First Table Reading

With Mrs. Choi's help, Yeo Ri was able to finalise the details of her contract with Director Bang.

Since the director would be busy for the next few months, filming would be held back until perhaps late summer or early spring of next year, when the weather wasn't freezing cold.

June had arrived, and Yeo Ri had only gotten even more busier. She was so busy that she barely even had the time to cook or clean in their new apartment that they had moved into merely a few days prior.

After her audition with Director Bang, Yeo Ri landed several more roles, with two of them being lead roles and several other smaller roles in various movies and dramas.

Most newcomers would not have had as much resources as she did, and many aspiring actors would spend years fighting just for a chance to audition for a major motion picture. It was surprising how easy it was for her to get the lead roles, and Yeo Ri felt almost uncomfortable by how smooth-sailing her career had been. However, Park Soo Yeon had quickly reassured that she had deserved the roles and her talent was more than enough to carry the burden. Of course, her looks, too, was a major contributor.

"Miss Yeo Ri, the president wants to know if you're interested in acting in a historical drama," Secretary Kwon said, reading the message on his phone.

"A historical drama?" Yeo Ri raised her head, looking at the man through the rearview mirror. She thought for a moment before replying, "Sure. I've never done a period piece before. Ask Auntie Soo Yeon if there's anything I should look out for. Also, what role is it?"

Secretary Kwon rapidly typed Yeo Ri's message and sent it to the older lady he was corresponding with. Instead of waiting for her reply, he placed down his phone and proceeded to pay attention to the road once the traffic lights turned green.

Only when they stopped at another traffic light did Kwon Tae Yang glance at his phone again. "She says to practice walking in heavy costumes and to use the olden speech as frequently as you can to get used to it. It's a good role, she says, the little sister of the second male lead."

"The president also said that she couldn't get her hands on the script but it will be provided when you come to set on the filming day. It's in three days," he added.

"Three days? Didn't I have a photoshoot in three days?"

"Only in the morning. President Park said you can film your scenes in the afternoon, miss. She also apologised for the suddenness."

"Alright then. Don't forget to add it to my schedule."

"Yes."

After a brief moment, his phone chimed again.

"President Park told me to remind you that the episode for that drama that you filmed for last time will be aired tonight."

"Okay." Yeo Ri closed her eyes to rest. It had been almost two weeks since she had wrapped up the shooting for that episode. Everything had become so hectic since then. She sighed, thinking of how her friends and acquaintances had bombarded her about the soon-to-be-released episode. Everyone was excited to see it; particularly Min Chae, who was the most excited about her steadily expanding portfolio.

Yeo Ri, having filmed it in person, was not quite as excited. However, she was interested to know how the scenes would look like after post-production.

"We've arrived," the secretary stated as he pulled into a parking spot.

Secretary Kwon stuck close to Yeo Ri as he walked her to the broadcasting station. Even though the threats had lessened after the last fight at the hospital, he still felt like they couldn't let their guards down yet. From the file he had read about Ji Young Gi and the organisation behind him, it was clear that the young man was the unpredictable type. Anything could happen at any moment.

On today's schedule, Yeo Ri had to attend a table reading for a movie in which she would star in. Although she had accepted this role later than the project she would be doing with Director Bang, this role was smaller in scale and needed less preparations. Therefore, Yeo Ri was able to join the other actors despite being one of the last people to be casted into the project.

Once they got into the elevator, Secretary Kwon once again focused on his phone. After working with Hope Entertainment for some time already, Kwon Tae Yang had completely adapted to his work as Yeo Ri's manager. Park Soo Yeon would also mainly relay work-related matters to him rather than directly to Yeo Ri unless it was related to her personal life. In this way, they could maintain Yeo Ri's work-life balance.

Glancing at the man next to her, Yeo Ri could not help but frown. "Is it really necessary to wear those sunglasses?" She asked, squinting her eyes at him.

Kwon Tae Yang straightened his already straight posture, pushing up the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose while clearing his throat sheepishly. "I have recently discovered that wearing sunglasses is useful for hiding one's line of sight during surveillance within a closed space," or so says his friend who worked at a private security company. Actually... he started wearing sunglasses because he felt cool, and it also made him look like a cool, stoic bodyguard. But of course, he didn't say that to the girl. She'd make fun of him for months if she knew.

"You're embarrassing," Yeo Ri said, rolling her eyes.

"..." Kwon Tae Yang kept his mouth shut as he slowly looked away.

Finally, the two reached the floor they were supposed to get off on.

An employee had immediately spotted her and led them to the meeting room. As they walked, Yeo Ri silently pulled out her copy of the script and laid it down on the table as she took her seat.

Secretary Kwon retreated to the side, and once the chairs started to fill up, the table read finally commenced.

It was Yeo Ri's first time at a table reading, since she had only done small roles previously, and it was rather debilitating to work with so many new people.

Following the standard protocol, Yeo Ri greeted anyone and everyone in the room.

"Hello, welcome!" A woman greeted just as everyone settled down in their seats.

"Welcome to the table-reading for [Miss Goldfish and The Mutt]. We'll start with introductions," the woman said. "I'm the main producer, Jo Yun Hee, and next to me is the original creator of the webtoon [Miss Goldfish and The Mutt]. Please give a round of applause for Writer Lalabell."

Producer Jo handed the microphone over to the writer, Lalabell, who accepted it shyly. "Uh... this is my first time publicly speaking and meeting the full cast of the project. I look forward to a wonderful cooperation."

"The main plot revolves around a fluffy school romance between two main characters, the ditzy schoolgirl 'Chacha' and the classic bad boy 'Ga Ram'—..."

After a brief summary of the plot was given, the cast members took turns introducing themselves and their characters.

Yeo Ri, who was playing the main female lead 'Chacha' was naturally first to be introduced. She nervously picked up the microphone in front of her as cameras flashed—the production crew and some journalists taking shots for publicity—and began speaking. "Hello. My name is Lee Yeo Ri from Hope Entertainment. I will be playing the role of Chacha. Please treat me well."

After another round of applause, her co-star picked up his microphone and similarly introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Seo Sun Kwang. I play the role of Ga Ram. Pleased to work with all of you!"

After listening to the two main leads' introduction, Producer Jo could not help but remark playfully, "Wow, both the main actors' actual personalities are completely different than the characters they will be playing. How about it, Writer Lalabell? Are you excited to see how they will transform into the characters you drew?"

Lalabell laughed as she looked at the two main leads. Indeed, they were completely different than her headcanon. "We'll find out soon," she smiled.