Chapter 6

### Obsessed with Acting. Episode 6

Unicorn Studio

President Kim Jin-suk was watching the actor's video over and over again. The actor's performance, who had won an award, was astounding.

"Indeed, he was different even when reading fairy tales to the children. This is the real deal."

Kim Jin-suk's excellent intuition was screaming, "Cast the actor in the role."

Knock knock.

"Come in."

Director Ryu Ji-wan and Production Manager Go Tae-hyun entered together. Director Ryu's expression was heavy.

"Director Ryu, it's been a month since we last met. We should see each other more often..."

Kim Jin-suk said, placing her laptop on the coffee table.

"Time is tight, and I keep getting pulled into unnecessary things."

Director Ryu answered sarcastically, annoyed by the sudden call from the studio president.

The atmosphere was tense.

"Ah, I heard you've seen all the auditions, right? How was it?"

Kim Jin-suk skillfully took the lead in the conversation.

'Could she be trying to interfere with the casting?'

Ryu Ji-wan was on guard. No matter what the studio wanted, a director couldn't be forced to cast an actor they didn't like. If that principle wasn't upheld...

"Yes, it was pretty good."

"Is that so?"

Kim Jin-suk glanced at Go Tae-hyun. His specialty was easing tensions between people, and he was needed in this situation.

"I heard the role of Jin-hong hasn't been decided yet."

Kim Jin-suk went straight to the point. Director Ryu's face hardened.

"Ah, that's..."

Go Tae-hyun swallowed and interjected. Kim Jin-suk signaled with her eyes, "Just wait and see."

"Didn't you say you wouldn't interfere with the direction?"

'This is it,' Ryu Ji-wan thought and countered.

"Isn't casting a joint effort between the production and direction teams? That's what I thought. Isn't that right, Manager Go?"

Now, Kim Jin-suk handed the bomb to Go Tae-hyun.

"At this stage, it's best to leave the casting entirely to Director Ryu."

Go Tae-hyun sided with Ryu Ji-wan without hesitation.

Ryu Ji-wan was a bit taken aback, having expected Kim Jin-suk and Go Tae-hyun to gang up on him.

Ryu Ji-wan calmly explained his position, hoping for understanding.

"With the production start date approaching, causing confusion in casting would complicate things. You know that, right?"

"Right... I was too hasty. I'm sorry."

Kim Jin-suk apologized quickly.

"No, no need to apologize..."

Ryu Ji-wan's momentum was dampened.

Then, Go Tae-hyun interjected.

"Why did our president make such a mistake? There must be a reason."

"There's a really good new actor... I thought Director Ryu might want to see him once."

"Even if he's good... right..."

Go Tae-hyun continued to support Ryu Ji-wan while naturally playing the video on the laptop.

Ryu Ji-wan, who had lost his fighting spirit, automatically turned his eyes to the video, like a gentle lamb.

An actor on stage was performing. The emotions were good. The diction was good. It was impressive. He was captivating. Incredible charisma. He was drawn in... and he was good-looking. Who is he?

Ryu Ji-wan's eyes grew wider as he watched the video without any expectations.

The three-minute video ended in an instant. Ryu Ji-wan had already forgotten his confrontation with Kim Jin-suk. He was only curious about who the actor in the video was.

"Wow, impressive. Our president had a good eye. What do you think, Director Ryu? You could meet him once. If it doesn't work out, you can always say no."

"Well, then... Since the president suggested it..."

Ryu Ji-wan had no choice. The actor in the video had already won him over.

Go Tae-hyun led the situation as Kim Jin-suk wanted without hurting Ryu Ji-wan's pride.

Ryu Ji-wan stood up first, leaving Kim Jin-suk and Go Tae-hyun alone in the office.

"President, did you really have to go this far? It's just a video. What's the big deal?"

Go Tae-hyun relaxed and complained. Dealing with the prickly Director Ryu was tough for him too.

"Would Director Ryu have watched it if I just told him to? He would have slammed the door and left. By the way, Manager Go, your acting was pretty good. You could be an actor."

"I'd cause chaos in the film industry if I became an actor. That's why I'm holding back... Anyway, do you think the actor will impress Director Ryu?"

"My eyes don't lie. He's going to make a big impact."

"Of course, the president has never been wrong."

***

"What's this, teacher?"

"Take a look."

Mr. Min Sang-gi handed me a flyer.

Movie Audition

Director: Ryu Ji-wan

Host: Unicorn Studio

Profile Submission: September 16 - September 28, 1998

Audition Date: October 15, Saturday (For those who pass the first round)

Audition Location: Dongju Video Center, Chungmuro

Role: Supporting / Minor

A school drama set in high school

Aspiring actor

Wave? Wave!

I found all the information about in my past life's memories.

Ryu Ji-wan's first feature film after making only independent films.

A school violence film about a high school student who transfers to Seoul and stands up to the school bullies.

A stylishly directed film that vividly portrayed the struggles of high school life.

It didn't do well at the box office initially but gradually gained popularity and became a huge hit.

Ultimately, it became a legendary school drama, the top of its genre in Korea.

Most importantly, it was a film I really loved and wanted to be in.

I read the flyer over and over again. But the date was a bit off.

"The audition date has passed."

I checked the calendar on the wall, thinking I might have read the date wrong.

"Right. The auditions are already over."

"..."

"Unicorn Studio specifically contacted us to see you."

"Unicorn Studio?"

I thought of Kim Jin-suk, whom I met at the orphanage recently. Did this connection come from that?

"They probably saw your performance at the drama festival. It's a private meeting. They might ask for an impromptu performance. Don't overact... Wearing a school uniform would be good..."

Mr. Min Sang-gi gave me various advice, but I wasn't really listening. My mind was filled with the intense first meeting with Director Ryu Ji-wan.

"Director, I'm a fan. Especially . It's one of my favorite movies."

At that time, I was incredibly popular, and both production companies and TV stations were desperate to work with me. Working with me meant sitting on a gold mine...

"I really want to be in your next film."

I offered to be in his next film, which wasn't even decided yet. I truly loved the director and his work.

But Director Ryu Ji-wan said something unexpected that deeply hurt me.

"Actor Jin-hong, your face is too good-looking for my film."

Director Ryu used my good looks as an excuse, but I knew the real reason was my poor acting.

To reject my offer so bluntly. If he didn't like it, he could have just said no. I was filled with anger and resentment at the time.

It could have been a chance to reflect on my acting...

'This time will be different. I will earn Director Ryu's recognition through my acting alone.'

***

Unicorn Studio

I was led to a meeting room by a staff member. The room was empty.

"Please wait a moment. The director will be here soon. Would you like a drink?"

"No, I'm fine. Just water will do."

"Okay."

As soon as the staff member left, I drank water from the water dispenser. My mouth was dry.

The monthly schedule for was written on a whiteboard on the wall. It seemed the first round of meetings hadn't even started yet.

Click.

Director Ryu Ji-wan entered.

"Hello, I'm Jin-hong."

I greeted him first.

Ryu Ji-wan scanned me from head to toe.

It's true that he was impressed by my performance in the video, but if I didn't pass today's test... Even with President Kim Jin-suk's recommendation, he wouldn't cast me.

"You won the grand prize at the young acting festival, right?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been acting?"

"About five months."

I only counted my current life's acting experience, leaving out my past life's experience, which didn't really count.

"Winning the grand prize in five months... You must be a good actor."

"I won't disappoint you."

Ryu Ji-wan's eyes sparkled as he looked at me.

Then, the assistant director entered and set up a camera. Once it was ready, Director Ryu Ji-wan said,

"Can I see a free performance?"

"Showing it isn't the same as just showing it."

"Huh?"

Ryu Ji-wan and the assistant director were confused by the sudden informal tone, but they soon realized the performance had started. They watched me intently.

"How can I show it? By cutting my finger? Or breaking my leg? You already suspect me. So... It's not about showing it, but giving you the answer you want. I've never betrayed you, and I've never even thought about it. The fact that you think that... is evidence that you suspect me. Don't try to turn your suspicion into mine. And don't make me mistake your dream for mine... That's all."

"What was the theme?"

Ryu Ji-wan calmly asked about my intention.

"Similar to the feeling of ."

I had watched more than twenty times in my past life. I understood the director's intentions.

"Amazing."

Ryu Ji-wan seemed surprised that I had captured the feeling he himself wasn't sure about. But he still seemed a bit uncertain, tilting his head slightly.

He handed me the script for , as if trying to fill in the remaining 1%.

"Can you do a line from Jin-hong's part? Take as much time as you need."

"One minute is enough."

I already had the script memorized.

Before the final match against Hansan High School, the protagonist, Choi Woo-seok, declares his challenge. This is Jin-hong's line.

"I was swept away by your wave... Since kindergarten... I realized when I was breaking kids' heads with headbutts... My brain isn't just for thinking... Of course... If you go, I'll go. Let's see where it ends..."

"Okay. That's enough."

Director Ryu was convinced. The calm voice with a deep undertone. Jin-hong's rough, wave-like determination against the world. Perfect.

"Good job. Next Friday at 1 PM, the first meeting is here."

Director Ryu suddenly switched to informal speech, which meant he wanted to work with me.

"Did I pass?"

Instead of answering, Director Ryu handed me a new script for , with my name written in his own handwriting.

It felt like the grudge from my past life was being resolved. I would work hard to make it an even better film.

"Jin-hong's role is almost a lead. It's an important role, and I couldn't decide on it. Now, I've found the right person. Study the script and analyze the character. We'll discuss it when you come."

"Understood."

"Good job. You can go now."

As Jin-hong left the meeting room, Ryu Ji-wan looked at the assistant director.

"How was the screen presence?"

"Amazing. He's good-looking in real life, but his screen presence is even better. Take a look."

The assistant director showed the screen to Ryu Ji-wan. A smile spread across Ryu Ji-wan's lips as he watched Jin-hong on screen.

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