Chapter 13

A high-end Korean restaurant near the JTBS broadcasting station.

A restaurant where no secret stories ever leak out.

Jeong Saerom had arrived early with some of her staff and was waiting.

The staff member beside her cautiously spoke up.

"Manager Jeong, is the audition really going to be okay?"

"Yes, just leave it to me."

Beside her, Jee Sung-ho, who was also present, added a word.

"The writer is a complete genius. I think we can trust him."

".... Please just keep quiet in front of the director."

"Ooh, you only hate me."

She was putting a lot of effort into this project, but with this kind of arbitrary casting,

it was something that Jeong Saerom, according to her usual style, would never have approved of. But this time, it didn't matter.

'Director Sung will cut it out himself.'

There was no need to create trouble with the writer when there was an obvious villain in the script.

Although the director usually complained about not wanting to work,

once a project started, he was more immersed in it than anyone else.

An unverified actress idol?

A sudden new male actor?

Director Sung was not the type to acknowledge such people.

A moment later,

as scheduled, writer Kim Jin-woo arrived at the meeting place.

Beside him were Se-mi and her manager.

"Hello! I'm Se-mi."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jeong Saerom."

While greeting, Saerom quickly scanned Se-mi.

She checked how well Se-mi matched the character of the female lead in the script.

'Visually, there's no flaw.'

Apart from being pretty, Se-mi fit the role of the female lead, 'Cha Ye-ju,' who had a 2% deficiency in the script.

Her tone, mannerisms, and even the way she walked matched what Saerom had imagined.

"Mr. Kim, did you have a good trip yesterday?"

"Yes, and you, Manager?"

"I was just busy."

She left out the part about 'who caused it.'

While exchanging various comments about the project,

Director Sung Ki-hoon arrived right on time.

Creak—

As soon as Director Sung entered, he scanned the room.

"Are you Mr. Kim?"

"Ah, yes."

Saerom swallowed hard and looked at the director.

With the actors already in tow for the first meeting,

she had prepared for the possibility of a scolding.

"Huh, I didn't expect the writer to be so young."

"???"

His reaction was so different from what she had expected.

'What? He's not usually like this, is he?'

The staff members who came with Saerom also looked puzzled, watching the director's reaction.

"I enjoyed the script. I've seen the first four episodes three times in a few days."

"Ah... Yes, thank you for your kind words."

"You're too modest."

Given the situation, it seemed that Saerom herself had underestimated the value of the work.

'It's definitely a good work, but...'

For Director Sung, who had worked with many star writers,

to react like this was surprising.

Especially since he was someone who didn't even bother to look at new writers' works.

'Did I miss something in the work? Something only Director Sung can see?'

Soon, Sung Ki-hoon subtly asked Kim Jin-woo a question.

"Do you have any directing experience?"

"No, I've been an assistant writer for about six years..."

"No, I mean directing experience."

"None."

"Even in a club or something...?"

"Absolutely none."

"... Impressive talent."

Director Sung Ki-hoon's praise.

Instantly, the people who had only seen the 'fun' in the work changed their perspective.

His praise carried significant weight in the drama industry.

* * *

I watched Director Sung's reaction in confusion.

'What's with this guy?'

I thought his personality might have improved since the last time I saw him,

but from the look on Manager Jeong's face, it didn't seem so.

Sure enough, she spoke up.

"Director, I didn't know you had this kind of personality."

"Me? What kind of personality do I usually have?"

"..."

Why can't I say it's rude?

Director Sung, who ignored Se-mi and Jee Sung-ho and kept praising me,

made me feel awkward, even though I had braced myself for a scolding.

"Um, about the casting..."

"Let's think about that part slowly from now on."

"Ah, Se-mi and Jee Sung-ho are fixed, but only the main male lead...?"

"Hmm, let's see."

Of course, that's how it should be.

I thought the atmosphere was getting good.

"Jee Sung-ho is a verified actor, but I'm not sure about Se-mi."

"I think she fits the image of the female lead I have in mind."

"Hmm..."

His willingness to not reject outright showed potential.

Then, Jee Sung-ho, sensing the mood, spoke up.

"Director, Se-mi and I prepared an impromptu performance. Can we show it to you?"

While I was cheering for Jee Sung-ho's nice assist,

Manager Jeong frowned at his sudden action.

"Is it meaningful to show a pre-rehearsed scene?"

But the director's response was cold.

In the chilly atmosphere, Se-mi cautiously raised her hand.

"Um..."

With everyone's attention on her, she spoke.

"If you choose a scene from the script, I'll act it out."

Se-mi's sudden, spontaneous action.

After practicing one scene all day yesterday, why did she say such a thing?

'Ah, why...!'

I didn't doubt Se-mi, but I couldn't help feeling anxious.

If she failed here, the lead role in this project would be out of the question.

"Can you show it here? The monologue scene of the female lead in Episode 1, Scene 43, please."

Director Sung was already looking at Se-mi with interest.

He seemed curious after I strongly recommended her.

'Ah...'

The dice were already cast.

All I could do was pray to God.

Se-mi thought for a moment about the scene Director Sung casually chose and started to get into character.

Without any preparation time, her eyes instantly reflected the role of 'Cha Ye-ju.'

"Our family isn't the only one like this..."

A scene from Episode 1 where Cha Ye-ju talks to her family.

Her father, a vegetable after a car accident, and her missing younger brother.

The family's financial ruin, with seizure notices on all the furniture.

A scene that highlights the female lead's calm acceptance of her miserable situation.

"So..."

Suddenly, a tear dropped from Se-mi's eye.

It was surprising that she could cry in less than five seconds.

'Sadly...'

In the drama I had seen, Cha Ye-ju's eyes had also been moist.

However, the script only mentioned that she should speak as if sad.

How much must she have studied the script to grasp the emotion so quickly?

'From now on, I should always answer her questions.'

Despite the sudden acting situation, she showed no awkwardness.

Her natural acting diluted the awkward atmosphere.

Soon, Se-mi finished her three-minute performance and smiled sweetly.

In the brief silence, Jee Sung-ho clapped and praised her.

"Wow, Se-mi! Your acting is even better than yesterday."

"Ah, no. It's just that this role fits me so well... Hehe."

Se-mi smiled and glanced at me.

'I thought her appearance might not fit the poor role.'

I reflected on my brief doubt about Se-mi.

At the same time, I became more determined to cast Jae Jae-jun as the main male lead.

"Great acting. The writer has a great eye."

"Ahaha..."

Director Sung continued with a gentle look.

From Manager Jeong's expression, it seemed she didn't disagree much.

"To be honest, I didn't think this project was that important."

"..."

"But now, my thoughts have changed."

"Then..."

"Let's do our best."

I shook hands with Director Sung.

"Director, please trust me with the main male lead role."

"Hmm, who do you have in mind?"

"Find a gem of a new actor at the audition."

"..."

After hearing my words, Director Sung asked seriously.

"Have you seen a new actor take the lead in a drama?"

"Let's make history."

"Hmm..."

"Director, if you've seen my work, you'll know we need a new face."

Like Jae Jae-jun.

"Hmm... If we include new actors, the audition will be crowded."

Hehe—

I smiled at Director Sung's words, accepting my suggestion.

On the other hand, a sigh escaped from the mouths of the production company staff, including Manager Jeong.

It was understandable, as the most important factor in securing investment was the lead actor.

"Auditions... Let's prepare them."

Manager Jeong reluctantly agreed with a blank expression.

* * *

A little later, I arrived at the Tempest Entertainment office.

Manager Jeong, who had disappeared without a trace, seemed very busy.

I wanted to go with her, but there was no chance to ask.

"Everyone else looks a bit cold except for Manager Jeong."

Some might be dissatisfied with the audition plans.

It's true that things have become complicated due to a bad encounter with a new writer.

"Well, it can't be helped."

I then went to the first-floor cafe of the Tempest building to start writing the script.

A place with memories of meeting Jee Sung-ho and signing a contract with Manager Jeong.

'The cafe staff has changed. It was a man last time.'

Just as I was about to order a coffee,

I felt a familiar sensation, a flutter in my heart.

'The first time I saw Se-mi...!'

That day, the system first activated.

Ding—

【A new actor has been discovered.】

【Duplicate writing at the current level is impossible.】

Mysterious words circulating in my head.

Looking at the person again, I noticed her fresh charm.

She was not just pretty but had a unique personality.

Essential qualities for an actor beyond acting skills.

"Customer...?"

The staff member called out to me, who had been standing there blankly.

"Ah... Actress Kim Hyun-ji."

"Me?"

"Ah, Kim Hyun-ji."

I stammered, looking at her name tag.

She seemed a bit flustered, but I continued my questions.

"Are you an actress?"

"I'm an aspiring actress..."

"Can you give me your number?"

I've met many actors in my life,

but the ability doesn't activate often.

'Especially since it's the first time since meeting Se-mi.'

So, just in case, I asked for her number.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Ah, no, it's not like that..."

At that moment, a woman waiting to order spoke softly.

"An author trying to flirt with company staff..."

I turned my head toward the voice.

An actress I had met recently at Manager Jeong's office.

"Yeo Min-seo."

"Yes, Mr. Kim."

"Your words seem a bit harsh."

"Maybe. I'm just stating the facts."

She had been annoying me since the first meeting.

A charming and talented actress, but with a prickly personality.

"I was asking for the contact of a talented actress."

"Really? You can tell just by looking at someone's face?"

"That's..."

"Why don't you become a casting director? You have a natural talent for it."

"Ah, that's a good idea too?"

"Me?"

"Thank you for the suggestion."

I bowed deeply in gratitude.

"Ah, and..."

I smiled at the fuming Yeo Min-seo and continued.

"I'm not interested in you. I was asking Kim Hyun-ji. Why are you making a fuss?"

I ignored Yeo Min-seo and returned to my seat, opening my laptop.

I could feel her angry gaze from the side.

Is it so wrong for a writer to ask for an aspiring actress's number?

Even if I said I was interested, it would be the same.

It's not a pleasant feeling to intrude on someone's personal space.

"Anyway..."

I felt a strange mix of emotions, having discovered a new function in the system.

Maybe there are more system functions I haven't found yet.

A little later, I discovered another function of the system.

The conditions were so simple that it was surprising I hadn't found them before.