Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy

Chapter 186: Opportunity (8)

As soon as 'Vanguard' released their album in Japan, the news exploded officially.《'Vanguard' lands in Japan! Following Korea, concerts to be held in Japan too [Official]》

It was a teaser about holding a concert in Japan. This was an official announcement that GN Entertainment released in Japan before Korea, and once Japanese fans came across the article, it didn’t take long before they went wild. Just by looking at Japan’s major social media platforms, it was clear how explosive the reaction was.

[@22LL]

[(Article link) Finally! Finally, Vanguard is coming to Japan!! And it’s even a concert! My heart’s already trembling! I’ve been waiting since Produce That 100!, and my wish is finally coming true! But isn't Vanguard the first to hold a concert in Japan this quickly after debuting?]

Although the date and location had yet to be clearly stated, the news of Vanguard’s Japan concert spread like wildfire through Japanese social media. It spread to online communities, then exploded several times faster through various messaging apps.

It was a natural picture.

Japanese fans had been yearning and waiting for Vanguard since Produce That 100!. They were even willing to fly to Korea just to see Vanguard’s debut showcase concert, so how thrilled would they be now that a concert was happening in Japan?

Above all, it was a record-breaking achievement.

Releasing an album in Japan just a month after their official debut and holding an official concert as well. Even though Japan is currently swept up in a Hallyu fever, no group has ever advanced at such an unbelievable speed like this. Vanguard is the first.

An unprecedented step with no precedent to reference.

In any case, while anticipation for Vanguard's performance on the Japanese charts was high, their Japan concert became a key point of interest for both Japanese fans and the media. As Japan was shaking due to Vanguard, the typhoon quickly crossed over to Korea.

《[StarTalk] Runaway locomotive 'Vanguard', entering Japan right after debut... even holding a concert!》

《'GN Entertainment', “Vanguard officially declares advancement into Japan”》

《'Vanguard' to hold a concert in Japan, how long has it been since they debuted? Yet another “first” record》

Korean media focused on the extreme speed of Vanguard.

How quickly they were holding a concert in Japan.

《'Vanguard' showcasing an unrivaled presence... entering Japan at a pace no other idol could even dream of!》

《[Big Issue] 'Vanguard', a record-making machine? Charging ahead on a legendary path right after debut》

It was a truly refreshing shock.

Meanwhile.

In the large conference room where the script reading for 'Blood Hunt' was underway. Kang Rojun, who had just finished introducing himself, sat down. The atmosphere in the reading room was generally heavy. Rojun also chose a poker face over a smile, and even as he lowered himself into his chair, he felt a slight sense of relief inside.

‘I was nervous at first, but I think I’m getting used to it as time goes on?? But the seat next to the director is kind of awkward.’

At that moment, the phone in his pocket gave a brief vibration.

-Bzzz.

Since the reading had officially begun, Rojun didn’t pay it much attention, but the thing that had sent him a notification was the ‘AI Simulation’ app.

-[Hidden Mission ‘First Movie Script Reading!’ achieved! You have been rewarded with 30 Coins.]

Regardless, the actor introductions continued smoothly. The next in line after Kang Rojun was the actor playing the main male lead in ‘Blood Hunt’.

“Hello, I’m Jung Tae-soo, playing the role of ‘Kim Ji-wook’. I look forward to working with you.”

Jung Tae-soo, seated first to the right of Director Yoo Ji-heon. He was a top actor with over 15 years of acting experience. He was also fairly tall, around 185 cm, and had outstanding looks. Whenever top male actors were mentioned, his name was always among them, and visually, he ranked at the top.

As Jung Tae-soo finished introducing himself, he glanced at Kang Rojun, who was sitting beside the director with a poker face.

“......”

He quickly looked down at the script, then sneakily glanced again. By the time other actors were taking their turns introducing themselves, top actor Jung Tae-soo had secretly looked at Rojun at least five times and was evaluating him intensely on the inside.

‘He’s just sitting there, but I can’t stop looking at him.’

Even Jung Tae-soo, praised by both media and fans and considered one of the best-looking male actors in Korea, instantly sensed it the moment he saw Kang Rojun.

‘Damn, he’s ridiculously handsome.’

In terms of visuals, he was clearly outclassed. Probably. No, 100%, not just Jung Tae-soo, but every male actor in this script reading room must be thinking the same thing.

‘Some of the actresses even said “He’s so handsome, it’s scary.” That says it all.’

Jung Tae-soo’s gaze then dropped from Rojun’s glossy black hair to his shoulders, chest, and further down. Kang Rojun wasn’t just a pretty face, his physique was remarkable too.

‘What kind of idol has a body like that? From what I saw earlier, he might even be taller than me.’

These days, even idols were working on building their bodies, but strictly speaking, actors were even more intense about it. Jung Tae-soo himself was such a workout fanatic that he was practically living at the gym when not filming. However, seeing Rojun’s build made Jung Tae-soo feel a bit lacking.

Whatever the case, it was the first time he’d felt so outmatched.

Even more so, Rojun was a rookie, not only as an idol, but as an actor, and even as a screenwriter. And yet, he was making many top actors, including Jung Tae-soo, feel defeated.

‘This is fucking absurd.’

Kang Rojun was nothing short of ridiculous. Soon, Jung Tae-soo clicked his tongue inwardly. The truth was, he didn’t like Rojun. To be clear, it wasn’t that he disliked Kang Rojun as a person, he just didn’t like idols. And there was a reason for it.

The drama he had filmed before 'Blood Hunt' had bombed disastrously, and the biggest reason was the piss-poor acting of an idol who was cast as an actor.

In a way, Jung Tae-soo had developed PTSD toward idols.

He was soon reminded of that past.

Curses welled up naturally.

Even for a simple cut, that idol had made the filming process hell. They had to reshoot the same scene over ten times. Even then, it was so bad they ended up splitting up the dialogue and filming it in pieces. That happened more than a dozen times, and despite all the grueling effort, when it finally aired, the viewers ripped it to shreds.

‘A production doesn’t work just because one person does well.’

Like a single loach muddying the whole stream, one person alone can ruin an entire production. From a viewer’s perspective, if even one person feels off, the entire tone of the work collapses. In the end, that drama finished like Jung Tae-soo was dragging it by the scruff of its neck, enduring a hellish schedule.

And it tanked hard. Ratings dropped to the 3% range.

After being burned that badly, it was only natural for Jung Tae-soo to look at idols crossing over into acting with bias. That prejudice still existed. Sure, before the day of the 'Blood Hunt' reading, Choi Rina had said something in praise of Rojun.

'Rojun-ssi? He’s good at acting! You won’t need to worry, oppa??'

But Jung Tae-soo’s suspicion hadn’t gone away. In fact, facing Kang Rojun in person today only deepened that bias. His visuals were overwhelming, but that was it. He probably barged into acting relying solely on that face. Jung Tae-soo had watched 'Rental Lover' too, but there was no way he could know the on-set atmosphere.

With editing and cut-by-cut filming, that level of acting could be pulled off.

'Even if the role of ‘Hook’ doesn’t have many scenes and is a minor role, it’s still a key part of the story. That guy’s blowing up as an idol these days, did he even have time to practice his lines?'

Dozens of actors in this script reading room, excluding Jung Tae-soo, were probably thinking along the same lines. Sure, the script was interesting, and it was impressive that it was written during such a busy schedule, but in the end, he’s still just an idol. It wasn’t necessarily Kang Rojun’s fault, it was more like a trap dug by other idols who had dabbled in acting over the years.

Of course, there were probably some idols who did well.

But only a few.

In the acting world, trust toward idols was at rock bottom.

“Then, let’s begin the reading.”

As soon as the key staff introductions were finished, Director Yoo Ji-heon opened his mouth with a raspy voice.

“S#1 Afternoon, the sound of someone hitting a sandbag leaks out from inside a gym.”

The main plot of the movie 'Blood Hunt', written by Kang Rojun, was about organ trafficking. The male lead, ‘Kim Ji-wook’, was a former thug who had grown up in an institution. The story begins when a close younger friend from that same institution goes on a trip to the Philippines. The younger friend suddenly goes missing, and a threatening message arrives on Kim Ji-wook’s phone from that friend’s number.

From there, the story rapidly unfolds as ‘Kim Ji-wook’ infiltrates an organ trafficking ring in the Philippines.

The overall genre is a crime action thriller.

In 'Blood Hunt', the minor supporting role of 'Hook', played by Kang Rojun, is a character who selects targets within the organization and also explains the workflow to ‘Kim Ji-wook’, who is pretending to be a new recruit. At the same time, he is the first to be punished or killed by the male lead in the story.

The role of 'Hook' is a brutal and merciless character who views human organs purely as money, serving as a critical figure who controls the tension and pacing of the film.

Though labeled a minor role, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that 'Hook' carried the audience’s interest through the early to mid-parts of 'Blood Hunt'.

Soon, the script reading for 'Blood Hunt', which had begun on a somewhat light note, started to get intense. It was drifting into serious territory. The actors’ emotions and delivery were gradually heating up. Even with the air conditioning blasting, the room felt hot from the energy of the cast.

Director Yoo Ji-heon, a master in his own right, wasn’t easygoing either.

“No, Tae-soo-ssi. In that scene, the first reaction should be shock, and anger comes second.”

“Yes. I’ll do it again.”

He directed each and every emotional beat of the actors in detail. Around thirty minutes after the reading began.

“‘Kim Ji-wook’ confronts ‘Hook’.”

It was the first appearance scene of Kang Rojun as 'Hook'. Because of this, all the key staff members surrounding the actors, as well as the reporters, turned their attention to Rojun. Even the actors, including Jung Tae-soo, were secretly focused on him, though they didn’t show it.

They all shared the same sentiment.

Are you the loach that muddies the waters? Or at least a tolerable acting trainee?

Regardless, Kang Rojun.

-Ssshhk.

Smiled faintly. He tilted his head slightly. Yawned. Lit a cigarette, or made a gesture as if he had. Rojun, or rather 'Hook', stared steadily at Jung Tae-soo, who was seated to the right of Director Yoo Ji-heon. There was no expectation in his gaze. To his eyes, Jung Tae-soo was already ‘Kim Ji-wook’. Inside Kang Rojun, something vile and yet detached had taken root.

Organs pulled from a sliced belly are just money. It's only a matter of setting the price.

No more, no less- a numb emotion.

Rojun’s face, with even a trace of mischief in his expression, stared at Jung Tae-soo for a few seconds before slowly opening his mouth.

“Your eyes are sparkling and pretty. Bet they’d fetch a good price?”

He was smiling, yet the air was chilling, like he could carve someone up as casually as chopping meat. There was no gravity to it. At this line, the actors around him subtly flinched.

‘That... wasn’t bad. Diction and tone were clean too.’

Facing 'Hook' possessed by Rojun, Jung Tae-soo’s breath caught for a brief moment.

‘Huh?’

It was a moment that completely defied expectations. Rojun raised one eyebrow and delivered his next line.

“You ever handled a log before?”

Jolted back to focus, Jung Tae-soo snapped back.

“Give me the tools. I’ll start by gutting your belly.”

"Act cocky and your neck will be cut off without anyone knowing?"

“We’ll know whose throat gets slit first once the knives are out.”

“They all act like you at first. Then they end up lying in the fish market, pissing and shitting themselves.”

“You’ll be next, fucker. Stop yapping and come at me.”

“No matter how I look at you, you ain’t got a face for business. You got the mug of a blabbermouth chirping everywhere like a goddamn bird.”

Kang Rojun kept a gaze full of suspicion. Jung Tae-soo mimed spitting, then pushed back even harder.

“If you’re ‘Hook', then act like a damn ‘Hook’ and shut up about your fucking product pitch. The one chirping like a bird here is you.”

“You got a temper, huh? Alright, fine. But the moment things get even slightly vague, I’ll start by gouging out your eyeballs. Memorize the menu first. You got a sense for prices?”

Rojun’s portrayal was wildly vulgar and thuggish, yet the rhythm beneath the dialogue was cold. There was no room for persuasion. He was already soaked in the organ trafficking underworld, his mind warped into that of a monster.

His eyes and aura said it all.

“Those kids are Grade 1++ products, the ones who travel alone. Start by approaching them kindly, then spend a few days building trust. No alcohol, it ruins the product.”

The way Kang Rojun’s eyes and voice saw people as nothing but money made Jung Tae-soo feel disgusted. He was angry, furious. The emotions swelled so deeply he felt like smashing Rojun’s skull right there. But he clenched his molars and held it in.

“......”

And then, suddenly.

‘Ah.’

Top actor Jung Tae-soo realized it wasn’t 'Hook' fueling his emotions, it was Kang Rojun himself. He had forgotten. Right now, Rojun was.

“You know what we call those products that hold hands while they walk around? 1+1.”

Nothing but 'Hook', the one who fished for products. In a script reading full of top actors, he alone was controlling the atmosphere. At this, deep confusion swept over Jung Tae-soo.

‘Is he... really an idol??’