Chapter 35. Master Plan

Minsu nodded as he wrote down the tentative title of the scenario that Yeonwoo had mentioned in his notebook.

After contacting the headquarters, Minsu headed to Jongno for sales.

Thinking that it’s easier to pull out a stubborn horn, Minsu decided to arrange a meeting as quickly as possible before the casting was finalized, and he strongly appealed to set the meeting for the next day.

The next day, Yeonwoo and Team Leader Jung got into Minsu’s car and headed to Jongno.

Team Leader Jung, who had the best connections in the industry related to casting, accompanied Yeonwoo as the responsible person for LN Entertainment’s support.

“So, the top target for actor Ryu is the role of 'Pierre Choi,' right?”

“Yes, Team Leader. While I would be grateful for any role, I think the role of 'Pierre Choi' would be the best.”

Team Leader Jung nodded and then stroked his chin.

“I’ll try, but Director Park Chan-hong is a famous director with a strong personality. This movie is also a big project.”

Team Leader Jung’s words made Yeonwoo nod.

“I need to make a strong impression. If you give me the opportunity, I’ll work hard.”

Yeonwoo’s youthful enthusiasm made Team Leader Jung smile, reminiscing about the past.

“Okay. Let’s give it a shot.”

They arrived at a film production company in Jongno.

While Minsu parked the car, Yeonwoo and Team Leader Jung entered the building.

“Oh, it’s been a while. Director Park, Representative Han.”

“Ha ha. Nice to see you, Team Leader Jung.”

As soon as they entered, Team Leader Jung greeted everyone warmly with a handshake.

Indeed, he is known for his extensive network in the industry.

Yeonwoo, who followed, also greeted the staff.

“Hello, I’m new actor Ryu Yeonwoo.”

Yeonwoo’s confident greeting caught the attention of the production company’s representative.

“Nice to meet you. Please have a seat.”

Representative Han Yoon-soo offered seats to Team Leader Jung and Yeonwoo.

As soon as Yeonwoo sat down, Director Park Chan-hong spoke.

“I don’t know much about you, but our casting director suggested I meet you today.”

The atmosphere quickly cooled with his not-so-friendly opening words.

Ignoring the tense atmosphere, Ryu Yeonwoo slightly stood up and bowed.

“Thank you, Director. I’ve been a fan, and when I read your script, I really wanted to play a role in it, so I begged my company to let me try.”

Director Park, who was somewhat interested in the young actor’s determination despite his cold words, responded.

“Ha ha ha. Your passion is impressive. Do you remember the old days of Jongno? It reminds me of our youth.”

Team Leader Jung timely assisted Yeonwoo.

His words made the staff recall their youthful days.

“It’s been so long since we’ve been in the film industry. Ha ha ha.”

Representative Han softened the atmosphere with a gentle response.

“Hmm. So, you read my script and really wanted to play a role?”

Director Park, with his arms crossed, looked at Yeonwoo with a low voice.

“Yes, Director. I’m confident I can play the role of 'Pierre Choi' better than anyone.”

“Hmm.”

Director Park’s interest grew as Yeonwoo specifically mentioned the lead role of his movie.

According to the casting director, Yeonwoo is a rising star, but Director Park had no intention of casting a newcomer in the lead role of his movie.

However, he thought it wouldn’t be difficult to meet a young, ambitious actor once.

If he liked the performance, he could offer another role.

If the actor refused a supporting role, it would be the end of their relationship, and he wouldn’t lose anything.

“Then, can you show me something? If you’re confident, you must have prepared.”

Director Park’s words made Team Leader Jung somewhat flustered.

He didn’t expect that Yeonwoo would be asked to perform on the spot at this first meeting.

The script had been sent to the company about a week ago, but it had only been given to Yeonwoo yesterday, so Team Leader Jung thought there was no way he could have practiced.

“Director, the script was given to the actor yesterday, so could you give us more time...”

Yeonwoo gently held Team Leader Jung’s hand as he spoke urgently.

“I’ve prepared hard. If you don’t mind, I’d like to show you.”

Director Park nodded at Yeonwoo’s words.

Leaving the anxious Team Leader Jung behind, Yeonwoo stood up and moved to an empty space next to the sofa.

A film company employee distributed the script to the staff, and Yeonwoo waited with the script he had brought.

Yeonwoo’s script was already filled with notes.

“Let’s see scene 17.”

Rustle—

As Director Park spoke, the scripts of the staff and Yeonwoo flipped.

‘This is the first appearance scene.’

It’s the first appearance of 'Pierre Choi,' who smoothly escapes after pulling off a con disguised as a deal with the Italian mafia.

After confirming the lines, Yeonwoo brought a stool and sat down.

“Starting scene 17.”

Yeonwoo placed the script on the floor and began his performance.

With a soft but slightly arrogant smile, Yeonwoo looked at the imaginary mafia in front of him and then stood up.

“Devo andare in bagno, scusate.”

Yeonwoo’s natural Italian caught the attention of the staff, except for Director Park, who all looked back at their scripts.

The line was written in Korean as “(in Italian) I need to go to the bathroom. It’s an urgent matter.”

Yeonwoo stood up and walked confidently around the room, then took out his smartphone from his pocket.

The soft smile that had been on his face gradually turned into a mischievous grin as he brought the phone to his ear.

“Hey, Mr. Kim. Yeah, what’s the problem? Dealing with these snobs? It’s like eating cold porridge. Or is it cold pasta? Both would be tasteless.”

Suddenly, Yeonwoo’s expression changed.

This time, his smile turned into a devilish grin, with one corner of his mouth curling up.

“So, make sure to prepare what we agreed on. Otherwise, you’ll see hell.”

Yeonwoo continued the chilling lines in a voice that seemed to boil with intensity.

“I take everything I can get. And I only take interesting jobs. If the next job wasn’t Mr. Kim... it would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

The staff watching the performance felt a sense of unapproachable charisma around Yeonwoo as he delivered his lines.

After finishing his lines, Yeonwoo instantly returned to his original confident self, picked up the script, and bowed.

“Thank you for watching my performance.”

Representative Han clapped softly and looked at Team Leader Jung.

“You’ve brought a remarkable actor.”

“Ha ha ha.”

In fact, it was the first time Team Leader Jung had seen Yeonwoo perform on the spot, so he scratched the back of his head and laughed.

Representative Han then asked Yeonwoo a question.

“Was the Italian you used earlier prepared in advance?”

“I know Italian, so I improvised it on the spot.”

Oh.

A small gasp of admiration from the staff.

Director Park, who had been observing Yeonwoo’s performance with a calm, emotionless gaze, finally spoke.

“I felt something from your performance, but how did you analyze the character?”

Yeonwoo thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and answered.

“When I read your script, I strongly felt the atmosphere of a classic caper movie like 'Le Cercle Rouge.' So, I thought 'Pierre Choi' was a character walking the line between a con artist and a big shot.”

A caper movie is a genre of crime film that portrays romanticized crime.

Director Park nodded, as if confirming his own thoughts, and spoke.

“So, you’re talking about Condorff and Ronegan?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Yeonwoo’s answer made Director Park think for a few seconds before he spoke with determination.

“I didn’t expect to see Condorff and Ronegan in a young actor’s eyes. This role seems to be your destiny.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

Yeonwoo bowed confidently at the word “destiny.”

The eyes of the staff and Team Leader Jung widened at Director Park’s words.

Team Leader Jung, trying to maintain a calm demeanor, joked.

“Wow, this movie is going to be a success. For Director Park to give such praise...”

“That’s true. He’s usually so reserved and doesn’t express much.”

Even Representative Han, who had worked with him for a long time, was surprised.

Once by Yeonwoo’s acting, and once by Director Park’s expression.

Team Leader Jung told Yeonwoo to go back and leave the practical matters to him.

He said he would have to negotiate further, possibly over drinks.

If he could charm the stubborn Director Park, the balance of the contract negotiations would tip in Team Leader Jung’s favor.

As a veteran in the industry, Team Leader Jung was well-versed in such negotiations and had full authority from the company, so he had nothing to fear.

Yeonwoo whispered to Team Leader Jung, “Please take good care of it,” and then greeted the staff and Director Park, shaking hands and leaving the production company in a positive atmosphere.

Minsu, who had been waiting at the door to avoid ruining the mood, opened the door and asked.

“How did it go, Mr. Ryu?”

Yeonwoo smiled at Minsu.

Extending both hands as he did in the office, Yeonwoo said,

“I’m confident about the audition. I got the role. Pierre Choi.”

“Wow, just as I expected from our actor!”

Minsu, who was as excited as if it were his own success, got into the car with Yeonwoo.

Team Leader Jung negotiated a good deal and the casting was not yet finalized, so the shooting start date was still undecided.

Except for a magazine interview during the week, Yeonwoo had no significant schedule, so he attended school as much as possible, traveling between Daejeon and Seoul, until winter break began.

On days when there was no shooting, Yeonwoo often visited Jin-wook’s house, analyzing and practicing the script for Director Park Chan-hong’s movie.

During this time, he received a call from Director Kim Han-soo.

“Yes, Director.”

- Well, Yeonwoo. I’m late, but congratulations on your good results in the college entrance exam. I saw it in the news.

Yeonwoo smiled at Director Kim Han-soo’s warm message.

“Thank you, Director. I got good results thanks to your good energy.”

- Ha ha. Yeonwoo, you really know how to speak well.

Director Kim Han-soo cleared his throat and continued.

- I’m calling for another reason. The post-production of the film 'Spring Lovers,' where you played an important cameo, is almost complete, and we’re having a press conference soon.