Chapter 1051: Step Up (1)

In the audition hall on the first floor of LT Entertainment's headquarters, a long table sat in the middle of the thirty-pyeong room. In front of it, two window frame props and two chairs had been arranged facing each other for the audition.

As Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo walked toward the table, she asked Team Lead Yang Tae-Gil, who was overseeing the setup, "How are the kids in the next room?"

The twenty audition participants were waiting with their parents in the small auditorium next door.

Yang Tae-Gil answered, "They'll come in one at a time, starting with Number One when they're called."

"Good. Bring them in as soon as everything's ready here."

"Yes, ma'am."

After giving her instructions, Lee Eun-Joo joined President Shin Jong-Ki and Director Jung Na-Mi at the judges' table. Meanwhile, Haru took his place beside the prop window frame in front of the table so he could perform opposite the contestants. As for me, since I had been preparing Han Bo-Bae to win the lead role, I stepped off to one side of the audition room and got my phone ready to record.

Just as all the judges had settled into their seats, Cinematographer Woo Dong-Ho entered with the LT Entertainment staff, carrying a laptop and two large monitors, which they placed in front of Jung Na-Mi. It was a thoughtful accommodation for Jung Na-Mi, whose low vision severely limited her eyesight.

"The monitor on the right will show close-ups of the actresses' faces, and the one on the left will display full-body shots with Haru. We'll keep the images as large as possible, so you don't need to worry."

Woo Dong-Ho, patiently explaining everything to Jung Na-Mi, was someone I had personally recruited years ago during Jiri Mountain. He had an exceptional ability to understand exactly what a director wanted, making him the perfect partner to support Jung Na-Mi despite her limited vision.

"Thank you, Mr. Woo," said Jung Na-Mi.

Woo Dong-Ho scratched the back of his head. "You can speak more casually with me, Ms. Jung."

"Oh, how could I? I'm just making my directorial debut, while you're already a respected veteran who shot a film that surpassed ten million admissions."

Jung Na-Mi's warm tone brought a faint smile to Woo Dong-Ho's face. "Even so, I'd appreciate it if you did. It'll make it easier for you to manage the rest of the staff."

A cinematographer ranked alongside the assistant director, effectively serving as the number two or number three on a production. If she treated him more casually, it would naturally make leading the rest of the crew easier.

"Hmm... All right. No, all right then. I'm counting on you today."

"You got it."

Only then did Woo Dong-Ho grin before stepping aside to begin preparing for the shoot.

Just then, Lee Eun-Joo looked down at her tablet and said, "Shall we start bringing them in?"

That was when I stepped forward. "Ms. Lee, I think we should bring the dogs in first so they can get used to the environment."

"Oh, right. We also have to evaluate how well they interact with the dogs during today's audition, don't we?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

Lee Eun-Joo gestured to the staff. Yang Tae-Gil opened the door and called for the dogs waiting outside.

A moment later, two Golden Retrievers were led into the room by their handlers. The first one bounded in excitedly. He was a one-year-old Golden Retriever with fur the color of perfectly toasted scorched rice, named Nurungji[1].

Nurungji had only recently begun acting training, but he would go on to appear in countless films. With his cheerful personality and remarkable intelligence, he had become a genius animal actor in my previous life, eventually appearing in well over a hundred movies and variety shows.

Following behind him was Chorong, a ten-year-old Golden Retriever whose coat was so pale it was almost white with a golden sheen. Chorong had spent years working as a guide dog before recently retiring to help create more realistic performances. He had been enjoying retirement at the home of a Jinseong Group executive, and I'd gone to great lengths to convince them to let him join us.

I had personally cast both of them. Compared to my previous life, they were even better animal actors.

Pant. Pant. Pant.

The one-year-old Nurungji entered the audition room tugging eagerly on his leash, pulling his handler around as he sniffed every corner of the room. He was still young, so his curiosity was boundless. In contrast, Chorong walked in with quiet dignity before calmly lying down beside the chair next to the window-frame set.

About five minutes later, Nurungji finally settled down. Only then did his handler hand Haru the leash.

"We've trained him to respond to the name Happy as well."

"Thank you." After taking the leash, Haru greeted the dog warmly. "Hi, Happy. Let's do our best today, okay?"

The moment Haru called him by his character's name, Nurungji tilted his head before barking loudly.

Woof!

At that, Chorong, who had been lying quietly, perked up his ears. Chorong had also been trained to respond to the name Happy. However, true to his background as a guide dog, he was wearing his harness and didn't move an inch.

Watching the scene, Jung Na-Mi smiled with satisfaction. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Since Mr. Jung scouted them himself, even the dogs are extraordinary."

Lee Eun-Joo nodded in agreement and looked at me with amazement. "Seriously, where do you keep finding animals like these? I'm dying to know."

I simply smiled. That was a secret no one could uncover unless they experienced a second life themselves.

Having once again failed to uncover the secret behind my casting choices, Lee Eun-Joo turned to the handlers. "All right, please take the dogs over to the side and wait with them for now." 𝐟𝑟ⅇ

The two handlers led the dogs to one corner of the audition room and waited there. No matter how brilliant an actress's performance might be, this film couldn't be made unless she had good chemistry with the dogs. That was why anyone who passed the first audition also had to prove they could work well with them.

"All right then, Team Lead Yang. Please send in contestant number one."

"Yes, Ms. Lee."

Yang Tae-Gil stepped out into the hallway and called out to the first contestant waiting outside. "We'll begin the audition now!"

At last, the auditions for Happy & Happy had begun.

***

"Um... I mean... I'm sorry. Let me try again."

Contestant number eighteen, Lee Song-Hyun, had forgotten her lines under Haru's unwavering gaze.

She hurriedly tried to start over, but Jung Na-Mi raised a hand and ended the audition. "Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Lee Song-Hyun. We'll send you the results by text within a week."

"...Okay."

Unable even to take the chemistry test with the dogs, Lee Song-Hyun walked out of the audition room as though she had just been handed a death sentence.

Thud.

As the door closed behind her, Haru looked apologetic as if it were somehow his fault. "I'm sorry, Ms. Jung."

Jung Na-Mi answered firmly, "No, Haru. You did well. No matter how you perform, it's the actresses' responsibility to match your performance."

Happy & Happy was a coming-of-age drama about a high school boy raising a dog named Happy who meets a visually impaired girl with a guide dog, also named Happy. Together, they laughed, cried, and grew through their shared experiences.

The problem lay in the female lead's portrayal of a visually impaired character. The moment they began acting opposite Haru, every one of the first eighteen auditionees started showing flaws from the very first scene.

Whenever Haru completely immersed himself in the role and stared intently at his scene partner, the actresses—who were supposed to have their eyes open—would instinctively flinch, avert their gaze, or forget their lines.

However, Eun Ha-Soo, the heroine of the story, was completely blind. No matter who looked at her, she should have remained perfectly composed.

"The thing is... the moment they open their eyes, they all unconsciously end up looking at Haru. What are we supposed to do about this? Do we need to rewrite the script...?"

In my previous life, Go Min-Yung, who had played the female lead back then, had run into the same problem. In the end, most of her scenes were changed so she acted with her eyes closed. Whenever she did have to perform with her eyes open, I knew they had filmed the actors separately and composited the shots afterward.

This time, however, I had no intention of letting that happen.

So I reassured Jung Na-Mi. "Don't worry, Ms. Jung. We still have Bo-Bae, don't we?"

Jung Na-Mi frowned as she stared at me. "Well... she is the one you're backing, Mr. Jung... All right. I'll wait until I've seen the last audition before making my decision."

Just then, Lee Eun-Joo told Yang Tae-Gil, who was standing by the entrance, to bring Han Bo-Bae in. "Team Lead Yoo, send Bo-Bae in!"

Han Bo-Bae was contestant number nineteen, while Go Min-Yung was number twenty. She called for Han Bo-Bae first.

"Yes, Ms. Lee."

At that moment, a middle-aged man's angry voice echoed down the hallway.

-Hey! How do I know this audition isn't rigged? Don't think I don't know Chief Jung's backing Bo-Bae!

-Sir, that's not true. Mr. Jung is only here as an observer. He's not judging the audition.

-Yeah, right! Anyone can say that. Don't make me laugh. I'm going in there too. I want to see it with my own eyes!

Go Min-Yung's father was shouting that he was coming in no matter what. The staff outside immediately began trying their hardest to stop him.

At that moment, Lee Eun-Joo spoke to one of the staff members in an icy tone. "Team Lead Yoo, tell him that if he interferes with the audition, his daughter will be disqualified immediately. And let him know that if he thinks it's unfair, he's welcome to sue us or do whatever he wants."

Just then, Yang Tae-Gil hesitated. "Ms. Lee... Go Min-Yung's father is the PR chief at LZ Inc. He's got a lot of connections with reporters. What if this ends up turning into bad press?"

"When have we ever been afraid of something like that? It's nothing new. Go tell him exactly what I said."

"Understood."

Just then, Shin Jong-Ki raised a hand. "Hold on, Managing Director. Isn't Min-Yung the model for LT Beverage's Fresh Water campaign?"

"Yes. Min-Yung is the main model, and Bo-Bae is the supporting one."

"Then tell him we're terminating that contract too. The beverage division's been complaining that the product's image has already taken a beating because of all the controversy. If we drop her now, it'll actually make things easier for everyone. This works out nicely."

Right after Ahn Yoo-Ra's scandal broke, there had already been growing pressure to remove her daughter, Go Min-Yung, from the advertisement as well. Using this incident as the excuse to cut ties seemed like a convenient solution.

However, I stopped them. "We can't do that."

The two of them looked at me in confusion.

"Why?"

"What's wrong, Mr. Jung?"

I said, "Let's bring them both in and let everyone compare them."

Shin Jong-Ki looked puzzled. "Even if we do, won't it just cause more trouble?"

"Right now, the public only knows Bo-Bae as the minor character who appeared as Go Min-Yung's friend. But if she wins today's audition decisively, no one will be saying that anymore."

Shin Jong-Ki's eyes lit up. "So you're saying we should use Min-Yung as the stepping stone to launch Bo-Bae?"

"Something like that."

Lee Eun-Joo smiled brightly. "In that case, there's nothing to worry about."

She turned toward Jung Na-Mi. "Will that be all right with you, Ms. Jung?"

"I don't mind. Actually, let's have them compete head-to-head. It'll also give me a chance to see this Bo-Bae you've been talking about, Mr. Jung."

Lee Eun-Joo nodded. "Then I'll call them in right away."

As Lee Eun-Joo moved to do just that, Shin Jong-Ki clicked his tongue. "The more I watch you these days, the more it seems like you trust Chief Jung even more than you trust me."

Lee Eun-Joo shrugged. "So how could I not trust him? Just look at Nurungji and Chorong over there. The fact that Mr. Jung found dogs like them is enough to prove you can't ignore his eye for talent."

Shin Jong-Ki turned to look. He nodded when he saw Chorong lying quietly on the floor. Then he glanced at Nurungji, who was sleeping with his eyes rolled back and his tongue hanging out, and muttered, "I'm not sure I'd call both of them well-behaved."

"Oh, come on. You know what I meant!"

"Hahaha. Fair enough. Though I wonder if those two will even be able to participate in today's audition."

"We can always use them in the next round."

"Right. That works. Go ahead and bring them in."

"Yes."

Lee Eun-Joo nodded before calling out to Yang Tae-Gil at the entrance. "Send both of them in. Their guardians too."

"Yes, Ms. Lee." After giving a respectful nod, Yang Tae-Gil looked outside and called, "Han Bo-Bae's parents and Go Min-Yung's father, please come in with the contestants."

The door slid open. Go Min-Yung and her father walked into the room.

***

Go Min-Yung entered the judges' area wearing the simple white dress worn by Eun Ha-Soo, the heroine of the film.

"My name is Go Min-Yung."

As expected of one of the three teenage actresses considered the brightest rising stars of her generation, her fair complexion and striking features immediately drew everyone's attention. Yet unlike her usual proud and confident demeanor, she kept her head lowered like someone awaiting judgment.

"I'm sorry. My father doesn't really understand how this industry works, so he made a mistake."

Only then did Go Tae-Moon finally bow ninety degrees and apologize as well. "I'm very sorry. My daughter has been under so much criticism because of my ex-wife, whom I'm currently divorcing, that I lost my temper."

As Go Min-Yung and Go Tae-Moon apologized one after another, the staff gradually began to calm down and whisper among themselves.

-Well... She's been getting attacked everywhere just because she's Ahn Yoo-Ra's daughter.

-Still, don't you feel a little sorry for her? Her mom deserves the criticism, sure, but what did the daughter do? It's not like guilt should be inherited.

-That's true. Ahn Yoo-Ra's the one who did wrong, not Go Min-Yung.

Go Min-Yung's attitude noticeably softened the staff's feelings. The moment I saw it, I realized this entire situation had been orchestrated by her father.

Go Tae-Moon was the PR chief of LZ Inc., and he was a professional whose job was shaping the company's public image. He had deliberately made a scene himself so that sympathy would naturally shift toward Go Min-Yung instead.

'Not bad, Mr. Go Tae-Moon.'

Just as I realized he wouldn't be an easy opponent, Han Bo-Bae walked in by herself.

Lee Eun-Joo tilted her head. "Miss Han Bo-Bae. Aren't your parents coming in?"

Han Bo-Bae shook her head. "No. They said it wouldn't be proper for them to come into the audition since I'm not a child actress anymore."

Without meaning to, she had just dealt a solid blow to Go Min-Yung and her father.

Lee Eun-Joo smiled. "Your mother certainly knows proper etiquette. Then shall we start with your audition?"

"Yes. I'll get ready right away."

Just then, Go Tae-Moon spoke cautiously. "Ms. Lee. Min-Yung was originally contestant number one, but she got moved to number twenty. Would it be possible to let her audition first as originally planned?"

It was an obvious attempt to gain even the slightest advantage, so Lee Eun-Joo was about to refuse.

But before she could answer, Jung Na-Mi stopped her and turned to Haru. "Haru, are you okay if we switch the order?"

Haru nodded. "Yes. I don't mind."

"Even if you're acting with the dogs too?"

"That's fine."

"Good. Then... show us what you've got. Understood?"

Jung Na-Mi was making it clear that as the male lead, Haru was expected to give a performance so overwhelming that there would be no room for complaints afterward.

"I will, Ms. Jung."

Jung Na-Mi nodded before looking at Go Min-Yung. "Go Min-Yung. Since we're even changing the order for you, you don't mind doing it by the book, do you?"

The Go Min-Yung I knew wasn't particularly fond of dogs. Even so, she nodded as if it didn't bother her at all.

"No. That's fine."

"Good."

Jung Na-Mi instructed her to perform with the dog, something she hadn't required of any of the previous auditionees. Because Go Min-Yung and her father had forced their way into the process, she raised the audition back to the level she had originally intended.

"Then both of you, bring the dogs over and get ready. We'll start straight from Scene One."

"Yes, Ms. Jung."

Haru and Go Min-Yung walked over to the two Golden Retrievers lying nearby.

Haru naturally accepted Nurungji's leash and returned to the window-frame set in the middle of the audition room. Go Min-Yung, however, kept a wary look in her eyes as she gingerly held Chorong's harness as far from herself as possible while walking back.

Jung Na-Mi and the other judges didn't miss that brief moment. They had already begun scoring.

***

Before the audition began, Haru and Go Min-Yung each took their places in front of their respective window-frame props with their dogs. The two window frames faced one another, recreating the second-floor bedroom windows where the male and female leads first met.

Today's audition scene was the first encounter between Yoo Sung-Woo, whose hobby was stargazing, and Eun Ha-Soo, who loved to sing.

Just then, Han Bo-Bae walked over to me. After several days of training with Haru and receiving advice from me as well, she had begun treating me almost like a teacher.

"Hello, Mr. Jung."

"Hey. Have you been practicing a lot?"

"Yes. I've been working really hard."

"Just because your audition was pushed back doesn't mean it's a bad thing. You can watch the two of them first and see what they're lacking before your turn."

"I don't think it's a bad thing at all."

Confidence showed clearly in Han Bo-Bae's reply.

"That's good. By the way... how's that thing I told you to practice coming along?"

To make absolutely certain Han Bo-Bae would pass today's audition, I had her polish a secret weapon. When I asked how comfortable she had become with it, she smiled brightly.

"I can do it pretty naturally now."

"Already?"

"Yes. Luckily, my mom was able to help me with it. I listened to her advice and practiced really hard, and by last night it finally started feeling natural. I can't keep it up for very long, though."

Hearing Han Bo-Bae's answer put me at ease. As long as she had that secret weapon, today's role was practically hers already. I could finally relax and enjoy watching the audition.

Just then, Go Min-Yung sat down by the window frame and spoke up. "Then... I'll begin."

To portray a visually impaired girl, Go Min-Yung closed her eyes. She must have heard from the girls who had already finished their auditions.

At that moment, however, Jung Na-Mi stared at the monitor and asked, "What are you doing, Min-Yung?"

Go Min-Yung immediately opened her eyes. "Huh? Oh... well... the girls before me said they all acted with their eyes closed."

Jung Na-Mi answered coldly, "They did. That's why every one of them failed. Do you want the same result?"

Startled, Go Min-Yung quickly shook her head. "N-No! Not at all."

"Good. Then follow the script. Exactly as it's written. I only had them close their eyes because they had no other choice."

"I'm sorry."

"All right. Then shall we begin?"

"Yes."

As Go Min-Yung settled into position, Haru mirrored her from the opposite window frame.

Watching their faces on the monitor, Jung Na-Mi took a deep breath before calling out, "Scene One. Yoo Sung-Woo and Eun Ha-Soo's first meeting. Here we go. Ready... Action!"

The audition began. Resting her chin on the windowsill prop in front of her without turning her head, Go Min-Yung spoke.

『Happy. Is it nighttime now?』

At a signal from his handler, Chorong answered smartly.

『Woof!』

『Is someone nearby?』

『Woof?』

『I guess that was too difficult a question, wasn't it?』

『Woof!』

Following his handler's cues, Chorong responded in a variety of ways. And as she interacted with him, Go Min-Yung delivered a fairly solid performance, worthy of her reputation.

However, the real test was only beginning.

Haru had just started the performance that had completely unraveled all eighteen actresses before her.

1. Nurungji ☜