Chapter 293
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 293
I left the house and headed toward WH Entertainment, a place that still felt unfamiliar. The moment I stepped into the building, my phone rang with impeccable timing. The caller ID read 'Manager.'
It was just like the beginning of Unknown Idol Tycoon.
I figured this was another initial setup created for the start of Unknown Actor Tycoon.
"Aigo, if it isn't our rising star?! By the way, why have you been so hard to reach?!"
The person who came running toward the lobby after I told him I was there was a familiar face. He was the same manager who had originally been in charge of The Dawn.
"…Ah, sorry. I was a bit busy."
"Oh? Really?"
The manager seemed to be in a hurry; as soon as the greetings were over, he began ushering me toward the underground parking lot.
"You remember you're meeting the PD and staff of the new drama you're joining today, right? We're having lunch together. You have practice afterward, too."
"Yes."
"Please, please let's actually practice this time! If you keep skipping out, it's going to be a real problem."
'Seo Ho-yun' skipping practice?
Now, that was a novel setup.
"Don't worry. I'll go."
I habitually reached for the eye mask I always kept in its usual spot, but then it suddenly felt like a waste of time to sleep through this. I turned on my phone instead.
I had skimmed through it at home, but there was nothing saved in my contacts except for a few industry associates.
Not just Seo Ho-jin or the members of The Dawn, but even Im Hyeon-su, Ju Woo-seong, and Min Ji-heon were missing.
"Manager."
"Yeah?"
"Do you happen to manage any other celebrities or trainees?"
Since he was a constant presence who always appeared as my manager, I thought he might be connected to the boys in a different way.
"No? Why are you asking that all of a sudden? I only manage you~."
But the answer I got only served as confirmation that I was alone.
"…Kim Seong-hyeon, Jeong Da-jun, Seong Ji-won, Kang Yi-chae. You really don't know them?"
"Huh? Who are they?"
"Then do you know Ju Woo-seong?"
"Hey, is there anyone in this company who doesn't know Ju Woo-seong?"
I clicked my tongue inwardly, muttered, "I suppose so," and focused back on my phone.
"But… Ho-yun. You know you really, really have to work hard this time, right?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean, honestly, you and I both know… the company only slotted you into this because of Min Ji-heon. They're trying to push you since you won that New Star Award at the film festival, but PD Jeong is really strict about that kind of thing. Since we forced you in, you absolutely cannot get on his bad side. You were so half-hearted during the script reading that I thought my heart was going to stop from the stress."
Well, it was a relief to know the script reading was already over, even if I'd been a pain about it.
I tuned out the manager's ongoing nagging and tapped my finger on the armrest.
[Stats are being served.]
Seo Ho-yun
A rookie actor and prospect of WH Entertainment. His personality is a wreck, but expectations are high.
Singing: A+
Dancing: A-
Variety: S-
Acting: A-
Charm: S-
???: ???
Whether I should call it a blessing or not, my stats were exactly the same as they were during my idol days.
An A- in acting wasn't bad for a rookie.
However, the internet was flooded with harsh criticism of me.
[Title: Did you guys see Seo Ho-yun got cast in a drama??
I don't think his acting is that great...
I feel like he's only popular with the younger crowd ㅠ.
Am I the only one who doesn't get it?
└ Seo Ho-yun's delivery is so stiff. His emotional range is rough, too ^^;;
└ He's just an actor who lives off his face... There are plenty of kids like him. I'm just going to watch for Min Ji-heon.]
[Title: Seo Ho-yun is just...
How do I put it? He has no presence or charm.
I don't think he'll last long as an actor ㅠㅠ
└ Strangely, his presence is very faint. He has the face of an actor, though...
└└ Right? Is that what they call star quality? Anyway, what a shame~~]
In this world where everything related to the idol 'Seo Ho-yun' had vanished, the drama Please Take Care of the Camera had naturally never aired. Instead, it seemed the awareness I had built up back then had been converted into a New Star Award.
Looking at the public's reaction to the actor 'Seo Ho-yun,' it was obvious how Unknown Actor Tycoon would play out.
Prove your acting skills, gain fame. I was sure quests like those would come lining up.
Swallowing my bitter feelings, I picked up the script for Dead after Hope.
[—While a pharmaceutical company is developing a new drug, the test subjects gradually begin to mutate one by one. The company quickly isolates the mutated subjects, but one manages to escape during the process.
Eventually, the escaped subject reaches the city center, and the mutation spreads to humans, turning Seoul into a living hell in an instant...]
It was a post-apocalyptic SF drama.
In other words, it was a generic zombie story that you could find anywhere.
As we got closer to the designated restaurant, the manager's anxiety seemed to grow, and he glanced at me through the rearview mirror more frequently.
"Min Ji-heon will take good care of you. You guys are under the same roof, after all~."
That bastard avoided me when I was coughing up blood.
He might look dim-witted on the outside, but he was actually a very cold person. I doubted he'd be helpful.
"I don't think that'll be the case."
"Ahem."
The manager cleared his throat. It seemed even he didn't truly believe what he'd said.
Min Ji-heon was also the lead in Dead after Hope. He was even playing a humane and righteous character.
On the surface, the lineup was flashy enough that numerous articles had been written about the "ultra-luxurious casting."
"And even though the role you're playing, 'Kim Woo-ho,' is a supporting character, he has a lot of screen time and is a key figure, right?"
In Dead after Hope, 'Kim Woo-ho' was a former national archer who played a role in helping the protagonist.
Based on his stats and occupation alone, it was—as expected—an extremely, extremely common setup for a post-apocalyptic story.
Well… though a few things were unique.
"Besides, you're a genius who won two consecutive gold medals. Do you know how rare that is in archery? And yet, you haven't even thought about practicing your archery, so I'm just worried..."
"Manager, so you're saying that up until now, I haven't gone to archery practice and I botched the script reading?"
"N-No! No, I'm not saying it was that bad!!! I'm just saying... it could look that way!"
The manager was breaking out in a cold sweat.
By this point, I had a pretty good idea of what a piece of trash the actor 'Seo Ho-yun' had been.
The manager continued to repeat various warnings until the moment we arrived at the Chinese restaurant, which had been entirely booked out. Rubbing my ears, which were ringing from his nagging, I entered to find PD Jeong, the staff, and several other actors already there.
'Min Ji-heon isn't here.'
"Oh?! Seo Ho-yun is here?"
"Hello."
"…Wow~, look who showed up."
"Yes."
I could clearly feel the stir in the room.
It seemed the fact that I was a parachute hire was common knowledge among the Dead after Hope associates. Some actors snickered openly or gave me dirty looks.
I put on an innocent face, acting as if I knew nothing, and sat down with a bright smile.
"Ah, you're sitting here?"
"Haha, yes. I want to get close to my seniors."
"I didn't expect Seo Ho-yun to actually show up."
Hostility, wariness. And a bit of pity.
I carefully observed the people wasting themselves on such useless emotions.
"Aiyoo, what are you saying?"
Is there anything easier in this world than winning over someone's shallow favor?
Flipping a situation like this was child's play.
"If I'm called, of course I should come."
One meal's worth of time would be more than enough.
.
.
.
"Hahahaha! Seo Ho-yun, how do you know all that?"
"Ah, you're flattering me too much."
"Why is this table the only one filled with so much laughter?"
"No, no, listen to this. Just a moment ago, Seo Ho-yun..."
I had only offered a few modest responses while maintaining a smile and acting humble, but the atmosphere had shifted in an instant.
Noticing PD Jeong, who had been eating quietly in the corner the whole time, leaving the restaurant, I put down my chopsticks and stood up.
"I'll be right back."
"Sure! Come back soon."
PD Jeong was smoking a cigarette next to a utility pole near the restaurant, accompanied by the camera director. As I approached with a greeting, the camera director, who had been passionately discussing alcohol with me just moments ago, welcomed me warmly.
"Seo Ho-yun! Did you come out for a smoke?"
"Haha, no. I don't smoke."
"Really?"
Why the hell would I smoke?
I'll have to go back soon anyway.
Ignoring the tempting scent of nicotine wafting past my nose, I struck up a friendly conversation with PD Jeong.
"Anyway, I was disappointed that I didn't get much of a chance to talk with you, PD-nim."
"…Is that so?"
"Yes, there were many things I wanted to ask. About the drama, too."
"…Ah."
"I also wanted to hear about the image you have in mind for Kim Woo-ho."
"……I see…."
PD Jeong took a deep drag of his cigarette, tilted his head back, and exhaled the smoke before speaking.
"That's strange. Seo Ho-yun, you don't seem like you lack intuition."
"Pardon?"
"You want to hear about Kim Woo-ho's image? I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll be honest. You don't need to try that hard."
"PD-nim!"
The camera director's horrified voice rang out.
But PD Jeong didn't care in the slightest.
"Whether the image fits or not isn't important. You're a parachute hire anyway, so I have no expectations. Just go through the motions. I'll make your acting look decent enough through editing."
Even though he was clearly putting me down, I almost let out a laugh.
'The image doesn't fit?'
From what I'd gathered reading the script, 'Kim Woo-ho' was a role that felt like it had been created specifically for me.
Just like the role of 'Lee Jeong-hun' in Please Take Care of the Camera back in Unknown Idol Tycoon, there were uncomfortably many similarities between the character and myself.
In other words, it was a character that would be very easy to play.
"Isn't it a relief that the parachute hire is me?"
Besides, I had no reason to hold my tongue.
"I doubt anyone could do this better than me."
"……."
"……."
PD Jeong, who had been silent for a while, crushed his cigarette in a portable ashtray and muttered.
"…Well, you certainly have confidence."
He then gave a limp wave of his hand and walked away.
"I'll be going first. See you on set."
Quest Complete!
'As an actor, start preparing for the drama!'
You met with the PD and associates of Dead after Hope and discussed your assigned role.
[2,000 Points have been awarded.]
'This actually counted.'
The quest was marked as complete even though I hadn't really heard a proper explanation of the role.
The points were generous, too.
The first points I'd received as an idol were a mere 300.
"…As expected of the younger generation, your boldness is quite charming, Ho-yun. Haha, hahahaha."
The camera director, who was left standing awkwardly with me, tried to smooth over the situation.
"I'm glad you see it that way. Thank you."
"I'm surprised. You're completely different from what I'd heard."
"Pardon?"
"No, no. Not in a bad way."
When I tilted my head slightly and waited for an answer, the camera director let out a small sigh, muttering that he had a big mouth, and continued.
"It's just, even when I saw you on TV... you seemed a bit faint. You didn't have such a strong impression..."
Come to think of it, there were posts on community sites saying that the actor 'Seo Ho-yun' lacked presence.
"…Did you become a different person after being sick?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you used to be a bit... faint. Well, whatever."
And the story I'd heard during my first meeting with the CEO of Daepasung after becoming an idol was similar.
I quirked an eyebrow.
'Wow, this is actually interesting.'
It was something I'd brushed off as trivial, but if the same thing was happening again, I couldn't just ignore it.
After all, wasn't this world the perfect place for me to verify various things?
"Anyway, you're even better in person!"
The camera director scratched the back of his head awkwardly and gave me a firm pat on the back.
"Since we're doing this together, let's have fun and work hard. PD Jeong isn't a bad person, so if you show him your passion, he'll change his mind in no time."
"Yes, of course. Thank you for the kind words."
"Really, it's good to see you're so well-mannered, Ho-yun."
The camera director, pulling out another cigarette with a grin, asked.
"Ah, we're thinking of going for a second round. Are you interested, Ho-yun?"
"A second round starting from lunch?"
"What does day or night matter in our profession? We were up all night yesterday preparing for the drama production."
As the camera director made a drinking gesture with his hand, I saw the manager emerging from the restaurant behind him.
I spoke with a look of deep regret.
"I'm sorry, but I think I'll have to join you next time."
"Why? Is something up?"
I answered with a smile.
* * *
As I released the taut bowstring, the arrow flew toward the target in a graceful arc.
Thwack!
"……Wha—what?"
It narrowly missed the edge of the 10-point ring; a 9 appeared on the screen displaying the score.
I was at an archery range, having come here at the manager's earnest request. I once again applied strength to the hand holding the string.
Whiz, thwack!
"Wha…… what?"
This time, the arrow pierced the exact center of the target.
The manager's jaw dropped.
"What the hell is this...?"
I hadn't picked up a bow once since filming Victory is Mine, but my touch hadn't rusted.
"Ho—Ho-yun, why are you so good? Did you practice in secret?"
I said as I nocked another arrow.
"Now you know why I didn't show up for practice, right?"
I told you.
This role is perfectly set up for me.