Chapter 46
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Casting Hidden Stars
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Actors who would make their mark in 2015 and 2016 were scattered throughout the B and C lists.
Some were already working in films and theater, while others were fresh debutants.
'This could come in handy later if the ultimate idol gets turned into a drama.'
Stars shine bright from the start. The key was who spotted them and gave them the perfect role to spread their wings.
They all looked pretty and handsome, blending together at first glance, but to me, it was a stroke of luck seeing faces that would climb to A or S ranks in a few years.
'If I know them...'
I'd lived like a machine, churning out words and taking dumps, fed only the strictest diet of content.
Famous dramas, movies, webtoons—that was it. Time was limited, and with writing deadlines, the Team Leader must have curated 'recommended works.' The actors topping those lists were already well-known.
I pulled those people out and set them aside.
As I quietly worked through the list, the Executive Director snatched it up with a curious look.
"What's the criteria?"
"Potential."
"Just from their faces?"
"Gut feeling. That's it."
Intrigued by our exchange, the director reached out to her.
"Let me see too."
She handed it over with a smile, and a spark lit in the director's eyes.
"Hmm, I had my eye on this one too. And this friend. You've got a sharp eye, President Jeong."
Out of over 200 names, I'd picked ten.
Han Bo-geum was a prime example. She'd shine in the 'I'll Answer' series later.
"The heroine doesn't have a huge role in the novel, but casting will influence the adaptation. Can't skip romance if we want ratings."
The director's words drew a nod from Writer Byeon.
"Mess it up, and it turns noir. The title's Gangster House, after all."
I chuckled.
Objectively, to them, I was just a young web novel hack. First time with drama, here only as the author.
But I had the Executive Director on my side. No idea why she was so good to me, but I knew she was.
"Read the whole original, and you won't think that. Noir? Please."
Writer Byeon groaned again, like he'd been slapped twice.
Who ruled this room? The director? No. The investor.
Money was terrifying.
She could flip the table and storm out, and no one would bat an eye. Swapping the director or writer? Piece of cake.
"Wrap the school days in the first three episodes, and narrow it to actors who can pull off high school and adult roles."
At this point, she might as well be the director. Sensing her drive, the real director forced a smile and agreed.
"Co-ed school backdrop, so pick supporting roles from these, and slot the DM friends as extras."
My ten picks looked set for supporting roles.
"And the lead?"
Writer Byeon spoke up, and the director laid a few profiles on the table.
"What about these?"
All faces I recognized.
Writer Byeon beamed at them for the first time.
"No need for auditions, huh?"
He picked up one profile and added,
"Anyone would fit without clashing. Especially this one—she matches the character perfectly."
An idol-turned-actress expanding into dramas, MC gigs, and radio DJ work with relentless energy.
'Huh. Coincidence?'
She'd appeared in the 'I'll Answer' series too.
Whatever. I was a web novel writer. Poking further would be rude, and sticking to my lane suited me fine.
With the cast board shaping up, I slipped out of the meeting room. The director and Writer Byeon had more to hash out.
The Executive Director followed.
"President in public, but Writer in private?"
"Call me whatever's comfy."
She flashed her watch like it was evidence.
"It's late. Soju?"
"Soju?"
I'd pegged chaebols for wine or whiskey.
She upped the ante.
"Beer's boring. Great chicken feet spot nearby. Sound good?"
Chicken feet...
The world had lessons aplenty. The heir to JJ Group, pounding chicken feet and soju.
"Sure."
"Let's go."
She tugged my sleeve.
"This way!"
Not the main elevator—staff one behind the emergency stairs door.
Executive Director Yu clutched his throbbing head, staggering.
No word from the President. Emergency channels failed; she'd vanished after the afternoon meeting.
The JJ Group heir, gone without a single guard!
'My lifespan's shrinking...'
With his own life winding down, was she pushing retirement to let him coast?
He gripped his chest, propping on the desk, gasping.
Then—
-Director, the President's back.
The speaker jolted him alert.
Too impatient for her office, he bolted down the hall to the elevator.
Ding.
First floor. There she stood.
"U-Un... un...!"
"Uncle? Still here? Sigh, you're past overtime age."
Who do you think kept me here! On the verge of exploding, she slipped in and leaned on his shoulder.
Booze scent...
Like his granddaughter, worry trumped anger.
"With President Jeong?"
"Yeah, chicken feet and soju after ages."
"Why'd you silence your phone?"
"Knew you'd nag."
He sighed deep. Sharp soju breath from her lips. Just yesterday a kid, now boiling her guts with liquor.
"Why didn't President Jeong pick up?"
"I told him not to."
"Sigh..."
"Who am I marrying?"
The sudden question left Executive Director Yu speechless.
"......"
Chaebol marriages weren't just love. Rare when they were—and those ended in ruin.
Her age meant scouting fiancés soon.
"Thought about it since landing in Korea. Like other great family daughters, marry who Dad or Grandpa picks. Easier succession that way."
Her web novel binge? Waiting for a prince on a white horse to save her from this reality.
"......Fun?"
"Weirdly, yeah. He doesn't treat me special. Rare that. Everyone wants something from me. Even the bill—he paid. Fun, right?"
"It'll get harder."
"I know. But for months or years... I can too......"
Live normally, happily?
The unspoken words shone in her eyes. As she slumped, he caught her, exhaling heavily.
"Can't even hold your liquor..."
To her, soju was the strong brew blurring reality.
"Whoa!"
I jumped seeing Ye-jin at my door. Not cowardice—anyone would.
"......You came home wasted last night."
"I know. What time is it, why..."
6:55 a.m. Heading to the bathroom, and there's Ye-jin. Near faint.
"Something bothering you?"
"No."
"Then why..."
Hmm, rare night out yesterday, we went hard. Two bottles each?
Ye-jin stepped closer.
What's with her?
Hey, you'll fall.
Bracing, her forehead hit my chest. Then a small fist tapped it.
"......Drink with me sometime."
"Sure. Let's."
"Just us!"
"Yeah, just us."
"Promise!"
I laughed, and she darted down the hall.
"......"
What just happened? Jealous over soju with the Executive Director?
Bathroom first, urgent.
Hangover kept me down two extra hours. Rooftop: Jin-seong handed honey water like he'd been waiting.
"......Bro."
Sipping, he asked,
"Dating that president?"
Pffft! Sprayed his face.
"......Why you too?"
He wiped with a rag, staring calmly.
Don't. Scarier!
"Sauna with me?"
"No."
"......No reason to refuse."
"Any to go?"
"You just dirtied me."
"Sorry. My bad."
"......"
His stare weighed heavy.
Hey, no genre shift.
"Jin-seong."
"Yeah."
"I like someone."
"......You don't."
"Ha! I do."
"Who?"
"......Someone you don't know."
That desperate, huh.
Yesterday with the Executive Director clicked. Down-to-earth despite chaebol, and my reader.
But that's it. More drinks, her face overlapped another's.
"Classmate? Only one I don't know is her."
Why shove your face in. Perfect misunderstanding fuel!
"I do. Wouldn't lie about this. Just not my time yet."
"Oh, she got a boyfriend..."
"......Not time. Good stuff. Bye."
Set the cup, stood. He gazed soulfully, then nodded.
No weird misunderstandings, right?
Out the cafeteria, cats romped the rooftop.
Their kingdom now. Tiny things—a palace to them.
Down to first floor, bumped Ye-jin on stairs. Dawn weirdness forgotten, usual face.
"Eaten?"
"Honey water. Stomach's off—dinner later. Cats to vet?"
"Next week booked. Shots, bloodwork too."
"Happiness too while at it."
Five kittens nursing—tough.
"Of course."
Figured she'd handle it, heading back—
"Writer."
Huh? Writer, not President?
"Yeah?"
"Send the novel. Wanna read. New one."
Her eyes trembled—not my imagination.
"Got it. Sending now."
Laughed, patted her shoulder.
Then,
"Hey, tomorrow night free?"
"After 7 fine."
"7 it is. Just us."
"......Ah. ......Yeah."
No drinking today.
Ugh.
She didn't know her own talent. Just loved novels—joined the Memento Mori fan cafe lately.
'Drama greenlit. Amazing, whoa.'
She devoured BL, GL, all—now Mori was web novel world's hottest.
Spacing out in the cafe, new post popped.
【Memento Mori Writer Fan Signing Event】
Hello, Moris!
Mori fans are called Moris. Meaning's iffy, but no one cares.
More great news today. December 1st, 7 PM at Jongno XX Hotel lobby—Memento Mori signing event! Buy hardcover vols 1 & 2 of Gangster House Youngest Son too! Plus a super shocking reveal!
"Whoa, hardcovers..."
December 1st—time left.
"Want 'em..."
Not diehard yet, but cafe vibe screamed line up at dawn. Comments exploding already.
Other forums trashed cafe hype, but here Mori was god.
-Trusting Moris to make the event smooth! Special signing-only gifts too—show love! Especially for attending Moris #7, #77, #777: writer-prepped events await!