Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Acting Academy Instructor Kim Ah-hyun
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Acting academy instructor Kim Ah-hyun.
It had been ten years since she had switched careers after a long stint as an actress.
She had founded the academy and taught hundreds of kids herself.
Most of them had quickly given up on their dreams, convinced they had no talent.
Just like Kim Ah-hyun ten years ago...
'The world is so unfair.'
Those without acting talent could pour in all the effort they wanted, but they'd just fade into obscurity.
Surviving in this cutthroat industry on effort alone was incredibly tough.
"Haa..."
Feeling that same emptiness from back then, Kim Ah-hyun flung off the strange sunglasses with a flick! and fixed her gaze forward.
She had pulled the shortest, easiest script from the mountain in the materials room for Yu-na, who hadn't prepared anything...
But she'd never seen anything like this.
A kid conveying every emotion purely with her voice.
"...Daddy? Are you going to the company?"
"Yeah, I'm really sorry... I don't think I can keep my promise this time either."
Yu-na's cute little lips slowly parted as she stared at the script.
"Liar..."
Her breathing and movements.
The way she handled her gaze.
She wasn't using any of the actors' techniques, yet the emotions came through crystal clear.
She'd been so excited for today.
She was upset because she couldn't play with Daddy.
'She's actor Lee Jun-seo's daughter... So that's it?'
It was right then.
Yu-na stomped the ground hard with her adorable little foot, making a thump!
It was the first action Yu-na had taken.
"I hate Daddy!"
"S-Sorry. I've just been so busy lately. I'll definitely play with you tomorrow, so..."
"I'm never talking to Daddy again! She turns her back... Ah! Was I not supposed to read that? You promised to play with me today..."
Kim Ah-hyun burst out laughing at Yu-na's quirky reading of the stage directions in the parentheses.
Of course.
She was only eight years old, after all.
The students, who had been watching entranced, chuckled at how cute Yu-na was.
"If I had a daughter as cute as Yu-na, I'd quit the company and play with her all day."
"You too? Same here."
"Isn't that what Ha-yul did before? It feels fresh and fun with Yu-na."
"I think this version's better?"
"......"
Lee Ha-yul, who had been staring at Yu-na mid-performance, furrowed her brow tightly.
'What? Better than my acting?'
No way.
How could they like that sloppy performance...
Ha-yul, who had felt no rivalry before, suddenly felt like she'd lost to Yu-na.
Oblivious to Ha-yul's feelings.
The students were busy whispering.
"Wanna swap scripts with each other and try? That could be fun."
"Good idea. We'll get personal practice time soon anyway, so let's do that. Anyone wanna swap with us?"
"Swap with us."
"Sure, sounds good."
"Me too! Swap with us!"
As the murmurs grew louder, Yu-na and the boy stopped their acting.
Kim Ah-hyun clapped her hands right then to draw the students' attention.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Alright! Everyone, focus!"
Yu-na's face stiffened severely.
Kim Ah-hyun found it odd.
'Why's Yu-na doing that? ...Ah! Right.'
The strange sunglasses she'd flung off earlier.
Only after scrambling to pick them up and put them back on did a smile return to Yu-na's face.
Phew! Kim Ah-hyun let out a small sigh of relief and strode over to Yu-na.
"Yu-na... you did really well."
"Really? Hehehe."
"Next, student Kim Sang-gyu? You're definitely better at conveying emotion than when you paired with Ha-yul before."
"R-Really?"
"You're growing steadily, so don't rush it. Keep this up, and you could become an actor."
"Yes! Got it, Teacher!"
Kim Ah-hyun shrugged with a small smile at his energetic reply.
"Alright, feedback time's over. Now, personal practice time. If I catch you goofing off... you'll be banned from the practice room. Got it?"
They all replied energetically.
"Yes!"
"Yes, Teacher!"
Yu-na echoed them and headed straight for Ha-yul.
She wanted praise from Ha-yul too, who'd been watching the whole time.
So she asked cautiously.
"How was Yu-na's acting earlier?"
"Really bad... I mean, it was good."
"Hehehe. Yours was really good too, Ha-yul."
"......"
"Then there's nothing we can do but give up."
Park Mu-jin, the martial arts director, had finally ended his persistent pleas for us to join his school.
I let out a sigh of relief.
"Whew..."
"Ah! You must be tired. It's the first day, so shall we wrap up?"
What? Already done?
If I hadn't misheard, the director was saying we could go home early.
"We can leave early?"
He nodded slightly at my cautious question.
"Yes. You've already mastered the tough action perfectly, so today's tasks are done."
"Ah..."
"Good work. From what I've seen of your skills, you'll pick up the other actions easily too."
His lips curved up slowly.
"You can all head out now. See you in two days."
With that, the director took the trainees inside.
"......"
"......"
"......"
A heavy silence fell over the three of us left behind. I glanced at my seniors alternately and smiled awkwardly.
"...Feels weird just hanging around here, so shall we go?"
"Yeah, let's head out. Good work, everyone."
"Let's call it. Good work, Senior Yang Hyuk-su, and Junior Jun-seo."
"Yes, good work, Seniors."
After brief goodbyes.
I saw my seniors off first, got in the car, and checked the time on my phone.
4 p.m. now.
It ended earlier than expected.
Did I unnecessarily leave Yu-na with Yoon Si-won? As that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly remembered Yu-na had gone to the acting academy with Ha-yul.
'I wonder what she's doing there...'
Unable to curb my curiosity, I scrolled through contacts and called Yoon Si-won.
The familiar ringtone.
She picked up quickly.
-Hello?
"Ah, calling because we finished early. What’s Yu-na doing right now?"
-I’m outside, and Yu-na and Ha-yul are at the acting academy.
Outside, not at the academy...
A small scream and my name faintly came through the phone.
-Is that really actor Lee Jun-seo?
-Oh my gosh! I’m a huge fan of Lee Jun-seo! Hey, switch to speaker quick. Let me hear his voice too.
-Hey, stop! Don’t interrupt!
My body flinched at Yoon Si-won’s sharp voice.
She must be meeting friends while the kids were at the academy. The faint conversation sounded just like that.
"...Si-won?"
-Sorry. My friends are bothering you... I’ll step out to take this.
Just as I thought.
Soon, the background noise cleared up.
-Yeah, go ahead now.
I cleared my throat with a cough and spoke slowly.
"...When does the acting academy end?"
-6:30.
"6:30..."
I checked the time again.
If it’s close...
I could make it.
She went because of Ha-yul, so Yu-na might learn something there too?
Yu-na learning to act...
I really wanted to see that.
That’s when.
-You must be tired. Rest at home, Jun-seo. I’ll bring Yu-na back safely.
No...
I gripped the phone tighter and continued quickly.
"Could you send the acting academy address? I’ll head there too."
-You sure? Okay, sending it now.
"Yes, please."
Click!
Right after hanging up, Yoon Si-won sent the address.
‘Seoul Acting Academy.’
Simple name.
Whoa, it’s really close.
About 30 minutes away.
Alright, let’s go.
I started the car with a light heart.
I arrived at the academy sooner than expected.
Wearing a cap and mask to cover my face, I looked around.
Quiet street.
No people in sight.
Anyway.
Which building is it?
I alternated between the left and right buildings. Both second floors had ‘Seoul Acting Academy’ signs.
The right one looked weathered, the left one brand new and clean.
‘Let’s try the left building first?’
I pulled my cap low and strode into the left building, slowly climbing the stairs.
That’s when I reached the second floor.
"Right there, if you drag out the end of your line mockingly just a bit more..."
"Then it’d turn into a fight, right? The opponent’s supposed to be hot-tempered. You’d get grabbed by the collar right away. Heh heh heh."
Boys were blocking the academy door, chatting.
‘Why are they standing here?’
I approached them.
"Excuse me, I’d like to go in. Could you move aside?"
"......"
"...Who’re you, mister?"
Wary expressions.
They glared at my low-pulled cap.
"...This is ‘Seoul Acting Academy,’ right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"This voice... sounds familiar..."
If this was definitely the place.
I slowly removed my mask and cap. The boys’ mouths gradually gaped open.
"My daughter’s here, so I came. Could you let me through?"
I smiled, and they crowded in uncomfortably close.
"W-Wow! It’s actor Lee Jun-seo, right?"
"I’m a real fan! I’ve watched every drama you’re in! We even did roles from your dramas for exams here!"
"Me too! Same!"
"Ahaha... Thank you."
I smiled awkwardly and backed up a bit when the left boy pulled out a thick oil-based marker and handed it to me.
"Sign here, please!"
He turned his sturdy back, pointing to his white T-shirt.
The right boy did the same.
"Me too, please!"
At this rate, I couldn’t get inside. I wanted to see Yu-na quick.
No choice.
I’d sign fast and go in.
I uncapped the marker and signed big on their backs.
"I’ll treasure this forever."
"Me too. Thank you!"
Now, move aside, please.
Right then.
Step. Step.
A suspicious woman in weird sunglasses approached with bold strides.
"What did I say happens if you get caught goofing off during personal practice? Don’t you want to use the practice room for a while? Ah... Ah!"
The suspicious woman’s mouth gaped open like the boys’.
Just for a moment.
"I-It’s actor Lee Jun-seo, right?"