Chapter 53
“No, that’s not it. The production team said they’re casting for the roles circled here. They asked me to submit profiles if I know anyone who’d be a good fit.”
With a glimmer of hope, Cheong-yeon scanned the basic information on the first page of the script.
The list of production companies ranged from well-established names to newly formed startups. Cheong-yeon was relieved to see that none appeared to be connected to the JT Group. He’d been worried that Do-heon might have pulled some strings behind the scenes, especially since a script had come in when he had no other work.
Feeling somewhat reassured, Cheong-yeon began reading the script in detail.
“There’s a mix of supporting roles and bit parts, but they all have decent screen time.”
“That’s true.”
Cheong-yeon agreed as he turned the pages. While part of him felt excited, another part had already resigned itself to failure. Based on his experiences so far, he could predict the outcome without even trying. Even if he somehow got cast, the role would probably be canceled before filming began.
“If you’re going to audition, be prepared this time. Style your hair and dress appropriately for the character. Remember that manager from before? I’ll assign him to you. He’s new but efficient and accommodating.”
“…Why? It’s not like investing resources in me will improve my chances of getting cast.”
Cheong-yeon narrowed his eyes, puzzled by Kim Kyung-seop’s sudden generosity.
Having a manager and being styled to match the character was appreciated, but objectively speaking, it wasn’t financially sound for the company.
“This is exactly when we should push harder. We just signed a contract with you, and with plenty of time left before it expires, we can’t just sit around doing nothing.”
Kim Kyung-seop offered a plausible excuse for Cheong-yeon’s suspicions. Then, placing a hand on Cheong-yeon’s shoulder, he continued determinedly.
“Our agency doesn’t have many actors under contract anyway. Everyone’s in a slow period, so focusing our support on you isn’t a bad strategy. As the company CEO, I can’t just let a contracted actor with plenty of time left go to waste. That would be a loss for the company too.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I appreciate it…”
It was a reasonable argument. Cheong-yeon, who had been quietly listening, nodded somewhat dazedly.
“The situation isn’t ideal, but we have history together, and you’re a talented actor, so let’s give it our best shot, okay?”
At the very least, not being abandoned was something to be grateful for. After the filming incident, scripts recommended by the company had noticeably decreased, and whatever faint expectations they had for him seemed to have vanished. For them to invest in him again was something he should be happy about as an actor.
Still, the suspicion that Do-heon might be influencing Kyung-seop’s dramatically changed attitude wouldn’t leave his mind.
But with no evidence and Kyung-seop’s reasoning making sense, Cheong-yeon decided to take a positive approach for now.
Regardless of the truth, what mattered was that he had an audition opportunity.
*
A few days later, on the day of the audition.
A van was parked near Cheong-yeon’s home. It was the same heavily tinted, flashy vehicle that screamed “celebrity transport” he had seen before.
The CEO had mentioned sending a manager to take him to the audition, but Cheong-yeon hadn’t expected them to bring this van all the way here.
“Hello, Actor Yoo Cheong-yeon. I’m Park Yong-jun, assigned to your schedule today.”
“Hello. But is it really okay to use this car just for an audition?”
Cheong-yeon asked, fascinated by the doors that opened and closed automatically. This seemed excessive for a struggling actor like himself.
“We don’t have any other actors using the van for a while, so the CEO said to use it freely. Haha.”
“……”
Maybe I should have just gone alone, Cheong-yeon thought. How ridiculous to have such an extravagant van and manager for someone like me.
For a moment, he wondered if Do-heon had given these instructions, but quickly concluded that wasn’t likely. After all, he hadn’t yet agreed to Do-heon’s sponsorship offer, so Do-heon wouldn’t bother with such trivial arrangements in advance.
Perhaps it wasn’t Do-heon but Kyung-seop trying to sway his decision by exaggerating his support. Either way, it would benefit Kyung-seop if Cheong-yeon accepted Do-heon’s sponsorship and increased his market value.
“Please sit over here. The front area is used by regular customers.”
As they entered the hair salon, a staff member came to escort Cheong-yeon to the celebrity section. Shortly after, staff members with various equipment arrived and offered him a cup of tea.
“Could you briefly describe the character you’ll be playing at the audition? The styling varies significantly depending on age and personality.”
The staff member asked about the script to discuss how to style his hair.
Putting aside his complicated feelings about the van, Cheong-yeon explained the overall tone of the audition script, the lines he would be performing, and the character’s traits.
Seemingly familiar with this process, the staff suggested a few light makeup options and styling approaches.
Having never received such meticulous support as an actor before, Cheong-yeon enthusiastically exchanged ideas with the staff.
Having someone genuinely listen to his thoughts about the script and help him embody the character was more exciting and thrilling than he had expected, even knowing the likely outcome wouldn’t be good.
“Your hair and makeup are complete.”
After nearly an hour, the staff member smiled and removed the cape from Cheong-yeon.
Following Cheong-yeon’s input and incorporating it appropriately, they had achieved a quite satisfactory result.
“Oh, and your manager mentioned earlier that you’ll change into your outfit while traveling to the audition. I think a stylist will be joining you partway.”
“Really?”
He hadn’t heard anything about that. Wasn’t this excessive for just an audition, not even an actual filming?
Cheong-yeon awkwardly rolled his eyes as he got up. The manager, who had been waiting on a distant sofa, quickly approached.
“All finished? Let’s go now!”
*
The audition was amazingly smooth. No one put Cheong-yeon on the spot with rude questions, nor did anyone use his Recessive Omega status to provoke him or bring up the incident from the previous filming set. It was nothing short of miraculous.
The casting director and staff treated him like any ordinary actor. It felt like he had returned to being rookie actor Yoo Cheong-yeon, not the inconsiderate person who had abandoned a set and wasted millions in production costs.
From Kyung-seop to the staff and audition officials, everyone was surprisingly enthusiastic. It was so jarring that Cheong-yeon wondered if he’d been dropped into an alternate universe.
Until now, Cheong-yeon had been uncertain whether Kim Kyung-seop or Do-heon was behind these changes, but after leaving the audition, he became convinced. All these magical events were definitely Do-heon’s doing.
“Cheong-yeon oppa! I think the audition went really well. I sneaked a peek, and the writer seemed very satisfied while you were performing.”
Min Hye-rin, sitting next to Cheong-yeon in the van, sparkled with excitement about the good impression.
Today’s audition stylist was, once again, Min Hye-rin. Despite the previous unfortunate incident, she acted as if nothing had happened, immediately showing Cheong-yeon various clothes, rings, and watches she had prepared to match the script’s mood and character.
While grateful that she was pretending not to know about the past incident, Cheong-yeon wondered how she had ended up as his stylist again.
“Didn’t you say you were the junior stylist? Is it okay for you to come to work for a low-profile audition like this?”
Min Hye-rin replied with a noticeably higher pitched voice.
“Oh, that! I just got scouted and switched teams, oppa.”
“Scouted?”
“It’s a bit strange to me too… I moved after some deliberation since they’re well-known in the industry. But it turns out my new workplace has a contract with your agency! Pin Entertainment. Isn’t that incredibly coincidental?”
“…Yes. Almost too perfectly aligned for a coincidence.”
Cheong-yeon muttered just loudly enough to be heard.
“Even in this small industry, this is unusual. I was truly thrilled. It looks like I might even work exclusively for Pin Entertainment. Completely, officially becoming oppa’s dedicated stylist!”
“……”
At this point, Cheong-yeon strongly suspected that Do-heon was involved in everything that had happened today.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
