Chapter 5

Blizzard Entertainment Headquarters, 3rd Floor

The door to Management Division Team 2’s office opened.

The person who walked in was Director Kang Min-gyu.

The Team 2 leader stood up when their eyes met.

“…You’re here?”

He greeted him casually.

Director Kang nodded and spoke.

“Jang Mi-ran accepted that Netflix mini-series offer?”

“Yes. She signed the contract today.”

The director sat down on a sofa.

The Team 2 leader sat across from him.

“Good. Actress Jang is still beautiful, isn’t she? She was Miss Korea Beauty back in the day. Perfect casting.”

The director nodded with satisfaction.

Then the Team 2 leader spoke again.

“…By the way, Han Seo-jun. I heard he wants to audition for that project too?”

Director Kang’s eyes narrowed.

“Han Seo-jun? The same Han Seo-jun who just finished filming Like a Lie, the Truth last week?”

“Come on, Director. Do we have another Han Seo-jun in this company?”

The Team 2 leader laughed and stretched.

“Seriously, Director, I’m exhausted. Ha Joo-young rejected every offer from TvM dramas, and Chae Yoon is driving her manager crazy because she doesn’t like her co-star. Managers aren’t servants, you know.”

“She’s always had a temper. What can you do? Calm her down and make her work. That’s a manager’s job.”

The Team 2 leader sighed.

“But surely you’re not really planning to dump Han Seo-jun on Team 2? I’m already drowning in work.”

The director looked at him and laughed.

“What’s so bad about him? Look at his face. He doesn’t lose to Cha Yeon-woo, the so-called ‘Face Genius.’ He’s 185 centimeters tall, has a great body, and works out regularly. Remember when those shirtless photos of him went viral? Why do you think photographers keep calling him?”

“Exactly.”

The Team 2 leader smiled.

“Then why can’t he just keep posing for photoshoots and filming commercials for third-rate brands? I saw his recent fashion shoot for a mid-range clothing brand. Honestly, he looked pretty good.”

“Watch your mouth. He’s still an actor.”

“His acting ability’s already been exposed, though. And…”

He was about to continue when—

Knock knock.

The door opened.

A short man walked in.

He had been smiling brightly, but immediately changed his expression when he noticed Director Kang.

“Director, you’re here?”

“Yeah. Why are you so happy?”

“No reason.”

Even as he said that, the corners of his mouth kept lifting.

The director knew perfectly well that the man was trying to talk only to the Team 2 leader.

He frowned slightly.

“I heard Ha Joo-young rejected that TvM drama. Do you even know how good that role was? TvM’s current drama is struggling, so they’re putting everything into the next one. Because Joo-young rejected it, the role went to Yang Joon-ho. If she had another schedule, that’d be one thing. But she didn’t. Why throw away such a good opportunity? People would beg for a role like that. What kind of manager lets his actor kick away a blessing like that?”

“Haa…”

The manager looked wronged.

“Director, it’s only been two months since Joo-young finished her last project. It was a crime thriller that required intense psychological acting. Filming was exhausting, and it got over 9% ratings. Even you told her to take a break…”

“Two months is enough. What do you want? For her to rest forever?”

“No, but during her break…”

The manager’s eyes wavered.

Director Kang immediately understood.

“That brat started drinking and partying again, didn’t she?”

“…”

“How much weight did she gain?”

The manager hesitated.

The director raised his voice.

“I’m asking how much weight she gained!”

“…Ten kilograms.”

“Unbelievable.”

The director shook his head and looked at the Team 2 leader.

“How did everyone let it get that bad?”

“She’ll lose it quickly. Joo-young’s a professional. Once she gets a role…”

“What nonsense are you talking about? What you’re saying is that she gained weight, lost her sharp and intelligent image, and ended up losing the role.”

Despite his criticism, Director Kang knew the truth.

Ha Joo-young wasn’t an ordinary actress.

Her last three projects had all been huge hits.

She had become a top star.

Naturally, her ego had grown as well.

People said she ignored not only her managers but even team leaders now.

And the manager standing before him?

Very few people could survive dealing with Ha Joo-young’s personality.

He was still there because he knew how to flatter her and keep her happy.

“Hmm.”

The manager noticed the director’s expression.

“By the way, Director. Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

The manager lowered his voice.

“Han Seo-jun submitted an audition application for Director Kang So-hee’s new project. He even sent a self-tape.”

“…!”

Director Kang and the Team 2 leader exchanged looks.

They had talked about Han Seo-jun earlier.

But neither had actually believed he’d do it.

“He did what?”

“He submitted a self-tape. You know, the usual idol-drama audition package. Introduction, acting, singing, dancing, everything. He sent it to Next Stage Media. For I Possessed My Failed Idol Friend.”

“I know the project. Jang Mi-ran signed for it.”

The director frowned and tapped the sofa armrest.

“Hah. He actually did that? Without telling anyone?”

“Not exactly. Team 1’s manager told him to.”

“What? Hwang Dong-jun?”

“Yep.”

The manager shrugged.

Director Kang clicked his tongue.

“Seriously, what is that guy thinking?”

The Team 2 leader looked at the manager.

“Stop standing there. Sit down and tell us everything you know.”

His eyes gleamed with interest.

The manager sat beside him.

Meanwhile, Director Kang took out his phone.

“Has that idiot lost his mind?”

He dialed a number.

After a moment, he spoke.

“Hey. Where are you? And about Seo-jun…”

That was all he managed to say.

The person on the other end immediately launched into a long explanation.

Although they couldn’t make out every word, both the Team 2 leader and manager could hear Hwang Dong-jun talking nonstop.

“Fine, whatever. Just get over here.”

Director Kang ended the call and shook his head.

“What’d he say?”

“Hah, seriously.”

The director laughed.

“Apparently Seo-jun insisted on trying. So they let him. And according to Dong-jun, the kid was ridiculously good.”

“…What?”

“He says the singing and dancing completely overwhelmed everyone. He thinks Seo-jun is perfect for the role. Not only did he approve it, he actively encouraged him.”

“…What?”

The Team 2 leader and manager stared blankly.

“That’s impossible. This isn’t some comedy show.”

“This is the funniest joke I’ve heard all year.”

The Team 2 leader chuckled.

The manager even clapped while laughing.

“So when are the first-round results coming out?”

“Today. They should be announced soon. Dong-jun’s acting all confident that Seo-jun definitely passed.”

“Really?”

The manager looked at the director.

“Could he actually pass? What if he gets invited to the live audition?”

“You seriously think that’s possible?”

The Team 2 leader smirked.

“Anyway, Dong-jun said he’s almost here.”

“Then let’s have Seo-jun sing for us when he arrives. I’m curious how good he supposedly is.”

“Don’t.”

The Team 2 leader waved his hand.

“Don’t you remember the company dinner? Everyone almost died laughing when he sang. His pitch and rhythm were a complete disaster. Honestly, wasn’t he tone-deaf?”

“I wasn’t there.”

“He absolutely was.”

Director Kang nodded.

“Seriously. I’ve never seen anyone sing worse than me before. Then I heard Han Seo-jun.”

He laughed to himself.

Then the manager spoke again.

“But how did he even make a dance video and recording to submit?”

“Apparently he found a decent studio. One of those private studios where you can rent dance space and record vocals. He handled everything himself.”

The manager’s eyes widened.

“How did he even find a place like that?”

“He probably put in some effort after being laughed at during that company dinner.”

“What if his skills really improved?”

“Come on. Say something realistic.”

The Team 2 leader rolled his eyes.

The manager laughed awkwardly.

“Yeah… probably not.”

“If practice alone could solve it, my son would’ve debuted as an idol years ago.”

Director Kang smacked his lips.

His son had shown talent in singing and dancing from childhood.

He was handsome too.

The director had genuinely believed his son had potential.

Because he worked in the entertainment industry, he supported him fully.

But reality wasn’t that simple.

Even with all the advantages of having a father in the industry, his son spent five years as a trainee.

He never made a debut group.

Eventually he changed career paths.

And now Han Seo-jun, one of the most tone-deaf people imaginable, had applied for an audition that was already being called a competition among top-tier idols.

“Can he at least dance?”

Director Kang asked casually.

The Team 2 leader stared at him.

“Director, don’t you remember that nightclub scene from his last drama?”

“…Oh right.”

Director Kang laughed.

Han Seo-jun’s previous project had been a trendy romantic comedy.

There was a scene where he was supposed to seduce a woman in a nightclub.

But his dancing had been so stiff that they eventually replaced it with a body double from behind.

Just as the director was remembering that scene—

Knock knock.

The door opened.

Hwang Dong-jun from Team 1 walked in with a huge smile.

“Why are you so happy?”

Director Kang looked at him in disbelief.

The Team 2 leader and manager also stared at him.

“When I got into the elevator just now, the first-round results came out.”

“…And?”

“Our Seo-jun passed easily.”

“…What?!”

“…!”

All three men froze.

Hwang Dong-jun immediately took out his phone.

“See?”

He held the screen in front of Director Kang.

The Team 2 leader and manager jumped up and leaned closer.

***

[Next Stage Media Casting Team]

Hello.

After reviewing the self-tape you submitted, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the Live Audition Round.

Please review the schedule below and attend accordingly.

Date: September 21, 2025, 4:30 PM

Location: Next Stage Media Headquarters, 7th Floor Audition Room

Preparation Requirements:

• 60 seconds of the assigned song (including chorus)
• Acting sides (see attached file)
• 45 seconds of the assigned choreography (see attached link)

Please arrive 30 minutes early to complete registration.

Thank you.

Next Stage Media Casting Team

***

Director Kang frowned deeply.

“W-Wait. Is this real?”

The Team 2 leader stared at the screen.

“Come on. This has to be fake.”

The manager blurted out the words.

Hwang Dong-jun’s face immediately twisted.

“What did you just say, punk?!”

He clenched his fist.

Director Kang quickly stepped in.

“Hey. Calm down. He’s joking.”

“Joking? If an actor from the same company succeeds, shouldn’t you be happy for him?”

“Well… the story’s just so unbelievable.”

The Team 2 leader still looked unconvinced.

He practically snatched the phone from Hwang Dong-jun’s hand.

“Wow. It really looks authentic. But there’s no way…”

He pressed his face closer to the screen.

“It’s real, Team Leader.”

A voice suddenly answered.

Everyone turned.

Han Seo-jun was standing in the doorway.

A bright smile spread across his face.