How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 97

Chapter 97

 

The script reading went more smoothly than expected.

Since most of the actors besides me were rookies, it seemed everyone had been worried about their acting skills.

The deep concern visible on the production staff’s faces disappeared not long after the reading began.

Because everyone was acting better than expected.

Of course, things might change once cameras started rolling, but for now, everyone’s acting was fairly stable.

More than anything, since they all had fresh faces, even slightly awkward moments were easy to overlook.

The audience wasn’t yet familiar with these actors’ voices, diction, or facial expressions, so there was less chance of them thinking, ‘Are they acting badly right now?’

‘Interesting.’

To be honest, I already knew some of them would be good.

I’d overheard something while greeting them earlier.

‘Three of them said they attended HanX Arts University, right?’

Korean X Arts Comprehensive School.

Three people had attended that famous university known for producing talented actors.

You could call it prejudice if you wanted, but aren’t prejudices built on accumulated data?

Sure, there were cases of people who rose up purely through talent from nothing, but actors who refined their skills through a traditional curriculum naturally had higher odds of being good.

Which made this even more fascinating.

‘How is she the one who stands out the most?’

Among the tense actors, the actress playing Ajin (the one grinning carefree by herself) was drawing far more attention than the others.

It was hard to believe she’d just been an ordinary college student a few months ago.

She delivered her lines without hesitation, her clear and confident voice fitting the character of Ajin perfectly.

‘The others are definitely better actors, though.’

Her acting wasn’t particularly stable, but somehow that precariousness itself held people’s attention.

I was just thinking, ‘So this is what natural talent looks like,’ while watching Ajin’s performance.

“Seulho-ssi?”

Oops.

I’d been so engrossed in watching the others that I’d missed my cue.

“I’m sorry. Everyone’s acting is so good that I got completely absorbed. My apologies. I’ll focus.”

I immediately bowed my head in apology.

The rookie actors who had spoken before me smiled shyly at my words, but someone reacted even faster than them.

“Naturally. I personally cast every single actor through auditions.”

Director Seo pushed up his glasses and spoke proudly.

Seeing him wearing rimless glasses I’d never seen before and pretending to look sophisticated made my fists itch.

‘Endure it. He’s the one paying me.’

It was funny seeing the guy who’d been calling me ‘hyung-nim’ three days ago acting like this.

Fine.

Let’s see how long that mask lasts.

 

***

 

“Everyone worked hard. There are a few areas we need to adjust, but… we’ll deal with those gradually. I think we’ll wrap things up here for today.”

“Great work, everyone~!”

“Wooow~!”

The five-hour reading ended without incident.

From my perspective, having gone through several readings already, this one had gone extremely smoothly.

But the actors experiencing their first reading seemed to feel differently.

“It’s tougher than I expected…”

“Ugh… I feel like my shoulders are going to cramp while I sleep tonight.”

Gone were the actors who had begun the day filled with excitement and nerves. Only exhausted people remained.

Seeing these newborn chicks already crying about dying was ridiculous, but I understood.

‘First times are like that.’

As I organized my things, someone tapped me on the back.

“Oppa, what are you doing after this?”

It was Ajin.

Unlike the others, she still looked bright-eyed and energetic.

“What about the seven of us going out drinking? It’d be fun if Director Seo joined too! Wow, it’d already be fun!”

I rejected her innocent proposal without a second thought.

“Sorry, I have something after this.”

“Really? That’s too bad. You’re the lead, too~. Can’t be helped. I’ll ask the others then. Good work today!”

Ajin turned away without any lingering regret.

Then she immediately started acting cute and asking the other actors to go drinking.

‘She really doesn’t hold back.’

Somehow, I felt a bit uneasy seeing her repeatedly do things that could easily earn criticism in the entertainment industry.

Not just in entertainment… even in ordinary social life, that sort of behavior could rub people the wrong way.

Her cheerfulness could easily be seen as lacking tact, and her boldness could sometimes come across as rude.

‘Maybe it’d be fine in a very small group.’

But with seven people gathered, not everyone could be universally liked.

Especially among hot-blooded people in their early twenties, it’s easy for someone to become an eyesore.

‘…But what’s that got to do with me?’

Why am I worrying about someone else’s business?

‘It’s not like I’m responsible for her…’

Moments like this made me feel like a complete old man.

It’s one thing to tell young people to get along, but trying to take care of every single one of them?

‘Mind your own business, okay?’

Since when did I become so selfless?

Clicking my tongue, I shook my head.

“Director! We’re going out after this–what are you doing later?!”

“Ah, I don’t have any particular plans…”

“Then come with us! Buy us drinks too~!”

I deliberately ignored Ajin cheerfully talking to Director Seo.

I desperately wanted to warn her that the guy had lost consciousness after four shots of soju, but held back.

‘None of my business.’

I can’t control everything. Don’t overstep.

Thinking that, I stood up.

“Seulho-ssi, shall we head home?”

“No, let’s go to the company.”

“The company?”

Choo Seomok naturally took the bag off my shoulder.

“I’ve got something to suggest to Team Leader Ahn. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Just in case, I’ll contact him first. Would you wait while I make the call?”

Then he quickly left the room.

It’s good that he’s quick, but…

Why does he do things I didn’t even ask for?

‘It’s just a script in my bag.’

He’d taken it so naturally that I didn’t even have time to protest.

I knew taking care of celebrities was a manager’s job, but I still wasn’t used to that level of attentiveness.

‘Back when I worked with Hyun Jingae, I even carried the manager’s stuff.’

Expecting that from a manager who spent his days collecting Director Shin’s golf balls would’ve been strange.

‘That was already months ago.’

Time really flew.

‘I wonder how he’s doing.’

Let’s see, the last time I’d seen Hyun Jingae was when we were summoned together to Director Shin’s office.

‘It’s been forever.’

I saw the CEO and Director Shin several times before officially joining Wooyeon Entertainment, but I never saw Hyun Jingae again.

He never contacted me either, and I had no idea how he was doing.

‘Is he still working at Star Actors?’

Still, after entering Yoo Seulho’s body, he was the person I’d spent the most time with and felt most comfortable around.

I couldn’t understand why I was suddenly thinking about him.

‘Am I just feeling sentimental all day today?’

Really…

Maybe having a comfortable life made me think too much.

‘Once I’m done with company business, I should hit the gym.’

Just as I was trying to move on…

“Hey!”

Someone stormed into the reading room irritably.

“Why aren’t you answering your phone? Huh?”

That irritated voice was strangely familiar.

The moment I turned my head and our eyes met, I heard him suck in a breath.

“Huh…!”

“…”

It was Hyun Jingae.

‘Hah.’

Seeing his face made me laugh.

Speak of the tiger, and it appears. What a coincidence.

“Ah, oppa! Why did you come up here?”

Ajin widened her eyes and ran over to Hyun Jingae.

“You insisted on waiting downstairs this morning! You missed me that much?”

“Shut up. Why weren’t you checking your phone? I told you to call me when you were done! Everyone’s leaving, and you’re not coming out or answering!”

“Huh? I was busy making friends. Networking is important too, so why are you angry? Unbelievable.”

Despite Hyun Jingae growling at her, Ajin simply snorted.

She always fought back and said whatever she wanted.

A perfect example of Gen Z.

‘I guess that’s how kids these days talk.’

While I was watching curiously, Choo Seomok returned.

“Seulho-ssi, let’s head to the company.”

At the dry voice, Hyun Jingae glanced over.

He looked at Choo Seomok, then me, then Choo Seomok again.

His slightly furrowed brow and dissatisfied gaze practically screamed:

‘So that’s my replacement?’

‘What the hell…’

…is this situation?

Suddenly I felt like a guy who had run into his ex-girlfriend while with his new girlfriend.

I hated making that comparison myself, but nothing fit better.

Choo Seomok must’ve felt the burning stare too.

He looked at Hyun Jingae in confusion before turning to me.

“What’s going on?”

“I have no idea. But I think this is what cheating feels like.”

“…?”

Leaving behind the bewildered Choo Seomok, I walked over to Ajin.

“Ajin.”

“Huh? Oppa, you’re still here?”

“I’m about to leave. But let me ask one thing.”

When I asked which agency she belonged to, Ajin mentioned a company I’d never heard of.

‘Ah.’

So he changed jobs.

Looking at Hyun Jingae, his face had gone completely pale.

Apparently, he hadn’t told his new company he’d once been my manager.

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing.”

I smiled.

“See you during filming.”

“Okay!”

After saying goodbye to Ajin, I lightly bowed to Hyun Jingae.

He flinched and bowed back.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

I was pretending not to know him because I thought acknowledging him might put him in an awkward position.

But seeing his strangely hurt expression left me speechless.

Leaving behind that lingering discomfort, I stepped out of the reading room.

Choo Seomok immediately followed behind me.

“Who was that?”

I didn’t feel the need to hide it from him.

“My former manager.”

“Ah…”

Choo Seomok blinked in surprise.

Then, after remaining silent for thirty minutes during the drive to the company, he finally spoke.

“Seulho-ssi, may I ask something?”

“What?”

I casually looked forward and saw his serious eyes in the rearview mirror.

His expression was so grave that I found it strange.

Then…

“If you had the chance to work with him again, what choice would you make?”

“What?”

I was speechless.

I blanked for a moment, wondering what nonsense he was talking about, then realized the true meaning behind the question.

In other words, what this guy really meant was:

‘You won’t abandon me, right?’

…Hah.

Maybe because I’d been joking about cheating and switching partners, he’d gone crazy too.

That clingy question sounded worse than something an ex-girlfriend would ask.

I shuddered.

“Seomok.”

“Yes.”

“Get a grip.”

“I am perfectly sane.”

Tsk.

Clicking my tongue, I shook my head.

I tried to ignore him, but he stubbornly kept asking.

I ignored him.

Ignored him again.

Ignored him yet again.

But when he kept pestering me even in front of Team Leader Ahn’s office, I finally shouted.

“I’m going to keep working with you, so shut up already, you lunatic!”

I even threatened to replace him if he asked one more time.

And the guy replied energetically:

“Yes!”

The satisfied look on his face made him seem like a complete nutcase.