Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The First Audition
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I talked Park Min-ha out of coming to the meeting room where I was and headed up to the fourth floor, where Management Team 1 was located.
Famous actors usually didn't show their faces at the company much, but Park Min-ha was a special case in many ways.
'I should at least grab some coffee.'
I couldn't show up empty-handed when going to ask for advice.
I stopped by the cafe, bought some coffee, and headed straight up. As soon as I opened the door to Management Team 1, Park Min-ha, dressed casually and chatting with the staff, greeted me warmly.
"You're here?"
"Yes. Here's some coffee. I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I picked it myself."
The staff who had been talking with Park Min-ha exchanged light greetings with me and cleared a seat for me to sit.
I'd been an idiot not to think of the staff earlier. Since I wasn't on Team 2 anyway, they probably couldn't take a group photo because they didn't know how many people there were.
I scanned Team 1's office to memorize the faces now. Park Min-ha smiled brightly as she took the coffee.
"Oh, nice."
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
"It's just an Americano—is that okay?"
"Of course. Though I do prefer lattes."
"Pardon?"
"So next time, make it a latte."
"Ah, sure... Got it."
"You better remember."
Amused by my flustered expression, Park Min-ha burst into laughter.
After briefly chatting about the stage we'd done at yesterday's festival, we got straight to the point.
"So, what's exactly bothering you?"
I explained the script I'd just read.
The similar appeal. But the stark difference in screen time and the characters that made me want to act them out—what they were like.
Unlike during the latte talk, Park Min-ha listened to me with a serious face before slowly speaking.
"That's a tough one. Hmm..."
She pondered it for a long while, as if it were her own dilemma, then asked,
"What did Team Leader 2 say?"
"He said we'd talk after looking at the script."
"He didn't mention that?"
"Pardon? Mention what?"
"Who the other actors in it are."
"He didn't say anything about that."
Hearing that suddenly made me curious.
I hadn't thought that far earlier, but who the lead actors were was just as important as the script itself.
"I see. So you have to decide based on the script alone for now."
"Right?"
"And that's what's hard."
"Yes."
"Then you'll have to compare the other conditions one by one."
She continued in a serious tone.
"Of course, the script comes first. It's only natural to want to act in a good one. But if there's no difference there, you have no choice. You have to think about the commercial side too."
"Ahaha, isn't that still a bit beyond me?"
I should be grateful just for getting these opportunities in the first place. Picking with success in mind felt a bit arrogant, didn't it?
But a firm response came back to my ears.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Pardon?"
"The production company didn't send you those scripts out of charity, did they?"
Well, true.
"So there's no need to think so modestly."
"Ah, okay..."
"And commercial viability isn't some big deal. Say the two scripts you're agonizing over are identical in role appeal, screen time, and pay. But the drama's lead actor is different?"
It was a question I'd never considered, so I fell into thought for a moment.
If all other conditions were the same, the leads' fame would naturally influence my choice.
Because their project would have a higher chance of success. Ratings, buzz—everything would be higher.
'No wonder they're popular.'
Only then did I understand what Park Min-ha meant by commercial viability not being a big deal.
I'd been overthinking it because I was so grateful for the opportunities given to an unknown like me.
Once I'd sorted my thoughts, I answered.
"It would make a huge difference."
"Right? If one has rookie-heavy casting and the other has a top star as the lead, even we in the industry have different expectations."
"Like you, sunbaenim?"
"...Pardon?"
Why was she surprised? It wasn't wrong.
She was one of the few celebrities I ran into often at the company, so I sometimes forgot, but Park Min-ha was an actress more than qualified to be called a top star.
Every drama she starred in soared in ratings, her public image was impeccable, and she always ranked high on advertisers' preferred actress lists.
The industry was desperate to book her—it was no wonder she was so famous.
Thinking about it like that made me grateful all over again. She was busy, yet she cared enough to make time and give advice.
I mirrored the playful smile she'd had during the latte talk earlier and said,
"If a top star like you is in it, of course it feels different."
"What is that?"
She scolded lightly, but her face didn't look displeased.
"Then if I were in one of them, would it influence your decision?"
"Pardon?"
It was so unexpected that for a split second, I couldn't process Park Min-ha's words. Meaning...
"You're in it, sunbaenim?"
"No, no. Just for example."
"Ah."
This time, no need to agonize. It was practically a given.
"Of course it would."
"Really?"
Her eyes narrowed as she eyed me suspiciously with a hum.
No, why doubt it?
"Really. Everyone would want to work with you if you were in it."
"Ahaha, no flattery."
She laughed brightly at my words, then extended her fingers one by one on both hands, wiggling just one side as she spoke.
"Then what if one has way better conditions otherwise? Would my involvement still sway your choice?"
"Hmm, probably not?"
"Really?"
When I didn't answer right away, she pressed again with emphasis: "Really?"
"...If the gap is too big, it probably wouldn't."
"Right?"
Park Min-ha clapped her hands loudly and continued in an excited tone. For some reason, she seemed like she'd been waiting for that exact answer.
"The two scripts you're torn over have a huge difference in screen time."
"Yes."
"Yet you're still agonizing, which means the roles pull you in equally in terms of immersion and appeal."
"Ah..."
"I said commercial viability isn't a big deal. An appealing character is part of that too. You have to weigh it properly."
A jolt shot up my nape like electricity.
'No need to agonize after all.'
Even while thinking it was arrogant to consider commercial aspects, I'd been balancing them anyway.
What role would sell best for me as an actor.
It didn't add up at all.
A laugh slipped out. Fine, it was my first time, so whichever I believed in, I'd go with the results.
"Decided?"
"Yes, thank you, sunbaenim. That helped a lot."
"No big deal. And even if you pick one, the company might push the other."
It was obvious. An actor's preference mattered, but for someone like me now, the company's voice carried more weight.
Someday, if I became a top actor, I could choose freely.
Park Min-ha continued with a serious face.
"If that happens..."
Oh, was she about to share top-star know-how?
"Convince them somehow. You got this!"
Park Min-ha thrust both arms up in a victory pose. I... could only stare at her blankly.
Did I hear that right? Convince them somehow...?
That was when it happened.
"Min-ha! We gotta go now!"
The door burst open as Park Min-ha's manager stormed into Management Team 1's office.
"Already?"
"We'll be late. Let's go."
She lowered her eyes apologetically and stood. I jumped up too, ready to see her off.
"Sorry to cut off mid-conversation."
"No!"
"But I think I covered most of what I could say. Talk it over with Team Leader 2 too."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Click.
Suddenly, I was alone. Management Team 1's office felt unfamiliar without anyone I knew.
"Well, I'll be going too."
I exchanged somewhat awkward goodbyes with Team 1's staff and left the office.
Either way, I'd made up my mind from that conversation. Now it was time to see the team leader.
When I went to Management Team 2's office, Kim Han-soo welcomed me.
"I would've come if you'd called."
"It's fine. How long could it take to walk from the meeting room?"
Kim Han-soo, neatly stacking the scripts I'd returned, asked with a serious face.
"You read them all?"
"I think this one's best."
I pointed straight to Seo Ji-hye's script on top. Kim Han-soo tilted his head, surprised.
"Even though it has the least screen time?"
"There's definitely a difference."
"If it's pressure, don't worry. With your skills, any of these roles are doable."
"It's not that. I just like that role."
"I see?"
He seemed hard to convince. His expression was subtly complicated.
And sure enough, the response I'd feared came.
"The company is thinking of Kim Jung-hwa's project. It has solid screen time, and with her string of hits, she has a fixed fanbase."
Not wrong, but didn't Seo Ji-hye's have more merit?
As if reading my mind, Kim Han-soo continued evenly.
"Of course, Seo Ji-hye has the edge there, but this decision also considers how much it imprints you on viewers."
I couldn't ignore that. Honestly, more screen time was better for me too. They say broadcasting is a battle of airtime, after all.
But my choice didn't change.
"I get that, but both scripts appealed to me equally. Still, I prefer Seo Ji-hye's role."
"It's a defensible choice. She's known for great characters anyway."
Kim Han-soo seemed to accept it. Worth the agony.
So, we'd go with my pick...
"Still, as the ones managing your schedule, we'd recommend Kim Jung-hwa's."
No surprise there.
Seeing him say it so firmly, the company really wanted me in that one.
What to do? It was my debut project—maybe follow Kim Han-soo's lead?
As a rookie with shaky footing, his words shook my resolve.
'No.'
If that were the case, why bother talking to Park Min-ha? I could've decided with Kim Han-soo from the start.
I gathered my thoughts calmly once more and said,
"If the other conditions differ too much, I'll follow the company. But if it's just screen time, I want this one."
My fingertip pointed to the Oh, My Cat script.
'...Won't seem arrogant, right?'
I worried I'd sounded too firm. But Kim Han-soo just nodded without changing expression.
"If you're that set on it, I'll fully reflect your opinion in the meeting."
"Really?"
His straightforward reply surprised me instead.
I'd expected more convincing or that higher-ups would decide regardless.
"I said we'd consider your input when giving the scripts. And personally, I think shooting under Seo Ji-hye... you'd learn a lot."
For some reason, Kim Han-soo's face darkened mentioning Seo Ji-hye. Was I seeing things?
Before I could question further, he gathered the scripts from his desk and stood.
"I'll bring it up at the afternoon meeting and let you know once it's decided. No clue on the outcome, but prep for an audition either way."
"Yes, thank you!"
And that evening.
My first audition was set.