It was early morning, several days after the auditions had ended.
Han Seongtae was answering a call that had come in first thing that morning.
He was tired enough that it would have been understandable for him to call back later.
But he did not do that.
Given who the caller was, he could not simply choose not to answer.
“Lee, it’s been a while. You even went out of your way to contact me. What’s going on?”
The call was from Britton Lee.
Britton Lee was the director of Rampage. How could Han Seongtae ignore the call from his position as an actor?
Even if he had not been an actor, Han Seongtae was not someone who easily ignored another person’s call.
—There’s some news I wanted to tell you. Do you have a moment right now?
“Yes, I’m free. What news did you want to tell me?”
—It’s about Rampage. We have a release date.
Hearing that the theatrical release date for Rampage had been decided, Han Seongtae went, “Ah,” and nodded.
—This is fresh information that I haven’t even told your company yet. I wanted you to be the first to know, so I called as soon as the date was set.
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
A smile formed on Kang Jihoon’s lips at Britton Lee’s words.
With news like this, it certainly was not strange to contact him in such a hurry.
He would probably have done exactly the same thing.
—It will be released in August. Since it’s June now, there are only two months left.
“It’s opening earlier than I expected.”
—The editing finished early. All the work is already done, so there’s no need to push it back.
The promotion had also gone well.
At Britton Lee’s words, Han Seongtae looked at the calendar.
June 11.
Britton Lee had said it would be released sometime in August, which meant there were two months remaining.
‘They said City of Criminals would come out next March.’
Han Seongtae was considering his upcoming schedule when Britton Lee continued.
—……That’s why I think you need to come to the production press conference.
“The production press conference?”
—Yes. You are practically the mascot of our film. It wouldn’t make sense for you not to come.
“Ah.”
—I’ll speak to your company as well. Adjust your schedule if you have to, but make sure you come.
“Okay.”
When Britton Lee went this far, what actor could possibly refuse?
More importantly, it was a film in which Han Seongtae had played a supporting role that was practically a lead.
It was his first overseas film and his first Hollywood movie.
Not attending the production press conference for a film like that would be foolish.
Han Seongtae intended to make time for it, no matter what.
—I’ll see you then.
“Yes. Thank you for sharing the good news. I’ll see you at the press conference.”
After ending the call with Britton Lee, Han Seongtae reached out and scribbled something on his calendar.
On one of the dates in August, he wrote, “Rampage Production Press Conference.”
Han Seongtae set the calendar down, rose from his seat, and was about to lie down in bed when—
Bzzzt.
Another call came in.
A practice room provided by PAN Entertainment.
Inside, Han Seongtae was helping Park Yeeun with her acting.
“Why won’t anyone listen to me? I told you, you’re not supposed to run over there!”
Park Yeeun delivered the line.
Her eyes turned vicious as she stared at Han Seongtae.
“Cut. Hold on. Yeeun, let’s take a five-minute break.”
“Ah, okay.”
At Han Seongtae’s words, she nodded and set down the script.
Watching her, Han Seongtae folded his arms.
An hour had passed since they began practicing.
Han Seongtae had already stopped her performance for the sixth time.
“Whew…”
Apparently exhausted, Park Yeeun let out a sigh as she picked up a bottle of water.
Han Seongtae kept his arms folded until she had finished drinking and stood back up.
‘What’s the problem?’
He had promised to help Park Yeeun with her acting, so he had made time to watch her practice like this.
Park Yeeun’s acting was good.
Her eyes were alive, and he could sense how hard she had worked.
The problem was that it ended there.
‘Why is it so stiff?’
The more Han Seongtae watched Park Yeeun act, the more stifled he felt.
Her acting was decent, yet that subtle feeling made it seem unsatisfying.
[‘The One Who Defined an Era’ says that watching Park Yeeun’s acting feels like watching a machine.]
[‘The One with a Thousand Faces’ frowns and says it is like watching someone who believes there is a predetermined way she must act.]
[‘The One Who Made Laughter from Tragedy’ says it is frustrating because it feels as though she is restricting herself.]
The gods of acting felt the same thing Han Seongtae did.
Park Yeeun’s acting was trapped in a mold.
And she had not properly recognized that fact.
She needed to understand the problem before she could change it.
“Should we start acting again right away?”
“Yes.”
She was dissatisfied with her own performance and continued practicing, yet she did not know what the actual problem was.
Han Seongtae began to understand what he needed to do.
Part of his task was to watch her acting and fill in what she lacked.
But he also needed to help her broaden her perspective.
“Yeeun.”
“And so I… Yes?”
“Would you like to stop practicing for a moment and talk?”
“Talk?”
“Yes. There’s something I want to tell you.”
Although Park Yeeun looked puzzled by Han Seongtae’s words, she nodded.
He took her to a spot in the corner of the practice room.
Han Seongtae sat in one of the two chairs at a round table and offered her the seat across from him.
“What is it? We still have a lot of practicing left.”
“There’s something more important than practicing.”
“More important than practicing?”
“Yes. It’s something that will help you.”
Han Seongtae slowly asked Park Yeeun, who was tilting her head.
“What do you think the role you’re playing is?”
“The role I’m playing? Lee Mihee?”
“Yes. What kind of person do you think she is? What does she do, and what kind of life has she lived? Things like that.”
“Hmm…”
Park Yeeun thought for a moment about Han Seongtae’s question.
He calmly waited until she answered.
He knew that some people took longer than others to respond.
Several minutes passed.
“She’s Park Sejun’s childhood friend. She’s currently a taekwondo instructor.”
“And?”
“She originally wanted to become a bodyguard, but she gave up because of family circumstances. It also says she has only dated bad men.”
“Good. Is there anything else?”
“And…”
Park Yeeun could not immediately answer Han Seongtae’s continued questions.
As though nothing more came to mind, her brow occasionally furrowed while she thought.
“I don’t think there’s anything else.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I think that’s everything. Is there more?”
“Have you ever thought carefully about the family circumstances that caused Lee Mihee to give up becoming a bodyguard?”
“Hmm… They probably didn’t have enough money.”
“Good. And?”
“Her mother might have been sick, or perhaps she couldn’t do it because her own health was poor.”
Han Seongtae nodded, somewhat satisfied by her answer.
“Then let me ask something different. Why do you think Lee Mihee dreamed of becoming a bodyguard?”
“That… Because it was a dream she’d had since she was young?”
“Then why did the young Lee Mihee dream of becoming a bodyguard?”
“…I don’t know. It isn’t in the script.”
Park Yeeun lowered her head, looking somewhat discouraged.
Seeing her expression, Han Seongtae smiled gently and continued.
“Yeeun, none of the questions I asked have correct answers. How could they? Neither of us is the writer.”
“That’s true.”
“But couldn’t you still think about them? I believe Park Sejun is responsible, but at the same time, he’s irresponsible.”
Han Seongtae calmly explained his thoughts about the role he would be playing.
He had spent a great deal of time thinking about the character Park Sejun.
What kind of person Park Sejun was, what past he had, and what goals he possessed.
Based on the script, Han Seongtae had created his own version of the character.
“Don’t you think you need something like that too? Right now, it feels like you’re relying too heavily on the script.”
“Ah, I think I understand what you mean.”
Her eyes sparkled after hearing Han Seongtae’s explanation.
Seeing that she appeared to have realized something, a smile also formed on Han Seongtae’s lips.
He was relieved that his advice had helped her.
“Then shall we work hard again?”
“Yes, let’s do it!”
The two of them resumed practicing.
The second-round auditions for Youth My Way came to an end.
The applicants from the first and second rounds combined numbered more than six hundred.
With so many applicants, anyone would have become exhausted from watching all their performances.
But Han Seongtae had to move immediately, without even having time to feel tired.
“Did Yeeun say she’s on her way?”
“Yes. Apparently, she has reached the area nearby.”
Answering Yeon Jaehun, Han Seongtae turned his head.
Yeon Jaehun, Han Seongtae, Kim Soyul, and Kim Minseok were gathered at a location arranged by PAN.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Park Yeeun joined them shortly afterward.
Under Yeon Jaehun’s direction, Kim Soyul began acting first.
“When did I ever do that? Is loving someone a crime? Huh? Is it a crime?”
Han Seongtae nodded as he watched Kim Soyul deliver her lines and perform.
Kim Soyul’s acting was unquestionably good.
Since Yeon Jaehun had personally selected her, her performance was of a considerably high standard.
With just a little more refinement, she would be capable of delivering an excellent performance.
Yeon Jaehun had also recognized that potential, which was why he had chosen her.
‘Even so, Yeeun is much better.’
Watching Kim Soyul act allowed him to feel certain once again.
Park Yeeun’s acting was far better.
When Kim Soyul’s performance ended, Yeon Jaehun applauded.
“Soyul, your acting was excellent. You really are good.”
“Thank you!”
“Then we should watch Yeeun’s performance now. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I can begin immediately.”
“Good. Then let’s watch.”
At Yeon Jaehun’s words, Park Yeeun nodded and rose from her seat.
Kim Soyul walked past her.
For a moment, Park Yeeun’s eyes met hers.
A peculiar look passed between them.
Kim Soyul sat down, and Park Yeeun stood before everyone.
Han Seongtae quietly watched her.
He was not particularly worried.
He was confident that Park Yeeun could do well.
As long as he had that confidence, what was there to worry about?
“I’ll begin.”
“Yes. Make yourself comfortable.”
Yeon Jaehun nodded at her words.
After exhaling with a quiet, “Whew,” Park Yeeun began acting.
“I told you. I’m different.”
It was the same scene Kim Soyul had performed.
As Park Yeeun’s lines continued, Yeon Jaehun’s expression changed.
He stared blankly at Park Yeeun as though he could not believe what he was seeing.
Han Seongtae smiled at the sight.
He felt sorry for Kim Soyul.
But the outcome of this competition had already been decided.
Park Yeeun’s performance had already been completed through her practice with Han Seongtae.
Her acting continued.
“Wow…”
The moment Park Yeeun’s performance ended, Yeon Jaehun let out a sound of admiration.
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