Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Ankle Sprain and Audition Scripts
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"Let me check your ankle."
As soon as we stepped off the stage, Kim Han-soo dropped to his knees and rolled up the hem of my pants.
It looked perfectly fine on the surface.
But when he gently gripped my ankle, that was a different story.
"Hng...!"
A sharp jolt of pain shot up my leg, and I involuntarily sucked in a breath.
Hearing that, the members all rushed over to me at once.
"What's wrong, hyung?"
"Hyung! Did you get hurt?"
"What? What's going on?"
I tried to play it off casually amid the noisy crowd gathering around me.
"Hurt? What do you mean hurt? Didn't you see me nail that choreography just now?"
Squeeze.
"Ah! Team Leader!"
The sudden grip on my ankle made me yelp without thinking. That earlier touch hadn't even been a real grab. Even now, after he'd let go, it still stung.
Kim Han-soo peered at my face for a moment before giving the driver a serious look.
"It's sprained, alright. Straight to the hospital."
Then he looked up at me.
"Can you walk?"
"Of course. I just performed on stage, didn't I?"
"You've been walking awkwardly ever since you got off."
Gasp. I'd thought I'd pulled it off fine.
"You noticed? It felt the same as usual."
"You think now's the time to say that?"
Lee Jae-ha cut into the conversation with a sharp tone.
"If you're hurt, you say something. What are you doing?"
"Exactly! Right!"
"...It really was fine at first."
Honestly, it had been. It hurt a bit, but I figured I could tough it out.
And it was just a twisted ankle—no way I'd skip the performance and let the team down over that.
"A-Are you okay?"
That's when Lee Ru-a, who'd been fidgeting anxiously, suddenly squeezed in between us.
Eh? She hasn't left yet?
"Your ankle. It seems like it's because of me..."
"Ah, no, I'm fine. It's not sprained."
I waved it off, seeing how overly worried she looked, but Lee Jae-ha, standing beside me, narrowed his eyes and muttered low.
"What do you mean 'not sprained'?"
"Oh my god, really! I'm so sorry!"
"No, no. It's really nothing, so don't worry."
I quickly poked Lee Jae-ha in the side. But he just shrugged with an innocent expression.
I never imagined Lee Jae-ha of all people would say something like that.
Even Lee Ru-a's manager kept apologizing profusely to me and Kim Han-soo, looking pitiful.
"We're sorry. So sorry."
This just made me feel more embarrassed.
"Really, it's fine. Don't worry about it."
"No! Of course we do. We're truly sorry!"
"Blame the rain, that's all."
Kim Han-soo smoothly inserted himself between the repeatedly apologizing manager and me, flashing a kind smile.
"We appreciate the concern. But we need to head to the hospital, so we'll be going now."
"Ah! Sorry!"
Lee Ru-a's startled manager quickly stepped aside. Beside her, Lee Ru-a fidgeted helplessly, eyes wide with worry.
I gave a light smile to show I was okay and climbed into the car.
Even so, Lee Ru-a and her manager kept watching us with concern.
"Search for the nearest hospital."
The navigation soon listed nearby options.
After some tests, it turned out to be just a simple sprain, thankfully.
"See? What'd I tell you? It's nothing."
On the way back to the dorm, I scolded the guys who'd been fussing the whole time, but Kim Han-soo spoke up in a heavy voice.
"Do-jun."
"Yes?"
"We'll let this one slide, but if anything like this happens again, tell us right away."
"No, but it really was fi..."
"Whether it's fine or not is for the doctor to decide."
He cut me off firmly, sighed deeply, then continued in a worried tone.
"I get where you're coming from, but if it messes up your activities, it's even worse. Got it?"
What should I say? That I can judge it myself?
After mulling options, I went with a safe response.
"Yes..."
"Your body is your asset—no, all of yours. You know you can't do anything if you're hurt."
"Yes, of course."
"You've got drama auditions coming up soon. One injury, and they're all canceled. Think about that too."
My mind snapped alert.
Drama? What auditions?
"Dramas?! Ack!"
Kim Ha-woon, grasping it faster than me, shot up and banged his head on the car roof.
"Sit still!"
"Who stands up while driving? Sit! Buckle up!"
Park Tae-hoo's scolding and Kim Han-soo's reprimand poured in instantly.
"Hiiing..."
"You okay? Geez."
I gently patted the hand Kim Ha-woon had on his head.
Drama auditions, huh.
Suddenly, Park Min-ha's words from before the performance came to mind. Call her anytime if I was悩ing.
"I've narrowed it down to a few scripts for now. We'll go over them together tomorrow. So take care of yourself."
Despite Kim Han-soo's repeated warnings, my head was filled with entirely different thoughts.
Did Park Min-ha know about this from the start? How?
❤
The next morning, as soon as we got to the company, Kim Han-soo led me to a conference room.
"Here you go."
Three thick stacks of scripts thudded onto the table. The top page of each bore a bold title.
Why three?
I was stunned by the sheer number, but his next words left my jaw on the floor.
"One's terrestrial broadcast, the other two are cable miniseries."
Not web dramas? This can't be real.
As I stared blankly, unable to respond, he puffed out his chest proudly.
"We were surprised too. Didn't expect this many scripts for you without any acting experience."
"...Yeah. I'm still dazed."
Idols branching into acting wasn't rare anymore.
But most started with web dramas, gradually proving their skills before landing regular broadcast slots.
You pick terrestrial debuts when your fame's through the roof.
Anyway, for a rookie like me, barely a month into debut, these were overly generous offers.
"They all come with audition requirements, but you'll pass no problem."
"Think so?"
"You've got the buzz and the image. Plus real talent. When we were negotiating the CBK drama, we sent your acting clips to the production company. Word must've spread."
Hmm, that was with an item boost, though...
"And we're an agency specializing in actors originally, so we have that baseline trust."
I was shocked even by the confirmed CBK role, but that was bundled with popular actress Park Min-ha, so it made sense.
The company hadn't said it outright, but no one could deny her influence in my casting.
But this? Just me!
Even with auditions needed, offers like these without anyone pulling strings? Really?
My options had widened this much in just a few weeks.
"HBS is terrestrial Wednesday-Thursday drama—big advantage there. Cable's hot, but terrestrial still packs a punch. Downside: debut writer."
It was a clichéd rom-com about office workers and their boss's bumpy romance.
My audition role: supporting character, same class as the female lead.
"QNT and ETN are similar overall, but the writers differ. Both excellent, though."
"Who?"
"ETN: Kim Jung-hwa. QNT: Seo Ji-hye."
"Pardon? Who?"
I doubted my ears. Any drama fan would know them.
Kim Jung-hwa's last hit averaged 21% ratings.
"And Seo Ji-hye is..."
"The Midas touch—everything she writes hits big, the ratings machine. Right?"
...Yeah, there's a clear gap.
Kim Jung-hwa's was great, no doubt, but nothing compared to Seo Ji-hye's track record.
But is this even a dilemma? If I can get in, obviously Seo's.
"Seo Ji-hye's role is much smaller than the others, though. Factor that in."
"Ah..."
Kim Jung-hwa's was a medical drama; my role, male lead's junior resident.
Seo Ji-hye's...
'Tweener between supporting and extra. Appears briefly early on, then gone.'
Early episodes: female lead rescues injured street cat, takes it to animal clinic—I'm the vet.
Some lines, but gone by episode 5 once the cat recovers.
And screen time? Generous to call it substantial.
Way less weight than the other two.
"Each has pros and cons, so read the scripts first. Then we'll talk."
"Huh? I pick?"
"You perform best in roles you like. Of course we consider that."
With that, Kim Han-soo stood.
"Call when you're done."
Thud.
"Uh...?"
He left me alone in the practice room without a chance to reply.
Flustered, but hey, read and call. Perfect opportunity—terrestrial slots, big-name writers. Scripts piqued my interest.
"This is Seo Ji-hye's. Oh, My Cat?"
Female lead turns into a cat?
Title gives zero clues, which hooks you more.
I dove into Seo Ji-hye's Oh, My Cat first, then the rest.
❤
After topping music charts and shows, I'd mostly ignored coins except for occasional time buys.
Begging likes with constant photos felt like a dream now.
'Strictly speaking, not totally safe yet, but...'
As long as Moon Dae-chan's rumors didn't bring worse trouble, I'd be fine.
So now, I could weigh conditions beyond time.
"HBS has the terrestrial edge. Cable's trending, but terrestrial power endures. But debut writer."
Common rom-com. Office employee-boss romance mishaps.
My role: female lead's peer supporting.
"QNT and ETN similar, but writers differ. Both top-tier."
(Earlier translation already covered.)
"Anyway, read them. Then decide."
(Skipping repeat.)
"Haaah, so sleepy..."
Lost in scripts, lunch passed. I stretched my neck. Stiff muscles loosened refreshingly.
'Kim Jung-hwa and Seo Ji-hye's are definitely more fun.'
Text alone felt vivid, like watching footage.
Sorry, but HBS paled next to them.
'Screen time matters too.'
As a newbie needing name recognition, first drama—exposure was key.
So Kim Jung-hwa's heavier role made sense.
But...
'...This one's weirdly appealing.'
I picked up Seo Ji-hye's again.
Less time, but the vet's actions drew my eye.
Animal-loving demeanor, clashing with male lead, to bittersweet mutter at end.
Small part, but I wanted to play it.
"What to do?"
If slightly bigger, no hesitation.
"Hmm..."
Company decides ultimately—why agonize? Tell Kim Han-soo I finished, share thoughts?
Then Park Min-ha's words hit: If悩ing over scripts, tell me.
Now's the time?
But should I? Won't get in trouble for personal contact?
She said to, but still uneasy.
"Eh, she told me to. Fine."
Not overstepping.
I texted:
Hello, sunbaenim. Lee Do-jun here.
Got scripts—free for a call sometime?
"Done."
Checked phrasing, hit send. No take-backs—relief.
Bzz.
Reply instant, before I set phone down.
Park Min-ha sunbaenim
At company now?
Meet and talk?