Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 401: Hwaranjeon Crank In (3)

Song Ji-Hwan, playing King Eumgalmun, delivered a stable and professional performance. Lee Tae-Yeon, Choi Ji-Yung, and Yoon Joo-Yeon, the three queens, also showcased their prowess. Together, they proved why they were considered S-class actors.

Surprisingly, Min Gyu-Ri, whom I had deemed lacking in skill, held her own against the veteran cast.

In historical dramas, actors had to employ archaic honorifics like "shall" and "granteth" while portraying situations far removed from everyday life. This made historical dramas a notorious "graveyard for rookies."

Yet, Min Gyu-Ri delivered her performance without a hint of awkwardness. Her precise eye movements, restrained facial expressions, and, most notably, her voice projection, perfectly suited the historical drama's demands.

'Well, that girl does have a devil's talent...' I thought.

In my past life, Min Gyu-Ri had auditioned for the weekend drama Morning Sound of the Sea and snagged the lead role without a single acting lesson, beating odds of 2,000 to 1.

Acting had always been second nature to her and required no effort. As a result, hard work was never part of her vocabulary.

Perhaps motivated by Yoo-Jin, Min Gyu-Ri had put immense effort into her performance over the past week and completely transformed.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere on set grew heated with excitement.

The current scene involved the king tasking his three princesses with a weaving competition and promising a grand reward to the winner. This prompted a competitive rivalry among the princesses.

Having erased all traces of her lackluster table-read performance, Min Gyu-Ri began delivering her lines with a playful flair.

Standing in the center of the grand hall set, Min Gyu-Ri asked with bright and sparkling eyes.

『Your Majesty, is it true you'll grant whatever we wish for if we win the weaving competition?』

At that moment, Song Ji-Hwan, who was seated on the golden throne as King Eumgalmun, let out a hearty laugh.

『Haha, do you have something you desire, Do-Hwa?』

Min Gyu-Ri smiled coyly like the affectionate and ambitious Princess Do-Hwa she portrayed.

『Yes, Your Majesty』

Song Ji-Hwan responded with a kind and warm tone.

『Alright then. But first, let us hear from the other princesses. Princess Jeong-Hwa, you may speak first.』

Not to be outdone, Han Sang-Hee gritted her teeth and began her performance.

『I would like a lute bestowed upon me.』

『A lute? Why would a princess need a lute?』

'Han Sang-Hee is doing pretty well, too,' I noted.

Though she didn't possess the innate talent of Min Gyu-Ri, Han Sang-Hee was also an actress who passed Oh Bok-Hee's rigorous auditions.

Unlike during the script read, she now delivered her lines with composure and proved why she was on the brink of achieving S-class recognition.

As a result, Hwaranjeon, which had seemed like it might become a one-woman show with Yoo-Jin dominating, was finally transforming into the real "war of flowers" that Han Woo-Ju had envisioned.

Han Sang-Hee continued to respond to Song Ji-Hwan's question with a calm and measured voice.

『I wish to play the lute to soothe Your Majesty's fatigue whenever you are weary from state affairs.』

『Haha, is that so?』

In the story, the fate of who would become the next queen lay entirely in the hands of King Eumgalmun. Thus, the three princesses worked tirelessly to earn their father's favor.

Song Ji-Hwan's portrayal of King Eumgalmun was that of a doting father overjoyed even by his daughters' insincere flattery. He responded with a hearty laugh as he was delighted by the princesses' playful affection.

At that moment, Min Gyu-Ri raised her hand as per the script and stepped ahead of Princess Yu-Hwa to make her request first.

Song Ji-Hwan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

『Haha, so what is it that our youngest wants so urgently?』

『Your Majesty, I wish to borrow the late queen's sacred relic for just one day.』

『What? You wish to borrow the sacred relic?』

The sacred relic of the late Queen Seondeok was a golden bell infused with the divine aura of the Heavenly Talisman.

According to the story, the bell had the mystical ability to ring on its own when its owner was in danger and was a treasure reserved exclusively for the reigning monarch.

The court officials in the grand hall began murmuring, as the sacred relic was an object only a king could possess.

Despite his doting affection for his daughters, the king was still a king. With a hint of sternness, Song Ji-Hwan rebuked her.

『Do you not understand the implications of a princess asking for the sacred relic, Princess Do-Hwa?』

『I do, Your Majesty. But I merely wish to offer it at an altar to honor Queen Seondeok.』

『An altar?』

『Yes, Your Majesty. I am well aware that you have been troubled by sleepless nights. I wish to borrow the relic, place it at the late queen's altar, and offer prayers so that she may watch over you.』

Min Gyu-Ri flawlessly portrayed the role of a dutiful daughter seeking to please her father. Her performance was so natural that even staff far from the set began murmuring.

-She's really good.

-No wonder her competitors left defeated after the auditions... She deserves it. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

-Wow, she doesn't even flinch among these veteran actors. Who knows about her personality, but she's born to act.

-She's going to be a star. Her soft and round look is exactly what people here love.

-But could she overshadow Jung Yoo-Jin? If a supporting role is too compelling, the lead might lose her presence.

Even staff members who had previously criticized Min Gyu-Ri for her table-read mishap began to warm up to her.

This shift in perception underscored how captivating her acting was. Her performance reflected a level of skill that wouldn't normally be seen for years to come, leaving me slightly unsettled.

Nonetheless, my faith in Yoo-Jin remained unshaken.

Soon, it was finally Yoo-Jin's turn.

With a pleased expression, Song Ji-Hwan looked at Yoo-Jin standing below the steps and asked,

『We've heard the wishes of the two princesses. Now, it's Yu-Hwa's turn. What would you like, Yu-Hwa?』

Yoo-Jin, portraying Princess Yu-Hwa, clasped her hands together and replied.

『I humbly request rice and meat in abundance, Your Majesty.』

『Rice and meat? For what purpose?』

『Those participating in the weaving competition must dedicate the next month entirely to this task, leaving their livelihoods in disarray. Their families will undoubtedly endure hardship. I wish to distribute rice and meat to comfort them, Your Majesty.』

Song Ji-Hwan's jovial expression froze instantly.

『What you desire is not objects but the hearts of the people. Is that truly your wish?』

In a monarchy, power belonged solely to the king. However, this power stemmed from capturing the hearts of the people. As such, anyone—be they kin or otherwise—seeking the people's favor became a rival to the throne.

Thus, Song Ji-Hwan's scolding carried the icy weight of potential treachery.

Yet Yoo-Jin raised her head and met Song Ji-Hwan's gaze unwaveringly.

『The people's hearts belong solely to you, Your Majesty. I am but a tool to support your reign. This act will be carried out in your name alone, so please set aside your concerns.』

Their eyes locked in the air in a silent battle of wills. However, Song Ji-Hwan's stern expression soon softened and he burst into hearty laughter.

『Hahaha. How admirable! Our second princess is the very image of the late Queen. Truly, this is a blessing for Gyerim.』

Gyerim was an ancient name for Silla, and the late queen referred to Queen Seondeok.

As Song Ji-Hwan's boisterous laughter echoed, the eyes of Han Sang-Hee and Min Gyu-Ri began to harden with envy.

Yoo-Jin's performance exuded an authenticity that set her apart. Her expression, voice, and gestures all came together seamlessly to transform her into Princess Yu-Hwa herself.

Then, the same staff who had earlier praised Min Gyu-Ri began whispering once again but this time about Jung Yoo-Jin.

-Wow, as expected of Jung Yoo-Jin. The others are good, but she's on another level.

-There's a reason why there's hype surrounding Jung Yoo-Jin.

-Small details make the masterpiece. The level of detail is just different.

-This drama is no joke.

-Still, Jung Yoo-Jin is clearly the best.

As Yoo-Jin's performance progressed, the consensus grew stronger: the lead actress truly stood apart from the rest.

***

The first scene of Hwaranjeon was a resounding success.

Oh Bok-Hee's excited voice rang out with her mood lifted by the successful start to the drama. "Cut! That was great!"

The staff shared her enthusiasm.

"Mrs. Oh, this drama is going to be a hit!"

"I wouldn't know—I don't have the confidence to fail!"

From supporting roles to leads, everyone had delivered exceptional performances and the joy was evident on the faces of the crew.

A short break was given to prepare for the next scene.

During the pause, Yoo-Jin approached the waiting area. She was drenched in sweat, clearly having had to bring her best to match the greatly improved Min Gyu-Ri and Han Sang-Hee.

I said, "Yoo-Jin, take a seat."

"Okay."

As soon as Yoo-Jin sat down, Lee Mi-Ri checked her costume and Yang So-Ri wiped the sweat from her forehead.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin suddenly grabbed the back of her neck. "Ugh, my neck..."

Yoo-Jin's hair was adorned with numerous gold accessories and her natural hair was extended with long braids.

Though it was far lighter than the massive wigs worn by the queens in Hwaranjeon, Yoo-Jin winced and complained about the weight of the adornments and extensions.

"Is it that heavy? It's not even a kilogram with everything combined."

"No way! It feels way heavier than that!" Yoo-Jin protested.

"You're probably just not used to it. Hold on a second."

I quickly asked Lee Mi-Ri to remove at least the accessories.

Once they were taken off Yoo-Jin sighed with relief and rotated her neck, emitting cracking sounds from the strain.

"Ugh... I thought I was going to die."

"Yoo-Jin. If this is hard, how are you going to handle wearing a full wig?"

Lee Tae-Yeon, who played the first queen, was wearing an elaborate wig weighing about 6kg. Choi Ji-Yung and Yoon Joo-Yeon, playing the second and third queens, wore 5kg wigs.

Yet the three of them sat comfortably and used neck supports while sipping on drinks as if the weight was nothing.

Seeing this, Yoo-Jin shook her head. "Oppa. I don't get married in this drama, right?"

"The script is only up to episode 20. How would I know?"

In my past life, Princess Yu-Hwa, the female lead in Hwaranjeon, did not marry in the story. However, after becoming queen, she had to don numerous ornaments and the large wig associated with the role.

'I guess there's no need to tell her that in advance...' I remarked inwardly.

Since wearing a wig daily would naturally strengthen her neck muscles, I decided to feign ignorance. Sometimes, not knowing the future is a blessing.

"Oppa, can't you ask Ms. Han about it later? Please?" Yoo-Jin pleaded.

"Fine. But in the meantime, how about building some muscle... just in case?"

Yoo-Jin quickly caught on and glared at me. "So I do wear the wig..."

Caught off guard, I casually handed her a zero-calorie cola. "I don't know anything, really."

Yoo-Jin accepted the drink with a smirk. "Alright, I'll do some neck exercises. But oppa, how was the acting?"

"As always, you were the best."

"No, not me. What about Min Gyu-Ri? She's completely different from just a few days ago, isn't she?"

Glancing briefly at Min Gyu-Ri, I shook my head. "She looked promising at first. But after that, there wasn't much to write home about."

"Come on, be honest. I can take it."

Seeing that Yoo-Jin wasn't discouraged in the slightest, I decided to give her a truthful answer. "Hmm... If I'm being honest, she's good. With a bit more effort, she might even come close to your level."

Yoo-Jin nodded as if she had expected this.

"She hasn't even taken acting lessons and yet she's that good... Her talent is no joke. I guess true geniuses really exist, huh?"

"Of course they do. I'm looking at one right now. Acting genius Jung Yoo-Jin!"

"Pfft. Oh, come on~ oppa."

Yoo-Jin laughed brightly, clearly in a good mood from my playful answer.

"Don't worry. Min Gyu-Ri is an unpredictable bomb. As long as you stay focused on your acting, you'll be fine."

Yoo-Jin tilted her head in curiosity. "A bomb? Is something going to explode?"

"Uh... well..."

Thinking about the countless scandals Min Gyu-Ri had caused in my past life gave me the uneasy sensation of a stomach virus flaring up.

I shook my head to avoid dwelling on those memories. "No, just rumors going around. Anyway, when it comes to talent, you're no less exceptional. The key is consistency. Do you know how many people burn out as fleeting stars?"

In my past life, Min Gyu-Ri had frequently slacked off whenever she felt like it, which led to wildly fluctuating career success. That's why people called her "a devil's talent."

"Ah, so you're saying I shouldn't let my guard down and should keep working hard?"

"Bingo. As long as you keep up what you're doing now, there's nothing to worry about. Min Gyu-Ri can never catch up to someone as talented and hardworking as you."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin smiled and murmured to herself, "Well, you are on my side, after all..."

Yoo-Jin's words made my heart unexpectedly race for some reason.

Just then, Oh Bok-Hee called out to the actors. "Alright, everyone, we'll resume in five minutes. Standby!"

While Lee Mi-Ri re-pinned Yoo-Jin's golden hairpieces, Yoo-Jin looked up at me with a mischievous grin. "Oppa, can't you get me a wig and accessories that weigh, like, 100 grams total?"

'Turn a kilogram into 100 grams? I may have time-traveled, but I don't know alchemy,' I thought to myself.

Then there was only one way to handle this: mind over matter.

"Just think of it as 100 grams. You can do it! Your neck is made of steel!"

Yoo-Jin gave me an exasperated look. "Ugh, fine. I'm heading back now."

"Jung Yoo-Jin, you got this!"

With a dramatic sigh, Yoo-Jin grabbed her neck and raised her fist.

I couldn't tell if it was to muster strength or to let me know she would deal with me later.

***

"Okay, that's a wrap for today!"

"Thank you for your hard work!"

As the sun began to set, the first day of filming came to an end. Thanks to the actors' stellar performances, the shooting progressed 20% faster than expected.

When Yoo-Jin returned from the set, Miso greeted her enthusiastically and raised both thumbs. "Mom, you were the best!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! You looked like a real princess!"

"Did I? Then who was the prettiest?"

"You!"

"Really? Thanks, Miso!"

Yoo-Jin kissed Miso's cheek and sent her to the van as she still needed to greet her sunbaes.

Just then, I noticed someone walking toward us.

'Why is she coming here again?' I wondered.

It was Min Gyu-Ri confidently approaching on her own, leaving Jang Sam-Deok behind.

Despite one overacted scene causing an NG earlier, her overall performance had been solid. This left her face full of self-assurance.

Stopping in front of Yoo-Jin, Min Gyu-Ri bowed slightly. "Yoo-Jin sunbae-nim, you worked hard today~."

Yoo-Jin smiled and nodded politely. "Oh, not at all. I was really impressed by your amazing acting today, Miss Gyu-Ri."

Min Gyu-Ri replied with a confident grin, "Right? I told you I wouldn't lose to you. So I worked a little harder."

Her comment wasn't just acknowledgment but a deliberate provocation: Look how good I am when I try.

For a moment, Yoo-Jin glanced around.

I let out a slight frown. 'What are you planning to do, Yoo-Jin?'

The instant she confirmed that the other sunbaes and talent agents were out of earshot, Yoo-Jin's expression transformed into her practiced professional smile—the kind she had used when first meeting Petite More's leader, Park Eun-Bin.

I raised my eyebrows. 'Well... knowing Yoo-Jin, she did show remarkable patience until now.'

Then, with a bright smile, Yoo-Jin began to say things Min Gyu-Ri could never have anticipated.