NOVEL WEB Chapter 13
The first thing I noticed was a refreshing height.
Fourteen years old and 170 cm tall?
I couldn’t believe it at first, but seeing it for myself made it undeniably real.
‘Her shoulders are broad… Must be working out regularly?’
There wasn’t a hint of the modern issues like forward head posture or rounded shoulders.
Just standing there, she looked like a dancer or something.
With her long arms and legs stretched out so elegantly.
Her overall proportions were absolutely perfect.
And how about her face?
“Is she really fourteen? How can she… have a bit of a cute vibe?”
“Cute vibe? She looks completely innocent to me.”
“What? With that look, how are you going to work as a caddy? Learn from me; she definitely has the cute vibe.”
Everyone had slightly different opinions, but in the end, they all agreed on one word.
Good-looking.
Even if the charm was felt differently by each person, the fact that she was good-looking remained unchanged.
But the charm didn’t stop there.
-Lonely, lonely.
You can usually tell someone’s skill just by hearing the first line of a song.
Caddy team leader Shin Youngsook didn’t need to watch more of the video and immediately sent out a pass announcement.
“I have to see her live on set for sure.”
The public audition interview was scheduled for next month.
Honestly, before that, Shin Youngsook wanted to show her to the Haidream writer right away.
‘But that would compromise fairness.’
The moment this girl steps onto the scene,
The audition would lose all its meaning.
Shin Youngsook was certain.
+++++
-[Congratulations. Detailed schedule…]
The morning after I submitted my audition documents.
As soon as I opened my phone, I read the long acceptance message.
It clearly stated where the audition would take place and what script to prepare, leaving no room for confusion.
‘This is really happening.’
To be honest, I expected it, but the reality hit differently than I imagined.
Slowly.
I strolled over to my dad, who was leisurely getting ready for the morning.
“Dad, I think I won’t be able to go to school next week because I passed the audition.”
“Uh-huh.”
“It’s called Haidream, and it’s airing next year… So I applied.”
“Okay.”
My dad’s reply was the pinnacle of quietness.
To end the conversation like this felt awkward, so I added a few more words.
“Mom is about to get the all-clear, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“America really is a good choice.”
In 2010, the leading country in cancer treatment was America, and our family decided, after some discussions, to admit Mom to a hospital in the U.S.
It cost an astronomical amount, but the building in Bundang made it all bearable.
And that decision quickly paid off.
Right after the diagnosis that the cancer was treatable,
I could see mom’s complexion improving rapidly during our video calls.
“I’m really glad.”
A sigh of relief escaped from Dad’s answer as he spoke.
“Still, you’ll come to Korea around the time the drama airs.”
“It’s just the audition, so I still don’t know if I’ll make it or not.”
As soon as I said that, Dad chuckled softly.
“Who would drop you?”
There was no wavering in Dad’s eyes as he said those words.
+++++
Time flew by quickly, and it was audition day.
We had filtered through a lot, but since the drama was huge, the number of applicants was still high.
“Three thousand is still too many, right…?”
“Well, it’s no wonder the field audition takes about a week. This is the minimum we could manage.”
“I mean, still…”
“What difference does it make if someone like us complains? Just zip it and keep moving.”
“Yes, sir.”
The KBC audition site was buzzing with activity.
There wasn’t much preparation needed for the audition itself, but with so many people gathered and the attention being on us, there was a lot to keep track of.
“It’s a public audition, so it’s no wonder KBC, ST Entertainment, and Full Ready are co-hosting; the press is really…”
“I’m worried about strange tabloids popping up. What if they crank up some scripted nonsense…”
“We’re stressed, but the judges must be even more worried.”
“True.”
The staff managing the site were spot on with their predictions.
When the judges actually arrived at the audition venue, their expressions weren’t exactly cheerful.
However, this was half-right and half-wrong.
While their expressions weren’t great, the reasons were entirely different.
‘…The writer seems to be in really bad shape today.’
‘PD, can’t you at least say something?’
‘Director, you do it; what power do I have?’
‘What about Youngsook?’
‘I just got daggers for having only cut down the applicants to three thousand. Even with 90% eliminated!’
There were four judges who had to evaluate the three thousand applicants:
Hide Dream PD, the director, Team Leader Shin Youngsook, and Writer Lee Minha.
Since it was a KBC public audition, the representatives from ST Entertainment and Full Ready were not participating.
But just because they weren’t participating didn’t mean they didn’t submit their own applicants for the public audition, and that part was really irking Writer Lee Minha.
“Wait, so you want me to revise the script because of your image? Fine, you want to keep the concept? Got it.”
But if you want me to stick to everything, shouldn’t there be some compromise?
If so, why are they the ones writing instead of me? Why did they even sign a contract with me in the first place?
As her words started to spiral into an infinite loop of irritation, Kim Youngmo, the Hide Dream PD and the former PD of “Dr. Giggles!” cut right through it.
“Exactly. We really want to focus on picking regular folks or newcomers for this public audition.”
“That’s right! New faces! Someone who hasn’t been on TV! Their acting might be a bit off, but there needs to be a fresh flavor!”
Shin Youngsook perfectly caught Kim Youngmo’s words, and Lee Minha’s lips curled into a smile as she got caught up in the good vibes.
Lee Minha’s mood brightened as her lips twitched into a smile.
“Right?”
Just a little support after her earlier outburst, and she was back to normal. Truly a prime example of a mood-based writer.
“You see, those who’ve trained a lot have developed habits, so they’re not as fresh, you know?”
In a different drama, it might be okay, but in ‘Hydream’, the setting is an art high school. Naturally, they’d have to act to some extent, but if they looked too trained, it would seem off.
Everyone has to start somewhere, but those trained at entertainment companies definitely came across as too professional.
Lee Minha wanted a complete rookie vibe.
Of course, she knew how ridiculous that was. It was like expecting a fighter like Fedor to pop up in a street brawl.
But.
“What if it could happen, you know?”
With that thought, the audition started, but as time passed, it mercilessly crushed Lee Minha’s hopes.
“Yes, well done.”
“Just one more…”
“I’m really sorry, but there are two hundred more behind you.”
She felt like a factory part. Everyone was acting similarly, delivering the same evaluations.
Next applicant, please.
This process repeated for four long days.
The applicants all wore expressions of regret.
It was hard to blame them. Who could really express themselves properly in just 2-3 minutes?
Among those who were rejected, there were surely some who would shine later on.
But.
“I don’t have time to consider that.”
If she focused on every little detail, nothing would ever get done.
“No matter what, isn’t there anyone who really stands out?”
The other judges nodded at Lee Minha’s complaint. Sure, there were some who scraped by passing, but that was far from satisfactory.
What Lee Minha wanted was someone who would instantly evoke the character in her mind upon seeing them.
They may have given out the audition script, but that was just for a background character.
“I need an actor who can color it with their own flair and make it their own.”
Someone who would embody the character without needing to think about the script at all.
She wanted someone who would walk in with all the setup and details perfectly encapsulated.
But would such a talent just drop in like that?
“Ugh!”
Lee Minha irritably put a cigarette to her lips.
On the judges’ table, a mini cactus of cigarette butts had already formed.
“I guess all the talents are at the back of the list.”
“Seems like it.”
Kim Youngmo fiddled with his beret, hiding his gloomy feelings.
How many more rejection notices do I have to issue in the future?
‘It’s tough.’
After the sun set on Toon Train, Kim Youngmo felt the limitations of programs for kids and decided to relocate his nest.
If content for a younger audience doesn’t work, let’s raise the age group a bit, to the youth of teenagers.
And that’s how he started Hydream.
Surprisingly, things went well at first. The idol entertainment and actor management cooperated nicely.
However, as the size grew, greed began to emerge on all sides.
As a result, the shrimp got caught in the whale fight.
‘…Tsk, I wanted to find some talented kids to lighten the mood at this audition.’
It seems hopeless, huh?
While thinking that, Kim Youngmo checked the next participant’s profile.
“Ki, Kim Donghu?!”
He shouted and jumped up from his seat.
“Yeongsuk, is that kid Kim Donghu coming to audition?!”
“Uh? Yes, yes! Do you know him?”
“Uh, ah, no? I just found the profile a bit interesting.”
Kim Youngmo hid his true feelings and suppressed his racing heart as much as he could.
‘Kim Donghu!’
How could anyone forget Kim Donghu?
The one who made Toon Train’s children’s program reach an unprecedented peak rating of 12%.
He appeared only once and never showed up on any other broadcasts.
The number one talent in Kim Youngmo’s heart that he couldn’t afford to lose.
Kim Youngmo’s eternal favorite, that’s Kim Donghu.
But there had been no news for so long that he wondered if he’d completely disappeared from the acting world.
‘So this is where we meet.’
His heart raced.
“Quick, hurry up and call the next contestant!”
I can finally see our Donghu!
Kim Youngmo was elated, and upon seeing this, Lee Minha quickly stubbed out her cigarette.
The usually cautious and serious Kim Youngmo was acting like this?
How amazing could this kid be?
‘He is good-looking, but… he’s way too young, right?’
Only fourteen years old.
It seemed unreasonable for him to appear in a drama set in high school.
Of course, she acknowledged that he had an impressive face and height.
But that was just on paper, wasn’t it?
‘Do they think these kids are just a joke?’
Could it be that even Kim Youngmo got fooled by this?
With that thought in mind, she glanced toward the door.
Who could it be?
Creeeak.
At that moment, the door swung open.
“Uh?”
The audition room instantly transformed into a high school classroom.