Chapter 8. Han Hae-woon and Cha Woo-joo
"This is an audition for a supporting role, but is there a reason you prepared a scene from the second male lead's part for your free acting?"
"He was the most appealing character in the script you sent. Although it wasn't one of the roles you were auditioning for, I wanted to try portraying him, given the opportunity."
The production team had only learned about the casting vacancy for the 'Cha Woo-joo' role that morning, so there was no way the applicant could have known beforehand. The casting director nodded, thinking this might be fate.
"Well, we enjoyed your performance, Ryu Yeon-woo. I wonder what kind of treat I should buy Chul-min. Thank you for your time. You can go now; we'll contact you later."
The production team, who had looked tired from the marathon of auditions since lunchtime, brightened up after seeing Yeon-woo.
"Thank you. Rookie actor Ryu Yeon-woo, signing off!" He bowed energetically and left.
The door opened again, and a staff member entered. "We'll send in the next contestant."
"No, wait. Let's take a ten-minute break."
"Yes, Director."
Director Kim Han-soo watched the staff member close the door and leave, then looked around at the other members of the production team. They exchanged glances.
"Are we all thinking the same thing?"
"Director, I guess this is what they call a blessing in disguise."
"Woo-joo… Yeon-woo…"
The production staff nodded in agreement, while Screenwriter Choi Mi-hyun still seemed dazed.
Thus concluded Yeon-woo's first audition.
Down on the first floor, Yeon-woo wasn't sure if he had done well or not, as this was his first audition experience. However, he had performed without any mistakes, so he had no regrets.
He took out his smartphone and called Jung Chul-min, who would be waiting for him.
-"Oh, you're done?"
"Yes, I'm back where you dropped me off."
-"Alright, I'll be right there. It's dangerous to talk while driving, so let's talk in the car."
"Okay, I'll wait."
A short while later, Chul-min's car arrived, and Yeon-woo got in.
"Did you do well, no mistakes?" Chul-min asked, shifting gears and turning the car around.
"Yes, I didn't make any mistakes, but it was a bit strange."
"Strange? How so?"
"After the free acting, they asked me to perform a scene as Cha Woo-joo."
Chul-min tilted his head. "Not Hwang Jae-il or Choi Hyuk?"
"No. Should I have prepared Hwang Jae-il's role for the free acting?"
Chul-min scratched his chin. "No, for free acting, you just need to showcase your acting skills. In other auditions, it's common to perform scenes from other movies or dramas."
He tilted his head again and asked, "Did they say anything else?"
"Well, they complimented my looks before I started acting. Oh, and the director said he should buy you a drink."
"Senior Kim? Buy me a drink?"
They chatted about the audition as they drove back to Daejeon. Feeling hungry after their early start, they stopped at a rest area.
"Ma'am, one ramen, please. Yeon-woo, what do you want?"
"I'll have the chueo-tang (loach soup)."
Jung Chul-min considered changing his order. "Look at this kid's taste. Just like mine."
"It's my soul food."
They sat down, exchanging lighthearted banter.
"Yeon-woo, look. All the attention you're getting. People would think you're already a celebrity."
As Chul-min said, everyone at the rest area, regardless of age or gender, was glancing at Yeon-woo. Some even turned their heads to stare openly.
"They might be looking at you, sir. You're an actor."
"Come on, who would recognize me? Maybe someone from the industry."
Yeon-woo tried to deflect the attention, feeling self-conscious, but he couldn't ignore the stares.
"Yeon-woo, number 157. The youngest should go get it."
"Haha, what do you mean 'youngest'? Of course, I'll go."
As Yeon-woo went to pick up their food, he heard murmurs around him.
"Is he an idol?"
"He looks a bit young. Maybe a trainee?"
"He's so handsome."
"Hey, ask for his number."
Encouraged by her friends, one of the girls from the murmuring group approached Yeon-woo.
"Excuse me, could I have your number?"
"…Yes?" Taken aback by the sudden approach, Yeon-woo instinctively held out the number ticket in his hand.
"Um, but that's for our food…"
"Oh, not that number… Never mind! Sorry!" The girl bowed and hurried away, leaving Yeon-woo puzzled.
He returned to the counter and handed over the ticket. The lady smiled and gave him a tray of food.
"Oh my, you're so handsome. I gave you extra, so enjoy your meal."
"Ah, thank you."
Could they even give extra servings at highway rest stops? Yeon-woo marveled at how kind the world seemed with his new appearance, so different from his past life.
As he walked back to his table, the stares and whispers didn't cease.
As he sat down, Jung Chul-min said with a smile, "See? You're already a celebrity, even before your debut."
"This is all new to me, so it's a bit overwhelming."
"It'll become your daily life soon."
After their meal, Chul-min bought a coffee and headed to the smoking area, saying he needed a cigarette.
Yeon-woo took the car keys, saying he would wait in the car.
Just then, Chul-min's phone rang.
"Hello, senior!" He answered quickly, seeing the name on the screen.
Ryu Yeon-woo, who was about to turn away, perked up and looked at Jung Chul-min.
–"Chul-min, your student, Ryu Yeon-woo, just auditioned. The auditions just finished."
"Yes, senior. We're on our way back to Daejeon."
–"You came to Seoul together? Why didn't you stop by?" Kim Han-soo sounded slightly offended.
Jung Chul-min joked, "Senior, you know how busy it is at auditions. I should buy you a drink soon. And it's definitely not because of the casting, haha."
–"Chul-min, I think I should be buying you a drink."
"Sir? What do you mean? I should be the one treating you."
–"Well, you see…"
Pfft! "What?!" Chul-min spat out his coffee.
"Yes, yes, of course. Oh, thank you so much. Yes, senior. I told you, he's fantastic. Yes, yes."
Yeon-woo's curiosity was piqued by Chul-min's excited reaction.
"Goodbye, senior. I'll see you soon."
Chul-min hung up and looked at Yeon-woo.
"So, how did it go, sir?"
Chul-min, grinning from ear to ear, slapped Yeon-woo on the back.
Thwack!
"Ouch!"
"You lucky kid! You got cast!"
"Really? Haha. Honestly, I was incredibly worried." Despite his attempts to appear calm, Yeon-woo had been anxious about the audition, especially since he hadn't performed any assigned acting for the other roles.
"But, Yeon-woo, don't be surprised."
"Yes, sir? Why?"
"You got cast as Cha Woo-joo."
"What?!"
Kim Han-soo had explained that the casting for the second male lead had fallen through unexpectedly, and the audition panel had unanimously decided to offer the role of Cha Woo-joo to Yeon-woo, despite him being a rookie.
Overjoyed, Yeon-woo jumped up and down like a child. He was dozens of times happier than when he had passed the National Intelligence Service exam in his past life.
They got back into Chul-min's car and headed for Daejeon.
"Thank you so much for driving me today, sir."
"Don't mention it. Thanks to you, our academy is going to get some good publicity."
While he said that, having Yeon-woo's name associated with the academy was a small price to pay for all the effort Jung Chul-min had put into preparing him for the audition. He had helped Yeon-woo late into the night, every day, agonizing over the role as if it were his own audition.
While Yeon-woo had a solid foundation in acting, it was Jung Chul-min who had planted the seeds in that fertile ground.
Filled with gratitude, Yeon-woo bowed deeply once more. "Thank you so much for your guidance, sir."
"You…" Touched by Yeon-woo's sincerity, Jung Chul-min's eyes reddened slightly.
Embarrassed, he rolled up the car window. "I'm leaving. Tell your parents the good news yourself."
"Yes, drive safely!"
As Chul-min's car drove away, Yeon-woo entered his house, his heart filled with joy.
A few days later, Jung Chul-min accompanied Yeon-woo's father, Ryu Cheol-woong, to a building in Seoul. They were visiting LN Media, the production company for "Summer's Closet," to sign Yeon-woo's contract.
"Sir, I've looked over the contract carefully, and it's very generous for a rookie."
"Haha, yes. We're not casting rookies because we're short on budget. We're investing in your son, Ryu Yeon-woo's, future."
The amount offered was enough to shock Cheol-woong, an ordinary man who had spent his life as a civil servant.
"Haha, this is overwhelming. I vaguely heard my son was going to Seoul for an audition a few days ago, but I had no idea it was for something this big."
"We are confident that Ryu Yeon-woo will become a huge star. You'll need to get used to this, sir."
The production company staff were pleased with Ryu Cheol-woong's genuine reaction. After all, giving was more satisfying when the recipient was genuinely happy.
"Oh, and after this project is over, many agencies will probably contact Yeon-woo. Please consider LN Entertainment, which is operated by LN Media."
Pleased but flustered by the production company's enthusiasm, Ryu Cheol-woong deferred to Jung Chul-min.
"Yes, I understand. But you'll be better off discussing these matters with Mr. Jung Chul-min. I don't know anything about this business. Of course, Yeon-woo's opinion is the most important."
"Yes, I understand. We'll discuss that later. However, you'll need management during filming, so as part of the same team, we'll take responsibility. Please sign here."
The contract was signed smoothly, and as Cheol-woong headed back to Daejeon, he was filled with emotion, realizing that his son had earned his first paycheck.