Chapter 53

Li Zhengxi really didn't expect that after he hit someone and cleverly scared and deceived them away, he would actually receive a system reward. This was truly a huge surprise, not just a simple reward, but he realized that this system had a lot more potential to be explored. He might have many ways to save his life and even thrive in the entertainment industry in the future.

Of course, upon further reflection, the initial act of hitting someone was part of the plan, followed by the use of props and finally the performance. All of this, with a script, props, actors, and even costumes, lighting, and cinematography, seemed to be invisibly present. So, it was like a short play, perhaps that was why he received the reward.

This even reminded him of when Alice took him shopping, seemingly gathering all the conditions for a destruction value to appear before suddenly activating. Otherwise, why didn't she act as soon as they started shopping?

Clearly, all the system's rewards and punishments required certain conditions. This made him feel a bit more at ease, no longer fearing that Alice would scheme against him at any moment.

His achievement points increased by 3, adding to the 25 billion Korean won he had borrowed from Han Yi Bank, which converted to 25 achievement points. Adding the 19 achievement points he already had, he now had 47.

This made him feel a bit like a small nouveau riche, of course. Moreover, his improved acting skills now gave him a deeper understanding of the art of performance, which was incredibly surprising.

However, the final reward, the role of Han Tae-sik in "Blue Swallow," which was currently being played by Won Bin, was a role that could make someone famous. But he didn't feel too surprised, nor did he think it was bad; he was just a bit taken aback and hesitant.

It seemed that he was finally going to start his acting career under the system's manipulation, but would his beginner-level acting skills be enough? What if they weren't?

With this question in mind, he went to the lounge downstairs with Yoon Seok-ho and Park Dong-jan. It was a small meeting room where Song Seung-heon and So Ji-sub were chatting quietly.

"Alright, due to time constraints, we won't talk much more!" Yoon Seok-ho, showing his decisiveness as a director, said to So Ji-sub, "Let's go to the production studio now, get you made up, and then we'll do a few scenes with makeup, okay?"

Performing with makeup was the best way to see the effect, and So Ji-sub, naturally, had no objections. He was a shy and quiet person, more so than Won Bin. He had been chatting a bit with Song Seung-heon, but now he just smiled faintly and nodded in agreement.

Since Yoon Seok-ho had already made arrangements, everything proceeded quickly. After makeup and costume changes, and a camera test, although Yoon Seok-ho seemed a bit concerned about So Ji-sub's appearance and frowned, he didn't say anything to get the production back on track. He then had So Ji-sub, along with Son Ye-jin and Song Seung-heon, perform a few scenes.

The props and lighting teams were ready. The scene was set in a hotel where Han Tae-sik discovers that Eun-hee lied about being a 37-year-old aunt. Of course, this wasn't a real resort hotel, but it didn't matter since the focus was on the performance.

"Action!" After Yoon Seok-ho's command, So Ji-sub, who had read the script and thought about it, looked at Son Ye-jin walking over, smirked, and turned away.

Yoon Seok-ho nodded, it was good. When Son Ye-jin stood not far from him, he turned back, raised an eyebrow, and said irritably, "You...!" Son Ye-jin, who had already performed this scene, smoothly interrupted him with a lively expression, "What do you want?"

"What are you laughing about now?" So Ji-sub, playing Han Tae-sik, laughed sarcastically, slightly curling his lip, "You said you have two kids, who are you trying to fool?"

The scene continued until Son Ye-jin, playing Eun-hee, teasingly said, "That...," and then ran off, laughing, as So Ji-sub looked down at his pants. The scene was finally over.

Yoon Seok-ho didn't call a stop during the scene because it was a screen test, allowing So Ji-sub to feel and perform freely. After the scene, he frowned and called So Ji-sub over, saying, "Well, Han Tae-sik, due to his background, is a proud and rebellious guy. What you showed was disdain, not the deep-seated pride and rebelliousness. Also, your smile was too shy. You need to be a bit more open, showing warmth and brightness from genuine happiness..."

A screen test evaluates a person's comprehension and acting talent, but in actual filming, the director would give more detailed instructions, making it easier for the actor to grasp.

Although So Ji-sub's screen test wasn't great, Yoon Seok-ho only needed him to perform well under specific instructions, so he patiently explained to So Ji-sub.

So Ji-sub understood this, nodded respectfully, and after a moment of contemplation, started again.

Yoon Seok-ho was still unsatisfied with the second attempt, but he didn't say anything after the third and had So Ji-sub perform with Song Seung-heon. They were friends, and there's a saying in the acting world, "Friends or very familiar people performing together often have the best chemistry and results!"

This is also why many actors and directors like to work together frequently!

However, So Ji-sub still didn't quite meet Yoon Seok-ho's expectations. After about two hours, when Song Seung-heon saw So Ji-sub off, Yoon Seok-ho frowned and said to Park Dong-jan and Li Zhengxi, "Well, his personality is similar to Won Bin's, shy and quiet, but even more so. His acting is slightly worse than Won Bin's, so his overall presence is very reserved, with a shy and reserved smile. He doesn't have that deep-seated pride and rebelliousness, he's introverted and lonely, a bit isolated..."

Park Dong-jan frowned, "Then we can only wait for the news from KBS!"

Yoon Seok-ho nodded helplessly but then looked at Li Zhengxi with a sigh, "Speaking of someone who exudes pride from the core, Zhengxi, you are definitely the best candidate I've seen!"

Here it comes, Li Zhengxi thought, but he shrugged and said calmly, "Really? Why do you say that?"

At this point, Park Dong-jan clearly agreed with Yoon Seok-ho, nodding and adding, "Well, Director Yoon isn't saying you have a bad temper, you're a very gentle and good-tempered person..." Yoon Seok-ho also nodded and continued, "But perhaps because you're a genius, you naturally exude a sense of pride, even if you don't realize it yourself!"

Then, whether it was the system's influence or a mutual understanding, Yoon Seok-ho and Park Dong-jan exchanged a glance, their eyes brightening, and suddenly said to Li Zhengxi, "Zhengxi, why don't you give it a try?"

"What?" Li Zhengxi, though he had expected it, still showed a suitable level of surprise and smiled, "You know how bad my acting is!"

"It's not that bad!" Yoon Seok-ho, feeling he had a great idea, stood up and carefully examined Li Zhengxi, saying, "Thick eyebrows, bright eyes, a prominent nose, a handsome face, a bright smile, and a tall, straight figure. Yes, you're really suitable!"

He then seriously told Li Zhengxi, who looked a bit helpless, "Although I might be grasping at straws, Zhengxi, to be honest, the psychological, facial, and physical expressions you showed when you dealt with Choi Sung-kook were very good. I had already considered the possibility of you playing the role at that moment!"

"Alright, let's do it!" Park Dong-jan was even more straightforward, pulling Li Zhengxi away, "Whether it works or not, we'll try it first. And as one of the most important characters in this drama, you absolutely cannot refuse this request..."

At this point, being hesitant would be pretentious, so Li Zhengxi smiled, "Alright, alright, but I have to say, even if I pass the screen test, my mother will never agree to me acting. She's already very unhappy that I'm busy with screenwriting and not going to CEA or the American Economic Association..."

"That's a problem!" Park Dong-jan was also at a loss. He knew Li Zhengxi's family situation well, a well-educated and wealthy family with strict control and high expectations for their children.

Yoon Seok-ho, however, didn't know this and decisively said, "Let's not worry about it for now. If it comes to it, I'll go and plead with her!"

Hearing this, Park Dong-jan thought it made sense and smiled at Li Zhengxi, "Being a screenwriter and an actor are in the same industry. At worst, you can stop after this one time. It shouldn't be a problem..."

Thus, it seemed everything was temporarily settled. However, while Li Zhengxi was getting made up and Son Ye-jin was enthusiastically teasing him, "Are you sure you can act?" a notification box suddenly appeared in his mind.

Today, this thing seemed particularly busy. But when he saw the content of the notification, he was dumbfounded again. PS: I'm still seeking strong recommendations. If you like it, please add it to your favorites!

[Page Break for AD]

[End of AD]