Gentle Visual Acting Genius Chapter 7 - A Confident Showdown Between Two Ten-Million Actors

#A Confident Showdown Between Two Ten-Million Actors

 

Just a month ago, he was sitting in the waiting room for the minor role audition for <The Punisher: Vigilante>, and now here he was.

 

Woohyun looked at his seat, placed beside Director Jang Hangyeol, the assistant director, and executives from the production company. He was only there to read lines. He knew he wouldn’t have any say in judging or influencing the outcome, but just having his name in this spot felt strange.

 

Lost in his thoughts, Director Jang approached him.

“Thank you, Woohyun. It must have been a very burdensome proposal.”

“Oh, Director. I’m actually really grateful! I came here with excitement. If we can match our rhythm beforehand, I think the chemistry will shine even more during the shoot.”

“Wow… How do you understand my feelings so well? It really seems like my fortune is good this year; maybe it’s all to meet you, Woohyun. I’m counting on you!”

“Sure!”

 

Sitting down, Woohyun began to review the lines he would exchange with the auditioning actors. The public audition was scheduled over four days. Today was the day of auditions for the main and supporting characters who would lead the overall narrative of <Fanatic>.

 

The passionate journalist who infiltrated the Church of Ashes, only to lose contact; and the male lead, a detective who goes undercover to find her. In their past lives, both actors had played these roles and proven their acting skills, climbing into the limelight.

 

‘Will the same actors secure these roles again? Or will there be new changes?’

 

Woohyun had already taken the spot of the actor who had played the saint in his past life. He was curious about what changes might arise from this.

 

Time passed and he sensed the anticipation building outside the audition room.

“We’ll be starting soon.”

 

With the production team settling into their seats, the staff’s announcement signaled the start of the auditions.

 

The audition process was as follows: the auditioning actors would enter, introduce themselves, and engage in a brief Q&A. Then came the prepared reading. That was when Woohyun would shine.

 

It wasn’t about performing with mechanical, clumsy lines read by a staff member; it was about showcasing a true performance alongside another actor. This moment was a chance to display the chemistry they would bring to the filming together.

 

Woohyun understood that the same lines could convey a vast spectrum of emotions depending on the actor. He had proven that in <The Punisher: Vigilante>.

 

What would today be like?

 

“Woohyun, let’s do our best.”

 

“Yes, I hope we have some amazing people!”

 

“Applicant number one, please enter!”

As the staff exchanged glances with Director Jang, the door opened, and the auditions began.

 

***

 

Two hours into the audition, Min Sooah was waiting in the lounge, mentally rehearsing her performance while ignoring the sneaky glances directed her way.

 

Suddenly, the door swung open, and an actress, unable to hide her frustration, stormed out. This was the applicant who had just entered and was a senior actress Min Sooah knew. A few years ago, she had been the lead in the weekend drama where Min Sooah made her acting debut, albeit in a minor role.

 

Catching her breath and trying to maintain her composure while sensing the stares from those waiting in the corridor, she spotted her manager and quickly approached him, venting in a low voice.

 

Since she was sitting nearby, Min Sooah couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

 

“Why did you even let me do this audition? Are you trying to embarrass me? Do I really have to endure this humiliation by a rookie who just debuted?”

 

“What? What’s wrong?”

 

“I don’t know! Don’t talk to me!”

 

Though the conversation wasn’t loud enough for everyone to hear, several people nearby caught snippets of the exchange. A growing tension was evident on their faces.

 

This wasn’t the first time such an incident had occurred. Everyone already knew that the super rookie, who had suddenly been cast in <Fanatic>, would be participating in this audition.

 

No one knew what was happening inside, but the reactions of those coming out of the audition were clear: either they emerged looking as if they had seen a ghost, or, like the senior actress, they came out unable to conceal their annoyance or frustration.

‘They really didn’t pay attention to the project and are doing it properly.’

 

The fact that the newly debuted rookie was allowed to participate in the audition spoke volumes about Director Jang Hangyeol’s commitment to perfection in this film.

 

This meant that actors would need to prove their skills in front of someone who might be a fellow rookie or a much junior actor, setting aside any previous experience or accolades.

 

This could be a sensitive issue. Perhaps Director Jang was seeking actors who could focus solely on their performances, regardless of the discomfort that might arise.

 

“I’m excited. I want to get started soon.”

 

As her turn drew closer, Min Sooah’s gaze was fixed on the closed audition room door.

 

***

 

“Oh, it’s Min Sooah. This will be interesting,” said the assistant director as he scanned the next applicant’s documents.

 

Woohyun’s eyes sparkled at the mention of the name Min Sooah. The name was familiar to him. In his previous life, she was the female lead in <Fanatic>.

 

Though she started as an idol, she steadily climbed the ranks, proving her acting skills and ultimately earning the title of a top-tier actress, more renowned as an actress than as an idol. The work that truly showcased her talent and marked her rise as an actress was <Fanatic>.

 

Although they had never worked together, they had exchanged greetings on occasion at red carpets or after award ceremonies in their past lives. He recalled what his colleagues had said about her: “She’s really genuine. She’s serious about acting. Kind of reminds me of you, Woohyun.”

 

Now that he would finally get to act alongside her, how could he not feel excited? However, the director, Jang Hangyeol, seemed indifferent, not having any great expectations.

 

“Oh, she was an idol? But hasn’t she only played mischievous characters up to now? Isn’t this her first movie after only doing dramas? I wonder if she’ll match well with Gahee,” he pondered, unsure if she would match well with the main character, Gahee.

 

“But she’s never been criticized for her acting,” replied another staff. “Woohyun, you know Min Sooah, right? What do you think?”

 

“Yes, I haven’t seen all her work, but I have seen some of her performances. I’m… quite looking forward to it.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

This was the first time Woohyun had expressed his excitement so openly during the auditions, and perhaps that was why Jang Hangyeol’s expectations rose slightly as he immediately called for Min Sooah.

 

“Hello! I’m Min Sooah. Nice to meet you!”

 

“Nice to meet you, actress Min Sooah. It must have been tough waiting,” the director greeted.

 

“Yes! It was really hard! I’ve been itching to act!”

 

Her cheerful and bold response, lacking any hint of nervousness, made Jang Hangyeol smile softly, his tension easing.

 

“Well then can we just cut it short and start your perfomance right away? As you’ve heard, Woohyun has agreed to help out with the audition.”

 

“Now that I’ve heard that, I’m even more excited! I feel like I can immerse myself more deeply.”

 

“Oh, I see.”

 

At that moment, Woohyun and Min Sooah’s eyes met, and he felt a very familiar kind of eagerness in her gaze: a burning desire to act.

 

“Let’s begin.”

 

Min Sooah was to portray Gahee, a passionate reporter who disappears while infiltrating the Fire Church. During her captivity, she slowly gets drawn into their ideologies and faces inner turmoil, transforming from a vibrant and mischievous character to one requiring more depth and a broader emotional spectrum.

 

Would she be able to demonstrate that range effectively? Jang Hangyeol, with worries that felt more like concerns, turned his gaze to Woohyun and Min Sooah as her first line began.

 

“How long are you going to keep me here? There’s no way I’ll join you guys. So if you’re going to kill me, just do it already, you scumbag cult bastard!”

 

“…!”

 

From the bright smile she wore moments ago, sharp curse words and raw hostility erupted from Min Sooah, catching the production team off guard.

 

“Ugh… I’ve heard that before, but hearing it from a reporter makes it a bit sad,” Woo-hyun replied, immediately immersing himself in the role of the saint and speaking in an unfathomable manner.

 

In a voice that whispered like a snake, Woohyun turned to Min Sooah and asked again. His upper body subtly leaned toward her, mirroring the collaboration they would have on set.

 

“Most of the religions that people believe in today were once labeled as cults. But now, everyone accepts them as the right religion. Thousands of years have passed. In a world where everything changes and many truths we once believed in also change, why should religion and belief remain the same as they were thousands of years ago?”

 

He delivered the saint’s words, armed with all kinds of sophistry. Min Sooah, confronted by Woohyun’s suddenly manic expression, stared at the harmless-looking man with a tofu-like face.

 

This was it. The thrill surged from deep within her, and the next line followed.

 

“Yeah, you’re right. The world changes. But there are absolute standards that never change. A change always pushes humanity toward a better direction. The idea of being purified by fire and turning to ash to ascend… that’s not change.”

 

“A better direction… But why didn’t the reporter write such articles in the world?”

 

“What?”

 

“The reporter has continuously exposed the injustices of the world. Thanks to that, people realized how rotten and twisted the world is, got angry, and began to hate this world, right? Did that make the world a better place? Rather… didn’t that article lead to those events happening?”

 

“That’s…!”

 

“No matter how noble the reporter’s intentions were, even for a better direction, people didn’t move according to the reporter’s intentions. Instead, all the anger that the reporter exposed just gave birth to greater anger. We don’t even need to do anything separately; this era is already burning on its own.”

 

“So, is it clear that this anger will definitely spark a war or something, and before that, we should just burn ourselves away? Isn’t that the same as falling into pessimism and trying to escape from the world?”

 

Gahee, shaken by the saint’s words that touched her sore spot, dove deeper into his fallacies, as if she couldn’t lose. In the exchange of just a few lines, Min Sooah perfectly showcased the ever-changing emotions of the character Gahee.

 

‘Am I capturing another one?’

 

While Director Jang Hangyul’s lips slowly curled into a smile at the sight of their acting, the two continued their performance.

 

Like a gentle yet irresistible current, the saint softly eroded the hearts of people, guiding them in the desired direction.

 

Gahee, the reporter, continuously fought to protect herself, burning fiercely to avoid drowning in the gradually rising water.

 

The contrasting appearances of the two characters mirrored the performance of the two actors, who seemed to be competing to see who would tire first.

 

Both actors were thoroughly enjoying the situation.

 

‘I’m glad I participated in this audition. It’s so much fun.’

 

‘So this is what people meant in my past life. I’ll show it even better on set!’

 

The production team watching their performance had long forgotten this was an audition. They were also careful not to interfere with the chemistry between the two, as they focused on them, almost holding their breath with every page turn.

 

The assistant director, somewhat retaining his sanity amidst all this, glanced at the completely absorbed face of Director Jang Hangyul, who was lost in their performance, and quietly circled Min Sooah’s name.

 

‘What if she really becomes a ten million actor?’

 

With the passing thoughts of success confirmed in his heart, the assistant director decided to enjoy the remaining performance of the two with ease.