Chapter 3

### Chapter 3: A Passion for Acting

"Make me cry within a minute."

Sure enough, his style hasn't changed. He gave me the same instructions the first time we met. I vividly remembered that moment. I calmly recalled my teacher's teachings.

"Act as if you have terminal cancer? I really did have cancer, up until yesterday."

Thinking about my slow, painful death brought back unforgettable sorrow. My heart tightened, and my body grew hot. Recalling the deaths of my parents overwhelmed me with uncontrollable emotions.

I suppressed the surging emotions with diaphragmatic breathing. My chest trembled slightly, and my Adam's apple moved up and down. My breath became irregular, and my lips quivered. My nose tingled, and my eyes turned red. I wanted to sob but held it deep within my chest.

Eventually, the sorrow couldn't be contained, and the heat spread from my eyes, nose, mouth, and even my ears. At that moment, my teacher's eyes gradually turned red.

My sorrow was evoking his sorrow. My pain was pulling out his pain. A faint sigh escaped his lips as he couldn't hold back his sadness.

"Huh~"

"You, kid. You lied, didn't you? This isn't your first time acting, is it?"

Wiping away his tears, my teacher pressed me. I couldn't confirm or deny it, so I just stood there.

"You don't look like a beginner. Who taught you? Find that teacher; they must be a good one."

'But I came to you,' I silently shouted.

"I will only learn from you, teacher."

After a long silence, my teacher spoke matter-of-factly.

"The foundation of an actor is health. You need a healthy body and a healthy mind. Starting tomorrow, wake up early and exercise for over an hour. Eat a balanced diet. Never let your eyes, nose, and ears rest. Observe everything, listen to every sound, and smell everything that enters your nose. Keep your body flexible. Understand?"

"… Am I accepted?"

"Classes start at 6:30 PM. Come prepared."

"Yes, I understand."

I bowed to my teacher and left.

"A monster has entered."

Min-sang watched the door through which the actor had left for a while.

***

Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep

5:30 AM. I woke up to the alarm. Without hesitation, I changed into my sports clothes and went outside. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and condition is the basic attitude of an actor. In this life, I will stick to the basics.

The fresh morning air cleared my head. With each step, my legs sprang up like a spring.

'How could I have taken such a high-quality body for granted…'

After running three laps around the large park, I was drenched in sweat. Vitality surged from deep within my body.

After finishing my morning exercise, I entered the house and noticed my father's shoes, dusty and worn.

I opened the shoe cabinet and took out shoe polish, a brush, a cloth, and a lighter.

'I need to use the polishing technique I learned in the military. I'll make them shine like mirrors… Come to think of it, reincarnation isn't always good. I have to go to the military again.'

Still, if I have the chance to start over, 'I don't care'—I'll do it again.

We sat down for breakfast. My mother's kimchi stew was incredibly delicious. Perhaps because of the early morning exercise, I was ravenous and ate quickly.

In the meantime, my mother kept glancing at me.

"Why? What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you my son Woo-jin?"

"What do you mean? Am I not your son but an alien?"

"No, it's just that something has changed. You wake up early in the morning, help me prepare breakfast… and look, look over there."

My mother pointed to the entrance. My father's shoes were shining like mirrors.

"Are those new shoes?"

"Woo-jin polished your shoes. They shine like that. Isn't that strange?"

"Is there something wrong with you, Woo-jin?"

My father joined in.

"No, how can parents think their son's filial piety is a disease?"

"Exactly. People shouldn't change suddenly. It can lead to illness."

"I will take care of you both and live a long, healthy life. Don't worry."

I enjoyed the meal so much that I had a second bowl.

***

During breaks at school, I read poetry. It was the best way to use my short free time.

'Nothing is better for understanding emotions than poetry.'

In the evening,

Among so many stars,

One star looks down at me.

Among so many people,

I look up at that one star.

As the night deepens,

The star disappears into the brightness…

It was beautiful. The longing for a friend filled my heart.

Even amidst the noise, I felt my own night sky.

"Hey, Woo-jin."

A group of delinquents burst into the classroom through the back door and approached me without hesitation.

"Hey, we haven't seen you around lately. Where have you been hiding?"

They were a group I occasionally hung out with in high school.

"Why? Do you need something from me?"

"Clear your schedule for Saturday."

The top guy stepped forward. A dragon tattoo was visible on his raised sleeve.

In the past, I was afraid of such people and couldn't do anything. But not now. Having experienced life's ups and downs, I realized that these guys are the biggest cowards.

"We have a 5-on-5 meeting with the girls from Eun-gwang High School. Come with us."

"Actually, I'm not interested. You guys go without me."

"Hey! They won't come unless you do."

The dragon-tattooed guy grabbed my collar. It was ridiculous to see him act tough with me, who had learned invincible techniques in the Marine Corps.

I could have easily kicked him with a side kick, but I wanted to resolve the situation through acting.

Let's see if it works.

"Do you want to die?"

I delivered a famous line from a movie, colder and sharper than the original. The dragon-tattooed guy, who didn't know the movie, was very surprised.

When I intensified my gaze, his shoulders twitched, and his legs trembled. The grip on my collar loosened.

"Leave now while you can. Before you lose your head."

I deepened my voice and gave a crazy performance.

The delinquents backed away, tails between their legs.

"Think about it. It's Saturday."

They left the classroom in a hurry, maintaining their last bit of dignity.

It works.

I can influence people through acting.

***

The acting school was busy preparing for the drama festival in a week.

"Alright, the 'Young Acting Festival' is a week away. You all know how important this event is. Film industry professionals, entertainment companies, and theater groups will all be here to scout for young talent. It's an opportunity. Show off the skills you've honed. Kim Do-han."

The teacher called Kim Do-han. As he stepped forward, the teacher gave a cue. It was time to check the homework I had given him a few days ago. Kim Do-han changed his expression and immediately immersed himself.

"I love you, Miss Mi-ja. Not just me, but this heart here… this heart loves you so much. Look at the bicycle you ride. See that bicycle in the park… it's just like yours…"

Impressive. Accurate diction and subtle expressions. Indeed, it's the Kim Do-han I know.

"Hurry up, hurry. Your actions and lines need to be synchronized. If you just deliver the lines and leave, what's the point? Imagine the scene in your head. Try again."

Teacher Min-sang didn't let it slide. Kim Do-han started over without a word of complaint.

"I love you, Miss Mi-ja. Not just me, but this heart loves you so much. Look at the bicycle you ride. See that bicycle in the park… just seeing someone on a similar bicycle makes my heart race. It's not just a quick beat; it's a mad, wild race. And… just seeing your sneakers and that three-colored, worn-out tracksuit makes my eyes roll. What am I going to do? What can I do… so, Miss Mi-ja, you have to take responsibility."

"There's something off when you end your lines. It's not at all charming. Fix it."

"Yes, teacher."

The teacher then turned to me.

"Your turn, Woo-jin."

"Yes."

I stepped forward and slowly focused on the role.

The scene where the protagonist, Jung-han, tells Bae about the feeling of losing his true self in the world. The key is to express the hidden emptiness without showing intense emotion.

I practiced for three days and nights to embody Jung-han's feelings.

I recalled the times I felt ignored by the world in my past life.

Relaxing and opening my mouth, Jung-han's lines naturally flowed out.

"Bae, people in this world are afraid of disappearing. They want to be remembered by others… but the more they struggle, the harder it becomes as they grow up. Even if I stand on the street, I'm practically invisible to the people passing by. They might see me with their eyes, but they won't notice me. I'll disappear from their memory in less than a second. Uncle is afraid of that."

Even after the performance, I remained in Jung-han's mindset. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to return to the present.

The atmosphere was strangely quiet. The teacher just stared at me, offering no comments.

"What a kid. He's really something."

The teacher muttered in disbelief.

I smiled at his praise.

In my past life, the teacher recognized my talent and nurtured it. It was my fault for debuting too quickly and being overwhelmed by fame, preventing me from blossoming. In this life, I plan to grow the tree, bloom the flowers, and bear the fruit.

"Good, good. Just pay more attention to your diction."

"Yes, teacher."

"When practicing diction, don't put a pen in your mouth. It doesn't help. Read your lines with your mouth closed until the other person can understand you."

"Yes, I understand."

"Let's take a short break."

The teacher went to the office. Kim Do-han approached me.

"Wow, a kid who's only been here for a month can act like this. What am I supposed to do?"

Kim Do-han pouted cutely.

"… Don't worry about that. Just keep doing what you're doing. I can read faces, and you… well, let's not talk about it."

"Hey, what were you going to say?"

"Just that you'll definitely do well. End of story."

I wanted to tell him about his future, but I held back. He'll find out naturally later, and I had to be careful not to change the future.

"Want to read the script together?"

"Sure."

Acting is always good, whether it's practice or a real performance.

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