I really don't want to make bad movies!

Although Xia Ming had prepared himself mentally, he was still taken aback by the sight of thousands of people gathered in front of the photography studio at Jingying Cultural and Creative Park.

There were so many actors auditioning!

Although Xia Ming's two films combined score less than 4.0, he does have a web series that received rave reviews.

In addition, given his recent surge in popularity and the fact that his name is consistently trending on Weibo, many actors naturally want to leverage his connections to boost their fame.

Although taking on bad roles will get you criticized, it's still better than struggling in obscure dramas for over a decade!

As long as they can gain recognition, second- or third-tier actors don't care about the quality of the final product.

Moreover, I heard that Director Xia is aiming for the Desert Film Festival this time. How bad could it be?

"Director Xia is here!"

"Director Xia! Look at me! Give me a chance!"

"Director Xia, I don't want a salary, please let me join!"

The auditions were so crowded it resembled a job fair under a pedestrian bridge, with all sorts of actors huddled together, each trying to get close to Xia Ming.

Xia Ming took out a megaphone and shouted several times before the scene gradually quieted down.

He waved towards the entrance of the recording studio, and Wang Zhengchuan immediately pushed through the crowd and ran to him.

"Ming-ge! What are your orders?"

Ever since he started working with Xia Ming on "The Swindlers," Wang Zhengchuan has lost all interest in going to school.

He became a popular figure at school, skipping classes every few days to work and learn on other film sets.

Although Wang Zhengchuan doesn't have much talent for directing, it has to be admitted that he is absolutely outstanding in interpersonal communication and overall coordination, making him a natural-born assistant director.

"Help me manage the scene. Have everyone line up and get a number, and distribute the simplified version of the script."

Wang Zhengchuan took a box of scripts, then picked up Xia Ming's megaphone. He found a group of young migrant workers from somewhere and immediately dispersed the crowd of over a thousand people, arranging them into neat lines.

Xia Ming nodded in satisfaction, walked into the tent, and began the actor auditions.

"Parasite" is an award-winning film, and Xia Ming has prepared a top-notch behind-the-scenes production team. Naturally, the actors' acting skills cannot be a drag on the film.

He actually had a list of actors in mind, but he wanted to see if there were any better options among the actors who auditioned.

A person's star power isn't the most important thing; the key is acting skills and the ability to understand the script.

Xia Ming is preparing to serve as the chief cinematographer this time, so he doesn't have much time to give the actors acting instructions.

The original story tells of an unemployed family from the bottom of society on the peninsula. The eldest son, Kim Ki-woo, uses a forged diploma to apply for tutoring jobs at the home of wealthy President Park. The family is then packaged as upper-class people and puts them into working for the wealthy family.

The story revolves around two vastly different families who become embroiled in a series of unexpected events.

There are three main characters: Kim Ki-taek, the father from a working-class family; Kim Ki-woo, the eldest son; and Kim Ki-jung, the daughter.

Kim Ki-taek's character needs to be sufficiently pathetic, appearing as if he has endured much hardship in life, possessing a ruthless desire to climb the social ladder yet forced to bow to reality.

Xia Ming thought of several slackers from the mainland, such as Zhang Yi and Huang Xuan, but their physiques were off; they didn't have the kind of obese, low-class feeling that comes from years of drinking cheap alcohol and smoking cheap cigarettes.

Xia Ming also asked someone to contact Wang Yanhui, but Wang Yanhui was filming a TV series and the schedule didn't match.

The children must be portrayed as intelligent enough to match the bold actions they take in the play.

The eldest son, Kim Ki-woo, is supposed to attract the Park family's daughter, so he needs to be handsome enough, while the daughter, Kim Ki-jung, needs to have an artistic flair.

The roles of the son and daughter needed to be young enough, have excellent looks, and possess certain acting skills. Xia Ming looked around at the new generation of actors in China, but couldn't find suitable roles for the time being.

When they first approached Jiang Wen, the teachers at the Central Academy of Drama recommended Yi Yangqianxi, but his agency rejected the offer outright.

Because Xia Ming had made things so bad for Wang Yuan, the three members' management companies avoided him like the plague and blacklisted him.

Under extremely strict and precise selection conditions, Xia Ming eliminated more than half of the candidates after only half a day of auditions.

"Ming-ge, none of them are qualified?" Wang Zhengchuan was tired of just drawing crosses on the list.

Xia Ming shook his head: "Those who are good-looking have poor acting skills, and those who have decent acting skills are not good-looking."

"Didn't we work with Brother Kun before? Why don't we ask him to give it another try?"

"He's too young to play Kim Ki-taek, and too old to play Kim Ki-woo."

Wang Zhengchuan pointed to the name "President Park" in the script and said, "I think this role of president is quite suitable for him. He has high brow bones and a high nose bridge, which fits the image of the social elite class very well."

After a moment's thought, Xia Ming realized that what Wang Zhengchuan said made some sense.

"Brother Chuan's studies paid off; he's even good at casting now!"

Wang Zhengchuan exclaimed "Oh dear!" and joked while holding the script, "I learned this from Brother Ming!"

The two then screened more than a dozen actors, but still couldn't find a suitable candidate.

Outside the photography studio, the crowd was already starting to stir.

Half a day has passed and not a single person is on the waiting list. Just how strict is Director Xia?!

"Next!"

Wang Zhengchuan shouted again.

A slightly hunched middle-aged man walked in through the door, bowed respectfully to Xia Ming, and said with a smile, "Director Xia, hello. I am also a graduate of Beijing Film Academy. My name is Zhang Songwen, and I mainly want to try out the role of Kim Ki-taek this time."

Xia Ming heard the familiar name and immediately looked up.

Zhang Songwen, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, is someone he knows well!

At this time, Zhang Songwen had not yet filmed the wildly popular national drama "Raging Waves," and had been working in the second or third tier of the industry, without being labeled with any particular role.

Not only was his family of origin broken, but his career was also hopeless, and his face bore a deep sense of bitterness.

The key point is that he smokes all year round, his body is frail, and his face is slightly swollen, but there is a kind of unwilling and fierce look in his eyes, which fits the image of the lower class in Jin Jize.

"Let's perform a short piece first," Xia Ming suggested, indicating that he could start immediately.

Zhang Songwen nodded repeatedly, and despite being a senior alumnus of the Beijing Film Academy, he kept his posture very low.

He stood in front of Xia Ming, clearly having studied the script for a long time, and immediately performed a scene without notes: "Kim Ki-taek encounters insecticide spray in his basement home and discovers that insects and ants are starting to appear in his house."

Previously, actors who auditioned for Kim Ki-taek would use significant changes in body language and facial expressions to convey their disgust for the environment when performing scenes involving seeing cockroaches.

Only Zhang Songwen, perhaps due to his Guangdong heritage, remained completely unfazed by the sight of the cockroach.

He bit into his bread, flicked it away with his finger without expression, truly capturing the essence of Kim Ki-taek's numbness to his environment as someone from the lower class.

Xia Ming nodded slightly as he read it.

It must be said that Zhang Songwen's acting style is heavily influenced by formal training, but he is indeed very well-suited to the role.

If producer Song Kang-ho were to offer some guidance, he could definitely bring the character of Kim Ki-taek to life.

"That's fine."

Xia Ming called out and beckoned Zhang Songwen to come to him.

"Leave your contact information and wait for further notice."

"Thank you, Director Xia! Thank you, Director Xia!"

Zhang Songwen's obsequious manner made Xia Ming feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Sure enough, whether they are singers, writers, or actors, when they are hungry enough, they will put in 200% effort.

After a busy day, I finally saw a somewhat qualified actor.

Xia Ming calmed down slightly and then proceeded with the audition.

"Director Xia~"

A coquettish voice, full of charm, rang out from the doorway, followed by the clatter of high heels.

Xia Ming frowned; he didn't even need to turn his head to know who it was.

Yan Shu!

"Long time no see, Director Xia! It's been so long since you've been to the school!"

Upon meeting, Yan Shu obediently squatted down in front of Xia Ming, skillfully laid her chest on the table, and gazed at Xia Ming while resting her chin on her hand.

"I've temporarily suspended my studies because Professor Xie Fei wants me to make a film to try for an award."

"I know, I know, it's the Desert Film Festival."

Yan Shu is a makeup expert. Compared to Ju Jingyi's semi-permanent makeup that's welded onto his face, she presents a different look every day.

Today she wore a matte, flawless base makeup, and her eyeliner was drawn horizontally and made particularly noticeable, making her eyes look very lively.

"It's precisely because we're aiming for awards that you need me even more, Director Xia. Isn't the character of Kim Ki-jung in your script tailor-made for me?"

Xia Ming then realized that her makeup was actually done specifically for the character in the script.

Apart from the eyes being specially treated, the rest of the makeup was very restrained.

"Besides, this character is supposed to have high artistic talent, which is just like me, isn't it?"

"You?" Xia Ming raised an eyebrow. He had worked with Yan Shu before, but he had never really known her.

Yan Shu hummed a little tune and showed her phone, which displayed a screenshot of her seventh-place ranking in the art category of the Central Academy of Fine Arts entrance exam four years ago.

"Four years ago?"

"Yeah, I studied fine arts but then I realized it was such a dead-end major, so I dropped out and came to Beijing Film Academy to become a star."

"and--"

Yan Shu posted another certificate: "As a K-POP enthusiast, my TOPIK Korean language proficiency test level is the highest, level six!"

"How is it? Doesn't it perfectly match Director Xia's script?"

Having auditioned hundreds of actresses, this was the first time Xia Ming had seen an auditioning actress who so perfectly matched the character's description.

Not only does she speak Korean, but she is also an art student, and her looks are indeed outstanding.

"Let's perform a short scene first."

Xia Ming pointed to the section in the script where "Kim Ki-jung takes Kim Ki-woo to an internet cafe to forge diplomas," indicating that Yan Shu could start immediately.

This scene requires the actress to portray Kim Ki-jung as a highly talented individual who inevitably develops a roguish charm due to her working-class background.

His unkempt appearance with a cigarette dangling from his lips in the internet cafe contrasts sharply with the flawless Photoshop skills he displays.

Yan Shu took the script, glanced at it briefly, then took off her coat, put her long, white legs on the table, and immediately began her performance.

Although she was looking at the script and lines, her expressions were very lifelike, and she didn't completely portray Kim Ki-jung as a delinquent.

Xia Ming's eyes lit up as he looked at it.

Unlike Zhang Songwen's meticulous and hardworking performance, Yan Shu's acting talent is too strong.

It was already evident in the crew of "The Swindlers" that he could memorize the character's image after just a few glances at the script and bring the character to life.

Perhaps it's also related to the fact that the character's image matches the person themselves.

In "The Swindlers," she was asked to play a seductive fox spirit, and this time she happened to be playing a character from the lower class with artistic talent.

Xia Ming wasn't very clear about Yan Shu's family background, but he could definitely see her relentless drive to climb the social ladder.

She even did her makeup before the audition, mimicking K-pop makeup to reduce the stage presence and make her facial features more in line with the image of a person from the peninsula.

This role is perfect for her!

"Okay, contact information... Go back and wait for further notice."

Yan Shu's eyes flashed, she put on her coat, said goodbye to Xia Ming in a coquettish voice, and then left the photography studio.

Xia Ming then auditioned for several more hours, but still couldn't find a suitable actor.

However, with two core roles already filled, Xia Ming was very satisfied with today's progress.

After cleaning up the scene, Wang Zhengchuan dispersed the crowd, and the two walked back to the school.

"By the way, Ming-ge, where are you staying now?"

Wang Zhengchuan liked to play on his phone while walking, and casually asked.

"I rent a place outside the school and will go back to school after attending the film festival."

Zhengchuan put his phone back in his pocket and pointed to the residential area next to the school, asking, "This building?"

Xia Ming nodded: "Yes, it's Building 5, Room 3301. You can come visit sometime."

"Haha, come again next time, come again next time!" Wang Zhengchuan scratched his head and ran off, waving to Xia Ming, "Brother Ming, see you tomorrow, see you tomorrow!"

Hearing Wang Zhengchuan emphasize "see you tomorrow" in his tone, Xia Ming felt a little confused.