Chapter 2

In fact, Han Yoo-il had been half-doubting until just before the audition.

As soon as he decided to participate in the audition, Bryun started the Shakespeare lecture. While the Shakespeare lecture was understandable, it was difficult to comprehend that he had to prepare the original lines of Romeo instead of the designated lines.

But it really worked.

【As expected, it was a work where analyzing the original character was essential.】

‘...You, you’re quite useful.’

【Thank you.】

Why did Bryun say his calling was an actor?

Han Yoo-il couldn't easily guess the reason.

He had admired the performances of actors in movies, dramas, and plays and had thought about becoming one, but... he had never thought he had that much talent.

...He hadn't even considered starting in the first place.

【So, this is the beginning, Mr. Han Yoo-il. ...And I have something to say.】

‘What is it?’

【You have 15 minutes left before your part-time job starts.】

“Damn.”

Even if he couldn't prepare for the exam, he had to do his part-time job.

Bryun, who emphasized acting training, accepted Yoo-il's current situation of lacking financial freedom through analysis.

A calm voice echoed in his head.

【I will guide you to the optimal route to ‘GU Convenience Store’.】

Yoo-il started running like crazy following Bryun's guidance.

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Time passed quickly.

Yoo-il had returned to school, and the campus was bustling with students. Just like when he first entered school, Yoo-il balanced his part-time job and school lectures. However, he was busier than before, mainly due to the daily theater practice he had to do.

A classmate who had failed the drama club with Yoo-il, Kim Jin-woo, muttered while looking at a poster on the student council building.

“What, Han Yoo-il. You said you didn't care about the drama club or anything, but you're participating as an actor?”

“Well... it just happened that way.”

Kim Jin-woo glanced at his classmate, who was awkwardly changing the subject.

A tall and gentle boy who, upon entering school, had monopolized the attention of girls but hardly participated in class activities and left for the military right after the first semester.

Frankly, when Kim Jin-woo first met Han Yoo-il, he thought he was a rich man's son. His fair and clean skin and the air of being hard to approach contributed to this impression. It wasn't until the end of the semester that he realized Yoo-il studied hard and always skipped after-parties to avoid losing his scholarship and part-time job.

“Hey, even so, you should have told me first.”

“I didn't know I would make it either.”

“Why did you think about acting? You said you weren't interested.”

“Well...”

I didn't want my brain to explode.

“...I thought acting might be fun.”

He thought it was a reasonable answer, but when he said it out loud, he realized he actually felt that way.

‘The practice I've done so far... wasn't unpleasant.’

All the various practices he had to do under Bryun's pressure, even the daily exercises and voice training, weren't uninteresting.

Yes, to be honest, it was fun. But he was still a bit worried.

【Don't worry. Bryun will help you become the best actor.】

‘No, that's not what I meant...’

Forget it. Let's stop talking.

Yoo-il sighed and suddenly stopped in his tracks as his phone alarm rang. After checking the content, Yoo-il stopped walking.

“Oh, right. There's an extra practice today.”

“What, theater practice?”

“Yeah. I'm going!”

As he watched Yoo-il run away, a small voice escaped from Kim Jin-woo's mouth.

“Why does he look better and better? I'm jealous.”

*

The rehearsal room was tense. The performance was only a week away.

“Sound, when the third line is spoken, the sound of rain should be heard immediately. There should be no hesitation in the performance. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“And the stage team, don't forget to move the chairs and table when the lights go out.”

“Got it!”

When he first saw her, Hye-ju had half-closed eyes, but now she was scrutinizing each team member with sharp, intelligent eyes, delivering necessary corrections.

“Oh, Yoo-il is here?”

The club members looked at Hye-ju with disbelief as her expression visibly relaxed.

“Yes. I'm sorry for being late.”

“No, I called the other teams early.”

“Shall we start with Scene 1?”

“Sure.”

Yoo-il immediately walked to the center of the rehearsal room after putting down his bag. There, another actor, Lee Min-ji, was standing.

“Hi.”

Lee Min-ji, a student at MCOM, was the same age as Han Yoo-il. She was also the actress playing the lead role, ‘Juliet’.

“Let's start the run-through.”

As Lee Min-ji lay down on the floor, Hye-ju's voice immediately followed.

“Lights on.”

Han Yoo-il, who was standing in the shadows, slowly straightened his back. As he opened his eyes slightly, a pure, fearful gaze was revealed.

And in an instant, he became Romeo.

Romeo, who had been walking slowly, collapsed when he saw Juliet lying on the ground. Everyone watching held their breath.

“No, Juliet...”

A large, trembling hand approached Juliet's face. Romeo bowed his head to check her breathing... but his wife no longer breathed.

Romeo's voice trembled.

Romeo, fearing the death he had to choose, took out a vial. His eyes were filled with a whirlwind of emotions.

“...My love, my wife. Even the god of death, who drank all your sweet breath, could not conquer your beauty.*”

The last line of Act 1 was added after Yoo-il's audition.

No one else, but Juliet's ‘Romeo’.

This was why everyone in the drama club understood Hye-ju's favoritism.

Everyone watching. They stared at him with their mouths open.

If they saw this, everyone would agree.

No one could think of anyone other than Han Yoo-il as ‘Romeo’.

Hye-ju nodded in satisfaction. Her tired eyes sparkled with energy.

‘He really is good.’

Hye-ju, forgetting her chronic fatigue, immersed herself in the preparation for the play. Everything was going smoothly.

Until an unexpected problem arose elsewhere.

“...What, the acting department's musical period has changed?”

Hye-ju frowned and asked. The youngest stage team staff member looked distressed.

“They postponed the date due to equipment issues, and it's the same period as ours. From September 27th to 29th... and the time is the same too.”

Unlike the drama club, which performed in the small theater in the student council building, the acting department performed in the theater in the Arts Building.

The overlapping performance was the third-year project.

At first glance, it didn't seem like a big problem, but the important point was elsewhere.

“There's Ji Eun-ho among the actors on stage...”

Ji Eun-ho.

He was the leader of the famous idol group ‘Black C’. Although he was unknown, he had been attending school.

‘I heard he entered the theater and acting department at our university.’

The drama club at Moonmyeong University sold tickets in advance through crowdfunding and sold the remaining tickets on-site. There were costs for renting the school theater, and a lot of expenses for buying stage props and setting up the walls.

Everyone's expressions turned serious.

“Many people are already asking for refunds. What should we do...”

“What can we do? We have to refund those who ask.”

Although she said it casually, Hye-ju's expression darkened.

【The theater where the performance is scheduled has a capacity of about 60 people. With a total of 6 performances, we can gather up to about 360 people. The same applies to the Moonmyeong University Theater and Acting Department's production practice performance.】

‘How many people have booked our performance so far?’

【Currently, 32 people have booked.】

32 people meant about 5 people per performance.

‘What about the acting department’s performance?’

【All performances are sold out.】

It was a natural outcome. Even among student performances, a performance with a famous celebrity couldn't be beaten. The president tried to cheer everyone up.

“Hey, it's okay! Everyone, promote it more to your friends, and it will be fine! Right?”

“Yeah...”

Uncertain responses came.

At that moment, Bryun spoke in a steady voice.

【In the current situation, promotion through SNS would be the most effective.】

‘Aren’t you already promoting it through Shining Star?’

Shining Star was one of the apps commonly used by people in their 20s and 30s, often referred to as ‘Shasta’.

After a few seconds of silence, Bryun continued.

【Among the students currently taking the ‘Understanding Modern Literature’ course with Mr. Yoo-il, there is a person named Lee Hye-jin. It would be good to give the first performance ticket to her.】

‘...Suddenly?’

【Lee Hye-jin is a Bluechat user with thousands of followers. Bluechat is a platform for real-time communication within a limited number of characters, often used by people who are passionate about specific individuals or works. Based on the calculations, this would be the most effective way to promote...】

Wait a moment...

‘...Why do you know such things?’

Misunderstanding Yoo-il's complex expression, Hye-ju patted his shoulder lightly.

“It's okay. We're not doing this to make money.”

“No, that's not it...”

“We can apply for a school support program next semester. We can also ask the professors.”

Listening to Hye-ju's forced cheerful voice, Yoo-il nodded silently.

If it was the ‘Understanding Modern Literature’ class... it was tomorrow.

*

‘Ah, it’s boring. I want to go home quickly.’

It was near the end of the class. The lecture, despite its title, was mostly theoretical, and it was difficult and hard to focus for Lee Hye-jin, who had expected a creative class. She stifled a yawn and secretly scrolled through her Bluechat feed with one hand.

[Next week, Eun-ho is performing at Moonmyeong University.]

[@gmrgmr

No, the tickets for Eun-ho's performance sold out immediately. I'm crying. Is there anyone who can transfer their ticket? Probably not, I know. I'm just crying. ]

Many of her followers were fans of Black C. This was why her feed had been like this for a few days. She also knew that Eun-ho was performing, even though she didn't know what kind of performance it was.

‘It has been a while since I saw a play or musical.’

Maybe I'll book a play in Daehak-ro after class. As she thought this, she looked away from her phone. At that moment, the bell rang.

As she was about to leave with her bag, someone blocked her path. It was a tall person. Hye-jin looked up to see who it was.

‘This person...’

He was the one who always gave clear answers with a good voice whenever the professor asked persistent questions to the students.

‘...He looks good up close too.’

Lost in admiring the man's face, Hye-jin was startled by a sudden voice.

“Are you Lee Hye-jin?”

“Uh, yes.”

“I'm performing at the school, and I would like you to come and see it.”

“A performance...?”

Then he handed her a temporary ticket.

“On the day of the performance, you can exchange this for a regular ticket at the booth.”

‘A strange country... Romeo?’

Hye-jin, who had received the ticket unexpectedly, saw the man smile.

At that moment, her tangled thoughts were neatly organized.

“Yes! I'll definitely come.”

“Thank you.”

The man continued softly.

“And, Hye-jin. Thank you for the detailed feedback on the last essay assignment.”

...What? Hye-jin quickly thought.

Right. There was such an assignment. They had posted a midterm replacement essay on the electronic lecture room and given each other feedback over the weekend.

‘But... you gave me excessive feedback on my essay, so I just returned the favor!’

But the man had already disappeared after a polite bow. Hye-jin, who had almost been excited for a moment, managed to calm herself down.

‘Still, a play. It's my first time seeing a school play.’

She was already considering going to a play in Daehak-ro, so it was even more welcome.

“The performance... is next week, right?”

*

On the day of the performance, the small theater in the student council building was bustling with drama club members.

Yoo-il, dressed in a loose white shirt, a knitted vest, and black pants for the performance, fixed his hair with wax and applied simple makeup. The makeup team members, who were in charge of makeup, had a serious conversation while looking at Yoo-il's face.

“Wow... Yoo-il, you should keep looking like this. Your forehead makes you look good.”

“No, you look good even with bangs.”

“It's thanks to the makeup by the seniors.”

“No, your skin is so good, we didn't do much.”

As Yoo-il, embarrassed, was fixing his appearance, a stage team staff member, who had become close while preparing for the play, whispered to him.

“The seniors and professors are coming to see the first performance. I heard a senior who has already debuted as a playwright in Daehak-ro is coming too.”

“Wow, there's a senior who's already a playwright?”

“Yeah. He graduated about three years ago, but I heard he's still writing plays.”

Yoo-il knew the drama club was famous, but he didn't expect to have a senior who was already a playwright.

Hye-ju clapped her hands and shouted.

“Everyone, just do as well as you did in practice.”

Then, Hye-ju approached Yoo-il and whispered in a low voice.

“Yoo-il, don't worry. Just do as well as you did in practice.”

“Yes, I'll do my best.”

Hye-ju patted Yoo-il's shoulder and walked towards the booth. Watching her back, Yoo-il started to feel the reality of the situation.

Yoo-il clenched and unclenched his fists. He felt a tingling sensation in his heart.

‘I'm starting to get nervous.’

【Heart rate normal. Body temperature normal. Oxygen saturation normal. Slightly tense but stable. The performance is about to start, so I'm switching to ‘Do Not Disturb Mode’.】

‘Do Not Disturb Mode? There's such a thing?’

I should have used it earlier.

At that moment, a bright light flashed from a stage team member's phone, which was set to maximum brightness to hear the stage directions.

- 15 minutes before the performance.

- House music on.

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- Audience entry begins!

*

Lee Hye-jin didn't even know there was a small theater in the basement of the student council building until she