Chapter 31: A Game of Reading the Room
“Hyung, watch your step.”
Whisper whisper. Lee Hijun frowned and scolded his manager. What a fool, why did he even bring up the fact that the role of Louis had been decided?
“Why? It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Didn’t you see the director and the writer looking surprised when they saw him? And it’s not like it’s true until the contract is signed. Just keep quiet, okay?”
Especially when Ha Muyoung said he wanted to play the role of Louis. Everyone was silent, but they could sense it intuitively. A gasp of admiration, you could say. Everyone was definitely impressed.
‘I don’t know why that is, but there must be a reason. Fuck. I don’t need to know.’
Tap tap. Lee Hijun just tapped his fingers on the desk and did some calculations. He was wondering how to get out of this awkward situation.
“Wow, really?”
“Yeah, really, really.”
Muyoung and Yuna were giggling and playing around, as if they were having a lot of fun with each other, like they had met before. The child was even leaning against Muyoung’s lap.
Squeak.
Then, a moment later.
The door opened and three people came in. The production company’s CEO signaled to Muyoung and Gyeongmin.
“Do you have something going on later?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Then wait in the reception room until the meeting is over.”
“Yes! I understand!”
Yikes! The quick-witted Ko Gyeongmin bowed his head and greeted them. He didn’t know what it was about, but it was definitely a good sign.
“Oppa, are you leaving?”
“Yeah, see you next time.”
“Waaah, I don’t want you to go—”
When Muyoung stood up, Yuna looked almost like she was hanging on to him, reluctant to let go. The child’s manager and guardian, her mother, knocked on the window from outside the meeting room.
‘Behave.’
She mouthed the words clearly.
At her mother’s warning, the child pouted and sat back in her seat.
“It was an honor to meet you. Goodbye.”
Muyoung also politely greeted Lee Hijun and his manager. After the unexpected guests had all left, the director cleared his throat and looked at Lee Hijun’s expression.
“Where were we?”
“Ah, yes. We’ve analyzed up to Scene 94.”
A subtle game of reading the room began.
They both wanted to change the role of Louis, but depending on the process, it was unclear who would take the lead. For Lee Hijun in particular, it was important whether he could land the role of ‘Jin.’
‘Otherwise, I should say I turned it down.’
If he ended up losing Louis without gaining anything, it would be a huge embarrassment. Especially to a rookie who had only done one web drama! If the negotiations didn’t go well, he would have to make it look like he had rejected the role himself.
Meanwhile, the director recalled a conversation he had in the next room.
-A reading? But Director, Lee Hijun is here. Are you thinking about the role of Louis?
-Just tell him to wait until the meeting is over. And, Writer, to be honest, the situation is a bit complicated right now?
-What? Uh, yeah…….
-I also agreed with the image casting, so I won’t say anything more. But from now on, you’ll have to cooperate. To have an actor here and have these kinds of discussions behind his back……
How should he start?
He chewed on his pen nervously, looking for an opportunity. After all, he was the only one who could mediate this situation.
‘Still, it’s fortunate.’
The fact that the contract hadn’t been signed yet and that today was the first meeting. Meeting Muyoung in a place like this felt like a stroke of genius.
“But, Lee Hijun, I did suggest the role of Louis to you, but was there another role you were drawn to when you read the script?”
“Another role?”
He threw it out there!
Everyone in the meeting room had the same thought.
Except for Yuna, who was staring blankly at the adults.
“I did cast you as Louis based on your image, but I was wondering if you wanted something else. After all, our perspective and an actor’s perspective are a little different, aren’t they?”
“Um…… I…….”
Should I just say Jin right away? Or not?
While Lee Hijun was hesitating, Yuna chimed in, with a very innocent smile.
“Uncle Hijun would be perfect as Jin.”
“Jin? Why Jin?”
“Just because. His eyes are scary.”
She must have instinctively known that he didn’t like her. In response to Yuna’s words, the production company’s CEO laughed.
“What? Lee Hijun’s eyes?”
He had a gentle and soft impression, which was why he had been chosen for the role of Louis based on image casting. Publicly, he was known as the epitome of diligence, sincerity, and kindness, and he had mostly played such roles.
“Ah, but Yuna’s words make me happy, because I’ve always played similar roles. I want something intense and different, but I’ve never had the chance. When I read the script, I thought the role of Jin was very appealing.”
Lee Hijun smiled at Yuna.
‘You little thing.’
“Thanks. I think I’d suit Jin well, so it makes me really happy that you think so, Oppa.”
“I wouldn’t have said that if you called me Oppa.”
“……Huh?”
“He’s your uncle. Uncle.”
Sizzle. Lee Hijun barely managed to maintain his smile and ignored Yuna’s words. No matter how he thought about it, he really didn’t get along with kids. The director looked at his face carefully and nodded.
“Now that you mention it, good and evil coexist in you in a strange way. Ah, don’t take that the wrong way. It’s actually a compliment. It’s an attractive quality that’s hidden because of your roles.”
“Of course. I like villains too.”
“So, instead of Louis, you’d prefer the other side, um…… Jin, I assume?”
“I like Jin, but if I can work with the director, I’d be happy to play Louis too.”
Word by word, they carefully built up the conversation.
The only ones whose breath was taken away were the manager and the staff watching from behind. In the midst of the quiet turmoil, Yuna’s muttering was heard again.
“I wish Louis was that oppa.”
“Really? Why?”
This time, the director exclaimed in delight and asked.
She was a child actor, but she had a presence, and more importantly, she was the lead. The child’s opinion could have a significant impact. Yuna thought for a moment and said something incomprehensible.
“He smells like chocolate.”
Unlike Muyoung, who was sitting still, Ko Gyeongmin kept walking around the office, bustling about nervously.
“Hyung, sit down.”
“No, why am I so nervous? They told us to stay, so they’ll probably ask us to do a reading or something. Why? It’s just a minor role, right? Oh, Muyoung, I keep having happy thoughts.”
They say the roles are already assigned, but two or three are still vacant, right? Surely they wouldn’t give one of those to Muyoung? Hehehe, Ko Gyeongmin covered his mouth, which was splitting into a wide grin, and laughed.
Then it happened.
Click.
“Ha Muyoung?”
“Ah, Director.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
It took about two hours.
The time was completely filled with discussions about Lee Hijun’s role assignment. The director had used so much wordplay to minimize his responsibility that he was rubbing his throbbing head as he greeted them.
“No, we’re the ones who came here unannounced.”
“I said I wanted to work with you, remember? Let’s do a reading and a camera test.”
“……!”
Ko Gyeongmin, who was listening beside him, was startled and flinched. Muyoung, who had only done web drama auditions, might not know, but a camera test meant something special.
“Do you have the script?”
“Yes, I do.”
Why do acting schools do so much video feedback? There’s a subtle difference between what you see with your eyes and what you see through a lens. A camera test is about seeing that, and they ask for it because they’re considering using you to some extent.
‘A reading is one thing, but a camera test is really……’
They don’t do it for just anyone!
No, there’s no need to do it. It’s too much trouble.
Ko Gyeongmin took out the script from his bag with trembling hands. Muyoung’s well-worn scriptbook. The director noticed it.
“You’ve read it a lot.”
“Yes, I love the work so much. I’ve analyzed all the characters. I can do everything you ask me to do well.”
“Oh ho, really? There are a lot of characters.”
While the director sat down, the Monet staff set up the camera and tripod. Soon, Aok, the writer, and the production company’s CEO also came in.
“Huh? What’s wrong with your wrist?”
When Muyoung shook his hands to relax, the production company’s CEO asked. His wrist was wrapped tightly in bandages.
It was from a desperate attempt, but Muyoung laughed and made an excuse.
“It’s because of Jaeni.”
Louis and Jaeni tied their wrists together with bandages and walked around. It was partly to avoid getting separated in crowded situations, but also to hide the burn marks on the child’s wrist.
‘He’s got good posture.’
It wasn’t intentional, but what’s good is good, right? At Muyoung’s smile, the director also burst into a hearty laugh. Aok, the writer, who saw the vivid Louis, was almost overwhelmed with emotion.
“Then go ahead.”
“Yes, which line should I say?”
“There, Scene 103 on page 74.”
Muyoung flipped through the script and hesitated.
Is he serious? The director just crossed his arms and nodded.
“It’s…… Louis, right?”
“You said you wanted to try it, didn’t you? The camera’s ready.”
“Yes, it’s ready.”
“Okay, it’s getting late, so let’s hurry up. Ready.”
The director’s sudden signal caught Muyoung off guard. He quickly focused his mind.
“Action—”
His eyes, wide open and relaxed, stared into the void. Muyoung’s usual subdued atmosphere dropped even lower. Ko Gyeongmin hugged his bag and pressed himself against the wall, trying to calm his nervous heart.
“Jaeni, Jaeni.”
A man trapped in a place where the gas of death lingered, at the same time as his grandmother’s death. For him, there was only Jaeni. The child who pulled him back from the end of life.
-Louis oppa, are you having a hard time because of me?
“Don’t say that.”
-It’s because of me…… that it’s like this. If only I didn’t exist…… I’m a burden. I’m sorry.
“If Jaeni didn’t exist, neither would I. And Jaeni, do you know? Sometimes it’s the heavy and burdensome things that help us endure. Jaeni held me tight, and I’m so grateful.”
A sense of gratitude despite the exhaustion.
The end of the line he spoke was mixed with tears and became distorted. Perfect. The director’s heart, following the script, began to pound. He thought it was just the image that fit……
‘Where has a kid like this been?’
The acting is amazing.
It’s like the Louis from the scene he envisioned has come to life and is speaking. It’s so well-directed without any specific instructions.
‘It must mean his script analysis is thorough.’
Or maybe his perspective is the same as his. Whatever the case, a gem is a gem. Muyoung nodded his head, listening to Jaeni’s imaginary words and smiling.
“Now? Here?”
-Yeah, I’ll go first. Puppet Pinocchio, I like you, when you meet the blue-haired angel, please take me with you.
In response to Jaeni’s lead, Louis began to sing softly.
“Appear in my father’s dream tonight. Can you tell him my story?”
Then, through the slightly open door, Yuna poked her head in.
Muyoung made eye contact with the child and continued singing. His pleasant voice filled the quiet office. Yuna looked like she wanted to say something, but just stood there fidgeting and watching Muyoung.
“Come here.”
Then Muyoung, or rather Louis, stretched out his hand and called Yuna. Yuna ran over with a big smile. The child snuggled up to Louis again and finished the last part together.
The way they looked at each other was warm and friendly.
“When you meet the blue-haired angel, please take me with you!”
The director, who was watching the scene on the screen, clicked his tongue and raised his hand. He had filmed several works already, but this was the first time he had met an actor who fit a character so perfectly, as if it were destined by heaven.
“This won’t do.”
He absolutely couldn’t let this go. The work wanted Muyoung, and Yuna wanted Muyoung.
“Let’s talk to Lee Hijun properly.”
The director muttered to the production company’s CEO.
“We’ll decide again after comparing him with the actor who’s being considered for the role of Jin. We have to use that kid for Louis. This won’t do. If it’s not him……”
And before the CEO could respond, he shouted, his eyes still fixed on Muyoung and Yuna on the screen.
“Ha Muyoung!”
“Yes?”
“Keep your schedule free from summer onwards.”
What do you mean? While Muyoung just stared blankly, Ko Gyeongmin cheered and bowed.
“Thank you! Thank you!”
The director smiled in admiration.
“We’ll meet as Louis in the summer.”