Idol Turned Actor

Chapter 6:

Minho arrived on set early the next morning, coffee in hand and resolve steeled. The energy of the studio was palpable—staff moved with purpose, props were arranged meticulously, and the faint hum of equipment filled the air.

This was it: the first day of filming.

As Minho stood near the edges of the set, watching the production team piece together the opening scene, the weight of his role pressed down on him. It wasn't just the pressure of delivering a solid performance—his entire second chance hinged on this drama.

The system broke through his thoughts.

[Daily Motivation]

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Minho huffed a quiet laugh. "Quoting Winston Churchill now, are we?"

"Your focus is commendable. Channel it effectively today. You must seize the audience's attention from the first scene."

"Easier said than done," he muttered, but he couldn't deny the truth in its words.

The First Scene

The director called for everyone to take their positions. Minho adjusted his wardrobe—an oversized sweater and worn jeans that perfectly fit the struggling artist Seo Jiho—and stepped into the middle of the set.

The first scene was a quiet, emotional introduction: Jiho in his tiny, cluttered apartment, painting on a canvas while replaying a rejection letter from an art gallery in his head.

"Quiet on set!" the assistant director called. "Camera rolling… and action!"

Minho slipped into character as the clapperboard snapped shut.

Sitting on the battered stool, he gazed at the blank canvas in front of him. His brush hovered mid-air, trembling slightly. Slowly, his expression shifted—first to frustration, then despair.

He clenched his fists, his shoulders curling inward as if under an invisible weight. When his gaze moved to the crumpled rejection letter on the desk, his lips tightened, and his eyes glossed over with unshed tears.

A single tear rolled down his cheek as he whispered, "Why do I even bother?"

The line wasn't loud, but it carried a resonance that filled the room.

"Cut!" the director called, his sharp voice breaking the spell.

Minho exhaled, releasing the tension from his body as he glanced nervously at the director.

For a moment, the man said nothing, his eyes scanning the monitor. Then, he nodded slowly. "That's a strong start. Let's move on to the next take."

Minho's chest loosened with relief. It wasn't glowing praise, but it wasn't critique either.

[Task Complete: First Day of Filming]

Performance Rating: B+

Reward: +1 Skill Point

Minho's confidence grew as the day continued. Scene after scene, he poured his energy into Seo Jiho, finding subtle nuances to bring the character to life. It wasn't easy—Jaehyun's earlier words about control kept echoing in his mind—but he found a rhythm, blending emotion with precision.

By the time the director called for a wrap, Minho was drained but satisfied.

The Rivalry Heats Up

As Minho packed his things to leave, Jaehyun approached him, his usual smirk in place.

"Not bad for your first day," Jaehyun said, leaning casually against a nearby prop. "But don't think one decent performance is enough. Filming isn't a sprint. It's a marathon."

Minho met his gaze, his own confidence rising. "Good thing I have the endurance for it."

Jaehyun chuckled. "We'll see. Just remember—the audience can spot a pretender a mile away. If you're not genuine, they'll tear you apart."

Minho nodded slowly, his resolve hardening. "Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind when I'm standing in the spotlight."

Jaehyun's smirk faltered for the briefest moment before he turned and walked away.

Minho watched him go, determination burning brighter in his chest. He wasn't just competing against Jaehyun; he was competing against himself—against the fear, the doubt, and the shadows of his past.

A New Ally

Later that night, as Minho waited for the subway to take him home, he noticed someone approaching him. It was Yuna, one of the supporting actresses in the drama. She was petite, with sharp features and a warm smile that lit up her face.

"Hyunjae-ssi," she said, waving. "I wanted to tell you—you were great today."

Minho blinked in surprise. "Oh, thank you. I wasn't sure if anyone noticed."

Yuna laughed. "Trust me, we all noticed. There's something raw about your acting. It's different. Real."

Her words struck a chord in him. He'd been so focused on surviving each scene that he hadn't considered how others saw him.

"Thanks, Yuna. That… means a lot."

She hesitated for a moment, then added, "If you ever want to practice lines together, let me know. I've seen how Jaehyun operates. He's good, but he can be ruthless. It doesn't hurt to have someone in your corner."

Minho smiled, warmth spreading through him. "I might take you up on that. Thanks."

As the train pulled into the station, Yuna gave him a small wave before stepping onto the car. Minho watched her go, feeling a strange sense of gratitude.

For the first time, he didn't feel entirely alone.

Leveling Up

When Minho arrived home, the system chimed with a new notification.

[Skill Point Allocation Unlocked]

Current Acting Skill: Intermediate Level 1

Available Skill Points: 2

He opened the menu, scrolling through the options. Each upgrade came with a description of what it would enhance:

• Emotional Resonance: Deepens connection to character emotions, making performances more compelling.

• Scene Presence: Increases ability to dominate a scene and capture audience attention.

• Vocal Projection: Improves clarity, tone, and delivery of dialogue.

Minho considered his choices carefully. He needed to improve across the board, but emotional resonance felt like the key to making his performances unforgettable.

"Allocate one point to Emotional Resonance," he said.

[Skill Upgraded: Emotional Resonance Level 2]

"Now, one to Scene Presence," he added.

[Skill Upgraded: Scene Presence Level 1]

As the notifications faded, Minho felt a strange warmth course through him. The system's enhancements weren't dramatic, but they gave him the tools he needed to keep climbing.

He stood in front of the mirror again, staring at his reflection. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but he was ready.

This wasn't just about acting anymore. This was his redemption, his chance to take back everything he'd lost.

And he wasn't going to stop until he reached the top.