Chapter 83
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83
“Free acting?”
“Yes.”
The director stared at Seo Ho-yun with wide, expectant eyes.
“As you might have gathered from the script, PD Lee Jeong-hun is smart but incredibly rude. He speaks in a way that makes people lose all affection for him, and he’s a master at mocking others—basically, a world-class jerk. And that’s not all. He’s the type to use any means necessary, including blackmail, to get what he wants.”
“……”
“In short, you could call him total human trash.”
“…Is he really that bad?” Ho-yun muttered dubiously.
However, no one disagreed with the director’s assessment. Even the writer gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up, looking quite proud. “Exactly! He’s a complete piece of work!”
“So, I want to see how close you can get to PD Lee Jeong-hun.”
“Hmm.”
“Like I said before, PD Lee Jeong-hun is practically made of booze and cigarettes. On top of that, he has a foul mouth. He’s basically the kind of person who does everything people tell him not to do.”
“…Understood.”
To be honest, drinking and smoking were usually edited out or toned down for broadcast. Even if Lee Jeong-hun had those traits in his character profile, Ho-yun didn't necessarily need to act them out to land the role.
However, the director was simply in the mood to be difficult.
‘Let’s see what you’ve got.’
He wanted to see just how far this fearless, sharp-looking idol standing before him could go.
‘He’s intimidated by my aura!’
In reality, Seo Ho-yun was just feeling annoyed by the director’s blatant trash-talking right to his face, but the director, misinterpreting his expression as being intimidated, spoke with a sense of pride.
“I’ll be honest. This might be a bit of a rough role for an idol to take on.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Ho-yun did briefly wonder if he was being too enthusiastic, but his answer was half-driven by the uncertainty of whether he’d even pass, and half by the desire to leave an impression on the writer as a passionate rookie so he could dig for the information he wanted later.
Unaware of this, the director was moved to the point of feeling a slight lump in his throat.
‘He’s willing to risk his idol image just to try this role… Impressive.’
The misunderstanding was becoming firmly rooted. A desire to give the role of Lee Jeong-hun to this fearless and desperate idol, Seo Ho-yun, surged within him. The director quickly shook his head and spoke.
“…If you’re okay with it, could you at least give us a glimpse of you acting as PD Lee Jeong-hun?”
“Pardon?”
“The swearing. The drinking. The smoking. Everything Lee Jeong-hun loves.”
“Director!”
The assistant director looked at him with trembling eyes, but it wasn't enough to sway Director Yoo, who was determined to be a nuisance.
‘Heh, I bet he can’t do it.’
However, Seo Ho-yun merely tilted his head slightly.
“…Should I start with the swearing?”
“……Excuse me?”
While the production team was still processing his response, Ho-yun seemed to think for a moment before dragging a chair to the center of the room. He sat down, straightening his shoulders, and asked, “Who should I be swearing at?”
“…The Bureau Chief. The setting is that they have a terrible relationship.”
“…Ah.”
Ho-yun let out a short, dry laugh. He lightly brushed his lips and looked up at the director.
“Swearing at the Bureau Chief, then.”
“Yes. Just say whatever comes to mind, comfortably.”
“Alright. But I’d appreciate it if you could keep what I say here a secret. …I am an idol, after all.”
Just how extreme is he going to get? Just as the director was about to furrow his brows… Ho-yun abandoned his upright posture. He crossed his legs arrogantly and stared up at the ceiling.
“Hmm… the Bureau Chief….”
“…….”
Ho-yun’s lips curled into a smirk as if he were recalling something.
“Our dear Bureau Chief….”
Then, he opened his mouth.
“…That [Bleep]ing [Bleep]... I know he’s obsessed with ratings like his brain is [Bleep]ed, but he shouldn't make it so [Bleep]ing obvious. How dare he try to compare that program to mine? I asked for more staff and he [Bleep]ing asks if I'm still short-handed while dumping work from other departments on us... meanwhile, he's stuffing his own face with [Bleep]ing kickbacks and acting all [Bleep]ing innocent... makes me want to [Bleep]ing…”
“…….”
“…….”
“…Is that enough?”
…What did they just hear?
“…It’s, it’s enough. That wasn't bad at all.”
The director was deeply shaken, but he tried his best to act unfazed. His hands trembled as he picked up a bottle of water and took a drink. He spilled a bit because of the shaking, but he wiped his chin as if nothing had happened.
‘…W-well, I suppose that’s possible.’
Even if he wasn't Lee Jeong-hun, anyone could be good at swearing. But that didn't sound like a mere thug; it sounded like the raw, desperate resentment of a real PD working somewhere in Yeouido…. Anyway, he was good. Yes.
Ho-yun watched the trembling director for a moment and then stroked his chin.
“…If that wasn't enough, should I try a version where I’m dealing with a power-tripping star instead of the Bureau Chief?”
“S-stop! That’s plenty!”
“Understood.”
Ho-yun promptly shut his mouth. The director quickly moved on to his next difficult request.
“Lee Jeong-hun is also famous for his drinking skills! Not only is he a heavy drinker, but he’s someone who knows exactly how to dump his drinks while dealing with all sorts of nuisances!”
“…Isn't that getting a bit too detailed?”
Even Writer Kim Suk-hee, who had been watching with interest, tried to intervene, but Director Yoo remained stubborn. The assistant director glanced at the director with a look of exhaustion.
It wasn't like they were going to make him prove it by actually drinking during an audition, so how was he supposed to show this?
However, the director was a truly formidable eccentric.
“Now! Seo Ho-yun! Show us your drinking skills!!”
“You’re being a nuisance!!”
What on earth was he saying to an idol! The assistant director was horrified and tried to pull the director back.
But Ho-yun was Ho-yun.
Even after hearing that, he calmly stood up and grabbed a plastic bottle of soda that was sitting in front of him.
“I’ll borrow this. Ah, do you have a paper cup?”
“…Huh? Oh… yes.”
“This will do. Hmm… the neck is a bit short, but it’ll work. Hold the paper cup for me.”
Ho-yun casually opened the soda bottle. With a flashy snap of his wrist, he began pouring the drink into the paper cup from a significant distance.
“……!!”
‘What the—?!’
It was pure shock. Director Yoo’s eyes widened as he stared at the paper cup in his hand. Ho-yun tilted his head slightly and muttered.
“Hmm, the neck really is too short. I could’ve done it more cleanly with a soju bottle.”
“……Excuse me?”
“Next. Hold the cup.”
Even the assistant director and the writer ended up catching the liquid in their paper cups through his dazzling drinking skills… or rather, soda skills.
‘What exactly is this?!’
An idol who knows drinking tricks?!
Everyone drank the soda in their cups as if they were under a spell, while Ho-yun calmly closed the bottle cap. He didn't even take a sip himself.
‘…The detail? Is this a detail representing PD Lee Jeong-hun’s personality—someone who learned drinking tricks because he didn't want to get drunk?’
Ho-yun simply didn't want to drink it, but the director, now completely captivated, was interpreting things however he pleased.
However, considering he had spent all night agonizing over this, the director couldn't give in so easily.
‘Right!’
Since he had prepared these difficult tasks, he might as well use them! The director squeezed his eyes shut.
“C-cigarettes! PD Lee Jeong-hun is a total chain smoker who goes through a pack a day…!! His lungs are as black as his personality!!”
“Director!!”
“……That’s a bit harsh.”
Ho-yun muttered under his breath, but everyone was too excited to hear him. The assistant director, fed up, poked the director in the ribs.
“You want him to smoke here?? Are you crazy? We’re indoors!”
“No, just tell him to pretend! Just the gestures!”
“Sigh…. Fine. Seo Ho-yun, since you’ve shown us everything else… you can at least pretend, right? Here, I’ll lend you my Marlboro Golds.”
“…….”
Despite it being the easiest request so far, Ho-yun stared strangely at the pack of cigarettes the assistant director was holding out.
He remained silent with a somewhat troubled expression.
‘…Wait?’
It was unusual for Ho-yun, who hadn't hesitated once until now. He deliberately looked away from the cigarettes and asked.
“…Could I, uh, use a lollipop instead of a real cigarette?”
“Pardon?”
“I have a lollipop.”
“…Well, sure.”
Wouldn't a real cigarette be easier to act with? Does he hate smoking?
It didn't matter. It was his choice.
Just as the assistant director was about to put the pack away, Ho-yun stepped closer.
“Just… lend me the lighter.”
“Oh. Here.”
Ho-yun gave a small nod, rummaged through his pocket, and actually pulled out a lollipop. He let out a deep sigh and said, “I’ll begin.”
Gulp.
Everyone swallowed hard.
Why was watching someone pretend to smoke so tense? Moreover, this person was a twenty-three-year-old idol holding a lollipop in one hand and a lighter in the other!
Yet, everyone’s eyes were drawn to Ho-yun as if they were possessed.
“Whew….”
Regardless of their gaze, Ho-yun showed no sign of nerves. He gripped the lighter he’d borrowed and flicked it. Click, click. He let out a frustrated sound.
“Damn thing won’t light….”
He then cupped his hand around the lighter to block the wind and pretended to light it again. Only then, as if the flame had finally caught, he sucked on the end of the lollipop so deeply that his cheeks hollowed out. He slumped into the chair and tilted his head back.
“…….”
He stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment and exhaled a long breath, as if blowing out smoke.
‘…Cigarette smoke?’
For a split second, the director, the assistant director, and the writer all… hallucinated smoke coming from the lollipop in Ho-yun’s mouth.
It was like how people believe they see a halo behind a stunningly handsome actor in an occult film….
As they watched him, mesmerized, Ho-yun expertly flicked away the non-existent ash from the lollipop and muttered.
“Life….”
“…….”
“Is just consistently shitty….”
‘…This is insane.’
He was Lee Jeong-hun.
There was nothing more to see.
He was Lee Jeong-hun.
In the minds of all the judges watching him, Seo Ho-yun the ‘idol’ had been completely erased, leaving only the ‘jerk PD’ Lee Jeong-hun.
The only thought left in their heads was that they absolutely had to pass him through the first round.