novellhall 86, Preparing for an audition for a new world
86, Preparing for an audition for a new world
Filming was finally coming to an end, but the atmosphere on set was somewhat eerie.
Unlike the usual cheers and jubilation at the wrap party, the staff gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, and a tense, restless atmosphere filled the air.
Although everyone was still doing their jobs, even someone like Li Jingcheng, who didn't care much about what was happening behind the scenes, could feel that strange, oppressive atmosphere.
"Jingcheng, over here!"
Han Ga-in, dressed casually, waved and smiled. Since that moonlit kiss in the courtyard, her relationship with Lee Kyung-sung had clearly grown much closer.
"My lady, how lovely you are!" Li Jingcheng responded, stepping forward with a friendly smile.
"There's a problem inside MBC," Han Ga-in said in a low voice, her brows furrowed slightly. "Many reporters and photographers have already gone on strike."
"Huh?" Li Jingcheng paused, somewhat surprised. In his previous life, in a country where strikes were a sensitive topic and mostly illegal, he had never witnessed such a scene firsthand. "Will that affect our subsequent filming?"
"No," Han Ga-in shook her head. "The filming and production team is Pan Entertainment, not MBC. However, the subsequent promotion and broadcast may be affected to some extent."
"Anyway, we just need to focus on playing our roles well." Li Jingcheng nodded, not caring much about these things.
Not far away, director Kim Do-hoon and screenwriter Jin Soo-wan were chatting and laughing. Compared to their earlier tension, their smiles were now many times brighter, and they were even chatting more casually before filming than usual.
The ratings are completely stable, or even explode.
But I still feel it's a bit of a pity.
News within the industry is never kept secret. News of the film *New World* had already spread.
Kim Do-hoon even kindly reminded Lee Kyung-sung, "Kyung-sung, I heard that Lee Jung-jae is already interested in the script for New World. You'd better ask CJ to arrange an audition for you as soon as possible and finalize the role."
Kim Do-hoon paused, looking at him meaningfully, "Lee Jung-jae and Kim Soo-hyun are not the same."
"Thank you for the reminder, Do-hoon hyung." Lee Kyung-sung nodded solemnly with gratitude. A few days ago, Kim Do-hoon had stopped him from using his professional title. Being able to boost viewership ratings naturally meant higher pay.
"Sigh, I really don't want to finish filming so soon." Screenwriter Chen Xiuwan suddenly sighed, looking at the set on the monitor with a look of longing in her eyes.
Kim Do-hoon glanced at her without saying anything, but the regret they shared was palpable.
"What's wrong, Nuna?" Li Jingcheng asked.
"I was planning to add five more episodes," Chen Xiuwan said with some regret. "I wanted to write about the later story of Yangmingjun, how he let go of his obsession, and your part about political intrigue. I felt it was a bit too simple, but unfortunately... MBC started to go on strike, which affected the overall progress, so we could only hastily end it according to the original plot."
"It's already been filmed very well, and the ratings are already legendary for Peninsula dramas," Lee Kyung-sung said with a smile, trying to comfort her. "Besides, there's nothing we can do about this kind of thing; nobody wants it to happen."
"That's true." Chen Xiuwan also complained a bit about how unreliable the TV station was.
Filming resumed quickly. Kim Do-hoon didn't want to talk about such unpleasant things; "The Moon Embracing the Sun" was clearly a hot commodity, and not adding more episodes would be torture for him.
Today's filming schedule is for the final episode.
In the story, the villainous ministers and concubines are all deposed, and Lee Hwon finally regains all his power, living a happy life with Heo Yeon-woo and their child.
Jung Il-woo's character, Yangmyung-gun, is the most heartbreaking "simp" in the entire series. In order to protect Yeon-woo, he ultimately chooses to sacrifice himself and fulfill the princess's happiness.
After filming the last shot, there was no celebratory wrap-up ceremony on set.
"Congratulations on wrapping up filming!" Everyone gave a simple round of applause.
Director Park Hoon-jung was already impatient. He was eager to finalize the cast for "New World" as soon as possible.
Lee Kyung-sung's drama has just finished filming. If any reshoots or adjustments are needed, he can just wait for Kim Do-hoon's call.
Li Jingcheng bid farewell to everyone one by one.
"I'm afraid I'll have to miss the wrap party and barbecue." Before leaving, Lee Kyung-sung sighed softly. To be honest, Han Ga-in looks really radiant now.
"There will be many more gatherings like this in the future," Luo Yonghao said, seemingly unconcerned.
"How's it going, Kyung-sung? Are you ready? There will be auditions for the new world later, are you confident?"
"Don't worry, Yong-ho." Li Jingcheng opened the car door, his eyes full of confidence. "I have the characters and the plot figured out perfectly. Just watch my performance."
"Then I'm relieved." Luo Yonghao personally closed the car door for him.
As the car drove off the set, Na Yong-ho handed over a schedule. "The filming schedule for 'GG' has been finalized. Several brands are shooting 'GG' films, and there are roles suitable for Bae Joo-hyun and Kim Ji-soo. We've already extended offers to YG and SM."
"However, they are still trainees who have not been publicly exposed yet, and their companies may not agree to release them."
"It's alright, the thought is what counts." Li Jingcheng saw things clearly. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and said, "The most important thing next is still Li Zicheng's role."
The car merged into the traffic and headed towards the audition site for "New World".
Park Hoon-jung's office doesn't look like a director's studio; it looks more like a novelist's study.
Three walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, crammed with script drafts, storyboards, and books on criminal psychology. The only clean spot was the whiteboard by the window, densely covered with a network of character relationships from "The New World." Arrows of different colors crisscrossed and intertwined.
Ultimately, they all pointed to the name in the center, which was circled three times in red:
Li Zicheng.
"Shall we get straight to the point?" Li Jingcheng thought to himself.
Park Jung-hoon was standing with his back to the door, writing on a whiteboard. The director and screenwriter—Park Jung-hoon—was wearing a wrinkled linen shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a cigarette between his left fingers.
Park Hoonjung turned around, pointed to the chair with the finger holding the cigarette, and carefully looked him over. He began to imagine Lee Kyung-sung playing Lee Ja-sung in his mind. "Kyung-sung-ssi, please sit down."
He quickly looked away, his tone somewhat indifferent. "CJ wants you to play Lee Ja-sung. The terms they offered leave me no reason to refuse, but you might not be." Park Hoon-jung stared at Lee Kyung-sung. "So today it's just the two of us—I want to see if there's another 'him' living inside you."
Are all movie auditions this complicated?
Li Jingcheng nodded while inwardly complaining.
"What do you think Lee Ja-sung most wants to do?" Park Jung-hoon suddenly asked.
This isn't a question from the script, nor is it a question about acting. Is it a question about the core of the character?
Li Jingcheng remained silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Take a nap."
Park Hoon-jung turned to look at him.
"It's not just ordinary sleep." Li Jingcheng looked out at the city and said softly, "It's the kind of sleep where you can fall asleep without worrying about who you'll be playing tomorrow, without having to make up lies in your dreams, and without having to think about whether you're a cop or a gangster the moment you wake up. It's... complete relaxation, complete trust in the world, trust in the bed you're lying in, and trust that you'll still be yourself when dawn breaks."
After saying all this, Li Jingcheng wasn't entirely sure. He didn't know if he had said the right thing or the wrong thing, since everyone would have a different answer in their mind.
At least in his view, an undercover agent who is physically and mentally exhausted, unable to return to the white side, and unwilling to completely step into the black side, has nothing left but to escape. This was also the most contradictory time for Lee Ja-sung in the early stages.