There was definitely some uneasy collusion, but nothing had drastically changed.
If anything, the only noticeable change was the early morning exercise routine.
Until now, it had been a one-sided affair where Heavenly Yuah was solely guiding Moon Suyeon, but recently, it felt different.
It seemed that Moon Suyeon was now also teaching something to Heavenly Yuah.
“Like this?”
“Yeah, good job. Any discomfort?”
“Not really.”
“Probably because your foundation is so solid. Most people feel stiffness all over when they start.”
“So, does this help?”
“It should. The more varied your posture, the more satisfaction you’ll get. Though I’ve only tried it with one person…”
“But that one person is what matters, right?”
“Yeah, how about you?”
That said, it was somewhat embarrassing to watch them strike these kinds of poses.
At first glance, it resembles pilates or yoga, but it’s… hard to describe.
Given the history of these women doing strange things, it’s best to just pretend not to notice.
“Discussion is over.”
“Ah, is it? What about the roles?”
“We checked with your side first. But we should discuss role assignments with the PD and the writer.”
“Is it a closed audition?”
“Not exactly, but there’s uncertainty if this character fits Siu.”
“Ah, for that reason…”
While Heavenly Yuah and Moon Suyeon behaved oddly, Flame had reached an agreement with TVA and Carra Entertainment.
First, I would meet the PD and the writer to verify if I could portray the male lead before joining as the male lead, upon which Heavenly Financial would add production funds.
Taking responsibility for the production funds, if I join as the male lead, Flame’s stake would increase, allowing them to propose various opinions.
Given that this isn’t merely about entering the production, this aspect was crucial.
“So, the male lead… is an otaku, right?”
“Yes, a hardcore fan. Specifically, of the female lead ‘Yeri.’ Her die-hard fan who becomes a manager and takes charge of ‘Yeri.'”
“Indeed…”
“The background of this piece is interesting.”
“Is it?”
‘John Ye Boss, She’ is the story of top female singer ‘Yeri’ and ‘Yeri’s hardcore fan ‘Jin Deok-woo,’ who comes in as her manager due to her frequent changes in managers.
After all, ‘boss’ was a nickname Ashbloom fans gave to Na Ye-ri.
Interestingly, the writer of this piece is genuinely a hardcore fan of Ashbloom.
Aspiring drama writer Kang Taesup was a dedicated fan of Ashbloom, particularly Na Ye-ri. To honor her, he created this work and posted it on an Ashbloom fan site, where it gained a warm response from fans and eventually reached Carra Entertainment.
With requests for Na Ye-ri to act flooding in, Carra Entertainment saw it as a perfect opportunity.
They surveyed fans on producing this story, and with a majority approving, this work was decided to be Na Ye-ri’s acting debut piece.
“Besides, it was originally just a web drama. Things got bigger once TVA got involved.”
“Indeed…”
Apparently, the original plan was to produce it as a web drama.
Just fan service was the goal.
However, an ambitious TVA PD made an aggressive deal, resulting in a conclusion to simulcast on TVA and Finesse.
When discussions about scheduling first arose, Carra Entertainment, TVA, and even Na Ye-ri herself thought official production might not be the best idea.
With the debut project already being broadcast officially being burdensome for both Na Ye-ri and Carra Entertainment, TVA had a somewhat negative stance initially as well.
Still, what made everyone agree and even secured a broadcast contract with Piness was none other than Han Nam-ju PD, the overall supervisor of this project—a fascinating individual.
“Seems like Han Nam-ju PD is dead serious about ratings, having escalated this to such proportions.”
“Apparently.”
Indeed, this side is a definite ally.
“How about the writer?”
“Feels a little uneasy? He’s happy about the production but also burdened.”
“Still, he must be a newcomer?”
“Yes.”
Of course, the writer wants his own work to succeed.
Especially since he’s also a hardcore fan of Ashbloom’s Na Ye-ri, it’s bound to be even more true.
However, given that he’s a newcomer, he’s probably overwhelmed.
The original script was designed for just a web drama, but suddenly cable and OTT platforms have been added.
Since dramas rely heavily on writers, there’s need to encourage his fighting spirit in some way.
“But what do they mean that I might not fit as the lead?”
“Ah, it’s due to the character.”
“The character? Isn’t it simply a hardcore otaku fan?”
“Hence the concern. You’re too handsome, and there’s worry that the nerd vibe isn’t present.”
“Ah, it’s because of that…”
Being too handsome being a problem is new to me.
If these words would have come only from Heavenly Yuah, I might have dismissed them, but since they came officially from the other side.
The protagonist of this work, Jin Deok-woo, is a dedicated fan and hardcore otaku of the female lead ‘Yeri.’
While there isn’t a particular ‘nerd/otaku vibe,’ it’s evident that I don’t fit that character based on general impressions.
But isn’t the so-called ‘nerd vibe’ something you can enhance through makeup and acting?
And in any drama, the lead can’t consistently portray a nerdy vibe.
Certainly, scenes of the male lead being cool must exist in this work as well.
If this was initially just a web drama solely dedicated to Ashbloom fans, then maybe, but with Han Nam-ju PD securing the OTT contract, it’s likely that efforts will be made to attract female viewers with the male lead’s appeal.
“In that case, I would be a pretty good choice.”
Certainly, this only worked if I could perfectly portray an otaku.
If I couldn’t even properly act as an otaku, I wouldn’t deserve a place in this production.
“So, I should meet the writer and the PD first.”
“Yes, shall we go now?”
“Book it as quickly as possible.”
Thus, I went to TVA to secure the role I wanted.
They insist it’s not an official audition, but it’s essentially the same.
I naturally feel it’s right to receive the role after my abilities are recognized, so I have no complaints.
It’s stranger to cast someone without checking their acting.
Fact is, I don’t know much about otaku culture and can’t accurately gauge the feel of it.
However, I have an unmistakable reference.
“A…Hello, I’m Kang Taesup.”
Kang Taesup, the writer of this work.
As soon as I arrived at the meeting place with the PD and writer, I quickly scanned Kang Taesup.
Just as the PD and writer were observing me, I too observed the writer.
Slightly hunched shoulders, a bit of a slouch, but he’s certainly wearing glasses, just as expected.
Seems to be introverted with few words and occasional stammering.
“Exactly as I imagined you’d be—too handsome. This is going to be difficult… it doesn’t feel right.”
Still, even amidst these thoughts, his determination to voice his opinions is clear.
Indeed, my guess was spot on.
The protagonist of this work, ‘Jin Deok-woo,’ is an aspiring writer.
The fanatical fan of Yeri is a thinly veiled version of Kang Taesup himself.
Considering that this work wasn’t produced with intentions but as a dedication piece, this character was clearly modeled after the writer himself.
This means that if I act like Kang Taesup, I can synchronize my portrayal with this character.
Fortunately, having such a distinct character made it easier to grasp its essence.
“Then, shall we try it?”
“Should I perform?”
“Yes, it would be better.”
“Oh, then I would appreciate it.”
The PD, who had been hesitant due to the writer’s negative reaction, readily agreed when I volunteered to act.
The writer is a newcomer, and this was technically not an official audition, so asking for an impromptu performance in the meeting must’ve been awkward.
Given the varied personalities of actors and especially those who perceive such requests as insults, they were naturally cautious.
“Hum, I will try.”
First, I let my fringe fall to cover my face slightly.
Even saying this feels awkward, but it’s difficult to get this vibe while showing my face.
Next, I wore glasses, drew my shoulders inwards, and made myself appear smaller.
I aimed to resemble Kang the writer closely but with a slight twist.
“Uh…Yeri! I’m a fan!”
I acted out the scene of Jin Deok-woo, newly appointed as a manager, meeting Yeri for the first time.
A somewhat sinister-looking man, overwhelmed with love.
Clearly a die-hard fan’s genuine response.
“…Oh, there’s something… I get it?”
“S-surely…”
“Huh? Mr. Kang, why this sudden reaction?”
“Surely not! The actor, Ashd, right!?”
No, I’m not.
I’m exclusively Pentanol, no, Pentaring.
It seems my acting was quite convincing, given that he mistook me for Ashd, the Ashbloom fan club.
*
First off, the role was mine.
Both the writer and the PD seemed satisfied with my performance and wanted to cast me.
Especially the writer, who showed an air of internal affinity toward me.
“Th-this is a genuine reaction. Mr. Actor, being an Ashd is nothing to be ashamed of. Our boss is truly amazing. Just proudly ‘out’ yourself…”
He kept pushing me to out myself for some reason.
I reassured myself that it was because my acting was good, and I smiled it off.
“Getting inspired… When the story felt a bit constrained with the transition to mini-drama, now I can see how additional scenes could work.”
It seems while watching my portrayal of a fan so similar to him, the writer himself drew inspiration.
Given that this character was based on himself, it’s natural he had ambitions.
It appears some good narratives might be added. I’ll just go with it.
-TVA schedules ‘The John Ye Boss, She’ for its Q1 Thursday-Friday drama slot.
-‘The John Ye Boss, She’ confirms popular actor White Siu as the lead male.
The news immediately came out.
I’m confirmed as the male lead in ‘The John Ye Boss, She.’
With this, it counts as me stepping into this drama and out of ‘Im Jin-nyeon.’
Actors have the freedom to choose their roles, but some people might take this personally based on character.
How will the ‘Im Jin-nyeon’ crew react?
At least, the story about me being on the casting list but rejecting it is known only to a few.
There are no secrets in this world, so this will likely get out eventually?
It feels like I have one more reason to make this drama a success.
Should I somehow fail after stepping into a competing drama, it would be quite embarrassing.
