"Oh, isn't this Actor Sim Cheongseok?"
A bar in Daehakro, Seoul.
A voice called out to Sim Cheongseok, who was leisurely having a drink with a fellow actor.
"Didn't you go put out the fire in that burning play? Let's see, 'Close Your Eyes,' right?"
When he turned his head, there was a man with an impressive appearance.
'Ah, this guy.'
Sim Cheongseok shook his head.
A guy who graduated from a renowned university's theater department in Seoul and was currently active as an actor.
Recently he had been making somewhat of a name for himself, with rumors going around about him filming a drama and whatnot.
'His name was... Kang Sehyun, I think.'
For reference, he was someone who had done exactly one play with Sim Cheongseok.
That was the extent of their connection.
"If it's the great Actor Sim Cheongseok, you'll do well. It's a rerun of 'Close Your Eyes,' right? The script is pretty good too..."
"If you have business, just state your business, alright?"
At Sim Cheongseok's blunt words, the other person frowned.
"That insolent personality of yours hasn't gone anywhere, has it."
"Hoo, I'd like to ask who was the first to make snide remarks."
At Sim Cheongseok's scoffing words, Kang Sehyun's lips twitched.
"Since you want it so much, I'll just state my business."
"Go ahead."
"When 'Close Your Eyes' performs, our play's performance dates happen to exactly overlap."
Wondering what that had to do with anything, Sim Cheongseok looked at him.
"What, did you perhaps not know? Haven't you heard of 'Under Snitch'?"
"What."
He had heard of it.
Under Snitch.
A remake of a popular foreign play, performing in a large theater with over 800 seats.
At that level, it definitely belonged to the category of "pushed plays."
"You've probably heard of the participating actors too? Actor Hong Taebaek starring wasn't enough, Actor Seong Siha has taken a lead role as well."
Both had very high name recognition as theater actors.
Especially Seong Siha, who originally came from idol activities, had been participating frequently as if he found theater enjoyable recently.
He was probably thinking of appearing in musicals later.
In any case, both were actors with rare audience-drawing power in the theater world.
"But."
"Yeah."
"Why are you telling me this? Coming all the way to find me at a drinking spot."
At Sim Cheongseok's words, Kang Sehyun leaned his arm on the seated man's shoulder and said,
"Well. Just to offer some comfort. You went out of your way to help, unlike yourself, but it looks like you're going to end up empty-handed."
He said that, but his face looked extremely pleased.
From the previous play, Kang Sehyun had been picking fights with Sim Cheongseok over everything.
Despite having more experience, he harbored resentment for being overwhelmed in acting ability.
"Cheer up. If you need help, let me know."
Patting his shoulder and leaving, at the guy's retreating back, Sim Cheongseok let out a hollow laugh.
Help, my foot.
Even if he contacted him, he wouldn't pick up.
"No, how can there be such a person."
"Cheongseok, don't worry too much. Does a play succeed just because of an actor's popularity?"
The actors drinking together tried to comfort him in their own way, but honestly, Sim Cheongseok didn't care either way.
'Audience-drawing power.'
A girl came to Sim Cheongseok's mind.
'Come to think of it, they said there was some filming at the school.'
Thinking such thoughts, Sim Cheongseok then poured alcohol into his glass.
"Cheongseok, are you okay?"
"Ah, yes. I'm fine. That's because..."
The audience-drawing power that an actor possesses.
Because he had a feeling he would see it very properly this time.
***
"It's Park Jeongwoo!!"
"Please look this way just once."
"Crazy, look at that face! It's the size of my fist, my fist!!!"
Screams that were almost like shrieks echoed through Yeonhwa High School.
Park Jeongwoo waved his hand with a smiling face at the students' cheers, but.
'...I'm already tired.'
Though Park Jeongwoo disliked troublesome things, he was an actor who provided very good fan service.
Because he had his father's teachings since childhood, he knew that without fans, there are no actors.
'One must always be grateful for the cheers of the crowd.'
That was his father's teaching.
And Park Jeongwoo followed it faithfully.
As the saying goes, if even one more audience member comes to the theater because of this kind of fan service, that's definitely a profitable business.
"What about the staff?"
"They're preparing over there. Hey!"
As the manager shouted, staff members came running to help Park Jeongwoo who had gotten out of the van.
From the student dean to all the teachers, they had come out to control the line in case the students rushed forward.
Security guards also existed, but it was evident they were overwhelmed by the number of students.
Around the time Park Jeongwoo entered the filming location.
"Theater club, they said there's definitely a theater club teacher... Ah! Over here!"
PD Jeong Minjae smiled broadly seeing Song Dayeon, the theater club's advisor, running over breathlessly.
"You're Theater Club's Teacher Song Dayeon, right? Are the students who will appear on the broadcast all ready?"
"Of course. Oh, do you happen to know Lee Jiyeon? She's a kid who's currently appearing in a cable drama..."
Lee Jiyeon.
At those words, PD Jeong Minjae was slightly surprised.
Wasn't she the girl playing the role of 'Lee Minchae' in the recently popular cable drama?
She was a child who remained in his memory because her acting was quite good and her face was pretty.
A child with talent that would be seen on public broadcasting or movies later.
"Ah, then that child will play Princess Yeonhwa?"
"Yes, she's getting ready now. What about the script?"
"Here it is. The reenactment drama will proceed in 4 hours, but filming starts right now. Is that alright?"
"What? We haven't even memorized the script yet."
"4 hours is enough."
Besides, strictly speaking, it's because they haven't memorized the script either.
This isn't a 'drama filming,' it's a variety show through and through.
The sight of students racking their brains and practicing was also content in itself.
'It's real.'
A male student was filming with his smartphone while listening to the conversation between Teacher Song Dayeon and PD Jeong Minjae.
For reference, he wasn't just taking photos or leaving a video as a memento.
- Oh they're really filming
- No shame, aren't you raising the camera high?
- If you raise it won't you get caught? If caught do they take it?
So-called internet broadcasting.
The male student Song Yongho occasionally worked as a game streamer as a hobby and earned pocket money, but.
Today was different.
How could he stay still when they were filming a variety show at school.
- Just play games.
Such chats did come up, but still the viewer count was double the usual.
That number was a whopping 200 people!
It might be modest, but for a high school student streamer, it was a very encouraging figure.
"Since they said filming is okay, it should be fine even if you get caught a little. And for today's filming, Park Jeongwoo ssi is participating as a guest, and apparently Lee Jiyeon... ssi will be participating in the role of Princess Yeonhwa."
- Lee Jiyeon? Who's she
- Watch TV sometimes, come on...
- True loser: gets triggered when something they know comes up
- There's a minor actress appearing in a cable drama, her face is pretty
- If she's pretty that's enough
As such chats were being exchanged.
The variety show's filming began in earnest.
Song Yongho wasn't the only one broadcasting the situation live on the internet.
Others were also working hard to film the situation.
"First, I'll help with acting instruction for 4 hours."
With multiple cameras placed around, Park Jeongwoo spoke in the theater club's room.
The male students had their mouths wide open, and the female students trembled almost as if having convulsions.
Someone said.
That being handsome is the best.
"T-t-that, P-Park Jeongwoo actor-nim, is it okay if you don't practice separately?"
"I've memorized everything."
"Ah! As expected!"
When the female student exclaimed with a blushing face, Park Jeongwoo quietly smiled.
Of course, it was acting.
They were girls 3 years younger than him.
He was just accepting their fuss thinking that's how it is.
'The acting level doesn't seem bad, but.'
Still, it was a high school theater club.
It was nothing compared to real actors.
"Come to think of it, teacher. Where is the actor who's supposed to play Princess Yeonhwa?"
"Ah, Jiyeon?"
The actor Lee Jiyeon who was supposed to play Princess Yeonhwa this time.
Not just a simple theater club member, but apparently a proper actor who was currently appearing in a cable drama.
'From briefly looking at some footage, her skills were definitely good.'
But separately from that.
"Why isn't she here?"
"Ah, w-well... Jiyeon said she would prepare separately..."
For reference, this conversation was all being filmed by cameras, so Song Dayeon had no choice but to be careful with her words.
Because she shouldn't say something wrong and have her student receive criticism.
"I understand. It's something that occasionally happens among actors. Actors who take time alone when catching their emotions."
"Right? Ah, it seems Jiyeon wants to prepare thoroughly since Actor Park Jeongwoo is coming this time."
"I see."
Still with a bright smile.
He replied with a smile, but honestly Park Jeongwoo didn't like this kid named Lee Jiyeon.
'It's not a simple drama filming but a variety show. Can't she distinguish that?'
And even if she says she's preparing separately, how much can she really prepare?
It's not an audition; it would be more beneficial to practice here with him and get broadcast screen time.
Or does it mean she doesn't want to act with these theater club kids?
'Either way, I don't like it.'
Park Jeongwoo clicked his tongue and guided the other students' acting.
The lead role of Princess Yeonhwa was taken by Lee Jiyeon, but the other students also each had their own roles.
"Teacher Song Dayeon, this isn't good. We should bring Lee Jiyeon quickly."
PD Jeong Minjae called Song Dayeon and said in a small voice.
The scene of Park Jeongwoo teaching the students' acting was definitely entertaining.
When a proper actor teaches acting, it was definitely more enjoyable to watch than when students did it among themselves, but.
"Ultimately, what's important is matching the rhythm between Lee Jiyeon and Actor Park Jeongwoo."
The Moon Embracing the Sun, episode 8 reenactment.
Ultimately, the most important scene was the reunion scene between Yun Seoil and Lee Hyewol.
But what if they started without ever practicing together and something went wrong...?
They could take the NG scenes, but the overall picture wouldn't come alive.
If Park Jeongwoo was appearing, shouldn't there be a scene that makes people go 'Oh!' in admiration?
Song Dayeon hurriedly called Jiyeon.
Because it felt like something would happen if they just stayed like this.
"Yeah, yeah, Jiyeon. Yeah?"
And then, Song Dayeon who was on the phone showed a strange reaction.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, no. Uh, PD Jeong Minjae."
"Yes?"
"Jiyeon is asking if she could see you very briefly, separately?"
Asking to see him separately?
That wasn't a difficult thing, but she wondered if that was something to say to the PD.
They say young actors these days are MG or MZ or whatever, is this that kind of thing?
"That's... she said it wouldn't be good if she gets caught moving separately."
"Good grief."
What on earth could it be that she was speaking like that.
"Understood. I'll go now."
PD Jeong Minjae nodded.
Thinking that if it was nothing special, he would give her a firm warning.
***
It was an outfit he was wearing for the first time in a while.
Park Jeongwoo looked down at the hanbok he was wearing and let out a sigh.
A historical drama.
Actually, the last historical drama Park Jeongwoo appeared in was The Moon Embracing the Sun.
After that, he hadn't appeared in any because nothing appealed to him.
'The grown-up Yun Seoil.'
When he looked in the mirror, it seemed like the young Yun Seoil could be seen.
Like that, after briefly reciting the lines in his head, when he slowly came outside.
"Wow, it's exactly the Yun Seoil I only imagined."
Park Jeongwoo chuckled at the sight of the staff member giving a thumbs up as soon as he came out.
"It's been 10 years, do you remember that?"
"Of course. It's the drama of my life."
The drama of my life.
Come to think of it, it might be similar for Park Jeongwoo.
He had done many works, but none remained in his heart quite like this.
"What about PD Jeong?"
"Ah, he said he's with the child playing Princess Yeonhwa. He told us to proceed first."
It seemed he had pushed the proceedings onto the assistant PD and disappeared.
He could roughly guess why this variety show had ended up in this state.
"Wow! The hanbok really suits you well too."
A makeshift set made by putting up cardboard panels in the auditorium.
He could hear murmuring voices looking at Park Jeongwoo who arrived there.
Busy voices were heard.
Students filling the auditorium.
The staff's voices.
'I'm tired.'
Muttering words he didn't know how many times he'd said today.
Like that, the filming began.
"My lord, please come this way!"
"Are you going to the palace today too?"
The students' acting had some shape to it, but it was still different from that of 'actors.'
Acting that was passable enough.
Still, it was the best among
The staff thought so too.
"It's about time for Princess Yeonhwa to appear..."
"She's still not here? What on earth is the PD doing?"
Such words were heard, and the theater club students poured out to create a crowd.
There wasn't much to call acting; it was closer to creating a 'market street' atmosphere.
Yun Seoil walked quietly through that place, reminiscing about the past.
'The commoners' market where I strolled with Princess Yeonhwa 10 years ago.'
Princess Yeonhwa who was amazed even by small food.
The little Ju Seoyeon.
That figure briefly came to mind and then disappeared from Park Jeongwoo's head.
'Now here, Princess Yeonhwa should definitely be.'
Don't tell me she wasn't here?
Then it would definitely be an NG.
Thinking about having to reshoot, he was already getting tired.
The moment when the negative impression of Lee Jiyeon was about to embed itself in his head again.
A graceful figure mixed in the crowd of the market caught his eye.
Though her appearance was hidden by the long jangot worn over her head, it was unmistakably the figure of Princess Yeonhwa to anyone who saw.
'There she is...'
Thank goodness, thinking that, Park Jeongwoo chased after 'Princess Yeonhwa.'
The students chattering noisily according to their respective roles.
And Princess Yeonhwa standing among them.
Even though she wore the jangot over her head, something was different.
Her standing posture, her atmosphere.
She was different from an ordinary student.
The moment Park Jeongwoo realized that fact.
His steps gradually began to quicken.
Perhaps.
He thought this wasn't acting.
Park Jeongwoo, and Yun Seoil, moved their feet reflexively.
Pushing through the crowd.
Even knowing she wouldn't run away, he urgently reached out his hand.
When he grasped the small shoulder, a faint laugh was heard.
Familiar.
And an incredibly clear voice.
「Seoil」
The woman's hand moved, slowly pulling down the jangot worn over her head.
That scene slowly.
Entered his eyes like slow motion.
What entered his eyes first was the neatly tied long black hair.
White skin.
「I'm a little late.」
The cute appearance from childhood changing and growing beautifully.
Princess Yeonhwa, Lee Hyewol.
「...Late, but.」
Her appearance like a star, Park Jeongwoo.
No, it was etched as if embedding into Yun Seoil's eyes.
「I have returned.」
Eyes with a reddish tinge.
At the mischievous smile lingering on her lips.
Park Jeongwoo's mind was dyed white.