Chapter 72: Acting Ability
“Mr. Guryong, are you okay?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. Of course.”
The manager continued Guryong’s audition. There was no need to disclose whether he had tattoos right now, here. He had never shown them, but……
‘I did mention it on the W app, though.’
It wasn’t a complete secret, but it wasn’t publicly known either. With the audition results uncertain right now, speaking up would be premature.
“Can you also work on OSTs? We’re going to use the band’s song from the show as an OST.”
“Yes, I can.”
They’re idols, so there’s no need to worry about that. It’s more of a passive option, really. I should only ask Muyoung separately.
“Mr. Ha Muyoung has no musical experience, but… Of course, we’re hiring actors, but it would be great if we could employ him for that too. How good is your singing?”
“They said it was listenable.”
“Haha. Really? Who said that?”
“Me.”
Lee Yujin, the PD who was resting his chin on his hand, raised his hand. Is that so? The manager nodded and asked again.
“So, putting singing aside, Mr. Ha Muyoung would need to be assigned to record music separately, right?”
If you assign it to an idol, it will save costs. The manager wanted to find a reason to pay him more money to use him. Romin, who had been quietly listening beside him, chimed in, quickly shifting the conversation to himself.
“If I get to work with you, we can do it together.”
“With Romin? Together?”
“Yes. I want to play the role of the mermaid prince. Actually, I was an acting student, but I’m still very inexperienced. My breathing and dialogue delivery are lacking, but I’m confident in my facial expressions.”
Facial expressions are what idols do on stage every day. Opening, closing, and even the custom actions they insert in between dialogues.
“So, Mr. Ha Muyoung wants to be the lead, then?”
It’s a meaningless question.
His appearance and styling already advertise, ‘I’m aiming to be a guitarist.’ Muyoung smiled and nodded.
“Yes. I just finished filming Director Jin Gyeongmun’s work,
And then he glanced. At the man with the ponytail. Honestly, he didn’t know who he was, but according to Romin, that guy was recently being considered for a role in another TV drama.
“I’m the type who only works on one project at a time.”
“That’s right. It’s important when you’re a rookie. You get desperate and rush, and end up messing things up. It’s like you can’t turn the switch on and off, so it doesn’t separate. What do you think your weakness is?”
In response to the manager’s question, Muyoung pretended to think for a moment before closing his mouth. Then he answered with a very embarrassed expression.
“Actually, I’m worried about my chemistry with the other actor. I haven’t been in a relationship yet.”
“Oh my! Really?”
“Yes. But the character concept is very charming, like a devilish playboy. Haha.”
“Why? I thought you’d have had a lot of girlfriends.”
“I was busy studying. And then, before I knew it, I was busy auditioning.”
“Oh, right. You said you were attending Seoyeon University?”
“Yes. It’s vacation time, but I might take a leave of absence for the second semester.”
“Our character is devilish, but not a playboy. He’s really dumb in that area. Dumb. You’ll get a feel for it when you read the script.”
“Yeah. It’s better to be shy. Last time, two actors fell in love on set and then broke up midway. Ugh. The atmosphere was so awkward.”
Like townspeople chatting, the staff brought up old stories. Everyone laughed and found it amusing, but one person’s response was still awkward.
‘That guy really, really likes women.’
Hmm. Since he didn’t know his face, he could only guess based on the physical characteristics Romin had told him. This way, Muyoung launched a wide-area attack under the guise of an interview.
‘What’s up with that guy?’
‘Is he talking about me?’
‘No, he couldn’t possibly know.’
Question marks filled the competitors’ minds, while the staff were subtly impressed. That alone was already half the success. After the subtle psychological battle—
“Alright, let’s start the reading.”
Now, only the real competition remains.
Guryong flipped through the script and looked at the manager.
“Which part should I do?”
“Whatever you want. Since it’s an audition, do what you’re good at.”
Swish.
At his words, the others simultaneously scanned the script as well. Muyoung did the same. For a brief moment, he quickly flipped through the pages,
‘Huh?’
Flash—
Something sparkled between the pages of the script. Muyoung slowly opened it again to find that page.
[#37. Inside the club]
[A house party is held at the club. Jungmin runs into his old club members, who mock him for becoming deaf. Then Doha appears from behind.]
‘Doha. The protagonist’s name is Doha!’
His heart raced, as if he had rediscovered his forgotten name. Muyoung lightly brushed the paper and tapped Romin’s arm.
“Wanna try this with me? If you’re up for it.”
Whispering. The two huddled together, murmuring. The PD and the writer exchanged a curious glance.
‘They have great chemistry.’
‘Yeah, they look good together. It’d be fun to add Song-a and Pyo Lai too.’
“Can we do it together? Romin needs an acting partner, after all.”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with. Let’s do it freely. Freely.”
Once they got permission, the two eagerly delved into that part. Guryong cleared his throat and recited his lines.
“Is this your first time seeing a street performance? If it’s your first time, sit down and clap, or get out of here. Ugh! How dare this body try to play the guitar. The least you could do is be grateful.”
“This body? Who are you?”
The production staff member provided the rebuttal. It was dry, with no emotion, but he didn’t break his immersion.
“Im Doha. Leader of Meryl Kellin. Im Doha.”
Oh ho. He’s definitely got some experience.
His acting was natural, like water flowing, and he added his own personality to make it stand out even more. He exaggerated a bit more than the script, but it was within the realm of an actor’s capability. The writer circled his name and nodded.
‘He’s good.’
But what keeps catching his eye is that guy over there, Ha Muyoung.
It seems like it’ll be a split decision. The production side seems to prefer Guryong, while the PD and I prefer Ha Muyoung.
“I’m a bit nervous. Should I do more?”
“You were nervous, and that’s all? Don’t stress too much.”
Guryong joked around and continued acting until the end. For an idol, he was good enough to be called just an actor. Since he started so well, the other applicants’ spirits were completely crushed.
“Next.”
“Ahem! Yes!”
Regardless, Muyoung and Romin focused only on their own scripts and didn’t look around. Then, Romin wrote something on the edge of the paper and showed it to Muyoung.
“Who are we turning around for? We can’t do that. Do you think these people will back down if we try to break them? Us? We?”
“I’d rather die than be broken.”
“That’s exactly it!”
“Yes, good job. Next.”
He must’ve been really nervous.
Stuttering like that, tsk. The manager adjusted his glasses and called the next person. It was Muyoung and Romin’s turn. This time, the production staff member had to start first.
“Isn’t that Jungmin?”
“Yeah. He couldn’t talk, so he left the club and immediately joined another one. Hey, Kim Jungmin!”
The production staff member called out loudly, and Romin looked up.
With a blank expression, as if everything in the world was a bother.
“What are you doing here? Are you performing today?”
“What are you talking about? A guy who can’t even talk performing? Haha.”
He sneered at the blatant provocation. Muyoung, who was watching beside him, smiled slightly. Indeed, it’s much better when he doesn’t talk!
“Are you pissed? If you’re pissed, say it and get out of here—”
“Then get out of here, you bastards~”
Muyoung’s line cut off the staff member’s words and came in naturally, without any of the usual ‘space to strike.’ He placed his hand on Romin’s shoulder, who was sitting next to him.
“Get out. Do I have to say it twice? Are you deaf?”
Is this strange? Was that really the same Ha Muyoung who shyly laughed and said he hadn’t dated before? The swear words that stuck to his tongue were chewy and sticky. The PD watched him with a smile.
Swoosh—
Then, Romin raised his right hand. His eyes were filled with anger and frustration.
As his middle finger was about to go up,
“Uh-oh. Don’t do that.”
Muyoung spread his palm to cover that finger. It was described that way because it would violate broadcast regulations. But—
“Hahaha!”
Muyoung playfully and quickly opened and closed his fingers. Through the gaps, Romin’s middle finger was subtly visible. The manager burst out laughing at the cheeky gesture.
“What’s this? Is this your fingerprint originally?”
“Um… it says that Doha, who covered Jungmin’s finger, is playfully messing around.”
Muyoung whispered something into Romin’s ear, as if confiding in him. Then Romin smiled slyly and started signing.
He swept his arms to the sides, wiped his ears, and rubbed his nose.
“……?”
The PD checked the next line.
[The two cause a ruckus and chase away the opposing group, matching the lively and cheerful club atmosphere.]
It was sign language for cursing.
Only the writer, who learned sign language for Jungmin’s role, could recognize the curse.
‘Step on a Lego and break your toenail!’
‘Every time you sneeze, may your nose run!’
‘May you get dumped because of your armpit odor!’
Snap, snap, snap! Romin’s precise gestures looked like a dance. Muyoung, watching beside him, also laughed and imitated him.
Snap, snap, snap!
It was like a martial arts routine, perfectly synchronized. The two cursed repeatedly in sign language, then met each other’s gaze and laughed simultaneously.
“Puhahaha!”
“…….”
The scene played out in his mind.
The opposing group of kids would have slinked away at their bizarre behavior, saying, ‘They’re crazy, let’s just go.’ Muyoung’s laughter, clear and refreshing like a waterfall, rang out.
‘Oh ho.’
The manager watched his acting with interest. In fact, that was harder than the dialogue.
Suddenly bursting into laughter or tears, pouring out emotions like that.
If there’s dialogue, it acts as a lubricant, helping the situation blend in naturally. But to act like that solely through behavior in the middle of a performance was truly difficult.
‘He has the power to convince even without dialogue as a premise.’
The PD felt the same.
Even without dialogue, Muyoung’s laughter seemed genuinely joyful, and his acting surprised the PD a little. If asked for proof that his acting was successful, one need only look at the expressions of the people in the meeting room.
“What was that just now? Haha. That was really funny!”
“Romin can do sign language.”
“We have quite a few deaf fans.”
“Wow. Really? That’s amazing. And Muyoung, you picked it up after seeing it just once?”
“Huh? Oh. Well, yeah? Somehow?”
“Wow. That’s fun!”
The joy was contagious, and everyone laughed along.
The PD put down his pen entirely and crossed his arms. No matter how he thought about it, he really liked this actor, Ha Muyoung. He seemed perfect for the role.
It was an instinct that came with being a PD.
“Writer, what do you think?”
At Lee Yujin’s words, the writer also closed the script. Then he whispered very quietly, so no one could hear.
“I just saw Doha and Jungmin.”
It meant he was satisfied.
Both of them fit the image perfectly, and their acting wasn’t bad either. Of course, Romin’s side needed a bit more observation. They recalled the conversation they had with Muyoung.
‘Either way, the conditions fit really well.’
If there are no special issues, no annoying things like tattoos or schedule conflicts…… Lee Yujin glanced at the production manager and made up his mind.
‘I’m definitely going to use Ha Muyoung.’