Masterpieces Require Sacrifice (8)
‘Huh.’
‘This guy’s not one to listen to words.’
The two professors revised their assessment of Kang Min.
From clueless rookie to clueless, arrogant rookie.
Even Jacob Fisher’s tone had turned curt right away.
“Young man.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but Professor Strasberg once described the path to method acting as relaxation, concentration, and sensory memory.”
Relaxation meant releasing all tension from the body while retaining the bare minimum.
Concentration involved advancing to spontaneous emotion through observation and soliloquy.
Sensory memory was storing memories of the five senses and recalling them through imagination and focus alone.
The foundation for all this was what was known as emotional memory, drawing stimuli from one’s own experiences, recollections, or imagination to achieve immersion.
In other words, contrary to the common misconception, the essence of method acting was never about becoming the ‘character.’
“It’s more like throwing yourself into that situation. Or put another way, the core is never straying from yourself.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you get it? Your dilemma doesn’t even hold water. Only those who’ve piled up utterly base experiences—fools, all of them—believe they can switch their acting style at will, from method to narrative or whatever. An utterly—utterly idiotic notion.”
The last part came out almost spat, with enough force to make the twins flinch despite their sullen expressions.
But Kang Min didn’t react much.
More precisely, his face said, So what’s your point?
Jacob snorted at him. Well, punks like this only learn after being humiliated.
He clapped his hands.
“Phinegan, Joia.”
“Yes.” “Yes.”
“Looks like we’ve got a great actor here, so you two help him out. Let’s do this like the year-end test.”
The twins let out small sighs.
And they both looked at Kang Min with pity.
Phinegan Styx and Joia Styx had been acting as twins since their child actor days.
It wasn’t all that rare. In any country, child actors got a pass just for being cute while reading a textbook, and double that when it was 1+1.
But these two were a special case.
For one, despite being identical twins, they had extreme talents in completely opposite directions.
“They pulled off quite the prank on Broadway. Enough to drive old man Bennett senile, apparently.”
Kevin Moore gave a wry smile.
“But that’s it. Aislinn Lewis is a decent actress, but just that. Thinking she’s top-tier because she succeeded out there? Big mistake.”
Kang Min glanced sideways. Yoo Myeong-woo sighed and nodded.
The professors are still as immature as ever.
Before Yoo Myeong-woo took up teaching at the principal’s urging, when he’d come here for his studies, the twins had been just fourteen.
He’d even felt sorry for them back then, thinking, Poor kids, going through all that.
Of course, that was before they demolished me in the year-end test.
Even now, the overture from William Tell made his legs shake—a lingering affliction.
He’d been a seasoned actor himself back then, yet he’d been KO’d. Now five years later, and Kang Min was barely in his first year.
It was no different from facing two senior pros at the peak of talent and experience, age aside.
He’d expected some pettiness, but not this level…
As Yoo Myeong-woo groaned softly, the twins sidled up to Kang Min and whispered,
“You’re really doing this?” “We’re pretty intense, you know.”
“First, one question. What’s the Actors Studio year-end test like?”
“Deathmatch.” “Last one standing wins.”
“Deathmatch?”
“Literal meaning.” “Run the scene till one admits the other’s better.” “Longest record’s seven hours.” “Nah, twenty-one.” “Ryu and us held the record, right?” “Kevin stupidly invited Seol and Dona too.” “They’re crazy, so they don’t count.” “Fair.”
They murmured among themselves, glancing at Kang Min. Disappointed or not, they didn’t enjoy tormenting people.
It was never fun seeing jealousy and self-loathing in others’ eyes during tests. They wished people would just surrender.
But this guy didn’t seem inclined.
“Got it. Please go easy on me.”
“Ah.” “Figured.”
As Kang Min extended his hand, the girls exchanged looks and shrugged.
No helping it now. Better end it quick.
“Conclusion reached? Let’s start.”
Peter clapped sharply once the handshake ended.
“Here’s the script. Phinegan and Joia will play the same role. Young man, match them with your two acting styles in question.”
“Understood.”
“As per your dilemma, they’re born with opposite talents. If you’re serious, it’ll be good experience.”
The professor smirked.
“If you’re up to it, that is.”
It was a bold claim.
And the twins on stage had the skill to back it up without shame.
“─”
“─”
They steadied their breaths.
Then, as if they’d never acted ordinary, their expressions flipped.
In perfect opposition.
Jekyll & Hyde.
A musical reimagining of the rare unknown Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, long popular even in Korea.
Protagonist Henry Jekyll is a good man. To cure his schizophrenic father and patients, he creates a drug targeting human nature.
But facing opposition, Jekyll tests it on himself—and becomes pure evil Hyde.
Addicted, Jekyll loses control as Hyde slays his detractors. Fiancée Emma, showgirl Lucy, friend Utterson get entangled, complicating matters.
Kang Min knew it well.
The key is one actor playing both Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.
The lead matters in every play, but here especially—switching characters even mid-scene.
Without exceptional skill, it’d feel awkward.
Yet critics with high standards often point out its limits.
No actor’s style is infinitely flexible. Even brilliant reversals have direction.
Jekyll and Hyde never fully diverge. Thus, ideal acting is impossible.
That was critics’ usual critique.
But…
Even they might think differently seeing this—Kang Min thought fleetingly.
[You justify my theory! Behold what unfolds!]
Henry Jekyll—Joia cried out.
[Rage and terror entwine! Danger advances on the stage! Why? Our dark sides!]
[Human evil must be controlled! That’s the truth!]
[Tomorrow will be too late! We can master our lives now!]
Joia Styx’s acting was purely external.
Calculate what’s visible. The next scene. Moments to move, to build emotion.
The masses might call it soulless, but the output was flawless.
Thus, kind Jekyll’s speech swayed hearts.
[General Glossop, glad to bring this news.]
[From today, you’re relieved of all duties! Every one!]
[Curse? Hellfire? You bet!]
[That’s Edward Hyde!]
Conversely, Phinegan Styx’s was purely internal.
Ignore the outside. Dive inward. Extract raw emotion from experience and memory.
Thus, savage Hyde’s rage stirred souls.
Incredible.
Kang Min was purely awed by their perfect harmony.
My God, I didn’t expect this level…!
Yoo Myeong-woo was the opposite.
Beyond shocked, he was overwhelmed.
I was wrong because they were already so amazing five years ago. Figured they couldn’t improve more.
Utter underestimation.
The pair who crushed him then were mere shadows now.
Even his best-known actors might falter.
He swallowed hard.
This might be too much even for Min…
If the one who brought him thought that, the professors were beyond convinced.
Kevin and Jacob beamed at the flawless twins.
“They’re about to surpass us soon.”
“Doubt it for me, but you definitely, Kevin.”
“You….”
“Haha, anyway, that young punk should know his place now.”
If not after this, just beat him out. That level of acting.
The professors were certain.
Maybe I shouldn’t have brought him.
Yoo Myeong-woo gritted his teeth.
Had he known the pettiness, better to leave the dilemma unresolved. This was too harsh.
Min saw the script today for the first time! It’s unfair from the start…!
But no point now.
The twins finished perfectly; Kang Min’s turn.
He took the stage, looked down.
Twins sighing, result assured.
Professors leaning back smugly.
Worried Yoo Myeong-woo.
And the script in hand—
Hm.
An utterly hostile environment that’d freeze anyone’s legs.
Kang Min eyed the script, closed it.
Satisfied with his conclusion.
The protagonist dies.
To a king, environment was mere sideshow.
Five minutes later, the vice principal thought:
It had started well, surely.
[My God, what is this?!]
[Lord, help us!]
[He fills me! He’s trying to kill me!]
[Not the wedding! Anything but the wedding!]
[Ho, you managed the schedule well.]
[No Henry Jekyll here. Only Edward Hyde.]
To him, the start was perfect.
As Kang Min began, the twins’ eyes widened in surprise; even sullen professors went “Ho” and shifted.
“Arrogant aside, he’s decent.”
“Yeah.”
The Jekyll-Hyde switches were smooth, emotions assured.
Not quite the twins’ near-miracle, but solid.
Even Jacob, who’d just ranted, softened.
“Huh, not bad. No, quite good.”
“Not up to Phinegan and Joia, but…”
“Comparing to them is absurd. Still, top-tier potential.”
“…Worth advising. If he drops that arrogant method-vs-narrative crap.”
“We’ll break that pride.”
Yoo Myeong-woo couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
It was going well.
For those professors, lavish praise. Eager to advise.
Truly fortunate.
His face brightened.
Good. Was worried for a sec, but if it wraps like this—
But of course, it didn’t.
The King of Dying Acting had other plans.
[Kraaaagh!]
?
Next scene, Kang Min screamed hoarsely and collapsed.
Moments later, another fit.
[Kreeegh!]
???
Another scream, then flop. As if two sufficed.
Silence fell.
A very long stillness.
What.
Worried Yoo Myeong-woo wondered blankly.
Has he lost it?
His dear student finally snapped?
Poor Bom, after eight years of toil, ended before spring?
No, damn it, that’s not the issue!!
He whipped around frantically.
Whatever, he knew how picky those professors were! This slacking could tank scores instantly! Had to salvage!
“P-professors! Calm down! I can explain!”
“…….”
“…Professors?”
“…….”
But somehow,
Reactions differed from expected.
First, the twins on stage.
“What” “Is” “This” “Totally” “Different?” “Impossible….”
Mouths agape, disbelief.
?
Yoo Myeong-woo couldn’t grasp it. Looked to his mentors.
No help there.
They were bug-eyed, convulsing.
“Kuh, foolish…!”
“Different? On a muscular level?!”
“Impossible! How?!”
“What am I even seeing…!”
…???
On stage, speechless; below, hyperventilating.
Yoo Myeong-woo, who prided himself as recognized, stood like Mr. Satan amid Saiyans, blinking dumbly.
He muttered gloomily.
What the hell….
Someone explain for me….