Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 56

Casting War (2)

* * *

Kwon Yu-jin put her lipstick in her clutch and faced the bathroom mirror.

Her suit was neat and stiff. Her makeup was touched up to look natural—just right.

‘Since I’m number 13 now…’

Her number, given by the assistant director, was 18. The audition order was about halfway through the applicants for the role, so there was still time to catch her breath and concentrate.

As she wiped the water from her hands, Kang Ha-na came out of the bathroom stall behind her.

“……”

Kwon Yu-jin made eye contact with her competitor in the mirror, but there was no response. Kang Ha-na approached the next sink with a click-clack of her heels and turned on the water.

Splash—A haughty voice mixed in with the sound of pouring water.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

Kang Ha-na opened her handbag and scoffed.

“Why don’t you drop the act? There are no cameras here and no one else around.”

Come to think of it, there was no one in the stalls behind her. The managers would be waiting in the waiting room.

“I don’t use informal language with people I’ve just met.”

“Pretending to be pretty, pretending to be nice—why are all the girls who come from web dramas like that? Did your agency only teach you image management instead of acting?”

“Are all the people who come from being idols as rude as you? I don’t think that’s the case.”

Invisible punches were exchanged. Kang Ha-na, with one corner of her mouth raised, sneered.

“You’re not going to get the part anyway. Kang Jun-hee said he’d put in a word. Does your company even have a senior who can say anything?”

“Excuse me, Ms. Kang Ha-na.”

“You know you only got this far through your agency’s viral marketing. Looking at you, you’re just a used newbie with a lot of years under your belt. Please, if you’re from a small company, act like it… Hey!”

The venomous curse was cut short. Kwon Yu-jin took a step closer to Kang Ha-na, who was sputtering as she wiped the water that had splashed on her face, and turned off the water.

“You’re being really loud, even with your bad diction.”

“What did you just say–!”

“If you want to ruin my acting, start by grabbing my hair. Or slap me. Then I’ll fight you.”

If she had her way, she would have shoved that smug face into the toilet, but if she did, she would really be ruined.

If the war of nerves turned into a real fight and they ended up at the police station, it would be beyond the scope of what her agency could cover.

“Where did Han PD [Production Director] say he was?”

“He’s leaving for the filming location at 3 PM. It was posted in the staff group chat.”

Just then, a voice was heard from outside. Kang Ha-na twitched her cheeks and shook off the water droplets on her shirt.

“…Let’s see how well you do.”

*

The audition lasted about an hour.

After Kang Ha-na, who looked like she had washed her face, returned, Kwon Yu-jin and the other supporting actors finished their acting and came out.

Of course, no one left their seats even after their turn was over.

It was because of the male lead candidate sitting over there, who had changed his hairstyle for the first time since his debut.

“Manager Yoo, would you like to eat something before we go in? I’m good with anything but pizza!”

“Oh, you must have been through a lot with hyung [older brother/male friend]. Let’s get whatever Seon-i wants to eat. I’ll give you my full support.”

Only the two managers were talking, and the actor was focused on his smartphone with a cold expression. His fingers were moving incredibly fast, as if he was having a serious conversation.

“Actor number 39!”

And finally, Park Geon got up and entered the audition room.

‘Hey, say something to him.’

‘You do it! You said you wanted to get his autograph, right?’

‘No, he’s concentrating… I feel like I’m going to cry if I bother him and get an earful.’

Ten minutes later, the actors slowly gathered around Park Geon, who came out again. Their fan spirit was on full display, wanting to get autographs and take pictures.

In the midst of the fierce battle of wits, Kang Ha-na, who had been guarding the waiting room until then, suddenly stepped forward.

“Hello, senior.”

The managers who came with Park Geon turned around.

In addition to the younger manager who had been photographed with him at the awards ceremony and had his face known, a manager who appeared to be at the team leader level or higher was also present today.

“I’m Kang Ha-na. I look forward to working with you.”

“I’m Park Geon.”

Kang Ha-na’s face flushed red as they shook hands. ‘Did you see that, you bitches? This is what main couple chemistry should look like.’

Her victory, mixed with intoxication, was soon shattered.

“But you’re more senior than me.”

“Senior… yes?”

“You must have more years of experience too. I started acting for the first time at the beginning of last year.”

Among the people around, the two who had been in the bathroom knew what she was talking about. Her red face turned bright red as if it would burst if you poked it.

“I believe that experience naturally follows with seniority. Even if the results aren’t always high.”

Park Geon nodded briefly and left, and the other actors followed him in a crowd.

Kwon Yu-jin, who was with her manager, also muttered as she passed by.

“It must be nice to be a senior. Our team leader must have good ears.”

“……”

Snap, the extended nail broke off in her tightly clenched fist. The manager, who couldn’t grasp what was happening, hurriedly approached.

“Ha-na, what’s wrong? What happened?”

“…Get out of my way.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said get out of my way because I’m annoyed!”

Then she pushed him away and walked off. Only the innocent manager trembled and followed behind.

‘She’s telling me to get out of her way, but these days kids have no patience…’

*

“How was it? Was it okay?”

As soon as he got into the van, Yoo Joon-il, the director, pressed him.

He had begged to come along to today’s audition, but he had left his seat for a while in the middle to talk to the staff.

‘Did he say his cousin works as an assistant director on this team?’

Park Seon in the driver’s seat joined the barrage of questions.

“I’m curious too, did it come this time?”

“Come? What’s coming?”

“I have to check if the feeling is coming or not with these auditions and meetings. I told you that you can only do the work if it comes.”

Park Seon frowned with both index fingers on his temples as if receiving telepathy.

“…That’s a bit alien-like. Anyway… so how was that feeling?”

“It was fierce.”

“What was, the acting?”

“No. The war of nerves in the bathroom.”

This industry is the same as it was in the past. Director Yoo’s expression immediately showed that he understood.

“Ah, those two. Was it Kang Ha-na? I could tell they were going to have a fight by the way they were glaring at each other. I thought she was going to put in a good word.”

“Yes. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“It’s common. Especially for actresses. They smile sweetly, but when the camera isn’t rolling, they’re wielding all kinds of knives. That’s why our Baek Ha-ni, the queen, fought so often.”

In fact, he had noticed such an atmosphere earlier than Director Yoo.

Just in case, he raised his senses when Kang Ha-na followed him out, and he heard the story through the open door.

‘She wasn’t the type I wanted to leave my back to.’

That’s why he exchanged a few words with her. Those who unhesitatingly harm others cause discord even with their colleagues.

“Oh, but weren’t you in the waiting room the whole time? When did you fight in the bathroom again…”

Geon cut off the unnecessary question as if he hadn’t heard it.

“The feeling was good. The PD [Production Director] also agreed, so I think I’ll go into the next project.”

“Wow!”

Park Seon shouted and hit the passenger seat, but the seat reliably absorbed the impact.

“Congratulations, hyung! You finally found it!”

“Thanks. Sorry for making you suffer all this time.”

“No, this team really runs around and picks their work. Other actors who just sit and flip through scripts should take a lesson.”

Director Yoo Joon-il, who was also clapping, asked.

“How was it inside? My cousin didn’t seem to know, but who do you think Park will be?”

“Are you talking about the female lead?”

“Yes. Kang Ha-na? Or Kwon Yu-jin? You’ll be filming with the female lead for a few months anyway.”

A good colleague is essential for a good project. Geon recalled the audition room from earlier.

‘It seemed like they were worried too.’

*

Park Geon’s acting was over.

Lee Jin-ha, who had turned the audition room into the overseas sales team’s office, disappeared, and the actor, who had returned to normal, asked.

“That’s all for here. Do you need any other scenes?”

PD [Production Director] Hwang Chang-jae couldn’t answer for a moment. As the saying goes, a fool is brave, and Yoo Ho-young, who was sitting next to him, quickly took over, noticing his mood.

“No, that was great. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you.”

The cinematographer was also staring at the video he had just taken with a similar expression, wondering what he had just seen.

He looked at the smartphone he had turned on next to him, and it was quiet. Even if the writer was out of his mind, he wouldn’t be able to find fault with that performance.

‘What? Use a rookie for the male lead? Human, are you saying that after seeing that?’

An axe blade suddenly fell into PD [Production Director] Hwang’s head, who had been feeling triumphant.

The real thing starts now. The other PDs [Production Directors] said they had heard polite rejections after finishing their acting.

‘Is it a bust? Or a jackpot?’

You can’t tell just by looking at his expression. If the words ‘I’m sorry’ come out of his mouth…

“Do you have any intention of doing our work?”

“Ho-young, please be quiet…”

“Yes. I do.”

Hwang PD [Production Director], who was clenching his skinny fist to punch his junior, stopped moving. Then, words that he didn’t know if they were a dream or reality flowed out.

“I want to do it. If you’ve cast someone else…”

“No, what are you talking about! Park Geon was the only actor we wanted from the first time you contacted us.”

Hwang PD [Production Director] ran out and grabbed Park Geon’s hand and shook it up and down. At this moment, he was our warrior, just like Director Kim said.

A slight shadow fell over Park Geon’s face.

“I’m sorry for causing trouble. I had to see the test in front of the camera.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. Thanks to you, the audition atmosphere was heated up and it was great. We’re broadcasters who risk our lives for topicality.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll go first…”

“Ah, wait a minute. Just a minute.”

Hwang Chang-jae PD [Production Director] took Park Geon and trotted towards the cinematographer.

“Here, these are the main female lead candidates this time? Take a look and see who’s better.”

It is common for a powerful lead to choose or even plant their opposite role.

Park Geon, who watched the recorded video, answered immediately.

“Kang Ha-na has better expressive power, and Kwon Yu-jin has better tone and diction.”

“That’s right. So who does Park want…”

“But the role in this drama is a rookie employee who perseveres and steadily moves forward, so Kwon Yu-jin seems more advantageous for long-term directing.”

Hwang PD [Production Director] immediately realized. Park Geon is talking about the compatibility between the actor’s usual appearance and the role.

‘Kang Ha-na is more outgoing, so pick the stable Kwon Yu-jin as a countermeasure…’

That’s absolutely right. In most cases, it’s easier to express than to restrain.

He was in charge of sub-directing in his previous movie, and his ability to grasp the strengths and weaknesses at once and compare them with the roles in the play is extraordinary.

“Thank you. I’ll reflect it well in the casting.”

“Yes, thank you.”

It was when Park Geon was about to push the door open. Yoo Ho-young, who had been looking for an opportunity, finally caused an accident.

“Actor Park Geon. Were you threatened to join our work? If so, shake the carrot.”

“Hey, you crazy bastard!”

*

Director Yoo, who heard the story, grabbed his stomach and laughed.

“So? Did Ho-young get hit in the end?”

“It seemed like it. Judging by the intensity, it wouldn’t have exceeded 1 week of treatment.”

“Oh, even so, hospitalization is a bit…”

Director Yoo, who was awkwardly rolling his eyes, belatedly turned on his smartphone.

“Anyway, Park Star pushed Kwon Yu-jin. I wonder who it will be.”

“Why, Director? Are the two of them rivals?”

“Seon-i might not know, but Kang Ha-na and Kwon Yu-jin both have faces that are good for a rom-com female lead.”

“What do you mean by good to use…”

“Easy to handle. They’re new to the industry, so their appearance fee is cheap and their mask is outstanding compared to their acting skills. They’re perfect for empathizing and following the drama’s plot.”

As a manager who was in charge of Jin Ji-yu and Baek Ha-ni of the top idol Quantum when he was a team leader, his explanation is clear. Park Seon, who was taking the navigation, made a groan full of anguish.

“I thought actress Kwon Yu-jin would fit the atmosphere, but after hearing what the director said, I don’t know anymore.”

“That’s right. And the main female lead isn’t the problem with this drama.”

“Weren’t all the other leads cast?”

At Geon’s question, Director Yoo Joon-il nodded deeply.

“That’s right, those people are the key.”

*

Park Geon joins YTS’s Wednesday-Thursday drama.

The title is ‘Team Leader in a Gray City’, the winning entry of the contest held in conjunction with Studio Jookeville last year.

The whereabouts of a big shot draws attention.

After the official article was released, the follow-up articles also heated up the board.

[The unstoppable *haengbo* [stride/pace] of the Rookie Award winner, will he finally conquer the rom-com *pan* [scene]?]

[Park Geon confirmed to join ‘Team Gray City’ … Role is a prickly fashion company team leader]

[Following noir and occult, this time a romantic comedy? Acting transformation *yego* [preview/forecast]]

[The *gosa* [decline/rejection] of popular works is due to the actor’s *kkadaroun* [picky/fussy] work ethic … Roman *cheuk* [side/party], please look forward to a new look]

[Byun Hwi-seung X Park Geon X Seo Ye-ni, the last puzzle is Kwon Yu-jin from ‘The *Pureureun* [blue/green] Old Days’ … *Gidae bupeuneun* [expectations are swelling] new and old chemistry]

After ‘Black Priest’ swept the Daejong Awards, the movie community, where news of Park Geon has been *ollaoge* [coming up] a lot, also had *tteokbap doratda* [bait was thrown] as usual.

Park Geon <— Will he shoot a big *chukpo* [cannon shot/celebratory firework] this time too? Content: Na Jong-mo received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Kim Ryul swept the film festival, so what will he bring this time? If he feeds the PD [Production Director] the screenplay award again, won't he be the shortest-term G-O-A-T (meaning the greatest of all time ㄷㄷ)? -? Why does the PD [Production Director] receive the screenplay award when the 'Team Gray City' scenario is a contest winner? └Youngboong only knows about movies... -The cast is gorgeous this time ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Drunk driver + *nambaeu* [male actor] with lots of *yeommun* [scandal] + face madam *yeojudeul* [female leads] └Who is that? ㅂㅎㅅ? └└ㅇㅇ Byun *satto* [magistrate] └└└Information) Byun *satto* [magistrate] is an abbreviation for Byun Hwi-seung *sago tto chyeotne* [caused another accident] -It's unfair that Byun *satto* [magistrate] drove drunk ㅇㅇ He only backed up 1 meter to move the car and fell into hell └That's why you should have been careful with your usual behavior -Information 2) 'Team Gray City' PD [Production Director] Hwang Chang-jae has never directed a rom-com before └Youngboong guys who know the drama department suspiciously well... What is your identity? └└Hey Kim, get a clue └└└Ah ㅋㅋ I have to know the drama scene to dig into the movie scene ㅋㅋㅋ -Occult King's rom-com *haeng* [move/going]... My heart is getting *ungjanghaejinda* [becoming magnificent]. └Park Geon Gallery ㅅㅂ * "What, these guys? How did they cast them with their obvious pocket situation?" A man in indoor clothes, reading the articles while scrolling down, muttered in a spacious high-rise apartment with a Han River view. It's just dawning. A woman buried in the bed behind the sofa asked in a voice that was not fully awake. "Huh... did you call me?" "No, I'm not talking to you." Byun Hwi-seung, who retorted coldly, threw his new smartphone to one side. "Jong-pil. What do you think?" The manager who came to pick him up scratched his head, accustomed to seeing his *dambang baeu* [assigned actor] with women, from celebrities to ordinary people, for years. "Well, maybe the YTS director lobbied Roman's CEO? Saying they'll plug in more *eumbang* [music broadcast] or something later." "That makes sense. No Joong-man is rumored to do everything except illegal things." Long eyelashes blinked a few times. The decadent eyes that stole the hearts of many women, but still had a lot of popularity even though they stole too much and caused controversy. The manager asked cautiously. "Why, don't you like it?" "What's not to like?" "He suddenly *kkieodeureotjanayo* [intervened]. Still, *hyeongnim* [older brother/male friend] is much more *seonbae* [senior]..." "What's that in this industry? The guy who's doing well is the *hyung* [older brother] and *seonbae* [senior]." Byun Hwi-seung, who scoffed, walked to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of champagne. Expensive bottles of alcohol, worth over a million won even at duty-free prices, were lined up. "And it's good if he comes, there's nothing bad about it. It's not like I'm jealous of rookies anymore..." Not in that position either. The bitter afterthought was swept away by the champagne and *neomeoganda* [passed over]. As if he had drunk a lot last night, empty bottles and remnants of snacks were scattered around the glass table. "Oh my, you're drinking again! People will *yokhanda* [curse] if you go to the set smelling of alcohol!" "Standby is in the afternoon. It'll all fly away if I eat and gargle." It's faster to contact the PR team and block the article than to break that stubbornness. The manager, who sighed inaudibly, briefed him. "Ah, and there's a script reading tomorrow... no, the day after tomorrow at noon. The production team is worried, so they scheduled it a little early." "I'm not going there." "......Yes?" "I said I'm not going. Say I'm sick and can't attend." The horrified manager shouted. "*Hyeongnim* [older brother/male friend]! Park Geon joined and the drama's topicality has skyrocketed. Even the reporters will be *mujinjang kkoil tende* [terribly twisted], what kind of *yok* [curse] will they get if *hyeongnim* [older brother/male friend] doesn't go there..." "Then that's even better." Byun Hwi-seung put down the champagne he was drinking from the bottle. His pale lips faintly rose. "The *hubaenim* [junior] can take the drama's popularity, and I'll get my *euntoe gak* [retirement angle]." *