After the meeting concluded, we gathered in the break room for a brief chat.
Present were myself, Heavenly Yuah, and Yang Yuli.
The overall atmosphere radiated satisfaction with the current situation.
“Not bad. The actors on board are all pretty competent.”
“That’s good.”
“Having actors who can’t act but are too arrogant about it would be exhausting. Looks like we won’t need to stress much during this shoot.”
Heavenly Yuah appeared thoroughly pleased with the top-priority casting board.
They all seemed to be actors skilled in their craft.
While I know fewer people than I don’t, I don’t really have much to say. But seeing Heavenly Yuah satisfied makes me believe everyone’s performance should indeed be top-notch.
“That’s true, but I also like the director. Even though the director had his own ideas about casting, he seemed to respect Writer Yang Yuli.”
“Ah, that’s true. That’s important.”
In my case, I liked the director’s attitude more than the actors.
Given Yang Yuli is a newcomer and also young, it could be problematic here.
Director Bang is in his late forties, making it easy to overlook her.
Yet Director Bang consistently showed respect to Yang Yuli throughout.
“While showing respect, he gives necessary feedback, so it seems we made a good choice.”
“Did the CEO pick Director Bang for this piece?”
“Yes, that’s right. The CEO said Director Bang was the best choice for our work. Actually, Phoenix initially suggested someone else.”
“Indeed…”
Looks like after caring for Heavenly Yuah for a few years, our CEO has a keen eye for people.
“But, Yuli, what’s your plan with the child actress? Were you thinking of Miju?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The conversation, initially about actors and Director Bang, soon shifted to child actors.
This was also a significant issue since it might require revising the script.
“In the end, it will come down to that, won’t it?”
To put it simply, the child actress Yang Yuli had in mind was indeed a kid.
Since Yang Yuli is a new writer, it was predictable that both Nana and Heavenly Yuah would agree with her choice.
“Kid?…”
Our kid in question is Yang Miju.
Full name: Yang Miju.
She resides at Heaven Love Orphanage, which became a Flame branch (estimated age 7).
Despite her cute appearance, she has a feisty personality and is responsible for greeting guests at the orphanage.
This kid dreams of becoming a child actress.
She once auditioned through Heavenly Yuah, and the acting she displayed then seemed decent even to me.
Given her skills, there shouldn’t be much issue with her playing a role in the drama, although it could be challenging for her to play Wolhee’s younger self, especially if the script or direction includes dance or singing.
Though Yang Yuli is writing the script, some musical elements are necessary for believability.
Assigning a role with no prior acting experience is a risk. Adding dance and singing makes it even tougher.
“No problem. Our Miju sings a bit.”
“…She sings?”
“Yes, and she dances a little…”
“Really, what is this kid?”
But our little one is more remarkable than I’d imagined.
At her age, she’s already developed decent dance and singing skills.
“Miju sings, and the patrons love it. People tend to open their wallets when they’re in a good mood.”
“Of course.”
Apparently, this is a capitalist kid.
“What about dancing?”
“Last year, didn’t Yeri from Ashbloom build a new apartment block? When Miju saw that, she got all excited. Saying that idols make big money, she began intense practice. Of course, once she realized kids can’t be idols and got sad…”
“Really?”
“Yes, she’s quite nimble. Especially with observing and mimicking, which she’s really good at. Given the nature of the choreography in this role – likely some form of classical dance – it should be fine.”
Such a consistent kid.
Seems like she shifted her goal from becoming an idol to becoming a child actress.
Her crazy talent, drive, and greed for money are mind-boggling.
“The real problem is the dean, isn’t it? The dean’s quite rigid.”
“That’s true, but…”
Heavenly Yuah chimed in on the most important point.
She already met with the dean, who previously declined Miju’s debut as a child actress.
So even though we wanted her, it wasn’t certain we could use her.
However, there was a story we didn’t know.
“Yesterday, Miju went on a hunger strike. The dean is quite troubled.”
The fact that the resolute kid went on a hunger strike risking her life.
“…If it were any other kid, I wouldn’t worry, but this one…”
“Yes, Miju means it.”
While a hunger strike from a child usually ends with them starving themselves briefly before it resolves on its own, this case was different.
If it’s this kid, it’s no small issue. Given her tenacity, it seemed plausible she’d continue her hunger strike until she was hospitalized.
Apparently, this kid not only has abundant drive and talent but also the persistent trait of a devoted girl.
“So the dean is considering. If we can’t sway her, giving it a try wouldn’t be bad.”
“If we do, Flame, which knows her well and can manage her closely, would be the most suitable.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
Indeed.
If we can’t sway her, a trial would be necessary, and Flame offers the best conditions.
Especially in this production, many people familiar with the kid are involved, making management smoother, given that this is like Yang Yuli’s tightly connected work.
There could hardly be better conditions for the kid’s debut as a child actress.
“So Yuli, try persuading her. Let her try it out, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll send her back.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“But can Phoenix find other child actors?”
“Maybe, given that Phoenix isn’t a small company, they’d have more child actors to choose from. Ultimately, it will come down to competition. Even with a known child actor, we can’t just assign roles freely.”
“Indeed…”
Heavenly Yuah’s remarks were on point. To get a role, competition is a given.
But somehow, it doesn’t seem worrying because this kid seems determined enough to secure the role no matter what.
We’d be wiser to focus on the sync between the kid and the adult actors instead.
“Would the actor the writer is targeting fit well with the kid?”
“Uh…Yes, it should work fine.”
“Can’t you at least hint at who it is?”
“Well, it’s not final yet, so it wouldn’t be right to say. But let me tell you one thing: the actor will have an impact as great as Sister Yuah. Hmm…yeah, similar.”
“Which makes me even more curious.”
Here I was trying to fish out information about the cast, but this kid isn’t giving away any hints.
“But then, I’m curious too.”
“Even Ms. Yuah doesn’t know?”
“That’s right. I asked, but she wouldn’t tell me. It felt wrong to press too hard, so I’m just waiting.”
“…”
Damn. Closed off.
Even if Owner and Investor Heavenly Yuah doesn’t know, it implies we won’t get any information easily by pestering.
Not like we can break Yang Yuli’s bones to get the info.
What kind of actor could create such a stir?
Could it be Yohwagyeokchu? Neidanju? Milwoldanju?
It almost seems worth searching through notable figures like these.
But these names are all convoluted and hard to search.
Guess I’ll just have to wait.
“Even with Nam Hyun-ho stepping in, what more might come up?”
The explosive combination of the New Religion and the Namgoong Family has begun, yet I doubt anything more would surprise.
For now, I’ll remain calm and just wait.
*
A slender and handsome young man, the epitome of an aristocratic style, sat on the sofa going through the script labeled “Gold Mountain (working title).”
“Steampunk in Joseon. Refreshing. And the outcast character… I like it.”
“So, you’ll do it?”
“Yeah, why? Is something not to your liking?”
“There are plenty of things. It’s an unconfirmed production, it’s not a lead role, and then there’s that contract. What’s this? I’ve never seen this kind of case before. Are you seriously considering signing the second contract?”
“Ha, no, I find it interesting, especially the contract. I like performance-based pay. Actors are freelancers anyway, right? As freelancers, it’s right for us to earn as much as we deserve.”
Actor Nam Hyun-ho chuckled as his manager sitting beside him grumbled.
Although the manager complained a lot, he knew it was all because of his concern for him.
Particularly, the emphasis on the contract indicates that the second contract with its radically different guarantees was quite shocking to this guy.
“Why, even if the drama tanks, it’ll be a total loss?”
“But, if it hits, it’ll be more than double.”
“Hmph, since when have you ever listened to me? Just do as you please.”
Of course, despite advice given for his own good, Nam Hyun-ho doesn’t listen much.
He has a strong ‘my way’ streak himself.
Regardless of size, if the role fits, he’ll take it. This steampunk world with his character as a scavenger suits him well.
“Still, being a supporting role is a bit disappointing. It’s my first time co-acting with Senior Tian and all.”
Even such a Nam Hyun-ho has a point of regret.
Though famous in the industry, he’ll act alongside Heavenly Yuah for the first time, but they don’t share many scenes together.
There are plenty of scenes, but they seldom act together.
Heavenly Yuah’s top star meter gets most accurate in a two-shot setting, so missing that opportunity is indeed quite regrettable.
“Then who’s the lead?”
“Still under embargo, it’s a rookie actor. Baek Siu…”
“Baek Siu? Sounds familiar…”
“You know, the scandal with Yun Seo-eun turning into Elder Yoon…”
“Ah, the guy who caused all the commotion with Jo Yoo-shin?”
At the mention of Baek Siu, Nam Hyun-ho frowned and squinted his eyes.
Having been a close friend of Jo Yoo-shin, Nam Hyun-ho’s impression of Baek Siu wasn’t very favorable.
This was likely due to Jo Yoo-shin stirring up considerable drama.
“Just ignore all the talk about Actor Jo Yoo-shin.”
“Hey, Jo Yoo-shin might seem calm, but he’s a tough nut. Talking about that arrogant kid back then…”
Although the manager knows Jo Yoo-shin isn’t a good influence, there’s nothing he can do if the actor doesn’t listen.
The most he can do is to plant some warnings.
“But that actor looks like trouble, doesn’t he? Better not get involved.”
“Trouble?”
“Yes, right? A sane person wouldn’t dress up and act out being a 70-year-old, would they?”
“Hah, being crazy like that is meaningless compared to real insanity. Such fake eccentricity always fades in the face of true madness.”
But it was futile.
Nam Hyun-ho believed himself to be the truly crazy one in this industry.
This self-proclaimed lunatic Nam Hyun-ho was fully determined to show the arrogant junior a lesson using his own brand of madness.
