Chapter 33: Childhood's End (2)
Chapter 33: Childhood's End (2)
Episode 4 of The Moon That Hides the Sun aired immediately after.
Amidst the high expectations set by the third episode, Taesumdal managed to defend its viewership ratings thanks to the stellar performances of veteran actors Kang Seong-chan and Ha Ye-seo.
However, Action King, which everyone thought was dead after its ratings plummeted to 13% during the third episode's slot, was resurrected with an 18% share.
For the team behind The Moon That Hides the Sun, it was a situation where they couldn't afford to let their guard down.
‘In my past life, it was probably...’
Seo-yeon wasn't particularly worried.
In any case, Action King was destined to self-destruct around episode 8.
Was the name Se-bin?
A school violence scandal involving an idol-turned-actor in the cast would break out, leading the show to finish with a disastrous 5% rating for its final episode.
Naturally, The Moon That Hides the Sun would absorb all those viewers and grow.
Ultimately, it would end on a high note, breaking records with a phenomenal 42% rating for its finale.
<Episode 4 of Taesumdal Starts Amid High Expectations, but Is It a Bit Bland?>
<Did the Child Actors' Passionate Performances Backfire? Taesumdal Ratings Drop from 31% to 26%>
...I saw articles like that, but I didn't pay them much mind.
Instead, I felt a sense of pride that my acting had been well-received.
It made all that hard work feel worth it.
‘Truly acting.’
I hadn't really felt that kind of fulfillment before. Not when I was filming commercials, and not even when I first started filming Taesumdal.
But now, it was different.
I felt good.
"Oh my, Seo-yeon. It must have been a long trip getting here, wasn't it?"
I had just arrived at the KMB studio.
I was here for "Star of the Topic," a segment on the show Entertainment Live Broadcast.
This was going to be my first—and last—variety show appearance.
"Hello."
As I gave a polite bow, Shin Jae-woon, the PD of Entertainment Live Broadcast, beamed at me.
He looked at me as if he were staring at a treasure chest.
"I watched The Moon That Hides the Sun. Seo-yeon, are you really only seven years old? Your skills were absolutely unbelievable."
"Thank you for the kind words."
"Not at all. And this is..."
Shin Jae-woon’s gaze shifted to my mother standing beside me.
The moment he saw my mother, Sua, his face registered pure shock.
"Oh. Uh, well."
He was a professional, through and through.
Though his eyes wavered for a split second in his confusion, he quickly regained his composure.
‘Impressive.’
Seo-yeon was inwardly admiring him.
Most people, upon seeing her mother for the first time, would let their eyes drift downward, even if just for a moment.
Shin Jae-woon might have been startled, but his eyes remained fixed forward.
"Your mother is truly beautiful as well. She could be an actress herself."
"Ah, th-thank you. But that’s impossible for me..."
"Well, I can certainly see where Seo-yeon gets her cuteness from."
Sua gave an awkward laugh at Shin Jae-woon’s hearty chuckle.
To Seo-yeon, the two of them looked equally awkward with each other, though for very different reasons.
"Ahem! Filming will start at 2:00 PM, so please rest for a bit. We’ll call you as soon as the preparations are finished."
I nodded at Shin Jae-woon’s smiling remark.
Since the show was primarily interview-based, I didn't have much to prepare.
"Seo-yeon, then Mommy will wait outside..."
My mother trailed off as she looked at me.
"Are you really going to say it?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
Everyone would find out soon enough anyway.
Announcing it on a platform like this would definitely have a greater impact.
‘Besides, since it’s a variety show, there will be reruns.’
And with VOD services, it would stay in people's memories longer than a simple internet article.
The difficulty level wasn't high, so it was a perfect choice for my first variety appearance.
‘I should pay close attention to how the interview is conducted.’
There was one more reason I accepted this invitation: interview skills.
Whether you're a streamer or a VTuber, there are many occasions where guests participate in a broadcast.
I planned to pick up some natural questioning techniques, eye contact habits, and general interview skills.
This was a show where professionals did nothing but interview people for a living.
There would surely be a lot to learn.
I was already starting to look forward to the interview—in more ways than one.
*
"You can look forward to this interview."
Ha Tae-oh, the drama PD who had been kind enough to recommend Seo-yeon, had left Shin Jae-woon with those words.
‘The hottest child actor right now.’
The Moon That Hides the Sun was no ordinary drama. In particular, the performances of the two child actors in episode 3 were still the talk of the town.
Since she hadn't appeared on screen since then, the viewers' curiosity had reached a fever pitch.
‘And if she makes her first appearance right here on Entertainment Live Broadcast!’
Just thinking about it made his heart race.
For context, Shin Jae-woon had recently taken over Entertainment Live Broadcast. The previous PD had moved to a different department after becoming overwhelmed with work following the Taesumdal auditions.
"I'll leave the interview in your hands."
"Of course. This is my bread and butter; I have to do a good job, don't I?"
The "Star of the Topic" segment was hosted by Song Young-jin.
Song Young-jin was originally a KMB announcer who had become highly successful after going freelance.
‘Ju Seo-yeon.’
It was a name Song Young-jin knew well.
Not just because she was his interviewee, but because The Moon That Hides the Sun was currently his wife's favorite drama.
When he watched the third episode, Song Young-jin had been inwardly shocked.
How could a child around the same age as his own son deliver such a performance?
It was a sight that made it impossible for anyone to deny the word 'genius.'
Even Park Jung-woo, who had been called an acting prodigy for years, was completely overshadowed by Seo-yeon in that moment.
A child actor with that kind of presence.
How many dramas would she film, and how many commercials would she star in from now on?
Song Young-jin couldn't ask for more than to have that journey begin here on Entertainment Live Broadcast.
"Now then, on Entertainment Live Broadcast's 'Star of the Topic'!! The star we're meeting today is..."
As filming began, Song Young-jin, already seated, shouted enthusiastically.
"It's Princess Yeonhwa herself from The Moon That Hides the Sun, Ju Seo-yeon!!"
At his words, Seo-yeon walked out with a polite bow.
She was likely the youngest person ever to appear on "Star of the Topic."
Because of that, there was a lingering worry. Since Seo-yeon was only seven, he wondered if she could handle a proper interview.
After all, acting and interviewing were two very different things.
‘I really think her mother should have joined her.’
Song Young-jin thought to himself.
However, she was the child actor who had shown that kind of acting.
Moreover, as Seo-yeon sat across from him, he felt a strange sense that she didn't quite feel like a 'child.'
Perhaps it was because of those calm eyes.
Or perhaps it was that expressionless face that showed no hint of nerves.
"You did a wonderful job playing Princess Yeonhwa in The Moon That Hides the Sun. Seo-yeon, did you expect that you would get the role?"
"No."
Seo-yeon shook her head at Song Young-jin’s question.
"I went there simply to gain experience. There were many talented candidates, so I naturally thought it would be impossible."
A natural response.
Song Young-jin momentarily lost his words and stared at Seo-yeon.
‘She didn't even stutter once.’
Even if there was no live audience, there were many eyes watching.
The staff of Entertainment Live Broadcast, and himself. To give such a perfect answer under their collective gaze...
‘She’s... seven, right?’
Comparing her to his own son, it was a level of maturity he couldn't wrap his head around.
Were all child actors like this?
He remembered Park Jung-woo being much more awkward when he was seven. And back then, it wasn't even an interview.
Following that, Song Young-jin continued to ask questions, and Seo-yeon continued to answer.
The more they spoke, the more bewildered Song Young-jin became.
It felt less like interviewing a seven-year-old and more like interviewing an adult.
"Your acting in episodes 2 and 3 was incredible. There’s speculation among the public that it might have been method acting. In fact, when I interviewed other actors, I heard that your strength lies in emotional acting."
It was a rumor that had spread widely.
That Seo-yeon’s specialty was emotional acting.
Conversely, because of her lack of experience, her shortcomings would immediately show if she had to perform complex movements simultaneously.
However, by the time that fact was discovered, the child actor portion of Taesumdal had long since finished filming.
"Um, yes. To be precise, that’s the only thing I can do right now."
The only thing she could do?
Method acting wasn't something just anyone could pull off.
It wasn't always the right answer, either; in fact, method acting often proved to be a double-edged sword.
Could Seo-yeon, still a child, be okay after doing method acting?
Honestly, Song Young-jin had thought it was impossible.
Until now.
"Because I have many shortcomings, the other actors adjusted to me. I was a bit stubborn regarding the climaxes of episodes 2 and 3 as well."
Seo-yeon calmly recounted the events of that time.
The fact that the filming schedule was changed just to capture those two scenes.
The more he heard, the more flabbergasted Song Young-jin became.
When this broadcast aired, the viewers would likely feel the exact same way.
"But isn't it exhausting to act like that? Usually, method acting is something veteran actors attempt, isn't it?"
"I'm... not sure about that. But since I won't need to do it again for a while anyway, I decided to be bold."
"I see..."
Song Young-jin, who had been nodding reflexively, suddenly caught on to a jarring part of Seo-yeon’s statement.
"Wait, what do you mean you 'won't need to do it again for a while'? Is this related to your emotional acting?"
This wasn't a question from the script.
It was a spontaneous remark, but Song Young-jin didn't think it was a mistake.
Because it was strangely—truly strangely—bothersome.
"Ah, that."
Seo-yeon answered his question with a perfectly nonchalant face.
"I'm planning to leave the entertainment industry for a while."
Seo-yeon spoke as if it were nothing significant.
Because of her tone, Song Young-jin almost reflexively said, "Ah, I see," and moved on.
......
...
"......Pardon?"
They say when a person is too shocked, words fail them.
That was exactly how Young-jin felt right now.
He had invited an actress who was currently at the peak of her popularity.
He never expected to hear what was essentially a retirement announcement right then and there.
"What did Seo-yeon just say?"
"I think I heard her say she's leaving the industry for a while. Is that right?"
"That’s what I heard too..."
The set began to buzz.
The filming crew, the staff.
And even PD Shin Jae-woon, who was watching, couldn't escape the overwhelming sense of bewilderment.
"So that's why..."
Only then did PD Shin Jae-woon realize the meaning behind PD Ha Tae-oh’s cryptic words.
That was why he said, 'You can look forward to the interview.'
Just as Ha Tae-oh had predicted.
Once this aired, it was certain to cause a massive stir among the viewers.
*
Sure enough.
Just as PD Shin Jae-woon had anticipated, as soon as the "Star of the Topic" interview from Entertainment Live Broadcast spread, drama-related communities were thrown into an absolute frenzy.
The child actor from the most talked-about drama.
The child actor who had nothing but a path of success ahead of her had suddenly declared her departure from the industry.
Since it was a retirement with no clear explanation, all sorts of speculations began to swirl.
Some said the filming of Taesumdal was too harsh, while others claimed she had made so much money that she was retiring early.
Most were just rumors, so the talk didn't last forever, but it was enough to keep people talking for a long time.
It was to the point where the content of Taesumdal episode 5, which aired that day, was almost buried.
Still, episode 5's ratings recovered compared to episode 4, so the success of Taesumdal was already as good as guaranteed.
And then.
The genius child actor who had set South Korea ablaze...
"My name is Ju Seo-yeon, and I'll be studying acting here at Hwayang Acting Academy for a while starting today."
The acting academy she had entered upon Lee Ji-yeon’s recommendation.
Hwayang Acting Academy.
Amidst the sound of Lee Ji-yeon’s welcoming applause, the instructors and the young students all stared blankly at Seo-yeon.
‘...What?’
They sincerely wanted to ask.
What on earth are you doing here?