Chapter 47

47. A New Team

"Director, you said you're going to Busan on Saturday, right?"

"Yes."

"Can I go with you?"

"Team Leader Kim? What for? It's a day off."

"Come on. Do we even have separate days for working and resting? Actually, I'm curious. What kind of friend is it that you're going all the way to Busan to meet?"

Director Park Sung-woo of HC Entertainment was planning to meet Woo Jin-hyuk again in person.

"It would be better if the drama festival was held in the capital area. Unfortunately, it's in Busan."

"Hehe. It's actually good that it's in Busan."

"What? Oh, yeah, Busan is good. But it's too far."

"It's good that it's far."

Team Leader Kim tilted his head, not understanding the meaning of Director Park Sung-woo's words.

At the same time, at NTN Entertainment.

"Wow, Director, you're really going all the way to Busan?"

"There's a friend I need to meet there."

The employee shook his head at Director Jang Dong-soo's words.

"Seriously, how great can a high school student be for our director to be so excited?"

"Team Leader Choi, do you want to hear an interesting story?"

"What story?"

Jang Dong-soo's lips curled up as if he couldn't hold back his excitement.

"I told you I was completely smitten when I saw this kid perform at the youth singing competition."

"Yes, you did."

"But, this kid has been cast in a major role in 'High School 2.'"

Team Leader Choi's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected news.

"Really? You said he's a great singer."

"Exactly. But I heard he's also an amazing actor. I haven't seen it myself."

"Wow. Considering your ears are not ordinary, and now he's also a great actor... He must be something special."

"Exactly. That's why I'm going to see his acting as well. I'm going with Mr. Kim Jang-un to evaluate his acting."

Team Leader Choi nodded.

"Since you put it that way, I'd like to see him too, but it's in Busan. It's too far."

"Hehe. In situations like this, the farther you go, the better."

"Huh?"

"Think about it. Going so far... It shows a lot of sincerity."

Coincidentally, at the same time, in a different place, Director Park Sung-woo of HC Entertainment was saying the same thing.

"It shows a lot of sincerity, the farther you go."

***

Snowflakes flew past Jin-hyuk's gaze, scattering beyond the window.

It was already mid-February, but the cold snap that refused to let winter end was still sprinkling snow.

The fields were already covered in snow, and the mountain ridges were lined with frozen trees.

"Hey, have you been to Busan?"

"Of course. You've never been to Busan?"

"I went when I was little, but I don't remember anything."

The excited chatter of the students, who were looking forward to the trip, gradually quieted down.

As the snowfall gradually subsided and eventually disappeared, it was time to wake up Do Min-woo.

"Hey, Do Min-woo, wake up."

"Ugh, what?"

While Lee Young-jun was waking up Do Min-woo, who was drooling and fast asleep, the other students started to gather their belongings.

The bus stopped, and the students began to get off one by one. Jin-hyuk moved slowly, almost the last to leave.

Whoosh.

As soon as he stepped off the bus, a cold wind brushed past his cheeks. To Jin-hyuk, who had found the bus a bit warm, it was a refreshing breeze.

Busan.

The place where Jin-hyuk spent his last days in this world in his previous life.

It wasn't a place filled with only good memories.

It was where he started his life in a gang after getting involved in a fight with gangsters while living on the streets after leaving the orphanage.

Although it was a world of despised gangsters, it was once a precious organization to Jin-hyuk, who had never felt a deep sense of belonging in his life.

However, the end of a 17-year-old gang member with no connections was a predictable one.

Being used and then discarded. In the end, Jin-hyuk chose to escape by stowing away to save his life.

Still, for Jin-hyuk, who had returned after 17 years of wandering, the Busan of 17 years ago was enough to make his heart flutter.

"Ma. Ne. Ge. A. Bu. Ji. Mo. Hi. Si. No?"

Do Min-woo leaned in with a sly expression, attempting to deliver a line that seemed to be part of an acting attempt.

"..."

Jin-hyuk stared at Min-woo's face for a moment before silently pushing him away.

"Hey, if I act, you should respond in kind."

So, you should act too.

Since Jin-hyuk started his acting career, he had developed a standard for what he considered good acting. Even for close friends, he couldn't compromise on this.

"Boring kid."

While Do Min-woo grumbled, Mr. Kim Jong-ho, who had finished counting the students, called out.

"Alright, let's unpack at the accommodation and then head to the venue for some practice."

The students headed to the accommodation with excited faces.

***

"Hey, let's go over there."

"What is it? There's a balloon game over there."

"Ooh."

From morning, the area around the drama festival venue was bustling with people. The youth drama festival in Busan had already established itself as a local event.

It wasn't just for those who came to watch the plays. The festival atmosphere was enjoyed by citizens who came to enjoy the food stalls and game booths, which were lined up from morning.

In contrast, the venue was relatively quiet. A calm opening ceremony was being held for the 8 school teams and officials participating in the main event of the drama festival.

"Alright, with this, the official opening ceremony is briefly concluded. Now, let's have a round of introductions and greetings from each team, as we pledge to engage in friendly competition."

The MC's tone was more relaxed compared to the opening ceremony.

"First, let's introduce the team that can be considered a representative of the Busan region. Please welcome the 'Seagull' drama team from Dongrae Arts High School."

The Dongrae Arts High School students lined up on the stage, and a very cute and confident-looking girl stepped forward.

"Hello! We are the 'Seagull' drama team from Dongrae Arts High School, the team that calls for victory. Although we feel sorry for the other teams for coming such a long way, we will take home the grand prize this time!"

The students murmured at her bold declaration, which, despite being said playfully, didn't feel entirely playful.

"Wow, that's intense. They have a lot of spirit."

"Hey, but when did the Busan Seagull start calling for victory? From what I know, they were eliminated in the semifinals last year..."

"Shh! Hey, this is Busan."

As each team finished their introduction, the students' chatter grew more lively, but so did the tension.

"Next, let's welcome the team that won the grand prize last year. Please welcome the 'The Best' drama team from Seoul Cultural Arts High School."

The Cultural Arts High School team, dressed in their fancy uniforms, slowly stood up and moved to the stage. Their confident and relaxed demeanor was evident in every step.

"Wow, that's impressive."

"Really. Cultural Arts High School isn't just any school."

"The team name is 'The Best' too."

The Cultural Arts High School students finished lining up. Their appearance alone was far from ordinary, which was enough to make the other teams nervous.

A school known for producing many of the most outstanding stars in the current Korean entertainment industry, both singers and actors.

This time, even the judges had the same reaction as the students.

"Will Cultural Arts High School be the strongest contender again this year?"

"Maybe, but Dongrae Arts High School isn't easy to beat either. They were the runners-up last year."

"Hmm. I'm curious. What do you think, Chairman?"

The youth drama festival has separate preliminary and final judges, and it's an unwritten rule that the preliminary evaluations are kept secret.

The final judges are supposed to judge based solely on the live performances, without any preconceived notions about the teams.

However, information about the participating teams and participants doesn't come only from the preliminary judges.

Especially for someone like Professor Lee Chang-soo, the chairman of the judges, who has many sources of information, whether he wants them or not.

"Let's see..."

Professor Lee Chang-soo responded to the judges' questions with a vague, ambiguous smile.

"Hello. We are the 'The Best' drama team from Cultural Arts High School, and we want to show the best performance, not just the best results."

Among the sparkling students, a tall boy stepped forward to introduce the team.

He wasn't just tall. With a smooth, handsome face, he looked like the leader of the visual team.

"We are 'The Best'! We will do our best. Please watch us!"

He was confident. Clearly, he was used to being the protagonist.

"Wow, they're really intimidating. Everyone looks so good."

"Their uniforms are so cool too."

"I feel my confidence slipping. Ugh."

The participants murmured. Even the students from Myungseong High