Chapter 102:

Name:I've Become a Genius Actor Author:
Chapter 102:

Yooil made his way to the practice studio in Seocho-gu. As soon as he entered, he was greeted by Director Kim Juwon.

"Yooil~ How have you been?"

Director Kim Juwon was still wearing his usual beanie.

According to the staff, Director Kim Juwon owned multiple identical beanies. The staff whispered as if they were sharing a secret.

When we get into the serious practice period, he becomes very sensitive. It's like a beanie and always wears similar clothes Maybe it's a kind of superstition or something?

It seems like he just wears them because they're comfortable.'

Whatever the reason, the beanie had become his iconic fashion item.

After exchanging greetings with Director Kim Juwon, Yooil took his seat and waited for the other actors.

The main cast of <Ordinary Family> consisted of three actors: Han Yooil, Lee Soyun, and Kwon Mija. Lee Soyun was known as a serious actor', having performed in theater since her twenties and recently started appearing in dramas. Kwon Mija was a veteran actress, famous for her acting skills as much as her extensive career.

As the door to the practice room opened, Yooil stood up immediately.

The person who entered was the actor Yooil was most looking forward to meeting in this play, Kwon Mija. Her grey hair neatly combed, she entered the practice room and noticed Yooil in the center.

"It's been a while, ma'am."

"Oh, just call me senior', that's fine."

Kwon Mija and Yooil knew each other. They had worked together just a few months ago in <The Sun and the Moon>.

"Yes, I remember Congratulations on your award. I watched it on TV; your acting was good."

"Thank you, senior."

A faint anticipation appeared on Kwon Mija's face.

I was curious.'

She hadn't been able to see Yooil's acting up close during the shooting of <The Sun and the Moon>.

Most of her scenes were shot inside the palace set, so the days she saw Yooil's face during the shooting period could be counted on one hand. Only now did she feel like they were really going to act together.

"Well, we will see each other often this time."

Then, the practice room door opened again. Short black hair and monolid eyes caught attention.

"Hellooo~!"

The girl who entered cheerfully looked at Yooil and Kwon Mija in the center of the practice room.

Kwon Mija senior looks happy?'

Lee Soyun, who had already performed in a play with Kwon Mija, was a bit surprised. Although Kwon Mija was gentle, she wasn't someone you could easily approach.

Was she more playful than expected?

Quickly composing her thoughts, Lee Soyun wore a full smile on her face.

"Seniooooor!"

"Ah, Soyun is here."

Lee Soyun, with a coquettish voice, ran and hugged Kwon Mija. Their interaction resembled that of a grandmother and granddaughter, just like the roles they were about to portray.

"I'm Han Yooil."

"And I'm Lee Soyun!"

After a brief greeting, Lee Soyun looked at Yooil with a curious eye.

Lee Soyun was intrigued by Han Yooil.

She knew he was a rising star. And with such popularity, there were always rumors. But he wasn't particularly notorious. Even when she asked around, few people knew him well, making her curiosity harder to satisfy.

I didn't expect him to do theater.'

It wasn't unheard of for actors famous in the theater scene to receive acclaim in dramas or movies, but it was rare for rising stars to participate in theater.

As the white practice room filled with a similar yet distinct sense of anticipation, Kim Juwon opened his mouth.

All the actors are here, so I guess we can start soon.

After briefly explaining the play and the direction of the production, he clapped his hands loudly once and shrugged her shoulders.

Let's start the reading.

Simultaneously, the expression on Kim Juwon's face, which had been relatively soft and malleable until a moment ago, sharpened instantly. The atmosphere among the staff also noticeably shifted.

It begins.

Yooil slowly opened his eyes.

Jisoo, do the cleaning today.

Yooil's movement now. If we create the world outside the bunker as a regular spiral path

We could solve the space issue as well.'

With this unexpected solution in mind, the artistic director started to run simulations in his head and began scribbling notes frantically on the empty margins of his notebook.

* * *

Meanwhile, Jisoo, realizing that the being she let into the bunker was a robot, became annoyed.

"What, you're not a human? Why did you lie about being an ascetic?"

"I am an android created for exploration purposes, Ascetic B-234."

"What kind of name is that for an exploration robot? Is that really true?"

As Jisoo spoke irritably, the robot, as if it had been waiting, spoke up.

"Exploration, start- 9914th day."

The robot continued, staring straight into Jisoos eyes.

"Current time, local time 16:34. Lifeform, discovered."

Its eyes were devoid of life.

Lee Soyun, acting opposite Yooil, racked her brain each time he delivered a line.

What is it?'

Each word had a subtly different pitch. The intervals between words were also unusual. It was a peculiar way of speaking. Yet, it wasnt strange or awkward in its execution.

<Ordinary Family>s script did not specify a particular manner of speaking. Since proper rehearsals had not yet begun, all aspects of the performance were the actors own interpretations.

How did he do that?!'

She was overwhelmingly curious!

Lee Soyun's eyes sparkled with curiosity, a trait she never allowed to wane. As soon as it was break time, a white arm suddenly appeared in front of Yooil. It was because Lee Soyun had firmly grabbed Han Yooil's arm.

"Do you have a reference for this character? How did you decide on the way of speaking? Do you practice alone?"

Lee Soyun looked directly at Yooil with fiery eyes. Observing this, Kim Juwon quietly smiled.

Good.'

She started to anticipate the synergy that the three actors would show. It was a moment that proved she had chosen the right people.

* * *

That night.

Han Yooil sat in his room for background immersion.

Although he had prepared for his acting through background immersion even when auditioning for <Ordinary Family>, after the first reading, Yooil had become acutely aware of his shortcomings.

I want to do better.'

That was why Yooil repeatedly went through the background immersion for the same scene.

Starting the background immersion for Chapter 1.

Empty streets. A ghost town where dust swirled. Buildings lost to humanity and in ruin. Corroded cars, signs with faded letters.

Dust had taken the place where life once thrived.

It was a street he had walked countless times.

Yooil slowly walked down the street, clearing his mind of all distractions.

Exploration Day 9914.'

With each step, layers of emotions and thoughts were peeled away.

As Yooil methodically surveyed his surroundings with dry eyes, the voice of Brion echoed in his head.

Heart rate decreased by 18bpm. Body temperature dropped by 2.1C. Oxygen saturation at 93.5%. Warning: Hypoxia. Terminating background immersion'

The next moment, Yooil staggered due to a sudden wave of dizziness. His vision started to blur. Dizziness overcame him, a predictable outcome considering he had been in background immersion longer than usual.

I'll be fine after a little rest.'

Yooil let his body relax, waiting for the surrounding background to fade away.

?'

But soon, he looked around in panic. The background immersion didn't fade away as it usually did.

"Brion?"

For the first time in a long while, Yooil called out to Brion with his voice.

But there was no response.