The Face Genius Actor

Episode 009

While Si-joon was in the middle of filling out the registration documents,

Director Seo Myung-hee and two trainers settled in Conference Room 3.

One of the two earnestly pleaded with Seo Myung-hee.

“You understand, right, Director?”

“I said I understand.”

“You absolutely can’t say things like ‘You don’t have talent, so look for something else to do,’ okay?”

“How many times do I have to say I understand? I know our academy’s situation well. That’s enough.”

“Someone who claims to know the situation sent away two potential registrants just last month…”

“Enough already!”

“Yes, yes.”

Seo Myung-hee was an actor with 28 years of experience.

And for 20 of those 28 years, she had been unknown.

Even now, she couldn’t be called particularly famous.

Most people who recognized Seo Myung-hee remembered her as a mother-in-law from some daily drama rather than by her real name.

That’s how well Seo Myung-hee understood the bitterness of being unknown.

To exaggerate a bit, there were times when she had to make do with tear-soaked bread for three meals a day.

For this reason, she thought it was better for those without talent to quickly seek other ways to make a living.

‘Even if you firmly believe you have talent, it’s not easy to endure in this field.’

But as the trainer had earnestly pleaded earlier, the academy’s situation wasn’t good.

It was a time when they needed to increase new registrations somehow to secure income.

Otherwise, they would have to struggle with operating at a loss.

‘Yes, that’s the situation. But still…’

She couldn’t tolerate taking time away from aspiring actors without talent and preventing them from dreaming new dreams.

Seo Myung-hee thought while glancing at the two trainers.

‘I’ll try to hold out even if I have to give up my salary. So please be patient.’

Just as Seo Myung-hee had once again steeled her resolve,

Knock knock.

“Yes, come in.”

The receptionist opened the door to Conference Room 3.

Behind her, the figure of the registrant who would take the level test today appeared.

Seo Myung-hee unconsciously turned her head to check his face, and felt her breath catch.

“Is that…”

“A human face?”

The two trainers muttered in turn without anyone stopping them.

Certainly, the new registrant’s appearance was extraordinary.

Despite running W Acting Academy and encountering countless good-looking people in the industry, this was the first time they felt such a shock.

Just looking at him made them feel as if every cell in their bodies was standing on end.

That’s how incredible his appearance was.

‘With looks like this… he could become an actor who secures a position no matter how well he acts.’

Not everyone could become an actor just because they had outstanding looks.

Rather, extremely good looks could limit the range of roles one could play.

For this reason, Seo Myung-hee also tended to emphasize in her classes that acting skill was more important than appearance.

But for someone as handsome as Si-joon, it was a different story.

Just looking at him overwhelmed the audience.

Honestly, if Si-joon’s acting skills were even just basic, he would clearly do more than his fair share.

‘Especially directors who want to set up a flower screen in their work would go crazy for him.’

If Si-joon caught the eye of such a director now, he could debut immediately.

Si-joon’s appearance had that much impact.

Seo Myung-hee’s expression hardened as she quickly organized these thoughts.

She could clearly see how Si-joon might be exploited if he entered the entertainment industry like this.

‘I can’t just let that happen. I need to teach him acting well somehow.’

While Seo Myung-hee, who had been determined to send away anyone without talent, was changing her mind,

The receptionist left the room, and Si-joon took his place in the center of Conference Room 3.

Seo Myung-hee cleared her throat and spoke.

“Lee Si-joon?”

“Yes, hello. I’m Lee Si-joon.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Myung-hee, the director of W Acting Academy. You’ve received the information about the level test, right?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Good. Then please start acting whenever you’re ready.”

While the two exchanged words, the two trainers also erased their blank expressions and waited for Si-joon’s performance.

But they didn’t have high expectations.

After all, the skill level of an aspiring actor who had just started acting was somewhat predictable.

Very occasionally there were people who showed exceptional talent, but statistically, it was almost impossible.

Above all, they couldn’t imagine someone with such an outstanding face like Si-joon portraying the role of Jo Kyung-il from “Line 7.”

Jo Kyung-il was a serial killer who secretly killed people while roaming Line 7.

While there was no rule that serial killers had to be ugly, it was inevitable that preconceptions would creep in.

Even Seo Myung-hee didn’t have high expectations for Si-joon’s acting.

That was certainly the case, but…

“Motive for murder? Why would you need a reason to kill someone?”

As soon as Si-joon delivered his first line, Seo Myung-hee and the two trainers felt goosebumps all over their bodies.

They were amazed by Si-joon’s acting, instantly delivering lines with an strange expression that was hard to tell if he was crying or laughing.

“I just did it because it was fun. Sometimes I felt a little depressed or slightly bored. But it’s okay. After all, if I change the method, it will become fun again anytime. But you know what, Detective.”

Even while acting as Jo Kyung-il, there was no part where his emotions became excessive.

If you asked even professional actors to play a serial killer, nine out of ten would shout with a distorted, fierce expression.

But Si-joon performed plainly without any such tendency.

That’s not to say that the creepiness of the serial killer wasn’t felt.

Rather, by acting calmly, he was properly bringing out the creepiness of the serial killer Jo Kyung-il.

“Where did you find the evidence? I’m curious which part gave me away when I thought I hid everything well. There isn’t a woman I didn’t finish off, is there? If so, that would be a bit unfair. And a waste.”

It was a level that could be compared to ‘Kim Young-jun,’ the original actor who played Jo Kyung-il.

Kim Young-jun had become a star overnight by perfectly portraying Jo Kyung-il in “Line 7.”

“That’s not the case, is it?”

Finally, Si-joon finished acting, and Seo Myung-hee and the two trainers exhaled deeply.

It showed how immersed the three had been while watching Si-joon’s performance.

After coming to her senses, Seo Myung-hee quickly exchanged glances with the two trainers.

She wanted to confirm if others felt the same as she did.

Fortunately, the two trainers who met her eyes were nodding in agreement.

‘As expected… It’s a feeling that everyone can’t help but share…’

Seo Myung-hee frowned in disbelief as she asked Si-joon:

“Why did you enroll in this academy, Mr. Lee Si-joon?”

* * *

I couldn’t help but be flustered by Seo Myung-hee’s question.

I never imagined I’d be asked such a question during the level test.

‘I thought they were conducting a level test to provide classes according to one’s skill level… Was that not the case?’

The atmosphere felt ominous.

There was a chilling aura in Seo Myung-hee’s expression and tone.

It felt like she was about to send me home.

‘If it’s a place like W Acting Academy, it wouldn’t be strange for them to do that….’

As I mentioned earlier, W Acting Academy was a place destined to gain great fame in the near future.

It wasn’t unusual for such a place to be selective about their applicants.

Given the limited number of skilled trainers, it was natural to maintain the quality of education.

‘Although W Acting Academy hasn’t gained the reputation I knew yet, it’s entirely possible.’

It might have been their ability to identify raw talent that led to W Acting Academy’s fame in the first place.

As I processed these thoughts, I managed to regain my composure.

And I admitted it.

That I hadn’t shown good acting in this moment.

It was regrettable, but unavoidable.

‘This isn’t the first time, so don’t be discouraged. There must be other academies where I can learn acting.’

With that self-consolation, I opened my mouth.

“As you’ve just seen, I came here to learn because my skills are lacking in many areas.”

I tried my best to be polite.

Unexpectedly, Seo Myung-hee and the two trainers looked surprised at my answer.

They seemed not to have expected this response at all.

‘Why are they like this? Did I say something wrong?’

As I was thinking this, Seo Myung-hee shook her head and replied.

“Ah. It seems you misunderstood my question. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that your acting was bad.”

“Then…?”

“Quite the opposite. It was flawless, too good. With your outstanding looks and excellent acting, it’s strange that an actor who’s already at a professional level would want to enroll in an acting academy.”

“Oh…”

“You seem completely surprised. Is this really the first time you’ve received such praise?”

“Yes. It’s the first time.”

“I’m surprised multiple times today. To never have received praise for your acting. Have you never even auditioned?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

In truth, I had been to countless auditions, but I answered this way.

If someone were to question the facts, things could get complicated.

It was also true that I hadn’t auditioned in this life.

After organizing my thoughts, I hurriedly bowed to Seo Myung-hee and the two trainers.

I realized I hadn’t thanked them for their compliments.

“Thank you for your praise.”

“No need to thank us. Your acting deserved the praise.”

“Still…”

“Anyway, what are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“About enrolling in the acting academy. Are you really going to do it?”

“I filled out the registration forms before coming in, didn’t I?”

“That doesn’t matter. It’s meaningless unless you pay the registration fee. We’re not a talent agency, after all.”

I thought carefully, recalling my recent performance.

Naturally, a few shortcomings came to mind.

It was true that I hadn’t performed as well as I did during practice.

For that reason, I had to ask:

“Was my acting really perfect?”

Seo Myung-hee answered after a slight delay.

“It was certainly excellent. Reminiscent of Kim Young-joon who played Jo Kyung-il in ‘Line 7’. With your current skills, you wouldn’t hear complaints about your acting ability anywhere. You’re ready for the field right now. Especially with your looks.”

“…Is that so?”

I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

The reason I wanted to enroll in an acting academy was to identify problems I couldn’t pinpoint myself.

If Seo Myung-hee couldn’t identify my issues, enrolling in the academy would be meaningless.

But Seo Myung-hee wasn’t finished.

“However, it wasn’t entirely without flaws. Your expressions, tone, and gestures were certainly professional, but there was a sense of interacting with a machine somehow.”

“Ah.”

“At the same time, it felt like you were acting as Kim Young-joon playing Jo Kyung-il, rather than becoming Jo Kyung-il himself. Copying excellent acting is certainly a good practice method, but it’s far from enough to develop your individuality as an actor.”

“…I suppose so.”

“Yes. And finally, there was an impression of lacking confidence. When you slightly raised the corners of your mouth to smile during the third line, your breathing faltered, didn’t it?”

“You noticed that?”

“If you had pushed through confidently, it would have been an imperceptible change. But I felt you were subtly aware of the mistake. That’s why I couldn’t help but notice. If you really thought you were Jo Kyung-il, would you have recognized it as a mistake?”

I pondered for a moment before shaking my head and answering.

“No. I wouldn’t have recognized it. There would have been no need to. Because I would just be Jo Kyung-il.”

“That’s right. An actor needs that kind of confidence.”

It was quite a scathing critique.

But I actually felt good about it.

This was exactly what I needed.

Moreover, some of Seo Myung-hee’s points were aspects I hadn’t even realized myself.

So I could easily make my decision.

“I’d like to enroll in W Acting Academy.”

“Are you serious? I told you your skills are already sufficient for the field.”

“Yes. I understand that from your explanation. However, if there are lacking areas, I’d like to fill those gaps before jumping into the field. Please, I ask for your guidance.”

Seo Myung-hee looked troubled by my answer.

After pondering for a while, she spoke.

“You’re quite ambitious… Alright. Let’s do this.”

“Do what?”

“Enroll in the academy and audition for a role. I know a writer who’s looking for actors for a new project.”

“What?”

“Fill in your gaps while also diving into the field. That’s what I’m saying. I can’t accept you into our academy without this condition. What do you say?”