I got called to the backstage without even so much of an introduction to the show. There was nothing I could do to protest.
I whined jokingly as I stood up, waving goodbye to Dojun. Other participants who would go after me had their names called, too. I figure it would take some time to attach the mics and whatever to everyone.
I asked for a hand-held microphone, so the staff just helped me with the in-ear thing to have me prepared.
"Thank you, Mrs. Staff! I'll be off," I waved goodbye all friendly as I got up the stairs. The staff member seemed flustered for a second before getting called for help by someone.
This makes my second time walking up here. And it's at the same day, too, which makes me less nervous.
I exhaled deeply to relax, then before I knew it, I was already up here again.
I waved my arms up in the air to the pyramid of seats that were now full of people—people far more talented than I was, might I remind. Then I bowed to the judges sitting closer to the stage.
"Hello everyone! I am Jung Haechan from Korea! Please call me Chan."
I made a peace sign as I walked up to the center of the stage, leaving behind a basic plastic chair on the stage side.
The judge who first spoke was Oh Seonmi, her tone curious, "Chan? Aren't you the actor I worked with on that show, Coin Locker Child[1]?"
I pretended to be surprised.
"Oh, you're right! That was so long ago, Mrs. Seonmi. I'm happy you still remember."
"How can I not? Your acting was amazing even then. I still remember our scenes together."
Bailey Huang, the famous choreographer, chimed in, "You both played a role in that movie? That's super awesome, it's what got me into Korean movies!"
"So you were an actor before this, huh?" WIN added to the conversation.
"Seonmi, if you still remember, shouldn't you two reenact this scene of you together?"
I don't know about that, man. I just wanna perform and sit back down...
Seonmi fucking stood up from her seat and started walking to the stage.
Excuse me, did you all forget this was just the first performance!?
I was openly flustered but tried to look more excited. The moment she stood in front of me, I accepted my fate.
"Now that you're close, I'm getting nervous..."
"Aha, don't sweat it. You're not as little as back then, but let's treat this as a reunion, Il-yeong."
I almost flinched at the mention of that name. Il-yeong was the name of my role back then. That was the first and only time I played as a main character in a movie. Oh Seonmi here had an important supporting role and as the protagonist's older love interest or the sort.
I don't remember every dialogue, but if it's the scenes we're talking about, then it is still pretty vivid to me.
This is actually making me nervous.
"Shall we...do your last act in the movie?" I spoke a bit stiffly, which might have been a little out of character.
"I was thinking the same. Let's start now."
I focused in response. It had been too long of a time since the last time we interacted, but as actor to actor, both Oh Seonmi and I understood each other's motive and presence even without rehearsing.
Oh Seonmi started the scene by sitting down on the stage floor and smiling.
"Ah, hello again, Il-yeong-ah."
I swallowed dryly before approaching here, each step measured and doubtful. This wasn't precisely how it went. This isn't perfect, but I felt like my emotions were better than in the past.
"You..." I paused, closing my mouth and sitting across from Oh Seonmi, leaving a small gap between us. The woman smiled brighter, but also sheepishly.
"I'm sorry. There really is nothing I can give you. Would you like some cup ramen, though?"
I could tell immediately, Oh Seonmi was acting too formally. I didn't mind.
"No. I- Suyeon, you..."
We sat in silence for a couple moments. The audience was currently speechless. I feel like I'd blended in too much with my character, now I feel a bit sick. I wonder if the confusion was exempt on my face.
In this scene, the main character, a hired debt collector, was supposed to strike at the character, Suyeon, after she failed to pay her father's debt over and over again. However, this main character had fallen for Suyeon.
In the end of the movie, Suyeon ended up dying in the hands of someone else, which made me, Il-yeong, go mad and kill the owner of the organization I worked for.
But I can't show that here. Thus, I can only compromise.
Oh Seonmi's job right now is to smile sincerely until the scene ends.
I stiffly stood up, my legs moving sluggishly. In the end, my face turned hollow, all emotions fading slowly.
Then I turned my head to Oh Seonmi again.
"Thank you."
My voice was detached of feeling, even I was almost surprised at my own tone. Nobody spoke for a while until my hand reached out to help Oh Seonmi up, gesturing to help her up.
"Your acting is still awesome, Mrs. Seonmi!" My cheerful voice returned.
Oh Seonmi gladly took my hand and smiled while returning back to her seat.
'And then everyone clapped,' deadass.
It was awkward, but I felt that acting all happy-go-lucky actually helped with the embarrassment, even though I'd already forgotten about what I did.
"I can't believe it, you're that good!"
The statement came from Jacob Brown who hadn't spoken much before.
Bailey Huang added her own thoughts as the original movie's fan before the topic finally shifted. I'd also rather not think of how I looked like when receiving so many compliments just now.
"I'd love to talk again later, but let's focus on the show for now."
Right, like you should've been doing from the start!
WIN added to Jacob Brown's comment, "I sure am curious to see why you're wearing...well, that," the rapper chuckled, gesturing to my legs.
Ah, right. I'm wearing black stockings below my jeans now.
[1] Original title: Coin Locker Girl (2014) - inspired from a real case of pregnant teenage girls leaving newborn babies in a coin locker (subway station facility) in hopes to leave those kids behind for locker cleaners to find. (The movie's story is different, though!!)