I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 104

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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 104

Time passed quickly.

When he came to his senses, the filming of [One Room] episode 5 was already finished.

And Seon-woo was now…

“It feels strange coming here.”

“I know. Mother also finds it fascinating seeing you here.”

He was entering the audience seating of 【I Am an Actor】 with his family.

Until now, it felt a bit strange when other actors entered the audience seating instead of the actor waiting area… but for him to be entering here.

“Huh, gasp. It’s Kim Seon-woo!”

“…Hey, lower your voice. He’ll hear you.”

“I, I want to get his autograph… but that wouldn’t work, right?”

“He came with his family. Do you really want to do that?”

“Hmph…”

Seon-woo perked up his ears at the voices coming from somewhere.

‘I could give them an autograph though…’

The problem was that it would be awkward for him to go over directly and say ‘I can give you an autograph!’

In the end, as he couldn’t do this or that and just stayed still, Jeong-hee smiled warmly and whispered.

“Son, you’ve grown a lot, haven’t you?”

“…Ahem. No, I haven’t.”

“Not at all. These days, everyone around us has been praising you so much that your dad’s smile hasn’t left his face.”

“Keh-heh-hem. That can’t be helped! Is there anything that can beat bragging about one’s child?”

“Our Seon-jun should also take off soon…”

“Is hyung busy?”

“Yes. These days he barely comes home and seems to be working all the time. Your brother must be feeling various pressures too. His younger brother is completely surging ahead.”

“…Hmm.”

Hearing those words made him feel a bit concerned.

Perhaps his success like this might have become pressure for Seon-jun.

But Young-sik smiled refreshingly.

“It’s fine. Rather, men should receive that kind of pressure.”

“…I’m worried he might get discouraged.”

“If he’s going to get discouraged by this, he shouldn’t even dream of such things. And… he’s my child, but Seon-jun is no ordinary person.”

Young-sik smiled with an expression that showed no worry whatsoever.

“You don’t need to worry about Seon-jun.”

“You always talk so tough like that. When in reality, you worry more than I do usually.”

“When did I ever…”

“So Kim Seon-woo… dies today?”

Jeong-hee didn’t give Young-sik a chance to argue back and turned her head.

Seon-woo nodded. In a way, it could be a spoiler, but everyone already knew this.

“Yes.”

“Oh my, why do the characters you play always have to die? That friend Hee-jae that Mother saw last time was like that, and now Kim Seon-woo is too. Especially this one has the same name as you, so it feels even stranger.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Son, from now on, try to take on bright and cheerful characters. Yes, romance would be perfect. I gave birth to such a handsome son, why do you keep taking on such scary roles?”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Good, good. As they say, you become like what you’re close to – a person’s life changes depending on what they stay close to. If you keep playing good and cool roles, you’ll become that kind of person, and if you play bad and ugly roles, you’ll become like that too.”

“…Then are all actors who specialize in villain roles bad people?”

“Hey, that’s not what Mother is saying right now!”

That seemed to make sense though…

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand, but Seon-woo nodded for now. He knew from experience that talking back at times like this never ended well.

“I’ll do that.”

“Good, good. And…”

“Ahem, so Seon-woo. How was the filming? Do you think it went well?”

Young-sik cut off Jeong-hee’s words and jumped in.

Seeing him ask such an obvious question, it didn’t seem like he was really curious… he was probably trying to stop Jeong-hee.

Seon-woo expressed his gratitude with his eyes and immediately nodded.

“I think I expressed it better than I expected.”

“…By expressing it well, you mean… dying?”

“If I talk about the details, it might become a spoiler…”

Seon-woo smiled brightly.

“Just watch. You’ll find out soon.”

“…Oh, oh. Right.”

And Young-sik, seeing that smile from Seon-woo, answered while stuttering.

Honestly, he was a bit surprised. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Seon-woo smile this brightly before.

He had just thought his son was naturally someone who didn’t smile much, but maybe that wasn’t the case.

‘…Was I being inattentive?’

Young-sik couldn’t help but reflect.

He thought he knew, but he didn’t. He still knew far too little about his son.

Especially while watching [One Room], that thought could only grow stronger.

The son who appeared on screen was so different from what he knew.

No matter how much it was acting, the fact that Seon-woo had such aspects within him was unbelievable.

As he looked at Seon-woo with somewhat wistful eyes like that, Seon-woo, who noticed this, tilted his head.

“What’s wrong, Dad?”

“…Oh, nothing. I’m looking forward to it. How my son’s acting will be today.”

“It’s still lacking though…”

Seon-woo answered with sparkling eyes.

“Still, I acted with the best I could do.”

“…I see.”

Those eyes were so beautiful that Young-sik remained silent for a moment before smiling gently.

Whatever the outcome, being able to have such eyes was truly fortunate. At the moment when Young-sik felt touched anew, thinking that his son had grown up so well under such an inadequate father,

—The broadcast will begin shortly. Please remain quiet, audience members, and turn off all mobile phones.

The announcement echoed.

The live broadcast was finally starting.

‘…My final Kim Seon-woo.’

His heart was pounding.

His hands began to sweat, and his face felt hot for no reason.

His journey on 【I Am an Actor】, his journey in [One Room] was finally coming to an end.

There was no way he wouldn’t be nervous.

Seon-woo prayed.

He hoped his final performance would express exactly what he had intended.

And that everyone watching his acting would be able to fully understand the character of Kim Seon-woo.

* * *

─Participant Na Min-hee has been eliminated.

─Due to an early elimination, today’s voting will not be conducted.

Episode 5 began by announcing Na Min-hee’s elimination again.

Along with the broadcast announcement, the faces of the three survivors appeared on screen in sequence.

—Fuck….

Seo Jin-wook frowned as if he had expected this and spat out a curse.

—What, what is it. Why, why on earth…!

Jeong Hye-seong with a terrified expression.

—…Min-hee.

And Kim Seon-woo, who looked as if his heart had collapsed, on the verge of tears.

It was a face that appropriately mixed all emotions – sadness for Na Min-hee, despair at the reality that someone had died after all, and helplessness at being unable to do anything.

Kim Quokka: Kim Seon-woo’s acting ability has really improved

eyesonyou: No, with that face, if he did a romantic comedy once, it would be really interesting for real

Ppoppo: Ah what romance, Kim Sunwoo is perfect for thrillers like One Room lol

Gahyun: Just Seon-woo is whatever he does…

IvyKid: But he’s become a completely different person from the initial Kim Seon-woo. Clearly until episode 1, he had an atmosphere like a living corpse… But he changed slowly without me noticing when it happened

Ramen shop: oooooo it’s like a gradient done with smoke, no uncanny valley feeling at all

People didn’t hesitate to praise Seon-woo.

Of course, occasionally,

asdf1234: Is that supposed to be impressive? He’s just making a sad face

There were people who tried to put Seon-woo down like this.

Cali: People might have different perspectives, but I like it? You can feel what kind of feelings he has without a single line of dialogue

White Rat: I don’t know if it’s amazing or not… I just get choked up when I watch it

Of course, such opinions never received support.

In many ways, Seon-woo’s current image didn’t allow even the slightest dislike.

It couldn’t be helped.

From his educational background to his talent, Seon-woo was full of elements that could make him arrogant.

Nevertheless, he had never once shown an arrogant side. Rather, he showed a humble attitude as if he truly thought he was lacking.

Moreover, the kindness he showed when taking care of Si-on was… at a level that couldn’t help but win the public’s favor.

And most importantly,

—This is… why. Min-hee, why is Min-hee….

Seon-woo simply acted well.

Kim Seon-woo sits down with a dazed expression upon seeing Na Min-hee dead with a knife stuck in her chest.

An expression that showed he could neither understand nor accept Na Min-hee’s death.

That devastating state of mind was understandable just by looking at his face.

—She, she was stabbed with a knife and died.

And Jeong Hye-seong muttered blankly.

—One of us, someone….

He turned to look at Seo Jin-wook with a blank expression.

An expression as if asking whether he had done it. Seo Jin-wook frowned and answered.

—What, fuck. Are you asking if I did it now?

—…Among us, you’re the only one who has a knife.

—Nonsense. Did everyone get searched for belongings? How would you know if there’s someone else besides me who has a knife!

—You already killed one person…! Why, why did you do that! Why on earth…!

—Shut your mouth. I didn’t kill her. If you keep running your mouth like that… I might just kill you.

Seo Jin-wook’s eyes flashed as he pulled out his knife.

And Kim Seon-woo stopped Jeong Hye-seong.

—Calm down, Hye-seong.

—H-how… how can I calm down! That bastard killed two people! W-we might be next…!

—That’s exactly why you need to calm down more. When we don’t know what might happen at any moment, are you going to keep getting worked up?

—…

—Jin-wook.

Kim Seon-woo turns to look at Seo Jin-wook.

Seo Jin-wook, who had been glaring with a defensive expression, flinched slightly the moment he faced Kim Seon-woo.

It was understandable. Kim Seon-woo’s gaze was… quite peculiar.

It wasn’t a reproachful look.

Nor was it a look of hatred or loathing.

Like with Yoo Ji-eun… it was like the gaze of a parent looking at a prodigal child who had left home.

—Really, it’s not you, right Jin-wook?

—…I already said it wasn’t.

—I’ll believe you.

Jeong Hye-seong’s eyes widen as he turns to look at Kim Seon-woo.

His expression seemed to say how could he possibly trust that person. Kim Seon-woo quietly comforts such Hye-seong.

—First, let’s… take care of Min-hee.

Kim Seon-woo and Jeong Hye-seong move Na Min-hee to the bed.

And it was then. Lee Yeon-woo slowly approached Seo Jin-wook, who was standing alone.

Trembling all over as if truly enraged.

—The culprit, it’s really not you?

—…I’m telling you it’s not, how many times do I have to say it.

—Don’t lie. You’re the only one who has a knife.

—I told you earlier. There might be others who have knives besides me.

—…But you’re the only one who could wield a knife like that, aren’t you?

Instead of answering, Seo Jin-wook glares at Lee Yeon-woo with burning eyes.

Gazes exchanged between them.

And after a moment. Seo Jin-wook twisted the corner of his mouth into a crooked smile as if he finally understood.

—…Yeah, that’s right. It was you, wasn’t it?

—…What did you say?

—It was you, right? The day Yoo Ji-eun died… you were the one who handed me the knife.

—What are you talking about right now?

—You were behind it all. Sneakily hiding in the back, hoping we’d kill each other off. And when things didn’t go as planned, now you’re trying to turn people against each other again.

And it was at that moment.

Kim Quokka: Wow, Lee Yeon-woo’s expression is insane…

Lee Yeon-woo’s expression changed in an instant.

The emotions were completely wiped from his face that had been trembling with anger and fear just moments before, and what appeared on his lips was an inorganic smile.

—Yeah. That’s right.

—…What?

—But you were more pathetic than I thought. You kept acting tough but couldn’t even properly kill that girl? If you wanted to kill her, you should have cleanly stabbed her neck. Why did you clumsily stab her stomach?

—What are you saying, you crazy bastard.

—You were scared, weren’t it?

—…!

—You were actually scared. You didn’t have the confidence to kill someone, didn’t want to die either, and killed someone out of terror. Like a loser, pathetically. I actually find it kind of funny that people are afraid of bastards like you.

Lee Yeon-woo laughs.

It was a smile as beautiful as a painting.

—You’re fucking worthless.

And then, the screen transitions.

The scene shows Jeong Hye-seong sitting helplessly beside the blood-soaked bed, holding his head in his hands.

—I, I don’t… I don’t understand. Why are we doing this here? Huh? What exactly did we do so wrong…

—…Are you okay?

—N-no. I’m not okay. Everyone’s… everyone’s dead. Hyeong-bin too, Jae-won too… and now even Min-hee. What is this. Why is everyone doing this to each other. Why exactly…

—…

—It’s Seo Jin-wook, right?

Jeong Hye-seong trembles all over and bites his nails with an anxious expression.

—He’s the one doing this, right?

—…I really don’t know anymore.

Kim Seon-woo lets out a sigh.

Though he tries not to show it, his face looks like he’s about to burst into tears as well.

—Everyone… it would be nice if everyone could live together, maybe we could survive, but why is everyone like this…

—…Seon-woo.

—What should we do.

Kim Seon-woo smiles.

At the same time, a single tear streams down from the corner of his eye.

It’s not a tear from fear.

It’s a tear that flows because this entire situation is heartbreaking and more heartbreaking, unable to bear it.

—Exactly, what should we do. Us.

—…

Jeong Hye-seong can’t bring himself to give any answer and stares blankly at Kim Seon-woo.

And it was at that moment.

—Kyaaaaaaah!

—…!

—Yeon-woo!?

At the scream from outside, Jeong Hye-seong and Kim Seon-woo rush out of the room.

And what appears on screen is Seo Jin-wook trying to stab Lee Yeon-woo with a knife and Lee Yeon-woo grabbing his arm and holding on.

—St, stop it!

And Kim Seon-woo hurriedly throws his body forward.

As he embraces Seo Jin-wook from behind and tries to pull him away, Seo Jin-wook desperately resists and growls.

—Don’t interfere!

—Stop… please stop!

—Shut up! I’m going to kill him. This bastard, I’m going to kill him…!

—Kugh!

Seo Jin-wook shakes his body violently, throwing Kim Seon-woo off.

But perhaps it was too violent a movement. Seo Jin-wook ends up dropping the knife from his hand.

The very moment a look of ‘oh no’ flashes across Seo Jin-wook’s eyes,

Lee Yeon-woo moved.

Crack!

Blood splatters with a terrible sound of flesh tearing. On Lee Yeon-woo’s expressionless face, and also on Kim Seon-woo’s face as he sits down with a stunned expression.

And shortly after, Seo Jin-wook slowly collapses to the side, and Lee Yeon-woo begins to scream while covering his face as if soaked in terror.

—Ah, aah… aaaaaaahhhhh!

And the chat room scroll began to explode.

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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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