The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 75

Nam In-hoo was flustered.

A normal family structure? What was that? Was I the only one who didn’t know?

He felt his eyes shaking violently, but he tried to compose his expression.

“Sorry, I didn’t quite understand the question. By family structure, you mean…”

“There’s no set answer, so feel free to speak comfortably. I’m just asking out of curiosity.”

Speak comfortably? Yeah, right.

Although annoyed by the nonchalant response, he didn’t have time to dwell on it and quickly began thinking hard.

By structure, they must mean the composition.

First, there would be two parents, and there should be at least one child.

These days, since most parents work, grandparents often take care of the kids. So, a total of five people?

Wait, maternal grandparents or paternal grandparents? Leaving it to one side seems unfair.

What if I seem like a sexist? Should I just say seven people?

In a few short seconds, countless thoughts ran through his mind.

As Nam In-hoo organized his thoughts, he pondered what would be more normal, and then it hit him.

“I don’t think the term ‘normal family structure’ makes sense.”

“…….”

“If you mean a common family structure, I could answer, but… that question is difficult to respond to.”

His trembling voice filled the room.

The person’s dark eyes blinked slowly at Nam In-hoo’s words before disappearing under long eyelashes.

“Yes, thank you. No further questions.”

With those indifferent words, Nam In-hoo awkwardly bowed and exited.

‘Damn, I blew it.’

He couldn’t even remember if he had acted properly, nor did he understand the intention behind the last question.

He had been filling his filmography with meaningless roles, and he had finally thought he might get a breakthrough…

Nam In-hoo, standing blankly in the hallway, let out a deep sigh and began to walk.

“Let’s go home…”

He had no expectations about the outcome.

He thought he should look for another audition schedule once he got home.

And on his way home, he received news that he had passed the audition.

—

“Are you really okay with him? His acting was just so-so.”

“I thought he was fine.”

“I also thought he was okay. But there were better ones, you know.”

Director Yoon mumbled, looking like he didn’t understand.

“He acted as if he was barely there the whole time and only questioned him… Is his face mask your type?”

Ignoring Director Yoon’s irrelevant comment, he packed his stuff.

“If you think he’s not right, you can choose another actor.”

“No, I told you. For this role, it’s better if you pick.”

“Then let’s go with him. I liked him.”

The role for today’s audition was different from the other roles.

No matter how great the acting was, it was a role that wouldn’t appear in the final film.

‘Twins’ mainly featured two characters, Lee Jin-woo and Kang Tae-il, who had the same face.

Since there were many scenes where the two appeared together in the same frame, they needed an actor on set to act against.

In other words, it was a role to help with the lines and actions while I alternated between the two characters during filming.

Despite being a role where one’s fingertips wouldn’t even appear in the final version, actors still flocked to audition for it.

It was because they wanted to include Director Yoon’s film in their filmography.

“Sure. As long as he doesn’t interfere with you.”

“Then, are we done for today? Can I go now?”

“Why? Got something urgent?”

“No, I just want to go practice.”

With the script reading schedule approaching, I felt anxious.

I wanted to leave quickly, but I sat back down when he told me to sit again.

“Did you read the script I sent you yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“What did you think?”

“It was good. Much more intense than before the revision.”

“Is that all?”

Wondering if my review was too short, he made a subtle expression that seemed like he wanted to say more.

“Do you think it’s too much to handle or does it make you uncomfortable?”

“I won’t know until I act it out… and is there a reason it should make me uncomfortable?”

“Well… some of the lines are…”

Looking at his slowly shifting gaze, I laughed.

“You mentioned it before. You wanted to incorporate our conversations into the movie.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Don’t worry about it. Do you have more to say? Can I leave—”

“I do. I have more to say. Please stay put.”

Finally, I had to put my bag down at Director Yoon’s urging.

He stopped speaking halfway and told a staff member to bring in Manager An Jin-bae.

“Director, you called for me…”

“Ah, come sit here.”

Manager An Jin-bae entered with a puzzled expression and sat next to me.

He looked at me questioningly, and I shrugged to indicate I didn’t know either.

“We need to arrange for psychological counseling along with the acting this time.”

I had to turn my head quickly at Director Yoon’s words.

“What?”

“I already looked into some places—”

“Hyung, be quiet. Why the sudden psychological counseling? And why are you telling Jin-bae hyung about it?”

“Because if I told you, you’d just say you don’t need it.”

Momentarily stunned by his nonchalant voice, I couldn’t respond.

Director Yoon quickly continued before I could say anything.

“Manager, you saw the script too, right? It’s a role that even adult actors would find difficult. Counseling is a must.”

“Yes. I was planning to suggest it to the actor too.”

“No, I don’t need it. I’m fine.”

When I protested, Manager An Jin-bae smiled brightly at me. It felt ominous.

“Even if you’re fine, it’s necessary for the film. If there’s any controversy later about actor welfare, it could affect the release.”

“……”

All the words I had prepared disappeared from my mind.

Talking about the film’s welfare made my arguments feel stuck at the tip of my tongue.

Seeing Director Yoon alternating his gaze between me and Manager An Jin-bae a few times, he quickly jumped in.

“Right. If this becomes an issue later, it will be a big problem. Let’s do counseling throughout the filming period.”

“If you’re worried about controversy, one or two sessions should suffice. Why spend months on this—”

“For your information, the counseling fee is included in the production cost. It won’t come out of your pocket.”

“……”

And that’s how my first psychological counseling got decided.

—

Time flew by quickly.

From script readings to psychological counseling, through a busy schedule, the first shoot approached.

During the drive, a dazzling cherry blossom road stretched out.

“The cherry blossoms have bloomed beautifully.”

“Yes. Before they fall, let’s go see them with Jung-hyun hyung. The three of us.”

“That sounds good. He said he’d be back in Korea next month. I’ll coordinate the timing.”

The bright weather made me feel light-hearted.

Manager An Jin-bae’s face, lightly tapping the steering wheel, was very cheerful.

However, Jung-hyun hyung’s voice on the phone yesterday had been exhausted.

—It feels like I haven’t seen you guys in ages… I’ll come home as soon as I get back to Korea.

‘Hyung, let’s talk later. Get some rest. I’m hanging up.’

—Please don’t hang up… It’s crazy here… There’s no hope…

Hyung had been in Vietnam for three months for a movie shoot and seemed to be having a hard time.

He could usually endure most things, but he was very sensitive to humidity, so outdoor shoots were torturous for him.

He had apologized multiple times for not being able to give his birthday present in person, and I reassured him it was okay.

It seemed like he was almost losing his mind.

It’s not me but hyung who needs psychological counseling.

“Hello.”

“You’re here? Sit down.”

The first shooting location was a remote river.

After greeting the busy staff moving equipment, I finally faced Director Yoon, who was seated.

Although it was my first time filming a movie, the set was not much different from a drama set.

There were messy black cables scattered on the floor and equipment that looked twice the height of a person.

And there, standing awkwardly, was Nam In-hoo.

“Hello.”

“Hello! I’m Nam In-hoo.”

“My name is Lee Yeon-jae.”

“Yes, I know…”

When I approached to greet him, his stiff face flinched in surprise.

Although he was older, I told him he could speak comfortably.

Nam In-hoo nodded stiffly, looking far from comfortable.

“You can speak comfortably too.”

“I’ll do it gradually. Hyung, let’s sit over there. We still have time before we start.”

When I brought Nam In-hoo over, Manager An Jin-bae set up a chair next to me.

Sitting stiffly between Director Yoon and me, he looked so awkward that I wondered if bringing him over was a mistake.

At that moment, there was a commotion in the distance, and a familiar face appeared.

“Hello! Director, nice to meet you…!”

“Nice to meet you. Was it hard getting here?”

“No, it was fine. I’m honored to be shooting with you, Director.”

“It’s my honor. Thank you for coming.”

It had been a while since I had seen such a bright face.

After a polite exchange with the director, Sung Lee-jun approached me quickly.

“Yeon-jae! Long time no see…!”

“Yeah. You still look handsome even after a long time.”

At my casual remark, his bright face turned red.

“You, you’re handsome too….”

He was so easily flustered, unlike the confident person at the awards ceremony.

Being a celebrity is fascinating.

“You haven’t changed at all… How have you been? I was surprised when I got the call from Director Yoon. I saw your casting article too. It’s our first time acting together in the same scene.”

Seeing Sung Lee-jun talking unusually much, I laughed.

Clinging to me with a red face, he seemed overly excited by the sunny weather.

After responding appropriately, I introduced Nam In-hoo, who was standing awkwardly beside us.

“This is In-hoo hyung. Say hi. This is Lee-jun hyung. We did a drama together. Ah, his name is Sung Lee-jun.”

“You didn’t need to say. Hi, I’m Nam In-hoo.”

“Yes, hello.”

They greeted each other awkwardly and quickly fell silent.

Both seemed shy.

Since Sung Lee-jun was only making a special appearance, he’d only appear in a few scenes, so it wasn’t necessary for them to get close.

But since it was better to get along, I played the mediator like a magpie, conveying words between the Weaver and Vega.

With the ritual and the making film interview, time flew by.

Finally, by noon, the first shoot was ready.

“Everyone, listen up. We’re starting with ‘Lee Jin-woo’ first. We’ll shoot everything and then switch to ‘Kang Tae-il’ from the beginning again. Don’t get confused and keep an eye on the storyboard.”

The assistant director’s words were met with enthusiastic responses from the gathered crew.

Everyone was pumped up for the first shoot.

I stood in my place, determined not to cause any trouble.

For now, I was playing the role of ‘Lee Jin-woo.’

Calm and stoic, the only son of a wealthy family.

I adjusted the buttons of my shirt to the top.

“It’s interesting since we haven’t shot together like this since ‘Zelkova.’ Let’s do well, Yeon-jae…!”

“Yeah.”

Standing next to me in an identical school uniform was Sung Lee-jun.

He was playing a friend connecting Lee Jin-woo and Kang Tae-il.

Nam In-hoo, who would play ‘Kang Tae-il’ in my place, sat by the riverbank.

“Standby!”

At Director Yoon’s shout, I closed my eyes.

I slowly moved my fingers beside the school uniform pants.

Tap, tap, tap.

The rhythmic sound, the slight vibration spreading through my body. Then—

“Action!”

I opened my eyes.

The intense sunlight entering my sight felt annoyingly sticky.