Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 160

[Danjong (tentative title) audition! Applications are being verified everywhere!]

[Idol Kim Sol challenges the Danjong audition!]

[Actor Kim Jong-ho, Im sorry I didnt find the right role.]

[Actors full of regret If only there was no filming, I would have tried it!]

-Oh. Theyre doing a Danjong audition?

=I dont know what role it is because theres no name, but its a role with lines.

=The important roles will be done by acting-oriented actors. Maybe they can pick their own houses?

=22 It doesnt seem like a very important role.

-Ah, idol Lets not put an idol in.

=22 The ticket power is enough with Seo-jun.

=333 Ill jump in N times Please, no idols!

-If Kim Jong-ho joins, isnt it just My Minister 2?

=Lee Ji-seok is the Prince Sooyang?

=I still cant believe it Chaos and destruction of My Minister 2

-The actors who are filming now are regretting it.

-At this rate, wont all the Korean actors flock here?

-Theres an age limit according to the role image, so lets filter them out with the documents first.

-The documents are so many that its hard to choose

The meeting room of the film production company Danhong.

Director Woo Jung-han scratched his head as he looked at the articles and comments on his phone. 

The audition was more popular than he expected.

Didnt we only announce the audition to the actors?

He had no intention of bringing in a complete newbie and filming. 

Only actors who had done two or more works in theater or independent films, or who had roles with lines in dramas or commercial films, could apply for the audition.

Director Woo Jung-hans words were answered by the assistant director.

We informed the actors agencies and the theater groups, so there must have been some people who opened their mouths.

To be honest, I thought they would all keep their mouths shut because they thought there would be more competitors. I didnt expect it to spread enough to make it to the real-time search.

At Director Woo Jung-hans words, the planning team leader who had happily spread the audition announcement was surprised and quickly opened his mouth.

Were happy about it. Its already buzzing without any promotion.

But please do promote it properly.

At Director Woo Jung-hans words, the planning team leader nodded. 

The staff who came to help with the audition document screening and the employees of Danhong also laughed. 

The Danjong team, which had guaranteed box office success, was in a harmonious atmosphere.

Before the applications that had to be reviewed today were ready, the planning team leader told Director Woo Jung-han about the progress so far.

The location booking is going well too. We got permission easily even for places that would normally be difficult. The local governments are also cooperating well, thinking of attracting tourists after the release. I expected it because of the Baekho Experience Center, but I didnt know it would be this much.

Baekho Oh, you mean One Step?

The assistant director nodded at his words.

Yes. There are still a lot of people coming. And a lot of foreigners too. The area near the experience center has also been activated a lot. So everyone is welcoming the filming.

Itll be easy when we film.

Director Woo Jung-han smiled.

How are you going to schedule the filming?

As soon as we see the audition and complete the casting, were going to film indoors. Then when the weather gets better, well film outdoors.

The planning team leader nodded.

Its said that this winter is warmer than last year, but winter is winter.

Its dangerous when your body is stiff for action scenes and horse riding scenes.

As Director Woo Jung-han and the planning team leader were talking, Danhongs employees came in one by one with piles of paper. 

The heavy piles of paper were placed in front of the people sitting in the meeting room.

Were there so many actors in our country?

The assistant director opened his mouth with bored eyes as he looked at the documents piled up in front of him. 

The staff also nodded. Director Woo Jung-han smiled as he rummaged through the documents.

The qualification requirements were a bit loose. From active actors to actors with hiatuses. There might be some actors who have been doing other jobs for a few years and are challenging themselves.

How do we pick them all out?

We have to do it from now on.

The employees checked their career details and filtered out the documents that did not qualify. 

Then, Director Woo Jung-han sorted the documents by looking at the photos. 

It took quite a while just for that.

It took two days to finish the document screening for all the roles.

The film production company Danhong sent the news of passing the document screening to the cell phone number written on the application form, and sent the designated lines modified from some of Danjongs lines by email.

***

The day of the Danjong audition.

Today was the day to choose the role of Naegwan, who would assist Danjong.

The film production company Danhong decided to conduct the audition on the first and second floors. 

On one side of the meeting room, the assistant director looked over the documents slowly.

Its amazing that there are so many actors with experience. Oh. Kim Woo-jin. Kim Woo-jin also applied?

Kim Woo-jin is not at the level to audition. Amazing. Our movie.

At the words of the cinematographer, the art director who was sitting next to him nodded.

Kim Woo-jin is very interested in breaking into America.

At the words of the casting director who was well-informed about the actors news, the assistant director blinked.

Breaking into America?

Hes also auditioning for American dramas.

Director Woo Jung-han and the assistant director nodded.

There must be a lot of actors who think that way. Its an opportunity to make their name known overseas while appearing in a Korean work.

Thats why theyre applying even though its an audition.

I got a lot of calls too. Whos judging, whats the important point of the role, does Director Woo have a preferred style.

The casting director smiled and showed his phone. 

The black screen looked like it was completely turned off.

So I turned it off.

There must have been more than one or two people like that here. 

They were getting a lot of calls from reporters and acquaintances.

My son told me to get Lee Seo-juns autograph.

My daughter too.

The cinematographers son was a fan of Shadowman and Director Woo Jung-hans daughter was a fan of Gray Viney. 

Did they get an autograph today, or will they get it tomorrow? 

The burden only piled up as they saw their families sparkling eyes.

So. Director Woo. When is Lee Seo-jun coming? Itll be a mess if you dont keep getting his autograph.

That

Ring-

Director Woo Jung-hans phone rang. 

He got up from his seat and checked his phone as he opened his mouth.

Just a moment.

As Director Woo Jung-han left the meeting room, the art director looked down at the documents. 

He didnt know why he was here when he should be looking at costumes and sets for a long time.

He had to choose the right actor among these many applicants. 

Acting was basic, and

They have to look round, kind, and innocent.

And you have to think about how they look with Lee Seo-jun too.

The casting director added a word to the art directors mumbling. 

The casting director was doing this kind of work in the first place, so he didnt seem to have much to worry about.

It would be hard to see the two-shot without actor Lee Seo-jun.

Uh should we bring in a life-sized panel or something?

The eyes of the director of photography, the assistant director, and the casting director widened at the words of the art director.

Can you make one?

We have a printer here, so we can print out pieces of Lee Seo-juns photos and stick them together.

Maybe it would be okay to check with the panel next to them. 

As the three people were about to nod, they were stopped by Woo Jeong-han, the director who entered the conference room.

Theres no need for that.

Woo Jeong-han said.

Hes here in person.

Behind Woo Jeong-han, Seo-juns smiling face came into the view of the four people.

Hello!

Oh, hi. Seo-jun.

The four people greeted Seo-jun, who had appeared unexpectedly.

I came because its the weekend. If it was a weekday, I would still be in school.

Isnt it winter break in December?

Winter break is in January, and thats when I have my graduation ceremony.

Oh, youre going to middle school now? Congratulations on getting into Yeoul Arts Middle School.

Thank you.

Seo-jun, who sat next to Woo Jeong-han, opened his mouth. Ahn Da-ho smiled warmly and placed a hot yuja tea in front of Seo-jun. 

He also handed out hot coffee to the others.

Woo Jeong-han asked Seo-jun.

Do you know what kind of image Kim Nae-gwan has?

Yes.

Seo-jun nodded, having read the script of Danjong several times.

All you have to do is choose an actor who has that image. Or, if you feel like you would match well with that actor, you can choose them too.

Okay. I got it.

While they were chatting for a while, an employee of Danhong informed them that the start time was approaching.

I guess its time. Lets start the audition.

They called 10 people from the first waiting room on the first floor where applicants were crowded. 

They informed the people inside the conference room from the second waiting room on the second floor.

The tense second waiting room. 

The actors who were holding papers with lines on them had blank faces at the words of the staff.

Director Woo Jeong-han, assistant director, director of photography, casting director, art director, and actor Lee Seo-jun are inside.

Seo-jun is here?

The first actor who had to audition was stunned by the appearance of an unexpected person.

***

They took a break after watching 20 actors performances.

The directors expressions were dark except for the art director.

Woo Jeong-han, who was rubbing his furrowed brow, opened his mouth.

I wanted to see how they would look standing next to Seo-jun if I liked them but no such actors came out.

The casting director, who was familiar with evaluating actors performances, nodded. 

The application forms in front of him were full of red X marks.

I know. There were some actors who I thought were good in other works but they were below expectations. I wish they were more impressive.

Kim Woo-jin is good at acting, but hes not quite there?

At the directors words, Seo-jun blinked his eyes.

What should I do?

He was so entertained by watching 20 actors perform with different interpretations and acting with the same lines that he only watched them. 

Instead of evaluating them, his application form was full of interpretations of their performances. 

He wrote down everything from their gestures and expressions to their facial changes.

I think anyone would be fine

This actor seemed nice because their gestures were gentle, and this actor seemed nice because their expression was kind. 

Hmm. 

As Seo-jun was choosing one actor he wanted to act with most, the directors conversation continued.

The art director did not join in the conversation and scratched his cheek. 

He did not know much about acting than the four people, but he had worked with Woo Jeong-han for a long time and knew his standards for acting. 

There was a three-year hiatus, but his standards would not have changed.

I think Kim Woo-jin is okay. Director Woos standards seem a bit too strict.

My standards?

Woo Jeong-han rolled his eyes.

My standards? Strict?

As the directors pondered over the art directors words, they seemed to realize something and opened their eyes wide.

Their eyes turned to Seo-jun at once. 

As he felt their gaze, Seo-jun lifted his head while choosing one actor he wanted to act with most.

Woo Jeong-han touched his forehead as he met Seo-juns black eyes that tilted his head.

Woo Jeong-han knew the time when those sparkling eyes burned fiercely. 

The casting director, the director of photography, and the assistant director who were in the same place gasped.

That audition

That was the cause.

Lee Ji-seoks Prince Suyang audition.

Seo-jun and Lee Ji-seoks passionate performance left everyone who saw it speechless. 

Heo Ui-gwan? King Seongnyeong? 

The chemistry of the inner court? 

They did not come to mind at all. 

Only Danjong and Prince Suyang were there.

After that audition, there was no more opposition to casting Lee Ji-seok as Prince Suyang.

 When they saw the netizens reactions, saying that it was Inner Court 2 and that they would not be immersed in the movie, they laughed at the thought of how surprised the netizens would be after the release.

That audition must have been really impressive. 

They were trying to find an actor who matched the performances of the two actors. 

An actor who was on the same level as Seo-jun and Lee Ji-seok. 

There was no way such an actor would still be unknown.

Woo Jeong-han, who was washing his face, opened his mouth.

Then lets lower our standards a bit.

Lets put aside the actors who passed in the previous round for now. We dont know if there will be an actor who will fit our hearts among the actors in the back.

Yes. Lets do that.

The directors nodded.