Last week, after the filming schedule with Cheon Na-young for wrapped up.
Today, I finished getting ready to head out, bringing along the assistant writers in my car.
Even during the short drive, Im Seong-hee and Jeong Tae-mi couldn’t hide their excitement, chattering away in high spirits.
“We’re almost there, get ready to get out.”
“Yes, Writer!”
<10 Entertainment>, headquartered in Sangam-dong.
The 17-story company building is famous as the grand old structure of Sangam.
The wide plaza spread out in front of the building and the Viennese specialty coffee shop on the first floor are both local landmarks among Sangam office workers.
As you enter the building’s lobby, posters line the walls, boasting the impressive lineup you’d expect from a production company founded in ’98 and listed in ’06—one of the most seasoned in the industry.
From films and dramas to OSTs, the posters covered works everyone in the country would know: , , , , and more.
“Wow. Thanks to you, Writer, I finally get to see 10 Entertainment in person. Amazing.”
I had come to 10 Entertainment with assistant writer Im Seong-hee to attend the audition for the supporting role of Ma Bok-soon.
Jeong Tae-mi had wanted to come too, but she’d caught the flu and was extremely disappointed she couldn’t make it.
“But usually, assistant writers aren’t called to auditions, right? I’ve never heard of any assistants going before.”
“It’s good for writers to see, too! You’ve read the script more than anyone, and hearing different opinions can help.”
In our studio, since I watch Godflix and write the script alone, there was rarely any need for idea meetings or feedback sessions about the script.
There wasn’t much for them to do at my studio, so I wanted to make it up to them in other ways.
Thanks to Jo Min-seong’s gracious invitation, we could come along.
“Writer, are you really… an angel?”
“Heh. That’s a bit much.”
“Writer! Over here.”
Jo Min-seong, waiting for Im Seong-hee and me, greeted us enthusiastically along with two planning PDs.
With nervous Im Seong-hee in tow, we took the elevator and got off on the 5th floor.
“Gasp! Writer, look. It’s Hwang So-yoon, the actress!”
As the doors opened, Im Seong-hee, spotting actress Hwang So-yoon waiting for the elevator by chance, couldn’t help but gasp out loud in admiration.
And for good reason—Hwang So-yoon wore a white slip dress, black heels, and full makeup.
Her small face, perfectly aligned features, and slender figure radiated the unmistakable aura of a movie star.
Hwang So-yoon was currently the hottest blue chip among actresses in their twenties.
She had appeared on a variety of entertainment shows and SML, winning men’s hearts with a perfect blend of ditzy charm and sexiness.
The manager standing next to Hwang So-yoon recognized Jo Min-seong and quickly greeted him.
“Hello, Director. Our So-yoon really wants to try out for Ma Bok-soon after reading the script, so we came to greet you in person—especially since today’s audition day.”
“Ah. Director Jo Min-seong? Hello, I’m Hwang So-yoon.”
But it seemed Hwang So-yoon didn’t recognize Jo Min-seong; instead, she bowed to me.
“Oh, that’s not me.”
“This is writer Lee Jeong-hyuk, who wrote Ma Bok-soon.”
“What?”
Hwang So-yoon’s eyes widened at me, much like how Im Seong-hee had reacted moments ago.
“You wrote Ma Bok-soon, Writer? I really enjoyed reading it.”
“Ah, haha, thank you.”
“Can’t you use me? I don’t think anyone can play Seong Anna better than I can.”
Hwang So-yoon deliberately added a playful tone to her unique, lively voice.
“Kidding. I said I’d audition, but our CEO told me just to come greet you first.”
“Gosh. We’d be honored if you auditioned, So-yoon. We’ll see if there’s a good role for you.”
Jo Min-seong smoothly took over for me, sensing my discomfort.
“No, but I want to be in the script you wrote, Writer. If I want to hit it big like Ji-won unni, I have to go for something like that. Don’t you think, Writer?”
“Wha—? Haha.”
I broke out in a cold sweat at Hwang So-yoon’s blunt, straightforward pitch.
“Our writer is really popular today. Shall we go? It’s almost time for the audition.”
“Ah, yes.”
“See you again, So-yoon.”
“Yup.”
Jo Min-seong, like a slippery snake, rescued me from my embarrassment in front of Hwang So-yoon.
“Whew.”
But it was too early to relax.
The audition venue was much more formal than the one at H Studio for the audition.
From the desks and chairs to the variety of drinks and snacks, and the busy staff bustling about—even a banner hung on the wall.
Director Jang Byeong-hyeon sat at the center, with me and Director Jo Min-seong beside him, followed by two assistant directors and production staff, with assistant writer Im Seong-hee at my side.
It wasn’t just the venue that was impressive; those coming to audition were on another level.
The lineup included main and supporting actresses whose names I’d seen in the casting file Jo Min-seong had sent me.
And all for the role of the adulteress Seong Anna—every one of them decked out in glamorous makeup and dresses fit for an awards show.
“Wow. I don’t even know where to look.”
Next to me, Im Seong-hee fiddled with her triangular nameplate reading ‘Assistant Writer Im Seong-hee,’ speaking awkwardly.
Even as a woman, she seemed overwhelmed by the dazzling and revealing outfits.
I too found myself sighing at the actresses in dresses cut down to their chests, or flaunting their legs.
It was obvious that the agencies were pulling out all the stops to catch Director Jang Byeong-hyeon’s eye.
While acting ability mattered, this was a role where looks could be decisive.
The audition felt more like an awards ceremony than an audition.
“With this lineup, whoever gets the role, the drama will be a hit.”
Im Seong-hee whispered with delight.
But I couldn’t be so carefree.
It wasn’t that I thought Cheon Na-young was less attractive than these actresses, but these women were professionals who knew exactly how to make themselves stand out.
Once the auditions began, the judges and even the staff running the event seemed more fired up than ever.
“This is a legendary lineup for an audition.”
“I know, right? Everyone’s going all out, it’s hard to pick just one.”
It felt as though, after tasting one intensely flavored gourmet dish after another, my senses were getting numb—every actress’s stunning appearance was dazzling.
I worried about how Cheon Na-young, who’d never even been to an audition before, could possibly stand out among these pros.
Especially to catch the eye of a great director like Jang Byeong-hyeon, she’d need more than just looks.
After a long round of auditions with the actresses, there was a break before the second round.
“You came like that?”
As I was heading out for a smoke during the break, I ran into Cheon Na-young in the 10 Entertainment lobby, here for her audition.
I was speechless at what she was wearing.
Cheon Na-young had come in a hat, white T-shirt, and jeans—like she was going to a part-time job.
“Is that not allowed?”
“Do you think that’s going to work? Didn’t you say you wanted this?”
“Yes.”
“Didn’t even put on makeup?”
“Do I have to?”
“Hey, come on… Ugh. At least take off your hat, then.”
“No.”
“And why not?”
“The hat is today’s fashion point.”
I couldn’t help but sigh. Sure, she’d only done this kind of work when she was younger, but I hadn’t expected her to ignore even the basics.
‘An Yoo-seok was nothing compared to this.’
An Yoo-seok had at least dressed plainly on purpose to study his character, but for Cheon Na-young’s role, dressing this plainly didn’t look like a winning move.
For a moment, I wondered if trying to put a total rookie into a drama audition was a mistake.
When I mentioned Cheon Na-young to Director Jang Byeong-hyeon, he had readily agreed, knowing she was the same child actor from an old ice cream commercial, so I thought it would be fine.
If only she did her part well.
“Writer! The audition’s about to start.”
Left with no choice, I returned to the audition hall with Im Seong-hee.
I glanced nervously at Cheon Na-young, but she was just stretching her neck, limbering up.
Maybe I should have given her more pointers, but I figured if I’d set the stage this much and she couldn’t seize the opportunity, that was just her fate.
“Cheon Na-young, please come in.”
Cheon Na-young’s turn.
I let out a short sigh and looked toward the door.
I was more nervous than when An Yoo-seok did his solo camera test audition.
“What the… Is that really Cheon Na-young?”
That was Director Jang Byeong-hyeon’s first remark when Cheon Na-young entered the room.
It was understandable.
Cheon Na-young had come in exactly the same outfit, but now she had even put on a mask.
In short, she looked exactly like she did when working at the café.
“Uh, Cheon Na-young?”
Even Jo Min-seong couldn’t help but call her, wondering what she was thinking.
Im Seong-hee glanced at me, as if asking, “What do we do?”
I, too, felt a headache coming on from Cheon Na-young’s outlandish entrance.
What was she thinking?
“Hello.”
But Cheon Na-young, oblivious to my anxiety, bowed smartly in greeting.
“I’m Cheon Na-young, auditioning for the role of Seong Anna.”
As she introduced herself, Cheon Na-young removed her mask and hat.
She ran her hands through her long hair, letting her face show fully.
“Whoa…”
“Wow.”
Director Jang Byeong-hyeon and assistant director Lee Gi-soo both let out sighs and exclamations at the same time.
Cheon Na-young, brushing her hair to one side, was clearly bare-faced.
Yet in her simple white T-shirt and jeans—so plain anyone might overlook her—removing her hat and mask actually made her looks stand out more.
Cheon Na-young knew exactly when her face would shine brightest.
If I had to compare, it was like tasting a crisp green apple after a series of intensely flavored foods—no MSG, just freshness.
In coming dressed up, the actresses before her had, in a sense, only helped Cheon Na-young stand out even more.
“Haha.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
I had underestimated her, too.
Cheon Na-young had thought it all through.
Just as I’d been stunned the first time I saw her at the café, everyone in the room was momentarily dumbstruck by her overwhelming beauty.
People exchanged glances, as if to confirm that the person in front of them was real.
“Ahem. Cheon Na-young, this is your first time acting since you were a child actor, right?”
“Yes.”
Director Jang Byeong-hyeon, regaining his composure first, asked her to act.
It was the scene from where Seong Anna visits the protagonist Ma Bok-soon’s law office and asks if she loves her husband.
The line was short, so it was hard to judge acting ability.
And after the line, “Do you love your husband?” she had to deliver the underlying thought—“But he’s not really your husband, is he?”—with just her expression. It was a difficult scene.
Cheon Na-young glanced at me once,
“I’ll begin.”
and strode confidently over to where I was sitting.
She picked up the pen on my desk and put it in her mouth.
Then, she tidied her hair, twisted it up, and used the pen like a hairpin, securing her hair in place.
As a few stray hairs fell loose, she tucked them behind her ear and spoke.
“Do you love your husband?”
Her face said, “I don’t really care if you love your husband.
He’s already mine, anyway.” That subtext came through perfectly.
Her expression was neither arrogant nor desperate—just calm and composed.
“Ha ha ha ha.”
Director Jang Byeong-hyeon laughed out loud for the first time during the audition.
“That thing with your hair just now, did you come up with that yourself?”
“Yes. I imagined myself as Ma Bok-soon. It says in the script, ‘She takes the pen Ma Bok-soon used.’ I figured the pen symbolized her husband, so sticking it in my hair would make it more impactful.”
“Haha, Writer, I think Cheon Na-young has interpreted your script wonderfully. What do you think?”
For everyone in the room, the moment Cheon Na-young walked over, picked up the pen, stuck it in her hair, and delivered her line—it all played out in slow motion.
It wasn’t much, but Cheon Na-young’s dignity and presence were overwhelming.
“I liked it, too. I think Cheon Na-young knows exactly how to present herself.”
“Thank you.”
Cheon Na-young bowed.
As she did, the pen slipped from her hair, and her hair tumbled down.
As she bent to pick up the pen and ran her fingers through her hair again, assistant director Lee Gi-soo couldn’t help but exclaim out loud.
“Damn.”
“Pfft.”
“Was that a little too genuine?”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Hahaha.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
We all felt the same way.
Cheon Na-young’s movements were like watching a commercial.
The rest of the auditions finished quickly.
After seeing Cheon Na-young, everyone’s minds were filled only with her entrance and her performance.
“Writer, how on earth did you find Cheon Na-young?”
Jo Min-seong couldn’t wait to ask as soon as the second round ended.
Director Jang Byeong-hyeon also marveled at how different she was from her days as a child actor.
“What did you think, Director?”
“Ahem. To be honest,”
Director Jang glanced at Jo Min-seong and me, tapped his desk with his finger, and then spoke again.
“For Seong Anna, I don’t want anyone but Cheon Na-young.”
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