After stamping the acting contract, I received good news from Director Hwang Jeong-gu.
“Hm?”
“Heh heh. Uju, your character got a na. It’s Kim U-ju.”
“Kim U-ju...”
“How do you like it? You’re pleased, right? In sitcoms it’s tradition to use the actor’s real na or just change the surna.”
“It is our tradition here, I guess.”
“And about that character interpretation you ntioned last ti...”
“I’ll let you handle that!”
I also heard from Writer Hwang Jeong-yeon about the character details.
“What you said about the character... it’s right. Kim U-ju is soone who has a narrative reason for working in that organization.”
They were revealing Kim U-ju’s secret.
“It’s not set in stone yet, but we have a few ideas.”
“Yes?”
“We’d love for you to listen and then give your opinion on what fits best. An actor’s interpretation is important.”
I listened eagerly as the writer excitedly threw out ideas: What if Kim U-ju is secretly an alien from another planet? Or he’s related to the alien family. Or soone important to him was kidnapped by the aliens! Although it all felt very spur-of-the-mont, maybe it was just my imagination.
After hearing several theories, I offered my opinion. “I think sothing involving family would be best. The other ideas need too much back-story to explain.”
“Right? I thought the sa.”
“Yes, and I have another idea too.”
“Sure, go ahead! Don’t hold back.”
For hours on the phone, the writer and I discussed Kim U-ju’s character. anwhile, press releases from both the production company and our agency appeared on the entertainnt portals.
– NewBlack’s Uju joins the ranks of “Idol-Actors”... to star in sitcom Our Family Is Alien
– Uju confird for Our Family Is Alien
– “Sun Woo-ju joins cast” Who are the confird celebrities in Our Family Is Alien?
Unlike with other casting announcents, hundreds of articles went up within minutes.
“Wow, how many articles is this?”
“If only they were all food.”
“Look: if you remove the keyword ‘Uju’ from all the sitcom articles, half of them vanish.”
The impact was enormous. My juniors cheered that one well-trained Ujuseon could outshine ten Sun Woo-jus. But my own heart pounded.
“So many comnts...?”
This was my first acting challenge. I’d hoped a small role would ease the pressure, but everyone seed intensely interested.
“What are you doing?”
“Just taking a quick glance.”
I held my arm out, chin raised, and brought my phone to about a ter away, squinting at the comnt section.
“Hmmm...”
There were no long hateful comnts. Mostly just “kkkk” and playful banter, so I relaxed.
Rihyuk clicked his tongue. “Why are you staring at it so hard? They’re all positive comnts, so just enjoy it.”
“Positive? Really?”
“Well, it’s more like a world-class joke contest than complints. But the vibe’s good.”
I hurried back to the comnt section.
– Ujuseon in a sitcom kkkkkk this is already funny
– Alien NewBlack sitcom... these keywords are guaranteed thumbnails kkkkk
– Legit guaranteed fun keywords kkkkk
– Good role choice
– The “sane” position suffering among the chaotic alien family... Uju, you don’t need to go far. Ask the managers how he is usually ㅎㅎㅎㅎ
– I’ll definitely watch episode 1
I blinked at the cheerful comnt feed. “Is it always like this?”
Usually, when an idol acts, you get one “mixed hopes and worries” article, and comnts split into for-and-against. Even Sek Ji-hoon from TNT, a top idol, faced harsh feedback on his tiny film cao. I rember leaving cautious defense comnts while in the army.
“Why is everyone so positive...?”
“It’s a sitcom ant to make people laugh, and you’re in it. It’s like a codian appearing on a cody show.”
“True. Jung-hyun.”
Just then, Rihyuk chuckled. “Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because no one thinks you’ll be a bad actor.”
“...That’s right.”
The comnt section assud I’d at least cover the basics well. Why was that? Except for the magic school CF, I hadn’t shown any acting yet.
Seeing my puzzled face, Rihyuk clicked his tongue. “Think about it. Fans have seen you do mis at fan signs, ride a unicycle, walk a tightrope.”
“Right.”
“If soone who can do all that acts in a drama, would people expect good acting or bad acting?”
“Well...”
It didn’t logically connect, but sohow it made sense.
Bi-ju laughed. “He’s just embarrassed, using a roundabout way to say you’re known as a multi-talented image. Except for fashion.”
“Yeah, except fashion.”
“And art.”
Bi-ju’s friendly laugh ward my heart. I decided to be content that comnts were positive. It felt strange to get applause before showing any tricks, but promotion was solid. Our Family Is Alien even trended in real-ti searches. Maybe that’s why the sitcom staff treated like the swallow that brought good luck.
In our group chat:
Kim Woo-yong [everyone]
Kim Woo-yong [Here’s Uju’s statent~~!]
With the CEO’s greeting, everyone welcod warmly, calling a promotional fairy. A few gave subtle responses, but I guessed why: my character’s screen ti had suddenly expanded.
“It’s good that my part’s bigger... but...”
“Why? Any problem?”
“I think it might look bad from their perspective.”
“Oh, a little, yeah.”
From the other actors’ point of view, they’d heard a popular idol would appear, then the script changed and the role grew. It could feel like we demanded it. I didn’t want an awkward atmosphere from the start, so I worried.
“Hmm...”
But my worry was short-lived.
“No choice—just practice hard.”
I can keep doing what I’ve been doing. The maknae nodded. “Right. Once filming starts, the mood will shift... Oh! Script reading!”
“Script reading?”
After casting and script completion, everyone gathers to read through the script—about a week before filming to check the flow.
“I heard it’s scheduled for the end of this month.”
“Great! That’s when I can really show them.”
The maknae clenched his fist like it was his own mission. “From now on, hyung will beco a genius actor. I’ll make it happen.”
“You’ll help?”
“We’ll help each other. You teach composition; I’ll teach you acting every day.”
“Every day...?”
“You have no choice.”
The maknae chuckled. I blinked. “Jiho, don’t you have your own schedule? Won’t we run out of ti?”
“It’s fine!”
“I’m asking because I worry about you.”
“Even so, I’m NewBlack’s number three for stamina.”
“Being third out of five is just average, Jiho.”
“...Anyway! Don’t worry about . From now on, we’ll script-read every day. If you have questions, co to ! If you get stuck, ask for advice! Got it?”
“....”
The maknae smiled as I stared at him. His look mixed sweet revenge for composition lessons with determination to make a better actor. I gazed at him and said, “Jiho.”
“Yes...?”
“Thank you.”
“...?”
“So from now on, we train together every day, and I can co to you anyti with questions?”
The maknae blinked, then grinned at . anwhile, our juniors—munching jelly—chattered.
“He’s hooked.”
“No doubt he’s hooked. That dummy... walked right into the lion’s den.”
“How sad. Jiho looks dood...”
Even Bi-ju laughed, hand over his mouth. I sent a warning smile to my juniors, and they changed their tune.
“Jiho’s great.”
“Wang Ji-ho did sothing praiseworthy for once—twisting his own fate. Ha ha ha!”
“I’m so happy for Jiho!”
“We see you smiling, hyungs!”
As they laughed, the maknae tried to pull his hand back from my handshake.
“S-sis, hyung.”
“Thanks, Jiho.”
“Let... let go of !”
“Where are you going? We have to practice together. Ha ha!”
It was surprisingly fun acting school.
While I ventured into acting, my juniors each began preparing their own projects—just like when we chose the sitcom script together. But since these were within their fields, they chose themselves.
“I want to do this one!” Bi-ju picked a short-term variety project on TBC, tentatively titled Dance God, Dance King. It gathers main dancers and dance-enthusiasts to show their skills. It’s more collaborative than competitive, and sounded solid.
“The PD is a forr amateur dancer—knows dance inside out.”
That gave Bi-ju extra confidence. I wondered if a dance show would draw many viewers, but passing Jung-hyun’s filter ant it should be fine.
Rihyuk said, “Sir, pick a drama OST.”
“On the spot?”
“I’ll buy you at.”
“Thank you, Your Honor. Which demo should I start with...?”
“Don’t be so humble!”
Rihyuk would join an OST for an upcoming drama. He’d already been courted for shows airing Q3 and Q4 this year, and even Q1 next year. He sifted through dozens of demos—ethical courtesy: once you pick one OST, you don’t do others airing at the sa ti.
“How about this one? It suits your tone.”
“Looks good.”
“Jiho, how’s the synopsis?”
“Safe choice! That’ll work.”
Like picking the sitcom, they’d filtered it.
anwhile, Jung-hyun began working on his own mixtape.
“Hyung, can you help when you have ti?”
“Even if I don’t have ti, I’ll help. Tell what you need.”
“I feel the rhythm’s off here...”
I gave feedback on rap flow and tape editing.
Finally, our maknae proceeded with his own project. We tried to help choose, but he said:
“I’ve already chosen.”
“Oh?”
“I got an offer a while back.”
I rembered when Seok-hwan hyung had called Jiho aside to talk. Jiho laughed, “It might happen, it might not, so I haven’t told you. It could fall through anyti.”
“Fair enough.”
We asked, “So what is it?”
“A web drama!”
“A web drama...?”
I knew what web dramas were—short Internet series from a few seconds to ten minutes. Low budget but trendy, a common stepping stone for idols and rookies. So break through to TV dramas.
But we felt it wasn’t right for ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) our maknae. “Haven’t you been getting plenty of scripts this ti?”
“Yep.”
Thanks to his role in Sleep last year, he’d been pegged as a promising actor-idol. He had bigger opportunities. And web dramas usually ant youth or romance fare.
But Jiho said, “This web drama is different from what you think.”
“How?”
“It’s produced by our company. We doubled our revenue this ti, and they wondered where to spend it...”
“Investnt.”
“So they decided on content production. They acquired a small production company.”
I’d heard about that acquisition.
“They plan a web drama, and I’m the lead. Genre: mystery...!”
“Still, web dramas are small scale and not on TV...”
They draw less attention. I worried he could do better, but he said solemnly:
“Hyungs, I told you—it’s not just a web drama.”
“Hmm?”
“Want to know the budget?”
“Yes.”
When I heard the figure, our expressions changed.
“Ha ha ha ha!”
I ruffled my maknae’s hair. “Wow, our maknae’s spending all the money we earned! So comndable.”
“Jiho, you have to do this right. Got it? Stay sharp!”
“This isn’t a web drama—it’s an ‘billion-won drama.’”
“Go for it, seriously. If you blow our money, we won’t let you off easy.”
The four of us circled him and spoke grimly. Jiho nodded with moist eyes. I regretted not helping choose earlier, but felt relieved. After the box-office hit film and trusting Director Jo, I believed him. The contrast to Jung-hyun was perfect. I also felt less pressure, since my sitcom role had grabbed so spotlight.
“Look forward to it, hyungs! Hee ha ha!”
“...”
“I’ll be feeding you one day. You’ll bow at my feet for the billions I throw at you!”
“Oh? Sounds good...”
Confident enough to envision a bright future, it seed truly invested. Whatever, it was great news—and eased my own burden.
“Jiho.”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask more questions?”
“Absolutely not.”
He cut off. I thought maybe this mood would let , but no.
“You already co at 3 a.m. What if it doubled?”
“I thought you didn’t sleep...”
“No—only hyung doesn’t sleep! So grow old quickly! That’s why no one calls you young these days!”
“....”
As Jiho kept chanting “grow old quickly!” and I wilted, my juniors burst into laughter. In any case, everyone’s individual projects were being prepared thoroughly. I had a good feeling about them.
anwhile...
“Guys!”
We finally got news we’d been waiting for.
“Our music show schedule is fixed.”
Our resurging track Bulkkotnori looks set to snag first place on a terrestrial music show.
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