Just... Recalling Hunger
"Get your ass to school right now. You'll regret it if you miss this."
Professor Kang Min-cheol hung up after those words.
What the hell? I sat there in a daze, fiddling with my teacup.
The guy I'd just been talking to on the phone was none other than Choi Do-hyun, the master director of Chungmuro. And he was coming to see me?
Is this some hidden camera prank? I still couldn't wrap my head around it. I'd just been sitting there hungry and spacing out, and suddenly everyone was throwing around words like "talent" and "rough gem." It was all so bewildering.
About forty minutes passed like that.
Knock knock.
The door to the professor's office burst open.
"Professor! It's me! What's the emergency? What is it?"
A man in his early forties came panting in. He had a pulled-low baseball cap, black horn-rimmed glasses, and a bushy beard. He radiated full-on artist vibes.
It was Choi Do-hyun, the man behind the ten-million-viewer myth.
"Oh, you're here. Quick, aren't you."
Professor Kang leaned back on the sofa, waving lazily.
Catching his breath, Director Choi stepped inside and spotted me awkwardly perched in the corner of the sofa.
"Hm..?"
His eyes went wide. He stopped in his tracks, adjusting his glasses as he stared at me.
"And this student is..?"
Director Choi's gaze locked onto my face. It was the look of someone who'd just found a rare artifact.
"What? Do you recognize him?"
"No, not familiar... but could it be?"
Director Choi pulled out his smartphone from his pocket and checked something—probably an online article or community post.
A moment later, he looked up with a gasp.
"Professor, isn't this that guy?"
"That guy?"
"The Yeonhui University male god who's been blowing up the internet these past few days. And Siren's Seo Ha-rin's older brother."
Professor Kang's eyebrow twitched at Director Choi's words.
"Seo Ha-rin? The idol they call the nation's little sister?"
"Yes, exactly. Whoa... first time seeing him in person, and he's the real deal."
Director Choi scanned me up and down in fascination. I gave an awkward nod.
"Ah... hello. I'm Seo Eun-seong."
"Nice to meet you! Choi Do-hyun here. Wow... you're way better looking in person than in photos. No screen presence issues for you."
Director Choi couldn't stop marveling. Professor Kang finally propped his chin on his hand, looking intrigued.
"Heh heh. Seo Ha-rin's brother, huh... No wonder blood runs thick."
"You didn't know, Professor?"
"How would I keep up with idol family trees? I just knew he had killer visuals and standout talent."
Professor Kang brushed it off casually. True to form, he marched to his own beat. Whether the world was buzzing about me or not, to him I was just a "gem he'd spotted."
"Hm. Let me take a closer look."
Director Choi leaned in close, inspecting my face with intense scrutiny. It was almost overwhelming.
"Bold lines, yet delicate. Especially that jawline and nose bridge—pure artistry. A face that won't fade from the screen. And that primal edge you don't see in actors these days."
The praise kept coming.
"Ah... um... thank you."
I wanted to crawl into a hole. Primal edge? That was just the rugged aftermath of not showering in Nepal.
"But Professor."
After staring for a good while, Director Choi turned to Professor Kang.
"Visuals are a pass, but what about his acting? You know the role I'm casting for is tricky. No lines—just pure expression through the eyes."
"That's why I called you."
"Pardon?"
"I know these days kids coast on looks and can't act. But this one's different."
Professor Kang grinned and pulled out his phone.
"Take a look at this. I secretly filmed it during class earlier."
"...?!"
I jolted in surprise. When did he even record that?
"Here, check it out."
Professor Kang held his phone screen toward Director Choi. It showed me on the lecture hall stage, mid-performance.
"Hm."
Director Choi Do-hyun leaned in, utterly absorbed by the phone screen.
On it, Seo Eun-seong stared into empty space. Unfocused eyes. Lips trembling faintly. His entire face radiated raw agony and desperate longing.
"....."
A chill ran down Director Choi's spine.
This wasn't acting. Not some fabricated expression.
It was real.
The man on screen looked on the verge of collapse, yet he craved something with every fiber of his being. An obsession with life, or rage at an unfillable void. That tangled mess of emotions poured out through his eyes alone—no words needed.
"No way..."
As the clip ended, Director Choi exhaled sharply. He looked up at me, his gaze transformed. No longer sizing up a "handsome civilian," but spotting a "rookie monster."
"Seo Eun-seong."
"Yes?"
"That performance just now... what were you imagining?"
Director Choi asked earnestly.
"Some tragic memory? Losing family? Heartbreak from a lover?"
"....."
I was speechless.
Losing family? Ha-rin was alive and kicking. Heartbreak? I'd never even dated.
"Well..."
I decided to be honest. No point lying—it'd backfire.
"Just... hunger."
"Hm?"
"I was really starving. Back when I was stranded in Nepal, I went days without food... so I thought back to that."
"Huh..?"
Director Choi blinked blankly at my answer. Professor Kang froze mid-sip of his tea.
"Hunger?"
"Yeah. Craving chicken and tteokbokki so bad... felt like I was dying."
I gave a sheepish grin.
"Well, this is..."
Director Choi trailed off, at a loss.
Just hunger? That gut-wrenching gaze stemmed from mere appetite?
But then...
His expression shifted oddly. He slapped his knee.
"That's it!"
"Pardon?"
"Professor, remember what you told me back in college?"
Director Choi turned excitedly to Professor Kang.
"'Real acting isn't fabricated. You have to tap into primal instincts to pierce the audience's heart.'"
"I did say that."
"This guy gets it instinctively! Hunger—the rawest human pain, pure survival instinct! He dragged it out raw, no pretense!"
Director Choi marveled at me.
"These days, actors fake sadness, pain, loneliness... all show. But Seo Eun-seong here? He just delivers the real thing. Heavy, no frills!"
"....."
I was dumbfounded.
No... I was just really hungry and zoned out. And he's turning it into philosophy?
Should I be flattered?
"Haha! Just like my student. You've got an eye."
Professor Kang laughed heartily, clapping my shoulder.
"See? Told you I found a keeper."
"Yes, I admit it, Professor."
Director Choi pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to me.
Film Director Choi Do-hyun
The gold-embossed card gleamed.
"Seo Eun-seong, you free in a few days?"
"Uh? Oh... yeah, as long as no classes..."
"Then come visit my set in Paju, Gyeonggi-do."
Director Choi's eyes sparkled.
"Get a feel for the vibe. We'll do a camera test. I've got a role in mind, and you seem perfect."
"Me... in a movie?"
"No pressure—just come hang out."
"Okay..."
I took the card with trembling hands.
An invite to a movie set. From a ten-million director, no less.
Was this a dream?
"Thank you... I'll definitely come."
"Great. See you then."
Director Choi, looking busy, tugged his cap down and stood.
"I'll head out, Professor."
He bowed to Professor Kang and left. I clutched the card tight, watching him go.
Jackpot... Am I really doing a movie?
My heart pounded.
More than anything, I couldn't wait to get home and brag to Ha-rin. My mouth itched to spill.
That evening, in Seo Ha-rin's living room.
"What?! Director Choi Do-hyun?!"
Ha-rin's scream echoed through the room. Choi Eun-jin unnie and Lee Ah-hyun, lounging on the sofa, nearly dropped their snacks.
"For real? The ten-million guy?"
"Yeah. He came to school today. Professor called me over."
I played it cool, fishing the card from my pocket.
Ha-rin snatched it and verified.
"No way...? It's real? Oppa, is this actually happening?"
"Totally real. He invited me to the set. Said he might have a role."
"....."
The three girls gaped.
Ha-rin especially bounced like it was her big break.
"Whoa! Insane! Oppa's really becoming an actor? Big screen debut?"
"Not confirmed yet. Just a test."
"A test? Please. Director Choi doesn't cast random rookies. Must love your face!"
Ha-rin grabbed my cheeks, twisting my head around in awe.
"True. Even I think your face is kinda OP these days. You'll slay on camera."
"Hey, quit it. You'll wear it out."
I swatted her hands away, embarrassed. But I wasn't mad. Far from it—I felt like I was floating.
Me, who'd always been a burden to hide, now bringing news my sister could brag about. Pride swelled in my chest.
"Bear Doll, you're set for success. Don't forget us when you're a megastar, okay?"
Eun-jin unnie teased with a grin.
"Right, Eun-seong oppa. Better get your autograph now."
Ah-hyun chimed in shyly.
"Forget you? Just don't you forget me."
I chuckled, leaning back on the sofa.
Warm home, delicious dinner smells, people cheering me on. Nepal's hardships felt rewarded.
"Oppa, can I come to the set?"
"No. You've got schedules. And they'd all stare at you anyway."
"Tch... Fine. But spill every detail after? Promise?"
Ha-rin hooked her pinky. I linked mine.
"Promise."
That night.
Is this a dream? Reality?
Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn't come.
I pulled out Director Choi Do-hyun's card again.
Camera test...
The words lodged in my heart.
I want to do well.
It wasn't just curiosity or fun anymore. Real ambition stirred for the first time.
I tucked the card under my pillow and closed my eyes.