Chapter 3. Acting Academy

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"The content is as follows. I bought something in Iran, and the product name is 'Baeksol'..."

After relaying the information about the last operation that Jeon Suwan discovered in his previous life for about a minute, he bowed again and left the public phone booth in the guise of his grandfather.

He then retrieved the hidden bag in reverse order of his visits to the public phone booths, changed back into his clothes, and returned home several times, changing his bag and attire.

'Even though this information is already four months old and may have expired, it's time to say goodbye to Jeon Suwan's life.'

Motherland, I have completed the final mission.

Past life, thank you for your hard work.

The past life was a continuous cycle of suspicion and acting as an agent and spy.

It was a desolate and rough time, mentally exhausted and always feeling lonely, but I do not regret the days I dedicated myself to.

It's just that, by bringing this to a successful conclusion and feeling relieved, it feels good.

That night, Ryu Cheol-woong, Yeo-woo's father, was scolded by his wife for suddenly putting all the laundry he had hidden somewhere after going mountain climbing into the washing machine at once and felt wronged all night.

"Really, it's not my laundry..."

Yeo-woo felt sorry for her father being scolded but had to remain silent.

***

With the exams over, Yeo-woo has now become more accustomed to her life.

She has decided to put aside the last lingering thoughts of her past life and adapt to her new life, determined to live again as an actor.

She has always been interested in acting, and although it may not be helpful, she is confident in her ability to perform daily life acting, which she honed while conducting operations in a foreign country.

'Whether these past experiences will connect to acting in front of a camera or on stage is uncertain, but having a broad range of experiences and the ability to use facial muscles relatively freely is better than starting from scratch.'

"Hmm..."

While drawing a picture for a performance evaluation using poster paint in the art room, Yeo-woo sighed.

"Why the sigh? Is the drawing not going well?"

Joon-soo, who was drawing next to her, spoke to Yeo-woo.

"No, I'm thinking about whether I should try a part-time job because there's something I want to do."

Hearing Yeo-woo's answer, Seong-sik, who was sitting in front, turned around and asked.

"What kind of thing that requires a part-time job?"

"Yeah. I'm just thinking about going to an acting academy once."

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Joon-soo and Seong-sik widened their eyes and said simultaneously.

"Acting?"

"Acting?"

But Joon-soo nodded as if he understood.

"Well, he's top of the class, but with that face..."

In this day and age, even if you go to a good university and get a professional job, you can't compare to a successful star.

"Shouldn't you go to a famous place in Seoul for acting?"

"I just want to learn the basics first."

Seong-sik, who had been looking at her, asked with a face that seemed to wonder why she was so worried.

"Then, instead of a part-time job, why don't you talk to your parents? If you're top of the class, my mom would allow anything."

Hearing this, Joon-soo lightly hit Seong-sik's shoulder and scolded him.

"Hey, just because you're that good at studying doesn't mean your parents will allow it. And Yeo-woo's family might be in a difficult situation..."

Joon-soo, who spoke cautiously, seemed to Yeo-woo to be a thoughtful friend for his age.

"No, it's not like that. My family is just ordinary, not very rich or poor."

Yeo-woo felt a strange warmth at the natural expression of "my family" that she had let slip.

"Probably, whatever I do, they will support me. I was just thinking about it because I didn't want to ask for money."

Seong-sik shook his head.

"To be as filial as me, I admit. Lord Ryu."

Seong-sik, who was joking, was immediately attacked by Joon-soo.

"Yeah, that's right. You're also a filial son. A fire-attribute filial son."

"What the hell?"

Joon-soo and Seong-sik quickly started bickering and joking around.

"Hey, you disobedient friends. Finish your drawings and then talk."

The art teacher, who had appeared out of nowhere, grabbed the back of Seong-sik and Joon-soo's necks, and the classroom became quiet again.

***

A few days later, just as Yeo-woo was about to look for a short-term part-time job suitable for a student, an unexpected solution appeared.

- Announcement from the broadcasting club. Students Ryu Yeo-woo, Kim Min-ji, Choi Woo-jin...

The announcement calling Yeo-woo and a few other students came over the classroom speaker.

"What is it? Did you cause trouble? No, that can't be it."

"They're all top students. Maybe they're getting an award."

Hearing Joon-soo and Seong-sik's comments, Yeo-woo got up from her seat.

"I'll go check."

At the principal's office, a few simple commemorative photos were taken, and she received a one million won scholarship for academic excellence from the alumni association.

For Yeo-woo, who didn't want to do a part-time job or waste time on unnecessary things, this was perfect timing.

"Perfect. This life is going well."

That evening, after returning home and having dinner, Yeo-woo immediately told her parents.

"Father, Mother, I want to try acting."

"Suddenly acting?"

Yeo-woo nodded.

Then she took out a white envelope from her pocket.

"I received a scholarship at school today. I have something I want to do with it. I want to try learning acting."

"Wow."

Her younger sister So-hyun, who had been quietly eating, poked her side.

"If you become a star, will you give me a lot of pocket money?"

"Stop it, So-hyun. I just want to try it out."

Yeo-woo laughed at So-hyun's question about pocket money.

But her parents, who had been worried about their son's gloomy mood, were supportive of his enthusiasm.

"Sure, we'll support you. Even without the scholarship, I would have welcomed it with open arms."

"Hmm. When I was young, I was often told I should be a talent."

Hearing Ryu Cheol-woong's comment, Yeo-woo and So-hyun tilted their heads simultaneously.

"No, it's because I gained weight as I got older, you guys."

Cheol-woong, who had been tapping his stomach, looked at Yeo-woo.

In fact, as Yeo-woo gradually lost weight, her parents noticed that her appearance was not ordinary.

If she continued to lose weight, she would definitely have a striking appearance.

"Have you decided where you want to go to learn acting?"

Hearing her mother's question, Yeo-woo answered immediately.

"I don't think I need to go all the way to Seoul. I want to try a place in Daejeon."

"But is that okay? They say it's hard to succeed in the arts unless you're in Seoul. Your Aunt Young-hee's daughter has been an idol trainee for years and it's been tough."

Yeo-woo smiled at her mother's concern.

"If you're meant to succeed, you'll succeed anywhere. Since academics are important, I'll start in Daejeon."

Hearing Yeo-woo's words, her father nodded.

"Okay, then let's look it up on the internet and talk about it. I'll go with you."

Yeo-woo, who had planned to go alone, realized she was a minor and nodded without a word.

"Yes, Father. Thank you."

After that, Yeo-woo searched online and found an acting academy to visit for a consultation and made her own preparations.

"Should I watch some videos first?"

After school, in her room, Yeo-woo watched popular dramas to observe the actors' expressions and actions.

During her agent days, Yeo-woo had repeatedly analyzed and imitated the actions of the people she infiltrated to blend in with specific organizations.

"Hmm, is this how it's done?"

Yeo-woo practiced expressions by alternating between the TV and a mirror.

Although it was a makeshift effort, it looked decent.

"I can't tell if it's because of my face or if I'm actually good at acting."

Clearly, she needed the help of a professional.

***

Meanwhile, in a prosecutor's office in Busan.

A man in his early 30s, with a sturdy build, was rapidly typing on a small keyboard with his large hands.

The young prosecutor, whose nameplate read "Han Hae-un," was working diligently on his computer late into the night.

Prosecutor Han Hae-un, tapping the corner of his desk, was lost in thought.

"Jeon Suwan, team leader... What is your true identity? Am I crazy? There's no way a person from my dreams could actually exist."

However, he felt he had to find him and couldn't stop.

There was an inexplicable sense of mission that he had to tell this person something.

Prosecutor Han Hae-un's investigation continued well into the night.

***

That Saturday, Yeo-woo and her father visited an acting academy in a bustling area of Daejeon for a consultation.

Jeong Cheol-min.

He had lived a long life in theater in Huwha, even appearing as a minor character in a few commercial films. After moving back to his hometown of Daejeon and opening an acting academy, he felt he was at a crucial moment.

Jeong Cheol-min, the director, was usually teaching the college entrance class.

It was rare for such a thing to happen during a class, but Mr. Yun, who was in charge of consultations, knocked and whispered to him.

"Director, I think you should go and consult with this student. The face is unusual."

Having worked in the industry for a long time, Mr. Yun was better at evaluating faces for acting potential than a plastic surgery coordinator.

Nodding at his words, Jeong Cheol-min temporarily handed over the class to another instructor and headed to the consultation room.

"So, your son is interested in acting, and you came for a casual consultation, right, sir?"

"Hehe, yes, that's right. Director, this kid just got first place in the school. As a father, I thought he should focus on his studies and get a stable job, but..."

Ryu Cheol-woong, who had nothing to boast about his son, had become a proud father in just a few months thanks to his transformed son.

However, Director Jeong Cheol-min, who had already seen the face of the student, agreed with Cheol-woong but had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.

In fact, he had decided to take on this student from the moment Mr. Yun suggested he consult with him, trusting Mr. Yun's judgment.