You Should Know This for the Family's Glory
It's Seol A-yoon, of all people. Not just monopolizing high-end CFs with her sophisticated image in coffee and apartment ads—she's the celebrity's celebrity, the one even her peers in the same age group envy.
"A... movie?"
Seol A-yoon's eyebrow twitches. She's repeating it? Exercising rare patience, she opens her mouth in a tone like she's doing him a favor.
"Yeah, I'm starting a movie soon."
"The title..."
"You know me, right?"
"Yes. I've seen you on TV."
"........."
"So, what's the title?"
"What?"
"You just said we should do the movie together—"
"Ha."
Even in winter, Seol A-yoon fans her face with her hand. With an incredulous expression, she speaks.
"I'm really asking out of curiosity."
"No... I need to know what movie it is."
Seol A-yoon lets out a hollow laugh. Scanning the man's face once more—plain and unflappable despite clearly knowing who she is.
'......Ah.'
Something clicks. That expressionless face. From this man suppressing what looks like forced anger, she instantly catches the emotion he's trying to convey.
'No way.'
It happens sometimes. Actors with egos soaring to the heavens, stubborn types brimming with the belief that nothing—not money, not fame—can interfere with their acting.
'Still mad about that from earlier? At me?'
She recalls it: his first scene, unintentionally NG'd because of the noise she'd made. Seol A-yoon swallows the lame excuse that it was just surprise at his ad-lib.
She's a top star, acknowledged by all. Tedious excuses don't fit her diva image.
"Sorry. It's been a while since I saw acting like that—it startled me a bit."
"Pardon?"
But that's as far as she'll go. She's expressed regret; she doesn't have to answer his retort. It's the privilege of an industry top star.
"......It's Hoshi-jeol, the romance historical I'm shooting right now. I saw your acting today and thought I'd ask."
But.
"......I see."
His deadpan response hits her like a first shock. I see?I seeee? This is me, Seol A-yoon? She's kept talking, and he's responding this lukewarmly?
'Jeez.'
Seol A-yoon tilts her chin up slightly as she speaks. Time to flex her pride a little.
"One supporting role opened up during filming. What do you think?"
"What role exactly?"
"You interested in appearing?"
"Are you the one making it happen, Seol A-yoon-ssi?"
"I can't guarantee 100%, but if I push, you'll at least get a camera test in front of the director."
"Depends on the role...... I think."
Second shock. Depends on the role? So if he doesn't like it, he won't do it?
Suppressing the urge to snap, Seol A-yoon smiles and continues.
"It's a pretty substantial role. Supporting level, but lots of scenes with the leads—"
"Hmm."
She suddenly closes her mouth at his attitude—arms crossed, seriously pondering.
'What?'
Others would kill for this. Male or female, actors who share a scene with superstar Seol A-yoon get clips ripped straight to YouTube, racking up hundreds of thousands, even millions of views.
For actors, where recognition is lifeblood, she's a walking beacon of light and glory.
'......Sharing the screen with me?'
He's a rookie in the middle of his debut shoot. Not at the stage to be picky about roles.
'......Does he think it's just a time issue? That with his skills, he can catch up to me or Han Joo-hyuk in no time?'
Seol A-yoon chuckles inwardly. She has top-star acting chops, sure—but she didn't climb here on skill alone.
How did I get here? Outshining flashy actors with screen presence, sending the weak ones home, screwing over scheming agencies with contracts—this industry is a viper pit of intrigue and power plays.
Seizing chances like this requires sharp instincts.
'Well, naive like a rookie.'
Honestly, she acknowledges his talent. How many actors his age in Korea could match Han Joo-hyuk in such intense chemistry?
That's why she wants him more. Acting is Believing—pairing with this man in front of her would surely yield even better performances. That's when.
"It's the Jeongjong role."
"I see. I'll read through the script and get back to you."
"Good decision...... Huh?"
"On second thought, our agency CEO just brought back the script for that movie—said they urgently needed a cameo."
For a moment, she doubts her ears. Cameo? He's weighing a cameo against Jeongjong?
"I'll have to think it over. Thanks for the offer. I'll contact you once I decide."
"........."
Speechless from sheer absurdity, she watches him bow his head politely and walk away.
Dr-r-ruck. Click.
Staring at the closing door of the black van, Seol A-yoon mutters in bewilderment.
"......You don't even have my number. How are you gonna contact me?"
At a rib joint in Seoul. Lee Tae-gyu, tearing into LA ribs in earnest, mumbles something with meat in his mouth.
"So... this is..."
"Yes. On shooting days, meals are covered by our corporate card. Any other day, just keep the receipt and—"
"Really... great... benefits..."
"No need to say it—just eat, actor-nim."
"Eat... up..."
"Yes, yes. We're eating well too, so don't worry."
His manager exchanges a knowing glance with the stylist while wielding chopsticks.
How much time passes? When Tae-gyu's puffed cheeks noticeably deflate, the manager speaks.
"By the way, what was that with Seol A-yoon earlier?"
"She offered me a role."
"Wait, what project?"
"The movie Hoshi-jeol—the script you gave me earlier."
"Huh? That cameo?"
"No. She asked if I'd do Jeongjong."
"......What?"
The manager jumps up in shock.
"Not the cameo—she offered the Jeongjong role?"
"Yes."
"Y-you accepted, right?"
"Not yet. Said I'd think it over."
"......What?!"
Now the stylist chimes in with an incredulous look.
"Haven't seen the full script yet, so I don't know if it's a good role."
Manager and stylist exchange glances at Tae-gyu's words.
"........."
"........."
There'd been rumors two weeks ago of an accident on the Hoshi-jeol set. During the script revisions and break, DK's CEO somehow snagged a cameo from the director.
But.
"Hold on. So Seol A-yoon herself offered you the Jeongjong role? That's a supporting part that pairs often with the leads."
"That's what she said."
"And you said you'd think it over."
"Yes."
Thinking it over here? Among Korean actors, you could count on one hand those who'd give that response to a direct offer from Seol A-yoon.
'What's with this guy.'
Stylist and manager eye each other.
Truth be told, they're reporting Tae-gyu's every move to Jang Team Leader at DK for now. Rare short-term contract, so they're gathering info to help with the renewal in six months.
They hadn't wanted to get close anyway. After dealing with trash like Kim Hwan, they'd grown distant from "actors" beyond work necessities.
'......He's kinda weird.'
'......Yeah.'
Watching Tae-gyu casually devour LA ribs after brushing off Seol A-yoon, their curiosity grows.
'......Come to think of it.'
'......He was like that earlier too.'
First impression: faint expressions, maybe another arrogant actor ignoring them.
You know the type—fawning over the "successful," barely polite to the rest.
But.
'Same face with Seol A-yoon.'
This Lee Tae-gyu was different. Unlike Kim Hwan, who picked and chose his attitudes, his expression barely changed between superstar Seol A-yoon and them.
If anything.
Spotting the faint pleasure on his face as he looks up mid-rib, manager and stylist think.
"Is... it not tasty?"
"No."
"I'm eating well."
Maybe he's an actor worth caring for.
"......Good eating."
Lying in bed, stroking his full belly, Lee Tae-gyu murmurs.
"As expected."
Water ribs, pork ribs, beef ribs had tempted him, but choosing LA ribs—sweet but balanced, savory yet chewy without excess—was the right call.
Not a bad day.
Pouring out thick emotions for cathartic release and the thrill of life, ending the day with favorite food instead of scrambling for side gigs.
Life he couldn't have imagined not long ago—undeserved bliss.
A faint smile ghosts his expressionless face.
He rolls over, rummaging through the stacked scripts beside him.
To keep this going, he needs to keep working.
Thus, Tae-gyu reviews the projects DK secured auditions for—shorts/longs, mostly bit parts.
The Alien Cried with Its Whole Body
Trot for the Murderer
The Villain's Dilemma
Sai-bi Church Maknae Son
......Titles dripping with provocative spice. Ironically, Hoshi-jeol's normal one stands out.
"Hm."
Come to think of it, that's what Seol A-yoon offered.
"Taejong Lee Bang-won and Queen Won-gyeong Min's love story......"
Fusion historical romance. Tae-gyu skims the concept, then flips to character descriptions.
Finding the role she suggested.
[ Jeongjong (Yi Bang-gwa) ]
- Unlike the typical frail depictions in many works, infused with historical imagination based on records; resembling father Lee Seong-gye more than Lee Bang-won, emphasizing martial prowess.
- A figure like gazing upon a tiger, deepening the tender bond as Taejong Lee Bang-won confides his burden of facing his brother to Queen Won-gyeong Min...
"Hm?"
Tae-gyu's eyes widen reading on.
Suddenly, skimming a line.
"Like gazing upon a tiger......"
Something flashes in his mind.
......Ti......ger!?