Chapter 41

When Seoyeon played Hong Jeong-hee, she exhibited profound emotional acting.

It’s not that she avoided method acting or similar techniques out of preference.

The problem was insufficient information.

Eventually, Seoyeon’s ordinary emotional acting became on par with that of a veteran actor.

In other words, her performances were based on either experiences she directly underwent or observations she made.

Conversely, situations she hadn’t experienced or characters far from the “ordinary” took longer to understand emotionally.

Fundamentally, to Seoyeon, emotions in her previous life were things to be learned.

Even though that flaw disappeared after her reincarnation, emotions she hadn’t consciously felt or experienced were still difficult to grasp.

To Seoyeon, the character ‘Hong Jeong-hee’ was nothing more than a script.

Her words and habits often made little sense to Seoyeon.

Thus, her interpretation of Hong Jeong-hee was the result of Seoyeon’s personal understanding of the emotions written in the script.

“Of course, that alone wouldn’t be enough to surpass Ji-woo Pyo, who already fully understood the character.”

The answer was right in front of her.

So, Seoyeon observed Ji-woo Pyo’s actions.

In theater, characters’ psychologies are expressed through movements.

Pyo’s dramatic gestures helped her understand Hong Jeong-hee better.

“Alright, let’s try.”

Taking one breath, Seoyeon opened her closed eyes and looked at the judges.

“Song Min-seo.”

Hong Jeong-hee was calling to Song Min-seo.

This action was strange when you thought about it.

Song Min-seo had a hearing impairment and wouldn’t hear spoken words.

Yet, Hong Jeong-hee spoke without any sign language.

Perhaps this was done so the audience could hear Hong Jeong-hee’s words during the play.

However, other characters mixed basic signs with their speech when talking to Song Min-seo.

Therefore, Hong Jeong-hee’s words and actions were essentially a monologue.

Whether Song Min-seo heard them or not was irrelevant.

“You’re nothing but a deaf person.”

It wasn’t sarcasm.

Surprisingly, the emotion in that line was one of inferiority.

Hong Jeong-hee. Watching Seoyeon’s performance, Jo Do-yul thought to himself.

“It’s different from her previous performances. Yet, it’s not completely different either.”

At first, it seemed like she was imitating Ji-woo Pyo.

But it was more than that.

It was as if, after observing Ji-woo Pyo, Seoyeon had developed a much deeper emotional tone for the character.

Jo Do-yul assumed others must have noticed this too since the other judges were jotting down notes and watching Seoyeon’s performance like they were entranced.

“Hmm? Think about it. Seriously, do you think your older brother could genuinely like you?”

Seeing how Song Min-seo felt inferior about her hearing impairment, Hong Jeong-hee criticized her even more.

She wielded violence and made sure Song Min-seo couldn’t hear her.

“Just a play along with your pitiful tricks.”

That sense of superiority Hong Jeong-hee gained fueled Seoyeon’s delivery of the line.

“The vile woman who exploits her disabilities to take advantage of others’ kindness.”

Ultimately, Hong Jeong-hee’s lines were all about belittling Song Min-seo.

Also, simultaneously,

“Ugly.”

That word was as much about herself as it was about Song Min-seo.

Hong Jeong-hee knew she was ugly.

But that didn’t matter to her.

If only she could drive Song Min-seo away and somehow disconnect herself from Baesung-hak, she might take his place.

Even as Hong Jeong-hee criticized Song Min-seo, Seoyeon understood the underlying dark emotions.

As Song Min-seo responded calmly to Hong Jeong-hee’s words, Hong Jeong-hee’s actions grew more aggressive.

Her voice got louder and she became violent.

Seoyeon mimicked Ji-woo Pyo’s blocking and, while imitating her movements, made minor adjustments there and then.

“This is Ji-woo Pyo’s style. But for Hong Jeong-hee… it would be slightly different.”

Naturally, this was all Seoyeon’s interpretation.

However, this interpretation stemmed from better emotional understanding.

The result was the same, but Seoyeon added her own color to Ji-woo Pyo’s interpretation.

A painting sculpted by tidal currents was being refined into a magnificent aquarium decoration.

The new emotions Seoyeon had grasped through this understanding.

Thus, a new ‘Hong Jeong-hee’ came alive through her performance.

“It’s finished.”

Seoyeon responded calmly.

Brushing her tangled hair aside, and adjusting the wrinkles in her collar from the intense movements, Seoyeon faced the judges. They sat there, mouths agape, deep in thought.

“This is…”

Confusing.

Sometimes these situations arise.

Auditions where you hesitate over who to select.

“Both fit the role of Hong Jeong-hee.”

“Externally, Ji-woo Pyo seems better, right?”

“Actress Seoyeon is too glamorous. But that can be handled with makeup.”

Each performance was distinctive.

Either contender could portray Hong Jeong-hee impeccably.

“A true monster.”

Jo Do-yul inwardly sighed.

Undoubtedly, up until their first performance, Seoyeon had a lower level of immersion in the ‘Hong Jeong-hee’ role compared to Ji-woo Pyo.

It was an excellent performance filled with captivating presence, but Ji-woo Pyo had the better ‘Hong Jeong-hee’ feel.

“The movements were almost identical. The gestures were similar at first.”

Did Seoyeon quickly memorize Ji-woo Pyo’s movements?

The real performance came afterward, where Seoyeon’s personal touch added color to the character of Hong Jeong-hee.

“Her insistence to perform later…”

The judges remembered Seoyeon’s earlier words.

“I performed first, so I’d like to perform my next act later.”

They initially thought it was due to the pressure, but it seems it wasn’t.

“Would anyone act as a performer if the situation were this frustrating?”

Of the two actor judges, Min Se-ho let out a hollow laugh.

Being an actor, he understood perfectly.

Seoyeon had watched Ji-woo Pyo’s performance and interpreted the character on the spot before portraying it.

The prodigy child actor.

Ten years ago, that’s the nickname attached to Seoyeon.

Min Se-ho could now clearly see why.

“Ah, it’s time. We’ll notify you about the results via text or email later.”

After checking the time, Jo Do-yul spoke.

With other actors still waiting, they had simply run out of time.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

With that, Seoyeon’s first audition after her return ended.

***

“Haa.”

The moment Seoyeon stepped outside the building, she exhaled deeply.

Cold sweat formed on her forehead.

“Hong Jeong-hee’s role requires not too deep emotional immersion.”

She could still feel that lingering sensation in her chest.

Inferiority.

That dark, damp feeling remained in her chest after understanding and replicating it through the act.

The stimulating expression of the emotions was too intense for her.

“Y-youuu!!”

At that moment, Pyo Ji-woo, who had followed Seoyeon out, shouted in a trembling voice.

“How, how can you do such a thing!”

Ji-woo felt wronged.

She had spent a year practicing solely for this role, waiting endlessly.

And yet… and yet!

She lost.

She could feel it.

Ji-woo bit her lower lip and wiped the tears streaming down her eyes.

The acting was clearly similar.

No, in some aspects, Ji-woo was still better.

Hong Jeong-hee’s character suited Ji-woo’s portrayal best.

She could confidently say that.

However…

“Vocalization.”

And the maturity and growth in acting.

Even the name recognition and influence Seoyeon possessed.

On the flip side, the small edge Ji-woo could claim was that she suited the role a bit more.

In every other aspect, Seoyeon was superior.

It was only natural.

A year.

Maybe it felt long to Ji-woo, but Seoyeon had practiced for far longer.

Of course, the technical gap was expected.

It was clear that in understanding the character, Seoyeon overshadowed everyone.

Yet she caught up in an instant.

“Ughhh!!”

Seeing Ji-woo approach angrily, Seoyeon narrowed her eyes.

She scanned Ji-woo up and down.

“…No weapons, right?”

Especially knives.

Seoyeon looked at Ji-woo’s delicate legs.

What would happen if she delivered a strong low kick?

“Hey.”

As Seoyeon was thinking these unsettling thoughts, Ji-woo came close and reached out her hand.

Seoyeon effortlessly caught it.

“Huh?”

Ji-woo had no intention to attack.

She had only extended her hand to stop Seoyeon from walking away.

“Why are you so strong?”

Ji-woo was startled when she tried to pull her arm back but found herself immobilized.

What kind of girl has such strength?

She was upset.

Not just about losing the role, but also enduring this ordeal.

She merely wanted to talk… a little.

She might have intended to threaten slightly.

Had she really thought about causing harm, just a little?

Well, what would happen if she just gave her a small scare?

Yes, she thought about it!

But Ji-woo was a minor, still a child.

It was just a very little.

It was very little, she swore.

Tears streamed from Ji-woo’s eyes.

“Huhuuu…”

“A-aah.”

Of course, Seoyeon couldn’t help but be repelled by those tears.

In multiple ways.

“Hic.”

After some time had passed…

“…If you try anything funny, I’ll report you.”

Hearing Seoyeon’s words, Ji-woo cried even more out of sorrow.

She hadn’t done anything yet, but Seoyeon was treating her like a criminal.

Though, this wasn’t Seoyeon’s intention.

The memories of her past life were just too vivid.

‘The person who shredded someone like sashimi…’

Incidentally, Seoyeon first encountered the play “Closed Eyes” through the news.

A news report about an assault case.

The suspect was Ji-woo Pyo.

The victim was Min Se-ho.

In reality, it could be argued that this was Min Se-ho’s karmic retribution, but Ji-woo, wielding a knife, stormed into a club.

She stabbed Min Se-ho who was with his friends, sparking quite the online community debate.

‘And the fact that Min Se-ho survived that situation is remarkable.’

Despite breaking through guards, Ji-woo’s feat of stabbing Min Se-ho became widely discussed on internet forums, where she was dubbed “Swordmaster Pyo.”

If Ji-woo had brought a knife today, Seoyeon wouldn’t have dared to take her chances.

Nonetheless…

Seoyeon looked at Ji-woo weeping softly.

At least for now, she wasn’t the same person Seoyeon remembered from the news.

Moreover, having witnessed her performance, Seoyeon didn’t want her future to lead to such a catastrophic ending.

“Ji-woo… Older sister.”

“Hmm?”

“Would you like to go somewhere with me in three days?”

At least if she found out now, the same calamities that occurred in the past wouldn’t happen again.

Before Ji-woo became romantically involved with Min Se-ho.

***

“Seohee. Don’t you think it’s about time you did a drama or something?”

Inside a spacious van, manager Shin Yu-kyung scolded Seohui Jo, who was idly tinkering with her phone. They had known each other for over a decade, like family, so this was a permissible remark.

Shin Yu-kyung had numerous grievances about Seohui Jo’s recent actions.

So, she finally voiced them.

“I just don’t have the motivation lately.”

“…Hmm, you’ve pushed yourself too hard up until now.”

Seventeen years old.

Hardly attending school and wholly immersed in work, Jo was undeniably the best in her age group.

The only comparable figure was Park Jung-woo, three years older.

“Actually, it’s not just the same generation. How many actresses of the current era are doing better than you?”

Ticket-selling guarantee.

That title was bestowed on her a year ago.

In fact, Jo was still in her 3rd year of middle school at that time.

Two films, four dramas.

Each produced miraculous results and became hits.

She starred in only one of them, but what did it matter?

Her name itself had become valuable.

The students at her school would undoubtedly mob her if she attended.

She had earned that level of popularity and recognition.

And yet, Jo’s expression looked extremely bored.

“I don’t feel like acting at all.”

“You’re probably burned out. How about taking a few months off?”

“Rest.”

A word that hadn’t been used for Jo since about ten years ago.

When did she start working so tirelessly?

Jo thought about the person who sparked it all.

“Did she really retire?”

Seoyeon Joo.

She continuously repeated the name in her mind.

Even though they hadn’t had more than a brief conversation, how could someone leave such a deep impression on her?

“Take a break while enjoying some plays or musicals. Maybe you’ll regain your motivation?”

Musicals, films.

Shin Yu-kyung’s intentions were clear.

She probably thought that as an actor by nature, Jo might reignite her motivation by watching them.

‘Older sister is right. Let me rest a bit.’

Plays.

To Jo, who was active mainly in television dramas and movies, it was a somewhat unfamiliar term.

Hence, she had a bit of interest.

Yes, just a little bit.

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