Gentle Visual Acting Genius Chapter 9 - Reading

#Reading

 

“Hehehe.”

 

At the OTBC drama division office.

 

Woo Heejoo was glued to her tablet, looking like she’d read every single article about <The Punisher: Vigilante> across every Korean portal site. A silly laugh finally escaped her lips.

 

Director Jung Daeman shook his head and asked.

 

“Geez… you’re really that happy?”

 

“How could I not be? Our drama just debuted and already hit number one in its time slot!”

 

“That’s not the only reason Writer Woo is so excited, right? The name ‘Seon Woohyun’ is plastered all over, he’s the main topic everywhere.”

 

“Oh, come on, Director. Don’t pretend like you’re not enjoying this too. Look at this! Didn’t I tell you we made the right choice casting Woohyun?”

 

She brought her tablet closer to Director Jung’s face.

 

Just as she said, the entertainment sections were flooded with coverage of <The Punisher: Vigilante>. In fact, the majority of the articles covering the third episode were focused entirely on Seon Woohyun.

 

After all, the peak viewership moment from the previous night was the scene where Woohyun appeared. They’d both practically gasped when they saw the numbers.

 

“Yeah, Writer Woo has a good eye for talent. But let’s not forget, I also made sure to take care of things during the editing process. It was my idea to suggest that we feature him again in the later episodes and get Tree Actors to approve it, remember?”

 

“I admit it, that’s true!”

 

“Speaking of this Seon Woohyun guy… he’s going to be a lead in <Fanatic>, right? Even with Nam Juwon’s recommendation, it’s impressive he made it past Jang Hangyeol’s picky eye. That director doesn’t mess around when it comes to acting.”

 

“We both saw his skills firsthand, Director. But at this rate, isn’t he going to become a superstar?”

 

“It’s a good thing we got his confirmation before he becomes a superstar. So, Writer Woo, I’m counting on you for Seon Woohyun’s episodes in the latter half. If you pull it off, who knows? Maybe he’ll sign on for your next project too.”

 

A few months ago, he was just a rookie actor in a minor role. But now? He was the center of public’s attention.

 

Once again, they were reminded just how unpredictable the entertainment industry could be.

 

The two of them spent the night brainstorming the perfect episode for the breakout rookie actor who was about to board the express train to fame.

 

***

 

All the pre-production work for <Fanatic> was finished, and it was time for the final check before heading to the set. 

 

The day for the first script reading of <Fanatic> had finally arrived. 

 

Back in his previous life, when Seon Woohyun was about to attend his very first script reading, he’d been so nervous about messing up in front of veteran actors and the director that he stayed up all night, wide-eyed with anxiety.

 

However, this time was different. He was still sleepless, but not out of fear. It was excitement.

 

His face looked clear, angelic, like an innocent lamb. But the role he was about to potray is a twisted ‘saint’ of the Church of Ashes, more deranged than anyone, disguised behind a spotless mask.

 

This was his first opportunity to showcase an alluring villain character he had never played before in his life. And today, in front of all the other actors, he would be revealing that side of himself for the first time. How could he possibly sleep?

 

After a refreshing cold shower to clear his head and one liter of iced Americano as his wake-up potion, Woohyun was the first to arrive at the main conference room of #365 Productions, where the reading was about to take place.

 

Soon, the other actors began to file in. Most of them were much older than 22-year-old Seon Woohyun. So each time someone entered, he stood and greeted them without fail.

 

“Hello! Good morning! I’m looking forward to working with you!”

 

“Oh—uh, hello! Haha… yes. I look forward to working with you too.”

 

His polite tone and earnest smile seemed to throw them off a little. They responded with slightly awkward chuckles and made their way to their seats, quietly eyeing the rookie actor with curiosity.

 

They had all been cast after experiencing something entirely new and unforgettable during the audition, something brought on by the appearance of the out-of-nowhere phenomenon, Seon Woohyun. The lingering impression of Woohyun, who had been a complete acting monster back then, was still etched into their minds, making it a novel and unsettling experience.

 

Of course, not everyone felt the same.

 

“Woohyun-ssi, it’s great to see you again. We’re finally colleagues now, huh?

 

A woman approached Woohyun, hand extended with a bright smile. It was Min Sooah.

 

During the audition, she acted with Woohyun without a shred of regret. That raw exchange led to her being cast on the spot as the female lead. Now she stood here as the heroine of <Fanatic>, formerly <Finding You>, the final installment of the Faith trilogy, and her first-ever film after always filming dramas. Not just any film, but one directed by the box-office hitmaker Jang Hangyeol.

 

No one knew about the private solo dance party and soju-beer mix she had that night after leaving the audition room calmly. But even Woohyun could tell, Min Sooah was glowing with happiness.

 

“I really enjoyed watching  <The Punisher> recently. I tune in live every week.”

 

“Oh! Was it because of me?”

 

“Ah, not really, haha… I have been a member of Only NamJu fandom since before my debut.”

 

“Oh ho, Juwon hyung have to hear this. I should tell him.”

 

“Huh!? Really?! Ah! You were from the same agency!” 

 

Then, a booming, energized greeting echoed through the conference room.

 

Woohyun chuckled at Min Sooah’s unexpected exclamation, a mix of shock, surprise, and a bit of joy, when Woohyun casually announced he would tell his senior about her being a fan. As they broke the ice, a loud and energetic greeting echoed through the conference room.

 

It was Hong Jiwoo, the actor who would portray the last leading character, Jooho, the last main character to lead the narrative of <Fanatic> along with Min Sooah and Woohyun.

 

“Hello! I’m Hong Jiwoo! Please take care of me!”

 

“Hello! Nice to meet you!”

 

“Wow, you really have a lot of energy! I heard this is your first movie, just like me.”

 

Woohyun saw a reflection of himself from just a few months ago, when he confidently greeted everyone on the set of <The Punisher>. The only difference was in their appearances.

 

Woohyun watched Hong Jiwoo greeting everyone one by one with interest. It was because in his past life, he wasn’t the main character of <Fanatic>. One of the changes that came with Woohyun’s reincarnation was the presence of Hong Jiwoo right in front of him.

 

‘His acting was powerful.’

 

Woohyun recalled Hong Jiwoo’s powerful performance at the audition, when he had felt like a seasoned detective had just appeared on the scene.

 

Perhaps it was because he had participated in the audition, the actor who had played Jooho in his previous life had been disappointingly lackluster. During their scene together, he had ignored the chemistry with Woohyun, focusing solely on his own lines, and was so underwhelming that Director Jang Hangyeol halted the scene in disappointment.

 

Hong Jiwoo had auditioned next. His natural chemistry with Woohyun lit up the room, and caught the director’s attention, earning him some unintended benefits.

 

As Woohyun reminisced, Jiwoo stepped up to greet them, still brimming with energy.

 

“Hello! I’m Hong Jiwoo! Please take care of me in the future!”

 

“Hello. I’m Min Sooah. Even though I only saw you from afar, but I swear it felt like Jooho himself just walked in. Please take care of me.”

 

“Yes! I’ve been a fan of actress Min Sooah since Purple Love!”

 

“Ugh. It’s embarrassing to talk about that!”

 

After praising Min Sooah’s idol days with an enthusiastic smile, Jiwoo turned to shake hands with Woohyun.

 

‘Wow, he looks like a saint. Can a person look like that?’

 

‘Why does he seem so familiar…? Maybe it’s because he looks like a younger version of me in my past life, just a little more innocent.’

 

Without realizing what the other was thinking, the three leads naturally began chatting and building chemistry.

 

In the meantime, one thing surprised Min Sooah and Woohyun.

 

“He’s the same age as Woohyun?”

 

“Yes. Twenty-two.”

 

“Wow…I see.”

 

Hong Jiwoo’s soft facial features and gentler vibe—compared to Woohyun’s cold, intense past-life appearance—were surprising even to Min Sooah.

 

Hong Jiwoo’s soft facial features and gentler vibe compared to the born-to-be villainous face that Woohyun had in his past life, were surprising even to Min Sooah.

 

In the movie, Hong Jiwoo’s character Jooho is a 32-year-old character, four years older than his lover Gahee.

 

Hong Jiwoo ended up playing a character who was ten years older than himself.

 

And yet, it somehow felt completely natural.

 

‘I had experienced it in my past life too.’

 

Hearing Jiwoo’s age and looking at him again, Woohyun felt like he could see the path of Jiwoo’s future laid out in front of him.

 

Thinking that way, his fondness for Jiwoo grew.

 

About thirty minutes passed.

 

All the actors were seated, Director Jang Hangyeol entered, and the making film cameras were ready. The script reading was about to begin.

 

“Out of all the Faith series productions, I feel the energy today is something else. I’ll turn you all into stars, so let’s go all in!”

 

With Director Jang Hangyeol’s energetic clap, the script reading finally began.

 

The scene they would rehearse was a crucial one where all characters appear on-screen together.

 

It’s the climax, where the saint, who had gone berserk after encountering the illusion of the world’s destruction, offers Jooho and Gahee as sacrifices in the final ritual. The character who leads the entire atmosphere of the scene is none other than the saint played by Woohyun.

 

Everyone’s gaze fell on Woohyun.

 

Woohyun slowly moved his lips as he scanned the audience with his eerie yet focused gaze.

 

“The time has come… for the world’s pain to turn to ash. Now, now! It is time to ignite the first flame!”

 

Woohyun’s voice surged like wildfire, engulfing the room.

 

As his declaration ended, the actors playing cult members responded with gasps and shouts of prayer.

 

Woohyun’s eyes sharpened as he pointed to Hong Jiwoo and Min Sooah. His lines continued. 

 

“Look! Our kindling! Our sacrifice to light the flame of salvation! And what must we do to attain salvation!”

 

The incredible voice and overwhelming aura coming from that delicate face and body took over the entire atmosphere. The actors playing the cult members, drawn into the atmosphere, began to show glimmers of madness.

 

They all cried out in unison.

 

The energy shifted.

 

“Burn! Burn!”

 

“You crazy bastards! Come to your senses!”

 

“…Gahee!”

 

“Burn!”

 

“Salvation!”

 

“Light it!”

 

The dialogue between Hong Jiwoo as Jooho  and Min Sooah as Gahee continued, but were almost drowned out by the cult’s frenzied shouting.

 

Watching from the head seat, Director Jang Hangyeol clenched his fists, eyes wide.

 

‘No one’s even looking at the script. They’re all locked on Seon Woohyun, the saint!’

 

Could this even be called a reading?

 

The #365 conference room had vanished, replaced by the isolated mountain chapel of the Church of Ashes.

 

Director Jang Hangyeol was completely absorbed in this moment full of realism.

 

Next to the filming director who was filming the making film, Assistant Director Kim Heegon looked around, noticed all the actors and even the face of his absent-minded superior and director, Jang Hangyeol, and scratched the back of his neck.

 

Strangely he let out a realistic worry.

 

“If this keeps up, are we really going to end up starting a religion after filming?”