The year turned, and it became 2007.
There was nothing special about it.
Because “RUN” was still running, every single day was the same cycle of rehearsal and performance.
But today looks like it might turn out a little different.
“Hoo‑oom.”
I fiddled with the elastic band hanging around my neck.
Today is Monday, January 15th.
There’s no show on Mondays, but I still go in for rehearsal.
“Hello!”
Without thinking much, I showed up at the big rehearsal room in Gwanghwamun Culture Center.
And was immediately caught by a staffer and made to sit here.
With this pointy birthday hat stuck on my head, no less.
“Um.”
The day after tomorrow, January 17th, is my birthday.
I’d never mentioned it, yet it seems the RUN crew knew my birthday.
Saying they’d throw a party, a staffer plopped a birthday cone hat on me.
I’m already turning six, and I still have to wear a hat like this.
Somehow that feels unfair.
My body is little, but my inside isn’t, so it bothers me even more.
Still, contrary to that feeling, my body is excited—my legs keep swinging.
A‑hem. Even so, I can’t ignore the goodwill they prepared.
The rehearsal room is usually empty for acting practice, but today it was a bit different.
Long tables were set up in a big circle.
I sat in the middle of it, waiting for everyone.
Apart from being the lead in the play, today I’m really the star.
Bang! The door flings open.
“Happy birthday to you—!”
After I’d waited quietly for who‑knows‑how long, the rehearsal‑room door burst open and staff plus the other actors streamed in.
“Beloved— Siwoo’s— birthday! Congrat‑u‑lations!”
At the center Yoo Jeong‑seok walked up holding a cake with lit candles, beside him No Yeong‑hui beamed, and the other actors crowded in after them.
Even the staff, wearing bright smiles, sang as they took seats round the tables.
“Siwoo! Blow them out!”
“Hoo‑ooh.”
“Waaaah!”
“Congrats, Si‑woo!”
When I snuffed all six candles in one go, the staff went wild.
Phew, this body’s popularity.
With cameras shoved toward me, I held the cake and struck an adorable pose.
Whenever I made this face, Mom would melt instantly.
“Ahh, you’re too cute, Siwoo.”
“Siwoo, Siwoo, another pose!”
“Like this?”
At their suggestion I immediately raised the cake with both hands and smiled big.
At the sight, the staff clutched their hearts and collapsed across the tables in a row.
“Siwoo, happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Jessica.”
Jessica and Jo Yi‑su appeared right after.
I answered their birthday wishes with a big grin.
“No rehearsal today. It’s Si‑woo’s birthday and we’ve got very good news, so we need a party.”
Huh? What news?
“Good news?”
“What is it, Director?”
Everyone listened to Jo Yi‑su’s interpretation and looked at Jessica.
Jessica, wearing a brimming‑with‑confidence face, lifted several English‑language and Korean newspapers she held.
“A‑hem, since it’s great news I’ll read a bit. Everyone, focus!”
At Jessica’s shout, I saw Jo Yi‑su beside her press a hand to his forehead.
Wondering what this was, I looked up at Jessica.
“ ‘Rainbow Pictures’ Korean staging of RUN is steam‑rolling ahead, posting day‑after‑day sold‑out records. This has served to reconfirm the astounding skill of the show’s leader, Jessica Brown, and has produced the remarkable result of unearthing a Korean treasure named Han Siwoo. And… ”
Ah, looks like a positive article about the RUN show came out.
As the English poured out, staff who weren’t good at it only blinked their eyes.
Jo Yi‑su and I, the only ones fully grasping her words, simply stared blankly at Jessica.
Reading line after line of praise for herself, she wore an honestly blissful expression.
Ho‑ho.
I nearly laughed.
Jessica put special stress on her own name as she read.
In a way it’s really something.
I all but stuck out my tongue at Jessica’s boldness in rattling off her own praise without hesitation.
Come to think of it, Jo Yi‑su’s face looked bad earlier; seems this isn’t the first time Jessica’s done this.
“ ‘RUN’ also achieved the amazing feat of complete sell‑out at the second ticket opening last Friday. Attention now gathers on what steps this blockbuster‑level production will take next.”
Having at last finished reading the lengthy article, Jessica looked at the team with a satisfied face.
“This is an American piece by a journalist who covers Broadway, mind you. Plenty of others came out too. Naturally, in Korea it’s even hotter.”
With an extremely excited look, Jessica unfolded a Korean paper as well while she spoke.
There was an article showing the huge Gwanghwamun Culture Center building and the faces of the leads, including Jessica and me.
It was self‑praise pure and simple, yet strangely Jessica didn’t come off as obnoxious.
Because it’s unmistakably her skill that steered the show to success.
It makes you nod along without thinking, maybe.
Hearing Jo Yi‑su’s rough translation, staff and actors nodded and looked at Jessica.
“So, to share this happy news I thought we’d throw a small party together. Let’s have fun and enjoy today!”
At Jessica’s final words everyone cheered and raised their arms.
“Today’s nothing but things to celebrate—our Siwoo’s birthday and the second ticket round selling out!”
“Honestly we knew it’d go well, but isn’t this beyond expectations?”
The actors, all hyped, chattered on and on.
In the midst of it No Yeong‑hui approached me slowly holding something neatly wrapped.
“Siwoo, congratulations.”
It was a birthday present.
And her gift was only the beginning.
“This too. Truly, congrats, Siwoo. You’re six now, huh?”
“I got something ready too, little bro!”
“Yay! Thank you‑u.”
In the rehearsal room overflowing with joy, I did not miss my starring role.
Starting with No Yeong‑hui, I accepted more birthday gifts from the other actors and staff than I could count, smiling happily.
Ahh, reincarnation is the best.
That I can live days like these.
That I’m allowed to enjoy such joy.
I cast a small smile at Jessica, who insisted the champagne had to be popped.
Jessica too met my eyes and gave me a big smile.
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