Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Script Reading
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Somehow, I felt like I should say I needed a lot of money, but I just smiled instead.
“Long time no see. Nice to see you, A-Yeon.”
“I’m glad to see you too, but how much do you want!”
“So this time, A-Yeon’s my princess?”
“Don’t change the subject! Yeah. The princess who’s your fiancée, oppa.”
Aha.
‘Come to think of it, this is where child actress genius Lee A-Yeon’s filmography started.’
It was a great honor.
I bent down on one knee to meet A-Yeon’s eyes.
“Please take care of me, Princess.”
“Please take care of me too, oppa.”
We smiled at each other. It was just our little exchange, but everyone was watching, and except for a few, they all smiled warmly.
“How cute.”
“They look great together.”
“Pretty people together are even prettier.”
The atmosphere was pretty good.
‘The verdict’s in?’
Everyone was favorable toward me except Lee Gap-Jae and Sa Hyeok.
‘Sa Hyeok’s playing my adult self, so our shoots won’t overlap. So I just need to watch out for Lee Gap-Jae.’
Finally, the director came in. I stood next to A-Yeon and bowed my head.
“You’re all already here. I came right on time, but aren’t you all too diligent?”
Laughter rippled through the room.
The director sat down without even greeting the cast.
“Let’s get started quickly.”
He was the impatient type.
The actors took their seats and picked up their scripts.
“Who should go first?”
The director looked around and spotted me.
“For starters, let’s go with the one everyone’s most curious about acting-wise. So, Cha Dowon?”
“I’m Cha Dowon from Zenith.”
“You’re even prettier in person. Give it a try. Hmm, how about the scene where you talk to Princess Yeonhwa? Page 22 of volume 3.”
The midterm exam came early. I quickly opened the script.
‘He picked a tough part.’
It was a scene that really showed acting chops.
A-Yeon whispered in my ear.
“Oppa. Just trust me.”
Reliable, Princess.
I nodded as if to say I got it.
I read the lines slowly.
“My path is long and perilous. Why would you walk it with me? Choose someone else. Anyone will make you happy, Princess.”
“Don’t say that. Aren’t you my betrothed? How can you leave me?”
“Oh, Princess……”
I paused for a moment, then continued.
“Please don’t cry because of me.”
“You are my husband!”
“Princess……”
“Don’t leave. A husband and wife should be together, shouldn’t they? I chose you. Don’t go!”
Just as I was about to say the next line, the director cut in.
“Hold it there.”
I looked up. The director silently alternated glances between me and A-Yeon.
“Wow, what did I just hear?”
His eyes sparkled.
“Amazing. Are all kids these days like this?”
He looked around and said,
“You all felt it too, right?”
“Yes, Director.”
“They’re both great.”
“This casting’s spot on. They said acting genius.”
The murmurs grew. Pretending to be shy, I scratched my cheek lightly.
“I’m not an acting genius. That’s just a rumor that got out of hand somehow.”
The director shook his head immediately.
“No way. I got chills. Goosebumps all over. I’m looking forward to the shoot. Dowon, and of course A-Yeon too.”
The praise was generous. I quietly glanced at Lee Gap-Jae and Sa Hyeok. The two looked sour, staring at their scripts like they’d bitten into something bitter.
“I’ll work even harder to break the prejudice against idols.”
So watch me, you old fogeys.
“Hey, idols can’t act? That’s old news.”
“There are so many great actors from idols.”
“It’s just prejudice. Prejudice.”
Exactly.
“Alright, next up. Sa Hyeok, page 43 of volume 7, please.”
I quietly waited for his lines.
‘Sa Hyeok, the solo singer popular even in the Chinese market?’
He was popular for his height and dancing.
‘Oh yeah, before my regression, Sa Hyeok was close with Kang Min-Jae, right?’
I heard they were in some group. They even did a show as ‘entertainment besties.’
‘But it didn’t last long.’
The reason was simple. Sa Hyeok started flopping one after another at some point.
‘His past glory faded.’
He went solo, started his own company, and did a drama, but the ratings tanked.
‘Bad luck with scheduling.’
The competing show blew up, while his was relatively trash. Plus, his overacting got bad reviews.
‘Then an album after that?’
I didn’t remember much after. Sa Hyeok just faded away.
‘No matter how popular, lose the public’s interest and you’re done.’
I heard he went back to China, but he was already a fallen star.
‘Well, he’s still a top star now.’
Let’s see what our Sa Hyeok’s got.
Sa Hyeok read from the script.
“I, I can’t choose.”
Huh. Stumbled right out the gate.
‘A mess.’
Nerves? Or did he not read the script before?
“How am I supposed to choose?”
Mumbling delivery, no emotion.
I checked the director’s face. As expected, not good.
Oh dear.
The director cut him off right away.
“Stop.”
The director’s voice, which had been friendly, dropped low.
“Sa Hyeok, did you not read the script?”
Sa Hyeok bit his lip, then forced a grin.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Then why show up for script reading?”
“I have to, to see who got cast. Director, why are you like this? It’s me, Sa Hyeok.”
Wow.
‘Pouring oil on the fire.’
This was thrillingly entertaining.
“I cast you believing in your skills. This is a problem.”
“Director, don’t judge my skills on a few lines. You seem worked up, but it’s me, Sa Hyeok.”
More oil pouring in.
“Is that so? Then let’s do more. Page 49 lines.”
Sa Hyeok hurriedly flipped pages. That confirmed it.
‘This guy didn’t read the script.’
Oh no, our senior. Why are you seeing it for the first time now?
‘No genius nails it on first read without prep.’
Did he even analyze the character?
Whatever I thought, Sa Hyeok stumbled through.
“Princess, my beloved Princess!”
Oh boy.
I couldn’t help a smirk. It’s an exclamation, but you don’t yell it.
The director said immediately,
“Stop. Sa Hyeok, you really didn’t read it.”
Like I didn’t know, but the director knew too.
“Director, I’ve been so busy……”
“Sa Hyeok, no one here isn’t busy. Even Cha Dowon’s on TV every other day lately.”
Don’t know why I got dragged in, but honored. I awkwardly bowed under the sudden stares.
“How can you be less prepared than Dowon, who’s new to dramas?”
Textbook comparison. Feels shitty no matter when or where. Perfect.
Sure enough, Sa Hyeok snapped.
“You’re comparing me to that kid right now?”
Wow.
The cast’s eyes flickered with unease.
‘Sa Hyeok’s reputation just tanked.’
I didn’t lift a finger, and he knocked himself out.
What should I do here?
‘Manage my expression.’
I buried my face in the script, feigning shock. Sensing my confusion, the director finally said,
“So this is you, Sa Hyeok.”
Director, yes! Keep going. Fighting!
“Fine. I won’t expect anything from now on. Just practice your lines.”
The director sighed deeply.
“To live up to top star Sa Hyeok’s name.”
Victory flag waved. Director won perfectly this round.
‘What’s the loser’s face like?’
Too bad, couldn’t see. Sa Hyeok shot up and stormed out.
‘What a temper…’
Does going high up make everyone like that?
The mood turned tense. The director stood.
“Five-minute break.”
Once he left, the actors buzzed like they’d been waiting. I pretended relief, sighing. Nearby folks comforted me right away.
“It’s fine. Not your fault, Dowon.”
“My name came up out of nowhere.”
A-Yeon piped up boldly beside me.
“That guy’s just wrong. Oppa didn’t do anything.”
“Thanks, A-Yeon.”
“Damn, I’m worried about our drama. What now?”
The kid’s worry cracked everyone up. I laughed along, sneaking a glance at Lee Gap-Jae. Feeling my gaze, my dear old fogey turned away with a scowl.
‘This drama’s gonna be fun?’
Plenty of teasing to do.
Soon the director returned. Smiling, I looked forward to the drama.
***
Holding a coffee cup, I faced the camera.
“Your second life, Real Life.”
The director called immediately.
“Cut! Good.”
The mobile game promo shoot was done.
“Good work, Director.”
“You too, Dowon. Made it easy following along. See you.”
The balding director waved. I bowed with a smile, and soon the manager approached.
“Done?”
“Yeah. Anything else?”
“Date invite.”
I furrowed my brow.
“What?”
Manager whispered in my ear.
“Min-Jae wants to meet separately.”
Unbuttoning my shirt, I tilted my head.
“We can just meet at the dorm.”
“That wouldn’t be a date.”
“Seeing a member isn’t a date. Sounds lame.”
I handed my tie to Stylist Noona.
“Meeting outside makes it a date.”
My face twisted naturally. Manager grinned at me.
‘But what’s the deal?’
Something serious?
Was it time for Kang Min-Jae to throw a fit? Changing, I steeled myself.
***
Masked and hatted, I walked with the manager. Seeing the spot, I shook my head.
‘Cafe near the dorm.’
Manager kept grinning, leading to a back room. Kang Min-Jae sat there with headphones on, fiddling with his laptop.
Looked comfy.
“Oh, you’re here?”
Kang Min-Jae spotted me and grinned like a fox. Frowning, I said,
“What’s up?”
I didn’t want to spend even a minute extra with this guy. Get to the point and split.
“Too fast. No greeting? Dowon-ah?”
I shook my head, and manager laughed.
“I’ll grab coffee. You two talk.”
A sigh escaped. I took off my hat and mask.
“Getting recognized these days?”
“Yeah. For sure since Village Life.”
Thanks to that, hard to go out without disguise.
“Why a cafe?”
“Change of pace. Music flows better in places like this.”
Funny.
‘The guy who won’t write unless everything’s perfect…’
Picky bastard.
“Usually not, but lately it’s fine.”
“Schedules?”
“Did radio. They even asked if I want a solo weekend slot.”
I stared at him.
‘Yu Ha-Jin or Lee Seung-Jun would love it, but Kang Min-Jae’s iffy.’
He hated anything small-time.
“Might do it.”
Surprising.
“Didn’t expect that.”
“Thought I wouldn’t?”
“Yeah. You write in your free time. Always short on it, yet taking regular gigs.”
“Radio helps.”
Suddenly, he slung an arm around my shoulder.
“What?”
“Acting close. Radio plays all kinds of music. Heard stuff I skipped before, surprisingly helpful.”
“Like classical or traditional?”
“Yeah. Used to skip, but now I just like the sounds.”
Kang Min-Jae smiled relaxedly.
‘First time seeing him like this?’
Is this good?
“So that’s why you’re doing Flower’s Choice OST.”
“Yeah.”
I narrowed my eyes. Something off. Not like him.
‘At this point, I know Kang Min-Jae.’
But he was always pissed off. No chill at all.