Chapter 84
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 84
‘Wow...’
Whether the production crew, including the director, was excited or not, I was already starting to slightly regret coming to this audition.
‘I never thought I’d experience a nicotine craving like this...’
Besides, who would have guessed the assistant director would be smoking the exact same brand I used to? Things have been hard enough lately, and I honestly wanted to just take one and light up. I barely managed to hold back by sucking on a lollipop, cursing inwardly the whole time.
‘No, Ho-yun. You did well to endure.’
Anyway, I quickly shook off the lingering sentimentality and glanced around. Most people were whispering with serious faces or checking their scripts.
Among them, only the writer had a beaming expression, while the director was looking through my profile again with a grave look.
“Seo Ho-yun-ssi, is this really your first time acting?”
“Yes, this is my first time.”
“Unbelievable... How can you be so natural?”
It’s because this acting is rooted in experience...
Actually, it’s not even acting; I’m just venting my real-life frustrations...
“I’m really torn. I’ll be honest. I thought it was ridiculous for a twenty-three-year-old to come for a role like this...”
‘Of course it is.’
Does it even make sense?
However, the director seemed to be weighing the emotional impact on his own, setting up the narrative like a judge on an audition program.
“...I’m wavering a bit.”
“......”
“You must have great powers of observation.”
“...You flatter me.”
Murmuring that my brazenness also resembled Lee Jeong-hun, Director Yoo was already sending me looks of adoration. It was burdensome.
The initial tension had vanished, replaced by a warm atmosphere where everyone was giggling like children.
“I’d like to see more ad-libs if possible, but we’re pressed for time. Um... it’s a shame, but...”
‘Hmm, right. So I failed.’
I had ended up getting overly immersed, but failing was for the best anyway. The director stroked his chin and spoke as if he were disappointed, so I waited listlessly for the rest of his sentence. But what came out was unexpected.
“You’ve finished all your recent promotions, right?”
“...Pardon?”
“We can’t change the filming schedule to fit a supporting actor’s schedule.”
“...Yes, my schedule is mostly clear.”
“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind. Good work, Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
I rolled my eyes, thinking about the meaning of those words for a moment, then bowed and left the audition room.
‘Instead of a director, shouldn’t he be a judge for a survival audition...?’
The way he made me do things and pressured me was no joke.
...Well, I felt a bit uneasy, but there was still work to be done.
* * *
Even though the audition was over, I stayed behind at the broadcasting station’s cafe, leaving my manager behind. It was because I had discovered that Writer Kim was a severe caffeine addict.
After stressing over various things, I felt my blood sugar dropping, so I ordered a Mocha Frappuccino and killed some time. Eventually, Writer Kim walked in.
“Whoa! Isn’t this PD Lee Jeong-hun?”
“Ahaha.”
Bingo. Writer Kim spoke to me first. I wiped away the lines I had been practicing to approach her naturally and greeted her with a bright smile.
“Hello, Writer Kim.”
“You worked so hard at the audition earlier. Ah, do you have some time right now?”
“Yes, of course.”
She’s practically spoon-feeding me the opportunity. Might as well take it. But then, a strange message appeared on the system window.
Ding!
[The manager is waiting!
Please return immediately!!]
‘...?’
I glanced at the system window and then began to chat harmoniously with Writer Kim.
“Thank you so much for earlier. It was my first time, so I was very nervous, but thanks to your kindness, Writer Kim, I was able to perform as I prepared.”
“Oh my, you’re quite the smooth talker. Can someone who’s nervous even show off such drinking skills?”
Hahaha, a round of warm laughter broke out. Writer Kim Suk-hee smiled genially.
“Thank you so much for coming to the audition. What would I have done if I hadn’t seen you? Actually, I pushed for you quite a bit, so I was worried about what to do if your acting was lacking... but it was a needless worry.”
“...Pushed for me?”
“Yes. To be honest, the production crew didn’t like it. You know how it is. Generally, an actor’s acting is safer than an idol’s acting. Of course, there are plenty of idols who are good at acting, but—”
Writer Kim pointed a finger upward, toward where the audition room was.
“—seeing the director’s expression just now, I already knew the answer.”
“I’m still very lacking, so I’m just grateful you see me in such a positive light.”
“Oh my? Even a response like that is exactly like Lee Jeong-hun.”
Writer Kim expressed her opinions straightforwardly. As I watched her with a quiet smile, wondering about this inexplicable favor, she got to the main point.
“Actually, I used you as a major reference for building the character of Lee Jeong-hun, Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
“...Pardon?”
“I watched Shining Star religiously last time. The forums were really on fire back then... You earned the nickname 'No-Brakes,' Seo Ho-yun-ssi. Of course, I pulled from here and there when building the character, but... strangely, I liked you the most.”
‘Whoa...’
This was news to me.
I slightly revised my thoughts. Could it really be... a coincidence?
However, a suspicion still prickled in a corner of my heart—that it was impossible to create a character so similar to the original me, not just in personality but in basic settings, based on that broadcast alone.
So.
“I thought the character of Lee Jeong-hun was so detailed that you had a specific person in mind.”
“Hmm? Is that so?”
“Yes. Like using an actual broadcasting station PD as an example.”
I threw out a bit of bait.
However, Writer Kim only tilted her head and laughed.
“Haha, there wasn’t an exact motif. I just took bits of personalities from people around me.”
“I see...”
It didn’t seem like a lie. As I sipped my Mocha Frappuccino, lingering on the thought, the system window kept... bothering me from the side.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
‘What’s wrong with this thing?’
It was popping up like malware installed on a computer. I paused for a moment and stared at it.
I could ignore it, but... every single message was urging me to return.
As if it didn't want me to be involved in this.
“Anyway, I’ll be looking forward to it. Of course, it’s not confirmed yet. There are a few people who are skeptical about casting you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“I want to push for it with everything I’ve got...”
“......”
I don’t want that...
Because of my nature, it’s impossible for me to do things halfway once I start, so I got immersed without realizing it. But I didn't actually intend to become Lee Jeong-hun and film a drama.
I wanted to hand it over to that actor named Lee Kang-seok, but Writer Kim seemed completely hooked on me, already saying scary things like, “Should I revise the settings a bit?”
‘I didn’t gain anything.’
Should I just let her go? Just as I was touching my lips in slight frustration, Writer Kim spoke.
“Still, Min Ji-heon-ssi is pushing for you quite a bit, isn’t he?”
“......Pardon?”
I snapped my head up at the unexpected words.
“...That can’t be right. We don’t have a personal relationship.”
“Oh?”
Writer Kim looked even more flustered by my response. She scratched her head.
“That’s strange. I thought you and Min Ji-heon-ssi were very close.”
“Why did you think that?”
“I told you I watched Shining Star. To be honest, I don’t know much about idols.”
“......”
“While I was agonizing over my next project, I went to the wrap-up party for Please Give Me Cider. I happened to mention that I was struggling to create a unique character, and Min Ji-heon-ssi told me then.”
‘What... what did he say?’
“He said there are many charming guys on Shining Star. He said you were particularly unique, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, and suggested I use you as a reference...”
‘What?!’
This was truly shocking. My emotion must have shown on my face because Writer Kim laughed awkwardly.
“Well, I don’t know much about the affairs of young people... Haha! Anyway, after that, I diligently watched the reruns, and the character of Lee Jeong-hun came to mind, and the script was finished in an instant! I’m grateful to Min Ji-heon-ssi. Plus, I got to know a treasure like you.”
While I was trying to maintain my poker face, Writer Kim shrugged and stood up first.
“Then, I’ll look forward to the day we meet again. I hope to hear good news.”
“Yes. Please get home safely.”
Writer Kim left after adding a warm remark about her expectations, but my mind was filled with confusion.
“No, why on earth?”
Min Ji-heon. A guy who pushed a mysterious image, an actor I thought I’d never have any contact with in my life as a variety PD.
I remembered his drooping eyes and his slow way of speaking, dragging out the ends of his sentences. Since he had acted like he had absolutely no interest in me when we met before, I had intended to just ignore him and move on.
‘This is suspicious.’
I gulped down the melted White Mocha Frappuccino and stood up, and the system window appeared.
Ding!
[Do not meet with Min Ji-heon-ssi.]
“......Hah.”
The tangled thoughts in my head soon converged into one. I immediately picked up my phone, searched my contacts, and sent a text.
[Hello, Min Ji-heon sunbae-nim. This is Seo Ho-yun from the idol group The Dawn, under the same agency.]
After taking a breath, I wrote an additional message.
[If it’s alright, could you spare a moment of your time?]
* * *
Min Ji-heon.
Undisputedly the most successful actor in his twenties in Korea.
After drifting around the theater scene in Chungmuro, he was coincidentally cast by Daepasung Entertainment. He made his face known as a supporting actor in a weekend drama and gained modest popularity.
After that, a movie in which he played a supporting role unexpectedly surpassed ten million viewers, causing his recognition to skyrocket. He was a case of becoming a Hallyu star as the second male lead in a prime-time drama.
Naturally, almost everything he filmed after that was a hit. There were occasional flops, but since his basic acting skills were solid, no controversy ever fell on the lead.
[Did Min Ji-heon receive a divine calling?
└ Why
└ His acting is insane]
...He was the sole pillar of Daepasung, recognized by the majority of the nation.
If I had to define the relationship between him and me, it was just a senior-junior relationship where we exchanged awkward greetings.
It was certainly not a relationship where he would go through the trouble of recommending a junior for a role.
[Sse-ham: Ahhh!!]
“......”
What is this?
[Sse-ham: Eng, why are you only texting me now? lol]
What is this sudden... intimacy?
Along with the deflating text, I received a brief time and location. I headed to a small Korean table d'hote restaurant.
I had told the members and the manager beforehand that I would be a little late because I was meeting my younger brother.
I arrived first, was guided to a reserved room, and waited for a moment. Soon, Min Ji-heon opened the door and walked in.
“Hello~.”
“Yes, hello.”
He still looks vacant... but he seems strangely excited.
‘Seriously, what is it?’
While I greeted him distantly, I ignored the warning window that kept floating next to me. Min Ji-heon only smiled slightly as if he were glad to see me, and as soon as he sat down, he opened the menu.
“Let’s eat first.”
“Yes, I’ll have whatever you recommend, sunbae-nim.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll order appropriately.”
Min Ji-heon called the server and said:
“Two C-courses, two servings of yukgaejang, three servings of tteokgalbi, two servings of abalone jang bibimbap, and three servings of galbijjim, please.”
“I can’t eat that much.”
“Oh, this is for me. I was about to order for you, Seo Ho-yun-ssi...”
“...You’re eating all that by yourself?”
“Yeees.”
‘......’
I remembered Min Ji-heon’s manager calling him a pig in Jeju Island. He’s not even an athlete; how can an actor eat more than ten servings in one meal?
However, the server’s expression didn't waver in the slightest, as if they were used to this.
I also quickly added one menu item, and the server quietly closed the door and left. Min Ji-heon spoke first.
“I really wanted to contact you first... but I realized I didn’t have your number. Since I only gave you mine. I debated whether to contact the company.”
“Didn’t you say it was a hassle to contact people?”
“Ahaha, I definitely did back then...”
Min Ji-heon’s eyes crinkled as he smiled.
“But hearing about you here and there, Seo Ho-yun-ssi, it was quite interesting. And I was also kind of waiting for you to contact me...”
“......?”
“By any chance, did you just come from an audition?”
He cut straight to the chase before the spoons were even set. Since I don’t dislike people who keep their introductions short anyway, I nodded.
“I finished it well, thanks to you, sunbae-nim.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Min Ji-heon sunbae-nim, Writer Kim said you were the one who recommended me...”
I was about to start talking in earnest, but the server came in and began to quickly set the table. The flow of the atmosphere was broken as side dishes and main courses were spread out.
The server left again, and just as I was about to start the conversation, Min Ji-heon picked up his chopsticks with excessively sparkling eyes.
“Why did you...?”
“Oing, why did this get even more delicious...”
“...I want to know the reason why you recommended me—”
“Whoa!! What, this is delicious too. The chef’s skills here have improved, haven’t they?”
“—Are you listening to me?”
“...Ah.”
He definitely wasn't listening, this punk.
When I got slightly annoyed, Min Ji-heon glanced at me and slid a side dish over.
“...You should try some of this too, Seo Ho-yun-ssi. ...If you don't want to, then never mind. Yes. My apologies.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone so completely "my-pace." When I finally shut my mouth and just stared at him, Min Ji-heon grumbled quietly, saying, “Even Geumgangsan is after a meal...”
“Didn’t you pick this place to talk quietly?”
“Um... no, because this place is delicious.”
“......”
So he’s telling me to shut up and eat.
I took a deep breath and composed myself. He was a type I found difficult to deal with, someone I hadn't seen in a while, but it didn't matter.
‘I’m going to shake him down.’
After all, there’s no one in this world without a skeleton in their closet. If something suspicious comes up after a few words, I just have to grab the end of it and shake it like a dusty blanket.
“It’s delicious...”
Min Ji-heon... where on earth was all that food going? He ate endlessly. Even I, a fellow rice-maniac, was repulsed by him and put down my chopsticks. Partly because I had eaten before coming, I didn't really touch the food.
In the meantime, I glanced at the system window. The system window, which would usually be chattering away with dialogue boxes, was strangely and noticeably quiet.
[...Leave this place.]
‘No, I don’t want to.’
Seeing the system window acting suspiciously made me even more determined to dig into Min Ji-heon.
Only after scraping the last bowl clean did Min Ji-heon finally put down his spoon and look at me.
“Sorry. I tend to lose my mind whenever I see food.”
“It certainly seems that way.”
“...You’re quite honest.”
Min Ji-heon’s eyes curved into circles. It was a conversation that felt strangely off-kilter, but whatever, it was fine. Because the conversation had opened up again. Min Ji-heon wiped his mouth and nodded.
“Anyway... you asked why I recommended you.”
“Yes. To be honest, you and I aren't exactly close, sunbae-nim.”
“That’s true, isn’t it?”
“So I was curious why you went out of your way. Perhaps the CEO pushed for it.”
“Ah. There was some push from the CEO... but I was just, a bit curious. That’s why I recommended you.”
“...Curious about what?”
If I knew that, wouldn't I be able to find out how that script and setting came to be, if Min Ji-heon knows something, and why the system window keeps warning me?
I don’t know what about my question amused him, but Min Ji-heon gave me a beaming smile.
“You really don’t know anything, do you?”
...I don’t know anything?
What kind of nonsense is this now?
Min Ji-heon, who sipped the tea brought out as the final dessert after the servers cleared the table, wore a mischievous expression and dragged out the end of his sentence.
“Let’s see~, I think you were older than me.”
He spoke as if he were a fortune teller frequently seen in dramas, reading the protagonist’s fate.
“I can call you Hyung, right?”
This...
What kind of fresh nonsense is this?