Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: First Script Reading
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A conference room at KMB buzzed with murmurs.
In the room where the first script reading for The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed was taking place, the actors who had arrived early were scattered about in their seats.
Is our drama really airing in the weekend prime time slot?
Yeah, thats what I heard. They pulled out all the stops with big-name actors, so PD Cha Ilnam really pushed for it.
Wow, amazing. I think this is my first time in a golden hour slot like this.
The supporting and minor role actors, along with familiar staff, were chatting about recent updates.
Among them sat Nam Yeonsu, small but drawing everyones attention.
They really cast Nam Yeonsu.
Guess the rumors about PD Cha grinding his teeth for this are true.
Everyone had met with PD Cha or Writer Han for casting, but this was pretty much the first time they were all gathered together.
Having only heard rumors about Nam Yeonsu, they now stole glances at him as he read his script, clearly intrigued.
Hello.
Hello.
Just then, the conference room door opened, and in walked Kang Soojung and Choi Taewoo, the leads of this drama.
They entered side by side, greeting everyone in the room.
At the arrival of the lead actors, those already seated stood up en masse to greet them.
Senior, hello.
Nam Yeonsu, who had been reading his script, also stood and bowed to them.
A polite greeting.
Having debuted at the tender age of five, Nam Yeonsu was already in his third year as an actor.
He hadnt taken it easy eitherhed experienced all sorts of sets.
Starting his career young, hed matured early too.
He was known for greeting everyone without being told, and for being impeccably polite with seniors and juniors alike.
Oh, Yeonsu, youre already here?
Looking forward to working with you.
Choi Taewoo spoke warmly, while Kang Soojung gave a slight nod and passed by.
Nam Yeonsu responded to Kang Soojungs stiff demeanor with a rigid smile and a bow.
It was just like the rumorsKang Soojung, who stuck strictly to her work and avoided chit-chat.
Dont mind her. Shes always like that, from what I hear. Hows your condition?
Im good. Feeling great.
Alright. Not sure how many months thisll run, but lets do our best.
Yes! Looking forward to it.
Choi Taewoo waved it off and headed to his seat next to Kang Soojung.
Since theyd be playing lovers in this drama, he figured they should get friendly before filming started.
Who knew how effective that would be.
Hello, everyone.
It was then.
Moon Heesung strode in, tall and vibrant, greeting the room energetically.
At the entrance of Moon Heesungthe top in fame and experience for this projecteveryone seated stood to greet him.
Even the two leads who had just sat down.
Hello, senior.
Hello.
After the actors greetings,
Actor Moon! Its been too long.
Haha, looks like were working together again. Looking forward to it.
Having done countless projects at KMB, he knew the staff well too.
Moon Heesung bustled about, greeting everyone nonstop.
True to his reputation for great personality, he warmly greeted supporting actors, bit players, and staff without distinction.
Wow, Soo-hyun, youre on this one too?
Yes. Ill capture your voice perfectly.
I know your skills well, Soo-hyun. Looking forward to it. Oh, and Brother Ming-hos here too?
There was a famous story that Moon Heesung remembered the names of everyone hed worked with.
Even on sets with over a hundred bit players and staff, people doubted if it was true.
But seeing him now, calling out names one by one with genuine delight, it seemed real.
Moon Heesung, greeting staff by name, approached Nam Yeonsu.
Yeonsu, we meet again.
Yes, senior.
Come on, I told you to speak casually.
But youre such a senior... How could I? Im thrilled to work with you again.
Nam Yeonsus cheeks flushed pink with joy as Moon Heesung addressed him.
He seemed more lively than when greeting othersfinally looking like the eight-year-old he was.
The two had worked together last year on the drama Mouse, so they were acquainted.
Nam Yeonsu had only a brief child role, so they hadnt crossed paths much, but Moon Heesung had looked out for him on set, earning the boys affection.
Good, Im glad too. Lets do well.
Yes!
Moon Heesung moved on past the crisply replying Nam Yeonsu to greet others.
Those whod spoken with him watched his back with regret.
Everyone respected the kind Moon Heesung, but few could casually approach him.
They wanted to talk but held back, settling for watching from afar.
Then, the final lead made his entrance.
Hello!
At the spirited greeting of the little child, everyone turned to the door.
A fair, plump-cheeked face.
His large eyes, lacking double lids, slanted ever so slightly upward at the corners.
It was actor Han Siu, entering hand-in-hand with his mother.
Han Siu, with his radiant visuals, held his mothers hand and circled the script reading room, greeting everyone.
No one could dislike the polite little boy bowing at the waist as he went around.
His appearance was even more dazzling than the rumors, and everyone cooed over him.
Nam Yeonsu, script in hand, waited for him to come greet him.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Uncle!
The toddling child called out cheerfully to none other than Moon Heesung.
Everyones gazes snapped to Han Siu.
Uncle, memorized all your lines?
Of course. You too, right, Siu?
Yep. Of course.
But why ask?
Moon Heesung gently ruffled my hair, as if I were the cutest thing.
Mm, just as I thought.
Moon Heesung gave the softest head pats.
I squinted my eyes like a cat in the sun, savoring the touch.
Guess Id been tense without realizing it in this unfamiliar place.
I hadnt thought much while greeting everyone, but seeing Moon Heesung here made me ridiculously happy.
Did you have breakfast, Siu?
Yes. Gotta talk all day today, so I cant go hungry.
Id come fully prepared.
Back at the theater troupe, script readings for performances meant exchanging lines all day long.
My stomach would growl in no time.
Director Kang Yonghwi sometimes ordered jjajangmyeon, but with this crowd, probably not today.
So Mom had whipped up a hearty tonic breakfast from the start, and Id eaten my fill.
Haha, theyll feed us midway through here too.
Woo! Whatre they giving?
Hmm... Probably lunchboxes.
Oh ho, whats in a broadcasting station lunchbox?
I sat swinging my legs in anticipation.
My seat was right next to Moon Heesung.
My role, Kang Woojoo, gets close with his Ji Hyeonseong, but this seating was probably PD Cha Ilnams consideration.
Since it was my first broadcast script reading at just six, hed placed me next to Moon Heesung as a guardian figure.
Mom had led me to him and taken a seat in the back row.
She knew I could handle the reading alone and communicate well, so shed watch from afar.
Across from us sat the leads playing my parents, Kang Soojung and Choi Taewoo, plus Nam Yeonsu as my brother.
I pondered deeply, then said seriously.
I like pork cutlets. A pork cutlet lunchbox would be great.
Into pork cutlets now? You were obsessed with chicken for a while.
Mm. Tired of chicken.
Moon Heesung chuckled, poking fun as I sighed about switching to pork.
But something felt off from earlier.
I was just talking to Moon Heesung like always, yet the stares around us prickled strangely.
Why?
Puzzled, I looked up and scanned the room.
The gazes on me and Moon Heesung brimmed with curiosity.
Hm, did my first time at a broadcast set, chatting so casually with a big senior like Moon Heesung, stand out?
Too late now.
Id already broadcast our closeness in my excitement.
Um, Heesung. You seem really close with Siu. How do you know each other?
Finally, a staff member voiced the question on everyones curious minds.
Moon Heesung seemed to catch the rooms vibe at that.
He glanced around puzzled, then laughed and quipped cleverly.
Oh, Siu? Actually, hes my secret son. Looks just like mehandsome and great at acting.
Mm, Uncle, lyings bad.
Dumbfounded, I shook my head at Moon Heesung.
The staff whod asked laughed along.
You two really look close. Seeing how much you treasure him.
Sius the one befriending me. You have no idea how smart he is.
The staff and Moon Heesung dove into excited chatter.
More like Moon Heesung unilaterally praising me, really.
Embarrassed to keep listening, I looked away.
My eyes landed on Nam Yeonsu reading his script.
Hm, two years older than me, but a few months makes a big difference at this age.
He was definitely taller, his face more defined.
Standing next to him, wed look like real brothers.
Still smaller than the kids I met on RUN, though.
Being a January baby, I grew fast too.
In the drama, were just a year apartgood thing.
And... the lead actors playing my mom and dad.
I didnt know much about rising star Kang Soojung, but I knew Choi Taewoo well.
Id seen a few of his works.
Not the absolute best, but flawless.
Just needed more personality, I thought.
As I sized up my future co-stars, PD Cha Ilnam and Writer Han Yuju entered.
Everyone here?
Relaxed greetings rippled back at Cha Ilnams casual hello.
Nice to meet you all.
Writer Han Yujus hearty greeting followed.
Everyone stood to greet the pair.
Yes, yes, nice to meet you. Im Cha Ilnam, directing this one. Lets make it great.
Im Han Yuju, writer of The Cactus Flower Has Bloomed. Looking forward to working with you.
They took the head seats and introduced themselves.
Applause followed Han Yujus energetic self-intro.
As the claps died down, Cha Ilnam opened his script.
Alright, lets start the script reading.