A serene silence came and went.
Lately, Ma Yeon-woo from Just X, the idol group on the rise in RY, was riding a wave of success.
Then there was Sooyeon Joo’s sudden appearance, which summoned an eerie tranquility.
Today, all participants at the audition, regardless of who they were, were inwardly nervous, especially the female idols and actresses.
‘This is different from a play.’
Recently, Sooyeon Joo made a magnificent return known through the play <Close Your Eyes>. She also appeared on variety shows, boosting her popularity. However, she hadn’t achieved success yet in either dramas or movies.
Thus, as she tried to convince herself otherwise…
The recently released teaser for <The Chaser> was troubling her.
‘Convenience store part-time work, right?’
Of the near two-minute teaser, Seoyeon’s appearance lasted only about ten seconds. However short, it was enough to gauge her acting ability.
‘If they’re trying really hard for the role of Song So-ha…’
This meant that she could be considered one of the strong contenders.
Mostly, even with moderate acting skills, considering the buzz she’d create paired with Park Jung-woo, she had a good chance of being picked.
And aside from that…
“Isn’t this the girl who was on that unmanned survival show?”
Ma Yeon-woo thought this about Seoyeon.
Of course, she knew about Princess Yeonhwa. She had seen the documentation when Ma Yeon-woo appeared on <Unmanned Survival>.
‘The impression is different from back then…’
Amazed, Ma Yeon-woo looked at Seoyeon. In response, Seoyeon’s gaze began to narrow.
‘Ma Yeon-woo.’
The key member of the trending idol group, Just X. She had attempted acting and achieved decent results in Dream Future. She then appeared in a war movie, proving her acting talent.
Certainly, as much as it mattered, Seoyeon wasn’t someone who wanted to be in close association with her.
After all:
‘Other Just X members…’
Ma Yeon-woo herself had issues with her personality, but other members had been even more problematic—issues unrelated to personality—like drunk driving, drugs, and violence.
In short, they had an impressive track record of scandals, which made her want to keep her distance. Ma Yeon-woo herself had been entangled in accusations of arrogance.
“I’ll pass.”
“Ah, okay.”
Ma Yeon-woo was slightly taken aback by Seoyeon’s lack of reaction to her appearance, considering she always received envious glances, particularly from women.
‘Surely it’s because her own features are so striking?’
Actresses.
There’s a saying.
No matter how good-looking an idol is, they fade beside a talented actress.
Seoyeon belonged to that category.
As she walked among other actresses, she seemed naturally to absorb the energy around her. Naturally, those around her unconsciously distanced themselves from her.
‘Why here of all places?’
‘Haven’t we got plenty of other spots?’
Because of this, the actresses nearby were disheartened. In contrast, Seoyeon, meanwhile, was ruminating on today’s script by quietly observing the scene. The role she came to audition for was, without a doubt, Joo Ha-rin.
Certainly, this added a measure of tension.
Then,
‘Ah, he’s here.’
Seeing Park Jung-woo, Seoyeon gave a subtle nod. Upon meeting her gaze, Park Jung-woo relaxed his previously furrowed brows and returned the gesture.
There was no need to overtly acknowledge acquaintance, but the subtle exchange was enough to draw attention from other actors watching them.
‘So she’s going for Song So-ha, huh.’
‘Isn’t it already decided? Oh, this isn’t good.’
Under such a subtly tense atmosphere, the audition began.
“Miss Nahee, the role you’ve prepared for is Song So-ha, right?”
“Yes.”
A woman with a pure demeanor nervously responded. She wasn’t an actress who’d played a supporting role in recently popular cable dramas but an idol.
‘She really is talented for an idol.’
Casting director Shin Yun clasped his pen under his chin and thought. This <Dream Future> wasn’t all about acting ability.
Since the story dealt with “idol auditions,” vocal talent was also important. Thus, idols had an advantage.
“Is this your second time attempting acting?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Calmly responding, Cha Nahee nodded. Her attitude was commendable. If only there wasn’t the woman waiting behind her, Casting Director Shin Yun would have considered giving her the role of Song So-ha outright.
“Alright then, thank you very much.”
With great relief, Cha Nahee turned around. Only to freeze.
In the audition room, the next contender was ready, standing to perform.
‘Joo Seoyeon.’
Cha Nahee felt her heart race.
Tension.
Anxiety.
Such complex emotions.
She knew Seoyeon was years younger but underestimated her at her own peril; her presence was quite formidable.
Hadn’t she already proved herself once as a child actress?
And hadn’t her recent variety show appearances revealed some of her charisma?
But Cha Nahee shivered at the dissonance between Seoyeon from the variety show and the cold, detached girl staring her down now.
‘Could that variety show persona … have been acting?’
If so, how truly remarkable.
But, considering it might just be her regular demeanor, the variety show appearance seemed like something else entirely.
“…Seoyeon, you seem to be observing Nahee quite carefully. Is there any issue between you two? It seems quite like rivalry…”
Shin Yun posed the question to Park Jung-woo since they had shared some connections, so he might know the reason.
“Probably nothing much.”
“Even so, she’s quite fixated.”
“She might be wondering if they’ve met somewhere before.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, she isn’t the type to overthink things.”
Back in the day, Park Jung-woo might have been misled. Seoyeon looking this way usually isn’t out of malice. She’s likely just curious, though he wasn’t exactly sure why.
‘The actress playing Song So-ha.’
And Seoyeon was genuinely curious, genuinely perplexed.
She had only expected that her previous auditioner might be Cha Nahee.
‘Of course, aiming for Song So-ha…’
She was one of the stars to watch for in this Dream Future.
Though this was Cha Nahee’s second attempt at acting, her actual acting skills left something to be desired.
Still, she possessed remarkable singing talent, which garnered her attention. She later achieved success in movies, officially starting her acting career.
‘Only to see her girl group disband a year later.’
Acting alone proved challenging for her as her co-members couldn’t accept her individual success.
“Well then…”
While Seoyeon was lost in these thoughts, a deep voice broke through.
A man whose face was covered with thick black stubble. Kim Pil-seok, the cinematographer of Dream Future.
This audition had five judges in total, with Kim Pil-seok being one of the most influential.
“Miss Joo Seoyeon. Please come forward.”
“Yes.”
Feeling a pleasant tension, Seoyeon stood up. Steadily advancing, the judges were inwardly amazed.
‘She’s different from an idol…’
‘Proper posture, and, undeniably… an aura.’
It was known that she had recently been in <The Chaser>. Although the release was still some time away, given the timing, it would likely coincide with Dream Future’s run.
‘If <The Chaser> is a hit, she’ll get a fair amount of advantages from it too.’
And conversely, <The Chaser> would benefit from <Dream Future>’s success.
It was a win-win situation.
‘Very good.’
Though Kim Pil-seok didn’t overtly betray his delight, internally, he was quite satisfied. In the current Dream Future scenario, Seoyeon Joo was quite a catch.
Lack of experience?
That doesn’t matter much; after all, most of the auditioners were inexperienced. Compared to them, she had starred in an extremely successful drama as a child and had showcased her skills on various variety shows.
‘An actress whose acting ability Park Jung-woo vouches for.’
Kim Pil-seok glanced at Park Jung-woo. He was trying hard not to show it, but he seemed quite content.
Park Jung-woo, despite his relative youth, was a veteran actor who placed high value on acting abilities.
A young curmudgeon, one might say.
Indeed, it was him who had just berated Cha Nahee. His criticisms were relentless, even towards seniors or his elders.
Yet, toward Seoyeon Joo’s acting, Park Jung-woo said, “I see no flaws.”
‘In fact, he often mentioned several aspects where she surpasses expectations.’
Wasn’t this akin to indirectly asking for her to get the role of Song So-ha?
This was the general consensus among the judges.
Had Seoyeon performed adequately in this audition, the role of Song So-ha would undoubtedly be hers.
“Yes, good.”
After a brief round of questions and introductions,
“Do you have a preferred role? The role you’d like to audition for?”
“Yes.”
Naturally, everyone exchanged glances with Park Jung-woo and anticipated that she would choose Song So-ha.
“The role I’d like to audition for is Joo Harin.”
“Ah, Harin as well….”
Kim Pil-seok nonchalantly murmured but then faltered at the end of his sentence.
“…Pardon?”
Joo Harin.
Among the six lead characters from the audition in the story of <Dream Future>, along with Kim Si-hwan and Song So-ha, Harin had the least screen presence.
She had some significant parts through Episode 8, but afterward, her appearances decreased dramatically.
Despite her vibrant character,
“….”
Naturally, the judges were momentarily speechless as they looked at Seoyeon.
In response to this, Seoyeon merely tilted her head in curiosity.
The audition for <Dream Future> turned out to be extremely successful.
Unexpectedly, I was rather nervous about this audition.
“Um, yes. We’ve confirmed. Is it really the role of Joo Harin you want?”
I heard this question multiple times, but I thought I did quite alright. Focusing on comedic and quirky character portrayals rather than romance, I managed to deliver an impressive performance.
“If things go well this time, I need to start vocal training.”
“Really?…”
As we walked home together, Jiyeon looked perplexed as I mentioned this.
“Why again? You’ve done it before.”
“In this drama audition, I might need to perform a song.”
“Ah, it’s an idol drama, right.”
Acknowledging this, Jiyeon nodded slightly.
Vocals.
To be honest, this was also a requirement for a Vtuber, so from a young age, I’ve been consistently practicing.
“Joo Seoyeon, you’re no good at singing, aren’t you.”
“…”
At Jiyeon’s comment, I shot her a subtle glare.
It’s not as if I can’t sing. It just seems like it because I don’t imbue my singing with emotion.
Thus, whatever I tried always ended up being too dry, sticking only to karaoke-level performances.
“But I’ve improved.”
“Have you?”
Entering puberty helped, allowing me to refine my abilities. I began to incorporate emotion into my singing, and it was at least good enough to not sound strange.
“But it’s not enough for an idol drama.”
I was contemplating whether I should find a new academy when…
“Should I help you out?”
Iejin suddenly offered to help.
“Huh?”
“There’s someone I’ve been helping. She used to do voice acting, was an idol, and is really good at singing.”
Her comment made me feel a bit strange.
‘Does Jiyeon have such connections?’
Curious, I subtly inquired.
“Who… who is it?”
“She’s someone I met at a voice acting academy. I’ve received a lot of help from her. Thought this could be a chance to introduce her to you.”
Her words jogged a memory of someone.
A coincidence.
Or maybe a stretch, but nothing else came to mind.
‘Wizard!!’
Considering I had already subscribed to and watched several videos from that Vtuber, Seoyeon concluded there was no other possibility.
After all, Wizard was a Vtuber primarily known for their singing talent. In their previous life, Ramiel was also known for exceptional singing abilities.
‘If I learned singing from this person…’
And only now, Seoyeon realized why.
