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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Ad-lib
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Ad-lib.
It refers to impromptu acting that happens spontaneously during a performance.
It's the kind of quick wit that actors deploy in unexpected situations—like when they forget their lines or a phone rings in the audience.
Not all ad-libs are just desperate cover-ups for mistakes, though.
Some are intentional.
To dive deeper into the character, or to heighten the scene's realism.
"They were exchanging lines and situations not in the script. I'm curious if it was improvised, or directed beforehand—and if it was directed, how you came up with the idea."
Kim Geun-tae added the question with his usual gentle smile.
Han Hyo-jin couldn't help but let out a scoff at his words.
*Curious, my foot. You know exactly what happened.*
She kept her expression neutral, but inside, her thoughts were a whirlwind.
Someone of Kim Geun-tae's caliber wouldn't ask out of genuine ignorance.
He knew Moon Woo-hyuk had thrown an impromptu ad-lib, and Lee Do-hyun had nailed the response.
He even knew Woo-hyuk had been the one flustered by it.
He was probably just curious what Do-hyun would say about it.
She could tell from Kim Geun-tae's gaze even now.
He was asking about the ad-lib but not even glancing at Woo-hyuk.
*He must've been really impressed by Do-hyun's acting.*
Honestly, Han Hyo-jin was curious too about what Do-hyun would say.
But she had no intention of jumping in with the question herself.
She'd chew Woo-hyuk out later in private.
If Do-hyun spilled the truth right here in front of everyone, it'd be a total disaster for Woo-hyuk.
No need to spit in my own face.
Still, since Kim Geun-tae had him in his sights, there was no helping it. She focused on Do-hyun's response.
Finally, Do-hyun slowly opened his mouth to answer.
"We tried it once right before going onstage. Our interpretations of the play aligned, and I think it came off well on stage for just one rehearsal, so I'm relieved."
Do-hyun answered with a big smile, looking genuinely pleased.
Anyone who didn't know better might've been completely fooled by his smooth delivery.
*Kid's still acting even offstage. Impressive.*
*Wants to cover for Woo-hyuk, huh? Won't work on me. And definitely not on Teacher Kim Geun-tae.*
Han Hyo-jin glanced at Kim Geun-tae.
Sure enough, he nodded with a face that said he knew everything.
Gulp.
Han Hyo-jin swallowed without realizing it.
What would Kim Geun-tae do now?
If he openly poked holes in that answer and dragged out the truth, Woo-hyuk's confidence would shatter into dust.
"I see. Excellent direction. Thank you for the great performance. Lee Do-hyun. And Moon Woo-hyuk."
Fortunately, Kim Geun-tae was a teacher who valued his students' mental state.
He didn't press further and moved on.
Han Hyo-jin could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Why did she have to end up as Woo-hyuk's mentor and worry like this?
Han Hyo-jin quickly changed the subject.
"Lee Do-hyun."
"Yes."
"Why did you interpret Jun-sik that way?"
Since Kim Geun-tae had opened the floor to questions, she decided to ask Do-hyun as well.
She was annoyed about Woo-hyuk's mistake, but Do-hyun's Jun-sik today had been outstanding.
The question about his interpretation was to gauge just how much of it was his own skill.
"Jun-sik is a man who's already lost his firstborn son. I thought he wouldn't want to lose the only one left in a fit of excitement."
"And?"
"So he'd handle him delicately, like he might break. That's why he'd stay calm and cold instead. In the end, I figured he wanted Woo-dam to realize it himself."
"Nice. Fresh take, and your acting backed it up perfectly."
Not bad at all.
His character analysis had no gaps.
Han Hyo-jin thought Do-hyun wasn't just talented at acting—he was smart, too.
She turned her gaze to Woo-hyuk next, but he looked completely zoned out.
"Next team."
She decided to skip questions for Woo-hyuk.
They'd meet one-on-one later anyway.
No point grilling him now when he might not even hear it.
Han Hyo-jin moved straight to the next team's feedback.
Phew.
A sigh of relief escaped her.
He leaned back comfortably in his audience seat, listening vaguely to the feedback for the next team.
It's really over now.
Nailed it without a hitch this time, too.
It was true that Woo-hyuk's sudden ad-lib had nearly broken his immersion for a moment.
But Woo-hyuk's acting had been solid up to that point, so he'd managed to hold it together.
Fully immersed as Jun-sik, he'd kept the performance going and responded perfectly.
He glanced back at Woo-hyuk, who looked utterly devastated.
*Hope he's okay.*
It was like looking at my pre-regression self, leaving a bitter taste.
*Maybe I should've gone easier on him.*
He'd half-expected Woo-hyuk to throw a surprise ad-lib.
But he had no intention of getting mad about it.
He'd anticipated it all and accepted Woo-hyuk's suggestion from the start.
Separate rehearsals followed by the real thing? Too predictable.
He'd already brainstormed dozens of ways Woo-hyuk might charge in during solo practice.
He'd studied and rehearsed his "Jun-sik" reactions for each scenario.
There was nothing he could say to Woo-hyuk right now.
He turned his eyes away and decided to listen to Han Hyo-jin's feedback on the other teams.
"Feedback ends here."
The feedback session, which had felt endless, was finally over.
The kids experiencing this for the first time fidgeted restlessly, stretching and squirming.
"The acting test rankings will be posted on the school homepage sometime this evening."
Unlike the vocal test, where rankings came right away, the acting test needed more time.
It made sense—acting wasn't as straightforward as singing.
Still, announcing tonight didn't feel like much of a wait.
"Dismissed! Good work! Enjoy your lunch!"
"Thank you!"
Han Hyo-jin's words wrapped up the acting test.
Hearing that made his long-forgotten hunger hit all at once.
Guess I'll have to go for seconds at lunch today.
***
Lunchtime. Behind the dorms, Han Hyo-jin stood with arms crossed, staring up at the sky and sighing.
Moon Woo-hyuk stood before her, head bowed.
"What the hell were you thinking pulling that stunt? Did you have a plan, or not?"
Despite Han Hyo-jin's prodding, Woo-hyuk stayed silent.
"If you wanted to screw him over that bad, at least prepare properly. If you couldn't, then don't do it at all... Moon Woo-hyuk. Are you listening?"
Teacher Han Hyo-jin had seen through everything, as expected.
Woo-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut in despair.
That other teacher, Kim Geun-tae, had probably seen it all too.
That's why he'd asked that question earlier.
"...Yes."
"We said rankings are coming late, but we could tell who placed where just from the performances."
The delay was just to organize detailed feedback for the students.
The results were clear the moment the test ended.
"The teachers aren't idiots. We saw your ad-lib, your mistake, everything. I shouldn't even have been a judge to begin with, and there's a limit to how much I can cover for you."
"Got it."
Woo-hyuk murmured softly, head still down, utterly deflated.
Han Hyo-jin looked down at him and let out a deep sigh.
Seeing him so dejected made her anger fizzle into frustration.
"What are you gonna do this afternoon...? Ugh. Really."
Woo-hyuk's eyes widened at the mention of afternoon.
Han Hyo-jin wasn't talking about the rankings.
"You'd better come up with some excuse. I'm so disappointed in you today, I don't even know what to tell him."
Since she was his one-on-one mentor, she'd have to report to Moon Kang-hyun personally.
No helping it.
As someone in the musical theater world, Han Hyo-jin was under Moon Kang-hyun's influence too.
"...Just do it."
"What?"
"Tell him the truth. That Moon Woo-hyuk's trash and blew the whole test."
Woo-hyuk spat the words bitterly and turned toward the dorms.
"Moon Woo-hyuk!"
He didn't look back at her call.
Watching his long legs carry him swiftly away left her feeling distant.
*What's he planning to do?*
Han Hyo-jin sighed repeatedly in exasperation.
***
After lunch, the musical theater students gathered back in the small theater.
It was supposed to be gym time on the field, but today featured a special guest lecture instead of regular classes.
"We're stuck in this little theater all day."
Woo-sik grumbled but couldn't hide his excitement, leg bouncing and a grin plastered on his face.
Well, it'd be a lie to say I wasn't thrilled too.
"Hey... Do-hyun. You bring extra underwear?"
"What's that supposed to mean, again."
"Might piss yourself."
Looking at Woo-sik's dead-serious face, words failed me from sheer pity.
*What am I gonna do with this guy?*
Meanwhile, the seats of the Cheongyeom Arts High trio—Song Ha-na, Kim Sun-woo, and Moon Woo-hyuk—were deathly silent.
Kim Sun-woo whispered to Song Ha-na.
"Woo-hyuk's still off. You think he's sick? He okay?"
"That's not pain. That's fear. No idea. Just wanna smack him."
Song Ha-na said it harshly, but she was worried.
Woo-hyuk's face was so grim she couldn't even approach him.
Now he was even trembling faintly.
When the time came, Han Hyo-jin—not their homeroom teacher Ji-woong—stepped onto the stage.
"Alright, quiet down. Nice to see you all again, huh?"
Finally.
The kids hushed instantly at Han Hyo-jin's entrance.
"Your homeroom teacher's got something this afternoon, so I'm filling in. Anything happens on my watch, it's on me—so no trouble, got it?"
"Yes!"
Good response.
Han Hyo-jin glanced worriedly at the stiff Woo-hyuk and raised her voice.
"The papers being passed out are for reflections. Listen up, write 'em well, and hand 'em in."
The hyped-up students eagerly flipped past the reflection prompt, buzzing with anticipation.
Not one balked at the word "reflection."
"Now, the person you've all been waiting for~ The one you've been dying to meet! When they come in, give 'em the loudest welcome the musical theater department can muster. You can strain your voices for this one minute."
The house lights dimmed, leaving only the stage brightly lit.
Then a 190cm giant stepped onto the stage.
His mere presence was so overwhelming the kids couldn't even clap, let alone cheer.
"Hello, students of great Cheongyeom Arts High."
Moon Woo-hyuk's father. A titan of Korean musical theater.
Today's guest lecturer was none other than.
"Moon Kang-hyun."
A master I'd never met even pre-regression stood before my eyes now.
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