Free Web Novel"What did you say?"
Yoomyeong exclaimed in surprise.
{Why are you so surprised? You really didn't know?} ƒreewebɳovel.com
Miho's deep eyes locked onto his, as though reading his thoughts.
Yoomyeong was about to argue back, but decided to remain silent.
Did he not know? He truly hadn't. However, he had found it strange when the director suddenly said his aura had become stronger.
Was there really no part of him that had hoped for it, even a little? He couldn't honestly say there wasn't.
{You wanted it, didn't you? I could see your desire.}
That was true as well.
But Yoomyeong did not want to obtain something beyond his own abilities through unfair means. And if he couldn't reproduce it himself, wouldn't it only lead to disappointment in the end?
"Isn't it wrong to interfere with my life however you please? Our relationship has always been a transaction."
{Just now, I wasn't transmitting my presence to you, but to the atmosphere around you, so technically it wasn't a transaction with you.}
Miho spoke as though the absurd argument made perfect sense.
"You interfered in my life without my consent. Don't make ridiculous excuses and say it has nothing to do with me."
{Don't get angry. I don't understand what the problem is. Can't I simply give you more presence?}
Miho's cute smiling face no longer looked benevolent.
Yoomyeong's feelings toward Miho had also become increasingly complicated over time.
It was obvious that the fox spirit wanted something, but Yoomyeong didn't think it would be fair to reject her outright.
He only hoped the acting spirit hadn't granted him talent merely to reclaim it someday.
{In our relationship, receiving my presence is the price, but I can give you other things as well. What kind of ability do you want? You said you didn't want direct interference with your acting, so there are many other things you could ask for. How about experiencing the life of Lee Bang-won?}
"I'll pass."
Yoomyeong refused immediately.
It was obvious that Miho intended to create a situation where he would have no choice but to accept her presence, but he had no intention of yielding so easily.
But what about the role he had received?
That was not something he could easily abandon either. He couldn't explain that what Director Son had seen was not truly his aura, nor could he tarnish the reputation of Hansung, who had recommended him.
He was trapped in a dilemma.
I have to do it.
He had to.
One way or another, through his own strength.
{Do you remember watching this film in your previous life?}
"No."
Yoomyeong answered, then realized he truly did not remember.
He usually remembered almost every film he watched.
{That makes sense. Back then, you weren't the actor playing Lee Bang-won, and Jeong Mong-ju wasn't portrayed by Yoon Hansung either. Do you know what happened?}
"What happened?"
{It was scrapped during filming. The director couldn't achieve the vision he wanted. The script was good, but his expectations for the actors were too high. The film was never released, Director Son failed to make a comeback, and he eventually retired.}
Yoomyeong was taken aback.
{Can you see it now? You need more of my presence.}
Why was Miho so determined to give him her energy?
What did the fox spirit actually want from him?
Yoomyeong gently but firmly rejected the tempting offer.
"I want to try this on my own this time."
{Hmm... if you ever need help later, just let me know.}
Miho left after saying that, and Yoomyeong gave no further reply.
Yu-seok asked in disbelief.
"Yes. Senior Yoon recommended me..."
"I told you to take only a month off, but you couldn't even wait..."
"I'm sorry."
"Well done."
"Huh?"
Yu-seok burst into laughter, both amazed and impressed.
"Director Son Chi-wook's projects are among the best you can get. Out of all the offers we've received, this is the biggest one. You're a hot rookie actor, but it's still surprising that you landed such a significant role in a major production."
"That's true. Honestly, I'm worried whether I can live up to his expectations."
"You'll do well. It's not every day an actor who signed with an agency only six months ago gets cast through connections. What am I supposed to do with you?"
Yoomyeong made an awkward expression.
"There are only six weeks left until filming begins, so the schedule is going to be tight. Try to get some rest during this time."
"Ah... I-I've decided to study with Senior Yoon Hansung."
"Study?"
"I still have a lot of shortcomings, and Senior said he also has a lot left to learn. So he suggested we meet and practice together."
"Oh dear..."
Yu-seok shook his head as though Yoomyeong was hopeless.
"Alright then. No one's going to stop you. Once filming starts, you'll be working nonstop, so don't forget to eat properly, sleep enough, and keep exercising."
"Yes, I understand."
"By the way, Cha Harin's issue has been resolved."
"How did it go?"
"The agency owners were sincere and easy to work with, so we decided to cooperate with them. I'll handle their lack of experience in managing things. As for the girl group members... they still don't meet my standards, so they'll train for another six months. If they pass the evaluation, they'll make a comeback. Otherwise, they're out."
"Thank you."
"There were some debts, but we handled the business-related ones. The personal debts can be repaid while they're working."
Yoomyeong felt somewhat guilty about owing Yu-seok such a large favor.
"I'm sorry for making such an unreasonable request."
"Unreasonable? What do you take me for? It wasn't unreasonable at all. It's been a while since I've had such a rewarding hobby."
Yu-seok chuckled as though trying to ease Yoomyeong's guilt.
"I didn't mention that you were the one who asked me, but Cha Harin seems to have figured it out. Why don't you take her out for a meal sometime and tell her I didn't lose anything over this, so she doesn't need to feel grateful?"
"I will. Thank you, Director."
"Didn't you hear me? There's no need to thank me."
The slight crinkle in his smile had become familiar to Yoomyeong by now.
Yoomyeong resolved to give an outstanding performance in his next project—not only for himself, but also to repay the trust and support of the man sponsoring him.
Though he did not think it would be easy.
As expected of a large entertainment company, the building was dazzling from the entrance onward. The lobby was filled with profiles of celebrities affiliated with Sunhak. Yoomyeong looked around in fascination.
"Ji Seong Bin and Bang Ji Hwan are from here too. Looks like this company has a lot of singers as well..."
Standing in the lobby, Yoomyeong naturally attracted attention himself. Even people accustomed to seeing celebrities every day found someone from another agency intriguing.
Yoomyeong smiled and nodded politely in response.
Ding!
The elevator chimed, and a familiar figure approached.
"Hello, Senior."
"Hey, rookie actor. Come over here. You'll need a guest card."
Hansung exchanged a few words with the information desk, and a guest pass with the purpose of the visit written on it was handed to Yoomyeong.
The female employee at the desk blushed slightly as she handed over the card.
"Y-You're Yoon Bohyung, right?"
"Haha. His name is Shin Yoomyeong."
"Oh, right. Bohyung must be the character's name. I really enjoyed the drama. I'm a fan."
She greeted him warmly but did not ask for an autograph or a photo. It was typical behavior for an entertainment company employee.
Yoomyeong smiled and bowed in return.
Ding!
A sign beside the door read:
<3:00~6:00 Yoon Hansung>
indicating the room had been reserved.
Entering the room, Yoomyeong and Hansung sat facing each other.
"Have you read the script?"
"I finished it the same day I received it."
"What did you think?"
"It was interesting. Even though it's a different interpretation from the history I know, it made me wonder if things might really have happened that way."
"Jeong Mong-ju and Lee Bang-won..."
Yoomyeong could understand Director Son's interpretation of the two characters.
They were kindred spirits.
The two were people who could not help but understand each other deeply.
"Yeah. That part of the script was especially interesting."
"That's right. I think the quality of the actors' performances will have a huge impact on the final result."
"Then both of us will have to work hard. That's why I suggested we study together."
"Right."
"But before character analysis, there's something more urgent I need to address first."
Hansung let out a deep sigh.
"I feel a little embarrassed saying this as your senior, but there is no age limit when it comes to learning, so I hope the rookie actor can help me a bit."
"Yes, Senior."
"After talking with you at the Oedipus Workshop, I realized something and started trying to change the way I approach characters and emotions. But it feels like I've developed habits over the years, and changing them hasn't been easy."
Yoomyeong's gaze deepened as he listened to Hansung's sincere confession.
He's truly the kind of senior every actor dreams of having.
Even back when Yoomyeong had merely been an unknown rookie before debuting, Hansung had come to the Oedipus Workshop as a successful senior actor and sincerely acknowledged his acting without prejudice.
Hansung had seriously considered the opinion of someone fifteen years younger than himself, and had even tried to change the acting style that had already made him successful because of it.
Now he was openly admitting his struggles and asking for advice.
Could Yoomyeong become like him fifteen years from now?
Could he seek advice even from younger actors and willingly discard his own established methods if they proved ineffective?
More than anything, Yoomyeong admired Hansung's attitude and character.
He was unquestionably a senior worth following and learning from.
"Let's put the original script aside for now. I want to practice using another script. Even though I've abandoned the method of drawing directly from my own experiences to create characters, my acting still seems tinged with sadness."
"Hmm..."
"That's why Family Life flopped. It was supposed to be a comedy, but somehow it felt sad instead of funny."
Originally, if he had simply tried to imitate funny memories or amusing people around him the way he used to, he might have at least found some middle ground. It probably would not have become as disastrous as his current approach.
However, because he was trying to internalize the character and perform with originality, the heaviness and sorrow that occupied a large part of Hansung's life kept seeping into his acting.
"What's the other script?"
"It's a monologue by Gremio from The Taming of the Shrew."
"Ah..."
Hansung handed him a sheet of A4 paper. About ten lines of monologue were printed on it.
The Taming of the Shrew, a play by Shakespeare.
It told the story of the marriages of the two daughters of the wealthy Baptista of Padua. Gremio was one of the men courting Bianca, the younger daughter.
When Yoomyeong accepted the script and read it, he realized it was a minor role. The monologue, spoken by a wealthy older man trying to court a young beautiful woman by boasting about his riches, contained absolutely no element of sadness.
"I'll give it a try."
"Yes, Senior."
With the script in front of him, Hansung clenched and unclenched his hand once, then wet his lips with his tongue before beginning.
"First of all, as you know, my mansion in this town is filled with silverware and golden objects. Even the basin and pitcher for Bianca's lovely hands to wash in are there. The drapes are all Tyrian cloth, and the ivory chests are overflowing with gold coins."
His gestures—with his slightly protruding belly and swaggering posture—were full of greed and arrogance.
It was obvious that this was not drawn from his naturally modest personality, but from a performance in which he had constructed the character of Gremio and immersed himself in it.
He's doing really well?
The way he expressed the character's emotions was distinctly different from Hansung's previous performances.
Though not yet perfect, the change in his acting approach already seemed like a major breakthrough.
So what was the problem?
"The cedar chests contain Aras-patterned quilts, precious garments, canopies, fine linen adorned with Turkish pearls, Venetian tapestries embroidered with golden thread—you name it, it's there. And on the farm there are a hundred milking cows ready for use, and in the barn a hundred and twenty fat oxen. Outside, anything capable of fulfilling this contract is prepared."
The boasting continued smoothly, almost teasingly, yet gradually took on the quality of age.
It vividly conjured the image of a middle-aged man desperately flaunting his wealth because of the emptiness inside him.
It was excellent acting.
However, a faint crease formed on Yoomyeong's forehead at the final line.
"I'll confess this since I'm already quite old. If I die tomorrow, all of this will belong to your daughter. That is, if Bianca becomes mine while I still live."
The moment he mentioned death and age, the emotion instantly became tinged with pathos.
Gremio was supposed to wield his age as a weapon rather than treat it as a weakness, attempting to tempt a young maiden with wealth. The performance should have flowed smoothly, and yet sorrow inevitably seeped into it.
Ah...
Yoomyeong finally understood Hansung's dilemma.
Hansung had certainly pushed it aside.
Even though he had painstakingly peeled away the lingering traces of tragedy one by one, like removing lint from a sweater, the moment certain unavoidable words appeared—or even scenes that merely implied them—sadness swallowed him whole again.
It was like air escaping through a hole in a balloon no matter how hard you tried to inflate it.
This kind of emotional residue was something Yoomyeong himself had never experienced, so he found himself wondering how he could advise or help.
Just as he was lost in thought, a voice echoed in his ears.
{Go visit his house.}
