Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor

Chapter 5

The Acceptance Text

Two Weeks Later, a Quiet Practice Room.

Oh Seok and Mooyoung sat across from each other, scripts in hand. Despite the winter draft seeping in through the old windows, sweat beaded on Mooyoung’s forehead.

“Again, the lines.”

“The DNA matches the body found in Bongdong Tunnel.”

“What’s the key word here?”

“DNA.”

“Then you need to take a breath before that. Again.”

“The DNA matches the body found in Bongdong Tunnel.”

“This time, your emotion is off. The detective has been waiting for days for these results. You can’t say it like that. Again!”

They’d been at it for hours.

Mooyoung was repeatedly practicing a single paragraph. His throat was getting hoarse, and his facial muscles ached, but he couldn’t stop.

“Again!”

Each time Oh Seok shouted “Again,” Mooyoung felt a strange catharsis. It was a satisfaction born from learning and realization.

‘This is fascinating.’

Mooyoung realized for the first time that there was a method to reading lines. Of course, this included diaphragmatic breathing, how to open the soft palate, and using facial muscles.

“Where did I tell you to put the accent?”

“Before ‘DNA.’ But it keeps rolling off my tongue.”

“That’s because your breathing is off. Again!”

Depending on where the emphasis was placed, where the emotion was added, and where the breath was taken, the same line could feel completely different. He had said the line dozens of times, yet none of them felt the same.

“The DNA matches the body found in Bongdong Tunnel.”

Oh Seok pressed the record button on the recorder in sync with Mooyoung’s reading. Without any further action from Oh Seok, Mooyoung continued to read the lines. Finally, a faint smile appeared on Oh Seok’s lips.

“-I’ll head out immediately.”

After finishing the line, Mooyoung glanced at Oh Seok. Oh Seok quickly erased his smile and pressed the stop button.

“Okay.”

“Wow. I’m really exhausted.”

As soon as the okay sign was given, Mooyoung fell backward. His throat hurt, his head hurt, and… endlessly repeating the same line made him feel faint.

“Keep listening to this and repeat it until it becomes second nature. Otherwise, it’s all for nothing.”

“Yes. Got it.”

Oh Seok checked the time.

It was already four in the afternoon. The intermediate class was about to start, and both Mooyoung and he had skipped lunch.

“Want some ramen?”

“No. I need to clean up.”

“Come on, you don’t need to do that.”

Oh Seok clicked his tongue while tidying up the desk. Mooyoung had made a proposition earlier.

-I don’t like freeloading. I’ll clean up in return. And can I sleep at the academy sometimes?

Should he call him a diligent kid or a charming one? Mooyoung was pouring his days into acting and the academy with a determination.

After school, he practiced, cleaned, attended classes, and practiced again.

He stayed at the academy several times a week until late at night. Although Oh Seok didn’t know much about his home life, judging by Mooyoung’s attitude and character, it didn’t seem like he was staying out without permission.

“I’m going to make some ramen, so hurry up and come out.”

“Yes, thank you for the lesson.”

“You did well. Make sure to drink some warm water.”

With those words, Oh Seok left the practice room. Outwardly, he seemed unfazed, but he was just as exhilarated as Mooyoung.

‘He’s like a sponge.’

From the teacher’s perspective, the hardest students were the half-hearted ones. They had picked up bits and pieces here and there, and they filtered everything through their own experience.

But Mooyoung was a sponge. Specifically, a clean, white sponge.

“Scary. Really scary.”

He absorbed everything Oh Seok poured out.

And it wasn’t forced. It was like he was naturally inclined, doing it with ease. Judging by his occasional smile, he was clearly enjoying himself.

‘They say a genius can’t beat a person who works hard, and a hard worker can’t beat someone who enjoys it…’

What about a genius who enjoys working hard?

Oh Seok shook his head in disbelief and started boiling water for the ramen.

—

**Meanwhile, Mooyoung lay on the practice room floor, not planning to get up. It was insanely, truly insanely fun. How could he have not known about a field like this!**

‘Maybe I’ll sleep here again tonight.’

Although his stepfather was gone, memories of him lingered all over the house. Being alone there made him uncomfortable. He was also worried he might see his stepfather’s ghost.

Click.

Lying still, Mooyoung replayed his line reading. It didn’t sound like his voice.

Objectively, it was the voice of an impassioned young detective.

The more recent the recorded files, the clearer the change was. The improvement was immediate, and the sense of fulfillment Mooyoung felt was palpable.

‘I just need to work on my pronunciation.’

He started sweeping the floor, analyzing his performance as if he were cleaning while listening to music.

How much time had passed? The practice room door opened, and the intermediate class students came in.

Click.

“As expected, cleaning again.”

“Hi there, Mooyoung.”

“Wow, it’s freezing outside.”

They had been together for years, always moving as a group. Mooyoung smiled and greeted them.

“Hello.”

“The teacher was eating ramen. What about you?”

“I’m good.”

“I figured as much. The fish-shaped pastries right outside here are amazing, you know?”

Yoochan had a personality that matched his appearance—friendly and endearing, the kind that seemed to be loved by everyone. He handed a fish-shaped pastry to Mooyoung and asked,

“Did you sleep here again last night?”

Mooyoung nodded, chewing on the pastry. A flash of pity crossed Yoochan’s face.

‘A kid retaking the college entrance exam and pursuing acting, kicked out of his home.’

That’s how everyone saw Mooyoung.

Initially, there was a sense of inferiority and jealousy towards his talent, but over time, they started feeling sorry for him.

Of course, this was partly because they didn’t know that Oh Seok was giving him special free lessons, and also because Mooyoung had an easy-going personality.

Mooyoung observed Yoochan’s face and asked,

“But you seem happy?”

It was a habit he had developed since starting acting. Observing and remembering everyone around him. It was also the first piece of advice Oh Seok had given him.

-When you store characters in your mind, it’s easier to add individuality to the characters in the script. Remember how you scratched the desk with rice stuck to your hand during the test? That kind of individuality. Even the same character can be acted differently depending on the depth of the actor.

“How did you know? Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah. You’re smiling more than usual.”

“Actually, the acceptance results came out today.”

“Wow, really? Congratulations.”

Mooyoung clapped his hands sincerely. The success of getting into college! It was a goal that every student in Korea had been striving for their whole lives.

“Bora, Hyungju, and I got into Bando Arts University.”

Bando Arts University. It was the top among arts universities. Many famous actors, singers, directors, etc., were alumni and dominated the industry.

“It was nerve-wracking. The competition was fierce this year.”

Hyungju, a male student, smiled proudly, showing off subtly.

“They say the professors there are no joke, and I’m already worried. But they say if you can just endure it, you’ll make it to the industry because they help each other out.”

Despite Mooyoung’s talent, Hyungju felt a sense of superiority, thinking that while Mooyoung was retaking the exam, he would be going to university and soaring ahead.

Hyungju tried to cover his sense of inferiority with those thoughts.

“Uh-huh. That’s impressive.”

Mooyoung responded calmly, sensing that Hyungju was seeking a reaction. He subtly noticed that his friends were misunderstanding something.

“When will you keep coming to the academy?”

“Me? Not sure.”

Nothing was certain yet.

If he passed an audition and started earning money, he would stop coming. Otherwise, it would depend on his financial situation.

Life didn’t always go as planned, and Mooyoung didn’t stress about it.

Right now, he could do anything.

Like a bird freed from its shackles.

“We won’t be able to come once we start school. But you’ll keep coming, right? Come visit during the school festival. There’s a lot to see at an arts university.”

“Sure. Let me know when it happens.”

“Work hard. A year might seem long, but honestly, getting into Bando Arts isn’t something you can do in just one year. It’s also good to aim for a more achievable place. Especially for those of us who-”

“Hyungju, want some pastry?”

Yoochan, who had been listening quietly, gently interrupted him. How could Hyungju boast like that in front of someone retaking the exam? And even give unsolicited advice.

“No thanks. I’m full. Anyway, getting field experience while young is important. Don’t get discouraged just because you’re retaking the exam and-”

“Hey.”

This time, it was Bora who spoke up, putting down the script she had been reading quietly in the corner.

“Stop it. It’s embarrassing to listen to.”

“What is?”

“You keep picking on him. Acting early isn’t something to brag about, so why do you keep doing it?”

“What am I doing? Kang Bora, you’re speaking nonsense.”

“You’re the one who’s being weird. Don’t put on airs.”

Mooyoung was slightly surprised.

Out of all his friends, Bora had always been the coldest to him, so he didn’t expect her to step in.

“Hey, what’s with you guys?”

“He’s the one picking a fight-”

“Stop. It’s a good day, so let’s not.”

Yoochan intervened with an awkward smile. Bora, looking exasperated, turned her attention back to her script.

‘Idiot.’

She muttered to herself.

Honestly, she was annoyed by Mooyoung. The talent gap she felt back then wasn’t something she could just let go.

But still, seeing Hyungju act like university was the be-all and end-all of talent and success was too childish to tolerate.

“Mooyoung, did I make a mistake?”

Hyungju asked Mooyoung, feigning innocence. Everyone in the practice room knew he was pretending to care while actually mocking him. Mooyoung just smiled and shook his head.

“No. It wasn’t a mistake.”

He needed to correct something.

He wasn’t even aiming for an acting major, nor was he officially retaking the exam.

Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a sound he hadn’t heard in a long time, apart from messages from Junho.

“Hmm?”

[Congratulations, Ha Mooyoung. You have been accepted to the Global Culture Department at Seoyeon University. Please check the website for detailed registration information.]

“What’s up?”

Seeing him stare blankly at the screen, Yoochan peeked over. After reading the text, he looked at Mooyoung.

“Hey, you-”

Seoyeon University. A prestigious institution recognized nationwide. Everyone except Bora and Hyungju gathered around Mooyoung, bursting into admiration.

“Wow! You did it!”

“Unbelievable! This guy is amazing.”

“What happened? What is it?”

“Hey, Hyungju. He got into Seoyeon University!”

Hyungju’s expression shifted subtly at the news from their excited friends. Mooyoung looked at Hyungju and smiled softly.

“I got in.”