How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor – Chapter 8

Author: Cireng

Chapter 8

I never thought I’d live to see the day someone offered up a prey animal instead of tribute money.

‘They really do play childish games.’

Weren’t Yoo Seulho, Park Sangin, and Woo Junseo all the same age… twenty-five?

‘Was I that childish when I was twenty-five?’

I tried to recall ten years ago, but the memories were hazy.

I can’t even remember what I ate yesterday. How am I supposed to remember that?

‘Anyway, it’s pathetic.’

The bastard who picks people to bully based on recommendations, and the bastard who recommends an easy target just to curry favor. Tsk.

‘Park Sangin, I’ll deal with you later.’

I’ll beat you thoroughly… enough for Yoo Seulho’s share too.

‘I should at least do this much in exchange for borrowing his body.’

The detective agency’s report still hadn’t arrived, so I didn’t know the real Yoo Seulho very well yet. But someone who got pushed around even by his manager couldn’t possibly have escaped Woo Junseo’s bullying.

Thinking about how the original Yoo Seulho had probably been toyed with and mocked by Woo Junseo until his pride was crushed made me irrationally angry.

‘I’ll make you think getting beaten would’ve been the better option.’

As I’ve said before, physically threatening celebrities isn’t a very efficient choice.

You can end up tangled in annoying things like defamation claims or lawsuits.

And now that I was aware I was inhabiting Yoo Seulho’s body, I wasn’t about to beat up people as casually as I did Hyun Jingae.

In the end, social standing was what mattered.

If Yoo Seulho’s reputation, in simple terms, his ‘status’, rose above Park Sangin and Woo Junseo’s, there would be no greater revenge.

‘Making their lives miserable afterward would just be a bonus.’

For that reason, I absolutely had to do well this time.

It was unfortunate that my role was useless for now, but whining wouldn’t change anything.

‘I’d be better off reading the script again.’

After organizing my thoughts, I returned to the reading room.

With the reading about to begin, everyone had settled into their seats, either reviewing their scripts or chatting quietly.

As I wandered around looking for the desk with Yoo Seulho’s name on it, I was a little surprised to find my seat right next to the male lead, Kang Minjun.

‘Looks like they still respect career seniority even if the role itself is insignificant.’

I kept my expression under control and sat down.

Across from me was a nameplate that read:

[Seo Yuna (Actress Choi Ran)]

The actress already seated there glanced up from her script and greeted me.

“Long time no see, oppa.”

“…Ah, yeah. Hello.”

I froze for a moment at the unexpected familiarity before quickly responding.

I had done my research beforehand, but since she had never appeared in the same production as Yoo Seulho, I hadn’t expected them to know each other.

‘Oh, right.’

She was a former child actress too, just like Yoo Seulho.

There weren’t that many actors who successfully transitioned from child roles to adult roles, so they were bound to know each other.

Even if they’d never worked together, they’d probably crossed paths at broadcasting stations countless times over the years.

After the brief greeting, Choi Ran immediately returned to her script.

‘She looks pure and elegant.’

She gave off a feeling very similar to the Seo Yuna I had imagined while reading the script.

The same was true for Woo Junseo.

Whatever his personality was like in reality, his face suited a male lead perfectly.

‘So I’m supposed to awkwardly wedge myself between this handsome leading man and beautiful leading lady?’

Not only did I have to abuse the male lead, but I also had to hit on the female lead.

Busy, busy.

I was just thinking that even being trash required dedication when…

“Whew, everyone’s been waiting a while, right? Sorry I’m late~!”

PD Jang hurried into the reading room.

And attached firmly to his side was Woo Junseo, smiling sweetly like a favored concubine while massaging the PD’s shoulders.

“We all know you’re the busiest person here, PD-nim. Hahaha. No need to apologize.”

The contrast between this gentle, flattering attitude and the expression he’d shown me earlier was striking.

Unaffected by the sycophant’s words, PD Jang apologized sincerely to both the actors and staff.

“Then let’s begin the script reading for ‘Our Space!’”

“Waaah~!”

The red light on the camera in the corner switched on, and instantly everyone’s face blossomed into picture-perfect smiles.

Competition, disdain, pride, nervousness…

A mixture of emotions filled the air.

The lead actors introduced themselves first, and after everyone had finished, PD Jang asked whether anyone had questions before the reading officially began.

I immediately raised my hand.

“Yes, Seulho-ssi.”

“PD-nim, what are your thoughts on ad-libs?”

“Ad-libs? If they produce a better result than what’s in the script, then I’m all for it. But…”

PD Jang rubbed his chin and hesitated.

“I’m not really fond of actors who just throw ad-libs around recklessly on set. There’s the issue of consideration toward the other actors, and sometimes it’s obvious they’re only doing it to stand out.”

He explained that when actors focused too much on increasing their own screen time, scenes could lose balance and stop fitting the overall work.

“In the end, what matters is making the project good. So if you have a good idea, just tell me beforehand. I’m always open to discussing things in advance.”

“Understood.”

“The fact that you’re asking means you must have an idea. Want to tell us?”

Even as he asked, PD Jang looked doubtful.

The assistant writers and staff beside him wore similar expressions.

Their faces practically said:

‘Is your character important enough to be doing ad-libs?’

And the look in Woo Junseo’s eyes beside me clearly conveyed:

‘You little bastard. Didn’t I tell you not to get ahead of yourself?’

‘Sorry, but I have to.’

If I didn’t make a move now, I’d end up stuck with another useless role next time too.

Pretending not to notice Woo Junseo’s stare, I continued calmly.

“The character I’m playing, Kang Minwoo, is an irrational piece of trash who hits on a girl who’s getting close to his own younger brother, right? He’s even disgusting because he’s an adult trying to make moves on a college freshman who just turned twenty.”

“Uh, y-yeah?”

“I read the lines you wrote for him, Director, and honestly they’re wonderfully trashy. But I thought if we added a few things, he might come across as an even more perfect piece of garbage.”

“I-I see. So… what exactly did you want to add?”

PD Jang blinked blankly.

Feeling everyone staring at me, I continued smoothly.

“When he flirts with the female lead, Seo Yuna, how about using the exact same line the male lead used before? But making it feel much more uncomfortable.”

“Oh.”

“That actually makes sense.”

The assistant writers immediately supported my suggestion.

After thinking for a moment, PD Jang asked if I could demonstrate.

“For example, in Scene 2-13, the male lead tells the female lead, ‘I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately.’ It feels simple and youthful. In contrast, I’d do it like this.”

I lowered my gaze briefly, then looked directly at PD Jang.

“Lately… I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”

My voice dropped three full tones lower than before, sounding like a man desperately trying to appear masculine.

I whispered as though nobody else existed except the listener and me, deliberately packing every word with breath.

‘A strangely sticky feeling.’

While giving him moist, lingering eyes, I raised only one corner of my mouth and finished the line as though I thought I was irresistibly sexy.

The moment I finished…

“Ugh, motherfu-!”

PD Jang swore as if he were about to throw up.

Then his eyes widened, and he immediately apologized to everyone.

“Ah! Sorry. Sorry, everyone. I just couldn’t hold it in.”

“Hahahaha!”

Hearing a curse during a filmed script reading was rare enough that everyone burst into laughter.

Perhaps because of that honest reaction, the tension broke, and people began adding their own comments.

“Wow, Seulho-ssi really nailed that.”

“I hate it even more because it’s so obvious he thinks he looks cool~!”

“Exactly! Guys always lower their voices when they do that.”

The women reacted especially strongly.

Among the women visibly cringing, Choi Ran, who would be playing the female lead, let out a deep sigh.

“…You’re saying I’m the one who has to hear that line?”

The room erupted into laughter again.

While everyone laughed, one person was only forcing an awkward smile.

Woo Junseo.

He laughed enough to match the mood, but every chance he got, he shot daggers at me.

It wasn’t a difficult reaction to understand.

‘If this were anyone else, the other actors would probably be reacting just like Woo Junseo.’

Whenever one actor attracted attention, another actor inevitably lost some.

Naturally, fellow actors weren’t inclined to appreciate someone drawing attention to themselves like this.

‘But Yoo Seulho is a different story.’

Everyone knew he carried the nickname “useless actor,” and everyone knew this role wasn’t important either.

No matter how much I stood out, the other actors had no reason to feel threatened.

“Seulho-ssi, that’s a great idea. When we do the reading later, give it to us exactly like that. And our female lead can just endure it a little~!”

“Haha, Ran-ssi, stay strong.”

“If anyone else has ideas like Seulho-ssi’s, feel free to suggest them anytime.”

The look PD Jang gave me became noticeably more positive.

‘Good.’

My screen time hadn’t increased, but my visibility had.

To put it bluntly, it wasn’t as if I possessed genius-level acting talent. Even if I were handed a leading role right now, it wouldn’t solve anything.

‘First, I need to earn praise from the position I already have.’

One step at a time.

Slowly, but surely.

Consume everything.

With everyone except Woo Junseo in high spirits, the script reading finally began in earnest.

The male lead and female lead met at university.

Their relationship gradually developed.

And during all of that, I had absolutely nothing to do.

Then, near the end of Episode 1…

my turn finally approached.

I could feel Woo Junseo glancing at me from beside me.

Three.