Free Web NovelThe second semester had begun.
“Senior Yoomyeong!”
“Oh, hello. You’re Hyun-wook, right?”
“Yes! Didn’t you take this course during your freshman year?”
“No. I couldn’t get into it during registration.”
He was about to leave after class when a student from the Business Department approached him. Though, with a semester already passed, perhaps he was no longer really a freshman.
“Is this your schedule for the semester? Wow, these aren’t business courses... Are you double majoring?”
“No. They’re just classes I wanted to take.”
This semester, Yoomyeong had enrolled in many courses from both the theater department and his own major.
If he was going to seriously pursue acting, there was a chance he might not even graduate from college. In that case, it was better to take classes related to acting while he still could.
“By the way, did you hear about Brother Sang Jin?”
“No?”
“He finally shaved his head and enlisted in the military. His father is strict, and he’d been putting off enlistment. Hehe. It’s harder when you go in late because the younger guys become your seniors.”
“I see. He’s going to have a rough time.”
Last semester, Sang Jin had picked fights with Yoomyeong every time he saw him after getting drunk during the MT.
Straightforward Shinhee couldn’t stand it and scolded him several times. After that, he stopped coming to the lunch gatherings.
Yoomyeong hoped the military would help Sang Jin mature a little.
“With all the seniors gone, who are you planning to eat lunch with? Want to eat with our group? We’re in Building 1.”
The female students in his class were in their final semester. They said they would not be able to attend much this term because they were busy preparing for employment. Perhaps that was why he had not heard from Bora either, despite her previously contacting him separately.
“Thanks, but I have theater classes before and after lunch, so I’ll probably eat in that building.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I’ll say hi next time!”
Hyun-wook gave a small bow and left, while Yoomyeong headed toward the theater department building.
The course was called .
After writing a script in last semester’s class, he had realized that creating dialogue and scenes himself was surprisingly helpful for acting. That was what led him to sign up for the course.
“Hey, Shin Yoomyeong!”
Senior Suho waved at him from the front. Hye-Seon sat beside him.
At the sound of the name, even students who did not know Yoomyeong personally turned to look. Last semester, he had become fairly famous within the theater department.
“Are you planning to transfer departments?”
“Hehe. Are you both taking this class? Isn’t Yu-ri in it too?”
Hye-Seon answered instead.
“Yu-ri’s on leave because she’s directing the autumn production. Didn’t you know?”
“Oh, really? So that’s what happened.”
“There’s a whole story behind it. I’ll tell you later.”
Suho cleared the seat beside him. Yoomyeong was naturally about to sit down, placing his bag on the chair, when he noticed a familiar face peeking into the classroom from the hallway.
‘Who is that? I definitely recognize him...’
An ordinary-looking male student wearing glasses hesitated briefly before approaching the teaching assistant. After the assistant nodded, the student cautiously entered through the back door.
‘Ah...!’
Yoomyeong suddenly remembered and called out happily.
“Woo Jun-ho! Jun-ho!”
“You came back this semester?”
“Yeah. Is that really you... Shin Yoomyeong?”
“Haha, I’ve changed a little, haven’t I? You look exactly the same as before you enlisted.”
Woo Jun-ho.
He had belonged to the S~Y surname group during the Business Department orientation. After the second semester, their classmates, including Oh Sang Jin, naturally formed close friend groups, while Yoomyeong mostly stayed with the remaining Jun-ho. In other words, they were the outsiders.
At first, they started hanging out together more out of convenience than friendship, but they remained together for nearly three years. To Yoomyeong, Jun-ho had been his closest college friend.
They had not been particularly close on a personal level, however, so after graduation their contact gradually faded. The last thing he had heard was that Jun-ho had found work at a small or midsize company.
Because Yoomyeong mainly ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) attended theater classes, it had never occurred to him that Jun-ho might return to school this semester.
And yet, to meet him in this class of all places...
“So you’re taking playwriting too?”
“Yeah... I’m just auditing...”
“Are you interested in writing?”
“Uh... not really. I was just curious...”
Jun-ho avoided the question awkwardly.
“...What about you? Why are you taking this class?”
“Oh, I’m into acting.”
“Acting? You?”
“Yeah. I was also staff at Changcheon during freshman year. Didn’t you know?”
Jun-ho looked genuinely surprised.
Meeting his friend in such an unexpected place, he found Yoomyeong completely different from the person he remembered.
Jun-ho had once thought that he and Shin Yoomyeong were like extras in a performance, appearing briefly before being forgotten once the curtain fell.
He had seemed like someone completely unrelated to acting, actors, or glamorous words like that.
After finishing their meal and slowly sipping tea, Jun-ho finally relaxed enough to open up.
“I’ve actually been interested in playwriting... for a long time.”
“Oh, really? We spent all that time together and I never knew. Since when?”
“Since I was a kid... It doesn’t really suit me, does it? I’ve never formally studied it, but when I heard about this class, I worked up the courage to come.”
Hearing the uncertainty in Jun-ho’s voice, Yoomyeong felt a sense of sympathy.
‘It doesn’t suit me,’ or ‘What can someone like me even do?’ Yoomyeong himself must have thought such things thousands, maybe millions, of times.
But now, he had realized that he wanted to pursue what he loved. He could not let it go. If he failed to take that step forward, he would remain a spectator forever.
And somehow... he felt like he could give Jun-ho a little push.
“Have you written anything? I really like reading scripts.”
“Well... really? Should I show you one? Ah, this is embarrassing... but promise you won’t laugh, okay?”
Though embarrassed, Jun-ho excitedly rummaged through his bag. The eagerness of wanting to show someone your work, like showing off a beloved child, was probably the same for writers and actors alike.
The neatly printed A4 pages were fairly thick.
.
The title page turned smoothly. Jun-ho watched Yoomyeong with nervous eyes. It was the first time he had shown his script to anyone besides his younger sibling.
‘What kind of script is this? It’s garbage.’ Just imagining those words made his skin crawl.
The pages continued turning, then suddenly stopped.
‘Huh...?’
The expression on his friend’s face changed rapidly.
Then his mouth opened.
“You didn’t want to see me? No? You were upset because I only bought Hyun-ji a gift last time? You’re cute, hehe. What do you mean that’s not it? Don’t be shy. Today, I’ll buy you whatever you want, so cheer up. Hey, where are you going?”
Jun-ho’s eyes widened.
‘What am I seeing right now?’
A character from his script had come to life before his eyes.
The protagonist, Oh Jun. He wore that same arrogant expression and delivered those cringeworthy lines exactly as Jun-ho had imagined.
Watching the world he had created suddenly gain color and life, Jun-ho trembled.
“This script is interesting. You’re talented, aren’t you?”
Oh Jun tossed him a compliment.
‘At this rate...’
<Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde>. That was the production chosen for the Oedipus autumn performance.
She had gone through numerous adapted scripts, but none of them truly resonated with her. She had even searched through English versions.
After unexpectedly taking on the role of director, she wanted to stage the best production possible under her name. Especially because the director originally meant to handle it was exceptionally talented.
— Yu-ri, could you direct it for me?
— Huh? Weren’t you supposed to direct the next production, senior?
— I’m sorry, but I have different ambitions now. I’ve never wanted to act this badly before.
— Is it because of Shin Yoomyeong?
— Even if I decide to become an actor now, there’s no guarantee I’ll get the lead role. Honestly, I might even get overshadowed. Even so, I want to act beside him, on the same stage.
— ...
— For this production, I want not only the acting but the directing to be the best possible. There are only a few directors I trust, and among them, I really want you to do it.
It had been a sincere request from a respected senior, as well as recognition of her abilities, so Yu-ri could not refuse. Determined to live up to those expectations, she ignored her agency’s objections and even took a leave of absence to work on the production.
But she still was not satisfied with the script.
‘Maybe... I’ll have to adapt the original myself.’
Yu-ri picked up her phone.
Though reluctant, only one person came to mind.
{Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?}
“Yes. I want to create a new adaptation.”
{And what do I get out of it?}
Min Juran. She was Yu-ri’s classmate.
In high school, she had won a newcomer award at a national playwriting competition and entered the Theater and Film Department as a special admissions talent. During her sophomore year, she had even won an award at the Shinhwa Screenplay Competition. Her talent was widely acknowledged, but her personality was notoriously unpleasant.
“Your name would officially be credited as the playwright for Oedipus’ main production. It wouldn’t be a bad addition to your portfolio.”
“It’s not bad, but it’s not amazing either. What role are you doing this time? Assistant director?”
“No. Director.”
“Why? Wasn’t senior Ryu Shin supposed to direct it?”
“He said he wants to act this time.”
“Hmm...”
Juran’s eyes lit up.
“If Seo Ryu Shin is playing the lead, I’ll do it.”
“The roles will be decided through casting. I can’t promise anything.”
“Why not? It’s obviously going to be Seo Ryu Shin anyway. Who could possibly beat him? Jo Min-seok? Shin Suho?”
Yu-ri thought of someone even more promising. This time, the lead role was genuinely impossible to predict.
“Anyone who performs best can get the lead.”
“Oh... Could it be that ‘student from another department’ everyone was talking about last semester?”
Min Juran immediately guessed correctly.
“He’s a no-go. My career’s on the line here. If I’m going to write this, then at minimum Seo Ryu Shin needs to be the lead of the Oedipus main production.”
“...I can’t guarantee the casting. Think about it and let me know.”
Forcing herself to remain patient, Yu-ri stood up.
Contrary to his calm expression, Seo Ryu Shin gripped the hand before him so tightly that Yoomyeong’s fingers almost went numb. The handshake was filled with determination.
“Yes, thanks to you, I attended the workshop safely. I also discovered the charm of Oedipus.”
“I heard your performance at the workshop was incredible. I regret missing it.”
Ryu Shin genuinely regretted it.
Ever since vacation ended, the workshop members talked about it constantly. Normally, workshops were filmed for records, but Yoon Hansung’s workshop had involved too many personal revelations, so filming was prohibited. As a result, Shin Yoomyeong’s acting had not been recorded either.
‘Since we’ll be preparing for the production together now... I’ll have plenty of chances to watch him act.’
Standing before the gathered members, Seon Yu-ri stepped forward.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Seon Yu-ri, and I’ll be directing Oedipus’ Autumn 2003 main production.”
Applause broke out.
“As most of you know, our autumn production has been decided as <Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde>. However, we’ve run into a problem. While the original work is excellent, I haven’t found a stage adaptation that suits my taste. I searched through many different versions, but none of them felt right.”
Taking a breath, Yu-ri dropped a bombshell.
“So I’m currently working on a new adaptation, but the playwright wants to verify your abilities before fully committing to the script.”
Everyone’s gaze sharpened instantly.
“We’ll proceed with casting using the original script. Also, the playwright wishes to observe the casting process personally. That playwright is Min Juran.” freewebnσvel.cøm
The woman standing outside the classroom dramatically opened the door and stepped inside, enjoying the attention directed toward her.
“Hello, seniors and juniors. My name is Min Juran.”
