Script Reading (1)
It was the 15th of January 2020—the day of the first script reading for Blue Sky, which was taking place at the SBC Main Building in Room 701.
The atmosphere in the building resembled a busy and bustling marketplace.
"It's chaotic here, isn't it? Please follow me."
Choi Eun-Hee, who was waiting for us at the entrance to the drama department, led the way.
"Mr. Jung-Hoon, hurry up and deliver this to the editing department!"
"PD Choi, what were your viewership ratings for last week's episode?"
"Ugh, don't even ask. I think the stress is causing me to go bald."
Amidst the bustling activity, I caught sight of PD Choi Seong-Lak and PD Park Hu-Don. I had been familiar with these famous PDs in my past life and to see them in their early days as junior PDs was quite a sight. While they weren't on the level of Kim Sung-Woon, building a connection with them seemed like a good idea. I contemplated introducing myself, but it turned out there was no need for me to make the first move as the PDs, having spotted Yoo-Jin, approached us first.
"Miss Yoo-Jin! What do you think about making a cameo in our drama before you start filming Blue Sky?"
"Miss Yoo-Jin, how about a guest appearance in our Living Only for Today? We'll make sure to give you more screen time and promote you!"
"Hey, PD Choi, your drama's viewership rating is only at 7.5%. Why are you bringing up a drama that's barely surviving?"
"That's rude, sunbae! It's only natural for the viewership rating to be low in the beginning! It's going to shoot up soon."
"Tsk. Well, if that really happens, I'll carry you on my back everywhere you go. Do better, okay?"
All of the PDs at SBC's drama department were giving Yoo-Jin a warm welcome. Highly cognizant of viewership ratings, they all expressed high appreciation for how Yoo-Jin had driven up the latter half of the viewership ratings for The Morning Takes Off.
My back was aching from all the greetings and exchanging of business cards.
"I will check her schedule and get back to you later today."
At that moment, Jung Sam-Ryong spotted us as he strolled down the hallway and waved at us.
"Hey, when did you get here?"
"Hello, Mr. Jung."
"Just do as you usually do and everything will be great. Don't feel pressured."
"Yes, sir!"
"Come with me. AD Choi, you handle things here."
"Yes, Mr. Jung," Choi Eun-Hee nodded and replied before disappearing from the scene.
We were then led by Jung Sam-Ryong to the script reading room.
***
Upon entering the script reading room, I noticed the main director's seat was empty. Kang Soo-Hoon hesitated to take his rightful place as he glanced around nervously.
Observing this, CP Jung clicked his tongue. "You want me to direct myself? You should be sitting here, PD Kang."
Jung Sam-Ryong then moved to the back row while telling Kang Soo-Hoon not to be so nervous.
Upon hearing Jun Sam-Ryong's reassuring words, Kang Soo-Hoon scratched his head and took the main director's seat. "Haha. Yes, Mr. Jung. I'll do my best,"
In the meantime, I guided Yoo-Jin to her assigned seat. "Yoo-Jin, you got this!"
Yoo-Jin turned to me and clenched her fists energetically.
"Of course! Don't worry."
'Worry? What for? Just take it easy and don't overshadow your sunbaes.'
After guiding Yoo-Jin to her seat, I moved to the back row where the talent agents sat. I spotted Kang Myung-Gil—Ju Yung-In's talent agent—already seated and tapping the seat next to him, signaling for me to sit there. Though I preferred another spot, I had no choice but to sit there.
"Why are you so late? You should be more on the ball as a newbie. If the actor lacks discipline, you should at least be responsible."
He started with a complaint even before I sat down. I was exactly on time, but dealing with small conflicts like this was a part of a talent agent's job.
"I'm sorry," I replied.
"Whatever. How much has Yoo-Jin practiced?"
"She's practiced hard."
"Well, it's her first significant role, so it might be tough. But she'll gain a lot from this experience."
'What the heck? Does he really think Yoo-Jin wouldn't get noticed because of Ju Yung-In? How ridiculous. Yoo-Jin's role as Twilight is much better than the main lead's!'
I suppressed my irritation and responded with patience. "Yes. We'll learn a lot from this experience."
Without anything more to say, Kang Myung-Gil turned his attention to the script and turned his head.
More and more actors began to fill the empty seats.
Beside Yoo-Jin, Lee Sa-Rang took her seat. She had started as a child actress and was now almost 40 years into her acting career. Despite being 45 years old, she looked like she was in her late thirties. Lee Sa-Rang was a true talent who won the Best Actress award twice.
"I look forward to working with you, my daughter."
Yoo-Jin smiled brightly and reciprocated Lee Sa-Rang's playful words. "Yes, Mom."
"Haha, that sounds nice. From now on, let's be mother and daughter until the drama ends, okay?"
"Once a mother and daughter, always so. Right?"
Lee Sa-Rang clasped her hands together with a pleased expression. "Haha. Well, aren't you a charming girl!"
Then, they started to exchange small talk.
'Good job, Yoo-Jin.'
Before coming here, I had specifically advised Yoo-Jin to pay attention to Lee Sa-Rang. After all, she would be Yoo-Jin's primary scene partner among all the sunbae actors in Blue Sky. Lee Sa-Rang's role as Twilight's mother in the drama would contribute significantly to the popularity of Twilight's character in Blue Sky. According to the script, Lee Sa-Rang would play the role of a disciplinarian and strict mother, evoking empathy from the audience for Twilight, who would be seen as 'the nation's second child representative'.
'What a good start.'
Soon, the room was filled with actors and actresses.
Then, Kang Soo-Hoon announced the start of the script reading. "Alright, everyone's here so let's begin. I'm Kang Soo-Hoon, the director of Blue Sky. I hope everyone gives their best to make this drama successful."
Clap clap clap.