Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Private Acting Lesson
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When I firmly refused, Moon Chang-sik sounded a bit taken aback over the phone.
[Um… You really don’t like it that much?]
“No, it’s not that… uh, well….”
To be honest, it wasn’t some hugely awkward scene.
There wasn’t much physical contact, and if I just thought of it as thick iron plating… Ugh, still not easy.
“I just… I don’t think I’d be good at something like this. Wouldn’t it come off awkward no matter what?”
[Sure, there are a few differences, but how about pushing back the shoot date and practicing?]
“Practice? Well, sure….”
I could do it if I had to, but me doing this?
Could I pull it off?
[If it’s really that tough, then… fine.]
Wait, revise it?
That easily?
I was starting to feel a little guilty.
Still, I’d gratefully accep—
[I’ll teach you how to act. Clear your schedule.]
“…Pardon?”
No way… for real?
**
The next day, around lunchtime, I called Tenshi-san.
I had to let her know I was coming to Japan, and we needed to coordinate. If she couldn’t make it, then… we’d just enjoy as a family and go again next time.
[Hon-tonni’s coming to Japan?]
“Yeah, um… probably next weekend. Does that work for you?”
[Hai! E- Yabai~ I’m so excited!]
Fortunately, Tenshi-san agreed without hesitation.
I could even feel her good mood through the headphones.
Is it that exciting? More importantly, I’d end up meeting an online friend in person on a whim.
“I’ll let you know the exact time later.”
[Hai! Um… what are you up to right now? Wanna game together?]
Game together… Normally, we’d chat while playing, but right now….
“Sorry, I’ve got prior plans.”
[Ehh— Really? Don’t tell me… meeting a guy?]
A guy? Well… yeah, it was a guy.
In Japanese terms….
“Hai, Hon-tonni’s ikemen.”
[Eeeek—!]
“Ahaha, business, business.”
[Eh, suge.]
Well, was it business? It felt ambiguous for work.
“Then let’s do it when you get back!”
When I get back? No idea when that’d be, but probably before dinner….
“Sure.”
[Got it!]
After hanging up with Tenshi-san, I put on the clothes I’d prepared and got ready to head out.
“Heading out again today?”
As I stepped into the living room, Mrs. Jang, the queen of our house, spoke up.
“Yeah, meeting a guy.”
“Whoa, for real? That’s surprising.”
“See? You don’t believe me.”
“It’s true? If it goes well, bring him home sometime.”
“It’s not like that.”
“You teasing me right now?”
Oops, keep talking and I’d get smacked like last time.
“Anyway, I’ll be back before dinner. Heading out?”
“Pick up some tofu on your way back.”
“Got it.”
With that errand added, I stepped outside. There, beyond the gate, sat a red sports car.
…What’s that?
Huh… Did some rich person show up around here?
Man, even if I don’t know much about cars, that thing looks like it costs billions. Seeing one in real life.
I’d probably never ride in one like that.
Not that I desperately wanted to.
Guys dream about cars, but it doesn’t really click for me.
I crossed the yard and opened the gate. Right there, parked practically in front of me, the sports car stole my gaze.
Wow, it really grabs attention. Why park in front of someone’s house, though…?
Vroom—
“Get in.”
“Sigh.”
“What? Why the sigh?”
“Just… thanks for picking me up.”
“Know it and be grateful.”
With that, Moon Chang-sik gestured for me to hurry up. Suppressing the urge to clutch my pounding head, I climbed into the passenger seat.
“Then we’re off.”
“What about that van?”
“I suck at driving the van. Too big.”
“Ah, okay.”
“Plus, I’ve got a thing for cars. Buying one was a little dream once I made some money, and now that I have it, I gotta drive it when I can.”
I got it… sort of. But wasn’t it too flashy?
I’d even worn tracksuit for acting practice, and it clashed with the car….
Huh, Moon Chang-sik’s outfit wasn’t much different.
“Why’re you looking at my clothes? Suhyun-ssi looks like she came straight from gym class.”
“Spot on.”
How’d he know?
It was tracksuit, but also my old high school gym clothes.
Perfect fit and comfy—why not wear it?
“No way, actual school gym clothes? You still have them?”
“I graduated less than two years ago?”
Could even say one year. March last year.
At the “two years” bit, Moon Chang-sik furrowed his brow and stared like I’d said something crazy.
“What?”
“Graduated two years ago.”
“You’re 21?”
“What’d you think I was?”
“Uh… you talk so mature, and you look young, so I figured mid-20s.”
What?
Didn’t I mention my age? Or was he too lost in thought to hear?
“So you didn’t even know my age this whole time?”
“Uh… do you know mine, Suhyun-ssi?”
Counterattack now?
How old was Moon Chang-sik again? Pretty young, I thought.
But with his career….
“Mid-20s?”
“See? You don’t know exactly. Actually, you could just search it up.”
“When do we get there? Gotta say, sports cars are nice. Zoom zoom.”
“Yeah, figured you’d say that.”
The car sped along, soon arriving at a building.
“This the place?”
“Yeah.”
Whoa, nice building. Not huge, but screams new construction.
“Great building. You’re here?”
“Yeah, basement. Rented the whole room for the day—no one else around.”
“The whole day?”
What… do we need to practice that long?
Well, since I’d taken his time, longer was better for me….
The interior reminded me of the dance lesson studio from before.
One wall full of mirrors, a bit smaller maybe?
Spacious enough for two, though.
“Alright, let’s start with the basics.”
“Hey, you sure this is okay? I could just learn from NerTube videos. Feels like I’m stealing your time.”
Surprised by my concern? Moon Chang-sik chuckled lightly and brushed it off.
“Lately, aside from shoots, my schedule’s empty. If I hadn’t come out today, I’d be bingeing dramas at home.”
Still, one-on-one with Moon Chang-sik… His fans nationwide would kill me if they knew.
“Even so, why invest this much in me….”
“Precisely, it’s an investment in a project where Suhyun-ssi appears and I’m the lead. And as a bonus, if you become a real actress, won’t you think fondly of this time and lean toward my agency?”
Agency? Come to think of it, he mentioned something like that before.
“That agency’s that great?”
Why’s he running around himself? Short-staffed?
“Not great, per se—I’m the majority shareholder.”
Ah… self-investment type.
Some confidence. If he flops, doesn’t the stock tank too?
With his popularity now, though, three generations are set.
“Enough intro—let’s dive in. Walking first?”
“Wait. I’m only doing one scene—can’t we just practice that?”
“A great teacher doesn’t give a hungry student a fish; they teach how to catch one.”
“Huh?”
Since when was I the student?
Sure, learning today, but disciple?
“I could just tell you the exact parts for your role, but memorizing answers isn’t as helpful as understanding the problem, right? I’ve got time today anyway. You got plans, Suhyun-ssi?”
Plans? Uh… yeah, one.
“Evening game sesh with a friend….”
Even saying it felt lame, but a promise was a promise.
At “game,” Moon Chang-sik’s eyebrow twitched, but he shrugged it off.
“Evening’s fine. I’ll wrap it up before then. Luckily, your voice is good—just tweak the awkward movements.”
“Yeah, that’s doable….”
No stamina issues, and body awareness was fine, right?
Plus, after a few days of Beat Saber, my endurance had improved a tad.
“Alright, pretend the camera’s here.”
And so began Moon Chang-sik’s crash course in acting.
I realized he had a knack for teaching.
Was this practiced for a role too?
Whatever—his lessons sank right in.
Great voice, silver tongue, specialist in the field.
Perfect credentials as an acting coach.
Thanks to that, I grasped the basics quickly, even if abbreviated.
Next: practicing my role.
“Give it a shot.”
“For real?”
“You’ll do it on set anyway—better than in front of all the staff.”
True….
I recalled the script I’d memorized yesterday.
Not much added, really.
Just about ten lines, tops.
Still a minor role, thankfully.
But….
“Here goes.”
“Yeah, I’ll run lines too—go all in.”
Sigh, here we go.
Imagine.
As Moon Chang-sik taught.
I’m in a recording studio now.
Lucky me—studios were easy to visualize.
I’d done so many recordings in the composer’s studio.
Spent hours there some days.
Overlay the empty room around us with a studio.
Walls form, glass window, mic, soundproof door I’d exit soon.
Not sure if it’s my side or woman-Kim-Suhyun’s, but popping up quick means decent imagination?
Probably closer to her drawing talent.
Anyway, studio set, now act as scripted.
At first, no real acting—just record and exit. I’d done it countless times, so natural.
One addition: I’m a top star now.
Young, successful, pretty, talented, brimming with self-esteem top star.
Yeah, I’m a top star. Entertainment world’s apex predator, nose to the sky.
Strut out confidently, perfect take, no mistakes. The producer stares arrogantly.
“How was it?”
“What— Not bad.”
Fallen genius, unlike me who soared on hype since childhood. Crumbled under pressure—loser.
Yet face is decent, skills still useful.
Wrote a great song from his basement rut.
“That’s it? Nothing else?”
“Yeah, nothing. No feedback—now leave.”
…Rude, but too valuable to waste.
“Tsk, more than that.”
Too dry, though. Even our company’s chief producer’s warmer.
“Should I praise you too?”
“You’re so prickly.”
Grumpy face, but let’s see how long.
Step—
Long legs stride close; his scowl cracks a bit.
Break that expression?
Hand out, grab smooth chin.
“You don’t like me that much? Look, see, I’m… Aack!”
Background shatters; dazed Moon Chang-sik in view.
Ugh! Cringe!
How do you even…?
“Cut! Break!”
I flopped down mid-practice.
Limbs curling in shame!
Sorry, Moon Chang-sik—face control’s impossible! Immersion has limits!
Who wrote this script? Bring ’em here.
Who acts like that IRL?
As embarrassment flushed my face redder….
“Hey, uh….”
Moon Chang-sik approached, still dazed.
“No acting experience at all, right?”
“Huh?”
Why ask that? Buttering me up now?
Won’t un-cringe my limbs, though.
“No private lessons anywhere?”
“N-No, you saw the test.”
His daze turned to shock; eyes gleamed.
What?
Did I nail it?
No, his eyes look weird?