A crumbling commercial building with peeling cement and dust piled everywhere. If the windows hadn't been open, he would've definitely thought it was a scam and bolted. Ha Moo-young climbed the stairs with a tense expression.
"Im Jun-ho."
"Yeah?"
"Why are you following me?"
Unlike the cautious Moo-young, Jun-ho was grinning ear to ear. When Moo-young blocked the stairs with his foot and asked, his friend quickly put on a stern, serious face.
"You know there are tons of scammers in places like this. The building's a total dump too. I'm worried some gullible kid like Ha Moo-young might stamp a contract on the spot. So just say thanks and let me take the lead. Ahem."
"You're full of crap. You think I don't know?"
"Heh. Hehehe."
At an age when guys were obsessed with girls, Jun-ho smirked lecherously, muttering about how the aspiring actresses here must be super pretty.
"Honestly, even with the mask, you look like a celeb."
"Right? Life's all about confidence."
"Oh? Finally admitting it?"
Screeech. Ignoring Jun-ho, Moo-young pushed open the academy door. The inside was just as shabby as the outside. A man sprawled on a worn leather sofa jolted awake.
"Urk!"
He must've been napping. "Uh, come on in."
He was a big guy—tall and built like an athlete. But the long hair down to his shoulders and the neatly trimmed beard hinted at an artistic soul.
"What brings you here?"
"We'd like some counseling."
"Counseling! Acting?"
"Isn't this an acting academy?"
"Right, right. Come sit."
He cleared snack bags off the table and gestured them over. No matter how you sliced it, this place didn't look legit. Moo-young and Jun-ho exchanged glances.
'If it smells fishy, we bolt.'
'Yeah.'
"Nice to meet you. I'm the director, Jeong O-seok. Heh."
The man set cocoa in front of them and sat across, sizing up Moo-young and Jun-ho.
"So, who's here for counseling..."
With seven years as director, O-seok had learned one thing: actors grew step by step, but most kids coming to acting academies didn't want that—they wanted shortcuts.
"Ha Moo-young."
"Ah, you!"
O-seok pitied those kids. Honestly, they seemed pathetic too—like stubborn bugs racing toward the sun. He weeded out the ones more interested in fame than acting, and as a result, his academy had been pushed to this rundown spot.
"Handsome kid. Sejin High? What year?"
The tall, striking student caught the eye immediately. Jun-ho looked decent too, but his vibe was different. Kids like that often came in full of hot air. If that was the case, he'd politely send them packing.
...Even if he'd been surviving on ramen for three days straight.
"Third year."
"Just third year?"
"No. I graduated."
"Hmm. I see."
The timing was awkward. Most started prepping for film arts departments right at high school admission. This was the season results came out.
O-seok stroked his chin, gauging Moo-young.
'Retaking exams? What kind?'
Failed entrance exams, banking on a pretty face to pivot to acting? Worst-case scenario in his book. Hiding his thoughts behind a smile, O-seok asked,
"Prepping for film arts? Retaking might be easier for modeling or something else."
"No. Not interested. I want to learn acting, exams or no."
Oh. Firmer answer than expected. That actually raised hopes. Choosing acting at a pivotal time showed seriousness.
"Any acting experience?"
"None."
"Then adult class counseling it is."
O-seok slid over a curriculum booklet.
"Prices differ by class?"
"Think of it as skill levels. Beginner, intermediate, advanced—beginner's the priciest. More to teach. Oh, and I handle all classes myself."
Beginner: 500,000 won/month. Intermediate: 400,000. Advanced: 300,000. Moo-young hid his shock.
'This expensive?'
Way beyond his means. No idea why the flower pollen had bloomed here. He couldn't even dream of affording it.
"Advanced is like on-site auditions. We film every class for monitor feedback. Elite group of five max. Resume's there."
Film arts grad, theater troupe, multiple dramas, etc. Small classes were necessity, but hey, marketing.
"And most importantly, audition pass rate! 85% of BV students—"
"How long to reach advanced normally?"
Moo-young ignored the fluff. Key was time—and money—to learn properly.
"Depends on talent, but six months to a year with promise. Most start prepping on enrollment."
O-seok saw it as reasonable. Even starting freshman year, you'd have it by graduation. Entertainers just grabbed kids young, that's all.
"Hmm."
Moo-young propped his chin, deep in thought. Simple math showed massive bleeding. No way around it.
Screeech.
"We're here."
"Teacher! What'd Yu-chan do today—"
Then the door opened, and four or five students piled in. Various uniforms, even from far schools. O-seok checked his watch.
"Already?"
The academy had moved, but students came far for his classes. Moo-young clocked it from the uniforms.
"Go warm up first."
"Yessir. Brr, froze up out there."
"Video class today, so set up."
"Hurry."
Casual, friendly vibe. O-seok slyly suggested to Moo-young,
"Acting's all about practice. Why not observe a class?"
Director's savvy or desperation from hard times? He sensed Moo-young's hesitation. Needed enrollment to avoid more ramen this month.
"Is that okay?"
"Of course. Others do demo lessons too. C'mon, up. I'll show the facilities. We have everything despite looks."
O-seok grinned warmly, leading them. Jun-ho whispered in Moo-young's ear,
"Saw that girl earlier?"
"Jinhwa Girls' High?"
"Cute."
"Shut up. Please."
Moo-young pinched Jun-ho's side, grinding his teeth. The inside was surprisingly spacious. O-seok wasn't bluffing.
"Two practice rooms: class and free. Changing, showers too. Can cook most anything—just share a bite. Haha."
Because this was his home! He'd sunk his deposit into the academy.
"This class is intermediate, all film arts hopefuls. Some got results, some waiting."
Shabby but well-maintained. O-seok opened the practice room.
Click.
"Ahhhh—"
"A-E-I-O-U-Ae!"
Students warming up body and voice. O-seok set chairs in the corner.
"Watch comfy."
"Thanks."
"All warmed?"
"Teacher! Freezing. Boiler?"
"Brat. Warm properly, no chill."
Moo-young and Jun-ho hugged bags, taking back seats. Class started with stretches.
"Any acting uses muscles—stretching's habit."
Click. While they finished, O-seok hooked laptop to TV. Mouse clicks brought a famous romance scene: toes playfully overlapping lovingly.
"Close-ups like this evoke emotion a lot. Eyes most common—basis of expressions, intuitive. Extreme pupil shots differ, but anyway!"
Moo-young and Jun-ho watched fascinated. How often do you get acting class? Whole new world.
"Next."
O-seok showed various close-ups and emotional acting examples.
"Today's hands. Express love or anger with hands. No time limit. Props okay, lines okay—but lines just guide emotion. Angle: hands only. What's that mean?"
"Emotion clear silent."
"Bingo. Yu-chan first?"
The responder: Ki Yu-chan. Gentle, refreshing eyes. Bright smile.
"What'll it be?"
He stood before the old camera. All classes filmed, feedback same day. Moo-young eyed monitor Yu-chan.
'Screen presence works.'
"Anger."
Easier, more intense. O-seok hit record as expected.
"Action!"
Yu-chan clasped hands. Hands-only angle, but face hardened with rising anger. Crack. Crisp knuckle pop. Hands on desk, fingertips trembling uncontrollably. Bam! Slam down.
"Okay. Cut."
Decent, not great. Praise: no lines.
"Next, Kang Bora."
Jinhwa girl. Long straight hair, urban chic. Classy like rich kid. Jun-ho twitched; Moo-young pinched thigh. Smack.
Bora hand on waist, gripped collar. Yu-chan's raw explosion; hers neurotic irritation.
"Okay. Cut. Next."
Most picked anger, similar motions: smash, hit, shake. Watching, O-seok glanced back. Moo-young's eyes sparkled intensely.
"Ha Moo-young, right?"
"Yes?"
"Camera test?"
Courage to step up: test itself. No expectations since no experience.
"Beginner tomorrow."
Beginners checked basics like diction. Moo-young hesitated to camera.
"Hello. Excuse me."
"Whoa—hot!"
"Tall!"
Bow, cheers. Their starts too. O-seok watched monitor, arms crossed.
'No screen presence.'
Real better. Didn't know camera stance yet.
"What'll you do?"
Anger, figured O-seok. Surprise:
"Love."
"Ooo—"
Peers, good reactions.
"Props okay?"
"Whatever comfy."
Test. Moo-young beckoned still Jun-ho.
"C'mere."
"Me? No."
"Hurry."
"No way."
Spotlight shy. Jun-ho refused, red-faced. Bora stood confidently.
"Need partner? Me."
Quick for feedback. Moo-young glared Jun-ho, bowed.
"Thanks."
"Action!"
O-seok's eyes widened on monitor. Moo-young's vibe alive, focused.
'What?'
Moo-young faced Bora seconds. Smiled, thumb to her lip corner. Cherishingly gentle.
'Oh?'
'Kid what?'
No lines. Thumb softly traced lower lip. In heavy silence, only fervent love's plea.
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