Vacation began.
A break that runs from late December to early March.
Han Seong-tae had already decided how to use that time.
‘Filming is in one week.’
In one week, War of Villains starts shooting.
He has to practice as much as possible before cameras roll.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ says he wants to hurry off and grow tasty muscles.]
‘I’m going now.’
Reading the message, Han Seong-tae nodded.
He packed everything and slung his bag over one shoulder.
Because Action School was a fair distance away, if he wanted every bit of extra practice, he had to leave right now, so he set off at once.
“Um, excuse me…”
Someone stopped his steps.
Turning his head, he saw a familiar face.
The student who had played the market ajumma in the play.
Looking a little shy, she spoke to him, while a small group behind her kept glancing over.
“If you have time, want to eat with us?”
“…”
“Together with those guys! We’ve never really talked since the play. It’d be nice if people in the same department stuck together.”
Facing her invitation, Han Seong-tae wore a slightly blank expression.
Across five academic years of his two lives combined, only Kim Min-seok and Park Chang-sik had ever approached him first.
Back in school, he hadn’t known how to deal with people; he preferred solo practice to hanging out with crowds.
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ looks at you with a curious smile.]
[‘One Who Made Laughter From Tragedy’ says sometimes it is not bad to get fresh air and clear your head.]
Some Gods urged him to mingle.
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ says in the end acting is a lonely fight and you should spend that time practicing more.]
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ asks whether you do not want muscles like his and tells you to move.]
Others urged focus on acting.
It was surprising that classmates reached out first, but Han Seong-tae had a dream.
“Sorry. I already have plans today.”
“Oh, really? Too bad.”
“Let’s eat next time. I’ll make time later.”
“Then, could I get your number?”
Smiling, Han Seong-tae nodded and shared it.
Her face lit up as she returned to her friends.
Exhaling softly, he watched her go.
Saying he felt no regret would be a lie, but he had more important things now.
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ calls you someone able to decide and is pleased with your action.]
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ nods, saying a pupil needs at least that much grit for teaching to be fun.]
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ murmurs that mixing with many people could also have helped acting.]
With a shrug at the messages, he left the lecture hall while eyes followed his back.
“Doesn’t he look different lately?”
“Yeah, kind of… warmer? Almost handsome.”
“Maybe he’s a scratch-off ticket no one scraped. I used to think he looked bad in those weird clothes.”
“Right? If I’d known, I’d have talked to him earlier.”
Seeing the changes since he met the Gods, classmates were amazed.
Now that he had found confidence and begun to move, he drew their eyes without noticing.
“Well, no point regretting; let’s just go drink.”
“Sure. There’s a new chicken place at the intersection. How about chimaek?”
“Chimaek sounds great.”
Leaving the noisy classroom behind, Han Seong-tae headed for Action School.
[‘One Who Defined His Era’ wonders if the outfit you are wearing could pop a bit more.]
He wore workout clothes bought at Dongmyo—a plain black tracksuit, not the yellow one, but still chosen under a deity’s guidance.
“Sometimes I think you come to do a fashion show.”
Stuntmen joked about a runway as they saw him.
Laughing at their words, he walked to the gym.
Unlike usual, commotion began right at the entrance.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, Seong-tae, Mu-cheol hyung is inside right now.”
At that, Han Seong-tae tilted his head.
Since he started using Action School, Kim Mu-cheol had dropped by now and then, though they had never directly met.
He would come, run through action with the stuntmen, then leave.
One veteran visiting should not cause such a stir.
“Director Choi Ye-chan came too, and the leads are all here. From today they’re matching the action blocking.”
Only after that explanation did he understand the noise: the leads of War of Villains were here, even Director Choi.
Everyone inside Action School strove for even one part in a film or drama. Choi’s presence must have fired them up.
“I see. Then is this gym off-limits now?”
“Seems so. If you want to train, use the one behind the main building.”
There were several gyms: one for public experiences, one for field trips and classes, and one for the school’s actors.
He had been using the actors-only gym for its better facilities.
‘Too bad, but nothing for it.’
Peeking inside, he was about to turn so as not to waste time.
“Seong-tae, why aren’t you coming in?”
Kim Dae-hyeon emerged and gripped his shoulder.
“I thought we couldn’t use it.”
“That’s true, except you’re different—you’re in War of Villains too.”
“Yes.”
“The leads came to work with the bit players. You can’t be missing.”
He guided Han Seong-tae inside.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ sparkles, saying it has been a while since he marveled at such physiques.]
Inside, familiar faces made Han Seong-tae pause: Ma Seok-dong, Kim Mu-cheol, and Kim Gyu-seong, who plays the serial killer.
All outstanding actors—people he once could only admire from afar—stood before him.
“Hello, I’m Han Seong-tae, playing Park Jae-hun!”
Realizing he could walk beside them, he clenched his fists.
Clack.
Choi Ye-chan set down his teacup.
Across from him, Jeong Jae-in sat with arms crossed.
“Shooting starts next week, right?”
“Yeah, prep is done. Table read this Saturday, then we roll.”
They talked through schedules and goals, then shifted to the cast.
“Think we can shoot for five million tickets? We’ve got Ma Seok-dong, who’s a guaranteed draw, plus Mu-cheol and Kim Gyu-seong.”
“Studios say the same. Good script, solid crew.”
Choi nodded.
Five million—huge resonance for a director, one-tenth of the population.
“Still, I need to watch them act. Even great actors mean nothing if they lack synergy.”
“True.”
“Ma Seok-dong and Mu-cheol manage themselves. How about Seong-tae—is he doing well?”
“He works incredibly hard, and skill grows as fast as effort. He amazes me. Seong-tae will succeed no matter what.”
Jeong, who had observed his efforts, spoke with conviction. Han Seong-tae had something indescribable.
“If you say that much, he must be good.”
“Not just good—exceptional. Where did you find a guy like that?”
“You know Korea University does a play every year?”
“Sure, Professor Lee Hye-yun’s place.”
Jeong nodded. Korea University’s play was like an annual festival, an event Choi attended every year.
“I met him there. He did a clown act, and it hit me.”
“Is there any way to see that play?”
“Probably. They record every performance. I’ll ask if we can get the footage.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Choi smiled.
“Wasn’t Seong-tae practicing here today?”
“Probably. He never misses a day.”
“Then let’s watch. I’m curious how much he’s changed.”
Jeong nodded, and they rose. With such a training load, there should be big changes; Choi looked forward to it.
“If I swing at your chin here…”
“What if you twist at the waist and grab the head as you dodge? Might pop more.”
Amid the stuntmen, Kim Mu-cheol, Ma Seok-dong, and Kim Gyu-seong adjusted the action sequence.
Han Seong-tae watched without missing a moment.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ is already fired up and shadowboxes.]
[‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ lets out a small sigh of admiration at the high-level action.]
Glancing at the messages, Han Seong-tae stepped forward to Kim Mu-cheol.
Wearing the faint smile he had shown earlier, Mu-cheol extended a hand.
“You know my name, right?”
“Yes, senior Kim Mu-cheol. I’m Han Seong-tae, playing Park Jae-hun!”
“I heard you’re a Korea University student. Mind if I talk comfortably?”
At his words, Han Seong-tae nodded at once.
“Let’s do well together.”
“Please take care of me!”
Practice began after their greeting.
[‘Founder of Jeet Kune Do’ says watch every small movement closely.]
Face alight with anticipation, Han Seong-tae took his stance.
Leave a Reply