Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Surpassing Expectations
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Without a hint of unease, Lee Jun-hyeong watched Do-jun take his place as 'Kim Jin' and thought to himself.
'This bastard really thinks I'm a pushover.'
In a situation where anyone else would be jumping up and down insisting they couldn't do it—what? He was going to give it a shot? Did he think acting was a piece of cake?
Honestly, though, it irked him even more that Do-jun was better at it than expected.
If he'd just put on the typical wooden idol acting everyone was used to, it wouldn't have grated this much.
Then he would've been nothing more than a nepotism hire carried in on Park Min-ha's back.
But during the script reading, and even in the actual shoot, Do-jun had delivered solid performances. If no one had known he was an idol from the start, no one would've guessed.
That was what pissed him off the most.
'But that's all over now.'
Before stepping into the clinic as Lee Jung-woo, Lee Jun-hyeong glanced at his manager. He could see the phone clutched in front of his chest.
But the lens was aimed at Do-jun, not him.
'Even when I poke at him, he barely reacts. His real personality must be similar to Lee Jung-woo's.'
It happened sometimes. Cases where an actor nailed a role that perfectly matched their own personality, punching above their weight regardless of raw skill.
But usually, give them a character with a different temperament, and their acting fell flat.
Jun-hyeong figured Do-jun would be the same. His manager thought so too.
What kind of talk would erupt if footage of Do-jun acting as 'Kim Jin' leaked through some anonymous source later?
He swallowed a smirk threatening to escape and stepped into the clinic.
"PD, is this okay?"
The assistant director was thinking along the same lines, his voice thick with worry.
"Lee Do-jun—that's obviously his breakout role. Even Wallflower cast him knowing that."
"We haven't seen him act anything else yet."
"No need. He's an idol. How much practice could he have possibly had?"
But PD Kim Shin-hyo remained utterly calm. Unable to hold back his frustration, the assistant director let out a deep sigh.
Why did he have to tell that junior—an idol, no less—to just go for it like this...
This could end up causing unnecessary embarrassment.
If the PD in charge of directing took a hit, it tarnished the entire directing team's reputation.
"Action!"
But instead of answering, PD Kim Shin-hyo gave the cue to start. The assistant director squeezed his eyes shut, unable to watch what was about to unfold.
"Yeah, yeah. Come here. You got startled, huh? Ah, it's okay! Just stay still. You think I'm gonna eat you or something?"
The assistant director's eyes snapped open before the first line even finished.
The oversized glasses and casual clothes were identical to 'Lee Jung-woo,' but it didn't feel like him at all.
This was unmistakably 'Kim Jin.'
From the way he looked at the puppy to the smallest gestures. It was so distinctly different that no one would believe it was the same actor.
Amid everyone's shock, the acting continued.
"Anyone seeing this would think I'm kidnapping you. People might misunderstand, you little punk!"
It was nothing like the skilled way 'Lee Jung-woo' had handled the puppy. Even the way he cradled it screamed someone touching an animal for the first time.
Anyone watching would swear Do-jun was genuinely clumsy with animals.
That was when it happened.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Bang!
The clinic door flew open as Lee Jun-hyeong burst out in character as Lee Jung-woo.
True to his proven skills, his lines flowed naturally despite it being a new role for him.
"Get your hands off it right now...!"
"Ah, just shut up for a sec!"
But it was nothing compared to Do-jun.
The moment he bellowed, every eye on set turned to him.
"You open the door like that, and now it's even more scared."
Kim Jin shot Lee Jung-woo a sharp glare while soothing the puppy in his arms.
"I'm trying to help, and you freak out. Why? 'Cause the pup's scared—so pipe down."
Dressed simply as befitted an animal clinic vet, he still exuded the arrogant vibe of a spoiled rich kid.
As if he'd been born for the role.
The set fell deathly silent. The only sounds were Do-jun's and Lee Jun-hyeong's breaths picked up by the mic.
Not just the extras caught on camera, but even the staff forgot their tasks, completely immersed.
"......"
Even Lee Jun-hyeong, who had the next line, was left speechless by Do-jun's performance exceeding all expectations.
The first to snap out of it was PD Kim Shin-hyo.
"Cut!"
At his call, cheers and gasps of admiration erupted from all sides. Lee Jun-hyeong's manager muttered without thinking, forgetting they were still filming.
"What the actual fuck..."
The moment the signal dropped, Do-jun reverted to his usual self.
He readjusted the awkwardly cradled puppy in his arms and stroked it with a bright smile.
Someone tapped the arm of the assistant director, who was staring with his mouth agape.
"See that?"
It was PD Kim Shin-hyo. Finally coming to his senses, the assistant director replied excitedly.
"Whoa, seriously! How'd you know? It's insane! No wonder! You saw it coming all along. As expected from our PD!"
There was no way he'd made that call lightly. Admiration filled the assistant director's eyes.
But PD Kim Shin-hyo's response was unexpected.
"How would I know?"
"Huh? Then..."
How'd you know he'd be this good?
As if reading his mind, PD Kim Shin-hyo chuckled and spoke.
"I just figured Lee Do-jun had ta..."
He caught himself mid-word. Was it too soon to say something like that?
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"That Lee Do-jun was good."
PD Kim Shin-hyo deflected, his gaze shifting to Lee Jun-hyeong, who still looked dazed.
Where had that overflowing arrogance gone? He looked like a man who'd seen a ghost, utterly bewildered.
Seeing him like that brought a smug satisfaction, but knowing what he must be feeling now also stirred a twinge of pity.
'Lee Do-jun...'
PD Kim Shin-hyo's eyes moved from Do-jun—flashing an awkward smile amid the cheers—to his own arm.
The goosebumps that had risen moments ago still hadn't faded.
❤
"Park Min-ha and Lee Jun-hyeong! The chemistry is seriously hyped!"
Park Tae-hoo's clear voice filled the practice room.
They'd only paused for a break, and already he was scouring articles about Oh, My Cat.
No, if you're gonna read, do it quietly. Why read it out loud?
"Hyung! Only read the ones about Do-jun hyung! Gimme!"
As Kim Ha-woon reached over, Park Tae-hoo swatted his hand away like he was shooing a street vendor.
"Hold still. The comments after this one are the real gold."
He cleared his throat with a dramatic ahem.
"Ah! So frustrating! What does it say?"
Ha-woon finally lost patience and stuck right to him. Tae-hoo shoved Ha-woon's head away with his left hand as their faces ended up side by side.
"Hey! Sit properly! You're sweaty and it stinks."
"I don't stink! Then turn your head the other way!"
"Turning won't make the smell go away! It's not like I'm covering my eyes and meowing!"
"It's not meow, it's rawr! Rawwwwwr!"
They started over nothing and now were fighting over who got to read the comments.
It had definitely started with comments on my article. How did it devolve into this? And it's not exaggeration—they do this ten times a day.
'Do their personalities mesh, or clash?'
Lee Jae-ha, sitting a bit apart, shook his head and picked up his phone.
"Both of you, quiet. I'll read them."
And then he started reading the comments himself.
What the—? Why is it like this? I rushed over to Lee Jae-ha and covered the screen with my hand.
"Stop reading the comments."
Kim Ha-woon asked innocently.
"Huh? Why?"
"Why? It's embarrassing."
"Why be embarrassed? There are so many compliments about you, hyung."
"That's exactly why it's embarrassing."
Then Park Tae-hoo flashed a sly grin and poked my arm.
"Aw, hyung. That's the fun part. Right?"
One guy nodding enthusiastically, another with a subtle smile.
"Ohh, so you knew and did it on purpose, huh?"
Thwack!
I shot up from my seat and lunged at the nearest culprit, Park Tae-hoo.
"Where do you get off teasing your hyung?!"
"Hey, hey! Ha-woon! Grab him!"
"On it!"
At Tae-hoo's shout, Kim Ha-woon hugged me from behind, pinning my arms. Tae-hoo grabbed my front.
This is insane—two on one is straight-up unfair.
"Fight fair! One at a time!"
"Now's the time. Read 'em quick!"
Unable to budge, Lee Jae-ha's flat voice rang in my ear.
"Is it true Lee Do-jun's looks hold up even among actors? Did he get a special filter or something?"
"No, stop!"
"Yes!"
"Whoa, Pida really puts out great actors. What's their secret?"
Reading in that robotic, emotionless tone, word for word—it drilled into my ears no matter how much I didn't want to hear.
That jerk's picking only the cringiest ones on purpose, isn't he?
"P-Please, stop!"
I was on the verge of tears when...
"......What are you all doing?"
Kim Han-soo walked in, muttering in disbelief at the sight of us.
"Team leader, tell these guys to... Mmph!"
Before I could finish, Park Tae-hoo's massive hand clamped over my mouth. Kim Ha-woon's playful voice followed.
"Hehe, we're just reading comments on Do-jun hyung's article for him."
"I see..."
Kim Han-soo glanced at us like it was no big deal and looked away.
No, don't you see I'm pinned by two guys right now?
With a straight face, he sat next to Lee Jae-ha.
"Keep going."
Keep what going?!
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
But my anguished cries stayed trapped under Tae-hoo's palm.
How many more comments did they read? Only after I'd given up resisting did they finally let go.
"......You'll pay for this later."
I meant it, but the room just filled with laughter, like it didn't land.
No joke, you punks.
"But shouldn't we go cheer on Do-jun hyung at his shoot?"
"Nah, what cheering."
I waved off Lee Jae-ha's sudden suggestion. But Kim Ha-woon jumped in.
"No, we should! Other groups send snack trucks when a member's acting."
"We haven't gotten our settlement yet—no money for snack trucks."
"Tae-hoo hyung, you're dumb? Put it on tab! Company pays!"
No way they'd do that, but just in case, I cut Kim Ha-woon off quick.
"What're you talking about? Tab? Stick to sensible ideas, Ha-woon."
"It makes sense!"
"Sure, if you're just talking."
"You said it didn't make sense a second ago?"
"Sigh..."
Times like this, I miss that it's not Jae-yoon. If it were Lee Jae-yoon, I'd smack his back raw.
Then Kim Han-soo nodded.
"Snack truck aside, visiting wouldn't hurt. Good promo for the group."
He looked at me.
"Do-jun, no issue concentrating if the members drop by?"
"None at all."
"Then let's schedule it."
"Yes!"
Kim Ha-woon bounced in his seat, fists pumping like he'd won something.
"Drama set! Always wanted to check one out."
So that's the goal.
"Do-jun hyung's been weirdly better at drama stuff since it started. Gotta uncover the secret."
What? First I'm hearing of this.
I stared at him, baffled, but Park Tae-hoo chimed in agreement.
"Yeah. His expressions in dance and vocals have gotten richer for sure."
You too?
"I've always said it's all acting. Makes sense, in a way."
......Even Team Leader?
Lee Jae-ha was nodding too.
I don't notice any difference in dance or song, acting or not.
"Alright, break's over. Back to practice."
Before I could say anything, practice resumed.