Chapter 40

040. Shin Dong (3)

“Well, we’ll hold auditions for the child actors with the kids who have already applied… but now the adult actors are the problem.”

As one of the M&ACT staff members opened the conversation, the male staff member across from him gazed at the long whiteboard.

“We’ve sent the synopsis to everyone, but…”

He trailed off, scanning the photos attached there.

The faces of the actresses who had been sent the synopsis lined up after internal discussions.

They were all well-known and talented actresses, and many of them were also active in musicals, making them versatile entertainers.

The female staff member who had started the conversation asked anxiously,

“What was Baek Ji-yeon’s reaction?”

“The manager is so robotic, he just said he’d check it out.”

“What about Lee Su-jin?”

“They said they’d check if there’s a schedule conflict.”

“Why does it take so long for everyone to confirm? What about Han Se-kyung…?”

“She’s just busy, I guess.”

“Yeah, I figured as much.”

Last year, she starred in a box office hit and then suddenly returned to musicals, selling out tickets every day. As a top-tier actress in both film and musicals, it wasn’t surprising that she was busy, and the staff member nodded without much disappointment.

The male staff member, who had been looking frustrated, turned to Director Park Dong-jin and asked,

“What should we do? It seems like all our top choices will be difficult.”

“If we don’t hear back, we’ll have to consider the second choices.”

The second choices were actors who could sing well and act decently but lacked recognition.

Of course, another option would be to bring in popular and talented actors and dub the singing, but with Director Park Dong-jin at the helm, that wasn’t a viable option.

The male staff member nodded without complaint. At that moment, another staff member who had been handling other tasks entered the meeting room and called out to him.

“Manager Lee, you have a call.”

“Is it urgent?”

“Yes, it’s Han Se-kyung’s manager.”

The male staff member flinched and quickly stood up, leaving the meeting room.

The other staff members’ attention turned to the messenger.

“What did they say?”

Even Director Park Dong-jin turned to ask, and the staff member, looking surprised, replied,

“Han Se-kyung… said she wants to do our movie.”

A few of them gasped.

One staff member clenched their fist and waved it, while another boasted that the production company’s status had significantly improved.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

The next day, Baek Ji-yeon responded.

- Ji-yeon really wants to work with Director Park Dong-jin.

And a few days later, Lee Su-jin.

- M&ACT? Su-jin thinks she can adjust her schedule. When would be a good day for the audition?

The staff members’ expressions brightened.

They had received positive responses from all the actresses who had been sent the synopsis.

“With the success of ‘Yooncharter,’ I thought it would be possible to get top-tier actors, but I didn’t expect all of them to be so eager!”

“Their eagerness—”

The staff member who was trying to flatter them was cut off by Kim Gwan-woo, the CEO, who snapped his fingers.

“That’s a good way to put it. Let’s leak this to the media. It’ll make investors eager too!”

“Got it!”

“I’ll contact the journalists I know!”

Director Park Dong-jin smiled at the enthusiastic reactions of the staff and the hearty laughter of CEO Kim Gwan-woo. A staff member next to him asked,

“So, Director, which actor do you like the most?”

“Me?”

“Of course, Han Se-kyung, right? Her box office power is overwhelming.”

After a moment of thought, Director Park Dong-jin nodded with a satisfied smile.

“We’ll have to see how the auditions go, but for now, Han Se-kyung is the best choice.”

He then looked at the whiteboard, still filled with photos, and stroked his chin.

“Still, I’m curious who our composer will like.”

#

“Se-kyung, aren’t you tired? Wouldn’t it be better to rest a bit?”

When her manager suggested this, Han Se-kyung, who was leaning back in a massage chair and reviewing the synopsis, shook her head.

“If I sleep now, my voice might be hoarse during the audition.”

“Come on, it’s been a while since Han Se-kyung has acted in a movie. What’s a little hoarseness? They might even write the contract before the audition.”

Han Se-kyung laughed at her manager’s joke and turned the page of the synopsis.

“It won’t be that simple. The competition is fierce. Ji-yeon and Su-jin seem really eager too.”

“The script was interesting, and the synopsis was also very engaging.”

“It was indeed. The director and writer are a trusted team, so I don’t expect the movie to be disappointing compared to the synopsis.”

As they continued their conversation, they arrived at the M&ACT office in Jongno. Han Se-kyung, accompanied by her manager, was led to the meeting room.

As a veteran, she wasn’t particularly nervous about the audition and entered the room with a calm demeanor.

She immediately looked puzzled.

Usually, only the director and writer attend auditions, but there was an additional seat. And sitting in that seat was a student who looked underage.

“Please come in. I’m Director Park Dong-jin, and this is writer Song Eun-hye.”

“I’ve enjoyed all the movies you’ve made together.”

“Ha-ha, thank you. And this is….”

Director Park Dong-jin finally introduced the student sitting to his right.

“The composer for the OST of this movie, Han Se-ho.”

“……”

Many thoughts raced through Han Se-kyung’s mind.

A composer? He looks like he’s still a minor. Is this a hidden camera?

Her surprised expression was evident. However, Director Park Dong-jin and the others seemed unperturbed, as if they were used to it.

After staring at the student, Han Se-kyung quickly realized her mistake and added,

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just so surprised….”

The student smiled.

“It’s okay. You had the least extreme reaction so far.”

“Ah….”

Han Se-kyung was impressed by his calm demeanor.

He’s so mature…?

Meanwhile, Director Park Dong-jin handed her a script and said,

“Shall we start the audition now?”

#

“Writer Song, how was it?”

After a week of irregular auditions, with Han Se-kyung being the last, Director Park Dong-jin stretched his neck and asked.

She looked at the notepad and replied, licking her lips,

“I like her singing, but I don’t know her well, so I’m cautious… but I still think Han Se-kyung is the best.”

Director Park Dong-jin nodded and turned to me.

“What about you, Se-ho?”

“……”

I didn’t need to think about it.

I could immediately tell which voice would best fit my songs.

It was Han Se-kyung’s voice.

I paused for a moment to recall her voice in my mind.

Another sigh of admiration escaped me.

“…I also think Han Se-kyung’s voice is the best.”

Director Park Dong-jin and Writer Song Eun-hye seemed relieved by my answer.

Writer Song Eun-hye even let out a sigh.

When I looked at her, she chuckled,

“This might sound like a professional habit, but usually, in these situations, one person always opposes. They see potential in an unknown actor and push for them. I was worried when you paused.”

Ah, I was just impressed again.

I shook my head with a smile.

“Not at all. She’s the best for a reason.”

“Then, it’s unanimous. The lead role goes to Han Se-kyung.”

As Director Park Dong-jin closed his notebook with a relieved expression, I quickly asked,

“Oh, by the way, how did the child actor auditions go yesterday?”

I couldn’t attend because it coincided with the company’s move, and I had to check the profile for the competition with Lim Jin-gyu. Fortunately, they planned to record the auditions.

Director Park Dong-jin picked up a tablet next to him.

“I was just about to show you. If it wasn’t good, we were going to hold an open audition, but the child actors were excellent in both acting and singing.”

“They shouldn’t be too polished, though.”

The protagonist in the movie discovers her talent, so it wouldn’t fit if she already seemed polished.

“Right. Considering all that, I picked the best one… and it turns out, it’s someone we both know.”

An actor we both know?

Curious, I took the tablet he handed me and saw a familiar face on the paused screen. Only then did I understand what he meant.

“…It’s Lee Yeon.”

On the screen, Choi Yeon was preparing to sing, looking very tense.

Director Park Dong-jin marveled,

“I didn’t know she had such talent. She sings very plainly and well, and since she hasn’t had formal training, there’s no unnecessary technique. Her recognition has already increased from her role in ‘Yooncharter,’ and she seems like a good fit overall.”

He nodded slowly and played the video.

Seeing her made my mind complex, and it became even more so when she started singing.

‘Her voice… is incredibly clear.’

I knew she could sing well from future information, but I had never heard her myself.

So, hearing Choi Yeon sing for the first time was quite a shock.

Her voice was similar to what I wanted for the child role and even matched Han Se-kyung’s tone.

She was a perfect fit for the role, but…

At that moment, Writer Song Eun-hye spoke.

“You’re in the same class, right? Didn’t you know she could sing?”

“I did.”

“Then why didn’t you recommend her? She’s a perfect fit.”

So, she’s a perfect fit.

…But I thought it shouldn’t happen.

#

Writer Song Eun-hye had told me that she decided to write a soprano role again because I inspired her.

Actually, before that.

When I played the role of the soprano in ‘Yooncharter,’ Writer Song Eun-hye saw my performance and asked me to connect her with Director Park Dong-jin for an interview.

So, the future was already changing from the beginning.

But I couldn’t say, ‘She has to go to Cannes, so we can’t do this.’

Director Park Dong-jin and Writer Song Eun-hye already liked Choi Yeon a lot,

and honestly, I also thought her voice was perfect for the role.

“There’s no other way.”

On the way home, I kept licking my lips and picked up my phone.

Thanks to Writer Song Eun-hye, I was supposed to inform the selected actors.

[Me: Did you apply for the child actor role in the movie ‘Soprano’?]

I sent the message, and a reply came back quickly.

[Choi Yeon: Yeah, I did! How did you know???]

[Me: I’m composing the songs for the movie.]

[Choi Yeon: Wow! So if I get cast, I’ll be singing your songs?]

[Me: That’s right.]

Excited emojis flooded in. How many types are there?

And then the final message.

[Choi Yeon: Wow… I really hope I get it. Please.]

Reading that, I asked again,

[Me: Do you really want this role?]

[Choi Yeon: Yes!!! I really want it!]

Seeing her enthusiastic reply, I felt a bit relieved.

If she really wants it, maybe it’s okay.

Thinking that, a smile escaped me.

Before the regression, I only calculated what would be better in the future, not what I wanted to do immediately.

[Me: I’m glad you like it.]

[Choi Yeon: What’s with the sudden change?]

[Me: I just saw the director. You got the role.]

As if she was waiting for my reply, the read receipt disappeared immediately.

I added one more line.

[Me: See you at the rehearsal.]

A call came in as soon as I sent it.

I explained again to Choi Yeon, who couldn’t believe it,

-Oh, really? Yay!

I laughed hearing her excited scream.

At least, I don’t have to worry about her high notes.

#

…Another two weeks passed.

During this time, I completed the songs one by one based on the storyboards I received from Director Park Dong-jin.

Most of the songs were not only perfectly composed in terms of melody but also in terms of instrumentation, and they were handed over to Writer Song Eun-hye in the order of progress for her to write the lyrics.

The lyrics were an important part of the story, so she decided to write them herself, though it wasn’t easy.

Her expression, which had been burning like a flame while listening to the songs, quickly turned to charcoal.

Meanwhile, I had many concerns as the recording approached.

The types of instruments were decided, but it was difficult to determine how much presence each instrument should have.

Partly because I wasn’t yet skilled at arranging, but mainly because I hadn’t heard the singer’s voice.

Fortunately, a pre-rehearsal was scheduled soon.

The director, writer, a few staff members, and the two lead actresses gathered in a practice room before the script reading.

“Have you all been practicing hard?”

At Director Park Dong-jin’s question, Han Se-kyung smiled meaningfully, and Choi Yeon looked very tense.

“Ahaha….”

Just before the rehearsal, I volunteered to play the accompaniment.

I thought I could adjust the accompaniment to match her voice and accurately gauge her vocal range.

The rehearsal began.

Choi Yeon, who initially stumbled a few times without the guide, gradually found a steady rhythm to match my piano playing.

As her trembling voice steadied, a clear and unadorned voice, not captured in the video, flowed out.

I played the piano leisurely, enjoying the performance.

When I thought of the ten compliments I could give her later,

Choi Yeon, acting as the protagonist discovering her talent, gradually raised her voice.

It wasn’t overdone, but she skillfully built the song to its climax, like climbing a gentle slope.

At that moment, a very subtle harmony from Han Se-kyung crossed with Choi Yeon’s voice.

Choi Yeon’s voice gradually faded, and Han Se-kyung’s became more prominent.

I was amazed by their performance, which showed the passage of time like a panoramic view.

The instruments expressed the motif of the song,

and the voices acted out the scenes.

It was vivid.

Eventually, only Han Se-kyung’s voice filled the practice room, growing more intense.

Her voice, with its strong and clear diction and elaborate techniques, belonged to a top movie and musical actress.

It reached the climax of the song.

My accompaniment became more intense, slightly excited.

It didn’t matter. No matter how I played, her voice had the power to break through the curtain of the piano.

Her voice, which had been endlessly reaching the highest notes, faded as the song ended, and a brief silence fell over the practice room.

Then, applause followed.

Director Park Dong-jin lightly tapped the table, and Writer Song Eun-hye, with various thoughts, had tears in her eyes.

And my concerns were also resolved.

The instruments could be as elaborate