Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Action School Wrap-Up
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"That audition you prepared with your friend back then—looks like Seo-gu passed, huh?"
I asked casually, and he responded in a stiff voice, like he was standing at full military attention.
"Yes, sir!"
"Congratulations. And you don't have to shout."
"Got it, sunbae!"
Was he even listening?
He raised his voice even louder than before. Seeing his rigid posture and tense expression...
I started feeling unnecessarily guilty.
Did we make him nervous?
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Alright! Save the greetings for later, everyone. Actor Lee Seo-gu, follow that graduate over there and learn from him. You'll be busy starting with the basics."
"Yes, sir!"
Lee Seo-gu bellowed his response, then bowed deeply to Shin Su-young, Kang Min-woo, and me in turn.
"I'll be going now!"
After he left.
Kang Min-woo also exchanged light greetings and headed off with the graduate.
"Actors Lee Jun-seo and Shin Su-young, just practice freely as usual with me watching."
"Yes, Director. Looking forward to it."
"Please take care of us. Jun-seo, let's go find Hyuk-su oppa quick."
The action practice began one by one in front of the martial arts director, continuing until the sun dipped low in the sky.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Hold on! That last part needs to be bolder."
"Haa, haa. Bolder?"
"Grabbing the collar and dragging them might not be as provocative as grabbing the hair, right?"
Flinch!
At the director's words, the trainee who'd just grabbed my collar touched his own hair.
The trainees lying on the ground burst out laughing, clutching their stomachs at the sight.
"Just give up and let him grab your hair."
"Don't forget to act while you're being dragged. Ahaha!"
"I wonder if it'll hurt so bad the acting comes naturally. Just act like it hurts."
"Ahahaha!"
At the loud laughter, the martial arts director frowned and scanned the room.
The area finally quieted down.
"It's a scene where you're rescuing a friend from gangsters, so that feels the most provocative and satisfying."
"...Understood."
"Ah, time's almost up. Good work, everyone. Actor Lee Jun-seo, take a break... Next up, Actress Shin Su-young?"
Swoosh.
Shin Su-young and the trainees, who'd been sitting in a large circle, dusted off the mat and moved to the center.
"Nunna's turn. Do your best."
I held out my palm wide to Shin Su-young. She let out a chuckle and slapped it hard.
Smack! My palm stung.
She didn't have to hit that hard...
I shook out my stinging hand, and she smirked.
"Alright, I'll do great."
"Actor Lee Jun-seo? Back to your spot. If we delay more, Actor Yang Hyuk-su won't get his turn."
"Got it."
Step. Step.
I shuffled to the spot next to Yang Hyuk-su and plopped down weakly.
"Whew, this is tough."
"Good job. Here's a towel."
"Thanks."
I caught my ragged breath and roughly wiped my face with the towel I'd just received.
Thud! Thud thud! Thud!
What? Already started?
I draped the used towel around my neck and looked ahead. Her actions—dodging every attack fluidly and taking everyone down—were practically art.
"She's amazing..."
I nodded.
"Su-young nunna seems even better than me. So agile..."
"Hey, you're the same. You know how hard I've worked so I don't drag you two down? And how come you, with your zero coordination, nail these complex action scenes?"
"...I'm not that uncoordinated?"
His "zero coordination" comment got under my skin, and I raised my voice. Attention turned our way, so I covered my mouth with my hand.
Then quietly added,
"...I'm not uncoordinated?"
"What do you mean? I saw your dance video. That stiff, weird dancing was a first for me."
"......"
If he'd seen it, I had nothing to say.
I clamped my mouth shut and fixed my gaze on Shin Su-young's actions.
"Be honest. You're faking the zero coordination, right? Just acting to seem more human."
Right then.
"Argh!"
A loud scream echoed.
Everyone froze and turned toward the sound.
On the bright blue mat, learning how to fall safely—breakfalls— was Lee Seo-gu.
Maybe because it suddenly got quiet?
I could hear Lee Seo-gu and the graduate's conversation from way over here.
"Falling like that will hurt. How many times do I have to tell you?"
"S-Sorry!"
His enthusiasm is impressive...
White salt crystals stood out starkly on his black tracksuit.
Even from afar, it was clear.
Probably from sweating, drying, and repeating.
"When falling, tuck your head, and before your torso hits, land with your palms and forearms together."
"I'll try again!"
"Alright. Let's do it again."
Breakfalls—the most crucial part of action work.
After my first day.
I started learning them the very next day.
Those are brutal...
"That junior's in for it."
"Yeah."
Finally.
It was Yang Hyuk-su's turn for feedback from Martial Arts Director Park Mu-jin.
"That's enough. No need to see the rest."
Yang Hyuk-su's face hardened like stone at the director's blunt words.
"......"
"Actor Yang Hyuk-su... nothing to fix. It was really good. I can see the effort."
His stiff expression melted at the praise. He smoothed his slight smile and bowed.
"Thank you."
"You did well adjusting the movements subtly... without overdoing it or getting in the lead actors' way."
The trainees who'd played our roles also received praise from Director Park Mu-jin.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Ahem! That's it for today. Rest up on Sunday. See you Monday."
We'd just finished all the feedback from the martial arts director and were about to wrap up.
Bang!
"Yu-na makes her entrance!"
Yu-na strode in grandly, hands on her hips... Sigh. I rubbed my forehead and shook my head.
The prop dagger at her waist.
'What was In-cheol doing?'
...No, I can guess.
She must've begged In-cheol desperately while I was gone, and he'd let her play with the prop dagger I'd taken away earlier?
The trainees who entered with Yu-na looked like they'd rolled on the floor—their clothes were a mess.
How much fun did they have...
"Yu-na wants to take Director's test like Daddy. I've practiced so hard outside, I can get 100 points!"
Yu-na's bold declaration.
Cheers erupted belatedly.
"Ooh! Go for it!"
"You too, Yu-na!"
I wanted to rush over and snatch that prop dagger...
But the atmosphere wouldn't let me.
I gave up stopping her and let out a quiet sigh.
"What? Jun-seo, what's your manager doing letting Yu-na have that prop dagger? Didn't you take it away?"
Shin Su-young, sitting right next to me, nudged my arm and asked. How should I know, when I've been here the whole time?
I replied weakly.
"In-cheol... no, Yu-na must've begged my manager. And he couldn't say no to her earnest plea."
Step. Step.
Yu-na walked forward with the trainees.
She passed us sitting in a circle and stopped in the center, facing Yang Hyuk-su directly.
"Yu-na's turn now."
"...You wanna go too?"
Nod. Nod.
He awkwardly stepped aside for her.
And so.
The action Yu-na proudly showed off...
Honestly, it was just playful antics. The trainees attacked her super slowly...
But her flimsy defense sent them flying like they'd been hit by a bomb—what was that?
It was just entertaining, though.
With smiles blooming everywhere, Yu-na swung her prop dagger enthusiastically.
"Yaap! Yap!"
"Arrrgh! To fall to you!"
"Ugh! Wh-What strength?!"
Yu-na's antics turned the place into a festival.
Shin Su-young next to me.
Even Yang Hyuk-su, back in his spot, laughed till tears streamed.
I shrugged lightly and turned my eyes forward again.
'Well, it's safe, cute, and fun to watch.'
And just like that, the last week of April ended.
I'd steadily attended action school, refining and perfecting the actions for filming.
Now, all that's left is focusing on the script and maintaining peak condition.
By the way.
'Is next week the script reading already?'
Not a supporting role.
I'm the lead—the protagonist.
So I need to know the character better than anyone.
"Hmm..."
My small groan echoed loudly.
The practice room in the agency basement was empty today—all the trainees had left.
Perfect space for practicing lines alone while reviewing the script.
"Huh?"
Scribble. Scribble.
I underlined parts of the script and scratched my neck. I spotted a problem I'd never noticed before.
"...Why make that decision here? It feels forced."
The protagonist is a top-secret agent on a dirty mission.
To take him out, they send just one person at a time?
It makes no sense.
Gotta ask Writer Jo Sung-gil about this later...
I marked it and moved on, meticulously reading everyone else's lines too.
To track when the protagonist's emotions shift—essential process.
How much time passed?
"...What's wrong?"
In-cheol poked his head in, startling me into a flinch.
"What. When'd you get here?"
Playing it cool, I asked, and he pulled out a cool drink.
"Just now. Thirsty, right? I brought something. Anyway, some worry?"
"Nah. Just a snag, that's all."
"Can't help there. Take a break first. You'll ruin your eyes."
Bang!
Just then, CEO Do Bong-seok entered the basement practice room. He scanned the empty space and spoke.
"How's the facility? Nice using it?"
"Too big for solo use—kinda burdensome. But quiet and clean, so good."
He smiled satisfied, shrugging lightly.
"Yeah? Oh, Jun-seo. Got a clothing model ad offer for you. Interested?"
"Clothing ad model?"
"Here."
The clothing magazine he pulled out made me frown.
Similar design to the pajamas Yu-na got me for my birthday.
"Probably the first time a male actor's gotten this offer. Ahaha!"
"...Absolutely not."