Chapter 102: Lovely Acting (3)
Chapter 102: Lovely Acting (3)
To be honest, the role of Jo Ha-rin felt like a garment that didn't quite fit Seo-yeon.
A bubbly performance.
A girl experiencing unrequited love.
And a fresh-faced youth, startled and unfamiliar with the affection of others.
Deep down, she might have thought such a role could never suit her.
She had given it her all, but perhaps she lacked confidence in secret.
In fact, she truly had felt that way.
‘But.’
She closed her eyes and visualized the script in her mind.
The revised content.
The lines.
Naturally, the emotional arc she had planned to portray shifted along with them.
Writer Min Se-hee had reflected Seo-yeon’s opinions in the script as much as possible.
Keeping it as understated as possible.
It seemed she had made additional revisions after listening to Park Jung-woo.
“She might not be ready yet.”
That was likely what Park Jung-woo had said.
He wasn't wrong.
From Park Jung-woo’s perspective, Seo-yeon probably didn't seem ready to deliver that kind of performance yet.
Thus, the script reflected that opinion.
However, that wasn't the whole story.
If it were, he wouldn't have suggested listening to the actress’s opinion in the first place.
“Don't worry about whether the 'color' of the acting will clash.”
Seo-yeon could feel Ma Yeon-woo staring at her.
His gaze was asking if she was truly okay.
After all, even if ‘Park Min-yul’ was tailored to Ma Yeon-woo’s personal style, they couldn't be exactly the same.
“Acting-wise, I’m your senior, aren't I?”
“...Well, I don't mind, but...”
Ma Yeon-woo gave a short laugh as he looked at Seo-yeon, who felt strangely different from her usual self.
Well, whatever.
He actually found this version of her easier to deal with than usual.
‘Getting into character.’
It was a phrase actors often used when preparing before a shoot.
Throughout the filming of Dream Future, Ma Yeon-woo had never once seen Seo-yeon "getting into character."
Her expressions and emotions changed in an instant, and even with her limited screen time, she commanded a massive presence.
Because of that, he knew just how much Cha Na-hee, who played Song So-ha, was struggling.
‘So, this is what it looks like to get into character.’
As Seo-yeon gazed at the set, a red light seemed to flicker in her eyes.
It was a truly intense hue.
The members he had trained with back in his idol trainee days used to have eyes like that.
The past suddenly flashed through his mind.
Looking at the actress before him, he was reminded of his fellow members who had shone so brightly during their trainee years.
That kind of freshness.
That passion.
It took on a clear form and etched itself into Ma Yeon-woo’s vision.
“So, please act as much like an idol as possible.”
Seo-yeon looked at him and gave a bright smile.
It was a different face, not the usual Seo-yeon.
It was likely Jo Ha-rin.
A bright, cheerful idol without even a shadow of Cha Seo-ah.
“You can do it, right?”
Seo-yeon looked full of spirit as she held out a fist.
Or perhaps "cheerful" was the better word.
He had seen this side of her somewhere before.
‘Ah, Wilderness Survival.’
It was the variety show his fellow members used to watch in the dorms.
Ma Yeon-woo recalled a glimpse of Seo-yeon he had seen back then.
He had forgotten, but it came back to him now.
Right, she had this kind of vibe on variety shows.
“Of course.”
Park Min-yul and Ma Yeon-woo were different.
After all, Park Min-yul was a trainee auditioning for a show.
But he was a member of JustX.
He might be a rookie as an actor, but...
“I’m Ma Yeon-woo.”
A TOP IDOL.
He was on a completely different level than a trainee like Park Min-yul.
*
RY Entertainment.
The agency of JustX.
A massive management company that ranked among the big three in South Korea.
“Putting Ma Yeon-woo in Dream Future was a mistake.”
Lee Hwi-rok, the head of the actor management division, felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
It was because he felt Ma Yeon-woo’s image had been significantly tarnished since Dream Future began.
“At least his wooden acting provided some entertainment.”
“Manager Song, are you being serious right now?”
Lee Hwi-rok let out a sigh.
“Do you have any idea how much the idol division is breathing down my neck because of this? They say it’s ruining the kid’s image.”
“...Who knew Dream Future would be such a mess?”
“Though the viewership ratings seem to be holding up reasonably well.”
Yes, reasonably.
Neither bad nor great.
Of course, compared to its brilliant start, it was true that the show had lost its momentum.
But for a show with this kind of theme, it was actually putting up a good fight.
‘The screenwriter was clever.’
When the division first heard about this project, the drama writer must have been under immense pressure.
The sensibilities were outdated, and the youth drama genre itself was unfamiliar to the public in many ways.
Dream Future was a drama planned and produced directly by KMB.
It wasn't an original concept conceived by the writer.
Since it wasn't a purely original creation, it must have been twice as difficult for the writer to structure the play.
So, the writer took a light, almost comedic tempo.
It might invite ridicule, but it allowed them to put all their effort into the songs and ensure the live scenes were captivating.
They balanced the show by keeping the lighthearted parts intentionally light.
Of course, there were plot holes here and there for some reason, but...
‘Well, regardless of that, Ma Yeon-woo’s acting is just too stiff.’
Actually, it only seemed like wooden acting.
The reason was simple.
Because Park Jung-woo was right there beside him, their acting skills were constantly being compared.
Furthermore, Ju Seo-yeon, who appeared in brief overlaps, was also a problem.
The rookie actress RY had missed out on.
No, she started as a child actor, so maybe "rookie" wasn't the right word?
‘It really is a shame.’
She created such a presence just by appearing briefly.
After seeing The Chaser, that sense of regret had grown even stronger.
‘Seeing as she only plays villains, her acting spectrum might be limited.’
Her features gave off that impression anyway... but then he remembered the first episode of Dream Future.
The live scene Jo Ha-rin showed there.
If she could pull off something like that again, who knew?
“Manager Song.”
“Yes?”
“Is episode 7 of Dream Future airing today?”
“Ah, it should be on right now.”
At Manager Song’s words, Lee Hwi-rok gestured with his eyes.
It was a signal to turn on the large TV in the office.
‘Does he not have hands?’
Muttering to himself, Manager Song kept an eye on his boss and tuned the channel to episode 7 of Dream Future.
The drama was currently airing, having started not too long ago.
“By the way, Director, have you been watching Dream Future?”
“Of course. Have you not?”
“I-I’ve been watching.”
Actually, he hadn't.
He had turned it off during the second episode because it was too cringeworthy.
But it seemed Lee Hwi-rok had watched it all.
Even though he criticized Ma Yeon-woo so much, it seemed he checked everything if his agency's actor was in it.
‘An episode where Ma Yeon-woo and Ju Seo-yeon take center stage.’
He had heard the script was changed.
They said they would give them more screen time, but in a direction that wasn't particularly favorable for Ma Yeon-woo.
‘No, it might be better for him to gradually step back at this point.’
Since he was already generating controversy with his stiff acting, reducing his screen time might actually be a benefit.
With that thought, Lee Hwi-rok stared at the TV.
“Open the chat window on the laptop too. You know this is being broadcast online simultaneously, right?”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
Manager Song moved busily.
He placed a laptop next to his seat so they could monitor the chat.
Such comments were appearing from the start.
Lee Hwi-rok checked the speed of the chat.
‘It hasn't decreased.’
This meant that Dream Future had a solid core viewership.
‘And their screen time has increased.’
The episode began from Jo Ha-rin’s perspective.
Focusing on Jo Ha-rin, who had little screen time until now, Park Min-yul began to gradually reveal his feelings for her.
Jo Ha-rin, who had been trying to move on from her feelings for Kim Si-hwan, was flustered by Park Min-yul’s behavior.
「What should I do? The audition is starting soon...」
Jo Ha-rin muttered with a worried face.
After realizing Kim Si-hwan had feelings for Song So-ha, Jo Ha-rin decided to quietly support him and let go of her crush.
But just because she decided to let go didn't mean those feelings vanished instantly.
「Sigh.」
At the sight of Jo Ha-rin letting out a deep sigh:
Perhaps due to the recent influence of The Chaser, such comments were frequent.
Comments linking Jo Ha-rin and Cha Seo-ah.
This was proof of how powerful Seo-yeon’s performance had been to the public.
「...I...」
Jo Ha-rin agonizes over Park Min-yul’s feelings.
In the upcoming audition, either Jo Ha-rin or Park Min-yul must be eliminated.
Because it was a survival mission.
Therefore, Park Min-yul hadn't explicitly confessed his feelings to Jo Ha-rin.
Jo Ha-rin only found out by pure coincidence.
She was confused.
But time would not wait for her.
The final mission to select the Top 10.
A duet between Jo Ha-rin and Park Min-yul.
The song was a bright idol track.
A song about love, incredibly cheerful—that was the final mission song.
Incidentally, this was the song Jo Ha-rin had chosen herself.
Even though it was clearly a difficult song for him, Park Min-yul respected Jo Ha-rin’s opinion.
「Do you have any final words for each other?」
The judge asked before the stage began.
Final words.
As Jo Ha-rin hesitated:
「I intend to do my best, win, and make it into the Top 10.」
It was Park Min-yul who answered first.
Jo Ha-rin briefly looked into his eyes as he handed over the microphone.
Determined words.
And this was a signal from Park Min-yul.
A signal not to hesitate on stage.
「Me... Me too.」
Jo Ha-rin said, taking the microphone.
「I’m going to make it to the Top 10.」
She replied and gave Park Min-yul a wide grin.
Park Min-yul smirked back at her.
The judges smiled at the two of them.
The crowd cheered.
Lights shone from all directions as the stage brightened.
A refreshing idol song.
Park Min-yul was the first to step forward.
As usual, as soon as Ma Yeon-woo—no, Park Min-yul—stepped forward, the chat window was flooded with criticism.
Those jumping on the bandwagon to bash him.
Anti-fans of JustX.
And even those genuinely criticizing Ma Yeon-woo’s clumsy acting.
Under their watchful eyes, the camera moved to capture a full shot of Park Min-yul.
A confident face.
Bold steps across the stage.
It was a side of Park Min-yul that had never been shown before.
Suddenly, his presence on stage was palpable.
The spotlight focused on Park Min-yul in an instant.
As the judges' faces flashed across the screen, a refreshing voice rang out from Park Min-yul’s lips.
A rhythmic walk, dancing and moving to the beat.
Anyone could tell.
A top idol.
JustX was an idol group currently serving as a bridgehead for K-POP’s expansion overseas, not just in Korea.
There had been controversies, but their talent was undeniably among the best.
Among them, Ma Yeon-woo was a talented idol in charge of vocals.
Seeing this, Lee Hwi-rok couldn't take his eyes off the screen.
Acting?
No.
‘This is Ma Yeon-woo.’
Everyone must have been momentarily stunned by this brilliant performance.
But they would soon realize.
That the person on stage right now wasn't Park Min-yul, but Ma Yeon-woo.
While some fans might be satisfied with this...
Lee Hwi-rok, as a director, narrowed his eyes.
This wasn't an actor; it was an idol.
It was the right choice for the moment, but not a satisfying answer.
But then.
The camera moved, capturing Seo-yeon reaching out toward Ma Yeon-woo.
Jo Ha-rin.
A cheerful girl who had come up to the city from the countryside.
Bright and spirited, she took over Ma Yeon-woo’s song with a smile on her lips.
Her technique was lacking.
After all, she wasn't a singer.
But a clear emotion could be felt in her tone.
The spotlight that had been on Ma Yeon-woo shifted instantly, following Seo-yeon.
At the same time, her dancing, which didn't fall behind Ma Yeon-woo’s at all, and her face filled the screen.
The emotions overflowing from the screen spread in all directions.
A fresh, youthful heart.
She began to guide Ma Yeon-woo’s lacking acting through her singing.
Naturally, telling him to look at her.
It was such a lovely performance that viewers couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Ma Yeon-woo followed that lead.
Seo-yeon was guiding him.
Since Ma Yeon-woo lacked much as an actor, there were naturally clumsy parts, but Seo-yeon’s acting covered them.
Conversely, since Seo-yeon wasn't an idol, the performance she could show on stage was inevitably limited.
And it was Ma Yeon-woo who covered for that.
Responding to the stage in a way only a top idol could, making it look as natural as if it weren't acting.
It appeared just like a performance.
It was impossible to look away.
The speed of the chat slowed down significantly.
It was proof that more people were focusing on the drama.
But neither Manager Song nor Lee Hwi-rok noticed that.
Their eyes were also fixed on the drama.
‘What a waste.’
For the first time.
Lee Hwi-rok, the director of RY Entertainment, thought as he watched.
‘I should have brought her in, no matter what.’
Ju Seo-yeon.
The child actor who returned after ten years.
He had thought her acting skills were yet to be proven.
He had considered her just an actress whose buzz had temporarily spiked.
He was mistaken.
A truly foolish judgment.
A painful blunder.
Those words swirled in Lee Hwi-rok’s head.
And along with that regret...
「Thank you! Thank you for cheering for us!!」
The true resurgence of Dream Future had begun.