The Actor Behind the Mask
"Isn't there a guy with a good mask and some acting chops anywhere?"
"Kang Yujin. She's dancing while shedding tears."
No sooner do the maknae writer's words end than Seo Do-yoon senses a presence and moves. Everyone watches, holding their breath. Then, spotting Kang Yujin, Seo Do-yoon hesitates. A flurry of emotions flickers across his eyes—known for their cold detachment—before vanishing. Disappointment toward Kang Yujin, who skipped the audition. Questions about why she's dancing through tears anyway. Irony at finding her in a practice room without even a manager. All these feelings flash in his gaze, laid bare.
Seo Do-yoon, who had been quietly observing, finally speaks.
"The audition's already over, isn't it?"
"That's a wrap."
The scene ends, and Seo Do-yoon vanishes. "...Haa." Only then does PD Choi, who suggested the improv, exhale the breath he'd been holding. Han Jimin watches as astonishment fills her eyes. And it really was shocking.
What the hell did I just see? Didn't he say he was a total acting newbie?
Yet a veteran actor who'd rolled around the industry for over a decade had appeared before her—like someone who'd honed their craft on the female-dominated acting scene. Common knowledge in the biz: men lag behind women in acting talent due to the talent pool. Even so, the Seo Do-yoon Han Jimin portrayed...
"We'll need a veteran for the female lead."
Not just a pretty face for popularity's sake, but a top-tier actress or a rising supernova in acting. Only then could she hold her own against the monster that was Seo Do-yoon without fading.
"What do you think, Writer Park?"
"He's in, no question. Hell, if Han Jimin isn't locked as the male lead, I'm out on this drama."
PD Choi's words have Park Sujin nodding vigorously. Even she—a star writer behind countless hits—had never seen acting like that. She swore the real Seo Do-yoon from her script had come alive. Han Jimin's portrayal had her so captivated that she regretted the scene ending. They had to snag this guy.
"Don't worry, Writer. I'll grovel before the station head if I have to—Han Jimin is cast. Now, about the female lead... Who were you thinking originally?"
"...If we cast Choi Ji-hoon or Lee Jun-ho, we'd have used whoever their agency pushes."
KM dominated the male lead market, leaving no choice. But with Han Jimin? No need to bow to KM. That insane agency already tanked quality by shoving their crap actors everywhere.
So.
"Let's audition for the female lead too."
Writer Park Sujin declares. Who knows? They might hook another big fish like Han Jimin.
About four days after the audition, the female lead for The Perfect Man—perfect counterpart to the perfect man—is set.
"Lee Seoyeon?"
Surprisingly, I know her. The actress I met with Kang Do-hyun in that room over the Sweet Dream OST issue. She'd built a reputation as a premium actress through supporting roles in various dramas, which must've earned Writer Park Sujin's pick. Articles rave about her acting having leveled up.
One odd thing, though...
"Wasn't she with KM?"
And Writer Park Sujin seems to hate KM.
"Casting her despite that? Impressive."
Nope. A few more articles reveal she left KM for her own one-person agency. Timing lines up post-NBC incident. Probably got blacklisted up top or just lost all taste for it and bailed.
Sudden actor debut for me sparks tons of chatter. Consensus: great to expand like other male idols, but too soon—like a magpie following a stork and splitting its crotch. To quash that, KBC, PD Choi, and BOZ pump out articles, tamping buzz while hyping drama expectations.
Meanwhile...
"Whew. I'm the one shaking here."
"No need for the director to come to set personally, right?"
"Our BOZ's first lead actor—we gotta pamper him. What, nervous?"
"A bit? If the director backs off, maybe I'll loosen up."
"You're really pushing it. Hold still. I'll... Nggh!!"
And so the first shoot day for The Perfect Man arrives. With a tight broadcast schedule, they dive straight into filming once the sets are ready.
I head out with Executive Director Oh Minseo, but enter the set alone. No choice. Pushed too hard—used vision on top of everything since she grumbled about not being satisfied. She couldn't keep up with my enthusiasm. Stamina's up even if vigor's still C-rank? Feels like I'm turning into a bedroom monster.
...Nah.
More like Oh Minseo's the type who crashes easy. Like a moth to flame—rushes in when the mood hits, but freaks out near orgasm like she's dying.
"Actor! You're here?!"
PD Choi rushes out the moment I enter. Attitude like greeting a veteran who's shot a dozen blockbusters. I exchange greetings with the other staff too. True to the reversed world, everyone's women except the rookie PD who just joined. A flicker of male rivalry stirs at the guy PD... but.
"Hi?"
"Nice to meet you. Han Jimin."
One look at his face, and it fizzles. I greet actress Lee Seoyeon too. Per actor Kim Jiu's advice on agency protocol, juniors bow first to vets—but as a guy? She approaches me first.
"Long time no see."
"Yeah."
Genius Face has most women warming to me instantly. But Lee Seoyeon's gaze holds something subtle. Dissatisfaction?
"You said you liked my fiery side—why no contact?"
"...Ah."
Flashback: snagging her number while smoking outside that room. Meant to call, but BOZ exclusive contract and activities with Ria ate my time.
"Sorry. Been swamped."
"This is why handsome guys are..."
"Earn my looks, don't I? You didn't call first either."
"Figured you were busy. Saw the articles. Good singer, huh?"
"Write killer tracks, act great too."
"Our Han-actor. This your character?"
Her eyes scan me at my cheeky reply. She opens her mouth to respond... but.
"Prep for shooting!"
The director claps from afar, rallying everyone. Conversation cuts off.
Still so damn handsome.
Lee Seoyeon, who left KM over the Kang Do-hyun mess to go solo, takes a break to pick her next project. That's when Writer Park Sujin's The Perfect Man pings her radar. Huge fan of the writer, craving romance drama—she preps auditions like mad. Cast as female lead, she learns via the writer her co-star's BOZ's Han Jimin.
What are the odds?
The room cig-kiss still burns fresh. No contact since, but fate pulls strings like this, apparently. Heart pounding, she approaches him first.
'Write killer tracks, act great too.'
First impression: stiff, rude guy. But sly fox vibes too. Doesn't buy it fully—articles scream male bravado PR. Then...
"The audition's already over, isn't it?"
Voice subtly laced with anger. Seo Do-yoon's disappointment and doubt toward the audition-skipping trainee who dreams of idol stardom—right there before her.
......Oh.
Now it clicks why the director and writer pushed their takes in articles. They knew. Han Jimin the singer wasn't just decent at acting—he was something else.
"Ah, don't stare like that. I'm audition staff."
She freezes, gawking—he tosses ad-libs naturally.
This guy's a rookie?
Lee Seoyeon steels herself, diving into the scene. Her tensed-up state fits perfectly—setting has her intimidated by audition staff post-faux pas.
"Actress Lee Seoyeon's solid."
"Started as child actor at 9—over 15 years in the game. Not top-tier, but seasoned. Anyway..."
PD Choi's eyes shift to Han Jimin. Ruthless pro in company matters, yet faking concern for Kang Yujin while ignoring her? Masterful.
"Off-script too."
Didn't he say first time acting? Camera work flawless, lines perfect. Shows the grind he put in. Handsome and great attitude. Prize catch.
"This drama's gonna kill it."
"Has to."
Director Jo grins at PD Choi's quip.
"No, big success."
Real gut feeling. Leads nail takes NG-free—shooting flies. Visuals pop. Nails the subtle Seo Do-yoon/Kang Yujin dynamic from the start. Especially "Ice Prince" Seo Do-yoon: cool and firm outside, warm and playful inside. Hobby? Lego and board games. Episode 1 flashes him pondering a two-player game mid-briefing—comedic charm intact. Han Jimin handles the dual layers effortlessly.
"Dinner on me tonight!!!"
First shoot wraps; Writer Park Sujin whips out her card.
Smooth shoot calls for celebration? Restaurant buzzes with cheers and laughter nonstop. Writer Park Sujin's especially hyped—loved the footage. As lead actor, I down plenty poured my way. Reversed world quirk? Women gingerly offer guys drinks, but I can't refuse theirs—bottoms up every time.
Booze hits, cig craving strikes. I slip out to a dim alley beside the restaurant. Fumble for smokes, realize...
"Ah... no lighter again."
Can't IP Shop snag some fire magic? Just fingertip flames would do.
Scratching my head, turning back—someone staggers my way. She settles, pulls a cig, flicks it lit.
"Hoo..."
Lee Seoyeon savors a drag, spots me.
"You here for a smoke too?"
"Yeah. But..."
I nod at my unlit cig. She doubles over, cackling.
Finally, through laughs: "Lend me a light this time too?"
Her words barely out—I press the cig to her lips. Déjà vu cig-kiss. Lighting up, I meet her eyes. Subtle anticipation gleams in those tired depths.
"Hooo—."
Deep drag, exhale. Flicks the ember away...
Then pins Lee Seoyeon to the wall, claiming her lips.