The Face Genius Actor

Episode 034

“We’ll wrap up today’s practice here. Thank you for your hard work.”

In the end, that day’s script reading skipped scenes requiring the main leads and proceeded by reassigning roles.

Although we managed to finish the script reading without incident, I didn’t feel reassured.

The memory that had suddenly surfaced during my conversation with Lee Joo-yeon was becoming clearer in my mind.

If my memory was correct…

The internal conflict in “I Will Cast Love” did indeed arise between writer Kim Hee-soo and the main leads.

While news articles didn’t specify this, most online community discussions pointed to this.

I had even overheard industry insiders gossiping about it before my regression.

That’s why I couldn’t help but worry about this issue.

Although “I Will Cast Love” ultimately exceeded 15% viewership and became a hit, naturally, no one wants to act in an unpleasant atmosphere.

Above all, being sensitive to atmosphere, I didn’t want to act in an uncomfortable environment.

Ultimately, performing my part well was as important as the drama’s success.

It wasn’t out of altruism that I wanted to maintain a good atmosphere.

‘I hope this issue gets resolved well… Is there no way…?’

I shook my head as I thought about this.

It wasn’t right to step in before any problem had even surfaced.

I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for a rookie actor like me to intervene in such matters.

I wondered if I should even try to resolve this issue.

‘Right. Let’s not worry unnecessarily. This might be a good opportunity to learn how to act without being swayed by the atmosphere.’

I settled my thoughts this way, and fortunately, there were no signs of such conflicts afterward.

We had several more script readings without the main leads, but there were no major issues.

Thanks to Director Kang Han-sung’s wise handling, having learned from the previous role distribution problem.

“If you check the papers I’ve just handed out, you’ll see who will substitute for absent actors in each scene. Please proceed with practice accordingly.”

Thanks to this, the script readings went smoothly, and meanwhile, the main leads finished their current projects.

Yeo Kyung-chan informed me that the main leads would join from the next script reading.

– I heard that actors Park Jun and Jung Se-hee will attend Thursday’s practice this week?

“The writer and director were disappointed without the main leads, so that’s good news.”

– How was it at the public script reading? They were too busy to chat much, right?

“I wasn’t very busy, but they certainly were. Everyone came to greet them.”

– Even during the dinner? That’s impressive. But this time it’s a smaller practice, so they should be able to get closer.

“That would be nice, but it’s fine if they don’t.”

– Please understand if the two main leads are a bit prickly.

“Of course. They might be sensitive with so many people seeking them out.”

Park Jun and Jung Se-hee had both achieved excellent results in their recent dramas.

Park Jun’s “The Night is Dark but the Morning is Bright” ended with 11.2% viewership, while Jung Se-hee’s “Escort” concluded with 8.9%.

Given their high profile, it felt like these two actors had dominated the past week.

As a result, expectations for “I Will Cast Love” were extremely high.

Some predicted that even if writer Kim Hee-soo performed as usual, the viewership would surely exceed 10% this time.

Indeed, with such attention, it wouldn’t be strange if it did.

And in reality, “I Will Cast Love” was set to surpass 10% viewership.

‘Park Jun and Jung Se-hee’s appearance certainly helped tremendously. The promotional effect was remarkable.’

However, this didn’t mean that Kim Hee-soo’s script wasn’t good.

As mentioned earlier, “I Will Cast Love” was Kim Hee-soo’s masterpiece.

The dynamic yet realistic way the three main couples’ stories were constructed was impressive.

It’s impossible in this day and age for a drama with a poor script to exceed 15% viewership.

Looking back…

‘If anything, it felt like Park Jun and Jung Se-hee didn’t perform to their full potential in “I Will Cast Love”.’

Both had shown much better performances in their recent dramas.

It wasn’t for nothing that these two actors were enjoying immense popularity.

In comparison, while there weren’t any particular shortcomings, their performances in “I Will Cast Love” seemed somewhat basic.

In fact, Park Jun later stirred up controversy with a lackadaisical attitude in his next project.

His acting skills seemed to have declined as well.

‘Sigh…’

As these thoughts connected, the rumors of internal conflict in “I Will Cast Love” seemed increasingly true.

With various puzzle pieces fitting together, it was hard not to think this way.

But once again, I shook my head and denied these facts.

As I had already concluded, there was nothing I could do at this point.

I wasn’t even sure if I should do anything.

So once again, I resolved to focus on acting like a rookie actor should.

After that, I returned home and focused on practicing with the method mask on.

The virtual reality within the method mask, almost like a new world, was the perfect place to forget my worries.

* * *

And then Thursday arrived.

I arrived at the drama production company 15 minutes earlier than the appointed time for the reading practice.

While not much different from my usual arrival time, today felt somehow different.

It felt like I might be able to confirm the truth behind the rumors at this gathering.

However, the unusual feeling wasn’t simply due to anxiety about internal conflicts.

I was looking forward to seeing how excellently the main male and female leads would perform.

In my memory, the main leads didn’t show outstanding skills and seemed to just do the basics.

But I thought there would be something different if I actually experienced their acting.

Watching someone else’s acting from the perspective of a fellow actor was a completely different feeling.

Decisively, after going through several script readings, my expectations grew even higher because I saw with my own eyes the incredible performance of the supporting male and female leads.

I couldn’t imagine that the main leads, who were enjoying the greatest popularity, would show acting inferior to the supporting leads.

Whenever I had time, I made sure to watch “The Night is Dark and the Morning is Bright” and “Escort” live, and I marveled at their acting several times, so it was natural.

The two were actors who had enough skill to command the highest popularity.

Thus, in my heart, anxiety about internal conflicts coexisted with expectations for the main leads’ acting.

It seemed that I wasn’t the only one harboring expectations for the main leads’ acting.

Lee Joo-yeon, who arrived at the script reading room 3 minutes later than me, spoke up.

“Si-joon! You were here first again today!”

“Hello, senior. Was the road not blocked on your way here today?”

“Afraid the road might be blocked, I didn’t drive my old car this time and took the subway. Really, something needs to be done about Seoul’s traffic congestion.”

“You’re still the same, senior. You always talked about Seoul’s traffic congestion during ‘Voice of Sound’ too.”

“Did I? Anyway, I heard Park Jun sunbaenim and Jung Se-hee sunbaenim are participating in the script reading today?”

“Yes, that seems to be the case. Finally, the lead actors will be gathered in full. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too. I really enjoyed watching both ‘The Night is Dark and the Morning is Bright’ and ‘Escort’. I was a complete devoted viewer!”

Joo-yeon didn’t hide her excitement.

I also chimed in because I had expectations for both of their acting.

As we were chatting, other actors arrived one after another.

Everyone arrived early, before the appointed time, to prepare for the script reading.

It was customary for actors to arrive earlier than the writer and director at such gatherings.

“Hello! Sunbaenim!”

“You came early again today!”

The supporting male and female leads found their places and sat down, exchanging brief greetings.

A moment later, writer Kim Hee-soo and director Kang Han-sung appeared right on time.

However, for some reason, the main male and female leads were nowhere to be seen.

‘Surely they’re not going to be absent today too? They said the main leads would be attending…’

As I was feeling anxious, director Kang Han-sung stroked his chin and spoke.

“Hmm… It seems Park Jun and Jung Se-hee haven’t arrived yet.”

Writer Kim Hee-soo frowned briefly, then looked around the practice room and responded.

“They might be a little late since it’s their first time here. Let’s wait a bit before starting the script reading.”

An inexplicably stifling silence fell over the practice room.

I was hoping the main leads would arrive soon and break this silence.

Fifteen minutes after the appointed time, Park Jun appeared.

“I’m sorry for being late!”

Right after him, Jung Se-hee also showed up.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

The fact that they apologized first suggested that they hadn’t been late on purpose.

Perhaps because of this, the somewhat serious expressions of writer Kim Hee-soo and director Kang Han-sung softened.

“You don’t need to apologize so much. It’s okay to be late the first time.”

“That’s right. Have some water and take a deep breath first. You must be tired from rushing here.”

Fortunately, writer Kim Hee-soo and director Kang Han-sung weren’t authoritative figures.

So they didn’t make a big issue of the main leads’ tardiness and proceeded directly with the script reading.

The atmosphere, which had felt somewhat heavy, naturally lightened.

In this improved mood, director Kang Han-sung spoke up.

“Since Park Jun and Jung Se-hee need to catch their breath, shall we start from Part 1, Scene 12?”

Part 1, Scene 12 was a section where the supporting male and female leads shone.

Gong Hyung-jun and Lee Mi-hwa gladly accepted the director’s suggestion and showed their excellent acting as always.

Writer Kim Hee-soo nodded with a satisfied expression.

The two’s acting was originally excellent, but it seemed to have improved even more than at the beginning due to repeated practice.

Not just them, but I and Joo-yeon had also become much more familiar with our roles.

It was thanks to the repetitive script readings.

The script reading continued smoothly, and finally, it was Park Jun and Jung Se-hee’s turn.

“Good. Now let’s go back to the front and ask Park Jun and Jung Se-hee to act.”

It was finally the moment when our curiosity about what kind of acting they would show would be resolved.

But as soon as Park Jun and Jung Se-hee’s acting began, everyone present couldn’t help but be surprised.