Protagonist-Grade Supporting Role
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A lead supporting role.
The so-called protagonist-grade supporting actor.
It's not a clearly defined category, really. Take the academy awards, for example—the lead is strictly the protagonist (leading role), and everything else gets lumped under supporting (supporting role).
But everyone knows that the palace maid A who pops up occasionally isn't on the same level as the queen dowager who shows her face every episode. That's where the term "protagonist-grade supporting role" comes in—for roles with that overwhelming screen time.
Actors who land these parts are usually mid-career veterans who carry the production's vibe with their sheer experience and charisma, or at least someone whose skills have been proven solid.
Obviously, it's not a label you'd slap on a character who shows up for a few episodes and dies neatly.
...So what the hell am I looking at here?
A hallucination?
As I blinked vacantly, my phone rang—thank God.
It was Yu Ho-hyeon PD.
Finally realized the glitch? I picked up, feeling a wave of relief.
— Good morning, Actor Kang. Did you get the new script?
"Of course. But..."
There's a problem with it.
Unfortunately, my words didn't get to stretch out.
— Haha, I know! I was shocked too. Can't believe they reworked Hui-yul into a protagonist-grade role in just four days!
"...Pardon?"
— Yup, that's exactly how I reacted. I thought maybe they just patched a few spots half-assed since it wasn't working. But no—it's completely transformed, on the level of a total overhaul, and way better to boot!
"......"
— Hey, it happens sometimes. If a writer gets a strong impression or intellectual spark, the whole script just pours out! Of course, the opposite's common too—nothing works, not even a single page...
No, my "pardon?" wasn't about that.
While Yu Ho-hyeon PD ranted about some nameless writer he'd met on a past shoot, I just sat there blinking dumbly.
Protagonist-grade?
Me? With zero real career or fame?
In a network weekend drama?
Has everyone lost their minds?
As I questioned Yu Ho-hyeon PD and writer Baek Chae-i's sanity, the PD cleared his throat. I hoped for a proper explanation at last.
Nope.
Yu Ho-hyeon PD didn't backpedal—he doubled down with even crazier talk.
— Oh, script reading's in four days. That's where we'll introduce you to everyone, Actor Kang.
"...Introduce?"
— You're protagonist-grade now. Gotta sync up with the other actors, right?
"......"
— It's sudden, and with the script still changing, some folks are grumbling. But what's the issue? Show 'em what you're made of with your skills!
Yu Ho-hyeon PD boomed a laugh, saying he'd send a ride so no worries there, then hung up. Like it was no big deal at all.
I stood frozen even after the call ended.
The script spread out before me listed the characters and the actors cast in those roles.
I knew their careers well.
No—any aspiring actor would.
Chief State Councillor Jeong Ji-uk
Yi Hoon, 53.
A veteran who's led countless leads in his youth and now dominates as an overwhelmingly charismatic villain.
Acting career: 34 years.
Minister of Personnel Choi Myeong
Park Seong-ho, 45.
Rarely leads, but a mid-career powerhouse who's built an overwhelming resume crossing theater, film, and drama as a supporting force.
Acting career: 25 years.
Grand Queen Dowager Choi
Oh Heon-yeong, 55.
A legend of this industry, starting as a child actor and never once pausing her career.
Acting career: 43 years.
In other words,
To borrow Yu Ho-hyeon PD's words, these were all the actors I had to "show my stuff" to in four days.
".........."
...A new style of nightmare?
#
There's a saying that floats around the industry: You can roughly gauge a drama's fate just from the vibe at the pre-shoot script reading and teaser filming.
Hit dramas are harmonious. Middling ones are awkward. And flops? The atmosphere's straight-up sinister.
"Heard Yu Ho-hyeon PD's lost it?"
...And needless to say, the King and Sovereign script reading room was firmly in the latter camp.
Even the mid-tier veterans couldn't hide their doubts, huddled in clusters and murmuring.
"Dude's obsessed with some no-name, personally scouts him, rips the script apart—what a mess."
"Yeah, heard that. A ninth-year vet doing shit even a newbie PD wouldn't touch."
"Must be some late-blooming artist syndrome."
"Writer's only got one short drama under her belt—think it'll be okay? Feels like it's heading off the rails..."
Hmm.
Oh Heon-yeong, playing the Grand Queen Dowager in regency, glanced around and let out a quiet sigh.
She had the highest seniority among the cast, but even she couldn't wrangle this circus alone.
Truth be told, she shared their skepticism.
As she schooled her expression, her manager approached.
"Here’s the new script, ma'am."
"...How many revisions is this, Manager Kim?"
"Uh, fourth one, I think. Might tweak more, but..."
"......Right."
Oh Heon-yeong took it calmly, as a seasoned pro would.
But she couldn't help frowning inwardly.
Of course, drama shoots never go to plan.
Veterans are used to flying page revisions, botched schedules, and plans flipping overnight.
Especially since the last drama flopped and rushed this one into production. She’d braced for some snags.
But this was different.
The PD's screwing it up on his own. Schedule's already tight...
They say leads pick based on writer and synopsis; veterans pick the PD.
Not entirely true, but it means experience makes stability key.
Yu Ho-hyeon PD had no mega-hits but always ran smooth ships. So the vets who'd signed on for him were confused and worried by his recent antics.
Maybe someone needs to speak up.
Oh Heon-yeong stroked her chin.
If PD and writer were off the rails with no brakes, who would?
She steeled herself: As the senior-most, she might have to step in today.
She turned to her manager.
"That kid coming to the reading today?"
"The kid...? Oh, right! Actor Kang Min said yes. Probably just scoping the vibe since he was cast so recently."
"That's no excuse. This mess isn't just about him. He needs to show some potential at least. If he's hopeless, I'll handle it."
"Well, you're right, but..."
The manager trailed off, scratching his cheek and glancing around.
With his own mileage, he could read the room.
It wasn't just Oh Heon-yeong grinding her teeth over this mystery rookie.
"He's gonna be stuck with me the whole time, right? If he's crap, I'll chew him out on the spot!"
Park Seong-ho, as Minister of Personnel Choi Myeong.
"...Well, let's see him first. Then talk."
Yi Hoon, the villainous Chief State Councillor Jeong Ji-uk driving King and Sovereign.
"Everyone here's my senior, so maybe I should...? Hate roles like this..."
Kim Suk-hee, as the crown prince's nursemaid, Palace Maid Kim.
Average career: decades. Pros who'd seen it all, eyes narrowed like show me what you got.
Frankly, not bolting from that glare would be a win—no acting required.
Even the idol leads looked cowed already.
"Th-this vibe won't last once reading starts, right...?"
"...Dunno. Me neither."
Cast for buzz and ratings retention, they had decent skills for idols.
But they'd never faced this cutthroat air. They just shrank into a corner, watching warily.
The male lead especially seethed.
I'm the lead, aren't I? Same age bracket—how good can he be? Spot going to him? Script flipped because of him?
It grated hard.
Unlike the seniors, he vowed to humble this parachute drop.
The room reeked of malice, a thick let's see about that tension.
"Well now, you're all here early!"
Yu Ho-hyeon PD burst in. For his usual impassive, slightly furrowed default, his grin was way too bright and cocky.
What the?
"Beautiful weather today, isn't it?"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, sure, some fine dust! But that's what makes the sunlight's traces shine brighter. Perfect day for big things!"
"......."
The actors exchanged looks. A few nodded gloomily.
Yu Ho-hyeon PD was definitely a bit off...
As actors tsked, staff with the PD hustled to check camera angles and sound.
These days, script readings and makings are prime promo. Main/supporting seats get camera priority, angles tweaked obsessively.
Leads and hot supporting spots too.
But one seat bucked the trend.
Not just off—it looked deliberately avoided.
And in front: a nameplate reading Warrior Hui-yul: Kang Min.
Veterans' eyes twitched.
What the hell?
Great acting, huh? Hiding from cameras?
Connections? Nepo pick?
Doubts deepened as the door opened again.
First in: head writer Baek Chae-i. Usually bubbly and energetic, she looked drained for once, dark circles laced with irritation.
Then, as the room tensed, another figure followed.
Everyone figured staff at first. He scanned the room, gave a calm greeting, and took a seat.
The one with Warrior Hui-yul: Kang Min.
...What?
Oh Heon-yeong blinked in disbelief.
Park Seong-ho, Yi Hoon, Kim Suk-hee too.
Even the rookie leads let out stunned chuckles.
They rubbed eyes, swapped glances—nothing changed.
Consensus: unanimous.
That's the guy Yu PD's obsessed with?
Actors spot actors.
Even if civilians go him, an actor? for plain looks, vets catch that presence instinctively.
Like animals scenting kin.
But.
That's no actor.
Not even the overwhelming aura you'd overlook in a civilian.
This was too much.
That's a total empty shell.
Tall and decent-faced. That's it.
Gazing seriously at his script? Forgettable passerby.
If great actors exude natural presence, this guy wasn't even in the club.
Serious problem.
Yeah, serious.
What're they playing at?
Veterans' faces hardened.
From something must be there to Yu Ho-hyeon's fully snapped.
Sure, like return to simplicity in wuxia, fluid naturalness can signal mastery. But not for a green no-experience kid.
Park Seong-ho, infamous for impatience, was already scowling hard.
Goddamn, thought it was bullshit—what, a nepo? And they reworked the script for that?
And Park Seong-ho wasn't one to simmer patiently.
Gritting teeth, he stormed toward this fake actor.
"Actor Kang Min."
"...Hello, Senior Park Seong-ho. Honored to meet you—"
"Do some acting."
"Pardon?"
"Act out any role."
"......."
"You've practiced roles, right."
His tone dripped blatant distrust and annoyance.
Hell, if Kang Min bombed below his level, Park was ready to storm Yu Ho-hyeon PD right then.
You don't prop up trash for a project! This a joke?!
Hmm.
Kang Min seemed to ponder, face impassive.
Actually closer to shit, what now...! panic, but Park couldn't tell. He just got madder at the perceived arrogance.
And anyway,
His best card? Only one play.
Kang Min asked.
"Any role's fine?"
"Yeah. We're not in scenes together. We'll know."
"Got it."
"Got it?"
Park snorted inwardly.
Guard Hui-yul was Minister Choi Myeong's right-hand. Script got reworked, sure, but Park could visualize every Hui-yul scene—and act them. That's 25 years for ya.
Arms crossed, he loomed.
Around them, murmurs faded; everyone clocked the test. Staff bustled, but actors fell silent.
Oh boy.
Trouble brewing.
...Maybe for the best.
Pitying or schadenfreude glances rained—except one.
Baek Chae-i watched quietly. Expectant, almost.
That one? Really? That one?
And,
Meeting that hope, Kang Min clutched his throat.
Baek Chae-i fist-pumped: Yes!
Ironic, as pissed-off Park slammed the table.
"Hey, if you can't—!"
"Gahk...!"
"?"
A New Style of Bullshit (3)