Acting practice
When I firmly refused, Moon Chang-sik sounded a little taken aback over the phone.
[Hmm… is it really that disagreeable to you?]
"No, it's just… uh, ha…."
To be honest, it wasn't like it was some extremely difficult or indecent scene.
There wasn't much skinship involved, and if I just steeled myself and did it… whew, no, not easy.
"It's just… I don't think I can pull something like this off. No matter what, wouldn't it end up looking awkward?"
[Well, there is a bit of a difference, but how about this—what if we push the filming date back and you practice first?]
"Practice? Well, I mean…"
If I had to, I could. But me? Doing this?
Would it even be possible?
[If it's really too hard for you, then… fine.]
Wait, could it be they'll revise it?
That easily?
I was starting to feel a little guilty.
Still, I should be grateful….
[I'll teach you how to act. Clear your schedule.]
"…Excuse me?"
Wait, seriously?
**
The next day, around lunchtime, I had a call with Tenshi.
I needed to let them know I'd be going to Japan, and coordinate. If they said they couldn't make it, well… then I'd just enjoy it as a family trip and meet them next time I went.
[Hon-tto ni, you're really coming to Japan?]
"Yes, um… looks like I'll be there next weekend. Will you be free then?"
[Hai! E– yabe~, I'm so excited!]
Thankfully, Tenshi readily agreed.
I could practically feel their excitement radiating through the headset.
Were they really that happy? Either way, I'd finally be meeting an internet friend in person.
"I'll let you know the exact time later."
[Hai! Etto… so what are you doing now? Want to play a game together?]
Play a game together… Normally I would've, chatting away while we played, but right now…
"Gomen, I already have plans."
[Ehh—honto? Don't tell me… you're meeting a guy?]
A guy? Well… technically, yeah.
In Japanese terms…
"Hai, hon-tto ni ikemen."
[Eeehhk–!]
"Ahaha, business, business."
[Ehh, sugee.]
Well, is it really business? Hard to say, but let's call it work.
[Then play with me after you get back!]
After I get back? Well, I don't know exactly when I'll return, but probably before dinner….
"Alright."
[Got it!]
After ending the call with Tenshi, I got dressed as I had prepared in advance and got ready to head out.
"Going out again today?"
As I stepped into the living room, Madam Jang, the queen of our household, spoke up.
"Yeah, meeting a guy."
"Wow, really? That's surprising."
"See? You don't believe me."
"Is it true? If it goes well, bring him home sometime."
"It's not like that."
"Are you teasing me right now?"
Whoops—if I kept talking, I'd probably get smacked on the back again like last time.
"Anyway, I'll be back before dinner. I'm heading out."
"Pick up some tofu on your way back."
"Okay."
After taking on that little errand, I stepped outside and spotted a red sports car parked beyond the gate.
…What's that?
Did some rich person come around here?
Wow, I don't know much about cars, but that thing has to be worth hundreds of millions of won.
I'll probably never drive something like that in my life.
Not that I'm dying to.
People say cars are a man's dream, but I don't really get it.
As I crossed the yard and opened the gate, the sports car right in front of me caught my eyes completely.
Damn, that thing really stands out. Why would someone park it in front of our house—
Whirr—
"Get in."
"Haah."
"What? Why the sigh?"
"Nothing. Thanks for coming to pick me up."
"As long as you know."
With that, Moon Chang-sik gestured for me to hurry in. Suppressing the urge to hold my throbbing head, I slid into the passenger seat.
"Then let's go."
"What about the van?"
"I can't handle that van. Too big for me."
"Ah, I see."
"And, you know, I've always had a bit of a dream about cars. One of my little goals was to buy one when I started earning, so now that I have, I should drive it from time to time."
Well… I can't say I don't get it. But isn't it way too conspicuous?
Especially when I came out in sweatpants for acting practice. Doesn't match the car at all….
Though, come to think of it, Moon Chang-sik's clothes weren't much different.
"Why are you looking at my clothes? You look like you came in gym clothes yourself, Soo-hyun."
"You're right."
How'd he know?
It is sweats, but technically my high school PE uniform.
It fits, it's comfy—why wouldn't I wear it?
"Wait, that's really a school gym uniform? You still have that?"
"I only graduated less than two years ago, you know."
Actually, you could say just one year. I graduated last March.
When I said "two years since graduation," Moon Chang-sik frowned and gave me a look like, What are you talking about?
"What?"
"I said I graduated two years ago."
"You're twenty-one?"
"Yeah. What age did you think I was?"
"Oh, uh… you just talk so maturely, I thought maybe early-to-mid twenties."
What the heck?
Didn't I already say my age? Or was he too distracted to notice?
"Wait, so you really didn't know my age all this time?"
"Hmm… well, do you know mine, Soo-hyun?"
Counterattack, huh?
How old was Moon Chang-sik again? I knew he was on the younger side…
But he's built a career, so…
"Mid-to-late twenties?"
"See, you don't know exactly either. But if you searched, you'd find it."
"When will we get there, anyway? Wow, this car really is nice, though. It drives so smoothly."
"Well, of course."
Before I knew it, the car had sped us to a building.
"This the place?"
"Yes, that's right."
Whoa, an office building. Not huge, but definitely looks brand-new.
"Nice place. It's here?"
"Yes, in the basement. I rented a whole room for the day, so it'll just be the two of us."
"For the whole day?"
What… we need to practice that long?
Well, if I'm taking up his time anyway, maybe it's better if it's longer.
Inside, it was similar to the dance studio I'd gone to before.
One wall was covered in mirrors, and while it was smaller, it was still plenty spacious for just two people.
"Alright then, let's start from the basics."
"Wait—are you sure about this? I could just learn off YouTube. I feel like I'm wasting your time."
Was it strange for me to think like that? Moon Chang-sik gave a small laugh, as if it were nothing.
"I don't really have much on my schedule these days aside from filming. If I weren't here, I'd just be binge-watching a drama at home."
Still, a one-on-one lesson with Moon Chang-sik… if fans found out, I'd get murdered.
"Still, why go this far for me…?"
"Strictly speaking, it's an investment in the project—one where you appear, and I'm the lead. And if you end up becoming a real actress out of this, won't you remember this time fondly, and maybe even lean toward my agency?"
Agency? Now that he mentions it, he did bring that up before.
"Is your agency really that good?"
What kind of place makes Moon Chang-sik personally scout people? Do they lack staff?
"Not so much good as… I'm one of the major shareholders."
Ahh… so it's like investing in himself.
That's some serious confidence. Doesn't that mean if he fails, his stock crashes too?
Well, judging by his popularity, even if things go bad, he's set for three generations.
"Anyway, enough talk. Let's get started. First, walking practice?"
"Hold on. But I only have one scene, right? Shouldn't we just practice that?"
"A great teacher doesn't just give a hungry student a fish—he teaches them how to catch it."
"…Excuse me?"
Since when was I his student?
I mean, sure, I'm learning from him for the day, but still.
"I could just drill you on your role, sure. But don't you think it's more useful to understand the fundamentals than to just memorize the answers? I've got plenty of time today anyway. Do you have any other appointments, Soo-hyun?"
Appointments? Oh… right, I do have one.
"Yeah, I promised a friend I'd game with them tonight…."
Even as I said it, I felt a little silly—but a promise is a promise.
When I mentioned "a game," Moon Chang-sik's brow twitched slightly, but then he quickly brushed it off.
"Well, if it's in the evening, that's fine. We'll finish before then. Luckily your vocal delivery is fine, so I think we just need to polish up a few awkward movements."
"Yeah, that much should be fine…."
It's not like I'm uncoordinated—I just don't have much stamina.
And honestly, after a few days of playing Beat Saber, I think my stamina's improved just a little.
"Alright, let's assume the camera's positioned over here to start with."
And so, Moon Chang-sik's impromptu acting lesson began.
What I realized was—Moon Chang-sik really seems to have a knack for teaching.
Or maybe this is something he picked up while practicing for roles himself?
Either way, his instruction landed right in my ears as if it were custom-tailored.
Great voice projection, a natural way with words, and above all, he's a specialist in this field.
As an acting coach, he's got perfect credentials.
Thanks to that, I was able to pick up the fundamentals surprisingly quickly, even if it was just a crash course.
Then came the practice for my actual role.
"Alright, let's try it."
"Really do it?"
"You'll have to perform on set anyway. Isn't it better to practice here than in front of all the staff?"
Fair point, I guess….
I recalled the script I'd memorized yesterday.
Not much had been added—maybe ten extra lines at most?
Thankfully, it was still firmly a minor role.
But still….
"Then let's begin."
"Yes, I'll practice alongside you, so give it your all."
Ugh, well, here goes.
I pictured it.
Just as Moon Chang-sik taught me.
I'm in a recording studio right now.
Luckily, that's an easy image for me.
After all, I've spent countless hours recording in a composer's studio.
Sometimes several hours a day.
I layered the memory of that studio onto the empty space where only Moon Chang-sik and I stood.
Walls, glass panes, microphones, the soundproof door I'd step through soon.
I'm not sure if this is because of "artist Soo-hyun" or "illustrator Soo-hyun," but the images sprang to mind instantly.
Maybe it's a touch of imagination from the side of me that draws.
Anyway, I wrapped the imagined studio around us and began performing as the script instructed.
At first, it was barely acting. Just recording, then stepping out of the booth. Something I've done so many times that moving naturally was no problem.
The one added element was that, right now, I was a top star.
A young, successful, beautiful, confident top star with her pride reaching the heavens.
Yes. I am a top star now. The apex predator of the entertainment world.
I step out of the booth with full confidence, believing I've nailed the recording without a single mistake.
And there, an insufferably arrogant producer looks at me.
"Well? How was it?"
"Eh—it's fine."
A fallen genius. Unlike me, who soared by carrying all the expectations and popularity from childhood, this one crumbled under the weight of pressure.
And yet—he's still somewhat good-looking, with a trace of talent left.
Rotting away in obscurity, but somehow managed to write such an excellent song.
"That's all? You've got nothing else to say?"
"Nope. Nothing to fix. You can leave now."
…Rude. Leaving it at that feels like a waste.
"Tsk, that can't be all."
Still, isn't that way too flat? Even our company's head producer isn't this dry.
"Should I at least give you a compliment?"
"You're too prickly."
Well, let's see how long you can keep that stone face.
Step—
I stretched my long legs and closed the distance in a stride. A tiny crack formed in his stern expression.
Maybe I should shatter it completely?
I reached out and cupped his smooth jaw.
"Do I really displease you that much? Even if I look like this, I… I—Argh!"
In an instant, the imagined set collapsed, and when I opened my eyes, Moon Chang-sik was staring at me with a stunned expression.
Ugh! So cringe!
How the hell am I supposed to do this?
"Break time!"
I collapsed mid-rehearsal.
My hands and feet were curling up in sheer embarrassment.
I really felt sorry for Moon Chang-sik, but controlling my expression was impossible. There's only so far immersion can take me!
Who wrote this script? Drag them to me right now.
Who the hell acts like this in real life?
As shame crept up on me, my face grew redder and redder.
Then—
"Wait, but…"
Moon Chang-sik approached me with that bewildered look still on his face.
"Are you sure you don't have any acting experience?"
"What?"
Why ask that? Is he just trying to flatter me now?
Even so, that won't uncurl my fingers and toes.
"You've never taken lessons anywhere before?"
"Uh, no. You saw me, remember? We did the test shoot together."
And then Moon Chang-sik's stunned expression shifted into one of shock, his eyes lighting up.
What? What's going on?
Did I… actually do well just now?
No, wait. That look in his eyes… it's kind of strange.
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