I Want to Be a VTuber Chapter 151 (152/718)

Seoyeon was inwardly surprised when Jiyeon asked her to help with her audition.

It wasn’t because she was particularly managing her image, had forgotten about Jiyeon’s audition, or was slightly annoyed that she had recently been hanging out with Jo Seohee.

It wasn't for those reasons.

Originally, Seoyeon had been checking Jiyeon’s audition date every day as well.

...Of course, it did bother her a bit that she had only asked Jo Seohee for help.

That was only because, to Seoyeon, Jiyeon was her closest friend who had been with her since childhood.

'I understand the reason you asked Jo Seohee for help, but.'

In her past life, Jo Seohee did not appear in .

Perhaps because of the harsh criticism from , she didn’t actively engage in acting projects, nor was she treated as such an incredible actress.

'She probably didn’t even get a casting offer in the first place.'

But the current Jo Seohee was different.

Although Seoyeon had run tirelessly and only now was barely being mentioned alongside Jo Seohee, it wasn't easy to casually say who was superior.

Not that Seoyeon particularly cared to rank them.

'Anyway.'

While Seoyeon felt a little disappointed that Jiyeon had sought help from Jo Seohee, there was a part of her that thought it was a relief.

That was because was a movie with a very heavy emphasis on romance.

Much more so than , which she had found so embarrassing before.

"Did you hear from Jo Seohee what your role will be?"

"Yeah."

Seoyeon had already been pre-cast for Director Baek Min’s upcoming film alongside Jo Seohee.

As previously discussed, she had already received the script as well.

After reading it, Seoyeon accepted the role after a little deliberation.

At that time, Jo Seohee, who had been glancing nervously in front of her, was—

"Right, it's good? I thought you’d do it too. I, I’m confident it’s a work with definitely outstanding artistic value, even though it has a bit of *that* element!"

She had smiled brightly, thrilled, the moment Seoyeon agreed.

For reference, Jo Seohee had even declined the filming for

Anyway, the actors who ranked in the upper tiers of and showcased proper acting were Jo Seohee and Han Sooyoo.

And aside from Min Doha, there weren't many others.

It seemed GH Group had offered casting to all three of them.

Of course, Seoyeon didn’t know what choices they had made.

The only one she knew about was her acquaintance, Jo Seohee.

And when she asked her about it,

"I can’t do multiple things at once like you."

"No, that’s not it," she muttered, then Jo Seohee narrowed her eyes.

"Rather, for an actor who specializes in emotional acting like you, it’s normal to not be able to handle multiple things at once. You’re the weird one."

That might indeed be true.

There were actors who, once they fell into a role, couldn’t easily get out of it.

The fact that Seoyeon was free in this aspect was probably greatly influenced by her past life.

Being able to skillfully control her own emotions was a great help in separating her roles.

'Jo Seohee definitely has a good eye for scripts.'

She wasn’t an actress with zero failures for nothing.

Jo Seohee had very good foresight.

Even though she definitely didn’t have future knowledge like Seoyeon, she could deduce the box office performance to some extent just by reading the script.

What evaluation did she give , you ask?

"Because it has that element, I’m not sure if it might be a bit weak in the Korean market, but I definitely think it will receive good reviews overseas. Above all, the critics’ scores will be high."

Surprisingly, it was identical to the evaluation received later.

'Of course, it’s not like had poor domestic box office performance.'

A whopping 4 million.

Although Seoyeon had recently appeared in a 10-million-viewer movie, 's 4 million was truly an incredible record.

Isn’t it a movie with a homosexuality theme?

Of course, there was which exceeded 10 million with male homosexuality, but she didn’t think lagged far behind.

Rather, the setting and the homosexuality code of woman and woman were more unfamiliar.

'It was a work that could have produced even higher box office numbers.'

Artistic value, scenario.

Direction.

A work with all three elements in place.

The only problem there was,

'Actors.'

There were even two problems with the actors.

If only that was resolved... 's domestic box office would definitely rise much higher.

"Thanks for saying you’ll help. The script for this audition... happens to be related to Jo Seohee."

As she was thinking that, Jiyeon’s voice reached Seoyeon’s ears.

Currently, Seoyeon was in Nova Entertainment’s practice room with Jiyeon.

"With Jo Seohee?"

"The three scenes we’ll be doing at the audition are all related to Jo Seohee. She’s both a judge and the opposing actor."

Therefore, Jo Seohee would also be present there.

"That girl will definitely do it without holding back."

Well, that’s true.

Although Jo Seohee tended to be subtly overpowered by Jiyeon, it was different when it came to acting.

Anyway, when it came to acting, she was serious and sincere.

She would definitely act with the intent to devour Lee Jiyeon alive.

If she didn’t do it properly, she’d drop her right then and there, acquaintance or not.

"Then you can just ask Jo Seohee for help."

"Joo Seoyeon, I told you. She’s a judge."

In other words, receiving help with this audition content from Jo Seohee, who was a judge, was cowardly.

"I want to at least compete on the same level."

She had already received a little help, but at least for the acting related to the audition, she couldn’t do that.

That was how serious Lee Jiyeon was about this acting.

'She didn’t show any signs of that on the Lamiel broadcast.'

Instead, she did another collab stream with the Mage and flipped Seoyeon’s stomach.

Of all times, it was when she was filming , making it feel like she had shown an unsightly side.

'They’ll edit it out on their own.'

Of course, along with the things Youngbin did.

But... a hunch crept up that since it was a variety show PD, they might not edit it out.

Since hadn’t aired yet, she didn’t know exactly how it would be edited.

"But you’re so calm. I thought you’d feel a bit burdened."

Jiyeon, for her part, found it amazing that Seoyeon had readily agreed to her request.

Certainly, thinking about the future filming, she’d have to get used to it, but it was still a burdensome kind of thing.

was not a movie with explicitly intense scenes.

However, it needed to strangely toe the line, tickling the audience, and show that emotion so they could understand it.

'Come to think of it, doing this with a friend might be strange.'

Jiyeon thought that while glancing at Seoyeon, who stood with a calm face.

A person whose thoughts were completely unreadable.

She thought she’d at least be shaken, but she had an unconcerned face.

'Thinking about things like this, middle school was a bit more fun.'

There were times when Jiyeon missed the Seoyeon who was like a wild colt, running wildly around because she couldn’t control her own emotions properly.

Therefore, she thought it was a blessing that she didn’t do acting back then.

Thanks to that, there was a time when she had temporarily been ahead of Seoyeon.

'If I fail this time...'

She might never get the chance to run on equal footing with Seoyeon again.

Jiyeon vaguely felt that way.

If it weren’t for Seoyeon, Jiyeon would have quit acting a long time ago.

A young star.

Since she was young, Seoyeon had been like a guiding post to Jiyeon.

Like the North Star floating in the night sky.

As if illuminating the path Jiyeon had to take with starlight.

Therefore, to reach that North Star, Jiyeon absolutely wanted to pass this audition.

If she couldn’t...

'No.'

Jiyeon shook her head and looked at Seoyeon again.

Right now, let’s just think about passing.

Thinking that, Jiyeon gripped the script.

***

The audition content for this time was Jo Seohee.

In other words, it was a scene where she rode a subtle emotional line with the actor playing the 'Lady' role.

Since it was an unfamiliar theme in Korea, they seemed to want to see how well the actors could handle it.

And it was the same for Seoyeon.

'To be honest, it’s difficult for me too.'

Love acting is difficult.

She had managed to bluff her way through , but could she do well this time too?

For Seoyeon, whether the partner was a man or a woman, she would inevitably feel repulsed either way.

The influence of her past life.

And her current life.

As long as her past self remained, it was an unavoidable problem.

At least when it came to performing the acting, it might be a bit better with a woman.

Since acting was a more psychological endeavor.

'...Affection.'

It’s burdensome.

It was burdensome, but it was an emotion Seoyeon definitely wanted to feel.

Someday.

Perhaps, when she graduates, it might change.

Such a vague thought.

Anyway, it felt like a long time until that time came.

It was something that could only happen when she at least became a great actress.

"I might be different from Jo Seohee’s Lady."

Seoyeon had already memorized all the lines for the 'Lady' role through Jiyeon’s script.

That took less than 10 minutes.

Skim it once, grasp the emotional line.

Then look at Jiyeon.

"But you have to do it properly without messing around. If you consider this practice."

Seoyeon knew what Jiyeon was thinking.

So, she absolutely didn’t want her to fail.

Emotional acting is difficult.

Love acting is still lacking for her.

Now was not the time for such weak excuses.

Facing each other.

Exhaling once.

In a place without a director, in a situation without an "Action" sign.

Seoyeon’s eyes tinged red.

「Seonye, bring the shawl. We are holding an auction again today.」

Her eyes curved softly.

Her red lips twisted bewitchingly.

「Then, shouldn’t you stay looking your prettiest?」

Her white hand resting on her chin and her head tilting slightly made for a truly beautiful sight.

Jiyeon instantly froze at Seoyeon’s acting unfolding right before her eyes.

The Seoyeon who had been talking to her until just now was already gone.

It was rare for Seoyeon to act right in front of Jiyeon.

Just a few times for practice originally.

But it wasn’t to this extent.

And the actual acting she had only ever seen through a screen.

'That’s why.'

Jiyeon couldn’t help but know.

Why actors lost their presence when Seoyeon acted.

An actor’s aura.

That presence was different.

Because of her usual image, it was forgotten, but ultimately, Seoyeon was an actor.

It was no exaggeration that among actors of a similar age, aside from Jo Seohee or Park Jungwoo, there was no one who could even dare to compare.

A feeling of momentarily suffocating.

With what acting, with what emotional line she should confront her, confusion took precedence for a moment in Jiyeon.

「You must do your makeup first, my lady. Looking for the shawl first is not allowed.」

Jiyeon, bowing her head, speaking in a calm tone.

At least thanks to her experience acting in cable dramas, she didn’t stutter.

This scene was one where the 'Lady' was needlessly playing mean tricks on the maid, Seonye.

The Lady already had some feelings for Seonye, but Seonye was keeping her distance.

Such emotion.

In the next line, you have to show the emotion a bit more explicitly.

The moment she made up her mind like that.

"Stop."

Seoyeon said.

"The acting is boring."

A blunt tone.

At those words, Jiyeon’s eyes widened, but Seoyeon put her thumb to her chin and thought for a moment.

'This seems similar to what I heard when I was young.'

Was her high-handed tone unconsciously imitating actress Jung Eunsun?

That’s not very good.

Thinking that, Seoyeon looked at Jiyeon.

But what she had just said was sincere.

'The acting is a bit too ordinary.'

Did Jo Seohee not point it out?

No, she probably did.

So she would have nodded as if she had guessed it to some extent.

"Doesn’t the emotion show well?"

"It’s a little different. It feels like you’re trying too hard to show it."

Seoyeon said.

"You have to make them feel a sense of anticipation in the acting. It’s no fun if it’s too obvious what you’re going to show."

Anticipation.

By intricately weaving that emotion, and showing a relatively opposite attitude to the dialogue.

There were various methods.

"Jo Seohee said something similar, but..."

Honestly, it’s hard to get the hang of it.

At those words, Seoyeon nodded.

"I’ll teach you."

"Huh?"

"So, focus on me."

Seoyeon looked at Jiyeon and twisted her lips.

That appearance was quite similar to the 'Lady' she was acting as from the script right now.

"I have a little more confidence that I can teach you well now."

Seoyeon was not used to teaching in the first place.

'Why can’t they do it?' was her default mindset.

However, as she became able to handle her emotions more skillfully, she learned many things.

Combined with the 'Emotion Simulation' she had mastered in her past life, she became able to analyze it more from an acting perspective.

Therefore.

So that Jiyeon could perform an acting that would surprise everyone at the audition venue.

Seoyeon planned to make it happen.

***

A certain building in Gangnam where the audition for was being held.

The place had been bustling since morning.

Actors who came a little early.

It still felt like there weren’t that many of them.

However, not many more would come in the future either.

"There aren’t that many applicants."

Director Baek Min glanced at that and laughed, haha.

An unconcerned face despite the small number of applicants.

"The number is small, but the quality is good. They’re all actors I know."

For auditions like this, the number of rookie actors was quite considerable.

However, for this audition, the number of rookies was strangely low.

The applicants were definitely much more, but the number had noticeably decreased.

"Judge Jo Seohee, what do you think?"

Director Baek Min said that playfully.

Then, Jo Seohee, who had been skimming the script again, narrowed her eyes.

As if telling him not to play such jokes.

"The audition, it seems like it’ll be fierce."

Even if the number is small, what ultimately decides it is the quality of the actors.

It wasn’t important how many actors performed various acting.

The actor who performed the most outstanding acting would be cast.

So if the quality was high, it could only be that fierce.

'Director Baek Min’s auditions are like that.'

Since there were few participating actors, some might see it as easy, but the reality was the opposite.

Actors also tend to like certain directors.

Especially Director Baek Min’s movies had such unique colors that there were many actors who particularly preferred him.

Perhaps they were drawn to that unique color.

Therefore, the participating actors were quite familiar faces.

Actors who had already auditioned several times to appear in Director Baek Min’s movies.

Even veterans who had filmed several works did so.

'Lee Jiyeon, it won’t be easy.'

Jo Seohee thought so.

She had consistently watched Jiyeon’s acting, but she was bothered by how somewhat ordinary it was.

Since she already had experience in cable dramas, her acting wasn’t overly rough or lacking, but...

'She doesn’t seem nervous, but...'

Jo Seohee stole a glance at Jiyeon, who was sitting quietly waiting.

Her complexion was calm.

Rather, it felt like Jo Seohee herself was more nervous.

But seeing that appearance again...

'...It seems like something has changed?'

She heard she practiced with Joo Seoyeon, was that why?

Hmm, acting with Joo Seoyeon.

"Pfft."

"Miss Seohee, why are you smiling?"

"Huh? Ah, d-did I smile?"

"Yes."

At Director Baek Min’s words, Jo Seohee hastily patted the corners of her mouth with her palm.

No, no.

The proper filming hasn’t even started yet.

'But I’m looking forward to it.'

Seoyeon’s acting, which she had only gotten a slight taste of through this .

Thinking that she would be able to act in the same movie together this time, Jo Seohee was already excited.

And.

"Alright then, the audition will now begin. Numbers 1 through 5, please come in!"

The audition began in earnest.