Jian Zhou's face was perfect for playing the campus heartthrob in a youth drama or a cute, friendly next-door neighbor.
The role of a domineering CEO demanded sharp, chiseled features, a strong and defined profile, and a rugged look. Jian Zhou's appearance simply didn't fit.
Chen Mingzhang remained silent, his gaze fixed deeply on Jian Zhou.
If he had seen Jian Zhou's face earlier, he would never have given him a chance to audition, dismissing him outright.
But it was pure coincidence: he had first noticed Jian Zhou's physique and noble bearing, which had led him to believe that his build and temperament perfectly matched that of Shan Junhao.
When the drama "The Prince Who Turns into a Frog" was being planned and produced, Chen Mingzhang had set three strict requirements for the male lead.
First was nobility, followed by gentlemanliness, and finally, handsomeness.
Handsomeness was innate, and gentlemanliness could be achieved through acting.
However, nobility that emanated from within was extremely difficult to portray and even harder to master. Too little, and it seemed common; too much, and it easily became excessive, making one appear like a nouveau riche, radiating an oily aura.
The reason Chen Mingzhang had been unable to finalize the casting was that he couldn't find this inherent nobility among the auditioning actors.
Today, he had finally encountered a young man radiating nobility, only to have him possess a soft, adorable, puppy-like face that felt utterly incongruous.
This was truly a curse!
Chen Mingzhang was so angry he felt like cursing.
Then, he thought again that nothing in the world was perfect, and actors were no exception.
If every actor could perfectly embody the descriptions in scripts and novels, why would there be so many bad movies in the entertainment industry?
He had to learn to make compromises.
With that thought, Chen Mingzhang gritted his teeth and said, "It's you. Go and audition!"
"Huh?" Jiang Ling looked bewildered. "Director Chen, his face isn't suitable, so why are you still having him audition?"
Chen Mingzhang smiled and said, "His face truly doesn't match Shan Junhao's well, but it's perfect for Tong Hao!"
"???"
Jiang Ling was even more confused.
"This drama is called 'The Prince Who Turns into a Frog.' The prince is important, but the frog is equally important. Take another good look at his face; doesn't it resemble Tong Hao after he transforms into a frog?"
Chen Mingzhang, as expected of a master director of idol dramas, changed his thinking rapidly.
Previously, he had focused solely on Shan Junhao when casting the male lead, forgetting that Tong Hao, after losing his memory, was also the male protagonist.
Idol dramas were about romantic love stories between handsome men and beautiful women.
And the love line in this drama was precisely between Shan Junhao, who after a car accident lost his memory and became Tong Hao, and the female lead, Ye Tianyu.
Jian Zhou's puppy-like face was not suitable for Shan Junhao, but it was exceptionally fitting for the role of Tong Hao.
Tong Hao, after losing his memory, was simply an innocent, kind, sunny, and adorable boy-next-door.
If Jian Zhou were to embody both Shan Junhao and Tong Hao, and assuming a total score of 100 points, deducting 20 points for the mismatch in facial structure with Shan Junhao, Jian Zhou's appearance and temperament could still score 80 points.
In contrast, other auditioning artists were either not handsome enough, their physiques were not good enough, and more critically, they lacked any hint of nobility.
Deducting points here and there, they couldn't even reach the passing score of 60 points.
Therefore, considering everything, Jian Zhou remained the most suitable person to play Shan Junhao at this moment.
Hearing Chen Mingzhang's explanation, Jiang Ling turned and circled Jian Zhou, her eyes scanning him like searchlights.
Jian Zhou's face and build did indeed strongly resemble Tong Hao.
The domineering CEO Shan Junhao was like a wolf cub, while the amnesiac Tong Hao was truly as adorable as a puppy.
If Jian Zhou were to play only Tong Hao, it would truly be a divine casting choice.