Chapter 25
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Facing the Judges' Questions
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Im done.
Phew, I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand out of habit and returned to my chair.
I hopped up onto it and waited for the judges reactions.
The five judges seemed to snap out of it at my words.
Among them, I paid especially close attention to Jessica, who was sitting in the middle.
But unlike the other four, Jessica didnt look purely surprised.
It was as if shed expected this a faint smile even played on her lips.
She looked relieved, like shed confirmed something shed anticipated.
Whats that about?
I wondered what lay behind that sense of relief on her face.
Ah, if this were the Oscar Theater Troupe and she were Oscar Pitt or Shakespeare, Id have asked straight out without hesitation.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere here made it seem like I shouldnt ask what that expression meant.
Id have to ask her later when we could talk privately.
To make sure I didnt forget, I committed it to memory, but then the judges started murmuring among themselves.
or something, isnt it.
but, possible lets ask once.
They kept their voices low enough that I couldnt hear, so I had no idea what they were saying.
What kind of manners is this, leaving me sitting here?
I almost made a sulky face, displeased.
No, no.
I changed my mind.
Right now, I wasnt an actor whod already been promised a role.
Nor did I have the fame of the Golden Mask.
I was in the position of being judged by them, so I decided to endure a bit longer and watch.
Ahem, Siu?
Finally done discussing, Jessica in the center spoke on behalf of the judges.
Yes.
I tilted my head, as if to say, what is it?
That acting just now. Can we hear why you portrayed the grandson that way?
Hmm, the reason for my interpretation?
Yeah. If you have your own reasons for interpreting the grandson character like that, Id love to hear them.
Good, good.
A proper audition question.
And speaking in English made it so much easierno struggling to spit out words like in Korean. I was thrilled.
Jessica seemed slightly surprised that I used a fancy word like interpretation, but it didnt matter.
She wasnt the type to grill me like my family about how a kid like me spoke English so well.
The kid must be really anxious. Just like in the lines, hes been shuttled around by irresponsible adults. So hed put on a bright face outwardly. But hes still a child, right? So he cant completely hide that anxiety. Also.
I went on at length about my interpretation, and Jessica summed it up neatly in one line after listening quietly.
Soyou were expressing the kid anxiously reading the room?
Absolutely yes.
It mustve been a fitting explanation for my acting.
Even without this answer, anyone who truly understood acting wouldve grasped what I was going for.
And Jessica seemed to be the same.
She smiled contentedly after hearing my answer, clearly satisfied.
She probably just wanted to confirm if Id really thought this way going into the performance.
I get it. Kids like me arent exactly common.
Then why did you choose this scene out of the three?
Oh ho.
Jessica wasnt the only judge.
I rounded my mouth in surprise at the question from the oldest-looking Korean judge, whod been silent until now.
The audition script offered three scenes.
Asking why I picked this one
It highlighted the grandsons dual nature the most.
Even though the question came in Korean, I answered in English.
No matter how hard Id practiced Korean, I wasnt confident it would flow as smoothly as English.
Plus, Jessica was clearly the boss here.
I didnt want her to hear a translated version of my answer.
Anyway, even if I answered in English, the man next to her with his hair tied back would translate it into Korean for the others, so communication wasnt an issue.
Duality? Thats a first.
True. The other two scenes have the grandson happy or turning away from sad reality Theyre emotionally straightforward.
The judges nodded, convinced by my answer.
Is this good enough?
Wait your resume has something unusual.
Next question.
This time, the man sitting right next to Jessica spoke up.
Ooh, this one sounded interesting.
Siu, you were recently on stage with a troupe called Emergency Iron 777. How was that experience? I hear it was directed by Kang Yonghwi. Howd you end up on stage?
Huh? You know Director Kang?
I was startled by his tone, which suggested he really knew Kang Yonghwi.
Gasp, you know our Director Kang?!
Ah, since this wasnt about script interpretation, I answered in Korean.
The man nodded cutely at my reaction and explained.
Im late with introductions. Im Joy Isu, the assistant director for this play. Ive worked on Broadway, but Ive heard plenty about Koreas Kang Yonghwi. I came to Korea about a year ago, saw his show, and even met him to talk.
Wow.
This guy, Joy Isu, was in directing too.
Id thought he looked stylish, maybe a stage manager type.
I nodded, thinking Id ask Kang Yonghwi about this Joy Isu when I got back to the troupe.
Anyway, if it was a production from Emergency Iron 777, it had to be People in the Attic House.
I played the kid Youngsu in People in the Attic House! Director Kang saw my improv and was like, wanna try it? So I rode the role!
Even now, thinking back, Director Kangs words were so moving.
How did he know my inner wish to get on stage?
To ask me like that right then.
How many times did you perform?
12 times! For a month. Wed been rehearsing before that.
Joy Isu took time translating my story to Jessica, so the questions dragged on.
This is kinda annoying.
Even though I was answering right away, waiting made me a bit bored.
But if I answered in English, hed still have to translate to Korean for the others.
Are rehearsals this cumbersome too?
While Joy Isu translated my answer to Jessica in English, I agonized.
Should I stick to Korean?
Or English?
No, the actual show will be in Korean anyway.
I was pondering like someone who absolutely wouldnt fail this audition, when Joy Isus next question came.
You said a month of rehearsalshow did that go? Wasnt it tough physically? The head director is curious.
Um, I went to the troupe every day! But I got to watch the other actors rehearse. And chat with Director about stuff, so it was fun.
Must be pretty sturdy, huh, Siu.
Seeing the judges smile warmly, I realized my mistake.
I got too excited and forgot to downplay a five-year-olds stamina.
Oops, what now.
Staminas no problem! But my projections still lacking. Im building it up bit by bit, but my belly doesnt vibrate yet. Pronunciations improving every day though, so its okay.
I added that to sound mature.
Phew, even long sentences came out smoothly. I patted myself on the back mentally, but the judges eyes widened.
Did I mess up again?
What five-year-old self-analyzes like that.
Better than you, sunbae.
Whatd he just say?
Nothing. Sius really sharp, huh. Haha.
The Korean judges shook their heads, mulling over my words.
Meanwhile, Jessica, hearing the translation from Joy Isu, raised both hands in astonishment.
Oh, amazing. Already thinking so professionally? Makes me want him even more.
Jessica. This is still an audition.
Didnt she just say she wanted me?
I narrowed my eyes at Jessica.
Jessica burst into loud laughter.
Cut me some slack, Isu. Its my first time seeing a kid like this. I know my reactions are broken.
Good if you do.
Joy Isu next to her gave a wry smile as he looked at me.
No, Im telling you, Im getting better.
Was adding that unnecessary?
Then, last question.
Yes.
Phew, good that Jessica was speaking.
Id been racking my brain wondering if Id slipped up in Korean just now.
Now that it was Jessica, Id just answer in English.
Siu, what was that first-round audition video? Were you interpreting the RUN character? And that dialogue piece, listed as Noname?
Yeah, I wrote it.
Yeah, I heard that. But I need to believe it, right? Is it really true? You wrote dialogue like that yourself?
Yes. Its no big deal.
The judges were shocked again at my casual answer.
A five-year-old really wrote this?
Siu, what kind of life have you lived? In your five years, have you felt emotions like this?
It was natural theyd be surprised, but the question itself wasnt satisfying.
Why assume a five-year-old couldnt think like this?
In the play, the grandson is only seven and stuck in that situation.
And like I acted, he mustve felt those emotions.
I swallowed a sigh inwardly as I looked at the astonished adults.
Adults are quick to misunderstand.
They think kids know nothing, but thats not true.
Kids just cant explain wellthey feel and wrestle with all sorts of emotions too.
I knew better than anyone, having lived as Noah before.
I got plenty of attention, but it wasnt love.
The servants cared for me out of duty.
Watching over the dukes kid wasnt on the busy Duke and Duchesss to-do list.
Until I accidentally saw my first play at nine, I was just the resigned, quiet, obedient youngest son of the dukes family.
But even that nine-year-old boy, pretending to know nothing on the outside, was full of all kinds of thoughts inside.
Thats why I know so well.
Living a second childhood.
Kids understand perfectly all the things adults do and say, assuming they wont get it.
Even when hurt, they sometimes forgive adults with pure hearts.
And helplessly, they keep relying on them.
Im five, so I know five-year-old hearts well.
I was a five-year-old actor.
An actor has to show the audience what theyve felt.
And sharing that with the audience is what I have to dowhat I want to do.
My answer stunned Jessica and all the judges.
Though in a childs voice, it carried a resolve firmer than most adult actors.
Silence filled the audition room for a while.
Finally, Jessica smiled in satisfaction and said just one thing.
Lets run.