I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 175

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 175

“One more time.”

Seon-woo’s acting was truly incomprehensible to Seo Tae-rok.

To express Yi Bang-won as nothing more than a son.

This was Taejong.

A giant who helped his father establish Joseon and laid the foundation of the dynasty.

Yet he was expressing such a giant like this?

It was uncomfortable. But even so, whenever Seo Tae-rok looked into Seon-woo’s eyes, he couldn’t help but be swept up in a soul-stirring thrill.

Because there were the eyes of a son yearning for his father’s recognition.

Countless pieces of information contained in those eyes came flooding into Seo Tae-rok’s mind.

Before one piece of information could even be processed, new information would emerge, and just as he began to recognize that information, yet another piece would follow.

“Please show me once more.”

Therefore, Seo Tae-rok had no choice but to continuously request acting from Seon-woo.

It was acting with such surprisingly high density that a few demonstrations weren’t enough to understand it. Seo Tae-rok frowned.

He could tell without even asking.

How Seon-woo must have prepared for the role of Yi Bang-won.

Except for the time spent eating rice and sleeping, or perhaps even during those times, Seon-woo’s mind must have contained nothing but thoughts of Yi Bang-won. He must have poured all his consciousness into getting even one step closer to Yi Bang-won.

That’s the kind of acting it was.

So how could even Seo Tae-rok judge that acting with just one viewing?

Seo Tae-rok requested Seon-woo to act again several times. The staff members who were watching also began murmuring one by one.

‘Wow, that… even Song Chae-bin yesterday didn’t get put through that much.’

‘At this point, it’s really legendary, isn’t it? Just how many times is he going to make him do it?’

Worried glances turned toward Seon-woo.

No matter how much it was an audition, having to act the same scene more than ten times would inevitably hurt one’s feelings. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that he was being made a fool of right now.

But contrary to such worries, Seon-woo didn’t show the slightest sign of being upset.

In fact, he wasn’t upset at all.

Because he just seemed to understand.

Why Seo Tae-rok was demanding to see the same acting from him to this extent.

‘It must be puzzling for him.’

On one hand, he also felt sorry.

The Yi Bang-won that Seon-woo had shown was certainly challenging. From Seo Tae-rok’s position, it wouldn’t be strange if he felt upset instead.

[The Traitor] had never particularly emphasized Yi Bang-won’s ‘identity as a son.’

Nevertheless, Seon-woo acting this way might seem like a provocation to Seo Tae-rok.

Yi Bang-won might be this kind of person.

But are you just going to ignore this? That kind of provocation.

—Isn’t it risky?

And indeed, Si-hun, who had seen this acting, said this.

—It’s definitely attractive and good, but… if the goal is passing the audition, it’s a bit risky. Too challenging. The Yi Bang-won the Director had in mind probably wasn’t this kind of feeling… It means he’d have to be prepared for changes to the original plan to cast you, right?

It was a valid point.

Having distinctive qualities was good, but overly unique acting usually caused rejection rather than interest. Seon-woo’s Yi Bang-won was like that.

It was certainly attractive acting that drew attention and made one curious, but… from the director’s position, this couldn’t be entirely welcome.

So Seon-woo asked.

—Then what do you think you would do if you were in my position, senior?

—Ha, really. Look at this guy. Why are you asking something so obvious?

And Si-hun answered like this.

—Go for it even if you can’t make it!

Go for it even if you can’t make it.

Yes. That was Seon-woo’s honest feeling right now.

If he was only aiming to pass the audition, it might have been better to show slightly safer acting. But he had discovered this aspect of Yi Bang-won.

In his mind, Yi Bang-won had already become this kind of person.

But to turn his back on such a Yi Bang-won and act appropriately just to pass the audition?

If he did that… even if he passed this audition and got to film [The Traitor], that journey didn’t seem like it would be very enjoyable.

So Seon-woo actually didn’t mind that Seo Tae-rok kept asking him to show his acting like this.

Because that meant Seo Tae-rok had become interested in his Yi Bang-won.

Perhaps this moment might be his first and last chance in life to act as Yi Bang-won.

If so, he should act with his best effort so no regrets would remain until the end.

Seon-woo burst the color orb.

And the world began to be dyed in a blue light like a meadow.

It was Yi Bang-won’s color.

Someone might find this color puzzling. For the mindscape of someone who had so much blood on his hands, it was a color that was too peaceful and verdant.

But that was Yi Bang-won’s world.

The path of following his father Lee Seong-gye, the hero who protected the country, to establish Joseon… was just warm and beautiful to him.

A mindscape like spring.

However, at this very moment.

“Please just say one word.”

That world had somehow entered autumn.

“Cut off Po-eun’s head, just those words will do.”

Yi Bang-won realized.

Building a nation wasn’t just a joyful thing like waiting for spring.

It was something that could only be done by erasing an entire era.

So at this very moment, his mental landscape that had been covered with green grass began to lose its lush vitality in an instant.

A mental landscape filled only with fallen leaves and dry earth, as if autumn had come.

This was Seon-woo’s Yi Bang-won.

Not an iron-blooded tyrant who would do anything to obtain Joseon. Rather than that… he was closer to a young man who wanted to oppose his father in order to protect his father’s world.

Would Seo Tae-rok be able to accept this kind of Yi Bang-won?

There was no way to know.

Seon-woo would simply act.

As many times as opportunity would allow.

He didn’t know how many times he had performed like this.

When Seon-woo’s bangs had become damp with sweat and drooped down after acting for dozens of minutes, perhaps even over an hour, Seo Tae-rok slowly opened his mouth.

“…Kim Seon-woo.”

“Yes.”

Seo Tae-rok had a completely exhausted expression.

Whether the stress that Seon-woo’s acting had given him was considerable, he looked like he had aged several years in just a short time.

With such an expression, Seo Tae-rok quietly looked at Seon-woo.

He still seemed to be hesitating about whether the words he was about to say were the right answer or not.

But Seo Tae-rok opened his mouth.

“Do you happen to know how to ride horses?”

“I don’t know how.”

“Learn it.”

Seon-woo’s eyes widened.

The instruction to learn horseback riding could only mean one thing right now.

“Because you’ll be riding a lot from now on.”

He had passed.

* * *

“Seon-woooooooooo!”

When he headed to the Director’s Office to report the audition results, Park Du-ho strode over and hugged Seon-woo tightly. Behind his sunglasses, tears were already welling up.

“You did it, you did it!”

“Ugh… Director, I think my arm is going to break.”

“Ah, sorry! Our prince’s arm can’t break, right!”

Saying that, Park Du-ho patted Seon-woo’s back vigorously again.

If this hits wrong, it really feels like my shoulder blade might break… While Seon-woo swallowed a bitter smile, Si-hun grumbled from behind.

“Hey, Director. I passed too, so why aren’t you congratulating me?”

“Oh, right. That’s right. You passed? Congratulations.”

“…That’s it?”

“Well, what else? You’re not even a rookie. What’s so remarkable about you passing an audition? Are you jealous that our youngest is getting more congratulations right now?”

“No matter what, I’m also a precious actor! I don’t even expect fireworks! Can’t you at least say something like ‘As expected of Si-hun! I only believed in you!’?”

“As expected of Si-hun. I only believed in you. Is that good enough?”

“…”

Si-hun’s eyes narrowed. This wasn’t the kind of praise he had wanted.

But before Si-hun could complain about anything, Park Du-ho was already looking at Seon-woo with a goofy smile.

“Anyway, I was worried because you interpreted the Yi Bang-won character quite uniquely… but you did it magnificently. As expected, you’re Wilde’s lucky charm!”

“What am I then?”

“You’re…”

Park Du-ho looked back at Si-hun.

And as if it was difficult to say anything, he just moved his lips before looking back at Seon-woo.

“Right. They also told you to learn horseback riding?”

“Hey, what am I supposed to be?!”

Si-hun shouted angrily, but Park Du-ho didn’t pay attention and looked at Seon-woo.

Seon-woo glanced at Si-hun and carefully opened his mouth.

“Yes. Since filming starts next year, if I practice steadily for the next six months… I should be able to ride reasonably well, right?”

“Right. Don’t worry about horseback riding, I know a good place for that. Anyway, you’re going to be quite busy this year.”

“This year?”

“Yeah.”

Park Du-ho grinned with a meaningful expression.

“Between filming [My Imugi] and learning horseback riding… even having two bodies wouldn’t be enough, right?”

“…What?”

Seon-woo doubted his ears.

It seemed like he had just said something incredible as if it was nothing.

Si-hun also stopped grumbling and his eyes widened in surprise.

“What? Seon-woo got that Imugi role?”

“Hehe, that’s right!”

Park Du-ho nodded vigorously, flaring his nostrils.

“I just got the call! The Imugi role is confirmed for Seon-woo! Seon-woo, how about it? You’re confident, right?!”

“…”

“Seon-woo?”

“Ah, ah. Yes. I’m sorry. I spaced out for a moment.”

It couldn’t be helped.

During the audition, he hadn’t really been conscious of it, but now that he looked back, he realized just how tremendous this was.

A lead role.

Not some small project from a minor film company, but being cast as the lead in a drama that would properly air on broadcast networks.

And this was just one year after he started acting.

No matter how much Seon-woo didn’t pay much attention to such things, he knew well that this wasn’t a normal case.

Honestly, part of him felt bewildered.

He was still lacking in many ways, so was it okay for him to receive this much recognition already?

“…I’m really grateful.”

Seon-woo clenched his fist.

“I was naturally planning to do well, but now I really feel like I have to do well.”

“Haha, well honestly I’m not even worried about that…”

Park Du-ho looked at Seon-woo with a pleased smile.

With this kind of upward trajectory just months after debut, honestly it would be understandable to become arrogant, but seeing him maintain such a humble attitude made him feel pleased.

It seemed like he had brought in a really good kid.

So,

“Rather, I’m worried about your stamina. This year and next year, you won’t have time to rest.”

Delivering this news made his heart even more joyful.

“Next year…?”

Seon-woo made a slightly puzzled expression.

As for his schedule set for next year, there was only [The Traitor]. It wasn’t quite enough of a schedule to describe as having no time to rest.

Seeing such a Seon-woo, Park Du-ho smiled.

“That’s right. Next year will be quite busy too. I just got a call from PD Han Jeong-hun. As a result of their internal meeting, the production of [Red Zone] Season 2 has been confirmed.”

“Season 2?”

Seon-woo’s eyes widened.

He had heard rumors a few times that Red Zone Season 2 might be produced. The ratings had been so good, and it was a work that had secured a solid fanbase.

But he never thought it would actually happen.

How many domestic dramas actually go with a season format in the first place?

It might be different if it was planned as a season format from the beginning. Cases where sequels that didn’t exist before pop up due to success were really rare.

It must mean that [Red Zone] was loved that much.

Seeing Seon-woo looking so bewildered, Park Du-ho shrugged his shoulders.

“But there’s one problem.”

“A problem?”

“That’s right. It’s that your weight class has changed from before.”

Park Du-ho’s eyes sparkled.

“Through [My Imugi] this time, you’ve practically risen to the ranks of lead actors. But in [Red Zone] Season 1, you were a supporting actor. They probably were thinking of a similar level of screen time for Season 2 as well.”

“Then…”

“I’m thinking of making this proposal to the Red Zone side. Increase your screen time compared to Season 1, and go with a dual-lead system with Seong Do-won.”

Seon-woo gulped.

Dual leads? Together with Do-won?

He was still a senior who felt like the sky to him.

He had actually learned so much from watching Seong Do-won’s acting. But to enter into a dual-lead setup with someone like that?

It was an unbelievable story.

More than taking the lead role in [My Imugi], that felt even more burdensome.

But why…

“You seem to like it? Seeing how you’re smiling like that.”

Was he smiling like this?

At Park Du-ho’s words, Seon-woo unconsciously raised his hand to the corner of his mouth. And he realized that his mouth corners kept twitching, trying to ascend to heaven.

It couldn’t be helped.

It was burdensome, confusing, and he wondered if it was okay to be greedy for such a thing…

“…Yes. I like it.”

It couldn’t be helped.

Just thinking about that set made his heart flutter.

It already seemed like it would be fun.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————