CHAPTER 81: MAY THE BEST ACTOR WIN

"ARE YOU fucking kidding me? How can I pretend as you? First of all, your group members will definitely notice that you’re a different person."

Hmm?

Wonyoung expected a lot from Kim Seojun.

The role of Han Daejin required the actor playing him to have the vibes of an Alpha despite being an Omega.

Kim Seojun’s frail-looking appearance didn’t help.

That was why Wonyoung expected Kim Seojun to be very good at acting.

How else could he convince the audience that he could pass off as an Alpha if not for that?

However...

Wonyoung was disappointed.

Kim Seojun is reading the script as if he were reading a textbook...

No emotions, no effort.

He’s not even trying...

"Daejin-ah, calm down. My group members won’t notice. Our group was formed from a survival show, so we’re not close at all."

Now Wonyoung was completely disappointed.

Kim Seojun is supposed to be playing two characters: Han Daejin, the Omega. And Han Daeho, Han Daejin’s Alpha twin brother. The twins have different characteristics. Han Daejin is tough, while Han Daeho is a softie. Their difference should be evident in the way they talk.

However, Kim Seojun didn’t change his tone and his manner of speaking when switching his lines between Han Daejin and Han Daeho.

Wonyoung was starting to get upset.

This person isn’t taking this seriously.

And he wasn’t the only person who noticed that.

Director Kang Dusik, Assistant Director Jung Lim, Assistant Writer Kim Mina, and Writer Shin Yuna also looked disappointed.

Haaah.

No wonder An Baekya said Kim Seojun-ssi doesn’t deserve to be famous this time.

"That’s enough, Kim Seojun-ssi. Thank you," Director Kang Dusik said indifferently, and then he looked at Wonyoung. "It’s your turn now, Wonyoung-ssi."

Wonyoung smiled and nodded politely. "Yes, sir."

***

KANG DUSIK was already disappointed because of Kim Seojun’s performance.

It was clear that the kid wasn’t taking it seriously.

He’s probably confident that he already bagged the role because of the investors backing him up.

To be honest, he understood why that would make Kim Seojun confident.

Without the investors’ financial support, we can’t start filming the drama.

Hence, Kang Dusik decided to accept the investors’ condition— to cast Kim Seojun as the main role.

He was confident that the script would carry the drama even with the lead’s poor acting.

There are a few dramas that succeeded that way.

However, Writer Shin Yuna suddenly declared that she found the perfect Han Daejin.

He felt bad for the writer.

Hence, he gave Writer Shin Yuna a chance by allowing her to do an audition for Bae Wonyoung and Kim Seonju.

I didn’t expect Writer Shin to bring the perfect Han Daejin, though.

Admittedly, Kang Dusik also thought Bae Wonyoung suited the role.

Sadly, I don’t have the power to go against those investors who are either a business tycoon or a chaebol.

Yes, he only agreed to the audition to pacify Writer Shin Yuna.

Kim Seojun was the obvious choice if they wanted the budget for the drama.

However, Kang Dusik wavered while watching Bae Wonyoung act.

"Are you fucking kidding me? How can I pretend to be you? First of all, your group members will definitely notice that you’re a different person."

Oh.

Bae Wonyoung read the same line as Kim Seojun did earlier.

However, Bae Wonyoung wasn’t simply reading the line— he had actually turned into the character he was portraying.

Kang Dusik suddenly saw Han Daejin right in front of him.

Rough way of speaking.

A semi-permanent frown on his face.

Bae Wonyoung’s loud and clear voice gave life to the character he was portraying.

Plus, he memorized the script since he’s not looking at it.

"Daejin-ah, calm down."

Ah.

Kang Dusik felt a shiver down his spine— in a good way— when Bae Wonyoung suddenly changed his tone and expression.

Bae Wonyoung was speaking softly now, his face relaxed and almost carefree.

Now I’m looking at Han Daeho and not Han Daejin.

"My group members won’t notice. Our group was formed from a survival show, so we’re not close at all."

Bae Wonyoung then switched back to Han Daejin’s character.

"The hell they wouldn’t notice. Do you want us to get sued for fraud? Plus, do you expect me to sing and dance?"

From a pissed off expression, Bae Wonyoung’s face softened up as he switched back to Han Daeho’s character again.

Actually, Bae Wonyoung’s face looked a little playful this time.

"Yes, Hyung. I know you won’t be able to say no to me. I’m your baby brother, after all."

Bae Wonyoung’s face looked annoyed again, switching back to Han Daejin’s character.

"We’re only thirty seconds apart, so don’t call me hyung. You only call me that when you need something from me anyway. Most of all, you’re not a baby— you’re a grown ass man. Yes, you’re a little stupid. But you’re an adult."

Bae Wonyoung pouted as he switched back to Han Daeho’s character.

"Hyung, you know it’s my dream to become an idol. You just need to pretend to be me for at least a week. We’ll stop as soon as I recover from my injury."

Bae Wonyoung pressed his lips together, forming a thin line— giving life to the Han Daejin who was slowly caving but still worried.

"Daeho-ya, your group is called ALPHAS’ GENERATION because all of you are Alphas. Did you forget that I’m an Omega?"

Bae Wonyoung’s face beamed— showing a Han Daeho who knew his twin brother was about to give in.

"But you’re good at hiding your pheromones, Hyung. Plus, you act more like an Alpha than me. Most of all, we both know that you’re just as good as I am in singing and dancing. We trained together before, after all. So, I’m sure my plan will work."

Bae Wonyoung fell silent, his face full of worries.

Wow.

Kang Dusik was beyond impressed.

There’s only one actor in front of me, but I see two different people with the same face.

That gave him goosebumps.

This kid is better than some veteran actors I’ve worked with in the past!

Kang Dusik wasn’t the only one in the room thinking like that.

Assistant Director Jung Lim, Assistant Writer Kim Mina, and Head Writer Shin Yuna obviously thought the same.

Yep, Bae Wonyoung is both Han Daejin and Han Daeho.

However...

Can we really gamble on Bae Wonyoung-ssi when our budget is on the line?

***

"YOU DID well, Wonyoung-ssi."

Wonyoung didn’t expect that praise to come from Kim Seojun, but he smiled and bowed politely. "Thank you, Seojun-ssi."

"Are you not going to praise me back?"

"You did well reading the script."

Wonyoung heard ’coughing’ sounds around him.

But his eyes remained focused on Kim Seojun.

Well, I can’t lie— Kim Seojun-ssi didn’t do well in acting.

"I know I didn’t put much effort, but it’s only because this audition is pointless to me," Kim Seojun said, shrugging. "I’ll do well once the filming starts. You may not believe me after the performance I showed you, but I’m actually good at acting once I put my mind to it."

To be fair, Wonyoung could believe that.

There must be a reason why Kim Seonju-ssi became popular in An Baekya’s timeline.

"Seojun-ssi, you speak as if you’ve already bagged the role."

"Don’t be naïve, Wonyoung-ssi. All of us here know that the role belongs to me," Kim Seojun said, and then he turned to Director Kang Dusik. "This drama won’t be possible without the investors’ financial support. Director Kang, you know that the investors will back out if I don’t get the main role, don’t you?"

Wonyoung was shocked.

Wow.

Kim Seojun-ssi isn’t even trying to hide the fact that he’s being backed up by powerful people.

Sadly, Kim Seojun’s threat was working.

The directors and the writers all looked helpless.

"I’ll be waiting for your call, Director Kang," Kim Seojun said confidently before getting up. And then he looked at Wonyoung with an empathetic look on his face. "Better luck next time, Wonyoung-ssi. You’re a good actor, so I’m sure you’ll get another opportunity."

Wonyoung just nodded.

There’s no point in getting angry because the fight isn’t over yet.

However, it seemed like Kim Seojun thought everything was over as he left the officetel with his manager.

I wonder how powerful Kim Seojun-ssi’s sponsor is.

"I’m sorry, Wonyoung-ssi," Director Kang Dusik said, sighing. "We asked you to come here to audition for the role. But, honestly, the investors are really insisting on Kim Seojun-ssi. We can’t proceed with the drama without their financial support, so..."

Oh.

I’m getting rejected for the role.

"It’s unfair, Director Kang," Writer Shin Yuna said, already on the verge of crying. "Wonyoung-ssi is Han Daejin! Can’t we just look for other investors?"

"You know it will be hard to do that," Director Kang Dusik said. "Those investors are known for blacklisting people who get in their way. I don’t think other investors will be willing to help us once we piss off those people."

Really?

But Dujun Sunbae-nim said it shouldn’t be a problem, and that Daepyonim is willing to invest in this drama if he has to.

Was it because Spencer Choi was a chaebol?

"Director Kang, Writer Shin, Assistant Director Jung, and Assistant Writer Kim," Wonyoung addressed everyone in the room politely. "Do you all agree that I deserve the role of Han Daejin? That you would hire me on the spot if the investment isn’t a problem?"

Everyone nodded firmly.

"You are Han Daejin, Wonyoung-ssi," Assistant Director Jung Lim said while nodding. "I know Kim Seojun-ssi acts well when he’s not throwing a tantrum. But I can’t see him playing the role of an Omega pretending as an Alpha."

Assistant Writer Kim Mina nodded in agreement. "Plus, it felt like I was watching two different people while you were playing Han Daejin and Han Daeho’s conversation, Wonyoung-ssi. That was very impressive."

Aww.

Wonyoung smiled shyly.

I like it when I’m being praised for my acting, though.

"Wonyoung-ssi, I would love to work with you," Director Kang Dusik said, sighing. "Unfortunately, this is my first project after my long hiatus. I’ve lost the trust of other investors after my last drama flopped. So, I want to play it safe this time. I’m sorry for giving you false hope."

"If I bring a new investor, will you give me the role?" Wonyoung asked carefully. "I technically passed the audition, didn’t I?"

"Of course!" Writer Shin Yuna said eagerly before the director could even answer. "But funding a drama won’t be easy financially, Wonyoung-ssi. And money isn’t the only issue. Does the investor you’re talking about have enough power and influence in the industry?"

"I think Mr. Spencer Choi is powerful and influential enough."

A collective gasp came from the people around Wonyoung.

"Spencer Choi? The CEO of Hanbyeol Entertainment?" Director Kang Dusik asked in disbelief. "The youngest son of Hosung Group’s chairman? That chaebol is the investor you’re talking about, Wonyoung-ssi?!"

Oh.

Wonyoung suddenly felt shy.

So, it’s not a secret that Daepyonim is a chaebol?

***

Please ADD I’ll Raise My Future Omega Son-in-Law to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :