Chapter 149:


    Upon hearing that the director had contacted him directly, Jang Sunho let out a disappointedugh and rubbed his forehead.


    In the past few hours, he and his team had struggled to the point where it could bepared to a spy mission, and now it was resolved so easily that he felt drained.


    "Well, good things are still good, I suppose."


    At Jang Sunho''s bitterughter, Go Seoyoung, who had been watching him from the front, smirked. When she silently asked with her mouth, "What''s going on?" Jang Sunho showed her something written on paper.


    Director Katahiro called. He contacted actress Inoue Masaki.


    As soon as Go Seoyoung saw the note, she clenched her fist lightly. It was a genuine joy at the good news that hade out of nowhere.


    As Go Seoyoung told other staff about finding Inoue, Jang Sunho focused on the call with Katahiro.


    "It''s fortunate that we found him quickly. Well, it''s a bitte today, so how about holding the audition tomorrow? Fortunately, Kang Jinseok doesn''t have any special schedules tomorrow either."


    [Oh, Team Leader. Actually, I have something to tell you about the audition.]


    "Yes."


    [Inoue is a priority, but it still seems like a good idea to hold auditions for other actors.]


    "Other actors?"


    [Yes. Since it''s a production, I thought it would be good to test several actors. I would like to start shooting as soon as possible, but Still, I think everything should be done perfectly.]


    Jang Sunho nodded silently, listening to Katahiro''s words.


    [We need to hold auditions not only for the lead but also for supporting roles.]


    "So, are you nning to announce auditions and recruit applicants?"


    [Oh, no, not that. I already have a list of actors that I''vepiled before, so you just need to hold auditions. But the problem is]


    "?"


    [Most of those actors, actually, all of them, are Japanese actors. So, it seems like you would have to conduct auditions in Japan to see them. However, I understand that Team Leader Jang Sunho is likely busy, and I apologize for the inconvenience of having toe to Japan for auditions. Also, Kang Jinseok, who agreed to judge the auditions with you, will also have toe to Japan]


    Unlike when he mentioned the contact from Inoue a while ago, Katahiro''s voice hesitated a bit.


    Understandably, it had been regrettable for Katahiro to make Jang Sunho and Jinseok travel back and forth to Japan.


    But Jang Sunho didn''t seem to mind much. As he had mentioned earlier, if it was for creating the work properly, a business trip to Japan was something he could easily manage.


    I heard that actor poprity is remarkable in Japan these days. It might be good to take a break, manage poprity, and visit in person.


    nning ahead in his mind, Jang Sunho smiled and spoke.


    "All right, Director."


    [?]


    "Since we have the filming for Let''s Be an Actor'' this week, it might be challenging. How about nning to depart next Wednesday?"


    ***


    THE OS HOTEL Gangnam.''


    Even on a regr day, this ce saw a multitude of peopleing and going for business, but today it was even busier. The reason was that the filming of Let''s Be an Actor'' was taking ce at the hotel''s Japanese restaurant.


    Somehow, the fans of the cast had already gathered in front of the hotel, as if knowing in advance.


    Except for guests and the production team, no one could enter the hotel, but the fans seemed reluctant to easily step back.


    Amidst them, someone headed towards the hotel entrance. It was Park Kyunghong, Park Jinmo''s son.


    I can''t believe I came all the way here Finally removing thebel of my father.


    Park Kyunghong, who applied for Let''s Be an Actor,'' got the privilege of having a meal with Jinseok and Seoyeon, along with some other actors.


    Throughout the audition, despite receiving a more rigorous evaluation due to thebel of Park Jinmo''s son,'' it was a meal he earned by oveing all that.


    Park Kyunghong adjusted his disheveled clothes and entered the hotel. At the entrance, a staff member tried to stop him, but as soon as they saw his face, they recognized him as Park Kyunghong and politely let him in.


    When the entrance that had been quiet for a while opened, the attention of the staff in the lobby naturally turned towards the entrance.


    "Oh? Isn''t that him Park Jinmo''s son, right? From Let''s Be an Actor.''"


    "It seems so. I heard there''s some filming in the Japanese restaurant here today."


    "But even if he''s unknown, actors are different. He''s really good-looking."


    "Will Kang Jinseoke too?"


    There were still many people who referred to him not as Park Kyunghong'' but as Park Jinmo''s son.''


    However, Park Kyunghong didn''t mind. It was different from before; now people remembered his face.


    It''s six fifty Perfect timing.''


    Park Kyunghong''s call time was at seven. Since they were shooting the judges separately before that, even if he arrived early, he couldn''t enter the restaurant.


    "Sigh, hoo. Sigh, hoo."


    As he took the elevator up, Park Kyunghong repeatedly took deep breaths in and out.


    Why am I so nervous about this?''


    It''s just a meal. There''s no need to memorize a script like an audition, and there''s no need to simmer emotions for acting. Just enjoy the food.


    But perhaps because it was a meal with the judges, Park Kyunghong couldn''t easily shake off the tension.


    "[24th floor.]"


    With a calm announcement, the elevator doors opened. Perhaps because it was the time when applicants were supposed toe up, staff members were waiting in front of the elevator.


    "Oh, Mr. Kyunghong. Hello. You arrived right on time."


    "Yes. The PD told me not toe too early."


    "Haha, I see. Please follow me. Since everyone else is already here, we can all go in together."


    Park Kyunghong led the way, followed by the staff. Soon, familiar faces appeared.


    Upon his arrival, the actors warmly greeted him.


    "You''re here? But Oh, why are you dressed like this? I just camefortably."


    "Senior Kwon Seokhoon can look cool even dressed casually, but I need to dress up a bit to look presentable."


    "What do you mean cool? You should be at Kang Jinseok''s level to be considered cool even if you dress casually."


    The camera, indicating that filming was in progress, had a red light on. Park Kyunghong, ncing at it, yfully stuck his tongue out internally.


    As expected of Senior Kwon Seokhoon. He''s not nervous at all.''


    Indeed, it would be even strange if Kwon Seokhoon was nervous. He was a level of actor more suited for a judge than an applicant.


    In fact, he had shown a different level of acting than other applicants throughout this audition program.


    Observing the slightly tense Park Kyunghong, Kwon Seokhoon looked around at the other actors.


    Other actors seem a bit nervous, just like me.''


    Everyone seemed like new employees at their firstpany dinner, some even sneaking a sip of herbal medicine in a corner.


    Kwon Seokhoon admired his outfit, but there were actors who had put in much more effort.


    And that person seems particrly nervous.''


    In one corner, there was someone who seemed exceptionally tense, with a pale face. It was Seo Yeonsoo, wearing a white sweater and a red skirt.


    "Ms. Seo Yeonsoo, are you okay? You seem a bit shaky."


    Approaching Park Kyunghong, Seo Yeonsoo said, "Huh?! Oh, yes. I''m fine!"


    Startled by being called suddenly, Seo Yeonsoo responded with a ttering voice. When her voice echoed in the quiet hallway, people''s attention turned to Seo Yeonsoo and Park Kyunghong.


    Seo Yeonsoo signaled sorry'' with an awkward gesture.


    "Actually it''s my first time eating at such a fancy ce. Plus, I''m nervous because I''m having a meal with the judges. It might be awkward, hehe."


    Feeling awkward due to the sudden attention, Seo Yeonsoo scratched her cheek and continued, "It might be awkward. I feel that way too. Other actors seem nervous too. Senior Kwon Seokhoon seems to be the only one rxed."


    "Is that so? When I saw it, everyone seemed rxed."


    "Ms. Seo Yeonsoo, you might seem that way to the viewers."


    Unexpectedly, a camera had approached them, capturing their conversation. Throughout the audition program, the staff frequently featured Seo Yeonsoo and Park Kyunghong, unintentionally creating a friendly image.


    In reality, they had be subtly closer during the filming.


    Park Kyunghong stood next to Seo Yeonsoo, looking at the still-closed entrance of the restaurant.


    Inside, there''s probably Kang Jinseok, Min Kyungsoo, Park Woohyun, and Lee Narin.''


    Except for Jinseok, all the judges were genuinely intimidating. Min Kyungsoo had a record of reacting strongly even to small mistakes, making several applicants cry.


    Park Kyunghong had also been scolded quite loudly a few times.


    Since it''s a revolving sushi restaurant, let''s sit far away from Min Kyungsoo. Just to be safe from making mistakes nearby.''


    The best seat would undoubtedly be next to Jinseok. However, he couldn''t tantly rush to that spot. The camera and the other judges would be watching.


    ncing around discreetly and quickly, it was crucial to subtly and swiftly take the seat next to Jinseok.


    Of course, it wasn''t that Park Kyunghong disliked Min Kyungsoo. As a fan, he supported and liked Min Kyungsoo.


    But as a judge and participant, he was just terrifying.


    "We will now escort the applicants inside."


    The PD and the staff insidemunicated via walkie-talkie.


    Looking at the slowly opening restaurant door, Park Kyunghong took a deep breath, trying to minimize his tension.


    Probably, everyone inside is in a very formal atmosphere. Let''s quietly enter. And once we''re inside, confirm where Kang Jinseok is.''


    Considering the atmosphere of the judges he had seen at the filming site, he could roughly anticipate the atmosphere during their meal.


    With that thought, Park Kyunghong, in an attempt to reduce tension, was the first to enter the restaurant. Despite his efforts not to show signs of nervousness, his face couldn''t hide the tensionpletely.


    "Hey, Park Woohyun! I''ve been eyeing that since earlier, nning to eat it!"


    "Where''s that in revolving sushi? The one who grabs it first owns it. Didn''t you hear what Jinseok said earlier? Revolving sushi is like a good piece of work. The moment you hesitate, another actor takes it.'' Come on Hyungnim, try the rolled omelet. It''s delicious."


    "Are you telling me to eat a rolled omelet aftering all the way here? Wow, look at him talking. Jinseok put this te in front of Park Woohyun. He''s going to foot the bill."


    "Haha"


    "In the end, it''s useless. Anyway, today''s treat is from Representative Oh Haneul."


    "Seniors, please maintain some dignity. What are we going to do with our image once this airs?"


    "Is image important right now? He keeps picking only the tuna! What''s the point?!"


    "Mmm~ It''s so delicious. It melts in your mouth. Is this what Kyungsoo Hyung was aiming for?"


    Park Kyunghong, along with the other applicants, found themselves in a conversationpletely unexpected.