Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor

Chapter 9

Anyway

Determination. That’s what you would call it.

The team leader was momentarily speechless as he stared at Mooyoung.

He had seen countless web drama auditions, but this was the first time he heard such an answer.

“…That’s quite a resolution.”

Moreover, look at those sincere eyes.

No matter how good an actor is, such pure honesty is rare.

Other participants sitting nearby were mocking him internally.

‘Why go that far?’

‘This is ridiculous. What about the ones who go next?’

Honestly, many came with a light-hearted attitude.

Some were here just to gain experience or because it looked fun.

Given the nature of web dramas, it was understandable that they were treated much more lightly than regular dramas.

‘The CEO would have been impressed.’

But now, the whole company was betting everything on this project.

People with the same intent were supposed to band together and fight for their lives, wasn’t it?

“Well then, we’re looking forward to seeing your performance. Now.”

The team leader envisioned a supervisor fussing over Mooyoung with such an attitude.

“From now on, please act out the lines we’ll give you. Then, you can do a free performance. Please keep the total time within 3 minutes.”

The team leader gestured to an employee. A short script was printed on an A4 paper.

Mooyoung quickly realized it was a segment from the upcoming production.

“Number 76, please start.”

[Alley / N]

[A student enters, pushing aside the tent of a street stall.]

[Student: (with a weary expression) Hello. Are you open?]

[Protagonist: Have a seat. What can I get you?]

[Student: (handing over a 5,000 won bill) The most popular thing, just this much. No tteokbokki or soondae. Something adults eat.]

[Protagonist: (curiously) What do adults eat?]

[Student: (slightly irritated tone) Isn’t that something you should know, not me?]

Given the need to perform within 3 minutes, it was indeed short.

Mooyoung swiftly skimmed the script, catching the key points.

Starting with “N”.

Usually, “D” signifies day and “N” signifies night.

‘Night, street stall, and a student. Got it.’

Mooyoung immediately immersed himself and delivered the line. Each syllable came out weakly, as if barely managing to speak.

“…Hello. Are you open?”

“…!”

Until just moments ago, his voice had been pleasing to hear!

The voice coming from Mooyoung was now rough and ragged like sand.

‘What was that?’

‘How did his voice change like that?’

‘Gosh, what a surprise.’

As the staff began to stir, Mooyoung didn’t give them a chance and continued with the next line.

“The most popular thing, just this much. No tteokbokki or soondae. Something adults eat.”

He slowly closed and then opened his eyes.

It was a tiny movement, but it explained everything.

‘A high school student worn out and exhausted at night. If they’re asking if the stall is open, it must be really late. Or maybe it’s their first time at a street stall. Why did they come here? What kind of life…?’

It was like a universe exploded in Mooyoung’s mind.

He could see the life of the character he met through the script from all angles. And he could deeply empathize as if it were his own life.

Everything was instinctive, happening unconsciously.

“…Isn’t that something you should know, not me?”

With a rebellious look in his eyes, he muttered the line. Mooyoung slightly bowed his head.

Gone was the gentle-looking boy, replaced by a student worn out by life.

“N-Now, please proceed with your free act-”

“Sorry.”

An employee tried to show the stopwatch to indicate the remaining time.

But Mooyoung seamlessly continued his lines.

“I was, I was just so tired. That’s why.”

The child muttered, wiping his eyes with his palm. Everyone was stunned, their mouths agape.

‘Is he… continuing the script?’

Complete immersion.

He was entirely absorbed in the character.

Mooyoung wiped away his tears and stared blankly ahead.

The warmth of the street stall, the boiling soups, and the orange glow of the lights were palpable.

“I was curious. Why do people drink at street stalls instead of going to proper places? What’s special about them… But now that I’m here, I get it. It’s warm.”

Mooyoung faintly smiled.

He was listening to an unseen conversation partner while clearing his throat.

Then he responded.

“-Alright. I’ll have that. Make it very spicy. Yes. Today was tough. One of those days where the stress builds up and finally bursts.”

Mooyoung murmured calmly. He pressed his lips together and looked at the team leader.

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

The clock was ticking, but the meeting room remained silent.

“Hasn’t the time ended?”

“Huh? Oh my- I- I’m sorry.”

The employee keeping time was flustered by Mooyoung’s words.

Had he calculated the time?

With the number exceeding 3 minutes and 25 seconds, the employee glanced nervously at the team leader.

“That’s enough.”

“Wait a moment. Hold on.”

As number 77 began to stand up, the team leader motioned for him to sit back down. Mooyoung touched his flushed cheeks, heated from the intense emotion.

“Did you continue the script for your free acting?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Did you imagine it yourself?”

The team leader twirled his pen as he asked.

Of course, this wasn’t the script of an A-list star writer, so there was no worry about leaks.

He was just curious.

‘It was quite similar, wasn’t it?’

‘Yeah, for sure. Even if the lines were different, the development and setting were.’

He couldn’t understand how Mooyoung had nailed down parts he hadn’t seen.

As the staff whispered, Mooyoung rolled his eyes.

“…Is it a problem?”

“No, no! Speak freely.”

The team leader waved his hand, prompting him to speak cautiously.

“Well, it’s not typical for a student to visit a street stall at night, right? That implies this person had a tough day.”

Slowly, the character’s life unfolded from Mooyoung’s mouth.

“Asking if the stall is open while greeting the owner shows this person is quite mature. So, even though they were momentarily annoyed due to exhaustion, I thought they would quickly apologize.”

Indeed. It’s unusual for a student to ask if the stall is open upon entering.

“Requesting just 5,000 won worth, instead of asking for everything, suggests they aren’t well-off. Given the situation, they likely had to mature quickly, right?”

In that brief time, he had completely understood the character from the script.

The team leader leaned forward, almost entranced.

“And?”

“…Asking for something adults eat. When I thought back to my own experience…”

At that age, on the cusp of adulthood.

It was so tough that he wanted to become an adult and escape as soon as possible.

So he was drawn to things perceived as exclusive to adults.

“-On a day when they really didn’t want to go home. I imagined the character impulsively entering a street stall, which felt both similar to home and like an adult’s world.”

“What about the spicy food? They asked for something very spicy.”

“Because it’s the best for stress.”

With the stress of entrance exams piling up, Mooyoung had lived with spicy food almost daily.

“I especially ate a lot of spicy chicken ramen.”

Mooyoung casually and lightly explained his analysis of the character.

Then, an employee beside the team leader laughed in admiration.

“You should write instead of act. Or maybe become a critic.”

“I don’t have talent in those areas. But thank you.”

“It’s like you were possessed. How do you come up with this stuff so easily?”

The murmuring words, perfect analysis, and time management.

On top of that, enjoying spicy chicken ramen, which was a product placement!

When coincidences keep happening, they call it destiny.

The team leader felt a strong revelation.

“You have a sense. Good observational skills and imagination. How long exactly have you been acting? Will this be your first project?”

He was now entirely focused on Mooyoung at the end of the room.

His voice was full of interest.

“Yes.”

“Most of the filming will be at night. Is that a problem?”

“Hmm.”

At the team leader’s blunt question, an employee cleared their throat.

There were still applicants from 77 to 80 left, so the team leader added as he tried to smooth things over.

“It’s a common question for everyone. No issues, right?”

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

“It’s not a problem.”

They answered, but their expressions were uneasy. Understandably so, given what they had just witnessed…

‘Seriously. This is annoying.’

‘Why did he have to go first?’

‘It’s over.’

There was no chance. The atmosphere had completely shifted.

Mooyoung thought over his schedule and nodded.

“Night filming is fine for me, too.”

The dormitory closed at 11 PM and opened at 6 AM, so if necessary, he could stay out all night.

That wasn’t a problem for Mooyoung, who was hoping for the blessing of fortune.

“Good.”

The team leader’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

He marked stars all over Mooyoung’s application.

Scratch, scratch-

‘Come to think of it, the CEO had an odd feeling.’

Jo Miyoung, who had firmly believed a gem would emerge, mumbled.

A real gem had appeared, just as she had hoped. One with looks, acting skills, and sense.

“Then, let’s see number 77.”

The team leader gestured for them to proceed quickly.

They had already spent a lot of time on Mooyoung’s turn.

The audition resumed, but the outcome was clear.

‘Anyway-’

The participants, resigned after seeing Mooyoung’s performance, kept thinking it was hopeless.

‘Anyway-’

The staff, sensing the supporting role for episode 1 had been decided, conducted the remaining auditions perfunctorily.

‘The audition was quite fun. I think I did well, didn’t I? Hehe.’

Only Mooyoung, oblivious to the mood, smiled brightly, wondering about the future fortune to come.