Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Joining the Cheongsong Troupe
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‘Don’t worry about passing.’
Before the test, when Seonwoo showed the acting that Seonjun had prepared, his brother had said exactly that.
No need to worry. At least at this level, joining the troupe would be a breeze.
But even after hearing those words, Seonwoo couldn’t let his guard down.
It was just Seonjun’s opinion, after all.
Who knew how it would look to everyone else?
And yet...
“Do you usually watch a lot of dramas or movies?”
“Yes.”
“To what extent?”
“Uh... aside from studying, it feels like I watch them almost all the time.”
“Good. That’s good.”
Seonjun had been right, it seemed.
When the acting ended, the way Park Jiwan looked at Seonwoo had completely changed.
At first, there hadn’t been even a hint of interest or fondness in his eyes. But now... the warmth in his tone was unmistakable.
“Sorry. I think I misunderstood you a bit, Seonwoo.”
“Pardon?”
“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d act well at all. You said it was your first time, and... well. Anyway, sorry. Your acting was incredible.”
“Ah... thank you.”
It was astonishing.
In an audition room, once the vibe turned sour, it was usually impossible to salvage.
Yet a single performance had flipped the atmosphere completely.
That was when Jiwan let out a sigh.
“Seonjun... at first, I thought he was spouting nonsense...”
“...Did my brother say something?”
“He threatened me. Said my little brother’s a genius, and if I didn’t want to regret it, I should train you.”
That Kim Seonjun...
Now Seonwoo finally understood why Jiwan had been so cold to him at the start.
Anyone would bristle at words like that.
“...I’m sorry.”
“No, no. After seeing it myself, I get why he said that. Let’s get to the main point—I realized I forgot to ask the most important question.”
Jiwan clapped his hands to reset the mood.
“Why do you want to act?”
Seonwoo paused to think.
“...When I act, I feel alive.”
Saying something so personal to a near-stranger felt a little embarrassing.
But what could he do? It was the truth. No need to sugarcoat it.
“It was the first time in my life I’d ever felt this way.”
“I see. I get it.”
Jiwan nodded, looking convinced.
His expression said that explanation was more than enough.
“You’ve never taken any acting lessons before, right?”
“No. This was my very first time trying it.”
“Haha...”
Jiwan gave Seonwoo a peculiar look—equal parts amazement and awkwardness.
It was understandable. Seonwoo’s performance wasn’t something a total novice could pull off.
Jiwan’s eyes gleamed.
Jackpot.
“Alright, here’s the plan. You’ll learn the theory directly from me first. Once you’ve got the basics down, then you join the troupe.”
“...Pardon? That’d be way too much trouble for you, Troupe Leader.”
“I’m the one who’d regret losing you. With just a little polishing of your fundamentals, you’ll be flawless in my eyes.”
Still, it felt awkward imposing like this.
Seeing Seonwoo’s troubled expression, Jiwan shrugged.
“And it’s not like I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart. Consider it an investment.”
“An investment?”
Wasn’t that a bit grandiose?
Jiwan smirked at Seonwoo’s flustered reaction.
“I have a feeling you’ll turn into a solid actor someday. It’ll be great publicity for our troupe, no question.”
“...Haha.”
At a loss for words, Seonwoo just laughed it off.
Whatever the case, private lessons were a huge blessing.
And so, a week slipped by.
In that time, Seonwoo absorbed everything Jiwan threw at him.
Script analysis, how to check masking tape marks, vocal techniques—all the nitty-gritty details.
Script analysis, in particular, was surprisingly captivating.
Breaking down a character, bringing them to life... he could’ve gone on for hours.
Naturally, his grasp of the color orbs deepened too.
Every character has a base color.
Scenes and emotions might shift, but that core hue always lingered underneath.
It was fascinating.
A little study, and already his perspective on the orbs had evolved.
What changes would more training bring? He was mulling that over when—
“Seonwoo.”
“...Yes.”
“Ready to head to the troupe?”
Jiwan lobbed the bombshell out of nowhere.
Seonwoo couldn’t reply right away. He still felt woefully unprepared.
Jiwan pressed on, eyeing him.
“The best teacher is the field itself. You’ve got to roll around with the others, compare yourself—spot your weaknesses and strengths. Only then will you know exactly what to drill.”
Hard to argue after that.
Besides, he’d been itching to dive into real acting anyway.
To be drenched in those vivid colors once more... to unleash every pent-up emotion.
“Yes. Let’s do it.”
Seonwoo nodded with resolve.
Right. Time to go. Time to unleash this acting for real!
As he steeled himself...
“Oh, right—one bit of advice. Be on guard.”
“...On guard?”
Jiwan dropped an ominous warning.
“There’s some weird rumors about you floating around the troupe.”
“...Me? Do they even know who I am?”
“Of course. You’ve been getting one-on-one sessions with me daily—rumors were bound to spread.”
Seonwoo grimaced.
This was unexpected.
“The others think you’ve got some big-shot connections.”
“...What should I do?”
“What do you mean? Show them yourself. Explain why you got my personal lessons. Why you’re fit to join this troupe.”
Jiwan grinned wickedly.
“With your acting. Directly.”
Seonwoo sighed.
...Looks like he’d have to clear up another misunderstanding. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Heard the news, Doyoung hyung?”
The voice came from nearby, and the wolfish, strikingly handsome man turned his head.
Cha Doyoung—the top draw in Cheongsong Troupe.
A box-office guarantee; whatever role he took, seats sold out.
“News? What news?”
“That guy’s joining our troupe this time.”
“Who’s ‘that guy’?”
“You know, the one the Troupe Leader’s been personally babysitting lately.”
“...Ah, him.”
Doyoung nodded in recognition.
The current hot topic in Cheongsong. The new face the Troupe Leader shadowed daily for special handling.
“Word is he’s from some chaebol family, getting VIP treatment.”
“Chaebol or not, who cares? If he wants to act, he acts.”
“...It’s just a rumor, but...”
Yechun glanced around cautiously, then whispered like it was top secret.
“He’s never acted before. This’ll be his first time.”
“...?”
Doyoung shot Yechun a baffled look.
A total beginner joining their troupe?
Not unheard of in lesser groups—maknaes often started with grunt work and basics.
But Cheongsong? No way.
Too many hungry talents clamoring to get in.
Film school grads lined up for auditions...
Yechun sighed.
“Kinda rubs me wrong. I thought Cheongsong didn’t play favorites...”
“Yechun.”
Doyoung’s gaze sharpened in an instant. Yechun flinched and straightened up.
“Y-yes, hyung.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. The Troupe Leader isn’t one to drop parachutes on a whim. There’s a reason.”
“...S-sorry. I spoke out of turn...!”
“Why? Yechun’s got a point.”
A sly voice sliced between them.
A snake-eyed man grinned as he eyed the pair.
Yechun shrank back at the sight of him, while Doyoung frowned and turned.
“What?”
“He’s right. Joining outside the official recruitment period? Come on.”
“There’s a reason for it.”
“So what’s the reason?”
The man—Seo Jinwook—scoffed.
“No acting experience, either. Fine if it was some prodigy scout. But a newbie? Here?”
“Don’t prejudge till you’ve seen him.”
“Gotta taste it to know if it’s shit or miso, right?”
Jinwook bared his teeth in a rough grin.
And that was when—
“Well, one taste couldn’t hurt, yeah?”
A bored drawl echoed through the practice room.
It was Jiwan. He scanned the room with a nonchalant expression.
“Gossiping up a storm back here, huh?”
“Ah... Troupe Leader.”
Jinwook’s face flickered with panic.
Caught red-handed talking behind backs.
Jiwan stifled a sigh and beckoned backward with a hand.
“Everyone, say hi. This is our newest troupe member.”
“Hello. I’m Kim Seonwoo.”
All eyes turned to Seonwoo.
First impressions: handsome. Lead actor material, easy. No notes.
Looks just like that pretty boy from Parasite.
Jinwook’s expression soured subtly.
He’d disliked the rumors already; seeing the face just fueled the fire.
Jinwook amped up his bravado, voice louder.
“Troupe Leader. Word’s spreading among the troupe. We’ve never added anyone outside regular recruitment.”
“Yeah. And?”
“Mind if I see his acting?”
“Acting?”
“Yeah. I’ll play opposite him.”
Jinwook beamed triumphantly, raking his eyes over Seonwoo.
The room buzzed with certainty: the newbie’s performance would flop.
“Figured it’d help us gauge the character together.”
Jiwan read the intent in Jinwook’s eyes loud and clear.
Yeah, thinking parachute amateur, time to crush him publicly. Not some noble stand against favoritism.
Jinwook had always been obsessed with asserting dominance in front of others.
Probably saw this as his spotlight moment.
But...
“Sure. Give it a shot.”
Jiwan nodded.
He wasn’t throwing Seonwoo to the wolves.
Jiwan could already picture how this would play out.
Jinwook strutted like the star of the show... but would he be?