An Actor Who Has Lived For 10,000 Years [EN]: Chapter 69

69 #15 – Between Lead and Supporting Role (2)

“Of all the times for it to overlap like this.”

As I said this, shaking my head, Chief Kim nodded in agreement.

“Even the higher-ups are troubled by it.”

He stretched out his index finger and pointed towards the ceiling.

‘Upstairs’ meant those in higher management positions, and they weren’t happy about Baek Young-hoon and me competing in the same time slot.

It was only natural.

Competing for viewership ratings with someone from the same company, no less.

It was practically just splitting the pie.

Neither he nor I could be entirely pleased, regardless of who got higher or lower ratings.

Moreover, ever since Baek Young-hoon first joined HS Entertainment, I’d been hearing the same thing.

That we were rivals.

Our positions were similar.

And as we both developed, the company internally placed us on the same level.

Nodding at Chief Kim’s words, I murmured softly.

“So, all this talk about being rivals with Baek Young-hoon…”

I looked at the empty space and faintly raised the corner of my lips.

“Is this going to make it a real rivalry?”

Chief Kim seemed to agree with me, as he pursed his lips.

“Looks like you’ll have to engage in some friendly competition with Young-hoon.”

At Chief Kim’s words, I rolled my eyes and fell into thought.

And then, that scene came to mind.

On the day of the drama results announcement, Baek Young-hoon’s expression in the pantry.

Baek Young-hoon, upon learning that I had been rejected and he had landed the lead role in the drama, offered me an apology that wasn’t really an apology.

It was clearly *meant* to be an apology.

But there was no hint of genuine remorse in his lips or eyes.

Of course, it’s not like he *should* feel sorry that he got the lead role instead of me.

Just because I was rejected doesn’t prove that I’m a worse actor than Baek Young-hoon.

It’s just that Baek Young-hoon’s style was a better fit for the role in that drama.

He was just expressing his apologies because we’re colleagues in the same company.

And I just needed to congratulate him.

That’s all.

But Baek Young-hoon, under the guise of an apology, uttered the word ‘sorry’ to me while faintly raising the corner of his lips.

His subtly irritating tone.

It felt like he was enjoying the situation, feeling superior to me.

That kind of energy was strongly felt.

I slowly shook my head and stretched out my voice.

“I wonder… is it really ‘friendly’?”

Startled by my quiet words, Chief Kim asked me.

“What is it? Did something happen between you two?”

Only then did I look at him, startled by Chief Kim’s loud voice.

And I forced a smile, so he wouldn’t worry.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Then?”

Chief Kim raised his eyebrows and looked at me.

“No, it’s just… I feel a bit uneasy.”

“About Baek Young-hoon?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t Young-hoon usually very affable?”

I pouted my lower lip at him, who was tilting his head.

“He is. On the surface, he seems really nice, and he’s the first to approach me, calling me ‘hyung’ [older brother or respected male figure] in a friendly way, but…”

I shrugged my shoulders and continued.

“But I feel a bit of resistance.”

“Maybe you’re just seeing it that way because you’re sensitive about this drama casting, Hee-sung.”

Chief Kim patted my shoulder as if to comfort me.

“He’s always been affable, you know.”

At his words, I twisted my lips.

“Yeah, I hope that’s the case.”

“Right. Here’s the list of other actors cast in the drama.”

After receiving the paper from Chief Kim, I quickly scanned the list.

Soon, my gaze stopped, fixed on one spot.

‘Oh… he’s here?’

I raised the corners of my lips brightly.

***

Drama script reading day.

I didn’t have to wait long for the script reading.

Because the previous historical drama was delayed, all the processes for this drama proceeded swiftly.

Thanks to that, we increased practice time and completed thorough preparations.

“Hello!”

The person who greeted me warmly as I opened the door to the script reading room.

It was Seo In-woo.

As soon as I saw him, my eyes widened with delight.

He was someone who auditioned with me and a talented rookie actor.

I thought Seo In-woo might have been rejected because I got the part in this drama.

Contrary to my expectations, Seo In-woo greeted me with a cheerful voice.

I think that’s why I felt happy first.

“In-woo.”

“Sunbae-nim [senior/mentor], have you been well? Haha.”

Like old seniors and juniors, we shook hands warmly.

“Of course. I’m so glad we get to act together.”

He smiled brightly and replied.

“I was lacking, but the director saw something in me and I was able to join as a supporting role.”

“In-woo’s acting was good, so…”

Before I could finish speaking, he quickly opened his mouth.

“Moreover, I think it was a great help that I showed chemistry with you during the audition.”

“Haha, I really enjoyed acting with In-woo too.”

At that moment.

A person with striking looks entered through the door that burst open.

It was Shin Min-young.

“Hello.”

She had long straight hair and large eyes.

Her high nose bridge and skin were glowing.

Shin Min-young was an actress who had already played lead roles in dramas frequently.

After making herself known with small supporting roles.

She filmed commercials like a flood due to her excellent acting skills and pretty face.

She soon rose to stardom.

Since then, she has been consistently taking on lead roles in dramas, showing results above average.

Shin Min-young smiled and greeted everyone.

Then, she approached me and Seo In-woo and greeted us again.

“Hello, Hee-sung.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you.”

It was my first time meeting her.

But I already knew her through TV.

She seemed to know me too.

Shin Min-young smiled brightly and sent her greetings, then glanced at Seo In-woo.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, I’m Seo In-woo. I’ll do my best!”

Shin Min-young raised her eyebrows and looked surprised at his confident voice.

The actors in this drama didn’t seem to have any sharp edges.

Everyone seemed to have a well-rounded personality.

Moreover, it was the first time I experienced people treating each other cheerfully without any glares of rivalry in the script reading room where we were meeting for the first time.

Even though it’s just work, if the actors have good chemistry, it will definitely be reflected on TV.

This drama, I have a good feeling about it?

As people arrived at the reading room one by one and took their seats, Director Yoo opened his mouth.

“Okay, before we start the script reading, shall we introduce ourselves?”

Then he continued.

“I think you’ve already introduced yourselves separately, but let’s do a general introduction once.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s start with Jin Hee-sung, the actor who will be playing the lead role…”

He fixed his gaze on me.

I nodded and stood up from my seat.

“Hello. I’m Jin Hee-sung, and I’ll be playing the role of Im Jun-ki. Nice to meet you.”

As I bowed my head, applause erupted.

I straightened my back and continued.

“As this is my first time playing a lead role, I have a great desire to do it very well. I will do my best to work hard and make it successful. Please take care of me.”

“Yes!”

At my words, Seo In-woo brought his hands to his mouth and shouted.

His reaction made people laugh.

“I hope everyone gets along well during filming.”

Clap clap clap-.

The sound of applause erupted again.

After that, the introductions continued in order.

After finishing the introductions in order, it was finally Seo In-woo’s turn.

Seo In-woo stood up from his seat with a brighter smile than anyone else.

“Hello, I’m Seo In-woo, a rookie actor who is always prepared. I will do my best to not cause trouble for the director and seniors, and to not be a burden!”

His bright energy was conveyed to the people as it was.

Director Yoo nodded and clapped his hands.

I also smiled contentedly as I looked at Seo In-woo.

I felt it from the first impression.

Seo In-woo had a different charm from me, who is the same age.

A cheerful and cute style.

That made him feel very likable.

“Ahem.”

Director Yoo stood up from his seat and opened his mouth.

“I’m Yoo Joon-ho, the director in charge of this drama.”

Clap clap-.

“Wow!”

Exclamations erupted towards him.

Director Yoo raised the corners of his lips and continued.

“I’ve been working in the entertainment industry for a long time. Then, due to various instances of abuse of power… Anyway, I took the media entrance exam and entered the path of a director.”

He briefly laid out his life story.

His process of becoming a director was very fresh.

Working in the entertainment industry and then taking the media entrance exam….

His story was quite interesting.

I raised my eyebrows and focused on him.

“I’m finally making my debut with this drama, and I’ve met you all. I will do my best to film this drama, and I want it to be remembered as a good drama for you too.”

We fixed our gazes on his words and listened attentively.

“Let’s all get along well with one heart and one mind in the future.”

“Yes.”

“Then, shall we finish the introduction with applause and start the script reading right away?”

“Good.”

Darkness had already begun to settle outside the window.

The last page of the long script reading was covered.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The chemistry between the actors was not bad.

No, it was quite good.

Shin Min-young had already played lead roles in many works, so her acting skills were needless to say.

Above all, Seo In-woo’s acting skills.

It surprised me once again today.

His acting, which I saw at the audition, was admirable.

It was clear that he had practiced even more since then.

There were more scenes than I thought where I acted with him.

And the chemistry with him was also perfect.

Like someone who had acted with me many times.

“It’s dinner time, shall we have a simple meal and finish up?”

Director Yoo looked at his watch and opened his mouth.

Most of the actors nodded and replied.

“Good.”

I, who had no schedule afterward, also gave Director Yoo a positive smile.

***

As we came out of the script reading room, some of the actors and staff couldn’t participate due to their schedules.

Director Yoo, me, Shin Min-young, and supporting actors including Seo In-woo attended.

And before I knew it, Seo In-woo came to my side and took a seat.

“Sunbae-nim, may I sit here?”

“Of course.”

Not a stiff tone, but his bright and cute voice.

It didn’t seem like a tone that came out of effort.

He filled my glass and opened his mouth.

“You worked hard today.”

“No, you worked hard too, In-woo. Let me pour you a drink.”

“Yes.”

He still acted politely towards me.

We continued to exchange glasses.

As the soju [Korean distilled spirit] bottles piled up, Seo In-woo filled my glass with his cheeks flushed.

“That’s why that work was a huge hit, wasn’t it? Haha.”

“Wow, In-woo, did you see that work too?”

“Of course. I’ve seen it three times.”

I momentarily opened my mouth wide and twitched my lips.

“There aren’t many people who have actually seen that. I also watched that work a few times because it was fun.”

“Wow, we really have similar tastes.”

Even a style of work that is not often seen.

It felt like we had a good connection.

I twisted one corner of my lips as I looked at him.

I had a strong feeling that Seo In-woo would become one of the few close people among the actors.

“That’s right. In-woo, I feel like I could talk about works with you all night? Haha.”

He smiled brightly and replied to me.

“That’s right. Ah, and please speak comfortably, Sunbae.”

“Ah….”

Seo In-woo and I are the same age.

He was doing his junior role perfectly because I debuted first.

I nodded and said to him.

“Should I… ?”

“Yes, of course.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Then In-woo, you can speak comfortably to me too.”

“How could I….”

“Well, just call me ‘sunbae’. We’re the same age, and we’ll be meeting each other to act in the future. It would be nice to get along.”

He rolled his eyes as if he was looking at me, then slowly nodded.

Clink.

And we clinked our glasses hard.

Seo In-woo and I, who had become closer by exchanging drinks.

Now, it was becoming natural to speak informally.

“By the way, Hee-sung sunbae. Isn’t your movie opening soon?”

At his words, I nodded my head.

“That’s right. It’s opening this week.”

“Wow! I’ll really support you. I have to go see it as soon as it comes out.”

“Haha, thank you.”

And I looked at the empty space and blurred my focus.

Movie… will it do well?