Chapter 8

The Moon That Hid the Sun.

Prepared by KMB, one of the three major broadcasting companies in South Korea, this is a fictional historical drama.

Simply put, a fictional historical drama mixes imaginary backgrounds with ordinary history, and it could be said that it’s made to captivate both younger and middle-aged audiences.

‘That’s why it should be made well, at least.’

Ha Tae-oh, the producer of *The Moon That Hid the Sun*, is a veteran in the industry, having directed several historical dramas.

This is his second fictional historical drama.

The first one, *Fox Dew*, while not a massive hit, did achieve a decent level of success.

‘If we make it sloppily, we’ll lose both the younger audience and the middle-aged one.’

Thus, they sharpened their focus intensely on the cast.

The allocated budget was twice that of an ordinary fictional historical drama!

To KMB, it meant this was a project that must not fail under any circumstances.

“Wow, the child actors are fierce, really fierce.”

To this remark from Ha Tae-oh, casting director Kim Ki-woong replied in astonishment:

“From various agencies and academies, almost all the kids with some name in the industry have auditioned, haven’t they?”

“They all know it. How much KMB has sharpened its blade for this drama.”

It wasn’t a situation where the child actors would flop.

Generally, child actors appear in the very early episodes of a drama.

Sometimes, it’s merely the first episode; if stretched, it could last until the fifth episode.

So, are they not important?

Absolutely not.

Ultimately, they help decide the first impression of the drama, making them very important.

Thus, in recent times, some dramas have even omitted the childhood phase entirely.

If a child actor with uncertain acting abilities makes a mistake, it can make the image of the drama unclear too.

“Seems like the role of young Yoon Seoil is all but set, right?”

“Yes, well, wasn’t the actor famous from a young age?”

While reviewing the profile of the male child actor, Ha Tae-oh nodded.

Starting at the age of five, he had been recognized for his acting ability, and he was already in his fifth year in this trade.

Park Jung-woo, the son of renowned actor Park Sun-woong.

Ten-year-old Park Jung-woo fit the male lead role of ‘young Yoon Seoil’ in *The Moon That Hid the Sun* better than anyone else.

“This thing with young Lee Hye-wol… It seems we can’t pick just anyone, can we?”

“Park Jung-woo is an exceptionally skilled child actor, so the actress who plays opposite him might easily be overshadowed.”

An actor who inherited the talent of renowned actor Park Sun-woong.

If the actress chosen to play the female lead were to act opposite him, she would need to be carefully selected.

“Ah, this…”

At that moment, Kim Ki-woong let out a sigh.

In his hand was the profile of a girl he had just looked over.

“A girl who is making her first appearance in a drama… and she’s been in just two commercials so far, is also included in this audition?”

“Ah, that one?”

Ha Tae-oh glanced at the profile in Kim Ki-woong’s hand.

“Director Jo Bang-woo recommended her. I hear she acted with his son in a commercial.”

“Hmph. Did he recommend her because she appeared in his son’s ad? If she succeeds, his son may also get attention.”

“Oh, come on.”

They flicked their tongues briefly at the name ‘Sooyeon Joo’ written on the profile.

Her face looked quite good from the picture.

She was six years old, a little young but, since the character young Lee Hye-wol was eight, it wasn’t impossible for her to handle the role.

“Her looks are definitely appealing.”

“Wasn’t it a soy milk commercial? Yeah, it seems to have been that one.”

“Though her performance in the soy milk commercial wasn’t bad, but…”

“Those bright and cheerful performances could be done without any acting skills.”

Moreover, acting in commercials and acting in dramas are fundamentally different.

The first issue was whether she could memorize her lines properly.

“Isn’t this a bit much for parachute cases?”

With that remark, Ha Tae-oh casually pushed Su-yoon’s profile aside.

There was no way an actress who had only done two commercials would pass this audition.

***

The Moon That Hid the Sun.

Or, for short, “Tai Soom Dal.”

This was the audition venue.

“Wow, what is this?”

Su-a questioned whether this was even the right audition venue.

Perhaps this was just a set for filming.

Upon entering, the staff verified simple personal details and then briefly explained the audition process. Subsequently, he pulled out a single document.

“The content of this audition might be broadcast as a making film or advertisement in various forms. We kindly request your understanding. If you agree with this, please sign here.”

“Ah, yes.”

Sua nervously yet carefully signed the document.

As a minor, Seoyeon needed her guardian’s consent for such matters.

“This audition is definitely different…”

As she entered, Su-a muttered quietly to herself.

Seoyeon agreed with this as well.

Indeed, the surroundings were filled with young actors accompanied by lots of managers or agencies.

There weren’t any child actors accompanied by their parents as in the past, leaving Seoyeon and Su-a feeling like they were stranded on a deserted island.

“Who is that?”

“Did she enter the wrong place?”

Due to this, Seoyeon found herself drawing twice as much attention.

There were also auditions preparing with costumes or makeup.

“Seoyeon, what do we do?”

“I don’t know.”

How could anyone ask a six-year-old child who had only been in two advertisements?

Of course, Seoyeon would have been in the same state if she were in Su-a’s shoes.

“Seoyeon’s mom, this way please.”

Just as the prying eyes started to increase, a savior appeared.

“Director Jo!”

With an excited face, Su-a grabbed Seoyeon’s hand and approached him. He smiled gently in reassurance.

“I recommended and got her in, so I figured I should help.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

“And here, please just call me Min-tae.”

Seoyeon bowed slightly, and Director Jo responded with a smile.

“To be honest, I had my own desire. I wanted to see what Seoyeon would feel like acting in this drama.”

While he said this, Seoyeon already knew how special this situation was.

Without any reason for Director Cho, a commercial director, to help her, it was a situation where other young actors could only gape at.

Seoyeon glanced around at the burning stares she was receiving.

‘Parachute case.’

Due to Director Cho’s arrival, a few people around began furrowing their brows at her, likely assuming she was brought in by someone inside.

“By the way, is this how drama auditions generally go?”

Seoyeon asked in a small voice to Min-tae Cho.

To which Cho Min-tae shook his head.

“There are cases where auditions are held, and there are also instances where the director or casting director hand-picks them. Having large-scale auditions like this is pretty rare. Perhaps this is done to create a promotional making film.”

“Ah.”

Making film.

Seoyeon was reminded of something from the past.

Thinking back, *The Moon That Hid the Sun* had already drawn attention before airing by releasing various videos.

There was definitely a section about child actor auditions among those as well.

“Ah, it seems everyone is here, so let’s get started.”

At that moment, a man with a scruffy beard in the audition room began speaking.

“That’s Ha Tae-oh, the planning producer. Allow me to briefly explain the content of the audition…”

As per Cho Min-tae’s statement, the producer of this audition had stepped forward.

A planning producer is precisely that—someone who oversees the conceptualization of the drama.

They lead the overall direction of the drama, coordinate directors, and lead the casting process of actors.

And alongside the drama writer, they guide the drama towards its appropriate direction.

In short, he was the person holding the most sway in this drama’s casting process.

“The audition will be in pairs. A male child actor and a female child actor will act together. I will distribute the script now, and you will have approximately two hours to prepare.”

Two hours wasn’t too long, nor too short.

However, considering they hadn’t been given the script beforehand, the two hours felt like a significant challenge for the children.

“Isn’t it usually done by oneself? What’s this…?”

“If it’s pairs, the result can vary depending on the partner. This doesn’t seem fair.”

Some whispered complaints could be heard around them.

‘It seems auditions aren’t usually done this way.’

Is this why *The Moon That Hid the Sun* has been such a topic of conversation about its making film?

‘Pair acting.’

It will definitely be different from commercials.

Moreover, the scripts are different.

Compared to the visually strong commercial scripts, the drama scripts were like novels.

“This kind of acting is dependent on the counterpart, as others have mentioned.”

“What? If the counterpart can’t act well, it’ll be a problem?”

“Hmm… yes, precise. If your counterpart is significantly worse or significantly better than you, both are issues.”

“Won’t it be better if your counterpart is skilled?”

“This isn’t a commercial but a drama. If your acting is lacking… you’ll be overshadowed by the other person.”

It is something an actor must absolutely avoid.

Especially, if you are the main lead.

If you’re overpowered by your counterpart and your presence disappears, you are undeserving of your leading role.

“First, Seoyeon, let’s change your clothes. Since we only have two hours for line reading, we need to start preparing. Please change clothes in the fitting room over there.”

“Ah! Yes, yes!”

Su-a grabbed Seoyeon’s hand and quickly headed to the prepared fitting room.

“Huh? What’s this?”

When they entered the costume room, a child who had just finished changing was coming out.

The girl had a delicate eye shape and a pretty face.

Different from the other children, her posture and aura stood out.

‘So, this is her.’

Upon seeing this child, Seoyeon instantly recalled her.

‘Child actor for the female lead Lee Hye-wol.’

She remembered seeing her in the drama from her previous life.

Even at a young age, she had exhibited exceptional acting skills then.

The name was probably ‘Seohui Jo.’

‘Not as impressive as the child actor from the role of Yoon Seoil.’

She had shown applaud-worthy acting skills on her own, but when paired with the young boy playing Yoon Seoil, her presence somehow faded.

Because of that, the child actor parts were cut down to just two episodes, if Seoyeon remembered correctly.

‘Well, she still managed to showcase her presence quite well within that short span.’

Afterward, she continued to do quite well… Seoyeon couldn’t recall the specifics though.

“Ah, this kid?”

At this moment, Jo Seohui smirked after hearing something from her manager.

“Parachute?”

As she said this, her smirk felt akin to those from a villain in a drama.

Seoyeon was impressed by the sight.

‘Wow, the child has high language skills.’

Indeed, this is why some people become actors, Seoyeon thought.

Despite being only a year or two older than her, she was already aware of terms like ‘parachute’ case.

“Hey, do your best.”

After saying this confidently, the girl swaggered out.

In a way, she reminded Seoyeon of Jiyeon but in a more aggressive manner.

“Um… Su-a, we must ensure Seoyeon doesn’t lose to that kid at all cost.”

Of course, Su-a never suspected that the seemingly obnoxious child who had mocked her daughter was actually a top-tier skillful actress destined to be chosen for the lead in this drama.

From her point of view, that girl was just a bratty troublemaker who mocked her precious daughter.

“…I’ll try my best.”

Defeating the female lead of *The Moon That Hid the Sun* who had outshone many child actors was far too high a mountain for an amateur who had only acted in two commercials.

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