NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 119

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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 119. Microcosm

 

“Ah, Ju-hyeong.”

 

“We’re classmates but this is the first time I’m seeing you at school. Haha.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo laughed at Kim Ju-hyeong’s words.

 

 

 

“That’s true, but how did you know it was me?”

 

 

 

He tilted his head as he looked at Kim Ju-hyeong, who was wearing a cap and mask but still came over and put his arm around his shoulder.

 

 

 

“You don’t know?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Your aura doesn’t disappear just because you wear a hat and mask. Even from a hundred meters away, your height and proportions strongly assert that you’re an actor.”

 

 

 

And when Kim Ju-hyeong pointed behind them with his chin, students could be seen in the distance whispering uncertainly as they looked at Yeon-woo.

 

 

 

“Ah, really…?”

 

 

 

Although it wasn’t a perfect disguise, he thought no one would recognize his identity while walking around campus, but it seemed he was mistaken.

 

 

 

“By the way, they put up a poster for the ‘University Theater Festival.'”

 

“Yeah, this is my first time hearing about it. Did they always do something like this?”

 

“Still, the tradition must be about ten years old, right?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded at Kim Ju-hyeong’s words.

 

 

 

If it had only been around for ten years, it was natural that Yeon-woo, who had finished campus life more than 20 years ago, wouldn’t know about it.

 

 

 

“I’m thinking of participating too. Though I’ll have to pass the preliminaries first.”

 

“Huh?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo asked back at the unexpected story that came from Kim Ju-hyeong’s mouth.

 

Then Kim Ju-hyeong continued speaking, his face slightly reddening as if embarrassed.

 

 

 

“You know, remember that day last year when Yu-han went to deliver lunch boxes? I got fired up after seeing you two performing on stage then.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded as he recalled stepping onto the practice stage for “Dejan d’Or” due to a sudden proposal. Then he tilted his head again.

 

 

 

“…Then through acting?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo knew well that Kim Ju-hyeong liked acting. But since he couldn’t easily imagine him actually acting, he tilted his head.

 

Seeing this, Kim Ju-hyeong quickly waved his hands.

 

 

 

“No, no, I’m not going to act. Um…, actually I’ve been trying to write something. A scenario, I mean.”

 

 

 

Hearing Kim Ju-hyeong’s words, Yeon-woo recalled Writer Kim Jin-ju, who had been inspired and immersed in writing the scenario for “White Blood” in the meeting room.

 

 

 

“Ju-hyeong, I didn’t know you had such talent.”

 

“Hey, it’s not really talent, I just tried it once.”

 

“Then shall we go to a cafe or something and talk about it?”

 

“Aren’t you busy?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo smiled brightly at Kim Ju-hyeong’s question.

 

 

 

“I’m not busy at all. The movie is finished, and now I need to prepare for returning to school, so since we met, I should learn from you.”

 

 

 

Things like how to register for courses online, and even though the campus was familiar, the curriculum had changed so much and times had changed, so there would be tons of things he didn’t know.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo sat with Kim Ju-hyeong at the campus cafe located next to the Economics Building.

 

 

 

“Do you happen to have the scenario with you? I’m quite curious about it.”

 

“Ah, it’s embarrassing to show. The Theater Club seniors said it was completely terrible.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo nodded.

 

 

 

“There’s a Theater Club on campus too?”

 

“Yeah, everyone does it as a hobby, but the rules are stricter than you’d think.”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong hesitantly took out a bound scenario from the bag he was carrying.

 

 

 

“Oh, you even had it bound?”

 

“I was going to show it to the seniors. Though I got thoroughly criticized.”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong scratched the back of his head as he handed the scenario to Yeon-woo.

 

Seeing how dejected he looked, he must have received quite harsh criticism.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo read through the scenario.

 

 

 

“…It might not be fun, but the genre is mystery, thriller.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo quietly nodded at Kim Ju-hyeong’s additional comment.

 

 

 

After reading for a while, Yeon-woo looked up.

 

 

 

“…This is good though?”

 

“Hey, thanks for saying that even if it’s just words.”

 

 

 

It wasn’t empty words.

 

The scenario was quite solid, and just reading it painted a picture of the stage composition.

 

 

 

“I’m being serious, but I think you have talent, Ju-hyeong.”

 

“Huh? Really? That can’t be…? Everyone said it was terrible.”

 

 

 

Seeing Yeon-woo’s serious expression, Kim Ju-hyeong also became serious.

 

 

 

“Are there any empty lecture halls with doors open?”

 

“Empty lecture halls? Classes haven’t started yet, but all the Economics Building lecture halls should be open, right?”

 

 

 

Hearing Kim Ju-hyeong’s words, Yeon-woo stood up from his seat.

 

 

 

“Let’s go. I’ll show you.”

 

“Huh? Show me what?”

 

 

 

He intended to show the dejected genius that his work was writing that shone brightly enough.

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong followed behind Yeon-woo who was leading the way, tilting his head in confusion.

 

 

 

“How did you know about this back road?”

 

 

 

He hurried to follow Yeon-woo who was naturally striding along the shortcut from the cafe to the Economics Building.

 

 

 

Going up to the 2nd floor, Yeon-woo opened the door to Lecture Room 203, which had a fairly high podium.

 

 

 

“This place should be suitable.”

 

“Hm? For what?”

 

“Your work. It’s just one part, but I’ll try acting it out.”

 

 

 

At Yeon-woo’s words, Kim Ju-hyeong’s eyes widened.

 

 

 

“Whoa, really?!”

 

 

 

Seeing Kim Ju-hyeong like that, Yeon-woo grinned and went up to the podium.

 

 

 

“Writer Kim Ju-hyeong, sit in front here.”

 

“Wow, awesome!”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong sat in the front seat of the lecture hall, excited and thrilled.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo read the scenario, then waved his hands a few times as if conceiving something, nodded his head, and opened his mouth.

 

 

 

“I’ll act out one scene.”

 

 

 

In front of Kim Ju-hyeong who was waiting with sparkling eyes full of anticipation, Yeon-woo began his stage acting.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo’s expression instantly changed to a cold one as he frowned and raised one corner of his mouth.

 

 

 

“People, you see, are born with their own colors. There are those with passionate red, and conversely, those with cynical blue.”

 

 

 

Then Yeon-woo lightly spread both arms.

 

A chillingly choppy way of speaking could be heard, as if connecting broken syllables.

 

 

 

“What color do I look like to your eyes? A person like me is quite unique. I’m black.”

 

 

 

His furrowed brow and the chillingly raised corner of his mouth had somehow returned to their original position, changing to an expressionless face where no emotion could be felt.

 

 

 

Watching Yeon-woo whose voice and facial expressions changed freely, Kim Ju-hyeong got goosebumps all over his arms.

 

 

 

“Black people are quite unique. They have an instinct to hide that they’re black. They constantly look for people who tell them they’re gray. And when several of those types start gathering, it becomes troublesome.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo’s expression instantly changed from the emotionless face to a brightly smiling one.

 

When someone smiles too brightly, you can feel madness and it becomes scary.

 

 

 

That was exactly how Yeon-woo’s expression looked right now.

 

 

 

“When black and gray start gathering, at some point they begin insisting they’re white. Just like you right now. That’s why I’m so happy right now. I found a pitch-black cancer mass.”

 

 

 

Some invisible aura seemed to be surging around Ryu Yeon-woo on stage.

 

 

 

Then Yeon-woo walked forward with large strides.

 

 

 

“Ugh.”

 

 

 

Even though it was a script he had written, Kim Ju-hyeong’s heart raced for a moment at the raw madness felt from the stage.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo’s face had somehow returned to its usual appearance.

 

 

 

“How was it? This is the script you wrote.”

 

 

 

It was definitely right.

 

 

 

Every single line of dialogue, every described expression – it was all the script he had written.

 

 

 

“Oh, that’s right.”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong realized something in that moment.

 

A scenario could become coal or diamond depending on who acts it out.

 

 

 

A lump of carbon can become coal or diamond depending on what environment it’s in and what influences it receives.

 

 

 

The actor ‘Ryu Yeon-woo’ in front of him was definitely someone who could create diamonds.

 

 

 

‘If I become a playwright, will I always be able to have experiences like this…?’

 

 

 

The combination of letters he had written seemed to come alive and breathe vividly before his eyes.

 

 

 

“Yeon-woo, I’ve enjoyed watching all the movies and dramas you’ve filmed, but I really hope you’ll do a play sometime.”

 

 

 

It was a sincere statement made as a fan before being a friend.

 

There’s an overwhelming feeling that comes when you directly face living, breathing acting.

 

 

 

Hearing Kim Ju-hyeong’s words, Yeon-woo smiled.

 

Yeon-woo had been a longtime fan of theater since his previous life.

 

 

 

“Then I should do it. Your work is good? Let’s do it with this.”

 

“Yes, definitely…, huh?”

 

 

 

Kim Ju-hyeong, who had been nodding and looking forward to Yeon-woo’s theater activities, detected something strange in what he said and opened his eyes wide.

 

 

 

“Whaaaat?!”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo chuckled softly.

 

It wasn’t something he said in passing.

 

Even from his perspective, this work definitely had value.

 

 

 

“Let’s establish the foundation during this semester, and I have a series scheduled for filming. Once that filming is finished, let’s put on a play around the end of this year or early next year.”

 

 

 

It was a realistically feasible plan.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo thought of his acting mentor Jeong Cheol-min.

 

 

 

There was the small theater he operated in Daejeon, and if they needed to put on a performance in Seoul, there was sufficient infrastructure available to make connections.

 

 

 

There were actors and instructors affiliated with the academy, and now that his own reputation had grown, these were aspects he could handle sufficiently even without receiving help.

 

 

 

However, amateur Kim Ju-hyeong felt bewildered, unable to keep up with the pace as his casually scribbled scenario seemed to be rapidly progressing.

 

 

 

“So, so you’re really saying we should perform this…? Hey, don’t joke around.”

 

“You hadn’t thought about performing this scenario?”

 

“Huh? No, that’s not it…”

 

 

 

Of course, all theater scenarios are written with the purpose of actual performance.

 

Kim Ju-hyeong was also secretly very curious about how his created scenario would be implemented on stage.

 

 

 

“Polish it up a bit more during this time. Let’s have fun putting on a play together.”

 

 

 

Seeing Yeon-woo smile and hand over the bound scenario, Kim Ju-hyeong became fired up.

 

 

 

“Uhhh! Even if I have to trade my semester grades for it, I’ll pour my soul into completing it!”

 

“…Huh? You still need to study though.”

 

 

 

Seeing Kim Ju-hyeong more fired up than he had expected, Yeon-woo broke out in a cold sweat.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

About two months had passed since Yeon-woo started his university life.

 

 

 

Although he was dedicating himself to academics during the semester, with talented students from across the nation gathered here, achieving top grades like in high school was impossible.

 

 

 

“Hyung, even though you go to schedules here and there, how do you keep up with all the coursework?”

 

 

 

First-year students gathered around Yeon-woo’s seat after class ended.

 

While there were students who entered through retaking the exam once or twice, most were current graduates a year younger than Yeon-woo.

 

 

 

“I find it more amazing that Professor Kim Tae-kyung likes Yeon-woo oppa.”

 

“Hey, he’s such a famous actor, no matter how bad Professor Kim’s personality is, what choice does he have.”

 

 

 

Hearing that, Yoo Su-jin shook her head.

 

 

 

“I heard from seniors that he was saying bad things from when oppa first enrolled? Even during class time.”

 

“Really? Did you know about it too, hyung?”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo smiled brightly and shook his head.

 

 

 

“No, he’s a good person with a warm heart. If anyone likes bands, try talking to him first. He likes rock bands.”

 

“Huh? Rock bands? He seems like the type who wouldn’t bleed even if you stabbed him.”

 

 

 

As Yeon-woo organized his seat and stood up, the juniors around him also stood up.

 

 

 

“Senior, do you have lunch plans?”

 

“Hey, your intentions are showing. If you eat lunch with Yeon-woo hyung, you’ll get photographed and immediately posted on our school’s Anytime as a vixen chasing after him.”

 

“What, then we can all eat together.”

 

 

 

As they were noisily chattering and leaving the lecture hall, Manager Kim Min-su, who had been waiting in front of the door, approached.

 

 

 

“Actor-nim.”

 

“Ah, Min-su hyung. Guys, I’ll have to eat lunch next time.”

 

“Aww, okay.”

 

 

 

He said goodbye to his juniors and approached Min-su.

 

 

 

“Min-su hyung, what’s the matter? Did I have a schedule today?”

 

“It’s not a schedule, but they say the set has been completed.”

 

“I see. It’s finally completed.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo’s eyes lit up.

 

It was the set that had immediately begun construction as soon as the scenario for his next work “White Blood” was completed.

 

 

 

He was curious whether it had been implemented as he had imagined after reading the scenario.

 

 

 

“What about the directors and writer?”

 

“They left an hour ago, so they’ll probably arrive soon.”

 

“Then let’s hurry and go too.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo got into Min-su’s car parked in front of the Economics Building.

 

And the car headed toward the Microcosm built in Paju.

 

 

—————
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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