Chapter 3
Chapter 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: They Say I'm a Genius Just for Acting Once
-----------------------------------------------------------------
From Seonjun's perspective, Seonwoo's acting could be summed up in one word.
A madman.
It was an overwhelmingly commanding presence.
Having the Painter's ending reinterpreted on a whim was a bit uncomfortable as the director.
But regardless, the final product that came out of it... was honestly satisfying.
Raw acting, but all the more charming for it.
And yet, that clueless face seemed utterly oblivious to what kind of performance he'd just given.
Seonjun held back a sigh and opened his mouth.
"Listen up, 'cause I'm only saying this once. I've seen more than a few kids get called geniuses up until now... and not a single one of them had acting this polished right from the start."
"...Huh? Wait, are you seriously praising me right now, bro?"
"One question. What did it feel like when you were acting?"
Seonwoo fell silent for a moment.
That feeling of becoming someone completely different, living in another world, another life.
The sensation of his empty life suddenly filling up with vibrant energy...
What did it feel like?
When asked like that, there was only one answer.
"It felt good."
Ecstatic.
Intensely so. More than words could say.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ You live and learn.
Never thought the day would come when he called me an acting genius.
And from Seonjun, of all people.
His feelings were a complicated mix. Good, but bewildering.
Couldn't be helped.
Seonwoo had never once considered a path as an actor in his life.
So suddenly hearing, "You're a genius—become an actor!" was bound to throw anyone off.
'It did feel good, though.'
All those emotions when the Painter's colors washed over him...
Just recalling them gave him chills.
That's how ecstatic the experience had been.
'Why did this ability suddenly appear?'
No clue.
In novels or movies, characters usually got into a car accident or something before awakening powers like this. He hadn't had any such trigger.
And even after that day, the ability to see colors hadn't faded.
Not just when reading novels or scripts—he could read the colors embedded in the acting whenever he watched dramas too.
Watching those colors fill the screen was pure joy.
'Should I become an actor?'
He even entertained the foolish thought for a moment.
As a job hunter, it wasn't exactly welcome.
He barely had enough time sending out resumes and going to interviews, so how could he focus when his mind was elsewhere?
But there was no helping it.
'...I want to act again.'
He couldn't forget that sensation from acting.
It was the first time he'd truly felt alive, maybe.
Watching actors on TV sparked irrational jealousy now.
For some reason, it felt like he belonged there too. Not in front of a computer, but a camera.
Seonjun had played a part in planting those thoughts.
Out of nowhere: "You're a genius," "Ever thought about acting?"—stirring him all up like that.
Coming from Seonjun, of all people, it was especially tempting.
Praise from a brother doesn't come easy, after all.
Anyway, he stewed over it alone for a few weeks.
Then Seonjun burst into his room.
"Here, take this."
"...What's this?"
"Prize money."
Prize money? What prize?
Seonwoo opened the envelope. It was stuffed with 50,000-won bills.
Ten, twenty, thirty... two hundred.
Seonwoo's jaw dropped.
"Wh-what the hell, bro? You trying to die? What's with the sudden generosity?"
"That contest film we shot? It won grand prize. Ten million total, so two million should make you happy, right?"
Grand prize? Ten million won?
And he's really giving me this cash?
Seonwoo's gaze softened instantly.
"...You know I always respect you, right?"
"Save it. Anyway, winning grand prize blew up the views, and the comments are great too. Both the film and your acting got rave reviews."
"Huh? Views?"
Hold on.
Why's views coming up for a contest entry...? No way.
"It's on the internet too?"
"What, you thought it wouldn't be? You upload to YouTube—that's the whole submission format."
"Holy shit..."
Seonwoo's face went pale.
He'd assumed a contest meant submitting to judges for private review.
Not that it'd go public online.
Meaning regular people had all seen his acting.
"...What're the reactions like?"
"See for yourself."
He was already searching furiously.
Didn't take long. A quick "1-minute film" search and it was right at the top.
📹 Video Title 2026 1-Minute Film Contest Grand Prize Winner: The Best Self-Portrait Views: 320,000
What the hell.
"320,000 views?!"
"Uploaded as a short-form vid, so it climbed fast."
"Nobody's ripping me apart or anything?"
"I told you to check it yourself."
Too scared to look.
But he couldn't not look. Seonwoo squeezed his eyes shut, opened the comments, then peeked cautiously, scrolling down...
"The reactions... are good?"
Better than expected.
💬 Comments — dbwndhks93 The future of Korean cinema is bright. ↳ Reply — nayeonghwagamdokinde Yeah. — boribori How can a 1-minute film be this polished? Direction, narrative, message, details... nothing's missing. ↳ Reply — reubang For real. Blown away. Especially the painter's smile at the end... goosebumps. — carrotman Anyone know the actor's profile? The acting details are insane—tried looking for a portfolio, but zero info... — maiyar Probably a newbie or student? But that face plus that acting skill—he's gonna blow up soon lololol. — anonymous Handsome, sure, but doesn't he lack a bit of personality? — maiyar Tsk tsk. Look at this hater grasping at straws. He'd braced for hate comments while scrolling, but it was all praise—enough to make his face burn.
Sure, some haters, but... whatever.
Seonwoo kept reading.
Similar stuff. Great film. Great acting.
Yet reading the same praise over and over sent thrills through him.
...A feeling he'd never known in his life.
Seonjun smirked like, See?
"Told you. You've got talent."
"...Still, you never know. Maybe it's just in your eyes."
"I might see you as lame sometimes, but I'd never see you as anything less than great."
True enough.
Seonjun crossed his arms and leaned against the door.
Seonwoo eyed him with a dubious look.
What, striking a pose all of a sudden?
"So, what're you gonna do? Think about acting?"
"That again?"
"Why make me repeat myself?"
"..."
What was with the shamelessness.
...Not that it felt bad.
It meant Seonjun rated his potential highly.
Seonjun seemed dead serious. Convinced he'd succeed as an actor.
But,
"It's kinda ridiculous to just say 'Sure!' to becoming an actor out of the blue."
"What's ridiculous? Keep it simple. If you wanna try, try. If not, don't. So? You've been peeking at scripts lately."
Seonjun stared at him.
"You want to act, don't you?"
"..."
Why?
Seonwoo couldn't bring himself to speak.
He recalled the time he'd become the Painter.
Dyed in his colors, swimming freely in those emotions.
Even remembering it was pure bliss.
That's why he'd been agonizing for weeks.
Yeah. No point hiding it. Seonwoo wanted to act. From that very first moment onward.
But still, wasn't it too out of left field?
He hadn't dreamed of acting since childhood, and now pivot careers just 'cause it suited him?
Didn't feel responsible enough.
"Think it over. If you decide to go for it, I'll help however I can."
As he stewed, Seonjun left without waiting.
Seonwoo blankly stared at the closing door.
Wait, stir him up like this and just bail?
Well, he did need time.
Time to think seriously now.
"...Acting, huh."
Never imagined agonizing over this.
Actor had never once been on his future dreams list.
Not that he hated the idea.
Truth be told, he'd always admired it a little. An actor's life was so vibrant and varied.
It just felt so distant.
"...Ugh."
Seonwoo replayed his performance on YouTube.
It was weird. It was his face, but it didn't feel like him.
His reflection always looked so drab... but that guy on screen? Bursting with life.
Like he was pouring out every color he had.
He knew.
How absurd it was to suddenly declare he'd act.
His parents would freak if they knew he was even considering it.
Yet he couldn't shake the urge.
Seonwoo kept rewatching the film.
For minutes, tens of minutes, until the white noise in his head quieted.
Then he stood and headed to Seonjun's room.
"I'll try acting."
"..."
Seonjun gazed at him steadily.
Eyes asking if he was sure.
Dunno.
Nothing was sorted.
How long to pursue it, what next—zero clue.
Right now, Seonwoo knew one thing.
"I want to."
He wanted to act.