The Kpop Otaku's Dream

A few weeks have since passed. Thanks to my new found status, I was able to flex my clout quite a bit at S.M. As a result, Irene no longer lives in the trainee dorms. And no! she didn't move in with me, her parents would never allow it. I did purchase an apartment next door for her though. Now in addition to being my girlfriend she is also the pretty noona next door

I have also started a Fan cafe, called Dylanators which almost instantly hit 100k members. Its absolutely mental to think about how much people that is. Its a population bigger than some cities!

As a result of my now newborn 'fame', I've even begun to be recognized. Mostly by teenage girls, my demographic is pretty much obvious at this point.

Besides sticking to the usual routine of training, modeling and school. Yuri-noona has been constantly sending my scripts to read for possible roles. At first this was limited to a select few but after putting her in contact with S.M's acting department I've become swamped with offers.

Most of them are for supporting roles obviously, while some are for main cast parts but only in really low budget productions.

2 offers or should I say casting calls have caught my eye. Both productions I know will be hugely successful.

While Yuri-noona is a little skeptical about whether I can land these roles and worries that I just be wasting my time,I understand her worries but none the less decide to two accept both auditions. Even if I fail. I can at least say I tried right.

Let's talk about the first drama. It will be among the top-rated Korean dramas of the year; and will maintain its number one spot in the viewer ship ratings chart for 20 consecutive weeks.

A Cinderella based story that tells the tale of a student, Go EunSung's (played by Han Hyojoo) who returns home from abroad finding out that her father has been declared dead from a gas explosion. Her nasty stepmother then takes the life insurance money and moves out with daughter, Yoo SeungMi (played by Moon Chaewon), leaving EunSung and her autistic but musically-talented brother, EunJoo, without money or shelter. Soon after, EunJoo goes missing, leaving EunSung devastated.

While the royalty/Prince is Sun WooHwan(played by Lee Seungi) the grandson of the head of a food company, Jang SookJa who is disappointed by her spoiled grandson and heir apparent. After encountering EunSung, she is touched by EunSung's compassion and work-ethic. SookJa's brings EunSung to her home and announces that EunSung will become the new heir to the company.

This is the plot for Brilliant Legacy, the drama which in 2009 had an even higher rating than Boys Over Flowers.

I have been offered the chance to play the role of Park Joon-se. The lovable and kind second male lead whose interest in EunSung (Han Hyo-joo's character) is bound to fail. In the original time line the character is played byBae Soo-bin, I have always felt that while he delivered and performed greatly. A younger actor would have suited the role better given that he was 32 while Hyo-joo and Seungi were in their early 20's.

As for what the other drama is about, You will have to wait a few more chapters because I'm off to Brilliant legacy's audition right now.

.....

Pulling up to an unfamiliar building, I enter the theater and give my name to the receptionist.

The room is filled with guys around my age or older. I greet politely before grabbing a script and waiting for my turn.

Time seems to pass slowly, but I keep myself occupied. Reading the story again, I can't help but admire the writing from the initial first two episodes, where the main character is a royal jerk he slowly transforms into someone the viewer can't help but admire/ have pride in as he grows.

Trying to fully encapsulate the feelings of Joon-se who has to balance his kind and warm nature against his father's calculative figure. He doesn't want to disappoint anyone, hurt anyone, his the shoulder you use to lean on and then disregard when you don't need it. He is a caregiver. A character that appeals to women's fantasies. On a basic level, Joon-se is a bright person or he tries to be at least.

Before I know it, it's my turn to head on stage. As soon as a pass by the curtain, I see the empty arena that only has three males with clipboards. I'm presuming they are the director, pd and writer.

Moving to the center of the stage, I introduce myself.

"Hello, I am Park Dylan 19 years old reading for the role of Park Joon se."

One of the men then asks me a question, "You are really young, the view I had of Joon-se's character was more mature, do you think you can properly portray it given your age ?"

"Sir, I may be young but I think I look old enough. Furthermore, Joon-se is mature but his not a full adult yet. I think that his still learning how to become one, given how he still obeys his father like a puppet"

He smiles and nods. "Go ahead, what scene will you be reading?"

"Scene 6 episode 24"

The start scrolling through the pages and get to where I will be reading an indicate for me to begin.

I take a deep breath trying to figure out how I would feel knowing the girl I loved never loved me the way I did. Her heart never belonged to me and now Hwan owns it.

I grab a chair, and put on a strained expression as the male is reading the lines which expresses EungSung's reasons for refusing my job opportunity I have given her.

"I'm sorry" She offers yet another cryptic apology. Which forces me to be unable to contain myself. My smile, is not a smile. My lips quiver as my voice breaks while I speak

"Why must it be Hwan? Of all people, Hwan? He can't make you happy! Do you know what it's like to stand on the sidelines all this while, quietly protecting you? To feel anger, but not having the right to be angry. To want to hug you, but not having the right to hug you. Seeing you leave, and not being able to stop you. That kind of powerlessness…"

My eyes fill with tears. There is nothing else to say. I stare wan at her. Sitting in total silence. Years from now, will I remember this moment of heartbreak or will it pass just like time.

"Great!" Shouts the man in the middle.

"Well done boy I was skeptical at first but that was perfect!" He turns to the other two and they deliberate for a second before nodding. He then shouts to the assistant behind the curtain , "Tell the rest to go home we have justcasted the role"

He makes his way to me and smiles, "Congratulations, you got the role."

I shake his hand firmly, "Thank you, I will do my best!"

Returning to the vehicle outside, Yuri-noona asks , "So.... how was it?

I'm still a little shocked at how easy that was so my expression is blank.

'Why does this seem like deja vu?'

Yuri-noona mistakes this as disappointment, and pats me on the back, "Don't worry Dylan we all fail. This is just a learning experience you will do better next time" She says smilingly trying to comfort me.

"No"

"No, what do you mean?" She asks quite stumped.

"I .... didn't fail." I say softly, "I got the role of the second male lead"

"WHAT!" She exclaims.

Her outburst makes reality finally set in and I can't help but dance around like a happy kid who is singing along to their favorite song as I shout in the middle of the street.

"Noona, I GOT THE JOB!"

"I'm really an actor now! hahaha"

"I GOT THE JOB!"