Chapter 69

Villain Only Acting 069

Senior-like Junior, Junior-like Senior (2)

The calm voice of PD Jang Seung-won filled the quiet reading room.

"Scene 12, the king anxiously waits for news from the royal physician when a ominous lightning strikes. The eunuchs and palace maids are startled, and Eunuch 1 runs in from afar, drenched in heavy rain... "

As PD Jang recited the lines, the actor playing the eunuch delivered his lines in a clear, ringing voice.

"Your Majesty! I am deeply sorry! Please punish me!"

Actor Lee Do-geun, who played the king, continued with a dignified voice honed by years of historical dramas.

"Is this something that should not be heard by anyone other than the royal physician?"

"Please have mercy!"

"Everyone, step back."

"The other eunuchs, palace maids, and royal guards step back a certain distance while keeping the king and the eunuch in their sight. The eunuch approaches the king more closely, and the increasingly heavy rain drowns out his voice."

"Your Majesty... I have committed a sin worthy of death. How can I bring such a tragic message... "

"Speak. Quickly!"

"The royal physician said... he will not survive this year."

Actor Lee Do-geun, playing the king, closed his eyes and let out a silent sigh.

Inside the reading room, despite being dressed casually, he exuded a serious demeanor, as if his emotions had been transported back hundreds of years.

"The heavens are also indifferent. What sin has my son committed that he must be taken away so soon... "

***

The reading atmosphere continued to heat up.

The young actors playing the young prince and his older brother, the future king, delivered impressive performances, bringing smiles to the adult actors' faces.

Manager Ha Tae-soo, who had been watching quietly, whispered to Jeong Su-ryeon.

"But when is Seo-hoon coming out?"

"Brother, this is the childhood part. How could Seo-hoon come out now?"

"Oh, that's right."

"Didn't you read the script? He appears almost at the end of the first episode."

"But he comes out pretty quickly. I thought it would take until the second or third episode for the young actors to carry the story."

"These days, if the viewers don't see everything in the first episode, they won't move on to the second. Actually, having the lead actor appear at the end of the first episode is a bit of a risky move, but it's necessary for the narrative buildup."

"But just watching the reading, the drama seems really interesting. This is my first time seeing a reading. It's refreshing after always dealing with idols."

"Being a manager for actors is quite rewarding, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's a different level of difficulty. As they say, you should start with the big shots."

By now, the reading for the second episode was complete, and a short break was taken.

Jeong Seo-hoon, even during the break, engaged in a serious conversation with the PD and the writer.

Veteran actors Lee Min-soo and Lee Do-geun joined in, exchanging opinions.

The younger actors watched Jeong Seo-hoon with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

"Actor Jeong Seo-hoon, look at him. Who would think he's a rookie?"

"Half a year into his career, and he's already this good. It's hard to believe."

"How can he fit in so naturally between the PD and the writer?"

"Even standing next to Mr. Lee Min-soo and Mr. Lee Do-geun, he doesn't seem overshadowed at all."

"Didn't I hear he used to hang around professors all the time because he was the top student at Korea University? Maybe that's why he has this natural presence."

"If he's been like this since he was 17, he must have been an old soul from the start."

Most of the actors, except for the young ones, had decades of acting experience.

Many of them had only seen Jeong Seo-hoon on screen or in news articles.

"To be honest, I was a bit curious to see how great he really was..."

"He has a good voice. I thought he was already experienced in historical dramas. His voice is powerful and clear."

"His diction is different from regular dramas. Did he take some high-speed lessons? He must have been busy with the drama and film shoots, so when did he find the time?"

The actors mostly talked among themselves.

No one approached Han Seo-hee.

Even the young actors were chatting and relaxing among themselves.

Han Seo-hee's manager felt a mix of frustration and sympathy.

'Our Rina isn't the type to be pushed around... '

It seemed the actors were treating her like a taboo because she was a current high school idol entering a historical drama.

It wasn't entirely unfounded.

Appearing in a historical drama means one's acting skills and experience are already proven.

To the veteran actors, Han Seo-hee probably looked like a parachute drop for box office appeal.

'If she had shown even half of what she did during the camera test, the reactions would have been different. Is she too nervous now?'

Suddenly, Han Seo-hee got up and quietly left the room.

The manager followed her, but stopped when he saw who she was chasing.

He noticed that Jeong Seo-hoon was walking a few meters ahead of her.

Han Seo-hee hesitated, unsure whether to call out to him.

"Senior."

"Yes?"

Jeong Seo-hoon had already sensed Han Seo-hee following him. He turned around slowly, pretending to notice her only then.

"Oh, Han Seo-hee."

"Are you going to get some fresh air?"

"Yes, it's a bit stuffy in there. What about you?"

"I have a question. Can I ask?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"How can I act as well as the princess consort in that scene?"

Jeong Seo-hoon, hearing her cautious question, placed his elbow on his palm and pretended to think for a moment.

"Did you not like your performance during the reading?"

"Yes, a little... "

"But you did well in front of the camera. Your reading was also good. Don't worry too much."

"But I feel out of place. Everyone else delivers their lines with such power and immersion, but I feel like I'm just reading a textbook... "

"No one reads a textbook that convincingly. Don't worry. From what I see, you're a natural performer, just like me."

"Am I similar to you, then?"

Her large, round eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Instead of the regal presence of the princess consort, they were filled with the liveliness of a teenager.

"Yes, let's do our best together."

"But you did so well during the reading. I really feel lost. I wish someone could give me acting lessons."

"Have you not taken any lessons?"

"I have, but the acting teacher's advice feels a bit abstract. I'm not sure if I can do the princess consort role well... "

"You did great during the camera test. The PD probably thinks you'll do better in front of the camera. Don't worry."

"Could you watch my performance once, Senior? We're supposed to be a couple in the drama, right?"

"Of course, I'll help you as much as I can on set."

"Thank you, Senior."

Han Seo-hee, sounding a bit subdued, bowed her head slightly.

Jeong Seo-hoon, turning around, checked his phone, which was set to silent.

There were dozens of messages from Yoo Jeong-a and Chae Ji-hyun, almost as if they were competing.

[Yoo Jeong-a] I heard you're doing a reading today. Should I come watch?

[Chae Ji-hyun] How's the reading going? 😄

[Yoo Jeong-a] How's the girl from the girl group? Is she good at acting?

[Chae Ji-hyun] Rina looks perfect for the princess consort role! Please guide her well!

[Yoo Jeong-a] Don't give her Lee Se-hyun's number. She has a habit of calling people late at night when she's drunk.

***

After the break, the script reading for the third episode was completed.

Jang Seung-won gave a few directing notes but did not point out any major flaws.

This meant he was generally satisfied with the actors' performances.

"I don't think there's anything special I need to point out. Everyone is already well-prepared. To be honest, I'm the worst actor here, but I'm the one who nags the most."

"You're the best at capturing the camera. You have every right to nag."

"Actually, our director of photography is even better. Anyway, we'll start the main shooting soon. Please take care of yourselves until then. We don't have much leeway in our schedule."

"Isn't there enough time if it's airing in early March? I heard the first draft of the script is already complete."

"Once shooting starts, all sorts of accidents can happen and the schedule can be thrown off. I hope everyone takes care of their health."

The seasoned actors understood that the PD was really saying, "Don't get into accidents like drunk driving."

Everyone started to pack up, preparing to leave, and Jang Seung-won approached Jeong Seo-hoon.

"Our lead actor and investor, would you like to have dinner together? No alcohol, of course."

"Sure, why not?"

"Can I join too?"

"Sure, but only the writer. I booked a small table."

Han Seo-hee's manager, feeling a bit left out, quickly interjected.

"Can I join too, PD?"

"Of course, as the investor's sister, you're always welcome. Let's go, Su-ryeon."

"Thank you."

***

The place Jang Seung-won led them to was a private Korean cuisine room with a large group seating area for over ten people.

Kim Sang-hee, upon checking the room, turned and said.

"PD, you lied?"

"It was a sudden request. I couldn't say it openly in front of everyone, so I said we'd go alone. The vice president of CV Cable really wanted to meet Mr. Jeong Seo-hoon."

"If it's the vice president, we should make time to meet. When will they arrive?"

"They'll be here soon."

Less than ten minutes later, a woman in her fifties entered with two attendants.

Jeong Su-ryeon whispered to her brother.

"Hey, second-generation chaebol. Be careful."

The vice president, after exchanging greetings with the PD and the writer, smiled brightly at Jeong Seo-hoon.

"I'm so happy to meet the real-life Lee Jin-wook. It might sound unbelievable, but I'm a huge drama fan."

"That's true. You're a big player in the Korean drama industry, a queen."

"Thank you. I really appreciate 'Hajiksaeng' and I'm grateful you chose our station. I especially wanted to meet Mr. Jeong Seo-hoon. I'm a fan too."

The vice president even got an autograph and left the room, encouraging them to enjoy their meal.

Before leaving, she left a meaningful message.

"You'll have good news by the end of the year. You can look forward to it."

Kim Sang-hee, watching her leave, let out a small sigh.

"The vice president knows exactly when to leave. Of course, she must have covered the bill."

"The secretary's office even gave her a black card and said we could spend up to ten million won. Enjoy the meal, they said."

"Ten million won? We'd need to order some really expensive drinks for that. PD, are you really not drinking today?"

"I can't. We're starting shooting soon. I can't make the actors drink with my own hands in an unofficial setting."

"Ah, you're so strict."

Jang Seung-won firmly drew the line, and Kim Sang-hee, though grumbling, didn't mention alcohol again.

The food was served, and Jang Seung-won asked various questions during the meal.

"Seo-hoon, how was today's reading?"

"Everyone did well."

"Hmm, really?"

"PD, is there something you didn't like?"

"I'm a bit worried about Han Seo-hee's inconsistency. She does well when acting with you, but not as much otherwise. She's not always with you in the drama, after all."

Kim Sang-hee, having finished her food, quickly chimed in.

"Acting that stands out too much can be a problem for the PD. That's what you're saying, right?"

"True, but we can't just tone down her good performances to balance things out... It's a bit of a dilemma."

The fact that the PD was having dinner and discussing production with Jeong Seo-hoon meant he was treating him as a colleague on par with the writer.

"Seo-hee did well when she was with you. I noticed it today."

"I would do method acting if I had to deliver lines to that face."

"I do method acting well when I see that face. It's a story about siblings fighting over an inheritance."

"Lee Se-hyun is already a great actor, so there's no problem... I just hope Seo-hee can get some extra attention from Seo-hoon. After all, she's the first wife. Of course, on set. We don't want any scandals."

"I was already planning to take care of her for the sake of the drama. If the PD suggests it, I'll do it gladly."

"Thank you. You're both the lead actor and part of the production team."

***

The first day of shooting was approaching.

Jeong Seo-hoon, arriving at the set, immediately looked for Han Seo-hee.

His PTSD from the battlefield, which made him hyper-aware of every sound and movement around him, could also be useful in observing his surroundings.

Right now, it helped him easily spot Han Seo-hee, who was diligently reading the script on one side.

The manager, noticing his approach, tensed up.

The agency probably worried about any damage to their precious asset.

"Han Seo-hee."

"Ah, Senior!"

"I told you, I'm not your senior. You're a rookie who debuted this year. Why do you keep calling me that?"

"But... "

"You were reading the script. Which scene were you looking at?"

"Ah, scene 32 of the second episode."

"The scene we did the camera test together?"

Without even looking at the script, Jeong Seo-hoon recognized the scene number, making Han Seo-hee's eyes widen.

"Wow, you really memorized the entire script?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she seemed ready to jump up and down.

"Back then, I surprised you by suddenly reciting lines from the later part of the script, right?"

"Yes, but you said those weren't my lines."

Han Seo-hee, caught up in the immersion from the camera test, had unknowingly delivered an ad-lib. Those lines belonged to Lee Se-hyun, who played the 30-year-old princess consort.

"Did you feel disappointed?"

"Yes, I was so happy to share the same emotion as the writer, but when you said those were Lee Se-hyun's lines... "

"Who knows? The writer might have liked that scene and could develop it differently. Even though the script is finalized, he often makes small changes on set."

"Oh, that's why he always comes to the set?"

The manager's tension eased a bit.

He sensed that Jeong Seo-hoon was trying to ease Han Seo-hee's nerves for her first day of shooting.

It was a good thing for the lead actor to take care of the rookie.

The manager, feeling relieved that the day would go well, nearly stumbled at the next words.

"Senior, if you don't like the term... Can I call you 'oppa'?"

"Sure."

"Thank you! Oppa, you can talk more casually too."

"I'm more comfortable this way."

"Ah! Then later, okay?"

"Sure."

The manager, seeing the sparkling eyes of Han Seo-hee, felt a sense of foreboding and glanced at Jeong Seo-hoon.

The lead actor, who held the reins of his precious artist's acting career, wore a gentle expression that seemed out of place for his age.

That calmness felt almost sly.

He knew it was just his own paranoia, but still...

"Try your best today, Han Seo-hee."

"Sure, oppa."

Jeong Seo-hoon, instead of shaking hands, lightly bumped fists with her and gave a brief nod to the manager.

That nod seemed to say:

'I know what you're thinking, but it's unnecessary worry.'

Turning away without a second thought, the artist watched his back, tightly clutching the script.

Feeling exposed by the young rookie, the manager felt a sense of defeat and snapped.

"Rina, no, Han Seo-hee. You're here to act today."

"I know. This isn't a music video recording, so should I sing here?"

Her round, smiling eyes turned sharp and cold, and the manager, feeling frustrated, waved his hand.

"Seo-hee, this is the most important moment in your acting career. You really need to focus on acting."

"I'll put all my effort into it."

Despite the firm grip on the script, which should have been reassuring, the manager couldn't help but feel uneasy about her ambiguous focus.

He sighed, knowing she was still a young rookie.