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The long-awaited script reading day.

I practiced a lot for today.

Carrying the script around the house, I memorized lines, repeated them, memorized again, and repeated again.

Honestly, I did memorize it fairly quickly, but it felt like I was reading it like someone with OCD.

At first, even the people around me, who were curious about the script reading day and volunteered to play the opposite roles, were somewhat intimidated.

Seeing their reactions made me wonder if I was being too much, but now that the day of the actual reading has come, I’m truly grateful for all that practice.

There’s a thumping excitement in my chest, but I’m not scared of messing up.

“Well, I’m going to go greet some fellow actors for a moment.”

“Yep.”

The script reading took place in a larger meeting room than last time.

Long tables were tightly arranged facing each other.

And more than half of those tables were already occupied.

Sitting at the most prominent seats were the actors.

And those leaning against the back are probably the drama staff.

The atmosphere wasn’t too bleak.

Everyone gathered, script in hand, laughing and chatting.

The only difference from usual was that seating was assigned at the tables.

I too sat at a position with a nameplate that said ‘Sera’.

After all, being a main villain, I was quite close to the prominent seat.

“Ah, Soo-hyun! Hello.”

“Ah, yes….”

It was to the point where Moon Chang-sik greeted Han Ye-eun, who was in the next seat.

Moon Chang-sik was probably facing the male actor who would be playing the role of the villain sitting next to me.

Since those two are the key players, it’s not strange at all for them to sit facing each other at the front.

The official script of the drama was placed on the table.

The complete script of the entire drama prepared at each seat.

Since it contained most of the content from the first part of the drama, there was quite a bit of it.

I wondered if we could finish the script reading today at all.

For now, I quickly scanned through it as I entered.

Since I had already received the script beforehand, it wasn’t my first time reading this content.

Still, just in case, I focused my eyes and started looking for the parts of Sera.

Just then,

*Rattle.*

I felt some movement from my side, and someone sat down.

Turning my head to look, I met the gaze of a man who had just sat down and caught my eye as I turned.

“Um… are you Kim Soo-hyun, the one playing Sera?”

Seemingly recognizing me right away, he said that, and I nodded in response.

“Ah yes, Nam Han-kyung.”

Nam Han-kyung.

He is the actor playing ‘Nam Kyung-min’, the main villain of this drama.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, nice to meet you too.”

He looked to be in his early thirties.

He debuted a bit later in life, but since his debut work was a hit, he’s now a popular actor known for his charismatic, young villain roles.

He was tall and had a somewhat sharp appearance.

Of course, he was handsome too.

Having him sitting next to me really made it feel like the configuration of the drama was coming together.

The dashing leading man, Moon Chang-sik, and the gentle and pure female lead, Han Ye-eun, sitting together.

And on the opposite side was the charismatic and sharp main villain, Nam Han-kyung, and me, the pretty one who might not have the charisma but definitely has attitude.

Looking at the person in front of me, I could somewhat guess how the writer envisioned the casting would turn out, and just then Nam Han-kyung, sitting next to me, casually spoke up.

“That person over there is our opponent, right?”

“Ah yes.”

“Let’s give it our all and put up a fight.”

He said that with a sly smile, and he seemed to have a good personality.

I guess you shouldn’t judge people based on looks?

He looked like he’d play a great villain, yet he was also friendly.

“Sure! Let’s give them a good scare.”

The truth is, while I said that, it’s actually Nam Han-kyung’s character, ‘Nam Kyung-min’, who will be putting the main characters through a tough time.

While Sera might end up whining and leaving after getting a counter from the female lead, the true main villain is the one who brings real fear to the audience.

Sera is like… a cute mascot… well, not quite, but still a pretty face.

Oh? Does it matter if she’s a bit unremarkable?

Sera is pretty, and that’s what counts.

Anyway, at my remark, Han-kyung smiled slightly and turned his gaze back to the script.

With that conversation ending, I began to read the script too, as time went on and people gradually filled the meeting room.

Since it was the first reading, not only the actors but also investors and various staff for the drama came in and took seats at the back, filling up the large meeting room further.

…Honestly, that sight made me a bit nervous.

“Phew….”

Why are there so many? I don’t know if I can do this.

I glanced over.

I could see Moon Chang-sik and Han Ye-eun seated side by side, and they didn’t seem nervous at all, probably because they’re veterans.

Well, of course they’d be fine.

Am I the only one feeling anxious? I sneakily looked to the side.

Yet even Nam Han-kyung, who seemed calm, was subtly showing signs of nervousness, opening and closing his hands.

…Is this really okay?

I said I’d give them a good scare, but at this rate…

It seems I’ll end up getting encouragement from them instead.

Just as I was worried about the drama’s future for a moment.

I must have been staring at his hand for too long because Nam Han-kyung, reading the script, turned to look at me.

I instinctively lifted my head, and once again, our eyes met.

“Why are you looking at my hand?”

“Ah, sorry… were you nervous or something?”

Caught staring, I felt a bit embarrassed but tried to shift the conversation smoothly.

“Oh, nervous… right, there are so many people here.”

Now that I think about it, Nam Han-kyung is also an actor with a not-so-long career like mine.

I felt a strange sense of kinship.

“I’m nervous too. There are so many people here.”

Not only the staff but also the filming team at the back.

Later, I heard the behind-the-scenes footage from the script reading scene would come out to some extent.

“Ahaha, looks like I’m not the only one feeling this way?”

Nam Han-kyung chuckled in understanding at my comment.

Hmm, the vibe seems good.

Since Sera’s role has many scenes with the character Nam Kyung-min that he plays, getting along in advance wouldn’t hurt.

“It seems many stakeholders have come for the first reading… we have to make a good impression on those who might sponsor the after-party.”

“Oh, that’s true? We should really do well then.”

Speaking of the after-party…

Originally, I would have ditched it, but today I have to attend.

That’s because it’s the first reading, and no matter how weak Sera is compared to the other main leads, if I shy away, it would dull the atmosphere.

Well, making connections with others is good for the filming anyway.

“I hear the barbecue restaurant they rented is quite a famous place…”

Just as I was chatting with Han-kyung to ease the tension,

“Alright everyone. Have you practiced well?”

The director and writer, the key figures for today, entered, causing a stir in the room.

The director and the writer sat at the most prominent seats among the tables where the actors were seated, and for some reason, my seat was quite close to them.

For now, they took a moment to greet the other actors, and as the scheduled time approached, the director picked up the microphone.

“Ah, I’m the director.”

That simple statement elicited laughter around.

“And this person next to me is Writer Ahn Ji-young, who worked hard to write the script you all have in front of you.”

The director then began to introduce the writer, launching into the usual compliments.

He expressed gratitude to the stakeholders and thanked the actors present, etc.

Despite it being a routine, the actors around listened intently to the director’s words.

“Honestly, this is a work I have been preparing for quite a long time. I sincerely hope it goes well, so now, let me introduce the actors who will bring my work to life.”

And with that, he turned his gaze to the closest person, Moon Chang-sik, to start the introductions.

“Here we have our protagonist, Moon Chang-sik, who will be playing the role of Moon Chang-seok.”

“I’m Moon Chang-sik. Please take care of me in this project.”

As soon as the director finished speaking into the microphone, Moon Chang-sik stood up for a brief introduction, and applause erupted.

“Hmm, next is our Nam Kyung-min, played by Nam Han-kyung.”

“Nice to meet you. Since there are many seniors here, I hope to learn a lot.”

Then, the main villain, Nam Han-kyung, stood up and greeted enthusiastically.

“Now, moving on… the female lead, Han Seo-young, played by Han Ye-eun.”

“Yes, I’m truly honored to be working with the director and writer, as well as the seniors I’ve admired for a long time. I will do my best.”

Han Ye-eun also stood up to introduce herself softly, and then.

Naturally, the director’s gaze shifted to me.

“And here we have Kim Soo-hyun, who will be playing Sera.”

And then, all the eyes were on me.

It was overwhelming compared to the self-introduction I did at the beginning of the school term in class.

…However.

“I’m Kim Soo-hyun. I have many shortcomings, but I’ll do my best not to hold you all back.”

Having gone this far, it was too late to feel burdened.

Casually concluding my introduction, I received applause from all the gazes directed toward me as I sat down.

‘Phew…’

“Now, this person is….”

After introducing myself, I took a moment to breathe quietly as the introductions of other actors continued.

With so many actors, the introduction time was quite long.

Finally, after the introductions concluded,

“Alright, then let’s give it our all today.”

With that, the main script reading began.

 

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