Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 39.1: Villain (1)

PD Jung Soo-ryeong was excessively flustered right now. Even with her 15 years of experience directing dramas, she was dumbfounded by the collision with that monstrous dump truck. That was about Kang Rojun.

With just one expression from Rojun, PD Jung Soo-ryeong was completely disarmed.

Still feeling her heart beating rapidly, she stammered slightly as she asked Kang Rojun.

“Y-you're really sure you’ve never acted before? There's no need to hide anything."

Rojun answered plainly.

“Yes, it’s my first time acting.”

It wasn’t a lie.

‘Even if I took advantage of 'AI Automation', I’m still a total newbie, right?’

However, in Jung Soo-ryeong’s eyes, the acting Kang Rojun had just shown was by no means at a beginner level.

‘Does this make sense? That mood is something only top-level actors can produce.’

To the extent that she forgot it was acting and fell for it, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who had seen countless male actors known for their looks and acting in the past. As a veteran among veterans, she had never looked at a male actor outside of a director’s perspective.

But just now, even if briefly, she melted.

'It was just me who kept my composure to this extent. An ordinary woman would have lost her mind immediately.'

The professional PD Jung Soo-ryeong somehow managed to calm her racing heart and silently observed Kang Rojun, carefully assessing him. It was a storm with many causes: Rojun’s terrifyingly good looks, his surprising acting skills, his current status close to that of an ordinary person, the confined space with just the two of them, and the unfamiliar process of 'Rental Lover' even for Jung Soo-ryeong.

If it had been a typical routine, PD Jung Soo-ryeong probably wouldn’t have been shaken.

‘Whatever the case, it’s true that I was momentarily charmed by him.’

She had to admit it. Jung Soo-ryeong had forgotten her role as a director and fallen for Kang Rojun.

‘Acting that would make any woman standing in front of him mistake herself for the female lead, lost in a fantasy.’

On top of his high-dimensional acting, PD Jung Soo-ryeong focused on Kang Rojun’s eyes. His pupils were unbelievably clear, yet inside them coexisted confidence and a decadent coldness. If such a man spoke with an affectionate, attached expression, who could possibly withstand it?

“...This is a natural disaster.”

When Kang Rojun tilted his head slightly and asked back,

“Excuse me?”

PD Jung Soo-ryeong let out a small sigh with a faint smile.

“Are you sure this is really your first time acting?”

“Yes. This is also the first time I’ve properly worked as a writer or actor.”

“Ha- I really can’t predict you, writer-nim. All I can think is that you’re just outside the norm. How does someone act like a leading role actor on their very first try?”

Though Rojun knew the answer, he passed it off lightly.

“I’m just glad it wasn’t too bad.”

“Not too bad? No. With acting like that, viewers would’ve gone wild asking why you were given a role worse than a supporting one.”

At that moment, a brief vibration came from Kang Rojun’s wrist. A notification from the 'AI Simulation'.

-[You have completed the Hidden Mission ‘Secure the Position of Your Second Side Job!’ As a reward, 20 coins have been deposited.]

Of course, Rojun didn’t check the notification right away. PD Jung Soo-ryeong continued speaking to Kang Rojun.

“So what is it then? You're telling me that you’re talented in vocals, dance, and acting now. You’re good at Japanese too. On top of that, your face-”

Suddenly excited, PD Jung Soo-ryeong threw a sincere question at the inhumanly skilled Rojun.

“No, seriously, why did you only just now come out into the world?? With such monstrous specs?"

I used to be a monster in a different sense. Answering silently to himself, Kang Rojun remained quiet, while PD Jung Soo-ryeong, faced with unexpected developments, organized her thoughts.

‘This is- something that’s going to flip the game again.’

She hadn’t expected writer Kang Chul-soo’s Japanese skills. On top of that, such high-dimensional acting that could crush even top-level talents. No. 1 Kang Rojun had already made waves with just his attention-drawing power, but now he was performing several times beyond the result that Jung Soo-ryeong had initially planned.

‘He’s an idol, a writer with a way with words, an actor- he won't have time to exhaust his image.'

What was absurd was that Kang Rojun was still only at the starting point. If he began to grow in earnest, how immense would his presence become? As Jung Soo-ryeong imagined this briefly, she returned to reality.

‘Damn it, if I had known his acting would be this good, I would’ve gone with him solo from the start.’

However, 'Rental Lover' was already well underway. Regretfully, PD Jung Soo-ryeong had no choice but to proceed.

“Have you tried acting in any other roles?”

“No.”

"How do you think you'd do?"

“I’m not sure, unless I try. But I think I can do it.”

“......”

For now, she had to be satisfied with him as 'Lover No. 4'.

There’s always a next time.

PD Jung Soo-ryeong imagined Rojun taking the male lead role in another project after 'Rental Lover'.

"Okay, I understand for now. Let’s see the acting one more time. Not sitting down, but standing, with a different cut.”

Behind her, Kang Rojun carried out the performances PD Jung Soo-ryeong requested without a hitch. Of course, they were all perfect. PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s eyes gleamed as she dissected everything about Rojun’s acting.

'What's with those long legs? I knew his proportions were insane, but they’re even more noticeable today. Obviously, he wears clothes well. But that body, too- looks like he’s been working out hard lately? It’s amazing how his small face manages to fit those eyes, nose, and mouth, really.’

She began thinking about how to style him as an actor. From the makeup, costume, and props for 'Lover No. 4', to the overall mood. Enhancing the already monstrous aura of Kang Rojun was also part of PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s job.

Afterward, PD Jung Soo-ryeong gave Rojun a thumbs up.

“Nice, that’s enough. Just practice your acting with that level of tension. I don’t even have anything to direct. Same with the Japanese. But for the English lines, you’ll need to repeat them until they sound more natural.”

She moved on to the next topic, the current situation of 'Rental Lover'.

“For now, we’ll finalize this version of the script and distribute the final draft to the key staff and actors. As for the storyboards, the length is short anyway, so it’ll be done quickly. You can consider the casting as complete, and the location scouting is finished too.”

Listening to all these unfamiliar terms, Kang Rojun carefully jotted them down in his notebook. PD Jung Soo-ryeong, finding that cute, chuckled softly before continuing.

“Except for the little things, all that’s left now are the big ones. The most important of which is, of course, the final part of pre-production, the script reading. Once the script reading is done, we’ll go straight into the first shoot. It’s really just around the corner now.”

Murmuring this, PD Jung Soo-ryeong got up from her seat.

“As I mentioned earlier, the first public reveal of you as the writer-nim, and the most urgent item on the schedule-”

She tapped her finger on the writing on the whiteboard.

“Before the script reading, there’s a preliminary meeting with the entire cast.”