Chapter 59. Beyond the River, the Stars – Audition

Creak—

The door opened with a chilling sound in the darkened space.

Click—

The light turned on, and a voice with a metallic tone was heard.

"I told you not to do this last time. Why are you waiting in the dark?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. I just like the darkness..."

The man waved his hand as if annoyed and spoke.

"Never mind. Tell Kim Gyesik to come in."

"Yes."

The man made a call, and soon another man entered through the open door.

"Did you call for me?"

"Ah, Manager Kim. Come and sit down."

When the man in the upper seat called, Kim Gyesik quickly walked over and sat down in front of him.

"Among the actors you've worked with, find a suitable one and tie them to a drug scandal, then send it to the media."

"How big of a story should we send...?"

The man in the upper seat, stroking his chin, spoke in a metallic voice again.

"What about that son of President Yoon?"

"Yongrim Construction?"

"No, not that one. The old man who builds ships."

"Oh, you mean Yoon Gwangseon of Jeongyang Shipbuilding? But that's his daughter."

The man in the upper seat frowned upon hearing this.

"It's his daughter? I thought it was his son because of the speeding and hit-and-run. Anyway, we need to cover up that incident."

"Understood. I'll prepare something of that size."

***

The day of the rescheduled audition arrived four days later.

Yeonwoo was heading to KBC in Minsoo's car.

Team Leader Jung Hyuk, who was already in the car, asked Yeonwoo.

"Are you well-prepared, actor?"

"I'm an audition specialist."

Yeonwoo smiled and replied to Team Leader Jung's question.

"Of course. You even charmed Director Park Chanhong. Still, actor Jin Yuhan won't be an easy opponent."

"You're right. I looked up his works, and he's really good."

As they arrived at the parking lot of the broadcasting station, a staff member who had been in touch with Minsoo came over to guide them.

When Yeonwoo's group moved from the annex to the main building, fans waiting for the idols who were coming for the music broadcast recognized Yeonwoo from a distance.

"Wow, it's Ryu Yeonwoo!"

"Wow! Oppa!"

"Amazing! Look over here!"

Yeonwoo looked in the direction of the noise and drew a heart with her hand.

"Let's go in, actor."

Following the staff member who opened the main building's door, they entered the waiting room in the hall, where Director Lee Sanghoon and Writer Kim Jinju, who were in charge of "Beyond the River, the Stars," were waiting.

"Ah, welcome. Ms. Ryu Yeonwoo. I'm Director Lee Sanghoon."

"Hello, Director."

Yeonwoo greeted Director Lee and Writer Kim in turn.

At that moment, Jin Yuhan and the agency staff entered the room.

The production team welcomed Jin Yuhan, and after the greetings, he approached Ryu Yeonwoo.

Ryu Yeonwoo extended her hand and greeted him first.

"Nice to meet you. We'll have a friendly competition today."

"Yes, I met you at the awards ceremony. This role is so appealing that I can't give it up."

Jin Yuhan smiled while greeting her, but it seemed like there was an invisible tension.

In contrast, Yeonwoo appeared unbothered, showing interest in meeting another actor of her generation.

Manager Han Youngho whispered in Jin Yuhan's ear.

"She's not as ordinary as you might think. She doesn't even look nervous."

Jin Yuhan shrugged, as if it didn't matter to him.

"Ultimately, acting skills will decide the outcome."

Jin Yuhan, who had no doubt about his acting skills, spoke confidently.

At that moment, Director Lee Sanghoon spoke.

"Then, let's do this separately. Would it be okay to start with Mr. Jin Yuhan?"

"Yes, I can go first."

"I don't mind either."

Director Lee Sanghoon nodded.

"Then, Ms. Ryu Yeonwoo, please wait here, and Mr. Jin Yuhan, please go to the stage hall first."

Yeonwoo's group sat in the waiting room chairs, while Jin Yuhan's group went into the stage hall.

Team Leader Jung Hyuk, watching Jin Yuhan enter, said,

"He definitely has the presence of an actor."

"But to me, our actor Ryu has even more presence."

Minsoo, worried that Yeonwoo might feel intimidated, chimed in.

"Oh, that's true. What's the big deal?"

Minsoo glared at him, and Team Leader Jung quickly continued.

Yeonwoo smiled at the two of them.

About ten minutes later, Jin Yuhan's group came out.

Seeing his bright expression, it seemed he had done well as planned.

After all, with a career spanning over ten years, starting from child roles, it would be strange if he didn't perform well.

Meanwhile, inside the stage hall, the production team.

"Hmm, his skills are definitely proven."

"Actually, it's surprising that he's doing our drama with his current momentum. I thought he would only do movies from now on."

The production team evaluated Jin Yuhan, who had just finished his performance.

There was nothing to criticize. His performance was so perfect that there was no room for complaint.

At that moment, Writer Kim Jinju, who had been quietly looking at the script, spoke.

"Sure, he acts well, but he doesn't show anything beyond the script."

"Come on, Kim. We didn't expect much from the start. That's something we can direct on set."

At that moment, Ryu Yeonwoo's group entered the room.

Minsoo and Team Leader Jung sat in the chairs in front of the stage hall, and Ryu Yeonwoo went up on stage.

The production team, watching Yeonwoo ascend the stage, began to comment.

"Her appearance is definitely top-tier. I was surprised when I saw her earlier."

"Her previous work was a hit, but it wasn't a role that showcased her acting skills."

"It was all cameo appearances in movies."

"Still, Director Park Chanhong must have seen something in her to cast her as the lead."

The casting director's words made the production team nod.

At that moment, Director Lee Sanghoon, who was already leaning towards Jin Yuhan, spoke.

"Then, let's start the private audition for the role of Seo Hee in 'Beyond the River, the Stars.'"

"Ready."

Yeonwoo, standing in front of the camera on stage, warmed up, and the production team watched her on the monitor and with their naked eyes.

"Please start with the first line."

Following Director Lee Sanghoon's words, Ryu Yeonwoo focused her emotions.

Suddenly, the expression on Yeonwoo's face, visible on the monitor, changed.

"If we must enter into a political marriage, it would only prove that our family lacks the power it should have in this land of Goryeo."

The line sounded like the petulant complaint of a young, immature heir to a wealthy family.

This was in stark contrast to Jin Yuhan, who, as a historical figure and the male lead, delivered the line with a somber and powerful voice.

The production team showed interest in the completely different delivery of the same line.

"Father, I believe our family, being descendants of a founding hero, does not need to do this."

This time, she slightly coaxed, showing confidence that no family in Goryeo was above hers, as if trying to provoke her father, Seo Pil's, ambitions.

Yeonwoo finished the line with a more resonant voice than before.

"Let my free marriage be the opportunity to demonstrate the prestige of the Seo family."

The production team, who had been sitting comfortably, gradually leaned forward, captivated by the subtle changes in her expressions and tone.

"Indeed, I thought Director Park Chanhong wouldn't just pick someone at random."

"The details are amazing. She seems to be a very clever actor."

"She got into Seoul National University."

"Wow, really? I didn't know that."

After the production team murmured, Director Lee spoke again, looking back at Yeonwoo.

"That was a good performance. Can you do the second line right away?"

"Of course."

Yeonwoo warmed up her voice and refocused her emotions.

The second line was the part with only a single line of dialogue, without any context.

Writer Kim Jinju, hoping for something special, watched with bright eyes.

"I will start the performance."

Yeonwoo, with a solemn face and a hint of disappointment, began the line with a strong voice.

"How can you be so lacking in spirit and so weak? Are you stepping back again? If you step back once, you will eventually have to step back a thousand times."

Despite her young age, she delivered the line with a deep, authoritative voice, as if she were a high-ranking official in the Goryeo royal court, reprimanding corrupt officials.

However, Jin Yuhan's performance had been similar.

It was surprising that Yeonwoo, with only a few years of experience, could match the level of Jin Yuhan, who had been acting for twelve years, more than half his life.

The production team, who had hoped for something different, were slightly disappointed.

Writer Kim, who had expected a different interpretation, looked somewhat let down.

Just as Director Lee was about to praise her effort, Yeonwoo spoke again.

"I will start the second performance of the second line."

The casting director, whose eyes widened, and the writer and director, who showed interest, were surprised because they had only given one version of the second line.

Yeonwoo had mentioned that this line could be used in two different contexts in the story.

The first was the typical scenario where Seo Hee, in the later part of the story, reprimands officials advocating surrender in the confrontation between the Yuan Dynasty and Goryeo.

The second was right now.

"Hmm."

Yeonwoo, who had announced she would start the performance, stood with her hands behind her back, looking up at the sky, and slowly paced back and forth, her face full of worry.

"How can you be so lacking in spirit and so weak?"

Seo Hee, who had recently learned that her unrequited love for Hong Euiyeon was shared by her close friend, Lee Jibae, was torn between choosing her friendship or pursuing her love, and had been avoiding Hong Euiyeon and Lee Jibae.

"Are you stepping back again?"

Seo Hee, standing with her hands behind her back, looked at her feet, deep in thought.

Then, as if making a decision, she put on a solemn expression.

"If you step back once, you will eventually have to step back a thousand times."

She then released her hands from behind her back and walked confidently towards someone.

Although the same lines were delivered, the change in tone and the addition of appropriate actions made the production team see not the old Seo Hee they had seen before, but a young man in love for the first time.

The unseen story of this young man was conveyed vividly.

"That's all."

Writer Kim Jinju, who had been quietly watching Yeonwoo, spoke.

"···I don't want to do this project without this actor."

Director Lee Sanghoon, looking at Writer Kim Jinju, raised his hands and shrugged.

"Don't worry. I feel the same way."

Director Lee Sanghoon stood up and approached the stage.

He went up and extended his hand to Yeonwoo.

"Let's work together. After seeing you, I understand Director Park Chanhong's choice."

Yeonwoo finally smiled.

"I will repay you with a good performance."

Director Lee Sanghoon, looking at Yeonwoo, smiled back, but then his expression turned slightly awkward.