Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Audition Begins
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Should we do it?
Wouldn't it be worth at least giving it a shot?
They say we'll pass the document screening. Coming to watch the preliminaries won't hurt, right?
...But won't it clash too much with the troupe's schedule?
Yeah. Why did the Troupe Leader recommend this to us?
That was the general reaction from the troupe members after hearing about the untimely audition ad.
They all wanted to audition, but they worried that everyone bailing for it would harm the troupe.
But Park Jiwan cut off any room for such concerns.
"We'll take a one-month break from the troupe to match the audition schedule. The theater will be rented out to another troupe during that time."
It was an atmosphere of full support for this audition.
In fact, even PD Im Youngdo hadn't expected this. He'd waved it off when he first heard.
"I have no intention of dragging actors along while burdening you. Isn't this pushing it too far?"
"Senior. I want our kids to keep acting for a long time."
"...What does that have to do with this?"
"Someone running a troupe might find this hard to say... but theater doesn't pay the bills. If they stay here forever, they'll have to quit acting someday."
That was an undeniable reality.
The only people who kept doing theater into old age were those squeezing it in between dramas or movies, or instructors.
Making a living solely from theater was practically impossible.
Tying the actors to Cheongsong might benefit in the short term. But long-term? Not so much.
If their livelihoods weren't secured, there'd come a point when they'd have to quit acting.
"What if they get famous and never come back?"
"Then that's a win too."
"...You're heartless."
Im Youngdo gave a wry smile.
But he understood Jiwan's mindset. It was the healthiest way for Cheongsong to create a virtuous cycle.
If word spread that it was a troupe producing great actors... wouldn't that attract fresh, young blood?
"Well, it works for me anyway. These audition shows live or die by who's on them. The more dark horses to boost ratings, the better."
"Our kids will be solid. There are some really good ones. And don't even think about devilish editing. I'll make you regret it if you do."
"...Ahem, I don't do that stuff. You're awfully confident. That much faith in them?"
Jiwan nodded without hesitation.
Even though Cheongsong wasn't that big, it was hailed as the hottest troupe thanks entirely to its actors.
How could he lack confidence?
"One thing I can guarantee."
"What?"
Jiwan smiled proudly.
"The win belongs to our kids anyway."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'm going on the audition program.
Seonwoo made up his mind.
Jiwan had even postponed the troupe's auditions and performances to focus on it. Passing this up would be too ungrateful.
He was already frustrated waiting endlessly for chances as a supporting actor.
If an opportunity like this arose, he had to seize it.
And the other troupe members felt much the same.
"I'm in."
Hyeseong spoke up.
"It's your call... but you all should apply if you can. Singers get plenty, but actors know how rare these shows are."
"Me too."
Minhee nodded.
"I've been stressing over no auditions lately... This is perfect. And they offer prize money?"
"How much?"
"Two hundred million."
"...That's huge."
Hyeseong whistled.
Two hundred million could fund years of focused acting without worry.
But by the time someone claimed it, money wouldn't be an issue anyway.
The winner of I Am an Actor... would star in YBS's new drama.
Not even first place was required.
Top 10 guaranteed a solid supporting role in it.
"Tenth place is enough. Tenth... and terrestrial debut is real."
"Saying it like that makes it sound easy?"
"It won't be. Thousands... no, tens of thousands applying."
The competition was insane.
Preliminaries selected top 100 for finals, so hundreds-to-one odds there alone.
Even with document cuts... dozens-to-one minimum.
"Half-ass it, and we crash out early."
"No way we'd flop prelims. We need finals air."
That was the troupe's vibe.
Somehow reach the finals.
Polish the prelim performance to perfection.
I Am an Actor required free acting... recreating a movie scene.
Risky.
Hard to top originals. Lucky not to get flak.
Yechun muttered nervously.
"Mess up, and it's total embarrassment."
"...If we're lacking, we accept it."
"Ugh, but getting exposed nationally like that sucks..."
Probably why not everyone signed up.
Some dreaded the variety format, others felt unprepared.
By that logic, Seonwoo—with months of experience—should pass too.
But if he worried like that, he wouldn't have auditioned lead for At Four Years Old.
Seonwoo dove into prep.
The question: which scene? Troupe consensus?
"Go stimulating."
"Right. Passing is key, but avoiding edit fodder too."
Top 10 extras happened often.
Aiming there wasn't bad for drama gigs... but better plan ahead.
Impress crowds and PDs early.
'What emotion to show?'
Seonwoo pondered.
Many surfaced.
Anger, sorrow, love, self-loathing, jealousy...
Matching iconic scenes from films he'd loved.
Pick one.
'Fun.'
New characters excited him already.
Seonwoo smiled at the orbs before him.
Which color?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Time flies.
Prelims day for I Am an Actor already.
Not rushed prep though.
Seonwoo who'd tackled Heejae's massive role? One scene was easy.
He could vouch for it.
Best he could muster.
Still, nerves hit.
Minhee alone...
"Seonwoo, dark circles showing?"
"Barely. No sleep?"
"Yeah. Couldn't."
She was wired.
Seonwoo wryly smiled at her fixing eye makeup.
Dark circles makeup couldn't hide.
Not just her.
Hyeseong, Yechun, others—hollow-eyed, sleepless.
"Crowd's huge."
Jaewon beside him scanned around oddly.
Hundreds packed in.
"Week-long prelims split them this much?"
"Means that many desperate souls."
"...Yeah."
Jaewon nodded.
All Cheongsong contestants here today. Hosts grouped them.
And among them...
'Quiet.'
Seo Jinwook too.
Lips sealed in the corner.
Seonwoo eyed him curiously.
Befriending seniors revealed: Jinwook struggled socially.
Bluffing to juniors, ignored by elders.
...With his behavior, who wouldn't?
Seonwoo looked away.
Surveyed others.
Diverse crowd.
Suit-wearing salarymen... even elders past sixty.
'...Inspiring.'
Seonwoo's nose tingled watching one elder.
His journey to here flashed by.
'Full of dreamers.'
Beautiful sight.
But no time to gawk. Rivals all.
No slacking to avoid prelim wipeout.
Give his best.
"Number 591! To the judging room!"
"Yes."
His turn. Seonwoo stood.
Cheongsong's first somehow.
"First impression counts. Show Cheongsong class."
"Yep. Passing and back."
Seonwoo entered.
Now it felt real: TV debut.
Cameras ringed the room; familiar faces from TV since childhood.
Sung Junil, steady lead in films and dramas.
Yoo Miyeon, perennial top actress pick.
Lee Mubeom, "Nation's Dad," 50-year veteran.
Giants of the industry.
No words yet, but their gazes intimidated.
Seonwoo swallowed.
Job interview days resurfaced. Suited judges?
Myriad cameras on him hammered it home.
Terrestrial TV challenge.
Then Sung Junil flipped papers.
"Acting experience... five months?"
"Yes. Late start, but practicing hard!"
"...Hmm. Good."
Sung Junil nodded flatly.
Hours of judging? Low energy.
"Free acting prep?"
"Hero's confession to heroine in Upright Love."
"Hm... Confessions are tricky emotionally."
Yoo Miyeon looked up, eyes questioning confidence.
Seonwoo stayed silent. Actions spoke.
"Anyway, show us."
"Got it."
Acting answered.
Seonwoo closed eyes.
He had it. Prepped plenty.
No nerves.
Just normal.
Paint it.
Him, judges—all...
Colorful.