Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Three Brothers
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“Alright, let's hype ourselves up and give it a shot!”
Hyungbin clenched his fist tight.
Truth be told, when he'd first seen Seo Jinwook and Seonwoo acting, Hyungbin had felt his spirits sag a little.
No, maybe it had started even before that.
From the moment he'd laid eyes on Seonwoo's face, he'd already been intimidated.
It was the kind of face you only saw on TV.
The sort of handsome that turned heads even from other guys on the street. And when he'd confirmed that Seonwoo had acting chops to match, it was impossible not to feel deflated all over again.
Is this what it takes to be an actor? he'd thought.
Then, after watching Seo Jinwook's performance on top of that, he couldn't help but realize, Oh, so this is the level.
Even if they survived... he couldn't imagine holding his own in a place swarming with people like this.
But then—
—“Try that last line with a lower tone.”
Seonwoo wasn't giving up.
He was an amazing guy. Was it because he'd been walking the path of acting for so long? His eyes sparkled with an intensity that was almost mystical, and Hyungbin secretly admired it.
The funny thing was, that sparkle seemed to rub off on him too.
Acting alongside Seonwoo made his own performance feel more natural than usual—sturdier, even.
It felt like this was real acting, with the whole scene stabilizing in a way that was rock-solid.
Maybe that's why.
We might actually pull this off.
Hyungbin was starting to feel confident himself.
They might really snag that golden ticket.
They could even take top spot—not just top two.
But moments later, after one team took the stage and the judges opened their mouths...
“Have the four of you even tried syncing up?”
“You all know your acting is all over the place, right? Of course you do. But you didn't care. Winning right now was all that mattered.”
“Good acting needs a solid stage. Yours was a total mess.”
“Honestly, I wouldn't pass a single one of you.”
Hyungbin shrank back again.
It was brutal criticism.
And deserved—their stage had reeked of every-man-for-himself, not collaboration for a great performance.
Of course, the show was a competition at heart, so it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
But that's why the judges were laying it out so clearly.
A reminder that beneath the rivalry, it was all about the acting.
We're good.
Seonwoo stared at the stage with unshaken resolve.
No matter how harsh the judges' tone, it didn't faze him. He trusted his team.
They'd prepared the best stage they could.
So,
“If any team truly feels like you've become one unified 'team' and prepared a great stage, come on up now.”
When Seong Junil said that, Seonwoo immediately turned to his teammates.
Just checking if they were game.
Hyungbin looked a bit tense but nodded.
Sion nodded without hesitation, and Seo Jinwook... just shrugged like, your call.
No reason to hold back.
Seonwoo shot his hand up.
Seong Junil smiled warmly at him.
“Great, Kim Seonwoo. Bring your team up.”
“...Yes, sir!”
He didn't show it, but Seonwoo was a little surprised.
He hadn't expected Seong Junil to remember his name.
Maybe his prelim performance had left an impression?
Hyeseong's eyes sparkled as he watched Seonwoo head onstage.
Seonwoo's on the same team as Jinwook?
How had he managed to rehearse with that wild card?
Hyeseong could already picture the headaches Seonwoo must've endured.
On the other hand, it was a bit puzzling. There seemed to be a kid of about ten in the mix—had prep gone smoothly?
They looked confident volunteering now, though.
“If they bomb this... they're gonna get shredded.”
“Might straight-up kill 'em.”
“Man, gutsy. I couldn't go up there right now.”
Voices like that murmured around.
Hyeseong agreed. Risky spot. Luck out, and they'd be heroes; luck bad, and they'd be the next sacrifice.
Come to think of it, he's always gravitated to the danger zones.
From auditioning for Seungdo out of nowhere to gunning for lead—Seonwoo seemed quiet but made some boldly insane calls.
Maybe that was part of his special something.
Who knew. All he could do now was watch.
He wasn't too worried. Seonwoo wouldn't charge up there blindly.
He always seemed reckless, but good results followed.
Meanwhile, onstage, Seonwoo...
That stare's intense.
He had to meet Seong Junil's unnervingly sparkling gaze.
In prelims, it hadn't felt like this. Today was weird.
Approving? Fond? Something like that.
...Because I volunteered?
Seemed overkill for just raising a hand.
Even Yumiyeon was giving him that oddly favorable look already...
Then Lee Mubeom spoke.
“What scenario will you be performing?”
His usual flat tone. But somehow, the air grew heavier the moment he opened his mouth.
Seonwoo started to answer, then tapped Sion's shoulder. Sion startled, flustered, and stammered,
“S-Scenario 1 or 13! [Three Brothers]!”
“Ah, Three Brothers. Perfect choice. And look, we've got this fine young gentleman right here.”
Lee Mubeom smiled briefly at Sion, then scanned the team.
“As the other mentors said, this is a crucial moment. Confident in your prep?”
“We prepared great! Kim Seonwoo really held everything together!”
Hyungbin answered.
Seonwoo had helped so much—he owed him this much. Sion nodded eagerly too.
“Yeah! He taught us so well!”
“...Is that so?”
Lee Mubeom and the judges all turned to Seonwoo.
Seonwoo panicked. He hadn't helped for praise.
“N-No... I just wanted us to nail the stage together.”
“Oh ho? How well did you prepare, then?”
Seong Junil grinned mischievously at the other judges.
“Exciting, isn't it?”
“Mm. Let's see the stage.”
“Ready to go now?”
“Yes, we're good!”
Seonwoo glanced at his team as he replied.
Time to show them.
Meanwhile, the Cheongsong Troupe members watched with mixed expressions.
Seo Jinwook and Seonwoo were both high-energy actors... but could little Sion handle it? Hyungbin maybe, but.
Jinwook's not one to tone it down.
They'd see soon enough.
Seonwoo had his reasons for volunteering.
Then—
“Can't open it without the password. The will's inside.”
Hyungbin's line kicked off the performance.
Clean tone. Solid, unremarkable—no distractions.
And then—
“Ugh, Dad goes and dies without telling us the password? What am I supposed to do, solve puzzles at my age?!”
Seo Jinwook grumbled, ruffling his hair in annoyance.
A ripple of oohs from the audience. Totally different vibe from Hyungbin. Character differences aside, the raw explosive energy stood out.
But that made some wonder: With him going full throttle, how do they sync?
And then—
“Dad's always been like that since we were kids. He loved these games.”
Seonwoo's voice carried subtle stress.
The second it rang out, eyes shifted from Seo Jinwook, scattering across the stage.
Hyeseong's eyes widened.
That guy...
He saw it instantly.
Seonwoo had switched up his style completely.
Not his usual flashy character showcase. Tailored to blend with the others—subtle, accessible.
Yet the character felt vividly alive, holding its own against Seo Jinwook.
Perfectly anchoring the scene.
Not dominating, but elevating the whole stage.
And naturally,
“Isn't this... a photo of Dad?”
“Yeah. The three of us... first trip after Mom passed.”
Sion shone effortlessly too.
Impressive, with production crew numbering in the hundreds and a dozen cameras trained on them.
Sion had been tense just facing these new adults.
And Seonwoo had made it all possible.
Amazing friend.
Hyungbin was genuinely awed.
Younger, but worthy of respect.
Seonwoo had turned a mere competition into a true acting space. He could feel it—even Seonwoo's tiniest nuances created breathing room, urging them to dive deeper.
Repayment? Give their all.
That was the performance.
Not to win, but to act well.
That mindset might not show, but for Hyungbin and Sion, it was pure joy.
Even if they didn't survive... this alone was worth it.
And everyone saw it.
They're not competing... they're just acting. For real.
Turning the test into a stage.
All here because they cherished acting.
So watching Seonwoo's team moved hearts effortlessly.
That must be why.
“...Yeah. Let's all go on a trip.”
The three brothers smiled at each other, the curtain falling...
“Awesome!”
“You nailed it!”
“Seonwoo hyung, you're so handsome—!”
The cheers erupted.