NOVEL NEXT Chapter 251
This year’s hottest rising star, Joo Seo-yeon, made her appearance.
Of course, the actors at the audition couldn’t help but stir.
Well, duh.
This audition is, at best, for Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie.
Even if it was 10 years ago, it’s still surprising that such big stars are gathering for a movie by a director who’s been on a downhill slide. It would be weird not to be suspicious.
‘What’s going on?’
‘I heard rumors that actor Park Jung-woo was participating, but for Hwang Min-hwa and Joo Seo-yeon to join too? Something’s off.’
‘Was the script that good? Well, it was fun, but isn’t it just an entertainment movie? It felt a bit ridiculous, actually…’
The actors looked at Seo-yeon, who had just entered, and Hwang Min-hwa, who was sitting provocatively.
Seo-yeon naturally locked eyes with Hwang Min-hwa.
They were staring so hard, it would’ve been weird if their eyes hadn’t met.
‘Why is that girl here?’
‘So Hwang Min-hwa is here too.’
Hwang Min-hwa was quite flustered.
Seo-yeon was a bit puzzled, but that was it.
‘Originally, Hwang Min-hwa was in Director Jo Bang-woo’s movies too.’
In her past life, Hwang Min-hwa was a successful actress.
No, not just successful—her movies were guaranteed hits.
Her career had no movies with less than 5 million viewers.
Except for one.
‘Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie.’
A movie that barely gathered 1.5 million viewers and was pulled from theaters.
Hwang Min-hwa erased that movie from her career.
As if it never existed.
That was possible because she wasn’t the female lead in that movie.
‘So, it’s a bit surprising she’s participating in this audition.’
From what she knew, Hwang Min-hwa was originally cast as the female lead in that movie.
But she chose a supporting role with less screen time instead.
Of course, the public wondered why Hwang Min-hwa took a supporting role instead of the lead, but they quickly found out why.
‘The male lead’s terrible acting. And the two leads were so bad at action scenes that stunt doubles had to do most of the work.’
Even if stunt doubles are used for action scenes, the actors still need to do some parts themselves.
Especially in *Seoul Escape*, where the action scenes are often shot in close-ups, making it hard to use stunt doubles.
So, with the scenes looking rough and the acting being a mess… the result was obvious.
‘I wonder if she saw through that.’
In fact, it’s strange that Hwang Min-hwa even appeared in that movie.
In interviews, she said she couldn’t refuse because of her past relationship with the director, but who knows if that’s true.
Anyway, since it was a minor supporting role, she could easily erase it from her career.
In fact, her image improved because she appeared in a flop out of loyalty.
The director even committed suicide, earning her sympathy.
“Long time no see, Seo-yeon.”
“Yes, long time no see, Hwang Min-hwa.”
After exchanging greetings, they quietly stared at each other.
‘Why isn’t she greeting me? Is this a power struggle?’
‘But is Hwang Min-hwa even good at action acting? She’s not bad in other movies, though.’
Hwang Min-hwa’s lips twitched as she watched Seo-yeon, lost in thought, not even properly greeting her senior.
“Seo-yeon, even though I’m your senior, you should greet me first…”
“Huh? If anything, aren’t I the senior here?”
“?”
Hwang Min-hwa paused, genuinely puzzled by Seo-yeon’s words.
Thinking about it, it made sense.
Seo-yeon’s debut year was surprisingly early.
10 years ago, she appeared as a child actor in *The Moon That Hid the Sun*.
‘What? Does she not count child actor roles?’
As Seo-yeon looked at her strangely, Hwang Min-hwa coughed awkwardly.
“Oh my, you’re right. My mistake.”
“No problem.”
“Let’s do well in today’s acting.”
Hwang Min-hwa thought as she looked at Seo-yeon.
‘This girl is no ordinary opponent in a power struggle.’
To counter with such an innocent face, she’s no amateur.
Hwang Min-hwa even wondered if Seo-yeon’s indifferent face earlier was just acting.
Well, she’s been dominating the industry for a year, so she’s no pushover.
‘Besides, that Jo Seo-hee girl is a handful too.’
Hwang Min-hwa also found Jo Seo-hee annoying.
Even ignoring the rumors of her being a chaebol heiress, Jo Seo-hee alone was a tough opponent.
A genius actress loved by many veteran actors.
She also had more hits than Hwang Min-hwa, making her a thorn in Hwang Min-hwa’s side.
‘Why did Hwang Min-hwa join as the female lead this time? Did the male lead change to Jung-woo? That seems the most plausible…’
Seo-yeon, lost in thought, and Hwang Min-hwa, staring at her.
‘This is no ordinary match.’
‘Did I come to this audition for nothing?’
‘It’s basically a fight between those two.’
The other actresses couldn’t help but feel gloomy as they watched the two.
Both Joo Seo-yeon and Hwang Min-hwa were highly praised for their acting skills.
Joo Seo-yeon was this year’s hottest actress, and Hwang Min-hwa was a top actress who had proven herself over the years.
In terms of recognition or acting skills, they were no match for them.
They were even more curious.
What kind of movie is this that such actors are gathering for?
And then.
“Joo, Joo Seo-yeon… the actress?”
Director Jo Bang-woo was stunned when he heard that Seo-yeon had entered the audition waiting room.
He wasn’t too surprised about Hwang Min-hwa since she had already called to say she was coming.
Of course, he didn’t think that prideful woman would actually show up.
Even though she said she would, he thought she might not come when told she had to audition.
‘Is it because of Park Jung-woo?’
Director Jo Bang-woo suddenly felt bitter at the thought.
It felt like one actor’s trust was higher than his own as a director.
From his perspective, she’s just a young actress.
No matter how much she’s the daughter of a famous actor, she’s still in her early twenties.
Well, a young actress who hits it big every time she appears might earn more trust than him.
Director Jo Bang-woo let out a shallow sigh.
“Director, didn’t you know Joo Seo-yeon was coming?”
“I had no idea. Park Jung-woo said there was an actress he really wanted to participate, so I thought it was through him…”
Was it Joo Seo-yeon? He could see why they kept it a secret.
“Then you should’ve told me earlier. Was the whole audition just for Joo Seo-yeon?”
“Yes.”
“Was there even a need for an audition?”
“Joo Seo-yeon would think it’s the right thing to do.”
Moreover, this audition had a symbolic meaning.
An audition for Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie.
And the drama where Seo-yeon first appeared.
*The Moon That Hid the Sun*.
It was the first drama audition for real acting, not just commercials, in Seo-yeon’s acting career.
The arrogant child actor, Park Jung-woo, first met Seo-yeon at that audition.
“Actually, I…”
“The reason I decided to appear in the movie is all because of actress Joo Seo-yeon.”
Park Jung-woo smirked at director Jo Bang-woo.
“Huh?”
“Surely, you haven’t forgotten?”
Park Jung-woo calmly spoke to the flustered Jo Bang-woo.
“Actress Joo Seo-yeon, the first audition where she could truly become an actress, was thanks to your recommendation, Director Jo Bang-woo.”
“…….”
“She was just a child actor who had done a few commercials. A child actor who appeared in a few CFs by director Jo Min-tae. The one who brought that child actor in front of everyone was none other than Director Jo Bang-woo.”
“……That was just because my son recommended her, so I helped a little.”
“Yes, both of you greatly helped actress Joo Seo-yeon.”
Park Jung-woo chuckled as he looked at the camera screen showing the audition waiting room.
The screen captured Hwang Min-hwa looking strangely at Seo-yeon and Seo-yeon lost in thought.
Probably, Seo-yeon is the only actress who can stand so calmly in front of Hwang Min-hwa.
“Actress Joo Seo-yeon has been constantly asking me about your new movie, Director Jo Bang-woo.”
“……Why?”
“She really wants to appear in it.”
Park Jung-woo looked at the flustered Jo Bang-woo with a calm gaze.
“More than any other movie, she wants to appear in that one first.”
He wondered.
Why did Seo-yeon want so badly to appear in Director Jo Bang-woo’s movie?
Did she know the script?
He thought so, but of course, that couldn’t be the case.
Even if the script was bad, Seo-yeon would have appeared.
“……Why?”
“Well.”
Park Jung-woo smiled.
“Maybe it’s because the connection from 10 years ago was so precious.”
Well, something like that.
The drama <The Moon That Hid the Sun>, filmed 10 years ago, is also very precious to Park Jung-woo.
It was the turning point that corrected his arrogant mindset.
Back then, the image of Princess Yeonhwa, standing with the sunset behind her, smiling at young Yoon Seoil, remained etched in his memory.
He thinks of it as a kind of milestone.
In many ways.
“Director.”
Park Jung-woo spoke to the strangely silent director.
“That child actor you recommended back then has returned like this.”
Beyond the 10 years.
At the most desperate moment.
Like a savior.
***
At 2 PM, all the actors gathered in the waiting room.
The auditions officially began.
The first group of three entered the audition room and started performing the script they had received in advance.
Hwang Min-hwa sat calmly, thinking about the script she had memorized.
Since Joo Seo-yeon appeared here, she was determined to win.
‘I can’t lose to that girl.’
Certainly, Seo-yeon debuted earlier.
But considering the length of their careers, Hwang Min-hwa’s is overwhelmingly longer.
The career she has built over the years.
The things she has done.
The efforts she has made.
‘Genius actress…….’
Well, Hwang Min-hwa isn’t stupid enough to deny that.
She has a petty side, but she doesn’t deny the talent of her fellow actors.
She doesn’t look down on them.
Joo Seo-yeon is the real deal.
Now sitting calmly, quietly closing her eyes, Seo-yeon looks like a doll without any tension.
A different atmosphere than usual.
Hwang Min-hwa had also heard that before acting, Joo Seo-yeon organizes her emotions like a doll.
Like an inorganic object that doesn’t feel any emotions, that’s how she looks.
She thought it was just a rumor, but seeing her like this, she thought it might be true.
She felt it from the first time they met.
The aura of an actress.
Hwang Min-hwa knows.
She once went to an overseas film festival when a movie she appeared in was nominated for an international award.
There, she saw world-renowned actors.
When she saw them, Hwang Min-hwa sneered.
They’re just locals, right?
In terms of acting skills, there are plenty of actors worse than her.
It’s just because of their race, their country.
But there was one actor whose aura felt different.
‘That white girl.’
What was her name, Stella or something.
Anyway, the aura she felt from that girl was very similar.
‘……Good.’
Hwang Min-hwa checked the content of <Seoul Escape>, which she would be filming.
First, the character she would be playing is Seo Hye-min, a college student whose hobby is climbing.
Climbing is a sport where you grab onto rocks and other things attached to walls and go up and down.
Originally, Seo Hye-min was a promising climbing athlete, but she retired due to a shoulder injury.
Now, she’s a college student working part-time at a fast-food restaurant.
‘So, it’s clear that athletic ability will also be checked.’
Of course, the script doesn’t have any scenes of her climbing.
It’s just acting that can show the character.
Park Jung-woo, playing the son of a department store owner, a third-generation chaebol, will be her co-star.
‘Seo Hye-min’s character is ……more girlish than I thought.’
She thought it would be lively, but it wasn’t.
It’s relatively feminine.
There’s pretense, but also realness.
But she’s a woman with backbone.
‘Actually, this kind of character is harder to act. Should I emphasize the liveliness? Or…….’
And the movie’s plot is about such a woman overcoming a disaster with the male lead.
Honestly, just looking at the plot, it’s hard to believe.
It’s about an unknown gas leaking in Seoul, causing deaths.
And the people who die from the gas start attacking others like zombies.
It’s kind of a zombie movie.
What is this movie?
Hwang Min-hwa thought so, but she read it all because it was interesting.
A real entertainment movie.
A challenge for director Jo Bang-woo.
“Then, numbers 34 to 36, please come in.”
Then, the staff’s voice was heard.
Hwang Min-hwa, her number is 34.
After checking, the moment she stood up.
“……!!”
Instantly, the sound of actors holding their breath was heard.
Because the moment Hwang Min-hwa stood up, Seo-yeon also stood up.
“Hmm.”
Seo-yeon also seemed a bit surprised.
She didn’t expect to be in the same group as Hwang Min-hwa for the audition.
And so.
“First, actress Hwang Min-hwa, please show us your prepared acting. The scene is…… let’s go with S# 27.”
The audition officially began.
An audition no one expected.