Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor

Chapter 8

**Audition**

“Have you heard? There’s an actor whose handwriting changes with each role.”

“Isn’t that actor Cho Seung-woo?”

“Yeah, it was quite a thing on the internet.”

This was another typical intermediate class session.

About two weeks had passed since the first audition applications were submitted.

Oh Seok displayed some reference footage on the monitor.

“Wow.”

Mooyoung couldn’t help but be amazed. The handwriting styles were distinctly different for each character.

If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought they were written by different people.

“This is the kind of detail we’re talking about. Sure, it could be the director’s direction since the letters and content are captured on screen. But in this case, it’s a close-up of an actor’s work. I believe the actor nailed it.”

“That’s impressive.”

From a naive rural youth to a corrupt prosecutor, and even an ordinary office worker.

Just by looking at the handwriting, you could see the character’s life story.

“These details come together to create a character’s life.”

Mooyoung perked up at Oh Seok’s words.

A character’s life!

That was exactly the path he needed to follow.

“So today, we’ll practice basic walking. Not as models, but to express characters.”

Swish, swish.

As Oh Seok spoke, he wrote on the board.

[34-year-old Kim Cheolsu who hates company dinners.]

[78-year-old Kwon Malsun who is obsessed with flower arranging.]

[21-year-old Park Minseok who was exempted from military service.]

And so on. Characters that required capturing fine details.

Oh Seok gestured for the students to stand up.

“Walk from one end of the practice room to the other. Feel free to use props and improvise dialogue. Let’s start with Cheolsu. Come on!”

Faces mixed with embarrassment and curiosity. The first to step forward was Yoochan.

Yoochan walked forward with a slouched posture.

“Ah- this is so tedious. Seriously.”

“Next!”

Next was Bora. She too looked uneasy, but like Yoochan, she walked with a slouched posture.

Watching from the monitor, Oh Seok said nothing but couldn’t hide his disappointment.

‘They lack imagination.’

Despite constantly emphasizing the importance of imagination to actors, they were only expressing the surface image derived from the words.

‘Well, it’s not easy.’

Anyone can act with lines and facial expressions.

It’s natural to focus on practicing what the camera captures.

“Next, Mooyoung.”

But to become a better actor, you have to go beyond that.

Oh Seok calculated the time in his head. With about two weeks before the new semester starts, everyone would be leaving.

He wanted to impart as much as possible before then.

“Hmm-”

A hum was heard.

Oh Seok shifted his gaze from the monitor to Mooyoung.

“What’s with him?”

“Isn’t he supposed to hate company dinners?”

With light footsteps and slightly drooping shoulders, Mooyoung’s quick pace conveyed the mood of an office worker after work.

“Hah!”

Oh Seok couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

That’s exactly it!

While everyone focused on the word “hate,” Mooyoung thought about why the character hated it.

There could be many reasons.

Maybe he disliked his colleagues, was tired, wanted to meet his girlfriend, or wanted to enjoy his hobbies, and so on.

“Good job, Mooyoung!”

Mooyoung chose a Cheolsu who hated company dinners because he enjoyed his free time after work.

A kid who always stays a step ahead! Oh Seok couldn’t help but be impressed.

Buzz.

Mooyoung’s pocket vibrated.

Still walking, Mooyoung casually checked it.

There he goes, a typical office worker, if only dressed in a suit.

“Ah.”

Then, as if confirming something, he stopped. The atmosphere dissolved from Cheolsu to Mooyoung.

“What’s up?”

“Teacher, did I get in?”

“Get in what?”

“I got a text saying I passed the first audition.”

“No way! Really?”

Everyone forgot about their practice and flocked to Mooyoung.

Oh Seok internally jumped with joy but maintained his composure with a cough.

“Quiet down, everyone.”

“When’s the second round?”

“Next weekend.”

“That’s great.”

But no one listened. Hyungjoo grumbled jealously.

“It must have been easy because it’s a web drama.”

It was the first success announcement they heard.

Already annoyed, Hyungjoo couldn’t help but speak harshly.

“But it’s organized by Seoul.”

“What does a web drama even amount to? Can it compare to the competition at MBV or SBC? I mean, congrats, but I’m just saying.”

That kid’s beyond hope. Yoochan looked awkwardly at Hyungjoo.

Not wrong, but incredibly annoying. He has a talent for it.

“Ah, if I knew, I would’ve gone for that too. Maybe aiming for public TV was too ambitious. Mooyoung was smart, strategic. Is it because he’s clever?”

Then, Bora, who had been listening quietly, sighed and retorted.

“It’s not because it was public TV that you failed.”

“Oh, there she goes again.”

“I passed.”

She avoided his gaze.

To be precise, she avoided Yoochan’s gaze.

“…The announcement came out yesterday.”

“Oh, really?”

Yoochan, Bora, and Hyungjoo had applied for the same drama.

This meant that out of the three, only one of them had passed.

While Hyungjoo could be brushed off, it seemed Bora felt guilty about telling Yoochan.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“…I just missed the chance to.”

An awkward silence fell. Oh Seok clapped his hands to break the tension and lift the mood.

“Alright! Any more good news? If not, Mooyoung and Bora, stay after class. I’ll help you prepare for the second round of auditions. When is it?”

“Next weekend,” they both answered in unison, glancing at each other.

“Precisely when?”

“Saturday at two,” they said simultaneously.

***

Mooyoung arrived at the Square Films building in Mapo.

He was accompanied by Junho, who was dressed much more stylishly than the other audition participants.

“It’s smaller than I thought.”

“They specialize in web dramas.”

“Hey, grab your coat!”

Junho pulled out a brand-new coat from the back seat, the tags still attached.

It was clear that he had sneakily taken it from his brother’s workplace.

“Wear it with the tag inside.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine.”

“That’s your opinion. What kind of actor goes to an audition in a jacket with frayed sleeves? Just put it on.”

Mooyoung gave up arguing and took the coat.

Since their audition times overlapped, Oh Seok couldn’t come with him.

Given the scale and the time they had spent together, it made sense for Oh Seok to choose Bora instead of him…

“Aren’t you upset?”

“About what?”

“If it weren’t for me, you’d have to come alone, taking the subway and bus.”

Mooyoung smiled brightly.

He remembered what Oh Seok had said while they were having a late-night snack the previous night.

– Mooyoung, just do what you’ve been doing. I have no worries.

Oh Seok’s eyes, full of trust, gave Mooyoung the assurance he needed.

Besides, he had felt it even before applying. An overwhelming sense of positive energy.

No matter what, good things were bound to happen.

“Having you here is enough. Let’s go inside.”

“Geez! I don’t know why I’m the one nervous. Didn’t Bora say she’s going to the broadcasting station?”

“Yeah. MBV. We’ll probably meet up afterward.”

“Great, that sounds nice.”

As Junho got excited, Mooyoung clicked his tongue.

No matter how he looked at it, it seemed like Junho was getting his hopes up for nothing.

Even someone as oblivious as Mooyoung could sense that there was something going on between Bora and Yoochan.

Creak-

“Whoa.”

Junho opened the door to Square Films with gusto, only to freeze in his tracks.

Mooyoung peeked over his shoulder.

“Hello, I mean, hello. Participant number 43-”

“Hey, I’m about to audition. Drinks afterward? Haha!”

“No way! She said that? Hilarious!”

It was utter chaos.

The waiting area was cramped, but the real issue was the eclectic mix of people. From elderly folks with graying hair to young children.

“Hey, are you sure you did it right?”

“Um…”

“I’m asking if you applied for the right drama.”

Probably? Mooyoung shrugged, making Junho shake his head.

Then, an employee approached them.

“Are you here for the audition?”

“Yes, I’m Ha Mooyoung.”

“Let’s see. Ah, yes, you’re number 76. Please wait here.”

Mooyoung attached the sticker with the number 76 on his chest and wandered around the lobby.

There were so many people that there was no place to sit.

“Want to wait in the car?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Junho stood beside him, and Mooyoung wished time would pass quickly.

Finally, it was exactly two o’clock.

“The audition will start now. Numbers 1 to 5, please follow me!”

The employee’s voice echoed loudly, and the people who had been lounging around moved busily. It was strange to see baseball bats and fishing rods among the props, given it was an acting audition.

“Are you hungry? Want me to get you something?”

“No, I’m good.”

Being his first audition, Mooyoung’s heart pounded harder and harder.

Time flew by, and finally-

“Numbers 76 to 80, please get ready!”

Mooyoung’s number was called.

Junho helped adjust Mooyoung’s sleeves and hair, giving him a light pat on the shoulder.

His friend winked playfully, and Mooyoung smiled back.

“Please enter in order.”

Following the employee, they went to a meeting room on the third floor.

There were five chairs, and more judges than participants—six in total.

“Have a seat.”

Despite the mix of people, the groups being called in were of similar age.

The team leader shuffled through some papers, whispering to a colleague.

‘76’s mask looks good.’

‘His acting score isn’t bad either.’

‘Which agency is he with?’

‘None listed.’

They were selecting a supporting role for the first episode, which the director had specifically instructed to pay attention to.

All the participants were under 23, fitting the high school role.

“Let’s start with introductions. Number 76, please.”

“Hello, I’m Ha Mooyoung.”

“Okay, Ha Mooyoung. It seems you don’t have any acting experience?”

No experience, but a high acting score?

The team leader, who hadn’t been part of the video review, tilted his head in curiosity.

“Yes, but I’m confident I can do my best in any role.”

The same words the 75 participants before him had said.

The team leader smiled politely and asked,

“I see. But why is the address field empty on your personal information form?”

It was a casual question.

However, the answer was quite shocking.

“Because I don’t have a home.”

“Excuse me?”

Not just the officials but the other participants glanced at Mooyoung in surprise.

He looked perfectly normal, so how could he be homeless?

“I’ll explain the details if I get the part.”

“Haha, alright then.”

The team leader laughed off Mooyoung’s light-hearted joke.

The guest character in the first episode, a high school student, was nearly finalized.

‘Poverty and youth.’

The team leader scribbled with his pen and suddenly asked,

“I know it sounds odd coming from me, but if your situation is that bad, wouldn’t it be better to take another part-time job? This is just a one-time role in a web drama, and honestly, the pay isn’t great considering the time investment.”

A supporting actor job might be more practical. It’s tough, but the pay is more predictable.

However, Mooyoung was resolute.

“Does anyone start acting for the money?”

In a voice devoid of any deceit.

“Well, not me. I’m doing this because I feel like I’ll die if I don’t.”