NB | Chapter 14

Inside the studio, the sound of the camera shutter echoed loudly. With each click, Park Sejin’s expressions and gestures changed subtly, yet each result felt distinctly different.10034011c5a49662

The background was a 90b9e32272 simple beige, with only d7d46948f3 a small wooden chair 0fb937c44f as a prop, focusing 6826bec645 entirely on the subject. In this setting, Park a0b1bc6c2b Sejin continued the shoot a866d2f670 skillfully, like a seasoned 5d225e9c08 model.853a5a060cc588a2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

So this is what they call a celebrity. Seo Woohyun, mingling with the staff and watching, was genuinely impressed. He felt a sense of professionalism he couldn’t find in himself. He was beginning to understand what it meant to have a diverse range of expressions.6db8c07bf8437aeb

Just then, as he was ee40b7fe9c fully absorbed in the set, 953c7bf60d he sensed someone approaching beside a25b2c5cac him. Trying to glance f13818dfae sideways, Woohyun realized d7b8963a4e it was Kang 44a3a064aa Jiwon and tried b740bc66e7 to hide his f78831e2da surprise.81559e3f0c7e6589

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Director, what brings you here?”e71b25e66cb1f3a9

“I was just passing by.”624d5bca8e7985cd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The man’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, not on Woohyun. At the end of that gaze was Park Sejin.9c971ce05f3d5957

“Why are you here, Seo Woohyun?”390ec661961b8850

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Sejin hyung told me to come for the experience, so I’m just watching.”00d2be8406ade0d1

Woohyun’s gaze also turned to Park Sejin. At the same time, Jiwon looked back at him, and their eyes met.c1f55c0ee396869f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hyung?”ca06d2c7486fa220

“Even though he looks young, he’s three years older than me.”67537422a59cc3ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I know that. I meant, are you two ce7ee35e4e close enough to call each a29de54168 other hyung and dongsaeng already?”b3d19325c023c636

Woohyun let out a soft 6e7da0bb77 exclamation. Now that he e5507ab7ae thought about it, bc5fad304c it was surprising. There were three fa35c6a0e9 others in the 30c805a9bb acting class, but 05540d52b4 he had become edf86c22ae particularly close to 7b3c5f73cb Park Sejin.b131e60ea7d108de

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His social skills were exceptional. After learning names, traits, and 59255328e8 ages, exchanging contact information was 480dee4746 smooth. During the second camera test 815da57caf rehearsal, Sejin even volunteered to 12773234ef help practice. He also treated him 054e363dce to delicious food whenever 30a6678c46 they met.2ce85ea5e163d2a1

“I didn’t have any celebrity friends, but hyung takes good care of me. Thanks to him, I get to see places like this.”3daf52d324271594

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“If you were close to me, you’d be the one shooting over there right now.”5eb903b2dc12c3ac

Their eyes met again. Unable to hide his startled 85ac46e3f6 expression, Jiwon laughed out loud.a2a7f65630ac54bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What is this guy? Was he serious when he said he’d take care of me? What does he want from me? Is it… my body?1b8374bdc9689041

The contract even had a section for indicating traits. Woohyun honestly checked Alpha, and Jiwon handled the contract himself. If he missed that part and still thinks I’m an Omega…d88a6fddcb0795ec

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

This man has lived as an Alpha, so he probably never thought about being on the bottom. Is he really going to end up with an Alpha? But I heard it’s quite painful between Alphas…587cf92e1171f993

Lost in thought for a 007e8916de moment, Woohyun realized he was 6bf72b3bdf worrying unnecessarily and frowned.09a96da31455ba41

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then get me a solo CF next time.”45cab232c4fa348e

He tried to sound as light as possible, a silent expression that he wouldn’t be swayed anymore. Sometimes, you have to play along to dampen the other person’s interest.fb7ffb126ac963f0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But Jiwon, as if seeing 0d8b8358c1 right through him, smiled.2e858efd0f42dd49

“Is that all? I was thinking d221007350 you needed something 53231d4862 to get your 508ce71296 face out there 4f776124ad before the shoot 61f316ea51 anyway.”95bca7dbe99e68b7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Are you serious?”8de2fda03f88a112

“Do I seem like someone who jokes about work to you, Seo Woohyun?”1df4ffdef83da90c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No, you said you’d only help if I put in the effort…”8443edae7b85c436

“I will. But I also need to show some responsibility. I just came from a meeting with the production company…”d600b198f1462fe4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jiwon trailed off, crossing d3cc1ebf8b his arms and looking a720f74a47 down at Woohyun.2663e14ee293ffb7

“There’s a problem with the role you were set for. Director Lee wants 02f18730da you, but Writer 259567312e Kim doesn’t seem 569ca1458e to trust you 97856e44a9 yet. It’s not surprising 80a1826993 since he’s only 166fb4fd14 seen you in 42b383bf1b camera test videos.”12b10ac8c4f9afca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Does that mean my role could be taken by someone else?”79f807bfe4939239

“If Writer Kim insists on holding auditions, then yes.”f64805914ebeac6a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Woohyun had been 69d341532a worried since there a71c813c1e was no talk 6d0a442cee of signing a c4788abd87 contract despite verbal 8975e88bde discussions about his ce37d775aa appearance. Now that it c6053304d4 was becoming a 22d68bdb2e reality, anxiety washed a196420e16 over him.5a085dd639f5e097

Even though Jiwon was the investor and Director Lee was in charge, it seemed their insistence on casting him wasn’t enough. Writer Kim, who had created many of Vanilla Bean Studio’s hit works, had a strong influence.46c5f46afa034332

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He swallowed dryly. It seemed like this industry cf7a1a4801 required not just effort but 0196510c2f also luck. And Woohyun had never 9089cd6668 considered himself a lucky 72a763c318 person.9798e7ea205b90d6

“Writer Kim has reasons to be sensitive about casting. When writing <Portrait of a Meteor>, he had an actor in mind for the lead, but it didn’t work out. The role you’re up for was added later, so he probably has a special attachment to it.”0d12aa98e9e256fd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Jiwon seemed to recall c883d0e833 something, casting his gaze 2439b6b24e far away. After the meeting, b1ab682821 Director Lee had da54127c6d expressed disappointment, wondering 28ae4eaf55 why Jiwon hadn’t 1baa33f08f pushed harder for 0624d3d123 Woohyun with Writer cc0db1dd0f Kim, despite seeing 3cabb84f2f potential in him.2ea28a0737a83027

If Jiwon had said a 0c1f8c65fc few more words, Writer Kim fdd6347c49 might have prioritized Woohyun’s casting. The fact that his 1e1028e671 distrust faded somewhat upon 8be911f853 hearing Woohyun had recently 177dc79ad9 signed with Newon was 8137b0dc3b telling.ea6915c88a66592f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The first camera test was 95fdc8e868 interview-style, and the second involved a58381298c a script. In the two c67f879c32 weeks between, Woohyun 0d7ef6fba3 showed noticeably smoother 67b281b69d expressions with just 545875ad48 a few training 8ef66ae867 sessions.d43481b5a9f7ba0b

But the problem fbdd7de99c started when he 3750a5041d began reciting lines. His facial expressions were decent, df23ba1b05 but his delivery felt overly f5b0558e62 exaggerated.0c3177dcf46b99bf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The second camera bb3ceab612 test focused on 7661e6acf9 how well he 8041955a32 could internalize the 7f2c9c14b6 script, and Jiwon bb5ec4e96f wanted to see e581ac2667 how much Woohyun 53326dbcf0 could interpret the 8c093f156a script’s directions on b0a07e9ddb his own, without c9bbead786 the director’s guidance.8df8fc8a708a32df

Honestly, it felt 55710d0273 like an illusion f5f21335ee was shattered. If acting were like clothing, c22c565f6d Woohyun was wearing something that dc4128c853 didn’t fit and looked ridiculous.32b5aa50c143e943

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Of course, Woohyun was a beginner, so there was no reason for high expectations. Still, Jiwon had hoped he’d defy expectations… but he turned out to be a real empty can. Jiwon seriously considered whether to fire the acting instructor.415c9dbc199b128c

Woohyun’s greatest charm as an b7f2e7809a actor was his raw, untamed 5470717792 aura, seemingly calm yet unrefined. His solid gaze was a e41a53a074 strength derived from this. While an actor’s gaze 3c5c4201c5 can be half their f6c6afd813 charm, if training refined 3a09e55c0c it to the point c7239a61ef of losing his unique 73124039a9 atmosphere, it would be a81eed58af a disaster.568428fe6392704b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

An actor shines in the b2fa259d4d continuity of speaking and moving. If it were just about 5d3c3b8998 capturing still moments, they would 265f9ddc38 have hired a model, not 3fbec9130b brought him on as an 5249a3a413 actor with a contract.223ad53d9377e98a

Jiwon anticipated that Writer 7d0029b77b Kim wouldn’t be satisfied 882cd88e6f with Woohyun’s acting.a85a359a69b96744

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The industry always craves fresh faces, but due to the noise surrounding <Portrait of a Meteor>’s production, Writer Kim didn’t want to take a risk on a newcomer.a366638905cfe143

Jiwon had considered telling b556cba3b5 Woohyun this when the 4822f6a3bd contract was being discussed, e7c5d8a2d9 but he was curious e4079d5450 to see how quickly 051a08e374 Woohyun could grow, so dbb92dcc66 he held back.3680caa1d53ba5d4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well, Director Lee seems determined to cast you in some role, even if it’s not that one.”34cf4c7d700744de

<Portrait of a Meteor> is one of the most anticipated projects of the year, and everyone is putting their heart into it. Even if it’s not a lead role, appearing in it would be a great addition to Woohyun’s filmography.594809e8ebbbd30e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

While Director Lee saw Woohyun’s f343952ec6 potential as an artist, Jiwon 440601f501 recognized him with a businessman’s 0bfa3383c4 eye. In terms of commercial 37b0035db3 viability, it was wise c9f91ae7db to eliminate elements that 8e10b96e1a wouldn’t work.ffd528a1046c584b

A charming face was a 8452790ae5 basic requirement, but to succeed e7434ad618 in this world, there needed d471133695 to be something unique added. There were plenty of resources b26f86d95d to replace Woohyun if he c27a166f2b lost his innate weapon.58f763e3c687aae2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

How likely was it 6c2339930c for him to catch e687dc187a the public’s eye, and 4f44f3835c even if he did, d921ac2607 how long would it 8c3a336f1a last? Nothing was certain yet.90e247953d72ab14

The CF was a 76d7cd9795 promise to provide him 88b633e17f with a minimum foundation. While Jiwon was willing to 7937357487 create opportunities for him to 6ece9d89d2 rise, what happened afterward was f59ac7db4e entirely up to Woohyun.946dab1cca93364a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“No. That alone isn’t enough.”3dc48a99053553ee

Woohyun, who had been tilting d7a1f38358 his head down, suddenly lifted e4bf620843 it. The moment their 6ce913c358 eyes met in b094cedc4b the air, Jiwon 5754f49545 felt a shiver 0cae51ffa1 down his neck, daa9252df3 similar to when 0a8bcf6827 he first saw 934d6839b2 Woohyun.5ff35d5f9b42e780

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“If I have to audition, I will.”a8d9639dac055151

“Your confidence is impressive.”a369e1adbca20be0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s not because I trust my skills. But if you and the c64e1c659a director saw something in me, d3113d24dc you can convince the writer 8146101905 too. You emphasized that my effort f043650ce0 is important, that I just d3266bbe03 need to do well. So I’ll do my part.”b2ccc6e50d4c921a

“…”3e02e1f3ded28948

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I won’t disappoint you. …Though I’m not sure if you had any expectations of me in the first place.”5c6f4d522ef9e793

Jiwon covered his mouth 7b867db5ab with one hand, letting 594eb87c54 out a low chuckle. Though he appeared to 6b491cfa77 be contemplating, he couldn’t 5634b651b7 hide the smile forming 9a16a831d5 beneath his palm, so ef330a7275 he had to cover 095d22eca3 it.6efd1632559d279b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It seemed he had a2dd111d55 struck a chord with 694ec0a896 Woohyun’s competitive spirit and 826be16cf0 desire. Yes, this was how 1a4381935c someone who believed in 959fc07ea0 earning things through effort dc8ad7275f should respond.8d56c9f1fc6d4999

Then all Jiwon had to do was watch from the sidelines… yet he kept finding himself wanting to help Woohyun in some way.5adcf0f16cc04966

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish