Bedroom Genius Actor - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 13

“We did pretty well last week.”

“Right. Honestly, I thought the ratings would drop after episode 2.”

“If it weren’t for actor Kim Ji-hu, ugh. I don’t even want to imagine.”

The ‘Trauma’ film set was bustling with talk about episodes 1 and 2 that aired last week.

In the midst of it all, PD Seo Min-sik was wearing a satisfied smile.

‘Episode 1: 7.8%, Episode 2: 8.1%. Better than I expected.’

Not only was it good that they were on an upward trend, but the average viewership numbers weren’t bad either.

These days, with so many people watching dramas on OTT platforms and the internet, TV ratings tend to be lower anyway.

Plus, episode 2’s ratings went up despite airing on a Friday, so he had hopes that episode 3 might rise even more.

‘But the problem is that Ji-hu appears a bit late…’

He was worried about viewers getting tired and dropping off while Kim Ji-hu wasn’t appearing.

‘Well, if we can maintain similar ratings to this, I’d be satisfied.’

It was basically a low-budget production,

and ultimately, success in markets like OTT was more important these days, so he was fairly satisfied.

As PD Seo Min-sik was nodding to himself like that, Kim Ji-hu approached.

“Um… PD-nim?”

“Hm? Ji-hu. What’s up?”

Since Kim Ji-hu, who never initiated conversations, was approaching first, he tilted his head curiously.

Kim Ji-hu carefully asked PD Seo Min-sik.

“Just wondering… really just wondering… what do you think the peak ratings for this project might be…?”

“Peak ratings? Average ratings?”

“Yes…”

PD Seo Min-sik thought for a moment and said.

“Well, it’s hard to predict, but if things go well, maybe just over 9%. Well, OTT is what’s important these days, ratings don’t mean much, so don’t worry about it.”

“I see…”

Kim Ji-hu looked somewhat disappointed. Seeing that expression, PD Seo Min-sik smiled warmly.

‘As expected, this level isn’t enough to satisfy him.’

To become a great actor, you can’t just have skills. You need that kind of ambition like Kim Ji-hu has.

Of course, that ambition can sometimes become poison, so he’d need to be careful.

“But if there’s good news, it’s that the online reviews are better than expected. In cases like this, viewers might flock in during the latter half.”

“I understand…”

Kim Ji-hu walked away thinking.

‘I looked at the communities too… honestly, half of it was complaints about the main character and extras…’

The work itself was well-received. While it was a common crime thriller in Korea, it was getting fairly good reviews for its fresh and non-cliché progression.

But the problem was that the main character and extras were completely ruining that foundation.

Just when you wanted to get immersed, the poor acting of the main character and those around him would appear.

‘At this rate… we won’t even get close to 9% and will just keep dropping…’

The particular problem was that filming up to episode 6 was already finished.

Since the schedule was already delayed due to acting coaching, it didn’t seem like there would be any reshoots.

Then episode 7 would need a definite turnaround.

‘There’s no way I could make that happen alone…’

He knew well that using his ability resulted in good acting.

But that was all. Did any drama or movie succeed just because an actor with amazing acting skills appeared?

No. Actors who could support that were also essential.

Kim Ji-hu glanced at the other actors.

They all kept their scripts close even while getting makeup done.

The sight of them trying to read the script one more time and practice.

‘What could I possibly say to them…’

The actors were already working hard enough. They seemed to be constantly practicing as much as they could since the script reading.

Moreover, Kim Ji-hu thought he wasn’t in a position to say anything to them.

‘In the end, I’m just someone who got to act because of an ability I happened to acquire.’

But he couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

His blog was at stake here.

Kim Ji-hu began pondering if there was another way.

“Ji-hu-ssi, how are your filming preparations going?”

At that moment, Go Jun-tae approached and asked, making Kim Ji-hu stare at him intently.

‘Jun-tae-ssi is a supporting character who appears consistently, even if not frequently…’

If Go Jun-tae’s skills improved a bit more, they could create some level of immersion.

As Kim Ji-hu stared at him so intensely while lost in thought, Go Jun-tae awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that… Did I do something wrong…?”

“Oh, no. I was just thinking about something…”

But he couldn’t just tell him outright.

He wasn’t the type to boss people around in the first place, and he didn’t have the courage to say such things.

‘If I were that kind of person, I’d do something…’

Then something flashed in Kim Ji-hu’s mind.

‘Wait… maybe… this might actually be possible?’

A way to have the courage to point things out to others.

Kim Ji-hu had one.

‘But I’d need to test it first…’

But if things continued like this, it would really become an irreversible situation.

“Jun-tae-ssi, you asked me to look at your acting before.”

“Yes? That’s right. But you said it would be difficult…”

“Could you spare some time around lunch later?”

“Are you… going to look at my acting?”

Kim Ji-hu smiled awkwardly and said.

“I’ll try to help… but I’ve never coached anyone’s acting before, so I might not do well. Is that okay?”

“Yes! Of course. So you’ll look at it during lunch! Really!”

“Yes, yes, haha…”

Kim Ji-hu answered with an awkward smile.

‘That’s if things go as I’m thinking…’

***

“Ahem. Hmm. Ah-ah.”

Go Jun-tae was warming up his voice in a corner of the film set.

Before long, Kim Ji-hu walked over from the distance.

“Ji-hu-ssi, you’re here?”

Go Jun-tae greeted Kim Ji-hu with a bright expression, but.

“Oh, yes. We don’t have much time, so let’s get started quickly.”

Kim Ji-hu spoke dryly and sat down in the chair in front of him.

Go Jun-tae was slightly puzzled by Kim Ji-hu’s seemingly changed attitude, but started acting as instructed.

“Look. Just calm down and think about it one more time…”

“Hold on.”

Kim Ji-hu stopped him before even one line was finished.

Kim Ji-hu let out a small sigh and said.

“It’s worse than I thought.”

“Excuse me…?”

“Let’s start with character interpretation. What kind of character is ‘Lee Do-hyeon’ that you’re playing, Jun-tae-ssi?”

Go Jun-tae answered in confusion.

“He’s… a rookie detective but passionate, and sometimes gets depressed…”

“It’s a bit crude, but somewhat correct. Then what kind of attitude should you show now, and what kind of voice should you use for your acting?”

“Well, I’m not sure?”

“Sigh….”

Irritation slowly began to mix into his dry, emotionless eyes.

“Think about it. How you should do it.”

“Yes, yes…. Then… what if it was more passionate and energetic…?”

Then Kim Ji-hu nodded his head.

“That’s right. If you know how to do it, why did you say you didn’t know?”

“I got flustered…. I’m sorry.”

“Instead of apologizing, think of one more thing. Now let’s try acting according to that character’s personality again.”

“Yes, yes!”

And so the acting began.

“Is that your usual posture? Straighten your shoulders and neck too.”

“No, why is your voice blocked? Project your voice louder. Isn’t this character originally lively and booming?”

“Emotional line. Emotional line. Emotional line. Just because I said be lively, does that voice projection match that emotional line?”

Kim Ji-hu began completely remaking Go Jun-tae, pointing out every single line.

But Go Jun-tae wasn’t upset at all—he was moved.

‘It feels like something is completely changing?’

He could feel his acting skills improving in real time.

When one scene was almost finished, Kim Ji-hu said.

“Now let’s try it once more.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Go Jun-tae recited the same line he had done at the beginning.

“Hey! First calm down and think about it once more. Is this right?”

The emotional line and voice projection were definitely getting properly established. To change this much in less than an hour.

Go Jun-tae could only let out admiration by himself.

And due to the unexpected commotion, people who had finished eating began gathering around.

“What? Jun-tae… you’re completely different from before?”

“It’s like some details were added….”

Kim Ji-hu, who was sitting in a chair, turned his head to look at those people.

And he brought his index finger to his lips as if telling them to be quiet.

People covered their mouths at the pressure they felt despite his dry demeanor.

“Mmph….”

“Sorry.”

And they began focusing on Go Jun-tae’s acting again.

“What’s happening here?”

At that moment, Song Jae-hyeok, who had also finished eating, went up to a staff member and asked.”

“He… asked us to be quiet.”

“What? Who did?”

“Ji-hu did.”

Song Jae-hyeok looked back and forth between Kim Ji-hu sitting in front and Go Jun-tae acting in front of him.

‘What is this….’

“Ugh…! I can’t stand it! How long are we going to do this!”

At Go Jun-tae’s cry that could be heard then, Song Jae-hyeok’s eyes widened.

‘What… Jun-tae’s acting is….’

Go Jun-tae’s acting had completely changed.

Go Jun-tae’s acting level was definitely very poor. His voice projection as well as emotional acting weren’t up to standard.

But now Go Jun-tae was acting as if he had become a different person.

‘That guy was definitely worse than me….’

The reason Go Jun-tae, who lacked acting skills, could be here was because he was placed to make Song Jae-hyeok stand out.

But now Go Jun-tae was showing better acting than Song Jae-hyeok himself.

While Song Jae-hyeok was shocked like this, Go Jun-tae’s acting ended.

Kim Ji-hu clapped with a slight smile.

“See, you can do it.”

Starting with him, the people around also began clapping.

“Jun-tae, your acting is good?”

“Why didn’t you act like this until now?”

“How can a person change like this.”

People threw out comments one by one, praising Go Jun-tae.

Go Jun-tae scratched his head as if embarrassed by the situation.

“Haha… It’s all thanks to Ji-hu helping me.”

Kim Ji-hu nodded at those words.

“That’s right. If it wasn’t for me, you never would have changed in your lifetime.”

“Haha! Ji-hu, you can make jokes like this too.”

“I’m being serious.”

Kim Ji-hu spoke dryly but confidently, then stood up from his seat.

At the same time, his eyes met with Song Jae-hyeok’s.

“Hmm.”

Kim Ji-hu stroked his chin as if thinking about something.

Meanwhile, Go Jun-tae approached Kim Ji-hu and asked.

“Um… Ji-hu. Could you possibly watch my acting during lunch tomorrow too?”

Kim Ji-hu answered that question.

“Yes, I’ll watch it for you.”

“Really?”

“And.”

Kim Ji-hu tilted his chin and pointed at Song Jae-hyeok.

“Song Jae-hyeok. You come tomorrow too.”

“…?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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