Chapter 50 - The Man Himself Appeared

『 Translator – Divinity 』

“Is it okay for me to challenge for such a big role?”

Kim So-yeong asked in a trembling voice.

In Kim So-yeong's hands right now were materials for 『Unshakeable Dynasty』.

“And a female warrior who appears in a fusion historical drama at that... can I do it?”

“PD Park Jong-hoon-nim saw potential. That's why he called you for an audition.”

Baek Hyeon-woo said in a calm voice.

“He saw that the character named Wol-hwa and your image matched well, So-yeong.”

“Still... this is my first project.”

Kim So-yeong was feeling slightly anxious.

“I know that there are many cases where they cast idols in dramas to raise interest. But I'm not at that level...”

“Considering Newstarz's current level of attention, you don't need to think that way. The response to the recent 'Music World' broadcast was huge, wasn't it.”

Currently, the 'Music World' stage video that was uploaded to YouTube is increasing in views at a rapid speed.

According to Team Leader Park Yeong-ho, it has the best momentum among the recently uploaded stage videos.

Because this is the first official stage video of the reborn 5-member Newstarz, the Haram Entertainment side was also planning to actively spread this video to promote them.

“And by the time the drama airs, you'll be even more popular than you are now.”

“That would be nice, but...”

Kim So-yeong said cautiously.

“What if I can't act and I ruin the project?”

“You have to work hard to prevent that from happening.”

“I'll have to practice acting even harder...”

In front of the bowing Kim So-yeong, Baek Hyeon-woo slowly opened his mouth.

“So-yeong-ah, there's something more important than acting practice right now.”

“Wh-what is it?”

“Confidence.”

Baek Hyeon-woo met Kim So-yeong's eyes and spoke.

“So-yeong-ah, be confident and hold your head high. Because that's when you're the most charming.”

“Hyeon-woo oppa, there you go with those words again...”

Kim So-yeong's ears turned red.

It's Kim So-yeong who is gaining popularity with a confident and strong-looking image, but she also has an unexpected side where she gets shy and blushes when Baek Hyeon-woo praises her.

“If you just show that side of yourself in the drama, you're already halfway there. So just show your charm with confidence.”

“I understand.”

Kim So-yeong nodded.

“I'll do as you say, Hyeon-woo oppa.”

“Yeah, let's work hard.”

Actually, this might have been counting her chickens before they hatched.

Because she had to pass the audition first.

No matter how much Park Jong-hoon had acknowledged Kim So-yeong, casting wasn't something he decided on his own.

The writer or the casting director could oppose it, and the sponsor could apply pressure to give the role to someone else.

Therefore, the possibility of not passing the audition undeniably exists.

However, there's no need to fall into worry while thinking about such things.

What's important right now is to maintain the confidence of 'I can do it'.

“But Hyeon-woo oppa, will there be no problem with the schedule overlapping with 'The Idol'?”

“You don't have to worry. Because we can make it so they don't overlap.”

Soon, Newstarz is scheduled to appear on PD Seo Dong-cheol's girl group competition program, 'The Idol'.

Since Choux-pop's appearance has also been confirmed, the Newstarz VS Choux-pop narrative will be recreated.

“I'll adjust it so there are no setbacks for the rematch with Choux-pop.”

“The second round against Choux-pop... we'll have to prepare well for that too.”

Actually, it might be the third round.

Because on the internet, they're already clamoring that it's the second round while comparing the 'Music World' stage video views.

Since Choux-pop appeared on 'Music World' 2 weeks ago, their video still has more views... but Newstarz will soon overtake them.

“Team Leader Park and I will discuss and prepare well for 'The Idol', so for now, you just think about the audition. Since there aren't many days left.”

“Yes, oppa.”

Kim So-yeong, who had nodded, opened her mouth with a serious expression.

“Then oppa… could you practice the script with me?”

“What? Script practice?”

Kim So-yeong said, holding out the script in her hand to Baek Hyeon-woo.

“Because I think I'll get a better feel for it than practicing by myself. I need a partner.”

“I've never once acted a role before...”

“It's okay.”

As Baek Hyeon-woo showed reluctance, Kim So-yeong smiled mischievously.

“Sometimes, the on-site staff look at you, Hyeon-woo oppa, and say that you could be an actor.”

“No, that's...”

“You said that just showing a confident side is already halfway there, right? Please.”

“……”

This time, it was Baek Hyeon-woo's turn to be shy.

***

The day of the 『Unshakeable Dynasty』 audition.

Ryu-hwa, who belongs to the girl group N.A.N, arrived at the HBS broadcasting station in a car driven by a road manager.

“Ryu-hwa-ya, then go do well at the audition.”

The one who encouraged Ryu-hwa like that was Director Kim Do-gyun.

He had other business at HBS today, so they had come in the car together, but he was planning on sending only the road manager to the audition site.

“It's a situation that's as good as decided, but still, don't make any mistakes. There's no need to ruin your image before filming even begins, right?”

“Director, is it really decided?”

Ryu-hwa asked, sweeping up her black hair.

“I heard the PD there returned the envelope?”

“It seems he felt a pang of conscience, like he was receiving a bribe.”

“It is a bribe.”

“Ayy, I just gave him some taxi fare.”

A while ago, Park Jong-hoon had returned the money envelope he had received from Kim Do-gyun.

However, Kim Do-gyun wasn't thinking of it as a big deal.

“PD Park Jong-hoon is no fool; he knows that the project will only come alive if he casts you. So he'll cast you even without taking the envelope.”

“Really?”

“And I've also spoken to the casting director. Telling them not to put any actors on the audition list who could be your competitor.”

The casting director, as the name suggests, is the person who oversees actor selection.

Gathering worthy actors and bringing them to the audition site was also the casting director's job.

“Because I asked them to gather only kids with flaws, like having no experience, or lacking in looks... there will be no one who can be your competitor.”

“As expected, Director, you're so meticulous.”

A situation where he had even won over the casting director in preparation for a possible backstabbing from Park Jong-hoon.

The matter of Ryu-hwa landing the role of Wol-hwa in 『Unshakeable Dynasty』 was as good as decided.

“Just greet the actors who will be playing the main roles well. It will be helpful later.”

“I understand.”

After Kim Do-gyun left, Ryu-hwa headed to the audition site with her manager.

The area in front of the audition site was already swarming with applicants.

“Hmm…”

Everyone was just looking at their scripts, so Ryu-hwa wasn't even in their line of sight.

For them to be so indifferent to her, who was the second most popular in the popular girl group N.A.N... her pride was slightly hurt.

“Ryu-hwa-ssi, it's crowded here, so over there...”

“I'm going to sit in that seat over there.”

She ignored the road manager's words and strode forward.

Because a vacant chair had just caught her eye.

‘Huh?’

However, after confirming the face of the woman sitting in the next seat, Ryu-hwa flinched in surprise.

‘I think I've seen her somewhere before... Ah, was it Newstarz's Kim So-yeong?’

An idol who possessed a clearly different aura from the other applicants gathered here.

And on top of that, the one in charge of the girl crush concept with a tall stature and confident atmosphere, just like Ryu-hwa.

Confirming that sight, Ryu-hwa felt a sense of anxiety.

“Ah, Ryu-hwa sunbae, hello.”

Kim So-yeong felt her presence and raised her head.

“Please sit.”

“Uh… yeah.”

Using formal speech to Ryu-hwa, Kim So-yeong moved her body to the side and made the seat wider.

And Kim So-yeong began to concentrate on her script again.

‘Was there a role in this drama that a kid like this would be suited for?’

Ryu-hwa stole a glance at Kim So-yeong's script as she sat down.

And immediately, her eyes widened.

‘It's the role of Wol-hwa!’

Kim So-yeong, just like Ryu-hwa, was preparing for the audition for the role of Wol-hwa.

‘He said he didn't call anyone who could be my competitor! What is going on?’

As she was feeling flustered while recalling the words she had heard from Kim Do-gyun earlier, Kim So-yeong raised her head.

“Is something the matter?”

“Ah, well...”

Ryu-hwa hesitated for a moment and then asked.

“You, have you acted before? It's just that I think it's the first time I'm seeing you in a place like this.”

“Ah, today is the first time.”

“The first time?”

“Yes, I'm going to try challenging myself in acting from now on.”

“……”

Ryu-hwa was slightly relieved at Kim So-yeong's answer.

‘Yeah, if she's someone challenging this for the very first time, she won't be my competitor.’

It seems she's one of the 'no experience' applicants that Director Kim Do-gyun mentioned.

If that's the case, then there's no need to be wary.

‘I was worried for nothing, tsk.’

Thinking that, Ryu-hwa took out her phone.

And she spent her time reading a webtoon until her turn came.

“Ryu-hwa-ssi, it's almost your turn...”

“Ah, already?”

Hearing her manager's words, Ryu-hwa put her phone away.

“Are you okay going in without looking at the script?”

“I already memorized the script a long time ago. Do you think I wouldn't even do that much preparation?”

“……”

Leaving the silent manager aside, Ryu-hwa fixed her hair.

As she was doing that, Ryu-hwa's turn came quickly.

“Number 8, please come in.”

“Yes!”

Ryu-hwa immediately opened the door to the audition hall and went in.

She met the eyes of each of the seated judges and raised her voice.

“Hello! I am Ryu-hwa, born to play the role of Wol-hwa! Please take good care of me!”

A few people snickered at the idol-style self-introduction.

“Wol-hwa and Ryu-hwa, their names are similar.”

“Casting Director, didn't you put her on the list because of her name?”

“No, but doesn't she actually suit it well?”

The judges, including the casting director, chatted amicably.

The atmosphere was as if it had already been decided internally to pick Ryu-hwa.

“Number 8, you're Ryu-hwa-ssi, correct?”

However,

There was one judge who was looking at Ryu-hwa with a cold gaze.

It was PD Park Jong-hoon, who was sitting in the very center.

“Please begin right away.”

“……”

Although Park Jong-hoon's attitude was bothering, she didn't pay it much mind.

‘Because I'm bound to get this role anyway.’

Convinced of that, Ryu-hwa maintained a smiling face and nodded.

“Number 8, Ryu-hwa, will now begin!”

***

After Ryu-hwa finished all her acting and left.

The judges each exchanged their opinions.

“Well... she's okay. She got a line slightly wrong, but aside from that, she's not bad. She's the best so far.”

“For now, among the kids who have come in so far, her looks are the best. And she's close to Wol-hwa's image.”

“She usually promotes with that... strong unnie? concept, so I was a bit worried, but seeing her in person, she's polite and has a bright personality. I think she'll do well on set too.”

There was no one who praised her highly, but everyone was in agreement that she was at least the best among the actors they had judged so far.

Even Park Jong-hoon, who was sitting silently with his mouth shut... probably had a similar opinion.

‘Phew, in the end, it'll be decided as Ryu-hwa.’

The casting director, Yoon Hae-soo, let out a sigh of relief in his mind.

He had deliberately excluded all applicants who could have been Ryu-hwa's competitors and put a lot of effort into the preparations, so if Ryu-hwa had shown a terrible performance, it would have almost all been for nothing.

‘There's one more left, but Ryu-hwa is the most important.’

This time, besides Ryu-hwa, a rookie male actor from UBX was also supposed to be inserted.

However, what UBX's Director Kim Do-gyun considered most important was N.A.N's popular member, Ryu-hwa.

Because for Ryu-hwa to properly grow as an acting-dol, she absolutely had to land this role.

Therefore, once it was officially decided, Director Kim Do-gyun would provide an additional reward.

“Next, please tell applicant number 9 to come in.”

At that moment, Park Jong-hoon said in a cold voice.

Yoon Hae-soo flinched for a moment but immediately nodded his head.

‘It's as good as decided with Ryu-hwa, but still, we have to proceed with the audition until the end.’

Thinking that it would be a perfunctory evaluation, Yoon Hae-soo yawned.

A moment later, the door opened and applicant number 9 came in.

And...

“Applicant number 9, Kim So-yeong.”

“……!”

The moment they received her greeting, everyone held their breath.

Because she was completely different from Ryu-hwa, who had smiled brightly and greeted them as soon as she stepped into the audition hall.

Cold and with restraint.

And yet polite.

Like Wol-hwa, the female swordswoman who wields her sword while pledging loyalty to her organization, Kim So-yeong opened her mouth.

“May I begin right away?”

Wol-hwa herself had appeared.

To the point of giving that illusion, Kim So-yeong was expressing the character of Wol-hwa with her entire body.