Chapter 72: Three Acts

༺ Three Acts ༻

“Can I… bring someone in?”

“…Who is it? A college friend?”

“No. I wouldn’t have used a wish if it were that simple.”

At the mention of a ’wish,’ Yu-seok chuckled.

“Then who is it?”

“It’s an actor named Cha Harin, who I worked with recently in the drama. It seems like her agency is going through a tough time.”

“Cha Harin? I’ve heard of her. She’s an experienced actor. Why not just wait until her contract ends and move to another company? Is she trapped in an unfair contract or something?”

“No, it’s the opposite.”

Yoomyeong explained Harin’s situation in detail, and Yu-seok listened attentively.

“Pil Entertainment… I’ve heard that their situation isn’t good.”

“Yes, she won’t come alone. There’s a girl group and the CEO couple with her.”

“I’ll need to look into that. We can’t bring in people with no commercial value or hire a manager who’s so tied up in their own moral values that they can’t do their job properly.”

Yoomyeong nodded.

“Yes, I’m not asking for that much. If it’s something the director can’t handle, then that’s enough.”

“It makes me want to give it my all when you put it like that, you know?”

Yu-seok laughed with a smirk.

“I can’t promise you, but I’ll do my best since it’s the first request you made.”

“Thank you.”

“Now go and rest.”

“Well, I might get bored. Can I at least have a script or…?”

“No.”

Yu-seok firmly pushed Yoomyeong out and closed the door with a loud thud.

Yoomyeong looked at Ho-chul, who was sitting in front of the office.

“Ho-chul, do you have any spare scripts…?”

“The director told me not to let you read anything. I’ll take you home.”

“Oh, really…”

In the end, Yoomyeong had no choice but to meekly return home to Suwon.

*

Jiyeon, who was lying on the living room floor, greeted Yoomyeong enthusiastically.

“Brother, I want chicken.”

It usually meant that she needed something when she called him ‘brother’.

“It’s been a few weeks since I last saw you, and you’re asking for chicken first thing when you see me?”

“You haven’t brought any? If you don’t, then you’re not my brother anymore.”

“When do you start work?”

“Next week.”

After passing the civil service exam, Jiyeon finally received her assignment a year later. It was a good thing that she could commute from home. It was also a good thing that she would finally get up from the floor.

“Here.”

“Oh, chicken? I don’t smell any chicken.”

“It’s a gift.”

“What? A gift?!”

Jiyeon’s back finally left the floor.

She quickly got up and picked up the packaging.

“What’s this gift for? My birthday hasn’t come yet.”

“It’s a gift for your employment.”

Opening the package, Jiyeon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Is this… is this…?”

“Mm-hmm. That’s right.”

“Why did you buy this expensive thing for me? Did you buy it for your girlfriend but then got dumped?”

Even as she said that out loud, Jiyeon quickly lifted the watch.

With a careful touch he hadn’t seen since she bought a chick as a kid, she unclasped it and slipped it on her wrist.

“Woah… it’s so beautiful.”

“It suits you well.”

“What’s going on? Did you do something wrong to me? If you tell me now, I’ll forgive you.”

“Pfft… When you focus on something, you can’t read the time properly. Now that you’re a teacher, I’m giving it to you as a reminder to be punctual for your classes. I, your brother, raised you and introduced you to the world, so I should take responsibility. You need to become a respectable member of society.”

“You didn’t raise me…  I mean, what brother said is all true! Yes, we’re the same age, but you raised me, changed my diapers, and everything.”

“Hey, that’s a bit…”

Seeing Jiyeon unable to take her eyes off the watch made Yoomyeong smile.

Money was a good thing. It was a way to make the people he cared about happy.

Creak—

The door opened and his parents arrived home together.

“Mom! Brother got me this!”

“What is this…? Oh my!”

His mother was taken aback when she saw the dazzling watch on Jiyeon’s wrist.

“Aren’t you overdoing it? You just started earning money, and you’re spending it all like this.”

“I haven’t done anything for all of you until now.”

Yoomyeong smiled sheepishly, and his parents’ expressions softened. Meanwhile, Jiyeon’s eyes became slightly moist.

Yoomyeong was being sincere.

Even when his little sister got married in his past life, he was the brother who couldn’t do anything right for her.

From the moment he saw the amount deposited into his bank account after the first and second airing of the drama’s episodes, Yoomyeong’s heart had been pounding.

What should he give to his dad, to his mom, and his younger sister?

“This is for mom.”

“Oh, you have something for me, too?”

For his mother, who often suffered from weak lungs and frequent coughing, he bought scarves and neck warmers.

“And this is for Dad.”

Since his father often stood at the store and his legs often swelled, he bought a massage machine for him and comfortable shoes.

The whole family was happy as their son, who was 25 and still young, came to them with gifts from the first money he had earned.

Laughter filled the air,

Unaware that it was Yoomyeong’s first filial act in seventeen years,

And without the need to know.

*

“Director, what do you think?”

“Well, can that guy handle it? The role is too intense, and it might be tough if he doesn’t have much acting experience.”

“But aren’t you looking for someone in their early to mid-20s anyway?”

“Well, there are those who have been steadily acting since they were child actors. I’m not saying that this guy lacks acting skills. It’s more about ‘charisma,’ I guess? He hasn’t played a lead role yet, right?”

“I vouch for him, Director. Please give him a chance at least. I believe you’ll understand why I recommend him once you see him.”

“Haha, does that mean I won’t be living up to your expectations as a director if I don’t see why you recommend him so much, Actor Yoon?”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant… It just means that I have a lot of confidence in his acting skills.”

The director, who had a full head of white hair despite not having reached his sixties yet, laughed warmly as if he couldn’t win.

“Okay then. Shouldn’t I at least see his face?”

Hansung’s face lit up.

He really wanted to act alongside that ‘guy.’ His eagerness had grown even stronger due to his recent slump. He still couldn’t completely overcome the slump caused by the change in his acting style, and he felt like ‘that guy’ might provide him with some clues.

Plus, he wanted to give a good opportunity to his junior, Yoomyeong.

Hansung looked at the director, who was smiling like the Buddha.

Director Son Chi-wook.

He was one of the most famous directors in the history of Korean cinema.

Hansung considered him as his mentor. However, unlike his kind smile, Director Son was famous for making no compromises when it came to filming.

He had invited Hansung, his disciple, to this project and was discussing it with him before casting other actors.

Hansung had recommended ‘him’ as the second lead in this film.

Although it hadn’t been finalized yet…

‘He shouldn’t have decided on his next project already…’

*

“Yes, senior. I’ve been resting lately.”

{Oh, I see. I’m going to be in a movie soon, and I was talking to the director about casting some rookie actors. It’s a fun role. Are you interested?}

“I’ll do it.”

Yoomyeong quickly answered.

{Hmm? But you haven’t heard about the project or the role yet.}

“I don’t need to know. If you recommend me, I’ll do it!”

{Look at you… You’re so confident.}

“I trust you, senior. I’ve always wanted to work with you too, so I’ll do it.”

Hansung burst into an awkward laugh.

{Is this how rookie actors are, Yoomyeong? It doesn’t suit you.}

Yoomyeong had two reasons for being so proactive.

First was because he hadn’t seen a script at all in the past week. And yet, there were still three weeks left before he was finally allowed to hold another script. He couldn’t believe it.

It was the moment he realized that he was seriously addicted to acting.

The second reason was the favor he owed to Yoon Hansung in this life and the previous one.

He had left a precious hope for a small, unknown extra actor in Yoomyeong’s previous life, saying, ’Your small but fiery acting will shine someday.’

In this life, he directly influenced Yoomyeong’s entrance into Oedipus, which had become an extremely important group to Yoomyeong. Yoomyeong considered it as his ‘favor.’

Of course, he also wanted to act with an actor like Yoon Hansung.

{It’s Director Chi-wook.}

“What? Director Son Chi-Wook?!”

Yoomyeong was surprised by such a big name.

Director Son was a master who had made groundbreaking works in the history of Korean cinema.

He wasn’t a trendy director who guaranteed box office success, but he was a director whom actors wanted to work with at least once because he created works with a strong message.

{The project is called <Late Goryeo Dynasty & the Early Joseon Dynasty>, a historical drama depicting the turbulent times from the late Goryeo to the founding of Joseon. The lead roles are Jeong Mong-ju and Lee Bang-won, and the story revolves around them. The role I recommended you for is Lee Bang-won.}

“Wow. Even though I didn’t hear what it was about, it feels great that you recommended me.”

{That’s right. It looks like you’re quite lucky, haha.}

“What’s your role, senior?”

{Jeong Mong-ju.}

“I see.”

Jeong Mong-ju and Lee Bang-won—how unique.

Typically, Korean historical dramas focused on figures like Yi Seong-gye, Jeong Do-jeon, and Lee Bang-won. While Jeong Mong-ju was indeed a significant historical figure, Yoomyeong had never seen a story where he was portrayed as the main character.

What kind of story was it?

{To be precise, it’s more about the story of Jeong Mong-ju and Lee Bang-won’s relationship rather than the history of the founding of Joseon. They have a climax.}

“Ah… the poems ‘What if’ and ‘Faithful Heart,’ right?”

{That’s right.}

“But judging from what you’re saying, it seems like the role of Lee Bang-won is quite significant. Could I really fit into that role? I’m still a rookie…”

{To be honest, the director is also worried about that.}

“…”

{Convince him. He’s someone with a keen eye, so he’ll fight with the production company to make a spot for you if you meet his expectations or even if he sees potential in you.}

“Senior, you seem to have a great deal of respect for him.”

{In my heart, I consider him as my mentor.}

“I see.”

{It’s not a formal audition with a script but more like just a face-to-face meeting and discussing the details. When are you available?}

Thus, a meeting with Director Son Chi-wook and Hansung was scheduled.

And on the day of the meeting, at the conference room of the production company, Film Maru.

“Hello, haha. You’re much more handsome than on TV.”

“Hello, Director! I’m the rookie actor Shin Yoomyeong.”

Yoomyeong bowed deeply.

“Please have a seat. I’m not a difficult person.”

The director chuckled, but his mild eyes held a sharpness within them.

While shaking hands, he quickly scanned Yoomyeong from head to toe.

“I’ve enjoyed watching your dramas and movies.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Yoomyeong felt a bit awkward and lowered his gaze.

“The impression you give off in person and on camera is quite different. I don’t feel the persistence I expected from you just by looking, haha.”

“His acting switches on and off, Director.”

“I see.”

The director, who was sipping the chrysanthemum tea placed in front of him, spoke to Yoomyeong.

“To be honest, I’m a film enthusiast, so I don’t know much about acting, haha. Acting is the specialty of actors, and overseeing that is the director’s specialty, right?”

The director deliberately displayed obvious humility.

How could one separate acting from filmmaking?

Moreover, a person whom Yoon Hansung described as a benefactor must have some acting talent.

Like a foreshadowed twist, the director shifted the conversation.

“But I know how to judge whether the world beyond the camera is real or fake. It might be a made-up world, but isn’t it our job to make it feel real and immersive, as if there’s a world like that behind the glass?”

Yoomyeong nodded.

“I was quite impressed with how you were able to create a sense of ‘could be’ even though your characters were very much on the edge of reality and unreality. But maybe I’m just old, or maybe I just don’t understand how much of a stake the actors and the camera have in it.”

The director’s words were seasoned with unnecessary humility, which could be seen as a bit of a provocation.

Along with his gentle laughter, the director revealed a hint of mischief and spoke.

“Nevertheless, this is just an old man’s curiosity rather than a test, but could you show me briefly through acting what kind of actor ‘Shin Yoomyeong’ is?”

It was a trap in the guise of a comfortable setting.

Yoomyeong realized that Hansung didn’t have a hand in this after seeing his stunned and slightly embarrassed expression. Either way, Yoomyeong was unfazed.

Being an actor was always a series of tests.

A test to secure a role,

A test to get an ‘OK’ cut,

And the most fearsome test of all: the test called the audience.

Yoomyeong silently contemplated for a moment and then pulled a pen and paper from the side, quickly writing a short script.

The director observed his actions with interest.

After completing a spontaneous script in just five minutes, Yoomyeong read the script a few more times, trying to form an image. After a while, he raised his head.

His eyes were calm and not flustered.

“I’ll perform this script three times, starting now. Please watch and note the differences.”

“…Hmm.”

Director Son raised an eyebrow while Yoon Hansung swallowed nervously.

The small conference room became filled with tension.

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