I'm Rookie Actor Seo Eun-seong. Nice to Meet You.
"All done, Bear Doll. Open your eyes."
At Choi Eun-jin's voice, I slowly opened my eyes. A stranger stood in the dressing room mirror.
"Whoa... is that me again?"
An exclamation slipped out before I knew it. A pomade style that swept my forehead clean and cool. Subtle makeup that refined my skin texture and shaped my eyebrows. And a navy double-breasted suit tailored perfectly to my body. The man in the mirror was no longer "college student Seo Eun-seong." He was undeniably a perfect "actor."
"What do you think? Unnie's skills are killer, right? I picked up a few tricks from our stylists," Eun-jin unnie said, resting her chin on my shoulder and winking at me through the mirror.
"Whoa... oppa, you look like a real celebrity! Even I have to admit it, and I'm your sister!"
"No way, you're cooler than any celebrity. Oppa will be the handsomest today for sure."
Ha-rin and Ah-hyun circled around me, letting out gasps of admiration. Thanks to the three girls' devoted efforts, I was fully kitted out.
"Thanks, you guys. I feel like I can breathe now."
"Breathe? You'll steal everyone's thunder today! Got it?"
Ha-rin smacked my back encouragingly. With my solid backup squad, I headed out.
1:30 p.m., Yongsan Multiplex waiting room.
"Hello! Sorry I'm late. I'm Seo Eun-seong!"
"...?"
As soon as I opened the waiting room door, all eyes turned to me. Choi Do-hyun director, Kim Na-yeon sunbae, and the lead actors too.
"Oh! Eun-seong's here!"
Director Choi jumped up to greet me, then paused at my appearance.
"Well...? You've come ready to slay today. You're positively glowing."
"Haha... my little sisters fussed over me a bit."
I scratched my head sheepishly. That's when it happened.
"Oh my?"
Kim Na-yeon sunbae rose from the sofa and approached me. Instead of a flashy dress, she wore a sleek black one-piece.
"Eun-seong! You look amazing today!"
She fiddled with my collar, pressing close naturally.
"Your tie's a little crooked. Let me fix it."
"Ah, no need. I can do it..."
"Stay still. Taking care of juniors is a sunbae's job."
Na-yeon sunbae hummed softly as she retied my tie. A faint perfume scent brushed my nose.
"N-Na-yeon?"
Her manager unnie and the staff cleared their throats pointedly, but Na-yeon ignored them.
"There. Perfect."
She tapped my chest with a playful smile.
"Haha... thank you."
My face burned; I didn't know where to look.
"Time! Let's head in!"
A staffer's shout saved us, and we moved to the theater.
Stage greetings out of nowhere? This wasn't in my plan!
My heart pounded like it would burst. My first stage greeting ever. Would the audience welcome me?
"Eun-seong, relax. Just smile and wave."
Director Choi patted my shoulder.
"Yes, director. Whew."
I took a deep breath and stepped into the dark auditorium.
"Now, please welcome the stars of Glorious Outing!"
Lights blazed on with the MC's cue. Director Choi led, followed by Na-yeon sunbae and the leads.
"It's Kim Na-yeon!"
Woooah! The crowd roared.
And then, as I stepped onto the stage last.
"Huh?! That actor? Isn't that him?!"
"Insane! It's Seo Eun-seong!"
"Kyaa! Bodyguard oppa! Look over here!"
The theater erupted in cheers that shook the walls, like an idol concert. Hundreds of phone cameras flashed wildly at me. It was blinding.
Whoa... what is this...?
Dazed, I stared at the audience. Most were screaming my name, chanting it.
A scene I couldn't have imagined yesterday.
"Haha..."
I raised a trembling hand and waved.
"He's such a pro!"
"Even shy is cute!"
Woooaaah! The cheers grew louder.
Knowing the haters were lurking in some corner gave me a spark of courage.
Twenty minutes into the stage greetings.
"Yes! The energy is electric! Especially this one's popularity today—it's off the charts!"
The MC grinned and handed me the mic.
"The man shaking Korea just one day after release: Hot bodyguard No. 1, Seo Eun-seong! A greeting, please!"
I gripped the mic with both hands. My heart felt like it would leap out, but I feigned calm. As Ha-rin taught, chin down, eyes forward.
"Hello. I'm rookie actor Seo Eun-seong, playing the bodyguard in Glorious Outing. Nice to meet you."
My deep voice boomed through the speakers.
"That voice... honey-coated..."
"Oppa! I love you!"
"Seo Eun-seong, you're so handsome!"
The audience went wild again.
"Haha... thank you."
I smiled shyly and bowed. It came off as cool aloof charm; groans of admiration echoed everywhere.
"Seo Eun-seong, did you expect this love just one day after release?"
"No... not at all. I'm just grateful for the director's opportunity."
"So humble too. Your screen time is just over a minute, yet you dominated the audience with your acting."
The MC turned serious.
"Especially conveying solitude and desperation with just your eyes, no lines. What were you thinking? What's the secret?"
"..."
The crowd hushed, waiting.
Acting secret?
I pondered. As if I had one. Back then, I was just...
"Ah... well... actually, during that scene..."
I opened my mouth to be honest—just that I was starving and thinking of food.
That's when.
"Can I answer for him? He seems too nervous."
Na-yeon sunbae snatched my mic beside me. She smiled at me, then faced the crowd.
"Our Eun-seong's too humble to say it. I watched him filming right there."
Her voice gained strength.
"He's a genius who acts on pure instinct."
"Pardon...?"
My eyes widened. Genius? Me?
"He's this pure, sunny guy normally. But cue sign drops, and his eyes change—like someone's possessed. Not calculated, but total immersion. Pure energy. Method acting itself."
Na-yeon sunbae praised me endlessly, practically deifying me.
"Whoa? No wonder he burst through the screen."
"Knew it... a genius."
"If Na-yeon vouches, it's real."
The audience nodded in agreement. I wanted to wave it off, but the moment passed.
"Hm... Na-yeon has a point. This kid's never studied acting."
Even Director Choi chimed in, shocking everyone. Suddenly, I was a natural genius actor.
"Impressive roots from the start."
The MC nodded along. Na-yeon returned the mic with a wink, mouthing, 'Saved by me, right?'
I nodded awkwardly. Saved, sure... but how to fix this?
Meanwhile, in the back corner, three women in hats and masks trembled with rage.
"That! That vixen?!"
Eun-jin clenched her fists.
"Why's she cutting off our Bear Doll? And sticking so close? That's flirting, right?"
"Totally. Anyone can see she's hitting on Eun-seong oppa! Unnie!"
Ah-hyun's voice was unusually sharp.
Ha-rin glared at the stage, arms crossed.
"Oppa's the problem too, grinning like that. Just wait till he gets home."
Laser beams shot from their eyes. Of course, on stage, I was oblivious, lost in the flashes.
That night, after greetings, no warm dinner awaited me at home.
"Back?"
"B-Back...? Ha-rin? What's with the tone? I'm your oppa."
"So?"
Yes. The three sat side-by-side on the living room sofa, arms crossed, glaring with axe eyes. Like grim reapers interrogating a sinner.
"Haha. Why aren't you all asleep?"
"Sit."
Ha-rin jerked her chin at the opposite chair. I sat hesitantly, clueless.
"Oppa. Be honest."
"About what?"
"What's with Kim Na-yeon? What's your deal?"
Ha-rin's straight shot stunned me.
"Deal? Just sunbae-junior."
"Suniors don't get that cozy? Answering for you, winking?"
Eun-jin unnie piled on.
"Bear Doll, you were dripping honey up there. Riding the vibe?"
"Vibe? No way."
I flailed innocently.
"She's a sunbae. Just looking out for her junior, like how you guys treat me like family. She sees me as a dongsaeng."
"..."
My pure logic left them speechless.
To me, Na-yeon sunbae was just a kind noona. Romantic feelings? Never crossed my mind.
"Sigh... total bear brain."
Eun-jin unnie facepalmed with a sigh.
"Fine, if you say so. But watch out. Her eyes weren't innocent."
Ha-rin warned.
"Got it, got it."
I nodded, but inwardly doubted. A top actress like her crushing on a rookie like me?
Then.
Bzzz. My phone buzzed. Kim Min-su again.
"Yo, Min-su. What's up?"
"Dude! Seo Eun-seong! Seen the articles?"
"Articles? What? You only search my name?"
"You maniac! Then stop making headlines! Check the net now!"
At Min-su's fussing, I hung up and opened the browser.
"Huh...?"
I froze.
Entertainment pages overflowed with praise for me. Communities were buzzing too.
I broke into a cold sweat reading them.
"I was just... really hungry..."
My mutter made the three girls chuckle.
"Hey, Bear Doll. In showbiz, image is everything."
Eun-jin unnie nudged my shoulder.
"Bubble or not, if they call you genius, play the part. Enjoy it."
"Right, Eun-seong oppa. Good results matter."
Ah-hyun smiled supportively.
Ha-rin beamed at her phone.
"Anyway, oppa's a real actor now. Genius Actor Seo Eun-seong. Sounds good."
"Y-Yeah?"
Dazed, I glanced in the mirror. The man there—two months ago, a room-bound bear doll—was now Korea's spotlighted genius actor.
Genius, huh... screw it, let's roll with it.
Burdened, but not hating it. A heat stirred in my chest. I wanted to fill this bubble with real skill before it popped.
End of chapter 20.