Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Rookie Hazing
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After the full cast information for the High School 2022 series was revealed, I figured I'd be swamped like the other actors.
But unlike them, I was the only one enjoying a laid-back lifestyle.
My original plan had been to appear on a variety show to get my name out there.
However.
The only shows calling me were ones that wanted both me and Yu-na, so going solo just wasn't an option.
'Popularity.'
Yu-na was way more popular than me these days, which was honestly embarrassing as a dad.
"Haa... I need to work harder."
I toweled off my wet hair and stepped into the living room, where my phone was dancing around on the foldable dining table.
'Did a call come in?'
Bracing myself for the hassle, I reached out and picked it up. The phone was scorching hot, making my hand tingle.
"What the heck. It's just KakaoTalk."
How many messages had they sent?
While I was showering to get ready to head out, unread KakaoTalks had piled up endlessly.
"Haa... Shouldn't have mentioned it?"
Yoo Seol-hwa: Script reading today?
Yoo Seol-hwa: Be careful about the rookie hazing. It's basically... just think of it as the seniors messing around.
Kang Su-ho: We don't do it, so you might not know, but if they pull that there, it could hurt a bit.
The seniors were giving me all sorts of advice, like they were fretting over a kid left by the water's edge.
I was truly grateful for their intentions.
But at the same time, it felt a bit annoying.
'I'm not some kid.'
I pocketed my phone for a moment, finished getting ready, and headed to the entrance to check my outfit in the full-length mirror.
The moment I saw myself in a hat and mask, I flinched.
With my nose and face covered, my sharp eyes stood out, making me look kinda scary.
Yu-na would probably say I still looked cool, though.
"Kukukuk."
I let out a silly chuckle, opened the front door, and stepped outside.
Ziiing.
The vibration kept going relentlessly.
Yoo Seol-hwa: Hey! You read the messages from your sky-high senior and don't reply? So cocky. I'm giving you advice for your own good...
Yoo Seol-hwa: We had to get our spirits crushed with rookie hazing during our readings with the revised script too. It's all my fault...
Kang Su-ho: (sighing emoticon)
I couldn't reply while walking through crowded streets.
But their sudden barrage of well-wishes made me smile.
'Rookie hazing.'
It was a ritual to ward off bad luck from a rookie's bumpy road ahead.
'No idea who started it.'
It was great fun for active actors. Of course, since I'd started as a child actor, I'd never experienced it myself.
'What would it feel like if it happened to me?'
I finally boarded the bus, sat in an empty seat, and could reply comfortably.
Lee Jun-seo: Thanks for the advice, seniors. Really looking forward to it. Rookie hazing.
Yoo Seol-hwa: You're something else.
Lee Jun-seo: (smug emoticon)
Yoo Seol-hwa: Fine. But if you read and ghost me next time, you're dead. Got it?
Kang Su-ho: (sighing emoticon)
Shin Dong-hyun: Ah! Seniors! I saw you on Amazing Sunday! It was fun!
The group chat, quiet for so long, suddenly lit up.
I just read through everything and sent some emoticons. Definitely more fun to lurk than jump in.
-The next stop is...
I'd arrived at my destination before I knew it.
I jumped up, hit the stop button, and shuffled to the door.
Kiiik.
After getting off the bus, I closed my eyes.
I took a deep breath, savoring the fresh breeze and warm sunlight.
Summer was right around the corner—it wasn't chilly at all even in lighter clothes now.
'Let's do my best today too.'
Just like last time, I looked up at the JJ Media building.
'A new PD, huh...'
I'd heard that PD Ha Ji-won, who'd disliked me for some flimsy reason last time, had been demoted.
She'd probably come back eventually.
But it sure wasn't bad news for me.
Oh, right. Almost forgot. She said to call when I arrived. They'd installed card key access now, so no one but staff could enter.
Meaning I couldn't just waltz in alone like before.
'The PD's number...'
I pulled out my phone and called the newly appointed PD.
Ring ring ring!
The second the connection clicked, a polite woman's voice came through.
-Hello?
"Ah, PD Yoon Mi-hye. Hello."
Yoon Mi-hye had taken over PD Ha Ji-won's spot.
From our previous call, she seemed polite and proper.
-Yes! Have you arrived?
"I'm right in front of the JJ Media building now."
-Ah! I'll come down right away! Please wait just a moment!
She ended the call in a flurry, and sure enough, she came out to meet me.
It took her a mere three minutes.
A world of difference from the previous PD.
"Ahaha. Shall we head in now? The reading might run long today."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. I asked you to come early so I could explain some things to watch out for..."
I followed closely behind her, listening intently as she detailed the day's schedule.
Yoon Mi-hye PD's serious expression while going over the obvious stuff was kinda funny.
Why? Because she was holding a paper with all the precautions listed out.
She didn't have to be this thorough...
Who was she even worrying about?
I stifled a laugh and just nodded.
The people seated around the U-shaped table were all staring intently at me, quietly huddled in the corner.
The director hadn't arrived yet.
The heavy, sticky gazes were making even me—someone with years in the industry—shaky and tense.
Just thirty minutes ago.
To break the awkward silence, I'd stood up confidently and introduced myself.
Even so.
They just sat there, mouths shut, staring blankly at me.
'Something's off...'
It felt like they were deliberately creating a heavy atmosphere.
'No way... rookie hazing?'
The thought hit me.
If so, I had two choices: Play along, become their entertainment, and liven things up.
Or bluntly call out the hazing and sour the mood.
Honestly, I only had one real choice.
Acting clueless would just make things harder for me later.
'So, play along it is.'
Of course, just falling for it would be boring.
I could play them right back.
Tok! Tok!
A senior snapped his fingers and tapped the table.
"How old is this actor?"
He was Kim Sung-hyun, playing the principal in this High School 2022 production.
A senior who'd debuted before my past life self, and if memory served, he was well past fifty now.
Even at that age, he loved pulling pranks.
'Time to kick things off.'
That's when I revved the engine.
To get them to start the hidden camera first out of frustration. I averted my eyes from Kim Sung-hyun like a timid soul.
"Tw-twenty-six..."
"Oh? And you have a daughter at that age?"
"Pardon? Y-yes... My daughter's six, and her name is L-Lee Yu-na."
I wouldn't darken the mood yet. Right on cue, a guy with excessive piercings in his ears tossed out a question.
"Your name's Lee Jun-seo, right? I'm older, so speak casually."
"Ah, yes. Go ahead casually..."
He was Kang Min-woo, leader of the Python Boys group.
A singer-actor who'd recently blown up on SNS with fan photos, earning the moniker "face genius." Twenty-seven years old.
Just a year older than me.
"You speak casually too."
"Pardon? Ahaha. This feels more comfortable for me."
"I said casually. You know my role and name?"
Kang Min-woo, playing student Kim In-hyuk.
To survive long in this industry, you had to remember seniors' names and faces when working together.
I'd been around for years...
I wanted to answer boldly.
But I couldn't drop the timid act.
"N-no, not really. Sorry."
"...What? Haa."
The mood was starting to build.
Head down, I rolled my eyes to gauge reactions.
'What? It's so obvious.'
They were exchanging glances and nodding.
Kim Sung-hyun senior...
"......!"
Our eyes met.
I quickly snapped my gaze back and shuddered my shoulders.
'That should look natural.'
That's when it happened.
"What a funny guy? Doesn't know the names of his own cast seniors?"
"Cut it out, Min-woo."
"Senior, look at his attitude. Doesn't it piss you off?"
"I said stop."
The one reining in Kang Min-woo was Cha Eun-hyuk.
From his last drama, he'd shaken women's hearts with sunflower-like love, becoming the nation's boyfriend on everyone's lips.
He was playing student Yoo Sung-min.
After he jumped into Kang Min-woo's awkward skit, the atmosphere sank even heavier, feeling more natural.
'Time to amp up the timid act to eleven?'
I clasped my hands politely, staging maximum meekness. Of course, I flinched when seniors approached.
"S-sorry."
And my tone as thin as possible.
Like it might snap any second.
"Th-this is my first time... Sorry, senior."
"No, it doesn't feel sincere."
Kang Min-woo shoved past senior Cha Eun-hyuk and strode toward me.
'If I raise my hands here thinking I'm about to get hit, it's over. The skit ends.'
As I moved to a defensive stance.
Crash clang bang!
"Keuak!"
Kim Sung-hyun clutched his chest, letting out a weird yell. A tumbler on the table toppled, spilling water everywhere.
"S-se-senior!"
I dropped the timid act instantly and rushed to the fallen Kim Sung-hyun.
His face looked genuinely agonized as he gripped his chest.
'What do I do in a situation like this?'
While I hesitated.
Someone yanked my collar.
I turned to see the two seniors ignoring me, checking on him.
"Senior! What's wrong all of a sudden!"
"Junior! Go down to the first floor right now and buy some water!"
"Pardon? Why..."
"Hurry! It's urgent!"
I bolted out, searching every corner of the building. I didn't get why water was needed, but...
Someone had collapsed.
Couldn't be a prank.
If it was real, it'd be serious.
'Please don't let it be too late...'
The meeting room fell deathly quiet.
Kim Sung-hyun glanced around cautiously, then whispered just loud enough for those nearby.
"...He gone?"
"Yes, senior. He just left."
Only then did he fix his uncomfortable position, stand up abruptly, and brush dust off his clothes.
He grinned and eyed his chattering juniors.
"Eun-hyuk senior, did you see that guy?"
"Super timid. Did you see how scared he was? Kukukuk. He's gonna be fun to tease."
"Am I that scary? Anyway, how was my acting?"
"A bit stiff, but good enough."
Kim Sung-hyun clicked his tongue.
Not realizing they'd been played by Lee Jun-seo.
'Just like Director Han Mun-jin said...'
The director had told him directly that Lee Jun-seo's acting was on par with his own.
No way, he'd thought.
But after watching, his mind changed.
The vivid eyes and gaze that conveyed raw emotion.
The intonation and fingertips alive with movement.
All so natural, he'd thought the guy was really that timid—until their eyes locked, revealing it as acting.
Kim Sung-hyun swept his gaze over his foolhardy juniors, still laughing and chatting, oblivious, and clicked his tongue again.
"Sigh, you guys need to step up."
"Pardon? Wasn't it good? More importantly, Senior Sung-hyun, why'd you collapse earlier than planned? I was shocked."
At Kang Min-woo's puzzled question, Kim Sung-hyun shook his head.
"You guys really don't know?"
"Pardon?"
"What don't we know?"
They all looked baffled.
"That guy... he countered our acting with acting. Timid? Ahaha! I almost fell for it myself."
The mood turned solemn.
Kim Sung-hyun sat back in his seat, leaning against the backrest.
"...We've got a real talent here. You guys better work hard, or Junior Jun-seo might run circles around you."