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.a7a76f1412882342

The background 86dbbe3d3f was a ff380af928 simple beige, 8f7721640e with only e7fac36e5d a small ff38a5e89f wooden chair d1ebd2d8ad as a d53d30e098 prop, focusing 760f80a0e4 entirely on 8b865aded3 the subject. In this eb65a84240 setting, Park a9213ef8c0 Sejin continued 469e861389 the shoot 16a170e94f skillfully, like 46a8c4fae4 a seasoned 981b941f8e model.30e89660b0609a6b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

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.d1d17c48b14e8518

Just then, as he b702d06e24 was fully absorbed in c66d7b68d7 the set, he sensed 70d0bb2d33 someone approaching beside him. Trying to 34b3e8f86f glance sideways, 70161b7dff Woohyun realized 6324298ae7 it was 9921e73f73 Kang Jiwon e1ec132f5a and tried 388e92a1e3 to hide b59723d0bb his surprise.2e83c4d6805387d5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Director, what brings 8180762a51 you here?”2f3978916ade61d5

“I was just 9b81bc2ae2 passing by.”178b2792adbc49d0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The man’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, not on Woohyun. At the end of that gaze was Park Sejin.3d4a8d15ec0d9cd0

“Why are 00b0bddeef you here, 0190531db7 Seo Woohyun?”7fc1e2893a540561

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Sejin hyung told me to come for the experience, so I’m just watching.”000eaa24bbbae32d

Woohyun’s gaze also turned to Park Sejin. At the same time, Jiwon looked back at him, and their eyes met.547ab7fd6901d591

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Hyung?”5c3d4d3ff21ecf6f

“Even though he looks young, he’s three years older than me.”fb2381982d1806dc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I know that. I meant, are you 7917e41074 two close enough to a740ec748e call each other hyung ba418c6f38 and dongsaeng already?”b9209784b0c68cd4

Woohyun let f27ca5f03c out a 9484ee850f soft exclamation. Now that he b17b833d27 thought about it, b4da449f3a it was surprising. There were three 3e778b1209 others in the 3d547e1fe7 acting class, but 06704d96a2 he had become 0ae2d8eb6a particularly close to 805b775b57 Park Sejin.21bce2068d42e262

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His social 7ab1aa6bd4 skills were 8de00470d4 exceptional. After learning cb25c6c0a4 names, traits, 078a77b6b5 and ages, fa13125c4b exchanging contact 5fab31ce4f information was 81ba9182db smooth. During the d69dd5e0f2 second camera 8437743955 test rehearsal, 76af45a76f Sejin even 80aa9cb1b5 volunteered to bb0adaaa99 help practice. He also treated cbdfa56375 him to delicious 5e65ef24a4 food whenever they e7a3cd289a met.bccd2310c8145d90

“I didn’t have any celebrity friends, but hyung takes good care of me. Thanks to him, I get to see places like this.”b95201c77c5dacf4

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.”f66fbfa63cf1f017

Their eyes met 27ceffd359 again. Unable to hide 1d6c561abc his startled expression, fae89eb2cd Jiwon laughed out 7e815a2423 loud.ad0b9ab974719372

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

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?2de5d4ccc8b1615c

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…a88d6686d46ac6c6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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…40a93a40a8c59ad2

Lost in thought for 8943e93e76 a moment, Woohyun realized 10e44a5f04 he was worrying unnecessarily a71b017d70 and frowned.ab3354c153c8865a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then get me 6774a615e3 a solo CF b5691aa055 next time.”5d6971f1913692fd

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.e897766ef9f80836

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But Jiwon, ee53309703 as if 41aa446335 seeing right 9b16dd5fdf through him, 325a34309f smiled.a04a9636e5193e51

“Is that all? I was thinking a118bac42c you needed something 53e98a4078 to get your 977dbbaffd face out there 56525f59dc before the shoot 5539205e99 anyway.”f7a1253e51222500

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Are you serious?”2e2ab368efb68602

“Do I seem like 173caf8fdc someone who jokes about 0cd093aaf3 work to you, Seo 4907c91ab5 Woohyun?”3e7418e65abc4117

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No, you said you’d only help if I put in the effort…”04cfc7c1df528ef1

“I will. But I also need to show some responsibility. I just came from a meeting with the production company…”995f72634ede638e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Jiwon trailed off, crossing 47f4e1f22f his arms and looking a816e88c02 down at Woohyun.9b80e442234c9c81

“There’s a 03edc4f2c7 problem with 1b46b2a255 the role 30ec517a9a you were 2a1bbe68fe set for. Director Lee wants f8a400b102 you, but Writer 1acb2ead46 Kim doesn’t seem 0a5d556eea to trust you 84a77bc1e1 yet. It’s not surprising affa763be7 since he’s only fab5f51f22 seen you in 6bbd1c27ab camera test videos.”d1ecd869a014b252

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Does that mean my 234517cfe2 role could be taken 339f72594f by someone else?”dfe945e0cb1ee132

“If Writer 02036dd90e Kim insists 8525edeee1 on holding ac504912cd auditions, then 5e53c15de5 yes.”e10bad3e2cca44b1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Woohyun had 2a2439cfb9 been worried 173f8208cc since there 180d1fb5fd was no 8a22f2cb14 talk of 64a0900780 signing a 59a0b4f2a1 contract despite 8cd03d6a03 verbal discussions 70fdde5718 about his 30949f51e2 appearance. Now that it was 6baff6540f becoming a reality, anxiety 3347f6a097 washed over him.28dfd076f0420481

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.a30d34c099171b91

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He swallowed dryly. It seemed 7b75cf7926 like this f1fc914e1d industry required 7df4bb60e3 not just 41427b4e5b effort but 126ac93f7f also luck. And Woohyun had bb338932e2 never considered himself 2dae39558d a lucky person.69a6fb0c68a80877

“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.”d7c3b7709dcec522

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jiwon seemed to f83caf2df5 recall something, casting cf0778b6a0 his gaze far f030a96c9b away. After the meeting, 0da2440302 Director Lee had 5d8467dd8c expressed disappointment, wondering 96714965b6 why Jiwon hadn’t a49bc5347c pushed harder for 9875dc1c18 Woohyun with Writer 4471ed0958 Kim, despite seeing bdee456bfa potential in him.abb7f4b0b57dc6b6

If Jiwon 65e4a687a1 had said 485d0b70ea a few 51b4b7932e more words, e3bdf9d471 Writer Kim 02bd7a0b6b might have b8095f5b7b prioritized Woohyun’s 06aff3ad92 casting. The fact that his eca921e62e distrust faded somewhat upon 57dc3be3f2 hearing Woohyun had recently ccf606f6e7 signed with Newon was f9fcb088c1 telling.2fe70c9f8f14b083

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The first 87c71b69d7 camera test 94cfbc66c1 was interview-style, bed0ee9060 and the 03b1e84705 second involved 877a5671fa a script. In the two 8ecbc410e8 weeks between, Woohyun 7c9effa448 showed noticeably smoother 51c6fc17f9 expressions with just 6204bd9fb4 a few training 0c5eb9bd0c sessions.0f94e8c4aba80b14

But the 4aa5c1451e problem started baff34b091 when he 8f47ef95f7 began reciting f2409d8def lines. His facial 9982aa7b7a expressions were 09f52890f9 decent, but 9eb1d69836 his delivery c54614806e felt overly d19fef66a4 exaggerated.3b912ae49d229986

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The second camera test f07f60830f focused on how well 9596275053 he could internalize the bd7c495f0b script, and Jiwon wanted 562f1f6d48 to see how much ad523898c7 Woohyun could interpret the b4de2c921d script’s directions on his 1f94540357 own, without the director’s a1a85e7ce6 guidance.cfafd25168fd36dd

Honestly, it felt 6554b71ff7 like an illusion 646c9b3cff was shattered. If acting 266548c062 were like 023e12d14b clothing, Woohyun 0d146e87e5 was wearing 66f510f395 something that 244142c11f didn’t fit 7f6eecc40a and looked 70996eb7fb ridiculous.4f138ba429a91678

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

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.7c9d312e9c1d4f18

Woohyun’s greatest charm as a6647bf6ff an actor was his 8c66b6401b raw, untamed aura, seemingly f4e19c703a calm yet unrefined. His solid gaze faf99ca13b was a strength 09f3b134c8 derived from this. While an actor’s gaze fe9ee49a8f can be half their 757032ed82 charm, if training refined f30c30fa39 it to the point 98f8dee375 of losing his unique b5d17a2a4e atmosphere, it would be ce850f9aad a disaster.48d8ac17713886c5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

An actor shines 067a9a5cf5 in the continuity a6f7e061fd of speaking and 6280be694b moving. If it were ccfb6c1cad just about capturing 04d0a8e028 still moments, they 010e86b7ef would have hired 805ca03bb6 a model, not 63d60d8868 brought him on 8812ed1d36 as an actor c37c4ea0d7 with a contract.5368f38f2e88da82

Jiwon anticipated that Writer 4dfa2f8cc5 Kim wouldn’t be satisfied 4c59877330 with Woohyun’s acting.4665607f0a650868

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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.454f5da002171a81

Jiwon had considered telling ee2c4637b5 Woohyun this when the 1f23091f52 contract was being discussed, 3ff8a8b564 but he was curious 1d9e5b161e to see how quickly c242748e83 Woohyun could grow, so 1d0c55fe74 he held back.f8c6517c02bf4c82

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, Director Lee c67e0db10d seems determined to 2ebf6e9f24 cast you in 9444980d7e some role, even bdf5020e1a if it’s not f627aff2dc that one.”fbd5e0d9325c3d56

<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.93efc6ec4e519553

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

While Director 9dc0295a5b Lee saw 61e366721b Woohyun’s potential b80729efc2 as an 2657111835 artist, Jiwon e030f2c0f8 recognized him 5256a74d8d with a 6e1678333d businessman’s eye. In terms of 45bd87bf12 commercial viability, it da9ea018b4 was wise to f84cb2e44d eliminate elements that aff84ef861 wouldn’t work.7bd5b64586302cfe

A charming 38019e95d5 face was 938ec56e8a a basic 7a76a901fb requirement, but 0faeb5b4eb to succeed fc8e3472f0 in this e096688231 world, there 716fd44bc2 needed to 957a481c77 be something 04aa8dc68d unique added. There were f284763961 plenty of ac77958296 resources to 4b5e868f67 replace Woohyun 4208bc5d71 if he dbdfcfb696 lost his d434d7e5ff innate weapon.3ca121bf2d506972

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

How likely was e81af7e514 it for him 82a4222a93 to catch the 2a56ecd052 public’s eye, and e794fdf742 even if he f5bc3d5033 did, how long e311122f6b would it last? Nothing was certain 37d95bdc93 yet.d305a0dfe53e2c03

The CF was a 3538c557da promise to provide him e63191dfe3 with a minimum foundation. While Jiwon fc1b3df5c8 was willing b3bf4d9ee8 to create 5e4d35cfd3 opportunities for d33d0ccdc6 him to 2d0ba09df1 rise, what 9cfce69fa4 happened afterward 150063daf1 was entirely 15456b4ee2 up to 13f6b9273f Woohyun.e13418bed4f70271

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No. That alone e0f2265e48 isn’t enough.”e465716813fa1672

Woohyun, who 25ea860723 had been 0bf00a9d7c tilting his 9c1eb76e50 head down, 3fd6965577 suddenly lifted 6339d324b5 it. The moment their eyes 8ff38a4e62 met in the air, 92bcb67a59 Jiwon felt a shiver 7b536d02d3 down his neck, similar 9bff4d453c to when he first a4ee3b0362 saw Woohyun.c0bfefec490db08f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“If I f87719fee0 have to 4e65a0a777 audition, I 98de28c464 will.”67713ca83be28e50

“Your confidence dc80c21725 is impressive.”c295df158bda81cc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s not because I 8b80e73683 trust my skills. But if you and 64a35deced the director saw something 503a7a3a59 in me, you can c62a44f111 convince the writer too. You emphasized that 21cd503b96 my effort is 973c08ad94 important, that I 959e3a6141 just need to fa1a2a6e14 do well. So I’ll af6ae1f6cc do my 35d0a771f9 part.”3361641207979640

“…”f18042fe72f10e31

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.”79f6beeed3a0f292

Jiwon covered 76409fdc41 his mouth 22ff5e7958 with one bca5b6bcb9 hand, letting 427d783695 out a 599af71341 low chuckle. Though he 02d5cba7d1 appeared to 6d96da4d29 be contemplating, 5398dbfc58 he couldn’t 33afc749f9 hide the 1c07e82ac7 smile forming a3d27fe39e beneath his 04a7ae76aa palm, so f9f7291ba3 he had 4f8f388070 to cover bd9a698b16 it.bcb28187ecb90ec3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It seemed he had 8bb7d7693a struck a chord with ce8e19fd0f Woohyun’s competitive spirit and 26081bfcfa desire. Yes, this was how 856e477d89 someone who believed in b5f9416ca4 earning things through effort d295ff070a should respond.d69971abdb9a92cf

Then all Jiwon had to do was watch from the sidelines… yet he kept finding himself wanting to help Woohyun in some way.16deaacdd8349b47

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com