The Face Genius Actor

Episode 010

I never expected the conversation to take this turn – that I wouldn’t be able to enroll in the academy if I didn’t agree to the casting.

But if, as Seo Myung-hee said, my acting could shine on set, just attending the academy would be wasteful.

It was clear that Seo Myung-hee, as a senior in acting, was trying to give me a good opportunity.

The fact that she was smiling and setting a non-coercive condition was proof of that.

“What do you think? Isn’t it a good compromise?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Don’t take the part about not being able to enroll in the academy too harshly. I’m just teasing because I want to see your acting on set as soon as possible.”

“I thought that might be the case. But…”

“But?”

“I’d like to know the title of the work you’re recommending me for. And if possible, the writer’s name as well. Is that too rude to ask?”

Asking for the writer’s name and the title of the work when I was just an aspiring actor who hadn’t even debuted yet.

I carefully opened my mouth, thinking I might come across as arrogant.

Fortunately, Seo Myung-hee shook her head without losing her smile.

“Not at all. Even as a newcomer, it’s natural to have discernment and choose good works by good writers. Even a small role will become part of your career history, after all.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

An actor lives as a brand, putting their name on the line.

If possible, it was best to build meaningful experience gradually, starting from small roles.

I felt this even more strongly because I had once degraded my own brand through indiscriminate appearances in the past.

This was also part of the reason why I wanted to improve my skills before jumping into the field.

“It’s nothing. The work I want to recommend you for is ‘Arrest’ by writer Jung Su-min. It’s a drama scheduled to air in three months.”

I knew about Jung Su-min’s ‘Arrest’ as well.

It would be strange not to know about it.

‘Arrest’ was expected to achieve significant success among the dramas airing this year.

‘Wasn’t ‘Arrest’ the work that made Jung Su-min the queen of crime dramas?’

‘Arrest’ wasn’t a simple crime drama that chased criminals with tight tension throughout its 16 episodes.

It was a multi-dimensional work that excellently portrayed not only appropriate humor but also the internal narratives and relationships of the characters.

As a result, ‘Arrest’ was recognized as a work that achieved both artistic value and popularity.

This was enough to make anyone covet a role in it.

‘Arrest’ wouldn’t be bad for a start. Rather, it would be good. Even if it’s just a minor role. Although there is one concern…’

As I was quickly organizing my thoughts, Seo Myung-hee revealed the role I would likely play in ‘Arrest’.

“There’s a 99% chance you’ll play the high school version of a character named Hwang In-seop. It’s not a major role, but you’ll have at least 10 lines of dialogue in each episode from episodes 1 to 3, where the high school character is active.”

Having at least 10 lines of dialogue in each episode from episodes 1 to 3 was not an ordinary minor role.

It was a much more significant role than I had thought.

At this point, I was curious about the relationship between Seo Myung-hee and writer Jung Su-min.

Getting a rookie actor into a role of this significance with just a word suggested an unusual relationship.

This industry wasn’t as simple as most people think.

“It’s surprising to have over 30 lines total when even getting a nameless minor role would be fortunate…”

“I’ve become quite close with writer Jung Su-min after working on two projects together. We’re also working together on this one. Plus, one of our academy’s students has been cast as the female lead in ‘Arrest’.”

After hearing Seo Myung-hee’s explanation, the name ‘Han Mi-rae’ came to mind belatedly.

Han Mi-rae was a character who would rise to stardom with her debut by being suddenly cast as the female lead in ‘Arrest’.

With this level of connection, it didn’t seem strange for her to insert me into ‘Arrest’.

“Anyway, seeing how the conversation has progressed, you’re interested in appearing in ‘Arrest’, right?”

I nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. I look forward to it.”

* * *

Although our conversation was positive, the casting wasn’t confirmed yet.

Naturally, we needed the approval of the writer and director.

So, I decided to practice the role of high school student Hwang In-seop while attending the academy.

I planned to send the first audition video when I achieved satisfactory results.

“Don’t worry. The audition deadline is a bit tight, but you should be able to produce results without much difficulty. Oh! And don’t forget to pay the academy fee!”

On my way home, as I was transferring the academy fee, my smartphone vibrated.

Zing.

At the same time, a message from my father popped up.

[Mountain Man][18:01] Son! Did you have a good time at the acting academy?

[Mountain Man][18:01] You didn’t forget we’re having dinner with Si-hwan today, right?

Come to think of it, today was the day we had planned to have dinner together.

We originally wanted to set the date earlier, but it was delayed due to my brother’s suddenly busy schedule.

‘Finally, the three of us are meeting like this. No matter how urgent the practice for ‘Arrest’ is, I can’t miss this appointment.’

As I was about to ask my father where to go, a message arrived from my brother.

[Short Answer Man][18:02] Jongno grilled intestines restaurant

[Short Answer Man][18:02] Reserved for 6:30 PM

It was a concise message but contained all the necessary information.

It was also a message that perfectly reflected my brother’s taciturn personality.

‘If it’s 6:30 PM, I won’t be late even if I leave now.’

A little while later.

The grilled intestines restaurant I arrived at on time was clearly a popular place at first glance.

The tables filled with customers beyond the glass door were proof of that.

Despite being quite spacious, there was hardly any empty space.

‘Grilled intestines… It already sounds delicious…’

As I opened the door, expecting the typical noisy atmosphere of a grilled intestines restaurant,

Surprisingly, the interior was quite quiet.

I could hear even small murmurs.

“Wow… He’s so handsome.”

“He must be a model, right? He looks familiar.”

“He’s definitely a celebrity at least.”

“Well, if someone with looks like that isn’t a celebrity, that would be a crime.”

“His name is on the tip of my tongue, but who is he? Can’t you remember anything?”

Although they were trying to be discreet in their conversations, anyone who wasn’t a fool could understand the content.

It was natural, as everyone’s gaze, from staff to customers, was directed towards my brother.

‘Looks like he entered the restaurant carelessly again. He’s really incorrigible.’

I approached my brother, who was sitting by the window, appreciating the street view.

Sensing my presence, he spoke without turning his head.

“You’re here?”

“What are you doing?”

“Still the same?”

“You mean people talking?”

“Yeah.”

“I told you to be more careful.”

As I clicked my tongue and spoke, my brother unexpectedly said:

“You should take off your hat and mask too.”

“Why?”

“It’s unfair if they only look at me.”

I understood my brother’s meaning a beat late.

He wanted to disperse the attention somehow…

Is that what he meant?

“If it’s like this, we should have gone to a restaurant with private rooms.”

“They have them here too.”

“Then why aren’t we in one?”

“Seems there was a mistake with the reservation.”

“So we have to stay like this?”

“No. They said they’ll prepare one soon.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Fortunately, I could converse comfortably with my brother as if we had met yesterday.

We certainly used to exchange conversations easily like this before our father passed away.

‘I was worried it might be awkward, but it seems that was unnecessary concern.’

Thinking this, I checked people’s gazes again.

Their eyes were still stubbornly fixed, refusing to look away.

Even to me, my brother’s jawline, slightly turned towards the window, was attractive.

It was surprising to see someone with such looks.

‘No wonder people think he’s a model. He’s even positioned his jaw at just the right angle. He’s a natural.’

As I was thinking this, our father burst through the door of the restaurant.

“My two sons!”

Simultaneously, everyone’s attention shifted to our father.

“Oh…”

“Is this the power of genetics?”

“Ah, it’s not fair.”

Our father was indeed quite handsome as well.

Unlike my brother’s thin-lined decadent charm,

He exuded health from every pore, having been in the food industry for a long time.

It was natural, given that he went to the gym every weekday without fail and climbed famous mountains across the country every weekend.

With a bit of exaggeration, he could pass as an older brother without much difficulty.

‘It’s no wonder we were even more shocked when such a healthy person suddenly fell ill.’

After briefly pondering this, I quickly broke from my thoughts and addressed my father.

“Dad. Please sit here. Did you come straight from the restaurant?”

My father nodded as he sat down.

“I left as soon as the part-time replacement arrived. Am I late?”

“Not at all. We still have 5 minutes before the agreed time. I just arrived, and my brother probably came around the same time. Right?”

“Yes. I haven’t been here long.”

My father drank a glass of water with relief and smiled.

“Good. It feels nice to gather like this after a long time.”

It was as my father said.

With the long-dreamed picture complete, I felt very good too.

But unfortunately, the good feeling didn’t last long.

Because my father suddenly stopped his gaze on me and spoke.

“But why is our younger son all bundled up, hiding his handsome face? Aren’t you hot?”

Then my brother, his eyes shining, quickly chimed in.

“That’s right. You need to take off your mask to eat. Why don’t you take off your hat too while you’re at it?”

Ah. So it comes to this after all.

My father was always the type to not care about others’ gazes.

On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, my brother clearly had the mindset of not dying alone if he had to die.

I looked at my father smiling brightly and my brother with sparkling eyes, then let out a deep sigh.

After hesitating for a moment, I slowly took off my mask.

At the same time, a deep silence swept through the restaurant.

“Oh wow! This is insane!”

“My goodness! He’s so handsome!”

“Is the last one always the highlight?”

Perhaps because expectations were so high, people’s reactions were intense.

As a result, I didn’t dare to take off my hat as well.

At that moment, a saving voice came from the waiter.

“Customers, your reserved room is ready now.”

Ah…

I should have taken it off a little later.