"I heard they’re looking for someone to play the role of Goto Isamu."

    "Hmm, that’s a critical role. They can’t just cast anyone for it."

    The production team of Gyeongseong Lady wore worried expressions. Recently, several actors who had initially agreed to participate had withdrawn due to various issues.@@@@

    Contracts had been signed, only to be broken, with penalty fees paid. Unfortunately, this was a common occurrence in the industry.

    But the number of actors dropping out was unusually high this time.

    "I’ve heard that Director Shin Hocheol is going all out for his new movie," one person mentioned.

    "Oh, that one? Do you think they’re leaving us to join that project?"

    "Who knows? But it’s safe to say they’re probably working with a bigger budget than we have."

    The production had managed to secure investors for Gyeongseong Lady, largely due to Director Baek Min''s reputation. However, the funding wasn’t extensive, so their resources were limited.

    ‘No wonder they paid the penalties without hesitation,’ someone thought. ‘Since filming hadn’t started, the costs weren’t too high.’

    The character of Goto Isamu was the main villain, and his role was crucial to the story. Only a talented actor could truly do justice to it. Kang Seohyeok, who was initially cast, had seemed perfect for the part, which made his departure all the more impactful.

    "Do we even have anyone who could replace Kang Seohyeok?"

    "Honestly, I’m not sure. We have a few candidates, but I don’t know if they’d accept the script."

    "There are quite a few senior actors who avoid Director Baek Min’s projects."

    For veteran actors, Baek Min’s work often held unique perspectives and values that didn’t align with theirs. This time, Gyeongseong Lady was no exception, as it explored same-sex relationships.

    "Seoyeon."

    Just then, Director Baek Min entered, greeting Seoyeon. Her sudden appearance at the audition venue surprised the production team.

    ‘Why is Ju Seoyeon here?’

    ‘I thought today was for casting the role of Goto Isamu?’

    The team had assumed they would simply be reviewing someone’s suitability for the role today. None of them had expected Ju Seoyeon to show up unannounced.

    All eyes turned to her, filled with curiosity and confusion.

    "He should be here any moment now," Seoyeon said, flashing a smile at the gathered crew. Finally, the secret weapon for this film was about to make his entrance.

    Lee Sangsoo was an actor—a veteran.

    He’d once experienced a major failure in Hollywood. However, no one denied that he was one of Korea''s greatest actors, with a career few could rival. But everyone also knew he was getting older.

    "Sir, are you really okay with this?"

    His agency had asked him, concerned.

    "You’ve been resting for a long time. Isn’t it a bit much to jump back into such a strenuous role, especially a villain?"

    His longtime manager and the other actors in his agency all advised him to take more time, to rest and gather himself.

    "Don’t worry about what the younger folks say."

    Even Song Kwangmin, an actor who had filmed Star Fisher with him, had said as much to Sangsoo. Although, Kwangmin’s words had carried the implication that if Sangsoo truly wanted to do it, he should.

    But no one held faith in Sangsoo’s decision to return to film. Perhaps it was due to his Hollywood failure, or maybe it was just a matter of respect.

    Honestly, Sangsoo couldn’t tell. He was too old to worry about such things.

    ‘It’s ridiculous,’ he thought.

    He had even lost faith in himself. The fierce passion he once had for acting had dwindled to a mere spark.

    That was likely why he had taken particular notice of her.

    "I want to act alongside Lee Sangsoo in this film."

    He remembered the young actress who had spoken so directly about what everyone else avoided. Ju Seoyeon.

    The girl everyone praised as a prodigy, now on the cusp of adulthood, had looked him in the eye with a calm resolve.

    "It’s a role in Director Baek Min’s new film. It’s a villainous character with a powerful presence. Not just anyone can take it on."

    Her gaze held an assurance that he wouldn’t refuse. She had said that a spot had opened up in Baek Min’s film.

    And she wanted Lee Sangsoo to fill that spot.

    The absurd part was that she had looked at him with eyes that believed in him more than anyone else did.

    Even when he himself hesitated, unsure if he was ready to return to drama or film.

    "Yes, I’m aware."

    "And I know you won’t refuse."

    Seoyeon’s tone held unwavering conviction, as if she knew him well.

    Director Baek Min called Seoyeon, as if asking if she was prepared to act.

    "I’ve memorized the script in full. Any scene is fine."

    "Then, let’s go with Scene 147."

    Scene #147.

    In that scene, Seoyeon’s character, the lady Kasugayama Yuina, confronts her servant Goto Isamu in a heated argument.

    It was the part where Yuina discovers she has been betrayed by Goto Isamu, whom she had trusted deeply.

    A scene full of intense emotion and physicality, with props and objects thrown. It was an extremely challenging scene to perform, especially in an audition.

    Some staff members began to murmur, suggesting that a more routine scene would be better for an audition.

    "Maybe a simpler scene would be more suitable for an audition."

    "Isn’t Scene 147 a bit too much?"

    However, Director Baek Min had made up his mind on Scene #147.

    "Mr. Lee Sangsoo, are you all right with this?"

    "Of course. I received the script well in advance."

    He hadn’t even bothered to bring the script with him—he had memorized it.

    "Then let’s begin."

    With Baek Min’s cue, the crew took their places, ready to watch what was to come. It felt as if they were about to film a real scene, not just an audition.

    "Please, begin."

    With Baek Min’s calm instruction, it was clear that this was an audition, not a real shoot.

    ‘Here we go.’

    Sangsoo looked at the young actress standing before him. Kasugayama Yuina, they’d called her.

    Her sharp features suited the role perfectly—a lady with an intense, villainous presence.

    And of course, the true villain was the one who had been manipulating her all along—Goto Isamu.

    The scene they were about to perform was the moment when Goto Isamu finally revealed his betrayal to the young lady who had come to confront him.

    He had everything he wanted in his grasp.

    "My lady."

    Sangsoo—or rather, Goto Isamu—grinned. His aged face twisted into a sneering expression.

    It was sinister but not pathetic—a smile one might expect from a devil who had manipulated someone’s life for years.

    The faces of those watching the audition showed their astonishment. Sangsoo’s acting had lost none of its power.

    "So, even if you’ve figured it out now, what difference does it make?"

    Goto Isamu rummaged through his pockets, pulling out something small. It looked like a key, though it was simply a gesture as no props were prepared.

    Everyone’s attention was on Sangsoo—not as an actor, but as the villainous Goto Isamu himself. His performance was seamless.

    The crew watched in admiration, while Baek Min quietly took notes, his expression calm.

    ‘The scars from his Hollywood failure remain.’

    Sangsoo’s intense presence had often landed him similar roles. However, his acting style carried a specific image—a perception.

    And this time, he was still within that mold, unable to fully unleash his strengths due to the lingering wounds from his past.

    ‘Is this all that’s left of him?’

    That was Baek Min’s assessment.

    However, he knew the young actress, Seoyeon, would find it challenging to withstand such pressure.

    And, Seoyeon was the one who had brought Lee Sangsoo into the production, which meant there was a sense of responsibility for her as well.

    All eyes were on her as she waited for Sangsoo’s line to end.

    "It’s just as well, don’t you think? You’ve wanted to see the old man so badly; now you’ll get your wish."

    As Goto Isamu chuckled, Yuina’s expression shifted.

    Her previously calm face changed, her gaze burning with fury. The transformation was so intense that Sangsoo momentarily forgot his line.

    It was a mistake one could call "breaking character."

    Yet, it felt strangely natural.

    "Isamu. You’d better shut your mouth right now."

    Yuina’s low voice, laced with hatred, filled the set.