Chapter 32
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Chicken Shop Meeting
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chicken shop reunion.
After that day, RUN rehearsals proceeded smoothly.
Since I could converse with Jessica in English, our communication felt even freer, which thrilled me.
Most of the actors struggled with English, so I worried less about coming across as too mature for a five-year-old.
Jessica got excited hearing my suggestions, and we ended up having quite a few conversations in English.
Joey Soo would occasionally give me strange looks from the side, but I easily ignored him.
As the lead actor, I couldn't just sit back and do nothing, could I?
The adult actors, led by No Yeonghui, were delighted to hear my input, praising the sharp new actor who'd joined them.
I'd thought it a stroke of luck to work with a director like Kang Yonghwi at Emergency Iron 777, who had no biases against child actors.
Fortunately, my young age wasn't much of a handicap in this production either.
Otherwise, no way could I have voiced opinions as the lead.
This life really seemed blessed with good fortune.
Siu! Want some of this?
Mm, what's that, sis?
The biggest change, though, was in the child actors' attitudes.
Especially the girl child actors, who blushed as they brought me snacks like this.
Even the boys started chats out of the blue about games or comics.
By responding just right and getting along well with the kids, our rehearsals flowed without a hitch.
The staff said the kids mysteriously behaved better whenever I was in the rehearsal room.
They claimed that since even five-year-old me acted so mature, they couldn't whine.
The staff were thrilled that the kids had stopped throwing tantrums and fussing so much.
Just like that, two months flew by.
There had been a few hiccups along the way.
Jessica's lighting setup request at Gwanghwamun Cultural Center hit some snags, and a couple staff members had to drop out suddenly for personal reasons.
Man, it's such a relief our kid leads aren't causing any headaches.
Tell me about it. I was honestly worried since Siu's only five. But now? He's our lucky charm, our lucky charm.
Oh, come on, you're embarrassing me.
During teatime with the staff, I wiped my forehead once.
It was a bit of fan service.
Sure enough.
The staff, sipping vending machine coffee, burst out laughing at my words and showered me with affection.
And what was I drinking amid all that coffee?
Slurp.
Ah, so sweet.
I'd recently gotten hooked on this Job's tears tea.
Not as sugary as chocolate, but with a nice aroma and nutty flavor.
So whenever the staff gathered by the vending machine in the distance, I'd sneak over and ask for a Job's tears tea.
They'd happily oblige, quickly dispensing one into my hands.
Hope tomorrow goes smoothly too.
Siu, we're counting on you.
Mm! Don't worry!
Slurp.
I downed the rest of my Job's tears tea in one go and declared it confidently.
Tomorrow was the press conference where our cast's faces would officially be revealed.
Clickclick
Gwanghwamun Cultural Center's large press room buzzed from the morning.
A joint Korean-American production, the big-scale musical RUN, had its press conference scheduled for 10 a.m.
Like drama or film production announcements, RUN was holding one too.
The difference? A press call performance for the reporters right after.
The press-call-only preview was like a teaser show.
It might not be fully polished yet, but with the actual performances just two weeks away, they couldn't half-ass it if they wanted favorable articles for promotion.
Lineup's insane even on second look.
Rainbow Pictures, right? First time exporting rights, so they wanna do it big.
But casting a five-year-old actor?
That's what makes it buzzworthy. Why put a kid that young on stage unless he's killer?
The press room, already packed with dozens of cameras, hummed with chatter.
Reporters from theater and musical magazines were there, and given the production's scale, major newspaper journalists dotted the crowd.
A large TV news camera sat in one corner, ready to film footage.
Press conferences this big were rare for plays or musicals.
It starkly showed the massive interest in this Rainbow Pictures collaboration.
And for good reason: world-renowned stage maestro Jessica Brown paired with Rainbow Pictures.
A Broadway smash, RUN's first localization project.
Guaranteed fans ready to snap up tickets numbered in the tens of thousands.
Add in proven actors No Yeonghui and Yu Jeongseok, plus the controversial five-year-old leadit amplified the hype.
Anyone here with even passing interest in theater was eyeing actor Han Siu.
The five-year-old boy who'd smashed the 10-year age limit for final casting.
Curiosity and concern swirled around his acting chops and how he'd hold up onstage.
They're coming in now?
Who first?
Jessica Brown should lead, right?
As one reporter finished, the front door to the press room burst open.
Flashes exploded as Jessica Brown, as expected, made her grand entrance first.
Blonde Jessica in a leather jacket, sunglasses perched atop her head.
Her presence alone was commanding.
Smiling brightly behind her came Joey Soo and the stage director.
Then No Yeonghui and Yu Jeongseok entered, triggering even more flashes.
Finally, as cameras dipped lower, tiny Han Siu waved and stepped in.
Plip-plop.
With everyone else already seated, his sneakers' cute sounds rang clear.
As if planned, the five-year-old strode confidently alone to the center.
He took the mic from the emcee staff and kicked off the press conference.
Hello, reporters! I'm actor Han Siu!
The very next day after the press conference and press call.
Alright, let's spread 'em out and take a look.
Uncle grinned ear to ear as he laid out the papers he'd brought in his arms across the living room floor.
He'd gone to a PC bang and printed every article about me.
Last time there was just one, so we viewed it on the laptop together, but this time so many came out that it was inconvenient for everyone to crowd around one screen.
This way, no comments in sightsuch a relief.
Exactly. We can just clip them straight into the scrapbook, honey.
Mom was especially pleased that I wouldn't see any comments.
Beside her, Dad swapped articles in her hands, saying the photos came out better in this one.
Mom had declared she'd scrapbook my articles and actually bought one.
Hmm.
And me, the subject.
Standing in the living room center, I toured the papers Uncle spread out.
Strolling with hands behind my back, the headlines all pleased me.
A Very Special Lead RUN's Han Siu (5)
Korean-American Original Production's Leads: No Yeonghui, Han Siu...
RUN Lead Han Siu Unveils Himself to the Public
Korea Theater Scene's Little Star Emerges: Han Siu... His Debut and RUN
From Five to Gwanghwamun Cultural Center Stage: Digging into Actor Han Siu
Han Siu, the Actor Chosen by Rainbow Pictures' Jessica Brown
Among RUN articles, quite a few featured me front and center.
The casting buzz had been huge, so reporters found my five-year-old lead role pretty shocking too.
Uncle said my poised, confident answers at the press conference days ago doubled that impact.
Though unintentionally, it got subtitled 'World's Cutest Press Conference.'
Anyway, those factors meant my articles racked up huge views.
Hm, if reading them brings folks to my show, great.
But that'd only show once performances started in two weeks.
Mm? This person...
Huh? Isn't that the reporter who wrote your article last time?
Let me seeyep. Lee Ga-eun. Guess 'Stage' magazine sent her too.
Mm! I'll read this one first.
I plopped down cross-legged and dove into Lee Ga-eun's article.
The end of 2006 brings a special production. Rainbow Pictures' Jessica Brown directs, partnering with Gwanghwamun Cultural Center in Korea. A historic Korean-American collab localizing Broadway hit RUN. RUN already proved its popularity with a long run on Broadway.
But the spotlight isn't Jessica Brown's direction or the star lineup of No Yeonghui and Yu Jeongseok.
Focus on five-year-old child actor Han Siu, lead in the theater world's hottest topic of the year.
Jessica Brown calls him a small actor with the presence of a giant.
What makes five-year-old Han Siu so capable?
His casting news shocked the theater world from the start.
The lead for a major theaterhighest difficulty live actingwas too young.
Compare to co-cast actor Sung Ji-hoon at 8; Han Siu is a full three years younger.
...excerpt...
Rainbow Pictures, who cast Han Siu, showed strong confidence.
And his press call performance? Astonishing.
Unbelievable stage command and line delivery for his age. Seamless chemistry with emotive actor No Yeonghui.
A miraculous holiday story in the making.
...excerpt...
Every scene delivering fresh emotion, RUN runs Dec 24 to Feb 10 at Gwanghwamun Cultural Center.
Oho, oho.
I reread Lee Ga-eun's article several times.
Mostly praise for me, but it shone with detail and care.
Fascinating.
Back in my 'Golden Mask' days, no public articles like this.
Newspapers weren't developed, and hiding my identity meant no outside feedback beyond the troupe.
Instead, noble salons filled that role.
Gossips and opinionated busybodies abounded.
The Battenberg Duchess's salon was no different.
I'd always send Oliver to eavesdrop.
Report back every 'Golden Mask' mention, no exceptions.
Oliver returned with a sour face every time.
Hesitant at first, he spilled under my prodding, gloomily.
Golden Mask was at Oscar Theater Troupe again yesterday.
How was it?
How d'you think? Mediocre as ever. Mask hides expressions and muffles voicewho calls that acting?
No confidence in his face, probably?
Yeah. No visual appeal.
Why does Oscar Theater Troupe keep pushing him as lead...
Sadly, ten out of ten were critical.
No real critique, just gripes.
Human as I was, the attacks stung, but oddly didn't anger me.
Later learned 'Golden Mask' earned hate for snubbing noble invites.
After that, their words bounced off.
Anyway, to me with those memories, this 'article' thing was novel.
Professional, objective analysis with just enough personal take.
Uncle said not all articles are positive last time, but Lee Ga-eun's always hit right.
I read and reread this capable reporter's piece.
Siu likes that article?
Mm! I like this reporter.
Uncle and I faced each other, giggling excitedly.
Meanwhile, Mom and Dad watching me weren't entirely pleased.
Isn't our Siu getting too famous?
Dad turned to Mom in surprise at her worried words.
What if we go out and everyone recognizes him?
Well... no one's done that yet.
He's only five. Hope it's okay. Already surrounded by adultsworries me. Acts like a kid at home, but...
I'll keep a close eye.
Hearing their vows, I thought to myself.
Gotta act even more reliably so they won't worry.
Sigh, fame's exhausting.
I'm fine!
Huh?
Hm? Siu, what?
Hee-hee.
I set down the printed article and dashed to my parents.
Leaping between them, I gifted the rare hug.
No worries for them, naturally.
Nail it perfectly, reassure them.
Like Sirius in the night sky, I'd shine as the brightest star.