NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 8

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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 8. Han Hae-woon and Cha Woo-ju

“This is an audition to select supporting actors, but is there a reason you prepared a sub-lead’s scene for your free acting?”

“It was the character that appealed to me most in the scenario you sent. Even though it’s not the role being cast in this audition, I wanted to try acting it out at least once through this opportunity.”

 

Since the production team had only been notified this morning about the casting vacancy for the ‘Cha Woo-ju’ role, there was no way the applicant could have known in advance. Casting Director Jeong nodded, thinking this must be fate.

 

“Hmm. That was excellent, Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo. I wonder what kind of drink I should buy for Cheol-min. Good work. We’ll contact you later, so please head out.”

 

The production team, who had looked tired from the continuous audition marathon since lunch, brightened up after seeing Yeon-woo.

 

“Yes. This was aspiring actor Ryu Yeon-woo! Thank you.”

 

Yeon-woo bowed energetically and made his exit.

The door opened again as a staff member entered.

 

“Shall I bring in the next participant?”

“No, wait. Let’s take about a 10-minute break.”

“Yes, Director.”

 

Director Kim Han-su watched the staff member close the door and leave, then looked around at everyone.

The other production team members made eye contact with each other.

 

“Everyone, you’re all thinking the same thing I am, right?”

“Director. This would be what they call a blessing in disguise, wouldn’t it?”

“Woo-ju… Yeon-woo…”

 

The production company people exchanged glances and nodded at each other, while writer Choi Mi-hyeon still hadn’t come to her senses.

 

And so Yeon-woo’s first audition in his life came to an end.

Yeon-woo came down to the 1st floor.

 

Since this was his first time experiencing a casting audition, he wasn’t sure whether he had done well or not.

Still, he had no regrets since he had finished what he prepared without any mistakes.

 

He took out his smartphone and called Jeong Cheol-min, who would be waiting for him to come out.

 

-Oh, hey, are you done?

“Yes, I’m at the place where you dropped me off in front of the building.”

-Alright. I’ll be right there. It’s dangerous to talk while driving, so let’s talk once you get in the car.

“Okay, I’ll wait.”

 

Shortly after, Cheol-min’s car arrived and picked up Yeon-woo.

 

“Did you do well without any mistakes?”

 

Cheol-min asked while shifting the gear lever and turning the car around.

 

“Yes. There were no mistakes, but it was a bit strange.”

“Strange? In what way?”

“After finishing the free acting, I also did Cha Woo-ju’s scene for the assigned acting.”

 

Cheol-min tilted his head in confusion.

 

“Not Hwang Jae-il or Choi Hyeok?”

“Right, should I have prepared Hwang Jae-il’s role for the free acting after all?”

 

Cheol-min scratched his chin and answered Yeon-woo’s question.

 

“No, well, for free acting you just need to show your acting ability. In other auditions, it’s common to perform scenes from different movies or dramas.”

 

Cheol-min kept tilting his head and asked again.

 

“Was there anything else they said besides that?”

“Um, they complimented my appearance before the acting. Oh, I think the director said he should buy you a drink?”

“Senior Kim? Buy me a drink?”

 

As they chatted about various aspects of the audition while heading down to Daejeon, both of them started getting hungry from the forced march that began early in the morning, so they stopped at a rest stop.

 

“Ma’am, one ramen please. Yeon-woo, what do you want to eat?”

“I’ll have the loach soup.”

 

Jeong Cheol-min considered changing his own menu choice after hearing Yeon-woo’s answer.

 

“Look at this guy’s taste. You have an old man’s preferences.”

“It’s soul food.”

 

They exchanged silly jokes and sat down.

 

“Yeon-woo, look. The stares you’re getting from around here. Anyone would think you’re already a celebrity.”

 

Just as Cheol-min said, every person coming and going in the rest stop restaurant, regardless of age or gender, kept glancing at Yeon-woo’s face.

Some even turned their heads completely to stare at him openly.

 

“They might be looking at you, sir. You are an actor.”

“Hey, man. Who would recognize me? Maybe industry insiders, but…”

 

Yeon-woo deflected out of embarrassment, but he could definitely feel the piercing stares directed at him.

 

“Yeon-woo, it’s number 157. The youngest should go get it.”

“Haha. There are only two of us, so what youngest? Of course I should go.”

 

As he went to get the food with the number ticket, he could hear murmuring from around him.

 

“He must be an idol!”

“He looks a bit young, maybe he’s a trainee?”

“Hey, ask for his number.”

 

Encouraged by her friends, one person from the murmuring group approached and spoke to Yeon-woo.

 

“…Excuse me, could you possibly give me your number?”

“···Yes?”

 

Seeing the woman who suddenly approached him, Yeon-woo hastily held out the number ticket in his hand.

 

“Oh, but this is our food···?”

“This isn’t the right number… No, I’m sorry!”

Yeonwoo tilted his head as he watched the woman bow hurriedly and then rush away.

When I headed back to the serving line and held out my number ticket, the lady smiled and handed me a tray of food.

“Ah, thank you.”

 

Can they even give more food than the standard portion at highway rest stops···?

 

Anyway, living with a different appearance than his previous life, he was amazed every time at how kind the world could be.

 

Even on his way back to his seat, people’s gazes at Yeon-woo and their murmuring didn’t diminish.

When Yeon-woo arrived at the table, set down his food and sat down, Jeong Cheol-min smiled and spoke to him.

 

“Look at that. You haven’t even debuted yet but you’re already a celebrity.”

“It’ll soon become routine.”

 

Cheol-min finished his meal and said he was going to smoke a cigarette, then headed to the smoking area with his coffee.

Yeon-woo said he’d go to the car first, took the keys, and turned around.

 

That’s when Cheol-min’s phone rang.

 

“Yes, senior!”

 

Jeong Cheol-min answered urgently after seeing the name on the screen.

Ryu Yeon-woo, who had been turning around, also perked up his ears and looked at Jeong Cheol-min.

 

– Junior Cheol-min. That student who auditioned today, Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo. The audition just finished.

– You came up to Seoul together? Why didn’t you even show your face.

 

At Kim Han-su’s words that sounded disappointed, Jeong Cheol-min acted playfully.

 

“Oh my, senior. You know how frantically busy the audition hall is. I should treat you to drinks sometime soon. Ah, it’s definitely not because of casting. Haha.”

“What? What do you mean? I should be the one treating you.”

“Oh my, sunbae. I know how crazy busy you are with the audition venue. I should treat you to a drink sometime soon. Oh, it’s definitely not about casting. Haha.”

– Cheolmin, I should buy the drinks.

“Huh? What are you talking about? I should be the one buying you a drink.”

– Well, the thing is.

Pffft! Huh?!

Cheol-min, who was on the phone, spat out the coffee he was drinking during the call.

“Yes, yes of course. Oh thank you so much. Absolutely, senior. Like I told you. It’s absolutely amazing. Yes, yes.”

Curiosity spread across Yeonwoo’s face at Cheolmin’s intense reaction.

“Yes, please go in, senior. I’ll see you soon.”

After finishing the call, Cheolmin looked at Yeonwoo.

Argh!

 

“Hey, you rascal. You lucky charm. You got cast.”

 

“···Really? Phew, honestly I was incredibly worried.”

 

Though he acted calm, Yeon-woo had been inwardly worried about the audition that ended without even doing assigned acting for other roles being cast.

 

“But listen, don’t be surprised. Yeon-woo.”

“You got cast as Cha Woo-ju.”

Yeonwoo had acted nonchalant, but deep down she was worried about the audition she had just finished without even performing the designated acting piece for the other role she was being considered for.

“But listen, don’t be surprised, Yeonwoo.”

“Why?”

“You’ve been cast as Cha Woo-joo.”

Because this was something he truly wanted to do.

 

Yeon-woo rode in Jeong Cheol-min’s car back down to Daejeon.

 

“Teacher. Thank you so much for giving me a ride today.”

I was dozens of times happier than when I passed the National Intelligence Service exam in my previous life.

Because it’s something I really want to do.

Yeonwoo came down to Daejeon in Jung Cheolmin’s car.

“Teacher, thank you so much for giving me a ride today.”

“Don’t mention it, our academy is going to benefit from how well you’re doing.”

Though he says this, considering all the effort Jeong Cheol-min put in to help prepare for this audition, using Yeon-woo’s name for promotion is a small reward in comparison.

“You kid.”

 

Perhaps Yeon-woo’s feelings got through, as Jeong Cheol-min’s nose tip also turned a little red.

 

Yeonwoo bowed his head once more, filled with gratitude.

“Teacher. Thank you so much for your guidance.”

“Damn it.”

Perhaps Yeonwoo’s feelings had reached him, as Jung Cheolmin’s nose tip also turned slightly red.

Then, perhaps feeling embarrassed, he rolled up the window.

 

“I’m leaving. You tell your parents the news yourself.”

“Yes, drive safely!”

 

After Jeong Cheol-min’s car left, Yeon-woo went into the house with a joyful heart.

 

***

 

A few days later, Jeong Cheol-min visited a building in Seoul with Yeon-woo’s father, Ryu Cheol-woong. They had come to the capital to sign an appearance contract with officials from LN Media, which was handling the external production of the drama ‘Summer’s Closet’.

 

“Brother, I’ve looked it over carefully, and it seems they’ve taken exceptionally good care of him for a newcomer.”

“Haha, that’s right. We’re not casting a newcomer because we’re short on production budget this time. We’re investing in the future of your son here, Ryu Yeon-woo.”

 

For Cheol-woong, an ordinary family man who had lived his entire life as a civil servant, it was a sufficiently surprising amount.

 

“Hehe. I’m bewildered. I vaguely heard a few days ago that our son was going to Seoul for an audition, but I had no idea it would be such a big deal.”

“We’re confident that Ryu Yeon-woo will grow into a major star. If you’re surprised by this much, you’ll have trouble in the future, Father.”

 

The production company officials also felt good seeing Ryu Cheol-woong’s pure reaction.

After all, the giver only feels satisfaction when the receiver is happy, doesn’t it?

 

“Oh, and after this project ends, various talent agencies will probably contact Yeon-woo, so please consider LN Entertainment, which is operated by our LN Media, at that time. Father.”

 

Ryu Cheol-woong was inwardly pleased by the production company’s proactive attitude, but since he didn’t know much about such matters, he passed it to Jeong Cheol-min who had accompanied him.

 

“Yes, I understand. But for such matters, it would be more convenient if you discuss with Jeong Cheol-min here. What would I know about this business? Ah, of course Yeon-woo’s thoughts are most important.”

“We’ll discuss the contract again at that time. Still, you’ll need management during this filming period first, so as family sharing meals on this project, we’ll take responsibility. You can sign here.”

 

After smoothly finishing the contract and heading back down to Daejeon, Cheol-woong was moved by the thought of when his son had grown up so much, realizing this was the first time his son had earned money.

 

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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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