1novels 87, License to the New World
87, License to the New World
Park Jung-hoon didn't reply immediately; he repeated Lee Kyung-sung's answer without any change in expression.
"A 48% viewership rating is impressive. But do you know what the biggest difference is between movies and TV dramas?" Park Jung-hoon asked himself and answered, "TV dramas are like inviting viewers to your home for twenty episodes, where you can leisurely chat over tea. Movies are like kidnapping viewers into a dark room for over an hour, where you either conquer them or are despised by them."
I think this analogy is barely acceptable.
Li Jingcheng was still a newcomer to the film industry, and the role he auditioned for was the male lead, so he naturally had more to deal with. Without CJ, he wouldn't even have had the chance to audition.
So he could only nod quietly, hoping that the system would at least reward him with a good role, which was so hard to snatch.
Park Hoon-jung's gaze remained fixed on Lee Kyung-sung's face.
"Your portrayal of the Crown Prince was excellent; your crying made all the female fans in South Korea feel sorry for you. But Lee Ja-sung also cried, but he didn't cry because of women. His pain was pent up inside him; it was suppressed."
"Dramas need empathy, movies need belief," Park Jung-hoon said, emphasizing his point. "I want the audience to believe that Lee Ja-sung really lived in that world for eight years, walking a tightrope in hell every day. Can you make them believe that?"
Li Jingcheng did not immediately answer whether he could or could not.
He was silent for three seconds, then raised his eyes and looked directly at Park Hoon-jung.
"Director," he said, his voice low but clear, "the only role I can play is the tightrope walker. As for whether the audience believes it... that's a question they'll have to answer for themselves after watching the film."
Park Hoon-jung's lips twitched almost imperceptibly upwards. It wasn't a smile, but more like a curve of confirmation.
"Very good." After saying that, Park Jung-hoon pushed the audition script forward. "Then act like Lee Ja-sung walking a tightrope and tell me that you are more suitable for him."
"it is good."
Why not just audition earlier?
Since he was a newcomer, Li Jingcheng picked up the audition script and began to read it carefully.
It's the scene where Ding Qing is slashed and seriously injured in the elevator, and Li Zicheng rushes to the hospital to have his last conversation with Ding Qing at his bedside.
This is the emotional climax of the entire film "New World," the tipping point where Lee Ja-sung's humanity is torn apart and his final choice is made.
The most difficult part was the emotional outburst. Lee Ja-sung's emotions were introverted and suppressed, not outwardly expressed, making it very challenging.
Lee Kyung-sung looked up and saw Park Jung-hoon's gaze.
He nodded slightly, a hint of expectation in his eyes. "That's my biggest concern about you right now. I'm free today, so you can take your time to get into the mood."
Li Jingcheng continued reading the script. Although he had some memories of the plot from his previous life, the more detailed script now allowed him to get into character more quickly.
"I'm sorry." The doctor bowed slightly, head down.
No one else cared whether Ding Qing lived or died.
Li Zicheng's feelings were very complicated.
Ding Qing, the "Elevator Warrior," woke up in his hospital bed. Wearing an oxygen mask, he weakly looked at Li Zicheng and gently waved his hand.
Li Zicheng called everyone else out of the ward.
Li Zicheng sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes slightly red, and carefully removed the oxygen mask for him. He knew Ding Qing had something to tell him.
"Relax your expression, damn it."
"Who's going to eat you?"
"I thought I'd never see you again, but I'm so damn happy."
It has been completely incorporated into the plum process.
The script slipped from my hands, and tears silently welled up in my eyes.
Li Jingcheng stared blankly down, his eyes filled with sadness, guilt, and unspeakable regret, his whole being enveloped in heavy emotions.
Park Jung-hoon had been waiting for Lee Kyung-sung to gradually get into character, but after seeing his gaze, he couldn't help but sit up straight and stare intently at him.
"Big...brother..."
The voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, yet it made Ding Qing, who was experiencing a brief moment of lucidity before death, smile.
After Ding Qing finally breathed his last, his tightly clenched hand fell limply to his side, and he froze.
He remained motionless, leaning forward, like a statue frozen in time.
Time seemed to stand still in the ward, with only the long, death-sent hum of the electrocardiogram monitor remaining.
It felt like a tsunami had just struck the area; all the sadness, regret, guilt, and pain hadn't disappeared.
Instead, a near-mad, desperate realization ignited atop the ruins, only to quickly cool and sink into a bottomless, icy resolve.
He blinked very slowly, with a tear still clinging to his eyelashes.
He took a trembling breath, then slowly exhaled, beginning to withdraw little by little from Lee Ja-sung's body. But the heavy sorrow and cold emptiness still lingered clearly in the corners of his eyes, his brows, and his entire posture.
Lee Kyung-sung slowly turned to director Park Jung-hoon, without saying a word. His eyes calmed down, no longer trembling, no longer struggling, devoid of any emotion, like a frozen lake after a blizzard.
The awakening is complete, the transformation is at hand, and his entire answer is in that gaze, which is also the license to a new world.
Park Jung-hoon sat up straight, leaned forward slightly, and stared into Lee Kyung-sung's eyes for a full ten seconds.
That gaze wasn't scrutinizing; it was more like confirming the authenticity of a work of art. The air in the office seemed to freeze.
then,
He leaned back in the wide chair and nodded slightly.
"That's enough," Park Jung-hoon said.
Wiping away the tears from his eyes, Li Jingcheng's expression returned to normal. He bent down, picked up the fallen script, and placed it back on the table.
"I saw the performance today," Park Jung-hoon said, his tone as gentle as before. "The emotional outburst, the restraint, and finally... the transition in state—the layers were clear."
He put the audition script back in the drawer and looked up at Li Jingcheng.
"A core role like Lee Ja-sung isn't something that can be decided based on just one scene. I need to consider the overall chemistry, the chemistry between the actors, and... the final overall completeness." Park Jung-hoon left his words unsaid, "There are still some procedures to go through, and the casting process requires comprehensive evaluation. Your performance will be an important reference for me."
"That's all for today," Park Jung-hoon said finally, his tone a clear signal that the meeting was over. "Thank you for your hard work. Once the results are in, the company will officially notify your manager."
"How is it?" Luo Yonghao rushed up to him as soon as the door opened, and saw Li Jingcheng's slightly red eyes.
Is it a crying scene?
Li Jingcheng walked shoulder to shoulder with him and replied in a low voice, "I think the director is quite satisfied, but it seems there's still one more hurdle. He has to act with actor Ding Qing and see how their chemistry goes."
"It's normal. Hwang Jung-min is already forty-two years old, and you're only twenty," Na Yong-ho said without a care. "Besides, Jung-cheong is Lee Ja-sung's older brother. He should just dress more maturely during filming. It's normal for them to be a little different in age."
After speaking, Luo Yonghao paused, then continued, "I just received some good news, but it might be bad news for you."