NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 59

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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 59. Stars Beyond the River – Audition

Creak―.

 

A door opened with a spine-chilling sound in the space shrouded in darkness.

 

Click―.

 

The light turned on and a voice mixed with metallic tones was heard.

 

“I told you last time not to do this. Why do you keep waiting with the lights off?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I prefer it dark…”

 

The man waved his hand dismissively and opened his mouth.

 

“Whatever. Tell Kim Gye-sik to come in.”

“Yes.”

 

When the man made a phone call somewhere, another man soon opened the door and entered.

 

“You called for me.”

“Ah, Manager Kim. Come sit down.”

 

Kim Gye-sik quickly walked over and sat in front when the man at the head seat called him.

 

“Pick one of those guys we’ve been working on, tie them to drugs, and send it to the media.”

“What size should I send it as…?”

 

The man at the head seat, who had been stroking his chin, spoke again in his metallic voice.

 

“That President Yoon’s son.”

“You mean Bongrim Construction?”

“No, not that one. The old man who makes ships.”

“Ah, you mean Yoon Gwang-seon from Jeongyang Shipbuilding? That’s his daughter though.”

 

The man at the head seat frowned upon hearing that.

 

“It was a daughter? I thought it was a son since it involved speeding and hit-and-run. Anyway, we need to cover up that incident.”

“Yes, then I’ll prepare something of that size.”

 

***

 

The day of the audition, rescheduled to three days later, had dawned.

 

Yeon-woo was heading to KBC in Min-su’s car.

Team Leader Jeong Hyeok, who was already in the car, asked Yeon-woo.

 

“Actor. Did you prepare well?”

“I’m an audition expert.”

 

Yeon-woo answered with a grin to Team Leader Jeong’s question.

 

“That’s right. You even charmed Director Park Chan-hong. But Jin Yu-han won’t be an easy opponent.”

“That’s right. I looked up his works and he’s really good.”

 

When they parked in the broadcasting station parking lot, a broadcasting station staff member who had been on the phone with Min-su approached to guide them.

 

As Yeon-woo’s group moved from the annex building to the main building, fans waiting for idols coming for music broadcasts recognized Yeon-woo from afar.

 

“Wow. It’s Ryu Yeon-woo!”

“Waaah. Oppa!”

“Amazing. Please look this way!”

 

Yeon-woo looked toward where the voices were coming from and waved his hand in greeting.

 

“Let’s go in. Actor.”

 

Following the staff member who opened the main building door, they entered the lobby waiting room where Director Lee Sang-hoon and Writer Kim Jin-ju, who were in charge of directing ‘Stars Beyond the River’, were present.

 

“Ah, welcome. Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo. I’m Director Lee Sang-hoon.”

“Hello. Director.”

 

Yeon-woo greeted Director Lee and Writer Kim in turn.

 

Then the door opened and Jin Yu-han entered with entertainment company staff.

 

The production team welcomed Jin Yu-han, and after greetings were finished, Jin Yu-han approached Ryu Yeon-woo.

 

Ryu Yeon-woo extended his hand first and offered a greeting.

 

“Nice to meet you. We’re having a friendly competition today.”

“Yes. We met once at the awards ceremony. This role is too attractive for me to give up.”

 

Jin Yu-han greeted him with a smile but seemed to be engaging in an invisible psychological battle.

 

On the other hand, Yeon-woo didn’t seem particularly bothered and was just interested in meeting a fellow actor of his age.

 

Manager Han Young-ho whispered in Jin Yu-han’s ear.

 

“He’s more than ordinary, isn’t he? Not even a change in his expression – maybe he’s not nervous at all.”

 

Jin Yu-han shrugged as if he didn’t care either.

 

“In the end, acting ability will determine the result.”

 

Jin Yu-han didn’t doubt his acting skills even a tiny bit.

 

Then, Director Lee Sang-hoon spoke up.

 

“Well then, I think it would be better to proceed separately. Would it be okay if we start with Mr. Jin Yu-han first?”

“Yes. I’m fine with going first.”

“I don’t mind either.”

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon nodded his head.

 

“Then Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo, please wait here, and Mr. Jin Yu-han, let’s go into the Stage Hall first.”

 

Ryu Yeon-woo’s group sat on the chairs in the Waiting Room, while Jin Yu-han’s group entered the Public Hall where the stage was located.

 

Team Leader Jeong Hyeok watched Jin Yu-han entering and said.

 

“He definitely has an actor’s presence.”

“In my opinion, our actor Ryu has much more presence, don’t you think?”

Minsu built up Yeonwoo so that Yeonwoo wouldn’t feel discouraged for no reason.

“Oh, of course. That goes without saying.”

Team Leader Jung glared at Minsu and quickly continued speaking.

Yeonwoo smiled as he watched the two of them.

After about 10 minutes, Jin Yuhan’s group quickly emerges.

Judging by his bright expression, it seemed like he had done well and come out having performed as he had prepared.

Come to think of it, it would have been strange if he couldn’t do it, considering he’s built his career slowly from being a child actor with over 10 years of experience.

Meanwhile, the production crew inside the theater hall.

“Hmm, that’s definitely proven skill.”

“Actually, it’s surprising that an actor of his current momentum agreed to do our drama. I thought he would only do movies from now on.”

The production team evaluating Jin Yuhan, who just finished his performance and left.

There was nothing to evaluate. His performance was so flawlessly executed that there was nothing to criticize.

At that moment, writer Kim Jin-ju, who had been quietly looking at the script, spoke up.

“They’re definitely good at acting, but they’re not showing anything that goes beyond the script.”

“Come on, Writer Kim. You didn’t have any expectations to begin with anyway. That’s something we can direct on set.”

Just then, Ryu Yeonwoo and his group opened the door and entered.

Minsu and Team Leader Jung sat in chairs in front of the stage hall, while Ryu Yeonwoo went up onto the stage.

The production staff each began to speak as they watched Yeonwoo step onto the stage.

“Her looks are definitely top-tier, right? I was shocked when I saw her earlier too.”

“The previous work was a box office success, but it wasn’t really a role where I could showcase my acting skills.”

“And the only thing I did in movies was cameo appearances.”

“Still, Director Park Chan-hong must have seen something in him to cast him as the lead, right?”

The production team nods at the casting director’s words.

At that moment, Director Lee Sang-hoon, who had already somewhat leaned toward Jin Yu-han, spoke up.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

 

Yeon-woo stood in front of the camera on stage, loosening up his body, while the Production Team watched him through both the monitor and with their own eyes.

 

“Please start with the first Script Lines.”

 

At Director Lee Sang-hoon’s words, Yeon-woo gathered his emotions.

 

In an instant, Yeon-woo’s expression shown on the monitor changed.

 

“If we must have a political marriage, wouldn’t that prove that Our House doesn’t have that much power in this land of Goryeo?”

 

The line sounded like the whining of an immature youngest son of a wealthy family.

 

It was the complete opposite of Jin Yu-han, who had delivered the same line with a somewhat solemn and deep voice because he was a historical figure and the male protagonist of the drama.

 

The Production Team showed interest in the completely different Voice Projection for the same line.

 

“Father. I think there’s no need for us, the family of a Founding Merit Subject, to do such a thing.”

 

This time, he seemed to be slightly persuading, and confidently showing that there were no Aristocratic Families above his own family in the land of Goryeo, as if trying to stimulate his father Seo Pil’s ambition.

 

And Yeon-woo finished the line with a deeper Voice Projection than before.

 

“Please use my free marriage as an opportunity to display the dignity of the Seo Family.”

 

The Production Team, who had been sitting comfortably with their backs slightly away from their chairs, gradually leaned forward and changed to a serious listening posture as they were ‘persuaded’ by the expressions and speech patterns that changed subtly moment by moment with each line.

 

“…I thought Director Park Chan-hong didn’t just pick him for no reason.”

“The details are incredible. He seems like a very intelligent actor.”

“He got into Korea University.”

“Wow, really? I just found out.”

 

After watching the Production Team murmuring, the director looked at Yeon-woo again and spoke.

 

“That was excellent Acting. Can you go straight to the second Script Lines?”

“Yes. Of course.”

 

Yeon-woo cleared his throat and focused on his emotions again.

 

The second Script Lines would be that part where only one line was written without any explanation.

 

Writer Kim Jin-ju’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

 

“I’ll start Acting now.”

“I will begin acting.”

 

Yeon-woo began his lines with strong voice projection, displaying a resolute face along with a disappointed expression as soon as the start was announced.

 

“How can you be so lacking in spirit and so powerless? Are you taking another step back? If you take one step back, eventually you’ll have to take ten thousand steps back.”

 

How could someone so young display such deep voice projection that revealed dignity and authority? It was as if they were seeing Seo Hee himself, transformed into a Naesasirang of the Goryeo royal court, delivering a sharp rebuke to unjust sycophants.

 

However, Jin Yu-han’s acting had been similar to this.

 

While it was certainly amazing that he displayed acting at a similar level to Jin Yu-han, who had been acting for 12 years—more than half his life—the production team had been hoping for something slightly different.

 

And Writer Kim, who seemed somewhat disappointed as he performed the lines with the same interpretation as Jin Yu-han.

 

Just as Director Lee was about to say he had done well, Ryu Yeon-woo opened his mouth again.

 

“I’ll begin the second performance of the second script.”

 

The casting director’s eyes widened in surprise, along with the writer and director showing interest, since they had only given him one second script to begin with, yet he was starting a second performance.

 

 

What Yeon-woo had called somewhat devious when comparing the audition script with the treatment was because he thought there were two places in the work where this script could be used.

 

The first was the latter part where, like Ryu Yeon-woo’s first performance and Jin Yu-han’s interpretation, one could generally imagine delivering a sharp criticism to officials advocating surrender in the standoff between the Liao Dynasty and Goryeo.

 

The second was right now.

 

“Hmm.”

 

After saying he would begin his performance, Yeon-woo clasped his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and slowly paced back and forth in place. His face was full of worry.

 

“How can you be so lacking in spirit and so powerless?”

 

Seo Hee, who had recently learned that not only he but also his close friend Lee Ji-baek had unrequited feelings for Hong Ui-yeon, had been troubled about whether he should choose friendship with his close friend or fight for his own love, and had recently been avoiding both Hong Ui-yeon and Lee Ji-baek.

 

“Are you taking another step back?”

 

Seo Hee, with his hands clasped behind his back, looked down at his feet while worrying.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he put on a resolute expression.

 

“If you take one step back, eventually you’ll have to take ten thousand steps back.”

 

Then Seo Hee unclasped his hands from behind his back and walked with confident steps toward someone.

 

Though he had said the same lines, by changing the tone and adding appropriate actions, the production team saw not the old Seo Hee they had seen before, but a young man who had fallen in his first love.

 

It felt as if all the invisible stories of this young man were contained and fully conveyed.

 

“That’s all.”

 

Writer Kim Jin-ju, who had been quietly watching Yeon-woo, opened her mouth.

 

“…I don’t want to do this work unless it’s with this actor.”

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon looked at Writer Kim Jin-ju and raised both hands, shrugging his shoulders.

 

“Don’t worry. I’m thinking the exact same thing right now.”

 

Director Lee Sang-hoon got up from his seat and approached the stage.

Then he went up and extended his hand to Yeon-woo for a handshake.

 

“Please work with us. After seeing it in person, I understand Director Park Chan-hong’s choice.”

 

Only then did Yeon-woo smile broadly.

 

“I’ll repay you with good acting.”

 

While smiling back at Yeon-woo, Director Lee Sang-hoon’s face soon changed to a somewhat troubled expression.

 

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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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