Chapter 10. Summer Wardrobe Script Reading (2)

"Already, the atmosphere is so warm and pleasant, which is very good."

Rustle.

Everyone stood up, clasped their hands together, and bowed deeply.

"Oh, sit down. Why are you all standing? This makes me look too old. Haha."

The writer and director took their seats while greeting the cast.

"Well, So-hyun, it's great to see you doing so well lately. I've been watching you closely. This period drama you're in."

"Ah, thank you, writer. I really wanted to do this script as soon as I received it."

"Bro, are you getting used to the new script format? It's like a book, and I'm really not used to it."

"Yeah, but as I read, it seems to get easier."

Writer Choi Mi-hyun and Han So-hyun held hands and chatted, while the actors engaged in various conversations.

The numerous cameras and lights around the room continuously snapped photos, trying to capture every moment of the actors for the making-of footage.

At that moment, the assistant director entered and closed the meeting room door.

"Director, all the actors and staff have arrived."

"Alright, let's start then."

Director Kim Han-suh stood up.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Director Kim Han-suh, in charge of the direction for 'Summer Wardrobe.'"

Wow!

The surrounding staff, crew, and actors cheered and clapped.

Then, starting with the writer, everyone stood up one by one to introduce themselves.

After introducing Kang Seo-joon and Jung Ye-geum, it was Ryu Yeon-woo's turn to introduce himself as Cha Woo-ju.

Ryu Yeon-woo stood up.

"Handsome! Our Woo-ju!"

Ha ha ha.

An Jun-ho, who had already met Yeon-woo during the audition, called out from across the room, and the script reading room filled with laughter.

Yeon-woo smiled, knowing that An Jun-ho was trying to ease his tension as a newcomer.

"Hello. I'm Ryu Yeon-woo, playing the role of Cha Woo-ju. As a newcomer, I have a lot to learn. I'll absorb everything like a sponge and do my best. Please take care of me!"

Everyone smiled at Yeon-woo's loud and spirited greeting, as he bowed 90 degrees to all sides.

Clap, clap, clap.

After everyone's introductions, the director and writer began the script reading, explaining the concept and purpose of the drama.

"Scene number 1, let's start."

Rustle.

Everyone flipped to the first page of the script at the assistant director's command.

"Our parents and your parents are really too much. They make us carry this troublesome burden around?"

"Tsk! That's what I should be saying. Why did you follow me to college and keep bothering me?"

"What do you mean, Jung Ye-geum? We went to elementary, middle, and high school together, and even kindergarten. I didn't show you where to apply for college because I wanted us to go separately?"

Proving their acting skills, the lines of top actors Son Jin-wook as Kang Seo-joon and Han So-hyun as Jung Ye-geum meshed perfectly, creating a lively and tense atmosphere.

After several scenes, it was Cha Woo-ju's turn.

"Father, times have changed. I'm not a singer. You said my dream was to let me do what I want, different from your life."

Despite his delicate and handsome appearance, Yeon-woo's firm and resonant voice caused a low murmur of admiration from the audience.

"Director?"

"Ah, me?"

Ha ha ha.

Director Kim Han-suh, who was supposed to read the lines of the absent Cha Woo-ju's father, 'Chairman Cha,' missed his cue, breaking the solemn atmosphere.

"I'm sorry for the mistake. Yeon-woo, can you do it again?"

Yeon-woo took a deep breath and repeated the line.

"Father, times have changed. I'm not a singer. You said my dream was to let me do what I want, different from your life."

His flawless delivery, without a single mistake, elicited another low murmur of admiration.

"I said you could do what you want, but I meant business, not being a singer. Even if you said you wanted to do an entertainment business, I wouldn't approve. You want to walk around in front of people wearing scraps of clothes?"

As a senior to Jung Chul-min, Director Kim Han-suh had studied acting when he was young, and the weight of Chairman Cha's anger was palpable.

"So, you treated Mother that way until the day she passed away? Just because she was a singer?"

"What, this brat?"

"That brat is your son, Chairman."

With a rebellious voice, Cha Woo-ju provoked Chairman Cha.

Instead of throwing an ashtray at the wall, as the script described, Director Kim Han-suh slammed the table.

Bang!

"Get out, brat! Get out of my house right now. You haven't earned a single thing in this house, so don't even think about taking anything!"

"Alright. Oh, I'll take the motorcycle. Mother bought it with her allowance."

And the next scene.

An Jun-ho, playing the role of Hwang Jae-il, appeared to ease Yeon-woo's tension.

"Did you call for me, Chairman?"

"Jae-il, I kicked that brat out in a fit of anger, but follow him and keep an eye on him. He's still my son, and I can't let him suffer out there."

"Yes, Chairman."

After a few more hours of script reading, it came to an end.

"Everyone did a great job. Seeing the actors' performances, I believe this project will be a success."

Wow!

The staff and cast cheered at Director Kim Han-suh's words.

"Ah, you must be tired, but the three leads and Hwang Jae-il need to stay for the making-of interviews. Let's wrap it up here. Good job, everyone."

Clap, clap, clap!

"Good job, everyone."

"Everyone did a great job."

Everyone greeted each other and left the room.

"Yoo-ju, your acting was amazing. Is this really your first project? And you're really a minor?"

Han So-hyun, who had come over and lightly tapped Yeon-woo's arm, smiled.

"Right, So-hyun noona. It feels a bit awkward."

"Am I awkward? I feel so close to you already."

"It's not that. It's just that your name is the same as my younger sister's, so I call you So-hyun noona."

Han So-hyun clapped her hands, remembering.

"Right! You said that earlier. Well, then call me 'Ye-geum.' We're the same age during this project, right?"

"Ha ha ha."

Yeon-woo laughed awkwardly.

"So-hyun, are you subtly trying to be friends with an 18-year-old boy?"

After greeting the familiar staff, Jin-wook, who had been approaching from a distance, teased So-hyun.

"Caught. Hehe. Then I'll go get my makeup touched up first. Women are busy, you know."

Waving to Yeon-woo and Jin-wook, she left.

"Yoo-ju, we're the same age, but call me hyung first."

"Sure, Jin-wook hyung. It's an honor to have a top star as my hyung."

"Ah, top star? I feel like I have a future top star as my dongsaeng."

Jin-wook waved his hand.

"Then let's go get our makeup done."

"Sure, hyung."

Following the staff's guidance, Yeon-woo entered the makeup room.

Meanwhile, in the makeup room, Joo-hee was pacing.

She had planned to take the day off due to illness but came to work for the script reading of a new drama.

Joo-hee, known among her friends as a 'face fanatic,' had hoped for a drama with handsome male actors and was smitten with a beautifully sculpted newcomer who greeted her kindly.

The door opened, and Ryu Yeon-woo entered.

"Kyaa! He's here!"

"Yesss!"

The makeup team in the room cheered.

"Hello, noona."

Yeon-woo closed the door and greeted them with a smile.

"Ah, I'm melting. I'm glad I came to work today."

"Ahem, actor, please sit over here."

"Sure, thank you."

The staff, who had been guiding Yeon-woo while adjusting their necks, led him to a chair.

"Please take care of me."

Yeon-woo sat down and made eye contact with the makeup artists.

Joo-hee blushed.

"I heard you're a high school student. Is that true, actor?"

Joo-hee asked while enhancing his skin tone.

"Yes, I'll be a senior next year."

"Wow. Is it because of your baby skin? I don't know how to do your makeup."

Joo-hee, who was joking, continued to work with her brush, making his already perfect face even more beautiful.

Another hair artist behind Yeon-woo styled his hair to be more neat and dandy.

The makeup and hair were done in less than five minutes.

"Wow! You look even better now."

"I don't know if I can charge for this much work."

"But, Joo-hee, you're already perfect. Touching you more might make it worse, right?"

"It's a king's touch."

Yeon-woo opened his eyes and smiled.

"Thank you. I feel much better now."

"No, no. Hehe. You were already perfect when you came in."

"Ha ha ha."

Joo-hee, blushing, and Yeon-woo, feeling shy.

"Then, I'll go for the interview now."

"Actor, good luck! I'll join your fan club!"

"Thanks, even though I don't have a fan club yet!"

Yeon-woo smiled and left.

He then proceeded with a personal interview, answering prepared questions, and wrapped up the making-of film shooting with a bright smile, asking for support and viewership.

***

The time is in the past, specifically the morning when Ryu Yeon-woo called 'Love and Hope House' to ask if his assets had been donated.

"So, there is a donation record."

- Yes. But why is the prosecution...? We publish everything transparently on the internet.

"Ah, I'm not calling because there's a problem with the donation. I just need this information for an investigation. Thank you for your cooperation."

- Yes.

Han Hae-won, who had been secretly conducting the investigation through personal calls and his personal PC, became more convinced that 'Team Leader Jeon Su-hwan,' the character from his dreams, was a National Intelligence Service agent, and one who had died in the line of duty.

Hae-won even discovered that the welfare organization mentioned in his dreams was the facility where 'Jeon Su-hwan' had been placed as a child.

However, why this person keeps appearing in his dreams remains a mystery.