Chapter 72

72. Where is the drama going?

"Ah, sir. Why did you come so early? It's making the juniors uncomfortable."

"What, who cares about that these days? If you come early, you can see the juniors and chat with them."

"Hehe. Actually, I came early for the same reason, sir."

In the conference room where the script reading was to take place, two middle-aged male actors exchanged pleasant greetings.

"But, I don't know how long it's been since I felt this excited for a script reading."

"Why? Because of the young lead actor?"

"No, it's just that a completely unknown kid suddenly got the lead role in KBC's Hong Gil-dong. I'm curious, you know. As you well know, what kind of drama Hong Gil-dong is."

An actor who had already participated in several seasons of Hong Gil-dong felt a sense of pride in being part of it. The actor listening in said,

"Exactly. He's only 18, right? Have you seen any of his dramas?"

"I tried to watch some, but they were just kids' dramas, so I couldn't watch for long."

"I feel the same. Hehe."

"But, from what I've seen on the news, they say he's a genius actor."

"Ah, journalists. They all say that everyone is a genius."

As the conversation went back and forth, filled with both anticipation and concern about Jin-hyuk,

"Hey, everyone came early?"

"Ah, sir!"

The two actors immediately stood up. It was because the most senior actor among the cast of this season of Hong Gil-dong, Yun Chang-soo, had entered.

With Yun Chang-soo's entrance, several other established actors filed into the conference room one after another.

"Hey, how have you been, kid?"

"Sir, it's been a while."

"Sister, nice to see you."

"Teacher, hello."

Since they had worked together on many projects for a long time, they quickly started chatting about various recent happenings.

But eventually, the conversation returned to the casting of Hong Gil-dong.

"Have you ever met him?"

"No. He's only done one drama, so where would I have seen him?"

"According to the actor who worked with him, he's incredible. You can't just think of him as an 18-year-old."

"Really?"

The conversation was filled with curiosity and anticipation.

"Isn't this a bit too unconventional?"

"Exactly. It's not just unconventional; I'm worried it might be a disaster."

"Hehe. What are you saying before it even starts?"

"To be honest, I'm worried too. If it was someone like Jeong Ji-an as the lead, I wouldn't be this worried."

The concerns about Jin-hyuk's casting and the drama itself were shared by the older actors, many of whom were unfamiliar with high school dramas or Jin-hyuk, making their curiosity and worries even greater.

Just as many such conversations were going back and forth, the conference room door opened, and Jin-hyuk entered. Instantly, all eyes were on him.

"Hello, I'm Woo Jin-hyuk."

Jin-hyuk politely greeted the senior actors who had arrived earlier.

In fact, while they were called seniors, many of them were much older, creating a different atmosphere from when he was the lead in High School 2, where most of the cast were around his age.

"Wow, his looks. If this drama does well, he'll sweep up all the CF deals."

"He's already done a lot of CFs."

"Hey... I wasn't even surprised when I first met Jang Dong-joon. But this kid, look at him. I got goosebumps on my arms."

The veteran actors marveled at Jin-hyuk's appearance, which had blossomed even more since his debut.

"So, you're Jin-hyuk."

After Jin-hyuk sat down, the most senior actor, Yun Chang-soo, spoke.

"Being the lead for the first time must be nerve-wracking, but don't worry. Everyone here is here to help you."

The gentle tone and smile were clearly meant to put Jin-hyuk at ease, but it was hard for him to feel completely relaxed given the weight of the words from such a respected senior actor.

The same went for the gazes of the middle-aged actors, who were like uncles, aunts, or even parents.

"I'll do my best."

However, there was not a hint of nervousness in Jin-hyuk's posture. He was composed and confident, with a respectful demeanor.

Even among the seasoned actors who had seen it all, Jin-hyuk's presence was unmistakable.

"Indeed, our lead. His eyes are good."

Yun Chang-soo's eyes sparkled with pleasure.

He had been worried, thinking what to do if the kid got intimidated.

But the Jin-hyuk he saw was a different kind of kid.

Definitely 18, the same age as his grandchild. But the atmosphere was completely different from that of a grandchild.

It wasn't the arrogance of a young success or the brash confidence of youth.

What Yun Chang-soo felt from Jin-hyuk was the calm and confidence of a veteran who had seen it all.

Indeed, there must have been a reason for the KBC director to choose Jin-hyuk as the vanguard for the revival of Hong Gil-dong.

"That kid is well-built. He reminds me of myself when I was young."

Another actor of the same age as Yun Chang-soo said, and Yun Chang-soo chuckled.

"I'll let you say that when I have dementia. Unfortunately, I still vividly remember when you were young."

"Ah, sir, you really are something."

Just as the strange tension caused by Jin-hyuk's arrival was starting to ease, the main cast began to enter one after another.

Jeong Ji-an, Min Seo-yeon, and the female lead, Nam Su-hyun.

Unlike Jin-hyuk, Jeong Ji-an and Nam Su-hyun were relatively well-known to the middle-aged actors, and Seo-yeon had worked with actors from "Jang Soon-i Can't Be Tamed."

The atmosphere between the young and middle-aged actors became more relaxed.

"Hello!"

"Hello."

PD Jung Doo-il and writer Han Yoo-kyung entered, signaling the start of the script reading.

***

"Indeed, Hong Gil-dong is no ordinary rogue. It's rumored that he even raided the government office in Chungju this time."

"Hey, watch your mouth! What are you saying as if you're about to start a rebellion?"

The veteran actors, who had worked together on countless projects, delivered their lines with ease.

"Why are you all loitering here?"

The experienced Nam Su-hyun also seamlessly integrated into the scene.

Finally, the intense first scene with the lead, Jin-hyuk.

He raids the house of a corrupt local official, who is squeezing the blood out of the common people.

As Hong Gil-dong and his gang subdue the guards outside and enter the inner room, a yangban, who has been waiting for Hong Gil-dong, shouts at him.

"You scoundrel! Hong Gil-dong!"

"Whoa, you scared me! Sir, it's late at night. It's quiet all around, so speak softly; everyone can hear you."

Jin-hyuk delivered a completely different, playful performance from his usual cool demeanor, and it was also different from the image he showed in High School 2.

Jeong Ji-an's lips twitched with uncontrollable excitement.

Jeong Ji-an and Min Seo-yeon, who knew Jin-hyuk well, were the first to be surprised, followed by those who had seen his performance in High School 2.

It wasn't just a playful imitation of Hong Gil-dong. If you only saw this performance, you might misunderstand Jin-hyuk's original character.

"You seem to be a bandit who pretends to be a righteous hero, but in the end, you're just a thief. Can you really call it true justice to steal from others and give to the poor?"

"Justice? Ha ha! Sir, it seems you have a great misunderstanding."

That's it.

Min Seo-yeon recalled the memory of Jin-hyuk's first prank on Serin at the music video shoot a few days ago.

At first, she was quite moved. It showed how comfortable he felt with her and Serin.

But now, she thought it must have been because of the role.

The playful character of Hong Gil-dong had clearly seeped into the usually quiet and cool Jin-hyuk.

Now, Hong Gil-dong's appearance seemed as natural as Jin-hyuk's own.

"I'm not raiding this wealthy household for any noble cause."

"Then, what is your reason?"

"Just to help everyone survive."

"What? So, you're admitting that you're not a righteous hero or a champion of justice, but just a thief?"

Jin-hyuk twisted his lips as if he were actually performing, not just in a script reading.

"I am a thief, but it doesn't feel good to be called a thief by a real thief."

"What!"

"You steal in broad daylight and keep it all to yourself. I, on the other hand, humbly come at night to help everyone survive. Don't be so harsh."

Jin-hyuk's performance was so sly that the middle-aged actor playing the yangban's face trembled.

He looked as if he was really being mocked.

"Even Confucius said, 'Sharing is the way to avoid trouble.'"

"You, you! Are you mocking the ancient sages? Where did Confucius say that?"

"Where? He didn't say it?"

Jin-hyuk's smile turned cold, and he spat out the words with a sneer.

"He didn't say it."

At that moment, a gasp of admiration escaped from the veteran actors, who were usually unimpressed by most performances.

"Wow."

His performance was so captivating that it drew in everyone, including the surrounding air.

Jin-hyuk, with a cold expression, broke the ice with a smirk and then delivered a humorous line.

"Come on, kids. Hang this old man up. He doesn't seem to be thinking straight sitting down. Maybe he'll remember the words of the ancient sages if he's hanging upside down."

The 180-degree shift in Jin-hyuk's performance, from playful to serious, made the actors and crew on set burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha."

"Ke ke ke."

Even the veteran actor Yun Chang-soo,

The middle-aged actress who was talking to Nam Su-hyun,

And the other actors who had expressed doubts about the casting,

All had the same thought at that moment.

'What a waste of worry.'

Jin-hyuk's opposite actor, a middle-aged actor with a significant career, felt his breath taken away.

He's a genius. That kid is a genius actor.

It wasn't just about being good or bad at acting.

It was the ability to take any scene and make it his own, a true talent of a lead actor.

The evidence was that the actors in the script reading were watching Jin-hyuk's face, not the script.

In High School 2, Jin-hyuk's performance as a scene-stealer surpassing the lead was not just luck or a well-suited role.

He was simply born to be a lead actor.

While everyone was amazed by Jin-hyuk's performance, Jeong Ji-an was struggling to contain her excitement.

"Hmm."

She covered her mouth to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out. Then, it was Jeong Ji-an's turn.

Her usually half-open eyes and always lazy expression suddenly changed.

"Everyone, listen! Our Halbin-dang aims to punish corrupt officials who squeeze the blood out of the common people and to redistribute their wealth to the poor."

She delivered her lines with a roar.

"Therefore, we must be vigilant to ensure that our power does not become a tool of injustice, despite our unwavering and just beliefs!"

Her usually hesitant speech was nowhere to be found, and her perfect diction created a sense of immersion as if listening to a speech on set.

"Those who use their power for personal gain, how can they expect forgiveness!"

"Boss! Please forgive me! I was hungry!"

A moment of pause. But everyone on set felt the chill in that moment.

"Beliefs that crumble under hunger, justice that crumbles under hunger. Can such things truly be called justice?"

Her voice, suppressing uncontrollable madness and anger, was chilling.

"Justice that has crumbled has no value. Stop insulting justice."

A low growl, like a beast baring its fangs, emitted a killing intent.

"Die."

It was just one line, but everyone on set felt a chill as if a knife had pierced their hearts.

Everyone finally realized.

The clash of two geniuses.

This was not just a marketing slogan for the drama.

And they began to wonder.

These two,

This drama,

How will it all turn out?