Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Iconic
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The movie ended.
Even as the credits rolled, the audience lingered in their seats, reluctant to leave the lingering aftertaste behind.
In the midst of that, a blonde woman abruptly stood up and headed toward the exit where the door stood open.
Click-clack-.
Rachel Ziegler's strides were confident and unhesitating.
"Hm..."
But her eyes churned with intense emotions.
Han Woo-hee had casually mentioned there was a near-rookie actor she'd filmed with, urging her to keep an eye out—and now Rachel knew exactly who it was.
As a renowned Hollywood casting director, Rachel devoured not just Western films but movies from all over the world.
Of course, she didn't operate alone. She had a whole team, spreading her radar net across the globe.
Yet this actor named Jung Woo-jin was a complete unknown to her. She needed to dig deeper, but it was baffling how a face like that had escaped her notice until now.
She stepped out into the brightly lit hallway.
Rachel unceremoniously dumped her barely touched popcorn and cola into the trash as she emerged.
Stumble-.
For a split second, her legs gave way, and she nearly tripped.
Rachel steadied herself by grabbing a pillar.
"What the fuck."
Rachel hurried to an empty sofa nearby and sank into it.
A tremor ran through her body.
There was only one word she could think of to describe Jung Woo-jin, within the bounds of common sense.
"Iconic..."
Like Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn.
An icon representing an era, symbolizing it. That potential existed in this actor named Jung Woo-jin.
A beauty transcending race—Eastern or Western—paired with acting prowess and expressiveness that maximized it, and the latent power to become a defining iconic figure of the times.
Korea's handsome leading men. Actors with striking looks who'd proven themselves across numerous works.
That was why Rachel's shortlist had three names.
Lee Jae-hoon, Woo Ho-min, Hwang Jung-soo.
Originally, she'd planned to visit the sets of Lee Jae-hoon and Woo Ho-min to check their looks and acting form firsthand.
But now, those names had vanished from her mind.
"Woo Jin... How can I-."
As she muttered softly to herself, Rachel spotted someone. Tall build, wearing a cap and mask typical of someone trying to blend into a theater...
"What?! Woo Jin??"
It was unmistakably the actor Jung Woo-jin from the movie she'd just seen.
But Rachel's surprise was short-lived.
Like the Pied Piper, a trail of people followed behind Jung Woo-jin.
Jung Woo-jin removed his cap and mask and approached a theater staff member.
"Haha, sorry about this. I tried to watch quietly, but it turned into this. Could I borrow a table and some chairs, by any chance?"
"J-Just a moment!"
The staffer, recognizing his face, jumped in alarm and scurried off somewhere.
And moments later...
Incredibly, an impromptu autograph session was underway right in the middle of the theater lobby.
"Name?"
"K-Kim Min-ji!"
I added 'To Kim Min-ji' below the signature.
"Th-Thank you! Oh, and I'm really, really sorry..."
The autograph session had started because a college student named Kim Min-ji spotted me, but honestly, it would've been weirder if I hadn't been recognized.
Who goes to a theater dressed like this, anyway?
"Nonsense. Thanks for enjoying the movie. Here's your autograph."
I handed it over with a smile.
Looking apologetic, she hovered awkwardly nearby. And then...
"Hello?"
The next visitor was a blonde foreigner, and I stared at her blankly.
[Rachel Ziegler]
- Currently covet-able talent: Eye for Actors (A)
⤷ Primary condition: Meet 'Rachel Ziegler' together with 'Han Woo-hee'.
⤷ Secondary condition: Fulfill the primary condition first.
The blonde woman stared intently at my face before handing me a business card.
A crisp, stiff card.
Plain white background with the name centered.
'Rachel Ziegler'
And below that:
'Casting Director, Head of Team RZ.'
I glanced at the card, then back at her.
"Nice to meet you. I'm a Hollywood casting director, Rachel. I'd love to talk sometime—give me a call, okay?"
What did it mean when a casting director wanted to talk?
As I held the card and kept staring at her face, Rachel flushed slightly and said,
"Sign, please."
After handing her business card to Jung Woo-jin, Rachel booked tickets for another movie at the theater.
Male-Female Best Friends, which was still playing.
Han Woo-hee had said he'd only appeared in one drama and two movies so far.
While waiting for the screening, Rachel sat in a cafe, jiggling her leg impatiently.
Scenes from Inner Beauty, the film she'd just watched, replayed endlessly in her mind.
Especially the party entrance scene.
His acting was undoubtedly excellent, but to Rachel's expert eye, there were still some shortcomings.
To be precise, he wasn't yet on Han Woo-hee's level.
Han Woo-hee delivered acting so nuanced and detailed that she could hold her own against Hollywood's top stars.
However.
'Debuted just half a year ago? An actor like that?'
Considering Jung Woo-jin's debut timeline, it was hard to accept.
With a serious expression, Rachel made a call.
"Yeah, Alex. I've got something else to handle, so film Lee Jae-hoon's acting for me."
She was giving orders to her team.
"Ha... Alex. That's exactly what I'm saying. I didn't know your comprehension was this poor? Even if I said not to film, you gonna just sit there following orders blindly? Can you judge on your own? You can't. So pretend you didn't hear and just shoot it. If we get caught, so what? Just say there was a communication mix-up."
Normally, as a guest on set, one followed staff instructions and avoided filming without prior agreement—but Rachel was unfazed.
"Whatever. It's not like we're exposing it anywhere; I just want to see it."
She checked the time, then ended the call irritably.
"No time, so handle it with Chad and get good shots. Hanging up."
Click-.
Rachel stood from her seat.
Next up: Male-Female Best Friends, the movie Jung Woo-jin had filmed.
Having binged both Inner Beauty and Male-Female Best Friends in one day, Rachel found herself short of breath.
An hour after the second film ended, her excitement hadn't subsided.
In Inner Beauty, Jung Woo-jin's screen time was brief. And that powerful impact scene was, strictly speaking, enhanced by editing.
But in Male-Female Best Friends, as a lead, he provided Rachel with a wealth of data.
Movements, gestures, posture, gaze control, breath regulation, voice tone, expressions.
He wielded an astonishing array of tools, deploying them masterfully where needed.
Rachel plugged this 'Jung Woo-jin' data into her mental database.
Her mind housed a vast film library, and soon Jung Woo-jin was essaying roles within it, leaping from one to another.
Sometimes a cool killer, other times a romantic jazz-loving protagonist; a charismatic Navy SEAL, even a prince prancing in ridiculous garb, singing and dancing.
Jung Woo-jin nailed every role.
And finally.
She slotted him into the latest script she'd received.
A sitcom.
About diverse races and backgrounds living as neighbors in Los Angeles, unfolding episodic tales.
Among them, the role Rachel sought was an East Asian international student fitting the daughter 'Emily' of the central Ruth family.
A physics-major genius oddball.
Bold enough to sneak over Emily's window at night by tossing pebbles, yet when caught by her father, spouting nonsense like 'butterflies have no choice but to seek flowers.'
Rachel's lips curved into a smile as she closed her eyes, envisioning that delightful image.
"Gorgeous."
In popular sitcoms, supporting roles like this often got swapped out like parts if they flopped—but Rachel was certain Jung Woo-jin wouldn't.
Convinced, Rachel rose immediately.
Click-clack-click-clack-.
She strode swiftly out of the cafe and dialed Han Woo-hee.