Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Audition
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Everyone's Film's audition process was straightforward.
They simply called candidates to their studio and had them perform a short acting test.
No freeform acting, just designated lines from a memorized script.
As mentioned, they weren't demanding top-tier acting chops.
Just a face captivating enough to hold the screen, backed by acting solid enough not to feel awkward.
That was plenty.
The role was tricky to cast because it was so hard to find both.
In truth, that's why they'd posted the open audition call for the male lead—to widen the pool as much as possible.
They'd even considered the applicants' convenience, letting each pick a time slot and scheduling studio visits accordingly.
Song Eunha was running the auditions with her friend An Jooseong, who managed the channel and handled camera work.
So far, nine applicants.
Mid-tier idol trainees, influencers, regular folks.
A few were decent, but... just a subtle letdown. A tiny bit short.
An Jooseong spoke up.
"Kim Hajin—that one's the best so far, right?"
Song Eunha nodded tepidly.
"A little disappointing, though..."
"Being picky's fine, but don't let standards creep too high, yeah?"
It was a nudge to settle.
"I know. Worst case, we can just scout Jinseong."
Song Eunha answered matter-of-factly, though Lee Minwoo popped into her head.
He was due today.
Student, so naturally a weekend slot.
God, please—at least half as good as the photo... no, greedier, two-thirds.
Hard to believe when it was his own pic, but Inbyul was like that. Trusting got you burned more often.
"He might get offended if we audition everyone then scout late."
"Can't be helped."
Then the door opened, and a junior poked her head in.
"Senior... he's here."
"Yeah? Tell him to come on in, nice and easy. ...Why the face, though?"
An Jooseong asked, puzzled. The junior turned straight to Song Eunha.
A firm nod, brimming with joy—like a wish granted.
"...What?"
Only An Jooseong muttered in confusion.
The junior stepped out, called someone, and a silhouette paused at the threshold, bowed to her, then entered.
"Hello, I'm rookie actor Lee Minwoo. Nice to meet you."
He entered with polite poise, like a true newbie actor.
His outfit: school uniform. Fitting for the student role.
"... ."
An Jooseong's jaw slowly dropped. A face that stole your gaze.
Song Eunha was the same.
"...Whoa, damn."
"Hey."
An Jooseong snapped to, swatting her arm.
She clapped a hand over her mouth.
It was real...
Two-thirds of the photo would’ve been a win.
Identical... no, better in person.
...This make sense? That face, just a regular student till now?
What were the agencies doing?
Meanwhile, An Jooseong stood from his chair.
"Ah, come in. You're Lee Minwoo, right?"
"Yes, aspiring actor."
"...No acting experience?"
"No professional shoots or stage work. But if you give me the chance, I'll work my ass off not to be a burden."
Clear, spirited reply.
An Jooseong felt something off.
Like facing a fresh recruit. Or that desperate edge from someone who won't miss a shot.
...But did he need to try that hard?
His demeanor mismatched his looks—a bit too earnest.
A subtle vibe.
Not bad, though.
And it hit him: Ji Eunseol, the female lead for this project.
Trainee, but instant star potential.
Lee Minwoo was the same. Sorry, Eunseol, but stronger conviction.
...No agency?
As An Jooseong and Song Eunha converged on the same thought, Lee Minwoo sat opposite.
Song Eunha shook herself alert.
"Ah, no worries. It's all standard stuff—we knew from your app. Don't sweat it."
Her energy was sky-high, unrecognizable.
"Just relax! We're not super strict. Need anything, speak up."
"Nothing specified, so the script...?"
"Right! Forgot the important part."
She handed over a two-page simplified script.
Lines and stage directions for the male lead, Kim Yul.
Lee Minwoo dove right in, focused.
An Jooseong watched, then spoke.
"Say when you're set. I'll film on camera—cool?"
"Yes."
An Jooseong adjusted the camera, centered on Lee Minwoo.
Wonder if he'll nail it... Would be perfect.
Excitement bred worry, naturally.
Just 17. Zero experience.
Role: a tough one, hard to cast even via auditions.
Face alone might flop on screen, awkward city.
After about 20 minutes, Lee Minwoo looked up.
Face calm.
"Ready?"
"Yeah, writer'll read opposite, simple read-through."
Lee Minwoo nodded faintly. In that moment...
His aura shifted.
An Jooseong wasn't a big-shot director, but he'd studied, met actors—knew one thing.
Eyes were key for actors.
Windows to anything. Tough to fill right.
His held an indescribable warmth.
Song Eunha glanced at the script. Sequence: Kim Yul first...
Then her arm was grabbed.
Eh...?
Song Eunha panicked.
Lee Minwoo had her arm.
This was just a read-through...
Not the first time, sure.
Not this audition, but past ones—applicants added unscripted flair to prove passion.
Usually overkill.
And she froze, almost broke immersion.
Looked up...
Couldn't say "redo."
There stood Kim Yul.
Gentle smile... yet suffocatingly seductive. Her imagined homme fatale.
"Were you looking for me?"
Low voice, playful or sincere? That ambiguity matched her Kim Yul perfectly.
She blanked, then dropped eyes to script, monotone.
Of course—not acting for real.
"Why would I look for you? Friend lost something, just here for that. And let go?"
Song Eunha tugged lightly. His grip followed without resistance.
No force. Loose hold.
Then shifted supportive, soothing.
"Something happen today?"
"No."
"So prickly only with me?"
Hurt flickered on Kim Yul's face, fading slow.
Shallow sigh.
"Wanna know why."
As writer, she knew the heroine's feelings.
His tenderness drying up stirred unexplained guilt.
"...Not prickly."
"... ."
Kim Yul's lips curved faintly again.
"Got it."
Nuance: if you say no, I'll accept.
Then playful banter resumed, casual.
"Got excited thinking you came for me. My bad."
Flirts shamelessly. Probably says it to all—yet sticks.
Glides past quick.
"Find the thing? Help?"
"...Nah. Not here. I'm out."
Heroine turns here.
No grab. No halt. No name call.
"Come by when bored."
"... ."
They ran more scenes, read-through done.
Song Eunha was speechless awhile.
Dazed.
Seeing him in person, now this.
Does this compute?
Acting? Kid could ace it. Genius maybe.
Looks? Born with 'em.
But aura...
Kim Yul: 18-year-old high schooler on paper. Vibe? Not teenage easy.
'Not easy—impossible without faking age.'
That's why male lead, fantasy fuel.
Why so hard to cast.
Draws heroine sans reason. Mind says beware, eyes betray.
Maddeningly magnetic, mysterious.
Viewers same: hate him, can't quit.
Lee Minwoo nailed it short, precise. Like he was the guy.