Chapter 6

Former Internet Celebrity Becomes Top Star - Chapter 6 (6/110)

6

As Ro-won stared intently at the paper, Cheong-hwa asked.

"There must be a reason why this script was given as a clue. The quest target isn't really clear, right? I suspect it might be the director…"

Ro-won glanced somewhere.

The notification, which he had seen several times in the past few hours, chimed again.

"But that's not certain either. It could be one of the actors."

'I wish there were more clues than just encouragement.'

It seemed impossible to get more hints.

According to Cheong-hwa, those stars, the 'observers,' are all beings with great virtue, belonging to the heavens.

However, they must follow the laws of the heavens.

That's why he hasn't received any hints since accepting the request.

"So, I'm trying to figure out what to do now."

"You have a point, but if you do that, won't you be treated like a lunatic?"

He can't just go up to someone and ask if they have a secret.

If he's labeled as a cult, being chased away would be the best outcome.

'That won't do. Is there a way to approach this effectively?'

A method to contact the unknown target without being treated like a lunatic.

Ro-won's finger paused as he entered SNS to gather information on Director Kim Sung-ha.

"Audition?"

A recent post with eye-catching text caught his attention.

'Wait a minute. An audition? This might actually work…'

Thinking about it, this was a way to approach the actors and the director, who is a likely target, in a completely normal manner.

He just needed to audition for the movie based on this script!

If he got the role, he would have to see them frequently.

Whether it was luck or coincidence, the announced date was in three days.

'I have to get into this movie.'

Ro-won's next destination was decided.

* * *

There were still obstacles.

"An audition? For Director Kim Sung-ha? You're going to do it?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Why not?"

"Didn't you trash that script the moment you saw it?"

The manager, bewildered, asked as Ro-won said he was going.

He had a puzzled look, not understanding why Ro-won was doing this.

Ro-won was flustered.

"Did I… trash it?"

Why is he throwing sand in my path?

To be precise, the previous 'Ro-won' trashed it, but still.

"Why did I trash it…?"

Asking as if it were someone else's business, the manager scratched his cheek.

"That director is almost blacklisted in the film industry. You said he's not at your level, or something like that."

"…?"

Ro-won briefly recalled the original's filmography.

…Is he at a level to judge?

Given his terrible acting, he should be grateful for any role.

"Still, can I join now?"

"Hmm…"

"Can't I?"

The manager's expression was peculiar.

He seemed to be debating whether to reveal the truth and risk hurting Ro-won or to protect him.

Deciding, the manager cautiously spoke.

"Ro-won, when you got this script, you went ballistic on the phone, saying it was a joke."

"…I did?"

Ro-won collected his thoughts.

Going ballistic on the phone.

Surely, he didn't call the director directly and cause a scene?

"Another reason you trashed it was the rumors."

"Rumors? What rumors?"

"Word was that no one wanted to do it."

For a moment, everything seemed dark.

But then, a glimmer of hope appeared.

Ro-won asked.

"Why didn't anyone want to do it?"

"Um, it's a bit complicated… You know there was an incident, right?"

Of course, he didn't.

'I should have paid more attention to the world instead of just composing in a corner!'

At the time, he avoided it to prevent unnecessary desires.

"Anyway, it seems many places tried to sabotage it. Initially, it got some attention because it was Director Kim's comeback project. But something happened in the middle, and the project collapsed. It was a mess."

"So what happened?"

The manager's storytelling skills were surprisingly good.

Ro-won was naturally drawn in by the vivid explanation.

"Usually, people would give up at that point. But not Director Kim. He's known for being stubborn. So, he decided to start over from the beginning. Normally, a director of his caliber could get actors and investors through connections. But that didn't work out well. Most actors didn't want to be associated with the film industry, so they declined. So, they started sending synopses to various companies, and when that didn't work, they decided to hold auditions."

It was a world Ro-won didn't know.

"Anyway, the industry is saying the project will fail. Director Kim seems determined to push through for his pride. But it's hard to see how it will work out. They can't even enter the pre-production stage, so it might collapse. But seeing him push through, it's quite something…"

Pre… what?

He didn't understand the term but assumed it meant the project was in trouble from the start.

"Anyway, the situation is urgent. So, if you go, they probably won't say much. But since it's an audition, Director Kim won't just pick anyone for his pride. Given the situation, even if they wanted to cast you directly, they might not accept it…"

The manager, who had been explaining confidently, now seemed to be gauging Ro-won's reaction.

'So that's how he managed to be in so many projects. They were just casting him directly.'

Though the industries were different, Ro-won had a general idea of how such things worked.

Even the order of performances in music shows was like that.

'But what did they see in him to cast him directly? According to Ho-beom, this agency is a strict meritocracy and rarely does such things…'

It was a mystery.

But that wasn't the most important thing right now.

"Still… is it okay?"

A cautious question, mixed with concern and worry.

"Yes, I'll go and see."

"That… if you want to be in a project, there are other synopses. Do you want me to bring them?"

"No, it has to be Director Kim Sung-ha's 'Ears.'"

The manager's consideration was deeply appreciated, but he had to decline.

It was natural.

'I have to go, or I'll die!'

He didn't just want to be in any movie.

Though he wasn't sure if he could even audition…

The important thing was that it had to be this project.

The quest had pointed to it, and the only clue was this synopsis. He needed to go and confirm.

'Wait, but there's a chance the movie will fail? That would be a problem…'

To survive, he needed to stay connected to the script.

But if the movie production fails, what then?

Fortunately,

"Ro-won, if you're that serious, I'll ask the president. Maybe our company can do something. If the president knows how enthusiastic you are, he might find a way. We could even invest. Of course, we'd have to respect Director Kim's pride, so you'd still have to audition, but it should be a formality."

It was a tempting offer.

An agency that could create opportunities where there were none.

'That's completely different from my group days.'

Suddenly, he felt more confident.

If the agency invested, the chances of the production failing would decrease.

Now, there was one remaining issue.

An equally important problem as participating in the audition.

'Can I even pass the audition?'

Ro-won was a complete novice when it came to acting.

His ambitious plan to get cast in the movie to complete the quest was good.

But if he failed the audition and couldn't get the role…

Just then, Cheong-hwa, who had disappeared since yesterday, arrived.

The manager, who had left to call the president, returned.

"I just thought of something… I've never acted before."

"Of course! How can you pass an audition if you can't act?"

"Failing the audition will only make things worse. Think about it. If someone keeps lingering around after failing, they'll only be more suspicious."

He might even be reported.

'If that happens, completing the quest will be impossible…'

If the man he was trying to help lost trust in him, he would likely reject any help Ro-won offered.

Finding an audition as a solution was good, but this was a significant obstacle.

'Come to think of it, only the youngest member took acting lessons.'

Ho-beom, the youngest, was the last person the previous agency tried to retain.

It was a stark contrast to how they treated Ro-won, who was told to stop activities for fear of being buried.

They even secretly asked Ho-beom to re-sign.

Of course, they didn't expect him to explode the group and the company at a press conference.

'Actually, the youngest didn't want to do it.'

He had heard the youngest say something like this.

"Bro, acting isn't easy. You have to completely embody a different self, paying attention to even the smallest details."

Every little habit, every tone of voice.

He said he had to be twice as thorough as others to avoid criticism from those who viewed idol actors with skepticism.

"If all else fails, I'll try for a staff position."

He was worried but not discouraged.

If he couldn't handle this, he would have broken down long ago.

He had faced countless hardships and challenges.

'The best way is to join the movie, but if that doesn't work, I'll have to find another way.'

The client also sent an encouraging message.

"Ro-won! I talked to the president. He seems positive. If you do well, you might become the director's savior!"

The manager, who had just finished the call, returned.

"Bro, you're back at a good time. We're going out."

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"Yes, I need to buy something."

He had to prepare for the audition in three days.