Early the next morning, my phone rings non-stop.
Stretching my arm from under the covers, I turn down the call as it is way too early to get out of bed
Not long thereafter, my room door bangs open.
A female voice the exclaims "Dylan! Wake your ass up!"
Yawningly, "Morning to you too noona"
"Put on a shirt! We have an audition to go to"
"H-How did you even get in?"
"I know your passcode. Hurry up."
"Do I get a say in this?"
"No... Now go get dressed, while I'm asking nicely."
"Okay Mom!!!" I answer back, before grabbing a quick shower and suiting up for today.
Since the airing of Family Outing, I've gained quite some traction.
A Fan cafe, called Dylanators almost instantly hit 100k members.
Its absolutely mental to think about how much people that is. Its a population bigger than some cities!
As a result of my now newborn 'fame', I've even begun to be recognized more than usual. Before my looks would make people think 'Wow is he a model' but now when I'm recognized people's first thoughts are 'Is that the Kid from the Ad or the singer from that one Family Outing Episode '.
Most who ask for a picture, don't know my name yet but that will change the more famous I get.
Besides sticking to the usual routine of training, modeling and school.
Yuri-noona has been constantly sending my scripts to read for possible roles.
Most of them are for supporting roles obviously, while some are for main cast parts but only in really low budget productions.
2 offers or should I say casting calls have caught my eye.
Both productions are television dramas that I know will be hugely successful.
While Yuri-noona is a little skeptical about whether I can land these roles we none the less decide to two accept both auditions.
Even if I fail. I can at least say I tried right.
Let's talk about the first drama.
It will be among the top-rated Korean dramas of the year; and will maintain its number one spot in the viewership ratings chart for 20 consecutive weeks.
A Cinderella based story, Go EunSung's (played by Han Hojoo) who returns home from abroad finds out that her father has been declared dead from a gas explosion.
Her nasty stepmother steals her fathers life insurance money and moves out with daughter, Yoo SeungMi (played by Moon Won), leaving EunSung and her autistic but musically-talented brother, EunJoo, without money or shelter.
Soon after, EunJoo goes missing, leaving EunSung devastated.
While the royalty/Prince is Sun WooHwan(played by Lee Sungi) the grandson of the head of a food company, Jang SookJa who is disappointed by her spoiled grandson and heir apparent.
After encountering EunSung, she is touched by EunSung's compassion and work-ethic.
SookJa's brings EunSung to her home and announces that EunSung will become the new heir to the company.
This is tale of Legacy Brilliant, the drama which in 2009 had an even higher rating than F4 Boys.
I have been offered an audition, to play the role of Park Joon-se.
The lovable and kind second male lead whose interest in EunSung (Han Hojoo's character) is bound to fail. In my past life the past actor who played this was Bae Bin.
I have always felt that while he delivered and performed greatly. A younger actor would have suited the role better given that he was 32 while Hojoo and Sungi were in their early 20's.
As for what the other drama is, You will have to wait a few more chapters because I'm off to Legacy Brilliant's audition right now.
.....
As I enter the theater for the audition, Yuri-noona checks in with reception.
The room is filled with guys around my age or older. I don't see Bae Bin here.
He must of held a private audition.
I greet politely before grabbing a script and waiting for my turn.
Time passes slowly, but I keep myself occupied.
Reading the story again, I can't help but admire the writing from the initial first two episodes.
Trying to fully encapsulate the feelings of Joon-se, a man who is still a boy, he has to balance his kind and warm nature while still trying to meet the expectations of calculative father.
He doesn't want to disappoint anyone, hurt anyone, his the shoulder you use to lean on and then disregard when you don't need it. He is a caregiver. A character that appeals to women's fantasies.
On a basic level, Joon-se is a bright person or he tries to be at least but deeper he is doing everything he can not to become his father.
Before I know it, it's my turn to head on stage.
As soon as a pass by the curtain, I see the empty arena that has two males and a female with clipboards.
I'm presuming they are the director, producer and a writer.
Nervously, I introduce myself.
"Hello, I am Park Dylan 19 years old reading for the role of Park Joon se."
One of the men questions, "You are really young, the view I had of Joon-se's character was more mature, do you think you can properly portray the character given your age?"
"Sir, I may be young but I think I will look old enough on screen.
Furthermore, Joon-se is mature but he is not a full adult yet.
I think that his still learning how to become one, given how he still obeys his father like a puppet"
He smiles and nods, "Go ahead... What scene will you be reading from?"
"Scene 6 episode x"
They start scrolling through their pages and get to where I will be reading, before indicating for me to begin.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly immerse myself in the feeling of knowing the girl I loved, never loving me the way I did.
Her heart never belonged to me and never will.
Grabbing a chair, I put on a strained expression as the female reads the lines of the female character's rejection.
"I'm sorry" She offers an apology.
This forces me to be unable to contain my emotions, no matter how much I try.
The smile plastered on my face, is void of any shine.
My lips quiver as my voice breaks while I speak
"Why must it be ... Hwan? Of all people, ... Hwan?" My eyes slowly water. "He... can't ... make you happy ....
Do you know, what it's like to stand on the sidelines all this while quietly protecting you?
To feel anger for someone.
But not having the right to be angry?
To want to hold you.
But not having the right .
Seeing you leave, and not being able to stop you. Do you know how much that hurts.… How much that destroys me?"
My eyes fill with tears as I bite on my lower lip, trying to stop any words from coming out.
As there is nothing else to say.
I stare at her.
Sitting in total silence.
Years from now, will I remember this moment of heartbreak or will it pass just like time.
"Great!" Shouts the woman in the middle. "Hire him!" She orders
"But... What about Bae Bin"
"Hire him or you are being replaced Okay?"
He nods his head,
"Well done boy I was skeptical at first but that was perfect!" She turns to the other who smiles.
She then signals to the assistant behind the curtain , "Tell the rest to go"
Makes her way to me with a great smile on her, "Congratulations Dylan."
Shaking her hand firmly, I answer in the span of a second "You're Welcome." 'F*ck' "I mean, Thank you, I will do my best!"
"Hehe you're cute." Thankfully she laughs away my mistake. "I look forward to working with you in the future."