I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 16

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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 16

“Are you crazy?”

After Yoo Chan-woo left, Do-young probably heard every possible variation of “are you crazy” for the rest of his life.

It was somewhat familiar territory.

There had been several directors who tried to recruit Do-young before.

And each time, the troupe members would ask Do-young why on earth he refused, saying it was such a waste.

It’s not that he didn’t understand why they said such things.

That’s what most actors’ dreams are like, after all.

Meeting good directors and good works to show their face to the public… having their acting ability recognized to become famous actors, gaining popularity, and thus receiving acting awards at year-end ceremonies.

Do-young wasn’t a fool either.

If he accepted Yoo Chan-woo’s proposal… he knew he could live exactly that kind of life.

That wasn’t arrogance or overconfidence.

It was confidence in his own abilities.

But…

‘My dream is here.’

The scene from the theater he visited as a child, holding his parents’ hands, was still vivid in his mind.

The image of those people on stage, chattering and delivering monologues with all kinds of expressions, was etched in Do-young’s mind like a tattoo.

He found them appealing. They looked cool and joyful.

Someday, he wanted to go on stage like them.

He wanted to act on stage and breathe in sync with the audience.

It was theater acting that made Do-young want to act.

From the beginning, what he wanted to become was a theater actor.

But the people around him didn’t think so. Whenever he tried to say he would become a theater actor, the reactions that came back were all similar.

‘Theater acting? Can you make a living doing that?’

Theater actor is a poor profession.

Perhaps that’s why. No one thinks being a theater actor could be a final destination.

They only see it as a stopover to get to better places, more glamorous places… to the film industry over there.

He hated that.

Maybe that’s why he worked even harder.

He thought that if he quietly shined in this position, someday people might view this place a little differently.

Yes. A place worth dreaming about… A place with such value.

“…Go.”

Yes.

“Director.”

“I won’t say much. This time, really go.”

At least he hadn’t expected even Ji-hwan to say such things.

“Director!”

“I can hear you! I can hear you fine, so don’t shout!”

Ji-hwan burst into anger and glared at Do-young.

“Yoo Chan-woo, hey. Yoo Chan-woo! And it’s a lead role too! If you go out there just once, your life will change! You know that?”

“I’m saying I don’t want that life right now!”

“Then you’re going to stick around this theater and live off it for the rest of your life?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Yeah, that’s wrong. So go.”

“…Director.”

“I don’t want to remain as the person who held back your life. Go.”

“Ah, why do you keep saying things like that? What reason do I have to go there!”

“Because that place is real.”

At those words, Do-young made a dazed expression.

An expression that showed he never dreamed Ji-hwan would say such things.

But Ji-hwan continued speaking without caring.

“I want to say that’s not true, I want to say this place doesn’t fall behind that place, but it does. That’s why I’m telling you to go, you bastard! Go to a world full of the real deal! Huh? Go act properly for once!”

“…Director, you shouldn’t say things like that.”

“I’m saying it because it’s me.”

Because I’m the only one who can say these words to you.

There was no wavering in Ji-hwan’s expression. An expression filled with conviction that he was saying the right thing now.

In the end, Do-young abruptly stood up from his seat.

“…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you said today.”

“Cha Do-young!”

Do-young left the Director’s Office without paying attention to Ji-hwan calling him.

And the moment he opened the door. Do-young, who saw the troupe members tumbling down after having their ears pressed against the door, hesitated for a moment, then soon left without saying anything.

Ji-hwan, who witnessed that scene, pressed his forehead and let out a sigh.

“…Frustrating guy.”

* * *

He had a brief sweet dream.

A dream where Director Yoo Chan-woo would propose to him, “How about you try making a movie with me?”

…Well, thinking about it now, it was an absurd dream.

To think he could attract the attention of a director who works with world-class actors when he had barely started acting.

He had quite the nerve.

Seon-woo realized anew.

That even if an opportunity was given to him now, he wasn’t at a level to seize it yet.

It meant he still had a long way to go.

And that’s why Do-young seemed even more amazing.

The lead role for Director Yoo Chan-woo. That offer which he couldn’t even dare to dream of yet… Do-young had rejected it outright.

When he witnessed that scene firsthand, Seon-woo thought for a moment that he saw it coming… yet was dumbfounded.

It’s Yoo Chan-woo. Not just anyone, but Yoo Chan-woo.

An opportunity that could change his life as an actor… no, just as a person, and he’s kicking it away?

“What a waste….”

Ye-chan clenched his fist as if he felt sorry for it himself.

“Really, Do-young hyung is someone who could become a top actor and more….”

That was something Seon-woo agreed with.

Though he hadn’t actually seen other top actors in person… he didn’t think Do-young would lose to those people at all.

That’s probably why Director Yoo Chan-woo offered him the lead role.

But he couldn’t bring up those words.

You can’t question someone with firm convictions about why they hold such beliefs.

He could only admire that unwavering appearance.

But…

“I do not punish for crimes that were not committed.”

Do-young was human after all, it seemed.

The day right after Yoo Chan-woo came and left.

While performing as usual… Seon-woo noticed that something was off about Do-young.

‘The color…’

Normally, the priest that Do-young acted… would have dyed not only the stage but even the audience seats with that distinctive golden light.

But today’s priest couldn’t do that.

Should I say that color was less brilliant compared to usual.

Seeing that, he could tell.

Ah, he’s shaken, he thought.

There was no way Do-young wouldn’t have felt it himself.

After the performance ended, he spoke in the waiting room as if he felt ashamed.

“Sorry, everyone.”

“…Huh? What for?”

“My acting was terrible today.”

“Eh…? Was it?”

Most of the troupe members tilted their heads in confusion.

It seemed that to their eyes, there wasn’t such a noticeable difference in Do-young’s acting.

And watching Do-young like that, Seon-woo found himself opening his mouth without realizing it.

“Are you shaken?”

Only after the words came out did Seon-woo think ‘oops.’

He hadn’t intended to ask so directly… but he was so fixated on it that his mouth moved on its own.

Do-young probably didn’t expect Seon-woo to ask such a question either.

Do-young showed a flustered expression for a moment, then soon let out a sigh.

“…Want to take a walk?”

“Yes.”

How long had they walked after leaving the theater company like that.

Only after climbing about a hundred steps at Naksan Park… did Do-young open his mouth.

“Do you think I’m foolish too?”

“…Well, there is that side to you.”

“You’re honest. Painfully so.”

“I think there’s no need to beat around the bush about things like this.”

Seon-woo shrugged his shoulders.

“But I don’t think it’s just about being foolish. If you think about it calculatingly, giving up this kind of opportunity is absolutely ridiculous, but… if we were those kinds of people in the first place, we wouldn’t have started acting.”

“If we were calculating, we wouldn’t have started in the first place…”

Do-young smiled bitterly.

“That’s right.”

“Are you troubled?”

“No.”

“…”

“…I really can’t hide it. Yeah. I was a bit shaken. Everyone around me kept saying things. And actually, I didn’t show it, but…”

Do-young smiled.

And at that moment, Seon-woo was a little surprised.

It was hard to imagine someone Do-young’s age would show such a… boyish smile.

“I’m a huge fan of Director Yoo Chan-woo.”

“And you still refused?”

It really must not have been easy.

At this point, Seon-woo understood Do-young even less.

“What’s the reason you refuse to that extent?”

“How many people in Cheongseong do you think dream of being theater actors?”

It was a difficult question to answer.

Not because he didn’t know the answer, but because he thought he did.

When people in Cheongseong are given a proper opportunity to debut in media, how many would be able to refuse it?

At least Seon-woo couldn’t refuse. He had no intention of refusing either.

Do-young smiled bitterly.

“I know. No one thinks of Cheongseong as the final destination. Most of them probably think of it as a stepping stone. A midway point to get to Chungmuro or broadcast networks. But you know, for me, this place has always been the final destination since I was young.”

Seon-woo nodded.

If that weren’t the case, Do-young would have left for Chungmuro long ago.

Do-young looked back at Seon-woo.

Serious eyes.

“How does it look to you?”

“…”

“Am I being foolish?”

It was a question he had already asked once before.

But asking the same question twice… he must want to hear a different answer.

Seon-woo thought.

From constantly looking at scripts and doing character analysis… he somehow felt like he understood what Do-young was feeling right now.

And what words he should say to him.

Well then, let’s do it.

“Senior.”

“Yeah.”

“Between bread and rice, which do you like better?”

“…Huh? I do prefer rice though.”

“Then since you like rice, will you never eat bread for the rest of your life?”

The analogy might be a bit childish.

But at least the message seemed to have been clearly conveyed. Seon-woo looked at Do-young, who remained silent, and spoke again.

“I don’t think liking theater can be a reason not to make movies.”

“…”

“If you don’t want to make movies because you hate making them, I think that’s fine. But if you won’t make movies because you like theater… don’t you think you need to reconsider that?”

“…I feel like I’ve been hit where it hurts.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think this was something to beat around the bush about.”

“No. Thanks to you, my thoughts are getting organized a bit.”

Do-young smiled.

Unlike before… it was a smile that looked somehow relieved.

“Thank you.”

It was the next day.

The final performance of [Confession].

Do-young’s Priest was surrounded by brilliant golden light as always, no, even more brilliant than usual.

And at the after-party held after that day’s performance ended.

Do-young spoke up in front of everyone.

“I’m going to try it. Making a movie.”

* * *

Cha Do-young is finally going to make a movie!

The people of Cheongseong were as surprised by this news as they had been when Yoo Chan-woo came to visit.

While everyone said that someone like Yoo Chan-woo would surely move Do-young’s heart, they had also somehow thought he would become Cheongseong’s earthbound spirit forever.

“It’s not that I’m leaving Cheongseong. I’ll do theater until I die.”

He was just going to take a little trip to the neighboring town for a while.

All the troupe members supported his decision with applause.

‘It’s a bit regrettable though.’

The days of acting alongside Do-young wouldn’t come easily anymore.

Even so, it was a good thing.

Every time he saw him, he thought it was such a waste.

That acting should be seen by more people.

It’s acting that could truly move so many people… he thought.

“You made a good decision, senior.”

Do-young smiled awkwardly at Seon-woo’s words.

“Don’t you think I’m being wishy-washy after pretending to have principles?”

“Well, that’s also true.”

“…Thank you.”

Do-young spoke with a serious expression.

“If it weren’t for your advice, I might not have been able to make this decision.”

“No. You would have gone eventually, senior.”

“…Why?”

“I realized it while we were on stage together. You like theater, but ultimately, you love acting the most.”

In fact, at that moment, it might have only been a matter of time before Do-young went to the film industry.

“Nothing is as sweet as the opportunity to do good acting, right?”

“Seon-woo.”

“Yes, senior.”

“I’ve been thinking this for a while… you actually say everything you want to say, don’t you.”

“…Ah. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Come to think of it, it did seem like that.

Seon-woo was flustered in a rare display and fumbled around. Watching such Seon-woo, Do-young chuckled.

“Fine. I wasn’t trying to scold you. …But this is a scolding though.”

Do-young laughed playfully.

“Why is Eun-seok ‘hyung’ but I’m ‘senior’?”

“Huh? No, that’s… You never told me to call you hyung in the first place.”

“Really? Then call me hyung from now on.”

Uh….

That’s a bit sudden though.

Seon-woo made a flustered expression. Do-young grinned.

“Please take good care of Cheongseong while I’m away. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes. Senior.”

“Senior?”

“…Hyung.”

Hyung.

It doesn’t feel natural at all.

To call him hyung, he still feels like too distant an existence.

That was probably why Seon-woo said those words.

“Next time we meet… I’ll have become a better actor.”

He wanted to close the distance.

He wanted to become an actor worthy of acting alongside him.

So, someday he wanted to act in the same world as him.

Director Yoo Chan-woo, of course… What would it feel like to act alongside the top actors in this industry?

It would definitely be happiness.

He would be able to feel truly alive every moment.

Just imagining it makes the corners of his mouth rise.

He knows. That he’s still far away from him.

Even during this play, when an incredible opportunity like Director Yoo Chan-woo appeared right before his eyes… Seon-woo couldn’t do anything.

Because he wasn’t ready.

Because he’s still lacking.

He had to grow.

So he could seize any opportunity when it comes,

So he could someday act confidently beside Do-young.

What would he need to do for that?

‘…I have to do it properly.’

He had to do what others don’t do, what they give up on before even trying.

Challenge his limits, strive forward, and give everything he had.

What could he do right now that would accomplish that?

There was one thing.

A rather simple and straightforward goal.

“…What are you going to do?”

“The lead role.”

To become the protagonist of Cheongseong.

“For the next audition… I’m thinking of trying for the lead role.”

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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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