Chapter: 101
—
Honestly, Joo Seoyeon didn’t quite fit the role of Jo Ha-rin.
Bouncy acting.
A girl who has a crush.
And a naive child scared and unfamiliar with love.
She might have thought that kind of role wouldn’t suit her.
She probably gave it her all, but deep down, there was a hint of insecurity.
In fact, she had thought that sometimes.
‘But—’
Closing her eyes, she conjured the script in her mind.
The revised content.
And the dialogues.
Naturally, the emotional lines she had prepared for acting would shift accordingly.
Writer Min Se-hee had, as much as possible, reflected Seoyeon’s opinions in the script.
As straightforward as possible.
She must have made some additional tweaks after hearing Park Jung-woo’s advice.
“He might think I’m not ready yet.”
Park Jung-woo must have said something along those lines.
It wasn’t entirely incorrect.
From Jung-woo’s perspective, Seoyeon probably wasn’t prepared enough to act that way yet.
So, reflecting that opinion in the script made sense.
But was that everything?
Not quite.
If that were the case, they wouldn’t have asked for the actors’ opinions.
“Don’t worry about whether the tone of my acting fits.”
She felt Ma Yeon-woo’s gaze on her.
The look that asked if she was really okay.
Even if ‘Park Min-yul’ was adjusted to fit Ma Yeon-woo’s style, it couldn’t completely match.
“I’m the senior in acting, remember?”
“…Well, it doesn’t really matter.”
Ma Yeon-woo chuckled at how oddly different Seoyeon seemed than usual.
What’s the big deal?
This was actually easier to deal with than her typical demeanor.
‘Get in the zone.’
That’s the classic phrase actors use to prepare before filming.
Up until now, Ma Yeon-woo hadn’t seen Seoyeon get into the zone while filming Dream Future.
Her expressions and emotions transformed in an instant, leaving a significant impact even in brief moments.
So, he knew how much Chae Seo-ah, played by Song So-ha, struggled.
‘Yeah, is this what getting in the zone feels like?’
Seoyeon’s gaze fixed on the set seemed to flicker with a hint of red.
What a striking color it was.
Previously, fellow trainees preparing as idols had such eyes.
Suddenly, those past memories flooded back.
In the actor before him, he was reminded of the sparkling members from their trainee days.
That innocence.
That passion.
It took a tangible form that burned brightly in Ma Yeon-woo’s eyes.
“So, do your best to act like an idol.”
Seoyeon smiled warmly, her usual self nowhere in sight, probably appearing more like Jo Ha-rin.
The bright and cheerful idol showed hardly a shadow of Chae Seo-ah.
“Can you do it?”
With her fist out, Seoyeon nodded with enthusiasm.
More cheerful than ever.
Although he couldn’t quite place it, it felt familiar.
‘Ah, Survival Without People.’
Back then, Seoyeon’s lively side shone through while being watched in that variety show.
Ma Yeon-woo recalled that glimpse he caught during that time.
How had he almost forgotten?
Yes, in variety shows, she had that kind of vibe.
“Of course!”
Park Min-yul was different from Ma Yeon-woo.
After all, Park Min-yul was merely a trainee participating in an audition show.
And he was a member of Just X.
Though he might be a rookie as an actor, he was undoubtedly part of the top idol group.
*
RY Entertainment.
The agency of Just X.
It was part of Korea’s big three management agencies.
“Having Ma Yeon-woo appear in Dream Future was a mistake.”
The head of the actor management department, Lee Hwi-rok, expressed his annoyance.
He had every reason to feel that way, as Ma Yeon-woo’s image seemed quite tarnished post-Dream Future.
“His poor acting has brought some humor, at least.”
“Are you being serious, Section Chief Song?”
Lee Hwi-rok sighed.
“Do you realize how much I’m getting hit in the idol division because of this? This is ruining his image completely.”
“…Did you really expect Dream Future to be that bad?”
“Still, it seems the ratings are doing alright.”
Yeah, just alright.
Not great, not terrible.
Though, it didn’t quite match the excellent start they had.
But for a show with such a premise, maintaining this level was pretty commendable.
‘The screenwriter must’ve put in the effort.’
When the business department heard this project, the drama writer must have faced a lot of struggles.
The emotional tone was clearly outdated, and youth dramas were quite unfamiliar to the general public.
Dream Future was a drama directly planned by KMB.
It wasn’t a project conceived as an original piece by the writer.
Naturally, since it wasn’t pure creative output, it must have been considerably challenging for the drama writer to shape the play.
Thus, the writer preserved a light tempo that skewed towards silliness.
Though it might induce laughter, it allowed the live singing scenes to gain proper focus.
Phases intended to be light were audibly light, maintaining a balance.
Though there were gaps here and there,
‘Well, in any case, Ma Yeon-woo’s acting is still awful.’
That was how it appeared.
The reason was simple.
Since Park Jung-woo was standing right next to him, comparisons in acting quality were inevitable.
Plus, quick scenes with Joo Su-yeon also posed as a challenge.
The newly missed rookie from RY.
Or rather, since she had started as a child actor, perhaps she wasn’t so much of a rookie?
‘What a pity though.’
Even in passing moments, she left that level of presence.
After watching The Chaser, the feeling of regret intensified.
‘I guess sticking to villain roles limits one’s acting spectrum.’
Wasn’t the impression itself evident?… this thought lingered in Lee Hwi-rok’s mind as Dream Future aired its first episode.
There, Jo Ha-rin’s live scene had shone bright.
If she manages to deliver that energy again, who knows?
“Section Chief Song.”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t Dream Future episode 7 airing today?”
“Oh, it should be on right now.”
Upon Song’s comment, Lee Hwi-rok indicated with his eyes to turn on the large TV in the office.
‘Hasn’t he got hands?’
While grumbling, Song checked the settings and switched to Dream Future episode 7.
Just as it started.
“By the way, did you watch Dream Future, Director?”
“Of course, didn’t you?”
“I mean, yeah, I did.”
In truth, he hadn’t.
He’d turned it off after the second episode because it felt too cringy.
But it seemed Lee Hwi-rok had watched all of it.
Despite bashing Ma Yeon-woo, he still made sure to catch up with everything featuring their actors.
‘This must be the episode where Ma Yeon-woo and Joo Su-yeon take the lead.’
He heard the script underwent changes.
They promised to improve the screen time, though it seemed to lean in a less favorable direction for Ma Yeon-woo.
‘Maybe it’s better to gradually step back now.’
Since he was already creating controversy with poor acting, reducing his screen time might serve as an advantage.
With such thoughts, Lee Hwi-rok focused on the TV.
“Open the chat window on your laptop too. You know we’re live-streaming this online, right?”
“Oh, right.”
Song moved busily around.
He set up the laptop next to his seat to check the chat.
– Today’s the audition part, huh…
– Please don’t be cringy.
– But still, the singing’s great! Let’s celebrate!
Such comments started popping up from the beginning.
Lee Hwi-rok observed the speed at which comments were coming in.
‘It hasn’t dropped.’
That meant they had a fixed audience for Dream Future.
‘Her presence has grown.’
From the very start, it progressed from Jo Ha-rin’s perspective.
Focusing on Jo Ha-rin, who previously had limited screen time, Park Min-yul began to reveal his feelings for her little by little.
As Jo Ha-rin folded her feelings for Kim Si-hwan discreetly, she navigated a turbulent sea of emotions from Park Min-yul’s actions.
“What should I do, it’s the audition now….”
Jo Ha-rin murmured, her face looking teary.
She realized Kim Si-hwan had feelings for Song So-ha and decided to quietly support him while withdrawing her own feelings.
But just because she decided to move on didn’t mean those feelings disappeared completely.
“Haah.”
Upon Jo Ha-rin’s sigh,
– Wait a minute.
– Is this a thriller drama?
– Wait, does it seem like Park Min-yul is going to die?
– Show us your bare hands.
Recently, such chat comments became frequent, perhaps due to the influence of The Chaser.
Comments linking Jo Ha-rin and Chae Seo-ah.
This was also proof of how much Seoyeon managed to impress with her intense acting.
“…I….”
Jo Ha-rin pondered her feelings for Park Min-yul.
In this upcoming audition, one of them would inevitably be eliminated.
It was a survival mission.
Hence, Park Min-yul didn’t plan to confess openly.
Jo Ha-rin’s discovery of her emotions was purely coincidental.
She felt confused.
Yet, time was not on her side.
The final mission to select the top ten.
Jo Ha-rin and Park Min-yul’s duet.
The song was a cheerful idol track.
A song reflecting love that was undeniably upbeat for a final mission.
As a side note, Jo Ha-rin had picked this song herself.
Though it was definitely a challenging piece for him, Park Min-yul respected Jo Ha-rin’s choice.
“Do either of you have something to say to each other before we start?”
Before the stage began, the judge asked.
Words to say.
As Jo Ha-rin hesitated,
“I plan to give it my all and win to make the top ten.”
Park Min-yul was the first to answer.
He glanced at Jo Ha-rin for a moment as he spoke, passing the microphone.
With resolute words.
And it sent a signal from Park Min-yul to not hesitate on stage.
“I, too, will do the same.”
Receiving the microphone, Jo Ha-rin replied.
“I’m going to the top ten.”
With that, she flashed a grin at Park Min-yul.
Seeing her, Park Min-yul chuckled in return.
Their chemistry brought a smile to the judges.
Amidst the audience’s cheers.
The stage illuminated, bursting with lights from all directions.
A refreshing idol track.
It was Park Min-yul who took the lead first.
– Please, Yeon-woo.
– Why is he always the first to sing?
– Must be because he’s an active idol?
– Stop hyping up bubble idol Just X already!
As usual, as Ma Yeon-woo, or rather Park Min-yul stepped forward, the chat filled with criticism.
With others joining in on the bashing.
Or perhaps, Just X’s anti-fans.
Even those genuinely criticizing Ma Yeon-woo’s clumsy acting.
In that critical light, the camera zoomed in on Park Min-yul.
His confident expression.
Stepping boldly onto the stage.
– Huh?
This was a side of Park Min-yul no one had seen before.
Suddenly, an undeniable presence emanated from the stage.
The spotlight shifted directly onto Park Min-yul.
As the judges’ faces flashed by, Park Min-yul’s clear voice rang through the air.
Moving in rhythm, dancing while taking steps.
Anyone could recognize it.
Top Idol.
Just X was not merely an idol group but a bridge connecting K-POP to international markets.
There were controversies, but their skills were undeniably outstanding.
And in that, Ma Yeon-woo was a skilled idol responsible for vocals.
Watching this, Lee Hwi-rok couldn’t take his eyes off the screen.
What about acting?
No.
‘This is Ma Yeon-woo.’
It was a stage so flamboyant that it would leave everyone astonished.
But surely they would soon realize.
That the one on stage wasn’t Park Min-yul but Ma Yeon-woo.
Whether fans might be satisfied with this or not.
Lee Hwi-rok squinted.
This wasn’t acting; this was idol territory.
It was the right choice but not entirely satisfying.
But at that moment.
The camera panned, capturing Seoyeon reaching out toward Ma Yeon-woo.
Jo Ha-rin.
A lively girl from the countryside who moved to the city.
Cheerful and sunny, she smiled while receiving Ma Yeon-woo’s song.
Her technique might have been lacking.
After all, she wasn’t a singer.
But her timbre radiated profound emotions.
The spotlight that had been directed at Ma Yeon-woo shifted towards Seoyeon.
At the same time, the dance flowed seamlessly along with the song, showcasing her face greatly on screen.
The emotions cascading from her seemed to spread all around.
Innocent feelings.
Ma Yeon-woo’s lackluster acting was lifting up her performance.
Naturally, guiding him to look at her.
And triggering a response that would involuntarily draw gasps from viewers with her adorable acting.
Ma Yeon-woo followed that acting.
Seoyeon was guiding.
With Ma Yeon-woo still raw as an actor, it was only natural for some awkwardness to appear.
Yet, that awkwardness was enveloped by Seoyeon’s performance.
Conversely, Seoyeon could only show limited performances on stage as she wasn’t an idol.
And that gap was filled by Ma Yeon-woo.
As if it were natural rather than acting.
A performance that could be seen as the top idol.
It emerged as if it blended in with the acting.
It was mesmerizing.
The speed of the chat had noticeably slowed down.
This was proof that more viewers were entranced in the drama.
But neither Song nor Lee Hwi-rok realized that.
Their focus was entirely on the drama.
‘What a loss.’
For the first time.
Lee Hwi-rok, the head of RY Entertainment, thought to himself.
‘I should have definitely gotten her.’
Joo Seoyeon.
The child actor making a comeback after ten years.
Though her acting skills hadn’t been proven yet.
He had considered her merely a trending actress.
It was a misconception.
A truly foolish judgment.
A crushing mistake.
Such thoughts swirled around Lee Hwi-rok’s mind.
And with those regrets came,
“Thank you! Thanks for your support!!”
The significant resurgence of Dream Future began.
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