Chapter 262 - Baeksang (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The large-scale first audition for ‘Beneficial Evil’ had begun. Participants would be screened here, move on to the second round, and then eventually leading to the final selection. Anyway, hundreds of participants gathered from the first waiting room to the third. More people showed up than expected, leading to the sudden creation of a fourth waiting room.

The audition process was simple.

The assistant director, who was in charge of the proceedings, called the participants in alphabetical order. About five people at a time entered the audition room to showcase their acting. In essence, it was no different from a public audition. The first team had just finished, and the second team had just entered the audition room.

Gradually, the participants in the waiting rooms began to look pale and flushed.

“Ugh… I feel sick.”

“You were like this last time too. If you mess up again this time, the professor will really scold you.”

“Ha- I seriously want to get at least a minor role. But Woojin-nim won’t come, right? I just want to see him in person at least once-”

“Why would someone who turned the Baeksang Awards upside down yesterday come here?”

The participants included theater troupe members, acting students, acting academy members, rookies from agencies, and unknown actors who came alone.

Participants with their unique charms.

They all had different vibes, but they all held one thing in common – they were all holding papers in one hand. It was the script for the acting they would showcase today. Since today’s audition was free acting, it would be the acting script each had prepared.

“Ah- shit, I can’t remember my lines, Manager.”

“You idiot! I told you to memorize them even while taking a dump!”

Groans were heard all over each waiting room. Some participants were amazed while looking at the audition-related information posted at the front of the waiting room.

-[Work: Beneficial Evil]

-[Director: Song Man-woo]

-[Writer: Choi Na-na]

-[Actor: Kang Woojin]

-[Production: Netflix Korea, DM Production]

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An interesting point was the changed status of Kang Woojin compared to the past.

“Get your head straight! It’s Kang Woojin, Kang Woojin. If you get into his work, it’ll become an issue no matter what, so if you land even a passerby role, it’s a jackpot. Okay?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Don’t be scared! Isn’t Kang Woojin your role model? There won’t be another chance like this, so put your life on the line.”

This was very simply proven in the many conversations at this audition site.

“Phew… If I pass the final round, I’ll be making a global debut with Kang Woojin. Just imagining it gives me goosebumps.”

“Don’t casually call my idol like that.”

“Is it just for you? For me and all the unknowns or trainees, Kang Woojin is almost god-like. More than that, is your acting for ‘Lee Sang-man’ ready? Of all things, you chose a role that’s in the realm of gods.”

“I prepared it knowing everyone would avoid it.”

“If you can portray even a speck of Kang Woojin’s acting, you might pass.”

In this place, Kang Woojin was an ultra-level superstar. Of course, he already had top-level influence in the country, but in this audition room, he was treated as somewhat godly and alien-like.

Pioneer, idol, role model, etc.

To them, Woojin was both a strong hope and a catalyst. The achievements he built in just two years were so tremendous. Yes, it felt like a new human race discovering a new continent and walking ahead without hesitation. That’s exactly how it was.

Regardless, the hundreds of audition participants struggled in their own ways.

Who among them would get through the second audition and receive the final acceptance? However, compared to the participants’ fighting spirit, the teams entering the audition room often came back in less than five minutes.

“Okay, that’s enough. Alright- next team.”

It was because among the total of five judges, the main one, PD Song Man-woo, made quick decisions. Watching the acting took only 10 seconds to at most 30 seconds. Still, for a big shot like PD Song Man-woo to watch this much meant he was showing quite a lot of interest.

Usually, they didn’t even watch for 5 seconds. Plus, there were too many participants.

“Start when you’re ready.”

“Yes, yes!”

PD Song Man-woo, looking at the five participants standing in front of him, began to feel the fatigue setting in.

‘Hoo- there’s no talent, no talent at all.’

Even after seeing over 10 teams, there wasn’t a single participant who stood out. More than half lacked even the basics. Those who did have the basics had no charm. It was common for them to fumble their lines.

‘I expected this, but not to this pitiful extent.’

He was prepared. PD Song Man-woo knew that 80% of the participants would be meaningless. It was a moment when he deeply felt just how extraordinary Kang Woojin was.

‘Damn it. Still, I have to endure until the end. Even if it’s hard to find a pearl necklace, if I can at least get a silver ring, it’s a success.’

Thus, the audition continued quietly yet intensely. 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1 hour and 30 minutes. As time went on, the other judges besides PD Song Man-woo grew weary, but no notable actor emerged. The best they could find were participants who were merely considered for minor roles.

PD Song Man-woo grumbled.

“It’s a drought, a drought.”

The other judges from the casting team agreed.

“Exactly. If at least their looks were good, we could ask questions, but so far, it’s been quite bland, hasn’t it?”

“Their acting is, to put it nicely, about the level of a college freshman.”

“Let’s proceed quickly. Call the next team.”

The next team of 5 entered the audition room. Acting began immediately. The first participant’s diction was a mess from the start. The second was the same. The third had a unique look but lacked basic acting skills.

Then came the fourth participant.

She was a young girl. She had short dark brown hair and was petite. Her face was just cute like that of a puppy. As soon as PD Song Man-woo saw her, he felt it.

‘If she becomes famous, she could easily earn the title of the nation’s little sister.’

Small and cute? Adorable? Lovely? If you had to visualize the word ‘cute’, it would look exactly like her. Even her shoe size seemed tiny. Maybe around 210? 215? Just by her appearance, PD Song Man-woo guessed her voice. However,

“Hello, I’m Lim Hae-eun.”

Her voice was slightly low and gloomy, an unexpected twist that made PD Song Man-woo’s brow twitch subtly.

“······”

Soon, PD Song Man-woo, who was quietly watching Lim Hae-eun standing in front of him, looked down at her profile without a word.

-Flip.

It was the first time PD Song Man-woo examined a participant’s profile so deeply. Then he found something intriguing and asked her.

“Hmm? Is your mother a shaman?”

“Yes. Since I was young.”

“Yet you aspire to be an actor?”

“My mother told me not to become a shaman.”

“Hmm- I see.”

Other than that, nothing stood out. She was 20 years old, attending a university acting department while also going to an acting academy. This kind of background was common among other participants too.

“Okay, let’s see your acting.”

“Yes.”

Taking a small breath, she muttered again.

“The prepared scene is from the short film ‘Exorcism’, playing the role of Kim Ryu-jin.”

PD Song Man-woo was slightly surprised. He had seen many who prepared scenes of Kang Woojin’s acting, but it was the first time seeing someone prepared for Kim Ryu-jin from ‘Exorcism’.

‘Woojin’s expression through sound and acoustics was outstanding. But she’s attempting that?’

As PD Song Man-woo, whose interest was piqued, slowly nodded, Lim Hae-eun suddenly sat down on the floor. Then, unlike her slightly gloomy demeanor earlier, she began to breathe grotesquely and heavily.

Her body trembled, and her eyes rolled rapidly.

At that moment, PD Song Man-woo, who had been twirling a pen in his hand, stopped and his gaze sharpened.

‘Oh-ho?’

Meanwhile.

Foreign media outlets were simultaneously releasing similar articles. The first hint was dropped two days ago. By now, it had grown quite large.

『Rumors of Miley Cara working on her album with a Korean actor spreads like wildfire』

Miley Cara was such a global star. Hence, there were plenty of paparazzi, and since it was about Cara, most of the photos in the articles were paparazzi shots of her.

『Miley Cara’s sudden moves, Hollywood and fans are buzzing while she remains silent』

The fact that a Korean actor would participate in Cara’s new album project? What kind of nonsense is this? Most of the foreign news articles were filled with question marks. In other words, they didn’t quite understand. It could be a tabloid rumor. It might be an absurd clickbait story.

Korean tabloids are no joke, but Hollywood’s are beyond imagination.

They might reveal a nonexistent pregnancy or suddenly break a completely made-up affair overnight. Compared to those, Cara’s article, as absurd as it was, seemed almost cute. However, Miley Cara was a top-tier singer. Therefore, the articles spread rapidly among various foreign news outlets.

There was something strange about it. If it were a Korean singer, it might make sense. The KPOP wave is quite strong. But a Korean actor? No matter how quirky Cara might be, it was odd.

So, where did this rumor originate? Where was it leaked from, and where did it start?

In truth, it wasn’t clear who started it.

But what does it matter?

The rumor that started in foreign media steadily transitioned to social media via paparazzi. The reactions from the global public were swift.

-A Korean actor? What kind of media play is this again?

-It’s obviously a fake article. At least it’s not saying Cara is pregnant.

-I think it’s possible. Some Korean actors are also singers.

-I was looking forward to Cara’s new album, but now I’m a bit worried.

-No way. Even if Miley Cara is a bit weird, she’s a professional right? Why suddenly a Korean actor?

-What does it matter? I’ll listen to anything she releases.

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Among them, there were also people who started applying their deductive skills.

-Didn’t Cara go to Korea recently to promote her movie? Something might have happened then.

-If you go to Cara’s YouTube channel, there’s a video of her singing a duet with a Korean actor. It could be that actor.

-I saw that video too but was that guy an actor?! I thought he was clearly a Korean singer!

Thus, the rumor about Cara, which started abroad, gained momentum, and even on a massive filming set in LA late in the afternoon, Cara was being talked about.

Specifically, it was the team of producer Joseph Felton watching the filming.

“Joseph.”

It was the bald Robert who called Joseph, who was gazing at the set depicting a village. Joseph, dressed casually in a suit, turned his head at the sound. Robert showed him his phone.

“Have you seen the article about Miley Cara? It’s causing quite a stir these days.”

Joseph, arms crossed, looked at the article on the phone and chuckled.

“Hmm- So, Cara went to Korea to see ‘Leech’ because of this.”

“So, the ‘Korean actor’ in the article refers to Kang Woojin?”

“Well. It’s not 100%, but I think it’s close to 90%. This issue probably leaked from Cara’s side.”

“Cara leaked it?”

“Yes. It’s a way of giving a heads-up to the media and the public. So they don’t get too shocked.”

“Do you think it’s confirmed?”

“No. I haven’t heard it directly from Cara. Kang Woojin’s side might have rejected the offer.”

The bald Robert standing next to Joseph scratched his head.

“Ever since I found out about Kang Woojin, a lot of unusual things have been happening. Isn’t Cara famous for working on her albums solo, without any featuring or joint work?”

“People sometimes act blindly when they’re infatuated with something. More than that-”

Joseph, trailing off, turned his gaze forward. Numerous filming staff and Hollywood actors were performing intensely. He was currently watching the filming of a famous drama’s fourth season. The black Joseph scratched his chin.

“Ever since I came back from Korea, nothing impresses me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Their acting.”

“Are you comparing them to Kang Woojin?”

“······”

The giant Joseph remained silent. It was a silent confirmation. Even when he tried to deliberately forget Woojin’s acting, watching the performances of Hollywood actors naturally reminded Joseph of the filming set of ‘Leech’.

“I don’t feel disappointed, but it doesn’t catch my eye either. They are doing well; it’s just that I’ve seen something new and extraordinary.”

It was as if he had seen a master craftsman’s skill.

Bald Robert, seemingly sharing similar thoughts, chimed in.

“Certainly… it’s hard to find the same impact we experienced in Korea.”

“When an actor is consistently shocking, one gets used to it. That’s why some veteran actors make reckless mistakes. The line between brilliance and recklessness is thin. But somehow, Kang Woojin knows how to navigate that ambiguous boundary. How is that even possible?”

“Then why aren’t you working on anything with him?”

Joseph, chuckling, replied.

“Even if he were extraordinarily cast in a Hollywood movie, he’s an actor who would simply refuse. Do you think Kang Woojin would pack his bags and get on a plane just because I called?”

“······”

“He’ll have his desired entrance. Probably- that will be Cannes.”

Having finished his speculation, Joseph scratched his chin.

“For now, I think finding a suitable project for him is the priority.”

Back to Korea.

The audition for ‘Beneficial Evil’ was nearing its conclusion. By now, it was past 2 PM. Among the judges gathered in the audition room, PD Song Man-woo stretched out long.

“Ahh! Whew, how many teams are left?”

The assistant director waiting by the door immediately responded.

“About three teams left.”

“It’s long, so long.”

Still, they had found some worthwhile candidates. Starting with the noteworthy Lim Hae-eun, they had selected about 50 participants to watch again in the second round.

“Let’s push through to the end.”

“Yes!”

The assistant director nodded vigorously and brought in the next team. The previous team had five women, but this time it was five men.

And then.

‘Hmm? This guy- not bad.’

The first man standing drew PD Song Man-woo’s attention. Clean? Pure? First of all, his skin was clear. He looked over 180 cm tall. He was definitely handsome, with a prominent, kind image. His eyes, nose, and lips were well-defined. His simply styled hair was a subtle brown. He exuded freshness.

A face that would be a free pass with women.

At this point, PD Song Man-woo suddenly thought of Kang Woojin.

‘······He’s the opposite of Woojin. Quite the contrast in both vibe and appearance.’

Indeed, he had a face that was the polar opposite of Kang Woojin.

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