A Story That Will Never Happen Again
Right after witnessing Senior Bong Jinu faint twice in a row, we all headed inside the theater.
What the hell is going on?
After laying Senior Bong Jinu down properly in the break room, I looked up at the seniors on stage and forced my mouth open with effort.
"...But how did you get here, Senior Jang Geonho?"
"Took a taxi. The audition spot was tucked away in a corner—hard to find."
"Pardon?"
"Haha, kidding. I was shooting a commercial with that guy Seo Jinu over there, and he was reading the script."
He usually doesn't bother with scripts much. So I peeked over his shoulder, and that's how it happened.
I rubbed my dry face repeatedly as Jang Geonho senior let out a hearty laugh.
Senior Han Taekon calls Senior Seo Jinu, who calls Senior Jang Geonho...
Senior Kim Yuryeon must've come because of Sujin, obviously. Once those connections clicked in my head, I wondered if this was even real.
The scale is way too big.
People might say it was arrogant, rounding up actors everyone else begs to work with, but this was genuinely a serious issue.
"Seo Jinu, I'm warning you now—give up the pilot role."
"You give it up. I'm dead serious about this."
Especially when it was top stars in the industry competing for the same part. That made it even worse.
Why the hell are they fighting over that role?
I couldn't exactly yell at them. How do you handle a room full of industry heavyweights?
In reality...
Sujin's totally shrunk into the corner.
Sujin had her face buried as deep as possible in the corner, hiding. I got it. If I weren't the lead, I'd be doing the same.
Which is why all eyes turned to the one person who actually seemed to be there for the audition. The sole anchor in this absurd situation.
"Actor Jin Myeongtae?"
"Y-yes?! Yes!"
"I... I glanced at the script earlier, and there was a checkmark by the Foolish Tree. You're auditioning for that, right?"
"Yes, yes, that's right."
With Jin Myeongtae actor's audition underway, things started to get back on track. Or so I thought, as I prepared to resume.
"Haha, Foolish Tree's great. I was gonna go for that one too."
Naturally, my eyes caught Jang Geonho actor settling into the audience seats. Why are you sitting there?
Just as that thought hit me...
"So what role are you auditioning for, then, senior?"
"I'm going for the king. I do historical drama kings all the time, so I wanted to try a Western one for a change."
"King's solid. I'm all in on the pilot."
"Jinu, you're up against him? Never thought I'd see Han Taekon versus Seo Jinu in an audition."
The actors chatted amiably, as if by prior agreement, and took their seats in the audience.
Now it was just me and Jin Myeongtae actor on stage. I instantly grasped what this meant and freaked out.
"Seniors, are you... planning to watch the auditions?"
"Of course. That's how it's done. Come on down, maknae."
Seo Jinu actor patted the seat next to him with a face like he saw no issue—like hurry up and sit.
So they're all gonna watch Jin Myeongtae actor's audition...?
Does that make any sense? Is this even possible?
Do they think someone could perform under that pressure?
No, they probably think it's possible—that's why they're doing this.
These actors in the seats were all prodigies from their rookie days. Labeled monster newbies, talents so obvious you didn't need to explain.
In other words, this wasn't like judging regular people.
And maybe that's why...
"A-are y-you w-watching my au-au-audition r-right now?"
Jin Myeongtae actor started shaking like crazy.
The biggest misfortune in this mess?
I should've snagged director privileges when I invested.
I had no authority to take charge. Why'd I hand most of the power to Senior Bong Jinu during investment talks? Why didn't I push harder as the investor and just trust him?
I didn't know.
I had no idea it'd turn out like this. No one invited them—they just showed up!
Now Senior Bong Jinu was my only hope. But I already knew how this story ended.
"...So it wasn't a dream after all."
Senior Bong Jinu, waking up late in the break room and grasping the situation.
The one addressing him was...
"Oh, Director, you're up. Mind if we watch the auditions together?"
The queen of the small screen, Senior Kim Yuryeon.
Refuse? Yeah, right.
"Y-yes, su-sure. Gr-great. It's an honor for me."
"Honor? You're the one giving permission—that's the honor. Come sit in the middle."
Of course, Senior Bong Jinu's answer was a resounding yes.
And with that, the curtain rose on the Star and Moon Story auditions.
One thought dominated my mind as I watched.
This isn't university district scale.
And right then—
Ding! Ding! Ding!
A text message arrived.
...Is this for real?
I checked it and was floored.
Bong Jinu couldn't quite grasp what was unfolding.
Why are actors Jang Geonho and Kim Yuryeon sitting on either side of me?
A dream? Even dreams aren't this unrealistic.
Regardless...
"I'm the Foolish Tree—I only think about growing tall and strong! Super! Super big tree!"
The Star and Moon Story audition he'd dreamed of was starting.
The play's target was all-ages, mainly elementary and middle schoolers.
The reason was simple: the kids from the orphanage they'd grown up with were that age.
So the dialogue and staging leaned goofy and childish.
But the key point was...
That doesn't mean the actor gets to be childish too.
He wanted a show so engaging no one could look away, despite the silliness. Solid acting was essential.
Someone who could deliver childish lines without sounding childish.
That's why they were holding auditions.
The first one's off to a killer start.
Jin Myeongtae actor, was it? His fundamentals were so rock-solid, it was baffling he'd been unknown for ten years.
"I love eating most! So I'll eat everything and grow whoosh! Whoosh!"
He clearly understood theater's essence—his gaze focused squarely on the audience.
"Wow, that's good..."
An exclamation slipped out.
The Foolish Tree embodied a child's primal urge to grow, ignoring others' fates. Pure "hateful five-year-old" energy had to shine through.
"No need to see more. Thank you."
Jin Myeongtae nailed it perfectly—no further watching required. Pass.
Next up, then.
He couldn't bring himself to call the next one onstage. Was a high schooler like him really fit to judge industry giants? But as director, he had to lead, right?
As Bong Jinu's head spun...
"Senior, can you leave everything to me for a bit?"
Kim Donghu appeared like a savior.
He approached so naturally Bong Jinu hadn't even noticed, then hopped onstage the moment Bong Jinu nodded.
"The audition started so abruptly, so I wanted to take a moment to reset."
Allow me to properly introduce myself. Hello. I'm Kim Donghu, playing the lead—the Little Prince in Star and Moon Story.
That intro snapped the haphazard vibe into focus. Jin Myeongtae, still tense post-audition; Bong Jinu, eyes darting in confusion; even the relaxed seniors watching—all eyes locked on Kim Donghu.
"I'm the lead actor and the investor in Star and Moon Story. So before we dive deeper... I want to share this play's dream."
Everyone was stunned.
Investor too? What's this show that it's pulling this? What dream? Then I definitely can't yield the pilot spot.
Same here.
A brief commotion. Kim Donghu waited for calm, then continued.
"Truth is, Star and Moon Story was only planned as a one-time show for kids."
Various reasons. Fees, venue costs, props—free show just once was all we could swing.
As Kim Donghu spoke, Bong Jinu recalled their old chat.
—I want to give kids dreams.
—Dreams? That's impossible, I thought, as he vented like always.
—Yeah, dreams. Sudden, but I'm an orphan. Funny thing is, it made me mature faster. No clue why, but I have to do it—my family backstory spilled out.
—Then you realize, oh, my starting and finish lines are way behind and shorter.
A hymn to the dream he'd chased since writing Star and Moon Story.
—Someday, when I'm a real big director... I'll gather the kids and do a show.
—What kind?
—One that makes them dream they can do it too. Cool, right? Free for kids. No idea when, but I'll make it happen—he'd declared his goal.
That memory hit, and Bong Jinu rushed onstage. He had to take over now.
Even if it shattered this perfect cast, the director had to grab the mic.
"L-let me, me speak."
"Yeah, I've been waiting."
Kim Donghu handed over the mic smoothly as Bong Jinu arrived—like he'd known all along.
Such fluid motion, almost like he'd seen the future.
Gripping the mic, Bong Jinu turned what he'd thought was a future dream into the present.
"I-I! W-want to b-borrow y-your p-power, ac-actors! F-for a sh-show f-for kids!"
Dreams are made real. Opportunities must be seized.
"I'll u-use aggressive m-marketing... b-borrow your n-names! And g-get greedy!"
Non-profit show. Giving hope to kids like him.
Low odds of success. But...
"Knew it."
Jang Geonho kicked it off.
"Figured as much."
"Whatever—pilot's mine."
"We might be witnessing a master's birth."
Han Taekon, Seo Jinu, Kim Yuryeon—all nodded approval.
Even...
"We have to."
"M-mm! Right!"
Late arrivals Kim Sujin and inspired Jin Myeongtae.
Everyone gripped Bong Jinu's dream tight. Keeping it from scattering as mere fancy.
Planting it firmly in reality.
Kim Donghu shivered watching.
A story that will never happen again.
No real pay, just hope for kids—the show was underway.