Chapter 38: Preparing for a Comeback (2)
Chapter 38: Preparing for a Comeback (2)
I had been aware of it to some extent.
Seven Live 3rd Generation.
There was one character who should have been occupying a spot in that lineup, but was conspicuously missing.
The 3rd Generation of Seven Live was a group centered around a "non-human" concept. Most of the characters were based on beings you’d typically find in a fantasy setting.
The missing character was Ramiel, whose lore described her as the "Harpy Princess who can't sing."
In truth, looking at her design, she looked more like an angel than a harpy. Honestly, I thought she was an angel at first, too.
Ramiel had been exceptionally popular among the 3rd Generation. Between her incredibly beautiful voice and her brilliant streaming sense, she quickly rose to the ranks of what people called a "major agency" VTuber.
For the record, contrary to her "can't sing" concept, she was actually a decent singer. As for her role-playing, she followed the basics as most do, but she never said or did anything that contradicted her lore.
Her main content consisted of "Zatsudan" or chatting streams. She was a great listener and particularly silver-tongued, which made her very popular.
“…….”
“Ju Seo-yeon, what’s wrong with you?”
I had tried to tell myself there was a chance it wasn't true, but the world was truly cruel. How could this be?
‘I tried so hard to deny the possibility.’
I stared blankly at Lee Ji-yeon, who was looking back at me.
The first time I had doubts was when I was attending the voice acting academy with her. Her normal vocalization was fine, but the voice she used for "anime" dubbing was the problem.
It was a youthful voice, but it was definitely one I had heard before. And when she used that voice to call out...
「Ju Seo-yeon?」
...My heart would just sink.
Perhaps I had known all along and was simply in denial. Why did it have to be Lee Ji-yeon? I couldn't wrap my head around how Lee Ji-yeon could be that angelic Ramiel.
Where did the Ramiel go—the one who listened so intently to my worries and comforted me?
‘Something... something is wrong.’
There’s a term called the "Red Pill." It refers to the moment the illusion is shattered when you see a VTuber’s real-life appearance.
To be honest, I wouldn't say the illusion was shattered. The Lee Ji-yeon in front of me and the Ramiel I knew were essentially two different people.
Regardless, my "Oshi," whom I thought I’d be able to watch again someday, had suddenly "graduated." It felt like the world had gone dark.
‘I wanted to watch her properly this time.’
In my past life, the emotion I felt while watching VTubers was a sense of the "unknown." I felt something inexplicable from those who sincerely embraced a fantasy that wasn't reality.
As someone who lacked normal emotions, that was the only way I could describe it.
When I had the time, I watched them live, but mostly I had to settle for "Kirinuki" highlights and short clips.
‘That’s why I wanted to experience that "unknown" I couldn't understand back then.’
I felt depressed. Some might say, "Why get so worked up over something like that?" but to me, it was a very important matter. In many ways.
「Ju Seo-yeon.」
“—!!”
At the familiar whisper suddenly tickling my ear, I shuddered and collapsed sideways. It was a good thing I was on a bench; if it had been a normal chair, I would have rolled right off.
I covered the ear that had just been whispered into, looking uncharacteristically flustered.
“W-what was that for?”
“You’re the one who didn't answer even though I kept calling you.”
"Hmph," Lee Ji-yeon grunted, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes. She looked quite displeased with my attitude.
“You’ve been acting weird whenever I use this voice for a while now. Is it really that strange?”
“……N-no.”
She gave me a look as if trying to see if I was telling the truth. Unlike before, her gaze was filled with a newfound interest, as if she had noticed something.
Avoiding her gaze, I added a few more words.
“I don't... dislike it.”
It was true. I was just genuinely startled every time. Everything else about her had changed, but that voice was exactly the same.
‘I thought there might be a one-in-a-million chance that someone just had a similar voice.’
But that hope ended yesterday. The Ramiel of this world had truly become an angel... even if she was technically a harpy.
“Hmm.”
Lee Ji-yeon looked me up and down, seemingly debating whether to clear her throat and use that voice again. Eventually, she nodded.
“Fine. Anyway, that’s not what I’m curious about.”
“What are you curious about?”
“The theater audition. When exactly is it?”
Lee Ji-yeon had always been concerned about my return to acting. Since I, who had been passive until now, had finally shown a reaction, it was only natural for her to be curious.
“Next Monday.”
“……Huh?”
As Lee Ji-yeon looked at me as if asking what I meant, I repeated myself.
“It’s this coming Monday.”
I had planned to talk to the teacher and move things around if the timing didn't work out, but fortunately, it didn't seem necessary. The audition was scheduled to start late in the evening.
*
Daehak-ro in Jongno is home to various artistic facilities, including theaters. It’s a place where plays are constantly performed, and various troupes and clubs are active.
And it was here that the audition for the play I was aiming for was scheduled to take place. I didn't know how it was in the past, but these days, you could easily apply online.
Usually, stage actors are judged in two rounds. The first round involves a video of a free monologue and a brief profile check.
‘It would have been a disaster if I’d failed the first round.’
It had been a while since I’d performed for others, so I was a bit nervous. Especially since I had to film the monologue alone, without a scene partner.
“It should be around here... Ah!”
The second round was a face-to-face audition. The location was a rehearsal room in Daehak-ro.
To be honest, I didn't know much about theater. Unlike dramas or movies, it was something I hadn't experienced in my past life. I only knew about this play because of something it led to later.
‘How many people show up for a theater audition?’
That kind of information wasn't easy to find. Especially since the role I was auditioning for today was a villain; I vaguely assumed there wouldn't be that many applicants.
Creeak.
When I cautiously opened the door to the building and stepped inside, I couldn't help but freeze.
‘……There are this many?’
I knew this play had a decent budget invested in it. So, I heard the competition would be high, but at a glance, there seemed to be over fifty people.
The building was packed with actresses, each dressed in costumes reflecting their interpretation of the roles.
‘If there are this many people for the second round alone, there must have been hundreds of applicants.’
I felt a surge of nerves. Honestly, I didn't have much audition experience. The two auditions I went through as a child actor were it. I had never been to an audition with this many people gathered in one place.
‘And they’re all adult actors—or rather, aspiring actors.’
Some were holding the scripts they received after passing the first round, warming up their voices, while others were already trying to get into character. Since they were all actors, they were all quite good-looking.
“A high schooler?”
I heard someone mutter under their breath as they saw me. There was no specific age limit for this role. However, considering the age of the character, one needed to be able to pass for an "adult," so I was barely cutting it.
“She really is.”
“Is she a high school student?”
I felt gazes filled with a mix of emotions piercing through me. Curiosity about why a high schooler was here. Wariness. And fascination.
Fortunately, those stares didn't last long. It was as if they felt even a moment spent focusing on someone else was a waste of time.
‘Right.’
I pulled out the script I had brought. It was a bit worn from being read over and over. The others were the same. We were given a week with the script. I couldn't afford to prepare half-heartedly.
Auditions often involve cold readings on the spot, so the fact that they gave us the script a week in advance meant the judging criteria would be that much higher.
‘……Okay.’
I took a deep breath. Recalling the role I was to play today, I began to set my emotions. Let’s... skip the Method acting for now. It wasn't time to exhaust my emotions yet.
‘The role I’m playing today is Hong Jeong-hee from "Close Your Eyes".’
Close Your Eyes itself is a lyrical and romantic play. However, Hong Jeong-hee was a character far removed from romance.
She is a "Sasaeng" fan of the male lead, the popular idol Bae Seong-hak. She is a social misfit with an intense, obsessive desire to possess him. Later in the play, when Bae Seong-hak develops a special relationship with the female lead, Song Min-seo, she stalks and attacks her.
With a knife, no less.
‘She doesn't have much screen time, but...’
She was definitely a role that left a strong impact. That’s likely why I received a follow-up casting offer after people saw this "Hong Jeong-hee" character.
‘As expected, she’s not a character suited for Method acting.’
If I used Method acting for a character like this, I’d surely be depressed for days. I closed the script and shut my eyes.
Exhaling slowly, I etched the character into my mind. Through the emotions written in the script, I imagined the character of Hong Jeong-hee. I had memorized all the lines.
Looking at the time, there was still a bit of a wait before the audition started.
‘Let’s try practicing once.’
There were plenty of people around me reciting their lines anyway. I decided to immerse myself in the character of Hong Jeong-hee one more time.
With that thought, Seo-yeon slowly opened her closed eyes.
*
The actors and aspiring actors gathered at the audition hall frowned when they saw the schoolgirl who had arrived late.
‘A high schooler?’
‘How did she pass the first round?’
She was wearing a school uniform. Usually, people wore clothes suited to the role for an audition, as it was a good way to visually demonstrate their understanding of the character.
But a school uniform? The age of the character Hong Jeong-hee wasn't explicitly stated. There was only a brief note saying she was "on a leave of absence from school." It wasn't clear if she was a college student or a high schooler.
‘And her looks are…….’
Long, jet-black hair. Pale skin that contrasted sharply with it. Even the actors, who were used to beautiful people, couldn't help but marvel at her appearance. Even though she was still a high schooler, her face was that of a finished actress.
‘But acting isn't done with your face.’
‘No matter how pretty she is, acting is what ultimately decides the winner.’
Even as they thought this, the sight of the high school girl reading her script was like a painting. The worn-out script—it meant she had at least done the basic preparation.
‘Wait.’
‘Doesn't her face look familiar?’
Those watching the girl felt a strange sense of familiarity. It was as if they had seen her somewhere before. Was she an actress who already had TV experience? If she was a former child actor, it wouldn't be strange for her to be here.
‘But with looks like that, wouldn't she have been a hot topic?’
High school is the age when child actors have just blossomed and are at the starting line of being "actors." With looks like hers, there was no way rumors wouldn't have spread in this small industry.
Tap.
The girl suddenly closed her script. Was she done checking?
The moment that thought crossed their minds, the girl slowly opened her eyes.
“……!”
It wasn't that the atmosphere suddenly shifted. It was quiet. She was expressionless and calm. It wasn't exactly a face that was "acting."
‘That’s... acting, right?’
Actors often have what’s called a "base expression." It’s the foundation they use when they begin to act. They layer emotions and expressions over that base face. And for a veteran actor, it was possible to convey emotion and performance through that base expression alone.
‘No way.’
Yes, just like she was doing now.