Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Understudy's Spotlight
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‘Five people applied for the male lead alone.’
Jiwan gazed at the list of troupe members who had applied for the role of Heejae.
It had been ages since so many had gone after the lead role. He’d been worried about what would happen to Cheongsong’s momentum now that Doyoung was gone… but it seemed his absence wasn’t all bad.
Everyone must have been holding back that much.
How badly had they wanted the lead to come charging in the moment the chance arose?
But…
‘Seonwoo, you punk…’
He never imagined he’d see that name on the list.
How long had it even been since Seonwoo started acting? Two months? Maybe even less.
And here he was, already gunning for the lead…
‘So, you were born with a lead actor’s ego too, huh.’
Jiwan got it.
Personally, he believed actors were divided from the start into those destined for leads and those for supporting roles.
It wasn’t just about masks, either.
Even if someone didn’t fit the typical handsome or beautiful mold… there were those born with a lead’s undeniable presence.
A magnetism that seized the audience’s gaze.
There was no doubt Seonwoo had it.
Just look at his Seungdo in Confession—he’d captivated countless spectators.
Hell, he’d even picked up fans already, hadn’t he?
‘But it won’t be easy.’
Watching Jaewon’s acting only reinforced that thought.
Over the last quarter, it was like Jaewon had done some intense special training somewhere other than the construction site… He’d returned with acting chops even sharper than Jiwan remembered.
A practice fiend who was obsessed with the craft to the point where “practice bug” didn’t do him justice.
If not for Doyoung, everyone said Jaewon would’ve been Cheongsong’s star.
He had overwhelming talent.
No matter how impressive Seonwoo’s acting was, he wasn’t yet on Jaewon’s level for the lead.
That was Jiwan’s judgment.
But,
“If I just jump… and die… then I can go back, right?”
When Jiwan actually saw Seonwoo perform, he couldn’t help but be stunned all over again.
“Yebin… she can live, right?”
‘This kid…’
His acting had improved again.
Of course, with all the practice, growth was natural.
But Seonwoo’s progress wasn’t something you could brush off as “just practice.”
Solid core tension… a clear voice ringing out from it.
And packed into that voice: Heejae’s raw emotion.
His desperate, devoted pure love etched itself into your chest.
Hard to believe this was the same Seonwoo from just a little while ago.
It felt like he’d jumped several weight classes. Before, you could tell he was still green…
‘Who’d believe this guy’s been acting for less than a year?’
Of course, vocal training explained the dramatic shift.
Hyeseong, who’d been watching Seonwoo, grinned and stroked under his nose with a finger.
“See? Told you the kwak-kwak-kwak training works.”
“Shh. Quiet, oppa.”
Seonwoo had always been top-tier at capturing and expressing a character’s emotional arc—even among Cheongsong’s members.
What he’d lacked was the energy to project it outward.
Now, with vocal training filling that gap… his transformation was impossible to miss.
For a brief moment, it even crossed the troupe members’ minds: He could actually compete with Jaewon.
Jiwan was no exception.
When he’d first sat down for the auditions, he hadn’t even considered taking Seonwoo’s Heejae seriously.
But now, he kept imagining it.
Wondering how audiences would react to that Heejae.
That lingering hesitation on his face when announcing results? Probably why.
However…
“Good work, everyone. I can tell at a glance how hard you prepared. But as you know, we’re casting just one Heejae this time.”
“And that one is…”
“Congratulations, Song Jaewon. You’ve got the lead this quarter.”
No upsets.
Cheers and applause erupted from all sides as Jaewon quietly bowed in thanks.
Seonwoo clapped along with the others.
He’d lost.
He’d expected it… but it felt weird. Heart stinging, like a breakup.
‘…Gotta accept it.’
No use whining.
His skills just weren’t lead-ready yet. So practice more, hone them.
What mattered was growth. Learning more about acting steadily. Keep at it, and he’d become a fine actor someday, right?
With that mindset, he clapped enthusiastically—
“However.”
Jiwan spoke up suddenly.
Seonwoo’s expression shifted as he realized those eyes were on him.
What? What could he say staring at me in this moment?
“Kim Seonwoo.”
“Y-yes?”
“Your acting was good. Too good to just cut here. So… I have a proposal.”
“...What kind?”
Jiwan paused instead of answering right away.
His face still showed ongoing deliberation, even now.
But when he finally spoke—
“How about being Heejae’s understudy?”
“!”
The room fell into shocked silence.
Understudy? Understudy?! No way, that’s never happened before! The troupe buzzed.
Seonwoo was just as stunned.
He hadn’t dreamed of hearing this.
Understudy!
He could be the understudy?
…What even was that?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Understudy.
A backup actor who practiced the role in case the lead had to be replaced.
Like a bullpen pitcher.
Unlike baseball, though, you rarely took the mound unless the starter got hurt.
Anyway, did Seonwoo accept the offer?
“Seonwoo, you’re not praying for Jaewon to catch the flu every day now, are you?”
“Haha… as if.”
Of course he accepted.
No reason not to—nothing else to do instead.
He was a bit worried at first, though. Figured an understudy had nothing to do unless Jaewon got sick.
But the role wasn’t as idle as he’d thought.
Whenever the Until You Live cast—short for Ne Sal Ttae—practiced scenes with Heejae, they’d ask Seonwoo to run lines.
Jaewon only had one body, but too many needed to rehearse with “Heejae.”
And Seonwoo made a solid stand-in.
Made him happy, too.
His body had been itching for action.
Acting with others like this? Couldn’t ask for more.
Minhee and Hyeseong were among those practicing with him, too.
They’d landed Yebin and Fairy, respectively.
“Why not just specialize as an understudy? So convenient for practice.”
Minhee teased with a grin.
Hyeseong clicked his tongue at her.
“Look at Na Minhee picking on Seonwoo again.”
“Picking on? What’s wrong with understudy? Embarrassed, Seonwoo?”
“…Pfft.”
Minhee firing back innocently, Yechun desperately holding in laughter.
…Heartbreaking on every level.
Seonwoo raised his voice, feigning composure.
“Tease all you want—it doesn’t faze me. I’m satisfied.”
“Hmmm~.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t even get a shot at the stage. Just knowing there’s a chance for the lead? That’s enough.”
“Hee~.”
“Plus, practicing with seniors like this is fun enough.”
“Oho~ I see.”
No, seriously, it doesn’t faze me.
…Anyway, despite the ribbing, he genuinely enjoyed practice time with them.
With Seungdo, his only interactions were with the Priest. Now, he could exchange lines with all sorts of characters.
And being understudy brought more than that.
“Thanks. You’ve given me some breathing room.”
“N-no, I enjoy it too.”
A chance to get close to Jaewon.
He’d wanted to bond with him since hearing his story. Admired that passion—working construction gigs yet pursuing acting… Plus, the only one bold enough to challenge Doyoung. It sparked Seonwoo’s interest.
Problem was, Jaewon seemed subtly introverted, hard to approach.
Understudy gave the perfect excuse.
“Pull back emotions here? Why?”
“Showing exhaustion fits better. Heejae’s died countless times to go back. Even loving Yebin, pure love alone can’t sustain that pain.”
“…True. Emphasizing fatigue makes his refusal to give up even more poignant.”
“Exactly!”
They’d often discuss crafting the best Heejae.
Not always play talk, either.
Some small talk slipped in.
“Why challenge Senior Doyoung?”
“Yeah… You could’ve picked a sure supporting role.”
“…That’s what I wanna say to you. No need to go for lead.”
“Uh…”
“Probably the same reason, though.”
Jaewon shrugged casually.
“Felt like if I didn’t challenge him, I’d back off anytime it got tough. You too, right?”
“…Dunno, but yeah, wanted to try.”
“Good call. ‘Knock, and the door will open.’”
Wise words.
Yeah.
Knock until it opens.
Hearing Jaewon solidified Seonwoo’s resolve.
All the teasing from seniors had him second-guessing the lead bid as reckless… but now it clicked.
No need for validation.
He knew. He was growing. His Heejae was damn good.
Regrettable not to take the stage… but turn it into fuel for more growth?
Not that it wasn’t mentally tough.
When the troupe raised the curtain on Ne Sal Ttae without him, applause thundering at curtain call… that lonely ache.
None of those claps for him, he’d think pathetically.
So he dove into practice.
Acting let him focus solely on the craft.
But the thirst grew. He craved performing for audiences, showing his Heejae.
Impossible, though.
Unless Jaewon actually caught the flu… no stage for him.
Hard to picture that Captain America lookalike hacking away.
…But a month later, as Ne Sal Ttae neared its end—
“Cough cough… Sorry, Troupe Leader…”
“Jeez, body like a beast and you catch a cold?”
“I can… make the stage…”
“Forget it. Voice is shot—what stage?”
Tragically, Captain America—no, Jaewon—caught a cold.
Severe laryngitis; couldn’t speak properly.
“Never thought it’d happen like this… Seonwoo, your time to shine.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you’re the understudy. You got this?”
A half-given-up chance appeared.
Seonwoo stood blankly, then nodded eagerly.
Jaewon’s illness sucked, but he had to fill the gap so Jaewon wouldn’t worry.
“I can do it… I’ll do it!”
“Good. Tonight’s show?”
“Yes! Got it!”
Seonwoo bellowed.
Jaewon grumbled hoarsely, watching him.
“…Even so, you’re grinning too much, aren’t you?”