Chapter 122: Lee Tae-Poong's Audition (2)
Lee Tae-Poong was dressed in shabby North Korean military clothes and looked as though he hadn't eaten anything for a week. Not only were his eyes deeply sunken but his cheeks had also become so thin that slight wrinkles were visible. His lips were chapped and his half-open mouth was gasping for breath.
Perhaps because of these reasons, his eyes held a thirst and madness that made it difficult for anyone to easily approach him.
'I didn't think he'd be in this bad of a condition although I was the one who gave him the advice...'
Choi Sung-Moon always held actors who immersed themselves completely in their roles with high regard. That's why I had advised Lee Tae-Poong the last time I met him to act like the protagonist even in his daily life.
Following my advice, Lee Tae-Poong was acting out the situation where the main character Choi Sung-Ha infiltrated a North Korean special operations battalion as Lieutenant Choi In-Sol under a false identity.
'Man, has he been living like this ever since I last met him?'
As I approached Lee Tae-Poong, I could hear other actors murmuring as they were wary of him.
"Look at those eyes. He looks insane."
"He looks like he could kill someone."
"Is he here for an audition or to take someone down?"
Even Choi Yang-Seop from Ace Entertainment, who had won an award before, was making harsh comments at Lee Tae-Poong.
"This punk can't even act. He should just stick to commercials."
Lee Tae-Poong's good looks and overwhelming presence seemed to bother everyone, and they eventually began to openly insult him, saying he couldn't act.
But fortunately, Lee Tae-Poong didn't let those comments bother him even a little.
'Just wait. Everyone will be surprised once they see his acting.'
I stood in front of Lee Tae-Poong and called out his name.
"Tae-Poong."
Lee Tae-Poong slowly lifted his head, but his eyes showed hostility like a starved fighting dog ready to attack.
Lee Dae-Ho standing beside him answered with a worried expression on his behalf.
"Mr. Jung, Tae-Poong said until the audition is over, he won't respond unless you call him by the protagonist's name. And..."
When Lee Dae-Ho hesitated to continue, I encouraged him to go on. "It's okay. You can speak freely."
"Okay. He's been living on only water and salt for a week."
Lee Tae-Poong had taken my advice to heart and even gone a step further on his own. This alone showed how desperately he wanted this role.
"I understand. Then I'll take it from here."
"Yes, Mr. Jung."
When Lee Dae-Ho stepped aside, I crouched down to meet Lee Tae-Poong's eyes.
"Tae-Poong, no matter who approaches or speaks to you, maintain your current state. I'll handle all the conversations. Understand?"
Lee Tae-Poong glared at me silently before nodding. I had to support him to maintain this level of focus between reality and the role.
Soon, Lee Tae-Poong bowed his head again and began muttering to himself while dismissive comments continued to surround us.
"What a lunatic. What kind of messed up show is he putting on?"
"What does he think he's doing when the audition hasn't even started yet? Hey, Lee Tae-Poong. Aren't you going to greet your sunbae?"
I instructed Jung Sang-Bong and Lee Dae-Ho to block anyone who tried to approach Lee Tae-Poong. After all, every actor here was a competitor, although the real competition was limited to a few.
That's when Cha Tae-Hoon, the actor who posed the most challenge to Lee Tae-Poong, appeared in the waiting room accompanied by Team Lead Ju Ho-Sung from Actor Division 3. He was the original lead for Beyond the Boundary in my past life and a top star managed by Actor Division 3 of Hoop Entertainment.
He was known for his acting skills and box office draw, having won the Best Actor award last year. The room began to buzz with his arrival.
"...Tae-Hoon hyung is here too?"
"Ah, fuck. We're all done for if he's here..."
The reaction Cha Tae-Hoon received was completely different from the wariness that had surrounded Lee Tae-Poong.
Ju Ho-Sung spotted us and waved his hand. "Oh, Assistant Manager Jung!"
"How are you doing, Mr. Ju?"
"I'm good. So, how are things going? Has Mr. Tae-Poong been practicing a lot?"
"Yes, sir."
Cha Tae-Hoon approached us with a chuckle. "Ha ha. Mr. Jung, long time no see. Isn't it boring in Actor Division 2? How about coming back to our Actor Division 3?"
"I personally wouldn't mind, but Mr. Kim seems to really dislike the idea."
"Ha ha. Couldn't you have tried to please Mr. Kim a bit?"
After exchanging a warm greeting, Cha Tae-Hoon looked at Tae-Poong and said, "But why isn't this punk greeting his sunbae when I've arrived?"
"I apologize. Unlike a renowned actor like you, Tae-Poong needs to take his time to immerse in his role. We'll greet you properly after the audition is over."
Despite my polite response, Cha Tae-Hoon made a dumbfounded expression. "Immerse in his role? Hey, stop with the nonsense and bring that guy over here. He's being rude."
"I'm sorry but no. I'm afraid I can't do that."
"No?"
Cha Tae-Hoon, known for not taking 'no' for an answer, seemed like he might cause a scene just before an important audition.
That's when the concerned Ju Ho-Sung quickly intervened.
"Assistant Manager Jung, let's stop joking around and have him greet everyone. Let's not cause unnecessary trouble before the audition."
Ju Ho-Sung tried to calm the situation with a friendly smile, but I shook my head.
"I apologize, Mr. Ju and Mr. Cha. Please understand that Tae-Poong takes time to immerse in his role, and we can't do it any other way."
At that moment, Choi Yang-Seop began to stir the pot as he watched us argue.
"Ha ha ha. Tae-Hoon, doesn't your company teach manners? It's just ridiculous to see a greenhorn rookie ignoring a respected sunbae."
Cha Tae-Hoon's face twisted in anger. "Manners? What manners can a thug like you talk about!? Mind your own business, asshole!"
As Cha Tae-Hoon flared up, Choi Yang-Seop taunted him further with a sly smile on his face. "Hey, why are you taking your anger out on me?"
Cha Tae-Hoon and Choi Yang-Seop had always been known to be at odds. Not only were they equally talented, but both had won the Best Actor award three years ago. They were once good friends but became enemies over a fight involving actress Jung In-Soo.
Fearing a fight might break out, Ju Ho-Sung hurriedly intervened. The fuming Cha Tae-Hoon gave Lee Tae-Poong and me a sharp glare before storming out of the waiting room.
Ju Ho-Sung let out a deep sigh and clicked his tongue. "Even though we're in a competitive situation, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong should have greeted his sunbae. All this effort is for nothing anyway..."
Ju Ho-Sung scratched his head and followed after Cha Tae-Hoon.
'All this effort is for nothing, he says? We'll see about that.'
Jung Sang-Bong beside me let out a sigh of relief after being frozen on the spot. "It's a good thing we have the good-natured Mr. Ju here."
'Yes. He surely looks like a good man on the surface, doesn't he?'
Ju Ho-Sung was always smiling around the company, which earned him the nickname 'Golden Retriever'. But only those who had been backstabbed by him knew the pain of being betrayed by someone whom they trusted so much.
"Sang-Bong."
"Yes, Mr. Jung?"
"Don't take things at face value. You might get burned."
"I'm sorry?"
"You'll find out sooner or later. But just remember my words, especially in this industry..."
Jung Sang-Bong looked puzzled, but that was all I could say for now. Unless Ju Ho-Sung slipped up, no one would believe he was the villain.
Fortunately, Lee Tae-Poong still remained deeply immersed in his role. His concentration was even more impressive than I had anticipated.
That's when the door to the waiting room opened abruptly.
Click!
"Mr. Cha Tae-Hoon, Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, and Mr. Choi Yang-Seop—please enter the audition room."
When Producer Ga Eun-Soo from Choi Sung-Moon Films announced loudly, the waiting room started to buzz with murmurs.
"What's this? A deathmatch group?"
"It's obvious they've set their sights on either Cha Tae-Hoon or Choi Yang-Seop for the lead role."
"Then what about Lee Tae-Poong?"
"What do you think? He's just an extra."
I couldn't believe that Lee Tae-Poong was about to compete with the two actors who fiercely vied for the lead role in my past life.
"Tae-Poong, let's go."
But Lee Tae-Poong did not bother to move a single inch upon hearing my words.
"Will you really not respond if it's not your character's name?"
Seeing Lee Tae-Poong's excessively scrupulous behavior made my heart heavy. He had been following my advice with all his might and even skipped meals for a week.
'Alright, Tae-Poong. I'll make sure you become the lead in this movie no matter what.'
I hardened my resolve and glared at Lee Tae-Poong.
"Lieutenant Choi In-Sol, I'm Park Gyeok-Hun. Follow me."
I invoked the name of Park Gyeok-Hun, the superior officer of the unit Lieutenant Choi In-Sol whom Lee Tae-Poong was portraying. Only then did Lee Tae-Poong spring to his feet and snap his heels together. Despite not wearing military boots, his action made a sharp sound.
"Understood, Comrade Colonel."
Lee Tae-Poong's voice was gruff as he began to gesture with his fingers. It felt as if he could slit my throat if he had a dagger in his hand.
The actors around us started to murmur.
"Jeez. What the hell is with that guy?"
"Why's he acting already?"
"But Lee Tae-Poong, can that guy act? I thought he just relied on his looks."
"Has he been hiding his acting skills all this time?"
"Nonsense. Don't you remember all those projects he has ruined?"
Lee Tae-Poong's voice projection had drastically improved from the past when he had issues due to dyslexia. With his voice stabilized, his confidence in acting grew along with his deep character immersion. Not to mention, even his appearance had become much more masculine after fasting for a week.
Walking with military precision, Lee Tae-Poong caught the attention of all the actors and talent agents who were waiting for their turn.
But this was just the beginning.
I suppressed my excitement and headed to the audition room next door.
Choi Yang-Seop and Cha Tae-Hoon were already present and sat comfortably across from the judges' table. Five judges were seated at the table—they included Director Choi Sung-Moon, Production Manager Ga Eun-Soo, and Planning Director Pyo Eun-Mi, flanked by Kim Moon-Dong, the representative of KM Partners who was the main sponsor, and Shin Jong-Ki, the CEO of LT Entertainment.
I pointed Lee Tae-Poong to an empty seat. "Lieutenant, sit there."
Lee Tae-Poong strode over and took his seat. "Yes, Comrade Colonel."
The four judges on the panel showed interest in Lee Tae-Poong's intense gaze. His strong impression along with his handsome looks immediately caught everyone's attention.
Choi Sung-Moon, wearing horn-rimmed glasses on his head, looked on with interest and asked, "What are you doing right now?"
Lee Tae-Poong glared back at Choi Sung Moon's question. "Who might you be, comrade?"
Completely caught off guard by the response, Choi Sung-Moon burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha. My mistake. Please forgive me, Lieutenant Choi In-Sol. I am Kang Un-Gu, the admiral."
When Choi Sung-Moon mentioned the name of a character from the script, Lee Tae-Poong stood up and saluted.
"It's an honor to meet you, Comrade Admiral!"
The perfect angle of his salute pleased Choi Sung-Moon who nodded in approval.
I recalled what Choi Sung-Moon always used to say in my past life.
-Want to be my actor? It's simple. Become the character itself. Just stick to the basics!
He used to demand that actors immerse heavily in their roles to qualify for a part in his films. Because of this reason, he disliked actors taking on other projects or appearing in variety shows while filming his movie.
For Lee Tae-Poong who currently had no other schedules, this was an ideal situation.
"Alright. Rest for now."
Only then did Lee Tae-Poong sit down.
While all the judges were amused, only one of the other four, Producer Ga Eun-Soo, seemed uncomfortable.
'Ga Eun-Soo is from the Suhyaejong line, so it's obvious he'd favor Cha Tae-Hoon.'
Aware of this, I had been focusing on the director from the start. While it was common for the sponsor who provided the funding to have casting authority, it was a different story with a renowned director like Choi Sung-Moon. No one in the industry would dare reject an actor chosen by the only active director with three consecutive films reaching over ten million views.
"Alright then. Shall we start the audition? Cha Tae-Hoon, you go first. Scene 17, where Choi In-Sol kills the North Korean colonel."
"Yes, sir."
Cha Tae-Hoon, the original lead of the film, stood up. He closed his eyes and began to immerse himself in his role. He began to whistle softly like a diver taking a breath.
Whoo~.
The low whistle filled the audition room, drawing everyone's gaze to him. And when the whistling stopped, Cha Tae-Hoon opened his eyes wide and began to act.
At the same time, everyone's attention in the audition room was captured by Cha Tae-Hoon.
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