Chapter 71

71. Let's See Your Skills

"Right now... Who are you acting with?"

"Senior Jung Ji-an."

Yeon Seung-hoon said, as if he couldn't understand.

"Jin-hyuk, you're the lead, right?"

"Yes."

"But what about Jung Ji-an? There can't be two leads."

"Senior Ji-an said he would take a supporting role. He will play the rival to Hong Gil-dong."

"......"

Even after hearing the answer, it was still incomprehensible to Yeon Seung-hoon.

"Jung Ji-an said he would do that?"

"Yes. Senior Ji-an said he wanted to do it."

"Ha. Jin-hyuk, I still don't understand what you're saying."

Seung-hoon shook his head.

"What about the company? Is the company okay with the two of you doing this?"

"Well, in Senior Ji-an's case, we need to talk to the CEO. But..."

"But?"

"Since Senior Ji-an is determined, it will probably work out."

"Wow..."

Seung-hoon concluded. This isn't something to understand; it's something to accept.

"If the two of you end up acting together, especially as rivals, it won't be all good for you, Jin-hyuk, right?"

"Of course. That's why I said I need to do well."

A smile that couldn't be suppressed appeared on Jin-hyuk's lips. Seung-hoon understood the meaning of that smile.

"Wow, you guys. You too, and Jung Ji-an. I think Jung Ji-an will be smiling just like you, not just my imagination."

"Yes, I think so too."

"Haha."

Now Seung-hoon also smiled.

"Right, if you're going to do it properly, you don't need to feel intimidated by anyone, not even Jung Ji-an. Let's do it right!"

"Yes."

After accepting the incomprehensible situation, the desire to be a better actor and acting instructor began to rise in Seung-hoon's heart.

Woo Jin-hyuk vs. Jung Ji-an.

When you think about it, it's an incredible cast, isn't it!

***

"Ha!"

Yeon Se-ryun burst into laughter at the sight of Jin-hyuk in an old school uniform.

Compared to his usual cold and intellectual demeanor, he looked somewhat simple and innocent.

Jin-hyuk also smiled awkwardly at Se-ryun's reaction.

"You look good in it."

Compared to Se-ryun, who looked perfect in the old school uniform, Jin-hyuk felt a bit awkward.

"No, you look good too. What wouldn't suit you? It's just a different look from your usual image."

The concept of the music video was 'Time Traveler'.

A fantasy romance where a female student, who has to watch the death of her love, meets a male student in the past who is exactly like her love during a time travel to the future.

The music video had a well-structured story, almost like a short film.

Jin-hyuk somehow really liked this style of music video. It also fit Se-ryun's debut song perfectly.

"Let's go!"

The director's cue signaled the start of the shoot.

"One, two, cue!"

Swish—

A quiet rural village in the midst of a summer downpour.

Two students in old school uniforms are taking shelter under the eaves.

The two look at the rainwater dripping from the eaves, wondering when it will stop.

The rain shows no sign of stopping.

The female student reaches out and touches the rainwater dripping from the eaves. She smiles, finding it amusing as she looks at her wet hand.

The male student glances at her. When the female student turns her head, aware of his gaze, the male student quickly looks away.

It's a sentimental scene that makes you feel like a fresh love song is playing in your ears.

"Cut!"

The rain stopped with the director's "cut." Or rather, the water truck stopped. While the staff prepared for the next shot, Se-ryun, still standing under the eaves, spoke to Jin-hyuk.

"Summer vacation is almost over. Jin-hyuk, you didn't go anywhere, did you?"

"Well, no. How about you, Se-ryun?"

"No, I was preparing for the album."

Se-ryun shook her head with a regretful expression.

"It's a bit disappointing. I thought it would be nice to go on a trip with the kids if I asked my dad. I didn't expect to be this busy after the drama ended."

"Right."

Se-ryun's words made Jin-hyuk feel a bit regretful too. It was the summer vacation of their second year in high school.

Considering that the summer vacation of their third year would be even harder, this summer might have been the last chance for a high school trip with friends.

"Let's go on a trip together when we go to college."

"Really? Jin-hyuk, you promised!"

Jin-hyuk nodded, and Se-ryun smiled widely.

"Hey, old people. What's so good?"

"Huh? Se-yeon!"

Se-ryun jumped up and ran to Se-yeon, who was approaching under the eaves.

"Se-yeon, come on."

Se-yeon, who was hugged by Se-ryun, said playfully but not mindfully.

"Se-ryun, don't you think it's a bit hot?"

"It's fine. It's fine."

Se-ryun hugged Se-yeon even tighter. Jin-hyuk greeted Se-yeon.

"You came early?"

"Well, I had some free time, and I wanted to see you two shoot."

Just then,

"Jin-hyuk!"

Manager Kim Yong-soo called Jin-hyuk.

"You have a call."

"Yes."

While Jin-hyuk went to take the call, Se-yeon glanced at him and said to Se-ryun.

"Does he still not know?"

"Yeah, he doesn't seem to know at all."

Se-ryun asked playfully.

"When are you going to tell him?"

"He'll find out soon. Maybe after he finishes the call?"

"Okay. Jin-hyuk will be really surprised."

Se-ryun laughed, finding it very amusing, and Se-yeon also smiled similarly.

While their conversation continued, Jin-hyuk returned.

"Jin-hyuk! Jin-hyuk! Se-yeon has something to say."

Se-ryun smiled at Jin-hyuk, but his expression was stiff. Se-ryun asked worriedly.

"Why? Was it a bad call? What happened?"

"Ah, it's nothing."

Jin-hyuk tried to act nonchalant.

"They said a casting for a future project fell through. Well, it can't be helped."

"What?!"

Se-ryun and Se-yeon's eyes widened simultaneously, and Se-ryun looked back and forth between Se-yeon and Jin-hyuk, unsure what to do.

"Wait, you mean the next project, 'Hong Gil-dong'?"

"You knew too, Se-ryun. Yes."

"Ah..."

Se-ryun froze. Se-yeon also looked flustered.

"What do we do? I didn't know..."

Just as Se-ryun said this with a sad expression, Jin-hyuk smiled at them.

"It's a lie."

"What?!"

"Haha. You two were trying to surprise me, right? So I beat you to it."

Jin-hyuk knew. He knew that Se-yeon would be cast in a major role in 'Hong Gil-dong' and that Se-ryun would sing the OST.

It wasn't that he just found out; he had discussed it with PD Jung Doo-il and writer Han Yoo-kyung.

"Ah, really. Jin-hyuk, what are you doing?"

"......"

Se-ryun calmed her surprised heart, but Se-yeon looked at Jin-hyuk, not believing it.

It was the first time.

Jin-hyuk had never played a prank like this before.

***

At the end of a scorching summer, the season was slowly preparing for a cool breeze.

But there was also a place where a hot wind was just beginning to blow.

- KBC Mini-Series 'Hong Gil-dong': Newcomer Woo Jin-hyuk Boldly Cast as the 9th Hong Gil-dong.

- Bold Casting of 'Hong Gil-dong' Creates Buzz: Actor Woo Jin-hyuk, the Issue-Maker of 'High School 2', Cast as the Lead.

The media, which had been hot with articles about Jin-hyuk's bold casting,

- Actor Jung Ji-an, Boldly Cast in KBC 'Hong Gil-dong' Series. The Identity of the Mysterious Role?

- Rising Star Jung Ji-an from Chungmuro. Cast in KBC 'Hong Gil-dong' as First Drama.

Was once again flooded with articles about Jung Ji-an's casting,

- Clash of Two Acting Geniuses: KBC 'Hong Gil-dong' Actors Woo Jin-hyuk and Jung Ji-an Analyzed.

- War of Rising Stars: KBC 'Hong Gil-dong' Sparks Before the Start.

The articles, highlighting the acting skills and casting match of the two, as per the marketing points of WP Entertainment and KBC, once again heated up the internet.

The bold casting of Woo Jin-hyuk, who surpassed the lead in the hit drama 'High School 2', as the lead in a historical drama.

When it was announced that Jung Ji-an, a rising star in Chungmuro, had joined as a supporting actor, the interest of the fans in the two never waned.

Thud.

"What a nuisance."

On the way to KBC for the first script reading of 'Hong Gil-dong'.

The expression of actress Nam Soo-hyun, who was playing the female lead, was distorted.

The casting of the male lead, Woo Jin-hyuk, was bold, and the choice of the female lead, Nam Soo-hyun, was made to play it safe.

In her mid-20s, she had a youthful appearance that could pass for a teenager, and she was a top-class actress in terms of acting skills and recognition.

Soo-hyun herself was confident that she was far superior to Jin-hyuk.

Soo-hyun did not want to be placed on the same level as Jin-hyuk, who had become a one-hit wonder through a single drama.

'Ha. Did I make the wrong choice?'

At least, she thought the casting of Jin-hyuk and her own casting would be treated with the same weight.

That was a possibility she had in mind, considering that 'Hong Gil-dong' was a drama that focused on the male lead.

If not, in terms of recognition and experience, she and Jin-hyuk couldn't even be compared.

But.

The casting of Jin-hyuk and Jung Ji-an overshadowed her casting, making it almost nonexistent.

"Let's think positively, Soo-hyun. Since we're in the project, it's better to be a topic of discussion, right?"

"Ugh. Oppa, are you trying to comfort me now?"

Although she scolded her manager, Soo-hyun knew it was the right thing to do.

It was too late to turn back now. She had to think positively and overcome it herself.

Soo-hyun bit her lip.

'Right. After all, an actor speaks through acting.'

While Soo-hyun was calming herself, the car entered the parking lot of the broadcasting station.

"We arrived too early. Let's go up in a bit, Oppa."

Just as Soo-hyun was about to take a break by reclining the seat, someone knocked on the car door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Soo-hyun, who checked the window, jumped up and opened the door.

"Oh! Teacher!"

"Hehe. Soo-hyun, how are you?"

As Soo-hyun tried to get out of the car, the middle-aged actress pushed her back in.

"Come in. Come in. I'll be brief."

"Ugh, brief?"

The middle-aged actress got into Soo-hyun's car and sat down.

"Are you resting? Did I bother you?"

"No, Teacher."

Soo-hyun respected this senior actress deeply.

"Soo-hyun, you need to rise to a higher level with this project."

The middle-aged actress smiled.

"Not that you're not already excellent, but with your looks and acting skills, you should do much better than you are now."

"Thank you for always seeing me in a good light."

In response to the compliment, the middle-aged actress said to Soo-hyun.

"It's quite a bold casting, isn't it? I mean, Woo Jin-hyuk."

"Ah, yes. Did you watch the drama, Teacher?"

"Well, it was quite a sensation. I couldn't watch all of it because it's not my taste, but a bit."

Soo-hyun asked cautiously.

"What did you think, Teacher?"

"Definitely surprising. And he's only 18."

"That's true."

"But... he's still young and inexperienced, so I'm a bit worried."

With 30 years of acting experience, the middle-aged actress knew better than anyone what it meant to lead a major drama as the lead.

It wasn't something that could be done with just shining talent.

Especially in a historical drama.

Jin-hyuk's entire career was one supporting role in a modern drama, 'High School 2'.

Could an 18-year-old novice, inexperienced in historical dramas, lead the drama without being intimidated by the seasoned veterans?

Actors on set were a team, but also competitors.

The depth of experience in acting was not something to be underestimated. It was not uncommon for a young actor to be overshadowed in a scene in the blink of an eye.

"I heard that the CP in charge of this drama was against casting him, but the director, the producer, and the writer strongly pushed for it."

The CP's judgment was very reasonable. However, the sense of the KBC drama department head, who had achieved legendary success as a PD, could not be easily overlooked.

Most importantly, what did the PD and the writer, who had already worked with Jin-hyuk, see in this young actor to unanimously choose him as the lead in a major production?

That was something that could only be confirmed by working with Jin-hyuk directly.

"Anyway, since we're in this together... let's hope he does well."

"Yes."

Soo-hyun nodded and turned her gaze to the window. The actress sitting with her followed her gaze.

"Hey? Is that him?"

"It looks like it."

"Wow. Even though his face isn't clear, his aura is amazing. And he's a second-year high school student? Wow..."

It was the first time Soo-hyun had seen Jin-hyuk in person.

"Okay, Soo-hyun. Let's go up and see what our Hong Gil-dong can do."

The middle-aged actress smiled at Soo-hyun.