Chapter 383
Chapter 383
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 383
Chapter Title: Idol Maker (21)
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Thanks to Siwoo oppa, I'd mustered up the courage to accept the vice president's offer to learn about "adult love." And as a result, now that we'd finally started the lesson, I was hit with an incredibly cryptic and convoluted question from the vice president.
"Jinhee, do you know what the three major human desires are?"
Why was he suddenly asking about the three major human desires? Something about the vibe felt off right from the start... It was like the lesson level had skyrocketed in just one week. If last week's material had been middle school level, today's felt like college courses.
"Oh, I think I know..."
"Appetite, sleep, and sexual desire."
"Ahh, right. Appetite, sleep, and sexual desire. I knew that. For real."
"But doesn't that feel a little off to you?"
"...Huh?"
"Eating and sleeping are absolute necessities for human survival. Think about it—if you don't eat or sleep, you die."
"Right?"
"But sexual desire is different. Do people die if they don't have sex?"
"Gasp."
"Did monks enter the temple to die? Huh? Are sexless couples suicidal? No, they're not. People don't die just from skipping sex."
"Th-that... yeah?"
"So why is sexual desire counted among the three major human desires?"
"W-well... yeah? Ahaha... that's weird, why is that..."
"It's because it's an innate reproductive instinct embedded in our DNA."
"...Wow."
This is weird. Is this really an acting lesson?
Words that were hard to hear in everyday life—stuff that looked complicated and tedious—started pouring out of the vice president's mouth. It seemed like he was about to dive into some professional theories... As expected from a pro; even the learning process was on another level.
"Humans are animals, after all. People instinctively and subconsciously want to produce offspring. This is an instinct hardwired at the genetic level, so everyone has this desire. Sure, some overcome it as they grow, but... people are born with that design. It's an undeniable fact."
"......Hmm."
"And the proof is the pleasure of sex."
"Pfft, cough, hack... Wh-what did you say?"
"Pay attention. The proof is the pleasure of sex."
"Ah...... Y-yes..."
"As you know, sex feels incredibly good. That's because countless nerve cells that provide pleasure are concentrated in men's and women's genitals. But why are they so densely packed? To encourage sex, that's why."
"Heok."
"Think about it—you have to have sex first to get pregnant."
"......R-right?"
"So, in a sense, the human body evolved that way to promote reproduction. To satisfy the innate reproductive drive."
"I see..."
"But just because sex feels good doesn't guarantee people will do it, right?"
"Urgh, y-yeah..."
"That's why humans have 'sexual desire' that makes them want sex, and because it's so important, sexual desire is included in the three major desires."
"Oh, I get it."
My mind was a fog from the long, hard-to-follow sentences and the embarrassing topics... but I could tell the vice president was right, and that sexual desire really mattered. I didn't fully understand—DNA this, design that... fancy words. That's why I bought into it.
And even though he was talking about sex, pregnancy... stuff that would embarrass anyone, his expression didn't change. That showed how seriously he was taking it, which built my trust. The vice president wasn't the type to use lessons as an excuse for sexual harassment.
"So, Jinhee. Why do you think I brought this up?"
"Hmm, th-that is..."
"Because many works exploit this sexual desire."
"Eh?!"
"Directors don't cast handsome men and beautiful women just because they're popular. They use them to trigger the audience's reproductive instincts."
"......Whoa."
"As I said, sexual desire can be seen as reproductive desire. But who do people want to reproduce with? Those who are useful for survival, with valuable skills or attractive looks, right?"
"......"
"Knowing that, directors create the most reproductively appealing, attractive characters possible. Audiences unconsciously feel that reproductive urge and get sucked deeper into stories featuring characters they fall for. That's the basics of character design."
"......I see."
"So understanding this is crucial."
"Yeah, makes sense... I learned something."
"But, Jinhee."
"Y-yes..."
"So how do you express that 'reproductive appeal'?"
"Uh...... By analyzing the script well? And acting it out convincingly?"
"That's obvious. What should you focus on more?"
"......No idea."
"Physical contact."
"Physical contact?!"
"People think it's for emotional bonding, but no. At its most primal... physical contact is a way to check if the other person is suitable for reproduction."
Ughhh, my head's spinning. It sounds super suspicious... but probably true? The topics were making my stomach churn, but nothing he said seemed wrong. And though I didn't really want to know... it felt like essential knowledge for growing as an actress.
In summary, it was like Acting 101.
That's why even the embarrassing stuff didn't faze me much... or rather, I could pretend it didn't and move on.
"So actors need to show 200% of their appeal during physical contact."
"200%..."
"That way, audiences immerse themselves as the target of that contact."
"Immerse..."
"Three-line summary: Directors create attractive characters. Actors deliver attractive physical contact. Audiences feel reproductive desire watching it. Those are the three keys to success."
"Three keys to success..."
"And that's what I mean by 'adult love.' Raw, instinct-driven love that hits primal urges. Get it now?"
"Kinda... and kinda not..."
"Still lost?"
"...Yeah."
"It's fine. You'll get it with practice."
"...Okay, got it."
"Anyway, to learn this 'adult love,' you need to get comfortable with physical contact. Creating attractive characters is for directors and writers. I can teach interpretation per case, but no time for that. So I'll teach you physical contact. From now on, Jinhee, I'll help you get used to it."
"Y-yes..."
"But it might be overwhelming. So tell me clearly now: Can you handle physical contact with me? You'll be doing all the contact scenes from dramas and movies you've seen—with me. It'll be tough, but it's necessary for you and becoming a better actress. So no hedging—give me a straight answer."
"Ughhh..."
"What do you say, Jinhee? Can you do it?"
I hesitated.
But only briefly.
Siwoo oppa said it: You can't achieve anything without trying. If the vice president is right... he probably is. So I have to. It's just practice for scenes I'll do anyway.
Sure, doing it with him felt a bit awkward... but better than with some untrustworthy pretty-boy actor. Someone plain-looking but who genuinely believes in me and cheers me on feels safer.
He won't gossip. And unlike others, the vice president will always be considerate... Yeah, practicing with him is better.
"I can do it."
I answered him with conviction.
"Good. Let's start with a hug?"
And just like that, I was in his arms.
His embrace, which I'd felt all last week. But facing each other made me tense. His body had a subtly warm, pleasant scent. Guess it won't feel much different from now on...
N-no.
My chest was being squished against his.
"Urgh, ngh..."
And that squishy thing of his... I could feel it against my lower belly. So that's why we need contact practice. A horribly uncomfortable, gross sensation I hadn't noticed from behind. Ugh, ugh... I want out. My resolve was crumbling right from the start.