Chapter 83

83

"Improvised acting?"

"Yes."

The director stared at Seo Ho-yoon with wide eyes.

"You would have read the script, so you know that PD Lee Jung-hoon is smart but rude, and he speaks without a filter, enjoying nothing more than making fun of others. Is that all? He occasionally resorts to threats without any regard for means or methods."

"……"

"In short, he's a complete jerk."

"…Is it that bad?"

Seo Ho-yoon muttered with a frown. However, no one contradicted the director. The writer even agreed, saying, "That's right, he's a total jerk!" and proudly gave a thumbs up.

"So, I want to see how close Seo Ho-yoon can get to PD Lee Jung-hoon."

"Hmm."

"Just as I said. PD Lee Jung-hoon is a heavy drinker and smoker. Moreover, he has a foul mouth and does everything that others are told not to do."

"…Understood."

Honestly, the drinking and smoking were just for character development. Even if PD Lee Jung-hoon had such traits, Seo Ho-yoon could still play the role without having to act them out. However, the director just wanted to push the boundaries.

'Let's see how far this fearless idol can go.'

Seo Ho-yoon was already feeling uncomfortable due to the director's vivid description, but the director, misinterpreting this as being intimidated, said proudly,

"To be honest, it might be a bit rough for an idol to play."

"Yes, I'm fine with it."

Seo Ho-yoon was slightly conflicted, thinking he might be trying too hard, but he also wanted to impress the writer as a passionate newcomer and get the role. The director, unaware of this, was deeply moved.

'Even if it affects his idol career, he wants to try this role… He's impressive.'

The misunderstanding grew stronger. The director wanted to give the role of Lee Jung-hoon to this fearless and desperate idol, but quickly shook his head and said,

"If you're okay with it, can you show us a bit of how you would act as PD Lee Jung-hoon?"

"Me?"

"Swearing, drinking, smoking—everything PD Lee Jung-hoon loves."

"Director!"

The assistant director looked at Seo Ho-yoon with wide, pleading eyes, but it wasn't enough to change the director's mind, who was determined to push the boundaries.

'Hmph, he can't do it, right?'

However, Seo Ho-yoon just tilted his head slightly.

"…Can I start with the swearing?"

"……Yes?"

While the production team was taken aback, Seo Ho-yoon seemed to think for a moment, then dragged a chair to the center. He straightened his shoulders, sat down, and asked,

"Who should I swear at?"

"…The head of the department. They have a bad relationship in the script."

"…Ah."

Seo Ho-yoon smiled slightly, smoothing his lips and looking up at the director for a moment.

"Swearing at the head of the department."

"Yes, just say whatever comes to mind, casually."

"Understood. But please keep everything I say here a secret. …I am still an idol, after all."

What could be so great? Just as the director was about to frown, Seo Ho-yoon slouched in his seat, crossed his legs, and looked up at the ceiling.

"Um… Head of the department…."

"……"

Seo Ho-yoon's lips curled as if he was recalling something.

"Our head of the department…."

Then he spoke.

"…(Beep) same (beep) f*cking brain, (beep) obsessed with ratings, (beep) don't show it, (beep) comparing my program to that trash, (beep) when I asked for more staff, (beep) said it's still not enough, (beep) piling more work on us while (beep) taking all the credit, (beep) and then (beep) shutting up, (beep) making everyone feel (beep)…."

"……"

"……"

"…Is that enough?"

…What did I just hear?

"…S, sufficient. It wasn't bad at all."

"Understood."

The director was extremely flustered but tried to act calm, taking a trembling sip of water. His hand shook, spilling some water, but he wiped his chin as if it never happened.

'…Well, it could happen.'

Even without being PD Lee Jung-hoon, he can swear well. It didn't sound like a thug but had the intensity of a PD from somewhere in Yeo-eui-dong. But… he can do it, yes.

Seo Ho-yoon looked at the trembling director, then wiped his chin.

"…If it's not enough, should I try the version where I swear at a condescending star instead of the head of the department?"

"N, no! That's enough!"

"Understood."

Seo Ho-yoon closed his mouth neatly. The director quickly decided to move on to the next challenge.

"PD Lee Jung-hoon is also famous for his drinking skills! He's a heavy drinker and knows how to handle all kinds of troublemakers!"

"…Why does it feel like a lot of details were added?"

Even the writer, who had been watching with interest, whispered a warning, but the director was undeterred. The assistant director looked at the director with a disgusted face.

Why would you ask him to drink at an audition?

But the director was a formidable fool.

"Alright! Seo Ho-yoon! Show us your drinking skills!!"

"Director, that's inappropriate!!"

What are you saying to an idol!

The assistant director was shocked and scolded the director.

But Seo Ho-yoon was also Seo Ho-yoon.

He calmly stood up, picked up a bottle of carbonated water, and asked,

"Can I borrow this? Oh, do you have paper cups?"

"…Yes? Uh… yes."

"Should be fine, though… the neck is a bit short. Here, catch the paper cup."

Seo Ho-yoon casually opened the bottle, flicked his wrist, and poured the drink into a paper cup from a distance.

"……!!"

'What?'

It was shocking. Director Yoo looked at the paper cup in his hand with wide eyes. Seo Ho-yoon tilted his head slightly and muttered,

"The neck is a bit short. It would be cleaner with a soju bottle."

"……Yes?"

"Next. Here's the paper cup."

The assistant director and the writer also managed to catch the drink in their paper cups with the impressive… no, carbonated drink skills.

'What is this?'

An idol who can handle drinking skills??

Everyone drank the contents of their paper cups in a daze, but Seo Ho-yoon calmly closed the bottle and didn't drink.

'…Details? Maybe this shows PD Lee Jung-hoon's character, who learned drinking skills to avoid getting drunk?'

He just didn't want to drink, but the director, now enchanted by Seo Ho-yoon, was misinterpreting everything.

However, the director, who had spent the night racking his brain, couldn't easily admit defeat.

'Alright!'

Since I've prepared this trouble, I might as well use it! The director closed his eyes tightly.

"Smoking! PD Lee Jung-hoon smokes a pack a day…!! His lungs are as black as his personality!!"

"Director!!"

"…It hurts a bit."

Seo Ho-yoon muttered, but everyone was too excited to notice. The assistant director poked the director's side.

"Are you asking him to smoke here?? Are you crazy? It's indoors!"

"No, just pretend! Just pretend!"

"Sure… Seo Ho-yoon, since you've shown us other things… can you at least pretend? Here, use my cigarette."

"……"

Even though it was the easiest request so far, Seo Ho-yoon looked at the gold-tipped cigarette the assistant director offered with a strange expression and remained silent, looking a bit troubled.

'…Huh?'

This was unusual for Seo Ho-yoon, who had never refused before. He turned his gaze from the cigarette and asked,

"…Can I use a candy instead of a real cigarette?"

"Excuse me?"

"I have a candy."

"…Sure."

Isn't a real cigarette easier to act with? Maybe he doesn't like smoking?

It didn't matter. It was his choice.

Just as the assistant director was about to put the cigarette pack away, Seo Ho-yoon asked,

"Can I borrow just the lighter?"

"Sure. Here."

Seo Ho-yoon bowed slightly, rummaged in his pocket, and pulled out a lollipop. He took a deep breath and said,

"I'll start now."

Everyone swallowed hard.

Why should watching someone smoke be so tense? Especially when it's a 23-year-old idol, and he's holding a lollipop in one hand and a lighter in the other!

But everyone's eyes were fixed on Seo Ho-yoon as if under a spell.

"Hmm…."

Seo Ho-yoon, without any sign of nervousness, took the lighter from the assistant director, flicked it a few times, and made a frustrated sound.

"Damn, it's not working…."

He then shielded the lighter from the wind and pretended to light it again. Finally, the flame seemed to catch, and he deeply sucked on the lollipop, then slumped into the chair, tilting his head back.

"……"

He stared at the ceiling for a moment, exhaling a long breath as if blowing out smoke.

'…Cigarette smoke?'

For a moment, the director, assistant director, and writer all had the illusion that smoke was coming from the lollipop in Seo Ho-yoon's mouth.

As if a halo was emanating behind a talented actor in a domestic occult film…

Everyone was spellbound, and Seo Ho-yoon, as if shaking off (non-existent) ash from the lollipop, muttered,

"Life is…."

"……"

"Always f*cked up…."

'…He's crazy.'

It was just PD Lee Jung-hoon.

There was no need to see more.

This was… just PD Lee Jung-hoon.

In the minds of all the judges, the image of Seo Ho-yoon as an idol was completely erased, leaving only 'PD Lee Jung-hoon.'

The only thought left was to pass him in the first round.