Chapter 41
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Final Performance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wow.
There were really so many people holding up my face.
Whoa.
Some even stood up and gave a standing ovation.
The applause from over 3,000 audience members was even more overwhelming than Id imagined.
Ah, and it was a relief that everyone had cracked up at my ad-lib earlier.
I sat on the waiting room sofa where I always lounged, savoring the afterglow of the just-finished final show.
Even with my eyes closed, I could still vividly hear the thunderous applause pouring down like it stung.
Wed done it so many times by now, but acting out that final scene while holding Noh Younghees hand...
Today, it hit me harder than ever, and tears threatened to spill.
I barely held it together for the last line.
Our shows called RUN, and of all things, I almost couldnt say the word about running.
I lounged comfortably, then placed my hand over my left chest.
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart was still pounding fiercely enough to shake this little body.
To think Id live again and feel this exhilarating emotion...
The rapid heartbeat transmitted perfectly through my small hand.
Id felt something similar at the final show of Emergency Iron 777 before, but this feeling never gets old.
I doubt it ever will. And I dont want it to.
Oh my, Siu. Not heading home?
A staff member packing up spotted me sitting there blankly and asked with a smile.
Im thinking.
To fully etch this emotion I felt today into my memory, I needed to linger in the a bit longer.
So cute. Everyone! Come here. Our star seems really moved today.
At the staff members call, others gathered around and looked down at me.
Siu mustve felt a lot today.
The lead actress was tearing up earlier too.
Noh Younghees manager teased at her words.
Noh Younghee shot him a playful glare.
Im getting old, so the tears come easier. Dont make a big deal out of it.
Grandma, you were amazing today.
I hurried over to Noh Younghee, who was pouting, and gripped her hand tightly.
The staff whod gathered covered their mouths with both hands, touched by the sight.
Ahh, to think we wont see this cute Siu every day anymore.
Tell me about it. The other actors were bummed this run is ending too.
Yeah. They wished we could keep going like a Broadway show since we brought it here anyway.
We loved todays show too. We bawled our eyes out.
Totally. Backstage was a tearfest.
The staff expressed their regrets too, cheering us on.
Siu, what are we gonna do now that were parting?
Actors and staff kept streaming into our waiting room for final goodbyes.
Well meet again next time.
Ever the lead to the end, I stayed composed and comforted them.
How is a six-year-old so mature?
Didnt you see Siu on stage? He poured out all his energy. Lets go so he can rest. Siu, lets meet again for sure?
Yeah! Ill come back to perform here again.
Haha, sure. Well keep waiting for you here.
The Gwanghwamun Cultural Center staff bid farewell with regrets, and the supporting actors snapped photos with me, saying lets work together again.
Everyones been jealous when I show off my pics with you lately, Siu.
Oh, me too!
At one actors words, I ended up doing a photo session with all the supporting cast.
My killer poses, honed by Moms daily sneak attacks, shone bright.
Aww, so cute. Siu looks great.
Born star.
Then the waiting room door burst open again, and the co-stars peeked in.
Senior Noh Younghee! Dont go yet?
Yeah, time to head out now. Siu, lets meet up next time and grab a meal. Grandmas treat!
Woo! Sounds good. See you. Great work today.
Since it was the final show, the whole castleads and supports alikewas heading out for drinks.
Word was Jessica and Joey Soo were joining too, so it was shaping up big.
Sadly, theyd booked a bar, it was late, and child actors like me couldnt join.
I was bummed about missing out again because of my age when Noh Younghee whispered a heads-up.
I beamed at her dinner invite and said goodbye.
Once Noh Younghee left the waiting room, the other actors followed in a rush.
Finally a bit of peace.
Maybe rest until Mom arrives.
I turned back toward the sofa.
Um, Han Siu...!
But someone called from behind, so I stopped.
Yeah? Oh, Jihun hyung. Youre here too!
Todays final show was the evening slot for me, while Seong Jihun had done the matinee.
I figured I wouldnt see him since that had ended earlier, but here he was in the waiting room.
Great job, hyung. Were all done now. Lets hang with the kids sometime later.
Even if not today, maybe the child actors could meet up separately.
Itd be easy for popular Seong Jihun to round everyone up, so I tossed it out casually.
But he looked pretty shocked at my words.
His eyes went wide.
Was it that surprising? Now I was the flustered one.
Really?
Huh? Yeah... Our final shows done.
Huh, hm! Right. So... well meet up later for real?
Yeah.
No clue when, but dinner with Grandma comes first, I guess?
I pondered what to eat with her when Seong Jihun lingered, fidgeting.
Whats up? Wants a photo too?
Hyung, whats wrong? Something to say?
That was code for hurry up and snap the pic if thats it.
But Seong Jihun flinched at my words, hesitated forever, then yelled.
L-last time! Im, s-s-sorry! Lets meet next time...!
Meet,
Meet,
Meet...
The spacious waiting room echoed with his shout in the emptiness.
His sudden apology left me blinking in disbelief.
...What? You were still hung up on that?
...Yeah. I was wrong then. Let me apologize one last time.
...Even after giving me a nice gift.
Watching him mumble that, a smile crept onto my face.
Kids will be kids.
Who knew he was thinking something this cute.
Id chalked up his prickliness to personality, but nahhed been awkward from guilt.
Its fine. I forgot all about it.
Really?
Yep. I dont go back on my word.
Thisll be a memory too.
Id thought my time with Noh Younghee would become precious memories, but there were plenty more to cherish.
How happy to keep meeting the people in those memories as I go on living.
That feeling defies words.
Trapped in that tower for ten years, how Id missed the Oscar Theater Troupe.
No way Id forget that.
Three years.
Just three years with them haunted my dreams as nightmares.
Always the same.
Wed finish the show happily, then disaster strikes.
Me crippled, or fire ravaging the troupe.
The nightmares always ended with me unable to act ever again.
Id wake and hurl lines into the void.
Refusing to accept I couldnt act anymore.
Hoping for replies that never came, just silence.
Lets meet in another show next time.
Things are different now.
I can act as much as I want from here on.
I gladly offered Seong Jihun a handshake.
He looked a bit surprised but grinned brightly and took my hand.
A week after the hit show RUN wrapped its final performance.
Emergency Iron 777 had a welcome guest from the morning.
Looks more legit than I thought.
Finally show up and youve got opinions.
Cha Il-nam PD scanned Kim Sangcheols theater owner office.
Heard he started the troupe without chasing money, but the facilities and location were solid.
Maybe from years in theater, he knew the ropes.
Tickets selling well, I hear?
Ive heard too. Some junior writers under me wanna stage here.
Han Yuju, sipping tea beside Cha Il-nam, chimed in.
Kim Sangcheol lit up at her words, not Cha.
Oh, really? Hope theyve got good scripts. Tell em send em over, no holding back. Lots!
Whoa, bro. Youre sounding like a real theater owner.
Damn right. How many years Ive been at this?
Kim Sangcheols mood soared at Cha Il-nams words, shoulders up to the sky.
Lounging on the prime sofa, leg crossed, he shrugged it off smugly.
The theatrics cracked Han Yuju up too.
Cha Il-nam eyed him oddly and spoke quietly.
You got hammered back then, whining you regretted starting the troupe...
Hey, guests heregonna keep dredging up old crap?! Out if you are.
Whoa, bro. Going hard like that?
Your mouths the problem. Know that?
Han Yuju laughed and mediated their banter.
You two are really close.
Kim Sangcheol straightened up.
Ahem! Sorry for the rudeness. Shouldnt yak like that with you here, Writer Han.
Im a fan of Actor Kim Sangcheol. Honored to meet you.
Whoa, really? Youve got taste. Unlike this guy.
Kim Sangcheol jabbed at Cha Il-nam and stuck out his tongue.
Bro, keep it up? Im killing it at the station!
Yeah yeah, your recent Good Psycho direction was killer.
Saw that? The hell we went through filming... Whew. Hey, no thoughts on acting comeback?
This suits me now. Troupes thrivingfull belly without eating. Got actors to watch over.
Actors to watch over.
Han Yujus eyes sparkled.
You mean Actor Han Siu, right?! Im so hyped. RUN was incredible. For real.
Haha, sorry to him. Looks like were stealing him.
They beamed, chatting warmly just thinking of Han Siu.
Already claiming him as theirs.
Pfft, too soon. He hasnt said yes. Kimchi soup shots already? Wont be easy. That kids the one who boldly put a no-experience five-year-old Siu on stage first... Underestimate him or Siu, and youll regret it.
Han Yuju smiled deeply at Kim Sangcheol shaking his head.
Beside her sat a stack of papers prepped overnight.
Hehe, its fine. Im confident.
Oh, that newbie fire?
Working with juniors like hers killing me.
Quit whining.
As Han Yuju steeled herself, the office door clicked open.