Esmeralda's Warm Invitation
Cautiously entering the waiting room behind the staff, Woojin found Esmeralda there—the radiant heroine who had shone brilliantly throughout the performance. She greeted him with a beaming smile. "Come on in, Woojin! I've been waiting for you."
"Great to see you again. I'm Lily Header."
Lily Header. The West End mainstay who had proudly won the open audition hosted by Samuel Wiggins, the world-renowned musical producer, from applicants across the globe. Ever since her dazzling debut as Fantine in one of the world's four great musicals, Les Misérables, she had held the top spot for over a decade. Among all actors currently performing in the West End, she boasted the strongest ticket power.
Yet this extraordinary woman, to Woojin—an outsider from the unfamiliar land of South Korea—said warmly, "Just call me Lily. You are my best friend!" Her smile was even brighter than anything she'd shown on stage.
"I'm Baek Woojin. Nice to meet you, Lily," Woojin replied in a soft voice.
Seeing her up close once more, Lily didn't look her mid-thirties age at all. Her youthful appearance was secondary; what truly captivated Woojin was her clear, refreshing tone.
Is this what self-management looks like for a world-class actor? The thought crossed his mind.
For actors, their body was their asset, their weapon. It determined their evaluation and value. In that sense, Lily... To always shine on stage for her audiences, how rigorously must she have managed herself? There had surely been immense, unseen efforts. Holding the top spot was always harder than climbing to it.
Though they'd only just exchanged glances and greetings, a deep reverence welled up inside him. The intense acting energy she'd delivered as Esmeralda still lingered vividly in his mind.
"Earlier, William suddenly went missing, and rehearsal was right around the corner. Things were so hectic I couldn't even properly thank you. Sorry about that, Woojin," Lily apologized.
It seemed she felt bad for not expressing her gratitude for looking after William, even briefly. There was no need at all...
"No, no. You remembered and cared enough—that let me enjoy a great show up close. I'm the one who's grateful," Woojin said, waving it off.
Huh, now that I think about it?
"By the way, where's William?"
He'd been that adorably biteable kid he'd wanted to scoop up and nibble. Woojin had been looking forward to reuniting with him.
Reading his expression, Lily smiled. "William headed to the afterparty spot first with Uncle."
The man William had called uncle must be her real brother.
"After we parted, he kept saying he wanted to see 'Back' Uncle again. Lucky for us, the show you wanted to see was mine."
"Haha, I see."
"So, I was wondering..." Lily paused, then asked Woojin, "Do you feel the same way about our William?"
It was a loaded question. Woojin nodded. Of course he did.
She continued, "Then, want to come along?"
Huh?
"Me?"
"Yes, I'd love to invite you to the afterparty. William would be thrilled. What do you say?"
It was a gracious offer, one he wanted to accept immediately. But it was an afterparty after the show. Was it okay for a total stranger like him—a regular audience member—to join?
"That's so kind, but I'm not staff or anything, just a regular person. Is it really alright?"
"Of course! Don't worry about it. Inviting friends to afterparties is super common in the West End. No need to limit it to industry folks."
Ah, right. This is Britain. The whole concept was different from Korea's systems.
The West End's top actress said it was fine—there was no reason to hold back.
"Sure, I'd love to. Thanks for inviting me."
"I'm the one who's glad you said yes, Woojin. Let's head out in my car. Ready?"
"Yeah, Lily."
This time, Lily led the way. Night was falling at the Queen's Theatre.
"What? Really?!"
Lily whipped her head around, eyes wide.
"Whoa, Lily! Eyes on the road!"
Woojin, startled for a different reason, shouted.
"Ahh, sorry."
Lily, gripping the wheel, faced forward again. With a casual wave, she pressed, "So, you're an actor?"
"Yeah, somewhat famous back in Korea. Not like you, though, haha!"
On the way to the nearby pub for the afterparty, amid casual chat, Woojin revealed he was an actor too.
Lily's eyes sparkled. "How long? How many projects?"
Her questions poured out like a storm. Woojin answered slowly, one by one, satisfying her curiosity.
"Debuted in 2010. Two dramas, three films so far. One film's unreleased."
"Wow, what a coincidence! I want to see your work right now. Where can I watch?"
"I brought them all on my laptop. Want me to copy to USB later?"
"That'd be amazing! The perfect gift."
"No subtitles, though—might be an issue."
"Hehe, don't worry. We're people who speak through acting. Subtitles are just a 1cm barrier!"
"Haha, couldn't agree more."
Up close, Lily shared so many commonalities with Woojin. The way her eyes lit up at talk of acting or works; her nonstop career since debut. And their keen interest in each other's uncharted territories.
Woojin recommended films and dramas; Lily shared about plays and musicals.
The drive from Queen's Theatre to the pub was short, but it felt like next door. Woojin lost track of time, immersed in their fun banter.
"We're here!"
Lily gestured politely to Woojin. He followed her out.
"Whoa..."
"This is it. Pretty big, right?"
She pointed to the massive five-story building ahead. Its European traditional architecture was ironically overlaid with flashy neon signs. Past and present blended perfectly, drawing Woojin's admiration.
- Click.
A moment too perfect not to capture. While Woojin snapped a photo, Lily waited with a pleased smile.
"Got it?"
"Ah, yeah. Thanks, Lily."
"No problem. I was amazed my first time too. Who knew such a huge pub out here."
"Yeah, first for me."
"Anyway, let's go in. So much to talk about with you. And William's probably dying to see you!"
They entered the pub. Inside, it buzzed like a Korean celebration hall with karaoke-level sound systems for events. Crowded from the entrance—natural for musicals, with the largest staff and cast among performing arts. Afterparties drew crowds, including friends brought by actors and crew.
"Lily! Why so late?"
"Everyone, our star has arrived!"
"Wooo!"
Cheers erupted as Lily stepped onto the main stage.
"Lily, you're up next!"
"Esmeralda, we worship your beautiful eyes!"
She glanced at Woojin, nodded, and ascended.
The scale's on another level, Woojin thought, gawking at the unfamiliar vibe. He stood beside a man cheering Lily with a fresh beer.
The man turned, met Woojin's eyes, handed him a cold beer, and slung an arm around his shoulder—complete with a wink.
Turning back to cheer Lily, he was John Raven, who had played Quasimodo.
John whispered to Woojin, "Came with Lily? Besties, huh!"
"Ah, yeah, something like that."
"Friend of hers is friend of ours. Introductions later. For now, let's soak in her beautiful melody."
As he spoke, "Ahh—" Lily's clear voice filled the pub.
Silence fell.
"Greetings, gypsies wandering the dark night streets. Lost your way?"
Her first words, mic in hand, evoked the stage of Notre-Dame de Paris once more. 'Gypsy' referred to Esmeralda's origins and the pagans filling the cathedral square.
"Hahaha!"
"Sing for us, Esmeralda!"
"Quasimodo, Phoebus, Clopin! Plug your ears! Her song belongs to us gypsies!"
True to musical folk, the freewheeling vibe had everyone joining in, jokes drawn from the show's gems heating things up.
What was it? The show had ended Act 2, yet this felt like an unannounced Act 3.
Woojin was swept up in the joy from the start.
Bohemian, raised on the road.
Bohemian, tomorrow's unknown♪
Lily's beautiful timbre tickled the gypsies below the stage. One of the few upbeat, lively songs in the show—Esmeralda's theme, Bohemian, as an encore.
The four minutes were pure fantasy for all.
Even John, who had cheered wildly, now closed his eyes, swaying motionless to her song.
Finally, "That's your entry gift. I'll be back soon. Salut!"
Bidding adieu in French, Lily descended amid applause.
Spotlights artfully lit her face as she approached Woojin. The aura of a great actress hit him again.
"Woojin, shall we go to William?"
"Ah, yeah. Let's, Lily."
He'd nearly lost his wits.
The awe when an actor perfectly inhabits a role was indescribable. The beauty of such professionalism, living connected to the work even off-stage—it was mesmerizing.
This new environment was fresh, shocking, and ignited the acting passion deep within Woojin.
"Mom!"
Entering the inner room, William—engrossed in toys—ran to hug Lily.
"Oh? 'Back' Uncle's here too!"
"Hi, William. Good to see you again."
"Hi, Uncle from Korea!"
Woojin gently stroked William's cheek. The boy flashed a bright smile.
Then, "Oh, Lily. Who's the guy?"
Two men playing with William asked her.
"Say hi. This is my best friend, Woojin."
Lily introduced him on Woojin's behalf.
One man approached with keen interest. "Michael Overlet here. Singing poet, haha!"
High-energy by nature, Michael—who had played Gringoire—introduced himself as a poet.
"Tsk tsk. Michael, can't you be serious for even a second?"
"Pfft, actors only need to be serious on stage~ Right, Lily?"
The elderly man behind him, arms crossed quietly, shook his head.
With a deep voice, he eyed Woojin impassively—wary, but not rude or ill-mannered. Just naturally sensitive, it seemed.
"Ob, say hi. He's my friend."
At Lily's gentle voice, 'Ob' stood.
He approached Woojin for a handshake. "Mac O'Brien. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, Baek Woojin. Lily and I crossed paths by chance, ended up here together. Nice to meet you."
"Sure. Enjoy yourself."
Mac left without a backward glance.
What was that? Woojin tilted his head.
Lily explained, "Don't misunderstand. Mac's like that with everyone. Super cool guy."
"Got it. Is he an actor too? Great voice, but I didn't see him in the program."
"Mac? Not an actor..." Lily laughed. "He's the music director. Top composer in the West End."
Whoa. The guy who just whooshed by was the world's best musical music director?