Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 52

52. Acting Badly on Purpose

Even though he acted like we were breaking up, Jongwoo followed me to the script reading.

“It’s the first day. I should probably come to the filming for a day or two later on. It hasn’t been that long since Gamjae started working, either.”

The reading was on the third floor. The door to the room was wide open, and next to it was a large sign that read . Below that were the names of the director, writer, and main cast, with the supporting actors listed according to their importance.

“Woo Yeonwoo. There’s Woo Yeonwoo.”

Jongwoo pointed proudly at my name, which was pretty high up on the list. Then, he even took out his camera to take a picture of it.

“I should post this on the official SNS [Social Networking Service] when the show starts airing.”

Sagamjae, who had been quietly standing next to him, asked, “Why wait until it starts airing?”

“Ah, I didn’t write an article about Yeonwoo being on the drama on purpose. It’s not like I was deliberately hiding it, but I didn’t really promote it either. Most people probably don’t know Yeonwoo’s in a drama. People don’t really look for news unless the name is in the title, especially with idols. If you just slip their name into the cast list without the group name, they usually don’t notice.”

“Why do that?”

“Because a lot of people don’t like idols acting. And I fought with Oh Jungshin’s fans in the meantime. Oh Jungshin’s fans might pretend they’re not fans and tear Yeonwoo apart for acting.”

Sagamjae nodded silently.

‘I thought he was a bit suspicious, but is he planning to learn how to be a manager?’ Rembrary studied Sagamjae as he opened the door and went inside.

The room was quite large, with desks pushed together in a long rectangle in the center. Chairs were lined up against the walls on either side of the desk.

There were a couple of people with cameras, but most of them seemed to be actors, managers, and other staff.

I was momentarily taken aback by the number of chairs, but thankfully, they all had names on them.

Rembrary pulled out the chair that said ‘Im Seo (Woo Yeonwoo)’ and sat down.

People’s eyes were on him, but he didn’t flinch or pay any attention.

‘Greetings. Greetings. Greetings.’ Seeing Rembrary like that, Jongwoo was surprised and quickly sent a text.

– 야영에가무승이ㅤㅅㅣㅈ오년욘기한중견배유인줄알아 인사해

He typed it in a hurry, so there were a lot of typos, but thankfully the main point got across. Rembrary realized that not paying attention at all was also a problem, so he finally got up and greeted the people around him.

After that, it was greetings, greetings, and more greetings.

Some people accepted his greetings and said,

“You’re Woo Yeonwoo, right? I’m enjoying Sing Survival.”

But others just glanced at him up and down and then looked away.

There was even a reporter who suddenly asked if he could do an interview, and someone who took a picture and then didn’t say a word.

But before long, more people appeared, and Rembrary couldn’t even sit down properly.

Maeng Wooshin appeared ten minutes before the reading. When he saw Rembrary, he flinched for a moment, but didn’t show any other reaction.

After Maeng Wooshin, a beauty with a languid air appeared, who seemed to be a famous actress from the murmurs of the people around.

Not long after the two of them arrived, Writer Shim Kyung, whom I had met with CEO Im before, appeared, followed by a man I had never seen before.

From the way people were greeting him, he seemed to be the director.

‘That should be it.’

Rembrary watched the door close after the director entered, and finally sat down, thinking that the greetings were over.

“Okay, let’s start with introductions. We’ll go clockwise, starting with the director.”

* * *

The people who had gathered for the script reading watched Woo Yeonwoo with interest. They were sensitive to fame and always checked who was the most talked about person.

Woo Yeonwoo had been the most talked about celebrity for the past month or two. Every celebrity, manager, and reporter knew Woo Yeonwoo’s face and name.

But since he hadn’t made a name for himself in a good way, people’s interest was closer to morbid curiosity. They watched closely to see what kind of trouble Woo Yeonwoo, who was famous for being a terrible person, would cause, and whether he could act well, since he had secretly joined as a supporting actor.

Some even considered telling a reporter or a gossipy friend about Woo Yeonwoo’s filming news.

But before long, this interest gradually died down. Woo Yeonwoo was quieter than the rumors suggested. The role Woo Yeonwoo was assigned to had no lines, and Woo Yeonwoo himself didn’t step forward to do anything strange. The script reading went smoothly and quietly, as script readings usually do.

* * *

S#5. Parish Church

A picturesque garden.

The atmosphere is peaceful.

Deungbaek and his classmate (from theological college) are sitting side by side on a bench.

Both are holding disposable coffee cups.

Classmate: Your life is really straightforward.

Deungbaek: Because God always shows me the way to go.

Classmate: I know, right? Why does he only show you?

Deungbaek: He’s showing you too. You’re just not listening.

Classmate: Ugh… I don’t know. I get confused sometimes.

Deungbaek: ?

Classmate: Serving God doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a priest. Sometimes I feel like I’m on the right track, but sometimes I wonder if I am. Don’t you ever think that?

Deungbaek: Not yet. Maybe that’s why. Sometimes I get a strange feeling.

Classmate: What feeling?

Deungbaek: God sometimes tests us to see if we’re on the right track. I’ve never experienced such a test. (Speak leisurely, but make it sound meaningful)

Classmate: That’s good. Yeah, that’s good. It’s always best not to take any tests.

S#21. Street

A heavy rain is pouring down late at night, and there’s no one around.

In the middle of it, Deungbaek is staggering along alone.

Blood is mixed with rain on his forehead.

Deungbaek puts his hand to his forehead and staggers, in pain.

His steps become heavier as the past comes back to him, one by one.

A cold woman dying in his arms, his own voice wailing as he embraces her…

Yang HeungE: You have to live.

A voice whispering in his ear…

Deungbaek finally kneels on the ground and collapses, panting.

Past Deungbaek: Damn it, God? You’re saying there’s a God? If there was a God, he wouldn’t leave you like this! If there was such a thing, you wouldn’t let her go like this! There is no God! (Wailing) There is none!

Deungbaek shakes his head like crazy as he hears his own voice, but a pale hand is held out in front of him.

When he looks up,

A man with a black umbrella is standing there in his blurry vision due to the blood and rain.

It’s Im Seo.

Im Seo: (Smiling) Senior. Why are you crying here?

* * *

Rembrary felt dazed throughout the script reading.

He knew he didn’t have any lines, but… he really didn’t have any.

His name kept appearing in the script, though.

What was perplexing was that even though he had no lines, the stage directions included things like looking at Maeng Wooshin or handing him something.

When Rembrary just stood there blankly during those parts, the writer stopped the reading and instructed him.

“No, Yeonwoo-ssi. Move your hand slightly during that part.”

“No, Yeonwoo-ssi. At least look at Maeng Wooshin-ssi during that part.”

“No, Yeonwoo-ssi. You don’t have to make such big movements.”

After being pointed out several times, Rembrary understood what Writer Shim Kyung wanted.

Conversely, Maeng Wooshin answered from beginning to end. He hadn’t parted ways with Rembrary on good terms before, but he didn’t show any sign of it during the reading.

No, he seemed like Won Deungbaek himself, not Maeng Wooshin. His past self and his current self seemed like different people.

Im Yoohan, who was said to be the female lead, also had a languid image when they exchanged greetings, but as soon as she started reading the script, she clearly showed the image of a bright and optimistic atheist.

People’s attention gradually shifted from Rembrary to the two main characters.

Then, finally, Rembrary’s line came out for the first time.

A scene where he approaches the wailing Maeng Wooshin and speaks to him with a smile.

“Senior. Why are you crying here?”

Rembrary said with a gentle smile, as he had prepared in advance.

It was quite natural. At least, Rembrary himself thought so.

Besides, Jongwoo, the acting teacher, and even CEO Im had all praised Rembrary as ‘natural’ when he practiced this line.

Rembrary naturally thought that this part would be easily passed over.

But unexpectedly, before Maeng Wooshin could answer, Writer Shim Kyung cut him off, saying,

“No, that’s not it.”

Rembrary was flustered and looked at her. Writer Shim Kyung was clearly showing that she didn’t like it and was frowning.

‘What was wrong?’ As Rembrary wondered, Writer Shim Kyung explained.

“It’s too natural.”

“…Pardon?”

Rembrary was even more confused and couldn’t help but ask back.

Everyone had already praised this line as ‘natural.’ And everyone seemed to think that praise was a good thing.

But Writer Shim Kyung didn’t seem to like the fact that it was ‘natural.’

As Rembrary stared blankly, Writer Shim Kyung waved her hand in the air.

“How should I put this? Woo Yeonwoo-ssi, can you say it in a way that’s more stiff, mechanical, and awkward, but not really awkward?”

A series of question marks popped up in Rembrary’s head.

‘Awkward but not awkward? What nonsense is this?’

But the director agreed with Writer Shim Kyung.

“Yeonwoo-ssi, Im Seo’s character is someone who should make people wonder, ‘Why is he talking and acting so awkwardly?’ Im Seo’s character is playing the part of someone who is acting out people’s ordinary words and actions.”

“?”

Rembrary, the director, and Writer Shim Kyung all wore frustrated expressions at the same time.

Writer Shim Kyung had cast Rembrary because he was perfect for being a flower vase [a person who is visually appealing but lacks substance or talent], but there were other reasons as well. This reason was the same reason why the director had immediately given the okay to cast Rembrary.

Not being able to act naturally.

‘Acting badly on purpose’ is very difficult. The director didn’t think there was an actor of the right age for Im Seo who had the visuals he wanted and that kind of acting ability.

So instead, he cast an idol who had the visuals but really couldn’t act.

But Rembrary’s acting was too natural. As the acting teacher had told CEO Im, Rembrary didn’t have a wide range of acting skills, but he was definitely good at speaking ‘naturally.’

The director was embarrassed and stroked his chin.

The fact that Rembrary delivered his lines more naturally than he expected… meant that he had to ask that idol with no acting experience to ‘act badly on purpose.’

Could he expect that idol, who was only famous for being rude, to pull off this kind of acting that only veteran actors with outstanding acting skills could handle?