Chapter 11
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The First Performance
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Fwew.
Man, after watching the actors practice for hours on end...
Im getting fidgety.
My butt, stuck to the chair without me realizing, starts wiggling around.
I could do more.
I want to do more.
...!
I gazed at the actors crisscrossing the practice room with wistful eyes.
And using their lines as a lullaby, I ended up falling asleep.
Siu-ya, hows the play prep going?
Today was a day off from practice.
I wanted to stay up all night rehearsing every day, but this little body of mine couldnt handle it.
One moment of letting my guard down, and my eyelids would droop even mid-line.
Yeah.
For better acting, youve got to rest properly too.
And in my hands during this rest time, as always, was the TV remote.
Lately, with daily trips to the troupe, I hadnt had much TV time.
I was catching up on missed dramas when Mom sat down next to me and asked.
Uuung. Its fun!
Yeah? I wonder what Siu did in it.
Like this, when I say that, the actor does this?
Oh my, that sounds so cool for our Siu? And then?
Mom looked a bit surprised that I was so enthusiastically chatting instead of watching TV, then asked for more.
And, and... then that guy over there runs like this, and I chase after him!
Yeah? Thats just like you, buddy.
Uuung!
The drama scenes were slipping by unnoticed before my eyes, but spilling the details to Mom was way more fun.
Her face lit up more with every word I said, like she was finally relievedhow could it not be fun?
It was a little different from the thrill of fans gasping at my every gesture back when I was the Golden Mask.
But this was a whole new kind of joy.
Parents love and attention.
Something Id never experienced while acting in my past life.
Hey, Mom. Here.
I went into my room and pulled out the envelope Director Kang Yonghwi had given me today.
Whats this?
Mom opened it right away, her face lighting up in surprise.
Wow, the shows already this soon?
Yeah?
Dad came over from washing up, drawn by Moms exclamation, and plopped on the sofa.
Look at this. Siu brought tickets.
Uuung! Mom, Dad. You gotta come that day, okay?
Of course. Obviously.
Its next week already? Honey, think you can swing some filming? Been a while since you held a camerahow about it?
Ugh, its been ages since I put the camera down.
Uuung?
Put the camera down?
When you film me a dozen times a day with your phone?
Whats that supposed to mean?
Siu-ya. Your mom used to be a documentary director back in the day. You know how shes always filming like this with her phone? She could make a super cool video of you, ugh
Nothing you wont say in front of the kid.
Why? Its not some big secret.
Documentary? Whats that?
Another word to look up.
Or maybe sneakily ask Uncle later.
But somethings off.
The way Mom cut Dad off, her eyes just like when I recall my past acting... whats up?
I pondered for a sec, then perked up. Huh?
Anyway, theres something I need to tell them.
Thats right! No filming! Cameras banned in the theater.
She said shed use her phone, so she gets it.
With the premiere of People in the Attic House right around the corner, wed shifted from the practice room to the actual stage lately.
And notices were posted all over the theater.
No filming during performance.
It even had English below, so even I could understand easily.
I bounced in protest, and my parents looked pretty bummed.
I knew that... but missing Sius first show on record. Kinda disappointing.
Yeah. Guess well just have to watch extra closely instead, right?
Totally. Moms gonna memorize every bit of how great our Siu is.
Uuung!
Mom scooped me up in a flash and hugged me tight as she said it.
I burrowed deep into her soft embrace and shouted back big.
It was amazing.
Me, of all people, loving a parents arms.
Id never even imagined someone called a parent would love me this much.
Argh, what the heck! Fine, Ill close up the chicken shop early that day and head straight to the theater!
Thats not why I said that!
Honey... I was making a big sacrifice here.
Siu-ya. Your dads fishing for compliments. Say thanks quick.
Thank youuu!
Dad grinned wide at my bright voice and pulled me and Mom into one big hug.
Kyaa!
Our big family laugh after so long had my parents beaming too.
A sunny day in May.
The day of People in the Attic Houses premiere had finally arrived.
Hmm, yeah, the greenroom four hundred years laterbackstage now, apparentlyis seriously clean.
Hands behind my back, I circled the pristine white-toned room.
Brightly lit mirrors lined the walls, and actors bustled in front, doing makeup.
They looked busy, lips pressed tight for final checks.
Just like back then, sounds here could carry straight to the audience.
Closest spot to the stage.
The look had changed, but the vibe was no different from the old greenrooms.
That unique pre-show tension was the same.
I was wandering around peeking at everything when Uncle, done with simple makeupjust a costume change since no heavy face paintapproached.
Id finished prepping ages ago.
Si-S-Siu-ya. W-want a drink? I-I-Ill get you one? N-n-no nerves...?
Shh!
I pressed a finger to my lips and waved him quiet.
Hed wake the audience already seating out there.
Voices had to be super low here.
Hmm.
I gave Uncle a misty-eyed look.
With him that tense, I worried hed blow his few lines.
I whispered to him, voice as low as it went.
Uncle, can I peek at the stage?
Huh? W-wanna see the stage?
I pointed toward it, and after hesitating, he nodded.
To get a good view, I climbed into his arms and peered through the thin gap from the greenroom to the stage.
The house was about half full.
Wow, f-first show and already this packed. Half of em are probably Seonwoo fans.
Uncle whispered super soft as he explained.
I nodded.
Kim Seonwoos fans included lots of women, but surprisingly many guys too.
Rookie who debuted recently, but steady work and killer skills had built that up, apparently.
The more I heard, the more it sounded familiar.
Reminded me of back when I was the Golden Maskover half the audience there for me.
Even through that stuffy mask, I couldnt forget their sparkling eyes.
Eyes locked on my every little move, every sigh.
That flashy mask earned me the Golden Mask nickname, sure.
But what they remembered wasnt Noah Battenberg.
Slipping between fans craving the Golden Mask as I ditched the mask in the dark.
Heading back to the castle, I always had to choke down that burning thirst.
Could never show my face to them.
Showing it meant the end of my acting.
Whew.
Siu nervous too? Cmon, back inside.
Uncle chuckled softly and carried me back to the greenroom.
How much time left?
He checked the wall clock and answered.
One... fifteen minutes? Wow, its really starting. Ugh, stomachache.
Shouldnt have asked.
Uncle bolted to the bathroom, leaving me with his killer stage fright.
In just... minutes, Id stand before the audience as Han Siu.
No mask this time.
Slap.
I smacked my tiny cheeks with my little hands.
Meant to hype myself up, but a few actors jumped and turned.
Siu-ya, whatcha doing?
Nervous? Cmere and sit with us.
Uuung.
I half-ignored them and went back to my seat.
How long had it been since I last took the stage...
Id be lying if I said I wasnt shaking.
Plus, this frail little body made my heartbeat pound extra loud.
Heart thumping like itd burst out, I stared at the closed curtain.
This pounding wasnt fear, not at all.
Ten years locked in the Battenberg tower.
Now, facing the stage Id craved and dreamed of daily for those ten years.
What would Shakespeare call this feeling?
This indescribable thrill, the tension it brought.
Right now, I just wanted to burst it all out on stage, ASAP.
Tap, tap.
Shii...
Soft orange lights bathed the stage.
Like a sunset, Youngsu shuffled across it.
Acting all big when you dont know nothing...
Youngsu (Han Siu), alone center stage, huffed as he crossed downstage under the sunset glow.
A green metal door stood where he headed.
Only me people. Adults bad... They dont know Daddy. Shii.
Tears welled in Youngsus eyes, ready to spill any second.
But he held them back, cursing the shantytown folk hed just blocked.
Tap.
He reached center, looked up at the sky with teary eyes.
Sniff, hic.
Swallowing a sob, Youngsu trudged back toward the door.
Adults aint always right! Daddy didnt do wrong. Hell come back soon, he said. Sob, hic...
Mumbling, Youngsu finally couldnt hold back the flood.
Waaah. Daddy. Whered you go. Sob, Youngsu said dont go, hic...
At last, Youngsu wailed out his resentment toward his dad.
Clunk.
At the green door, he grabbed the rusty handle and called loud for his father.
Daddy, where are youuu... Waaah.
Weirdly, his sobbing, messy lines hit everyone crystal clear.
Wailing for Dad, Youngsu scanned the audience with unfocused eyes, searching like Dad was out there.
Face all twisted ugly as he cried for Dadhe was the picture of a five-year-old.
But even as lights faded to night, no Dad appeared.
Hic, hic. Sniff.
Exhausted from crying, Youngsu plopped down by the door.
A pinpoint spot hit his tear-streaked face.
Then even that light dimmed slow, plunging the stage to black.
Blackout.
A brief darkness.
Sniffles echoed here and there in the house.
That kid who just came outlooked four, five years old.
Some audience gasped when what seemed a real child actor hit the stage.
Not common in live theater, even less for someone that youngnot like filmed drama or movies.
But worries faded quick.
Youngsu chewed out the shantytown busybodies badmouthing his dad, then broke hearts searching and sobbing for himperfect acting that grabbed everyone.
Meanwhile, amid the moved crowd, one pair felt something else.
Han Sius parents, personally invited by him, there for the show.
The second Youngsu (Han Siu) appeared, tears welled in their eyes.
When he hit the sobbing scene, Mom cried nonstop.
Her husbandSius dadwas flustered.
His wife, who never teared up at movies, sobbing like this?
He hurriedly passed tissues, eyes back on the brightening stage.
Good job, son.
He dabbed his own eyes with a tissue too.