Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Cast Reveal and Script Reading
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Time flew by, and before long, the cast information was released. As expected, half of them were busy worrying about me.
My image was firmly set as a doting girl dad.
And now I was taking on the role of a cruel demon that didn't match that image at all.
It was a natural outcome.
Even now, if you search my name and go to the images tab, the top result is a photo of me gazing at Yu-na with a loving smile.
That's the only side of me they've seen.
'That said...'
I turned back to the cast list and carefully examined the actors' names.
I hadn't been mistaken.
Kwon In-ju, the actor I'd met at the audition, was on the list. It seemed they couldn't bear to cut him after selecting me.
His role was the detective.
A character who pursues inexplicable incidents alone, with a sharp mind that never lets a criminal escape.
And others besides.
More familiar names.
'All these people are just doing cameos?'
Veteran seniors with far more experience than me were listed as supporting roles.
Ones who bring their stories to the demon for resolution and then vanish.
Finally, Ma Dong-sik as the conglomerate chairman, the final boss of sorts.
He's built like our manager and specializes in villain roles.
Could I face him without trembling? The thought made me anxious for no reason.
Clink. Clink.
While I was absorbed in my phone for a moment.
Delicious-looking food was being laid out on the large wooden dining table.
Kim Yong-cheol, who had just placed a cake in the center, glanced at me.
"Our little bro is just sitting there all quiet? Ah! Not trying to make us feel bad or anything."
"......"
Even knowing it was a joke, my body itched uncomfortably, and lounging alone on the sofa made me feel like I was in the way.
Just then, An Jeong-su emerged from the kitchen with utensils and let out a hearty laugh.
"Leave him be. It's his last day, after all."
Right.
Today was the final shoot for Dad, I Love You!, doubling as a party to celebrate my next project.
"Ahaha! Let our little bro relax. Big bro's got this."
This wouldn't do.
I jumped up from my seat and headed straight to the kitchen after An Jeong-su.
Who could sit still with them giving me such obvious hints?
"My body's getting antsy just sitting around. Anything I can help with?"
"What're you doing in here?"
"Go back to your seat."
Yoo Tae-hyun and An Jeong-su, who had been smiling brightly, hardened their faces upon seeing me. Kim Yong-cheol, following behind, did the same.
"If you're that bored, go play with the kids. We're almost done anyway."
"I made a special salad and smoked chicken breast just for you. You can eat that, right?"
"Yes, I can eat that, but..."
What? Even on the last day, their attitude of refusing to give me anything to do felt unfamiliar.
"Get out already. You're in the way."
"Why's today's star coming in here? Go rest easy out there."
In the end, Kim Yong-cheol pushed me out of the kitchen by the back.
No tasks for me.
Should I just watch the kids play?
With that thought, I crouched by the railing set up to keep toys from going outside and watched Yu-na at play.
The kids who slid down after Yu-na all stared at her with flushed faces.
Our Yu-na is cute, after all. She's so popular at kindergarten.
"Huh? Daddyyy!"
Yu-na, in the middle of having a blast, spotted me and came running over.
She hopped lightly onto the railing and flashed a brighter smile than usual.
"Come in and play with us, Daddy!"
Led by Yu-na, all the kids climbed onto the railing. It must be sturdy enough to hold their weight.
"Hmm, looks a bit cramped for Daddy to join. I'll just watch from here."
"Tch..."
The kids trailing after pouty Yu-na as she turned away looked just like chicks following their mother.
'After today, I probably won't see these kids much anymore.'
Even though we'd only met a handful of times.
A pang of regret lingered in my chest.
Soon after, the party began, filled with laughter from the kids' talent show and heaps of gifts.
'The end...'
It started as a brief connection, and we didn't meet often, but was it really over just like this?
It felt like once today passed, I'd never see them again.
They were all such good people...
While eating salad, my vision blurred, and I quickly bowed my head.
"Jun-seo! You crying?"
An Jeong-su peeked over to check my face. His lips curved up, and he raised his voice.
"Ahaha! He's crying! Bawling!"
"N-No, I'm not!"
I wiped the streaming tears with my sleeve. Still, they wouldn't stop.
"It's not even the real end, and you're just sniveling."
"Why cry? You planning to ghost us from now on? That'd be disappointing."
"We were even prepping a family trip for when you're free next time."
Their warm encouragement, delivered with smiles, touched me deeply.
"Ah, Daddyyy... Waaah!"
Yu-na, on my lap, suddenly burst into tears. She was even holding a piece of cake.
With whipped cream smeared around her lips, she chewed on the remaining cake in her mouth.
Her appearance was so hilarious that I burst out laughing amid my emotional tears.
"...Puhahaha!"
"This guy... Did he hit his head or something?"
The moment everyone followed my gaze, the house erupted in laughter.
"Crying one second, laughing the next... Ahaha!"
"Cry or eat. Pick one."
"Ahahaha!"
The cast gathered for the script reading. Director Han Mun-jin sat at the head, flanked by the lead writer and various team leaders.
And I.
Squeezed between famous actors, I sat quietly, just observing.
This drama was an omnibus genre.
The main thrust was hearing all their stories and delivering refreshing justice against an unjust society.
"Junior. Why so quiet?"
"Ahaha..."
I gave an awkward smile at Senior Ma Dong-sik's words. Up close, he looked even bigger than our manager.
Arms as thick as my thighs.
With his rugged features, he was playing the villain Choi Deok-bae in the finale.
'Why's he sitting next to me...'
As I sat uncomfortably, glancing around, the senior on my right, legs crossed, tapped my shoulder.
Her name was Yoon So-hee.
Unlike her poised and elegant look, she excelled at heartfelt emotional acting.
In the drama, she played a role named after herself, Yoon So-hee.
"Excuse me, why'd you call me?"
"You. Raising your daughter alone, right? Isn't it tough?"
"Ah. She listens well, so it's not too bad."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Director Han Mun-jin suddenly clapped, drawing attention.
"Alright! Everyone's here, so let's do introductions. You all know me, right?"
Was that even worth saying?
No actor wouldn't know Director Han Mun-jin. He was the genius behind the high school series, after all.
He scanned everyone with a fresh smile and continued.
Camera director, sound director.
Production team leader.
After introducing several people, it was finally my turn.
"Shall we start with the lead actor playing the nameless demon?"
In this formal setting, he addressed me politely. It felt oddly chilling, like goosebumps.
It didn't suit him at all.
All eyes turned to me in an instant.
Scrape!
I boldly pushed my chair back, stood, and greeted energetically like a rookie.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Lee Jun-seo. Please take care of me."
Short and sweet is best.
Drag it out, and they'd get bored. Naturally, I got applause from cast and staff.
See? Keeping it brief was the way.
"Good. You all know Actor Lee Jun-seo by now, but his acting is top-notch, so no need to hold back."
The seniors burst into laughter at Director Han Mun-jin's joking remark.
"Hmm, next up is our youngest actor here."
As I sat, the cute-looking senior opposite me stood.
"Ah, hello. I'm Kim So-young, playing student 'Kang Min-ji.' I've been acting for four years now... Please take care of me."
As the director said, Actress Kim So-young was younger than me. Still, a senior's a senior.
I'd drop the formalities once we got close.
But I'd show respect for now.
"Yes, then next..."
Self-introductions were nearing the end. I suddenly realized Kwon In-ju was missing.
'Where'd he go?'
Scanning the room, no sign of Kwon In-ju.
Did they recast him?
That's when.
"Hello. I'm Kwon In-ju, taking on the detective 'Lee Jae-hyung' role this time. Please take care of me."
A deep, familiar voice.
I froze upon seeing the young man who just said his name was Kwon In-ju.
Sharpened jawline and keen eyebrows.
Short-cropped hair.
His once pleasantly plump build had transformed beyond recognition.
He'd been average-looking before...
His new look wasn't handsome, but to me, he resembled a pure-hearted country youth.
"I'll work hard without mistakes."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The script reading flowed smoothly like water and wrapped up quickly. Even though we'd received the scripts that day.
Everyone's acting was stellar—no one could be faulted.
Sad backstories wove through every tale, making staff sniffle and secretly wipe tears. Even lead writer Kim Hyun.
Pat pat.
I got water from the dispenser, crumpled the cup, and tossed it into the trash.
'I need to practice this time.'
Since becoming Lee Jun-seo, I'd put off acting practice. Now I had to get serious.
With this cast's skills, my presence could easily fade.
"Hey. Jun-seo."
Someone called from behind. It was Kwon In-ju.
"Hey, your acting seems worse than last time. You practicing properly?"
"......"
He'd ghosted my laziness like a demon.
"What was that today? Half-assing it?"
"I'm not half-assing it, Senior."
"Then..."
Thud!
A massive man wedged between us, draping arms over our shoulders. The weight tilted me forward.
"Man, our juniors put on quite a show. Caught me off guard."
"...Ah."
"......"
Kwon In-ju and I gave awkward smiles at Ma Dong-sik's praise. His thick forearm around my neck felt threatening.
"More importantly... You two weren't fighting, right? The vibe was off."
"Nah, we weren't fighting."
"Not at all."
He alternated glances between us, smiled faintly, and released our shoulders.
"Get along, got it?"
Kwon In-ju and I swallowed hard in unison. We wanted to clear the misunderstanding, but his grinning face was too scary—we just nodded silently.
Once Ma Dong-sik was out of sight.
We both exhaled held breaths.
"Whew. That was scary, huh?"
"Yeah... He's a villain in the drama, and scary in real life too."
We had no idea.
That Actor Ma Dong-sik was actually sensitive and easily hurt.