GIJS

Chapter 126 The First Acting Role of a Lifetime

"How about calling Jeong-moo?"

"Huh? Are you suggesting Jeong-moo?"

"Yes. In my opinion, Jeong-moo is perfect for the role of the fallen monk."

"Hmm, Jeong-moo does have a bit of a malicious vibe..."

When Yang Jeong-moo's name came up, some members tilted their heads in confusion.

"Yang Jeong-moo... I'm a bit opposed."

"Really? Why?"

"Doesn't he have some personality issues?"

"True, he's not exactly a saint."

"...Well, he was kind at the end of A-Yuk-Si, though."

"Where's the bad guy who is good until the end? Besides, he was hostile to Gunja at first."

Hearing the negative opinions from his colleagues, Gunja remained silent. These friends still have a poor impression of Jeong-moo...

"By the way, Gunja, how did you immediately think of Yang Jeong-moo? Are you still in contact?"

"Of course. He's a friend with whom I made a connection."

"Anyway, you're really nosy. Don't you have anything else to say?"

At Taeyoung's comment about having nothing else to say, Gunja responded as if puzzled.

"No, not at all."

"Really? What do you talk about with him?"

"Jeong-moo is a jealous person. I sometimes send him messages to help him calm his mind. Occasionally, I send him stories about people who ruined their lives out of jealousy."

"Really?"

"Not long ago, I saw an ad for plastic surgery and immediately took a picture and sent it to Jeong-moo. He's quite interested in facial corrections."

"I see..."

"I've also sent him remedies for reducing facial swelling quickly. If he had made more corrections, his face would have been more swollen."

"And what does he say when you send him those things?"

"Well, he just says thank you."

"He doesn't get angry?"

"Why would he be angry?"

"Has Jeong-moo really become a nicer person?"

"Seems so. Our Jeong-moo has grown up."

Seeing the sudden shift in opinion about Yang Jeong-moo, Gunja smiled with satisfaction. Although the reason was unclear, it was good that his colleagues had a positive view of him.

"So, does Gunja always send the first message?"

"Sometimes Jeong-moo contacts me first."

"Really? What does he say?"

"He often sends edited clips of the scenes he appeared in from dramas."

"Haha, you both only talk about what you want to talk about."

"Do you watch and evaluate his acting?"

"I don't know much about acting, so I can't evaluate it, but he did mention that his sinister acting was similar to what he showed when I first saw him."

"And he wasn't upset about that?"

"On the contrary, he seemed pleased. He wanted to look sinister."

"Jeong-moo really has become nicer."

"Let's watch a compilation of Yang Jeong-moo's performances. I'm suddenly curious about how well he can play a villain."

Soon, the compilation video of Yang Jeong-moo that Gunja received filled the conference room screen. Yang Jeong-moo played the role of the second top student in the web drama 'A Dirty World Where Only the Top Student Is Remembered.'

Although the web drama did not generate as much buzz as a TV drama, Yang Jeong-moo's intense acting had gained a cult following, resulting in compilation clips of his performances.

His acting, where he would manage a cheerful expression in front of the top student but immediately show hostility when turning around, sent shivers down everyone's spines.

"Look at that sharpness."

"I'm scared, really scared."

"Haha, Jeong-moo's acting is really good~"

Director Hyun Si-woo seemed very pleased with Yang Jeong-moo's acting. Other members also nodded in agreement.

"Hahaha, let's go with Jeong-moo~ If Director Hyun chose him, we're all in favor. And he seems to have become a nicer person now."

"Then Gunja, contact Jeong-moo."

As the opinions converged, Gunja immediately called Yang Jeong-moo. It didn't take long to schedule a meeting.

"He says he's free today. Should I call him now?"

"Now? He's surprisingly cool."

"Hahaha, call him. It'd be nice to discuss it quickly."

Soon, Yang Jeong-moo appeared in the conference room of the Solar System office.

"Oh, Jeong-moo! It's been a while!"

"Gunja!"

Happy to see Gunja after a long time, Yang Jeong-moo ran over to him and hugged him.

"Your face looks even better. Did you use the ad I sent you...?"

"No Way! But thanks for the compliment."

After warmly greeting Gunja, Yang Jeong-moo naturally started talking to the other colleagues as well.

"Chillin' went really well, congratulations."

"Thanks. It would've been great if you had been part of it too..."

"By the way, Taewoong, your expressions on stage were so flat."

"Huh? Are you monitoring us now?"

"Hyuk's expressions were also flat. Hyunsoo should add more flair."

"Wow, seems like this guy watches all our performances."

"Of course. If you guys don't do it right, I'll end up doing Chillin'."

"Ha ha ha, do you really think it's that easy?"

"So just do it properly..."

"Got it, got it."

Gunja was impressed by Jeong-moo's casual way of interacting with his colleagues even after a long time.

Even though he spoke somewhat harshly, it seemed that's how Jeong-moo showed his concern for them.

"By the way, Jeong-moo, what's that box?"

"This? It's a hair clipper."

"Huh? Why a hair clipper?"

"You're playing a monk, right? Don't you need to shave your head?"

Everyone was amazed by Yang Jeong-moo's surprising determination, bursting into exclamations and laughter.

"Wow, he's really serious."

"I really want to do it... I've even told the company."

"Ah ha ha, you don't need to go bald~"

"Really?"

"Ha ha ha, if you were a real monk, maybe, but you're a fallen monk. You can achieve the bald look with a bald cap."

"...Phew."

Jeong-moo sighed in relief when he was told he didn't need to shave his head. Given his determination alongside his stable acting skills, there was no reason not to cast Jeong-moo from Hyun-Soo's perspective.

"Ha ha ha, well, the casting is done~ Since everyone's here, shall we start developing the script?"

The members freely contributed their ideas, adding details to the script.

The story was based on the Asadal legend but had been completely transformed into a new story through a Tom Cruise-style adaptation.

The stone mason Asadal is drafted to create the Seokgatap of Bulguksa Temple. However, the draft was actually a ploy to steal the relic 'Mugujeonggwang Daedaranigyeong' that was supposed to go inside the Seokgatap.

The pagoda was like a safe for Buddhist relics. Asadal, who made the pagoda, was essentially a technician for safes.

Although Asadal would have made a flawless pagoda without any risk of relic looting, his wife Asanya, whom he left behind, weighed heavily on his mind. His focus deteriorated as his mind became distracted. The looters targeted this very weakness.

The looters, disguised as the abbot of Bulguksa Temple, continued to pressure Asadal and made him think of his wife Asanya. Asadal's hands began to falter.

Meanwhile, Asanya, who was in her hometown, had a strange dream.

A dream where her husband Asadal falls for the looters' trap. Feeling uneasy, Asanya rushes to Gyeongju to stabilize her husband's mind and ensure his work is completed perfectly.

However, from the looters' perspective, Asadal and Asanya must not meet. They created a taboo saying "women cannot enter the construction temple" and used a spy, a fallen monk, to spread false information to Asanya.

The false information was that if she prayed by the pond, she would see Asadal and the Seokgatap in the pond.

But Asanya was not an easy woman.

After quickly subduing the deceitful fallen monk, Asanya climbed over the Bulguksa temple walls, stepping on the golden thread, and headed towards Asadal.

Seeing his wife Asanya, Asadal regained his peace of mind and completed the pagoda perfectly.

The Mugujeonggwang Daedaranigyeong, thus protected, was preserved from being looted by the thieves and became the oldest surviving woodblock print.

"Is it okay to make changes like this?"

"It's fine, fine. The abbot said it was okay. Just make it an interesting story."

"Then I'm happy. It seemed ridiculous at first, but it actually seems quite interesting."

"So, the spy monk is in love with Asanya, right? That's why he blocked her from reaching her husband?"

"Exactly. Yang Jeong-moo really likes Gunja."

"Oh, no I don't?"

"Not you? You were hugging her as soon as you arrived."

"I was the one hugging, actually."

"Oh, really?"

"Ugh..."

"It looks like a mix of romance, espionage, and action... all kinds of genres."

"Hyun-su even wants to add a Bollywood-style musical."

"...That might be a bit ambitious..."

"Ha ha ha, Bollywood is fun~"

After the script was somewhat organized, it was time for a light reading.

"Ha ha ha, although the lines aren't all out yet~ let's do it lightly~ like a camera test~"

"Wow, it's really my first time acting."

"Hey, Jeong-moo, teach us some acting."

"...You should've gone to the Academy."

"You've seen our activities. Do you think we have any leeway?"

The members complained a bit, but their acting was not bad for complaints.

The most natural acting was done by Hyun-su. The role he played was a traveling merchant who provided various information to Asanya. His energetic acting tone matched perfectly with the supporting role.

"Ha ha ha, Hyun-su is worry-free~"

Ji-Hyun-Su's acting was also impeccable. Since his role was to idolize Gunja unconditionally, it fit perfectly with his usual performance.

"Ji-Hyun-Su's acting isn't acting, it's just real."

"Is Gunja really that great..."

Taewoong's acting was also not bad. Since the abbot had to wear a bald cap, Taewoong, who was curious about the bald cap, was the only one who could take the role.

Although it was half-forced, Taewoong's solid performance reassured everyone.

"Wow, your acting is quite good."

"Heh heh, when else would I get to wear a bald cap?"

After passing the almost silent roles of the stone mason Asadal and the guardian deity Gwangmokcheon, it was now Gunja's turn.

"Ha ha ha, Gunja, look slightly above the lens~"

"Uh."

"Ha ha ha, relax, and slowly deliver your lines~"

"...Okay."

Taking a deep breath, Gunja began slowly delivering his lines. It was his first acting role.