"Ms. Hyejin! From there, please look a bit more this way while speaking! Your face isn't visible."
Full-scale stage rehearsal had begun.
In that process, they literally chewed, tore, and tasted the script in between, interpreting it.
Going through a reading process was basic.
Approximately 6 weeks of rehearsal ultimately aimed at "performing without mistakes in the play."
A perfect stage.
Because that was the most basic condition of quality that a play must have.
"Ms. Seoyeon."
"Yes."
Assistant Director Kim Cheongun looked at the girl before him and stroked his chin.
Generally, in theater, the guidance of actors' performances was handled by the assistant director.
So, although Kim Cheongun had seen many actors, even among them, Seoyeon was special.
Genius child actress Joo Seoyeon.
The skill of the actress he had simply perceived as such far exceeded Kim Cheongun's expectations.
Mostly in a good way.
"It still feels somewhat close to drama acting, but you definitely ride the emotional line well."
"Ah, thank you."
"But it would be good if your blocking could improve a bit. Your gaze handling and movements are really good, though?"
"Blocking? Exactly where..."
She asked, wondering if there was a place where her blocking was lacking.
"There's a part where you look at Sim Cheongseok and do a solo monologue, right? Please cross the stage more while doing that part."
"It's a monologue part, wouldn't the blocking be too wide?"
"Because it makes the emotion look that much more intense. And, please do the monologue more like having a conversation with the audience."
Like having a conversation with the audience.
Seoyeon nodded at those words.
'Did she understand?'
This kind of thing wasn't something that would be immediately understood just by saying it.
Even for Seoyeon, something like this...
"Okay! Let's try it once."
Along with Kim Cheongun's words, Sim Cheongseok came nearby.
"Now, then."
With his words, Seoyeon calmly grabbed her emotions.
The woman who stalks the idol Bae Seunghak, Hong Jeonghui.
Reading the surface of her emotions, she exhaled.
'...Amazing no matter how many times I see it.'
Method acting.
Such words existed, but what Seoyeon was doing now was different from that.
A faint trace of 'Seoyeon' remained.
When he asked Seoyeon about it.
"Because it's rehearsal right now."
I'll try to do it more properly during the actual rehearsal.
Seoyeon added.
'If she does it properly from there, to what extent?'
The acting of Seoyeon he had seen in a drama long ago.
Recently, Kim Cheongun had rewatched that drama. It was an emotional performance that was almost too much for a child to show.
This was probably Seoyeon's greatest strength.
But paradoxically, this kind of emotional acting didn't become that much of a strength in theater.
Seoyeon's emotional acting was very detailed, and its true value was revealed only when the screen was enlarged, but that was all information that couldn't be known in theater.
Depending on the seats, it might not be visible at all, and the delivery of those detailed emotions was more difficult than expected.
Therefore, gestures to express that, and the blocking of movement.
Those two were important, but this and method acting were conflicting areas.
Because if one fully immersed into the character of the play, those gestures or movements would inevitably become somewhat awkward.
In the end, some degree of 'theatrical technique' must inevitably be included.
Seoyeon's practice was the process of melting that in as naturally as possible.
"I can't believe it. Just why! Why is Oppa meeting a woman like that?"
Looking at the audience, Seoyeon's lines were clearly delivered.
Kim Cheongun listened to it from the audience and saw Seoyeon's feet moving naturally.
It was the movement he had requested.
The monologue also captured the feeling of talking to the audience very well.
"How was it?"
"It was very good."
Kim Cheongun gave a thumbs up to Seoyeon who returned after finishing her performance.
Watching a talented actor was a joyful thing.
However.
'There's a part that strangely catches me.'
Kim Cheongun hesitated a bit about whether to say this.
Because, actually, it wasn't a part that would be a big problem even if he didn't say it.
Rather, it felt complete with just this.
"First, I need to see the other actors, so please rest a bit."
"Yes."
At the assistant director's words, Seoyeon slipped to the back, but.
'Did I get something wrong?'
Kim Cheongun's reaction was subtle.
But if it was wrong, Kim Cheongun would have spoken first.
"……"
After pondering for a moment, the person Seoyeon sought out was Sim Cheongseok.
The one who was on the stage Seoyeon had just performed on.
"Ah, that?"
He spoke as if he understood immediately.
"There's no problem, but it feels like there is."
"What do you mean?"
At Seoyeon's words, Sim Cheongseok sat in a chair and crossed his legs.
And pressing his temples firmly with his thumbs, he had a face pondering how to say it.
"Affection is lacking."
"...What?"
"Think carefully. Why Hong Jeonghui stalks Bae Seunghak."
"Ah."
Only then did Seoyeon realize the meaning of what he was saying.
"Shadiness, and inferiority complex and contempt for Song Minseo. Those are really well expressed, right? But the affectionate feelings toward Bae Seunghak aren't strongly felt."
"That's... true."
"But to be honest, I don't say that's absolutely necessary in this play. If you clumsily take on too much, it could end up being neither here nor there."
It's better to emphasize only the dark emotions Seoyeon is currently expressing.
That was what Sim Cheongseok was saying.
No, maybe it was an opinion to the extent of "that much is doing well enough."
It felt different from when he provoked her before.
"...Why are you glaring."
"I'm not glaring. My eyes are originally like this."
"No, they're not."
"Yes, they are."
At Seoyeon's insistence, Sim Cheongseok chuckled.
"Anyway, this much is enough, so don't worry about it."
This much is enough.
It was a correct statement, but Seoyeon felt somewhat hurt in her pride.
Moreover, it made her feel worse because it was a considerate remark unlike Sim Cheongseok.
'But.'
Affection acting, huh.
Ugh, Seoyeon bit her lower lip.
Still, it was a correct point.
She felt like she had unconsciously excluded such emotions.
'I was feeling it a little.'
Affection acting was an essential part even in dramas and movies.
It wasn't something that could be avoided just because one avoided it.
It was okay for Hong Jeonghui to be somewhat lacking in that, but there was no rule that the acting she would do in the future would be the same.
'I need to think about it.'
Because she was someone whose boundary between male and female was ambiguous, it was an even more difficult acting.
Acting of harboring affection for another person.
For Seoyeon whose strength was method acting, it was a problem she couldn't avoid.
***
Seoul Yeonhwa High School.
Famous for its modern buildings and pretty uniforms, it was a high school that high school students aiming for arts and physical education rather than academic advancement often attended.
Among them, the drama club had active actors and many aspirants, so its level was quite high.
"Jiyeon! Oh, our actress."
The drama club advisor, Teacher Song Dayeon, ran like a butterfly and tightly grasped Lee Jiyeon's hand.
"...What's the matter?"
"Haa, don't speak so coldly."
Jiyeon frowned.
She told her to drop by the drama club after a long time, and this is what happened right after she came.
'She definitely has something to ask.'
That was the normal thing to think.
Reading Jiyeon's expression, Teacher Song Dayeon cleared her throat and continued speaking.
"It's good news for you too. Isn't there a variety show called
"I don't know."
"...Yeah, right, you wouldn't know."
Was it a variety show with this little popularity?
She wondered if this was okay, but.
"Well, they said they're filming at our school this time. What kind of variety show it is..."
Teacher Song Dayeon explained in detail to Jiyeon what she had heard at the faculty meeting.
Other drama club students were also listening with interested faces.
"A reenactment of The Moon That Hid the Sun?"
"That's exactly it!"
"But, what does that have to do with me..."
"What do you mean? Of course, I want Jiyeon to take the role of Princess Yeonhwa, don't I?"
When Song Dayeon said so and looked at the other students, they looked regretful but soon nodded.
In the drama club, she had the best achievements and the best acting skills.
When it came to counting a student with outstanding appearance, it was undeniably Lee Jiyeon.
"Princess Yeonhwa?"
However, Jiyeon's face was subtle.
Wasn't this a very familiar role.
'Park Jeongwoo is coming too?'
If it was real, she thought the internet would be in an uproar.
The high school name was also 'Yeonhwa' High School, wasn't it?
It felt like a heaven-sent composition.
'The rough outline is reenacting episode 8 of the original.'
What was the content of episode 8? It was the reunion scene.
The episode where the grown-up Yun Seoil and the grown-up Lee Hyewol reunite was episode 8.
Naturally, the viewership exploded and it received quite good reviews, but.
'There were also many negative reviews.'
This was the time when the actress Ha Yeseo, who played the grown-up Princess Yeonhwa, was receiving harsh criticism.
Princess Yeonhwa lacked presence compared to the child actress.
Something didn't fit well.
That evaluation hadn't changed even now, so Ha Yeseo also often brought up that time.
Saying it wasn't easy being compared to the child actress.
"Then I'll do it."
"Really?"
"But, would it be okay if I bring someone from the agency separately then? I want to get the makeup done properly."
"Ah, of course it's fine."
Jiyeon nodded.
And smiled softly.
That was because another fun thought had come to mind.
***
A large van ran down the road.
Inside it, a man in casual clothes had his eyes closed with an eye mask on.
"Jeongwoo, we're almost there now, so let's slowly get up."
"……"
Annoying.
That was the first thought that came to Park Jeongwoo's mind.
Originally, it was a shoot he had no interest in, but.
"Please, I beg you, just this once, help me out! Do you know how much I talked about it!"
The request of an acquaintance he had met truly by chance at a previous shoot.
And since his break period coincidentally overlapped, he decided to help specially.
"
"That's right. Since you're appearing as a guest, they can't just have you do one thing and send you off."
"Haa, what am I."
"What do you mean, you're Park Jeongwoo."
The hottest actor these days.
The next movie he would film was already decided.
Even the lead role.
It was a movie with plenty of capital invested, and the director was good too.
His life was a smooth path without a single thorny road, everyone thought so.
"The Moon That Hid the Sun at this point, isn't this why this variety show isn't doing well?"
"Don't be too much. Still, it's a quite meaningful role for you."
"...That's true."
At the words of his 5th-year manager, Ha Hyeonghwan, Park Jeongwoo nodded.
A meaningful role.
'That kid, what is she doing now?'
In Park Jeongwoo's acting life, there weren't many experiences of receiving a big shock.
The girl he met in The Moon That Hid the Sun still remained vividly in his memory.
That acting too.
That last retirement too.
"……"
The image of the girl crying at the award ceremony came to mind.
An expressionless, uninteresting child.
The girl who had first shattered Park Jeongwoo's pride as a child actor.
The sight of such a girl crying while looking at everyone.
And her smiling face, all came to mind vividly.
Sometimes Park Jeongwoo had thoughts.
At that time, wouldn't it have been better to try persuading her to keep acting?
What would it have been like if he had told her it was a waste to rest like this.
If, he had done that.
'It's all in the past.'
While having such thoughts, the van had stopped at some point.
He felt the manager's gaze looking back.
"Jeongwoo."
"Yeah."
Erasing the phantom of the girl that came to mind.
He slowly opened the van's door.
At the same time.
The cheers of countless students resounded.