Chapter 138
I will live as an actor Episode 138:
Villain.
An actor’s image is directly related to his role. To put it bluntly, once an image has been created, it is not easy to break away from it. For example, in the case of Macaulay Culkin in ‘Home Alone,’ didn’t the role he played as a child cement his image as an actor for the rest of his life? Therefore, actors are reluctant to let their image become fixed. However.
“England, are you definitely going to play this role?”
The voice of manager Lee Bong-chun, who was behind the wheel, was full of concern. Transforming an actor’s image is an important task. However, in the case of an unconventional transformation, there was a high probability that it would have the opposite effect. In a way, it was natural for the manager to be so worried.
“I think I really wish you wouldn’t raise your voice.”
“He seems like such a cocky character.”
He is a villain with the personality of a bad guy and a bad guy. This is not the first time Britain has undergone a transformation. From the nation’s first love to the priest and Casanova.
Although it is evaluated that the spectrum of roles is wide compared to its young age, Britain’s external image is closer to that of young people with upright lives. Not only was he well-received as an actor, but he also got perfect grades in math and was accepted into the law department at Korea University.
“Actually, the CEO seems to be worried as well. After reading the script, I can understand why the CEO is worried. Isn’t England completely different from your usual image? She is a character who swears and is a bit harsh. Well, I guess England was something you thought about and decided on. ”
England gives a faint smile. It’s a concern I’ve never heard of in my past life. No one complained about the role he played. Because of his rather rugged appearance, it was taken for granted that he would play the role of a gangster or a violent criminal. Only after he was recognized for his acting skills did the variety of roles increase, but until then, he had only played minor roles as gangsters.
“Hyung, I think you’d be better suited for a villain role than I thought.”
Just then, the van arrived at Baek Jang-hoon Production’s headquarters. England put the script aside and walked out of the car. It’s the day of the audition for the movie Outlaw.
I understand that it was not an open audition and that the production only contacted actors whose profiles passed. As you enter the office building, a desk clerk who recognizes England’s face guides you.
“You came to audition for actor Jang Young-guk, right?”
This is a desk employee who once did not recognize England’s face. England grins at her. The place we arrived at under her guidance was the meeting room.
“Other actors are waiting here now.”
I was just about to wonder if it was an individual audition. As I open the door and enter, I see familiar people.
‘In addition to Kim Hyuk, Bae Jeong-woo and Lee Seo-jun come.’
There has never been a case where established actors, especially actors of the caliber known in Chungmuro, showed up at an audition site like this. When England appears, several actors glance at him. But it doesn’t last long.
There are also people who turn their heads away as if they do not want to even exchange greetings between seniors and juniors. After all, there is no such thing as second place in an audition. Only one character is chosen for each role. A clear competitive war of nerves had begun. It was then.
“Mr. England!”
I turn my head to the familiar voice.
“Hwawon hyung?”
* * *
If there was a dog in the countryside, would it look like this? That doesn’t mean it’s tacky. In fact, her pale skin texture is more refined than that of most actresses. A bright smile shines brightly as you look at England.
“I never thought we’d meet here!”
“Did you come to audition too? Aren’t you filming a drama?”
“I asked the producer to crank in after the drama filming ended anyway. Of course, there is no guarantee that I will be able to do it.”
Son Hwa-won speaks quietly, perhaps because she is conscious of the actors around her. It was common for actors to audition even during filming. For well-known actors, scripts come flooding in to their agencies, but for other actors, not even a short synopsis, let alone a script, comes in.
“Brother, I told you last time to treat me comfortably.”
“Oh, that’s right. I’ll speak comfortably from now on. By the way, England, is this how auditions for director Baek Jang-hoon’s work are usually conducted?”
Son Hwa-won asked quietly in an awkward informal tone. It seems like a strange sight even for him to see. Isn’t that why the faces of actors waiting to audition at Baek Jang-hoon Production are a bit unusual?
They are all actors whose names you might have heard at least once in Chungmuro or on broadcasting channels. Wasn’t Son Hwa-won also an actor who quickly emerged as a blue chip in Chungmuro?
“I didn’t know that so many famous people had gathered. Senior Kim Hyuk was also there, but everyone seemed so nervous that they didn’t even want to say hello.”
“It’s probably not because England doesn’t like you. When I first arrived and tried to say hello, everyone was nervous. That means they’re on edge. By the way, England, are you applying for the role of the main character too?”
“No, I’m a supporting actor.”
“A supporting role?”
Son Hwa-won’s eyes widen when she hears the word “supporting role.”
“You know there’s Jeong Hae-seok, the second generation of a chaebol, and I’d like to try out for that role.”
At that moment, the eyes of an actor sitting cross-legged in one corner of the meeting room become sharp.
* * *
It feels like walking on thin ice. Actor auditions are always stressful. But throughout my life, haven’t I already reached middle age? I’ve done all kinds of auditions, but this is the first time I’ve been this nervous.
‘Get the actors together?’
The actor’s perspective is different from that of the audience. He scans the other person’s appearance as if trying to close his lungs. If there is a blemish on the acting, I notice it right away. That is the situation now. Don’t you see a wry smile on the lips of the actors watching their competitors’ performances?
‘I never thought even Kim Hyuk would apply.’
He is an actor known for having a high salary. Isn’t he famous for not appearing in a role if he is not the lead or if the co-star’s guarantee is higher than his own? Such an actor applied for a supporting role, not even a lead role. Even as a villain.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Director Baek Jang-hoon raises his hand. The actor who was performing his act lowers his head in despair. After all, at most filming locations, you would have been so nervous that you couldn’t even show your business card.
Director Baek Jang-hoon alone would have felt incredibly intimidated, but Chungmuro’s famous actors were watching his performance and waiting for their turn. In the first place, it is an impossible audition unless you are a virtuoso.
“Actor Kim Hyuk.”
An actor who has been at the top of his game both on the cathode ray tube and the big screen. There is no trace of tension on his face.
“Scene 34.”
Kim Hyuk’s performance begins with a short order. Unlike when greeting politely, he immediately shows a irritable expression. Then he roughly puts his hands into his pockets.
It is not easy to intuit someone else’s audition right in front of your eyes. Even more so in the case of a famous actor. Not only England but all the actors in the audience are watching him.
“Do you know what the biggest mistake of my father’s life was?”
Kim Hyuk snorts.
“I just threw you out like an ordinary person. It’s a shame because you have a good old-fashioned personality. How dare you set your teeth? Isn’t it natural that if a dog you raised tries to bite its owner, it should be beaten like a beating? “It seems like it. You’re just an expendable item. You’re just a cog that makes this huge group of comets run. Do you understand?”
As the acting continues, the attention of those watching becomes more focused. Kim Hyuk’s acting shines even more, perhaps because the actor who just auditioned was not good at acting. It was then.
Trudging.
Kim Hyuk suddenly takes a step toward England. Then, she brings her face right in front of his nose and glares.
“네까짓게 아무리 발버둥쳐봤자 내 아래라고 이 개새끼야.”
Director Baek Jang-hoon raises his hand. The acting of the scene is over. It seems like he used himself as an extension of his acting.
At that moment, Kim Hyuk steps on England’s feet and passes by so that no one can see. I almost let out a moan without realizing it, but I held it in. Kim Hyuk gives a mocking glance and returns to his seat.
Is this guy crazy?
Only after thinking about it carefully was I able to understand why Kim Hyuk acted like that. Not only did he choose England among many other actors to act opposite him, but he even secretly stepped on his toes after the performance was over.
‘Why do you show so much hostility?’
Kim Hyuk was once the highest paid actor in drama appearances. Didn’t Taeyang’s love become a hot topic in the world? However, that record was also broken when England appeared in an MBS special historical drama. It seems like his pride has been hurt.
“Actress Jang Young-guk.”
England stands up at the call of coach Baek Jang-hoon.
‘It’s a bit more kinky than I thought.’
It still is. Aren’t you looking at England with scorn? He doesn’t care about Kim Hyuk’s gaze glaring at him. Because only this moment matters. Sitting across from the judges’ seats are director Baek Jang-hoon, cinematographer, and writer Ko Gwang-tae.
“Scene 34.”
uh?
This is the same scene as Kim Hyuk, who auditioned just now.
I can feel Kim Hyuk’s explicit gaze. He still has a mocking look on his face. Isn’t he leaning back in his chair and looking at you as if he wants to see how good of an actor you are? The same goes for other actors.
‘It gives me more pressure than most stages.’
It’s not because of the actors in Chungmuro. It was because of director Baek Jang-hoon, who was sitting in the judges’ seat. The eyes that used to be like a kind-hearted grandfather are now shining sharply.
England internally controls his breathing and closes his eyes. How much time has passed? On the surface, it seemed like only a fleeting moment. But when England opened its eyes again.
“Fuck.”
I had become a different person. Not only the corners of the mouth are tilted up, but each and every fine muscle on the face is twisted, giving an expression that resembles a sneer.
The sight of him slackening his neck from side to side and swearing is something you don’t normally see in England. What’s more, aren’t the shiny eyes shining so sharply as if they could eat the opponent at any moment?
“Do you know what the biggest mistake of my father’s life was?”
It is different from your usual vocalization, as if you are adjusting the strength of your lines.
“I just threw you out like an ordinary person. It’s a shame because I like the old man’s personality.”
Laughter erupts at the end of the line. An inexplicable smile appears on his face, which had been shining just a moment ago. But if you look closely, you can tell.
Isn’t he speaking with a strong emphasis on the tip of his tongue, as if he is swallowing his anger inside? His slightly trembling lips show how angry he is. It was then.
Trudging.
suddenly takes a step forward It is not his usual gait, but a bold stride, as if to say that no one can stop him. He looks at the faces of the actors who are looking at him. Then, a long finger touches the tip of one person’s chin. The left hand has raised veins as if it is holding something.
“How dare you raise your teeth? Isn’t it natural that if a dog you are raising tries to bite its owner, it should be beaten like a beating?”