I’m confident the audition itself was successful.
When they told me to come after wiping off my makeup, I mentioned it would take some time, and they suggested meeting again two hours later.
The atmosphere became a bit strange when I revealed that I’m actually 23 years old, but if they weren’t planning to hire me, they wouldn’t have asked me to come back with a fresh face.
Just sending me home would have been enough.
“Ugh. Should I go now? Detaching this mask really is a hassle, isn’t it.”
The makeup I introduced as special effects was actually the result of wearing a mask and adding makeup on top of it.
Of course, it’s not an evil artifact like the inf皮面具 in martial arts novels.
Even the New Religion wouldn’t go so far as to make masks from human skin.
Actually, making masks from human skin is an incredibly difficult task.
Isn’t it a matter of utility being too low? The cleanup afterward is also ridiculously troublesome.
The most basic training course in the secret sect I used to work for was the technique of creating masks.
In my case, I’m particularly specialized in this area, and thanks to my field experience gained from outings with the Heavenly Demon, my mask-making ability is the best in the New Religion.
It requires a few special materials, but fortunately, they’re available even in modern times. Since it was my first time, I put extra effort into creating it, and the effect turned out to be quite good.
No one suspected that I wasn’t in my 70s.
Since I can’t use my internal energy, it wasn’t a perfect mask, but it seems usable here in modern times.
“Custom hanbok and mask-making. I’ve spent all my savings, but it seems I’ve secured the role, so it’s a success.”
Now that the time has come, let’s go inside and secure the role.
“What? You look handsome.”
“No, why would someone like that…”
Returning to my original appearance for the conference room meeting, Writer Min exclaims in surprise.
Judging from Writer Min, who’s known for his obsession with good looks, it seems my appearance isn’t bad either.
Anyway, I’ve never had trouble getting roles because of my looks.
I’ve even undergone a sort of partial rebirth, making me even more convincing.
In the Martial Forest, the trend is thin-lined pretty boys, so a manly handsome guy like me doesn’t get much recognition, but seeing their reaction, I feel my confidence growing a little.
“Exactly why did you audition for the Elder Yoon role?”
“Ah, that.”
Director Yoo’s first question was naturally about why I auditioned for the Elder Yoon role.
The reason for choosing Elder Yoon.
There were many excuses I could have made, but since we’re here, I decided to tell part of the truth.
Since Director Yoo generally likes honest and sincere actors.
Of course, it’s only when the actor meets the expectations of the role, but I think I’m fine.
“I really wanted to be in this drama, but it seemed like there were no roles left.”
“So, you went through the trouble of putting on makeup for a 70-year-old role?”
“Yes, it seemed like that was the only role I could get. Of course, I excluded bit parts.”
“Phew, this guy… You’re crazy. Oh, sorry. That was a compliment.”
“Yes, thank you for the compliment.”
The term ‘crazy’ used in this situation is actually a decent compliment.
It’s natural to be passed over if someone’s character is bad, but actors who slightly lose their minds for roles or parts are often preferred by industry professionals.
Of course, there are companies that prefer actors who fit the mold more strictly, but I can pass on those.
By the looks of it, the gentleman seems to have a fairly positive impression of me, so if industry insiders inquire about me, I think they’ll receive quite a positive response.
That alone is worth appearing in this drama.
“All good. The acting was fine, the character analysis was good too, but why would we choose someone like Baek Siu, who’s in his 20s, for a 60-70-year-old role?”
“Hmm, why?”
Compared to Director Yoo’s consistently positive attitude, Writer Min looked somewhat deflated.
Judging from the way the woman who was throwing hearts during my performance reacted to the fact that I’m in my 20s, I surmised it was quite a shock for her.
After all, people tend to react aggressively when faced with something too shocking.
Unless they have a strange personality like Director Yoo, who enjoys sudden situations, that is.
So, it’s best to give Writer Min a rather convincing bait.
“Of course, there’s a reason.”
“What reason?”
“If a veteran actor were to play this role, it would become too obvious.”
“Obvious?”
“This role has a subtle twist, but choosing a veteran would make it too obvious. It would be like openly revealing that this character is special.”
“Twist…”
“But if a complete newcomer like me is cast, wouldn’t most viewers think that Elder Yoon is just a minor character?”
“Haha, that’s true. Min Writer, wasn’t that something you were worried about?”
“Yeah… That’s true.”
Elder Yoon and main character Yoon Seo-eun share a bloodline, which is one of the few twists in this piece.
But with veteran actor Seo Jin-seob playing Elder Yoon, it was revealed even before the drama began that there’s something between Elder Yoon and Yoon Seo-eun.
It’s an unsightly situation because it’s nearly impossible to have such a senior actor in a minor role.
“There’s also…”
“Another one?”
“Isn’t it possible to create some buzz in areas beyond the piece? After all, it’s rare for a 20-something new actor to perform 70-year-old roles with special makeup.”
“If nobody knows this actor is in his 20s, it would be even more surprising.”
“Yes, if during the airing, we subtly reveal this…”
“But for that, Elder Yoon must become a well-developed character, right?”
“Isn’t it fine? Everyone liked my acting, didn’t they?”
“If the screen time increases, it would become more solid?”
“Then… It would be better, right?”
“Kekeke. Ah, you really are crazy… though, it’s a well-known trait. Obsession with roles.”
Though started by Writer Min, Director Yoo carried on the conversation.
Even switching from honorifics to informal speech.
This is one of Director Yoo’s expressions of closeness, so it’s not something to be upset about.
This person must have a favorable impression of me beyond what I expected.
“Writer Min, you need to increase Elder Yoon’s role, don’t you think? If Elder Yoon becomes a talking point, let’s use it to give the viewers a boost when they get bored, so the ratings get a bump.”
“Ha, really… Fine, I’ll consider it.”
That’s settled.
Elder Yoon, who was already a good character, will become even better.
Considering this is my first appearance in a drama, the results seem fine.
“Is it going to be okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you play Elder Yoon, you’ll have to keep doing that strange special makeup, right? For newcomers, your face should be recognized, but that won’t happen if this continues.”
“Ah, that’s true. There’s nothing to be done. I have to hope Elder Yoon becoming a focus shifts attention to Baek Siu.”
“Then we’re in the same boat. If this drama doesn’t do well, you won’t get recognized in your debut, with your fine acting.”
“Ah, really? Can this be cancelled?”
“Nope. It’s a done deal. You’ve won the Elder Yoon role, ding, ding, ding.”
“Ah, that’s troublesome. I have to act really hard now.”
“You folks are doing really well.”
Though these words are said, it’s somewhat expected.
Appearing in a drama while hiding your face certainly has risks.
Especially for newcomers like me who aren’t even known by face.
This is also a reason why Director Yoo calls me ‘crazy’.
However, considering the drama’s potential, there’s no way Elder Yoon would remain unnoticed.
The era where a 20% viewing rate is a joke isn’t a thing, and I was fairly confident in my acting skills.
In particular, Elder Yoon was the most commonly used character during my tours with the Heavenly Demon and the Central Plains.
The only relationship where I could comfortably ‘stroke’ the back of the Heavenly Demon is the grandparent-grandchild relationship.
Hence, I tend to pick such roles first, and I’ve acted them more than dozens of times.
Which means it’s a role where there is absolutely no room for error.
A 20-something perfectly performing a 70-year-old role?
Even if people don’t recognize my face, this is a profitable deal.
Everyone in the industry will know.
A 20-something actor performing a 70-year-old role perfectly? That’s a real acting prodigy.
It’s better to focus on the bigger picture now rather than getting attached to small fame.
Signing a promising management contract under good conditions could also be part of that plan.
“But this is a secret, right?”
“Of course. Don’t tell even your family. This will be stated explicitly in the contract.”
“Yes, I thought as much.”
If this role is used to build momentum, I must also keep the secret.
Meaning, I can’t tell even my family.
Though they all know I auditioned, it’s somewhat awkward.
“Anyway, it doesn’t really matter if my family finds out, right? I won’t be appearing on screen with my face visible.”
True, it might be better if they think I failed the audition.
After all, it’s kind of funny when your family watches religiously waiting for you to appear when your face won’t show up anyway.
Of course, the thought of being teased by mom and daughters makes my blood pressure rise, but let’s endure it for future pleasure.
After the interview, we proceeded to sign a contract.
The requirement to keep the secret brought a better price than usual for a new actor, though it still wasn’t much.
“Then, is the makeup situation decided as I’ll be handling it?”
“That seems like the best option. Doing it at the broadcasting station or the set increases the likelihood of getting exposed.”
“The quality might not be up to par with the broadcasting station’s special effects team either.”
“This kind of makeup isn’t cheap, you see.”
“Okay, okay. Do we not have production budget? Attach it separately to the contract.”
Moreover, we carefully secured the costs for the makeup.
The mask can be used until it’s damaged, but since Director Yoo set the makeup budget pretty high, I think I can make another one or two with the surplus.
Actually, at this level of makeup quality, it’s right to secure a certain amount of funding.
If I got makeup at the broadcasting station, it could ruin the plan to create a stir.
It was a modest but satisfying result.
“What? Did you get rejected? Didn’t I tell you? I could tell you’d rely too much on your looks.”
As soon as I got home, that troublemaker attacked me like crazy.
I wonder when that one will mature.
Honestly, if I make money, I’m definitely thinking about sending that troublemaker away first.
“Hmm. Okay. Don’t worry too much.”
My angelic father, on the other hand, kept his distance.
It seems he’s considering that unnecessary comfort would hurt my pride.
It’s not a problem that needs that much attention.
But it’s quite fatherly of him to have such delicate consideration, so I just smiled and let it pass.
“Then, let me check the details.”
After casually informing the family about the audition result, I checked the script.
Only four episodes of the script were out, but since the writer has a separate compilation of Elder Yoon’s character details, there was something to check.
Since I made such big boasts, I wouldn’t let my pride suffer by having any problems with the acting.
No matter what, I intended to give a perfect performance for this role.
