Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Challenging for the Lead Role
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“Are you crazy?”
After Yoo Chanwoo left, Doyoung must have heard "Are you crazy?" more times than he ever would in his lifetime.
It was something he was used to, to a certain extent.
After all, plenty of directors had tried to recruit him before.
And every time, the troupe members had asked him why he kept turning them down—it was such a waste.
He could understand why they said that.
That was the dream for most actors, after all.
Meeting a great director and landing a great role to show your face to the public... getting recognized for your acting talent, becoming a renowned star, gaining popularity, and eventually sweeping the year-end acting awards.
Doyoung wasn't an idiot.
He knew that accepting Yoo Chanwoo's offer would lead straight to that kind of life.
It wasn't arrogance or overconfidence.
It was certainty in his own abilities.
But...
My dream is right here.
The scene from his childhood, holding his parents' hands as they entered the theater, was still vividly etched in his mind.
The actors on stage, making all sorts of expressions, chattering and monologuing—it was tattooed into his brain.
They looked so good. Cool. Full of joy.
Someday, he wanted to stand on that stage like them.
He wanted to act on stage, breathing in sync with the audience.
It was theater that made Doyoung want to act in the first place.
From the start, he'd dreamed of being a stage actor.
But those around him didn't see it that way. Whenever he said he wanted to be a theater actor, the reactions were all the same.
Theater? You think you can make a living off that?
Theater actors were poor.
Maybe that's why no one thought theater could be a final destination.
They saw it merely as a stepping stone to somewhere better, cooler—like the film industry.
He hated that.
Maybe that's why he'd worked even harder.
If he kept shining quietly in this place, maybe someday people would start seeing it differently.
Yeah. As a place worth dreaming about... somewhere valuable.
“...Go.”
Yeah.
“Troupe Leader.”
“No long talks. This time, go for real.”
He never expected even Jiwan to say something like that.
“Troupe Leader!”
“I heard you! Loud and clear, so stop yelling!”
Jiwan glared at Doyoung, exploding in anger.
“Yoo Chanwoo, you idiot! Yoo Chanwoo! The lead role! One shot at this, and your life changes! You get that?”
“I'm telling you, that's not the life I want right now!”
“So you'll cling to this theater for life?”
“What's wrong with that?”
“Yeah, it's wrong. So go.”
“...Troupe Leader.”
“I don't want to be the one who held you back. Go.”
“Why do you keep pushing like this? What's the reason I have to go there?”
“Because that's the real deal.”
Doyoung's face went blank at those words.
The expression of someone who never imagined Jiwan would say that.
But Jiwan pressed on regardless.
“I want to say no, that we're just as good... but we lose out. That's why I'm telling you to go! Into a world full of the real pros! Come on, give it a proper shot at acting!”
“...You shouldn't be the one saying that, Troupe Leader.”
“That's why I'm saying it.”
Because no one else could.
Jiwan's face was steady, brimming with conviction that he was right.
In the end, Doyoung shot up from his seat.
“...I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said today.”
“Cha Doyoung!”
Doyoung ignored Jiwan's calls and stormed out of the office.
And the moment he opened the door, he froze for a second.
The troupe members, who had been eavesdropping with their ears to the door, tumbled down in a heap.
Doyoung said nothing and just left.
Watching them, Jiwan rubbed his forehead and sighed.
“...Frustrating guy.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ He'd had a brief dream.
A dream where Director Yoo Chanwoo said, "How about we make a film together?"
...Looking back, it was ridiculous.
For a newbie who had barely started acting to think he could catch the eye of a director who worked with world-class actors.
What big guts.
Seonwoo realized anew.
Even if an opportunity came now, he wasn't ready to seize it.
The road ahead was still long.
And that made Doyoung seem even more impressive.
Yoo Chanwoo's lead role—an offer Seonwoo couldn't even dream of yet—and Doyoung had turned it down flat.
When he'd witnessed it firsthand, Seonwoo had thought, I knew it, but was still dumbfounded.
Yoo Chanwoo. Not just anyone—Yoo Chanwoo.
A chance to change his life as an actor... no, as a person—and he kicked it away?
“What a waste...”
Yechun clenched his fist, feeling the loss himself.
“Doyoung hyung could totally be a top star...”
Seonwoo agreed with that much.
He hadn't seen other top actors in person, but he couldn't imagine Doyoung losing to them.
That's probably why Yoo Chanwoo offered him the lead.
But he couldn't say it out loud.
You couldn't question someone's convictions like, "Why hold onto them?"
He could only admire that unshakable resolve.
But...
“I do not punish for sins uncommitted.”
Even Doyoung was human, it seemed.
The very next day after Yoo Chanwoo came and went.
During the usual performance... Seonwoo noticed something off about Doyoung.
The color...
Normally, Doyoung's Priest would bathe the stage—and even the audience—in that signature golden glow.
But today's Priest lacked it.
Duller than usual, less radiant.
That told him everything.
Ah, he's shaken.
Doyoung had to feel it too.
After the show, in the waiting room, he said apologetically,
“Sorry, everyone.”
“...Huh? For what?”
“My acting today was awful.”
“Eh...? Was it?”
Most of the troupe tilted their heads.
They hadn't noticed any glaring difference.
And seeing Doyoung like that, Seonwoo found himself speaking before he knew it.
“Are you shaken, hyung?”
Only after the words were out did Seonwoo realize his mistake.
He hadn't meant to be so direct... but he was too fixated, and his mouth moved on its own.
Doyoung clearly hadn't expected that from Seonwoo.
He looked flustered for a moment, then sighed.
“...Wanna take a walk?”
“Sure.”
How far had they walked out of the troupe hall?
After climbing about a hundred steps in Naksan Park... Doyoung finally spoke.
“You think I'm stubborn too, huh?”
“...Well, a bit.”
“Honest. Hurts.”
“No point sugarcoating this.”
Seonwoo shrugged.
“But that's not all. Logically, passing up a chance like this is insane... but if we were the logical type, we wouldn't have started acting.”
“If we were logical, we never would've started...”
Doyoung smiled wryly.
“True.”
“Having second thoughts?”
“No.”
“...”
“...Can't lie, huh. Yeah, a little. Everyone's been on my case. And honestly, I didn't show it, but...”
Doyoung smiled.
And in that moment, Seonwoo was a bit surprised.
It was a boyish smile, hard to imagine on someone Doyoung's age.
“I'm a huge fan of Director Yoo Chanwoo.”
“And you still turned him down?”
It must've been tough.
At this point, Seonwoo couldn't understand Doyoung at all.
“What's the real reason you're refusing so firmly?”
“How many people in Cheongsong dream of being theater actors?”
It was a tough question to answer.
Not because he didn't know, but because he did.
How many in Cheongsong would turn down a proper media debut?
Seonwoo couldn't. He wouldn't even think to.
Doyoung smiled bitterly.
“I get it. No one sees Cheongsong as the endgame. Most treat it like a pit stop—on the way to Chungmuro or broadcast TV. But for me, this has always been the destination. Since I was a kid.”
Seonwoo nodded.
Otherwise, Doyoung would've left for Chungmuro ages ago.
Doyoung turned to Seonwoo, eyes serious.
“What do you think?”
“...”
“Am I stubborn?”
He'd asked once before.
Asking twice meant he wanted a different answer.
Seonwoo thought.
Analyzing characters from scripts all the time... he had a good guess at Doyoung's feelings.
And what to say.
Fine, why not.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah.”
“Bread or rice—which do you like more?”
“...Huh? Rice, I guess.”
“Then since you like rice, you'll never eat bread again?”
A childish metaphor, maybe.
But the message landed. Watching Doyoung go silent, Seonwoo continued.
“Liking theater doesn't have to mean avoiding film.”
“...”
“If you just don't want to do movies, that's fine. But if it's because you love theater so much you're skipping film... maybe rethink it?”
“...Ouch. Right to the bone.”
“Sorry. Didn't think it needed softening.”
“Nah. Actually, it helped sort my thoughts.”
Doyoung smiled.
Different from before... relieved, somehow.
“Thanks.”
The next day.
The final performance of Confession.
Doyoung's Priest shone with that golden light as always—no, even brighter than usual.
And at the wrap-up party after the show,
Doyoung spoke up in front of everyone.
“I'm going to do it. The movie.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cha Doyoung was finally going to act in a film!
The Cheongsong troupe was as shocked as when Yoo Chanwoo had visited.
They'd gossiped that someone like him might sway Doyoung, but deep down thought he'd haunt Cheongsong forever.
“I'm not leaving Cheongsong. I'll do theater till I die.”
Just a short trip to the neighborhood next door.
The troupe applauded and cheered his decision.
It is a shame.
Days acting alongside Doyoung wouldn't come easily anymore.
Still, it was for the best.
He'd always felt bad seeing him—like his talent deserved a bigger audience.
Acting that could move so many people...
“Good call, hyung.”
Doyoung grinned sheepishly at Seonwoo's words.
“Not thinking I'm all talk, flip-flopping now?”
“Well, kinda.”
“...Thanks.”
Doyoung's expression turned serious.
“Without your advice, I might not have made this choice.”
“Nah. You would've gone eventually.”
“...Why?”
“Sharing the stage with you showed me. You love theater, sure—but acting most of all.”
Truth be told, heading to films was probably inevitable for him.
“Nothing sweeter than a chance at great acting, right?”
“Seonwoo.”
“Yeah, hyung.”
“I've thought this before... you sure say whatever's on your mind.”
“...Ah. Sorry. Wasn't trying to.”
Maybe he had, a bit.
Seonwoo rarely flustered, fumbling awkwardly. Doyoung chuckled at the sight.
“It's fine. Wasn't scolding. ...Well, this is.”
Doyoung grinned playfully.
“Why's Eunseok 'hyung' and I'm 'senior'?”
“Huh? No, you never told me to call you hyung.”
“Really? Then call me hyung from now on.”
Er...
Bit sudden.
Seonwoo looked bewildered. Doyoung smirked.
“Take care of Cheongsong while I'm gone. I'll be back soon.”
“Got it, hyung.”
“Hyung?”
“...Hyung.”
Hyung.
Didn't roll off the tongue.
He still felt too distant to call him that.
That was probably why Seonwoo had said it.
“Next time we meet... I'll be a better actor.”
He wanted to close the gap.
Become someone worthy of sharing the stage more.
Someday, act in the same world as him.
What would it feel like acting with Yoo Chanwoo... or the top actors in the industry?
It'd be bliss.
Every moment, feeling truly alive.
Just imagining it lifted his lips.
He knew he was still far off.
Even with Yoo Chanwoo right there this time, that massive opportunity... Seonwoo had done nothing.
He wasn't ready.
Still lacking.
He had to grow.
Seize chances when they came.
Stand proudly beside Doyoung someday.
How?
...Do it right.
Do what others won't, what they give up as impossible.
Challenge limits, refine, give everything.
What's one thing he could do now?
There was one.
A simple, straightforward goal.
“...What're you gonna do?”
“The lead.”
Become Cheongsong's protagonist.
“I'm challenging for the lead in this audition.”