Looking into Kim Ra-un's eyes, I let out a sigh.
"Ra-un. It's honestly ridiculous for me to be critiquing you. You're one of the top actors in Korea, and I'm just a washed-up retiree."
"Hyung, you're the first person Jae-hyuk calls when he gets stuck analyzing a script. Jae-yeon probably does the same. And when it comes to acting chops, what makes you think you're any less than me?"
"...."
"I just don't get it. If you'd said you were taking the Hyun-tae role, I would've backed off. You'd probably analyze the script better than me. You'd bring a different acting edge... There are all sorts of reasons that make sense."
Kim Ra-un stares at me.
"But I can't think of a single reason why Eum Sung-hyun was chosen."
I knew Kim Ra-un was more desperate for acting than I thought.
I also knew he had a burning desire to be recognized for his talent.
Did he pick up on my real feelings?
I thought I'd kept it hidden....
After a moment's hesitation, I made up my mind.
It might ruin our relationship forever, but for Kim Ra-un's future, I had to say it.
Judging by the projects he picks, he probably doesn't know.
"Hyun-tae is a role you can't play."
"...."
Kim Ra-un's eyes widen.
He looks shocked, somehow.
Truth be told, even if Eum Sung-hyun hadn't been locked in, I wouldn't have cast Kim Ra-un.
"I'm not saying you can't act. You can—you're great at it."
"...Then what?"
"You have a habit."
Kim Ra-un has this near-obsessive habit of completely owning the role once he's in it.
In simple terms, he tries to prove his acting prowess through "acting that only Kim Ra-un can do."
Which means....
The role ends up reeking of Kim Ra-un.
It's not a bad habit.
In fact, it was one of the acting methodologies that swept through the industry at one point.
But for certain special projects, it can be outright poison....
"Gongbeomche is one of them."
Gongbeomche can't have even a hint of the actor showing through.
It delves deep into the inner worlds of ordinary people—if the actor peeks out, everything crumbles.
The supporting roles are the same.
That's why the writers were spot-on when they said, "As long as there's no fixed image, any actor is fine."
They must have instinctively realized famous actors don't fit their work.
"I don't know if you'll buy it, but that's the only reason."
"Then what about Eum Sung-hyun? If we're going by that logic, any solid unknown actor could do it. Why pick him specifically?"
"Eum Sung-hyun won't be acting."
The story an actor dreams of telling all his life.
The one he's buried deep in his heart.
That's what he'll draw out through the role.
Its depth can't be faked with acting technique—and without it, we won't get the perfect project I envision.
I have no idea how he took my words, but Kim Ra-un's face hardened.
That's when a gruff voice cut in.
"What a load of bullshit... Ra-un, you're not seriously buying this crap, are you?"
"...."
"Unbelievable. So all this was because of some half-assed acting theory? It's not like Eum Sung-hyun paid you off, or you're just trying to show off to me?"
"Manager Jang. I think I've made my point. Do I need to convince you further?"
"So you're saying Eum Sung-hyun acts better than Kim Ra-un?"
"For Gongbeomche, yes."
Manager Jang let out a hollow laugh.
"This guy's completely nuts. Fine, ruin your own career if you want, but drag company money down with it? With that precious insight of yours?"
"Time will tell if it's precious or not."
"So you'd still be confident even if we go head-to-head as a competing project?"
"Kinda childish, don't you think?"
"We were picking a drama for the first half of next year anyway. Not that childish."
He'd stoke Kim Ra-un's competitive fire like this and pick a project from his own connections.
Maybe Manager Jang wasn't even that upset about the rejection today.
He wasn't really angry now—he was just pretending.
"Do whatever. I can't interfere when the manager and actor are choosing a project."
"Cocky bastard. Got lucky with a good script, huh?"
Not luck, exactly.
"No secrets in this industry. Word'll spread far and wide about who you dissed and who you hired."
"Sounds like you're planning to spread it yourself."
"We'll see after your project's out. Bet you won't be so smug then."
Manager Jang shot up from his seat, but Kim Ra-un stayed put.
"Kim Ra-un. Get up. You don't deserve this treatment."
Glancing between Manager Jang and me, Kim Ra-un slowly rose and delivered his final words.
"Fine, let's say the acting makes sense."
"What do you mean 'fine'! Ra-un, don't let that idiot sway you!"
"Manager Jang."
Kim Ra-un's icy glare actually shut Manager Jang up for once.
Kim Ra-un asked,
"Okay, acting aside. What about box office success?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇After the two left, the meeting room fell quiet. I sank into thought for a moment.
"Okay, acting aside. What about box office success?"
It was something I'd been wrestling with too.
My superpower had shown a perfect project.
So beautiful and flawless, impossible to ignore or reject.
But whether that perfection translates to commercial success? Still unknown.
That's why I wasn't weighing Kim Ra-un against Eum Sung-hyun.
Commercial viability versus completion.
Of course, I believe overwhelming quality brings viability naturally.
Mediocre stuff needs star power, but true masterpieces need nothing.
But I don't rule out exceptions entirely.
Even perfect works can flop. We could botch it with Eum Sung-hyun and fail to deliver.
However....
"Seong-tae hyung was right on the money."
Didn't Sung Tae-chang say as much when he offered me the CE spot?
That I loved projects, not just acting.
After seeing results like that, how could I compromise for mere commercial appeal?
Kim Ra-un might spike early buzz, but it'd drag down the final quality.
Looking back, my choice was right.
With a lighter heart, I stood up.
I hope I don't end up begging the finance team and pleading with Manager Jang...
Reality snapped back as I left the meeting room....
"...."
"...."
I flinched.
Dozens of eyes were staring at me.
What? Did Manager Jang badmouth me on his way out?
Then Chae Seo-hee rushed over and whispered,
"Hyun-woo, are you insane?"
"Huh? What?"
"Kim Ra-un was begging, and you turn him down? And what was that? Saying Eum Sung-hyun's a better actor?"
"I never said that."
"That's what it sounded like...!"
She yells, then lowers her voice.
"Wait, how'd you hear all that, Seo-hee?"
Did the +10 hearing I gave her earlier kick in?
"You can hear everything from outside this room."
"What?"
"Don't you remember? Last time you scheduled a team meeting here, a senior chewed you out!"
This was the conference room next to the storage... right.
"Everything?"
"Not word-for-word, but pretty much."
Ah, damn.
What did I even say?
"But wait, those Jae-yeon and Jae-hyuk people—are they Seo Jae-yeon and Choi Jae-hyuk? No way, right?"
"No. Kim Jae-yeon and Kim Jae-hyuk. Twin actor siblings."
"For real?"
"No."
"Then maybe cameos in our project...."
"I said no."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"He really said that? Right to Kim Ra-un's face?"
"Yeah. Manager Jang stormed off, vowing to pit them against us in a competing slot."
"Haha, what a character."
SSK CEO Han Sung-hoon's words made the headquarters manager furrow his brow.
"Sir, this isn't funny. Things could sour with D.P—they've got major talent."
"Won't happen."
"Pardon?"
"Yoon Dae-ri at D.P and I go way back. Plus, there's history between Do CE and those guys, right?"
"True, but...."
"Then it's just more of that history. Won't spill over to company level."
"Still, better safe—maybe grab a drink with Yoon?"
"Doubt that witch would drink with me. I'll reach out."
The manager sighed in relief.
When the ever-gentlemanly Han Sung-hoon used a nickname, it meant they were tight.
"So, what's the plan? Reschedule the canceled finance meeting for tomorrow?"
"Nah, forget it."
"Just ditch Do CE and toss it to another? Might snag Kim Ra-un back too."
"How? F.E.M got yanked right in front of the regional head."
Han Sung-hoon tapped his desk with a fountain pen, then spoke.
"Aren't you curious, though? What exactly did Do Hyun-woo see in that no-name idol?"
"Huh?"
"It's not some gut feeling anymore, right? So maybe we give him a shot?"
"You're against it? If it's not instinct but real conviction, that's even worse. How do you ditch Kim Ra-un for an idol? He's lost it."
"Haha, yeah, figured."
Han Sung-hoon signed the papers on his desk with the pen he'd been fiddling with.
"Sir!"
"It's a contest script anyway—barely dents our budget."
"Still, at least 1 billion, no, 1.5."
"Perfect. Just enough to test his eye."
The manager sighed deeply.
In this mood, Han Sung-hoon wouldn't back down.
"The world needs to know—we're the types who burn a billion just to check an employee's judgment."
"Huh? What employee judgment?"
"Pardon?"
"I meant testing my judgment."
"Your judgment, sir?"
"Slipped my mind completely... Turns out I met Do CE before."
"Really? When?"
"Four years ago? He was still acting then. We talked, and I thought...."
Han Sung-hoon murmured,
"This guy's gonna crush it as a director."
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