I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 68

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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 68

 

Do you want to place first?

 

From Seon-woo’s perspective, it was a difficult question to answer.

 

Of course he wanted to place first. But at this moment, the evaluation Seon-woo wanted to receive wasn’t something like ‘you’re number one.’

 

What was important to him was something else entirely.

 

‘How did my acting look?’

 

Did he sparkle?

 

Actually, he already knew the answer to this.

 

He probably didn’t sparkle. Kim Seon-woo was that kind of character. A person who never sparkled even once from beginning to end.

 

In a way, he was similar to the mute.

 

The mute who couldn’t hold any color.

 

But the mute ended with showing that he would hold some color in the final moment… The longer the time he spent without any color, the more dramatically that moment hinting at his change had to come alive.

 

But Kim Seon-woo was different.

 

It couldn’t be helped since only episode 1 had unfolded so far, but Kim Seon-woo could only show a gray, depressed appearance throughout episode 1.

 

Acting.

 

For Seon-woo, acting was something colorful.

 

Wearing all kinds of colors and sparkling brightly… Yes, an art like a Christmas tree.

 

In that aspect, this episode 1… was one where there wasn’t a single opportunity to show the charm of acting that Seon-woo thought of.

 

And probably the future wouldn’t be any different.

 

However, about that acting…

 

“I get this feeling. That Seon-woo… is an actor who really suits dark tones well.”

 

Seong Jun-il evaluated it this way.

 

His eyes looking at Seon-woo were burning intensely.

 

Whether he received quite a good impression, he was speaking with such momentum that he was almost spitting.

 

“To be precise, when you feel like you’re sunk into something… all of Seon-woo’s charm comes tremendously alive. Should I say it feels like everything found its place?”

 

A somewhat rambling explanation.

 

But it couldn’t be helped. Seon-woo’s acting today had struck Seong Jun-il as such a shock.

 

That languid and quiet emotion that surged from an endlessly depressed atmosphere, as if everything had been let go.

 

It was an emotion that was difficult to even comprehend, let alone act.

 

Seon-woo’s appearance of casually performing acting that most actors couldn’t even attempt… was enough to amaze even Seong Jun-il.

 

To think that was the acting of someone in their first year of acting.

 

“What Seon-woo acted today wasn’t emotion but the concept itself. Not depression, despair… but emptiness itself. The whole time I was watching… I couldn’t take my eyes off.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Seon-woo bowed his head.

 

While feeling grateful… he suddenly understood Yeon-woo’s feelings.

 

Should I say that even though he was being praised, he wasn’t particularly happy.

 

Rather, he felt a bit bitter. It seemed like they were saying that Seon-woo suited being not colorful, being tinted gray better.

 

Seon-woo clenched his fist.

 

‘It’s okay.’

 

So what if gray suits him now.

 

If he lived each day as colorfully as possible… painting all kinds of colors, wouldn’t he be able to hear such words someday?

 

You sparkle.

 

You’re really someone who suits being colorful.

 

“That’s right. Today’s acting will probably become quite a decent portfolio in itself. Should I say that when casting actors who suit dark roles, directors will probably think of Seon-woo at least once?”

 

Whether she knew Seon-woo’s inner thoughts or not, Yu Mi-yeon said this with a serious expression.

 

“How should I put it… it feels like you’ve developed your own distinct character.”

 

“…”

 

This time he couldn’t bring himself to answer with thanks.

 

He was a bit scared that if he made a mistake, the formula ‘Kim Seon-woo = actor specializing in dark roles’ might really be created.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Lee Mu-beom, who had been quietly listening to what the judges were saying, looked closely at Seon-woo’s face and opened his mouth.

 

“Seon-woo, what do you… think about the character Kim Seon-woo right now?”

 

He had heard a similar question before.

 

During script reading, PD Park Myeong-jin had asked like that. Whether he disliked Kim Seon-woo.

 

Lee Mu-beom hadn’t asked with that nuance… but Seon-woo’s eyes sank.

 

Somehow, at this moment, he felt like he had to answer properly.

 

This wasn’t a moment to answer with things like dislike or like.

 

Rather…

 

“When cloudy days continue, you end up just waiting for when those clouds will clear.”

 

Seon-woo slowly parted his lips.

 

And he looked straight at the judges.

 

Not with the hazy eyes that had been cast over Kim Seon-woo, but with eyes that truly sparkled as if holding the sun.

 

“I hope Kim Seon-woo’s days will clear up someday too… that’s my honest wish.”

 

He now knew that answering ‘I dislike Kim Seon-woo’ was wrong.

 

But then should the correct answer be ‘I like Kim Seon-woo’?

 

No, that wasn’t it.

 

Even Kim Seon-woo himself didn’t like Kim Seon-woo right now.

 

To be precise, Kim Seon-woo held no emotions about himself. Neither like nor dislike.

 

But he couldn’t bring himself to approve of The Man who was like a living corpse.

 

He could only worry about and support him.

 

“…That’s a good answer.”

 

And hearing those words, Lee Mu-beom finally smiled gently.

 

He talked about the role as if it were a real living person. While it might seem strange to ordinary people, for an actor, this was the most important virtue.

 

If an actor doesn’t treat their role as a person, how could the audience watching feel that the acting is alive?

 

“Thanks to that feeling, the character Kim Seon-woo… seemed to shine even while covered in ashes.”

 

“…?”

 

Shined?

 

When, at what moment?

 

Unfortunately, Seon-woo didn’t get a chance to resolve that question.

 

“I’ll announce the scores. The judges’ score is 83 points. The audience score is 8 points… making it 91 points.”

 

“…Thank you!”

 

Seon-woo bowed his head deeply.

 

Yeon-woo got 95, Hye-seong got 94… so he was tied for third place with Jae-won.

 

It wasn’t that he wasn’t disappointed about the ranking, but Seon-woo didn’t mind. What remained in his ears now wasn’t the ranking, but the words Lee Mu-beom had just spoken.

 

That Kim Seon-woo had shined.

 

…What did that mean?

 

* * *

 

“Today’s eliminated contestants are… Park Moon-hyeon and Justin Oh, who scored 84 and 81 points respectively.”

 

“The eliminated contestants will now film their death endings for One Room episode 2, and then completely leave this program.”

 

“You’ve all worked hard. All of us judges sincerely support the acting careers you’ll unfold from now on.”

 

The eliminated contestants were decided.

 

Moon-hyeon and Justin.

 

Since episode 2 filming still remained, they wouldn’t be saying goodbye immediately.

 

But even so, some were already getting teary-eyed.

 

Surprisingly, Min-hee was one of them.

 

“Oh, sis! Why are you crying? Is that for me? For me? It’s so touching?!”

 

“…Be quiet. I told you not to use English!”

 

They were always bickering, but it seemed they had grown fond of each other.

 

Well, even that Kwon So-ri had developed some affection after seeing each other’s faces every day.

 

Seon-woo looked back at Moon-hyeon.

 

Due to his serious personality plus the age difference, they hadn’t had much interaction usually, but Moon-hyeon had quietly held things together as an elder.

 

Now that he was leaving… he couldn’t help but feel a bit empty inside.

 

“…You’ve worked hard.”

 

“Hard work, what hard work. I’m leaving with good memories.”

 

Moon-hyeon smiled brightly.

 

“At my age, could I have imagined coming to a place like this and even appearing in a drama? Honestly, I don’t think this moment is bad at all.”

 

“…Is that so.”

 

“Still, my wife and daughter are probably crying right now just looking at this. I’ll go take care of our family crybabies, so you go too, Seon-woo. Your parents came, right?”

 

“Yes. I’ll see you later at the accommodation.”

 

“Sure, sure.”

 

Right, he couldn’t keep his parents waiting too long either.

 

Seon-woo felt himself getting nervous again.

 

How did they view his first work? While he had shown other acting performances on 【I Am an Actor】, this was the first time something had been properly edited and made into a complete work.

 

He was curious.

 

What they thought while watching him act.

 

Whether they thought supporting his acting was the right choice, whether they were moved, or if they were still worried…

 

“Son!”

 

When he actually met his mother, he could tell one thing.

 

At least there didn’t seem to be any worry. Her face was somehow… bright.

 

“Oh, Mother. Where’s Dad?”

 

“He’s coming after moving the car. There are a lot of people in the parking lot so it’s taking a while. Are you hungry? Let’s eat.”

 

“Yes. What would you like to eat?”

 

“You should eat what you want to eat. With all this group living and filming, you probably haven’t been eating properly.”

 

“…I don’t particularly want anything.”

 

“Then think of something quickly before Dad comes.”

 

In the end, they decided on Pyongyang Cold Noodles.

 

When Young-sik appeared with the car, he said that wouldn’t be enough, shouldn’t they eat something more substantial, but they managed to reach an agreement by ordering plenty of ribs to go with the Pyongyang Cold Noodles.

 

And finally, after settling in at the restaurant, the real conversation began.

 

“You looked great, son.”

 

Jeong-hee smiled warmly.

 

“Honestly, when you said you were going to act, I worried a lot… but every time I watch your acting, I wonder if I worried for nothing.”

 

“That’s why I told you to stop worrying about Seon-woo. When have you ever seen this kid struggle? He’s always been the type to handle his responsibilities without being told.”

 

“That’s exactly why I had to worry more when he suddenly said he wanted to act. If it had been Seon-jun, I would have just thought ‘oh well,’ but Seon-woo always walked the straight path.”

 

Walking the straight path.

 

At Jeong-hee’s words, Seon-woo inwardly nodded.

 

Seon-woo had always been a son who never caused worry.

 

And that was partly Seon-jun’s fault to some extent.

 

Seon-jun was a jack-of-all-trades who excelled at everything – whether it was studying, art, sports… really anything he did. So from a young age, he received a lot of expectations from his parents… but the problem was Seon-jun’s free-spirited nature.

 

Seon-jun was a child who absolutely refused to listen to his parents.

 

Despite maintaining first place in his entire elementary school and being able to choose any university and any department if he set his mind to it, Seon-jun suddenly entered the Film Department using a movie he shot with friends on his phone as his portfolio.

 

How much Jeong-hee and Young-sik sighed back then.

 

That was why Seon-woo had consistently focused only on studying without getting distracted.

 

If he also lived however he wanted after Seon-jun, it would be too much for his parents to handle. He thought he should at least lighten their mental burden a bit…

 

‘But it ended up like this.’

 

He did feel sorry toward his parents.

 

In the end, both of their sons ended up walking the path of art.

 

However,

 

“Actually, at first I had a feeling of ‘it can’t be helped…’ but seeing you today, I think you did well to pursue acting.”

 

Jeong-hee suddenly confessed like that.

 

Seon-woo’s expression became a bit puzzled.

 

“…Really? Wasn’t the character I acted today too gloomy?”

 

“It was gloomy. Just like how you used to be.”

 

“…”

 

It was unexpected factual violence.

 

He knew his past self had been gloomy, but having it confirmed and finished off by his parent’s mouth like this was somewhat embarrassing.

 

“So it reminded me of the other stages you’ve acted on… and seeing how your usual demeanor has also become brighter, I felt it even more. Ah, this kid needs to act.”

 

“…Dad also thinks you look good these days.”

 

Young-sik added.

 

“Well, no need for a long story, you’re really lovely.”

 

Lovely.

 

Seon-woo scratched his head with an embarrassed expression. He couldn’t quite think of how to respond.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Three cold noodles here, right?”

 

“Yes, please set them down here.”

 

Just then, a server appeared like a savior and brought the cold noodles.

 

Young-sik chuckled.

 

“Let’s eat first. We can talk after we finish eating.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Seon-woo nodded and brought the noodles to his mouth.

 

The taste of Pyongyang Cold Noodles after such a long time was, how should he put it…

 

Warm.

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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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