Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 24

Drifting Scenario (2)

* * *

“Okay, calm down. Big company money isn’t always bad. These days, they’re more reasonable, you know?”

As Director Kim Ryul left, CEO Tae Jong-beom immediately lit a cigarette. The assistant director grimaced, waving his hand in the air.

“You said you wouldn’t smoke in the office!”

“Just one. My stomach’s upset.”

The assistant director, who was plugging his nose and inhaling his jajangmyeon [Korean noodle dish with black bean sauce], asked,

“Director Kim, will he do it this time?”

“He has to. He absolutely has to. If it gets any later than this, we’ll have to drop it too.”

“Director’s stubbornness is something else… He could ease up a bit, or else another year will pass.”

“Ugh! Don’t ask me. Kim Director was boasting that he’d break through his bad luck this year…”

CEO Tae thumped his chest. He’d known Director Kim Ryul for ten years already.

In terms of skill, there was nothing to criticize. The problem was his unfortunate luck, worse than a movie protagonist.

A well-made independent film had its award snatched away by an internal nominee from the organizing committee, and a genre film that received investment couldn’t even be properly released due to a nationwide epidemic.

And that wasn’t all. A business partner ran off with the money, and an investment company he barely secured suddenly went bankrupt, among other various adversities.

After several such incidents, investors and actors don’t stick around Kim Ryul’s films anymore.

How quickly do rumors spread in this industry? One failure is understandable, but three consecutive failures make you a national jinx.

“Why would anyone bother playing with a guy with such a cursed fate?”

In that sense, this proposal was a last chance. C&J Noble of Changjin Group, which was aggressively expanding into the entertainment industry, had contacted them.

They would provide as much production cost as needed, on the condition that they use the actor they picked.

“CEO, aren’t Kang Gyun-mo and Seo Ye-ju not bad cards?”

“What are you talking about? We should be thrilled and use them.”

“Then, as a compromise… aren’t there any from the theater scene? Director Kim Ryul has some connections there.”

“No, no. We need a young, charismatic actor with solid acting skills, but all of Kim Director’s acquaintances are old geezers.”

CEO Tae Jong-beom, having finished smoking two cigarettes, sank into the sofa.

“Han PD [Production Director], if you want to persuade him, bring me two amazing actors. A lineup that doesn’t care about money and that Kim Ryul would love.”

“…I wasn’t even thinking of persuading him.”

Just then, the phone in the CEO’s office rang. CEO Tae leaned back and pressed the speakerphone button.

“Yes, this is Keunbeom Studios.”

-Hello, this is Park Geon.

The assistant director’s ears perked up. A husky low voice mixed with a beautiful tone, naturally making the listener focus.

“Ah, yes. What’s the matter?”

-I’m calling because I heard you have the ‘Black Priest’ scenario. Has the actor audition already finished?

The audition was a bust, already in the stage of falling apart from production, but he couldn’t say that as it was.

CEO Tae quickly straightened his posture.

“Well, there are some minor issues… It’s still in progress. Are you a representative from the investment company? Or management?”

-I’m an actor. I appeared in ‘Dog of Seoul.’

The assistant director tilted his head, then suddenly started waving his arms like crazy.

Anyone could tell it was a ‘go’ gesture, and CEO Tae skillfully moved forward.

“You’re an actor. So, you’re interested in our scenario, right?”

-Yes. If possible, I’d like to audition. I’m available anytime.

“Anytime? As it happens, the director who wrote the scenario is here with me. How about today…?”

-Yes. I’ll go to where you are.

The actor coolly scheduled the audition and hung up. The assistant director couldn’t hide his excitement and chattered.

“This is amazing. Is the work finally going to work out? How did Park Geon contact us?”

“Who’s Park Geon? I’ve never even heard of him.”

“Don’t you know? He’s a hot actor these days, Choi Seung from ‘Dog of Seoul’!”

Seeing is believing. CEO Tae Jong-beom, who casually watched the YouTube drama shorts that the assistant director handed over, stroked his chin.

“He’s handsome. And good with his body.”

“And he’s with Roman Entertainment. There’s a rumor that Jin Ji-yu made a special appearance because they’re in the same agency.”

CEO Tae’s expression, which hadn’t changed much even while watching Choi Seung’s famous scenes, changed.

“Roman? The one CEO Noh Joong-man runs?”

“Yes. I heard there’s something between them, and there’s a rumor that CEO Noh is pushing him as a rookie. Eun Hee-wook’s connections are wide in the entertainment industry.”

“Eun Hee-wook?”

Director Kim Ryul, who had just walked in, asked. CEO Tae gestured as if things were going well.

“Director Kim, sit down quickly. An actor contacted us!”

“What suddenly…”

“It’s Park Geon from Roman Entertainment. You know ‘Dog of Seoul’? He was Choi Seung there, a rising star these days.”

A name he hadn’t known until just now was transformed into a rising star with the single word ‘Roman.’

The assistant director, with good timing, held out an iPad, and the YouTube edit he had been watching was played.

On the iPad screen, a man in a loose suit runs, flies, and destroys humans.

ㅡHey, are you Dae-seung?

ㅡStop it. That’s enough.

As the last scene of his death in the play came out, CEO Tae and the assistant director swallowed hard, watching for a reaction.

Kim Ryul, who had been resting his chin on his hand throughout the video, showed no particular change in expression.

“How is it? Not bad, right? Han PD was full of praise too.”

“He’s a complete rookie with no filmography, but his restrained emotional portrayal is top-notch. His physique and mask are also top-tier.”

Finally, Director Kim Ryul’s mouth opened.

“He’s good. He suits the role of Seo Yo-han well.”

“See, I told you he’s good!”

“He’s good, but…”

“Why again?”

Director Kim Ryul turned his sharp gaze to CEO Tae.

“Is this person the card C&J changed? They couldn’t persuade me with Kang Gyun-mo, so they’re trying to persuade me.”

Even when they bring a good actor, he suspects them first. It’s a side effect of the countless tricks he’s played over the past year to get him to make a film.

“What are you talking about! It’ll all come out once we start filming anyway. I’m not that sloppy. I’m telling you, he really just called!”

Even as CEO Tae jumped up and down, Director Kim Ryul said firmly.

“I can’t work with you if you deceive even me. You know I hate lying the most, right?”

“Okay, let’s at least check his face. We need to see if he’s a rookie or a veteran.”

“When should I schedule the audition for?”

“In two hours. He said he’s coming now?”

Finally, Director Kim Ryul’s mouth fell open.

*

“Audition?”

Meredith Entertainment headquarters.

Park Seon, who came to pick up his brother, blinked.

He was supposed to be eating with people from the broadcasting station, and it was already a stretch that he came to Seo Hee-do’s company, but now he’s suddenly going to an audition.

Seo Hee-do’s manager, who became friends with him on the set of ‘Dog of Seoul,’ shook his head.

“I’ve never seen such a bulldozer. He asked me to find a scenario that Hee-do had received in the past, and then he called the production company and even set up a meeting.”

His brother likes filming works. So, he was collecting scenarios that he might be interested in, but this quickly?

“Do you happen to know what it was about?”

“It must have been some kind of occult… Ah, he’s coming over there, so ask him directly.”

Park Geon, who was signing autographs for the trainees over there, walked this way.

Whether the rumor had already spread, Meredith employees were gathered in the group of trainees in training clothes.

“You came early.”

“Oh, just now. But suddenly an audition…”

Park Geon said nonchalantly.

“There’s no need to drag it out. If I get it, great, if I don’t, I’ll give up.”

Park Seon shook his head at the tone of voice, as if he were saying, ‘Lunch is gukbap [Korean rice soup] today.’ At this point, he’s beyond having a strong heart, his nerve endings must be made of rebar.

“The director said it’s okay to see you right away?”

“He called and told me to come. He said the production team was in a meeting at the production company.”

Seo Hee-do, with a worried expression, added an explanation.

“I heard it from the side. Since Geon hyung [older brother/male friend] is interested, he’s going to go, but seeing as they haven’t even found an actor yet, there might be a problem. Manager-nim [term of respect for manager], please check out the atmosphere over there.”

He was going to do that anyway.

Park Seon looked alternately at the script in his brother’s hand and the trainees hesitating behind him.

“Then, shall we finish signing for the people in the back and go?”

*

Two hours later, two men entered the ‘Keunbeom Studio’ office.

The shorter one was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans. He was dressed exactly like someone who had ‘I’m a manager’ written all over him, and the taller one was wearing a brand new black suit.

It was an outfit that would only be suitable for a funeral, but the moment the man entered, the office fell silent.

At actor or idol fan meetings, there are times when the venue becomes quiet all at once when the main character enters.

Out of excitement from being moved by their favorite star, or out of surprise at the celebrity’s unrealistic appearance.

Right now, it was closer to the latter.

‘The screen doesn’t capture his real appearance.’

CEO Tae Jong-beom thought, scanning Park Geon. Long arms and legs, a small face, and in contrast, his shoulders look even broader, but his physique is just the tip of the iceberg.

His monolid eyes have both good and evil coexisting, and his angular jaw gives a masculine yet classic impression.

And what about the atmosphere? The strange aura surrounding the man, it even feels like the air is splitting every time he moves.

‘It seems that the hype about him being hot these days isn’t just PR. CEO Noh has struck gold.’

He’s already at this level with just a blank face, but if he decides to explode with energy?

CEO Tae, who was trying hard to hide his rising smile, greeted the guests cheerfully.