Chapter 3: The Script is Done

༺ The Script is Done ༻

<Acting as something born different from oneself>

Professor Lee Jae Pil wrote the topic in large letters on the blackboard.

He then explained it to the students who didn’t understand.

“A woman acting as a man? Sure. A human acting as an inanimate object? Sure. An artificial intelligence robot? Sure. Acting as a white or black person? Sure.”

At that, an outcry burst from the whole class.

Lee Jae Pil had upgraded the already challenging Method Acting to another level.

“In other words, it has to be ‘something unfamiliar to you’ that has limitations when expressing its inner self just by understanding the character. And that ‘cross-over’ must be related to the theme of the play. For example, if you’re acting as a black person, it can’t simply be a play with a black person as the main character that lacks any racial conflict.”

Haaah

—

The classroom was filled with sighs.

“One team consists of six members, with at least three actors per team. You can bring a script or create one. The protagonist must meet the theme requirements.

The staff members will be decided within the team. There should be a director, and you can use sound and props, but lighting is not necessary. For the performance, we will reserve a slightly larger lecture hall than this one.”

“How do we form teams?”

“If someone proposes a play they want to do, others who want to participate will join the group. Is there anyone with a proposal?”

Jae Pil looked down at his students.

He didn’t expect anyone to propose something right away.

If it was like in the previous years, a few proposals would come out around the second class, mainly from proactive students, and the teams would be determined based on their rapport with the proposer.

But then…

“Professor, I have a question. Would it be considered ‘being born differently’ if a heterosexual person acts as a homosexual?”

A male student, who was still clearly a returning student and was sitting in the corner, asked a rather bold question.

Whether he really had some thoughts or just wanted to stand out…

Jae Pil judged it as the latter and responded dryly.

“Opinions are divided on whether sexual preference is innate or acquired, but many people classify it as an ‘innate preference that cannot be chosen.’ If the theme of the play includes ‘sexual identity,’ I will acknowledge it.”

Then, the male student spoke again.

“In that case, I’d like to create a play based on Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of Queen.”

Buzz

—

buzz

—

The classroom became noisy.

“Freddie Mercury, huh? That’s interesting. Do you have a script?”

“I will create an original script. I have a rough idea.”

Jae Pil clicked his tongue at the confident answer of the returning student.

Was it a genuine idea or just boasting? There was always one attention-seeker every semester.

“Then come forward and explain your idea. Since you don’t have a script at the moment, the only way to find team members is by presenting it yourself.”

Defying Jae Pil’s expectations, the returning student came forward without hesitation.

Climbing onto the podium and bowing in greeting, everyone wore an incredulous expression at his self-introduction.

“Hello. I am Shin Yoomyeong, a sophomore in Business Administration.”

It wasn’t uncommon for students from other departments to take elective courses. However, this course was an elective for major students. It was a challenging lecture even for the students who dreamt of making a living through acting.

Especially a lower-class student from a department that has nothing to do with acting. However…

“I joined the Central Drama Club <Changcheon> and decided to take acting major courses because I have a serious interest in acting. I will work hard not to be a burden to the major students!”

The atmosphere relaxed slightly at his polite but not condescending greeting.

Although the acting students tended to dismiss the Central Drama Club, they thought that it was better than a novice who only took the course out of interest and without any experience.

<Freddie Mercury>

Yoomyeong wrote the name of Queen’s lead vocalist on the chalkboard with a marker pen and swallowed.

Yoomyeong was a fan of his.

During his middle and high school years, he was a boy who listened to Queen’s songs repeatedly while doing self-study at night.

After starting to perform in plays, he sought out documentaries, essays, and movies about Freddie Mercury and dreamed of playing this fascinating figure one day.

It seemed that he wasn’t the only one who had such thoughts.

In the fall of 2018, when Yoomyeong returned, a movie about Freddie Mercury’s life was released and it became the talk of the year. He remembered watching the lead actor’s dedicated performance and clenching his fists with a burning heart.

‘I also wanted to act like that.’

Yoomyeong put down the marker with a click and turned around.

“As is known, Freddie Mercury is said to have been gay. During his unknown band days, he met Mary Austin, who was his lover and the soulmate of his lifetime.”

The story began without any delays.

“Despite gaining immense popularity and wealth based on his talent, he always felt empty and struggled with his depression and alcohol addiction. He realized that Mary Austin was incredibly precious to him but acknowledged that he couldn’t love her as a woman.”

Even though it was a presentation, the pleasing sound of Yoomyeong’s voice flowed rapidly and slowly, transcending highs and lows.

“After breaking up with Mary Austin, he spent his years in numerous affairs, sex parties, and drug parties, but his mental state deteriorated further. Then, enters,”

The students swallowed their saliva.

“Jim Hutton. He was Freddie’s companion who remained by Freddie’s side until his very end.”

Yoomyeong paused for a beat.

“But Mary Austin was Freddie’s family and muse until the day he died of AIDS. In fact, most of Freddie Mercury’s inheritance is said to have gone to Mary Austin.

I would like to depict Freddie Mercury as a human being, his sexual identity, and the process of his inner conflicts and reconciliation in a 15-minute one-act play.”

When Yoomyeong’s presentation ended, the classroom was as quiet as a mouse.

And Jae Pil grinned slyly.

‘Look at this guy…’

“Are you going to cover the musical aspect of Queen?”

“I’d like to include it, but it’s irrelevant to the project theme, so I’ll leave it out. It’s also difficult to actually implement.”

“So, the characters are Freddie Mercury, Mary Austin, and Jim Hutton?”

“We’ll have to write the script to be sure, but those are the main characters.”

Jae Pil turned to the students.

“Interesting. Does anyone want to join Shin Yoomyeong’s group?”

The crowd was silent.

However, that silence was filled with conflict.

There was an internal conflict between the pride of not wanting to acknowledge a non-major enthusiast and the instinct of acting majors who wanted to participate in an interesting play.

As time passed, the first to raise his hand was a slim and handsome male student.

“Professor. I really want to participate in that group.”

His face was familiar to Yoomyeong.

Seo Ryu Shin.

Contrary to his frail appearance, he was the leading actor of the famous theater troupe <July>, known for being ‘crazy about acting’ and ‘a born competitor.’

He was known to transform so dramatically according to his roles that he didn’t even look like the same person. Hence, he earned the nickname ‘Chameleon’.

He was a large theater actor who stayed in Daehak-ro despite numerous calls from the film industry.

‘I must have heard him in my previous life too, but I can’t remember. Well, it was before Seo Ryu Shin became famous.’

His friends murmured.

“Ryu Shin?”

“Should I also apply for that group?”

“If Ryu Shin carries it, isn’t half the work already done?”

It seemed that Ryu Shin was already famous in the field of acting even when he was just a student. His application changed the atmosphere.

“I’d like to apply for that group as well.”

“I’m applying too.”

In an instant, all six spots were filled.

Then, as if not wanting to be left behind, other students also poured out opinions like, ‘I want to try this work,’ and the group formation ended that day.

Jae Pil amusingly watched the scene he had hoped for but hadn’t seen in previous classes.

‘Interesting guy. I’ll have to see if he’s all talk or if he’s actually good.’

*

After finishing the Method Acting class and returning to the Business Administration building, Yoomyeong completed the rest of his classes.

As it was the first day of the semester, most classes ended briefly with only briefings on textbooks and exams.

Ding dong~

[Business Department Opening Assembly]

[Business Administration Department Opening Ceremony]

[Today at 7 p.m.]

[In front of the door of (SetSet Chicken)]

[Please come, many participants are gathering.]

Old 8*5 text messages flew in. Repeating the same word twice and still failing to deliver the entire sentence, it seemed like the department was quite confused.

Yoomyeong laughed softly and pondered whether to go or not.

In large gatherings, he was always treated like a decorative ornament. That was why he avoided drinking with more than four people.

But now…

‘Maybe I should go to see how much has changed…?’

With a determined mind, Yoomyeong headed toward the department room. He still had an hour and a half left until 7 o’clock.

Standing in front of the department room, he could hear bustling noise seeping out from inside.

He felt a bit nervous.

Yoomyeong turned the doorknob, and all of the people inside the room turned their attention to him.

“Who’s that…?”

“Huh? Is he a freshman? Why did he come alone?”

Questions poured in as all eyes were on him. Yoomyeong flashed an awkward smile.

“Ah, I’m a returning student this semester. My name is Shin Yoomyeong.”

“Huh? Shin Yoomyeong?!”

From inside the room, a guy who was squeezed in among a group of female freshmen turned his head.

Seeing his face, Yoomyeong slightly grimaced.

“Oh… Sang Jin?”

His name was Oh Sang Jin.

He was tall with a handsome face and came from a well-to-do family.

Since their surnames were similar, they were grouped together during the freshman orientation and registered for classes at the same time.

He remembered eating lunch together during the first semester of freshman year. Then in the second semester, Sang Jin joined a group of more popular guys.

Yoomyeong wasn’t particularly fond of the memories he had with him.

“Hey~ you’ve been discharged from the military! Why didn’t you contact me?”

“…Didn’t you go to the army?”

“Ah, I really didn’t dare to. I entered graduate school for now, and I’m trying to go as far as I can.”

“Really? So you’re a senior this year?”

“No, I took a leave of absence in the middle, so I’m a junior. Hey, let’s hang out together. Oh man, I’m stuck between the girls, so it’s just…”

Objections came from everywhere.

“Hey, Oh Sang Jin. We let you join out of pity, you know?”

“Fine. Keep hanging out with us, but you’ll have to provide us with your family tree!”

Despite their teasing, laughter lingered in their eyes. It seemed like he was still popular with the girls.

“Oh, it’s Yoomyeong, huh? I didn’t recognize you since you’ve changed so much~”

“Um… You were… Bora, right?”

“Yeah. As classmates, we should look out for each other, but I didn’t even know you’d been discharged. When’s your lunchtime? Sang Jin, Shinhee, and I set ours at 1 o’clock.”

“Ah, I also have lunch at 1.”

“That works out well. If the c-building cafeteria is fine with you, join us.”

Im Bora. She was known as the queen bee of the class of ’00.

She was always remembered for her neat bob cut, cute looks, and her gentle way of speaking.

Yoomyeong agreed to have lunch together. The freshmen watched this exchange with wide eyes.

“Senior, please sit here!”

One of the freshmen promptly got up and offered his seat. Yoomyeong declined a few times but eventually sat down.

‘Student life… Is it supposed to feel like this?’

It was a familiar yet awkward first day of returning to campus.

*

“How was it?”

Miho jumped into Yoomyeong’s arms when he arrived home at dawn.

Yoomyeong lifted Miho, whose eyes were slightly swollen from sleeping all day. His hand disappeared into its lush fur.

“Um… I never knew that normal people live like this.”

“Like this?”

“Just, you know. The usual attention, chatter, and being noticed. It’s not that I received tremendous attention, but I didn’t even know that this was the norm.”

“Ordinary… might be a bit better than that? You have a presence of 54. Besides, you…”

Miho scanned Yoomyeong.

His presence was so mediocre that he probably had never received attention from a girl first so he didn’t know, but his appearance wasn’t bad.

His face was clean without being overbearing and was the perfect face for an actor.

He wasn’t extremely tall, but his proportions were good.

“You’re pretty good-looking, aren’t you?”

“Really? It’s the first time I’ve heard that…”

“Yeah. If you take care of yourself, it could be much better, you know?”

With a happy expression, Yoomyeong started petting Miho again.

“Oh, right. I’m thinking about writing a play.”

“A play?”

“Yeah. I’m taking a course in Method Acting, and I need to write a script. It’s a one-act play about the life of Freddie Mercury.”

“Oh, wasn’t there a movie like that, too?”

“Yeah, you knew that?”

“I do know about it. I saw it, too. The energy of the main character seemed delicious.”

Upon seeing Miho’s twinkling eyes, Yoomyeong laughed.

“That guy did act well.”

“You can do well, too.”

Miho abruptly threw out that comment and started licking its tail with its paws. Its tiny, pink tongue smoothly licked the soft fur. Yoomyeong stroked Miho’s head, which was hidden under the other eight tails.

“Thanks! Then I’ll start brainstorming the plot once an idea comes to mind.”

Despite the late hour, Yoomyeong turned on his computer.

His young body was full of leftover energy.

*

One week later, during the second class of Method Acting.

They moved their desks together and sat down in groups. After the professor’s brief instructions, the groups started their meetings.

“Group leader, have you come up with a plot yet?”

Seo Ryu Shin asked cheerfully.

Yoomyeong nodded at his question and pulled out six bundles of paper from his bag, handing out one to each person.

The cover read ‘Love of His Life’.

“The script is done.”

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