Chapter 85
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Director
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Director.
The person in charge of overseeing every aspect until a single play is complete.
Coordinating and giving the final approval on everything needed to put on the show—stage setup, props, lighting, sound, and more.
And in the case of musicals, live theater, it was an incredibly weighty role that also involved handling the actors' performances, blocking, and choreography.
Me, suddenly as director?
From my perspective, could there be anything more out of left field?
But Jang Jun-ho's expression as he brought it up was dead serious.
"What do you mean..."
"Lee Hyun-woo."
As I tried to laugh it off in confusion and dodge the question, the name popped out immediately.
The name Jang Jun-ho dropped was the role Moon Woo-hyuk had played in this tryout performance: Lee Hyun-woo.
My brows furrowed instinctively.
Why bring that up out of nowhere?
Was he saying my acting was so bad compared to Moon Woo-hyuk that I should switch to directing?
I didn't think my performance had been that awful.
The role itself was a 60-year-old man to begin with, so it wasn't easy to compare directly to Moon Woo-hyuk anyway.
I couldn't get a read on it, so I stayed quiet, and Jang Jun-ho continued.
"I heard about it from Woo-hyuk."
"Huh?"
"That you gave him the idea for the character motivation on Lee Hyun-woo."
"Oh."
Ah, that was it.
Unexpected. Moon Woo-hyuk had mentioned that?
I hadn't expected a few words of advice to lead to talk of me directing.
It made me feel a bit sheepish, figuring it wasn't a big deal.
"I just gave him a little hint."
Nothing all that impressive.
It wasn't some hard-to-spot difference, or a major change that would overhaul the story.
I'd thought it was worth mentioning, that was all.
For Moon Woo-hyuk too, it wasn't a huge revision to the overall script, so right before rehearsals, he'd mustered the courage to go to the head director, Jang Jun-ho.
"Still, it was your analysis, right?"
That much was true, so I nodded.
"It wasn't even your part—how'd you come up with that?"
It was one of the habits ingrained in me from before my regression.
I always played bit parts or small supporting roles, so I had long waits but short performance times.
During that downtime, I'd study, watch the other actors, and analyze the script.
This time, it was just a small supporting role again, so I'd analyzed it.
Plus, the show was Pyeongchang-dong No. 777, going up at the Daekorean Art Hall.
A dream production anyone would want to tackle at least once—it was fun to break down.
My first time observing pros at work since regressing, so my excitement had me analyzing not just Moon Woo-hyuk's role, but every character.
It was just one day, but as a cast member, I could watch rehearsals freely. A total dream come true.
A rare chance, so I was even more pumped.
Fun to watch practice unfold in a big theater after so long, too.
Vacation meant plenty of time, and I wasn't doing it with any specific goal in mind.
"I just... watched a lot, and it came to me naturally. Nothing special."
"Naturally?"
"Yeah. Just, 'If I were Lee Hyun-woo...' That kind of thing."
The script, Moon Woo-hyuk's practice, the leads' rehearsals.
Watching it all sparked a tiny question: 'What would I really do if I were Lee Hyun-woo?'
Jang Jun-ho nodded with a satisfied look.
What was so great about that answer?
Then, he pulled something from his bag.
"You gotta take care of your own stuff."
Huh? Why was that coming out of his bag?
"Your script, right?"
"Yeah..."
It was the script I'd gotten during Pyeongchang-dong No. 777 practice.
Looking at it now, yeah, it was pretty beat-up.
Countless Post-its stuck between the pages.
After the final show.
I'd looked for it backstage but couldn't find it.
Backstage was a mess of costumes and props, everyone cleaning up—if I hung around hunting for my script, it'd be a nuisance. So I'd given up and left.
Flutter—
Jang Jun-ho flipped quickly through my script.
Every page crammed full of notes.
"I've never seen a kid—not even their own role, but analyzing the entire script like this. And a 17-year-old punk, no less."
Ji-woong was glaring pretty seriously at my script from the side.
From his face, he'd heard why Jang Jun-ho was here ahead of time.
Even now, no change in expression. What was he thinking?
"Why analyze so thoroughly? Let's hear it."
I didn't analyze every script like this.
Sometimes I'd juggle a few bit parts at once.
This time, I really had the time, so I could.
With bigger roles, I focus deeper on my own part.
Still, if asked why I analyzed so meticulously in the first place, there was only one answer.
"Just... a habit, I guess."
I smiled awkwardly as I answered.
Before regression, back when even bit parts were hard to snag.
After vocal cord nodules hit during my few chances, all I could do was analyze scripts.
Analyzing every role, desperately hunting for a way in—that turned into habit.
"Habit? A 17-year-old with that kind of habit? Ha!"
Jang Jun-ho burst out laughing heartily at my answer.
Ji-woong let out a hollow chuckle too.
Even I thought it'd be ridiculous for a 17-year-old to have that habit.
"Right. Can't fake that level without it being habit. Not something you do to impress someone."
He reined in his laugh, eyes sharpening again as he flipped through the script.
"Not just acting—ideas on staging and blocking too."
"Nothing big, just jotting down what came to mind."
"Yeah. Most were nothing impressive. You skipped the staging and direction I'd already set."
Had he read the whole thing?
Kinda embarrassing.
He was right.
Given the script with his staging and direction already locked in, most were minor sketches, no big changes.
What I'd noted was just 'What if...?' level stuff.
Regressed or not, no way I'd outdo Jang Jun-ho on direction.
To him, most were probably garbage ideas.
So why the satisfied grin?
Making me nervous for no reason.
"Still, for a 17-year-old to read the script, think it through, brainstorm ideas, and note it all so meticulously? That's exciting to me."
He flipped a bit more, then handed me back the script.
"Looks like directing interests you. I said it wasn't impressive by my standards, but the analysis quality itself was solid... no, for 17? Way beyond."
Jang Jun-ho glanced at Huh Ji-woong, then stared straight at me.
"Asking again: No thoughts on majoring in directing? I'll vouch for your talent."
Whoa. The great Jang Jun-ho vouching for my talent?
First time hearing something like that.
Now I got why he'd checked Ji-woong's reaction.
He knew full well Ji-woong was my musical homeroom teacher and one-on-one mentor, yet here he was scouting me.
Fair enough.
"You know Yoon Jong-hoon? Spotted him like this, took him as a student—look at him now. Awards at the Korean Musical Awards already at that age. My eye's never wrong."
No answer from me, so he piled on the persuasion.
Better reply quick.
"Nah, not really thinking about it. Directing."
Answer was set anyway—no need to drag it out.
"Huh?"
He looked shocked, like he hadn't expected flat rejection.
Ji-woong's lips twitching caught my eye too.
What? Why plant Jang Jun-ho in front of me if you're gonna make that face?
"Sorry. Right now, I want to focus on actor training."
Directing had always intrigued me.
Maybe someday I'd study it properly.
But not now.
With healthy vocal cords and a young body again, I'd reconnected with my old mentor Huh Ji-woong.
Focusing just on becoming a better actor was overwhelming enough.
"Ha. So firm. Kinda throws me."
Jang Jun-ho, usually booming with laughter, smiled awkwardly.
"Saw that analysis and figured you had directing ambitions..."
Yeah, I could see a director mistaking it.
Actors don't usually sketch that deep.
The crisis of never performing again had driven me to it.
But all that analysis? Just to act better.
To ease his disappointment, time for a 17-year-old answer.
"I want to be a musical actor. I love musicals so much. Haven't thought about anything else yet."
I flashed a bright smile at Jang Jun-ho.
Gave him just enough lingering what-if, but shut down further talk for now. Took some brainpower.
Part truth, too.
Really, right now, all I thought about was building a solid foundation to live long and strong as a musical actor.
Standing at Daekorean Art Hall this time confirmed it again.
I loved the stage more than I realized.
Right before going on, on stage, after it ended.
The thrill, the rush.
Like the only legal drug the country allowed.
Couldn't imagine life without that high.
"Fine. You win."
Seeing Do-hyun's passion for musicals, Jang Jun-ho recalled his own start in directing.
That's why he couldn't push harder.
He knew that stubbornness.
Jang Jun-ho stood, seeming to give up.
Ji-woong and Do-hyun rose with him.
"I'll watch how big you grow as an actor, Lee Do-hyun."
He pointed from his eyes to me with thumb and forefinger.
Had I just gotten marked by Jang Jun-ho?
"By graduation, level up enough to step straight onto my stage. Got it?"
Good kind of mark, thankfully.
Great for me.
You can't discuss Korean musicals without Jang Jun-ho.
Not just now—he'd bury his bones in the scene for years, raising blockbusters.
"Yeah, I'll do that."
I grinned wide and nodded.
Jang Jun-ho gave Ji-woong a final nod.
"Alright, I'll head out. Lucky you, great student and all."
Ji-woong smiled faintly, bowing his head.
"Take care."
Jang Jun-ho glanced at me once more and left the practice room.
Just the two of us now, and I felt Ji-woong staring.
Looked oddly pleased.
"Lunch yet? Wanna grab something tasty?"
Rushing to pack up—yeah, happy with my answer.
Hard to find a mentor like Ji-woong, but a student like me? Rare too.
Feeling smug, I grinned and asked.
"Sure. What's on for today?"
"Day like this? That one thing."
No way.
I'd turned down the directing offer today?
"Burger time. Special treat: half a cup of cola."
Half a cup of cola... progress...