Chapter 12: Do you like acting?

༺ Do You Like Acting? ༻

The classroom remained noisy even after the professor left.

“Wow. I never thought such words would come out of Professor Lee Jae Pil, who’s known for being unemotional.”

“But it was really amazing. I couldn’t breathe from the middle.”

“Group 1’s grade is already set. I thought Ryu Shin would carry it, but a new face…”

The student who said this glanced nervously at Ryu Shin, who was silently removing his wig and makeup.

Another student next to him spoke up.

“Your team really made a legendary performance. Although your part was small, you did really well too. The chemistry with Freddie was just…”

Whether it was praise or consolation, Ryu Shin nodded quietly to his words. Then, he approached Yoomyeong.

“You were brilliant. I learned a lot.”

Offering a word of congratulations to Yoomyeong was his last shred of pride.

But that was the limit.

He turned around, gritting his teeth as if he were about to break.

He debuted as a child actor at the age of seven.

Even at such a young age, he was a spirited kid who flared up with determination to surpass the famous actors on the set someday.

After starring in more than ten productions, he suspended his activities at the age of 15.

‘If you don’t build the base of acting properly, it will collapse someday.’

It was a reflective thought that was unusual for a child.

Ten years have passed since then.

From acting academies to classes led by famous acting teachers to being the president of the high school drama club, and the Gwanak University’s Oedipus theater club. He had encountered various peer groups, but there was no one who could match his passion or skills.

Everyone hailed him as a genius, but he knew.

His skills were not a natural gem but rather the product of painstakingly chiseling and polishing a stone.

But today, for the first time in a long time, he felt as though he had returned to his childhood from ten years ago.

A difference in class that seemed impossible to surpass no matter how hard he tried. A ‘genius’ who easily surpassed him, making the time he had spent solely focusing on acting seem in vain.

With envy and resentment in his heart, his fingernails dug so deeply into his palms that it felt like they were bleeding. However…

‘His acting was incredible. If that’s what a genius is, I will surpass it with even more effort…!’

If he had the kind of perseverance that couldn’t withstand being trampled on, he would have given up long ago.

Ryu Shin’s eyes flared up fiercely.

*

{Yoomyeong, do you want to do a part-time job?}

He got a call from Minhee.

Her designer friend was launching a personal brand and was shooting the F/W season lineup, and they needed a male model.

“I’ve had daily theater practices lately.”

{Don’t you have any free time next week? It only takes a few hours.}

“I have midterms next week.”

{Oh, then it won’t work.}

“No, I can make time.”

Fortunately, there was no theater practice for the week of the midterms.

As for the exam? It’s okay as long as I don’t get an F. I had no intention of finding a job after graduation, anyways.

“But my face shouldn’t be shown.”

{Huh? Why?}

“Because I’m acting.”

{Then isn’t it better to let your face get known?}

“I don’t want to be labeled as a former model turned actor.”

{…Understood. It’s a women’s brand anyway, and the male model will be used like a photo prop, so I’ll ask them to keep your face out of it.}

Minhee was a little impressed.

‘He seems so easygoing when he talks, but he has a serious side, too.’

Thus, they scheduled it for Thursday, a day without exams. The day had arrived, and Yoomyeong was waiting for Minhee in front of the school.

A small, blue compact car that looked like a mini-car approached from a distance. A Tico. It was a national car that was discontinued in 2010.

Thump

—

As Yoomyeong got into the car, Minhee was sitting in the driver’s seat, wearing sunglasses.

“Oh~ An owner driver. What about the store?”

“I closed it to come here. It’s my best friend’s business.”

It seemed that Minhee was very close to this designer.

“But why didn’t they use a professional model?”

“They don’t have money. They invested all their planned budget in good fabric. Even the female model is an unknown newcomer chosen from the lowest-priced lineup, you know?”

“Wow. Will I get paid for my part-time job?”

“They can’t give you much, just 100,000 won.”

Yoomyeong nodded.

It’s cheap if you think of it as a model fee, but considering that the current minimum wage was 2,275 won per hour, it wasn’t a bad amount when you think of it as half a day’s part-time job pay.

Besides, he had used up all his allowance to buy clothes before.

The shooting location was a studio in Gangseo-gu. The designer and the photographer were there early, setting up the background and costumes.

A petite woman spotted them and ran over with a half-smile.

“Is that him?”

She approached him and carefully scanned him from head to toe with an intense and persistent gaze as if she was going to devour him.

“The pants should be a size 32, just slightly tightened at the waist, and the legs… they’re perfect. Great balance. How tall are you? 178 cm?”

“That’s correct.”

“Okay. Let’s do a good job today, Mr. Yoomyeong. I’m Anz, the designer.”

She reached out her hand for a handshake.

She seemed cheerful, and her energy for her work was palpable.

“Where’s the female model?”

“She’s almost here. I got a call from her manager.”

“Manager? A novice model already has a manager?”

“She’s not a model but a novice actress. Our brand concept is princess-themed clothing, so we needed someone pretty behind the mask.”

“I see. She’s pretty, but her fee is low?”

“Her appearance is really good, but she lacks confidence, so she doesn’t get many offers. We picked her because I really liked her face, but I’m worried.”

While they were talking, the door to the studio opened.

There was an illusion as if a bright light was pouring in.

Good heavens—

Yoomyeong was startled when he saw the person who appeared there.

The leading actress from the drama <Doom> that he was filming right before his regression.

Seol Soo Yeon, one of Korea’s top actresses, was standing there with a youthful face.

*

‘Wow… her face is really…’

Snow-white skin. Gorgeous forehead.

Large almond-shaped eyes were etched deeply under delicate eyebrows.

A slender nose that, along with her slim jawline, made her profile enchanting.

The beauty of her youth, who would later be called Korea’s Olivia Hussey, was breathtaking even to Yoomyeong who had seen countless actors in person.

“Ah… hello….”

Hesitant.

Even in her greeting, her lack of confidence was evident.

It was strange, conflicting with the information Yoomyeong had about the future.

‘I heard she had a very haughty and assertive personality.’

After a brief conversation with Anz, Soo Yeon’s manager disappeared, and Anz brought Soo Yeon over to the people.

“Let’s introduce ourselves~ I’m Anz, the designer of the designer’s brand <Rococo>, which is launching this year.”

“I’m Kang Min Gyo, a famous photographer who postponed his busy schedule to come and shoot for my cousin.”

Min Gyo, who cheekily greeted them with his hand on Anz’s head, soon received an elbow attack in his stomach and was coughing.

“Hello. I’m Shin Yoomyeong, a student at Gwanak University.”

“Is that all? Don’t you have an agency or something?”

“I’m just a college student.”

At his words, Min Gyo glared at Anz.

Anz laughed awkwardly and explained that the main model was over there and that this guy was just a prop for the shoot.

“Ah, I’m Seol Soo Yeon. I’m affiliated with Gaon Agency and an aspiring… actress.”

Min Gyo framed Soo Yeon with his thumb and forefinger, then whistled sharply.

“This one will be fun to shoot. We don’t have much time, so let’s quickly get ready.”

“Yes!”

*

Phew

—

Min Gyo let out a deep sigh. It had been an hour, and he had been struggling.

At first glance, he thought that no matter how lackluster she was, how could such a face not be popular?

However, she couldn’t even look directly at the camera.

‘On the contrary…’

That friend who claimed to be a regular college student was better.

First of all, his posture was excellent, and his poses were oddly captivating. His face might seem ordinary, but the expressions captured through the lens were rich.

So much so that it was a shame that he couldn’t capture those expressions.

And the amazing thing was…

‘He astonishingly chooses positions where his face won’t be seen…’

When Anz asked him to keep his face hidden, Min Gyo had been annoyed, asking her to bring someone who made sense.

But look at that. Like a skilled model, he considered the camera position, angle, and height difference with the actress and was creating poses that wouldn’t compromise the shoot even if his face didn’t show.

In contrast…

Phew

—

The friend who was an aspiring actress was all awkward poses and unconfident expressions.

Despite taking over a thousand shots for an hour, there was nothing worth keeping.

Min Gyo was getting increasingly annoyed.

He was a professional and demanded professionalism from his counterparts. Had it not been for his cousin Anz’s request, he would have boycotted the shoot a long time ago.

“Soo Yeon, snap out of it.”

Eventually, a sharp rebuke slipped from his lips.

“Let’s take a ten-minute break. Soo Yeon, try to get a hold of yourself. If you continue like this, we’ll be wasting the whole day!”

He let out a deep sigh and dragged Anz out with him.

.

.

.

Trickle

—

Tears started rolling down Soo Yeon’s face.

Even her crying face seemed like a scene from a drama.

As Yoomyeong handed her a tissue, she bowed her head to him and turned away as if she was shy, wiping away her tears. She seemed terribly bashful.

Yoomyeong was not pleased. Soo Yeon of the future was a remarkable actress who was good enough for him to admire as a fellow actor.

He had seen all the movies and dramas in which Soo Yeon had appeared. She had the shining image of an actress with a passion for acting, even possessing an aura.

‘I even went as far as looking up her interviews…’

At that moment, a certain memory flashed across his mind.

It was something Soo Yeon had mentioned in an interview.

‘If it’s that…!’

Yoomyeong rushed outside.

*

“CINE 24”, 990th edition, 2014.

Excerpt from an interview with Seol Soo Yeon, the main actress in director Ki Do’s blockbuster “The Devil”.

[Many fans guess that you have a rich life experience from seeing your wide range of acting variations. How is it in reality?]

[Do you know at what age I first tasted cola?]

[At what age was that?]

[At twenty-two

(laughs)

.]

[Oh my, why is that?]

[My mother was strict. Instant foods, carbonated drinks, cartoons, and things that children would like were all forbidden. Even going out to play with friends after school was unimaginable.]

[…You grew up very primly.]

[I spent my free time imagining a lot. When I became an actress, those imaginations turned into reality. It was so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but immerse myself in it.]

[I see. Director Ki Do, who directed this movie, also praised your ability to immerse yourself quickly and deeply.]

[Thank you. Speaking of cola, do you want to hear a funny story? I get drunk when I drink cola

(laughs)

.]

[Really?]

[It’s more like my tense feelings are relieved rather than actually getting drunk. It’s sort of a symbol of deviation for me.]

*

Yoomyeong bought a can of cola and handed it to Soo Yeon.

“Drink it.”

Soo Yeon’s eyes wavered.

According to the interview, the 21-year-old woman would have never drunk coke. Her hand holding the can showed her slight hesitation.

She carefully wiped off the condensed moisture on the cold can and opened the can with a ‘pop’.

She closed her eyes tightly and brought it to her lips as if drinking bitter medicine.

Gulp

—

gulp

—

The dark deviation slid down her throat.

A moment later, she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

There was a refreshing sensation tickling her throat and an addictive sweetness was spreading on her tongue.

As the lock on her dormant senses loosened, her gaze also relaxed.

“This… has an interesting taste.”

“Right?”

He was a strange man.

He was responding as if it was just natural for her to be tasting cola for the first time.

She looked down at the can and took another sip, mustering up her courage.

“Thank you… and I’m sorry that the shoot was constantly getting delayed because of me…”

“Do you like acting, Soo Yeon?”

“Huh?”

“Can you close your eyes for a moment?”

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