Chapter 7

"Seeing you regain your passion, I am very happy! I always believed that your talent is limitless!" Zhao Daxi said sincerely to Park Ji-hoon.

"Uh-huh." The doubt in Park Ji-hoon's eyes dissipated, and then he pursed his lips, forming a determined curve, and surprisingly accepted it without hesitation.

Zhao Daxi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Great! That's the Park Ji-hoon I know! I'm looking forward to the day you succeed!"

As a manager, he was very aware of Park Ji-hoon's talent. Unfortunately, Park Ji-hoon always had a sense of aversion to the entertainment industry. After hitting walls twice due to backroom deals, his personality became increasingly lax.

Now, although it was a bit late, he still looked forward to this guy creating a miracle!

"Bro! Is there a movie script?" After seeing off Zhao Daxi, Park Ji-hoon had just returned to the living room when Park Min-ah eagerly came up, her face full of excitement as she asked.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her eyes brimming with joy, and her eyelashes fluttered lightly, showing her excitement.

She was clearly even happier than he was!

"Did you eavesdrop on our conversation?" Park Ji-hoon felt a warmth in his heart but deliberately put on a stern face to scold her.

"It's because you and Zhao Daxi OPPA were talking so loudly, I couldn't help but hear!" Park Min-ah pouted without hesitation.

Only then did Park Ji-hoon remember how they had lost themselves in their excitement, and he couldn't help but smile and nod, "Uh-huh!"

"Congratulations, Bro!" Park Min-ah cheered.

"But!" Park Ji-hoon then showed a faint bitter smile and said, "The interview is tomorrow, and time is tight."

"Ah!" Park Min-ah suddenly stopped cheering, let out a light exclamation, and pushed him, saying, "What are you waiting for, Bro? Hurry up and go to your room to study! If you're thirsty or hungry, just let me know, and I'll take care of it!"

She looked like someone who could handle everything with a sister around, making her both pitiable and lovable.

Park Ji-hoon smiled and didn't refuse.

For the rest of the day, he focused on studying the script until Zhao Daxi came to pick him up the next morning.

...

Lee Jung-hwan, not a very famous director among many in Korea, had only directed one feature film and was now struggling with his second.

The equipment, staff, and most of the cast were in place, but the final male lead was still undecided.

The script's name was a bit peculiar, "Uncle," but like his first film, "Hot-Blooded Man," it was an action movie. He was particularly cautious in choosing the male lead.

Usually, production companies would submit scripts to actors, but today, the two actors being interviewed had both approached him voluntarily.

The first one, who had just finished the interview and left, was the well-known Korean actor Won Bin. Although he didn't have many works, Won Bin's fame in Korea was definitely top-notch. However, he wasn't particularly fond of using such popular actors, especially those labeled as "pretty boys."

So, he was still hesitating, waiting for the second actor to arrive.

The second one... well, to say the least, this person's "fame" in the industry was even greater than Won Bin's, a well-known "legend." Even the production company's representative, who was just there for show, was curiously looking at this person's resume.

"Such talent!" After a while, the representative couldn't help but stroke his chin and sigh, his expression suggesting he was already moved before even meeting the person.

Lee Jung-hwan could only smile bitterly. This person's resume was truly "legendary." If he were competing for a supporting role, he would have agreed wholeheartedly without even meeting him!

At this moment, the second interviewee they were waiting for had arrived.

"Thank you, Brother Daxi." After getting out of the car, Park Ji-hoon bowed to thank Zhao Daxi.

Zhao Daxi waved his hand and said, "I have work to do, so I can only help you up to here. I wish you success in the interview!"

"Brother Daxi, go ahead with your work." Park Ji-hoon said with a smile.

After watching Zhao Daxi's car disappear, he turned and entered the building. Just as he was about to ask someone for directions to the interview office, he suddenly saw a handsome man come around the corner.

"Senior Won Bin, hello!" Park Ji-hoon hurriedly bowed to greet him.

Won Bin had just finished his interview and was speculating about the director's intentions when he suddenly saw a figure running up and bowing to him. He paused, returned the bow, and said, "Hello." Only when the person stood up did he recognize him, and a hint of a smile appeared on his usually cold face. He asked, "Are you here for the interview too?"

"Yes, Senior!" Park Ji-hoon replied respectfully. In the Korean entertainment industry, seniority was very important!

Won Bin nodded. Although they were competitors, he still pointed the way for him. On one hand, he was confident that even with this person's "legendary" resume, if they were competing for the male lead, there was no need to worry too much. On the other hand, if this person were competing for a supporting role, he would welcome it with open arms!

After thanking him, Park Ji-hoon went to the interview office.

In the spacious room, behind a desk, there were only two middle-aged men. When they saw him enter, their curious gazes simultaneously fixed on his face.

Park Ji-hoon bowed and then stood there calmly, allowing the two men to examine him. He had seen this kind of gaze too many times in the past two years.

"Cough!" After a moment, Lee Jung-hwan cleared his throat and said, "Hello, I am Director Lee Jung-hwan, and this is Producer Kim Sung-yun."

His appearance was quite good, not particularly handsome, but he had a delicate and refined look! He had a heart-shaped face, fine eyebrows that were somewhat feminine, long and narrow eyes that seemed to be single-lidded, clear eyes, a slender nose, and a well-defined mouth... The first impression was of refinement, but after a closer look, it was replaced by a sense of cleanliness! His eyes and skin exuded a purity from within!

He gave a comfortable feeling, but this was not the image Lee Jung-hwan was looking for. So, his expression wasn't very bright.

"Hello, Director, hello, Producer!" Park Ji-hoon bowed again.

Producer Kim Sung-yun, after curiously examining him, couldn't help but look at the resume in his hand again.

Park Ji-hoon, born in 1984, 178 cm tall (no exaggeration), debuted in 2000, worked as a director's assistant, assistant director, and writer, and later became famous as an actor. He had already served in the military, reportedly because of family reasons, and went directly to serve as soon as he turned 18, almost causing a rift with his agency.

He had a wide range of roles and was known as the "Golden Supporting Actor"!

However, this "Golden Supporting Actor" title wasn't because of his acting skills, but because every TV drama or movie in which he played a supporting role was a huge success!

He was in "Boys Over Flowers," "Coffee Prince," and this year's "Brilliant Inheritance."

His film works included "My Sassy Girl," "That Guy's Voice," "Miracle on 1st Street," "The Chaser," and "Cyrano Agency."

All of these works were huge successes, and he played a supporting role in each one. Over the years and with so many works, even if it was luck, it was acknowledged by everyone in the industry. The title "legend" was well-deserved, and the "Golden Supporting Actor" title was truly fitting.

Now, the supporting role had become his "specialty" and a synonym for him.

Not everyone had other ideas. In 2009, someone couldn't resist asking him to play the lead role in the drama "Cinderella and Four Knights" with Girls' Generation's Lin Yoon-a. The result was that the ratings didn't even break double digits!

The reactions of Lee Jung-hwan, Kim Sung-yun, and Won Bin were naturally understandable.

If he said he wanted to play a supporting role, even a big director like Bong Joon-ho or a top actor like Song Kang-ho would welcome him with open arms! In the entertainment industry, the word "luck" carried a lot of weight.

However, if he wanted to play the lead, it really needed careful consideration.

"Cough!" Lee Jung-hwan couldn't help but clear his throat again and asked, "May I ask, are you here to audition for the male lead?" Although he didn't believe in this, facing Park Ji-hoon's "powerful" resume, he couldn't help but be cautious. Especially since Park Ji-hoon's appearance didn't match his expectations.

"Yes!" Park Ji-hoon nodded firmly.

Lee Jung-hwan nodded expressionlessly. It was a bit difficult! Earlier, Kim Sung-yun had been interested and wanted to give him a supporting role, but he was here to audition for the male lead.

"Those were just coincidences!" Park Ji-hoon glanced at the resumes in their hands, clearly understanding their hesitation, and said, "I believe in my acting skills more than luck!" If he didn't take the initiative, he might be invited to play a supporting role again. He had accumulated a lot of experience and observed various actors. Now, he wanted success and honor, not a supporting role!

His last sentence moved Lee Jung-hwan.

"The male lead in the movie is a secret agent and needs good fighting skills, but we don't have much time to wait. Can you handle it?" Lee Jung-hwan finally straightened his face and asked seriously.

It wasn't that he doubted him, but Park Ji-hoon's appearance was too delicate, giving a "soft" impression.

"I've studied boxing!" Park Ji-hoon replied. Then, before Lee Jung-hwan could ask more, he made a change.

He knew his appearance was too delicate, but to have such a wide range of roles, spanning both film and television, and to be so versatile, he naturally had his own strengths.

"Ah?" Lee Jung-hwan and Kim Sung-yun both let out a light exclamation, involuntarily straightening up and looking at Park Ji-hoon.

His eyebrows, which were long and fine, were slightly raised, but his demeanor changed dramatically, exuding a strong sense of aloofness and pride, as if he were pushing people away.

It was like the change from "water" to "ice"!

If this alone made Lee Jung-hwan hesitate, then the look in Park Ji-hoon's eyes after their gaze met made him suddenly feel the urge to make a decision immediately.