Chapter 160
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Standard
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Lee Seojun's next project, the audition for "Danjong," drew a lot of attention.
[Auditions for "Danjong" (working title)! Proof of application submissions popping up everywhere!]
[Idol Kim Sol applies for the "Danjong" audition!]
[Actor Kim Jongho: “A shame there isn’t a role for me.”]
[Disappointed actors: “If only I wasn’t filming right now, I would’ve given it a shot!”]
-Oh, they're holding auditions for "Danjong"?
=They didn't list the role names, so I don't know what they are, but I heard they're speaking roles.
=The important roles will probably go to established actors. They can probably pick and choose.
=22 They're probably not very important roles.
-Ugh, idols… Let's not cast any idols.
=22 Seojun's star power is more than enough.
=333 I'll watch it N times… Just please, no idols!
-If Kim Jongho joins, isn't it just Naeuiwon 2?
=Lee Jiseok is Grand Prince Suyang, though?
=Still can't believe it lol. Naeuiwon 2: Chaos and Destruction… lol.
-The actors who are currently filming seem disappointed.
-At this rate, isn't every actor in Korea going to apply?
-There are age restrictions to fit the characters' images, so they'll probably screen the applications first.
-Even then, there'll be so many applications it'll be hard to choose lol.
The conference room of the film production company, Danhong.
Director Woo Junghan, who was reading articles and comments on his phone, scratched his head. The audition was becoming a bigger topic than he had expected.
“Didn’t we only announce the audition to actors?”
He had no intention of casting complete rookies. Only actors who had appeared in at least two plays or independent films, or had a speaking role in a drama or commercial film, were eligible to apply.
The assistant director responded to Director Woo Junghan.
“We notified actors’ agencies and theater companies, so someone was bound to start talking.”
“Honestly, I thought everyone would keep quiet, thinking it would just increase the competition. I never imagined it would spread so much that it would hit the real-time search rankings.”
Hearing Director Woo Junghan, the head of the planning team, who had cheerfully sent out the audition notices, was startled and quickly spoke up.
“On our end, we welcome it. It’s already creating a buzz without us having to do any extra promotion.”
“Still, make sure the promotion is handled properly.”
At Director Woo Junghan's words, the head of the planning team nodded. The staff members who had come to help with the application screening and the Danhong employees also burst into laughter. With its success practically guaranteed, the atmosphere on the Danjong team was cheerful.
Before the applications they needed to review for the day were ready, the planning team head updated Director Woo Junghan on their progress so far.
“Location scouting is also going well. We’ve easily gotten permission for places that would normally be a bit difficult. Local governments are also cooperating well, thinking of attracting tourists after the release. We expected this because of the White Tiger Experience Center, but we didn’t know it would be to this extent.”
“The White Tiger… Ah, you mean from *One Step*?”
At the assistant director's words, the planning team head nodded.
“Yes. They say a lot of people still visit, including many foreigners. The area around the experience center has also been revitalized. So everyone is welcoming the filming.”
“That will make filming easier.”
Director Woo Junghan smiled.
“What are your plans for the filming schedule?”
“As soon as the casting is complete from the auditions, we plan to shoot the indoor scenes. Then, when the weather warms up, we'll shoot the outdoor scenes.”
The planning team head nodded.
“They say this winter is warmer than last year, but winter is still winter.”
“Action scenes and horseback riding scenes are dangerous when your body is stiff.”
While Director Woo Junghan and the planning team head were talking, Danhong employees started entering the conference room one by one, carrying stacks of paper. The heavy piles were placed in front of each person sitting in the room.
“Were there always this many actors in our country?”
The assistant director asked, staring wearily at the pile of documents before him. The staff members nodded in agreement. Director Woo Junghan, who was flipping through the papers, laughed.
“The qualifications were a bit lenient. From active actors to those who’ve been on a hiatus. There are probably some who are trying again after working other jobs for a few years.”
“How are we going to sort through all of this?”
“We start now.”
The employees checked the career histories and filtered out the applications that didn't meet the qualifications. Then, Director Woo Junghan quickly sorted the documents, checking only the photos. That alone took a considerable amount of time.
Over the course of two days, the paper screening for all the roles was completed.
The film production company, Danhong, sent notifications of passing the first round to the phone numbers listed on the applications, and emailed the designated audition script—a slightly modified excerpt from "Danjong."
* * *
The day of the "Danjong" audition.
Today was the day to cast the role of the eunuch who would serve Danjong.
The auditions were to be held on the first and second floors of the Danhong production company building. In a corner of the conference room, the assistant director, sitting at the judges' table, slowly reviewed the documents.
“It’s surprising how many experienced actors there are. Oh, Kim Woojin. Actor Kim Woojin applied too?”
“Kim Woojin isn’t at a level where he needs to audition. Our movie must be a big deal.”
At the director of photography's comment, the art director sitting next to him nodded.
“I heard that actor Kim Woojin is very interested in breaking into the US market.”
At the words of the casting director, who was well-versed in actor news, the assistant director blinked.
“The US market?”
“He’s been auditioning for American dramas, I hear.”
Director Woo Junghan and the assistant director nodded.
“There are probably many actors with that in mind. It's a chance to make a name for themselves overseas while appearing in a Korean production.”
“So that’s why they’re applying, even though it’s an audition.”
“I’ve received a lot of calls myself. Who are the judges, what are the important aspects of the role, does Director Woo have a preferred style.”
The casting director, smiling slyly, held up his phone. Judging by the black screen, it seemed to be completely turned off.
“So I just turned it off.”
He was likely not the only one. They were all getting numerous calls from reporters and acquaintances.
“My son told me to get Lee Seojun’s autograph.”
“My daughter too.”
The director of photography's son was a fan of Shadowman, and Director Woo Junghan's daughter was a fan of Gray Vainie. Did you get the autograph today? Are you getting it tomorrow? The sparkling eyes of their family members only added to the mounting pressure.
“So, Director Woo. When is actor Lee Seojun coming? I think there’s going to be an uproar if I keep going home without his autograph.”
“Well…”
*Ring—*
Director Woo Junghan's phone rang. Just as he was about to speak, he checked his phone and stood up.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
While Director Woo Junghan was out of the room, the art director looked down at the documents. He had no idea why he was here when he should have been looking at costumes and set designs.
They had to choose the right actor from this sea of applicants. Acting skills were a given, and…
“A round, kind, and simple-looking image.”
“We also have to consider how they’ll look in a two-shot with actor Lee Seojun.”
The casting director added a comment to the art director’s mumble. Since this was his line of work, he didn't seem particularly worried.
“But since actor Lee Seojun isn’t here, it’ll be a bit difficult to check the two-shot.”
“Um… should I make a life-sized panel of him?”
At the art director’s suggestion, the eyes of the director of photography, the assistant director, and the casting director widened.
“Can you make one?”
“We have a printer here, so I can print out photos of actor Lee Seojun in pieces and paste them together.”
Then they could just check by placing the panel next to the actors. The three were about to nod when Director Woo Junghan, re-entering the room, stopped them.
“There’s no need for that.”
Director Woo Junghan said.
“The man himself is here.”
Behind Director Woo Junghan, Seojun’s brightly smiling face came into the four people's view.
“Hello!”
“Ah, hello, Seojun.”
After a moment of surprise at his unexpected appearance, the four greeted Seojun warmly.
“I came because it's the weekend. On weekdays, I’d still be in class.”
“It’s December, isn’t it winter break yet?”
“Winter break is in January, and that’s when we have our graduation ceremony too.”
“Ah, you’re going to middle school, right? Congratulations on getting into Yeoul Arts Middle School.”
“Thank you.”
Seojun, who sat right next to Director Woo Junghan, chattered away. An Daho smiled fondly and placed a warm citron tea in front of Seojun. He also served warm coffee to the others.
Director Woo Junghan said to Seojun.
“You know what kind of image Eunuch Kim should have, right?”
“Yes.”
Seojun, who had read the script for "Danjong" several times, nodded.
“Just help us pick an actor with that image. Or, if you feel like you’d work well with a particular actor, you can choose them.”
“Yes, I understand.”
While they were talking, a Danhong employee informed them that it was almost time to start.
“Looks like it’s time. Let’s begin the audition.”
Ten people were called from the first waiting area on the first floor, where the applicants were gathered. In the second waiting area on the second floor, they were told who was inside the conference room.
The second waiting area was thick with tension. At the staff member's words, the actors holding their scripts froze with blank expressions.
“Director Woo Junghan, the assistant director, the director of photography, the casting director, the art director, and actor Lee Seojun are inside.”
Lee Seojun is here?
At the appearance of a person he had never imagined, the first actor who had to audition held his breath.
* * *
They took a short break after watching twenty actors perform.
The expressions of the directors, except for the art director, were grim. Director Woo Junghan, massaging his furrowed brow, spoke up.
“I was planning to see how they looked standing next to Seojun if I liked their performance… but we haven’t even seen an actor of that caliber yet.”
The casting director, who was expertly evaluating the actors' performances, also nodded. The application forms in front of him were covered in red X’s.
“I know. There were some actors I thought were decent in other works… but they were below expectations. I just keep thinking I wish they were more impressive.”
“Actor Kim Woojin was good, but there was still something lacking, you know?”
Seojun just blinked as he listened to the directors talk.
‘What should I do?’
He had been so engrossed in watching the twenty actors present their diverse interpretations and performances of the same lines that he had only been watching. Far from evaluating, the application forms in front of him were filled with his analyses of each actor's performance. He had jotted down every detail, from the tips of their fingers and toes to their changing facial expressions.
‘I feel like I could work well with any of them…’
This actor's gestures seemed gentle, which would be nice, and that actor's expression seemed kind, which would also be good. *Groan*. While Seojun was trying to pick the actor he most wanted to act with, the directors' discussion continued.
The art director didn't join the conversation, simply scratching his cheek. He knew less about acting than the other four, but having worked with Director Woo Junghan for a while, he had a decent grasp of the director's standards for acting. Even with a three-year hiatus, those standards shouldn't have changed.
“I thought actor Kim Woojin was pretty good. I think your standards have gotten a bit stricter, Director Woo.”
“My standards?”
Director Woo Junghan’s eyes darted around.
My standards? Stricter?
The directors, mulling over the art director's words, suddenly realized something, their eyes widening.
Everyone's gaze simultaneously shifted to Seojun. Feeling the eyes on him, Seojun, who had been looking at the documents to choose the one actor he wanted to work with the most, looked up.
Director Woo Junghan met the black eyes of the tilting head of Seojun and pressed a hand to his forehead.
Director Woo Junghan knew a time when those sparkling eyes had burned fiercely. The casting director, director of photography, and assistant director, who had been in the same room, all drew a sharp breath.
“That audition…”
“So that was the reason.”
Lee Jiseok’s audition for Grand Prince Suyang.
The powerful performance by Seojun and Lee Jiseok had left everyone who witnessed it speechless. Royal Physician Heo? Grand Prince Seongnyeong? The chemistry from *Naeuiwon* was nowhere to be seen. Only Danjong and Grand Prince Suyang were in that room.
After that audition, there were no more objections to casting Lee Jiseok as Grand Prince Suyang. Whenever they saw the worried comments from netizens, saying it would be like *Naeuiwon 2* and that they wouldn't be able to get immersed in the movie, they couldn't help but smile, picturing the audience's surprise after the premiere.
It seemed that audition had left a truly deep impression. To think they were trying to find an actor who could match the performance of those two. An actor on the same level as Lee Seojun and Lee Jiseok. There was no way such an actor would still be unknown.
Director Woo Junghan, rubbing his face with his hands, spoke up.
“...Should we lower our standards a bit, then?”
“...For now, let’s put the better actors from the first batch on hold. We don’t know if we’ll find someone who perfectly fits what we’re looking for in the later groups.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
The directors nodded.