Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor

Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor Episode 3

The commercial building was covered in peeling cement and a thick layer of dust. If the windows hadn’t been open, you would have thought it was abandoned.

Mooyoung climbed the stairs with a tense expression.

“Junho.”

“Huh?”

“Why are you following me?”

Unlike the cautious Mooyoung, Junho was all smiles. When Mooyoung blocked the stairs with his foot and asked, his friend immediately put on a serious face.

“There are usually a lot of scammers in these places. The condition of the building is a red flag too. I’m worried clueless Ha Mooyoung might sign something on a whim. So just say thank you and let me lead the way. Ahem.”

“Give me a break. You think I don’t know that?”

“Hehe. Hehehe.”

Junho chuckled mischievously. “Aren’t we at the age where we’re really interested in girls? Since they’re preparing to be actresses, they must be pretty,” he said with a lecherous smile.

“Honestly, I think I could be a celebrity with my face.”

“Right. Confidence is key in life.”

“Oh? You’re not going to admit it?”

Creak.

Ignoring Junho, Mooyoung pushed open the academy door. The interior was as shabby as the outside. A man lounging on a worn leather sofa jumped up in surprise.

“Whoa!”

It seemed he had been napping.

“Oh, welcome.”

He was a large man. His build and height made him look like an athlete.

But the long hair down to his shoulders and the neatly tied beard suggested he possessed an unusual artistic spirit.

“What brings you here?”

“Uh, we came for a consultation.”

“Consultation! Acting?”

“Isn’t this an acting academy?”

“Yes, yes, come in and sit down.”

He cleared snacks off the table and showed them the way. This place didn’t seem legitimate at all. Mooyoung and Junho exchanged glances.

‘If anything seems off, let’s bolt.’

‘That sounds like a good idea.’

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jung Seok, the director. Haha.”

The man introduced himself as Jung Seok while placing cups of cocoa in front of them. As he sat across from them, he scrutinized Mooyoung and Junho.

“Who’s here for the consultation…?”

In his seven years of running this academy, Oh Seok had realized one thing:

While actors should grow gradually, most of the kids coming to an acting academy didn’t want that.

“Ha Mooyoung.”

“Ah, it’s you!”

Oh Seok pitied such kids.

To be honest, he found them pathetic, like watching someone stubbornly run toward the sun.

He ruthlessly weeded out those more interested in fame than acting, which had led him to this rundown building.

“You look great. Which year at Sejin High?”

A striking student who caught the eye. Junho also seemed like he would be popular, but his aura was different. Usually, such kids were the ones who came to the academy with delusions.

If this were the case, he’d politely send them away.

…Even if he had been eating nothing but ramen for three days.

“I’m a third-year.”

“Third-year already?”

“No, I graduated.”

“Uh-huh. I see.”

The timing was odd.

Preparation for acting schools usually started with high school entrance. Now was the season when the results were coming out. Oh Seok stroked his chin, evaluating Mooyoung.

‘Is he taking a gap year? What’s his story?’

Failed entrance exams and trying to escape into acting with just a handsome face?

That was the worst scenario he could think of. Oh Seok hid his thoughts behind a smile and asked,

“Are you preparing for acting school? A gap year would make it easier to go for modeling or something else.”

“No, I’m not interested in that. I want to learn acting regardless of entrance exams.”

Oh. That was an unexpectedly determined answer.

In such cases, he could actually have hope. Choosing acting at such a crucial time meant he was serious about it.

“Have you done any acting before?”

“Not even once.”

“Then I’ll have to consult you for the adult class.”

Oh Seok handed him a curriculum booklet.

“Are there price differences between the classes?”

“It’s a difference in level. We have beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, with beginner being the most expensive because there’s more to teach. Oh, and I personally conduct all the classes.”

The beginner class was 500,000 won per month. Intermediate was 400,000 won, and advanced was 300,000 won. Mooyoung was internally shocked.

‘Why is it so expensive?’

It was an unmanageable amount for his situation. He couldn’t understand why his aura had led him here. There was no way he could afford it.

“The advanced class is for those ready to audition. We film every class and provide feedback. There are no more than five students per class. My qualifications are listed there.”

It detailed which acting schools he had attended, which theater companies he had been part of, and numerous drama appearances.

Of course, the small class sizes were due to circumstances, but that was just marketing.

“And most importantly, our audition success rate! 85% of BV Academy students-”

“How long does it usually take to reach the advanced class?”

Mooyoung was not interested in formal data. He wanted to know how long it would take to learn properly.

In other words, how much money it would cost.

“It depends on the individual’s ability, but if you have talent, it takes about six months to a year. Most start preparing as soon as they enter.”

Oh Seok thought this wasn’t a long time objectively. Even starting in high school, you’d see results before graduation.

The entertainment industry used absurdly young people, so it only seemed late.

“Hmm.”

Mooyoung pondered, resting his chin on his hand.

Even with a simple calculation, the expense was too great. No matter how he thought about it, it wasn’t feasible.

Creak.

“We’re here.”

“Teacher, teacher. Do you know what Yoochan did today-”

At that moment, the door opened, and about five students rushed in. They were wearing various school uniforms, some from quite distant neighborhoods. Oh Seok checked his watch.

“Is it that time already?”

The academy had relocated, but they traveled far to attend Oh Seok’s class.

Mooyoung recognized this from their uniforms.

“Go inside and warm up first.”

“Okay. Gosh, I’m freezing.”

“Today is a video lesson, so get everything set up.”

“Come quickly.”

The atmosphere was informal and friendly. Oh Seok subtly suggested to Mooyoung,

“You know, since practical experience is crucial in acting lessons. How about observing one?”

Perhaps it was the authority of the headmaster or the desperation from financial hardship. Mooyoung sensed hesitation.

He desperately needed new student registrations to avoid living on instant noodles this month.

“Is that alright?”

“Of course. We show sample lessons everywhere. Come on, get up. I’ll show you the facilities first. We have everything you need.”

Oh Seok, with a warm smile, guided them. Junho whispered in Mooyoung’s ear.

“Did you see that girl earlier?”

“From Jin-Hwa Girls’ High School?”

“She was pretty.”

“Shut up, please.”

Whispering, Mooyoung pinched Junho’s side, grinding his teeth.

The interior was more spacious than expected. Oh Seok’s claim that they had everything wasn’t an exaggeration.

“There are two practice rooms. One for classes and one for self-practice. We also have changing rooms and showers. You can cook basic meals, but if you do, I get a bite. Haha.”

That’s because his home was here! He had invested all his deposit into the academy.

“The class you’ll observe now is for the intermediate group, all aspiring theater majors. Some have received offers, others are still waiting.”

Though modest, the facilities were well-maintained. Oh Seok opened the practice room door.

Click—

“Ahhh—”

“Aeiouaei!”

The students were warming up in their own ways. Oh Seok placed two chairs in the corner for them.

“Feel free to watch.”

“Thank you.”

“Alright, everyone warmed up?”

“Teacher! It’s too cold. Can you turn on the heater?”

“You wimp. You’re cold because you didn’t warm up properly.”

Mooyoung and Junho sat at the back, hugging their bags. The class started with simple stretching exercises.

“Stretching is essential because using muscles is crucial in any acting.”

Click.

Oh Seok connected his laptop to the TV while the students finished their stretches.

After a few mouse clicks, a scene from a famous romance movie appeared on the screen.

Their toes intertwined, wriggling affectionately.

“Close-ups of body parts are often used to convey emotions. Eyes are most preferred because they form the basis of expression and are intuitive. Although, an extreme close-up of just the pupils would be different. Anyway!”

Mooyoung and Junho watched with interest.

How often does one attend a theater class? It was like discovering a new world.

“Next.”

Oh Seok continued showing various close-ups and examples of emotional acting.

“Today we’ll practice with hands. Express either love or anger using your hands. No time limit. You can use props. Dialogue is allowed but only as a tool to convey emotions. The angle will only capture the hands. What does that mean?”

“That the emotions should be felt even without sound.”

“Bingo. Since you mentioned it, Yoochan, you go first.”

The boy who answered was named Ki Yoochan. He had gentle, bright eyes and a refreshing smile.

“What will you do?”

He stood in front of the old camera. All class activities were recorded, and feedback was mandatory. Mooyoung watched Yoochan on the monitor.

“He looks good on camera.”

“Anger.”

Expressing anger would be easier as it’s more intense and dramatic.

The headmaster pressed the record button, anticipating it.

“Action!”

Yoochan clasped his hands. Though only his hands were in the frame, his face gradually reflected anger to build up his emotions.

Crack—

The sound of bones cracking resonated. He placed his hands on the desk. The subtle trembling of his fingertips conveyed an uncontrollable rage.

Bang!

And then he struck forcefully.

“Okay. Cut.”

Neither bad nor outstanding. His notable point was performing without dialogue.

“Next, Kang Bora.”

The girl from Jin-Hwa Girls’ High School. With long hair and an urban appearance, she exuded an affluent aura. As Junho began to fawn over her, Mooyoung pinched his thigh.

Snap.

Bora placed her hand on her waist and grabbed her collar.

If Yoochan’s anger was rough and explosive, Bora’s was more focused on irritation.

“Okay. Cut. Next.”

Most students chose to express anger, using similar motions—breaking, hitting, shaking things.

Watching the screen, Oh Seok suddenly turned around. Mooyoung’s eyes were shining with fascination.

“Your name is Ha Mooyoung, right?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to try a camera test now?”

Having the courage to stand before strangers was already a test of sorts.

Since he had never acted before, there were no expectations.

“The beginner class is tomorrow.”

The beginner class focused on basics like vocalization and simple lines. Mooyoung hesitantly walked towards the camera.

“Hello. Excuse me.”

“Wow, he’s handsome!”

“So tall!”

The students cheered as Mooyoung bowed. They all started like this. Oh Seok watched the monitor with folded arms.

“He doesn’t look good on camera.”

He looked much better in person. It was likely because he didn’t know how to present himself on camera yet.

“What will you do?”

Expecting him to choose anger, Oh Seok was surprised by his response.

“I’ll do love.”

“Ooooh—”

Being peers, the reaction was enthusiastic.

“You can use props.”

“Anything comfortable.”

Since it was just a test.

Mooyoung gestured to Junho, who stood still.

“Come here.”

“Me? No way.”

“Come on.”

“I said no.”

He was too embarrassed by the attention. Bora, seeing this, stood up confidently.

“If you need someone, I’ll do it.”

It was better to proceed quickly and get feedback. Mooyoung glared at Junho once and then bowed to Bora.

“Thank you.”

“Alright. Action!”

Oh Seok’s eyes widened as he focused on the monitor. Mooyoung’s side profile was much more vibrant than before, concentrating on his performance.

‘What is this?’

Mooyoung faced Bora.

For several seconds, continuously.

Then he smiled and gently placed his thumb on the corner of Bora’s lips. Tenderly, as if she were precious.

‘Look at that.’

‘What is this guy doing?’

Without any dialogue.

His hand softly brushed Bora’s lower lip.

In the strange silence, the only emotion felt was the fervent plea of love.