Ch.330Huh? Who is it?

“Did you apply for the role of Hali?”

“Yes, I did… after all, it’s the partner who could have the most screen time with you, right?”

“But since I’m probably going to get the part anyway, you might want to look for another role sooner rather than later.”

“Haha, it’s been a while since we last met, and your jokes have gotten quite persistent.”

And here too.

“From what I know, Morgan Stark cares a lot about appearances.”

“Exactly, so why are you even applying?”

“What?”

“What?”

“Ohohohoho!”

“Ahahahahahaha!”

And over there.

“…I went for the sidekick role thinking no one would be interested, but what’s with this number of applicants?”

“I mean, even actors who already seem successful…”

“Did all those people submit audition videos too? Like rookies?”

“At first I thought this was some extra role audition, but everyone is so serious.”

Everyone was nervously studying their given scripts with heightened tension.

After Kim Donghu was confirmed as the lead for <Arkbone>.

With the contract already finalized, and knowing he would continue to be involved in casting.

Red warning lights kept flashing in the Hollywood actors’ minds.

‘I thought I just needed to stand next to him and everything would work out.’

‘I have to personally impress Kim Donghu?’

Since Hollywood celebrities’ confidence, self-esteem, and arrogance reached the sky.

They naturally assumed they would smoothly fit into their roles.

But what? A public audition? In front of Kim Donghu?

‘Are you kidding? Are you crazy? Perform in front of that guy?’

‘This is clearly establishing a hierarchy among actors, saying we’re beneath him…’

It was something that severely scratched their pride.

But a scratch was just a scratch.

‘I still have to do it.’

‘Has he really never failed? I’ll definitely get in.’

Practicality was practicality.

Money is obviously better the more you have.

Thousands, millions, billions.

Even when you have it, you want more—that’s money.

Collecting for the sake of collecting, without any other purpose.

That’s a unique desire that only humans possess.

But collection can also move in other directions.

Some wanted more honor,

And some wanted to leave their mark in history.

So when actors have such desires,

How can they fulfill them?

It was quite simple.

Get into good projects, perform well.

Enjoy the money and popularity while receiving acclaim—that’s it.

But that’s easier said than done.

In reality, it was extremely difficult.

To begin with, the standard for a “good project” was ambiguous.

You only know after it’s done, not whether it’s good or bad before filming.

However.

‘Donghu Kim is different.’

‘He doesn’t know failure, he’s… only twenty-nine.’

What if there was a project and actor with 100% guaranteed success?

Just being associated with him could win you an Oscar.

If you could enjoy popularity that sweeps the year?

Just for practical benefits.

Crushing their own pride.

Going back to their bit-part days, constantly memorizing scripts.

Having to revise audition videos over and over again.

And now.

“Those whose names are called can enter in order.”

The moment had arrived to be evaluated for the effort to stand beside Kim Donghu.

++++++

“Yes, I’ve seen enough. Results will be announced tomorrow. Thank you.”

“…Could I show you just one more time?”

“I’m sorry, but due to time constraints, that’s not possible. Next, please.”

The audition, which had at least 10 times more applicants than I expected.

What I thought would take a day ended up taking about a week.

With the sole determination to create the best sequel.

Perhaps it was because we recruited without major restrictions.

Even though we watched performances as quickly as possible and moved on.

People kept lining up like at a popular restaurant.

“Haha, this feels like I’ve gone back to my rookie days.”

“Director Zenker, did you experience this as a rookie?”

“Of course, looking for good actors… I even snuck into other audition venues.”

“Audition venues?”

“Yes, who would come to an audition held by a rookie director? So I went elsewhere… played the spy a bit.”

Scribble scribble.

7 hours of auditions.

30 minutes break.

Another 5 hours of auditions.

After repeating this for about a week.

“There are many candidates, but no one really catches my eye.”

“You too, Kim? I can’t find anyone that feels right either.”

As the auditions yielded no results, Director Zenker and I gradually lost energy.

Usually when you find talent, it energizes you and builds momentum.

But with no one like that, well…

‘I don’t want to go with Plan B.’

For the first time, due to my passion for being involved in production.

I wondered if my standards had become too high, but then I saw:

<Arkbone, A+ (grade adjustment in progress)>

Seeing the grade still stuck at A+ made me anxious.

In the past, I would have been thrilled with an A+.

Maybe my standards had become too high.

‘Given that we’re not even getting proper support from Dezsney, A+ isn’t bad for a start… actually, it’s good.’

Should I compromise?

Just as I was thinking that.

“Applying for Morgan Stark! I’m Natalie Beltman! Pleased to meet you!”

The next applicant entered.

“Gasp!”

Director Zenker, upon seeing her face.

Thud.

Startled, he dropped the pen he was holding.

Argentinian nationality, twenty-four years old.

Her appearance could simply be described as pretty.

Brown hair, long with waves.

And her vibe, how should I put it?

“The South American passion comes through clearly!”

Passionate? Bright?

To borrow Director Zenker’s words, she exuded South American fire?

“Donghu Kim! I think I’ve found our Morgan Stark!”

While I was thinking this, Director Zenker suddenly accelerated.

It was the first time I’d seen him like this.

‘Well, I haven’t known him that long.’

So he drops his pen and jumps up when he sees someone he likes.

But honestly, I was somewhat impressed too.

To be precise, her appearance matched 100% with the mature version of Morgan that both the director and I had in mind.

“You can see the South American vitality, yet mysteriously pale…! Hmm, that slightly mixed tan is perfect!”

At Director Zenker’s words, Natalie bowed at 90 degrees to express her gratitude.

Strange, she’s clearly foreign, yet why does she give off such a strong Confucian vibe?

‘Is it because her resume shows she’s a complete rookie?’

It felt like watching a disciplined ace (not the lava donut).

After seeing her performance right away, there was nothing more to discuss.

“Pass! You pass!”

Because it was such a good performance.

Director Zenker immediately announced she passed.

I also nodded in agreement.

This is definitely someone who can take on the Morgan role.

As I was thinking that.

Smile.

For a moment, I felt Natalie’s eyes intensely looking at me.

She was looking at me while smiling, how should I put it?

‘A predator…?’

Well, must be my imagination.

+++++++

After discovering the perfect candidate for Morgan Stark.

As if a blocked energy channel had opened, Director Zenker and Kim Donghu began picking out actors for roles with ease.

Of course.

“EJ! We could do it!”

“I’m sorry, that was very good, but could you tone down the emotion a bit and try again?”

“Ah, understood. EJ! We could have done it!”

“That’s good! Could you try matching with me as written in the script?”

“Yes, sure…!”

From the actors’ perspective, it wasn’t so easy.

Kim Donghu’s audition typically consisted of three stages:

1. Script reading.

2. Modified performance based on directing.

3. Acting chemistry with Kim Donghu.

Since most people only prepared for stage 1 when coming to audition.

They were extremely flustered during stages 2 and 3.

Moreover, having to match acting chemistry with THE Kim Donghu?

And Kim Donghu wasn’t going easy on them either.

“…Yes, but we’re not Iron Man. How could we possibly do that?”

“…”

“Do you think we can take responsibility for that power? Hali! Tell me straight! Do you really think we have a realistic alternative!”

100%.

He gave his all in acting, intimidating the auditionees.

Repeating this for over a week, naturally Kim Donghu was bound to be exhausted.

Anyway, about ten days after the auditions began.

“It’s over!!!”

“Phew, so now you’ll start working on the script in earnest.”

Finally, the long audition process came to an end.

“I’ll send updates whenever there are changes, but it will probably take another 2 months.”

“And with the set construction, 3 months total?”

“Yes, especially since the Iron Core production team is using all the studio space.”

Starting <Arkbone> in such challenging conditions.

It felt like truly following a hero’s initial steps, which was exciting.

Plus.

<Arkbone, S (adjustment in progress)>

Finally, as soon as casting was completed, the grade went up one level.

It seemed S+ wasn’t far off.

‘The Murciélago script should be coming soon too.’

Although <Murciélago 2> didn’t even have a script yet so I couldn’t know its grade.

But it would be at least S+.

Would I be the first to simultaneously star in two S+ grade works?

Just as I was thinking that.

Ring ring ring.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

“Hello?”

I answered immediately.

And was shocked when I heard the caller’s name.

“What? Who did you say? Really?”

Wait, why is this name coming up now?

-Yes, it’s me, Donghu. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment.

“H-Hong Cheonseok…?”

-Oh my! What formality between us! You can call me Brother Cheonseok!

What?