Bedroom Genius Actor - Chapter 14
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 14
‘Why did I do that… Past me. No, was that even me…?’
Kim Ji-hu, having regained his senses, cried out inwardly once again.
Although he thought Song Jae-hyeok’s acting was quite poor, he hadn’t planned to step forward like this.
He had simply followed the personality of the character he had synchronized with…
***
A few minutes earlier.
Kim Ji-hu had entered the White Room and synchronized with a certain mannequin.
That mannequin was ‘Namgung Tae-min’ from the work ‘Actor by Day, Director by Night’.
A character who possessed both directing and acting abilities, someone who often gave advice to others.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he chose that character.
‘I chose him because he’s basically someone who can speak confidently while also having a delicate side.’
He had chosen this character because he seemed unlikely to cause trouble while being bold enough to speak up and give advice to others.
However, that very aspect became the problem.
‘I never thought this would blow up like this…’
In fact, Kim Ji-hu also thought Song Jae-hyeok’s acting needed more fixing than Go Jun-tae’s.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say that to Song Jae-hyeok directly.
It would essentially be meddling, and it was no different from openly saying the protagonist couldn’t act.
So he had been pondering how to say it, but now that things had come to this, it was like spilled water.
As Kim Ji-hu was sighing to himself like that, Go Jun-tae carefully approached and said.
“Ji-hu. Um…”
“Yes?”
“Do you have a moment?”
Go Jun-tae gestured as if suggesting they go somewhere private. Kim Ji-hu followed Go Jun-tae to the backstage of the filming set.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah, I don’t think I properly thanked you. I’m really grateful that you’ll keep teaching me…”
Kim Ji-hu tilted his head at those words.
If it was just to express gratitude, there was no need to create a separate occasion like this.
“And also.”
As expected, Go Jun-tae was hesitating.
“What is it?”
“Well… maybe you should reconsider teaching Song Jae-hyeok?”
“Why do you say that?”
“This might sound like I’m spitting in my own face, but Song Jae-hyeok, that person… has a really bad personality. He fires acting coaches who criticize him without notice, or doesn’t give roles to promising actors…”
“Is that even possible?”
“His father is quite an influential person in the entertainment industry…”
Kim Ji-hu thought to himself at those words.
‘He’s more dangerous than I thought…’
He didn’t know to what extent he could exert his influence, but it seemed sufficient to ruin this production.
Well, he was already in the process of ruining it anyway.
“Hmm.”
“How about just saying his acting is fine and then quitting? I think he’d accept that much.”
Kim Ji-hu pondered deeply.
That way, he could avoid some danger.
But then the biggest problem wouldn’t be solved.
‘Actually, this was something I’d have to do eventually.’
After all, the biggest problem with this production was the protagonist Song Jae-hyeok. It was fair to say he was single-handedly destroying the immersion of the work.
Water already spilled. What good would it do to try to scoop it up with his hands? Kim Ji-hu made a big decision and said.
“That would be quite difficult…”
“What?”
“We’re actors and colleagues, aren’t we? People who desperately want this production to succeed.”
Especially Kim Ji-hu felt this way even more.
Unlike his usual timid appearance, Kim Ji-hu spoke with clear eyes.
“I’ll try to change him. That person.”
***
The next day.
‘Suddenly telling me to receive acting guidance from him. Who does he think he is? Just because people say he acts well, does he think he’s above me?’
Song Jae-hyeok cursed inwardly.
Since his future was at stake, he had no intention of touching Kim Ji-hu until this production ended, but yesterday’s arrogant attitude was making him reconsider.
‘No, actually, if I use this opportunity to find fault with that, I’ll have proper justification too.’
Song Jae-hyeok harbored dark intentions as he headed to the place where he was supposed to meet Kim Ji-hu.
“You’re here.”
“You came.”
Kim Ji-hu and Go Jun-tae welcomed Song Jae-hyeok.
Kim Ji-hu didn’t have his usual timid attitude but rather emotionless eyes.
‘That guy seems to become a different person when it comes to acting.’
Song Jae-hyeok clicked his tongue inwardly and greeted lightly.
“Please take care of me.”
And so the acting lesson began.
“Song Jae-hyeok, please project your voice louder. I can’t hear you. With that level of voice, it won’t be picked up properly on the actual filming set either.”
“Please maintain your emotional line.”
“Let’s go once more. Combining everything I mentioned.”
Go Jun-tae, who had received acting guidance once yesterday, was showing quite good improvement, but Song Jae-hyeok had far too many points to criticize.
The most tiresome part was that there were hardly any signs of improvement.
Even when Kim Ji-hu pointed out details very specifically and told him what to do, he couldn’t follow through.
‘Maybe it was possible because Go Jun-tae has talent.’
Kim Ji-hu, or more precisely Kim Ji-hu synchronized with ‘Namgung Tae-min’, furrowed his brow.
‘If he has no talent, he should at least make an effort, but he’s doing neither, so there’s no answer.’
Kim Ji-hu sat in a chair and stared at Song Jae-hyeok with emotionless eyes.
So Song Jae-hyeok asked.
“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”
Kim Ji-hu answered that question.
“I heard Song Jae-hyeok’s father is quite an impressive person. Is that right?”
“That’s right. He’s influential enough to make his presence known anywhere.”
Song Jae-hyeok sneered as if picking a fight. An ordinary actor would have been intimidated by that threat, but Kim Ji-hu didn’t even bat an eyelash.
“But why do you want to be an actor when you have such an impressive father? With that kind of backing, couldn’t you just stay home and live comfortably?”
“…!”
Song Jae-hyeok flinched at the sudden piercing question.
Kim Ji-hu noticed that reaction too, but didn’t stop talking.
“Honestly, I’m not curious about how impressive your father is or anything like that. I don’t care that you’re acting all high and mighty relying on your father’s connections either. I just need this production to succeed.”
“…”
“You can do whatever you want. I don’t care if you scheme to prevent me from working on productions after this one ends. I don’t mind if I can’t work on future productions. Could you please just focus on making this production work well? I’m asking you.”
Kim Ji-hu spoke sincerely. This wasn’t the thoughts of ‘Namgung Tae-min’ he was synchronized with.
It was simply Kim Ji-hu, who lacked social skills and couldn’t say unpleasant things to others, borrowing ‘Namgung Tae-min’s’ personality to say what was inside him.
Song Jae-hyeok kept his mouth shut tight, then said irritably.
“Fine, I’ll do it properly.”
Go Jun-tae’s eyes widened at Song Jae-hyeok’s words, and Kim Ji-hu smiled slightly.
And then he said.
“You really have a bad personality.”
“What?”
“I’m not exactly good-natured either, so I think we’re even. Shall we try starting over again?”
“…Tsk. Fine. But if your acting stays the same, I’ll quit everything, so be careful.”
“There’s nothing strange about my criticism.”
“He won’t let a single word slide.”
“That’s what I should be saying.”
Ending their conversation like that, the three began focusing on acting practice again.
***
After lunch break ended, Kim Ji-hu and the two returned to the film set.
Seeing them, PD Seo Min-sik called out to Kim Ji-hu.
“Ji-hu.”
“Ah, yes PD-nim.”
Kim Ji-hu immediately went to PD Seo Min-sik, who quietly asked.
“How’s Song Jae-hyeok? Has he become somewhat useful?”
Kim Ji-hu smiled awkwardly and said.
“It’s a bit awkward for me to say… but he seems about the same.”
“Is that so. I had some expectations since Jun-tae changed in one go.”
“Still…”
Kim Ji-hu spoke to PD Seo Min-sik with a slightly different demeanor than usual.
“I did set up a method to pull him up.”
“Huh?”
Before PD Seo Min-sik could ask what Kim Ji-hu’s words meant, Jo Gi-hyeok shouted to everyone.
“Alright then, let’s resume filming.”
“Yes sir!”
At that sound, Kim Ji-hu immediately began preparing for filming, and PD Seo Min-sik, who hadn’t heard the answer, stroked his thick chin.
‘A method to pull him up… what does that mean?’
Just then, Song Jae-hyeok caught PD Seo Min-sik’s eye. He had always sat arrogantly before filming, but today he looked a little different.
Concentrating on the script and continuously muttering while practicing.
‘He does seem to have changed for sure.’
In any case, filming began.
This scene featured Kim Ji-hu, Song Jae-hyeok, and Go Jun-tae all together.
Go Jun-tae was tied to a chair in the middle of the film set, and the scene started with Song Jae-hyeok walking into the camera frame.
“What the hell are you doing? Kidnapping a police officer?”
Song Jae-hyeok delivered his first line. PD Seo Min-sik watched with a subtle expression.
‘His voice projection seems to have improved a bit… but like Ji-hu said, he hasn’t changed dramatically.’
His acting was still lacking. In terms of emotional delivery and eye acting, it was at a failing level.
‘I guess I’ll have to push through this scene roughly too…’
Then Kim Ji-hu delivered his line.
“Ah, damn bastard. You’re bursting my eardrums. Speak a little quieter.”
PD Seo Min-sik frowned at that line.
‘Was there a line like that?’
Since he was directing the script, there was no way he wouldn’t remember the lines. Even when he searched through the script just in case, there was no such line.
‘Then it’s an ad-lib?’
He was flustered that Kim Ji-hu, who had been faithful to the script until now, was ad-libbing without saying anything.
When Jo Gi-hyeok also noticed and looked at PD Seo Min-sik, PD Seo Min-sik nodded as if it was okay.
‘He said he had some method, so let’s watch and see.’
Song Jae-hyeok, who was acting alongside him, also seemed a bit flustered by the unscripted line, but continued with the acting for now.
“Do-hyun, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Mmph mmph!”
Go Jun-tae nodded as if he was fine, and Song Jae-hyeok glared at Kim Ji-hu.
“You’re that Park Chul-woo, right? The one who’s been asking around about people.”
“Hey, you can’t corner someone like that without doing your investigation. That’s so rude.”
“What…?”
“You have such a bad personality. First you yell at someone you’re meeting for the first time, then you pin crimes on them.”
‘This is also a line not in the script.’
PD Seo Min-sik was getting increasingly troubled by the growing ad-libs when.
“You piece of trash who goes around killing people…”
His eyes widened. The reason was that the emotional intensity had risen.
‘The point of this scene is the protagonist’s anger…’
If it were the usual Song Jae-hyeok, he would have just acted like ‘I’m acting angry,’ but seeing the veins bulging on his forehead, he looked genuinely furious.
‘Could this be what Ji-hu was talking about?’
Song Jae-hyeok has strong pride. He’s the type to get angry immediately and cause trouble with just a little provocation.
‘Did he set up a trigger that would genuinely make him angry and use that?’
PD Seo Min-sik looked at Kim Ji-hu in amazement, and Kim Ji-hu was continuing his acting with a cocky expression.
“Oh my, officer. I didn’t come here to fight, I said I want to talk, so why are you like this? Let’s have a conversation.”
Kim Ji-hu began being faithful to the script again.
However, PD Seo Min-sik was worried.
‘If Song Jae-hyeok gets so angry that he forgets his lines, it’ll all be for nothing.’
In the end, the key was for Song Jae-hyeok to channel that anger and continue acting.
PD Seo Min-sik stared intently at Song Jae-hyeok.
Song Jae-hyeok was gritting his teeth and clenching his fists so hard his palms might bleed.
“I have no value in talking with trash like you. And if I keep you here, your crimes will be revealed.”
And the scene that followed was-.
‘Perfect!!!!’
It was exactly the scene PD Seo Min-sik had envisioned.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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