Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Healing Drama Offer
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Me?
It was truly sudden.
I turned to look at Kim Sangcheol, wondering what on earth this meant.
There he was, sitting at the head of the table with a very pleased smile on his face.
No, maybe it was because it had been a while since Id seen that toad-like face in bright light.
Somehow, it looked even more scheming than usual.
Yeah, Siu. These two apparently watched the RUN you were in this time. They saw the performance and contacted me saying they were really impressed with you.
Wow, you watched my performance?
That was news to me.
I straightened up in my seat as if I were sitting in front of fans.
Oh dear, you should have said so earlier.
Yes, yes, we did. Both of us are huge fans.
I went multiple times, and so did PD-nim.
To look a bit more mature in front of fans, I lifted my teacup firmly with both hands.
Whew, I should have at least checked a mirror before coming.
Theyd probably want photos again, for sure.
I took a sip to wet my throat and flashed a bright smile.
Heehee, thank you for coming to see the performance.
I bowed at the waist from my seat, and gasps escaped from both of them.
Hmm, definitely my fans.
I gazed at them with an even kinder expression than before.
You came because you saw my acting and wanted to cast me?
Oh, yes. Heres the proposal Ive written up. Could you take a look first? Ah, maybe the fonts too small.
Considering my age of six, Han Yuju hesitated for a moment.
To ease her worry, I reached out my hand to her.
Its fine. I can read it well.
Huh? Oh, really?
Pretending to be surprised, Han Yuju handed me the proposal.
Hehe, dont worry. Siu reads full scripts on his own.
Isnt Siu only six years old now?
Even during our troupes last performance, he read and memorized it in no time. He must be a natural!
At Mothers words, Cha Il-nam and Han Yuju gaped in astonishment.
Beside them, Kim Sangcheol laughed heartily as if he were the proud one.
Wow, you really learned Hangul fast. You seem like the smartest child actor Ive ever met.
Cha Il-nam shook his head in amazement.
Hearing such praise made Mother beam as she sipped her coffee nonstop.
Ignoring the adults chatter, I dove into reading Han Yujus proposal intently.
My eyes caught on the summary: family romance healing drama.
A healing drama?
Yes. My stories dont have big crises or twists. Instead, the subtle backstories and emotions between characters intertwine in complex, profound ways. The role Id like to ask Siu for. Its a child torn between the crisis of losing Mom and her happiness. Itll require expressing that psychology well. Its a bit difficult.
Hmm.
I nodded along continuously as Han Yuju elaborated.
When I reached the synopsis, I got a rough sense of what she was aiming for.
Mother picked up the proposal Id set down and peered into it.
Is it a really difficult piece?
Writer Han is famous for tormenting her actors. She writes characters that demand top-notch acting skills, but shes been unlucky with casting, so none of her works have been huge hits yet. Her writing is brilliant, though.
Cha Il-nam pitched the project enthusiastically to Mother, who had asked worriedly.
Mothers expression hardened more at the part about tormenting actors.
Oh no. Shed been singing the take a break song lately, and now this might mean no projects at all.
Feeling the crisis, I shot Cha Il-nam a glare telling him to stop.
But somehow misreading my look, he got even more excited.
Haha, Siu. Are you worried about the actors youll be working with? Dont be. I promise to pull out all the stops with my connections for a golden lineup. Theyre all top-tier, so no actor there will disappoint you.
Top-tier people.
Mothers face stiffened further.
Wouldnt my child get too stressed being around actors like that? The politics between them cant be ignored.
Ah, uh? Well. That is,
And if its a drama, how many episodes? Youre planning for 16, right?
Yes, thats the idea for now.
Cha Il-nam, flustered in his response, glanced at Kim Sangcheol.
Kim Sangcheol, equally thrown, widened his eyes and shook his head slightly.
Siu is only six. I hear drama shoots have tough schedules. Wouldnt it be too much for a kid who should be growing? And it doesnt seem like just a minor child role in the beginning.
Um, maam. That.
Caught off guard by Mothers words, Cha Il-nam stammered, at a loss.
I knew this would happen.
They probably had no idea Mother had experience in this world before.
In the tense atmosphere, I sighed and set down the stack of papers with a thud.
Mom, I think this looks fun.
Really? Im glad if you think so, Siu.
Yeah, so, who else is going to be in it besides me?
While Mothers worries deepened from Cha Il-nams talk, my interest was piqued.
They wanted to cast me in a drama.
At a glance, it wasnt a small role as the protagonists childhood selfit looked like a solid lead supporting part.
Having sorted my thoughts, I placed the proposal back on the table, rested both arms on it, and looked up at Cha Il-nam with sparkling eyes.
As if to say, go ahead and make an offer thatll really tempt me.
Like how you shone in RUN, this is a family story too. The tones a bit different, but the goals the same: to move people.
Yes, yes.
Two completely different families go through incidents and gradually become one family. Just like how Johnny and Bella became a true family in RUN.
Yeah, sounds fun.
As Han Yuju spoke enthusiastically, I peeked into the script.
She flipped through it herself, pointing out the vibe of this role, how I should respond, and ended by saying Id nail it.
Hm?
As Han Yuju flipped through the script, I tilted my head.
But.
Yes, ask anything.
But wheres the rest of this?
Holding the script that cut off abruptly in the early part, I looked up at Han Yuju and Cha Il-nam with a puzzled expression.
What?
It felt like a perfectly normal question, but their faces looked strange.
Uh, well Siu, in this industry, we dont usually start work with a complete script, you see?
What? Why not?
I asked purely out of curiosity.
So, all the actors perform a work based only on its framework, without even knowing the ending?
Does that make sense?
I thought back to my past life as Noah.
17th-century England.
In the Elizabethan era, there were countless playwrights like Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, Thomas Kyd, John Lyly, and more.
They might have discussed story ideas, but they never took casting offers or rehearsed with incomplete scripts.
Even after 400 years, things had changed? But none of the works Id done so far were like that.
This time too, and People in the Attic House had been the same.
Whether through casting offers or auditions, the full script from start to finish was always there when joining the team.
Id thought that was standard.
You have to see the whole play to understand the work and character, and decide if you can embody them.
Why was it different now from 400 years ago?
Maybe because back then, playwrights often performed on stage as actors themselves?
At my question, Cha Il-nam clamped his mouth shut, speechless.
Not understanding his reaction, I furrowed my brow.
Mother was against it too, but I wasnt in a rush myself.
I didnt want just any project right away.
I wasnt desperate to make money now, nor did I blindly crave TV appearances.
During RUN, all the child actors lamented wanting to be on TV, but I didnt get it.
Why crave TV so blindly when you could perform on stage?
Well, truthfully I did want to see myself on that square box, but that was it.
Still, I didnt want to commit without knowing the ending.
As I pondered, I cut off Cha Il-nam just as he opened his mouth.
See, Siu, with broadcasting, the production environment and budget.
Hmm, I dont want to do this.
I didnt want to hear whatever came next from Cha Il-nam.
In the end, they couldnt show me the ending.
My firm declaration shocked everyone in the theater owners office.
Not just Cha Il-nam and Han Yujueven Mother, whod been worried, was surprised I was turning it down.
S-Siu?!
Really, Siu? Then youll rest a bit now.
Mother was startled briefly but soon relieved.
A week of hard rest apparently wasnt enough for her.
Sorry, Mom.
Thats not it.
I immediately turned to Kim Sangcheol and asked.
Theater Owner-nim, wheres Director Kang? His script was really good. I want to talk to him today and decide.
At my words, Cha Il-nam clutched his forehead.
I got why.
Hed come to cast me, only for Kang Yonghwi to snatch me away.
Heh heh, is that so? Director Kang will be thrilled.
Yes, it was super fun. It felt like he wrote it for me to lead. Right?
Of course. Kang Yonghwithat guy no, Director Kang was waiting for you, eyes nearly falling out.
Speaking warmly to me, Kim Sangcheol smirked at Cha Il-nam with one corner of his mouth raised.
His grinning face somehow looked smug.
Whys that?
See? I told you.
Its because of you that the seed was planted.
Hey, dont blame others. Our actor wants to see a full script before deciding.
Kim Sangcheol feigned regret in his tone.
Wow, even I found it infuriatingly sly.
For a moment, I almost pitied Cha Il-nam.
But what could be done?
Kang Yonghwis complete, fun script beat a drama with just an opening.
Mm, well, goodbye then. Im off to find Director Kang!
Id even finished the rest of my chamomile tea neatly and was about to stand when.
Wait!
Han Yuju, who had been quiet, finally spoke.