Chapter 79
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Song Ha-na Steals the Show
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A week had already passed since we began tryout rehearsals at Pyeongchang-dong 777.
The Cheongyeom Arts High kids were adapting faster than expected.
Everyone was performing their roles well in their respective positions.
“Are they really high schoolers?”
“Director Jang Jun-ho’s done it again this time.”
Even the actors were starting to acknowledge that they weren’t from just any school.
Thanks to that, the rehearsal atmosphere was always warm and lively.
The veteran actors’ playful teasing about fresh blood being transfused helped the Cheongyeom Arts High students blend into the rehearsal site without much trouble.
Up until yesterday, we’d only done part rehearsals.
It was to help the Cheongyeom kids adapt quickly and efficiently.
And it was all for today.
Jang Jun-ho’s applause rang out, signaling the end of the long part rehearsals.
“Today, we’re going to perform each scene in front of everyone.”
Jang Jun-ho gathered the four Cheongyeom kids and explained.
It wasn’t because they were high schoolers—he was already known as a pretty friendly director.
Of course, he could be as strict as a blade when needed.
The rumor that he always had a smiling face like this was famous.
“From what I’ve seen of your practice so far, you won’t get nervous in front of everyone, but don’t overdo it just because actors are watching. It’s still just rehearsal.”
“Yes!”
“Love that crisp response.”
Starting today, we’d take what we’d practiced scattered by scenes and rehearse it all in front like a full run-through.
It was an autonomous practice method where everyone gave feedback on each scene.
This kind of intense rehearsal was standard in theater and musical circles.
Unlike movies or dramas, musicals on stage are live performances that can’t be cut with NG.
So rehearsals break into scenes to make actors practice from start to finish like the real thing.
“Standby.”
He said it to us, then turned and clapped twice loudly to the actors.
At his words, the actors prepared in perfect unison.
With no separate stage in the rehearsal room, one side was designated as the stage.
They’d divided it convincingly into stage and audience using the room’s props.
The Cheongyeom kids followed the actors, preparing behind them.
Even if they said not to be nervous, how could they not?
For kids with no experience, just keeping up with the pros’ preparation speed was no easy feat if they let their guard down.
Looking around, Lee Cheong-ha’s face was stiff, and so were Song Ha-na’s and Moon Woo-hyuk’s.
“Then let’s start from Scene 3. Everyone focus.”
Today’s practice wouldn’t follow the play’s order.
As Jang Jun-ho planned, he’d call a specific scene number, and the actors in it would come forward to perform.
The actors from Scene 3 that Jang Jun-ho mentioned stood and moved to the front.
The real practice had begun.
Not a single scene was wasted.
“Hey, isn’t the blocking getting tangled there? On the main stage, you could use more space.”
“We need to tell the orchestra about that part. Syncing the number will be tough.”
Feedback flowed freely, regardless of seniority.
Watching that, you could naturally sense the team’s vibe.
It was exactly the ideal team atmosphere I’d dreamed of before my regression.
To think I could be part of a team like this at 17.
It felt surreal just thinking about it.
The smooth practice continued without a hitch until the moment finally arrived.
“Next scene… Song Ha-na’s, huh?”
It was finally the Cheongyeom Arts High students’ turn.
And it started with Song Ha-na’s scene.
“Yes!”
Wow. Song Ha-na lived up to her name.
She stood right up and headed to the makeshift stage with the other actors in the scene.
I couldn’t read her insides, but at least on the outside, there was no sign of nerves.
If anything, her face brimmed with confidence, like she couldn’t wait to show her skills.
“That kid’s really good.”
“Yeah. Doesn’t back down at all.”
As Song Ha-na’s turn came, I overheard actors not in the scene murmuring with anticipation.
From watching her the past few days, Song Ha-na was definitely impressive.
Her role demanded two distinct charms.
In the early act, the bold charisma of a fierce loan shark boss.
After intermission, the allure that properly seduces men.
Song Ha-na melted into the character during practice like she’d been waiting for this role.
Even on a makeshift stage, I was a bit curious how she’d pull it off.
“Give the sign when you’re ready.”
Expectancy toward Song Ha-na gleamed in Jang Jun-ho’s eyes too.
Soon, the actors in the scene nodded to each other.
“We’re ready.”
One lead actor gave the sign.
Jang Jun-ho nodded and raised his right hand.
“One, two, action.”
With “action,” he snapped his right fingers.
The scene started immediately.
Song Ha-na’s character was named “Han Mi-ae.”
In this scene highlighting the fierce woman’s charisma, she had to dominate all the male actors as the loan shark boss.
As the loan shark boss, she’d act with the most ensemble actors among the Cheongyeom Arts High students joining this time.
Showing that charisma at 17 amid seasoned pros wasn’t easy.
But as if mocking such worries, Song Ha-na’s eyes changed from the first line.
“There was a time I wished to be an ordinary woman—”
Throughout the scene, she roamed the stage, commanding the flying actors and driving it forward.
“There was a time I wished to be a good mother—”
Her number rang out with a sharp, powerful voice.
She exuded presence, leaving all opposing and ensemble actors behind.
Of course, it wasn’t perfect yet.
Breathing and blocking slipped here and there.
Since it was a role she’d suddenly taken on at the director’s suggestion—not one prepped in advance—having little time before auditions made sense.
“But that’s a forgotten dream now— the world is money in the end— standing at its peak is my goal—”
What was amazing was how Song Ha-na’s charismatic presence covered those mistakes and shortcomings.
Her gaze was always sharp, even normally.
Hated to admit it, but that look had made me flinch a few times…
Anyway, as a fellow Cheongyeom Arts High student, seeing her deliver that performance in front of pros filled me with pride.
Even in comfy workout clothes like the other actors for practice, she was this good.
How incredible would she be fully dressed and made up on stage?
I glanced at Moon Woo-hyuk and Lee Cheong-ha sitting beside me.
“Heh.”
Moon Woo-hyuk stared in a daze, totally entranced.
He was surely feeling several times the pride I was.
Meanwhile, Lee Cheong-ha had an unreadable, subtle gaze.
Her eyes stayed glued to Song Ha-na on stage, but no emotions showed.
Maybe tense since she had to perform next.
“Okay! Good.”
Then Song Ha-na’s first scene ended.
Jang Jun-ho called okay with a satisfied look.
“Looking in good form, Song Ha-na?”
“Not bad.”
Now that I knew her, I could tell.
She answered primly, but she was in an extremely good mood.
Her condition looked solid too.
“Want to jump straight to your next scene?”
“Of course.”
“Okay. Let’s prep.”
He must’ve wanted to see her other charm right away.
It was a big shift in appeal, so switching immediately would be tough.
But Song Ha-na’s response had no hesitation.
I was amazed too.
Song Ha-na stayed onstage as the needed actors for the next scene hurried to prep.
Standing center stage, she regulated her breathing, taking deep breaths to immerse herself.
She looked a bit different.
Soon, prep for the next scene was complete.
“One, two, action!”
Jang Jun-ho called action louder than before.
The flashy ensemble chorus began.
“No need to tense up. Relax.”
Then came Song Ha-na as “Han Mi-ae.”
Her eyes and tone had completely shifted from before.
This second scene was where she had to get the info she wanted using her feminine wiles.
From fierce woman, she’d transformed into a seductive expression that entranced men.
It might be tough for a high schooler, I’d thought—but no.
Had she always been this good?
After a few days with the pros, her skills seemed to have skyrocketed.
I hadn’t taught her, so my pride edged into genuine surprise.
Like the first scene, there were flaws, but they didn’t bother.
Everyone seemed to feel the same, holding their breath to focus on her acting.
The role Song Ha-na took differed greatly from what Jang Jun-ho had first announced.
Compared to the “Jung Hee-seon” she’d auditioned for, it had similar weight but was far trickier.
She’d frowned at the smaller role, but now she was thriving like a fish in water, growing daily.
Watching the stage, I glanced at Jang Jun-ho.
He nodded repeatedly in satisfaction, tapping the beat with his foot as he enjoyed her number.
At this point, I wondered if he’d dropped her from Jung Hee-seon on purpose to give her this role.
That smug look.
“Good work!”
Thus, Song Ha-na’s scenes wrapped up.
With Jang Jun-ho’s “good work,” everyone clapped.
Song Ha-na bowed slightly to the applause, her lips curving faintly upward.
If you wanna smile, just smile big—why hold back like that?
We were set to give feedback on both scenes combined, but the actors’ praise poured out immediately.
A barrage of compliments from pro actors.
Maybe because it was a tricky role for a high schooler, with low expectations—they went all out.
“Hey, our actors better step up. Didn’t know Cheongyeom Arts High was this good. Right?”
“Yeah. How’re we supposed to act in front of the kids now without shrinking?”
“But there’s one problem!”
When one actor shot up his hand, Song Ha-na tensed, her face stiffening.
Jang Jun-ho pointed at him right away, like he’d been waiting.
“Oh, yeah. What?”
“Isn’t she too youthful for Han Mi-ae? Where’s a pretty, young Han Mi-ae like that?”
“You picking a fight?”
A middle-aged actor rising to play Han Mi-ae on the main stage yelled in exasperation at the teasing.
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry about that. We’ve got Do-hyun playing the grandpa. Our makeup artist will handle it perfectly.”
My role as “Choi Mok-su” was also a 60-something old man in the story.
A casting possible only because it was a tryout.
How many 17-year-old actors in Korea—no, the world—got a shot like this?
Anyway, Song Ha-na’s great acting lifted the whole rehearsal room’s mood.
Even in a tryout, some actors had probably harbored slight resentment about 17-year-olds joining.
But at least now, after seeing her perform, no one would think that.
“Alright, let’s keep the momentum. Next, Moon Woo-hyuk and Lee Cheong-ha’s scene.”
Song Ha-na stepped off as Moon Woo-hyuk and Lee Cheong-ha stood.
“Good job. As expected of Song Ha-na.”
“Hmph. What’s with stating the obvious.”
Moon Woo-hyuk flashed a cheesy smile as he brushed past Song Ha-na, then headed onstage.
Lee Cheong-ha, a bit tense, followed with a slightly stiff expression.
“Don’t get intimidated just because someone shone before you. Do it like in practice. One, two, action.”
After the other actors set, their scene began with Jang Jun-ho’s cue.
The rehearsal room’s mood, sky-high from Song Ha-na’s performance.
But that great vibe didn’t last long.