“Right now, this is all we have.”
Jeong Du-sik laid four scripts down in front of Han Seongtae.
They were projects Han had each skimmed at least once in his previous life.
“Light Breaks In is a melodrama. The story’s pretty solid and the cast that’s gathering is strong, so I don’t think it would overtax you, Seongtae-ssi.”
One by one, Jeong Du-sik explained each script.
Listening, Han sank into thought.
‘Light Breaks In pulled an average 7 percent… When the Lotus Withers averaged 9 percent.’
Because he knew the future, he also knew the ratings the shows would get.
Even if he took part now, the numbers wouldn’t change much. His role would be a bit-part anyway.
“With When the Lotus Withers there’s actually a supporting slot open. The company’s been wracking its brains over whom to send.”
“Hm…”
Jumping at a vacant supporting role was something only newcomers did.
If you couldn’t fully digest the part, the role you snatched came back around as poison.
‘I need an accurate read on myself.’
Han knew there were roles he could handle, and roles he couldn’t.
That was why a grand historical like When the Lotus Withers didn’t pull his eyes.
Unlike modern pieces, historical dramas demanded their own diction and carriage. There were too many things to drill and correct.
No matter how hard he worked, there were things he simply couldn’t do yet.
“Still, you’d have to decide fairly soon. The shoot date’s close.”
“Right.”
Han nodded and turned the pages. He was reading the scripts right there at the desk Du-sik had given him.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ tries to persuade you to take an action piece.]
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ says it makes no difference what genre you choose.]
The Gods of Acting were waiting to see which decision he would make.
‘Which one really is best…’
A prompt choice would be nice, but unfortunately no clear answer came.
“No need to decide this instant. Don’t feel pressured. Take your time.”
“Yes, I should.”
He couldn’t sit in the script room forever and sitting there wouldn’t magically yield a choice.
“Let’s head out. I’ll show you the place.”
“Ah, thank you.”
He rose without hesitation.
‘I’m glad I brought my bag.’
He slipped the scripts inside and followed Jeong Du-sik out of the library.
“This is the staff lounge. If you drop by next time, try a cup of the hot chocolate. It’s really good.”
“I will, next time.”
Almost an hour of touring later, Han Seongtae finally left for home.
“Haa…”
Nam Seok-dae, seated at the head of the conference table, let out a heavy sigh.
A producer at J-TV who had been carving out a respectable track record, he nonetheless had one headache of late.
“What happened with the request we sent JT Entertainment?”
“They said no. One of their actors is tied up with a drama shoot.”
“Right… and QH Entertainment?”
“Same answer, sir.”
At the assistant director’s reply, Nam Seok-dae rubbed his forehead.
“How is it that everyone only says no…”
Exasperated, he turned to the person beside him: scriptwriter Jin Ja-rim.
“Writer-nim, any thoughts?”
“It is a bit of a puzzle. Your main cast is all set, right?”
“Yes. Actors Jo Seok-jeong, Gong Jin-hyo, and Lee Min-seong have all agreed.”
“With people of that calibre, shouldn’t that be enough?”
The ADs around the table nodded.
Jo Seok-jeong, Gong Jin-hyo, Lee Min-seong—each was a hot property and hard to land, especially for a broadcaster like J-TV.
“True, but the single most critical role is still empty.”
“Ah…”
Realization dawned on Jin Ja-rim’s face.
There was still a part uncast. It was not supporting, not bit, but awkwardly middling in weight yet the character steered the flow.
“Right… that role. I must have been too frazzled.”
“It happens. Everyone here knows how busy you are writing.”
She managed a faint smile.
With such big names on board, she had momentarily forgotten the key role was vacant.
Nam Seok-dae could understand her mood.
“For now let’s hunt an actor who fits that image. Audition prep’s on track?”
“Yes, sir. No problems.”
“Good. I need that audition to find us a gem.”
He issued a few instructions and stood.
“All right, everyone. Let’s push a little harder. The director said if we land a hit, the bonuses will be generous.”
At the word “bonus” faces changed: for office workers, bonuses were rain on parched ground.
“Today’s meeting is adjourned.”
People filed out.
Jin Ja-rim rose. The script in her hand bore the title Race Start.
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ advises you to choose the role you can play best.]
Back home, Han listened to the Gods debate which of the four scripts he had received was best.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ insists action is the genre that truly thrills audiences.]
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ calls that a meat-headed view and says romance that makes hearts flutter is better.]
[‘One Who Made Laughter From Tragedy’ murmurs that you have talent for silent theater.]
They were his mentors, yet each wanted something different. It was inevitable since each was a giant in a different field.
‘In the end, all of it helps me grow.’
He simply had to listen and choose whatever yielded the best result.
“I think the thing I can do best right now is action.”
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ nods. An undeniable fact.]
[‘Founder of JJeet Kune Do’ states your action is improving and the answer is obvious.]
Indeed, action was what he presently handled best, a fact even the Gods conceded.
“All four are good, but this one is the most fun.”
Han selected a single script. It was the result of reading them all.
Its cover read Race Start.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ regards the choice with an odd face.]
[‘One Who Made Laughter From Tragedy’ says it certainly looks like a project that’ll be exciting to watch.]
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ agrees that it seems enjoyable.]
Race Start was a crime/action/thriller drama.
‘Great story, but the acting couldn’t keep up,’ Han recalled. Had the performances held, the show might have done very well.
From the first reading, his eyes had been drawn.
As the title suggests, Race Start featured a lot of vehicular action: drug-running cars, police chases, life-or-death races that audiences had loved.
“I want to do this one. What do you think?”
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ nods that it sounds good.]
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ says it’s a pity it isn’t a romance but agrees the story’s solid.]
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ says it isn’t the style of action he imagined, yet there’s nothing wrong with it.]
No god objected which meant the script was that intriguing.
A war of crime between a narcotics squad and gangsters… it felt like the perfect stage to showcase what he’d learned on War of Villains.
[‘One Who Made Laughter From Tragedy’ regrets the absence of comedy.]
“I’ll try that next time.”
[‘One Who Made Laughter From Tragedy’ beams, saying he’ll look forward to it.]
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ hopes you’ll tackle romance someday.]
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ mutters that SF might suit you as well.]
Han laughed and nodded. He had no reason to avoid any genre. He planned to be an omnivore.
The mood was bright when…
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ says you would look cool behind the wheel.]
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ nods, then asks whether you can drive.]
That single question made Han pause.
‘Come to think of it… do I have a license?’
In the previous life he’d driven, but in this life… he wasn’t sure.
“Since it’s a racing piece, I’ll need to practice driving.”
He was about to rise to search for his license when…
[‘He Who Lives by Speed and Dies by Speed’ peeks in.]
A new God of Acting had arrived.
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