Peninsula: From a supporting actor to the best actor in Chungmuro

Chapter 159 Kang Jae-hoon's Audition Day in Ssangmun-dong

Chapter 159 Kang Jae-hoon's Audition Day in Ssangmun-dong
The rushing water finally stopped.

The rising steam condensed into fine water droplets on the frosted glass door of the bathroom.

It then meandered down.

Lee Sung-kyung stood on the wet tiles, one hand gripping the edge of a bath towel, the other reaching for the hook behind the door—which was empty.

His movements froze.

The soaking wet sports vest and yoga pants I just changed out of are lying dripping wet in the laundry basket under the sink.

And her clean change of clothes... she forgot on the bed in the bedroom.

A strong sense of embarrassment arose spontaneously.

Should I go out in this soaking wet outfit?

Not only is the bath ineffective, but the lingering chill of the icy water will envelop you again, making you feel extremely uncomfortable.

Should I go out wrapped in this half-damp bath towel?
She immediately dismissed the thought as soon as it popped into her head.

His body was completely naked under the bath towel, the living room lights were bright enough, and Kang Jae-hoon was sitting outside... How was this any different from a silent invitation?
Anyway, Lee Sung-kyung wouldn't do such a thing.

Shame and anger clashed in my mind with the stubborn belief that "going out like this is absolutely unacceptable."

finally.

She resigned herself to her fate and, with extreme awkwardness, raised her voice slightly towards the door:

"Kang Jae-hoon."

"Ok?"

A response came quickly from the living room, accompanied by a clear "click" as the kettle's boiling button was pressed.

"...Go to my bedroom and bring me the clothes that are on the bed."

"Oh."

The response from outside the door was brief and clear, devoid of emotion.

Then came the sound of footsteps heading towards her bedroom.

Push open that door.

A scent that blends a subtle lavender fragrance with a more intimate, feminine aroma wafts over you.

It's different from the atmosphere of everyday life when the two of them are together in the living room.

This was clearly her absolute territory, so neat it was almost rigid.

The bookshelves, filled with fashion magazines and performance books, were spotless.

There was almost no debris on the ground.

He rarely goes into this room.

The last time... probably the last time.

Kang Jae-hoon walked straight to the bed covered with purple bedding.

A set of neatly folded light-colored loungewear was placed beside the pillow.

Just as he reached for his clothes, his peripheral vision was drawn to a small wooden photo frame on the bedside table.

The steps paused.

The photo frame no longer contains the one of the two of them in their graduation gowns, standing at the entrance of Seoul Arts University, their smiles youthful yet tinged with a sense of graduation uncertainty.

It was replaced at some point.

Instead, another photograph appeared—

The background is the colorful amusement park.

Both he and Lee Sung-kyung wore childishly ridiculous animal headbands.

Fragments of memories flashed through my mind of that brief escape and forced "recharging".

—At that time, Kang Jae-hoon had just broken free from the shell of Cho Tae-oh, who was a madman criticizing chaebols, but his soul still seemed to be immersed in ice water.

It's Lee Sung-kyung.

In this almost violent dragging manner, he was forcibly pulled back from the edge of the quagmire of self-loathing to the bustling world.

"ah!"

Suddenly, a voice, clearly tinged with embarrassment and annoyance, came from the direction of the bathroom.

Jiang Zai Xun was startled. He immediately grabbed the beige loungewear from the bed, walked quickly to the bathroom door, and knocked twice on the door with his fingers.

The door was pulled open a crack.

The rising steam was the first to emerge.

Immediately afterwards, an arm as flawless as white jade reached out.

With an undeniable urgency, the arm grabbed the clothes that Jiang Zaixun handed over and quickly retreated back inside the door.

"boom!"

The door was closed tightly again.

The sound of the lock clicking shut was crisp and clean.

…………

When Kang Jae-hoon returned to the kitchen.

The water in the kettle has boiled.

It made a faint "whooshing" sound.

White steam topped the small lid.

He walked over.

Turn off the power.

Lift the kettle.

He poured boiling hot water into two wide-mouthed mugs that he had prepared beforehand.

The warm green tea leaves quickly swirled and unfurled in the water.

The aroma of tea filled the air.

He placed the two teacups on the coffee table.

I picked up the box that contained the leftover fruit cake from before.

There was still more than half of the cake left in the box.

Beautiful blueberries and raspberries are nestled in pale pink, low-sugar cream.

He opened the refrigerator door.

sideways.

Carefully place the cake box in the middle of the refrigerator compartment.

Make sure it is not squeezed.

It won't freeze solid from the deep cold air.

Then I gently closed the refrigerator door.

Almost at the same time.

Footsteps came from the bathroom.

When Lee Sung-kyung changed into dry pajamas and came out carrying her soaking wet tracksuit, the flush on her cheeks from the heat had not yet completely faded.

She walked straight to the clothes rack in the corner of the balcony, deftly shook out the clothes and hung them up, her eyes fixed straight ahead the whole time, as if the person in the living room was just a wisp of air.

Hang up the clothes.

She turned and walked toward her bedroom, her steps hurried as if she knew she couldn't linger.

"Hey."

Lee Sung-kyung stopped in her tracks.

"Drink tea."

Kang Jae-hoon gently pushed the mug on the table toward where she was standing.

The bottom of the cup slid a very short trail across the smooth tabletop.

Wisps of white steam rose from the rim of the cup.

Lee Sung-kyung stood frozen for two seconds, seemingly weighing whether to immediately bury her head in the sand like an ostrich or go over and drink the tea.

finally.

She turned and walked to the sofa, picking up the cup of hot tea. The scalding temperature seeped through the cup, and she instinctively wanted to tilt her head back and gulp it down to end the awkward situation as quickly as possible.

"Slower."

Kang Jae-hoon's voice rang out at the opportune moment, calm and even:
"The water is too hot to boil."

Lee Sung-kyung wanted to retort, "Do you need to tell me?"

Or a habitual defensive response like, "Am I, a man in my twenties, not aware that tea is too hot?"

But the words come to your lips.

Do not know why.

He was choked back by the fragrant green tea in front of him and his casual, unpretentious reminder.

Lips move slightly.

No sound was ultimately made.

He silently swallowed the harsh remark that had been lingering on his tongue.

She carefully lifted the cup with both hands.

She lowered her eyes slightly.

He brought his lips close to the rim of the cup.

I took a small, tentative sip.

The scalding hot tea instantly burned the tip of my tongue.

She frowned slightly.

It seemed like they were unwilling to give up.

Instead, sip slowly.

Try to eliminate it quickly.

I wanted to escape this atmosphere that felt strangely "arranged" for me.

She was already planning a swift and decisive step in her mind:
Take a few small sips → the temperature in the cup drops slightly → quickly drink most of it → then you can put the cup down and leave with a clear conscience.

pity.

The tea cooled down much slower than she had hoped.

She lowered her head and blew on the cup.

He took two more sips.

The temperature was still quite scorching.

It's impossible to finish it in a short time.

She was somewhat discouraged.

His gaze swept across the coffee table.

I noticed that he had quickly put everything on the coffee table in order.

Including the cake she hadn't finished eating before.

It was already lying safely in the refrigerator.

All that remained was a steaming mug and a bamboo heat-insulating coaster that he had placed underneath it at some point.

Everything was clean and tidy.

It was as if the bucket of ice water had never bothered them.

Even the angle of the cushion on the corner of the sofa she was sitting on seemed to have been adjusted.

It perfectly supports her waist.

This discovery caused Lee Sung-kyung to pause slightly as she sipped her drink.

A strange, slightly unbalanced feeling crept into my heart.

She glanced at Kang Jae-hoon's profile as he looked at the script for "The Producers".

When did it start?

This guy, whom she once categorized as having "extremely poor self-care abilities and needing someone to watch over him," this "rough guy" who even required her to reorganize the refrigerator's compartments...

It seems that without her noticing, she had quietly and naturally accomplished many things.

He helped her with the troubles of the Ice Bucket Challenge, adjusting the water temperature, recording the video, drying her hair, boiling water to make tea, and even... he remembered to put away the leftover cake in time to keep it fresh.

This feeling of being meticulously cared for...

Very strange.

Even for someone like her, who habitually takes care of Kang Jae-hoon and controls everything, a faint, almost imperceptible sense of bewilderment, as if she were no longer so "needed," flickered in her heart.

The only sounds in the air were the soft sipping of her tea and the occasional rustling of him turning the pages of his script.

This silence.

This continued until the early morning of the next day.

When Kang Jae-hoon finished washing up and walked into the living room, Lee Sung-kyung was already dressed and ready to go to the beauty salon for the follow-up styling of "Queen's Flower".

"I am leaving."

Her voice wasn't much different from usual, but upon closer listening, it seemed to lack that "I'm setting off to conquer the world" spirit.

"Ah."

Kang Jae-hoon responded.

The door was closed.

It shut out the last sound that belonged to her in the room.

Kang Jae-hoon frowned slightly.

He had a vague feeling that something was wrong with Lee Sung-kyung.

I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong, it's just a feeling that things are a bit... more subdued than usual?
Or more accurately, she lacked her usual "sense of control" and "eagerness to nitpick" energy.

finally.

Kang Jae-hoon still didn't chase after him to ask, "What's wrong with you?"

asked.

Most likely, you'll get a curt "It's nothing" or a disdainful glare.

……

The van drove smoothly toward TVN television station.

Looking out the window at the busy Seoul morning rush hour traffic, Kang Jae-hoon hesitated for a moment before saying:
"Brother, I feel like the Bible is acting a bit strange lately."

"How to say?"

"that is……"

Kang Jae-hoon organized his thoughts.

She recounted in detail everything that had happened last night to Jin Dayuan.

The words fell.

The green light ahead just turned on.

Jin Dayuan released the handbrake, and the car started smoothly. He took the toothpick out of his mouth and twirled it between his two thick fingers.

quite a while.

He then slowly began to speak:

"I think... it's you who's changed."

"Hmm?" Kang Jae-hoon turned his head.

"You've known each other for six years, haven't you?"

"almost."

"Yes, six years."

Jin Dayuan clicked his tongue:
"You used to have zero life skills; you were the kind of person who could trip over your own feet and fall flat on your face. And now?"

The car turned on its turn signal and proceeded onto the overpass.

"I handle my acting, life, and interpersonal relationships all very well and in an orderly manner."

"Have you ever considered that over the past six years, 'controlling you,' 'taking care of you,' and even 'disliking you' might have become part of her... habits?"

Jin Dayuan put the toothpick back into the corner of his mouth:

“Now that you suddenly don’t need her to manage you anymore… won’t she feel that her personal territory of ‘Kang Jae-hoon’ suddenly doesn’t need her to guard it as much?”

boom--

Kim Dae-won's words struck Kang Jae-hoon's heart like a sudden, unexpected, and perfectly accurate blow.

Those scattered moments of confusion.

Those fragments of blankness and silence in her eyes were instantly strung together.

It's not Lee Sung-kyung who's weird.

Rather, it was that her sense of being needed was not fulfilled.

Kang Jae-hoon has changed a lot during this period.

I am working hard to shed my former naivety, clumsiness, and emotional turmoil, and to transform into a more mature and professional person.

He subconsciously wanted to get his life in order as well.

Become disciplined and independent.

But she overlooked the person who had been silently standing behind her for six years, who had already integrated "taking care of Kang Jae-hoon" into her daily life and sense of security.

Kang Jae-hoon thought he had become better and less troublesome.

It's a good thing.

But for Lee Sung-kyung...

But it may have been a major pillar that robbed her of her sense of existence and security.

original……

Being needed is also a kind of oxygen in a relationship.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Looks like I'll have to deliberately put something else wrong in the fridge again...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The car drove into TVN's underground parking garage.

Kang Jae-hoon temporarily suppressed the difficult question of "how to play himself" back in his heart.

Open the car door.

They happened to run into Romilan, who had just arrived.

"Senior."

"Call on Nuna!"

"Uh……"

Kang Jae-hoon changed his address halfway through bowing: "Noona."

Luo Meilan's smile then burst forth like a firework:
"You're here really early! Come on in with Noona and wait!"

Without any hesitation, she grabbed Kang Jae-hoon's arm, her movements as natural and familiar as a neighbor greeting her own child.

The elevator went up all the way.

The door opens.

A temporary printed sign points to the right—

[Waiting area for auditions for roles in "Reply 1988"]

A long table was placed next to the sign.

A young woman wearing black-rimmed glasses and a "Production Assistant" badge around her neck is checking the list.

On the rows of chairs placed against the walls on both sides of the corridor.

Five or six people were already seated.

There were young, unfamiliar faces.

There were also a few actors who looked familiar, but whose names I couldn't recall.

This is what is known as a "private audition" —

There were no overwhelming announcements of open auditions, no hordes of competitors crowding the corridors; the news only circulated within specific circles.

You can sit here.

At least they all have a pass that has been recognized by a certain "gatekeeper" in the industry.

The appearance of Kang Jae-hoon.

It instantly shattered the deliberately maintained, somewhat tense silence of the waiting area.

Several pairs of eyes turned towards them simultaneously.

With undisguised surprise and... a hint of barely perceptible despair?
"Kang... Kang Jae-hoon sunbaenim?"

A new actor sitting in the corner, who looked like he had just graduated, blurted out.

His companion next to him nudged him hard with his elbow.

This is a signal to be quiet.

But that whispered call was like lighting a fuse.

Whispers spread like tiny ripples among the waiting group.

"Oh? He's here to audition too?"

"It's over... What's the point of even trying this now..."

"What should we do? But if he's competing for the same role, we're basically out of luck, right?"

"Quick, look at the script! See if there are any other vacancies..."

"I heard that the crew of the 'Descendants of the Sun' drama next door is also looking for actors..."

"..."

The suppressed conversation continued intermittently.

It was filled with anticipation and anxiety that their own opportunities would be crushed by absolute strength.

Kang Jae-hoon's steady and solid accumulation over the past few years.

For these newcomers who are still vying for opportunities on the small screen.

his appearance.

It is an invisible, suffocating sense of oppression.

Ra Mi-ran had clearly heard the whispers as well. She didn't stop, but turned her head and, in a low "tsk" sound that only Kang Jae-hoon could hear, clicked her tongue softly.
"You've become a 'walking audition terminator'."

Kang Jae-hoon's gaze swept calmly over the young actors who were clearly flustered and had started frantically flipping through their scripts.

He certainly understands that feeling.

That sense of insignificance and powerlessness had also overwhelmed him.

Just didn't expect it.

one day.

You yourself will become that insurmountable mountain in the eyes of others.

"Meilan Nuna, please stop making fun of me."

Luo Meilan laughed and said no more.

He walked straight to the production assistant.

"Is PD Shin inside?"

"Yes, yes! We're discussing it with the screenwriter."

The assistant nodded quickly, then looked at Kang Jae-hoon:
"Who is this……"

"Kang Jae-hoon-ssi, you came with me to take a look."

Luo Meilan gave a casual introduction.

"Ah! Kang Jae-hoon-ssi! Hello!"

The assistant clearly recognized him as well, and became even more enthusiastic:

"You two, please come in!"

The assistant pushed open the slightly ajar door.

The audition room was much more spacious than the outside corridor and was set up like a small conference room.

Several tables were pushed together, and a few people sat behind them. At the head of the table sat a man wearing round-framed glasses and a simple plaid shirt, who looked gentle and even somewhat scholarly. He was looking down at the documents in his hands. The people sitting next to him included the casting director and screenwriter, Li Youjing.

Hear the door open.

Director Shin Won-ho, who was in the main seat, raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Ra Mi-ran and landing on Kang Jae-hoon behind her.

It's him.

Just a while ago.

The casting director did indeed excitedly approach him with his resume, strongly recommending Kang Jae-hoon, believing that his clean yet somewhat obtuse qualities were perfect for the role of "Choi Taek".

Shin Won-ho was quite interested at the time.

I specifically went to watch the scenes featuring Yoon Chan-young from "The Heirs"—

That young man, with a warm and clear smile, who cherishes an ordinary love among the children of chaebols, almost perfectly matches his image of Choi Taek, the "Go prodigy" of Ssangmun-dong:

Pure, focused, and with a sense of tranquility that feels somewhat isolated from the world.

however.

Plans never keep up with changes.

Just as he was seriously considering the proposal.

"Ode to My Father" has been released.

The "Nanzhen," a muscular man with an iron-willed gaze, who lived in a war-torn foreign land, shattered the image of "Yin Canrong" that Shen Yuanhao had just built up in his mind like a heavy hammer.

Followed by.

"For Love or Money" was released in China and South Korea (regardless of word-of-mouth), and Kang Jae-hoon's portrayal of the down-on-his-luck painter Seo Seung-hoon showcased another kind of gloomy and broken temperament.

This astonishing ability to create characters across vastly different genres shocked Shin Won-ho and changed his thinking.

He realized that Kang Jae-hoon's potential was perhaps even greater than the "Choi Taek" he had initially envisioned.

It would also be more suitable for... Kim Jung-hwan.

The seemingly cold but actually passionate and awkward yet deeply affectionate second son of the Kim family, "Dog-hwan".

The stubbornness unique to youth, the turbulent emotions beneath his silence, and the occasional clumsy tenderness he reveals—all these require the multi-layered acting skills that Kang Jae-hoon displayed in "Ode to My Father," showcasing a strong profile while also being able to express emotions with the delicate subtlety of "For Love or Money."

Shin Won-ho had even sketched out several key scenes of "Jung-hwan" that Kang Jae-hoon might portray in his mind.

but……

The casting director followed up, and the feedback he brought back was clear and realistic.

Remuneration.

As a director at a cable television station, Shin Won-ho was well aware of the platform's operating model and budget limitations.

Although cable TV has gained some recognition in recent years with dramas such as "Misaeng" and "Emergency Couple".

However, in terms of influence and advertising revenue, it still cannot compete with the three major terrestrial television stations with deep roots.

This is especially true for cable channels like TVN, which are currently in the process of building their brand.

This means.

They must be very careful with production costs.

However, to get actors with stable viewership appeal, awards, or those in their rising phase to participate in cable TV dramas, their fees must be 20% to 50% higher than the industry standard.

This is a contradiction in itself.

And Kang Jae-hoon's current market value.

The casting director found out that:
The salary for a TV drama episode ranges from 1000 million to 1500 million Korean won.

This is just the base price.

If we calculate based on the lower limit of the premium that TVN needs to pay, which is 20%.

The per-episode fee will reach 1200 million to 1800 million Korean won.

The drama series "Reply 1988" is planned to have 20 episodes.

The total salary would then be between 2.4 million and 3.6 million Korean won.

what does this mean?
This means that the total remuneration of all the young lead actors may not even reach the minimum asking price after Kang Jae-hoon's premium.

Invite him alone.

That alone would be enough to consume the entire cast of young actors and even a significant portion of the production budget.

This isn't a question of whether it's worth it or not; it's simply impossible.

It's worth noting that one of the core charms of the "Reply" series lies in its use of a large number of fresh faces or talented actors with low profiles to create a realistic and down-to-earth portrait of the Ssangmun-dong community.

This not only allows for precise cost control, but also enables the valuable budget to be invested in aspects that truly affect the quality of the series, such as script polishing, scene recreation, and music copyright.

But the person was standing right in front of me.

As a director, my inherent greed for "possibilities" couldn't help but stir again.

"Hello, Kang Jae-hoon-ssi."

"Director Shin Won-ho, hello."

Kang Jae-hoon bowed slightly.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Did you come with Meilan Nuna?"

"Inside."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded, his answer concise and clear:
“I heard that Nuna has an important audition today, and I happened to be free, so I came with her.”

Shin Won-ho nodded, his gaze shifting between Kang Jae-hoon and Ra Mi-ran, and an idea instantly formed in his mind.

He picked up the few printed pages of the script from the table and handed them to Kang Jae-hoon:

“Since you’re here, and Kang Jae-hoon is an excellent actor, why don’t you… do me a favor and help Mi-ran with a scene? She just happens to be missing a co-star for this scene.”

Such requests for impromptu casting are not uncommon in closed auditions.

Sometimes it can even give a more direct view of the actors' interactions and chemistry.

For Kang Jae-hoon, it was an easy favor.

"no problem."

Kang Jae-hoon readily agreed and took the script from Shin Won-ho.

I glanced down at it quickly.

The scene is Jung-hwan's cramped bedroom.

His "line" consisted of only one sentence, and it was extremely brief and indifferent.

But the core of the story is quite interesting—

The story revolves around a teenage son's awkward and resistant approach to his mother, and the mother's cautious, wistful, and envious probing. The core conflict arises after the "sneaker incident," when Ms. Leopard envies the close, open communication between Sunwoo and his mother, and attempts to break down the silent barrier between herself and Jung-hwan.

And "Jung-hwan" is a seemingly simple rejection.

But it caused fragments to flash uncontrollably through Kang Jae-hoon's mind—

When I was a teenager, my eyes lit up when I saw news on TV about Bae Yong-joon's 500 million won salary per episode, and I was filled with enthusiasm, determined to study acting and go to Chungmuro (the film industry in South Korea). That impulse and ambition seemed to be a huge alienation from reality.

For Grandma, wasn't it also a distant place that was hard to understand?

Jiang Zai Xun's lips twitched upwards unconsciously, letting out a very low, almost self-mocking chuckle.

This smile, when seen by Shin Won-ho, Lee Yoo-jung, the screenwriter and casting director who had been watching him intently, was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples!

(He smiled at the script!)

(He's interested!)

(He's interested in the character "Jung-hwan"!)
(It's promising! It's definitely promising!)
Shin Wonho's heart skipped a beat.

As long as Kang Jae-hoon is interested, the salary... perhaps... we can try to negotiate it further?
Will TVN executives allocate additional budget for him?
Or...would he be willing to lower his price a little for the sake of the script and the role?
Kang Jae-hoon had no idea that his unintentional expression had triggered such a violent storm within the production team.

After reading the script.

He turned to Romilan and asked in a low voice:
"Noona, this scene...does it need some physical contact? Like that hug? Just relying on the lines might..."

Point to end.

The leopard lady's helpless embrace in the script is the key emotional outburst.

It is difficult to fully demonstrate Ra Mi-ran's nuanced acting skills through language alone.

Kang Jae-hoon suggested exporting.

Luo Meilan's face lit up with the excitement of finding a kindred spirit.

The scene in the script is the soul of the Leopard Lady's helpless embrace, filled with intense probing and disappointment.

Even if she acts well, relying solely on dry lines and eye expressions will only diminish the effect of her performance if there is no real physical contact.

Watching Kang Jae-hoon instantly understand and accurately pinpoint the core of the performance.

Luo Meilan couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
Hwang Jung-min has a really sharp eye!

It's the same when it comes to choosing a wife or a script, and it's the same when it comes to choosing an apprentice!
This kid's aptitude and intuition for acting...it's incredible!

The two quickly reached a consensus.

We had a brief discussion about positioning and rhythm.

Jiang Zai Xun walked to the center of the room, symbolically pulled over a chair to use as a desk, sat down, turned his back to the door, and hunched his back slightly, assuming the posture of doing homework.

Luo Meilan then stepped outside the door.

The audition room fell silent instantly.

Shin Won-ho, screenwriter Lee Yoo-jung, casting director, and others unconsciously adjusted their posture.

Previously, when other actors auditioned, either the production assistant would stand next to them and read their lines dryly, or the actor would perform a monologue to thin air.

The professionalism and seriousness of experienced film actors like Kang Jae-hoon and Ra Mi-ran, who were so dedicated to their roles, designing details, and even adding impromptu physical contact during the audition, greatly piqued our interest.

Outside.

Luo Meilan took a deep breath.

The excitement on her face vanished instantly, replaced by an expression that mixed caution, anticipation, and a touch of unease—she had completely entered the state of Ms. Leopard.

She raised her hand and symbolically knocked twice on the half-closed door frame.

"Knock, knock."

Upon hearing the sound, Jung-hwan, played by Kang Jae-hoon, instantly tensed like a bowstring. He didn't turn around immediately, as if the non-existent words on the table possessed an overwhelming attraction. His posture, where he had stopped writing, remained frozen for a full two seconds—

It's a kind of awkward silence where you're extremely unwilling to respond after being disturbed, but you have no choice but to.

He slowly turned his head.

Luo Meilan met his gaze.

It took several seconds to process.

Only then, with a hint of cautious probing and unspoken envy, did she speak:
“Son, Sunwoo tells his mother everything… I, as his mother, mostly hear things from other people…”

He paused for a moment.

She licked her slightly dry lips, her voice carrying a hint of ingratiation:

"You should also tell Mom something, Mom wants to know too..."

Jung-hwan, played by Kang Jae-hoon, stared at her for a short while.

The brief silence was so profound that you could almost hear the air freeze.

then.

He uttered a few words clearly and without expression:
"It's nothing, I still need to study."

The voice wasn't loud, nor did it carry a harsh tone, but it was just so ordinary, so matter-of-fact... indifferent.

Done.

He simply turned back, picked up the non-existent pen, straightened his back again, and made it clear that he meant "Do Not Disturb."

The anticipation and caution on Luo Meilan's face froze instantly.

She seemed frozen by those cold eyes and words; her lips moved slightly, but she said nothing. A profound sense of loss enveloped her.

Luo Meilan slowly and silently turned around.

The movements carried a heavy, sluggish quality.

Just as she was about to step out of that "door".

The steps paused.

It looked like he had struggled for a long time.

He suddenly turned around again.

He rushed to Jiang Zaixun in a few steps.

In that instant before "Jung-hwan," played by Kang Jae-hoon, could fully react—

Open your arms.

She hugged him tightly, clumsily, yet with all her might!

Ra Mi-ran buried her head in Kang Jae-hoon's shoulder.

You can't see the expression.

But those slightly trembling shoulders and the tightly clenched arms.

It vividly portrays the turmoil of grievances, disappointment, pain of being misunderstood, and the most primal and clumsy maternal love within her heart!

They hugged for a few seconds.

then.

Luo Meilan suddenly let go of her hand.

Without looking back, he rushed out of the "room" in a flustered and almost disheveled manner.

The character "Jung-hwan," played by Kang Jae-hoon, was left frozen in place.

For the first time, a clear crack appeared on the mask of indifference on his face.

His eyes were filled with astonishment, confusion, and a hint of... the shock of being struck by that clumsy yet overwhelming embrace.

The show is over.

An eerie silence fell over the audition room.

Luo Meilan's eyes quickly returned to the clarity they had when she first entered the room.

Kang Jae-hoon also snapped out of his awkward "Jung-hwan" state.

A few seconds later.

"Clap clap-!"

Director Shin Won-ho was the first to applaud, his face beaming with undisguised excitement and admiration.

Followed by.

Screenwriter Li Youjing, casting director, and several other staff members also seemed to wake up from a dream and applauded enthusiastically.

"Meilan Nuna, you absolutely must star in this! You can only be the Leopard Lady!"

There was no "think about it".

There was no "wait for news" message.

It was a resounding "It can only be you."

A radiant smile bloomed on Luo Meilan's face:
"Director, you flatter me! It's an honor to be in a project by PD Shin and writer Lee! This character is so charming, I love it!"

As if afraid she might change her mind, Shin Won-ho immediately turned to the casting director beside him:

"The contract! Quickly! Bring the contract here for Meilan Nuna to see!"

The casting director hurriedly went to get the documents.

Shin Won-ho then turned his eager gaze to Kang Jae-hoon.

The admiration and longing in his eyes were almost overflowing.

"Zai Xunxi!"

His address has changed from the formal "Kang Jae-hoon-ssi" to the more affectionate "Jae-hoon-ssi".

"How about...giving it a try? The role of Kim Jung-hwan! I think his silent passion, his awkward gentleness, and the qualities you just showed...are a perfect match!"

Ra Mi-ran stood to the side, watching Kang Jae-hoon with a smile on her lips.

The rest of the directing team also held their breath.

The chemical reaction in that short one-minute "mother-son scene" was so explosive it was visible to the naked eye.

If we could keep this kid here too...

Kang Jae-hoon immediately stood up, bowed slightly to Shin Won-ho, and said humbly:

“I am very grateful for Shin PDnim’s kindness and recognition. It is a great honor to receive your approval. However… the production team for the drama ‘The Producers’ is about to start script reading and pre-production, and my schedule is very tight.”

"At the very least, we can't expect to finish the main filming there until July. I'm afraid..."

July?

Shin Won-ho's eyes behind his glasses suddenly lit up with an astonishing brightness!
This is earlier than the estimated start date for the pre-production of "1988"!

“Our initial shooting window is from September to October, so your schedule doesn’t conflict with ‘The Producers’ at all!”

"Think about it? The role of Jung-hwan is unlike anything you've tried before! It captures the awkwardness of a teenage boy! It reveals the volcanic sincerity hidden beneath his cold exterior! And..."

He pointed to Luo Meilan beside him:

"Look at the chemistry between him and Meilan Nuna! It's like God has given them a gift!"

Shin Won-ho's enthusiasm was almost forming a substantial encirclement.

Kang Jae-hoon felt that strong invitation.

He hesitated for a moment, not making a definitive statement, but leaving enough room for maneuver:
"This... is such a big surprise, Shin PDnim. I need to go back and seriously assess the possibility of coordinating my schedule with my manager, and also study the specific character settings."

Ah! I understand!

Shin Won-ho immediately toned down his overly enthusiastic demeanor, regaining some of his directorial composure, but his eyes remained intense:

"You need to communicate well with the agency and agent! I'll have my assistant compile a complete set of character information for you as soon as possible! Come on, add me on Kakao! It'll be easier to contact you!"

As if afraid he would run away, Shen Yuanhao immediately took out his phone.

At this time.

The casting director has returned with the contract documents and is whispering with Ra Mi-ran about the details.

See this.

Knowing that Ra Mi-ran needed more time to process the contract, Kang Jae-hoon took his leave.
"PD Shin, Writer Lee, everyone, I won't disturb Miran and Nuna any longer while they sign the contract. Goodbye for now."

"Okay, let's keep in touch!"

Shen Yuanhao surprisingly escorted him to the door.

Kang Jae-hoon bowed again.

He turned around and pushed open the door to the audition room.

in the corridor.

Two of the young actors left.

They were probably scared away by him, the so-called "audience terminator," and were replaced by two other equally nervous new faces.

Kang Jae-hoon was about to leave.

The production assistant looked up and shouted towards the end of the corridor:

"Next! Jin Qixuan!"

The name made Kang Jae-hoon pause for a moment.

A very common name.