chapter 10

Chapter 10. Summer's Closet Script Reading (2)

"It's wonderful to see everyone getting along so well already."

Whoosh!!

Everyone stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Ah, please sit down. Why is everyone standing? It makes me feel old, haha."

The writer and director greeted the cast and took their seats.

"So, So-hyun, I'm so glad things are going well for you. I'm enjoying your current historical drama."

"Oh, thank you, Writer. I was so eager to work on your script as soon as I received it."

"Hyung, are you getting used to the script format? It's bound like a book, and I'm not used to it."

"I know, right? But it's actually quite comfortable once you get used to it."

Choi Mi-hyun and Han So-hyun chatted, holding hands, while the other actors engaged in various conversations. Numerous cameras and lights, positioned around the room, busily captured every moment for the making-of footage.

The assistant director entered, closing the door behind him. "Director, it looks like all the actors and staff are here."

"Alright, shall we begin?" Director Kim Han-soo stood up. "Hello everyone, I'm PD Kim Han-soo, and I'll be directing 'Summer's Closet.'"

Cheers!

The staff, crew, and actors cheered and applauded.

Starting with Screenwriter Choi, everyone took turns standing up, introducing themselves.

After Kang Seo-joon and Jung Yeo-reum, it was time for Cha Woo-joo, played by Ryu Yeon-woo.

Ryu Yeon-woo stood.

"So handsome! Our Woo-joo!"

Laughter

Ahn Joon-ho, whom Yeon-woo had met at the audition, called out from across the room, filling the room with laughter.

Yeon-woo smiled, understanding that Ahn Joon-ho was trying to ease his nerves as a rookie.

"Hello, I'm Ryu Yeon-woo, and I'll be playing Cha Woo-joo. I'm a rookie, so there's a lot I don't know. I'll be a sponge and absorb everything you teach me. Please take care of me!"

He bowed deeply in all directions, his energetic greeting bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

Applause!

After the introductions, the director and writer gave an overview of the drama and its concept, and the script reading officially began.

"Scene number 1. Let's begin."

Rustle

Everyone turned their scripts at the assistant director's cue.

"Our parents, your parents, they're all so unreasonable. Making us deal with this troublemaking baggage."

"Hmph! You're one to talk. Why did you follow me to college and bother me?"

"What are you talking about, Jung Yeo-reum? We went to kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school together. I'm the one who didn't tell you where I was applying to college so we could finally go to different schools."

Son Jin-wook, as Kang Seo-joon, and Han So-hyun, as Jung Yeo-reum, delivered their lines with the practiced ease of seasoned actors, their bickering flowing seamlessly.

Several scenes passed, and it was Cha Woo-joo's turn.

"Father, times have changed. An entertainer? You always said you wanted me to pursue my dreams, unlike you."

A murmur of surprise went through the room as Yeon-woo, despite his delicate, almost feminine appearance, delivered his lines in a firm, resonant voice.

"Director?"

"Oh, is it my turn?"

Hahaha!!!

The serious atmosphere was broken as Director Kim Han-soo, who had agreed to read the lines for the absent veteran actor playing Cha Woo-joo's father, 'Chairman Cha,' missed his cue.

"Sorry, my fault. Yeon-woo, could you do that again?"

Yeon-woo took a breath and repeated his line, "Father, times have changed. An entertainer? You always said you wanted me to pursue my dreams, unlike you."

Another murmur of appreciation went through the room as he delivered the line perfectly, with the same strong vocalization.

"I said you could pursue your dreams, but I meant in business, not as an entertainer. What? Even if you said you wanted to be in the entertainment business, I wouldn't approve, but wearing rags and walking around in front of people?" Since Jung Chul-min's senior was also Director Kim Han-soo, it meant he had studied acting in his younger days. He delivered Chairman Cha's lines with palpable anger.

"Is that why you treated Mother so terribly until her last breath? Because she was a lowly entertainer who sang in front of people?"

"What did you just say, you little…?"

"That 'little…' is your son, Chairman." Cha Woo-joo's voice dripped with resentment as he poked at his father's sore spot.

Instead of throwing an ashtray at the wall, as described in the stage directions, Director Kim Han-soo slammed his hand on the table.

Bang!

"Get out! Get out of my house right now! You haven't earned a single thing in this house, so don't even think about taking anything with you!"

"Fine. But I'm taking my motorcycle. I bought it with the allowance Mother gave me."

The next scene featured Ahn Joon-ho, playing Hwang Jae-il, who had earlier tried to ease Yeon-woo's nerves.

"You called, Chairman?"

"Jae-il, I kicked that brat out in a fit of anger, but I want you to follow him and keep an eye on him. He's still my son; I can't let anything bad happen to him."

"Yes, Chairman."

The script reading continued for a few more hours.

"Thank you all for your hard work. Seeing everyone's brilliant performances, I'm confident this drama will be a success."

Cheers!

The staff and cast cheered at Director Kim Han-soo's words.

"We'll need the three leads and Hwang Jae-il to stay for making-of interviews. That's all for today. Thank you for your hard work."

clap!! clap!!

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Good work, everyone."

Everyone exchanged greetings and began to leave.

"Woo-joo, your acting was amazing! Is this really your first project? And you're really a minor?" Han So-hyun approached Yeon-woo, smiling and patting his arm lightly. She was already calling him by his character's name.

"Yes, So-hyun noona. It feels a bit awkward."

"Awkward for you? I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside."

"No, it's just that, like I said, my younger sister's name is also So-hyun, so calling you So-hyun noona…"

Han So-hyun clapped her hands as if remembering. "That's right! You did say that. Hmm, then call me 'Yeo-reum.' Aren't we the same age in the drama?"

"Haha…" Yeon-woo laughed awkwardly.

"So-hyun, trying to become friends with an eighteen-year-old boy, are we?" Jin-wook, who had been greeting the staff, approached them and teased So-hyun.

"Busted. Hehe. Well, I'll go get my makeup retouched. A woman's work is never done." She waved to Yeon-woo and Jin-wook and left.

"Yeon-woo, I'm twelve years older than you, but just call me 'hyung.'"

"Yes, Jin-wook hyung. It's an honor to have a top star as my hyung."

"Ah, what top star… I think I'm the one who has a future top star as my younger brother." Jin-wook waved his hand dismissively. "Now, let's go get our makeup done."

"Yes, hyung."

A staff member guided Yeon-woo to the makeup room.

Inside the makeup room, Joo-hee was pacing nervously. She had been planning to take the day off due to illness, but she had dragged herself to work for this external project at the drama's script reading.

Known among her friends as someone with a weakness for handsome men, she had hoped for a drama with attractive actors. She had been completely captivated by the incredibly handsome rookie actor who had personally greeted her so kindly.

The door opened, and Ryu Yeon-woo entered.

"He's here, he's here!"

"Yes!" The makeup team in the room cheered.

"Hello, noona." Yeon-woo greeted them with a smile as he closed the door behind him.

"I'm melting. I'm so glad I came today."

"Ahem, please have a seat here, actor."

"Thank you."

The makeup team fussed over him while a staff member cleared her throat and guided Yeon-woo to a chair.

"Please take care of me," Yeon-woo said, making eye contact with the makeup artists.

Joo-hee blushed. "I overheard in the conference room, are you really a high school student?" she asked as she prepped his skin.

"Yes, I'll be a senior next year."

"Wow, baby skin. I don't even know where to begin." Despite her playful comment, Joo-hee's hands moved expertly, enhancing his already near-perfect features.

Behind Yeon-woo, another artist styled his hair neatly.

The makeup and hair were done in less than five minutes.

"Wow! He got even more handsome."

"I don't know if we deserve to get paid for this."

"But Joo-hee, he was already perfect. Wouldn't doing more be overkill?"

"I agree."

Hearing their comments, Yeon-woo opened his eyes and smiled. "Thank you. I feel refreshed."

"Oh, no problem. Hehe. You were already perfect when you came in."

"Haha…" Joo-hee blushed, and Yeon-woo was slightly embarrassed by the compliments.

"Then, I'll go for my interview now."

"Fighting, actor! I'll join your fan club!"

"I don't have a fan club yet, but thank you!" Yeon-woo smiled and left.

He proceeded to his individual interview, answering the prepared questions, and then joined the other leads to film the closing message for the making-of video, asking viewers to tune in and support the drama.

***

Earlier that day, in the morning, before Ryu Yeon-woo had called The House of Love and Hope:

"So you're saying the donation record exists."

–"Yes, but why is the prosecutor's office…?" We disclose everything transparently online."

"Oh, I'm not calling because there's a problem with the donation. It's just information we need for an ongoing investigation. Thank you for your cooperation."

–"You're welcome."

Han Hae-woon, who had been continuing his investigation secretly, using his personal phone and computer, was now certain that the 'Team Leader Jeon Su-hwan' from his dreams was a National Intelligence Service agent. A deceased agent.

He had even discovered that the charity mentioned in his dream was the orphanage where Jeon Su-hwan had spent his childhood.

However, he still had no clue why this person kept appearing in his dreams.