Script Reading Session

The online community was burning hotter than ever today. Especially the Male Celebrity Gallery—shortened to NamYeonGal—where news related to Woo Dan-wol dominated a huge portion of the posts.

It made sense. He was handsome. And his acting was outstanding.

Women, as a species, really were simple creatures. Ask why they liked Woo Dan-wol and the first answer was always that he was good-looking. Of course there were other celebrities even more attractive than him, but the added factors were undoubtedly his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠acting skill and character.

The statement was long. To summarize: Why are you all making such a fuss? Our actor wants to do it. We'll be reporting the malicious comments, so good luck with that. Oh, and our actor wanted us to pass ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this along.

They were sincere words. Hidden within them was this meaning: I know it's noisy, and I'm sorry, but I'm going to keep doing this. Follow if you want. The community's reaction was, naturally, positive.

The public's reaction wasn't bad either. Anyone who criticized Woo Dan-wol too harshly ended up framed as belonging to 'that group.' It wasn't that all men automatically disliked him. The truth was that any normal man living in society had no reason to hate him.

Anyway. With the drama having reached its ending and the controversy seemingly dying down, a new article stirred the media.

With all the casting complete, production officially began on Woo Dan-wol's next project, I Want to Stay for Just One More Minute.

The timing was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a little strange, however. It was already mid-September. The drama had originally been scheduled to air in September but had been delayed to adjust the broadcast date.

It was a common occurrence in the drama industry. How many projects looked like they would start filming any day only to fall apart? At least the broadcast was now confirmed, which was something to be grateful for. Woo Dan-wol began preparing as well. Or rather, his preparation was already finished.

He had fully absorbed the role and was practically going insane with the desire to act.

"Aren't the fans swarming you?"

"It's fine."

"Then shall we head out?"

"Yes."

Woo Dan-wol headed toward the script reading venue, giving Lee Hye-ri a thumbs-up for her flawless driving skills. Though she didn't show it, the corners of her mouth were subtly lifted.

"Ha, shit... Why is this kid whining so much?"

Jang Seon-woo irritably tossed his smartphone aside. He was already on edge from the nonstop KakaoTalk messages from his younger brother, Jang Geon-woo.

"If you didn't get it, you didn't get it. Why throw a tantrum like an idiot?"

On the way to the script reading, Seo Se-ah saw Jang Seon-woo's mood and kept driving while barely breathing. The experience she'd accumulated as a road manager was screaming at her: do not provoke him under any circumstances.

In truth, Jang Seon-woo knew his brother better than anyone. Since the kid had inherited his personality, it was only natural. That was why he hadn't said a word to him. If their positions were reversed, he would have thrown the exact same fit.

That was one thing, but Jang Seon-woo's foul mood was another.

"Don't you think so, Se-ah?"

"Y-yes... Oppa."

The corner of his mouth curled up. He'd been in a bad mood, but a manager with just the right amount of pain tolerance had arrived. A broken doll who had given up on everything wouldn't be any fun. But someone who read the room, took every blow, yet refused to abandon their last shred of pride? Those were hard to find.

In short, he'd found a long-lasting toy and it put him in a good mood.

Seo Se-ah, who answered so innocently even after being burned. His attack was only beginning.

"Did you just insult my brother?"

"N-no, I didn't..."

"Then why are you agreeing with him?"

"That's..."

"No, think about it carefully. Doesn't that sound exactly like what you meant?"

Jang Seon-woo's vicious side showed itself in moments like these—forcing the other person to speak the very words that would tear down their own worth and self-esteem.

"Y-you're right... I misspoke. I'm sorry, Oppa."

"Then why do things worth apologizing for?"

"......"

What could she possibly say? Seo Se-ah, still driving, remained silent.

"Not even answering now? You're seriously bottom of the barrel."

"N-no, I'm sorry, Oppa."

"Ha... Where the hell did the team leader find someone like you?"

Even the sole remaining option of silence wasn't permitted. This was why Jang Seon-woo's managers changed so frequently. What was even more terrifying was how selectively he behaved. He was perfectly polite to those with high status and power, yet he inflicted wounds on soft, inexperienced people new to society—like Seo Se-ah.

"Haa. This is annoying. Take the Han River and loop around two more times."

"O-oppa, but then..."

"What?"

"We'll be late..."

"So if I can't even do the script reading because I'm so frustrated because of you, what then? Are you going to take responsibility?"

"...I'm sorry."

Tsk. Acting all high and mighty. Jang Seon-woo swallowed the rest of his words and stared out the window. The car that should have arrived on time was now circling pointlessly.

Meanwhile, at the script reading venue...

"Hello!!"

Woo Dan-wol had begun his rounds.

"Hello. I'm rookie actor Woo Dan-wol!"

"Ah, I'm..."

"Yes. Please take good care of me."

He wasn't greeting specific people first. At a script reading, he greeted everyone involved in creating the drama—supporting actors, minor roles, the director, even the youngest staff members. It was a level of sincerity bordering on mania.

It might have seemed exaggerated or strange at first glance, yet the atmosphere on set was improving in real time.

"Hello, Director. Hello, Writer."

"Hello."

"Nice to meet you, Actor-nim."

Seong A-reum and Seong Da-un both wore bright expressions. It was understandable. They had cast an unknown actor, yet he was only growing more passionate with each passing day. Whether the attention was good or bad, having people's ears on them was always beneficial.

Of course, as his value rose, Haesung Entertainment had raised the—no, they had signed a new contract at a perfectly reasonable rate.

From Woo Dan-wol's perspective, this environment was ideal. A place where he could focus solely on acting—what could be better? After finishing his greetings, he moved on to greet the other actors.

Since the drama told a story of love at school, most of the supporting roles were teachers and fellow students. The amusing part was that there were, of course, no actual minors involved, but that was simply how things were done.

Adults played students, and students played adults. That was how it had always been.

"Oh... You're here."

"Hello. Hello."

The drama's female lead had arrived—actress Ju Ha-ryeong. A woman with a long black ponytail. Her sharp, piercing eyes were a perfect fit for this drama.

She truly looked cold and noble, like a wolf. Fitting that image, Ju Ha-ryeong's voice carried a husky charm.

"Hello. I'm rookie actor Woo Dan-wol."

"...Ah. Nice to meet you."

Ju Ha-ryeong was a well-known actress even to the general public. A ten-million actress. The emperor of genre dramas. Those were the titles attached to her name.

Ju Ha-ryeong tilted her head slightly before returning Woo Dan-wol's greeting. Since he had approached first, she had assumed he was a staff member. Given the fame he had gained recently, she would have been mistaken if she hadn't heard his name.

The female lead Ju Ha-ryeong and the second male lead Woo Dan-wol exchanging greetings. Seong A-reum, who had been admiring the sight, whispered.

"Don't they look good together?"

"They do..."

"A wolf and a fox would be nice."

"Better than a wolf and a rabbit?"

"We'll have to see. This is a romance drama, after all."

The beautiful duo shared a conversation only they understood. Among them, writer Seong Da-un began seriously contemplating the idea. Her twin sister, the director, hadn't poked at her for no reason.

Having worked together for so long, the sisters knew each other well. If they could, they would have loved to overhaul the main cast entirely.

It made sense. After all...

"We'll begin the reading~"

"Um..."

One of the staff members spoke up hesitantly while reading the room. They had thought everyone had gathered, but the drama's most important person—the male lead Jang Seon-woo—had still not arrived.