I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 224

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 224
“…….”
“…….”
“Straighten your shoulders! That wall—you might not be able to climb it, and that’s fine!”
“…….”
“……Maybe we shouldn’t comfort him?”
“Oh…… yes.”
He wanted to be alone.
Since starting Acting, had there ever been a more humiliating day than this? Watching Seon-woo, thoroughly deflated, Yun-kyeong patted his shoulder as if to say she understood completely.
“Still, you went to Seoul National University.”
“……I told you, you don’t have to comfort me.”
“Oh, right.”
Yun-kyeong spoke as though Seoul National University were a blanket exemption for all Dark History.
And of course it had zero effect. If it had been just one slip on the wall, that would have been one thing. But the truth was, even after that, Seon-woo still couldn’t climb the wall—not until a Staff member brought him a Footstool. Only then had he managed it.
“……I’ve never been good at climbing walls. Because of it, back in high school, when the other kids would sneak over the wall and eat dinner outside, I was the only one left behind.”
“Oh dear…….”
How much he’d wanted to eat the jjajangmyeon they’d been eating back then.
Watching Seon-woo confess about those gloomy school days, Yun-kyeong’s expression grew awkward. Should she genuinely comfort him, or not?
But it seemed like more than just an inability to climb walls.
It was as if his sense of bodily coordination was seriously…….
‘No, forget it!’
If this went on, Yi Bang-won’s transcendent image in her mind would be damaged.
Well, he was kind of cute—but wasn’t Yi Bang-won supposed to not be cute?
Of course, that wasn’t to say this appearance was unflattering.
“Now you actually look like a person.”
Yeon-jun said this, hand over his chest in relief.
Seon-woo let out a hollow laugh.
“I didn’t look like a person before?”
“Think about it. I mean, even an overachieving prodigy has limits. You’re too perfect. Honestly, I seriously thought you might be a reptilian.”
And it seemed this wasn’t just Yeon-jun’s opinion.
Because Seon-woo had only shown such flawless performances, there were quite a few people who found it inhumane.
But seeing him unable to climb one simple wall, everyone could clear up their misunderstanding about Seon-woo.
Seo Tae-rok’s perspective, however, was decidedly different from the rest.
“……That’s not something practice will fix.”
He’d heard it from Kim, the Director of the Equestrian Academy.
Seon-woo was a coordination-challenged person of the first order. What others learned in a day took him a week, and there were many specific movements he simply couldn’t execute at all.
As a Director, he had much to consider.
Yi Bang-won’s characterization emphasized the civil minister side more than the warrior, but he was still the son of Lee Seong-gye. Fundamentally, he possessed the cultivation of a soldier.
Yet through Seon-woo, perhaps it would be best not to emphasize that aspect too heavily.
The more physical actions Seon-woo performed, the more likely the Character Completeness would diminish.
‘An actor who keeps giving me things to think about.’
Seo Tae-rok smiled wryly.
The fortunate thing was that not using physical movement suited Seon-woo’s portrayal of Yi Bang-won quite well. His Yi Bang-won had such an aloof quality that he barely seemed capable of lifting a hand.
‘Did he even think this through?’
Impossible to say.
Though Seon-woo’s wretched motor skills surprised many people, including Seo Tae-rok, the Gaegyeong Escape Scene was ultimately shot successfully.
Which meant that now came the Return of Troops—the Gaegyeong Battle where Lee Seong-gye and Choi Young would clash.
And at this point, Yi Bang-won was to return to Gaegyeong.
Though of course, not back into the Royal Palace. That would make him an immediate hostage.
Yi Bang-won would conduct Secret Activities within Gaegyeong, steering officials and soldiers whose morale has broken at news of Lee Seong-gye’s advance toward abandoning the will to fight.
Before the Gaegyeong Battle, he would play his part—heightening Lee Seong-gye’s chances of victory however slightly.
And just then, separately from the army, Jeong Do-jeon would arrive in Gaegyeong on horseback and meet Yi Bang-won.
It was to rescue his family before word of the Return reached them—but seeing Yi Bang-won, who had already read Lee Seong-gye’s heart and moved first, Jeong Do-jeon would marvel anew…… and also grow wary.
He sensed that in the plan to found Joseon, Yi Bang-won was the most difficult variable to control.
And so, in this encounter, Jeong Do-jeon and Yi Bang-won would engage in a subtle battle of Presence.
‘Whether to look forward to it or worry about it.’
Jeong In-gi, the Actor playing Jeong Do-jeon, had long been famous as someone of overwhelming Energy.
Such a person taking on a role like Jeong Do-jeon. When Seon-woo’s Yi Bang-won stood before him, what would their atmosphere be like?
‘……Still, I’m not greatly worried.’
After closing his eyes briefly to envision the scene, Seo Tae-rok smiled faintly.
At first, thinking of Seon-woo had made him anxious—but not anymore.
He simply came to believe.
That no matter how many reasons for concern existed, it would be fine.
That he would surely show something.
* * *
Jeong In-gi.
There was no one in South Korea who didn’t know that name.
A National Actor—having begun Acting as a child actor before even entering Elementary School, with forty years since his Debut.
Of course, his fame had not been built merely from long activity.
He had five blockbuster films to his name and had witnessed the making of countless hit Dramas with Viewership Ratings surpassing tens of percent.
Given that he was not a prolific actor, no one more deserved the epithet “an actor you trust.”
Naturally, Seon-woo had watched many of Jeong In-gi’s works since childhood.
Even before dreaming of becoming an Actor, Jeong In-gi’s Acting left profound impressions on him.
One might call it vitality overflowing.
Jeong In-gi’s Acting was so feral—as if beneath the human mask dwelt a wild beast.
‘How should I approach this.’
So Seon-woo had much on his mind.
Not worry about Jeong In-gi himself, but worry about his Jeong Do-jeon.
Jeong Do-jeon is the architect of the founding of Joseon—the very nation Yi Bang-won dreaded. Yi Bang-won’s feelings toward him could only be complicated.
Nothing less than the admiration one feels toward a father’s trusted military advisor.
And Jeong In-gi would be the one to portray that man.
He would bring to life an already towering figure—with the ferocity of a tiger.
What Emotion would Yi Bang-won feel in response?
‘I’ll only know once I actually perform it.’
Seon-woo deliberately didn’t set a direction beforehand.
There was no way of knowing what it would feel like until he actually did it.
He needed to understand the Actor Jeong In-gi better.
That way, he could paint a clearer picture.
And the Opportunity came quickly.
“Oh, Seon-woo. How’ve you been?”
“Senior, yes. It’s truly an honor to meet you.”
“Honor? Nothing like that. Seong-hee told me you’re Acting quite skillfully?”
“I’ve learned much from you, Senior.”
“That so? Well then. I have no intention of teaching. I’d rather learn, myself. It’s better to learn as an Actor!”
“……Haha.”
Seon-woo laughed awkwardly.
Seeing that, Jeong In-gi grinned.
“Anyway. Right. We should talk a bit more.”
Jeong In-gi examined Seon-woo slowly.
From any angle, his impression was good. Maybe he seemed a touch too delicate—but that manly figure Seon-woo had shown during the Script Reading, holding his own against Seo Tae-rok as he voiced his interpretation, remained vivid in Jeong In-gi’s mind.
In many ways, expectations were high.
Jeong In-gi at once asked Seon-woo various things about Yi Bang-won.
Why he’d chosen to perform Yi Bang-won like a young man. How he planned to act going forward. What feelings his Yi Bang-won harbored toward Jeong Do-jeon, and so on.
And,
“……That’s interesting.”
Having heard all those answers, Jeong In-gi’s eyes gleamed like a beast of the night.
It couldn’t be helped. He hadn’t intended it—but hearing Seon-woo’s Interpretation, hot blood stirred in him despite his years.
Seeing Jeong In-gi like that, Seon-woo lowered his head.
“Thank you. Then perhaps…… could we run through the Chemistry?”
“No, I don’t want to.”
“……Pardon?”
This was unexpected.
They’d just discussed the whole first encounter scene—so why suddenly refuse now?
But Jeong In-gi shook his head firmly.
“Sorry. But I want to save this feeling I have right now and let it burst out raw when we film it.”
“Ah…… understood.”
For Seon-woo it was disappointing, but unavoidable.
When the Senior said so, he had only to nod.
On the other hand, he was curious. What Emotion was he feeling now that he’d use the word “burst”?
‘Let me just focus on my own Acting.’
Seon-woo decided not to overthink it.
Honestly, having acted with Seong-hee, his Confidence had grown anew.
Since he already understood Seong-hee’s Energy, he hadn’t been certain whether he could maintain Yi Bang-won’s Screen Presence before her Lady Kang—until now.
But once he’d truly grasped that Yi Bang-won’s youthfulness didn’t mean immaturity, but was rather the very reason he could shine, everything changed.
He gained Confidence that his Energy wouldn’t falter before any Character.
Jeong In-gi’s Jeong Do-jeon was no exception.
Jeong Do-jeon is a towering figure, possessed of schemes vast enough to bring nations to ruin. Honestly, in terms of his Capacity, he wouldn’t pale before Yi Bang-won at all.
And given that Jeong In-gi was a heavyweight who’d survived decades in the Film Industry, mounting a taut Performance before him would surely be no easy feat.
Yet Seon-woo now believed in himself.
More precisely, he believed in his Yi Bang-won.
Now it was fine.
Before anyone, he would surely shine.
That light would not fade.
……But,
“──Hahahaha!”
That belief didn’t take long to be betrayed.
It was that evening.
Surrounded by countless Cameras, facing Jeong In-gi, Seon-woo…… for a moment forgot to deliver his Lines and simply stared blankly.
The instant he saw Jeong In-gi, it felt like gazing at an enormous hand.
An old, wrinkled yet enormous hand, holding a Brush.
And the moment that hand moved, Yi Bang-won’s world felt painted over in an instant. Whatever Jeong In-gi, Jeong Do-jeon, wanted to paint—carelessly, without regard.
“Did you…… did you read the general’s heart? Is that it?”
It couldn’t be helped.
Facing Jeong In-gi in that moment—his eyes gleaming like a wild beast—anyone would feel this way.
Vast, ferocious, and heavy.
An Emotion so enormous it was beyond comprehension bore down on him.
……And so, Seon-woo forgot even to deliver his Lines, simply gaping blankly. Perhaps this was the first time since his Acting Debut.
Yes. At this point, he had to admit it.
In this moment, Seon-woo was completely overwhelmed.

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