The Face Genius Actor

Episode 006

“…What exactly happened?”

While I was trying to figure out how to answer Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s question.

Clap, clap, clap.

Someone applauded in the silence.

When I turned my head, Lee Joo-yeon was standing there.

Lee Joo-yeon was clapping as if she was truly impressed.

Then, as if it were contagious, others began to follow Lee Joo-yeon and started clapping.

“This is such a dramatic change. What exactly happened over the weekend?”

Lee Joo-yeon asked with sparkling eyes.

Given the situation, I couldn’t help but realize that the theater members were praising me.

Even Lim Gyeong-ryeol, who had trapped me, stood silently without saying a word.

I pondered what to say and then gave a vague answer.

“While practicing as usual… I deeply contemplated Meursault’s emotions, and something seemed to click.”

Lee Joo-yeon nodded as she heard my answer.

“Understanding the character’s emotions is certainly important. I was curious about how your acting improved, but it seems you’ve gained a good insight.”

“I was lucky.”

“No. If you’ve made a good realization your own, that’s not luck, it’s skill. Honestly, is there anyone who could portray Meursault better than Si-joon now?”

As Lee Joo-yeon said this, she looked towards Lim Gyeong-ryeol as if there was some circumstance.

It was an action that felt quite intentional.

‘Did Senior Joo-yeon also understand Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s intentions? It seems they must have had some discussion.’

Meanwhile, Lim Gyeong-ryeol made a sour face and then, as if he had no choice, patted my shoulder and said,

“That’s right. Si-joon. Good job practicing.”

Then I saw An Junho, who had been closely observing the scene, turn his back abruptly.

Not just An Junho, but several other theater members couldn’t hide their disappointment.

It was clear that Lim Gyeong-ryeol had already done something.

But I didn’t have the energy to focus on that aspect for long.

The current situation was too bewildering.

To hear such words after only two days of practicing with the Method Mask.

It was something I never expected.

Moreover, I wasn’t even particularly satisfied with my acting right now.

I could easily feel that I had made mistakes in several parts.

Then suddenly, this thought occurred to me.

‘Come to think of it, before, I couldn’t identify my mistakes until the camera test.’

But now I could easily sense my own mistakes.

Some parts were still questionable, but even this was enough to know that I had changed a bit.

‘Did my acting really improve in just two days? Method Mask… it’s amazing…’

At that moment, Lee Joo-yeon brought up a story that would wake me up from my complacency.

“Still, there are areas that need improvement, so don’t be too proud. If you keep working hard, you’ll be able to portray Meursault perfectly.”

I nodded.

“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

“Good, good. Then I guess there’s no need to practice Act 4 separately anymore. Shall we rehearse from Act 1?”

Lim Gyeong-ryeol, who had been standing there lost in thought, answered a beat late.

“Huh? Oh, right. Let’s do that. Everyone, prepare for rehearsal.”

* * *

After finishing the rehearsal a bit early, we immediately started with makeup.

As it was a play in a small theater struggling financially, the level of makeup wasn’t high.

But it felt special to do theater makeup after a long time.

Indeed, regardless of whether one acts well or poorly, being on set was always enjoyable.

Just before the curtain rose.

As I peeked at the stage filling up with audience members one by one, that feeling intensified.

‘I really need to keep doing this work.’

I was realizing this fact anew when it happened.

Finally, the curtain rose, and I soon became immersed in acting.

“Why did the defendant have an affair with a married woman the day after his mother’s funeral?”

“I didn’t know Marie was married, but I don’t understand why spending a night with a woman is a crime.”

“Your Honor, the defendant currently lacks moral discernment. Please punish the defendant who buried his own mother with a criminal’s heart.”

At first, I was nervous about performing live after so long, but gradually, playing Meursault became enjoyable.

It was natural, as this was almost the first time I had acted at this level.

Moreover, as I fulfilled my role, the acting of other actors improved as well, which was another joy.

“Do you know how the defendant met the victim on the beach?”

“I believe it was by chance.”

“Then could you explain why the witness’s letter was written by the defendant’s hand?”

“That too was mere coincidence.”

“Everything’s a coincidence, it seems. Then what is the witness’s occupation?”

“Warehouse supervisor.”

“Is that true? From what I’ve heard, you’re pretending to be a warehouse supervisor while actually being a pimp. Don’t tell me this happened by chance too?”

“Objection!”

Thanks to this, our theater group succeeded in putting on a satisfactory performance for the first time.

The audience reaction wasn’t bad either.

After finishing the curtain call and heading out to the small theater’s corridor, I could hear the voices of a few audience members.

“I was worried because the reviews weren’t good, but it was more interesting than I expected.”

“Especially the death row inmate, right? His face was so handsome. How can someone be that good-looking?”

“His acting was quite good too. I’d like to see him in dramas or movies right away.”

“Exactly. It’s not bad to check out small theater plays in obscure parts of Daehangno sometimes.”

There was talk about my face, but what made me happiest was the talk about my acting.

It wasn’t overwhelming praise, but I was grateful as long as they didn’t say my acting was terrible.

I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time I was removing my makeup, I was so happy.

‘I wonder if I’ll have time to practice when I get home? I need to work harder.’

As I was thinking this, someone next to me cleared their throat.

I quickly turned my head to see Lim Gyeong-ryeol standing there.

“Senior, good work.”

“You too. I have something to talk about, do you have time?”

“Of course. Shall we go out now?”

“No, no need. Finish removing your makeup and come out. It’s nothing major.”

After removing my makeup and entering the space used as a storage room and meeting room, Lim Gyeong-ryeol was alone.

“Sit here.”

“Thank you.”

Even after we sat facing each other, Lim Gyeong-ryeol remained silent for a while.

It seemed like he was choosing his words.

‘Is the role changing after all?’

As I was thinking this with a bitter smile, Lim Gyeong-ryeol finally spoke.

“You may not know, but recently, the public opinion about you hasn’t been very good.”

“…Is that so?”

“It’s my fault. I pushed forward knowing that the role of Meursault wasn’t easy to handle.”

“…”

“So, I’m sorry to say this, but I was planning to ask you to change roles today. I thought we couldn’t continue like this.”

“I see…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After saying this much, Lim Gyeong-ryeol suddenly changed his expression to a serious one.

“But after seeing your acting today, my thoughts have changed.”

“What?”

I unconsciously questioned Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s words.

But Lim Gyeong-ryeol continued without minding.

“It was truly amazing. I didn’t think your acting would change so dramatically. It was surprising during rehearsal, but on the actual stage, you were flying.”

Lim Gyeong-ryeol grabbed my hand.

“Thank you so much, Si-joon. And I’m sorry.”

Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s eyes sparkled.

He seemed to be genuinely grateful to me.

It was quite bewildering for me.

I hadn’t expected Lim Gyeong-ryeol to show such a dramatic change.

It was as dramatic a change as my acting ability.

I gently pulled my hand away from Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s grasp and replied.

“Thank you… senior.”

Lim Gyeong-ryeol quickly shook his head.

“No, I’m more grateful. If you have any hurt feelings, I hope you’ll let them go after today. We have to keep acting together, right?”

I didn’t answer immediately and faced Lim Gyeong-ryeol.

Looking at his expression, I could feel his sincerity.

I couldn’t feel the subtle discord I had felt during the rehearsal when he was acting as the prosecutor.

“I don’t have any hurt feelings. However…”

“Yes?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can meet your expectations.”

From the point of regression until now.

I had been contemplating my future at Sorisaem whenever I had spare time.

And the more I thought about it, the closer I came to one conclusion.

That was…

‘Leaving Sorisaem.’

Life at Sorisaem had been unpleasant in many ways from start to finish.

It was a natural result since the first button was fastened wrong.

This was still true even now.

Although the situation had changed a bit as I showed decent acting skills, that was all.

There were still many negative gazes directed at me here.

It wasn’t something that could be changed simply by acting well.

It would take consistent, long-term effort as a person to maybe change it.

‘But I have no reason to make such efforts…’

Although neither Lim Gyeong-ryeol nor anyone else here remembers, I felt severe humiliation after having my role taken away.

Although it was me who failed to act properly…

And it was me who, caught up in arrogance, failed to properly diagnose my own condition…

‘That doesn’t mean I deserved to be personally disrespected and insulted like that.’

Lim Gyeong-ryeol criticized my acting skills every single day, comparing me to other actors.

It seemed like he was hoping I would voluntarily leave the group.

After Lee Joo-yeon, who had been the only one defending me, moved to the drama industry, it got even worse.

I even heard to my face that it was embarrassing to see a stupid kid trying to act relying only on his looks.

‘These things haven’t happened yet. But there’s no guarantee they won’t happen again.’

Above all, I didn’t have the confidence to smoothly continue group life remembering all of that.

Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s way of resolving conflicts and problems also didn’t suit me.

‘Conflicts and problems are inevitable in group life. But it’s fatal if the leader’s method doesn’t suit me.’

For these reasons, I decided to leave Sorisaem.

The fact that it would be more efficient for improving my still lacking acting skills also played a big part in the decision.

As I was organizing my thoughts up to now, Lim Gyeong-ryeol asked.

“What do you mean, Si-joon?”

“I want to wrap things up quickly while minimizing harm to the theater group.”

“You mean…”

I conveyed my intention more clearly.

“Yes, I want to leave the group.”

Lim Gyeong-ryeol’s expression was colored with bewilderment.

He seemed even more surprised than when I had shown decent acting earlier.