I Acted Once, and Now They Call Me a Genius - Chapter 76

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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 76

 

“Hehehehehe.”

 

Da-sol laughed sinisterly.

 

She couldn’t help it. Even when she tried to hold back, the laughter kept coming out.

 

And for good reason – she had finally been selected as an audience member for 【I Am an Actor】!

 

‘I was lucky.’

 

Thanks to [One Room], 【I Am an Actor】’s stock had been rising day by day lately.

 

Since the drama itself was so entertaining, even people who had no interest in variety shows started seeking out 【I Am an Actor】.

 

‘That makes sense though.’

 

Even Da-sol herself was confused about whether she was waiting to see Seon-woo in person or episode 2 of [One Room].

 

It meant that the anticipation for [One Room] was so great that her fan feelings for Seon-woo were being forgotten.

 

If she was like this, there was no need to mention other people.

 

Just looking at social media,

 

GoguFlavourStar: Can’t they just do it twice a week? It’s hard to wait..

 

└Daseulgi: That’s true, but I can understand the production team’s perspective too lol It’s pretty amazing that they keep putting out this level of quality every week

 

└Kim Quokka: The production team is actually made up of only the top people in this industry

 

└Cali: Next episode!!! Hurry!!!!!!

 

There were even fangirl posts criticizing the production team to this extent.

 

Da-sol understood them. How long had it been since there was a drama that hammered fun directly into your brain like this?

 

“Ugh, only 10 minutes left now. I want to watch it so badly…”

 

“But since we already know who’s going to die, it feels strange again.”

 

“Exactly! I mean, I usually really hate spoilers… but somehow this spoiler makes me look forward to it. Should I say I want to quickly see when and how they’ll die.”

 

Da-sol nodded inwardly as she listened to the conversation between the couple next to her.

 

Certainly, [One Room] was a very special drama from that perspective. The structure where the eliminated contestant from 【I Am an Actor】 becomes the deceased in [One Room].

 

Wouldn’t knowing who would die kill the anticipation?

 

But that wasn’t necessarily the case.

 

As that couple said, it was also exciting to see how they would die… and thinking that a character’s death meant an actor’s elimination made it feel more heartbreaking somehow.

 

‘If Seon-woo gets eliminated later too…’

 

Seon-woo would die too.

 

Da-sol made a choked-up expression imagining that moment.

 

She hoped he would go all the way to victory so nothing like death would happen… but she’d have to wait and see.

 

Meanwhile,

 

“I’m getting to watch all of this here.”

 

Da-sol wasn’t the only one in the audience seating.

 

A middle-aged person with short hair, Ji-hwan, chuckled and looked to the side.

 

“When you sent Seon-woo to me… did you ever imagine Seon-woo could make it this far?”

 

At the end of that gaze was a sharp-featured handsome man making a sullen expression.

 

It was Seon-jun.

 

“Well, I thought he’d shine someday, but…”

 

Seon-jun shook his head.

 

“I didn’t know it would be this fast. This isn’t something possible with talent alone.”

 

“Mm, that’s true.”

 

Ji-hwan nodded.

 

Certainly, making it this far was impossible with just skill and talent alone.

 

The very appearance of a program like 【I Am an Actor】 could be called luck.

 

However,

 

“Luck only has meaning for people who are prepared to seize it.”

 

Ji-hwan’s eyes grew serious.

 

“For people who lived carelessly, even if opportunities are given, it just adds one more thing to regret later.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Seon-jun nodded.

 

“I was a bit surprised. Every time I watch, his acting has improved ridiculously.”

 

Seon-jun had been diligently watching every episode of 【I Am an Actor】 so far.

 

Well, the reason was naturally Seon-woo.

 

After all this, he was still worried.

 

Although he knew of Seon-woo’s genius… precisely because of that, he couldn’t help but worry more.

 

He was concerned that the genius might be exposed before it could properly ripen, and the sprout might just get trampled.

 

He thought this stage was still too early for Seon-woo.

 

But his thinking started to change…

 

when Seon-woo acted as the ‘Mute’.

 

‘That was truly admirable.’

 

It was the moment he confirmed that Seon-woo had not only the role but also the vision to understand the work as a whole.

 

He already thought he was a genius just for his ability to immerse in roles… but he had brought another weapon.

 

But even so, if there was still something to worry about…

 

【 Shortly, [One Room] episode 2 will be broadcast. 】

 

【 Before viewing, all audience members please turn off your phones. 】

 

An announcement pierced through Seon-jun’s thoughts.

 

Seon-jun shifted his gaze to the screen. There wouldn’t be much point in thinking about it more right now.

 

—Fuck, hey! Hey! You’re watching from there, right? Stop messing around and let me out right now! I’ll come out and kill you all!

 

And there was no time to think further.

 

Before he knew it, Seo Jin-wook was shouting on the screen with veins bulging in his neck as he looked at them.

 

The angle made it seem like he was looking at them through the screen.

 

—R-right. Let me out! Is anyone out there? Is it Mom by any chance? Mom! This is because of the drugs, right? Let’s talk it out! It’s all my bad. Okay? I’ll be good! Huh? So, so… don’t do this. Mom, please!

 

—…What the hell has this idiot been babbling about since earlier?

 

And before he could properly understand the situation, Justin rambled incoherently and stole the focus again.

 

It was truly a scene that deserved to be called chaos.

 

Seo Jin-wook was furious, and Justin thought all of this was a show to treat him.

 

Na Min-hee stood frozen as if she couldn’t accept the entire situation, and Jeong Hye-seong said he understood everything but please just give him a phone so he could contact his family.

 

Bang Hyeong-bin was checking on Yeon-woo’s condition while looking at the wound on her forehead despite his panic, and Lee Yeon-woo smiled prettily at Bang Hyeong-bin and said thank you despite her discomfort.

 

Song Jae-won remained calm even in this absurd situation, and Yoo Ji-eun’s eyes wavered as if she would collapse at any moment.

 

Park Moon-hyeon was letting out hollow laughter that didn’t suit the situation, and Kim Seon-woo was…

 

‘Is he observing?’

 

Seon-jun nodded slowly.

 

It was the reaction he had expected.

 

Unlike the others… Kim Seon-woo wouldn’t feel any threat in this situation.

 

It wasn’t that he thought things would be okay.

 

He thought it didn’t matter what happened to a life he was going to throw away anyway.

 

So,

 

—Don’t be anxious. It’ll be okay soon. Slowly breathe in through your nose and exhale long through your mouth. Follow me. Inhale. Exhale.

 

When Yoo Ji-eun had a panic attack, Kim Seon-woo was the first to step forward and calm her down.

 

Only Kim Seon-woo had the leisure to look after others in this situation.

 

No,

 

‘Should I call it the leisure to appreciate?’

 

Seon-jun’s eyes deepened as he looked at Kim Seon-woo’s expression.

 

Kim Seon-woo’s gaze scanning Yoo Ji-eun’s face… was closer to literally appreciating rather than worrying.

 

Fear ultimately arises from craving life.

 

Her terrified expression was an element that could stimulate his deficiency more than anything else.

 

Perhaps that’s why.

 

Kim Seon-woo was looking at Yoo Ji-eun distantly like stars in the night sky.

 

As if she were something from another world that he could never understand or covet.

 

‘Indeed, should I say Writer Ryu…’

 

Seon-jun’s lips trembled.

 

It gave him goosebumps.

 

His whole body was itching, making him want to rush out and do something.

 

He couldn’t help it.

 

Right now, Seon-jun could vaguely see the picture that Ryu was drawing.

 

Actually, he had somewhat anticipated it since episode 1.

 

Kim Seon-woo is a character with nothing. A person who can’t find a reason to live.

 

What kind of narrative would suit such a character best?

 

Simple.

 

A journey to find a reason to live.

 

What’s attractive is that Kim Seon-woo has to find that reason in a death game where he doesn’t know when he might die.

 

‘…This is practically a main role.’

 

Some people might tilt their heads at this thought.

 

Actually, there were even comments online saying that Seon-woo had taken on too bland a role.

 

AnxiousPing: Isn’t Kim Seon-woo’s role too gloomy this time? Honestly, with a character like that, it seems like he won’t be able to do any explosive acting at all

 

└Cali: Didn’t you see her in The Handmaiden? She put on an acting masterclass without a single line of dialogue, so what’s there to worry about lol

 

AnxiousPing: That’s different from now. In Mute, he filmed the entire ending scene alone. He had a chance to appeal there… but would that be possible here? It looks like he’ll just be a quiet supporting character

 

He understood why they were worried about such things.

 

But Seon-jun couldn’t relate to those concerns at all.

 

Too gloomy and lacking presence?

 

Couldn’t they see it?

 

That Kim Seon-woo is ultimately the narrative protagonist of this [One Room].

 

A game played with life as stakes… and a character who feels no value in that life itself.

 

He could clearly see that Writer Ryu was preparing to chew, tear, taste, and enjoy that structure… and they thought Kim Seon-woo would become a supporting character?

 

‘It’s a pointless worry.’

 

Rather, Seon-jun had a different concern.

 

Ryu would definitely draw an tremendous picture for Seon-woo.

 

But would Seon-woo be able to handle that picture?

 

That picture would surely be difficult even to understand.

 

—Everyone, please calm down.

 

While he was lost in thought for a moment, the atmosphere in [One Room] gradually began to find stability.

 

Park Moon-hyeon stepped forward and calmed everyone who was on the verge of exploding.

 

—I will be eliminated.

 

He even told them to vote for him in the voting, taking on the role that everyone was reluctant to take.

 

Seon-jun’s eyes narrowed. He knew Park Moon-hyeon’s fate. To be precise, everyone here knew.

 

That this episode would be Park Moon-hyeon’s last filming.

 

Then Park Moon-hyeon’s choice would ultimately…

 

‘Lead to death.’

 

Seon-jun’s gaze darkened.

 

It was certainly an interesting work. To think they would broadcast the chaos created by ten people completely unfiltered.

 

Though it seemed like the chaos had subsided momentarily through Park Moon-hyeon… once that character dies, even greater chaos will come.

 

How would Ryu handle that chaos?

 

Who would he place at the center of that chaos?

 

And,

 

—Teacher, it could be dangerous. These are people who even kidnapped us. I don’t think elimination… will simply end with them letting us out of here.

 

—But we can’t just stay still like this, right? Someone has to do what needs to be done.

 

The following development didn’t deviate from Seon-jun’s expectations at all.

 

Kim Seon-woo approached Park Moon-hyeon, expressing his concerns.

 

Placing the character who tried to die next to the character who would soon die.

 

Why?

 

‘There really isn’t a better combination than this.’

 

Seon-jun’s eyes sparkled.

 

Park Moon-hyeon’s death would make Kim Seon-woo reflect on the death he had tried to choose.

 

It would become the catalyst to transform the character of Kim Seon-woo.

 

—33 years. I devoted 33 years of my life to the company. I didn’t start a family, couldn’t enjoy a single decent hobby. The company was my family and my hobby. But look how it turned out. Not even once… I never lived my own life.

 

—…Do you regret it?

 

—I actually think it’s fortunate. Even now… I’ve realized how important it is to become the master of your own life.

 

Seon-jun quietly observed Kim Seon-woo conversing with Park Moon-hyeon.

 

It was a strange expression. Kim Seon-woo’s eyes looking at Park Moon-hyeon taking the difficult path didn’t contain anything like pity.

 

Rather, what could be glimpsed was that same look he showed when facing Yoo Ji-eun.

 

The sight of Park Moon-hyeon facing life head-on must have felt so distant to Kim Seon-woo.

 

But what’s important comes next.

 

The participants eventually head to their respective rooms to vote.

 

The method was to input the name on the touchpad in each room.

 

While someone writes Park Moon-hyeon’s name, and someone else hesitates and can’t write anything… Kim Seon-woo slowly writes down Park Moon-hyeon’s name.

 

And,

 

—Ah, uh, ah, no! P-please. This is, st-stop… Kyaaaaaaah———! Hyaaaaaaaaaah———!

 

Not long after, heart-wrenching screams begin to echo.

 

[One Room] didn’t show what happened to Park Moon-hyeon. As if leaving it to the viewers’ imagination.

 

Instead, the director… showed the reactions of all the other participants sequentially.

 

Someone cries, someone’s face turns pale.

 

Someone collapses, someone angrily punches the wall.

 

Someone giggles, someone covers their ears and curls up.

 

Seeing all of this, Seon-jun unconsciously clenched his fists.

 

Partly because he was immersed in their acting, but also because he understood how difficult a task this would be for Seon-woo.

 

At this moment, Seon-woo had to show.

 

That Park Moon-hyeon’s death would change him.

 

When everyone else feels despair, fear, and death through Park Moon-hyeon’s end… only Kim Seon-woo glimpses a spark of life.

 

Of course, it wasn’t easy acting.

 

Even in Seon-jun’s mind as he thought this, the question ‘But how do you do that?’ arose.

 

Countless scripts, countless expressions and countless reactions flashed through Seon-jun’s mind.

 

What would it be?

 

What would be the most appropriate expression to hint at that change?

 

Before he could find that answer, the camera was already filming Kim Seon-woo.

 

And in that screen, Kim Seon-woo was…

 

‘…’

 

He did nothing.

 

He was just staring blankly into space.

 

Seeing those eyes that held not a single point of light… still just dull, Seon-jun barely held back a sigh that almost escaped.

 

This was ruined.

 

That acting shouldn’t be done like that.

 

He should have hinted at change. That Kim Seon-woo would be different. Finally…

 

‘…Huh?’

 

That he would come to… desire life?

 

Thinking that far, Seon-jun momentarily stopped his thoughts… no, stopped everything including his breathing and stared at the screen.

 

Seon-woo was gazing at them through the camera lens.

 

With an indescribable presence, momentarily unable to think of anything, just blankly looking into those eyes…

 

For an instant.

 

For such a brief moment that you could miss it if you blinked, Seon-woo’s eyes sparkled.

 

A momentary sparkle that could perhaps be called insignificant.

 

But in that moment, Seon-jun’s expression couldn’t help but become dazed.

 

‘It was me.’

 

There wasn’t any great action.

 

His expression didn’t change in any special way either.

 

Just his eyes. Really just a momentary sparkle.

 

But perhaps it was because Kim Seon-woo had only shown such a dejected appearance until now.

 

Even that moment of brilliance… was dazzling enough to fill his eyes completely.

 

He could be certain.

 

That look in his eyes was overwhelming all the direction and acting that Seon-jun had been thinking about just moments before.

 

That there could be no better acting than this.

 

So, at this moment, Seon-jun could only laugh helplessly.

 

‘The one who was worrying unnecessarily… was me.’

 

His younger brother had grown much more than he had thought.

—————
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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