LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 82
[[Deserted Island Survival] Ratings Up [The Chaser] Anticipation Boosting]
[Continued Variety Show Success! Who is Joo Seo-yeon?]
[Éclat Étoile ‘Box Office Slump is a Thing of the Past’ Glamorous Comeback with [Starlight]]
Since the airing of [Deserted Island Survival], a flurry of articles have been pouring out continuously.
I didn’t even expect this.
‘Isn’t this a scam advertisement?’
I was genuinely concerned.
Would users who tried it get different results and start filing complaints against me?
I only have extremely resilient skin.
Anyway, aside from that, Éclat Étoile has been excitedly contacting the agency.
“I hear sales skyrocketed.”
“……Really?”
“They say there are no stores showcasing Éclat Étoile [Starlight], so it’s hard to find them.”
At the manager Park Eun-ha’s words, I awkwardly smiled.
‘I didn’t expect it to be this big.’
Honestly, it didn’t feel real.
I thought the advertisement was great, but I never guessed it would create such a large impact.
‘Could it be that [Deserted Island Survival] had such a huge influence?’
Honestly.
Ever since watching the episode of [Deserted Island Survival] yesterday, I could barely lift my head at home.
My image of running around on a deserted island… to be frank, was embarrassing.
‘It’s all because I’m weak to pleasant things.’
Actually, when I was younger, I was fine.
Let’s say, before I was about 10 years old.
That was when the influence of my past life was still intact.
‘But puberty changed that.’
I started to wade into the waves of emotion.
Beginning to taste what we commonly call good feelings.
As for the bad feelings, recalling my past life had plenty of intense ones, thus I was hardened.
But the feelings I’ve never properly experienced in my past life.
Joy, or the thrill and flutter in my heart.
Quite vulnerable to those.
If I may borrow Lee Ji-yeon’s words.
“You’re bouncing around like an excited retriever.”
“…….”
This isn’t the first time this has happened.
In middle school, I had a similar experience once.
It seems I genuinely like being active.
‘Suddenly, I feel a bit worried.’
< Dream Future >.
A youth romance drama.
The role I aspire to play, Joo Ha-rin, is a quirky and lively character.
And, the unfortunate sub-heroine position.
She’s an idol hopeful who has loved the main male lead, Kim Si-hwan, since childhood and joined the audition program alongside him.
Naturally, Kim Si-hwan will end up with the female lead, Song So-ha, making Joo Ha-rin step aside.
‘The rapid decrease of Joo Ha-rin from episode 8.’
Episode 7 to 8 is Joo Ha-rin’s main episode.
Where Joo Ha-rin quietly gives up on Kim Si-hwan and becomes supportive of Song So-ha.
‘Acting of love.’
Though the feelings aren’t mutual.
But Joo Ha-rin holds an aching first love for Kim Si-hwan.
Wondering if she can portray the process of giving that up well.
After seeing my own portrayal in [Deserted Island Survival], I now feel anxious about acting with affection.
Maybe I shouldn’t go out after all.
As those thoughts lingered,
“Seo-yeon, the director from Éclat Étoile just called!”
The manager, Park Eun-ha, received a direct call from Éclat Étoile.
“Oh my, Joo Seo-yeon! How are you? I just wanted to say that we’re looking to move forward with Éclat Étoile….”
Director Baek Min-chan said to Seo-yeon in an overly excited voice.
Basically, saying they hope to keep working together.
And,
“Just to mention it, your image! Please try to maintain a good image if possible!”
Currently, I hold a mystical image in advertisements.
And a lively image in variety shows.
In other words, they mean to maintain such positive images.
Along with,
“If things continue like this, we might renew the contract halfway through. I’ll work hard to ensure we can negotiate a better deal.”
Director Baek Min-chan boasted that while ending the call.
For a moment, I mulled over his words and had no choice but to decide.
4 billion won or more.
My fleeting image swimming in money briefly flashed through my mind.
‘……Hmm.’
I nodded while looking at the phone.
‘Looks like I need to join Dream Future.’
Thus, I firmly resolved.
*
One more change since the variety show [Deserted Island Survival] is that fan sites for Seo-yeon have sprung up.
Commonly known as Joo Seo-yeon Gallery.
Joo Seo-yeon Fan Cafe.
Etcetera, those are forming little by little.
Though not many, the mere existence of them proved a significant rise in recognition.
Even though no significant dramas or movies have been released.
However,
==
Post: So, is Joo Seo-yeon gonna win this?
The Legend of Celebrity 17 to 1 [Sam Min-hyuk].
Replies
– One poke of a coconut might kill her.
– Do you think Joo Seo-yeon is a joke?
– Metal Elephantilla is stronger.
==
Anyway, while more vs. debates popped up in the celebrity community, it was quite an encouraging result.
In fact, many were keeping an eye on the community.
Especially.
“Oh, I should have grabbed her back then.”
Lee Hwi-rok, head of actor management at RY Entertainment, lamented as he washed his hair.
Who would have thought things would turn out like this?
“I thought maybe offering her a bit more would work…”
He murmured lightly as Team Lead Song commented, Lee Hwi-rok frowned.
“Whoa, Team Lead Song!”
“Yes.”
“What’s with that? You said what we offered was enough back then.”
“Uh, that’s true.”
Nonetheless, the offer back then wasn’t small.
It was a condition an ordinary actor would jump at quickly.
“Nova Entertainment… they really don’t have a discerning eye. To think she went there.”
Tsk, Lee Hwi-rok clicked his tongue.
By the time he approached, she had already signed with Nova Entertainment. What could he do now?
Yet honestly, it didn’t make sense to him.
Even if she signed, considering RY Entertainment, she should have come over even if it meant breaking the contract.
There was a substantial difference between RY Entertainment and Nova Entertainment.
Knock, knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the office door and cautiously entered.
“Oh, look who it is! Our rising star, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yes. I heard you called.”
Lee Hwi-rok looked at the young man who just walked in.
He seemed to be in his early twenties.
Currently a college student idol.
“Yeon-woo, how’s your condition?”
“Oh, I’m doing very well.”
Ma Yeon-woo.
A popular member of the recently launched boy group, Just X, from RY Entertainment.
With a refreshing and handsome face.
Contrasting with his bright face, his body was solidly trained, earning him the nickname “Beast Idol,” as he boasted the largest fanbase in Just X.
He was considered RY’s most promoted male idol.
“Yeon-woo, you’re still learning acting, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
He had a face brimming with confidence.
Having quickly risen in popularity with Just X, his every action and word overflowed with confidence.
‘Such a young one.’
Lee Hwi-rok thought to himself, smiling gently.
Of course, Lee Hwi-rok liked Ma Yeon-woo.
After all, he was an important cash cow for RY Entertainment.
However, seeing his arrogant appearance after achieving success at a young age made it hard for him to genuinely like him.
‘That’s the norm.’
What does it matter?
Even if he shows a slightly rude attitude in front of him, he’s that kind of person.
“I believe I’ve called you for an actor venture but got a request to consider taking on acting soon.”
“Acting? Oh, perhaps a drama? Or a movie? I really don’t want too much action acting.”
As he merely mentioned acting, he was already voicing what he didn’t want.
Lee Hwi-rok chuckled at Ma Yeon-woo’s words.
“It’s a youth romance drama. It’s being prepared at KMB.”
“Youth romance?”
“It seems they want to film a drama with young idols or actors in their late teens or early twenties. A good opportunity, right? You can compete with your peers.”
“Oh, with my peers.”
Ma Yeon-woo’s face radiated confidence.
It seemed as if he believed he was the best among his peers.
“What’s the title of the drama?”
For a moment, Lee Hwi-rok almost chuckled at Ma Yeon-woo’s attitude but held back and continued.
“It’s called [Dream Future].”
A drama gathering young actors and idols.
The content was about the success journey of idols, a youth drama.
*
At the audition for [Dream Future].
The room was filled with young actors from various entertainment companies.
“[Dream Future] was said to have no applicants at all.”
“It’s completely packed!”
Casting director Shin Yun remarked while checking around.
And found herself secretly impressed.
‘Only person pre-set for [Dream Future].’
Park Jung-woo.
In fact, it wasn’t even a preset.
His role was simply predetermined.
Today’s audition would select everyone except the ‘Kim Si-hwan’ role that Park Jung-woo held.
Thus, Park Jung-woo was participating as one of the judges for the [Dream Future] audition today.
‘At first, I was skeptical if it was fine for such a young actor to serve as a judge.’
Shin Yun, the casting director, thought the same.
As far as she knew, Park Jung-woo was twenty now.
In the realm of young actors, that was considered ‘young.’
However, his popularity and presence evoked the image of someone over thirty.
Was it because his father was the great actor Park Sun-woong?
That’s why Park Jung-woo drew attention.
Standing together with Shin Yun, he practically symbolized being one of today’s judges.
“Idols and actors. Most are rookies still.”
Park Jung-woo mumbled.
Most of them were about to try acting for the first time.
Though they might seem a bit foolish to someone experienced, he didn’t even smile once.
Rather,
‘Somehow, I feel a bit distracted.’
As if he were waiting for someone.
But was there any actor worth waiting for at this audition?
‘No way.’
< Dream Future > is a drama KMB is ambitiously preparing but not particularly a highly funded one.
In the first place, the writer of [Dream Future] was a newbie.
Mainly featuring rookie actors.
Honestly, from the perspective of casting director Shin Yun, it was a worrisome setup.
‘If this succeeds, I’ll be shocked.’
As such thought lingered, yet looking at Park Jung-woo gave her vague trust.
Though he had had moments of shakiness, he had never been in a flop.
“Wow, what’s this?”
“Is Just X coming here this time?”
The audition hall started buzzing.
The first eye-catcher was a blonde.
Dressed casually, he walked in with a flashy manner.
Even his manager seemed unnecessarily proud.
‘Just X, Ma Yeon-woo.’
Park Jung-woo squinted his eyes.
It fit perfectly for an idol drama, just right for the first acting attempt of a popular idol.
‘As expected.’
Ma Yeon-woo shrugged and walked on.
He could feel the gazes directed at him from all around.
‘There’s no better stage fitting for me.’
A drama themed around idol auditions.
And himself, a popular idol.
Having any role would mean he was practically guaranteed.
‘What roles were there again?’
Honestly, he couldn’t remember well.
As he walked… suddenly, he felt something odd about the gazes.
‘Huh?’
It felt like someone was looking at someone else instead of him.
It seemed the attention was directed behind him, not on him.
Ma Yeon-woo halted in his tracks.
Then, slowly turned his body around.
“…Aren’t you leaving?”
In that moment.
Ma Yeon-woo was left speechless.
A girl student with black hair.
She frowned slightly as if she found it uncomfortable that Ma Yeon-woo was blocking the way.
Joo Seo-yeon.
Her appearance made Ma Yeon-woo and the other actors flinch in surprise.
‘Yeonhwa (Princess).’
Then everyone’s gaze shifted to Park Jung-woo, who played the role of Yoon Seoil.
The chemistry between them in the previous [Looking at the Past, Memories] had caused a massive impact.
‘Could it be she’s aiming for the ‘Song So-ha’ role…’
It was already known that Park Jung-woo was earmarked for the role of Kim Si-hwan.
But if Joo Seo-yeon were to aim for the role of Song So-ha?
If so, it would be disheartening for the other female actors.
Even if she were the casting director, she would likely pick Seo-yeon for the role of ‘Song So-ha.’
However.
‘What was the original cast for the role of Joo Ha-rin?’
Seo-yeon wasn’t particularly interested in the role of Song So-ha.
Her focus was solely on the role of Joo Ha-rin.
And.
‘This guy.’
The guy with a delicate appearance staring at her? An actor? An idol?
A familiar face.
No wonder.
‘He was the actor who played the role involved with Joo Ha-rin in the drama.’
Seo-yeon quietly looked up at Ma Yeon-woo.
And Park Jung-woo, watching those two, slightly furrowed his brow.