Chapter 2: A Single Knife

Late winter of 1999.

An Si-hyun strolled down University Street.

Jinmo Kim was not at home.

He thought about calling him on his mobile phone but decided against it. It was obvious where Jinmo would be at this time, even without making a call.

"Looking at it this way, it really feels like it's been a long time since I've been here. I used to come here at least once a month before I was hospitalized."

University Street was a sanctuary for An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim.

Even after debuting as actors, the two would visit University Street regularly.

To support their juniors who were steadily performing on stage and dreaming of debuting, and to share memories over kimchi stew and soju with their seniors and juniors at their favorite restaurants.

An Si-hyun immersed himself in those memories.

The old theater signs painted by hand, the restaurants that would become regular spots even 20 years later, and the people dressed in the latest hip-hop fashion.

"Ah... it's good."

An Si-hyun felt happiness in everything.

To be able to walk through University Street in 1999 with a healthy body, what a great happiness it was.

"While watching the 'Reply' series, I really wanted to come back to this time, and it actually came true. Thank you, God. I will repay you by becoming a national actor."

After walking for about 10 minutes, An Si-hyun entered the theater.

A man preparing the stage looked at An Si-hyun and frowned.

"Hey! I told you not to come until the auditions are over!"

The man who shouted was Jeong-soo Choi.

The leader of the theater troupe 'Gwangdae' and a national actor who had built a solid filmography by dominating the theater and television scenes since the 1980s.

And a senior in the same department as An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim.

Ignoring Choi Jeong-soo's scolding, An Si-hyun casually picked up a hammer and a nail.

"Come on, are you going to prepare for the auditions all day?"

"Even 24 hours a day wouldn't be enough! There are only three days left!"

"I can't concentrate for a whole day. I'll help with the stage setup to clear my head. Senior, is it okay if I hammer these in?"

While An Si-hyun helped with the stage setup, Jinmo Kim, who had gone on an errand, approached him.

"Did you come? I didn't wake you up because you were sleeping so well."

"Thanks to you, I slept well. Thanks."

"Help with the work and stay for lunch. Senior said he'll treat us to Chinese food later."

"Chinese food? Sounds good!"

An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim chatted while helping with the work. Watching them, Choi Jeong-soo's face turned red as he shouted.

"You brats... both of you, get out! Don't even think about showing up until you pass the auditions! If you come, I'll kill you both!"

He didn't forget to kick their butts.

Of course, he didn't put much force into it. He wasn't really angry.

An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim quickly left the theater.

In their hands were flyers.

"Ah, it's a shame we can't stay for lunch. Let's put up some flyers and go home. Mom said she'll bring some side dishes."

"Mom's side dishes are the best. Are you going to the theater tomorrow?"

"Are you crazy? I have to go tonight."

"Same here."

An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim, who met each other's eyes, chuckled.

At 21.

Even trivial conversations were enjoyable, and every day was a cherished memory.

An Si-hyun really enjoyed this time.

That didn't mean his sense of purpose was fading.

Even while joking with Jinmo Kim, his goal of becoming a national actor and successfully taking his first step as an actor was firmly set.

"Ah, right. I've decided on the role I'm going to audition for."

"Really? You were still undecided between two roles yesterday. Is everything okay? You're not sick, are you?"

"I'm fine. I'm going to audition for the role of Lee Su-chul."

"Are you sure? I heard that Song Myung-hyun senior has his eye on that role."

"So what? I have nothing to lose anyway. If I don't get the role of Lee Su-chul, I can still get another role if I act well."

Song Myung-hyun.

An actor who debuted in the 1991 historical drama "My King" and has steadily built his filmography.

Although not yet a leading actor, he is highly regarded for his solid acting skills and is capable of taking on major roles. There are rumors that he is aiming for the role of Lee Su-chul in the movie An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim are auditioning for in three days.

'He won't just stop at rumors; he'll actually get the role. The problem is what happens after that.'

Ultimately, Song Myung-hyun got the role of Lee Su-chul and delivered a performance that satisfied both the staff and the actors, creating a warm atmosphere on set.

However, he caused a major incident afterward.

He caused an accident just five days after the movie's release.

It was a significant incident, reported by all three major TV networks for a week.

It was so impactful that it was mentioned whenever discussing 1990s entertainment incidents.

As a result, the incident affected the movie's box office performance.

Ultimately, the movie only attracted 250,000 viewers in Seoul and failed to break even.

It would later be re-evaluated as one of the tragic movies, but that was a matter for the future.

Ultimately, except for the outstanding performances of the lead actors Song Gang-sik and Hwang Young-min and the discovery of the new actor Jinmo Kim, the movie failed to achieve commercial success.

'For the movie's success and my successful debut, I must get the role of Lee Su-chul.'

If Song Myung-hyun hadn't caused the incident, the movie would have broken even.

Getting a supporting role in a movie that broke even is significant in itself. It leaves a solid line in your filmography and gives you an advantage in future auditions.

A filmography is an actor's business card.

"Whatever... there's nothing to lose, and if you do well, you might get another role. Is there anything I can help with?"

"There is."

"Tell me. I'll listen to anything."

"Buy me a single knife."

* * *

An Si-hyun thought of his 20s as a time when he was a fool, brimming with passion for acting.

Literally brimming with passion.

There was no thorough research or analysis of the role, no effort to immerse himself in the character. He just relied on the time he had put in and his confidence, boldly challenging auditions.

And he only managed to get minor roles.

Tall and good-looking, but lacking in acting skills, that was the evaluation of actor An Si-hyun in his 20s.

An Si-hyun only began to stand out as an actor in his 30s, specifically after he deeply reflected on acting in the military and established his acting style.

By this point, Jinmo Kim was already a famous actor.

Recognized for his acting skills from his first movie, he had left a trail of successful works, moving between television and cinema.

The highest rating for a drama he starred in was 35.5%, and a movie he starred in broke the 10 million viewer mark, the second in Korean film history.

It would not be an exaggeration to say he had built the best filmography.

What about An Si-hyun?

Until his discharge, he was more famous as Jinmo Kim's friend who had enlisted with him.

'Joint enlistment of two national actors. That would make a good story, right?'

Returning to 21 with the acting style he established in his 30s and the insights he gained in his 40s.

This time, there would be no long period of obscurity.

He planned to get a key supporting role in his first movie and rise to the ranks of national actors.

He had already won the Best Actor award at the Korean Film Awards, proving his acting skills and box office appeal. He was confident he could compete with any actor of his generation.

Of course, Jinmo Kim was an exception.

Not just a regular actor of his generation, but a genius actor with a completely different style.

"Is this really enough? What are you going to use it for?"

That evening, Jinmo Kim gave An Si-hyun a knife.

It was a toy knife commonly found in stationery stores. The only notable feature was that it had a sheath.

There were no other significant features.

"Thanks, this is enough."

Honestly, Jinmo Kim couldn't understand why An Si-hyun wanted a toy knife.

Still, he happily bought it from a stationery store, thinking An Si-hyun must have a reason.

Even if it was unnecessary, it was fine.

Until yesterday, An Si-hyun had struggled to focus on practice, but now he showed incredible concentration, even when Jinmo Kim spoke to him.

He even quit smoking, saying he wanted to be a healthy actor.

The dramatic change overnight was a mystery.

It might be a three-day resolution. He might start smoking again the next morning while looking at the morning of University Street.

But it was definitely a positive change.

Jinmo Kim sincerely hoped this change would help his friend secure a major role.

Meanwhile, An Si-hyun was satisfied with the toy knife Jinmo Kim had bought.

'This is necessary to pass the audition.'

To successfully get the role of Lee Su-chul, this toy knife was essential.

The prop was ready. He would prepare the rest of the props before the audition.

All that was left was to give the best performance at the audition.

Fortunately, not much preparation was needed.

* * *

On the day of the audition.

"I'm number 157. What about you?"

"172."

"Next in line. After it's over, Senior Jeong-soo said he'll treat us to kimchi stew and soju at the theater."

"Ah, I want to eat kimchi stew."

"Ugh. Auntie Daegil's kimchi stew is something I won't forget even after I debut. It's so delicious. It's a magical stew that makes you drink bottle after bottle of soju."

"Agreed."

While waiting for their turn, An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim chatted.

In an audition with hundreds of actors, only a few are not nervous. Most remain tense even during their performance.

However, the two of them showed no signs of nervousness. They even seemed relaxed.

Jinmo Kim, assigned number 157, was the first to audition.

Ten people, from 151 to 160, went in together. Jinmo Kim was the last to come out.

Being the last to come out meant he had the most appeal to the director and the production company representatives, and he had the opportunity to do a free performance and an interview after the designated performance.

If history doesn't change, Jinmo Kim will get the role he wants.

"Heh. The role of Kang Seok-woo is mine."

"Buy us a round if you get it."

"What about you if you get it?"

"We can buy it together."

"Ha ha. Two rounds, even better."

Twenty minutes after Jinmo Kim came out.

"Numbers 171 to 180, please come in."

"Good luck, it's tough."

"Shut up, comrade."

It was An Si-hyun's turn.

Entering the audition room, he scanned the 10 actors who would be auditioning with him, and his gaze fixed on one of them.

'As expected, we're auditioning together.'

The numbers assigned to An Si-hyun and Jinmo Kim had not changed. This meant the numbers assigned to others had not changed either.

An Si-hyun, like before the regression, was auditioning in the same group as Song Myung-hyun.

Coincidentally, the two actors aiming for the same role were in the same group.

The 10 actors would perform their prepared designated scenes for 5 minutes. The judges would then call out a few actors they liked for an interview and additional free performance.

The casting decision would not be known immediately.

However, the actor who comes out last from the audition room has a higher chance of being cast.

An Si-hyun's goal was to be the last to come out of the audition room among the participants from 171 to 180.

Before starting the performance, he silently thanked God for giving him a healthy body to act and promised to repay him by reaching the top.

He was not worried about his performance.

'I can do this.'

He had prepared thoroughly in a short time, using all the expertise from his 20-year acting career.

Now, it was time to show it.

"Please start with the performance you prepared."