---

The weather has turned nice enough that when I go outside, I often see people walking around in t-shirts.

In the meantime, we’ve had a two-year anniversary talk show, and Rain has completed her song, so a lot has happened.

Since the broadcast has seen a bit more growth after posting the shorts, we’re now approaching the completion of the music video for the song created by Loa, Harbin, and lyricist Lee Seo-yeon.

“We’re almost there, so let’s get out.”

“Yes.”

I’m in the Underground Parking Lot of the Broadcasting Station.

This was a casting proposal that Moon Chang-sik had made before.

After pondering it for quite a while and twisting my body in thought, I’ve finally ended up here.

It feels like this pattern is the same every time… but what can I do? I’m just a simple person.

But how can I manage an antagonist role that slaps the leading lady?

That’s why I came here today, all thanks to Moon Chang-sik’s arrangement to meet with the director and writer.

I got out of Moon Chang-sik’s car and looked around.

The broadcasting station vehicles nearby made me feel a bit flustered, but Moon Chang-sik parked and emerged from the back.

“Once again, you made a great choice.”

“You’re saying that for the fourth time now, right?”

Once when we first decided, once when I got in the car, once on the way here, and now this makes four.

“…Let’s go up.”

Realizing he’d said enough, Moon Chang-sik quickly took the lead.

Not knowing my way around the broadcasting station, I just followed behind him.

After taking the elevator and wandering around, we finally arrived at the front of a conference room.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes, they’re waiting inside.”

The thought that the director and writer of the drama are in there makes me a bit nervous.

“You don’t have to be too nervous.”

“Even if you say that, I know it won’t help my nerves.”

“I know. So I’ll just open the door right away.”

“Wait….”

Before I could say anything, Moon Chang-sik opened the door and walked in.

…Oh no.

I couldn’t help but keep my mouth shut and followed him inside reluctantly.

The conference room Moon Chang-sik entered was quite spacious.

In the long room, there was a horizontally long round table, and two people were seated on the opposite side.

The director was someone I’ve never seen before.

However…

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Sitting in the writer’s seat was someone I recognized.

It was Ahn Ji-young, the writer I had seen at the last filming location.

“Oh, hi there.”

Honestly, I was a bit taken aback, but I quickly greeted her.

“You haven’t contacted me, Soo-hyun. How dare you not?”

“Ahaha… I thought you were too busy to even reach out first.”

“You speak well; now, have a seat.”

“Yes.”

So, I sat in front of the director and writer.

Moon Chang-sik naturally moved to a corner.

“Do you two know each other? I thought you were someone the actor Moon Chang-sik recommended.”

Seeing me familiar with the writer, the director expressed confusion.

“Oh, actually, I’m someone who appeared in the current production. Moon Chang-sik is in that too.”

“I see. Then it would be more comfortable for you to talk to the writer than me.”

“Right? Then shall I take the lead?”

“Feel free.”

As they began chatting with me in the middle, the writer smiled and turned to me.

“Then I’ll take the lead. Soo-hyun.”

“Ah yes.”

“You know which role you’re here for, right?”

At the writer’s words, I nodded.

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

I had a rough idea.

So, I was told I’d be playing a modern villainess who slaps the lead actress?

“Then, can you try giving us a serious face?”

“A serious face?”

“Yes, really cold, like a villain.”

Though it was a somewhat unexpected request, it wasn’t hard to pull off a serious expression, so I gave it a shot.

“How’s this?”

With a chilling glare resembling a delinquent student from a manga, the writer applauded with a smile.

“Wow, that’s perfect! Right, Director?”

“Yes, that fits perfectly. The visuals are great too.”

Fortunately, the director seemed to agree as well.

Of course… as long as you’re visually appealing, you’ve got a leg up.

“Now, how about trying this lightly?”

Just as I was beginning to relax in the good atmosphere, the writer handed me a script.

“Here, right now?”

“Yes, consider it a light test. We’re just seeing your voice tone and emotional lines, so you can read it seated.”

A test… this script was definitely short.

It was just a few A4 pages with light background settings and dialogues.

I felt a bit shy about acting in front of everyone, but since I had filming experience, I didn’t think it would be a problem.

“I’ll read for a moment.”

“Yeah, just relax. We’re among friends.”

Nodding slightly hesitantly at the writer’s casual words, I examined the script.

Let’s see… the atmosphere seems similar to that of the top star Han Hye-jin, whom I acted with before.

Arrogant and overflowing with confidence.

The difference is that while Han Hye-jin’s confidence stems from her own accomplishments, the character in this script draws her arrogance and confidence from her family’s wealth and background.

The difference lies in whether or not one achieved success on their own.

Thus, this villainous character doesn’t have the same relaxed demeanor as Han Hye-jin’s character.

Instead, it approaches with impatience and seems to whip both herself and others.

So, to put it simply, she’s a more impatient and unpleasant version of Han Hye-jin.

Having read and analyzed the script, I felt more at ease.

After all, it wouldn’t really be acting; I’d just be immersing myself in the reading.

“Alright then….”

Settling myself down, I focused and read through the script.

After the first reading of the script, I stole a glance at the director and writer.

There they were, both with intrigued expressions—the director and the writer giving me two thumbs up.

“Wow, that’s just perfect! How does your voice change like that?”

“Right? It matches the image perfectly.”

Relieved by the flurry of praise, I calmed down internally.

This is a bit nerve-wracking.

Lately, I’ve only been in the evaluation position, so I haven’t realized how nerve-wracking it is to be evaluated myself.

“What do you think, Director? Isn’t it good?”

“Yes, seeing you read the script, it seems like we’ve got the perfect person for the role.”

“I’m glad you like it. So, Soo-hyun.”

“Ah yes?”

“Shall we talk in detail?”

Saying that, the writer adjusted her sitting posture.

On top of that, I had just unexpectedly gone through a test…

I was only planning to come here for a casual chat.

“As you can see from the role, it’s significantly more than that of Lady Soo-yeon.”

“Uh… yes.”

“Considering you’ll be filming with other actors, you’ll probably need to clear a lot of your schedule.”

“How much are we talking?”

“Hmm, quite a bit if we account for all the appearances. You might even need to be available all week.”

…All week?

I don’t know exactly how much screen time is involved, but it obviously looks quite different from the roles I’ve taken on before.

Noticing my slightly stiff expression, the writer threw out a pointed question.

“Are you considering this as your main job?”

“…Yes.”

I answered honestly.

There’s no point hiding it; I shouldn’t, either.

“While I’m saying this from a place of goodwill, it might honestly be tough for you to do this without it affecting your main career.”

That made me pause.

Yes, that’s true. Just as the writer said, no matter how I looked at it, doing this will surely have an impact on my broadcasting.

While Han Hye-jin and Lady Soo-yeon were still in the realm of minor roles…

This new character definitely takes me far beyond that.

It’s something I could genuinely tell people about as my work, especially it’s a drama.

Taking this role would mean a bit of a hindrance to broadcasting, turning me into an official double jobber.

This isn’t just a side job; it’s far too big for that.

“I’m really sorry, but… could I take some more time to think it over?”

It’s not something I should say after finishing the test, but when it comes to potential impacts on my broadcasting work, I want to be careful.

I’m someone with heavy shoulders.

I’m a pillar of the Celestial Realm and the face of a channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, streaming to tens of thousands live.

It’s tough to make a rash decision when so many people are counting on me.

“If there isn’t enough time for the casting, you’re welcome to cast another actor… given that this is a job, it seems I should give it some thought.”

“That’s a bit much.”

The writer’s words made me flinch a little.

Maybe that was too far? I cautiously looked at the writer, but contrary to my thoughts, she was smiling softly.

“How could you find another actor? We’ve found the perfect match!”

The writer spoke cheerily as she lightly tapped the table.

“I’ll give you a month.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll wait a month, so take your time and think it through.”

Then she added one more thing.

“Don’t rush to a decision under pressure; take your time to think about it.”

So, the contract was postponed for now.

**

After the meeting.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

As I left the conference room, Moon Chang-sik said that.

Now that I think about it, this person was quietly observing from the corner without saying a word.

“Do you think I did well? Was I rude at all?”

“That wasn’t the case. Casting is rarely a smooth process; you never know before the ink is dry.”

Listening to Moon Chang-sik’s reassuring words, a question suddenly popped into my head.

“But isn’t this casting? Didn’t I just audition?”

Thinking it through, I had sought out the director and writer to do a test, so isn’t this auditioning?

I’ve come here to test and then said I’d think it over, making the whole thing seem silly.

Looking at Moon Chang-sik with those thoughts, he sheepishly averted his gaze.

“…No, it’s a casting.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, I had no doubt that once you came all the way here to test, you’d be selected. Thus…”

“Ah!”

Thwack!

Before he could finish, I punched his arm.

I’m not Bill Gates’s son-in-law, geesh… Ouch!

My fist hurts.

“Ah….”

I hit him, and yet my fist feels sore.

Why is he so tough?

“Do you work out?”

“…Wouldn’t I?”

Yeah… well, he probably does.

Looking at his shoulders, he seems like he works hard.

“But seriously, why are you this tough?”

I pressed on his arm.

But it wasn’t as solid now as it was earlier.

“Not at the moment, though.”

“…I put strength into it when you hit me.”

“Ah!”

Thwack!

I smacked his arm again.

And then.

“Ow….”

I clutched my fist.

“…Are you lacking in learning abilities?”

“J-Just shut up….”

I graduated from S University, you jerk.

Anyway, I left the broadcasting station like that.

With one worry added to my burden.

 

---