Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 38.2: Expansion (6)

About an hour later, at a rental office.

Roughly an hour away from Paju Campus, PD Jung Soo-ryeong stopped her car in front of a rental office building near Seoul. What is this? Kang Rojun looked at Jung Soo-ryeong, and she shrugged.

“PD Woo Han-suk emphasized that we should be as discreet as possible when meeting with you, so we just rented out an office today. There’s a lot to go over.”

It was a smart decision. If someone recognized Kang Rojun during an external meeting, it would be a headache. This was a time to be extremely cautious. PD Jung Soo-ryeong parked in the lot, and Rojun adjusted his mask and cap before getting out of the car.

-Swish.

There were quite a few people in the elevator, but seeing him with a mask and cap, they only glanced and didn’t pay much attention to Kang Rojun.

The rental room they arrived at wasn’t very spacious.

The room was modestly sized, with a five-person table at the center and a whiteboard standing against the wall, simple and straightforward. After closing the door, PD Jung Soo-ryeong placed the items she brought on the table. A tablet, planner, clear file folder, script, there was a lot. Kang Rojun also took out a notebook for notes and sat down while PD Jung Soo-ryeong began writing large letters at the top of the whiteboard.

-Rental Lover Schedule.

She then added items in order: the casted actors, preliminary meetings with actors, finalized filming locations, script reading, and so on. Once it seemed sufficient, PD Jung Soo-ryeong pulled out the chair across from Rojun.

“It might look like a lot, but you don’t have to feel pressured. It’s just information for you to be aware of.”

Looking at the unfamiliar terms on the whiteboard, Kang Rojun replied,

“Yes, I’ll pay attention.”

“And we’ve now passed the mid-to-late stage of pre-production, right? There are some events where we need to reveal your identity as the writer. Like actor pre-meetings or script readings.”

Script reading? Rojun recalled something he’d come across briefly on YouTube.

‘Is that it? Where all the actors get together and read their lines?’

Thinking about doing something he had once found fascinating himself made Kang Rojun quietly nervous.

‘This kind of tension feels different from the idol stuff.’

Understanding what was going on inside Rojun, PD Jung Soo-ryeong smiled faintly.

“Right now, since you’re this massive sensation as No. 1 in ‘Produce That 100!', if you show up in ‘Rental Lover’ as both the writer and an actor, it’ll blow people’s minds. Our key staff, the actors, all of them. No one knows who the writer is. Even the female lead, Choi Rina, doesn’t.”

Choi Rina, in particular, would be much more shocked. Though Rojun’s face had been covered, she had seen him before. Regardless, PD Jung Soo-ryeong continued as if it were no big deal.

“But don’t worry. Confidentiality clauses are included in the contracts by default, and I’ll make sure everyone keeps their mouths shut.”

She rubbed her hands together as she spoke softly.

“I can already see everyone flipping out, and I don’t know why I’m so excited to see it. How about you?”

“I’m also a bit excited… and nervous.”

PD Jung Soo-ryeong changed the subject.

“Okay, before we officially begin, should we go over the things I mentioned earlier? Let’s start with the foreign languages.”

She picked up the ‘Rental Lover’ script that was on the table and flipped through a few pages. For reference, this was the updated version that Rojun had finalized himself.

“Ah- this line from ‘Lover No. 4’. Can you try this English line? Just in your normal speaking tone, no acting.”

Nodding, Kang Rojun lowered his gaze to the script. Among the few lines for ‘Lover No. 4’ was a short English dialogue. He had already memorized it. He had written it and practiced it a few times, after all. Clearing his throat softly, Rojun murmured the line in English.

PD Jung Soo-ryeong, arms crossed, thought,

‘Hmm. Just as expected. A level anyone could reach. Pretty awkward, but it’s something that can be improved with practice.’

Her expression had turned serious at some point.

‘The key is that absurdly good face. The awkward lines are drowned out by it. His visuals are just too overwhelming.’

After the English line, PD Jung Soo-ryeong gave Rojun a new instruction.

“Okay, now this one. The Japanese line.”

“Yes.”

Letting out a quiet breath, Kang Rojun spoke again. What came out was Japanese.

“I care about you. Even though we don’t understand each other. From the moment you called me, I was sincere. Though we couldn’t communicate. I was silent because I believed that even without words, our hearts were connected. Even now, you don’t understand what I’m saying.”

PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s eyes widened instantly.

“Huh?”

Unlike with English, Rojun's Japanese was extremely fluent. The Japanese he had just spoken was far beyond the level achievable through simple practice. Slightly flustered, she asked again.

"W-what! You’re good?! Wait, didn’t you say you only knew the basics of Japanese??”

Internally satisfied, Kang Rojun replied calmly.

“Yes, I speak a little.”

“What are you talking about! How is that ‘a little’ in any way! That’s native-level! Your idea of ‘a little’ is totally wrong, seriously?? Wow- I'm surprised.”

Though PD Jung Soo-ryeong appeared flustered on the outside, she was inwardly cheering in delight.

‘This is amazing. With that level of skill, he doesn't need practice or anything. And now he speaks Japanese too... It's so obvious he’s going to suck up Japanese fans like a vacuum.’

PD Jung Soo-ryeong, finally showing her true feelings, stared at Rojun intently before speaking again.

“Now let’s take a look at your acting.”

Being good at Japanese and being able to act were completely different matters. Acting needed to be at least fundamentally solid, and adding Japanese came after that. No matter how good he was at foreign languages, if his acting was garbage, it would be useless.

“This scene, the first appearance of ‘Lover No. 4’. Do a facial acting performance for this scene. Think of me as the female lead. You said you practiced, right? Do you need time?”

Kang Rojun shook his head immediately.

“No, I’ll do it right away.”

“Confidence is great and all…”

Even the top actress Choi Rina would take time to collect her emotions before acting. Yet Rojun showed no hesitation or signs of worry. A total beginner’s mindset.

‘Well, just because he practiced a bit doesn’t mean his acting will improve when he’s never done it before. And he probably had no one to guide him. Is he just getting it over with, like taking the first hit?’

At this point, PD Jung Soo-ryeong had resigned herself.

"Alright, then here's your cue."

The moment the cue signal dropped, Kang Rojun transformed into ‘Lover No. 4’. Emotions that had been studied or rather, recalled spread rapidly.

Endless affection filled his gaze.

Kang Rojun looked at PD Jung Soo-ryeong with that gaze.

A faint smile formed at the corner of his lips. This smile was the essence and trademark of ‘Lover No. 4’. No matter who the other person was, this dangerously charming smile swept women off their feet. Right now, the target was PD Jung Soo-ryeong. Unconsciously, she found herself being drawn into Rojun’s smile.

“......”

Every expression toward the female lead needed to carry the feeling of cherishing her. Even his eye movement had to stay focused on the female lead. PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s mouth slightly opened, and Kang Rojun added more affection into his gaze.

At that moment, as if she had been possessed, PD Jung Soo-ryeong suddenly snapped back to her senses.

“S-Stop! Stop, stop!”

Even as she felt her overly elevated heart rate, she asked Kang Rojun from across the table.

"Writer-nim...... you said you've never acted before?"

“Yes. This is my first time.”

PD Jung Soo-ryeong furrowed her brows in disbelief and shouted.

“What do you mean first time?! Even Choi Rina would get confused and fall for that!!”