I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 248

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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 248
Im Yeong-do reached out with additional news.
The program was apparently going to be called the Theater Grand Tournament, and he’d also sent out recruitment requests to other actors from Cheongseong—which meant that all of Cheongseong’s actors were gathering in one place for the first time in a long while.
Ji-hwan had summoned them all to the theater troupe.
“So what are you all thinking?”
It was Hye-seong’s question.
Jin-wook scratched his head and frowned.
“I want to do it, but my schedule’s pretty packed right now.”
“……You’re still grinding away, aren’t you?”
“Yes. But…… I’m thinking if I can carve out some time in between, I’ll make it work no matter what. Even if I can’t participate in every single competition, wouldn’t it be okay to join in at least once? We don’t always have to have the exact same members, right?”
“Well…… I’m not sure about that. I don’t think the program’s structure has been nailed down that firmly yet. Min-hee, Eun-seok. How about you two?”
“I’m in.”
“Me too.”
Min-hee and Eun-seok nodded without needing to think it over further.
Hye-seong tilted his head as he looked at Min-hee.
“I get that Eun-seok would say yes, but…… you’re practically a hot commodity now. Have you talked it over with your company?”
“No, wait! What do you mean ‘I get that Eun-seok would’? I’m a hot commodity too!”
“I know. But compared to Min-hee, you’re a little less hot, aren’t you?”
“……It’s true, so I’ve really got nothing to say.”
Eun-seok grumbled with a twisted expression.
These days he was appearing in various productions and making a steady impression as a supporting player, but he couldn’t quite compare to Min-hee. After all, since the Red Zone, Min-hee had recently landed a lead role in a romance drama and risen to leading-role status.
Ye-chan laughed and opened his mouth.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? Just two years ago, we were all boiling up instant noodles in the Cheongseong backstage…….”
“……Those were the good days.”
Eun-seok nodded with a wistful expression.
And he turned to look at Seon-woo.
“So Seon-woo, are you confirmed?”
“Yes. I’ve got some time free…… so I think I’m confirmed.”
Seon-woo nodded. Eun-seok let out an exclamation of admiration.
“There must be plenty of people calling for you right now…… that’s impressive. You really do love Cheongseong with all your heart, don’t you?”
“I’ve always loved it.”
“Oof…… come here, let me give you a hug.”
“……That’s a bit much.”
Seon-woo drew the line with clear distaste. Eun-seok’s expression drooped, and Min-hee laughed softly and asked.
“What does your company say?”
“They respect my opinion in everything, so that’s fine.”
“You landed with a good company. Those money-hungry outfits would be itching to squeeze out one more project no matter what.”
“…….”
Jin-wook’s expression grew somber as he heard Min-hee’s words.
Because his company was exactly the kind that itched to squeeze out one more project.
That was when Ye-chan spoke up.
“Do-young is coming today, right?”
“He said he was coming…….”
Maybe I should call him?
The moment Seon-woo pulled out his phone.
“Hello.”
“Yo, Do-young!”
“Oh, Senior!”
“Long time!”
Do-young had finally arrived at the theater troupe. Ji-hwan came in right behind him. Ji-hwan smiled contentedly as he looked around at them all.
“Well now, all our troupe’s pride and joy are gathered in one place.”
“Oh come on, pride and joy? We’re still far from that.”
“That’s right, Eun-seok here still needs to work harder.”
“……Wait, Director, shouldn’t you just say we’re doing well enough with words at a time like this?”
Eun-seok looked at Ji-hwan with an aggrieved expression.
Ji-hwan chuckled and patted Do-young on the shoulder.
“What can I do? Right next to him is someone who won the Cannes award. And…….”
Ji-hwan’s eyes sparkled as he turned to look at Min-hee and Seon-woo side by side.
“Min-hee! Congratulations on the Newcomer Award. And Seon-woo, on the Best Supporting Male Actor award too. It was very impressive. I even shed a few tears watching.”
“Tears? I don’t think there was any point that would’ve called for that.”
“No point? Min-hee, when you were going ‘Th-th-th-thank you!’ I nearly died laughing. I still tear up thinking about it!”
“……I’m leaving.”
“Oh, sorry. Sorry, I’m sorry!”
It was only after Min-hee actually stood up that Ji-hwan managed to grab her back.
Seon-woo chuckled watching it, then turned to Do-young.
“It’s been such a long time seeing you here, Senior.”
“Tell me about it. Congratulations on the award.”
“Thanks. But…… have you made up your mind, Senior?”
“You already know.”
Do-young’s eyes sparkled.
Last time he’d seen him, Do-young had looked full of worries and concerns, but something must have changed in the meantime. The Do-young standing here now was completely different.
Rather, it felt like he’d become a firmer, more solid person. Do-young looked relieved somehow.
“I’m a Cheongseong actor. Of course I have to go.”
“……Wow, our lineup’s gotten pretty glamorous, hasn’t it? Perfect. Cha Do-young, Kim Seon-woo, Jeong Hye-seong. Let’s go!”
“……”
“What. Why.”
“……Never mind. Yeah. As long as you’re happy.”
“Oh, you’re joking!”
“Yes, yes.”
“Really, it’s just a joke!”
Hye-seong’s face flushed at Min-hee’s pitying gaze.
The atmosphere was lively and chaotic. Ji-hwan chuckled and clapped his hands.
“Alright everyone, I’m glad you’re all happy and excited to see each other after so long, but let’s get the situation sorted out. So…… you’re all saying that if your schedules allow, you want to participate?”
“If it helps Cheongseong.”
Those were Seon-woo’s words.
Ji-hwan shrugged.
“How could it not help?”
“Well, topic-wise it would be good for us to participate, sure…… but wouldn’t it also be good for Cheongseong if other members of the troupe got opportunities too?”
“Hmm. I need to think about that a bit.”
Ji-hwan shook his head.
It was an unexpected response. He’d naturally assumed Ji-hwan would say that members who hadn’t yet made a name for themselves should get their chance.
“It depends on how Im-hyung frames the concept. If the idea is to give unknown actors a chance, then you’d be right. But what if the program’s focus isn’t on the actors themselves, but on the culture of theater itself? What if the point is to promote and revive theater as a cultural form?”
“……Then the whole thing changes, doesn’t it.”
Seon-woo nodded in understanding.
If the focus was purely on reviving theater culture, then it made sense to have as many prominent figures as possible appearing.
“And personally, I’d like this broadcast to focus on reviving theater culture.”
Ji-hwan’s eyes deepened.
Of course it brought him joy and happiness when the troupe members succeeded. That’s why he never stopped those like Seon-woo when they moved into film.
But in order for the troupe members to do well…… theater culture and Cheongseong had to thrive more than they did now. They needed more public love and attention. Because ultimately, that attention would translate into more opportunities for the troupe members.
It was about creating an environment for the fish to spawn and spread, rather than simply catching many fish right now.
“And…… remember that this is a competition. I don’t know if it’ll be a tournament or a survival format…… but whatever it is, we have to win. And frankly, among all the theater troupes that will gather, we’re not the strong ones.”
“……Huh? You’re saying we’re weak?”
Ye-chan tilted his head in confusion.
These days, among young actors, Cheongseong was ranked as the troupe everyone most wanted to join. It was because topic appeal had grown so much through “I Am an Actor.”
As a result, the new recruits who’d come in recently had much higher average skill than in previous years.
And with them and the existing members joining together, how could that be considered weak?
But Ji-hwan clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Our history is short.”
That was the problem.
Other troupes boasted histories ranging from a few decades to over a hundred years.
And a short history meant…… it had handed them one rather fatal weakness.
“As a result, the average age of our actors is also low.”
“……Ah.”
Everyone nodded in understanding at those words.
The absence of middle-aged actors. That was their problem. If you only looked at young actors, they wouldn’t lose to any other troupe…… but.
‘So we might end up competing against the veteran legends.’
Of course, among the veteran actors they admired, there were plenty who came from theater troupe backgrounds.
If those actors appeared in the Theater Grand Tournament, if they came out as roles Seon-woo and his peers would have to face…….
Just from filming Yeokjeok recently, Seon-woo had felt bone-deep what the power of a veteran really meant.
So he could immediately understand why Ji-hwan said Cheongseong belonged among the weaker troupes.
Think about it.
If their opponents were a troupe made up of Lee Mu-beom, Jeong In-gi, Kwon Seong-min, Seong Jun-il, Yu Mi-yeon, and so on…… could they win against them?
They’d barely have a chance of winning even if they twisted their whole bodies and wrung out the best acting they possibly could.
Ji-hwan watched the expressions on the actors’ faces, including Seon-woo, shift, and was inwardly satisfied, but he didn’t smile. This wasn’t the time to let their guard down.
“Don’t be complacent. You’re not going out there to do some theater promotion ad-lib. What you’re doing is a competition, and you can lose. Depending on how you all act, Cheongseong’s reputation could burst like a bubble in an instant.”
Of course, that was a worst-case scenario.
But the worst case is one of life’s events that happens far more frequently than people think. Naturally, Ji-hwan needed to instill this sense of urgency in them.
Fortunately, everyone seemed to understand what Ji-hwan was saying.
There wasn’t a single person in this room who didn’t know the terror of veteran actors. They were all serious about their craft besides.
‘I think this is good enough.’
Ji-hwan finally smiled quietly.
It seemed they were all ready to talk about it now.
“So, shall we start discussing?”
The topic was clear.
“How to make Cheongseong champions.”

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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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