Chapter 15

15. There is a way.

A middle-aged actor, who once made a decent living in the theater, had told Kang Do-hun a story.

"Man, don't even get me started. I used to act quite a bit on the stage, and I thought TV dramas were a piece of cake. But it turned out to be different from stage acting."

The senior, who had a certain pride in his acting, was harshly criticized by the director for his first drama performance.

"After getting a scolding, I was pretty fired up. I had pride in my acting, you know. But when I watched it later, even I thought it was awkward. So I thought, 'I guess I'm not cut out for dramas. I'm better suited for the stage.'"

But the senior eventually returned to dramas and achieved considerable success.

"Later, I realized it wasn't that I couldn't do drama acting because it was different from stage acting. I just couldn't act, period."

The senior continued as if imparting a profound insight.

"Sometimes people think stage acting is all about exaggeration and overacting, but that's not true. Fundamentally, acting is the same."

At first, Do-hun didn't quite understand the senior's words. How could stage acting and drama acting be the same?

"Just because there's no camera work or sound assistance on stage like in dramas, you have to project your voice louder and clearer, make your expressions more precise, and your movements a bit bigger. But you shouldn't think of it as exaggeration. Think of it as expanding your naturalness."

It took Do-hun a while to understand what he meant.

For the young Do-hun, it was a rather impressive lesson. And it was exactly the kind of acting he saw in Woo Jin-hyuk.

It's not drama acting, but it's natural. His expressions, movements, and voice projection are flawless.

Did this kid hear something like this from someone?

No. That's unlikely. Even if he did hear it, realizing and executing it is another matter. But if he did it instinctively without ever hearing it?

Ha.

Inferiority turned into jealousy, hanging heavily in Do-hun's heart.

"Alright, Lee Young-joon, Woo Jin-hyuk, good job."

Mr. Park Dong-chul's words marked the end of Jin-hyuk's performance.

"Wow!"

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Do-hun found the students' cheers and applause extremely annoying.

"Next."

Because Jin-hyuk's performance was so intense, the auditions for the next students seemed to end without much notice.

"Alright, everyone did a great job. I'm impressed by your efforts and serious attitudes."

Originally, the results were to be announced right away. But Mr. Park needed time to think.

"I think it's only right to give your efforts the respect they deserve by taking more time to consider carefully."

Although it was a temporary solution, postponing the announcement was the best option for now.

"Again?"

The students' faces showed dissatisfaction, but Mr. Park skillfully smoothed things over.

To preempt any complaints about the casting announcement, he needed to soften the blow in advance.

"Everyone did so well that I want to give participation points to all the students who participated in this audition. And I'll reflect effort points in the performance evaluation for the English subject I teach."

Carrot and stick. Indeed, the students' expressions relaxed.

"Since I need to think carefully, I'll announce the role selections after school tomorrow. Please gather here again. That's all."

Mr. Park sighed and left the music room.

***

"Excuse me, teacher."

"Huh? Do-hun. What is it?"

Mr. Park, heading to the faculty office, gave Do-hun a friendly smile. Do-hun, who seemed a bit hesitant, finally spoke.

"Woo Jin-hyuk. He did quite well, you know."

"Uh, oh? Ah, right. If you think so, Do-hun, then that must be true."

Mr. Park's already complicated thoughts became even more tangled.

If Do-hun said he wanted to work with Jin-hyuk, his plan would be ruined.

"But, teacher, you know better than I do..."

"Hmm?"

"It's not just about each actor doing well. Chemistry between actors is really important. Honestly, I don't think I fit well with Jin-hyuk."

Do-hun rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable.

"So, teacher, I'm sorry, but if you're considering giving Jin-hyuk a major role, could you let me know in advance? I think it would be better if I stepped down. I'm sorry, but..."

A smile spread across Mr. Park's face.

What a pleasant surprise.

Indeed, the acting specialist was different.

Right. Chemistry! Chemistry! What a wonderful word. The harmony of the characters on stage.

Mr. Park, who had been looking for a reason to exclude Jin-hyuk, was elated.

"No, no, Do-hun. There's no need for that. After all, you're the protagonist of this play. It should revolve around you. The role is always tailored to the protagonist. Don't worry about Jin-hyuk. I saw everything. I don't think the chemistry will be good between you two."

"Phew. Now I feel even more guilty. I should have trusted your judgment, teacher."

Mr. Park put a hand on Do-hun's shoulder affectionately.

"Ah, kid. What's there to be sorry about between us? Just trust the teacher."

"Thank you."

"By the way, please give my regards to your mother."

"Sure, I will."

A bright smile appeared on Do-hun's face.

***

"Wow, is this for real?"

From the moment the role assignments were announced, Do Min-woo couldn't hide his excitement.

Kang Do-hun as Mong-ryong

Min Seo-yeon as Chun-hyang

Yeo Min-cheol as Bang-ja

Do Ji-yeon as Hyang-dan

Kim Yoo-bin as Wol-mae

Lee Young-joon as Byeon Hak-do

These were the main roles.

From Class 3, Min Seo-yeon and Lee Young-joon were included, and the remaining roles went to Do-hun and his friend Yeo Min-cheol. The roles of Hyang-dan and Wol-mae went to two girls from different classes.

"Anyone can see that Jin-hyuk outshone everyone. Honestly, I thought his acting was better than Do-hun's."

It was true. The only reason the statement's credibility dropped a bit was because it came from Do Min-woo, the master of overacting.

Min-woo immediately protested after the role assignments were announced.

"Teacher, I have an objection! I don't understand why Woo Jin-hyuk was left out of the main roles."

"What? Who said I'd accept objections?"

"But, still—"

"Do Min-woo! What are you being so disrespectful for? I was going to explain that part in detail anyway. Do you think I didn't think about it more than you? Tsk."

The gist of Mr. Park's explanation was this:

Woo Jin-hyuk did well, but considering the overall chemistry among the actors, he had to be excluded from the main roles, unfortunately.

He then gave a lengthy speech, or rather an excuse, about how the chemistry between actors affects the play.

"So, the roles are not based on acting ability. Harmony is important in a play. Harmony. Got it?"

"But—"

"More trouble and you'll get a demerit. Do Min-woo. Why are you making a fuss when the person involved is quiet?"

Thus, the role given to Jin-hyuk was 'Damyang Busa.'

A minor role where he only had a few lines of meaningless dialogue at the end of the play during the banquet hosted by Byeon Hak-do.

"I'm not doing this."

Lee Young-joon, who had a rebellious streak despite his round, innocent appearance, said bluntly.

"I recommended Jin-hyuk, so I can't do this alone and feel good about it."

Young-joon had high hopes for Jin-hyuk.

He thought that if Jin-hyuk delivered an overwhelming performance right in front of everyone, even Mr. Park couldn't just ignore it. The play would have to be revised.

But Mr. Park started talking about chemistry between actors. Young-joon was thoroughly disgusted by Mr. Park's hypocrisy.

"Me too. I'm not doing it."

Min Seo-yeon chimed in. Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Seo-yeon. She glanced at Jin-hyuk and said,

"Whatever. Don't misunderstand. It's not because of you, Jin-hyuk. I'm just fed up with this puppet show."

Young-joon smiled slightly.

Right. Min Seo-yeon should be that kind of girl.

Then,

"You guys seem to be missing the point."

Everyone turned to Jin-hyuk, who had spoken.

"Will your complaints be taken seriously just by giving up your roles? If you give up, it will only make things more difficult for you."

"Then, what? Is there another way to make our complaints heard?"

Jin-hyuk smiled calmly.

"There is a way."

***

Lee Young-joon's mouth dropped open when he heard Jin-hyuk's plan. The other kids were equally surprised.

"Wow... Are you really going to do that?"

"But, will you be okay? Mr. Park will be furious."

Jin-hyuk just smiled meaningfully in response.

Actually, Jin-hyuk didn't care about the role.

The internal assessment benefits from participating in the play? Recognition from students and teachers? He had no interest in any of that.

There were teachers who discriminated in his previous middle school, especially against him, an orphan.

But the orphanage and school were different.

There was a simple way to get everything he wanted, whether it was internal assessment points or recognition from people.

Grades.

In front of grades that the entire school had to acknowledge, everything became simple.

It was the same in middle school, and even more so in high school, where grades were even more important.

Jin-hyuk's recent midterm exam scores were perfect in all subjects. Although the results hadn't been released yet, he had already confirmed the answers.

With perfect scores, he would naturally be the top student, and Jin-hyuk intended to maintain this dominant performance. That would be enough for his high school life.

Mr. Park's discrimination was no obstacle.

Still, Jin-hyuk had no intention of letting Mr. Park's actions slide.

He wouldn't let anyone, no matter how insignificant, take what was rightfully his.

Those who tried to take what belonged to Jin-hyuk would have to pay the price. In his past life and this one.

Revenge was a familiar concept to the mercenary Woo Jin-hyuk.

If you didn't avenge a wrong, you'd suffer even greater harm on the battlefield.

Revenge was not a choice but a necessity for a mercenary.

If he were still a mercenary, he might have prepared a bomb to blow up Mr. Park's expensive car. But now, as a student, Jin-hyuk planned to take a very student-like and cheerful revenge.

On the day of the festival play, right on that very stage.

"Your concern is appreciated, but this is primarily my problem, so I have to take the lead. Of course, your help is essential, though."

Although he said he would take the lead, Jin-hyuk knew what Mr. Park could do to him was limited.

What kind of punishment could a teacher give a student in a peaceful high school?

For a mercenary who had faced extreme torture on the battlefield, there was nothing a teacher could do that would be considered a real punishment.

Moreover, with perfect scores and the top rank, such a student would only have to write a reflection paper, no matter how big the mistake.

"Of course, we have to help."

"Sure, it'll be fun."

Seeing Jin-hyuk's calm demeanor, their eyes sparkled with anticipation rather than worry.

Jin-hyuk smiled lightly at his first revenge drama in civilian life and his fellow conspirators.