L’Vyu’s Casting and Debut Broadcast
“······Yeah?”
The third participant stood there blankly, staring at Deok-su.
When the gazes turned to him, Deok-su finally realized his mistake and apologized.
“Ah, sorry. Let’s just keep going.”
He picked up the script again, and the third participant followed along without missing a beat.
‘They seem to have a good rhythm with each other… but Cho Yu-ri’s image…’
The writer only continued scribbling her thoughts in silence.
After a while, all the participants left the room.
Deok-su, Lee Hui-yeong the CP, Cho Yu-ri the writer, and President Hwang In-sik gathered in the small room to decide who was the most suitable.
Lee Hui-yeong spoke first.
“I think number one was the best. His image is solid and his acting is good… it felt the closest to the character I had in mind.”
She turned to the writer. “What about your thoughts, Cho-ya?”
“I… I…”
Before Cho Yu-ri could finish, President Hwang In-sik cut in.
“Well, number one seems the best. Number two is clearly out. Number three has a warm feeling… I think Hyungnim is right.”
“I think number three is the most suitable.”
Deok-su’s words made President Hwang In-sik’s eyes suddenly light up, and Lee Hui-yeong’s expression showed interest.
“Number three… let me hear your reason first.”
“The feeling was good. I watched all the candidates, tried them myself, even closed my eyes and tried them. Number three felt more like I was talking to a real Guak Jun from the past. Number one was good too, but the ‘standing right in front of him’ feeling was stronger.”
“Hmm…”
Lee Hui-yeong let out a dry cough, and the atmosphere turned awkward.
President Hwang In-sik forced a smile to break the tension.
“Yeah, yeah… diverse opinions are good. But with no more time, Hyungnim is right—let’s do it your way.”
“If the feeling was strong, can you be more specific?”
President Hwang In-sik shook his head.
‘That stubbornness was especially bad.’
Cho Yu-ri glanced at him worriedly, but Deok-su remained completely calm.
“Hyungnim and I won’t be facing each other on screen. In the end, how well a voice responds to another is what matters. That’s what I focused on.”
“The external image of Guak Jun doesn’t matter? The viewers will see it.”
“In the end I’m the actor. What I can react to is the other actor’s reaction to my actions. From that perspective, I think number three was better.”
“……ahem.”
Lee Hui-yeong coughed awkwardly and turned to Cho Yu-ri.
“I guess we should hear Cho-ya’s opinion too.”
“Th-that’s…”
When the decision suddenly fell on her shoulders, Cho Yu-ri looked between the two of them with hesitation.
One was her CP who had introduced her to the work, the other was the benefactor who had brought her here.
Neither felt easy to favor.
Deok-su spoke gently to her.
“I just want to hear the writer’s opinion. I’m curious about your sense of style, not some ego fight. You don’t have to worry.”
A smile curved Lee Hui-yeong’s lips.
‘This young man is pretty good… If this is the actor the president sent, the president must be regretting it.’
Eventually Cho Yu-ri opened her mouth.
“I also think number three is more suitable, like Deok-su-ssi. The external image was better with number one, but the chemistry and tone with Deok-su-ssi felt much better with number three.”
“But, CP-ssi is also—”
President Hwang In-sik tried to smooth it over when Lee Hui-yeong interrupted.
“So Cho-ya’s opinion is different from mine.”
“I’m sorry, CP-ssi. I—”
“No. I actually like it. From now on, when we discuss scripts, please do it like this. Don’t just say yes to everything. Then let’s trust the two of you and go with number three.”
The unexpected conclusion surprised Deok-su.
He had been secretly worried. Casting authority always belonged to the director.
Moreover, he was the lead actor and Lee Hui-yeong was the veteran CP who had rolled around on set for years.
And she had bent to his will.
‘I really have to do well.’
After deciding on Guak Jun’s cast, Deok-su left the agency.
Yun Chae-gyeong, the DH Entertainment trainee, came to the company every other day.
Every time she arrived, she saw the same scene.
“……still here today?”
“Hello. You came early.”
In her eyes, Deok-su was sitting there holding a thick script.
By now she was curious.
“It might be rude to ask, but how many things do you prepare for a drama?”
Her face looked a little nervous.
The answer came from Park Hyeon-woo in the same room.
“Hyung is crazy. The actor who practices like that is extremely rare… eek!”
“Junior, a moment. Let me see.”
When Park Hyeon-woo, mouth still blocked, was dragged away by Lee Hui-yeong, Deok-su and Yun Chae-gyeong both broke into cold sweat.
Deok-su set the script down and sat facing her.
“I’m just doing what the teacher told me.”
“Teacher? You mean the acting teacher who came to give you today’s lesson?”
“That’s right. It’s almost time he arrived…”
Before his words ended, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs rang out.
The door opened, and the middle-aged man, Kim Hyeok-jung, entered.
Since they had met briefly at the cafe last time, they could start the lesson in a more relaxed atmosphere.
“……you suck on that every day?”
Yun Chae-gyeong held up the cork she had received first from Kim Hyeok-jung and blinked her innocent eyes.
But Kim Hyeok-jung gave her no mercy.
“From today, practice whenever you have time. Look at it now. Your pronunciation is terrible.”
“Huh? My pronunciation is good… I even have a long tongue.”
Kim Hyeok-jung chuckled at her boldness.
It was completely different from Deok-su, who had done far more than asked without complaint. But it was amusing.
“Listen. Whether it’s theater, musical, drama, or movie, accurate pronunciation is the foundation. Especially the louder the voice, the more the pronunciation cracks.”
“Aigoo… what’s Deok-su-oppa’s pronunciation level?”
“Better to hear it yourself. Deok-su, come here for a second.”
When Deok-su came over from the corner, Kim Hyeok-jung showed him the cork hanging from his neck.
The cork was worn down from how long he had been practicing.
“How long have you used this?”
“I don’t know. I changed it once.”
“Deok-su, can you show me?”
Following Kim Hyeok-jung’s instruction, Deok-su cleared his voice and began reciting the practice lines.
“……I met staff member Kim Sam-sun and the head of Samsung Seafood Transportation, who had searched for a reindeer in Switzerland…”
The ‘S’ sound that was once difficult was now flowing out like a rap.
When Deok-su’s rap ended, Yun Chae-gyeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Wow. It’s amazing…”
“Since you said you’re learning, be prepared. Don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re a woman.”
“Yes, Seonsaengnim!”
When the lesson began, Deok-su quietly left the room holding the script.
Park Hyeon-woo, who had just finished listening to scolding, saw the sight and said,
“Aren’t practice rooms supposed to be for actors to use?”
“If Chae-gyeong grows, our company grows too. Pay close attention.”
“Yes, President. But when I see Hyung, he looks like a total star one minute and like he’s not at all the next. But that…”
“Aigoo, I like it.”
Suddenly clinging to him, Deok-su jumped in surprise and pushed him away.
That afternoon, Mun A-rim came with an armful of clothes.
“Alright, let’s start the doll play.”
Mun A-rim dressed and undressed the mannequin busily.
Deok-su was preparing outfits for the music chart show.
Lee Hui-yeong was also busy on the phone scheduling, and Park Hyeon-woo was busy with vehicle inspections and other chores.
Everyone was moving about their own tasks, but Deok-su, sitting on the sofa, didn’t move a muscle.
‘……to become an actor, you really have to work like this.’
This sight of Deok-su seeped into Yun Chae-gyeong without her noticing.
The next morning, Deok-su headed to Jang Hyeok-geon for a haircut.
Jang Hyeok-geon spun his scissors and hummed.
“As an MC for the music chart, your hair should look a little difficult.”
“But since the drama is coming soon, don’t cut it too short.”
“I’ll just trim it for now. The touching will be done at the broadcast station later…”
While Jang Hyeok-geon worked, Deok-su dozed off in front of the mirror.
After the transformation was complete and he had changed into comfortable clothes, Mun A-rim gave a satisfied thumbs-up.
“……good. By now even ten-year-olds will follow after oppa-oppa.”
“There are plenty of energetic twenty-year-olds, why follow a thirty-year-old uncle?”
“……you want to add one more line to the ban list?”
As they chatted, the car arrived in front of the broadcast station.
The area in front of the station was already swarming with fans.
“I’ll go ahead.”
Lee Hui-yeong headed to the lobby first, and Deok-su prepared to get out.
Park Hyeon-woo pointed out the path where fans and reporters were lined up.
“Hyung, see that photo zone? Go there alone first and wave once. I’ll follow from nearby, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not a kid. Don’t worry, walk slowly. This is like a red carpet rehearsal.”
When Deok-su opened the car door and stepped out, thunderous cheers greeted him.
“Kyaaaaaaaah— L’Vyu!”
“Oppa—! Kill me! No, die!”
The members of fan club Ruby were the first to catch his eye.
Deok-su waved at them and headed toward the photo zone.
The feeling of being cheered at was strange yet like walking on clouds.
Standing in front of the photo zone, flashes started popping.
“L’Vyu-ssi, just one more pose please.”
“Make a finger heart… a little to the left…”
While Deok-su was taking photos according to the reporters,
“L’Vyu-yaa—! Lu! Bi! Cheo! Rum! Yeong—wonhi—! Guangna- ge—! Ji- yeo! Ju- ge!”
The mixed cheers and screams of men and women made Deok-su flinch.
The reporters and nearby fans all laughed, clutching their stomachs.
But Deok-su smoothly winked along with a finger heart toward the direction the sound had come from.
“Kyaaaaah—”
After the photo time, Deok-su entered the broadcast station.
In the lobby, Lee Hui-yeong was carrying a pile of things.
“What’s all this?”
“Things oppa will use in the waiting room and…”
From Jeong-mi’s bento box to a cushion, a teapot, and many more.
When Deok-su tried to take something from her, Lee Hui-yeong refused.
“Helping oppa focus on his work is helping me.”
Lee Hui-yeong single-handedly carried the heavy load to the waiting room.
Deok-su was assigned a private waiting room.
Seeing his name on the door, he was greatly surprised.
“I thought idols usually shared rooms?”
“Since oppa has seniority, everyone would feel uncomfortable. Ah, Min-yerin uses a room with the AYUSUM members.”
Deok-su was considering whether he should greet her when Lee Hui-yeong stopped him.
Greetings are something juniors come to give seniors; it’s impossible for a senior to go.
Only five minutes after arriving in the waiting room, the junior singers came to greet him with CDs.
“Hello! I’m Bree.”
“I’m Elte! Nice to meet you!”
A stack of signed CDs soon piled up on one side of the waiting room.
Among the juniors, there were some he knew.
“O-wang! Oppa—”
Showing off their closeness, Turnshine members stayed in Deok-su’s waiting room for a long time.
The bento and teapot Deok-su had worried about were mostly cleaned up by their hands.
“……if you eat these during your activities, what will the manager say?”
“Just don’t get caught.”
At Hanna-kyung’s shamelessness, Deok-su clicked his tongue.
Gang Min-ji spoke.
“……oppa’s fans are really amazing. They came to cheer when he became MC, and they sent this too…”
“Soon I have to do a comeback stage.”
After the Turnshine members left, a knock sounded again.
Min-yerin, with a doll-like fair face and cold expression, entered.
“Hello, sunbae. I’m Min-yerin.”
“Kim Deok-su.”
Just as she appeared to the public, she didn’t say much.
Precisely, she was the type who didn’t say unnecessary words.
Though the blank face was awkward for a first meeting, Deok-su calmly matched the script with her.
“……I see you’ve prepared a lot. I was worried.”
“Still, I should help. Since it’s my first time…”
“As long as you don’t freeze up in the middle, it should be fine.”
Perhaps a little more at ease.
When Deok-su smiled, Min-yerin’s rigid expression softened slightly.
After the dress rehearsal, the live broadcast began.
After the opening stage ended and the camera panned to the MCs, Min-yerin started the show with a smile.
“The Drakson opening stage was well received. Ah, today’s new MC is here. L’Vyu-ssi, please introduce yourself.”
“Hello. I’m actor L’Vyu. Standing in front of so many people… my heart is racing.”
“It’s always exciting and difficult at first. We’ll do the greetings later. Then let’s meet the second stage?”
Min-yerin’s hosting was quite smooth.
Thanks to her, Deok-su gradually relaxed and could handle the show better.
They were nearing the last performance.
“……L’Vyu-ssi, unfortunately the last stage is coming soon. What kind of singer is the last stage?”
“The last stage is something you can look forward to. It’s Turnshine’s stage for their comeback with a new album!”
“Turnshine is famous for beauty, but also for skill, right? You were from the same agency. What kind of junior were they?”
Deok-su flinched at Min-yerin’s question.
A moment, her eye smile passed.
He must have misread it.
“We were close juniors. We practiced hard and were diligent. Ah, it’s time.”
After Turnshine’s stage, Deok-su’s first music broadcast ended.
“Yerin-ssi, thank you for your hard work. PD-nim, thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you~”
After greeting Min-yerin and the staff, Deok-su returned to the company.
After that Lee Hui-yeong checked the reactions.
It was his first music broadcast, but there were no mistakes and his hosting was quite smooth.
But the backlash came from an unexpected place.
“……what is this?”
Seeing Deok-su in the search results, Lee Hui-yeong’s eyes sharpened.
……
An internet clip was circulating.
It captured Deok-su, who was only hosting flatly, and Min-yerin staring at him with eyes that could melt ice.
-Still handsome and all.
-Min-yerin’s ice queen reputation? I thought she was all warm.
-L’Vyu ice queen in the middle of this lolol
-Even if they want to write a gossip article, the aggro won’t pull.
……
“……yes, reporter-nim, hello. I’m DH’s Lee Hui-yeong.”
Lee Hui-yeong’s phone quickly grew hot.