Chapter 21
That actor named Yeon Woo-hwi specializes in action.
Writer Ham Eun-young thought it natural that the guard character he prepared would showcase action.
But this guard’s performance minimized action instead.
“If the guard’s action is too emphasized, the whole scene could go off track.”
The drama Strong Kang Tae-rin is about ‘Kang Tae-rin’.
The key point in this audition scene was that the protagonist, Kang Tae-rin, escapes a crisis with the guard’s help.
The guard’s action is a tool to highlight Kang Tae-rin’s story.
Since this was an audition to cast the guard character, it would be natural for the actor to show off some flashy action…
But excessive action risked overshadowing Kang Tae-rin’s story.
This work wasn’t an action-focused genre anyway.
“That actor has crafted the guard’s action strictly around protecting the young master.”
That actor had choreographed defensive actions that protect Kang Tae-rin.
If he wanted to show off, flashy offensive moves would have been more advantageous…
Even Seo Eun-ho, a rising star from Chungmuro, designed attack-oriented actions to appeal to his character…
“I haven’t seen that face before… Interesting… No, it could be a coincidence.”
Resting her chin on her hand, writer Ham Eun-young stared intently at Yeon Woo-hwi.
Whether he knew his acting was over or not, the silence was soon broken by CP Lee Young-chan.
“Well done. You really conveyed the identity of the guard as a protector.”
Watching Yeon Woo-hwi bow politely after finishing the audition, CP Lee flipped through the script.
“Thank you.”
“I’m curious about something. When you exited the hospital room, you turned back and bowed to the chairman. That part isn’t in the script. Why did you add it?”
The stage direction here was just one line:
-
Guard leaves the chairman’s hospital room.
Instead of simply leaving the room, the guard deliberately turned back and bowed to the chairman.
Was it just a sign of respect?
“His body reacted first without realizing it. It would be boring to escape vaguely with something like that.”
Gripping his pen tighter and waiting for an answer, CP Lee listened as Yeon Woo-hwi calmly explained.
“The guard’s duty includes calming the client’s anxieties. The chairman, having to leave his youngest son alone, was anxious…”
With a matter-of-fact expression, Yeon continued calmly, prompting CP Lee to raise his hand abruptly.
“Wait. So it was a planned performance to soothe the chairman’s anxiety? Why would a guard need that?”
“No client would entrust their life to an untrustworthy guard. Especially a VIP like the chairman.”
“The chairman is definitely a VIP… So you considered gaining the client’s trust that far.”
As their dialogue continued, writer Ham Eun-young busily scribbled notes.
“The chairman’s trust, protecting the youngest… He prepared everything considering his character and the story.”
A brief flicker of greed flashed through Ham Eun-young’s eyes, then disappeared.
An audition is ultimately a process to appeal how well you fit the character.
But this actor prepared considering not just his character, but the whole work.
Still, she didn’t decide on him as the actor just yet.
There was still something to confirm.
“…Question. How far can the guard go to protect?”
Ham Eun-young’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It was an ambiguous, tricky question that could cause problems if the writer’s and actor’s character interpretations clashed.
“Writer-nim, our show is rated 12 and over.”
“Shall we raise the ratings once and get a nice warning?”
CP Lee shrugged.
He knew well the chance of that happening was close to zero.
More importantly, her long career writing without incidents proved it.
“I think that gives you enough time to think.”
Ham Eun-young’s gaze moved back to Yeon Woo-hwi.
“The best is to act before something happens.”
“Hmm, but you never know when or how accidents will occur, right?”
Yeon met her still smiling eyes with calm ones.
“But if something happens, you have to be ruthless.”
Quiet but steady, determined eyes.
Ham Eun-young silently watched Yeon.
“Yes, those eyes.”
The eyes of an assassin who carried out the Prime Minister’s orders by any means.
If someone with those eyes protected the youngest master, what scene would unfold?
A smile flickered and vanished quickly on Ham Eun-young’s lips.
“Looks like the writer has made up her mind.”
Noticing the change, CP Lee’s bitter smile also appeared and quickly disappeared.
He still had Seo Eun-ho on his mind.
Director Seok had said Seo Eun-ho could show unpredictable scenes on the field.
But he didn’t push his opinion further.
He knew it was useless to argue with writer Ham Eun-young once she was that determined.
“Where did things diverge?”
Seo Eun-ho also noticed the change in Ham Eun-young.
Compared to her indifferent look when watching his acting, her greedy eyes toward Yeon Woo-hwi meant something.
He kept it hidden, but having experienced many auditions, Seo Eun-ho knew well what that look meant.
“Let’s stop here. Thanks for your time, both of you.”
Ham Eun-young stood up, ending the audition.
After CP Lee left too,
“Auditions are hard. I answered the questions, but…”
Exiting the audition room, Yeon Woo-hwi sighed shortly.
Despite preparing a guard character drawn from his past experiences and the story in limited time…
He didn’t know if it was the answer they wanted.
“Well, if I fail, I can just try again.”
Taking the elevator down and walking through the lobby, Yeon shrugged.
Of course, being cast would be great, but just being evaluated as an actor was satisfying.
Just as Yeon was about to leave the lobby,
“Hah, hah. Wait, wait!”
Turning toward the sudden heavy breathing, Yeon saw Seo Eun-ho catching his breath.
“Your pace is really fast.”
With an awkward smile, Seo looked up at Yeon.
“You worked hard. Do you have something to say to me…?”
“Where are you headed? Let’s go together. I’ll give you a ride.”
Yeon frowned at the unexpected offer.
There’s no such thing as kindness without a reason.
Noticing Yeon’s wariness, Seo Eun-ho raised both hands with a friendly face.
“We both auditioned here. If we review our acting together, maybe we can learn something.”
Yeon looked at Seo Eun-ho’s bright eyes calmly.
Only one or neither of them could be cast.
An audition competitor suggesting a review together?
“There must be a reason… But hearing about another actor’s performance might help me too.”
Though still unsure, Yeon accepted Seo Eun-ho’s offer.
After all, reviewing acting together with another auditionee could be more fruitful than alone.
The two moved to the building’s underground parking lot where Seo Eun-ho’s car was.
“Isn’t my car cute?”
Standing proudly by a small red compact car, Seo Eun-ho puffed out his chest.
“Pretty car.”
“Right?”
Yeon climbed into the passenger seat expressionlessly, Seo smiled proudly as he took the wheel.
Vroom—
The little red car soon moved away from the production studio.
Soft rhythmic jazz played quietly in the car.
Seo Eun-ho drove slowly, breaking the silence.
“I was impressed with the guard you prepared. It had a different vibe from mine.”
Leaning back, Seo glanced at Yeon.
Yeon put his phone down beside him and replied.
“I liked your character too. It seemed like a proactive guard who eliminates danger beforehand.”
“Me, senior…? Anyway, since the guard appears in episodes 1 and 2, I focused on action. Judging by the writer’s reaction, chances of success are zero, though.”
Seo shook his head delicately while steering.
Looking forward, Yeon rubbed his chin.
“I don’t know about the writer’s reaction, but I think removing danger beforehand is necessary for a guard.”
“Then what was the problem? The action wasn’t to the writer’s taste?”
Seo tilted his head, and Yeon kept talking.
“If there was a problem, it was anxiety, I think.”
“Anxiety?”
“The guard moved away from the target, the youngest master, while subduing the enemy. That probably caused anxiety.”
“The enemy subduing action is less than five seconds. How could that distance cause anxiety?”
Narrowing his eyes, Seo listened as Yeon continued.
“There are many enemies. The guard is the youngest’s only lifeline. Even a 0.1-second gap looks huge.”
“…Ah.”
At the intersection, Seo slowed down to match the light.
“Was it the details?”
Seo’s mouth soured.
For this audition, he had consulted a security company guard.
Based on that, he thought he brought a good action and character.
But writer Ham Eun-young favored the other side.
“Let’s listen a bit more.”
A smile immediately returned to Seo’s face.
This was why he took the embarrassment to ask the other actor to give feedback together.
Failing an audition is common for actors.
But filling in the gaps can be a step up.
“Maybe I should have reduced the action weight like the guard you prepared?”
“Hmm, the important thing is protecting the target, the youngest master. The action itself isn’t that important.”
“Action isn’t that important…?”
Yeon calmly answered Seo’s puzzled look.
“I thought it was important to show trust. That the guard is someone you can entrust your life to.”
