Chapter 6. Audition Preparation

Rustle.

In the principal's office where Chulmin had gone, the only sound was the rustling of pages as Yeonwoo flipped through the script.

Yeonwoo, now completely engrossed in the scenario, began reading the script.

The script Yeonwoo received contained only the third episode out of the 16-episode series and the brief parts where the supporting character, who needed casting for this audition, first appeared. Even these parts were likely to be revised before the actual filming began.

The original webtoon tells the story of the female protagonist, Jung Yeseul, who, while studying fashion design, opens a clothing store called "Yeseul's Closet" with her classmates to raise funds for her dream of attending the Paris Fashion Week.

After reviewing the content up to the third episode, it felt like the main love triangle involving the male lead and the secondary male lead had been given more weight.

"Here, we need to maintain a bright and lively atmosphere, so let's make it as cheerful as possible..."

Yeonwoo took notes, making the script almost black with her writing, and analyzed every character, putting herself in their shoes.

"Wow, imagining myself acting, I really want to play the main characters."

Given the light and fast-paced nature of the romantic comedy drama, it was impossible to strongly drive the supporting characters. Most scenes involved supporting the main actors by agreeing with their actions or performing relatively comedic roles to brighten the drama's atmosphere.

However, seeing the lively and dynamic main characters, who seemed to come to life, naturally made her envious.

'But someday, I'll get to play these roles, so I'll think of this as practice.'

After finishing her character analysis, Yeonwoo turned on the camcorder in the practice room, stood in front of it, and read the lines, trying to deliver them as she had imagined them in her head.

"What is it, Jung Yeseul? Did you start it first? You did, huh. 'You' started it first?"

She tried different emphases and found a natural tone that fit the situation.

- What is it, Jung Yeseul? 'You' started it first?

Yeonwoo practiced the lines, recorded them, and watched the playback, repeating this process.

Several hours passed.

"Yeonwoo! You're still here?"

Chulmin returned after finishing his lesson in the next room.

"Ah, Teacher. I'm burning with passion, thinking this could be my first role if the audition goes well."

Yeonwoo smiled brightly, looking genuinely happy.

"Still, it's almost 11 PM. Your parents will worry. I'll help you more after school ends tomorrow, but for today, let's go home. I'll give you a ride."

"Thank you!"

When Chulmin gestured toward the door, Yeonwoo gathered her script and stood up, tidied up, and then closed the academy door with him before getting into his car.

"Yeonwoo, I couldn't help you today because I had many lessons. How was the script? Did you read it all?"

As they left the parking lot, Chulmin asked Yeonwoo, sounding apologetic.

"I've only read up to the third episode, and the script is still rough, but it's interesting!"

"Is there any character you want to play? I heard from a senior during a break that they will allow free acting within the script and give specific direction on set if needed."

Chulmin, worried about Yeonwoo, had asked about the audition process during a break.

"Well, among the supporting roles, the one with the most weight is Hwang Jaeil, but I'll do my best even in a small role if I get the chance."

"That's right. Just by your looks, you're a natural lead. Let's use this opportunity to get you recognized. Even a small role will create many opportunities for you in the future."

Chulmin, who had personally trained Yeonwoo, was confident about both this audition and her future as an actor.

"Yes, I hope so."

Yeonwoo smiled lightly, making a silent vow to herself.

'This time, I'll work really hard to succeed as an actor.'

***

For the next four days, Yeonwoo rushed to the academy after school to practice.

"It's already tomorrow. I'm sure you'll do great, Yeonwoo. Director Kim Hansu won't miss a gem like you."

"Hey, are you just being biased because I'm your student?"

Yeonwoo felt a bit embarrassed by Chulmin's flattering words and joked.

"It's not that. I'll give you a ride tomorrow, so let's go together and come back."

"Teacher, it's okay. I've already booked my train ticket and can go by myself."

Yeonwoo waved her hand in response to Chulmin's offer.

"You can cancel the ticket. Your parents won't be comfortable sending you to Seoul alone. I'll call them and let them know."

"Ah, then I'm sorry, but I'll have to impose on you tomorrow. Thank you, Teacher."

Although Yeonwoo, who had walked alone in battlefields in her previous life, felt a bit awkward being treated like a child, she accepted Chulmin's warm concern and her parents' worry without further argument.

The next day dawned, and despite the test being scheduled for 1 PM, Chulmin picked up his student early in the morning and drove her to Seoul.

Chulmin's car arrived in front of a building in Gangnam.

"Yeonwoo, I'll wait here. There might be people I know, and it might seem like I'm pulling strings. Go up alone and come back when you're done. This is the 8th floor. Call me as soon as you're finished."

"Okay, Teacher. I'll do my best!"

Yeonwoo's enthusiastic response made Chulmin's lips curl up involuntarily.

"Who uses the phrase 'do my best' these days? It's 'fighting.'"

"Fighting!"

Yeonwoo turned around with determination and entered the building.

"Senior, I'm sending you a monster. Good luck."

Alone in the car, Chulmin watched Yeonwoo's back and muttered to himself.

Ding—8th floor.

When Yeonwoo got off the elevator, a sign with an arrow pointed the way.

"Yeseul's Closet - Audition room is this way."

"Finally."

Yeonwoo opened the door to the audition lobby and entered.

Meanwhile, inside the important meeting room of the audition venue, sighs were exchanged.

"I knew it. I said he was intense from the first time I saw him."

Choi Mihyun, the writer responsible for adapting and writing the script for this drama, sighed and spoke.

The casting director, looking troubled, tried to explain.

"His reputation in the entertainment industry wasn't good, but we chose him purely for his looks and popularity."

"From what I heard, the reason he quit his idol group was because his drug use was discovered by his former agency."

The assistant director's words prompted Director Kim Hansu to speak.

"There's nothing we can do about what's already happened. What can we do? We need to find a replacement. At least it's fortunate that this happened before the press conference."

Although he usually prepared meticulously and remained calm, even Director Kim Hansu couldn't help but sigh.

This morning, they received a call from the agency managing the actor, Jung Min-hwan, who was cast as the secondary male lead, a significant role in the drama.

"He is suspected of drug use and will soon be in the news, so he can't join the production."

"Since we haven't signed a formal contract with the agency and haven't held the press conference, we can't ask for a breach of contract fee."

The casting director, recalling the conversation, spoke.

"The problem isn't the breach of contract fee, but the lack of a list of candidates."

"Of course. Did anyone expect the broadcast date to be set so soon? Sigh, this cable channel."

Director Kim Hansu's words darkened everyone's faces.

The drama "Yeseul's Closet" was originally planned to air in the summer of next year, allowing ample time for pre-production.

However, a variety show that was scheduled to air at the same time was abruptly canceled due to a scandal involving the host, causing the air dates of the subsequent shows to be moved up, and "Yeseul's Closet" had to be aired in the early part of next year.

Fortunately, since the original webtoon was the source, there was no need to conceptualize the script, and Choi Mihyun could quickly adapt and write it, so there was no production issue.

However, it was fall, the best time for filming, and many dramas were just starting, leaving a shortage of young actors suitable for leading roles.

Moreover, the character in this drama needed to play a 20-year-old, further limiting the pool of candidates.

Despite the ample budget, the production team was in a difficult position because the secondary male lead, who was crucial, had dropped out, and they were holding auditions for supporting roles.

"Let's stop sighing. We're close to the start of filming, so let's do our best to finalize the list. I'll also use my connections to find a replacement before the filming starts."

Director Kim Hansu's mediation was met with nods.

"Everyone, let's get up. We need to fill the supporting roles today and find the perfect secondary male lead as the final piece."

The assistant director tried to lift the mood and left the meeting room to inform the staff to start the auditions.

"Let's get up, everyone."

As Director Kim Hansu stood up, everyone followed him to the audition venue.

In the audition waiting room, about thirty people were gathered, preparing for their auditions.

"Oh, Hye-soo, it's been a while."

"Senior, how have you been?"

The established actors, who seemed to know each other, greeted each other with smiles.

"Hey, did you hear? Han Jun-kyung was using drugs."

"Wow, what about the drama he's currently filming?"

"I don't know. Why are there so many drug scandals in the entertainment industry these days?"

Meanwhile, students from acting academies and similar programs gathered in a corner, sharing gossip and chatting.

Among them, Ryu Yeonwoo sat alone.

However, everyone was glancing at her out of the corner of their eyes.

"Hey, where did this kid come from? Her face is insane."

"Exactly, I've never seen her before. She's the best I've ever seen, even among all the actors I know."

"Who else have you seen besides our professors?"

"Ah, forget it! I've seen her on TV. Anyway, she's really stunning."

The students from the top drama school nodded in agreement with their friend's words.

However, one person looked at Yeonwoo with disapproval and spoke coldly.

"But she won't pass this audition."

Her friends looked at her, surprised by her definitive statement.

"Why?"

"This is a Kim Hansu production. He doesn't cast people just because they have a pretty face. I heard from a senior that the character's charm must match. She looks like a beginner, and it's hard to imagine her showing any charm in such a challenging role."

Although she didn't know where this newcomer came from, having started as a child actor and been in the industry for a long time, she rarely met aspiring actors or unknowns she didn't recognize.

Saying she had never seen her before was a clear indication that Yeonwoo was a beginner with no experience.

"Just a pretty face trying to become an actor."

"We're starting the auditions. Number 1, Na Sung-jin, please come this way."

As the staff announced the start, the participants, who had been whispering, stopped and began to focus.