pappabearbooks Chapter 187: Opportunity (8)
Chapter 187: Opportunity (8)
Top actor Jung Tae-soo, who had idol PTSD. Originally, Jung Tae-soo was known in the acting world for his quick immersion.However, this time, it seemed emotional immersion might be a little difficult. Not just Jung Tae-soo himself, but also the surrounding actors judged it that way. Yet now, he was perceiving Kang Rojun not as an idol, but as 'Hook', someone who sees people merely as products.
How did it come to this?
More than anything, what was surprising was.
‘Hold on a second... Since when have I only been seeing him as 'Hook'?’
He couldn’t remember when he had started thinking of Rojun purely as the character. Kang Rojun had been perceived as 'Hook' so smoothly and seamlessly. All bias had disappeared, and the colored lenses had been removed. The reading started as an evaluation, but before anyone realized it, he was pouring his sincerity into it. Jung Tae-soo, realizing this late, got goosebumps on his arms.
‘Was it from the moment he first looked at me? Or was it when he threw that line at me?’
Jung Tae-soo retraced his memories. But it was useless. There was no way to clearly recall the moment he had unconsciously fallen in. This was a first for him, and it left Jung Tae-soo flustered. It was the same for the other actors.
‘Wow... his acting is insanely good?’
‘From the moment 'Hook' first appeared, his expression was unique, his lines were clean, he’s the real deal??’
‘Look at that expression. He seriously looks like he’s going to kill someone with a smile. How can an idol pull off a look like that???’
An idol. And not just any idol, but a freshly debuted rookie idol, acting this frighteningly well.
‘Sigh... He’d steamroll over most rookie actors. Actually? At this level of tension, even actors with over ten years of experience would feel threatened. Like me.’
All the actors, although maybe not to Jung Tae-soo’s extent, had their fair share of prejudice. It wasn’t that they hated or disliked Kang Rojun, just that it settled naturally. The image that typically came to mind when thinking of an idol. Young in age, busy schedule, flashy performances, fresh and clean, packaged like a new product.
The complete opposite of what an actor must be, someone who has to be willing to break down, take on trashy roles without hesitation.
Rojun shattered all of that effortlessly.
Without any lengthy explanation, just through acting.
That Kang Rojun continued his lines with the attitude of “I don’t care what you people think", and the demeanor that said “I’m just ‘Hook', nothing more, nothing less.”
“1+1 products need proper build-up. First, we have to erase the suspicion they have, got it? Then we create a moment where the man and woman get separated.”
“...How?”
“You dumbass, do I have to pick up the spoon and shove the food into your mouth for you? Use your damn brain and figure it out.”
Rojun was relaxed. And he was feeling it. That acting wasn’t all that hard. Maybe it was due to what he had learned.
‘As expected, raising stats and mixing in practice makes it feel way more controllable?’
At the same time, he even had room to calculate as a writer rather than an actor.
'Should I have written the line a bit stronger? Kinda feels bland. I’ll ask the director after the reading ends.’
He then refocused on ‘Hook'.
Even if the role of 'Hook' held the key in 'Blood Hunt', he was still a supporting or minor character. In other words, the screen time was limited. So, before exiting, he had to leave a definite impact. Having reached that conclusion, Kang Rojun’s 'Hook' only deepened.
Passing the baton to Jung Tae-soo, Director Yoo Ji-heon read the stage directions, and another actor continued the scene, before it returned to Rojun again.
“Trunk.”
“What?”
“Tell the guy to step over to the trunk for a second and unload the luggage.”
“And then?”
“This is the part where we separate the two, you idiot.”
Rojun gave a faint smile and made a motion like stepping on the accelerator. It carried the underlying meaning that he’d take the woman, so the other should handle the separated man. Kang Rojun’s playful expression was no longer that of a human. Just like a butcher at a meat shop, he was treating people like chunks of meat.
His head filled only with thoughts of making money.
A monster whose expressions and delivery could be understood even without any supporting stage directions.
Jung Tae-soo, already immersed in Kang Rojun’s acting without realizing it, was in continuous shock.
‘That ridiculously handsome face is actually offset by his acting. No- rather, that good-looking face reinforces the realism. A face that earns trust from targets. And with that visual, it’s even colder.’
The acting would be a flaw if all he had was a handsome face and shitty performance, but because the acting is terrifyingly good, that good-looking face creates synergy beyond imagination.
Reporters filming the overall reading session were busy with their fingers but also quietly whispered among themselves.
"That’s Rojun, right? Is that okay for his idol image?"
"Yeah, the role’s a bit intense, more than I expected."
"If this movie comes out, it’s going to cause a stir. Rojun... playing ‘Hook', who slaughters people?"
"GN should’ve cut this kind of role from the start."
Manager Kim Ki-baek, standing behind with arms crossed and watching the reporters’ backs, thought.
‘Hmm- yeah, honestly, seeing it in person, the character’s tone is pretty strong.’
But his thoughts differed somewhat from the reporters’.
‘But even if we cut it, do you think Rojun wouldn’t have done this project, you fools? Right now, he’s the second most powerful person in GN after CEO Ha Seo-hwan. And it’s a script he wrote himself, so it’s not like he didn’t know the character. Rojun must’ve accepted it with everything in mind.’
More than anything, the way 'Blood Hunt' came about is interesting. A movie script written by Kang Rojun. His first film as a writer. Rojun is the leader and visual center of the successful group ‘Vanguard'. But the story of the movie veers far from expectation, and the content is shocking. The director is none other than the master-class Yoo Ji-heon. And the role Rojun plays is arguably the most brutal in the film, ‘Hook.’
It’s packed with elements bound to make headlines, isn’t it?
‘This too, fits the unique and leading image of ‘Vanguard'. There’s no way something like this will come out of the idol industry again.’
From the start, there had never been an idol who could simultaneously build dominance as an idol, actor, and writer. Only Kang Rojun could, and only he could pull it off.
‘Rojun can pull fans from all three areas, idol, writer, and actor. And those fans will ultimately become ‘Vanguard’ fans too.’
At that moment.
"Don't do it."
Emotionally overwhelmed, Jung Tae-soo glared at Kang Rojun- no, at ‘Hook’ as if he were about to rip him apart, and delivered his line.
“I said don’t, you fucking asshole.”
Rojun’s face held both carelessness and a smile.
“Don’t spout dumb bullshit and hold her properly. She’s struggling, she’ll get scratched, and this product has to stay pristine.”
“I said stop it, fuck!!!”
In the script, the protagonist ‘Kim Ji-wook’ stabs ‘Hook’ dozens of times here. Even while dying, Rojun delivered a ‘Hook’-like line to the enraged Jung Tae-soo.
“...Take good care of those pretty, sparkling eyes. They'll be expensive."
Officially, this was the scene where Kang Rojun’s ‘Hook’ exited. As things calmed down, Rojun was thoroughly enjoying himself inside.
‘This character I created, acting it out myself, it’s such a rush. During 'Rental Lover', I barely had any lines, so I didn’t know for sure, but this back-and-forth between actors, this is the real thrill.’
Director Yoo Ji-heon, sitting right next to Kang Rojun and watching him intently, felt a mix of admiration and regret.
‘He’s adjusting pace freely among senior actors and running wild however he pleases. He’s good, no need to direct any cuts with him in them. It’s a shame. If he were a rookie actor, I would’ve kept him by my side constantly.’
But Director Yoo Ji-heon also knew this feeling was greedy.
‘The acting world is too small a stage for him, at minimum, it has to be the world.’
Clicking his tongue in bitter appreciation, Director Yoo Ji-heon turned his head and called out to the cast with a slightly sharp voice.
“Let’s take ten minutes.”
After that.
During the break, several actors swarmed around Kang Rojun. That’s how many questions flew his way. Where did he learn to act? When did he manage to practice with such a busy schedule? How long did it take to write the script? What about research? Character analysis? And so on and so on.
Of course, there were tons of compliments too.
“I was seriously, seriously shocked! How do you deliver your lines so cleanly? Do you have a secret?”
“When you’re acting, it really doesn’t feel like you’re an idol at all??”
“Totally agree!”
Kang Rojun, overwhelmed.
‘Too close! Everyone’s too close!!’
He kept repeating “Thank you” to the actors. Perhaps because the vibe was good, Manager Kim Ki-baek didn’t bother to stop him. And just as the break was coming to an end, Jung Tae-soo, who plays the male lead in 'Blood Hunt', cautiously approached Rojun.
“Rojun.”
Thanks to Jung Tae-soo's extremely serious expression, the surrounding actors quickly took the hint and stepped away. Then, top actor Jung Tae-soo gave a small nod to Kang Rojun.
“I’ll start by apologizing. I’m sorry.”
For what? Why? What is this? Rojun's eyes were filled with question marks.
“Huh?”
Regardless, Jung Tae-soo whispered quietly.
“No... to be honest. I had some discomfort toward idols. There’s a reason, but that’s my issue. I shouldn’t have projected that onto you, Rojun. That was my mistake.”
“Ah.”
“As an actor who’s supposed to analyze a character... even after acting for so long, I still have a long way to go. Watching your performance really opened my eyes. I have a lot to learn, and from now on, I’m going to let go of everything and just focus on the acting.”
Not knowing how to react, Kang Rojun just said the first thing that came to mind.
“Cheer up.”
Jung Tae-soo chuckled.
“Hahaha, yeah. I’ll cheer up. Anyway, the script for ‘Blood Hunt’ is amazing. As soon as I saw it, I immediately said I’d do it.”
“Thank you.”
After that, Jung Tae-soo interacted with Rojun in a much more relaxed way than at first, and for Kang Rojun, this scene, where a top actor was standing in front of him, talking.
‘A few years ago, I was watching this guy’s movies and muttering to myself about how super handsome he is.’
It was simply mysterious.
In any case, once Director Yoo Ji-heon returned to the reading room, the script reading for 'Blood Hunt' resumed. Though Rojun's scene had ended, he remained in his seat not as an actor but as the screenwriter, and the reading of 'Blood Hunt' wrapped up only in the afternoon.
After the entire 'Blood Hunt' team gave their closing greetings, the atmosphere shifted toward heading out for a group dinner.
However, Kang Rojun had to bow out.
“Thank you for your hard work!!”
“Aw, Rojun-ssi, what a shame! See you on the shooting day!”
That’s because he had to join the 'Vanguard' schedule. Currently, excluding Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung were likely in the middle of a photo shoot. Kang Rojun had to head straight to the studio. After saying his goodbyes to Director Yoo Ji-heon and the cast for a few minutes, Rojun got into the van.
The car departed immediately.
Instead of the passenger seat, Manager Kim Ki-baek sat beside Rojun, took out his phone, and asked,
“How was it? Your first movie reading?”
Kang Rojun smiled with his eyes.
“It was fun.”
“Mm- looked like it.”
“And Jung Tae-soo sunbae-nim. His personality is kind of classy, isn’t it?”
“Why?”
When Kim Ki-baek asked back, Rojun roughly shared the words Jung Tae-soo had said to him. Manager Kim Ki-baek rubbed his chin.
“Jung Tae-soo, huh-”
“It’s not often a top actor openly acknowledges and apologizes like that, right? It was kind of fascinating.”
“It’s okay to become friends with him. Jung Tae-soo.”
“Huh? With me?”
“If the opportunity comes. In this project or elsewhere. In this industry, connections are power and content. If you’re ever curious about whether someone is worth getting close to, you can ask me.”
As Rojun briefly imagined forming a hyung-dongsaeng bond with top actor Jung Tae-soo, Kim Ki-baek added an explanation.
“Jung Tae-soo doesn’t have any rumors aside from acting and working out. That’s how passionate he is about acting, and his surroundings are clean too. He has clear boundaries, and the fact that he’s survived this long in that position is proof of it.”
In that moment, Kang Rojun couldn’t help but wonder, what exactly is this man?
“Manager-nim, you seem to know everything. How do you know all that?”
Kim Ki-baek replied with a faint, weary smile.
“Hmm- well, I’m not really sure myself.”
That same night, late at GN Entertainment.
Even after completing both the script reading for 'Blood Hunt' and the 'Vanguard' schedule, Kang Rojun still returned not to his dorm but to the company. For reference, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung had agreed to report in by 4 a.m. the next day.
Actually, the members also talked about pulling an all-nighter at the company with Kang Rojun, but their leader, Rojun, stopped them.
Because the members didn’t have a ‘Vitality Booster’.
In any case, it was Manager Kim Ki-baek who drove Kang Rojun all the way to the GN Entertainment parking lot.
“What are you working on today?”
“A lot. But first, I’m going to practice the solo parts for the Japan concert.”
Kim Ki-baek nodded, then for some reason, checked the time.
“Let’s go.”
“Huh? You’re not heading home?”
“I’m hungry, thought I’d grab a late-night snack. Ramyeon or something.”
As they were walking toward the elevator, Kang Rojun suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“Whoa.”
He had spotted a dazzling car parked in one of the spaces.
"Wow, it's a Lamborghini."
Completely blue, exuding the aura of an absurdly expensive car, just by looking at it. In front of the gleaming, shiny car, Rojun’s eyes widened in excitement.
“This! This one’s close to 400 million won! It’s insane. Does someone at the company drive this car??”
Kim Ki-baek chuckled.
“No idea.”
It was at that moment.
-Swoosh.
Someone had just approached and murmured to Kang Rojun. In a low and clear tone.
“The owner is standing in front of it.”
Slightly startled, Kang Rojun turned his head quickly. Standing there was CEO Ha Seo-hwan, radiating that mature flower-middle-aged aura with his well-built frame. He casually tossed something toward Rojun. Caught off guard, Rojun reflexively caught it. In his hand was a car key, and CEO Ha Seo-hwan, now standing beside him, pointed to the blue car in front of them.
“You said it’s your dream car, right? Lamborghini.”