April 4, 2017

It was a chill day as I feel a gush of wind running through my body. I clenched my jacket tightly as I enter the building where the script reading for my new drama will be held. I will be playing in Suspicious Partner as a lawyer called Ji Eun Hyuk, Noh Ji Wook’s (ex) best friend. I was super excited because the guy who will play as Noh Jiwook is no other than my close friend Ji Chang Wook hyung. This is his last project before he enters military service so I was really happy when they offer me the role because I’ll get to play alongside him in this important project.

I tried to locate where my close friend at while bowing at the staff. I met Manager Bang, Chang Wook hyung’s manager. I greeted him and he greeted me back and told me that hyung is in the restroom. I thanked him and go to the restroom. I waited in front of the door patiently until he came out of the restroom because I wanted to surprise him. It’s been three minutes but he still hasn’t come out of the restroom. I started to contemplate whether to enter the restroom until I saw the knob being turned and he appeared from the restroom.

“Hi Chang Wook hyung! Good morning,” I greeted him excitedly. But unlike the usual Wookie hyung that I know, he didn’t respond excitedly. In fact, he looked really nervous as he greeted me back, “morning Tae Joon-ah.”

“What’s wrong with you man? You look nervous. If I didn’t know you, I’ll think that you’re a newbie actor.”

“Well, you’re right. I’m nervous as hell today. You know that this is the last project for me right? That means I can’t screw this up. This is also my first Rom-Com drama and if I can excel on this, I can shed off my “Action Star” image. That’s why I’m nervous because I definitely have to do well in this given opportunity,” he explained.

Ah, the “Action Star” image. For years, Chang Wook hyung has done projects that require action prowess. From Healer, The K2, and Fabricated City, all of that fall on to action genre. Of course Chang Wook hyung, being the one that values his craft, put a great effort in making those projects successful by training himself hard to do those action scenes. Because of his effort in making the projects successful, the projects launched him as a Hallyu star with the “Action Star” image. He’s grateful for the recognition, but sometimes he’s afraid that he’ll be a typecast for action and it’ll hinder him for many opportunities in the long run. I can see why he put a lot of thought in this drama. Acting in action genre and Rom-Com genre is way too different, action actors have to master the skill of acting with body while romance actors have to master the skill of acting that put emphasize on facial expression. He definitely needs to put extra effort in honing his acting skill to suit Rom-Com.

“Don’t worry hyung. Knowing your ambitious side, you’ll adjust yourself well. Besides, you’re acting with me, your best friend! I can cheer you up whenever you’re feeling down, hehe,” I said. Chang Wook hyung finally smiled.

“Yah, you cheeky guy. I don’t want to be cheered up by a guy. I want my lover to do that to me,” he said jokingly.

“Relax hyung, you’ll meet your lover soon in the script reading room,” I said teasingly.

Little did I know that our light banter would soon turn out to be real.