Chapter 51: A Splendid Return (1)
Chapter 51: A Splendid Return (1)
The play Close Your Eyes.
It was likely the most talked-about play of late.
On its opening day, it was rare to find anyone walking through the streets of Daehak-ro who wasn't mentioning Close Your Eyes.
"Did you see that variety show? The one with Park Jung-woo and Princess Yeonhwa?"
"Of course I did. That’s why I booked the tickets."
A young couple chatted as they walked past.
The Moon That Hides the Sun was a massive hit drama from ten years ago.
"But who is Ju Seo-yeon, exactly?"
"She’s incredibly pretty. Apparently, she’s still in high school."
"I heard she’s the actress who played the young Princess Yeonhwa."
In truth, not many among the younger generation remembered her. However, as is the nature of word-of-mouth, when the older generation makes a fuss, the younger ones naturally take interest.
"Wow, so she just happened to run into Park Jung-woo on that show?"
"They say the reason she got so much hate back then was because she acted too well in episode eight. People are buzzing because she reenacted that scene."
"Ah, I see."
A narrative.
There was nothing better than a good backstory to make an actor’s name known.
The 'genius child actor' returning after ten years.
The reaction the trending star, Park Jung-woo, showed toward her.
All these elements converged to spark curiosity about the individual named 'Ju Seo-yeon.' Furthermore, it piqued interest in the play Close Your Eyes.
"People are still calling her 'Princess Yeonhwa' rather than Ju Seo-yeon."
"Mhm, that certainly seems to be the case."
Two middle-aged men sat at an outdoor cafe, listening to the conversations of the youths passing by. There were still about two hours left until the performance, but a significant crowd had already gathered.
"An actor's ripple effect... it’s been a long time since I’ve felt it this tangibly."
"Whether this ends as mere curiosity or serves as a springboard for her to soar will depend entirely on her."
Looking at the Past and Memories.
It was a variety show that originally boasted a respectable viewership rating of around 6 percent. However, starting with the 'Yeonhwa High School' episode, the ratings surged past 14 percent in a single leap. A dying show had been resuscitated overnight.
The buzz was immense. On YouTube, several videos discussing Ju Seo-yeon, The Moon That Hides the Sun, and Park Jung-woo had already been uploaded.
The reason this play had become such a hot topic was likely due to those factors. It was hard to say how many people in the crowd were there to see the play itself versus those who just wanted to see Ju Seo-yeon.
"Director Bae Jin-hwan."
As he was lost in thought, Producer Cha Dong-jin, who had come with him, spoke up.
"Thanks to you, Director, I’ll finally get to see it too."
"Well, there wouldn't be much point if we didn't come together, would there?"
Bae Jin-hwan and Cha Dong-jin.
The two had come to see this play to scout an actor. They were looking for someone to fill one of the most critical roles in an ambitious film currently being prepared by GH Group. Attending Close Your Eyes was part of that search.
"We were lucky Producer Jo Do-yul gave us VIP tickets. Otherwise, we wouldn't have even been able to get inside."
A small number of tickets were reserved for actors and production staff. They had managed to secure two of them. For Bae Jin-hwan and Cha Dong-jin, it was a stroke of immense luck.
"What are your thoughts, Director?"
"You mean regarding Ju Seo-yeon?"
"Yes. She’s the one playing 'Hong Jeong-hee,' after all."
Regardless of the recent hype, the two had already planned to see Close Your Eyes. Specifically, they wanted to see the performance of the actress playing the role of Hong Jeong-hee. It was a mere coincidence that the role had gone to Seo-yeon.
"A young actress who can deliver an impactful villainous performance... those are rare."
"True. We haven't found a suitable candidate yet."
They had already watched several plays, focusing on those featuring significant villain roles. They had also scoured dramas and movies, but no actress in recent media had delivered a truly memorable villainous performance.
They were beginning to wonder if they should hold open auditions, even though GH Group had requested they cast a well-known name.
"The acting Ju Seo-yeon showed on the variety show was certainly good, but..."
"Villainous acting is a different beast entirely."
As the saying goes, 'much noise, little substance.' Princess Yeonhwa and Hong Jeong-hee were polar opposite roles. It remained to be seen if she could pull it off.
"Let's head in. It looks like they're starting to seat people."
"Ah, yes."
Watching the people lining up, the two slowly stood up, keeping their expectations modest.
*
"Is everyone ready?"
Shim Cheong-seok spoke to the actors, whose nervousness was palpable.
The scale of the event had grown too large. The venue was packed, and the weight of expectation felt several times heavier than usual. Close Your Eyes was a play with some existing recognition, but at its core, it was a romantic comedy. It was far from being considered a 'masterpiece.'
"W-will we be okay?"
The one who spoke was Lee Hye-jin, who played the role of Song Min-seo. Originally, she was supposed to perform in the third round of shows, but the schedule had been shuffled. She was now performing in the very first show of the run. The reason for the change was obvious.
"Well, what are you going to do if we're not?"
Shim Cheong-seok let out a dry laugh. He wondered if that was something an actor should be saying at this stage. Usually, one might offer some gentle encouragement, but Shim Cheong-seok wasn't that type of person.
"We've been practicing non-stop. We've prepared hard, so have some confidence."
"Yes... yes."
Seeing Lee Hye-jin’s shrinking posture, Shim Cheong-seok felt a throbbing headache coming on.
She’s been like this since rehearsals.
He wondered if he should have swapped the actress for Song Min-seo after all.
On the other hand...
I have no idea what she’s thinking.
He saw Seo-yeon, who had her eyes quietly closed. She had been magnificent during practice, but one never knew how things would go in a live performance. Seo-yeon was still a high school student, an age where one is vulnerable to psychological pressure.
But then again...
He recalled Looking at the Past and Memories. The number of students watching her then was far greater than this audience. It had even been broadcast on TV and YouTube. She would be fine.
Shim Cheong-seok’s lips curled into a smirk as he looked at Seo-yeon. It had been a long time since he’d found an opponent worth acting against. He almost wished she were playing Song Min-seo instead.
No, that would have been a disaster.
Not because of Seo-yeon, but because Lee Hye-jin would have had to play Hong Jeong-hee. She had absolutely no talent for playing a villain. Shim Cheong-seok was certain of that.
"Let's go."
Amidst a lingering sense of unease, the curtain rose.
*
"Hey, you!"
Bae Seong-hak’s sharp shout rang out, his voice thick with irritation. He strode forward and grabbed the arm of the woman who was ignoring him.
"I called you so many times, why didn't you answer? I told you, you dropped something!"
The woman turned to look at him with an innocent, blank expression.
"I can't hear you."
At her words, Bae Seong-hak looked utterly bewildered. He clearly hadn't expected her to be deaf.
And so, the first meeting between Bae Seong-hak and Song Min-seo began.
The story followed the relationship between a popular idol and a deaf woman—two people who should have had no reason to cross paths. The emotional arc of Song Min-seo, who wanted to hear the idol Bae Seong-hak’s songs, and Bae Seong-hak, who wanted her to hear his voice, tugged at the audience's heartstrings.
'It's my first time watching a play, but this is actually pretty good.'
'Who is that actor? He’s really handsome.'
The reaction from the audience was positive. However, not everyone was impressed.
'Compared to the actor playing Bae Seong-hak, the female lead’s presence is weak.'
'It’s not just a problem with the role. This is... a miscast.'
Anyone with a bit of expertise would have thought the same. Director Bae Jin-hwan was one of them. Opening nights often suffered from such issues—clumsiness and mistakes were common. That was why many seasoned theatergoers avoided the first performance.
'Hmm.'
Just as Bae Jin-hwan was watching the play with a lukewarm expression...
"Ah! It’s Ms. Hong Jeong-hee."
Bae Seong-hak’s acting tone shifted.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you. You come to every performance, don't you? Your face looks familiar."
The words were ordinary. However, the feeling was entirely different. Bae Seong-hak’s acting, which was already good, became as sharp and fierce as a honed blade. His emotions, his movements, his gestures—everything intensified.
"Ah, h-hello. My name is... Hong Jeong-hee."
The one receiving that energy was a timid woman, cowering slightly. With her entrance, the atmosphere of the play took a sharp turn.
Hong Jeong-hee. The main antagonist of Close Your Eyes.
'Ju Seo-yeon.'
Bae Jin-hwan recognized her instantly.
'She’s completely different from Princess Yeonhwa.'
He locked eyes with Cha Dong-jin, who was sitting next to him. The real show was starting now. They had come solely to see her. Would she live up to the hype, or would she fall short?
Amidst the tension, Act 3 began. The act where Hong Jeong-hee’s presence was most prominent.
*
"Affection? Ah, were you still worried about that?"
Shortly before the play began, Seo-yeon had asked Shim Cheong-seok a question.
"Yes. I felt like I shouldn't show a lacking performance anymore."
"Hmm, that makes sense."
He let out a short laugh.
"Affection. It’s true that Hong Jeong-hee harbors affection for Bae Seong-hak. You’re worried that failing to show that is a flaw, right?"
"Yes."
This was a significant issue. It could deviate from the emotional line of Hong Jeong-hee that Seo-yeon had built so far. It might interfere with her immersion in the role or prevent her from fully understanding the character.
"You’re far too greedy."
"Pardon?"
"Here’s a tip."
He held up his index finger.
"Sometimes, acting requires a bit of deception."
"Deception?"
"Affection... sure, it’s necessary. After all, the reason Hong Jeong-hee runs wild is ultimately for Bae Seong-hak."
However.
"But what is Hong Jeong-hee’s role in this play? She’s the villain."
It’s good if affection is visible. But one must distinguish. Her role in the play comes first. Showing affection is fine, but it doesn't matter at all if it's absent. At least, that was Shim Cheong-seok’s opinion.
"The author’s intent and the performer’s interpretation don't always have to align."
"..."
"I think you know what I mean."
She was simply avoiding it.
"That perfection isn't necessarily the right answer."
Recalling the conversation she had with Shim Cheong-seok, Seo-yeon slowly opened her eyes.
The start of Act 3. She could feel the gaze of the vast audience upon her.
'I am Hong Jeong-hee.'
She exhaled. She released the tension in her cowering body and let her back slouch. Using the Hong Jeong-hee she had interpreted by mimicking Pyo Ji-woo’s emotions...
In this moment, Seo-yeon became one with Hong Jeong-hee.
A villain. Yes, why had she taken this role?
'Hong Jeong-hee’s inferiority. Her sinister nature. And her obsession.'
She emphasized those traits.
Deception. Just as Shim Cheong-seok said, if she portrayed those traits to the extreme, the audience would eventually search for the reason behind them. The reason Hong Jeong-hee acted this way. Even without acting out affection, she would make them believe that all her actions were driven by it.
"Heh."
A laugh escaped from Seo-yeon—from Hong Jeong-hee’s lips.
In that instant, the audience froze. Something was different.
Hong Jeong-hee let out a low laugh, her shoulders trembling. When she lifted her head, her pale face was revealed under the dim stage lights.
Ju Seo-yeon. Princess Yeonhwa.
The atmosphere was so chilling that those names didn't even come to mind. It was impossible to believe she was the same person.
"Liar."
the moment Hong Jeong-hee’s soliloquy began, Bae Jin-hwan almost bolted upright from his seat.
'This is it...'
The actress he had been searching for. The villain who would make his movie shine. He realized he might have just found her.