied smile and the okay sign at Park Eun-bi's performance.
Then she glanced at Tae-seong.
"Writer-nim! Starting your scene next!"
"Got it."
His turn at last.
Director Min Su-jin approached to brief him again.
"It's a simple scene. No need to tense up—just be natural."
"Yes."
Tae-seong's role was Cha Woo-min.
From the blind date intro to Lee Se-ha getting a call and storming out—that was his footage.
One line: "Hello, I'm Cha Woo-min."
Tae-seong did a final makeup check.
His skin was so good, barely any was needed.
But for TV, basic coverage.
Unlike usual, pros styled his hair.
Outfit too.
Blind date with a rich-kid backstory: crisp suit, polished look.
He sat in the preset spot and closed his eyes.
Flashback to his first stage.
'It was fun.'
He'd lived as an actor.
Drew from countless lives to live others'.
Started small, became a great actor.
Even global stardom beyond Korea.
'Now I'm Cha Woo-min.'
Self-hypnosis, eyes open.
"Oh..."
Director Min Su-jin gasped, watching via camera.
She was a veteran director.
Seen countless actors.
Even the era's best.
Their eyes were different.
Everything shifted pre- and post-shoot.
'His eyes changed from moments ago.'
And this guy had transformed too.
Calm gaze until now.
'Looks twenties, but not quite. But now...'
Pure twenties vibe.
Unbelievable it was the same person.
Expression shifted.
Slightly cocky, brimming with confidence.
Legs crossed just so.
'No script note for that.'
Perfectly immersed in character.
She couldn't wait to see it.
Cha Woo-min brought to life by him.
"Action!"
Shooting started with her call.
* * *
One month later.
Tae-seong sat with his family in front of the TV.
"Oh my! It's starting!"
Black Knight's Her was on.
"Lee Seong-woo's really the male lead!"
"Lucky timing. His stock was rising, but we snagged him."
"Everything has its season."
"Tae-seong! Can you get Lee Seong-woo's autograph?"
"Sure, I pop by set sometimes. Want one?"
"Yes! Please!"
His mother turned girlish, drawing smiles.
"I'll get it next time."
"It's starting."