I'll Come Back as Actor Seo Eun-seong
A few days later, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
"Oh? This is the set?"
I couldn't keep my mouth shut the moment I stepped out of the taxi. The scene unfolding before my eyes wasn't Paju, South Korea. Flashy neon signs, narrow and humid alleyways, and weathered signboards written in Chinese characters. It was a massive set that looked like they'd ripped out an entire back-alley pleasure district from Macao and transplanted it here.
"Are you Seo Eun-seong?"
A staff member holding a walkie-talkie greeted me at the entrance.
"Ah, yes. I'm here at Director Choi Do-hyun's invitation."
"We've been waiting. This way, please."
I followed the staff inside the set. With every step, it felt like I was walking straight into a movie. Dozens of bustling staff members, massive lighting cranes, and cameras gliding along rails—everything was so unfamiliar and exciting.
"Hey, look. That's him?"
"For real? Yeonhui University's male god?"
"Seo Ha-rin's real brother? Whoa? Check out that physique. Insane."
As I passed by, the staff's gazes pierced me. I could hear their whispers, but I'd gotten somewhat used to it by now, so I pretended not to notice and kept walking.
That's when it happened.
"Oh! You made it!"
Director Choi Do-hyun, who had been staring at the monitor from afar, spotted me and jumped to his feet.
"Director. Hello."
"Come on in. Traffic wasn't bad?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I got here smoothly."
Choi patted my shoulder warmly, but his eyes already seemed to have finished calculating as a director. He scanned me up and down, then gestured abruptly.
"Greetings later. Mind standing in front of the camera over there?"
"Pardon? There?"
He was pointing to the center of the set—an alleyway bathed in red neon lights.
"Just stand there?"
"Yeah. Relax, like normal."
With no clue what was going on, I shuffled awkwardly to the spot. Then the director shouted into his walkie-talkie.
"Lights on! Camera roll!"
Pop! Flash! Lights exploded from all directions, blinding me. At the same time, huge camera lenses zoomed in on me.
What, what's this? Suddenly?
I blinked in panic. No directions, no script. I just felt like a total outsider dumped in this strange space.
That one?
Unsure where to look in my awkwardness, I absentmindedly glanced up at the blinking red neon signboard.
That instant.
"....."
Director Choi, the cinematographer watching the monitor, and the surrounding staff all held their breath.
The Seo Eun-seong on the screen was just insane.
His overwhelming 188cm physique. Taut muscles visible under the black shirt. And that face, shadowed dramatically by the red lighting.
Seo Eun-seong was just staring at the signboard.
But on screen, he was the lonely killer waiting for someone in Macao's back alleys.
"Wh-whoa?!"
The cinematographer let out an involuntary gasp.
"Director... what is this? We haven't even set the lights properly, but the vibe..."
Exactly. His overwhelming visuals and physique transcended all that mise-en-scène nonsense. His mere presence was the mise-en-scène.
"I told you. He's the real deal."
Choi stared at the monitor with ecstatic glee.
Seo Eun-seong wasn't acting.
But his existence itself was a story. Eyes that hinted at a backstory, a sturdy build, and that subtly dangerous aura. You couldn't fake this with acting.
"Um... Director? Should I keep standing?"
I asked, feeling awkward. Choi rushed over without even calling cut.
"Seo Eun-seong."
"Yes?"
"You."
He grabbed both my hands tightly.
"You're cast in my movie right now. You're in."
"Me.. really?"
I widened my eyes. Wait, I just got here and stood still? I just breathed?
"No joke. You've got a face the camera loves. This is exactly the image I was looking for!"
Choi couldn't hide his excitement. The staff around us erupted in applause and cheers.
"Congratulations!"
"Whoa, total visual monster."
"Looking forward to working with you, Actor!"
A barrage of congratulations hit me out of nowhere.
What? I didn't do anything?
I stood there dazed, thinking. This was really happening?
"Here. Take this."
Choi handed me a thick script. The cover read Black City (working title).
Movie ‘Black City’ - Role: Bodyguard / Actor: Seo Eun-seong
"This is.. the script?"
"Yep. The role you're taking is the heroine's shadow-like bodyguard. Modern drama, but it needs that heavy historical tone."
I took the script with trembling hands. It felt heavy—not the paper, but the weight of responsibility.
"Um... Director. To be honest, I'm worried."
"About what?"
"I've never studied acting... no on-set experience at all. I'm a total newbie. What if I just drag down your project?"
I confessed honestly. No matter how good the visuals, movies aren't a game. With billions on the line, was a rookie like me okay?
"Is that so?"
Choi smirked and patted my shoulder.
"Don't worry. Forgot who I am? I'm Choi Do-hyun."
His eyes brimmed with confidence.
"I chose you. That means you can do it. Acting? The technical stuff, I'll handle. Just bring those eyes and that vibe you have. That's enough."
"....."
"Trust me and follow. Got it?"
The master's conviction melted my anxiety like snow. Something hot bubbled up from deep in my chest.
"Yes. Understood. I'll work hard."
"Good! Join us next week. Hit action school first."
And just like that, by chance—or fate—I became a movie actor.
That evening, I carefully tucked the script into my bag and headed home.
"I'm back."
Beep. Unlocking the door, the living room scene was anything but normal.
"....."
Three women sat side by side on the sofa. Seo Ha-rin. Choi Eun-jin. Lee Ah-hyun. All with arms crossed, staring at the entrance with the world's most serious faces. Like parents waiting for a report card.
"Uh.. you all beat me here?"
I smiled awkwardly as I entered, and Ha-rin jumped up.
"Oppa! How'd it go?"
"Spill it, Bear Doll. What'd the director say?"
"How was the test? Did it go well?"
Questions poured in. They'd been anxiously waiting, knowing I was heading to the set today.
Seeing their desperate eyes sparked mischief in me. I deliberately slumped my shoulders and let out a deep sigh.
"Haa.."
"Wh-what? Bad vibe?"
Ha-rin's voice trembled. I hung my head and mumbled weakly.
"Just.. went to look around."
"Just look around?"
"Yeah. Director was swamped. No time for someone like me. Just toured the set.. grabbed some food from craft services."
I put on my saddest face—method acting worthy of Professor Kang Min-cheol's approval. Though really, I was just hungry.
"Ah.."
Their faces darkened instantly. Eun-jin bit her lip; Ah-hyun looked ready to cry.
"It's okay, Oppa! Touring's something! Not just anyone gets into Choi Do-hyun's set."
Ha-rin grabbed my arm, forcing cheer.
"Right! Next chance will come. Our Bear Doll's so awesome? Director must be blind!"
Eun-jin patted my back consolingly.
"Eun-seong oppa.. don't be too disappointed. To us, you're the best."
Ah-hyun's sincere words pricked my conscience a bit. What was I doing to these sweet girls?
I stifled a leaking chuckle and opened my bag.
"Still.. got a souvenir."
"Souvenir?"
I pulled out the thick script and tossed it on the table.
Their eyes locked on it.
"What's this?"
Ha-rin picked it up with shaky hands. Her eyes bulged at my name on the cover.
"Supporting role, but.. I'm cast. Haha!"
I grinned.
"....."
A second of silence, then the living room exploded with screams.
"Oppa!!"
Ha-rin flung the script and tackled me. Squish! When did this kid grow up? I nearly toppled backward anyway.
"Congrats! Knew you'd nail it!"
"Hey! Your acting improved? Fooling us too?"
Eun-jin wrapped around my neck from the side. Ah-hyun teared up, hugging my waist.
"Congratulations, Eun-seong oppa.. so glad.."
Suddenly, I was surrounded. Ha-rin front, Eun-jin right, Ah-hyun left. Was this a flower garden? The sweet scents overwhelmed me.
But then.
"Wait.. mmph!"
Couldn't breathe. Especially the pressure on my right side and back— no joke. Eun-jin. Profile said 158cm shorty, but her curves were team-topping. Her excitement had her squeezing so tight that something huge and soft pressed blatantly against my arm and back.
"N-Nuna.. this is a bit?"
I froze in panic. But she rubbed her face on my cheek, oblivious.
"Our Bear Doll! Knew it'd happen! Party tonight! My treat!"
"Unnie! Back off! Oppa's suffocating!"
Ha-rin tried prying her, but she clung like velcro. Ah-hyun blushed but clutched my shirt. Nothing much from her side, of course.
Thus, amid their warmth, scents, and cheers, I screamed happily.
Heh. This is nice?
My first step as an actor. Who knew it'd start so smoothly?
A few days later, 5 a.m.
Let's go.
I grabbed my bags and headed out. Starting today, lodging near the Paju set for action training and filming.
Early hour, so I planned to slip out quietly, but the living room lights blazed.
"Oppa! Be safe."
"Eat well! No injuries! Bear Doll!"
"Fighting! Eun-seong oppa!"
Ha-rin, Eun-jin, and Ah-hyun rubbed sleepy eyes to see me off. These freeloaders sacrificing dawn sleep for me? Heartwarming.
"Got it. You all nail your schedules too. No skipping meals."
I petted their heads one by one.
"I'll be back. As Actor Seo Eun-seong."
I waved energetically and left.
"Yo~ Actor Seo Eun-seong, right?"
Siren's manager Tae-ho hyung waited with the van.
In the car, glancing out, I saw the three waving from the balcony.
Watch me.
I clenched my fist.
Time to prove it with skill. For my sister and everyone who believed in me.