Chapter 49
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Script Reading
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Click.
The door opened, and four people walked in.
"Sorry we're late. We had some things to discuss among ourselves. You've all been reviewing the script, right?"
The director said as he entered. Writer Byeon Eun-ji followed right on his heels. She was a pretty well-known name in the industry. But today, she seemed oddly subdued, almost sulky.
The other two were unfamiliar faces. The woman exuded luxury from head to toe, while the man was ordinary-looking but carried himself with confident strides.
Once everyone was seated, the director spoke up.
"First, let's do introductions. Some of you may already know Writer Byeon Eun-ji."
Byeon nodded her head politely.
"This is Executive Director Sara Lee, our drama's investor and CEO of JJ Entertainment."
JJ Entertainment was one of the top five players in the entertainment market these days. There were even rumors she was an heir to the JJ Group.
"I'm Sara Lee. It's an honor to meet all you actors. I look forward to working with you."
Sara smoothly took the reins and introduced the man beside her.
"And this is Jeong Hyun-woo, the author of our drama's original work and the man who'll be providing us with a lot of guidance going forward—also our company president."
"Jeong Hyun-woo."
'The original author? Is that the guy who wrote Youngest Son of the Gangster Family?'
Han Bo-geom, who knew nothing about webnovels, found it strange that the original author was at the script reading.
"Alright, shall we get started?"
At the director's cue, the veteran actress raised her hand. A powerhouse supporting actress with twenty years under her belt, she was playing the protagonist's mother in this drama.
"I have a question. Is this script just for episode one?"
The director gave an awkward smile and confirmed it was.
"That's pretty common in drama production, right? Episode two's script will be out this week, so let's just cover episode one today."
'That's a morning soap thing.'
The actress frowned at the term "side script," but she didn't want to clash with the director at the first reading, so she held her tongue.
The lead role went to Kim Seung-gi, a top star who was a singer, actor, and variety show darling.
As he kicked off his lines naturally, Han Bo-geom waited tensely for his turn. He'd done readings before, but not many, so his nerves were on edge.
'His enunciation really is top-notch.'
About eight minutes into what would air on broadcast, he noticed Byeon slashing lines in the script with her pen.
This was why readings were essential. Even a well-crafted script could sound awkward when spoken aloud by actors, requiring tweaks to fit their delivery.
'It's bold, but fun.'
The story followed a prosecutor murdered under mysterious circumstances who reincarnates as the youngest son in a gangster family. He rises through the ranks and succeeds as a businessman, with the core conflict revolving around his clashes with the family boss—his father.
Was the father the enemy? That was intriguing.
Han Bo-geom played the youngest "gangster uncle," close in age to the protagonist, acting like a brother while doubling as his bodyguard.
'The rivalry with the brothers looks intense.'
Episode one wrapped up right there. Stories like this were unheard of in dramaland.
'How'd he come up with this?'
A tale of gangsters, revenge, and a man earning respect in a brutal family might seem off-putting to female viewers at first glance. But the script proved otherwise.
Just looking at the cast here, they were all heartthrobs with massive female appeal.
The kicker: episode one was set in the protagonist's high school days. It was starting with broad mass appeal.
"Great. As expected from seasoned pros—nice and clean."
After the actors rotated through from start to finish, the director grinned in satisfaction.
He glanced sideways for approval. Sara Lee smiled back.
"We have to do a team dinner on a day like this, right?"
The director shot up a thumbs-up.
"I'll take you all somewhere great!"
It wasn't just because she was JJ Entertainment's CEO—the rumors of her being JJ Group royalty had the director in full deference mode.
It was a novel sight. Up until now, the director had always been king of the set in his experience.
But as everyone rose to leave, he caught a bizarre scene.
Sara Lee casually placed her hand on the original author's arm and whispered in his ear. He happened to be in a spot where he could read her lip movements.
-Wanna hit a second round after dinner?
-No thanks. I nearly died last time.
-Aw, don't be a buzzkill. I'll foot the bill tonight. That place last time was good, right?
How was he supposed to process that?
They rented out a small barbecue joint entirely. With a top star and several recognizable faces, a few managers stood guard outside to control access.
A handful of staff absent from the reading showed up for the dinner, but Sara Lee remained absolute top dog here too.
'Wild.'
It felt awkward yet amusing seeing myself casually knocking back beers amid the actors like it was nothing.
The webnovelist had come this far thanks to Sara, but the booze-fueled lively vibe made the actors feel human.
The director, who'd been crammed next to me, stood with his glass to head to another table. With some space freed up, I scooted my hips over a bit.
"……."
Sara Lee scooted right after me.
"President, you should pace yourself. You've got a ton of work."
"Shouldn't I say the same to you, Writer? And we still need to finalize that fan meet details."
"High Director said he'd handle all the logistics."
"Come on, not the ops—I'm talking about what face you'll make greeting the fans."
"……Does that even matter?"
Calling me "Writer" instead of "President" was proof enough she'd already had a few.
I glanced over; Byeon was off in her own world, tweaking the script like the dinner didn't exist. That pro mindset made the artisan.
"Ha! If the fans heard that, they'd be heartbroken."
"Sorry."
"Love the remorse. Now smile for me."
Ah…… I just want to revise the script. I got that she wanted to play, but her persistence kept pushing me further aside for space.
Then my arm brushed someone else's body. I whipped my head around.
"Sorry about that."
"No worries."
It was actor Han Bo-geom. With the seniors migrating, he'd ended up plopped there awkwardly like a fifth wheel.
The middle-aged actors dominated the party vibe, so the rookies just laughed or drank.
No more room to retreat anyway.
"President, enough already. I'll practice at home."
What kind of non-actor has to practice smiling? Self-loathing hit, but if I didn't change the subject, she'd pry my lips apart with her fingers any second.
"Hmm, promise?"
"I said yeah."
Sara laughed, grabbing my arm with both hands and leaning in. Drunken clinginess, but back at the chicken feet joint, sitting across had hidden this side.
'She lived in the States a long time.'
No skinship hang-ups, apparently.
"Oh! Our star actor!"
We'd shifted seats a tad, swapping the guy opposite. Now the drama's male lead sat across from Sara.
"Looking forward to working together!"
Sara raised her glass, and Kim Seung-gi matched her seamlessly.
"The honor's mine, joining such a great project."
With Sara's attention diverted, I caught my breath and eyed the side.
'Actors are actors.'
I saw DM daily back at the goshiwon, prepping for idol debut, but Han Bo-geom's profile was straight-up sculpture. The pinnacle of his domain?
"To Youngest Son of the Gangster Family!"
"Cheers!"
"To massive success!"
"Cheers!"
Sara jumped in, heating things up more. I played along vaguely while side-eyeing my spot—the most uncomfortable seat in the world.
'Time to bail?'
Linger too long, and it'd be chicken feet joint redux. Nothing much to chat with this actor about either.
'Pretend bathroom break…….'
Luckily, the old building had the restroom outside.
As I gauged the moment, a twist appeared.
Thud.
Byeon plunked her script down opposite me. Then she poured soju straight into her drink cup.
A veteran actress had been there moments ago. Was seat loyalty a myth at industry parties?
"……."
Byeon raised her glass, glaring at me. Scarier than Sara. No way she'd down it in one go, right? Don't. Please don't.
Glug—!
The world had so much to teach. This space overflowed with plot twists and characters defying expectations.
"Ah……."
She slammed the lukewarm soju down her throat, skipped the side dish, glared harder, then spoke.
"Fine, I admit it."
"Pardon?"
"I read it all. Up to what's out."
The original work? She slapped her palm on the script and continued.
"It's fun, gripping, characters nailed tight—no fat to trim. That's true. But."
She phrased it like confirming with herself for my sake.
"Dramas are dramas. Leave it to me."
Her revised script was originally set for final review by Sara and me.
I gazed at her steadily, then smiled.
"Got it. I trust you, Writer."
"Thanks. And…… sorry."
I offered my hand instead of words. She clasped it, and we both broke into grins without missing a beat.
Dramas, webnovels, movies, webtoons—we just had to make people happy. No need to strut over whose turf or look down on others.
'She's a mountain I still gotta climb.'
Someday the world would notice. And I'd be the one threading that first needle.
Days flowed swiftly in calm routine, save for adding driving school and jump rope to the schedule.
Summer memories still fresh, winter hit. I pulled out my puffer jacket and fired up the electric blanket for bed.
That's when the articles dropped.
-Lavish Casting for Youngest Son of the Gangster Family!
-Webnovel Makes History with Drama Adaptation!
-On-Set Exclusive!
-KBC Mon-Tue Drama Confirmed!
I caught flak for sneaking out mid-dinner, but Sara was a beast.
-Premieres January 27, 2015!
January it was. Actors started shooting next week, cranking out two episodes weekly—a killer pace.
Chaos rippled over here too.
Rooftop.
Sitting on the bench now puffed white breath.
"Ji-min! Your expression's stiff! Go full villain! You're iljin number three! Iljin! Why can't you sneer properly!"
The acting coach drilling DM showed up daily. A junior of Manager Min's, but her skills seemed legit.
"Se-chan! No lines doesn't mean slack off! Eye acting's the hardest! Tense till your eyes ache!"
Se-chan had iljin number four. Roles for total newbie actors like DM were super limited. Honestly, not trembling on camera would be victory enough.
'Tough gig.'
Prepping a surprise December 1st event alongside acting practice—overwhelming now, but idol life would make it all useful someday.
"Ryu Hae-jin! Slouch more! Glare like you're gonna devour 'em!"
Vocal, sub-vocal, and rap duties struggling to channel iljin vibes.
But there were always exceptions.
"Jin-seong, perfect! Jin-guk, spot on! You guys are golden."
Jin-seong and Jin-guk, playing the protagonist's classmates 2 and 3, nailed their lines effortlessly.
Eliza extras vanishing after episode two, yet they acted like pros possessed.
"Congrats on topping midterms. But don't get cocky. Finals are mine."
Jin-seong and Jin-guk faced off, trading lines in a vacuum.
"PC bang, let's go!"
"Why can't I beat that guy?"
"PC bang, let's go!"
"Hah, gotta admit it?"
"PC bang, let's go!"
Context-free banter cracked me up, but their dead seriousness made laughing feel rude, so I held it in.