Chapter 9 - Top Star (9/200)

Chapter 9

Trainer Kim Ah-sung chuckled and said, "Really? Then show me."

It was a somewhat provocative statement.

When asked to show, Min-gi blinked and said, "Show you?"

"What, you didn't mean it when you said you could do it? You said you wanted to act as a thug. If you want to try, then do it."

Trainer Kim Ah-sung sneered, his attitude now tinged with a hint of mockery, unlike his earlier words of respect for Min-gi's choice.

"You said you'd take the difficult path voluntarily, Min-gi. But the difference between courage and recklessness is just one letter."

He continued, maintaining his direct gaze at Min-gi.

"To pass the audition, you need consistency, not just luck. If you're going to take a risk, prove that you have a solid basis for it. Not just words, but through your acting."

Kim Ah-sung's eyes were somewhat cold as he spoke, implying that he wanted to see if Min-gi had the skills to back up his words.

If Min-gi lacked confidence, he should give up and focus on more stable roles.

"Why, are you losing confidence now that you have to do it?"

Following this provocation, Kim Tae-k and Yoo Seon-a thought:

"Wow, the teacher is really intense."

"Isn't he basically telling you to give up? Even if that's the case, did he really need to say it like that?"

His tone could be perceived as harsh.

Min-gi was being unreasonable, and this was a strong move to change his mind.

In reality, there was some intention behind it.

But if you looked closely, the nuance was a bit different.

"Show me if you really meant it."

Kim Ah-sung had high hopes for Min-gi.

Considering Min-gi's innate qualities, choosing to act as a thug was close to the right decision.

But it was only close.

To verify if it was a genuine statement or just a throwaway line, further testing was needed.

After all, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Thus, Kim Ah-sung wanted to see with his own eyes.

"Was it a bold statement or did you have a solid reason?"

He didn't rule out the possibility of the former but hoped for the latter.

"If my words are pressuring you, it might be better to back down now."

This was what Kim Ah-sung was thinking.

And Min-gi thought:

"Actually, this is good."

He felt that Kim Ah-sung was giving him a chance to prove his skills.

"Alright, I'll show you."

"Okay, how much time do you need to prepare?"

"I'm fine."

Min-gi declined Kim Ah-sung's consideration.

"I've practiced a lot. Whenever I had free time."

Since he was provoked, he needed to respond in kind.

* * *

"Hmm."

Min-gi, standing up and looking at the wall, took a deep breath.

"Can I do this properly?"

He had practiced extensively, but acting is always a new challenge, no matter how many times you repeat it.

His heart was pounding.

"It's free acting. After debuting, you rarely get to do this."

Once you debut, you usually perform assigned roles.

Thus, free acting was both nostalgic and unfamiliar.

In free acting, any script could be his.

A famous scene from a movie.

Just reading the lines, the character would be vividly clear.

But there was a pitfall.

"Even while delivering the lines, you can't be consumed by the script."

Newcomers often face a dilemma.

Being overly conscious of the script, they can't deviate from its framework.

"But a professional can't be like that."

Even with the same script, you must show your own unique performance.

It's like a singer performing another's song.

While maintaining the original's quality, it shouldn't be a mere imitation. Any song should become your own.

Overcoming this is the first step for a professional actor.

"Can I really do this properly?"

He had prepared the script in advance, one he was quite confident about.

But before starting, Min-gi calmly visualized himself in his mind.

His appearance had changed since he was in his 30s.

Thus, his character had to change as well.

His thinning hair needed a haircut soon.

His jaw was sharp.

His nose wasn't too high or too low, but he was confident in its shape.

Overall, his features were delicate.

"General thug acting won't be enough."

He couldn't just be a mindlessly bad character.

His appearance was too far from an intimidating figure.

Rather, what should he be?

A mischievous and annoying character, like a pickpocket.

The image of Min-gi in his mind began to change slightly.

"Alright."

At some point, his objective visualization was complete.

Min-gi, recalling the moment, shouted:

"Oh, miss!"

He was a thug, specifically a pickpocket.

His lips curled up to his ears.

"Here again? Where's the person you came with last time? Ah, this mouth of mine."

A pickpocket ready to seduce and exploit a woman.

This image overlaid his appearance.

"Hehe, I'll treat you to a full course today."

But it wasn't smooth.

There was a subtle awkwardness in his movements.

Given the provocative nature of thug acting, even a small sense of alienation was noticeable.

But if we're talking about amateur level, his performance was more than sufficient.

At least, that's how Kim Tae-k and Yoo Seon-a saw it.

"Wow, I thought he was just a bookworm, but he has this side?"

"He's just like Kim Tae-k."

But what about Kim Ah-sung, who wasn't an amateur?

"Something's missing."

It was disappointing.

Of course, Min-gi's acting was excellent.

Good enough to earn praise rather than criticism.

But Kim Ah-sung expected more from Min-gi, a step beyond the ordinary.

"Is this all? I don't think so."

At that moment, he was skeptical.

"..."

Min-gi's leg wobbled.

As if he had been hit by someone, his body tilted to the side.

He made a bewildered face, tried to stand up, but fell back like a floundering fish.

"Did he trip?"

Kim Ah-sung's eyes flickered.

Mistakes in acting are common, but the timing was bad.

No matter how good the basics, breaking the flow means failure.

...or so he thought.

"Whoa."

Min-gi wiped his cheek and shouted:

"Ah! What kind of punk is this!"

* * *

Kim Ah-sung's mind was momentarily confused.

He thought Min-gi had tripped and fallen, but then he suddenly shouted.

And with quite a strong curse.

While his concentration was broken, Min-gi, pointing at the empty air, continued:

"Hey, what's your problem? Why did you hit me? Are you rich? Hey! Call the police? What? Will you call?"

The moment his voice sank in, Kim Ah-sung realized:

"This was also acting!"

Even the fall, which seemed so natural, was part of the act.

At that moment, Kim Ah-sung's mental image of Min-gi's thug character was complete.

"Wow, this guy is something."

The 2% missing from his performance was filled in. The scene came to life, and an overwhelming sense of immersion took over.

The moment Kim Ah-sung's critical perspective shifted to appreciation.

"Damn, embarrassing."

Min-gi, standing up with a pained expression, grumbled.

Even as he stood, his leg trembled naturally.

"Wow, the details are amazing."

Just as Kim Tae-k marveled and anticipated the next act:

Beep! Beep!

The alarm started to sound.

It meant Min-gi's 1 minute and 30 seconds were up.

"Ah."

The short free acting session ended, leaving a sense of regret. At that moment, Min-gi thought:

"Damn it."

It was a shock.

"Bad luck. Why did my leg give out right then?"

Indeed, Min-gi's stumble wasn't part of the act.

It was due to muscle soreness from the previous day's leg workout.

The rest was pure improvisation.

He fell again while standing up because of a mild cramp, and his pained expression was genuine.

The curses were also partly genuine.

"What an idiot! He said he'd do it right away when given time!"

He knew the reason without asking. He thought it would look cool.

Responding to provocation with more provocation.

It's cool, but the line between cool and embarrassing is thin.

"Ugh!"

He was so embarrassed that his face burned.

Instead of feeling relieved after the performance, his mind was filled with regret.

He wanted to do it again if he could turn back time.

But blaming others later was meaningless.

It was already too late.

"..."

"..."

The atmosphere was clearly tense.

The expressions of Kim Tae-k and Yoo Seon-a were deeply meaningful, as if they wanted to say something but held back.

To Min-gi, it looked like they were barely suppressing laughter.

Of course, it was all his imagination.

"I need to ask him about his physical acting later."

Kim Tae-k was eager to learn his techniques.

"Despite being so thin, I thought his action skills would be weak, but he's good at everything. I learned a lot today."

Yoo Seon-a was mentally reviewing Min-gi's performance.

Not acting, but in general.

Anyway, all three were silent, waiting for Kim Ah-sung to speak.

"Min-gi."

His first words were a question.

"What script was that from?"

"Ah, that."

Min-gi opened his mouth to answer but stopped.

He was going to confidently name the work, but realized it hadn't been released in this era yet.

Because it was a script he had written in the future.

That's why he was so confident.

But it didn't work out.

"Let's be honest."

Min-gi took a deep breath and said:

"I created it."

"Created? Really?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

Kim Ah-sung chuckled, finding the situation amusing.

After a moment, he asked:

"Min-gi, do you write scripts on your own?"

"Sometimes. I want to try scriptwriting if I get the chance. It's a dream."

"A dream, interesting."

At that moment:

Kim Ah-sung stood up, leaving the three bewildered, and opened the door to the practice room, saying:

"Min-gi, keep doing it like this."

"..."

Min-gi's face lit up.

Kim Ah-sung continued:

"And while original scripts are good, for auditions, try to use more famous works. The judges don't like original scripts much."

"Okay, okay!"

"And one more thing."

Kim Ah-sung lightly scanned Min-gi from head to toe and asked:

"Why was your leg trembling so much?"

"Because I was still tense."

"Okay? Take a seat and rest for a moment. It's going to get tougher from now on."

In reality:

His calf was cramping.