14
## Chapter 14
My filming wrapped up early again.
"Sorry, I'll be heading out first."
Just like yesterday, I went around saying goodbye to every staff member and actor.
"There's nothing to apologize for. You just finished your scenes first."
"I keep telling you, Jihoo's hilarious."
"Huh? What's funny about saying sorry? You're only smiling because he's handsome."
"Oh, you were standing there? My smile disappeared instantly."
I didn't bother explaining why I was leaving early.
"Jihoo, you're leaving already?"
"Yes, hyung."
I did tell Bae Jiho, though.
Yesterday, Yoo Euiju had informed me that his casting had been finalized.
Keeping it from him now would've felt dishonest.
"If things go well, we'll be facing each other again in another project."
Jiho would be playing the younger Park Sunho.
My audition was for Kim Taesan.
Best friends at first.
Enemies in the end.
"And once again, I'm the good guy while you're the bully. Doesn't that sound like fate?"
"Haha..."
Park Sunho would eventually become the CEO of White Corporation.
Kim Taesan, after losing his family, would walk down the opposite path.
That was why the drama was called Light and Darkness.
"Anyway, if you don't get nervous, you'll definitely get the role."
"Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me? And when are you going to stop speaking so formally? We're practically the same age."
"Haha..."
Bae Jiho was surprisingly friendly.
Compared to my previous life—when he barely acknowledged my existence—it still felt strange.
"So who's your competition?"
"Senior Lee Chanhwi."
"...Huh?"
His eyes widened.
"Chanhwi?"
Did he seriously not read entertainment news?
I smiled.
"You're smiling even though you're competing against Chanhwi? Haha. You've got nerves of steel."
It wasn't courage.
I was simply confident.
"Good. At least you don't seem nervous. Good luck."
After saying goodbye, I left the set.
Just then, a message from Hana arrived.
[hana - Hubby, are you done? Don't be late!]
'I still have plenty of time.'
Instead of replying...
I called her.
"Hubby! Where are you? Did you leave already?"
"Yeah. Don't worry. I've got plenty of time."
Then I calmly added,
"I'll do well."
---
A little later.
CS Media Annex in Sangam-dong.
A rarely used office had been converted into an audition room.
Three judges sat inside.
"So... how many applicants today? Five?"
The man in the center was Director Kim Jungsoo.
The director of the upcoming drama Light and Darkness.
"Six. CS Entertainment added one more."
The woman on his right answered.
Assistant Director Im Subin.
"But does it really matter? You're going to choose Lee Chanhwi anyway."
She turned toward the scriptwriter.
"Don't you agree, Writer Woo?"
Writer Woo Myungju laughed awkwardly.
"Well... it's still an audition."
"What? Am I the only one saying it?"
Even so...
Im Subin wasn't entirely wrong.
Everyone knew who the favorite was.
Lee Chanhwi.
Despite his young age, he'd already built an impressive career in theater and had begun making a name for himself in television.
The other candidates were complete rookies.
At best, they'd appeared in one or two independent films.
"Regardless of who's favored, let's evaluate everyone sincerely."
Director Kim spoke firmly.
"This is an important opportunity for them."
"You're right."
Just then, a staff member entered.
"Shall I send in the first applicant?"
"Please."
Moments later...
A handsome young man entered.
"Hello. I'm Lee Chanhwi."
He bowed politely.
"Wow. Starting off with the strongest one."
Everyone laughed.
"So, what scene did you prepare?"
"Scene Four. The opening."
Auditions consisted of two parts.
First...
The actor performed a scene they had prepared beforehand.
"Assistant Director Im will read the other lines."
"Understood."
"Whenever you're ready."
Lee Chanhwi took a slow breath.
Then...
He began.
"...An accident?"
His vacant eyes stared somewhere beyond Director Kim.
"...An accident?"
It was the scene where Kim Taesan learned of his parents' deaths.
"Taesan... I know it's hard to accept..."
Before Assistant Director Im could finish—
"Ah..."
Lee Chanhwi let out a quiet groan.
Thud.
He collapsed to his knees.
All three judges flinched.
Thankfully...
He didn't overact.
He simply stared blankly ahead...
Then a single tear rolled down his cheek.
"..."
Slowly...
He lowered his head until his forehead touched the floor.
Without another word...
He silently wept.
A few seconds later...
He stood back up.
"That's all."
The performance had been brief.
There were barely any lines.
Yet none of the judges spoke immediately.
Only after several seconds did Writer Woo finally clap.
"Excellent."
Director Kim nodded.
"Very emotional... but never excessive."
"Exactly."
"It was restrained grief."
Everyone praised him.
Many stage actors struggled when transitioning to television because their performances tended to become too theatrical.
Lee Chanhwi wasn't like that.
He expressed only the emotions the camera needed.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
"Let's move on to improvisation."
"No problem."
The second half of the audition was an improvisation exercise.
"You've shown us sadness. This time, I'd like to see something brighter."
He handed Lee Chanhwi a sheet of paper.
"You'll have ten seconds."
After ten seconds...
Assistant Director Im began.
"Hey, I have academy classes today."
"Academy? It's our friend's birthday."
"What, is a birthday going to get me into college?"
"I'll get you into college."
From there...
Everything flowed naturally.
Lee Chanhwi became an ordinary high school student joking around with friends.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
"Go hand your bag to that guy."
"You should eat more."
"Hit the gym."
By the end...
The judges were smiling.
"Great work."
"Excellent performance."
"Thank you."
His audition ended perfectly.
"He's really good."
Director Kim muttered after he left.
"See? I told you. Just cast Lee Chanhwi."
Assistant Director Im immediately chimed in.
Writer Woo smiled.
"Even so... let's watch everyone until the end."
"...Fine."
The auditions continued.
---
One after another...
Every applicant gave it their best.
The judges evaluated each of them seriously.
Before they knew it...
It was already one o'clock.
"I'm exhausted."
"One more."
"The last applicant is from CS Entertainment."
Director Kim nodded.
"Send him in."
The door opened.
A tall young man walked inside.
'Wow...'
Assistant Director Im blinked.
'He's unbelievably handsome.'
Tall.
Jet-black hair.
Sharp eyebrows.
A straight, elegant nose.
He wasn't just good-looking.
He was exceptional.
Someone who could stand beside Cha Dongwon, the industry's famous "face genius."
"That's one handsome guy."
Even Director Kim sounded impressed.
"Hello. I'm rookie actor Kang Jihoo. Thank you for having me."
But looks alone meant nothing.
If he couldn't act...
His appearance was worthless.
"What scene did you prepare?"
The same question.
The same expression.
"Scene Four."
The room fell silent.
The exact same scene...
Lee Chanhwi had just performed.
The three judges exchanged glances.
'Now this is interesting.'
According to the profile sent by CS Entertainment...
Kang Jihoo also had a theater background.
A perfect comparison.
"Whenever you're ready."
Director Kim watched with growing anticipation.
"...An accident?"
The moment the words left his mouth...
Kang Jihoo's audition began.