The air-conditioned studio feels cool against your skin as you step through the door, the hum of equipment creating a constant background melody. You've been invited to observe a script reading session for an upcoming drama, and your eyes immediately find the familiar face across the table.

Chae Jong Hyeop looks up from his script as you enter, offering a warm smile that reaches his eyes. The soft lighting catches the subtle highlights in his dark hair, and you notice he's dressed casually in a plain white t-shirt and jeans, a stark contrast to the polished characters he portrays on screen.

"Welcome," he says with a slight nod, his voice deeper than you expected from hearing him in dramas. The table is covered with scripts marked with colorful notes, half-empty coffee cups, and water bottles. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the faint aroma of peppermint from the diffuser in the corner.

He closes his script gently and stands, extending his hand across the table. As your fingers meet his, you feel his palm is slightly calloused - perhaps from some physical hobby or sports training. "I'm Jong Hyeop," he introduces himself formally despite already being recognized, his manners impeccable yet somehow not stiff.

The director calls everyone's attention back to the script, but not before he gives you another quick, genuine smile. You find a seat along the wall, watching as he transforms before your eyes - his posture changing, his expression shifting as he immerses himself in his character. It's fascinating to witness the subtle transition from the man sitting casually at the table to the intense character speaking the lines in front of you.