Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus – Chapter 166

Author: LyraDhani

[TOP9] Beta

‘Yeah. F*ck it… I can do this.’

“…….”

‘Dongkwon. You can pull this off. You can. You’ve never worked this hard in your life. You worked harder for this than you did for your debut.’

“…….”

‘It’s like Hyung said. I just have to prove it. The teacher said I was good at acting. Said I had talent. F*ck, I’m just going to outshine everyone. I’ll tear Unha and everyone else apart and prove myself.’

I was so nervous it was hard to breathe. But I couldn’t afford to make a fool of myself, so I repeatedly steadied my breathing, trying to calm my nerves through sheer force of will. It was probably because the environment was so unfamiliar.

This was a script-reading site, something I’d only ever seen in videos or at acting academies. Seeing the director, several staff members, and actors I’d only ever seen on TV made it impossible not to be nervous.

‘Actually, it’s better this way. They say a little tension helps.’

Actor Byeon Yongseok, Actor Cha Youngho, Actress Yoo Aran—as the quality and budget of this drama suggested, the lead and supporting actors were all big names.

It felt surreal to be standing among them. Though this opportunity had come by chance, the thought that I could never let it slip away made me steel my heart once more.

“Um… I look forward to working with you. I’m Seo Dongkwon.”

“Ah… yes. Nice to meet you.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m actor Seo Dongkwon.”

“Ahhh! Yes. You’re from [TOP9], right? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Th-thank you. Actress Yoo Aran, you’re even more beautiful in person. I… as you may know, this is my first project. I’d really appreciate your guidance.”

“I look forward to working with you. Let’s make a great project together.”

“Thank you!”

I felt glad I’d pushed myself to arrive early.

‘I made a good first impression. This is how social life works.’

Furthermore, even though there were still thirty minutes before the reading was scheduled to begin, every seat was already occupied.

I noticed the director, veteran actors, and legendary stars were each preparing for the script reading in their own way. Some were chatting after not seeing each other for a long time. Nevertheless, the atmosphere felt somewhat rigid and tense. Was it because everyone had their lives on the line for this project? Or was there another reason?

In the midst of that….

‘Lee Unha isn’t even here yet?’

His seat was empty.

He wasn’t technically late, but it was still the kind of behavior that could earn disapproving looks. He was a rookie actor, yet he was arriving last. How could anyone possibly look favorably upon that?

Compared to him, I had arrived an hour early and already finished my greetings with the staff, so I’d gotten a better start.

Just as there were exactly 20 minutes left, I saw the door open. With a long creak, that guy finally appeared.

“Ah! Am I late? Everyone is already here. I-I’m so sorry….”

‘Idiot.’

“I should have come a little earlier… ugh….”

‘You’re digging your own grave. Everyone already finds you annoying—you just don’t realize it.’

I was expecting a chilly reception. But then…

“Is our Actor Lee here?”

“I’m sorry. Ah….”

“No, no. You aren’t late at all, so why apologize? Everyone else just came unnecessarily early.”

Out of nowhere, voices welcoming him rang through the room. Even the veteran actor Byeon Yongseok lifted up his heavy body to personally welcome him.

‘What?’

The sight made no sense. And it wasn’t just Byeon Yongseok. Other actors began standing as well.

“Hello, Actor Lee Unha. It’s been a while since we last met.”

“Ah, yes! Hello!”

“Unha, have you been well?”

“Of course! Have you been well, hyung?”

“Yeah. By the way, about that thing I asked yesterday….”

“Ahhh, I’ll tell you later. Oh! Hello, Director!”

“Ah, yes. Mr. Unha. Good to see you. Um… I’m fine, so go greet everyone first. We’ll begin the reading in twenty minutes, so please get ready quickly…”

“Ah! Yes!”

‘What on earth… is this situation?’

“…….”

‘Why is everyone so close to him?’

“…….”

‘What is this?’

Had there been a gathering beforehand that I didn’t know about? Or was there some kind of group chat? Everyone looked intimate. A few actors who seemed left out lingered nearby, obviously trying to work their way into the circle.

‘Why does everyone like this bastard? Am I the weird one? Aren’t they jealous? Doesn’t anyone think this is unfair? It’s not like I’m the only one who saw that article about his appearance fee.’

It felt like affection was literally dripping from Byeon Yongseok’s eyes. I couldn’t understand it at all. What on earth did he do? The way they treated him was so different from how they treated me. I’d clearly only received formal greetings, but the entire script reading site was busy doting on him.

‘What is this?’

I saw the strange sight of them catching up as if asking how they’d been, and even discussing acting. It looked like it would drag on so long the staff had to intervene.

“Alright, alright. Please save the catch-up talk for the break or after we’re done. I’ll give you plenty of time then. Please keep in mind that today’s script reading might be used for the making-of film or partially released for marketing, so… it’s best to get ready. I understand everyone’s excited, but let’s focus on today’s schedule first and continue chatting afterward.”

“Tsk… people have no flexibility these days….”

“Ah, Mr. Byeon. Please give me a break.”

“Hahahaha.”

“Now, Actor Lee, please take a seat.”

“Is this my seat?”

“Yes, yes. That’s the one. Is this your first script reading?”

“Yes!”

“Alright then… um… first….”

“…….”

“Let’s have our lead actors introduce themselves from top to bottom before we start. Oh, but first, I should introduce the commander of [Zombie], Director Choi Donghoon. Director, please stand up. He is the best director in Korea, our very own Choi Donghoon!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

“Next… let me introduce our writer, Kim Jihye. Everyone knows her, right? Writer Kim Jihye.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The formal self-introductions began before I could even catch my breath. Since it was customary for the lead actors to introduce themselves first, Lee Unha’s turn came relatively quickly. Compared to me, who was a supporting actor, he was standing way ahead in the line.

“Hello, sunbaenims! I look forward to working with you. SAVE THE WORLD! I am Lee Unha, the Vitamin of <Fantasia>! I’ll play the role of the Vitamin in [Zombie] as well! I will always, always do my best. It is such an honor to work with such a famous director, writer, and actors for my first project.”

‘What? Is he always like that? Am I supposed to introduce myself as Seo Dongkwon of [TOP9] too, or what?’

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

‘Why is the applause so loud?’

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

‘Seriously, what is that guy? What exactly is Lee Unha that everyone adores him this much…?

“I am Yoo Aran, playing the role of Mijeong. I will work hard to have good chemistry with Actor Lee Unha. I look forward to working with you.”

‘Why only that bastard… what is the difference between him and me?’

“Ah, Actress Yoo Aran has been saying for ages how much she wanted to work with Unha…”

“Ah, sunbaenim!”

“Hahahahahaha.”

“Hahahahahaha!”

‘F*ck, seriously.’

I hated everything. I hated how the set was running, and I hated the very air in this room. There wasn’t a single thing I liked. Ugly emotions continued to pile up in my chest and head.

“Now then… and the one who joined us for the first time… Mr. Seo Dongkwon.”

“Hello. I am Seo Dongkwon, taking my first steps as an actor. I look forward to learning from all of you.”

“Waaaaah.”

A polite, mechanical round of applause followed.

I could tell the atmosphere was different from the previous introduction, so I struggled to form a proper expression. I knew I shouldn’t show my displeasure, but I couldn’t help it.

‘Why… why only him….’

Question after question filled my mind.

But….

It didn’t take long for those questions to disappear.

After the introductions ended and the actual reading began, I understood why he was welcomed by everyone.

“…….”

‘We’re… we’re just doing a script reading, right?’

I saw Lee Unha, sitting about 3 or 4 meters away.

‘Is this how script readings usually go? Was the atmosphere always this heavy?’

It was reminiscent of an actual filming site. The atmosphere wasn’t just heavy; it felt oppressive. He felt excessively serious, excessively focused. I could see everyone’s gaze fixed on Lee Unha. Everyone was focusing on his expressions, his gestures, and his voice.

‘Why is he… doing it like that? Did he… memorize the whole script?’

His eyes weren’t on the script at all. He wasn’t even looking at it. At the moment his character first appeared, his gaze was focused on the other actors, not the pages.

‘Wait, hold on….’

Since I’d become interested in acting, I’d watched many script-reading videos, but I’d never seen anyone do it like this. I never learned this at the acting academy.

The bastard was injecting tension into the room. The other actors looked nervous too. They were focusing more than necessary. I couldn’t understand it… I couldn’t understand it at all, but everyone seemed to be feeling the same thing. The less experienced actors even glanced nervously at one another, wearing expressions that said they had never witnessed a script reading like this before.

In that situation.

Finally, words came out of his mouth. It was the moment Lee Unha—no, the character [Choi Seonghan]—was dropped into the reading.

“Get out.”

“…….”

“I have no intention of helping you. Get out of my house….”

“…….”

“If you don’t leave, I’ll kill you. Either you die at the hands of the zombie bastards behind that door, or you die by my hand….”

Before the short line even finished,

“The choice is yours.”

I realized it instinctively.

“…….”

‘I… I can’t win….’