Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Trainees' Audition Practice
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While everyone was exchanging greetings, the CEO clapped his hands to draw attention.
"Alright, you've all gotten a rough introduction to each other. Now, introduce the kids first."
"Oh, right! Kids! Come over here."
Nam Jeong-wook turned his head and called out to the two young trainees standing stiffly at attention.
Only then did the two men stride forward.
"Hello! I'm Lee Chan-hyuk, twenty-five years old! I've been steadily active for the past year!"
The scrawny man, with a skinny frame like a bamboo stalk and sharp-looking eyes, hurriedly finished his introduction and bowed his head.
Following him.
The large-built man, who seemed hesitant despite his size as he glanced around cautiously, slowly opened his mouth.
"...I'm the same age as the guy next to me. Name's Kim Sun-woo. Nice to meet you, Senior Lee Jun-seo."
Just from their self-introductions, their personalities were crystal clear.
Kim Sun-woo seemed cautious and careful.
Lee Chan-hyuk came across as brimming with confidence.
But...
'Only two trainees?'
As I glanced around, the CEO asked Nam Jeong-wook.
"Any others?"
"Three of them went to an audition for supporting roles today. They've been prepping for about two months, so... fingers crossed for good results, right? Ahaha."
"How are the facilities? Tried them out yet?"
"They're fantastic. We can review footage right after shooting and give feedback on what's wrong..."
I quietly watched the conversation between CEO Do Bong-seok and Nam Jeong-wook.
Had he given up acting because his old agency went under? I was dying to ask what happened.
But the words wouldn't come easily.
It'd seem weird to bring it up here.
Well, at least.
He looks much brighter now. That's a relief.
Tug! Tug!
I felt a pull on my clothes.
Snapping to attention, I looked down. Yu-na was blinking her round eyes.
"Daddy, does that mean these uncles are Yu-na's juniors?"
What a random question.
"...Probably?"
"That's right."
Nam Jeong-wook chimed in with a warm smile, gently patting Yu-na's head.
After a moment.
He flinched as if he'd made a huge mistake and quickly pulled his hand away.
Yu-na looked up at him, her eyes drooping at the corners.
"...Is Yu-na's hair dirty?"
He shook his head vigorously.
"It felt like petting my own daughter... Sorry for touching her without permission. My deepest apologies to both of you."
I shrugged and ruffled Yu-na's hair playfully.
"We're fine with it. Right, Yu-na?"
"Yeees. Hehehe."
Only then did Nam Jeong-wook regain his smile and raised his voice toward the side.
"Hey, you two. Did you greet the little senior here too? No matter how small, a senior's a senior."
"Oh... Hello, Senior Yu-na."
"Hello, Senior Yu-na."
They exchanged glances before politely bowing to Yu-na. Her lips curved up in a smile.
"Hehe. Yu-na's a senior now."
"Haa..."
I let out a deep sigh but couldn't stop smiling like Yu-na.
Nam Jeong-wook's stubborn insistence on strict senior-junior hierarchy.
Seeing it after so long felt refreshingly familiar.
'...Still the same as ever.'
With that, the introductions were done.
Time to get to the main point.
"Oh, CEO. Why'd you bring actor Lee Jun-seo here?"
Right on cue, Nam Jeong-wook's question.
CEO Do Bong-seok shrugged lightly and nudged my back.
"This guy's the star of the 2022 awards, right? Brought him to watch our trainees and give some advice."
"Oh! That's a great idea. These guys are prepping for tomorrow's audition, and I've been giving them feedback."
"Then let's get started. You two, no dawdling—get ready quick."
"Yes, sir!"
"Y-Yes, got it."
At the CEO's command, the two trainees swiftly took their positions.
"Daddy. What should Yu-na do?"
"Just sit here quietly."
"How long?"
"Until those uncles finish acting?"
While I chatted briefly with Yu-na, the trainees exchanged signals.
Guess they're about to start.
'Wonder what the trainees' skills are like?'
I fixed my gaze on them, full of anticipation.
They closed their eyes and took two long breaths.
Seeing their method for getting into character, my eyes widened.
"What the...?"
It was just like my usual routine.
Coincidence?
As I pondered that.
"You're surprised because their habit for getting into emotion matches yours exactly, huh?"
I glanced at the CEO, who spoke casually. He was smiling, eyes locked on the trainees.
"...Did you tell them to do it that way yourself?"
"Yeah. It's good to have a pre-set switch for emotions, right?"
"It is, but... did it have to be exactly the same?"
"Ah, they're starting. Watch closely."
"......"
I shut my mouth and refocused on the trainees. The moment they opened their eyes, their vibe shifted completely.
Then Kim Sun-woo's mouth opened.
"Over here! Here!"
The line felt lighthearted.
What situation were they acting out?
With that line, Lee Chan-hyuk and Kim Sun-woo's shoulders bumped.
Ah, a confrontation scene.
As expected, they eyed each other warily, acting aggressive.
"You bumped me—you should apologize first."
"You bumped me first. I saw you do it on purpose."
"You little anchovy-lookin'..."
"Ah, seriously, let go! He's the one starting trouble."
Lee Chan-hyuk swung his arm into the air, as if shoving Kim Sun-woo's stomach.
That's when it happened.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Cut it there. Little Yu-na's watching, so keep it PG."
"Yes, sir!"
"...Yes."
At the CEO's stop, the trainees halted and hurried over to us.
"Jun-seo. What'd you think?"
"Hmm. It was okay?"
"Hey, no sugarcoating. Be honest."
Nam Jeong-wook, waiting for my answer, fixed his gaze on me.
Should I be brutally honest...?
After some thought, I slowly spoke up.
"It was too ordinary. You created the lines and scenario yourselves... but nothing really stands out. No hook."
"Is that so? What's your take?"
Nam Jeong-wook nodded slightly.
"I agree."
"Right? You're prepping for a casting audition. In that short time, you gotta cram in every bit of your charm."
"...Anything else to fix?"
This time, Kim Sun-woo asked me, his body trembling but mustering courage.
'They're agency family...'
My juniors too.
Maybe give a little advice?
"Other than that... your speech and lines feel thin. What's the genre of the project you're auditioning for? And the roles—leads or supporting?"
"The roles are supporting ones who get beaten by the heroine and turn good... Uh, genre's rom-com."
What.
No need to go so heavy then?
"Then don't overdo the fight... Keep it light. Use your builds for contrast charm... Ah, that's enough."
Too much advice, and it won't be Kim Sun-woo's acting anymore. From here, it's up to him.
By the way.
Yu-na's awfully quiet.
I shrugged and scanned around—Yu-na had vanished without a trace.
What? No wonder it was so quiet...
CEO Do Bong-seok was gone too.
"The CEO took actor Lee Yu-na to the cafeteria. She sat still holding her tummy the whole time."
"Oh... I see."
"Then, shall we feedback Lee Chan-hyuk's acting now?"
Wait, I'm hungry too...
After filling his and Yu-na's stomachs simply, Do Bong-seok returned straight to his private office.
"Ah! So full."
Yu-na lay on the sofa, patting her bulging belly. She acted like the office was her own bedroom, totally at ease.
"Hey, kid. Lying down right after eating turns you into a pig. Get up."
"Even if Yu-na turns into a pig, Daddy said he'd like it."
Now she was kicking off her socks, sprawling comfortably.
"Hehehe. CEO, when's Daddy coming here?"
"...He'll eat and come."
Do Bong-seok sighed softly and tapped the desk.
Why'd he bring just Yu-na here?
"Oh, Yu-na."
"Yeees? What?"
"That photo you sent last time."
At the word "photo," Yu-na bolted upright. Her tilted head and sparkling eyes fixed straight ahead.
"Photo?"
"Yeah... Did you really take that one?"
"Which one?"
"Hang on, wait."
He turned on the computer and immediately opened the received file, then swiveled the monitor toward her.
"This one."
A photo of Lee Jun-seo at the salon, scratching his neck with an awkward smile.
Seeing it, Yu-na beamed and nodded.
"Yeees! Yu-na took it!"
"I see."
"Why?"
"Nothing. Help yourself to the snacks in that drawer."
"Wooow! For real? Gotta eat quick before Daddy finds out. Hehehe."
While Yu-na was distracted by the snacks, he turned the monitor back and leaned into his chair.
'...Why doesn't anyone else see it as weird?'
Do Bong-seok muttered under his breath.
That photo wasn't pro-level by any means.
Even so...
Could a kid about to start elementary school nail the focus like that?
The composition too.
"Hmm... Talent?"
If she instinctively knows how to capture the best shots, it'd be hugely useful in this industry.
Like during photoshoots.
Reverse that talent, and she'd know the perfect poses for herself.
"Blood doesn't lie, huh..."
"CEO! Have some of this too, CEO."
Suddenly, Yu-na's chubby hand thrust forward. In it was a half-eaten cookie crumb.
"You're telling me to eat someone else's leftovers?"
"Hehehe. It got so tasty, I couldn't stop."
Do Bong-seok pulled out a wet wipe and gently cleaned around Yu-na's lips.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
Yu-na scrunched her brows, twisting her head side to side before backing away.
Then she grinned widely again.
"Here for the CEO too."
"Sigh... Fine. Gimme."
He reached out, but Yu-na didn't hand over the cookie.
"What? You said it was for me."
"Ah! Say ahh. Yu-na'll feed you."
"What?"
"Like this—it's yummier. Daddy does it for Yu-na sometimes. Way tastier that way."
"Fine, fine. Ah."
As he opened his mouth wide.
Bang!
The office door flew open, and Yu-na bolted without looking back.
"Daddyyy! Have this!"
"Huh? What's that?"
"A cookie. Super yummy. Ah!"
"Yeah? Gonna feed Daddy?"
"Hehehe. Yeees."
Lee Jun-seo, munching the cookie, approached the frozen Do Bong-seok with his mouth still agape.
"But... why's the CEO standing there with his mouth open?"
"...Never mind. It's nothing."