How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 141

Chapter 141

 

The day the team meeting was held after reading the script Writer Gu Nahui had sent.

The first thing Team Leader Ahn said was,

“I think you should do it.”

“…That’s it?”

One of the staff members looked dumbfounded.

He said it was the most powerful script he’d ever read, marveling that Writer Gu Nahui’s thrillers really were on another level.

The other employees chimed in as well.

“Getting the lead role in a project like this is basically like winning the lottery.”

“Calm down.”

Team Leader Ahn soothed the overexcited employees as if he were calming down a pack of dogs.

“The script is good. But sometimes only the script is good.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not every one of Writer Gu’s projects is a huge success. Two out of every ten completely flop. But were those two scripts bad? Not at all.”

Team Leader Ahn tapped the script repeatedly with his pen.

The face that always wore a gentle smile became noticeably sharper whenever they were in a meeting.

“The script is good. The role is good. Everything’s good… but I’m a little worried about the PD directing this one. I don’t know if he’ll get along with Seulho.”

“What kind of person is he?”

“A textbook case of someone weak before the strong and strong before the weak. Writer Gu is the biggest boss, right? He’s definitely only going to listen to her. I get the feeling he won’t even pretend to listen to anyone else.”

‘I see.’

Team Leader Ahn had pretty good instincts.

The moment I saw the male PD standing behind Writer Gu, I’d thought exactly the same thing.

‘That guy… he’s definitely a loser.’

I was even more certain than I’d been when I first met Director Seo.

To be fair, Director Seo had simply been a brat.

He’d been given authority for the first time and felt like he had to act tough.

‘But this PD is different.’

You could tell just from the way he treated Writer Gu.

He bowed and scraped before her… but you could also see, in real time, how much it wounded his pride.

The way he quietly bit his lip and endured it made me certain.

‘Ah… he’ll definitely take it out on someone else later.’

Those kinds of losers were the worst.

The moment Writer Gu left the set, that PD would undoubtedly see himself as the absolute authority.

Just as he’d served Writer Gu, he’d expect everyone else to worship him.

‘And the “everyone else” would most likely be the lead actor.’

If I passed the audition… that role would fall to me.

After thinking it through, my only reaction was: ‘Pathetic.’

The word worry never even crossed my mind.

A villain of that level couldn’t possibly be a villain to me.

‘Sure, filming with a director who listens to me would be easier.’

But if life were always that easy… it wouldn’t be life.

If someone spouted nonsense, I’d just let it go in one ear and out the other.

It wasn’t like we’d be seeing each other for the rest of our lives.

“Don’t worry. Even if we don’t get along, I’ll handle it.”

At my calm reply, Team Leader Ahn looked at me.

He studied my eyes for a moment before smiling.

“Good. Just keep him calm. Don’t let emotions ruin the project.”

“Yes. Then I’ll give them a positive answer. They’re calling it an audition, but honestly, I don’t think they’re treating it that seriously either.”

Normally, when people heard the word audition, they imagined multiple candidates competing for one role.

But this audition was closer to a simple confirmation that I could pull off the character.

“Even so, I’d better prepare properly.”

“Of course.”

There was one thing both Team Leader Ahn and the staff kept repeating.

“Appearing in one of Gu Nahui’s works is basically the same as earning a professional certificate as an actor.”

In other words, it was proof that you were an actor worth using.

Even if the project didn’t become a hit, it would greatly strengthen future casting opportunities.

And if it did become a hit… I could even become a global star.

‘I didn’t realize she was that influential.’

Hearing industry people speak so highly of her finally made it feel real.

“I really hope Seulho gets the part. It’ll be his first lead role…!”

“Your first lead, and it’s in a Gu Nahui drama? That’s huge.”

The employees were more excited than I was.

Writer Gu had an incredibly loyal fanbase.

Especially in the thriller and genre-drama field, people said she had no equal.

Most female writers focused on romance. But Writer Gu’s works contained no romance whatsoever.

Medical dramas in Korea usually turned into doctors falling in love.

Legal dramas usually became prosecutors and lawyers falling in love.

Yet she was the only writer who had successfully made genre dramas without romance in a country practically obsessed with romance.

‘I see.’

In the end, there were only two things I needed to know.

Writer Gu’s status was even greater than I’d imagined.

And… I absolutely had to seize this opportunity.

This was the perfect chance to raise Yoo Seulho’s value.

‘Okay.’

I added Writer Gu to my mental list of people I should leave a good impression on.

Our first meeting hadn’t gone badly. If I kept building the relationship, it should be fine.

“Good work!”

“Mr. Seulho, fighting!”

After the meeting ended, the employees left the room.

Only Team Leader Ahn, Choo Seomok, and I remained.

“When’s the audition?”

“We’ll schedule it as soon as you’re ready. It just can’t overlap with the movie’s promotional period.”

Director Baek’s film ‘What I Loved’ would premiere at the end of February.

Honestly, I’d wondered whether the editing schedule was too tight… but Director Baek had been extremely confident.

The poster and teaser trailer would be released soon, so the schedule probably wouldn’t change.

“There’ll be a press conference in January. Then, starting about two weeks before release, you’ll begin full-scale promotions. Talk shows, radio, interviews… it’ll be absolute chaos.”

“So after the movie comes out, I’ll finally get to rest?”

Apparently not.

“You’ll have stage greetings during opening week, and if audience response is good, they could continue into the second week.”

That was also when movie YouTubers would begin uploading reviews, so we’d have to monitor public reaction.

Sometimes a film that looked like a flop would suddenly surge in popularity, resulting in more theaters adding screenings.

“It’s a lot more complicated than I expected.”

“Right. Anything else you’re curious about?”

I thought for a moment before shaking my head.

He told me to ask anytime something came to mind.

‘Amazing.’

How could he not look at me like I was hopeless?

From the perspective of someone who believed I really was Yoo Seulho… the only possible thought was, “What exactly does this guy know?”

‘Even if his parents handled everything for him…’

Yoo Seulho had already appeared in dozens of films and dramas.

Someone with that kind of career asking questions any ordinary person would ask… couldn’t help but seem strange.

“Just in case, Seulho.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t let it get to you if the movie doesn’t perform well after release.”

Even now, Team Leader Ahn was worrying about my mental state.

Romance films were particularly difficult to make into box office successes.

Still, since it was Director Baek Jinhee’s work, critics would almost certainly praise it.

And that alone would benefit my career.

“You’re worried about me?”

“It’ll be your first project after joining our agency. I just don’t want you to lose confidence.”

“If the movie flops, is that my fault?”

It’s not like I’d thrown a tantrum insisting I wanted to work with Director Baek.

Just like today’s meeting… the decision had been made after gathering everyone’s opinions.

There was no reason for me to shoulder the responsibility alone.

I basically said, in the least obnoxious way possible, If it succeeds, that’s because of me. If it fails, that’s because of all of you.

Team Leader Ahn smiled.

“I like your confidence.”

“If you take away my pride, there’s nothing left of me.”

“At first I misunderstood you. Sometimes you’re pretty harsh when you talk about yourself.”

“That’s not low self-esteem. That’s just having good self-awareness.”

Team Leader Ahn shook his head.

“Well… let’s talk about that over drinks someday.”

“Sure. Schedule the audition for one week from now.”

“So soon?”

“I don’t have anything else to do anyway.”

Team Leader Ahn agreed.

And just like that… my second drama audition was scheduled.

A week later, I would have to play a dentist whose peaceful life was suddenly thrown into a bloodbath.

To play a dentist… what should I prepare?

‘Hmm.’

After thinking it over, I headed to a certain building.

After checking the sign, I walked inside without hesitation.

“Welcome to Smile Dental Clinic. Do you have an appointment?”

“I have a scaling appointment at two.”

“Yes~ May I see your ID?”

The receptionist, who’d been looking only at her monitor, froze the moment she saw my ID.

Only then did she finally look up at my face.

She blinked.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah, n-no. Please have a seat. We’ll call your name shortly.”

“Thank you. Oh, and my friend has an appointment too.”

Choo Seomok handed over his ID.

Then we waited together… and went inside together.

“You two can sit over here~”

“Excuse me.”

I addressed the dental hygienist, showing us our seats.

“Would it be possible to do us one at a time instead of simultaneously? I’d like to go first, and then my friend afterward.”

“Uh… yes. That’s fine.”

She sounded puzzled, but answered politely.

Her voice was gentle, yet there wasn’t the slightest smile on her face.

‘Judging by her expression, customers like this must not be unusual.’

I memorized her expression before sitting in the chair.

“We’re going to cover your eyes now~”

The hygienist placed a cloth with a hole for my mouth over my face.

“Could we do this without the cloth?”

Once again, she looked puzzled, but replied kindly.

“No. We can’t~”

No room for negotiation.

When I asked why, she answered,

“During scaling, water splashes onto your face, so we need to cover you.”

After the cloth was placed over me… quite some time passed before the dentist approached.

“We’ll begin now.”

Without being able to see his face, his words weren’t very clear.

On top of that, he mumbled.

‘What is he saying?’

Maybe it was because everything was dark.

Or maybe because of the unsettling sound of the machine.

Either way… I felt a slight sense of discomfort and intimidation.

‘Ah… so that’s why therapy dogs are needed.’

“We’re all finished~”

The scaling ended in just ten minutes.

“Your oral health is excellent. There’s hardly any tartar.”

“No cavities?”

“None. Everything looks great. Thank you.”

With those words, I heard the dentist stand up and leave.

By the time the hygienist removed the cloth from my face, the dentist had already gone back into his office.

‘What the hell?’

After rummaging around inside someone else’s mouth, he didn’t even show his face once.

Then again…

“Miss, isn’t my friend next? Is someone else treating him instead of that dentist?”

“No. The same dentist will treat him.”

The hygienist answered politely.

At the same time, she was turning the inside-out gloves back to normal.

The very gloves the dentist had carelessly tossed aside.

“No, but it’ll take less than thirty seconds for him to lie down and pull up the chart. Wouldn’t it be easier for the dentist to just wait here? Going back into his office and coming out again seems like more trouble.”

“Pfft… Ah… well…”

The hygienist accidentally laughed before forcing an awkward smile.

Her face practically said, That’s exactly what I think too.

‘Interesting.’

Of course, every hospital was different… but this place definitely gave off the sense that the dentist had a very particular ego.

Next came Choo Seomok’s turn.

I stood beside him as if I were his guardian and observed.

Only then did I realize… the dentist looked even more annoyed than I’d expected.

‘He really looks like he doesn’t want to be here.’

I tried to memorize everything.

His eyes, His gestures, and every little movement.

Because of that… twenty minutes felt like two.

“That’s all. You have one cavity.”

“Does it need treatment?”

“No. It’s still very small. Just come back for another checkup in a few months and keep monitoring it.”

Surprisingly, the dentist gave an honest diagnosis.

Though, judging from his lazy expression, I couldn’t help but reasonably wonder if he was postponing treatment simply because he couldn’t be bothered.

“You can pay over there~”

“Thank you.”

After bowing one last time to the ever-polite dental hygienist, we left.

“Was it helpful?”

I nodded at Choo Seomok’s question.

It had been a good idea to come together.

I’d been able to observe things both from the patient’s perspective, and from the guardian’s perspective.

“Shall we go home now?”

“Yeah. Let me look around here for a minute first.”

“I’ll head down to the parking lot.”

After paying, Choo Seomok left the clinic first.

As I casually looked around the waiting room by myself…

“Welcome to Smile Dental Clinic.”

A man walked inside.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No. I couldn’t make one, but I was wondering if–”

“I’m sorry, but we’re appointment-only.”

“I just wanted a quick fluoride treatment–”

“I’m sorry.”

‘This place really doesn’t make exceptions.’

More importantly… that man’s voice sounded strangely familiar.

I quietly stared at his face.

Right then… he turned toward me.

The instant our eyes met… he froze.

“……”

“……”

At this point… I couldn’t help asking.

“Just in case… You’re not my stalker… are you?”

“……I swear, this is incredibly unfair.”

Noh Hamrak’s eyebrows drooped.

He looked genuinely wronged.