I'll Meet Him Once
A few days later, in a large lecture hall at Yeonhui University's Humanities Building.
'This must be it? The classroom for Introduction to Acting.'
I pulled my hat low over my face and slipped in through the back door. But my efforts were in vain.
Dr-r-ruck.
The sound of the door opening drew every student's gaze in the room straight to me.
"Whoa! He's here."
"Is that him? Seo Eun-seong?"
"Wow... he's even more insane in person... He looks just like Seo Ha-rin..."
"Check out those proportions. How does a human even get like that?"
Gasps erupted from all around.
Ever since that live stream with Ha-rin, I was basically a walking celebrity on campus. No—thanks to the whole "mysterious" vibe, I was getting even more attention than actual idols.
'Just ignore them and focus on class.'
I did my best to shrug off the stares and headed for a seat in the corner.
That's when a familiar voice called out.
"Hey~ Yeonhui's male god! Saved a spot for you."
Kim Min-su was waving from across the room, grinning like an idiot.
"Keep it down? You're embarrassing me."
I hurried over and plopped down next to him.
"Why are you acting up? Kim Min-su?"
"Heh heh. Yeonhui's male god is my buddy—can't I milk some perks?"
"Haa."
I shook my head.
Come to think of it, the seats around us were packed with female classmates. Min-su must've bragged to them that he was friends with Yeonhui's male god.
I let out a sigh and scanned the lecture hall.
'Why's it so full?'
The place was already jammed. They'd called it a "honey class" during the add-drop period—guess it was popular.
"Kim Min-su. This is really a honey class, right?"
"Told ya. Watch a movie, write a reflection paper, done. Prof looks strict, but he's a total softie."
Min-su answered with his usual nonchalance.
"Phew. Good."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Between reinstating and all the attention, I was exhausted—I just wanted an easy class.
'Gonna chill and watch a movie.'
I leaned back, getting comfy.
Then—
Bang!
The front door flew open. A middle-aged man in a black modified hanbok strode in. His hair was streaked with white, his eyes sharp as knives, his presence overwhelming.
The godfather of Korean theater and mentor to Chungmuro's method actors: Professor Kang Min-cheol.
'Uh-oh. Bad vibes.'
I sensed the trouble right away. From my all-boys middle and high school days, I knew teachers who favored modified hanboks were rarely normal.
Meanwhile...
"....."
The noisy hall fell silent the moment Professor Kang took the podium, like someone had doused it with ice water.
He tossed the attendance roster onto the desk without a word.
Thwack!
The dry smack echoed through the room.
"Hm."
He adjusted his glasses and slowly swept his gaze over the students. His eyes were like a viper eyeing prey.
"Anyone here..."
Professor Kang finally spoke. His voice was low but boomed.
"...just looking to coast? Get out now."
"....?!"
The students murmured in shock.
"Dude?"
I whipped around to glare at Kim Min-su, panicking.
"Pfft!"
The jerk was covering his mouth, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
'You little...'
A bad feeling hit me.
"This is Introduction to Acting. Movie watching? Do that on Netflix at home. This is where you learn what real acting is. What a real actor is."
Professor Kang's declaration continued.
"I don't consider people who treat acting like a game as human. Want an F? Half-ass it. To survive my class, you'll have to grind your soul into it."
"....."
The atmosphere froze solid. Honey class, my ass. This was boot camp orientation in hell.
'Kim Min-su... you're dead. Then I'm dead.'
I gritted my teeth, glaring at him. Too late—the add-drop period was over. I'd walked into the viper's den on my own two feet.
Then Professor Kang's eyes scanned the room... and stopped on me.
"Hm?"
His brow furrowed. He stared right through me, like he'd spotted something displeasing.
'Why's he looking at me like that?'
I shrank back instinctively. But he pointed straight at me.
"You. Hat guy. Yeah, you. Pretty boy."
All eyes turned to me.
"Come up front."
I shuffled awkwardly to the front of the podium. I could feel countless eyes boring into my back.
Professor Kang crossed his arms, sizing me up.
"Name?"
"S-Seo Eun-seong, sir."
"Seo Eun-seong. Korean Lit major?"
"Yes."
He snorted.
"I can tell just by looking. Pretty face got you thinking you're hot shit—planning to slack off and snag credits."
"Pardon? Me?"
I was indignant. Okay, yeah, I planned to watch a movie and write a paper for credits. But celebrity syndrome?
"Professor, that's not—"
"Quiet. You can't fool my eyes. I don't like that look in yours. All flash, no substance."
He'd pegged me as some cocky face-card type. Looked like he planned to make an example of me to crush the class's spirits.
"Fine. I'll give you a shot. To see if you're all flash... or if you've got real actor potential."
He jerked his chin toward center stage.
"Go stand there."
I stumbled to the center. The lights hit me. My vision whitened; cold sweat trickled down my spine.
"Here's your theme. No lines. Just expression and eyes."
Professor Kang paused, then said gravely,
"Agonizing pain. And desperate hunger."
"....!"
The room buzzed. Too brutal for the first class. Even acting majors struggled with that—and to a normie? This was straight-up humiliation.
"Can't do it? Leave now. I'll give you the F."
He smirked coldly.
"I'll do it."
I clenched my fists. Backing out meant F. Lose the scholarship, and I couldn't face Ha-rin. More than that, I refused to let this viper dismiss me as flash-in-the-pan.
'Pain... hunger...'
I closed my eyes, sinking into thought. When was the worst pain and hunger I'd ever felt? Military chem-bio training? Nah. Diet cravings? Weak.
Then a memory flashed: just a month ago. Nepal's Himalayas.
'Yeah... that time.'
4,000 meters up. Caught in a blizzard, isolated. Food gone, water frozen. Pack weighed 30kg. Shoulders screaming, thighs burning. But worst: starving. Hallucinations bad.
'Chicken... spicy chicken... tteokbokki...'
The cold, the hunger, the raw survival drive to get home and eat Ha-rin's cooking. Recalling it, my body reacted.
Sip.
I drew a deep breath. Opened my eyes slowly.
"....."
The air shifted. Focus vanished from my eyes. Lights, students—gone. Only endless white snowfield.
"....."
Shiver, shiver. Lips trembled faintly. Not acting. Real bone-chill reflex from then.
I reached into empty air. Grasping at nothing (chicken, probably). Yearning.
"....."
My face twisted. Not a grimace. Agony that screamed surrender to life—mixed with desperate will to live. Grotesque, heartbreaking.
"So... hungry... gonna die..."
A raspy whisper escaped. Beast's howl. Dying man's last gasp.
Thud.
Knees buckled. But my gaze stayed fixed. Deep solitude, resentment—like I'd weathered all the world's storms.
"....."
The hall was deathly still. No breathing.
Students watched, breathless.
"My chest hurts all of a sudden..."
"I'm gonna cry."
Some girls covered mouths, eyes tearing up. To them, I was the tragic hero, lost and suffering.
And Professor Kang Min-cheol—who'd been smirking with arms crossed—his face slowly hardened.
'What is this kid...?'
His pupils quivered. He'd taught countless actors. Fake from real? Easier than breathing.
But this... wasn't fake. Real. That gaze couldn't be learned in acting school. Only someone who'd hit rock bottom. Touched death's door.
'A raw gem.'
His heart raced. No technique, no polish. But the raw depth crushed pros.
'Found him. The one I've been looking for.'
Shivers ran through him. He'd forgotten his own misjudgment, captivated by the gem before him.
"Cut."
Professor Kang's voice shattered the silence. I snapped back.
'Huh? Over?'
Snowfield faded; classroom returned. Legs wobbling. Too immersed. Hungrier now.
"Hoo..."
I stood, brushed off my clothes.
"....."
Still silent. Everyone stared blankly.
'Bombed? Too much?'
I sneaked a peek at Professor Kang, anxious. Blank face, staring.
"Go back."
That was it. No praise, no critique.
I slunk back, unsettled.
"Dude... you crazy?"
Kim Min-su whispered as I sat.
"When'd you learn acting? Gave me chills."
"Learn what? Just thought about being hungry."
"Bull. Why'd your eyes look like that? Thought you'd lost your country."
He wasn't buying it.
Class dragged on, but I couldn't focus. Professor kept glancing my way.
'Targeted. F confirmed.'
I despaired. Class ended; students filed out.
"Haa... cafeteria time."
I grabbed my bag, heading for the back door like a fugitive.
"Seo Eun-seong."
Cold voice behind me. Professor Kang.
"Come to my office."
"P-Professor? Me?"
"Yes. Follow."
He marched off without looking back.
I shot Kim Min-su a save me look. He waved bye.
"Haa... why am I so unlucky?"
I trailed after like a lamb to slaughter.
Moments later. His office.
"Sit."
He sat on the sofa, offering tea. No trace of classroom menace. Oddly gentle.
"Like tea?"
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
I perched on the edge, ready to bolt if he said drop.
"Ever studied acting?"
"No, sir."
"Agency? Trainee?"
He had no clue I was Seo Ha-rin's brother—or Yeonhui's male god. Total lone wolf.
"Nothing. Just a regular Korean Lit student."
I answered straight.
His eyes flashed; a smile tugged his lips. Muttered to himself,
"Pure, untainted gem... Perfect. Just perfect."
"Pardon?"
"Seo Eun-seong. Ever thought about acting?"
Straight ball. I blanked.
"Acting? Me?"
"Yes. You've got talent. I guarantee it."
Firm conviction.
I panicked. I'd just zoned out hungry—talent? He was way off.
"Um... Professor, I was just planning to job hunt..."
"Job hunt? With that face, that build, that talent? Wasting it! Neglect of duty!"
He barked, then snatched the phone.
"Hold on."
Dialed someone.
"Yeah, Do-hyun. Me."
Do-hyun? I perked up.
"Found an actor perfect for that role you wanted."
Excited now.
"Get here now. You'll regret missing this. Hanging up."
Click.
Satisfied grin at me.
"Know who that was?"
"No... who?"
"Director Choi Do-hyun. Chungmuro's box-office guarantee. My prized student."
Choi Do-hyun? Even I knew the 10-million-view director.
He was coming for me?
"Perfect role for you. Few lines, big impact."
Clapped my shoulder.
"Give it a shot. You can do it."
I was stunned, speechless. Sudden director rec, role offer. My "acting" was just hunger acting.
But his eyes were sincere. And something stirred in my chest.
Ha-rin's face flashed. The always-lacking big bro Seo Eun-seong. If I landed even a bit part... she'd be thrilled, right?
"I'll... meet him once."
Professor Kang laughed heartily.
"Good choice! Your life's about to change."
The "viper" prophesied. Strangely, it didn't sound far-fetched at all.