Chapter 86:

Chapter 86:

Chapter 86

It was a sunny spring day.

I was such a fool.

Yeon-su was still depressed after the Korean Drama Festival ended.

How could she make a mistake at such a big event?

She was lucky that Young-guk covered up her blunder with an ad-lib, or else it would have been a disaster.

She had never messed up her lines during the run-through, but on stage she stuttered and turned pale with fear. She could only imagine how he felt.

Idiot, moron, jellyfish.

She vented her guilt inwardly. Her best friend Kim Yu-min, who sat next to her, looked restless because of Yeon-sus gloomy mood since morning.

She was usually a cheerful girl. But for the past few days, she had been wearing a sad face.

What if I ruin their chance of winning an award?

The award ceremony of the Korean Drama Festival was approaching.

Yeon-su was worried that her mistake might affect the prize for Spring of Joseon.

The director Lee Chang-hoon and Young-guk had called her separately and comforted her, saying that it was normal to make mistakes and that she was fine. But she couldnt erase the guilt that lingered in her heart.

Yeon-su, are you okay?

Kim Yu-min asked cautiously, but Yeon-su nodded briefly and said,

Yeah, Im fine.

She lowered her face toward the desk. It was lunchtime, but she didnt seem to have any intention of getting up.

Kim Yu-min looked at her with concern and suddenly widened his eyes as he looked at the back door of the classroom.

Why are you so down?

Yeon-su lifted her head at the familiar voice. She met the eyes of a man who was looking at her.

Some of the girls were already making a fuss as Young-guk suddenly appeared in the first-year classroom.

Growing pains.

Thats what Young-guk thought as he looked at Yeon-su. He had also made mistakes while acting.

When he first stepped into the drama scene, he had learned to act while being cursed at. But he would freeze on stage and mess up.

That experience made him grow into a deep and mature actor. In that sense, Yeon-su was going through growing pains.

At that moment, he took Yeon-sus hand and pulled her up from her seat.

Come with me.

He held her hand and left the classroom.

The girls made an even bigger commotion as they saw Young-guk take Yeon-su away.

It was like a scene from a movie.

***

Then, we unanimously agree that Spring of Joseon is the best work.

The judges of the Korean Drama Festival were gathered.

They were all people who had been through many trials and tribulations in the drama scene.

The chairman of the association couldnt hide his surprise.

In fact, every time they selected the best work of the Korean Drama Festival, the judges would argue fiercely over the works that impressed them. But this year was different.

It was that impressive.

The judges with wrinkled faces unanimously agreed on the result.

They were known as stubborn dramatists, but they had no objection to Spring of Joseon being the best work.

It was a work that attracted the attention of the drama world and the public.

Not to mention, the combination of Jeong Yong-dae and Seong Ji-hoon made it impossible to criticize the artistic quality and performance. But as always, the judging process was not always smooth.

The problem was the next one.

As the actors name is announced, all eyes are focused on him.

Baek Muyeol, or rather Young-guk, dressed as a modern boy, goes up to the stage for the award ceremony.

He receives the award plaque from the Minister of Culture and stands in front of the microphone. The host gives him a mischievous look and says,

Jang Young-guk, a lot of people are watching you right now, so dont be shy and say a few words as Baek Muyeol, the lead of The Spring of Joseon!

Of course, he had done his makeup and costume as Baek Muyeol.

He looked like a modern boy who had just run out of the streets of Gyeongseong.

The audience and the reporters who came to the ceremony, and even the actors sitting at the tables, showed their anticipation on their faces.

Would he be flustered?

No way, Young-guk was a veteran in the theater scene. He had been there for a long time, just like the elders sitting on the jury seats. He could handle this kind of impromptu speech.

The modern boy took off his fedora and scanned the audience. His eyes looked confident and relaxed, as if he had found his rightful place.

As flowers wither and bloom, the harsh winter has finally passed and spring has come again. Seeing these beautiful flowers blooming so wildly, I guess spring has truly arrived in our Joseon. I feel my heart pounding as I smell the fragrance of the spring day that I had longed for. I didnt know then. That such a good day would come.

His joke made the audience laugh.

By the way, I havent introduced myself yet. Please remember my name, those of you who came here.

The modern boy gave a fresh smile and added,

I am Joseons best playboy, Baek Muyeol.

***

After the theater festival, he had to perform in Seoul and the provinces for a month.

He had received so many requests for re-runs.

He had to travel around, sweating on his feet, to repay the audience.

A month passed by like a stream.

As he performed with the actors and traveled across the country, he remembered his past life.

He had wanted to be a loved actor then, too.

As if to remind him of his dream, the interviewer tapped him with her bright eyes. The VJs camera was already lit up as if excited.

Interview.

Since the theater festival, the interest in Jang Young-guk has been increasing day by day. Especially for The Spring of Joseon, where you showed a brilliant performance at the festival, I heard that there are still continuous requests for re-runs even after the provincial tour. Did you expect The Spring of Joseon to attract such a nationwide popularity?

He hesitated for a moment at the interviewers question.

To be honest, he didnt expect the popularity to be so great. It all started with someones internet review.

A poet who had watched the play had posted his impression on the internet.

-The acting skills of Jang Young-guk, a young actor, were like a flower waiting for a hopeless spring day. At first, his eyes were full of joy as a playboy, but soon they turned into a silent cry. Seeing him, I begged and wished for that flower to bloom. I was ignorant of the theater, but that day I watched The Spring of Joseon, and I realized the sorrow of the independence fighters who had died in the past. I looked back at myself, who was enjoying the spring day without any guilt, on the land that was built on countless cries. I have a wish to see it again with my friends someday. If you ask me why I want to see what I have seen, it is because I want to shiver while watching the birth of a great actor.

As the internet spread, the reviews of the play popped up one after another, and the media outlets that had attended the festival also poured out articles.

It was no exaggeration to say that Korea was stirred up. How else would The Spring of Joseon be mentioned on the 9 oclock news? They said it opened a new horizon for the theater world.

By the way, back to the main point, I heard that The Priest Confession, where you star as the lead, will be released soon. Have you seen the edited version?

I really want to see it, but unfortunately Im a minor and I cant. You know, The Priest Confession is a movie for adults only.

Thats too bad. I cant believe the lead actor cant watch his own work.

He lied.

In fact, he had already watched the edited version with the director Shin Seong-hyun.

It was only in the theater that it was for adults only, who could stop him from watching it in the editing room?

The impression he had after watching the finished movie was indescribable.

What do you think, Jang Young-guk, how many viewers are you aiming for with this The Priest Confession?

I would be grateful if many people came to see it. But I guess it wouldnt be bad if I just break even.

Hey, youre too modest. Dont be like that and tell me secretly. Off the record.

The movie cost about 2.5 billion won for production and promotion, and the break-even point was about 1 million, including the promotion cost.

Since there had never been a successful box office hit for a movie for adults only, he thought he wouldnt be able to break even.