Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 57

Casting War (3)

* * *

The script reading for ‘Team Leader of Gray City’ was canceled.

Just a day before.

As it was the first public script reading, fans who had been eagerly anticipating it were plunged into disappointment.

Usually, videos of drama script readings are filmed in advance and released before the first episode airs. Before they are released, rough rumors circulate among the participating reporters and actors.

It’s one of the few pieces of content that can be used to keep the buzz going until the official broadcast.

But to cancel it altogether, not even keep it private? It’s inappropriate for noise marketing, and even as clickbait, it does more harm than good.

‘There’s something going on here.’

‘Looks like one of the leads didn’t show up.’

The pros can’t be fooled. The word went around among the reporters that something was up.

Clearly, one of the key actors didn’t show up, and they made the drastic decision to cancel the reading because if they proceeded, there would be rumors of discord and whatnot.

‘Since they’ll be doing a private script reading before the rehearsal anyway, they’re going to plug the leak first.’

Who’s the culprit?

Most people guessed Byun Hwi-seung. His past insincere attitude, as well as his history of being late and no-showing at the recording studio, contributed to this assumption.

Moreover, he had been the subject of public discussion several times since his debut due to numerous controversies.

Rumors were rampant, but the production team remained silent.

The actors’ social media accounts were also quiet. Seo Ye-ni, who had the highest value after Park Geon, and Kwon Yu-jin, whose participation had been confirmed, didn’t post anything special either.

Only the lead actors’ profiles and character information were updated on the broadcasting station’s website one by one.

And time flew by like an arrow.

*

The first day of filming for ‘Gray City Team’.

An hour earlier than the announced time, celebrity cars arrived at the building where the set was prepared.

It wasn’t the bitter cold of winter, but the weather was still cold enough to see your breath. The staff, busily moving filming equipment, had two or three hot packs tucked into their pockets.

It’s the rookies’ job to liven up the atmosphere in times like these. Kwon Yu-jin and her manager, who got out of their minivan, started greeting the staff from the lobby.

“Hello! Please take good care of me!”

Kwon Yu-jin, wearing a long padded coat, bowed politely, and her manager took out sets of warm canned coffee and chocolate bars to hand out.

“Oh my, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble…”

“You’re working hard since early this morning for the filming. Please be careful not to get hurt in the cold.”

The set was soon filled with energy. It wasn’t much, but their effort was commendable.

“Is it because she’s from CNC [a talent agency]? She’s quite sociable. Kang Wan-min treated everyone except the PD [Production Director] and the cinematographer like they were invisible from the first day of filming.”

A lighting team staff member muttered, and a colleague warming his hands with coffee responded.

“During ‘Cheer Up, Dong-yi’? He’s DG’s second string. They put a steel rod in those kids’ necks if they get even a little bit famous.”

“Well, these members weren’t bad during the reading either.”

Although it was announced to the public that it was canceled, the reading actually proceeded normally.

Without reporters or cameras. In a place where only a small number of people involved were present, under the condition of confidentiality.

PD Hwang Chang-jae and the cinematographer, who were discussing today’s storyboard in the lobby, also greeted the lead actress.

“Ah, Yu-jin. Is your cold getting better? I was worried when you were coughing back then.”

“Yes, I’m fine. I even got an IV just in case.”

PD Hwang smiled weakly.

“You didn’t have to get an IV. You don’t have to work too hard, you don’t need to be so disciplined.”

“That’s right. PD Hwang’s motto is ‘thin and long’ [meaning to work steadily without burning out]? His work-life balance on set is amazing.”

“It’s okay, I’ll work hard so as not to ruin the work-life balance!”

Laughter spread here too. It was because they had already become acquainted during the script reading.

From the beginning, one of the purposes of the reading is this kind of chemistry. The actors and production staff get to know each other, and the PD gives feedback on each person’s interpretation of their character while watching the reading, directing them in a better direction.

A staff member who put the empty can in the trash sniffed.

“…But what’s the point of all that? When Byun Sa-tto [a derogatory nickname implying arrogance] comes later, the atmosphere will be ruined again.”

“Seriously, what’s with him? How can he not come to the script reading for a drama he’s starring in?”

“I guess he doesn’t want to work. Maybe he’s giving up on image management and preparing to retire…”

A colleague watching the entrance nudged the staff member.

“Hey, hey, he’s here.”

A Mercedes Sprinter, much larger than Kwon Yu-jin’s minivan, stopped in front of the glass door.

Soon, someone got out. Yellowish aviator sunglasses and a jet-black long mustang coat. It’s Byun Hwi-seung.

Even though he’s wearing a casually draped outer garment and has a bare face without makeup, his aura is striking.

Even after 13 years since his debut, he’s not pushed back by his juniors; instead, he evokes admiration. That’s why Byun Hwi-seung is still a ‘bankable’ actor despite numerous controversies.

“Wow… he’s really handsome. The devil’s talent isn’t just in his acting.”

“Oh, another one’s coming?”

Right after Byun Hwi-seung and his manager entered the lobby, a Starcraft van smoothly parked.

The back seat door opened and another male lead got out.

Team Leader Lee Jin-ha… no, Park Geon. He’s wearing the full suit he wore during the audition and even the sponsored silver-rimmed glasses, making his already unapproachable impression even more icy.

‘One has a decadent beauty, the other a cold, handsome look…’

Except for Seo Ye-ni, who doesn’t have a shoot today, it’s the first day that all three leads are gathered.

*

“Why did they rent a decent place for once? Even if you negotiate for a drama shoot, places like this would cost at least 60 per hour.”

Byun Hwi-seung muttered, tapping the lobby floor with his shoe.

However, his voice was too loud for a mutter, and his manager was horrified.

“Hyung-nim [term used to address an older male friend or brother], everyone can hear you!”

“So what? It’s not like I’m badmouthing anyone.”

“Well, the CEO told you not to talk about money or women in front of people…”

“Jin-hong hyung isn’t here, so it’s okay.”

There’s no reasoning with him. Byun Hwi-seung, who had been looking around the lobby, ignored the staff and walked over to the PD and the female lead standing a short distance away.

PD Hwang Chang-jae greeted him awkwardly.

“You’re here early.”

“Ah, you’re our PD. And this person is…”

Kwon Yu-jin bent her waist sixty degrees.

“Hello, sunbaenim [senior/more experienced colleague]!”

“Yeah, hi.”

Even after hearing the indifferent informal greeting, Kwon Yu-jin’s expression remained smiling.

Although his peak was lower than his prime, he was an actor who had been at the top for several years. It’s fortunate that he didn’t ignore her like the stiff-necked staff.

Byun Hwi-seung, who was peering behind Kwon Yu-jin, asked.

“PD-nim, but my counterpart hasn’t arrived yet?”

“Counterpart?”

“Yeah, that friend. I was expecting him because I heard he always comes thirty minutes early, but he’s lost his initial enthusiasm now that he’s gotten a little famous…”

“Hello.”

A dry voice cut off Byun Hwi-seung’s words like a blade. Another male lead, who had arrived unnoticed, was standing behind them.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Park Geon.”

The two actors stood facing each other. Byun Hwi-seung, raising his eyebrows, put his hands in his mustang pockets.

“That’s right. It’s our first time meeting, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I was sorry I couldn’t see you at the reading.”

“I had some circumstances then. I thought only I would get criticized, but it got canceled.”

A subtle tension filled the air.

In the drama, the two are arch-rivals, but in reality, one is a hit-making top star and the other is a once-popular A-lister.

Even though the PD is next to them, it’s difficult to stop people of that caliber. If a battle of pride breaks out, the staff will suffer throughout the filming.

‘…Are they going to fight? Really, from the first day of filming?’

As the staff watched anxiously, Byun Hwi-seung suddenly yawned.

“So, I came here today without being late. What time did you wake up?”

“I woke up at five.”

“Good stamina, is it because you’re in your twenties?”

A conversation that was neither particularly hostile nor friendly flowed normally.

“Anyway, please take care of me in this drama too. I’ll just tag along.”

Park Geon nodded briefly.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t work too hard… let’s just do it moderately, just as much as we got paid by the broadcasting station.”

Byun Hwi-seung gave PD Hwang a look and turned around to start walking.

“Ugh, why is it so cold here?”

“Because they didn’t turn on the heating in the lobby.”

“They’re a big company, but their welfare isn’t great. Are the fashion company kids embezzling too?”

“That’s the company in the drama…”

The large manager follows behind the actor, who is grumbling like a town chief.

‘Is it over?’

‘I guess so. I was worried that they would fight because he didn’t come to the reading.’

‘Byun was intimidated by his popularity and size. How can he fight one-on-one with a special forces physique?’

The staff, who had been on edge, breathed a sigh of relief and returned to their work.

Of course, it’s too early to relax. The first meeting went by smoothly, but once jealousy starts among male actors, it’s no less than among actresses, right?

However, one member of the directing team, a staff member with a piercing in his eyebrow, suddenly looked at his wristwatch.

“…But isn’t Byun Hwi-seung’s shoot in the evening?”

*

The set for [Team Leader of Gray City] was chosen to be an office building overlooking Gangnam [a wealthy district in Seoul] for filming.

This will serve as the headquarters of the fictional fashion company ‘The Chic’ and will be responsible for the scenes of the overseas sales team office and the information desk, which will appear frequently.

The reason why they didn’t set up a separate set for this drama is simple.

First is the feeling, second is the size.

From the beginning, it’s set as a large company, so if you make a set vaguely, it won’t feel right.

Not only can’t you get a full shot of the company, but the info desk and elevator scenes will also be crude. So it’s better to rent a plausible place even if it costs a bit more.

“Extras are ready.”

“The location doesn’t come out when I look from here. According to the camera, to the right of that escalator, tell them to move as widely as possible when the cue comes in.”

“Yes. Director Lee, did you hear that?”

Assistant director Yoo Ho-young, wearing earrings, runs off, and PD Hwang Chang-jae rolls up the script and shouts.

“Okay, we’ll be on standby in 5 minutes!”

The scene to be filmed today is the first day of work for intern Han Tae-ri, who has been assigned to ‘The Chic’ overseas sales team. And the main scenes of the early and mid-parts.

Geon, who was leaning against the railing on the 2nd floor of the lobby, looking down, pushed up his glasses.

‘This is a bit uncomfortable.’

Originally, he was wearing the glasses that Park Seon had given him according to the scenario concept, but the PPL [Product Placement] brand he received today is bigger and heavier.

The only types of glasses he had worn in his life were night vision goggles during his military service, but this is something he can put up with. It’s advertising that keeps the drama going, right?

“Ho-young-ah, why is the set so annoying?”

“But you still film diligently when filming starts. Do you remember the last shoot of ‘Gungjang Swordsman’? The staff cursed us so much because they said we were going to leave early, but we finished on time.”

“…Hey, I want to finish quickly too! What can I do when the actors keep making NG [No Good – a filming term for a take that needs to be redone] as soon as they open and close their eyes?”

“Just film it roughly and finish it.”

“I can’t. I haven’t paid off all my loans yet.”

Listening to the conversation coming from a distance, Geon straightened his disheveled shirt.

It’s a different type of combination from CEO Tae Jong-beom and Director Kim Ryul. Looking at the members of this drama, there’s a big difference from the time of ‘Black Priest’.

A PD who is annoyed by everything, a talkative and hardworking AD [Assistant Director], and even two top lead actors who don’t cause trouble on set even if they no-show.

‘…Wow, it’s really amazing. Masks like this still come out among people these days.’

‘Yes?’

‘Ah, I was just admiring your face for a moment. Please take care of me at the reading today?’

Seo Ye-ni, who saw his face for the first time at the script reading, casually added.

‘If you make sound effects like that time, I’ll be so surprised that I’ll scream, so please tell me before you do it.’

These aren’t bad conditions. The main female lead, Kwon Yu-jin, seems a bit nervous, but it’s something that will be resolved after exchanging a few scenes.

This role is a bit harsh, though…

‘I hope she doesn’t cry, it’s acting.’

Geon thought, retracing Lee Jin-ha’s lines.

As it’s a romantic comedy where the female lead is pushed around and broken, Kwon Yu-jin’s role as Han Tae-ri is going to be completely drained today.

‘From the beginning to the middle, they told me to treat the team members like tools until a separate direction comes.’

The actual instructions are cold and ruthless. The writer, whose pen name was ‘Anonymous’, meticulously included not only the lines but also the gestures.

Ruthless tone, contemptuous expression, eyes that look like they’re watching a clumsy chimpanzee, etc.

This is almost not a fashion company team leader, but a personality-disordered mercenary captain.

Did Geon usually push his colleagues around? Not really. He was a taciturn and efficient leader, not only in small hero parties but also when commanding the 8th Corps of the Iron Kingdom.

‘Nevertheless, I felt a harmony. In the audition filming of this scenario.’

Hadn’t he already made up his mind? Then there’s nothing to worry about. All he has to do is run at full speed until the completion of his third work.

The extras who will fill the ‘The Chic’ arrival scene are already walking busily in the lobby downstairs. As he watches for a moment, Park Seon runs up the stairs two steps at a time from below.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend], let’s go up soon! They’re going to go on standby here right away. Actress Kwon Yu-jin is going to film from outside and join us from above, you know?”

“Yeah. I’m all ready.”

The male lead starts from the inside, and the female lead starts from the outside.

The filming staff also rush outside to take a moving shot of her entering from the entrance.

The ‘CHIC’ logo, pre-installed in the center of the glass window on the white shining building exterior, boasts its majesty.

“Yu-jin-ah, don’t be nervous. Okay?”

Kwon Yu-jin’s manager, who is more nervous than she is, follows her out and encourages her.

Kwon Yu-jin wipes the cold sweat from her hands and nods.

“Standby, cue!”

*