Chapter 11: Qualification of a Lead (1)
Chapter 11: Qualification of a Lead (1)
Looking back, it wasn't a particularly grand scene.
Princess Yeonhwa simply turned her body slowly at the boy's call.
It was nothing more than that, and yet...
‘Acting.’
The word naturally came to the mind of Ha Tae-oh, the planning producer.
Acting isn't just about spitting out lines.
It is every action used to express emotion.
From facial expressions to the look in one's eyes.
Even the movement of the body.
All of it is expressed through the act of acting.
「So, you have found me.」
The actual lines hadn't even begun yet.
However, everyone held their breath at the sheer presence of Princess Yeonhwa as she quietly turned around.
Princess Yeonhwa, leaving the palace to journey to a far-off land.
The others who had auditioned for her expressed that emotion through grief.
Jo Seo-hee had even succeeded in pouring out her emotions until tears welled in her eyes.
But the Princess Yeonhwa before them did not cry.
Grief.
Of course, it was there.
However, a rage that surpassed it flickered in her eyes.
It felt as though Princess Yeonhwa’s eyes, which had been as red as the sunset, had grown even deeper in hue.
A rage that could not be buried by sorrow.
Anger toward herself for fleeing the rebellion alone, and toward the one responsible for it all.
Every ounce of that resentment was vividly captured in her gaze.
Facing that intensity head-on, the young Yoon Seo-il could not find his words.
His mind simply went blank.
He was supposed to speak next. He had memorized all the prepared lines.
But those thoughts only circled uselessly in his head.
「Why do you remain silent?」
Normally, it should have ended there.
But as she watched the speechless boy, Princess Yeonhwa spoke again.
「Or is it that you find even a single word too precious to waste on someone like me?」
It was closer to a vent of frustration.
She was taking her anger out on the boy who had stopped her while she was swallowing her private grief.
“…Hic!”
At that blade-like voice, a hiccup finally escaped the young Yoon Seo-il’s mouth.
If one looked closely, there were even tears in his eyes.
It truly felt as if he were standing before royalty.
It felt like a grave sin to even dare to speak.
“Cu—Cut! Cut! That’s enough. That’s plenty for the acting!”
Thanks to the shout from Gong Jeong-tae, the cinematographer of Taesumdal, the fierce atmosphere vanished like a lie.
The Princess Yeonhwa who had stood before everyone just a moment ago was gone, replaced by Seo-yeon, who was blinking blankly.
However, no one could laugh at Seo-yeon’s behavior as they had before.
‘…I thought they said she was a parachute?’
Was that a parachute?
More like a paratrooper.
The faces of the child actors who had been eyeing the role of Princess Yeonhwa were filled with a sense of futility.
They hadn't expected another child, following Jo Seo-hee, to show off such a level of acting.
‘This makes no sense.’
Among the stunned crowd, the most shocked was undoubtedly Jo Seo-hee, who had been smiling confidently just moments ago.
‘They said she only did commercials.’
Was that the skill level of someone who "only did commercials"?
It was frustrating—infuriating, even—but that scene just now was an interpretation Jo Seo-hee hadn't even dared to consider.
‘No, that’s the wrong answer. The script clearly said Princess Yeonhwa should be tearful with a grieving heart.’
The acting required by the script was for her to tearfully look at Yoon Seo-il and receive comfort from him.
But Seo-yeon’s acting just now felt more chilling than pathetic.
Therefore, it was wrong.
Jo Seo-hee tried her best to think that way.
“…I’d heard that child actors these days are scary, but still.”
“She was definitely worth the recommendation.”
“If nothing else, her ability to convey emotion is truly remarkable. She’s much better than most adult actors.”
Ha Tae-oh glanced at Jo Min-tae, who had come to the set.
The CF director who was the son of Jo Bang-woo.
‘Is he lucky? Or does he just have a good eye?’
The judges who were evaluating the audition all found themselves replaying Seo-yeon’s performance in their minds.
‘At first, she was definitely looking at the sunset.’
‘Since she was staring directly at the sun, she couldn't open her eyes properly because of the glare.’
‘And then she turned at Yoon Seo-il’s call…’
Naturally, the sun was still high in the sky.
It would be a long time before the sun actually set.
However, watching Seo-yeon’s acting made it feel as if the sunset were right there.
She evoked the image of the moon standing with its back to the light.
“But those lines weren't in the script.”
“It was an ad-lib. An incredibly natural one, though.”
“The emotional acting was also a bit different from what the script called for. What did you think, Director Gong?”
The opinion of Director Gong, who was leading the shoot, was vital.
He was the one directing the drama and guiding the performances.
“The acting was truly great… but honestly, a sensitive director might not like it. Her own subjective interpretation was too strong.”
“That’s true. It’s the first time I’ve seen a child actor like this. Usually, they just do exactly as they’re told.”
“Yes, exactly. They’re supposed to, but…”
Interpreting a script in one's own way is usually something experienced actors do.
But Seo-yeon had done it naturally at such a young age.
Was this what they called talent?
“Ah, wait. Could she have been acting according to the original work?”
Just then, someone spoke up.
The original work.
Come to think of it, Taesumdal was a drama based on a novel.
“In the original, Princess Yeonhwa gets angry at Yoon Seo-il. Overwhelmed by self-pity and rage, she takes it out on him.”
However, the drama’s version of Princess Yeonhwa emphasized a more static, delicate side rather than such a fierce one.
That was intended to make Yoon Seo-il stand out more in this scene.
“…If she came here after reading the original, then it might not be 'wrong' acting.”
“Hmm.”
Regardless, it was a sufficiently good performance.
The natural ad-libs.
Even the deep emotional acting.
The problem was that it differed from what the script demanded.
“Compared to Jo Seo-hee…”
The Princess of Daily Dramas.
That was the title everyone used for Jo Seo-hee.
A title praising her talent, leaving no doubt that she would one day become a great actress.
“To be honest, if we’re just looking at the acting, it’s hard to even compare them.”
“The difference in emotional delivery is vast. As for skill… Jo Seo-hee was certainly impressive as well. No, there were many parts where she was better.”
In terms of acting alone, Jo Seo-hee was a star student.
An honor student who received full marks across the board.
But Seo-yeon was like a wild horse.
Acting seasoned with her own interpretation and natural ad-libs.
If the co-star couldn't handle it properly, the scene could turn into a total mess.
Just like how the boy playing Yoon Seo-il couldn't utter a single word just now.
‘The role of Yoon Seo-il was easy to cast…’
‘Who would’ve thought we’d get stuck on the role of Lee Hye-wol?’
After a moment of conflict, the judges looked at each other.
“Well, this isn't the only scene prepared, so let’s see everything before we decide.”
“Yes. There’s no need to rush.”
They continued the conversation and decided to proceed with the audition.
The roles would be finalized in a meeting later anyway.
But they already knew.
They knew exactly which child actor would take the role of Princess Yeonhwa, Lee Hye-wol.
*
‘Did I overdo it?’
I couldn't forget the chilly reaction I felt when I looked at everyone after finishing my performance.
Thinking back on it while crossing my arms made me cringe.
I was worried I might have just recorded a "dark history" level scene.
If there had been a blanket in front of me, I definitely would have kicked it in embarrassment.
“Seo-yeon.”
As I was leaving the audition hall with those thoughts, Jo Min-tae spoke up.
“I was truly surprised by your acting today.”
“Pardon?”
“To be honest, I was worried since it was your first drama, but you’re a natural. I honestly felt like the real Princess Yeonhwa was standing right in front of me.”
Was that lip service?
No, looking at his expression, he seemed sincere.
‘Thank goodness.’
I was worried I’d overacted and created an embarrassing memory, but it seemed to have been received well enough.
As I breathed a sigh of relief, my mom, who had been quiet, squeezed my hand tightly.
“Mom was really surprised too. You know I watch historical dramas all the time. Compared to the child actors there, your acting didn't fall short at all. No, I think it was much better.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! My daughter really is a genius!”
Sua, who probably hadn't been able to speak in the audition hall out of caution, hugged me tightly as she said those words.
‘I—I can’t breathe.’
Just as I was struggling against the heavy weight of her affection pressing against my face...
Jo Min-tae calmly continued.
“If I ever get the chance to direct a drama or a movie in the future... I would love for you to take the lead role in my first project, Seo-yeon.”
“Me?”
“Of course. But by then, you’ll probably be such a great actress that I won’t even be able to approach you.”
He chuckled softly as he said that.
“A-Ah, no. If the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely do it.”
“Oh, really? No taking it back later.”
“Of course. It’s a promise.”
I replied and raised my arm, sticking out my thumb from my clenched fist.
Then, as if stamping a seal, we pressed our thumbs together, completing a playful contract.
“Sometimes you really are like a boy, Seo-yeon. These actions of yours are so gallant.”
“I-Is that so?”
I flinched for a moment at the comment about being like a boy.
Well, of course I would be. I was a man in my past life.
My behavior had changed a lot, but the way my brain worked hadn't changed much.
‘Ahem, anyway.’
Jo Min-tae probably thought this contract was a joke, but I was quite serious.
‘If it’s Director Jo Min-tae’s first project, it’s 「The Thief」.’
It was a popcorn flick, pure entertainment.
A gallant action movie by a genius director!
It was promoted something like that.
If he put me in the lead, I’d be nothing but grateful.
Do you know how many actors became stars through that movie?
Wasn't it the very film that launched Kim Jung-ha, who was already on the rise, into the stratosphere?
‘Ah, but I have to be a VTuber too.’
I could hardly tell the story of starring in a ten-million-viewer movie as a "streamer anecdote."
Saying I was an extra wouldn't be interesting.
And if I said I was the lead, my identity would be obvious.
The Red Pill!
That was the most important thing to watch out for as a VTuber.
‘Well, whatever.’
I’ll worry about that when the time comes.
I was fairly satisfied with today’s acting.
A performance all my own, completely different from the commercial.
The moment I became someone else.
Just like being a VTuber.
‘I hope I get it.’
Of course, that probably wouldn't happen.
Jo Seo-hee was incredibly good at acting.
The reason I took such a risk was because I was overwhelmed by her performance.
It was a gamble I took because I felt I could never win if I acted by the book.
I didn't know if it had worked on the judges.
‘But still, I hope...’
And so, one week later.
The results of the Taesumdal audition were announced.
Publicly, through a making-of video.