Chapter 234
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: A Star-Studded Audience
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After his happiest birthday, the days flowed by as they always did.
After dinner, Seojun returned to his room, pen in hand, and stared intently at the application form he had received from school.
[Graduation Performance Application]
The pen spun around and around in his right hand.
“Hmm.”
He didn't have a script he liked enough to put on stage yet, so he couldn't just sign his name. But he really wanted to do a play. After a moment's hesitation, Seojun picked up his pen and wrote his name on the form.
“If I want to do it, I’ll just do it!”
Resolving to search hard for a script until summer vacation, when preparations would begin in earnest, Seojun hummed a cheerful tune as he filled out the application.
“Oh, right. Samchon Jongho and Nuna Dajin asked me to let them know if I was going to do the performance.”
Remembering Kim Jongho and Lee Dajin’s words, Seojun picked up his phone.
>Lee Dajin: So you’re doing it!
>Lee Dajin: Don't worry! I have a great idea!
>Kim Jongho: Yeah. I'll definitely come see it.
*How are they going to come see a year-end performance that only school personnel can attend?*
After finishing the application and messaging Kim Jongho and Lee Dajin as they’d asked, Seojun thought for a moment before shrugging.
*They must have a way if they’re so sure they’re coming.*
* * *
“I wonder who this year’s guest lecturer will be.”
As Kang Jaehan spoke on their way to Studio 1, the largest practice room at Yeoul Arts Middle School, Seojun and the other kids recalled the guest lecturers from their first and second years.
“Actor Kim Jungmin came.”
“Director Park Jueun came, too.”
“Some writers came as well.”
Yeoul Arts Middle School’s guest lecturer class was held once every two weeks.
It was a class where they invited actors, directors, writers, and even film crews who had participated in unique shoots to share their stories. It was one of the reasons Seojun had chosen to attend Yeoul Arts Middle School.
*Though I missed the second-semester classes because of filming.*
Filming *Shadowman 3* had been fun, but Seojun had been disappointed to miss the guest lectures.
When they entered Studio 1, the third-year students from Acting Class 1 were already there. After exchanging friendly greetings, the kids sat down and began to whisper.
“Last year, the martial arts director for *Escape* came.”
“Really?”
Seojun’s eyes widened at the familiar name.
“Well, you can’t leave out martial arts in moviemaking.”
“We all practiced the action scenes you did. He even brought the mannequin they used for filming.”
The kids told Seojun about the guest lecturers who had come during the second semester of their second year.
Directors, writers, actors, staff, and even stuntmen.
They weren’t famous people. They were the kind of people you’d only recognize if you mentioned the title of their work, prompting a response like, “Oh, the director of that drama?”
But for that very reason, they were the people the students were most likely to work with when they landed roles. After all, you couldn’t expect to work with star directors and writers from the very beginning.
Yang Juhee said.
“Still, they say some pretty famous people have been coming since you enrolled, Seojun. Though not the super-famous actors.”
“They’re all probably busy. Jiho. Who do you hope comes?”
As Seojun and the others were discussing who they wanted as a lecturer, the door opened, and they fell silent. The bell must have rung at some point, because their third-year acting teacher walked into the practice room.
“Alright, I’ll introduce the lecturer for our special class. Please come in.”
As the teacher spoke with a smile, someone walked through the wide-open door.
Huh?
Seeing the familiar face, Seojun blinked and then broke into a wide smile. Unlike Seojun, who was clearly delighted, the third-year acting students could only stare with their mouths agape at the appearance of an actor they never expected to see here.
“Hello. I’m actor Kim Jongho.”
The acclaimed actor Kim Jongho had appeared as a special guest lecturer for Yeoul Arts Middle School.
While the stunned students stared blankly, Kim Jongho’s eyes met Seojun’s, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. Seojun, happy to see him, gave a small wave.
After exchanging greetings with the students, Kim Jongho began his lecture.
He explained the most fundamental aspects of acting in a way the students could easily understand and also talked about what was important on a real film set.
“You all go to a lot of auditions, right?”
“Yes!”
“This is something that happened when I was judging an audition…”
Stories that even Seojun didn't know poured from Kim Jongho’s lips. The acting students held their breath and perked up their ears, captivated by the exciting and vivid stories from the field. The perspective of an actor who had been in the industry for a long time was very different from their own.
As expected, Samchon Jongho was not only a great actor but also a great teacher.
Kim Jongho didn't just lecture; he also watched the students' acting and gave them feedback.
Though it was sudden, the acting students were always preparing for auditions, so they each had a monologue ready. Some were too nervous to perform well, but most of the students looked satisfied with Kim Jongho’s guidance.
After the special guest lecture ended, the acting students left Studio 1 with happy faces.
“We’re heading out first!”
“Okay.”
After seeing his friends off, Seojun stayed behind to talk with Kim Jongho.
“Samchon Jongho. What are you doing here? You didn't say anything, so I was really surprised.”
Recalling Seojun’s genuinely surprised expression, Kim Jongho grinned playfully.
“I told you, didn't I? That I’d definitely come to see the year-end performance. If I come as a guest lecturer, I can watch it. It’s a bit tricky to make time since I have to teach all three grades, but it's worth it.”
“I see. Is Nuna Dajin coming too?”
“Dajin will probably come the week after next.”
So this was their great idea.
*Not bad.*
No, it was a fantastic idea.
The students get a great class, and Samchon Jongho gets to see the graduation performance.
Thinking of how surprised his friends would be to see Lee Dajin in two weeks, Seojun decided to keep his mouth shut until the next class.
And two weeks later, at the special guest class.
Actress Lee Dajin walked through the wide-open door.
“Waaaaah!”
“Nuna! I’m a fan!”
The students cheered at the appearance of Lee Dajin, who was sweeping the advertising world thanks to *Escape*. It was a completely different reaction from when they were frozen stiff for Kim Jongho, and Seojun burst out laughing.
Being closer to their age than Kim Jongho, the students’ eyes sparkled as they comfortably asked her all sorts of questions. Dajin also spoke casually, as if she were confiding in a peer about her experiences on set. Her lecture was full of empathy and advice that resonated more deeply with them.
“Don’t lose confidence just because you’re a child actor!”
“Yes!”
The second special guest lecture was also a huge hit with the students.
>Park Dohun: I heard from Dajin.
>Park Dohun: I want to go see your play too, Seojun!
>Lee Jiseok: I heard too.
>Lee Jiseok: Jongho-hyung…!
>Kim Jongho: lololol
Seeing Hyung Jiseok’s reaction, it looked like he and Kim Jongho were about to start bickering again. It was a familiar pattern, so Seojun, Park Dohun, and Lee Dajin just brushed it off.
>Lee Dajin: So are you both going to be guest lecturers too?
>Park Dohun: Yep. Luckily, they said the lecturer slots aren't filled yet.
>Park Dohun: Yep. I think I’ll go first.
Two weeks later, Park Dohun appeared at Yeoul Arts Middle School.
Park Dohun spoke about his time as a child actor. And he brought up another story—his slump during *Naeuiwon*, something he had never discussed publicly. At this, the students’ eyes widened.
He was such a great actor, but he was in a slump?
Park Dohun talked about the ‘change’ that these kids would one day experience.
“It’s hard for a child actor to change their image into that of an adult actor. It’s not just about how others see you; you become most dissatisfied with yourself. That’s why you push yourself too hard to transform perfectly.”
“Then what should we do?”
“The most important thing is to know objectively where your acting stands. You have to accept that this is your best for now and take on roles that suit you. That’s how you change, little by little.”
Park Dohun’s lecture gave them a lot to think about. The students left Studio 1 with rather serious expressions, each lost in their own thoughts.
Park Dohun smiled at Seojun.
“It’s so strange seeing you in a school uniform, Seojun.”
“Really?”
“On set, you’re like a professional actor, but seeing you laughing and joking with your friends is a whole different side of you. So this is what you’re like at school.”
After chatting with Park Dohun, who was reacting almost like a parent, Seojun left Studio 1, where Yang Juhee approached him.
“Seojun.”
“Yeah?”
“Is actor Lee Jiseok coming the week after next, by any chance?”
“…How did you know?”
Seojun, who had wanted to surprise his friends, asked with a deflated expression.
“How could we not know, with everyone coming like this?”
“I guess so.”
Kim Jukyung, who had been nodding in agreement with Yang Juhee, asked Seojun.
“Is anyone else coming?”
“Um.”
Somehow, word of Seojun’s graduation performance had gotten out, and it seemed that Director Choi Minseong and writer So Eunjin of *Naeuiwon*, Director Woo Junghan of *Yeok (Reverse)*, and Director Choi Daeman of *Escape* had all arranged to come as special guest lecturers.
Lectures from directors and writers would also be helpful for the students, so Yeoul Arts Middle School didn't refuse. In fact, they welcomed the requests from star directors and writers with open arms.
Kim Jongho, Lee Dajin, Park Dohun, Lee Jiseok, and all the directors and writers.
The names of the special guest lecturers spilling from Seojun’s lips were more spectacular than ever. Unlike the lecturers from last year, who you’d only recognize after mentioning their work—prompting a response like, “Oh, the writer of that drama?”—these were incredible people whose names alone brought successful works to mind.
“…I guess we’d better work really hard on our graduation performance.”
The students gulped at Seojun’s words that most of the special guest lecturers might be coming to watch their graduation performance.
And two weeks later. The day of actor Lee Jiseok’s special guest lecture.
The release date for *Shadowman 3* was announced.
[*Shadowman 3*, Grand Release in June!]
-Ahhhh!! I’ve been waiting!
-It’s really coming out. Every day felt like a year waiting for this.
-I want to see it so bad, but I also don’t want it to end ㅠㅠ
-This is the last time we’ll see Shadowman, Bel Natra, and Jin Natra ㅠ
-Gotta go see it on day one! Pre-ordering my ticket!
Following the announcement of *Shadowman 3*'s release date, new articles were uploaded.
[*Shadowman* Series, Scheduled for Re-release!]
[*Assemble 1 & 2* Scheduled for Re-release!]
[Meet *Shadowman* in Theaters!]
[Time for a Rewatch! The *Shadowman* Series!]
[Let’s Explore the *Shadowman* Series’ Universe! - An Interview with N-tuber Moviegoer]
-? In theaters, not on TV? I mean, I’m happy to see it on the big screen, but it’s surprising.
-Yeah, it feels like a really long time ago that I saw *Shadowman 1* in theaters.
-Almost 10 years ago. I was so young and fresh lol
-There are probably kids who were too young to even remember *Shadowman*. If you’re 20 now, you were 10 when *Shadowman 1* came out.
=10 years old… I wonder if they’d even remember it lol
-They probably saw it because of all the reruns they did for Seojun, but the theater is a different experience.
=The shocking appearance of William!
=I never thought that actor would grow up to be so successful ;;
-Heh. Should I do the crying challenge again?
The promotion for *Shadowman 3*, which had now begun in earnest, was unexpected.
“…What is this?”
Park Seongwon, who had planned to dedicate a whole day to binge-watching the *Shadowman* and *Assemble* series upon hearing the re-release news, stared at the online article with his mouth hanging open.
He had thought all four movies would be re-released on the same day, but that wasn’t the case.
[*Shadowman*! Grand Release on May 15th!]
[*Shadowman* VS *Green Wing*! What’s Your Choice?]
[Vote With Your Ticket! Hero Figurines and Other Prizes Will Be Given!]
-??? What is this???
-The ‘1’ is missing from *Shadowman*!
=This is it. The title from before they planned to make it a series!
-They’re doing a vote???
=Wow! The figurines and prizes are the same as back then!
-Oh my god! They’re even running TV commercials…!
=The commercials are the same as back then too ;;
-What vote?? Did *Shadowman 1* and *Green Wing 1* have a vote??
=Same, did *Shadowman 1* and *Green Wing 1* get released on the same day?
=Yeah, first time I'm hearing about this.
=…The three of you above. How old are you?
-Ahem. Back in my day, two movies from the same production company would get released simultaneously.
=It was a stopgap film for *Redbone 2* that wasn't even planned as a series… (nostalgic)
=No one knew it would get this big… (so proud)
-…I was just going to watch it on VOD at home, but if they’re going this far, I have no choice but to go to the theater!
-Vote! *Shadowman* will win this time too!
-Is *Green Wing* being released too?
=It seems so, though with fewer showtimes.
-lol They're really taking us on a trip down memory lane.