Chapter 157: Job Analysis of Other Departments (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: Job Analysis of Other Departments (3)
I was well aware of the public’s mixed feelings regarding idols venturing into acting.
However, such reactions were of no importance to production companies.
A production company’s considerations were limited to a few key factors: production costs, brand recognition, and average visuals.
Unless the project was by a world-renowned writer, the production company had no intention of putting much effort into casting roles outside of the leads.
There were always a few so-called "lucky" individuals who managed to find their way in during these times. People who, despite lacking acting skills, had decent enough faces to snag a supporting role—one where they didn't have many lines but appeared in every episode.
Looking at the idol who had just walked in, it was obvious that his tall, handsome appearance was all he had going for him.
Aside from filming a scene where he dances at a company dinner, what merit was there in using this kid?
He was dressed quite like Do Yeong-hwan, but that was likely the extent of it.
"Shall we start with your character analysis?"
Director Cha asked the question. Since they were all more or less the same anyway, he figured they should finish the formal audition quickly and just pick whichever actor the writer liked best.
The young man before them cleared his throat and began to speak calmly about the character he had analyzed.
At first, it was no different from any other actor. He cited the character Do Yeong-hwan’s age, personality, and other details from the profile, cross-referencing them with evidence found in the script.
However, the idol’s character analysis presentation continued without pause for over five minutes.
"Considering that many financial firms are concentrated in Yeouido, I assumed he would commute via a very crowded subway. Therefore, he would prefer lightweight clothing to prevent his outfit or hair from becoming disheveled by the heat, and he would likely use a structured backpack that can hold documents or a laptop without damaging them."
"What about a watch? Did you happen to think about that?"
"I understand that male office workers in their late twenties often use smartwatches. I tried to dress as closely to the image as possible, but since I don't use a smartwatch myself, I wasn't able to wear one."
The young man replied to the writer’s sudden question with an embarrassed but charming smile.
His neatly styled hair and the light grey suit—reminiscent of Yeouido Securities Grey—caught Director Cha’s eye once again.
"Iwol, when do you think Do Yeong-hwan joined 'My Asset Management'?"
"I believe he joined around the age of twenty-six."
"Since Do Yeong-hwan is twenty-eight, he would be in his third year if what you say is true. Wouldn't he have been promoted to Assistant Manager by then?"
"The script describes 'My Asset Management' as a prestigious firm. I assumed they would recruit talent through a conversion-type internship rather than open recruitment, much like other major asset management firms."
The writer nodded. Every writer does their research when drafting a drama. The rookie idol’s answer seemed to align perfectly with the research the writer had conducted.
Why does this feel so much like a job interview?
The handsome young man from earlier was gone; it felt as though a veteran who had spent years going from interview to interview was sitting there instead.
The excited writer and director threw all sorts of questions at him, but the man before them handled every single one brilliantly without a change in expression.
"Right, well... I think the character analysis was sufficient. Let's see the script reading."
Director Cha hurriedly opened the script. He had years of experience as a director; he didn't want to get swept up by an idol, not even a rookie actor.
However, Director Cha never managed to regain the initiative.
As mentioned before, Do Yeong-hwan was a minor supporting character with very few lines, and yet...
"Assistant Manager, here is the data you requested."
"Don't say that. It's bad luck."
"They give me my salary just when I'm about to quit."
...It was because this rookie idol named Kim I-wol was uncannily good at acting like an office worker.
The audition, which could have passed for a comedy sketch, ended just like that.
"I'm back."
"How was your first audition? Did it go well?"
"Hey, give the guy a second to breathe."
Behind the youngest members who had rushed out to meet him, Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo also came scurrying over.
Choi Je-ho even stepped out of his room, gave a nod of greeting, and then went back inside.
He’d complained about why I was bothering with acting work when I wasn't even interested. Thanks for the greeting anyway, you brat.
"It was fun. I didn't do that great, though."
"Why? Was it really hard...?"
Park Ju-woo looked at me tentatively.
"Wouldn't it be weirder if I showed off some incredible skills there?"
"That... I guess so?"
Park Ju-woo thought about it and was easily convinced. But I was right. I already had my hands full just being an idol.
The director, in particular, didn't seem to like me very much.
No matter how I looked at it, his gaze hadn't been friendly. That’s why after the interview—no, the interview... wait, the audition—was over, I just handed over a summary of the setting errors I’d found in the script and hurried out.
On the way back, I even received a reward from the System. I hadn't looked at it in detail yet, planning to open it later tonight.
"That's a shame. I thought our team was going to produce a genius actor."
"What if I say I want to focus on my acting career and leave the group?"
"Go ahead and try."
Lee Cheong-hyeon boldly pulled a "Chicken?" on me. Since I actually was a bit of a chicken, I didn't push back any further.
As a celebration, I was showing the members my "Do Yeong-hwan series" of office worker impressions that had exhausted me at the audition when the dorm phone rang.
While Jeong Seong-bin, who was nearby, answered the phone, the rest of us busily mouthed questions.
Is it the company?
The manager?
Jeong Seong-bin shook his head. Then, he focused on the call.
The color drained from Jeong Seong-bin’s face in an instant.
Turning pale, he pulled the receiver away and barely managed to whisper, "It's for Je-ho."
"Choi Je-ho, I think someone's looking for you."
"Who?"
When I called out while throwing his door open, he sluggishly got up from his bed.
"They said they're your younger sibling. They said it's urgent..."
The guy who had been moving like a slug bolted out of the room before I could even finish my sentence.
Then, he snatched the receiver out of Jeong Seong-bin’s hand.
"What's going on?"
Choi Je-ho’s voice as he asked the person on the other end was chilling.
Jeong Seong-bin approached us cautiously and spoke.
"His sibling... they were crying..."
"Oh no..."
Lee Cheong-hyeon covered his mouth and watched Choi Je-ho’s reaction. Choi Je-ho himself, however, was focusing all his attention on the phone.
Throughout the call, Choi Je-ho said nothing but "Yeah."
The call didn't last long either. After three minutes that felt like an hour, he hung up immediately.
"Did something happen?"
"I think I need to head out for a bit."
"Now? Where?"
Without answering, Choi Je-ho grabbed his wallet and put on his shoes. The heels of his sneakers were messily crushed down.
Watching Choi Je-ho’s back as he left before we could even stop him, I hurriedly called out to Jeong Seong-bin.
"Seong-bin, if the manager looks for us, tell him we just went to the convenience store for a bit. Got it?"
"Are you going too, Hyung?"
"I can't let him go alone. I'll call you if anything happens."
I grabbed my wallet and jacket and headed out, only to see the elevator doors closing.
I forced the doors open by pressing the call button and got in, causing Choi Je-ho to scowl.
"Why are you following me?"
"Don't you know Spark has to move in pairs?"
"Aren't you the one who ignores that rule the most?"
Even as he snapped at me, he didn't tell me to go back.
Instead, he just silently hailed a taxi. He probably felt that even the time spent arguing with me was a waste.
Fortunately, a taxi arrived quickly. We likely benefited from the fact that it was around the time drinking parties were winding down.
I quietly buckled my seatbelt in the passenger seat while Choi Je-ho gave the address.
Even after the taxi started moving, Choi Je-ho couldn't seem to find any peace of mind.
"Are you okay?"
I had no choice but to ask, even though I knew he wasn't.
I didn't expect an answer, but for some reason, he opened his mouth.
"...My father went to my sister's house."
"Didn't you say it's been a long time since you lived apart?"
I had heard a brief summary of Choi Je-ho’s family history.
His father was very problematic, so his parents had divorced, and they had lived as strangers ever since.
But the thing about family problems is that they aren't something you can just cut off like a clean slice through a radish.
"He must have pulled a copy of the Resident Registration. Fuck, why don't they lock up a piece of shit who drinks and gambles as a domestic abuser..."
Choi Je-ho clutched his head.
Severing ties with parents is not easy.
In my case, I had struggled for days after moving out just to put a restriction on my document access. It was only possible because I had gathered every instance of how much I had been hit and what slurs I had heard throughout my life. For someone who hadn't done that, taking such measures would have been even harder.
"Should we call the police?"
"It's no use."
Choi Je-ho’s voice dropped as if it were shattering.
"That man doesn't hit people. Because if he does, he'll actually go to jail."
"..."
"But since he doesn't hit anyone? They just tell us to soothe him and put him to bed. They say things like, 'Can't family members have arguments?' and 'Your father will come to his senses in the morning.'"
I couldn't say anything.
Because even though I tried to live as if I had no family, I too had spent sleepless nights whenever the sudden thought occurred that they might find me one day.
Because I knew the agony of not knowing how many more years, or how many more times, you would have to see the people you wanted to become strangers with.
"It's dog shit."
Choi Je-ho muttered. I closed my eyes and pretended not to hear.
The neighborhood where his sister lived was quiet. To put it another way, it was deserted.
After paying the taxi fare and getting out, Choi Je-ho, who followed me, looked around. He seemed to be checking if the figure of his father was anywhere nearby.
I grabbed him just as he looked ready to sprint off somewhere.
"Wait a second before you go."
"Why?"
Choi Je-ho’s reaction was sharper than ever. There was a murderous glint in his eyes.
"What are you going to do when you meet your father? You're an idol now; are you going to have a massive brawl with your father and go to the police station?"
"..."
"Let's say you don't use violence. Is there any guarantee your father won't frame you for intimidation? A crime against a lineal ascendant is a serious offense."
Choi Je-ho’s breathing became ragged at my words.
However, he didn't argue or tell me to watch my mouth. He knew it too. He knew I wasn't wrong.
Choi Je-ho clenched and unclenched his fists several times, the blood rushing to his hands until they were red. The blue veins on the back of his hands throbbed.
"Then what do you want me to do?"
Choi Je-ho met my gaze with his dark eyes. He didn't seem to have any intention of hiding his ominous aura.
"Leave it to me and stay back."
"What?"
"Wait. Until I call you."
I walked into a convenience store. I needed a secret weapon.