Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Premiere Night
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ << Tonight, the first episode of will air! >> << Please gather in the break room when the live broadcast is about to start. >> << Until then, feel free to rest as you like! >> The day after performing [Those in the Locked Room].
The production team had unexpectedly granted them some rest.
It was the first real breather they'd gotten.
Up until now, after each evaluation, the next mission would come right away the following day. There had been no time to rest, mentally or physically.
But now that they actually had some downtime, Seonwoo realized just how worn out he'd been.
He loved acting, but human stamina wasn't infinite.
If I'm not careful with this work, my body could really take a hit.
The elders might gasp in horror at that thought... but at twenty-six, Seonwoo could feel his recovery slowing down.
Push too hard relying only on youth, and one day your body might just collapse out of nowhere.
That's why he decided to go jogging.
He hadn't exercised properly, too focused on acting, but if this kept up, he might burn out and collapse.
He'd planned to go alone, but when he ran into Yechun in the hallway and the kid asked if he could tag along, Seonwoo nodded.
And so they ran about 3km.
"Huff... huff... I'm... dying, hyung..."
Better not mention that soldiers run this every day in the military.
Seonwoo turned to Yechun and asked,
"Want to head back? Your breathing's all messed up."
"No... I can... keep... going!"
Yechun yelled out.
"When I... say I can... I mean it!"
And about a minute later.
Yechun was slumped over a street bench like a soaked towel.
Seonwoo wiped the sweat from his forehead and chuckled.
"Still, you ran better than I thought."
"Hyung... you're not even winded. Shouldn't you run more?"
"Nah. I'm a bit out of breath too. It's been a while for me."
"How long?"
"Haven't run since I got here... about two weeks?"
"That's not that long..."
Yechun shook his head.
He'd never understood why anyone ran in the first place. It was just too grueling. Pure misery the whole time.
Seonwoo tilted his head watching him.
"But why'd you suddenly want to come along? Doesn't look like you enjoy running."
"...Just felt like I needed to do something to clear my head."
"Clear your head from what?"
"Well... hyung."
Yechun turned to Seonwoo.
His eyes looked strained. Not from the run.
It was a deeper kind of fatigue.
"Why do you act, hyung?"
"...Because I love it."
"Me too. Or at least, I thought so."
Yechun stared blankly up at the sky.
"But the more I do it, the more it feels off. You have to get recognized first, pass auditions first, grab opportunities first... Ugh, hard to put into words. It just feels like I can't focus on the acting anymore."
Seonwoo nodded silently.
He got it. People treating acting like a job interview. He'd seen plenty like that here too.
But he'd never pegged Yechun as one... Apparently, Yechun saw himself differently.
"When the senior told us about the mute role, I knew it then. You were right. That's how it's done."
"It was a risky choice, though. Not weird that you didn't go that way."
"But you took the risk."
Seonwoo was at a loss for words.
Yechun sighed.
"That's the problem. Knowing it's risky but doing it anyway... versus not. Truth is, I was more focused on surviving than acting."
"And you hate that?"
"Yeah. Hate it."
Yechun nodded.
"You knew it was the wrong answer but stuck to it anyway. Because the right one seemed too hard. Cowardly. Uncool..."
This wasn't why he started acting.
Yechun looked at Seonwoo.
His acting career was a decade longer than Seonwoo's. But lately, looking at Seonwoo felt like facing a grizzled veteran.
He knew Seonwoo had real, rare talent.
And that Seonwoo's skill had surpassed his own.
That didn't bother him.
You could lose on skill. He'd experienced it plenty.
But losing in attitude toward acting... that stung.
Talent was one thing. But his passion for acting—he didn't want to lose to anyone there.
"Hyung. Next time, I won't pick the wrong answer. I'll choose the right one, like you."
Seonwoo hesitated a moment.
He wanted to say it wasn't about right answers, just following his heart... but that didn't feel like the right response now.
A man had made up his mind. All it needed was,
"Yeah. Give it your all."
A word of encouragement was enough.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The day had finally arrived.
Self-proclaimed Kim Seonwoo fan #1, Dasol, stared at the TV ads with steely determination.
Of course, it wasn't the ads she was hyped for.
It was the program coming up.
Or rather, the person on it.
Kim Seonwoo—that was the reason.
"...Never thought this day would come so soon."
Dasol clenched her fists.
It felt like just yesterday she'd first seen him act in Cheongsong... and now broadcast TV.
He was too brilliant to keep to herself. Still, she'd hoped—just a bit longer—that he'd remain her secret actor... Guess that was greedy.
At first, she'd worried.
What if the broadcasters didn't recognize his worth?
But the teasers changed that.
—He's a genius.
The editing pushed Seonwoo front and center.
The problem? It was a bit much.
—Who the hell is this kid calling him a genius?
—Just pretty face bait for clicks, right?
—Waynet doing Waynet things...
It even sparked backlash.
Calling him a genius already?
At least it was from national treasure actor, national dad Lee Moobeom.
Public opinion still leaned toward, "Moobeom said it, there must be a reason."
He has to nail it in the actual episode...
She wasn't worried about his acting.
Seonwoo in Cheongsong had always been captivating.
But believing and being nervous were different. With hands clasped, staring at the TV,
"It's starting!"
"...!"
Dayeon beside her shouted, and Dasol held her breath for live-watch mode.
—I couldn't see the path ahead.
—I wanted to act, but there was nowhere to do it.
—I needed a chance.
It opened with monologues from various actors.
An intro explaining the program's purpose.
Then it showed people—those with acting dreams, sidelined by all sorts of reasons.
Their stories were so compelling and heartfelt that even Dasol forgot Seonwoo for a moment, drawn in.
They did a great job with this.
The backstories were engaging, and the PD's clean editing was top-notch.
If they kept this up, the show's ratings could be huge.
And then.
<< I'm Na Minhee. >> A familiar face appeared on screen.
Dasol smacked Dayeon's knee excitedly.
"Hey, unnie! Isn't that from Cheongsong?"
"Oh yeah. Wow... she's stunning even on screen. No different from real life."
"Seonwoo should be next...!"
They wouldn't spotlight Cheongsong actors separately.
The PD even highlighted the troupe a bit—as a top theater group with notable talents. Building their brand, probably.
Might seem like too much push... but having seen them act, Dayeon and Dasol nodded.
"Cheongsong folks are good."
"Yeah."
There had been film school grads, acting instructors among the contestants.
But Cheongsong stood out—Minhee, Hyeseong, Jaewon... all sparkling.
Seonwoo would shine just as bright... maybe more.
As Dasol's fists sweated with anticipation,
<< Who among us deserves the most attention? >> The PD asked the Cheongsong crew that.
And the next moment.
Minhee, Hyeseong, Jaewon... and others from Cheongsong started saying the same name.
<< Kim Seonwoo. >> << Seonwoo's... different, you know? >> << You'll see when you watch him act. Why he's special. >> << He's just short on experience, but give him time... he'll definitely be a legendary actor. >> ...We're screwed.
Dasol clutched her head.
Everyone praising him like that was gratifying, but editing it this way was foul play.
Setting expectations this high... ordinary acting wouldn't cut it.
Even Dayeon let out a hollow laugh.
"How do they reel this back?"
"...No idea."
Dasol hugged her pillow tight.
Could Seonwoo live up to this hype? Anxiety gripped her—
<< I'm Kim Seonwoo. >> Seonwoo appeared on screen.
For a moment, Dasol's eyes glazed over.
First time seeing his face in a proper close-up on screen.
And,
"...What? Was Seonwoo always this handsome?"
Yeah. Handsome, like Dayeon said.
Hard to stare in real life, and from a distance, it wasn't obvious... but zoomed in, perfectly harmonious features.
Not the in-your-face handsome like Doyoung.
But something magnetic. The more you look, the more it draws you in.
...Seonwoo looks great on camera too.
But Dasol shook it off.
No time for face-gazing. His acting next would decide how many hate comments he'd get tomorrow.
<< I love you. >> Seonwoo's mouth opened, and Dasol nodded.
Worried he'd tense up for TV, but no—same as stage.
<< I know, it's late. I know it's too late... but I have to say it. Don't go. Please... >> ...No.
If anything, better than on stage?
"Whoa..."
Even Dayeon gaped, mesmerized.
Seonwoo's melodrama in [Until You Live] was impressive. But another one, face filling the screen—it hit ten times harder.
...Even better on camera...
Dasol's lips twitched upward unwittingly.
Even Doyoung fan Dayeon's nostrils flared a bit.
Dasol realized anew: Seonwoo never needed worrying about his acting.
<< Can't you... just stay? >> "Insane..."
Dasol grinned wide.
Dayeon didn't tease. She was in the same boat. A boy lost in love, transparent vulnerability—could anyone express it better?
Just watching made her feel newly in love.
Seonwoo's scene ended.
Judges nodding with smiles eased Dasol's worries a bit.
Even the haters would concede.
Not hype for nothing.
...She thought.
That night.
— Hot New LMAOOOOO this kid's been acting for less than half a year? Production team pulling some wild cards lmao An unimaginable controversy erupted.