The Face Genius Actor

Episode 057

No longer able to have lessons together.

I was taken aback by this unexpected response.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

I couldn’t help but think this.

But no matter how much I thought about it, I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Rather, I had been maintaining a good relationship with Seo Myung-hee.

We were close enough to have coffee and chat even on days without lessons.

Also, after forming our initial connection and succeeding together in two projects, our relationship had naturally grown stronger.

I was even practically attached to Seo Myung-hee on days without filming.

On filming days, we diligently met in the morning and evening for acting lessons.

That’s how special our teacher-student relationship was.

Even Festa Entertainment was aware of this relationship between Seo Myung-hee and me.

At first, they didn’t seem to understand why I was taking acting lessons.

But recently, they had been prioritizing acting lessons over everything else when scheduling.

‘But why suddenly? Did I do something to upset her?’

As my doubts were growing, Seo Myung-hee calmly provided an answer to my questions.

“I think you’re now good enough at acting to stand on your own, Si-joon. In fact, you never really needed my help to begin with. So I’d like you to stop taking lessons and move forward on your own.”

Sincerity was evident in Seo Myung-hee’s voice.

And I could understand the situation.

It seemed Seo Myung-hee thought it would be good for me to become independent with this opportunity.

I hadn’t thought of it earlier because it was so sudden, but I had once thought that a day like this would come eventually.

This was because I was the only student at W Acting Academy who continued taking lessons after debuting.

I was able to continue lessons only because I hadn’t debuted as a main lead.

I habitually referred to myself as a still lacking actor.

And what superficially proved this was the fact that I hadn’t played a main lead yet.

But the role I was taking in “Let’s Live Together, Princess” this time was the main lead.

In this situation, receiving help from Seo Myung-hee would be improper.

The fact that I had won the role of the main lead in a TvM drama, beating out formidable actors, meant I wasn’t at a level where I needed to ask for help from anyone.

Crucially, attending an academy alongside aspiring actors would inevitably look a bit strange.

‘My skills are still lacking, but that’s how society sees it. Above all…’

As a professional, one should take responsibility for their choices and overcome difficulties with their own abilities.

Acknowledging that I had thought about this too lightly, I opened my mouth.

“I understand what you mean, teacher. I’m worried that I might have put you in a difficult position.”

“No, rather, I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you, Si-joon. But really, there’s nothing left for me to teach…”

Seo Myung-hee said this with an expression that truly suggested she had nothing left to teach.

I smiled to change the atmosphere.

“Even if not for lessons, I can still come by occasionally to chat, right? I feel sad thinking I might never come to the acting academy again.”

Seo Myung-hee, seeming to understand my intention, answered with a bright smile.

“Of course you can. Who would stop you, Si-joon? I’ll also contact you whenever I have time. Let’s see each other often outside the acting academy too.”

Seo Myung-hee said this in a tone that suggested she was looking forward to our future meetings.

I felt a warmth in my heart.

Certainly, Seo Myung-hee was more than just a teacher; she was a benefactor.

Without her, it would have taken a very long time to barely reach this point.

Even after regressing and obtaining the Method Mask, I was still in a state of lacking confidence.

Thinking this far, I couldn’t help but bow my head deeply in gratitude.

“Although this won’t be our last meeting, I think it’s right to express my gratitude before it’s too late. Thank you so much for guiding me on the right path. Without you, the current me wouldn’t exist.”

Seo Myung-hee then showed a bright smile with moist eyes.

“I’m also glad I could conduct acting lessons with you, Si-joon. As it has been until now, I don’t think I’ll ever meet another actor as handsome as you in the future. Above all, you’re a more excellent actor than you think, so have confidence. And let’s meet again soon, okay?”

After exchanging a few more words with Seo Myung-hee,

I left the acting academy, once again holding the script for “Let’s Live Together, Princess”.

But my steps were lighter than usual.

* * *

In a situation where I couldn’t receive help from Seo Myung-hee,

The best choice was to practice on my own.

Fortunately, I had experience analyzing various scripts and I had the Method Mask.

Above all, since I could hide the Method Mask in the massage mask, it was possible to practice even while moving in a vehicle.

Naturally, my practice time had increased.

The Method Mask was just an ordinary mask with no function for other people.

But if I sat still wearing it, anyone would think it strange.

The massage mask was an attractive excuse in that it could divert such attention.

It was common for celebrities to take care of their skin in this way.

So I was satisfied with the fact that a practice environment had been created.

And I started analyzing “Let’s Live Together, Princess” in earnest.

‘Hmm…’

Certainly, Han Ji-hoon, the main male lead of “Let’s Live Together, Princess”, was not an easy role to portray.

Inevitably so, because Han Ji-hoon wasn’t simply playing the role of the main male lead.

The setting of being a tremendous top star living in a penthouse gave a typical main male lead feel.

But having a first love he couldn’t forget for a long time could be considered the role of a sub male lead.

In conclusion, Han Ji-hoon was a character who had to portray both the main male lead and sub male lead roles alone.

For this reason, the emotions he had to express were inevitably diverse.

‘A character where gruffness and tenderness coexist… He also shows some signs of bipolar disorder.’

I felt a headache coming on due to the complex setup.

The characters I had played since my regression had relatively clear characteristics.

That’s why this felt even more difficult.

Hwang In-seop (Arrest) was a criminal with psychopathic tendencies, and Shin Han-jae (Arrest) was a passionate detective full of justice opposing him.

Also, Kim Won-young (I Will Cast Love) had clear characteristics of being a mischievous but passionate younger man in love.

But while Han Ji-hoon’s gruffness was prominent, emotions like tenderness also played a big part in forming his character.

Moreover, the drastic mood swings according to the plot development were also a key element symbolizing Han Ji-hoon.

Han Ji-hoon was the kind of character who could get angry at Lee Young just minutes ago, then feel love again shortly after.

‘This is difficult. If I act this way, Han Ji-hoon won’t look like the male lead of a romantic comedy.’

I needed to somehow organize the character and give plausibility to Han Ji-hoon.

Otherwise, viewers would surely think of Han Ji-hoon not as a cool male lead, but as someone a bit mentally unstable.

‘Ah… Maybe…’

As I was immersed in character analysis, suddenly.

I thought that maybe “Let’s Live Together, Princess” didn’t achieve good results because of the main male lead’s character.

But I soon shook my head.

While Han Ji-hoon’s character was difficult, it wasn’t to the extent that it couldn’t be pulled off at all.

Rather, Han Ji-hoon was close to the type of character viewers would cheer for.

He was a character any top actor would covet.

‘Then was the acting ability of the actor who played Han Ji-hoon before the regression the problem?’

This wasn’t it either.

After accepting the casting offer for “Let’s Live Together, Princess” and analyzing the script, I recalled a few things.

Among them, I remembered who the actor was that originally played Han Ji-hoon.

He was quite a good actor.

He wasn’t exceptionally good at acting, but he couldn’t be called bad either.

At that level, Cindy, the co-star, could sufficiently cover with her acting skills.

Moreover, “Let’s Live Together, Princess” developed its plot centered around the main female lead.

Because of this, even if the main male lead’s acting was a bit lacking, it could be overlooked.

This was why I chose this work despite having some pressure about being the main male lead.

‘The reason for “Let’s Live Together, Princess”‘s ratings drop must be elsewhere. So let’s focus on character analysis for now.’

Thinking this, I started organizing the character step by step.

Fortunately, the character’s outline started to take shape bit by bit.

Han Ji-hoon’s true nature is kind. So his tenderness can be said to stem from this nature.

However, Han Ji-hoon is not skilled at expressing it outwardly. His gruff personality can be said to emerge from here.

But he’s not completely lacking in courage. Sometimes when he’s in a good mood, he might even dance on the spot. Being a celebrity, it’s natural that he’s not burdened by being seen by others. He’s just clumsy at expressing his true feelings.

I wrote this in the corner of the script and fell into thought for a moment.

‘After organizing it… This character is completely like a typical 7-year-old boy.’

But I couldn’t simply think of him as just a child.

After all, the male protagonist was an adult and a top star loved by many people.

So I needed to study in detail where the male protagonist’s charm came from.

Fortunately, I soon found the answer.

‘Giving an innocent yet reliable feeling… A large dog…’

I finally succeeded in summarizing Han Ji-hoon’s character in one sentence.

At the same time, another effort needed to bring out Han Ji-hoon’s charm came to mind.

‘I should go hiking often, following my father.’

Since it’s a matter requiring physical fitness, going to the gym might be better than hiking.

* * *

A few days later.

After much consideration, I sent a message to Yeo Kyung-chan.

[Si-joon][10:31] I want to start working out

[Manager][10:32] Working out?

[Manager][10:32] Haven’t you been working out diligently already?

[Si-joon][10:32] I want to build up my body more before starting the drama

[Si-joon][10:32] And correct my body shape

[Manager][10:33] Ah, I see

[Si-joon][10:33] If possible, could you look for a place where I can do both Pilates and weight training?

[Manager][10:34] Of course! I’ll look into it quickly and get back to you!

Thanks to Yeo Kyung-chan’s help, I was able to be introduced to a trainer famous not only among celebrities but also among athletes.

And finally, on the day of my first training session, I heard an unexpected comment from the trainer.

“Um… At this level, you don’t really need separate exercise, do you?”