“I’m sorry for making you wait.”
Ma Eun-in returned to his seat after wiping away all his tears.
Director So Si-in, who had been waiting for him, greeted him warmly along with the staff member who accompanied her.
It was a strange sight, making Ma Eun-in feel more like the guest than So Si-in.
So Si-in spoke kindly.
“Not at all. We’re here for a good contract, so why does it matter? It’s actually heartening for us to see how much you, the CEO, cherish Actor Jeon Yeo-hoo.”
“Hahaha! Is that so? Our Yeo-hoo really is our company’s lucky charm.”
After introducing the sub-writer who came with her, So Si-in continued talking about the casting.
“Do you know how shocked I was when I first saw you at the academy? There are only a few actors who surprised me with their real-life appearance, but you were at the very top of that list.”
The conversation started with a barrage of compliments, and Ma Eun-in listened with a satisfied expression.
The discussion proceeded smoothly, and after reviewing the contract one more time, they stamped it.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise, I look forward to our future together.”
After finishing the contract, So Si-in pulled the complete script for *The Killer Recipe* out of her bag and spoke.
“We spent two years writing this scenario. That’s why I truly hoped to make this movie with great actors, and I’m so glad to start with Jeon Yeo-hoo. I hope we can make a wonderful film.”
***
After the casting for *The Killer Recipe* was decided, I focused on the final stages of filming for *The Exorcist* while So Si-in struggled to cast the other roles.
In the meantime, *Revenge Prosecutor* began to gain even more popularity than expected.
*Revenge Prosecutor*, which was currently ranked number one in viewership ratings among new dramas by a narrow margin, had never once lost the top spot on the OTT platforms where it was simultaneously airing.
It was a massive hit, reportedly making it into the top five of the overseas rankings as well.
I didn’t expect it to be this successful just because a few lead actors were replaced.
The OST sung by Park Yi-won also became a hot topic, sweeping the number one spot on music streaming sites.
Perhaps thanks to the success of *Revenge Prosecutor*, the number of followers on my social media—which I only appeared on in the beginning—increased exponentially, soon hitting 700,000.
‘In my previous life, at this age, I was desperately struggling to get back on my feet.’
You really never know how life will turn out.
On my way home, I received a phone call from Director So Si-in for the first time in a while.
“Jeon Yeo-hoo, it’s been a long time.”
I hadn’t had much chance to speak with Director So Si-in since the casting, except when seeking advice regarding the scenario, so it had been quite a while since I heard her voice.
Her voice sounded strangely excited.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
So Si-in replied in a cheerful voice.
“It’s all thanks to Director Park Min-tae. Thanks to you, I was introduced to a great person. Thank you.”
I had introduced Park Min-tae to her while she was struggling with casting.
He was the best when it came to discovering talent.
After checking the script, Park Min-tae readily agreed to join, saying it was something he could handle.
Thanks to that, casting proceeded smoothly, but there was one role that remained unresolved until the very end.
It was the role of my counterpart, Lee Ju-hyeong.
It seemed So Si-in wanted to be even more careful in selecting Lee Ju-hyeong.
Well, I also hoped that Lee Ju-hyeong would be played by an actor with some recognition and experience, rather than a rookie like me.
And as it happened, today was the day of the audition for the role of Lee Ju-hyeong, which is why she called me.
“We finished the first round of auditions today and decided to hold a second round with those who were selected. I was wondering if you could come as well. I think it would be a good experience for you just to sit next to me.”
“Me? Isn’t a rookie like me too new to sit next to the director?”
What kind of crazy rookie with less than a year of experience would judge an audition next to the director…
“Oh, you don’t need to do any formal judging. It’s just that the applicants might feel more comfortable if their counterpart is there when they act. Just come by for fun. You can just take a look at their faces and leave.”
I had never worked with Director So Si-in before my regression, but she was definitely a director with an unconventional way of working.
Due to So Si-in’s persistent appeal, I replied that I would just drop by.
“Hey, I think we need to turn the car around.”
“Huh? Not home? Where are we going?”
“Here.”
I headed to the location she told me, still wearing my casual clothes.
She had mentioned receiving an introduction to a decent investor through Director Park Min-tae, and the building where the auditions were held was certainly different.
As soon as I went up to the fourth floor, I saw staff members busy preparing for the auditions.
So Si-in and Park Min-tae waved at me happily as soon as they saw me.
She naturally handed me an audition script and spoke.
“The next person is scheduled to audition in ten minutes. I’m not joking, please really sit with us since you’re here. I want to see the chemistry between you and the other actor. Please?”
I thought about it.
Did Director So Si-in seem like the type of director who would listen if I said no?
No.
She would probably keep asking.
Then, if I’m going to sit here anyway, maybe I should ask for a favor too.
“Then, can you do one favor for me?”
“What is it?”
“That…”
***
The audition began.
Since these were actors who had basically been filtered through the first round, there were some familiar faces, and I occasionally saw rookies who had started making a name for themselves around this time before I regressed.
They also seemed curious to see a rookie actor with similar or even less experience sitting right in front of them.
“Actor Jeon Yeo-hoo, who was cast as Sun Je-min, is here to match lines with you. After all, the most important thing in this movie is the chemistry between the two lead actors.”
So Si-in skillfully explained the reason for my presence and led the audition well.
As the audition progressed, So Si-in made small notes about a few actors she liked.
“Did anyone catch your eye, Yeo-hoo?”
She asked me after several actors had auditioned and I hadn’t shown any particular reaction.
“No. Not yet.”
“Well, there’s still half of them left, so let me know if you find someone. As I said before, the chemistry between the two leads is very important.”
“Yes.”
I flipped through the resumes of the actors who had auditioned so far.
There really wasn’t a single actor I liked yet.
Everyone’s acting was mediocre, and their ‘ad-libs’ were also mediocre.
The ad-libs were what I had requested from Director So Si-in earlier.
—If it’s okay, could you please ask them to add ad-libs when they act?
—Ad-libs?
—Yes, it’s not a major thing, but I’d like to see it.
Among the seniors I had acted with before my regression, the one who was best at ad-libbing had said this about it:
—If the acting is vague, you have to make them do ad-libs.
—Ad-libs? Why?
—That’s how you see their true worth. You know, people who act well but seem to lack something? It’s because they don’t know how to express it. But if you make someone like ê·¸that do an ad-lib? If you give them freedom with the lines, their talent shows. At the same time, you can see how perfectly they understand the character. Doing ad-libs well doesn’t mean you’re a good actor, but among those who perform ad-libs perfectly…
‘It’s hard to find an actor who is bad at acting.’
Was that it?
The actors I had seen so far were ordinary in both their ad-libs and their acting.
If both were just okay, there was no reason to pick them.
I twirled my pen and thought.
‘Should I just tell Ha Je-ban to film this movie? But that guy’s features are too soft and he’s too young to play Lee Ju-hyeong. What is Jung Yun-woo up to? Should I tell that jerk to audition?’
In the first place, if Jung Yun-woo doesn’t join *Happy World*, he won’t get involved with that junior, so won’t that incident disappear?
‘Should I stop him?’
No. That probably wouldn’t work. When I called him to stop him, he had already told me that he’d auditioned for *Happy World*. I couldn’t exactly tell him to pull out because the person appearing with him would be involved in a controversy.
[You never know. Future outcomes might have changed thanks to the destiny you’ve already altered.]
[Ah, of course, they could have changed for the worse!]
…Whose side are you really on?
[I am always on your side, Regressor. ^^]
He sure talks a big game.
While I was racking my brain, So Si-in called the next actor.
‘Who was next?’
The next actor to come in was…
As soon as I saw the name on the list, I called out to her.
“Is this for real?”
***
There were probably several reasons why *The Killer Recipe* failed before my regression, but the fact that there was no suitable actor to use for promotion also played a part.
There were movies that succeeded with only rookies, but such works were rare to begin with.
Especially if the movie’s theme seemed aimed only at a niche audience.
If you ask why I chose such a gambling-like movie, it’s because ‘I liked it.’
I didn’t want to see a movie I liked get buried, and since I had been solving problems by making different choices so far, I simply made a different choice this time too.
‘The situation wouldn’t have been resolved just by me joining that drama anyway, so I made a more efficient choice.’
In any case, since I ended up playing Sun Je-min, I hoped that someone other than the original actor would take the role of Lee Ju-hyeong.
Rather than a rookie actor like me, if at least one actor with enough experience to be used for promotion or investment joined, it would surely fill tens of thousands more seats.
As I was thinking that, I checked the name of the actor who was about to enter and thought:
‘This person is coming here?’
Does that make sense?
He was the final participant of today’s audition.
Ji Han-ho.
As soon as he entered, So Si-in’s expression brightened in real-time.
If you were to pick one overwhelmingly popular actor among the successful male actors in their mid-to-late twenties, eight out of ten people would surely say his name.
That’s how much Ji Han-ho was a popular actor with considerable experience—the most ideal actor to take the role of Lee Ju-hyeong.
So, why was I so shocked?
“Hello, Actor Ji Han-ho.”
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
So Si-in quickly stood up and shook hands with Ji Han-ho.
I stood up as well. Since I was his junior, for now.
Returning to the original topic, to explain why I was so shocked, I have to go back to before my regression.
Ji Han-ho and I…
“Hel—lo.”
At that moment, my head felt like it was splitting apart.
I grabbed my head in pain.
Ji Han-ho smiled brightly as he looked at me.
“Jeon Yeo-hoo! I saw you acting. You’re really good. It would have been great if you appeared in *Revenge Prosecutor* more.”
Even though Ji Han-ho was complimenting me, I honestly couldn’t hear him well.
‘Why does my head hurt so much?’
[You seem to be in a lot of pain.]
[It is highly likely that your headache is related to your memories from before the regression.]
Not Jung Yun-woo, but it hurts this much just seeing Ji Han-ho?
Was it not just that we didn’t get along?
‘Where else did I go around acting like trash?’