“Wow, it’s not even the appointed time yet, and you’re all here already! You must be very diligent. I hope you’ll all gather like this on filming days, too.”
Director Kim’s half-joking, half-serious comment elicited light laughter in the conference room.
“What, everyone’s already here?”
Following Director Kim inside was someone else—Goo Ilhwan, who was cast as the present-day male lead of Gwiro.
Although the formal meeting had not yet begun, the director seemed eager to get everyone acquainted, waving his hand to call the actors over.
“Let me introduce you. This is Goo Ilhwan—you all know him, right? He’s the one who became our savior.”
“Aw, come on. Director Kim is really talking me up. Hello, I’m Goo Ilhwan. It’s been ages since I’ve worked on a film, so I have a lot to learn. If I mess up now and then, please understand.”
Smiling affably as he greeted everyone, Goo Ilhwan did not look his age at all, despite being well into middle age. It made Rowoon wonder how a man over fifty could convincingly play someone in his forties, but he seemed more than capable of it.
Even more impressive was his piercing gaze. If Kang Chaheon possessed a unique aura that set him apart, Goo Ilhwan had eyes that seemed to peel back someone’s inner layers and look right into their soul.
Why’s he looking at me like that…?
Rowoon had only ever read articles about Goo Ilhwan, so seeing him in person was awe-inspiring. But he quickly realized that intense gaze was fixed squarely on him.
“This is the young man you mentioned, right? The one you kept praising?”
“Haha, yes, that’s him! You recognized him right away.”
“Well, sure. I’ve been rolling around in this industry for decades now. At my age, you get a feel for these things. He’s your ‘friend,’ right? Let’s shake hands.”
According to the script, Rowoon and Goo Ilhwan wouldn’t actually have any scenes together. Rowoon belonged to the so-called “past timeline,” whereas Goo Ilhwan was part of the present-day narrative. Even so, Goo Ilhwan extended a strong hand, and as Rowoon clasped it, the older man pinned him with that intense gaze.
“Your eyes are bright and deep. People with eyes like this don’t let others go once they’ve hooked them. I’m looking forward to what you’ll do next. Let’s see… Seems like you didn’t have much support around you so far, but from now on, people will start reaching out. You’ve got ambition, and you’re the diligent type. Your only flaw is that you look a bit shy… but I hear you change completely once the camera’s rolling?”
“Ay, don’t get me started,” the director chimed in. “Just you wait—you’ll be surprised. He does a full 180 sometimes, to the point it feels like he’s possessed!”
Goo Ilhwan’s gaze stayed on Rowoon while he spoke, but his words were directed at the director. They seemed to be discussing some prior conversation the two of them had, in a way that was puzzling to everyone else.
Is that… a compliment? Though it feels more like he’s reading my fortune than praising me…
Between his uncanny gaze and his cryptic remarks, Rowoon felt more like he was visiting a mystical fortune-teller than a veteran actor. Still, it didn’t seem like Goo Ilhwan saw him in a negative light, which was a relief—especially with Kang Chaheon already harboring some mysterious grudge.
Man, I don’t even want to imagine what would happen if Goo Ilhwan disliked me on top of that.
“This here is Kang Chaheon,” the director said, “though I’m sure you already know him well, Ilhwan. Haha. This guy actually came out of his rest period just to help me—exactly like you.”
At the mixture of pride and gratitude in the director’s voice, Goo Ilhwan offered Kang Chaheon a handshake as well, pinning him with the same intense stare he’d given Rowoon.
“Just as I’ve heard—he’s an impressive fellow. He’s achieved a lot at a young age, but he isn’t arrogant at all. Loyal, too. Looks strong, but he’s surprisingly sensitive and even a bit tender. Still, he’s got a solid core, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Everyone knows Goo Ilhwan-sunbae has a keen eye for people,” Kang Chaheon replied with a grin. “Thank you for your kind words.”
Rowoon, however, felt baffled.
He threatened me in the elevator, but supposedly he’s tender and sensitive? Well, maybe he does have some sense of loyalty—he cares about the director, after all. But still…
How could anyone be so shameless?
With a hearty laugh, Goo Ilhwan said, “Director, where on earth are you finding these wonderful people? You were so worried before, but it seems you have nothing to worry about now.”
“Gosh, I haven’t done anything,” the director replied. “They all just showed up, right? Mr. Ilhwan, you came here to save me, too!”
Director Kim seemed to be in high spirits as he and Goo Ilhwan faced each other with broad smiles. Then, when Goo Ilhwan stepped away for a moment to speak with another staff member, the director gestured for Rowoon and Kang Chaheon to come closer. Slipping an arm around each of their shoulders, he spoke in an enthusiastic tone.
“My two main pillars. I’m counting on you both. You’ll be working as a tight-knit duo once filming starts, so take this chance to bond. From my perspective, I think you’ll get along really, really well.”
Rowoon thought to himself:
No offense, Director, but are your eyes okay? How do you look at this ice-cold tension and say we’ll get along great?
“From what I can tell, you two are so much alike,” the director went on. “The passion you have for acting, the seriousness you bring to it—it’s a perfect match. If you spend time together, you’ll both learn a lot and gain a lot in return. Chaheon, remember what I said? I told you this young man would make it big.”
“Yes, I remember.”
So that was you, huh?
Kang Chaheon’s glance practically said as much. In his eyes, you could see the question: What exactly did you do to get the director singing your praises like this?
“Didn’t you say Chae Yujeong was exactly as you imagined?” Kang Chaheon asked. “As if she’d leapt right out of your mind?”
“That’s right. Lee Rowoon here is going to go far. You should make friends with him now and lock that in. He might even surpass you someday,” the director teased.
“Is that so,” Kang Chaheon said, looking genuinely uncertain whether the director might have lost his marbles.
Funny how we’re having the same thought…
“Hey, you know how great my instincts are, don’t you? Didn’t Goo Ilhwan himself say the same thing just now?” the director pressed.
“Yes. I’ve heard all about how Ilhwan-sunbae can size people up so well that he practically reads their life history the moment he meets them.”
“Exactly! You have no idea how eager I was to introduce you two. Just give it a little time—actors who spend a lot of it together usually end up becoming friends. Hahaha.”
Neither man knew what part of them was supposedly ‘similar’ or why they should become ‘friends.’
“….”
“….”
They locked eyes with equally grim expressions, each seemingly thinking the same thing.
Shouldn’t I be the one who’s offended? Rowoon lamented inwardly.
In the blink of an eye, he’d gone from “barely known actor” to a shady schemer who must have bribed a penniless director. Now he was a shameless glory-hog who’d forced everyone to sing his praises. Reality felt cruel, indeed.
Once the awkward meet-and-greet ended and there was still some time left before the meeting officially began, Kang Chaheon—who had been watching Rowoon with an inscrutable expression—suddenly pulled him out into the hallway.
“What do you want to drink?”
“…Huh?”
Until a minute ago, he’d been glaring at Rowoon like he was chewing on nails. Now he was offering to buy him a drink?
“…Dejawa.”
Still, Rowoon would never turn down a freebie. Having lived in abject poverty in his previous life, every small gift felt precious.
“What?”
“Dejawa. The hot kind.”
“You look normal enough, so why does your taste in drinks suck?”
Is that an insult? Rowoon wondered. But though Kang Chaheon complained, he still pressed the button for Rowoon’s hot milk tea, so Rowoon decided to let it slide this time.
“So, you’re Chae Yujeong, huh.”
He could feel Kang Chaheon observing him like some exotic creature.
“The director wouldn’t stop gushing about Chae Yujeong, and apparently that’s you? What, did you bribe him or something? How else could you land that role? I figured you’d smoothed things over for a decent supporting part at best—but this is on a whole different level.”
Even while muttering in disbelief, Kang Chaheon kept scanning Rowoon from head to toe, as if he were waiting for something.
Well, it’s understandable he suspects me, given whatever issues he had with the body’s original owner—especially since the original’s acting was pretty awful.
Even audiences used to complain that he ruined movies just by appearing in them.
Anyway, once I prove myself again, like I did at the audition, these doubts will vanish.
Rowoon had already vowed to crush any chance of rumors about bribes or anything of the sort. He’d poured all he had into preparing for this very day—the script reading. A little over a week of sharpening his skills and rehearsal, all for this moment.
Without warning, a large hand reached out and briefly touched Rowoon’s forehead, then withdrew.
“Huh. No fever. Are you feeling sick or something?”
“…No?”
“You’ve been acting weird all day. Being polite and all. It doesn’t suit you. Why not behave like you usually do?”
If only the original body was still around so I could ask him what he did to you.
Rowoon had no clue how to respond, since he didn’t know the full story. Seeing his guarded expression, Kang Chaheon chuckled.
“Ah, so you don’t even want to talk to me. Fine. Once we start the reading, it’ll all come out, anyway.”
That, at least, was exactly what Rowoon wanted as well. Script readings are where an actor’s raw ability shines through. There’s no directing yet, no magical fixes through editing—just the actor’s own analysis, interpretation, and performance. It’s the first place where everyone can see how deeply you understand the story and your character.
Rowoon had sharpened himself for exactly that.
Just you wait. I’ll make sure you never doubt my ability again.
He’d devoted himself almost completely to the script for the past week. With this chance he’d managed to grab, he intended to show the absolute best of what he could do.
“Meeting’s starting! Everyone, please gather!”
It looked like it was time. Thank goodness—Rowoon was desperate to leave this uncomfortable situation behind. As he moved to go back inside, a large hand blocked his path.
“…What now?”
“You said you like this, right? Take it with you and finish it.”
At some point, Kang Chaheon had retrieved another of the same milk-tea drinks and held it out. Well, if it’s free…
Rowoon, being wary, took the cup from him without comment. Kang Chaheon didn’t say anything more; instead, he strode away on his long legs, back into the room.
What’s his deal? I thought he hated the original owner’s guts.
There’s a saying that someone who gives you food can’t be all bad, but Rowoon couldn’t quite trust it when it came to Kang Chaheon.
Focus on the script reading first.
A lot could change at this script reading.
The time had finally come for him to seize that opportunity.
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