When Seoyeon acted as Hong Jeong-hee, deep emotional acting.
It wasn't that she avoided method acting because she didn't want to do it.
There was a lack of information.
In the end, Seoyeon's typical emotional acting is like that of a veteran actor.
In other words, she acts based on information she has directly experienced or seen.
Conversely, for situations she hasn't experienced or unique characters outside the "norm," it takes time to understand those emotions.
Originally, in her past life, emotions were something learned for Seoyeon.
Now, reincarnated, that flaw has disappeared, but emotions she hasn't consciously felt or experienced remain just as difficult to understand.
In a manner of speaking, the character "Hong Jeong-hee" was to Seoyeon nothing more than words on a script.
There were many parts of her words and behavioral patterns that didn't make sense to her.
Therefore, what Seoyeon expressed by interpreting the emotions written in the script in her own way as best she could—that was Seoyeon's "Hong Jeong-hee."
'Naturally, that alone wouldn't be enough to beat Pyo Ji-woo, who perfectly understood the character.'
The answer sheet is right before her eyes.
So, she watched Pyo Ji-woo's actions.
Theater expresses a character's psychology through movement.
Those aggressive movements helped her understand the character Hong Jeong-hee.
'Alright, let's try it.'
One breath.
Opening her closed eyes, she looks at the judges.
"Song Min-seo."
Hong Jeong-hee calls Song Min-seo.
This is a strange action if you think about it even a little.
Song Min-seo has a hearing impairment; even if someone speaks, she cannot hear.
Yet, Hong Jeong-hee spoke to Song Min-seo only with words, without accompanying sign language.
Perhaps because it's a play, one could say it was to convey Hong Jeong-hee's words to the audience.
However, other characters in the play mix in simple sign language when conversing with Song Min-seo.
In other words, Hong Jeong-hee's actions and words are nothing but soliloquy.
It means whether Song Min-seo hears it or not, it doesn't matter.
"You're nothing but a deaf person."
It's not a mocking remark.
Surprisingly, the emotion revealed in this line is an inferiority complex.
Such is Hong Jeong-hee.
Watching Seoyeon's acting, Jo Do-yul thought:
'It's different from the previous acting. But it's not completely different either.'
At first, he thought she might be imitating Pyo Ji-woo's.
But it didn't simply feel like that.
As if she had understood the character by watching Pyo Ji-woo, the emotional depth of her acting had deepened significantly.
Probably, Jo Do-yul wasn't the only one who felt that way.
The other judges, too, were writing something down, seemingly bewitched by Seoyeon's acting.
"Hm? Think about it. Do you really think oppa would have feelings for you?"
Because she harbored an inferiority complex toward Song Min-seo, who had a hearing impairment, Hong Jeong-hee slandered Song Min-seo even more.
She uses violence, and makes it so that she cannot hear her words.
"I just humored your despicable schemes."
The sense of superiority gained from that.
Understanding that lowly mind, Seoyeon spat out the line.
"A despicable bitch who uses her disability to take advantage of others' goodwill."
Ultimately, Hong Jeong-hee's lines only serve to belittle Song Min-seo.
And, at the same time.
"Pathetic."
Those words were also directed at herself.
Pathetic.
Hong Jeong-hee knows she is pathetic.
Still, it doesn't matter.
If she can exclude Song Min-seo, and somehow shake off Bae Sung-hak.
She might be able to take his empty place.
Hiding such a dark mind, she slanders her, but Song Min-seo responds calmly to Hong Jeong-hee's words.
Seeing that, Hong Jeong-hee's actions become even more aggressive.
Her voice rises, and she resorts to violence.
Seoyeon moved her acting following Pyo Ji-woo's blocking.
Imitating those movements, she corrected some actions on the spot.
'This is Pyo Ji-woo's. If it were Hong Jeong-hee... it would be a little different.'
Of course, this is purely Seoyeon's interpretation.
However, unlike before, this interpretation came from understanding.
The texture is the same, but Seoyeon paints her own color over Pyo Ji-woo's.
The picture created by the ocean currents.
So that it can be beautifully displayed in an aquarium.
The emotions Seoyeon newly understood.
The new "Hong Jeong-hee" acted through those emotions.
Was finally drawn perfectly.
"I'm done."
Seoyeon answered calmly.
She sweeps up her disheveled hair.
As she smoothed out her collar, wrinkled from the intense movements, and looked straight ahead, the judges had their mouths open, their faces lost in thought.
'This.'
How troublesome.
Sometimes things like this happen.
An audition where you hesitate over who to choose.
'Both fit Hong Jeong-hee.'
'Appearance-wise, Pyo Ji-woo is actually a better fit, right?'
'Actor Ju Seoyeon's appearance is too glamorous. But that can be covered with makeup.'
Each acting had its own character.
Whoever they chose, there would be no fault to find with the role of Hong Jeong-hee.
'A monster.'
Jo Do-yul clicked his tongue inwardly.
Clearly, up until the first acting, Seoyeon's immersion in the role of "Hong Jeong-hee" had fallen short of Pyo Ji-woo's.
It was excellent acting and she had a presence that stole the gaze, but the feeling of "Hong Jeong-hee" was stronger on Pyo Ji-woo's side.
'The blocking was almost the same. The movements were also similar at first.'
Did she memorize Pyo Ji-woo's movements right after seeing them?
And the real deal comes after that.
The "Hong Jeong-hee" that appeared with Seoyeon's color painted over it.
'Saying she'd act later...'
The judges recalled the words Seoyeon had said at first.
'Since I went first this time, I want to do the next acting after.'
They thought she simply said that out of burden, but it seems that wasn't the case.
'Does she act because she feels wronged?'
The two actors participating as judges, among them Min Seo-ho, let out a hollow laugh.
Because he is an actor, he felt it more certainly.
That Seoyeon had just watched Pyo Ji-woo's acting and interpreted the character on the spot to act.
Genius child actor.
A nickname given to Ju Seoyeon 10 years ago.
Min Seo-ho could now vividly understand why that nickname was given.
"Ah, time is up. The results will... be notified via text or email later."
Jo Do-yul said after checking the time.
There were still remaining actors, but they had wasted too much time.
"Thank you for your hard work."
With those words, Seoyeon's first audition after her return ended.
***
"Haa."
As soon as Seoyeon stepped out of the building, she let out a breath.
Cold sweat had formed on her head.
'I shouldn't put too much emotion into Hong Jeong-hee.'
A tingling sensation could still be felt in her chest.
Inferiority complex.
It felt like that lowly, damp darkness remained in her heart.
The acting, understood, replicated, and expressed, was excessively stimulating for Seoyeon.
"Y-You...!!"
At that moment, Pyo Ji-woo, who had followed Seoyeon out, shouted with a trembling voice.
"How, how could you do that!"
Pyo Ji-woo felt unjust.
This was a role she had practiced for a year and kept waiting for, solely for this acting.
But, but!
'I lost.'
She felt it.
Pyo Ji-woo bit her lower lip and wiped the tears flowing from her eyes.
Clearly, the acting was similar.
No, in some parts, Pyo Ji-woo was still better.
Hong Jeong-hee suited Pyo Ji-woo's acting the best.
She was at a level where she could be that confident.
However.
'Vocalization.'
And, the skill and developmental potential of the acting.
The influence carried by the name "Ju Seoyeon."
Conversely, fitting "a little better" was the only advantage Pyo Ji-woo could put forward.
In all other aspects, Seoyeon was better.
It was only natural.
One year.
It might be a long time for Pyo Ji-woo, but Seoyeon had practiced for a much longer time.
It was natural for there to be a technical difference.
She should have overwhelmingly dominated in character interpretation.
But that was caught up to in an instant.
"U, ugh!!"
Seeing Pyo Ji-woo striding toward her, unable to contain her anger, Seoyeon narrowed her eyes.
She moved her gaze up and down, scanning Pyo Ji-woo.
'...She doesn't have a weapon, right?'
Especially a knife.
Seoyeon looked at Pyo Ji-woo's slender legs.
What would happen if she delivered a strong low kick?
"You."
While Seoyeon was having such dangerous thoughts, Pyo Ji-woo, who had approached, reached her hand out toward Seoyeon.
Seoyeon lightly grabbed that.
"Huh?"
She didn't particularly have the intention to attack.
She only reached out to grab Seoyeon, who was somehow slowly moving away.
'What. Why is her strength so strong.'
Pyo Ji-woo was startled and tried to pull her arm out, but felt fear at the arm that wouldn't budge.
How could a girl's strength be this great.
It was unfair.
It was unfair that she was going to have her role stolen, but to suffer this kind of ordeal on top of it.
She just wanted to have a little, very little conversation.
Or maybe, a little, a very little mind to threaten.
The thought of doing harm was really only a very little?
Well, what would happen if she gave her a slight fright?
She did have such thoughts a little!
She's a minor, and still a kid.
It was really just a little.
It was just a little...
Tears burst from Pyo Ji-woo's eyes.
"Waaah!!"
"Ugh."
Naturally, Seoyeon couldn't help but be revolted by her tears.
In many ways.
*Sniffle.*
Like that.
After a little time passed.
"...If you do anything suspicious, I'll report you."
At Seoyeon's words, Pyo Ji-woo felt wronged again.
She hadn't done anything yet, but Seoyeon was treating her like a criminal.
Of course, this wasn't Seoyeon's true intention.
It was just that the memories of her past life were too intense.
'She's someone who sliced a person up...'
As mentioned, Seoyeon encountered the play "Close Your Eyes" through the news.
News about an assault case.
In that news, the suspect was Pyo Ji-woo before her eyes.
The victim was Min Seo-ho.
In a way, it was a situation caused by Min Seo-ho's karma, but Pyo Ji-woo barged into a club with a knife.
Stabbing Min Seo-ho, who was with acquaintances, was a hot topic in internet communities for a while.
'Min Seo-ho surviving that situation is also impressive, but.'
Anyway, breaking through the club guards and pulling that off, Pyo Ji-woo was even called "Swordmaster Pyo" in internet communities for a while.
If she had brought a knife today... Seoyeon couldn't guarantee the outcome.
'Still.'
Seoyeon looked at Pyo Ji-woo, who was sniffling and shedding tears.
At least not yet, she wasn't the Pyo Ji-woo she saw in the news.
Moreover, having seen her acting, she didn't want such a disastrous future to befall her.
"Pyo Ji-woo... unnie."
"Yeah?"
As expected, calling her unnie is still a little awkward.
Thinking that, Seoyeon continued speaking.
"If you're okay with it, would you like to go somewhere with me in three days?"
At least if she knows now, the same incident as in the past won't happen.
If it's now, before Pyo Ji-woo becomes lovers with Min Seo-ho.
***
"Seo-hee. Shouldn't you slowly start doing a drama or something?"
Inside a large van, looking at Jo Seo-hee who was leisurely fiddling with her phone, her manager Shin Yoo-kyung let out a nagging remark. The two had already known each other for over ten years, and were like sisters, so it was something she could say.
Shin Yoo-kyung had many complaints about Jo Seo-hee's recent behavior in various ways.
So she held it in and held it in until she spat out these words.
"Lately, I just don't have the motivation."
"...Well, you have been working too hard until now."
Seventeen.
Barely going to school and dedicating herself to work, Jo Seo-hee was at a level that could be called the absolute best among her peers.
The only one comparable was Park Jung-woo, who was three years older.
Just one person.
'No, it's not just similar age groups. At least among current actresses, how many are more successful than Jo Seo-hee.'
Box office guarantee.
It was a year ago that she got that title.
In other words, when Jo Seo-hee was in her third year of middle school.
Two movies, four dramas.
All achieved phenomenal results and became hits.
Among them, there was only one lead role, but so what.
In the end, as long as her name value rose, that was enough.
If she went to school, students would probably cling to her just to get a word in.
She had gained that level of popularity and recognition.
However, Jo Seo-hee's face looked terribly bored.
"I don't really feel like acting."
"You're burned out. Then how about taking a few months off?"
Resting.
It was a word that hadn't been used for Jo Seo-hee since about ten years ago.
Since when did she work so hard.
Jo Seo-hee recalled the person who became the catalyst.
'Did she really retire?'
Ju Seoyeon.
She muttered that name over and over.
Even though the conversations they had when actually meeting were barely a few words.
Could there be someone who influenced her so intensely.
"While resting, try watching some plays or musicals, and have some cultural life. Who knows? You might regain your motivation."
Musicals, movies.
She could roughly see Shin Yoo-kyung's intention.
Still, since Jo Seo-hee's nature was that of an actor, she must be thinking she'd get motivated if she saw such things.
'Unnie is right, let's rest a little.'
A play.
It was a slightly unfamiliar word to Jo Seo-hee, who had mainly worked in dramas and movies.
So, she was a little interested.
Yes, just a little.