Chapter 345: Audition (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 345: Audition (2)
The atmosphere of the meeting was even better than Producer Jeon had anticipated.
Having spent his entire life filming, it was inevitable that he would judge appearances first. I-wol’s handsome features, which guaranteed he would look good on camera from any angle, were the first thing to catch his eye.
His soft voice carried strength, and above all, his refined tone—perfectly suited for the character—was impressive. Even though the vocabulary he used seemed more appropriate for someone ten years his senior, it didn't feel awkward coming from him.
His polite demeanor and character went without saying. He spoke his mind calmly, yet remained humble throughout.
Thanks to that, the meeting room maintained a warm, friendly atmosphere right up until the script reading.
Where exactly was the turning point? When did the smooth conversation suddenly turn so uncomfortable?
Producer Jeon could swear he never once treated Kim I-wol as "some idol hack trying his hand at acting." It wasn't just because he was the one asking for a favor; he truly meant it.
Even when Kim I-wol showed him his scar, the Producer thought, 'This person looks ahead to even the smallest details,' rather than, 'He’s doing whatever it takes to snag a role.' He felt this way because he could sense that Kim I-wol had come to this meeting with a professional mindset.
"Lastly, I’d like to see some free acting..."
Thus, Producer Jeon had been feeling quite relaxed right up until he requested the free acting portion, a mandatory part of any audition.
"In the case of Cheon Yun-seong, the core of the character is the moment he sheds his facade as a sociable, competent heir and reveals his true nature as a villain. I’d like you to show me a performance that captures that reversal."
Had Producer Jeon been momentarily deluded because he was looking at such an ideal actor? Or had he unconsciously grown certain that the man before him would never defy him?
"Ah..."
Kim I-wol interlaced his fingers and tilted his head to the side.
"They told me I just had to answer a few questions. This isn't what we agreed on."
"Pardon?"
The intimidating aura seen in Act on was recreated right before his eyes. If it had been just this, Producer Jeon would have simply thought I-wol had a decent sense for acting.
"You're asking for a lot, aren't you?"
However, there was a difference between the Kim I-wol seen through a screen and the one encountered in person.
A subtle irritation, displeasure, and a haughty, overbearing gaze were directed straight at Producer Jeon.
"Don't you think? Anyone would be pissed off if they came here assuming the spot was theirs, only to have their qualifications questioned at this stage."
A scoffing laugh followed.
"You might as well be honest. If you said I'm too young to be trusted, or that it feels like gambling with people's livelihoods, I could at least understand. But don't play games with me."
Was this free acting?
If so, the content of his speech was pointing directly at the current situation. Though he was still using polite endings, there was absolutely no respect for the person he was addressing.
Above all, Kim I-wol looked genuinely offended. The fact that he exuded an aura only someone born into natural arrogance could possess added to Producer Jeon’s confusion.
"Shouldn't you consider a career change even now? If this is the best you can do while working with people."
It was an insolent attitude that didn't treat others as human beings. A conviction that he held the upper hand seeped from his fingertips and his gaze without a shadow of a doubt.
"Excuse me."
One of the production staff members cut him off. Kim I-wol’s cold face, which had been staring at the furious staff member, instantly returned to its usual, neat appearance.
"Yes!"
"...?"
The staff member, seeing Kim I-wol straighten his back and place his hands politely on his knees, asked with a bewildered expression.
"...Was that free acting?"
"Yes. You asked for a reversal, so I tried to make it look as different from the earlier meeting as possible."
"Was there... a specific part of the dialogue you emphasized?"
Producer Jeon asked, trying his best not to look flustered. The shock from the line 'You're asking for a lot, aren't you?' still lingered.
"Since the female lead is a reporter digging into a conglomerate's corruption, I thought she would clash with Cheon Yun-seong at least once. So, I assumed a situation where the media was verifying the heir's qualifications. As you mentioned, if it's a scene where he reveals his villainous side, it would likely be a private meeting with the protagonist, so I tried to show a relaxed but blatant hostility."
The only materials provided to the actors were the synopsis and the scripts for episodes 1 through 3. From Producer Jeon's perspective—knowing that the exact scene Kim I-wol had envisioned appeared later in the series—he couldn't help but be stunned.
Moreover, thinking back on it, Kim I-wol’s lines could easily be interpreted not as 'an idol throwing a tantrum,' but as 'Cheon Yun-seong, the primary heir, being displeased by a media play.'
'There was a reason the director of "In My Office" praised his intelligence.'
Producer Jeon marveled inwardly. Just then, the staff member beside him tossed out a remark like a joke.
"It felt like those lines had a bit of a personal edge to them, though."
Hey, why are you ruining the mood! If this guy doesn't do it, we have to go pounding the pavement again! Did you have a guilty conscience or something?!
"My acting is still very lacking, but I believe that if I can't convey what I want to say to the people right in front of me, I won't be able to show anything to the people beyond the screen."
I think it was conveyed. I think everyone was about to get pissed.
"I figured I’d have to convince the two of you to be able to convince the viewers, but I don't have many techniques to evoke the kind of anger that would make a protagonist feel betrayed. I apologize if I caused any offense."
Kim I-wol stood up and bowed politely. The production staff member waved his hands, making excuses.
Was it an exaggeration to think that even the way Kim I-wol sat back down after graciously accepting the apology was reminiscent of Cheon Yun-seong, a man who held everything in the palm of his hand and manipulated the world? Even if he was looking through rose-colored glasses, Producer Jeon knew he absolutely had to cast Kim I-wol.
Once we got into the car, Manager Chan-yeong asked how the audition went. I didn't mean to lower his expectations to zero, but I answered honestly.
"I'm not sure if I'll get it."
"Why? Did they try to make you do some really bad acting?"
"It's not that. I think I might have misread the interviewer's intent."
"No way. They probably just asked an ambiguous question."
The manager took my side without a moment's hesitation. My conscience pricked me. No matter how I looked at it, one of the interviewers definitely seemed to think I was throwing a fit.
"You're going straight to the practice room, right?"
"Yes."
While the manager started the engine, I pulled my diary out of my bag. I intended to mark today's biggest task—the audition—as complete.
The moment I took out my pen, the diary glowed. To be precise, the System appeared, shimmering over the page.
+
[SYSTEM] A work order from the 'Person in Charge' has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, this is a document that was shoved in the back of the cabinet. It's old, so just give it a quick look and toss it. I'll have them put it at your desk.
+
My desk? Does it mean my suitcase?
I quickly checked the time. To check what the System had given me, it was best to aim for a time when the members weren't at the dorm. It would be troublesome if one of them popped out of nowhere and asked what I was looking at.
Since everyone should be out by now, if I say I forgot something and stop by the dorm...
"Manager, is my lunch box in the car?"
"Yeah. I picked it up earlier to give to you as soon as you got to the practice room."
"If it's not a distraction while you're driving, can I eat it now? Also, I need to stop by the dorm for a second!"
"The dorm? So, dorm first, then the company?"
The manager turned the car around. I inhaled the lunch box, barely tasting it.
I left the manager in the car and headed to the dorm alone. When I opened my room door, the gap in my suitcase was flashing brilliantly.
Is this System insane? What if someone saw? Why is it setting off a disco ball in someone's bag?
Fuming, I opened the suitcase to find a worn plastic file box. It was an ordinary file case with blue latches on both ends. I could see it was stuffed with papers through the translucent case.
'You're not seriously giving me more work, are you?'
I asked internally, but the System didn't respond. This is beyond a heavy workload; aren't they hiring any new recruits?
The moment I grumbled and opened the lid of the file box, I was left speechless.
Everything inside was data I recognized.
An old diary, prescriptions, copies of reflection letters I wrote when I got demerit points in high school, and...
...Dozens of Accident/Incident Confirmation Reports.
Some papers were so old their edges were discolored, while others were as crisp as if they had just been printed. There were two to as many as four copies of the same document, and the originals were categorized separately.
'Why is this...'
The moment I discovered these forgotten items, old memories came flooding back.
'I thought you said you were focusing on the CSAT. You must be bored, coming all the way here.'
Around the time the autumn wind began to blow, I had gone to see my older sister on a Friday evening. Despite her nagging, she took me to a pot rice restaurant that she claimed was the best place near her office.
She said the food would take a while. In the meantime, she poured water into a cup and asked me.
'What is it? Is studying not going well? Are you worried you'll have to retake the exam?'
'It's not that.'
I couldn't meet her eyes at all. So I remembered hanging my head low and staring at the floor.
'That's why I told you to go to a gosiwon for the month before the exam. I told you it doesn't cost much. Should I look for a short-term rental for you now?'
'It's really not that.'
And then, I took a deep breath. I don't know how many times I hesitated before handing her that plastic file box. Even up to the moment I pulled it out of the bag on my lap.
'What's this?'
My sister asked, her eyes widening. Taking the box, she looked back and forth between me and the papers inside, then opened the lid to check the contents.
Her hands moved faster and faster as she flipped through the pages.
'You...'
'I heard that for domestic violence... the statute of limitations starts once you become an adult.'
'And?'
I couldn't say anything then. I think there was a tiny bit of anxiety that she might try to stop me if I said I was going to sue our family. No matter how much I resented our parents, she had always tried to fulfill her duty as their child.
'I was wondering if they'd agree to a settlement... before things get ugly. I came to ask what you thought.'
'A settlement?'
'I want to take the money and leave for good. Before it goes to a legal battle.'
Am I being too naive?
How much I trembled as I asked that.
And how sad my sister's eyes looked as she watched me.