The Casting is Announced
The casting director, who had been sorting through the resumes, asked,
“What is it?”
“It’s about the actors’ names. It’s a work by Director Hong, and there’s no actor who can give it weight.”
Although the casting wasn’t entirely complete, since the lead was Cho Yong-jin, it was already decided. The work wasn’t a multi-lead character piece, so there was no way an actor with more name value than Cho Yong-jin would be cast.
From the perspective of the cinematographer who greatly respected Director Hong Il-beom, this was a disappointing casting.
Hong Il-beom casually replied,
“Why do you worry about such things? When you think about the work, the actors’ names don’t matter. We always have to prioritize good works.”
“I know. But Cho Yong-jin is his first lead role, right? I’m worried about him being thrown into the deep end unnecessarily.”
“That’s exactly the unnecessary worry.”
The cinematographer momentarily doubted his eyes. The corner of Hong Il-beom’s mouth curved up softly.
“Cho Yong-jin will have no choice but to work hard. And if the lead actor takes it seriously, the other actors will naturally follow.”
“Oh… It seems you think Cho Yong-jin is great.”
At this question, Hong Il-beom didn’t answer. He liked Cho Yong-jin, but more precisely, he liked the answer he gave.
“Learned from Lee Su-a?”
It wasn’t that he learned it directly; he said he got advice through SNS messages.
Objectively, this situation wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t instruction from an expert, and upon closer look, it was claiming to have learned acting from a young amateur.
However, Hong Il-beom saw it as a plus point because it wasn’t detached from the basics and because it was Lee Su-a.
Cho Yong-jin didn’t know yet, but in Joseon Secret Royal Inspector, Lee Su-a appears. If Cho Yong-jin immerses himself in acting following Lee Su-a, the other actors will be swept along.
“Then, let’s conclude the casting here.”
The casting director finished organizing the list. Cho Yong-jin’s name was at the top.
***
Exclusive: Hong Il-beom Director’s Next Work Casting Confirmed! Bold Lineup Featuring Cho Yong-jin Revealed
Director Hong Il-beom, a master of historical dramas, has returned.
News of Director Hong Il-beom’s next work, who led the Korean film industry with works like The Goblin Hanging from the Eaves and Goryeo Musin, was announced. Director Hong Il-beom said, “I think a fun work will come out after meeting good actors.”
Director Hong Il-beom’s next work, Joseon Secret Royal Inspector: The Child Who Serves the Sacred Village Tree, tells the story of the secret inspector Yang Ho-gun receiving the king’s order to investigate the secrets of a village.
……
The lead role of Yang Ho-gun will be played by Cho Yong-jin, who showcased his acting skills in the recent drama The Master’s Medical Log, and Bae Su-chan, a rising actor with a solid career building, will play the warrior Kang Geon-bok who protects Yang Ho-gun at the king’s command. The main character Cheon-young, who is not the lead but holds a lead-level role, will be played by Lee Su-a, who has appeared in the drama The Master’s Medical Log and the one-act play Dad’s Screening.
……
Director Hong Il-beom, who tries various genres within the framework of historical dramas, is drawing attention to what story he will show this time.
Netizens had expected the final casting, but the reaction wasn’t particularly positive. In particular, comments exploded over whether Cho Yong-jin was lead material or not.
Honestly, I had also thought Cho Yong-jin had a low chance of being cast. In my view, Do Je-hyun’s acting was clearly a step above, so I thought he would be cast as Kang Geon-bok if Yang Ho-gun didn’t match his image.
“Well, there’s no one who can cause trouble, so it doesn’t matter anyway.”
At least I’m satisfied because the actor who was replaced before regression dropped out.
And Cho Yong-jin is being roasted from all sides…
Since Cho Yong-jin’s image is weaker than Hong Il-beom’s, it’s fine. It’s good if the topic is maintained appropriately.
Although Cho Yong-jin and Director Hong Il-beom were buried, there were still comments mentioning me.
“She’s shooting one drama and immediately going to the movie version.”
“Is it a lead-level role even if not lead? Isn’t it too much for a kid?”
“In Hong director’s movies, the kids usually end up with bad endings… uuuuuuu
“Following Min-seo and Da-hee, Cheon-young too…?”
“Hmm… Indeed, in the Hong Il-beom universe, kids don’t get good treatment. Cheon-young might even become the representative one.”
“Since no information has been revealed yet, it’s natural for worrying comments to come out.”
“But there are comments wishing for hope, right?”
Just as I was about to look for such comments, a thick hand approached my face.
It wasn’t my mom’s hand. Was it a tiger’s hand?
Gwon Du-il gently took the phone from my hand with a voice that didn’t suit his rough appearance.
I had obediently handed it over after looking enough, but I couldn’t stop the grumbling.
“There was nothing to say. Why tell me not to look?”
“If you start worrying about every single internet reaction, your head will hurt. Su-a’s good head could get worse. Then you won’t be able to do the acting you like? It’ll be hard for Cheon-young too?”
I almost answered that it was for gauging public opinion, but I stopped myself. I couldn’t have a conversation with that angry tone.
When I shook my head in defeat, Gwon Du-il smiled.
“Feedback will be given by me or other adults. Don’t worry. Su-a, focus only on practice. There’s a lot you have to learn, right?”
Unlike modern dramas, historical dramas require attention to tone, breathing, intonation, walking style, posture, and so on. Even if Joseon Secret Royal Inspector is a comedy-mystery genre, acting must fit the historical drama.
The recognition I received was only for modern drama acting, so it was natural for adults like Gwon Du-il to worry.
“I already know everything, but I can’t say that.”
Although I had fallen, I was the one who had shot Director Hong’s films before regression. Back then, I learned while being scolded a lot because I was bigger than now.
I had gone to the US for business and learned horseback riding. It wasn’t necessary for this movie.
Although I knew it was all out of loving worry, I wanted to dodge it. I changed the subject.
“But the movie’s public opinion is bad from the start. Is that okay?”
At that, Ha Ji-hyun, the new PR team staff member who had been staring at me, answered.
“This is fine. Even if negative, since nothing has come out yet, it’s just repeating complaints about casting. There’s no talk about Lee Su-a.”
“Eh? If there’s no talk about me, isn’t that even worse?”
“No! It’s better that there’s nothing now!”
Ha Ji-hyun’s eyes sparkled. She seemed gentle, but something was uncontrollable.
“Since nothing has come out, we can’t become food for those who flap their mouths! We’ll expand the buzz with something else.”
“Ah, like a cover song video shot this time?”
“Yes!”
She looked at me with eyes that wanted to devour me. My mom probably didn’t have eyes like that…
Whatever. It wasn’t bad, but it was a bit burdensome. We hadn’t known each other long.
Ha Ji-hyun, unaware of my discomfort, excitedly explained the promotion plan.
“The first release will be on Hangil Entertainment’s official Wetube, and Oh Na-yoon’s side will gather UNANSWER members to shoot a reaction video. That will be on KBC Wetube, and if it goes well, it might be linked to the algorithm for more videos too.”
“I see. But will the algorithm link so easily? I heard no one knows how the algorithm works.”
At my question, Ha Ji-hyun gave a very proud expression.
……What are you so proud of?