Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 558: Doppelgnger Audition (1)

In the audition waiting room for Doppelgänger, Kang Sang-Joon, now 36 years old, raised his voice the moment he saw me.

"Chief Jung! Are you trying to start something with me or what?"

"What are you talking about?"

"How could you push your actor into this project when you knew I already approached it first?"

Back when he was with Gwanwoo Entertainment, the more popular actor got priority for lead roles, and others would step back from the audition out of courtesy. It was a kind of star treatment Kang Sang-Joon had grown used to, and he clearly expected the same now at Hoop Entertainment.

However, that wasn't how we did things here. At Hoop Entertainment, roles were earned through skill, not status.

Hearing Kang Sang-Joon's nonsense, I responded firmly. "It seems like Mr. Baek didn't explain. At Hoop Entertainment, we encourage actors to compete fiercely in auditions. Whether you get the role or not, it's still a valuable experience."

I politely explained our company policy, but Kang Sang-Joon scoffed. "Don't give me that crap about experience, Chief Jung. You're just screwing with me because I used to be with Gwanwoo, aren't you? You brought some worthless no-name actor just to throw me off. Don't deny it!"

Clearly infected with star syndrome, Kang Sang-Joon twisted everything to suit his narrative. To him, I had brought Park Sang-Gyu just to irritate him. It was absurd, but the moment he called Park Sang-Gyu a worthless no-name actor, my veins tensed with surging anger.

'Did he just call my actor worthless?'

I stepped toward him, raising my voice. "What did you just say, Mr. Kang? Did you just call Sang-Gyu hyung-nim a worthless no-name actor?"

Kang Sang-Joon flinched, as he knew I used to be a boxer. Realizing he may have gone too far, he stepped back and tried to play it off.

"Whatever. I'll let it slide today. But from now on, stay out of my way, got it? If I've staked a claim on a project, you back off!"

Just as I was about to say something, someone grabbed my arm. I turned and saw Park Sang-Gyu smiling gently, shaking his head.

"Yoon-Ho, let it go."

I was worried Park Sang-Gyu might give up the role like he had so many times before. Even before the regression, he would often yield, missing his chance to shine. But to win a lead, he would need to be fierce from now on.

"But hyung-nim, this kind of thing..."

I started to explain why he needed to be assertive, but Park Sang-Gyu simply smiled. "The result will speak for itself, won't it?"

I had misjudged Park Sang-Gyu. I thought he was backing down, but he was far more composed and resolute than I had expected. He had promised to win an award for his wife, and now I could see the firm mindset behind that promise. He wasn't fazed. He just wanted to do his job and ignore the noise.

'I messed up.'

I bowed my head to Park Sang-Gyu in apology. "I'm sorry, hyung-nim."

"Don't be. Honestly, it's kind of nice having someone get mad on my behalf."

Kang Sang-Joon watched the two of us with a dumbfounded expression. Then, he eventually turned to Baek Sang-Beom.

"Sang-Beom hyung. From now on, don't put me in the same waiting room as these people. Got it?"

"Got it."

Still on his edge, Kang Sang-Joon glared at us along with Baek Sang-Beom before going back to his seat.

'He is unbelievable.'

The audition hadn't even started, and we were already in a power struggle within the same company.

However, I didn't feel even the slightest hint of defeat. Before the regression, I had seen firsthand what went wrong when Kang Sang-Joon played a lead. And that same flaw would surface again in today's audition, thanks to none other than Park Sang-Gyu.

***

The audition had begun.

Actors in the waiting room were called one by one to perform next door. Since the audition room was right beside us, we could hear their performances through the wall. They poured everything into their dual roles playing both the villain Kang Chul-Min and the hero Kang Soo-Ho with such intensity that it was hard not to be impressed. True to their S-class status, each performance was gripping.

One by one, the actors left the room after their auditions.

Listening closely to the scenes being performed, I offered some strategic advice to Park Sang-Gyu. "Hyung-nim, most of the actors are starting with Scene 43 as Kang Chul-Min. To stand out, let's go with Scene 42 first."

Since most chose the villain's intense entry in Scene 43, I recommended doing the opposite to be memorable by contrast.

"Got it. Let's do that."

Thankfully, Park Sang-Gyu accepted my suggestion and refocused on the script.

A few moments later, the staff entered.

"We're down to the last two. Mr. Kang Sang-Joon and Mr. Park Sang-Gyu, please come out together. Mr. Kang, you'll go first. Mr. Park, you're up next. Please wait outside the audition room."

Kang Sang-Joon and Baek Sang-Beom immediately got up and left without even glancing in our direction. Since we were up right after him, we took our time moving toward the room. When we arrived, Kang Sang-Joon and Baek Sang-Beom were already inside.

"Hyung-nim, review your script a bit while we wait."

"Sure."

I had Park Sang-Gyu sit on one of the chairs in the hallway, then I quietly approached the tinted glass window to observe. The audition was being held in SUN Film's meeting room, with the tint reaching just below my eye line.

Standing on my toes, I spotted Kang Sang-Joon standing confidently before three judges: Na Tae-Yang, Na Soo-Ji, and CK's Director Sung Hyuk-Joon. Despite not acting in five years, Kang Sang-Joon exuded the confidence of someone who once won the Hwangryong Film Association's Grand Prize.

Na Tae-Yang spoke cautiously.

-Mr. Kang, would you like to start with Scene 42 as the protagonist Kang Soo-Ho, or Scene 43 as the antagonist Kang Chul-Min?

The audition was designed to test their ability to play dual roles in a short time. Most actors so far had chosen the villain role first, due to its stronger impact. And not to my surprise, Kang Sang-Joon made the same choice.

-I'll begin with Scene 43, as Kang Chul-Min.

-Very well. You may start when you're ready.

-Yes, sir.

Kang Sang-Joon began immersing himself in the role. Over a minute passed before he finally opened his eyes and launched into the performance.

『Hehehe... That's all... mine.』

His eyes were filled with greed and rage as he portrayed the villain Kang Chul-Min. The murderous expression on his face as he slowly scanned the room was bone-chilling. He resembled the mad warlord he played in Iron Blood.

Thanks to his outstanding performance, the visibly impressed Na Tae-Yang and the other judges nodded.

Moments later, Na Tae-Yang raised his hand to end the scene.

-Cut! That's enough. You were great, Mr. Kang.

Sung Hyuk-Joon also looked pleased.

-Wow~ That's the Kang Sang-Joon we know. Your emotional range has really improved over the past five years. Is this why you took a break?

-Thank you, Mr. Sung.

Na Soo-Ji chimed in with praise as well.

Then Na Tae-Yang made a pleased smile.

-Alright, let's move right into Scene 42.

At that moment, Kang Sang-Joon took a deep breath and collected himself.

-Phew. Mr. Na, give me a moment, please. I need to settle my emotions.

-Of course, take your time.

However, even after three minutes passed, Kang Sang-Joon still hadn't started the scene.

'I knew it. It's taking him a while.'

Every actor had taken at least a minute to get into character, but Kang Sang-Joon was taking even longer than usual. Just as Na Soo-Ji looked about ready to ask when he would begin, Kang Sang-Joon finally opened his eyes and started performing.

Tears slowly welled in his large eyes. Only after his eyes were visibly brimming with emotion did he start the scene playing Kang Soo-Ho, the righteous twin, holding his dying girlfriend in his arms and crying out in agony.

『Sob... Tae-Yung... Sob...Sob...』

Kang Sang-Joon sobbed and choked on his breath, pouring out his emotions. His grief was so tangible it made you want to reach out and comfort him. Despite taking time to get into the zone, his acting impressed the judges and each of them nodded in satisfaction.

That's when the moment I've been waiting for came.

『I'll... kill them.』

In a moment of rage, Kang Sang-Joon's portrayal of Kang Soo-Ho turned more into Kang Chul-Min. The distinction between the two characters blurred, just like I had expected. When Kang Sang-Joon played the lead in Doppelgänger before my regression, this exact issue had come up.

'Yup, again. He can't differentiate between Kang Soo-Ho and Kang Chul-Min.'

Kang Sang-Joon failed to create a clear contrast between the twin characters, making the righteous one seem nearly as dark as the villain.

I saw Na Tae-Yang and Na Soo-Ji's expressions shift, disappointment creeping in.

And with that, I felt a surge of confidence that Park Sang-Gyu could absolutely win this.

***

A few minutes later, Kang Sang-Joon's audition wrapped up.

Na Soo-Ji spoke with a polite but slightly regretful tone.

-Thank you for your performance. Please wait in the waiting room for now.

-Yes, ma'am.

Being asked to wait meant he had likely delivered the best performance so far. And if they weren't satisfied with Park Sang-Gyu's upcoming audition, it meant they would likely cast Kang Sang-Joon as the lead.

-I'll step out now.

-Sure.

Click.

The door opened and Kang Sang-Joon emerged with a smug look. Baek Sang-Beom, who followed, wore the same expression. He even chuckled as he passed.

"Tough luck. Sucks going right after us, huh?"

Just as Baek Sang-Beom said, the order was a big deal in auditions. When the previous actor left a strong impression, the next one had a high bar to clear.

Kang Sang-Joon sneered at Park Sang-Gyu. "See, I told you it wasn't going to happen. Just pack it up and go home, yeah? Don't embarrass yourself."

Park Sang-Gyu just smiled in response, calm and unbothered.

So I spoke for him. "Mr. Kang, maybe don't bother waiting around. You might be going home early."

Kang Sang-Joon's eyes blazed with fury, glaring at me.

That's when the call came from inside the audition room.

"Alright~ Mr. Park Sang-Gyu, please come in."

"Yes, sir."

Leaving the seething Kang Sang-Joon behind, I accompanied Park Sang-Gyu into the audition room. Na Tae-Yang, Na Soo-Ji, and Sung Hyuk-Joon were seated as judges.

Sung Hyuk-Joon, a right-hand man to Son Hyung-Tae, greeted me first. "Chief Jung. Mr. Son said thanks for landing us this gem. He'd like to meet up soon."

"Anytime. Just let me know when and I'll be there."

"But of course, we'll judge this audition fairly, alright? We're taking this project seriously."

"Understood, sir."

Despite our connections, their eyes made it clear that they would judge this audition on its merit alone. And that was exactly what I had hoped for.

After giving Park Sang-Gyu a quiet cheer, I stepped back against the wall of the audition room. Left alone in front of the judges, Park Sang-Gyu bowed politely.

"Hello, I'm Park Sang-Gyu, a rookie actor from Hoop Entertainment. I appreciate this opportunity."

At that moment, Sung Hyuk-Joon fired off a pointed question. "I found your audition reel impressive. But you have no film or drama experience, only theater. The pressure of a lead role in a film is no joke. Do you think you can handle it?"

Park Sang-Gyu responded with a calm, smiling confidence. "Back in my theater days, I spent years enduring in moldy basement playhouses, living off cup noodles. If there's one thing I excel at, it's enduring. I'm confident I'm the best in Korea at that."

Sung Hyuk-Joon nodded in satisfaction. "With that kind of grit, I think you just might be. Alright, let's see your performance."

Then Na Tae-Yang took the mic. "Okay, so between Scenes 42 and 43, which would you like to start with?"

Scene 42 of Doppelgänger featured the righteous protagonist Kang Soo-Ho discovering his girlfriend stabbed outside his house and screaming in despair. Scene 43 flipped to Kang Chul-Min, the villain, watching his brother's breakdown from the alley with twisted amusement.

As with Kang Sang-Joon and most other actors, the usual strategy was to lead with the flashier Scene 43. It was a classic choice to show the psychotic villain first to make a strong impression quickly.

But Park Sang-Gyu chose differently, thanks to my advice about standing out.

"I'll start with Scene 42 and go in order."

Na Tae-Yang raised an intrigued eyebrow. "You're starting with Kang Soo-Ho, the less impactful role?"

Park Sang-Gyu replied in a firm tone. "I don't think Scene 42 is any less impactful."

His quiet confidence caught the judges' attention. Even after the powerful performances from other actors, Park Sang-Gyu showed no sign of intimidation.

Na Tae-Yang gave a slight nod. "Alright. Let's begin with Scene 42 then."

"Yes, sir."

"Go ahead when you're ready."

Park Sang-Gyu closed his eyes for just a brief moment. Less than ten seconds passed before he opened his eyes and transformed.

In that instant, Park Sang-Gyu began to deliver an astonishing performance.

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