Legendary Superstar-Chapter 68: Script Reading (2)

Minjae’s fingers lightly gripped on the edge of his script as he cleared his throat. He steadied his breath and glanced around the table.

In front of him, Yura was sitting attentively across from him. She was holding the script tightly in her hands, and even though she was slightly nervous, she still managed to put on a calm expression on her face.

The other actors were also focused despite the loud beating of their hearts. Their expressions ranged from intense focus to quiet anticipation.

Minjae exhaled softly before delivering his first line.

"I don’t think I can do this anymore, Junho." Minjae’s voice was quiet but firm, his tone carried a light weight of exhaustion. His hands tightened around the script as he met Jihoon’s gaze.

Jihoon had a typical boyish look. He had short brown curly hair and a pair of brown eyes.

Since it was only a script reading and not a formal shoot, they didn’t have to fully convey the emotions of each scene. They just need to let out the minimum, enough to set the atmosphere.

Jihoon,who was playing the role of Kim Junho, leaned forward, his brows furrowing.

"Taeyung, what are you talking about?"

Minjae let out a deep breath, his eyes clouded with uncertainty as his character’s name was called out.

"I’m starting to feel suffocated in the industry. I wanted to do a lot of things, yet, no matter how hard I try, it feels like I’m just chasing after something I can never reach."

Jihoon sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of frustration and concern.

"Man, go think clearly. You’ve come so far, and now you’re just going to throw it all away?"

Minjae lowered his gaze, his fingers gripping the edges of the script.

"What can I do? Every time I step on stage, I feel like I’m losing a part of myself. The pressure, the expectations… it’s just too much."

Jihoon leaned back, shaking his head.

"You think quitting will make it better? Do you really want to leave behind everything you’ve worked hard for the last 5 years?"

The room was silent as the weight of Jinhoo’s words hung in the air.

Director Hwang observed closely, nodding in approval at the emotional intensity between the two actors.

"Good," he said with a still face.

"Minjae, try to let the hesitation seep into your words a bit more. If you need to improvise, then do it. Jinhoo, I want you to press him harder. This scene needs more emotional push and pull."

Minjae and Jinhoo nodded. Minjae highlighted his line in his script, making a note of the pacing.

When the reading resumed, the dialogue between him and Jinhoo flowed more smoothly. As the CEO of the agency of Minjae’s character, Lee Sanghoon quickly joined too.

The back-and-forth exchanges built up the playful yet heartfelt tone of the drama. The emotions were meant to be a light, filled with laughter and romance, and a side of drama for emotions.

The staff who were watching from the sidelines were also nodding in approval. Some were laughing, while others were smiling.

The scene shifted to the introduction of Yura’s character. Minjae and Jinhyuk had a moment to rest as Yura and Seojin took the stage.

"Yura! What are you doing? It’s already morning!"

"Unnie?

"What Unnie? Stand up and help the cafe!"

"Oh… right!"

Laughter rippled through the room at Yura’s natural delivery.

The session continued with Seojin and Yura’s lines. Afterward, Jung Haejin joined. His character was kind, a typical personality of a second lead who would hope for the female lead, only to be heartbroken at the end.

As the script reading progressed, the actors slowly became comfortable with one another.

The earlier nervous energy was transformed into a fun one, and by the time they reached a fourth of the script, the atmosphere in the room became lively.

Director Hwang closed his script with a decisive nod.

"That was a solid first reading. I’ll allow an hour of rest before we proceed to the second part."

"Take a rest everyone!" Writer Na-eun smiled kindly at the cast.

The moment Director Hwang dismissed them, everyone became at ease. The actors stretched their arms and relaxed their shoulders as the studio employees placed the trays of food packages in front of them.

Time flew so fast that they didn’t realize it was already late lunch. The scent of freshly prepared meals filled the air, causing their stomachs to grumble audibly.

Across the room, Writer Na-eun approached the table where Yura and Seojin were sitting.

"You two had great sibling chemistry in that scene," she praised the two. "Yura, your playful energy really suits your character. Keep it up."

Yura smiled brightly. "Thank you, Writer Na-eun. I was really nervous, but I’ll do my best."

"I believe you will. Anyways, I won’t hold you for longer. Eat well."

"Yes, Writer-nim."

"Thank you, Writer Na-Eun."

"That was nerve-wracking," Yura let out a relieved sigh as she placed her script down the table when Na-Eun left.

"I almost fainted," she admitted, followed by a small laugh. It was nerve-wracking to talk to people who she knew had great importance in the acting industry.

"Haha," Seojin chuckled, "Well, you did great," Seojin commented before grabbing a water bottle and handing one to her as well.

"Your delivery was nice. Even the staff were laughing earlier."

"You too, Seojin. I really liked your acting."

"Make sure to eat well. We have another long session after this. The next part has heavier scenes, so I need you all at full energy." Director Hwang, who had been observing from a distance, clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

The cast and staff responded with nods and murmurs of agreement as they focused on their meals. Conversations filled the room with staff sharing some personal matters with one another and with the actors getting familiar among themselves.

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Minjae was eating his food while engaging in small talks with his fellow new actors that were seated beside him. They were fun to talk to, and he felt the meal becoming much more enjoyable because of it.

"Minjae hyung, did you say you’re already 22?" Jihoon’s eyes widened as he looked at Minjae.

"Yup," Minjae nodded.

"Woah!" Jihoon’s jaw fell to the ground just when he thought of it.

Truth to be told, he thought that Minjae was just around his age, maybe even younger,but he was proven wrong. Jihoon was already 21, and even though they do not have that much difference, it still shocked him.

"Haha," Minjae shook his head in disbelief. Jihoon was talkative, that was for sure.

For the whole time that they had their break, Jihoon hadn’t closed his mouth for a minute. He has a lot to say and share, though, it was fun, since it was preventing the atmosphere from being awkward.

"You should tell me your skincare routine, Hyung! Your face looked so smooth. I’m trying to remove some pimples on my face so I’m experimenting now."

Minjae blinked at Jihoon’s sudden request, his chopsticks pausing mid-air.

His skincare routine?

He didn’t have one.

The clear complexion was because of the system.

So what was he supposed to answer?

"Uh…" Minjae hesitated as noticed Jihoon’s expectant expression. The younger actor’s eyes were practically sparkling with curiosity.

"Well… I guess… I just… drink a lot of water?"