Chapter 319
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 319
Chapter Title: Consultation and Casting
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In a cozy consultation room, the doctor, Seojun, and Seo Eunhye were seated. Today, Seojun had come with his mother to hear the results of his psychological evaluation.
“His passion for acting is stronger than his peers', but that passion is having a positive influence on his growth, and he himself is processing it in a healthy way, so it's fine.”
Seo Eunhye, who had been a little nervous, asked.
“If his desire for acting is that strong, won't it become a problem?”
“It depends on the child's disposition. For example, if we assume the parents' expectations are exactly the same,”
Seo Eunhye and Seojun listened intently to the doctor.
“One child might strive to meet those expectations. The parents' anticipation serves as motivation for the child to act. But another child might perceive the same level of expectation as pressure. For that child, a bit of parental indifference might be more effective.”
The doctor said with a smile.
“For Seojun, acting is a positive force. He genuinely enjoys it and wants to do more of it. Thanks to that, he engages in various activities and experiences more of the world.”
Oh.
Seojun and Seo Eunhye were amazed by the doctor's almost clairvoyant words.
“He's also very ambitious.”
“Haha.”
At the doctor's words, Seojun laughed as if he'd been hit right on the mark.
“His stress levels are low, and he has almost no worries about his future career. There are no other issues, so I don't have much else to say. Seojun and his parents can just keep doing what they've been doing. Continue to do what you love.”
Seo Eunhye and Seojun beamed at the doctor's words. Seeing the two of them, who looked so much alike, the doctor couldn't help but smile as well.
“Ah, Doctor.”
“Yes?”
“If you have a moment, could I ask you something?”
At Seojun's question, the doctor blinked, checked his watch, and nodded. Seojun's consultation had ended early, so there was still time before the next student's appointment.
It was still Seojun's consultation time.
“I have about ten minutes free.”
“Thank you!”
Knowing what Seojun, who was rummaging through his bag, was about to do, Seo Eunhye bowed to the doctor and left the room. As she took out her phone, it seemed she intended to inform Lee Minjun, who must have been waiting for the results.
Seojun pulled a notebook from his bag. It was filled with questions he'd jotted down while analyzing scripts.
‘Studying from just books and documentaries has its limits.’
Because of what Evan Block and Richel Hill had said, Seojun was putting more effort into character development than ever before. He might even be creating a backstory that the director who conceived the work hadn't even thought of.
‘But these small details are what's important.’
At a daunting fork in the road, do you take the safe but long path, or the slightly rough but shorter one?
Deciding on just that one thing required an understanding of the character's entire life.
If the character had experienced a major accident in the past, they would choose the safe path. If they needed to reach their destination as quickly as possible, they would take the shorter one.
Although only a brief moment of the movie is shown to the audience, the character's history, the cause of all their actions, was deep and vast. To create a more vivid character, Seojun was still putting in the effort today.
Seojun read the question written at the very top of his notebook.
“I have some questions about claustrophobia.”
“Claustrophobia?”
The doctor, who had tilted his head in curiosity, soon felt overwhelmed by the flood of questions that followed.
And just like that, ten minutes passed.
“Thank you!”
With a beaming face, Seojun bowed to the doctor and left.
“...Incredible.”
The doctor, whose throat was dry from answering Seojun's questions, took a sip of water from his mug and marveled. Somehow, in that short span of ten minutes, he felt he had keenly experienced Seojun's passion for acting.
Seo Eunhye, who was waiting outside the consultation room, smiled warmly at Seojun.
“Seojun. Did you get to ask everything you were curious about?”
“No. There wasn't enough time. And I couldn't show him my acting. I wanted him to see the progression of a panic state over time and give me advice, but the time was just too short.”
The symptoms of a panic state vary greatly from person to person, so he needed a solid baseline that even a psychiatrist would find credible. What might look plausible to a layperson could seem like a complete mess to an expert.
“Documentaries don't show the raw changes in patients over time. Doctors who've seen many patients would know the sequence of those changes well, so I really wanted to ask.”
That's why Seojun had been waiting for this day.
“Should I ask Eunchan to find another psychiatrist for you?”
“It's okay!”
Seojun said with a bright expression, despite not having been able to ask the doctor everything.
“The doctor gave me his phone number. He said to ask if I have more questions.”
Moved by the passion of Seojun, who clearly still had many questions, the doctor had unwittingly given him his number and told him to call if he had more.
“...I wonder if I've just dug my own grave.”
Still, if I answer his questions well, maybe I can get an autograph?
Letting out a slightly self-serving thought, the doctor cleared his throat with a *k-hem* and prepared for his next consultation.
* * *
Seojun and An Daho boarded a flight to LA.
It was Friday; he had left school early to fly to the United States, where he would spend the weekend before returning to Korea on Sunday evening.
“The plan is for you to rest all of Monday and go to school from Tuesday... Are you sure you won't be exhausted?”
An Daho, sitting next to Seojun, asked. If it hadn't been for Seojun's opinion, they could have had a more relaxed schedule.
“I'm fine. My health check-up said I'm extremely healthy.”
Having unbuckled his seatbelt, Seojun smiled warmly at his manager's worried expression and said.
“True. I am curious about the secret to your health.”
“Hahaha.”
Seojun burst out laughing at An Daho's joke. An Daho smiled along with Seojun and began to speak.
“Bearound is holding the first round of auditions in two weeks. The first round is a video audition, and the second will be held in the US. The announcement will be uploaded to the audition notice site today. I've already informed actor Kim Jongho's agency.”
An Daho lowered his voice when he mentioned 'Kim Jongho'. There were no reporters around, but you never knew how word could get out.
“Thank you, Daho hyung.”
“I really hope he gets it. It feels strange to think of seeing a Korean actor in Hollywood.”
“Me too. I'm the one who's nervous.”
* * *
After getting enough rest at the hotel, Seojun, An Daho, and the staff from King's Agency who had joined them, headed to Bearound.
“The atmosphere is different from Marine Company, isn't it, Daho hyung?”
“It is. This place seems a bit calmer.”
The atmosphere was a little different from Marine Company's office, which they had visited a few times, so Seojun and An Daho looked around.
If Marine Company was decorated with vibrant colors, giving it a strong, individualistic feel, Bearound was decorated in calm colors, creating a neat and composed atmosphere.
“Welcome!”
After announcing their arrival at the lobby and waiting for a moment, the head of Bearound's planning team, who was in charge of planning and producing [The Survivors], warmly greeted Seojun Lee and his manager.
After exchanging greetings with the planning team head, they were guided to a conference room.
When the planning team head opened the door to the conference room, they saw a rather small-statured man, who had been sitting, jump to his feet.
“This is Jeffrey Rodox, the director of The Survivors.”
“I'm Seojun Lee. It's a pleasure.”
“Jeffrey Rodox.”
Seojun and Director Jeffrey shook hands.
Director Jeffrey's hand was a bit cold, suggesting he was quite nervous.
“Well then, you two can talk comfortably in here. Manager, if you'll come this way...”
The planning team head and An Daho went to another conference room to work on the contract, leaving only Seojun, Director Jeffrey, and a staff member from King's Agency, who was there in a supervisory capacity, in the room.
The King's Agency staff member sat a little distance away so as not to disturb the conversation between the actor and the director.
Silence filled the conference room.
Seojun glanced at the snacks and the script on the conference table before looking at Director Jeffrey.
Director Jeffrey, who had a stiff, nervous expression and was darting his eyes around, flinched when he met Seojun's gaze.
Seojun softened his demeanor and smiled warmly.
“I really enjoyed the script, Director Jeffrey.”
Feeling somewhat relieved, Director Jeffrey let out a breath and spoke.
“...Thank you. I've also really enjoyed your work, Lee.”
“Please, call me Jun, Director.”
“Alright, Jun.”
As the atmosphere relaxed, Director Jeffrey eased up and asked.
“Acting with Davis Garrett will be difficult. Are you okay with that?”
“I heard about it from Evan and Richel, so I know. I'm a little worried, but on the other hand, I think it will be fun.”
Director Jeffrey quietly observed Seojun Lee.
Is the mindset of a superstar really different?
Seojun Lee looked genuinely excited.
Cheeks full of life, sparkling eyes, and a radiant aura.
Watching Seojun, who seemed to have not a single worry, Director Jeffrey suddenly became curious.
“Jun.”
“Yes, Director.”
“Since we have time, shall we do a script reading?”
He had already seen Seojun Lee's works, but he wanted to see this brilliant actor's performance with his own eyes.
‘Of course, it hasn't been long since I sent the script, so he wouldn't have had enough time for character analysis. I'll have to take that into account.’
He also thought that Seojun might refuse.
However, contrary to Director Jeffrey's concerns,
“Yes! I'd love to!”
The magic words 'script reading' made Seojun break into a wide grin.
Struck directly by the superstar's aura, Director Jeffrey felt as if he had just seen a halo.
With a bright expression, Seojun opened the script on the table and said.
“Please watch and let me know if there's anything to correct, Director.”
“Yes, I will.”
And Director Jeffrey truly did nothing more than blink.
In that brief moment, the color drained from Seojun Lee's face, which had been so full of life it seemed to have a halo, turning deathly pale as if he hadn't eaten a spoonful of soup.
Watching Seojun Lee's performance unfold right before his eyes, Director Jeffrey Rodox's heart began to pound.
* * *
A short while later.
An Daho and the planning team head, having finished with the contract in the adjacent conference room, returned.
Seojun smiled as he saw An Daho enter the room.
“Daho hyung. Is it done?”
“Yeah. King's Agency just needs to review it one more time, and then we can sign.”
Unlike the planning team head, who tilted his head in confusion at the sight of Director Jeffrey staring blankly at Seojun Lee as if he'd seen a ghost, An Daho, noticing the script in Seojun's hand, quickly understood the situation and couldn't help but smile.
* * *
On the way to the hotel.
An Daho said to Seojun.
“I had a clause added to the contract stating there will be no unreasonable filming demands.”
“Evan and Richel said Davis doesn't go that far.”
“Still, we need to have a safeguard in writing. It's more effective that way in the US.”
‘Well, if it makes Daho hyung feel better, that's fine.’
An Daho said to the nodding Seojun.
“Also, the news of your casting will be released in an article around next week.”
“That's fast.”
After a moment of thought, Seojun looked up from the script.
“So my article will come out first, and then Jongho samchon will audition?”
“Yeah, that's right.”
If an article came out about him and Davis Garrett being in the movie, even if it was just an audition for a minor role, it would surely attract some attention.
I hope.
“It doesn't have a big impact on Jongho samchon.”
* * *
And two days later.
While Seojun was in math class at school, an article was released, just as Bearound had planned.
[Actor Lee Seojun, Back to Hollywood!]
[This Time, It's Bearound, Not Marine Company!]
[Starring Alongside Lee Seojun: 'Red Bone's' Davis Garrett!]
[Jin Natra and Davis Garrett?! An Unimaginable Combination!]
-Whoa! His next project is in Hollywood!!
=Hollywood coming out of nowhere!
=Looks like the US will be his main stage for the second half of the year lol
-Bearound? It's surprising that it's not Marine Company.
-Ooh! Lee Seojun and Davis Garrett are going to be in the same movie?
=The star of Red Bone and Jin Natra. That's a combo we didn't even see in Assemble lol
=lol Marine Company... aren't they crying right now?
-Isn't this the first time Davis Garrett and Seojun are acting together?
=This. They seemed to be acquainted through various parties.
=Seems like they're close because he knows Evan Block and Richel Hill.
=I hope they get along well during filming too!
-But what's it about?
=I think it's a disaster movie.