Chapter 67: Many (6)

Chapter 67: Many (6)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kim Dae-young squinted his eyes. Despite his imposing stature, his expression was incredibly cute. Almost instinctively, Kang Woojin nearly poked Kim Dae-young’s eyes with his index and middle fingers. He just barely stopped himself. Woojin’s headache grew worse, and he glared intensely at Kim Dae-young.

‘Stop it. You bastard, just stay quite for once.’

However, Kim Dae-young, having no clue about his friend’s intentions, misinterpreted Woojin’s glare.

‘Yeah, yeah, dude. You’re thankful, right? I noticed it because I’m sharp. Ha. This guy, he’s having so much fun.’

The two had completely different understandings of the situation. Regardless, Kang Woojin glanced at Hong Hye-yeon and Choi Sung-gun behind Dae-young’s head. Both looked back at Woojin with slightly surprised expressions.

‘Do they believe him?’

Indeed, both seemed to believe what Kim Dae-young said. While Woojin wasn’t entirely sure why Kim Dae-young started this whole mess, he sighed in relief, feeling that the situation wasn’t too bad.

‘Because of this bastard, Kim Dae-young, things got a bit more complicated, but everything’s still under control.’

Just then.

“Mr. Kim Dae-young?”

From behind, the ponytailed Choi Sung-gun called out to Dae-young.

“You’ve become more cheerful... meaning, Woojin used to be...”

“Yes, CEO.”

Turning his head, Kim Dae-young nonchalantly elaborated on Woojin’s past.

“Woojin was intense. He was colder and more stoic than now. He was overwhelmingly domineering, charismatic, but also very arrogant and cynical.”

“Enough.”

Kang Woojin quickly interrupted Kim Dae-young and whispered in his ear.

“That’s enough, just shut up.”

Then Woojin, acting like nothing happened, asked Choi Sung-gun.

“CEO, why is he here?”

“Oh? Didn’t you hear from your friend? We are hiring new employees, and Dae-young submitted his application. Since he said he’s friends with you, I was just talking to him.”

“... Hiring?”

What the hell? Woojin’s gaze returned to Kim Dae-young, who again squinted his eyes. ‘Should I kill him?’ Woojin barely held back his erupting emotions and quietly spoke to Choi Sung-gun.

“CEO, give me a moment.”

“Hm?”

“I need to talk to my friend privately.”

“Ah, okay, go ahead.”

At that moment.

“Wait.”

Hong Hye-yeon, taking off her hat, spoke up.

“You said your name is Kim Dae-young, right?”

“...I’m Touched. No, yes, that’s my name. Thank you.”

“Huh? Anyway, why did you bring Woojin to the audition that day? With his personality, he wouldn’t have proposed it first.”

She was almost right. Indeed, Woojin had gone to the ‘Super Actor’ audition venue at Kim Dae-young’s request, all because of a full-course pork belly meal and Hong Hye-yeon. However, the now-serious Kim Dae-young glanced at Woojin and said,

“Although he’s good at design, in my eyes, it was a waste for him to just act out of boredom, alone.”

Woojin, feeling it was getting out of hand, forcibly pulled Kim Dae-young’s arm.

“Let’s go.”

Woojin then dragged Kim Dae-young out of the CEO’s office, leaving Choi Sung-gun and Hye-yeon behind. The two remained silent for a while, looking at the door.

“Oh my.”

Hong Hye-yeon, brushing her long hair, spoke first.

“If he’s this cheerful now, how gloomy was he in the past?”

Choi Sung-gun chimed in.

“Exactly. Even now, Woojin’s cynicism is on the edge. If we had met him in the past, he might have been intolerable.”

“...Perhaps Woojin’s unknown past or circumstances weren’t so good.”

“Probably. And during all that, he nurtured his self-worth and diligently self-studied acting... It’s impressive.”Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

“His self-taught acting is now dominating the domestic acting scene. It’s just so incomprehensible... Anyway, it’s clear he’s brightening up, right?”

“Yes. After all, his friend proved it.”

Hye-yeon crossed her arms, thinking of Woojin.

“Did acting, which he started out of boredom, save him?”

The misunderstanding in this place had already built a fortress.

Meanwhile.

Kang Woojin and Kim Dae-young arrived at the emergency exit stairs at the end of the corridor. As the imposing Kim Dae-young continued to chuckle, Woojin checked the hallway outside the metal door.

-Swish.

Upon ensuring no one was around, Woojin cursed at Kim Dae-young, albeit quietly.

“Are you crazy? What the hell were you doing here? You should’ve called me first.”

“Shut up. Did you tell us? You totally blindsided everyone, from movies to dramas. I just wanted to surprise you once. How did that feel?”

“Ugh. I almost threw up. Come this way for now.”

Hearing their conversation, the members from the film and distribution companies seemed relieved, and a senior-looking man from the film company asked Director Kyotaro.

“Director, do you really intend to cast a Korean actor in this film?”

Once again, all eyes in the conference room turned to Director Kyotaro. But instead of answering, he posed a question to Akari.

“I’m considering working with a Korean actor for this film. What do you think, ma’am?”

After a brief pause, Akari, who had been looking at the script, met eyes with Director Kyotaro.

“I’m in favor. Honestly, isn’t Korea’s actor scene far ahead of Japan’s? Not to mention KPOP, and the same goes for Korean dramas. Korean culture is becoming more and more dominant.”

“Regrettably, that’s true. Japan is currently stuck in its old ways.”

“Do you want to wake up our actors?”

“That’s part of it, but not the whole reason.”

At that moment, an executive from the distribution company intervened.

“I understand that intent. But if it’s a work by both the director and the writer, top Korean actors would be willing to participate. But the Korean actor you mentioned is still relatively unknown, right?”

Director Kyotaro responded immediately.

“Why choose an actor with low recognition? Because I have to. A top actor won’t serve as a wake-up call for our actors.”

“But... I checked that actor, and he’s been gaining some traction recently.”

“I’ve checked too.”

“Isn’t it too risky?”

“To be honest, I was surprised to see that actor’s popularity rise recently. There wasn’t any talk about him. There must have been some issues with the drama producers. But aside from that, I don’t understand why such a talented actor is only now getting recognition.”

The conference room began to buzz. There was an actor whom Director Kyotaro praised so highly. And he was a Korean actor. Kyotaro turned to Akari, the writer, and said:

“In my eyes, that Korean actor seemed to have honed his skills for at least a decade. I haven’t seen many actors deliver such a performance. He has a unique acting style; it was impressive.”

“You rate him that highly?”

“Words can’t express. I got chills the moment I saw his movie. But,”

At this point, Director Kyotaro turned his gaze to everyone in the room.

“That actor, who remained hidden for over a decade, finally did a short film and shined through a drama. And it wasn’t even a major role. The standards for acting in Korea are much higher compared to Japan. But how about Japan nowadays?”

“...”

“Powerful agencies monopolize, broadcasters keep using popular actors, and when a new actor emerges, their skills decline rapidly. Because the market is already saturated.”

Soon after,

“That’s why we need that actor. I hope everyone sees it. When I was shocked by his acting, I had to tell everyone. In Korea, such a talent is merely featured in a 30-minute short film.”

Director Kyotaro sighed deeply.

“Of course, I’ve considered that Korean actor’s skills, demeanor, charm, and ultimately, his impeccable Japanese. His Japanese language skills are equally important.”

Writer Akari, crossing her arms, asked,

“Can I see the actor’s information? I’ve never seen you so captivated by an actor. I’m curious. Has the actor expressed any interest in participating?”

“No, not yet. We plan to send the script and officially proceed with a casting meeting.”

“I see.”

After a brief reply, writer Akari pondered for a moment and looked back at Director Kyotaro.

“If you’re planning to go to Korea again, why not align with my schedule in Korea? I have work in Korea in June.”

She smiled lightly.

“I’d love to meet that actor too.”

Back in Korea, same night.

It was around 9:50 PM. The place was Hong Hye-yeon’s luxurious house in Cheongdam-dong, adorned in black and white. Sitting in the living room on a rug was Hong Hye-yeon.

Next to her,

“Wow, what’s this wine? It’s delicious!”

Was Hwalin with a mole below her eye. Both were casually dressed, with snacks and wine on the table, catching up after a while.

But there was a reason.

“By the way, sis, can we watch today’s episode 5 of ‘Hanryang’ together? What about the shooting?”

The 5th episode of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ would start in 10 minutes.

“It’s okay. I don’t have any shoot today. I’d love to watch it with you, Hwalin.”

“Touching- Cheers!”

Hwalin, sipping her wine, sneaked a glance at Hong Hye-yeon. Then, she subtly brought up the topic she was really curious about.

“By the way, sis. Will Park Dae-ri not appear from episode 5?”

The target, of course, was Kang Woojin. But suddenly, Hong Hye-yeon smiled and nudged Hwalin’s shoulder.

“Why? Ah! You- you like Kang Woojin, who played Park Dae-ri?”

Hwalin, who had secretly become a fan, fervently agreed in her heart.

‘Yes, totally. He’s cool and acts so well. Especially his unique acting tone, I’m so curious.’

But with what Hong Hye-yeon added,

“Surprising? Our Hwalin, falling for a male actor, and a rookie at that?”

Externally, Hwalin blurted out something entirely opposite.

“What, what are you saying? I don’t care for him at all.”

She started off on the wrong foot.

*****