Chapter 29

29. How long has it been since you started acting?

Min Seo-yeon entered the audition room.

Instantly, the production company president's face lit up, and PD Jung Doo-il's eyes filled with curiosity.

After Min Seo-yeon finished her greeting, PD Jung Doo-il began with a few questions.

"Ms. Min Seo-yeon, you have a history as a child actor, right?"

"Yes."

The production company president looked excited as he watched Min Seo-yeon answer. Writer Han Yoo-kyung, however, looked at the president with a suspicious expression.

"President."

"Yes?"

"Did you know Seo-yeon from before?"

The president's expression turned uneasy. But it wasn't really a secret. He whispered,

"Well, she's a friend recommended by No Hyun-woo."

"No Hyun-woo?"

Han Yoo-kyung looked surprised. She knew that No Hyun-woo wasn't the type to ask for favors.

"Why would No Hyun-woo? Are they from the same agency? No, I don't see that in her resume."

"Ah, if she were from No Hyun-woo's agency, HC Entertainment, why would he bother to ask through No Hyun-woo?"

"That's true. But if not, why would No Hyun-woo, who never asks for personal favors, do this?"

"Hehe. I don't know exactly. He didn't say much, just that she's a really good resource."

"Anyway, it's like the sun rising in the west."

The president was happy for precisely that reason. If No Hyun-woo recommended her, she must be one of three things: truly outstanding, someone No Hyun-woo really cares about, or both.

No Hyun-woo was a top actor, and being a member of the KJ Group was an open secret.

As the president of a small production company always hungry for actors and investments, he couldn't help but be pleased by the opportunity to build a relationship with No Hyun-woo.

While getting selected for the audition would be the best outcome, the president couldn't push it that far. PD Jung Doo-il might not know, but Writer Han Yoo-kyung wouldn't consider someone's background when selecting cast members, given her upright personality.

Ultimately, if someone lacked the talent, they wouldn't be selected. That's why the president had been honest with Writer Han Yoo-kyung.

However, the president also had faith in Min Seo-yeon's abilities.

"Hey, Writer Han, this girl was the child actor in 'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed.' Isn't that exciting?"

PD Jung Doo-il said, looking very encouraged. Writer Han Yoo-kyung nodded.

'A child actor in 'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed'... '

She appeared only in the early part of the drama but was quite a topic for a while. She then disappeared from the scene and was forgotten.

'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed.'

For Writer Han Yoo-kyung, it was a title that brought back memories. It was the drama that her mentor's work had competed against when she was an assistant writer.

She thought her own work was quite good and had high hopes for it. But it was swept away by the popularity of the lively action-comedy 'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed.'

Her mentor had been hysterical about it, and just thinking about it made her shudder. But time heals all wounds, and now it was just a distant memory.

Most importantly, she was also a huge fan of 'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed.'

'No wonder. She looked familiar.'

Han Yoo-kyung examined Min Seo-yeon's face more closely.

Indeed, she recognized her from back then. But if you didn't know, you might not recognize her; she had changed quite a bit.

Even though she remembered the child actor from 'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed,' she had only felt a sense of familiarity.

Back then, the child actor was very bright, bold, and full of energy. Though it was in the drama, her unyielding spirit wasn't just acting.

Now, Seo-yeon was different. She seemed a bit darker and more mature for her age. Her once innocent eyes now had a rebellious, provocative look.

It was more than just the changes of adolescence.

"Hehe. I also really enjoyed 'Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed.' To see that little girl grow up so beautifully, I'm very excited. Hehehe."

The production company president burst into a hearty laugh.

"Alright, let's see some acting, shall we?"

PD Jung Doo-il announced the start of the audition. Thus, Min Seo-yeon's performance began.

***

"Wow, this is a pleasant surprise."

PD Jung Doo-il smiled happily.

"Or did you mean this girl when you said we could have high expectations, Writer Han?"

Writer Han Yoo-kyung shook her head.

"No, I was also surprised by Seo-yeon. When I said we could have high expectations, I meant..."

Han Yoo-kyung's gaze shifted to the entrance of the audition room.

"Come in, Jin-hyuk."

Following Han Yoo-kyung's gaze, PD Jung Doo-il's eyes landed on Woo Jin-hyuk.

'...'

He almost gasped in surprise but managed to hold it in.

What? What is this aura?

Han Yoo-kyung's face broke into a broad smile. PD Jung Doo-il glanced at her.

"This boy?"

"Yes."

"Didn't you know about such a talented boy? You should have brought him in earlier."

"I don't know him well yet."

"Really?"

"I need to get to know him better."

Looking at Han Yoo-kyung's sparkling eyes, PD Jung Doo-il was completely puzzled and flipped through the participants' profiles.

But then he looked at Jin-hyuk's face again and said to the staff,

"Here, it seems a profile is missing. This boy's profile isn't here."

PD Jung Doo-il was relieved. If the profile had been there and he hadn't recognized the face, he would have felt embarrassed.

"Oh, Writer Han said it wasn't necessary."

Han Yoo-kyung said nonchalantly.

"He's not an actor, just a student. I cast him on the street. He probably doesn't have any audition profile photos, so I just told him to come."

"Really?"

"He's been to an acting school for a few months, though."

PD Jung Doo-il looked at Writer Han with a bewildered expression.

But Han Yoo-kyung didn't mention what she had heard from the notoriously picky actor, Yeon Sung-hoon. That would become clear soon enough.

With anticipation, Han Yoo-kyung's heart raced.

"Did Se-ryun come with you?"

"Yes."

"Let's see them together. They must have practiced together, right?"

At Han Yoo-kyung's call, Yeon Se-ryun, who had been waiting outside, timidly entered the audition room.

"Hello, I'm Yeon Se-ryun, a first-year student at Sihwa Girls' High School!"

PD Jung Doo-il's eyes widened at the sight of Se-ryun.

"Did you find this girl on the street too?"

"Yes."

What? How is this even possible?! What street is this where such gems just roll around? PD Jung Doo-il wanted to ask.

The president, sharing the same thought, laughed heartily.

"Hehe. It seems Writer Han Yoo-kyung has discovered a gold mine. To find such sparkling gems!"

PD Jung Doo-il carefully examined the two students again. They were flawless. It wasn't just that they were good-looking.

They were charming and had distinct personalities. Just looking at them, you could see a panorama of drama characters.

PD Jung Doo-il asked Han Yoo-kyung,

"Have you seen them act before?"

"Not really."

PD Jung Doo-il sighed. Meeting such talented kids on the street was already a stroke of luck, but for them to have the acting skills he wanted? What were the odds?

If they had only been acting for a few months, as they claimed, it was a given.

'Still...'

He was very curious to see if they had any potential. Their visual appeal alone made it clear they were luminous gems who should be in the entertainment industry.

Han Yoo-kyung's expectations probably meant something along those lines, PD Jung Doo-il thought. Of course, there was also a slim hope.

Even if they weren't immediately ready, they seemed to have the charm and character to be promising.

'If they show potential as actors...'

PD Jung Doo-il thought of a few acquaintances who could polish these gems.

"Alright, let's see the acting you've prepared."

At Han Yoo-kyung's signal, the two faced each other.

Woo Jin-hyuk saw the nervousness in Yeon Se-ryun's eyes. As he was about to start his lines, he hesitated, and everyone wondered what was happening.

"Wait a moment. I'm too nervous."

Woo Jin-hyuk signaled with his hand. Han Yoo-kyung tilted her head.

'Nervous?'

Was this the look of a nervous person? His tone and actions were very relaxed.

'Look at him. The way he approaches Se-ryun so calmly...'

Woo Jin-hyuk gently turned Se-ryun's shoulder to face the judges.

Click.

Woo Jin-hyuk snapped his fingers in front of Se-ryun's eyes, as if casting a spell.

Se-ryun's gaze, which had been on Woo Jin-hyuk's hand, moved to his face. Jin-hyuk tapped his left chest twice with his right palm.

'Just trust me and follow me.'

Woo Jin-hyuk mouthed the words, his eyes calm and composed.

A simple gesture, but not to Se-ryun. The moment she saw Jin-hyuk's calm eyes, her heart calmed down as if by magic.

Se-ryun smiled, a smile that was just like her usual self.

'I understand.'

She mouthed the words back, and they turned to face the judges again. Se-ryun's expression was now relaxed.

"Let's start again."

PD Jung Doo-il shook his head in disappointment.

'Still... not yet...'

Jin-hyuk and Se-ryun faced each other again. Jin-hyuk began his first line.

"Ah— It's over. It's all over. Hey, what do we do, Yeon-soo? I'm completely done for. There's no hope for this exam."

"Exactly. I told you to study more!"

Huh?

Han Yoo-kyung's eyes widened. The scene they started was unexpectedly from the first series of 'High School,' featuring the comedic characters.

The scene was far from what one would expect from a meeting between a handsome, dreamy-eyed boy and a girl with the looks of a shoujo manga protagonist.

"Ha!"

"Ha-ha-ha!"

But what was even more surprising was that the staff, including the PD and the president, were laughing at the two's banter.

The performance was so good that it was hard to remember who had originally played those roles in 'High School.'

Before Han Yoo-kyung could recover from her shock, Woo Jin-hyuk's expression changed as he moved on to the next scene.

"Get lost."

"..."

"Didn't you hear me? Get lost."

A rebellious youth, his heart twisted by the world. Deep, sad eyes, a cold voice that seemed to cut through the soul.

'What, what is this?'

PD Jung Doo-il's gaze was fixed on Woo Jin-hyuk, and then it followed his cold eyes to Yeon Se-ryun.

Sadness, anger, shattered self-esteem, and another self-esteem that refused to be shattered. Complex emotions filled Se-ryun's face. She slowly opened her mouth.

"Useless bastard... What makes you so great all the time!"

The emotions burst out like an explosion.

"What! What makes you so great?"

Tears that had been welling up in Se-ryun's eyes suddenly fell.

A moment of silence.

Woo Jin-hyuk's piercing gaze became even more cynical, and then it scattered with a mocking laugh.

"Immature."

"What?"

"Do you like me?"

"Wh-what nonsense are you talking about!"

"Stop playing games. Don't start something you can't finish."

The subtle, complex gazes they exchanged.

Something welled up in Han Yoo-kyung's heart.

'Phew...'

She had written the script. She knew better than anyone what should be happening in their hearts right now.

But she felt deeper emotions from them than she had from the original 'High School' characters.

'Is this even possible?'

Yeon Se-ryun's acting was undoubtedly excellent, but she was the daughter of Yeon Sung-hoon. She had grown up watching and listening to him. She had been practicing acting for over two years.

But Woo Jin-hyuk had only started a couple of months ago.

Yet, it was clear that he, not Se-ryun, was leading the emotional performance. Han Yoo-kyung could see it clearly.

'Unbelievable. This is the acting of someone who has only been learning for two months?'

Han Yoo-kyung had a special affection for new talent. She had probably seen enough new talent to fill several 45-seat buses.

She had high hopes based on Yeon Sung-hoon's praise, but this was a level of talent that couldn't be measured by such standards.

She couldn't read the thoughts of the others, but their expressions said it all.

The performance, or rather, the show, was over, but a moment of silence followed.

Breaking the silence, PD Jung Doo-il, who looked dazed, spoke.

"Th-that male student, no, Woo Jin-hyuk. How long have you been acting?"