135 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.135 #135. A Hundred Questions, A Hundred Answers "Today's schedule includes a stop at the company, a visit to the shop, and then the shoot." The manager at the wheel informs me of today's schedule. "But... why are we going to the company?" It's the day of the Hundred Questions, Hundred Answers shoot. As there are no acting lessons today, there seems to be no reason to visit the company. "Oh, the team leader wants to meet briefly. It shouldn't take long." "Did I do something wrong?" Surely, a higher-up wouldn't call me over just because they’re bored. I asked while feeling tense, but the manager laughed it off and shook their head. "No, it's just a simple conversation. It shouldn't be anything special. They probably want to discuss the school violence controversy and future activity plans." "I see..." Resting my chin on my hand, I stared blankly at the Han River passing beyond my legs. Coming to acting classes every day, this view has become familiar. After getting out of the car, I walked into the office building with the manager. "Just a moment." The manager knocked on the seminar room door, motioning for me to come in. There was the casting team leader, as always in a suit. Gulping, I respectfully lowered my head. "Oh, Taemin, come in. Have a seat." The team leader, offering a seat, took a sip from a paper cup of coffee, carefully examining my face. "How have you been finding your activities lately?" "Uh... they seem to be going okay." "You've checked the web drama reactions, right?" "Yes, I have." Half of the feedback was compliments about my looks. The other half was ill-founded accusations related to the school violence issue. "The reason I called you today is to discuss our response to the school violence controversy." "Yes." "After today's shoot, when the edited video is uploaded, we'll also issue an official statement." Meaning they won't address it immediately. Curious, I asked the team leader, "Is there a reason for not doing it now?" "The time until the edited content is up isn't that long. Once you shoot today, it will be up within a week." He tapped the bottom of his paper cup with his fingers, smiling gently. "Plus, we believe the responses you've submitted to us in advance can create sufficient synergy." "Synergy?" The connection between these two issues wasn't clear to me, so I tilted my head in confusion. "The content you submitted beforehand—I reviewed it myself." ...How embarrassing. I knew it would be broadcast for everyone to see, but knowing someone actually reviewed it made me feel shy. "Yes." "To be honest, there were parts I considered tweaking." The responses were written with Doa's help. Though we left out hardcore items like "marrying Luka," many answers related to Closer were included. "However, we thought it would be best to respect your answers as they might suit your character's concept." "So it's okay to do just as I wrote?" "Yes. What you need to convey is your genuine interest and passion in that field without any filters." I had thought about whether it would work with Doa, but being told to just do whatever felt disorienting. "Okay..." "Once the video is up, we won't have much time left of the initial three-month contract." With nearly 50 days already gone, I now realized how short three months were. "If you decide to take on a new project, it might be your last with us." Folding his hands together, the team leader gazed directly at me. "So, have you thought about extending the contract?" "Uh... not really..." It felt like being asked if a book is good after reading only the prologue. I hadn't been given time to gauge my aptitude or to feel any sense of fame. When I first signed the contract, three months seemed long enough. In gaming terms, I hadn't even completed the tutorial. "Please take the time from now to think about it carefully. We need to prepare future plans for you." Future plans. If I continued this work, returning to school seemed unlikely. "Of course, we’ll have to see the interview's response, too." His voice carried certainty. "We hold a very high evaluation of your potential, Taemin." "I'm not sure if I'm that good at acting, though." I rolled my eyes, recalling being scolded by my teacher. "Hahaha. It’s understandable since you didn't initially apply as an actor." Rising from his chair, the team leader placed his hand on my left shoulder. "Taemin, while being good at singing and acting is important," "The ultimate asset in this industry is popularity—the ability to captivate others." "And, you have those qualities." I didn't know what the evaluation criteria were that allowed him to say such things so easily, but I nodded anyway. "Ah... yes... thank you." "In any case, you need to decide about the extension by next month." "Okay." "Enjoy your shoot today. I have another meeting to attend, so I'll be leaving." "Thank you." I stood and bowed deeply once again. The manager took me back to the car. "There wasn't anything troubling, right?" "No, they just told me to do well on the shoot." "I told you it was fine~" This marked the fourth setting at the same shop. The regular stylist smiled warmly upon seeing me. "Oh my, you've arrived, Eojin?" "Eojin? Please..." I hate that name. I'm not that kind of delinquent. "Oh, I enjoyed watching the drama." Really? That drama with terrible plot and lack of sense? I knew it was just a polite comment, but I felt an urge to retort bubbling up inside. "How would you like your style today?" Not having any knowledge in this area, the manager who accompanied me relayed the requirements to the stylist. Unlike the drama days, today's makeup was incredibly modest. It didn't take long, and honestly, the only noticeable change to me was the color of my lips. "Today... it feels a bit..." I shared my thoughts while gazing blankly at the mirror. "It feels a bit plain." "Oh, the manager requested something subtle and unnoticeable today." "I see." "Yes, yes. But with Taemin’s natural features, you’ll still look great on camera with just this." After the makeup was done, the manager handed me a paper bag. "What's this?" "It's your outfit for today." "Should I change into this here?" "Yes, since there’s no place to change elsewhere." Going into the fitting room, I checked the contents and called out to the manager. "Are these really the clothes?" "Yes, they are." Seriously, wear this? Inside was a plain gray hoodie and black sweatpants. If this is what they prepared, they could have just told me to come in something like this. I have loads at home. Anyway, I put on the clothes as instructed and stepped out, with the manager nodding and handing me a glasses case. "Please wear these, too." "...I don’t wear glasses, though." "They're non-prescription, just for appearance." Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I questioned if this was really okay. I mean, isn't this just... A cram student look!!! "How is it?" I spun around once in front of the manager, who gave me a thumbs-up. "Perfect!" This... perfect? Abandoning understanding, I just nodded and got into the car heading to the studio. Unlike the last drama shoot, this set was solely for me. Since it was just a sit-down talk, the space wasn't very large. "Hello." As we entered, about four people, presumably staff, approached us. "Hello, Taemin! I'm Kang Tae-ho, the channel PD." "Oh, yes. Hello." "Looking forward to working with you. Just like what you've seen on our channel, just answer comfortably when we ask questions~" Such a simple and easy explanation. I sat down on the white chair in the center and looked at the camera in front of me. A staff member behind the PD began showing questions one by one. [What's your name?] "I'm Han Taemin." [How old are you?] "Twenty-four this year." Initially, I felt a bit stiff, but as the questions continued, I started feeling more at ease speaking. [What's your current interest?] "Lu... Luka-tan!" Oh, wait a moment. I hadn't meant to add 'tan' at the end. Instinctively calling her by the full name, I felt my eyes widening in surprise. I wanted to do it smoothly in one take. Noticing my flustered state, the PD gave a reassuring thumbs-up. Really...? Is this okay? [What's a song you've been listening to often?] "I often listen to... Closer's 'Boundary'..." Ah, whatever. Let’s just go with it. Even now, I don't quite understand why people are so enthused about videos like this.