༺ Something More Urgent Than Character Analysis ༻
“What did you say?”
Yoomyeong exclaimed in surprise.
{Why are you so surprised? You really didn’t know?}
Miho’s deep eyes locked onto his, seemingly reading his mind.
Yoomyeong was about to argue back but then decided to stay silent.
Did he not know? He really didn’t. However, he did think it was strange when the director suddenly said his aura had grown stronger.
Was there really no part of him that hoped, even just a little? He couldn’t say there wasn’t, at least not completely.
{You wanted it, didn’t you? I could see your desire.}
That was also true.
But Yoomyeong didn’t want to obtain something beyond his own abilities through unethical means. And if he couldn’t reproduce it, wouldn’t it ultimately lead to disappointment?
“Isn’t it wrong to interfere with my life as you please? Our relationship has always been a transaction.”
{Just now, I was transmitting my presence not to you but to the atmosphere surrounding you, so you can say it wasn’t a transaction with you.}
Miho spoke as if the unreasonable argument was perfectly logical.
“You meddled in my life without my consent. Don’t make ridiculous excuses that it’s not because of me.”
{Don’t get angry. I don’t understand what the problem is. Can’t I just give you more presence?}
Miho’s smiling cute face no longer seemed benevolent.
Yoomyeong’s feelings towards Miho also became increasingly complicated over time.
It was clear that the fox spirit wanted something, but Yoomyeong didn’t think it was fair to outright reject it.
He only hoped that the acting spirit hadn’t given him ‘acting skills’ only to take it back someday.
{In our relationship, receiving my presence is the ‘price,’ but I can give you more things. What ability do you want? You said you didn’t want direct interference with your acting, so you can ask for several other things. How about experiencing the life of Lee Bang-won?}
“I’ll pass.”
Yoomyeong refused.
It was evident that Miho intended to create a situation where he had no choice but to accept her presence, but he didn’t plan to go along with it so easily.
But what about the role he had gotten?
It was hard to give that up, too. He couldn’t explain that what Director Son saw wasn’t his aura, nor could he tarnish the reputation of Hansung, who had recommended him.
He was in a dilemma.
‘I have to do it.’
He had to.
One way or another, with his own strength.
{Do you remember seeing this movie during your past life?}
“No.”
Yoomyeong answered and then realized that he truly didn’t remember.
He usually remembered almost every movie.
{That makes sense. Back then, the actor for Lee Bang-won wasn’t you, and Jeong Mong-ju wasn’t portrayed by Yoon Hansung. Do you know what happened?}
“What happened?”
{It was scrapped during filming. The director couldn’t achieve the vision he wanted. The script was good, but his expectations were too high for the actors to meet. So the film was never released, and Director Son couldn’t make a comeback and retired.}
Yoomyeong was taken aback.
{Can you see it now? You need more of my presence.}
Why was Miho so insistent on giving him energy?
What did the fox spirit want from him?
Yoomyeong gently but firmly refused the tempting offer.
“I want to try this on my own this time.”
{Hmm… if you ever need help later, just let me know.}
Miho left with that, and Yoomyeong didn’t respond further.
*
“You… landed a project?”
Yu-seok asked in disbelief.
“Yes, Senior Yoon recommended me…”
“I told you to take only a month off, but you couldn’t even wait…”
“I’m sorry.”
“Well done.”
“Huh?”
Yu-seok burst into laughter, both amazed and impressed.
“Director Son Chi-wook’s projects are as good as it gets. Considering all the offers we’ve had, this is the best. You’re a hot rookie actor, but it’s still surprising that you got such a significant role in a major project.”
“That’s right. I’m actually worried if I can meet his expectations.”
“You’ll do well. It’s not every day that an actor who signed a contract only six months ago is offered a job through their connections. What should I do?”
Yoomyeong made an awkward expression.
“There are only six weeks left until the crank-in, so it’s going to be a tight schedule. Try to rest a bit during this time.”
“Oh, I… I’ve decided to study with Senior Yoon Hansung.”
“Study?”
“I have many areas where I’m lacking, and Senior said he still had a lot to learn. So, he suggested that we meet and practice together.”
“…Oh dear.”
Yu-seok shook his head as if Yoomyeong was beyond help.
“Alright then. No one’s going to stop you. You’ll be working all hours when you start the film, so don’t forget to eat well, get enough sleep, and keep exercising.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“By the way, Cha Harin’s issue has been resolved.”
“How did it go?”
“The agency owners are sincere and personable, so we decided to work with them. I’ll cover their lack of savvy in handling matters. As for the girl group members… They’re not up to my standards yet, so they’ll train for another six months. If they pass the test, they’ll make a comeback. Otherwise, they’re out.”
“…Thank you.”
“There were some debts, but we managed the business-related ones, and they can pay the personal debts while they’re working.”
Yoomyeong felt a bit sorry for owing Yu-seok such a huge favor.
“I apologize for making an unreasonable request.”
“Unreasonable? What do you take me for? It wasn’t unreasonable at all. It’s been a while since I had such a fulfilling hobby.”
Yu-seok chuckled as if to soothe Yoomyeong’s guilt.
“I haven’t mentioned that you asked it of me, but Cha Harin seems to have figured it out. Why don’t you take her out for a meal sometime and tell her I didn’t lose anything so there’s no need for her to thank me?”
“I will. Thank you, Director.”
“Didn’t you hear me? There’s no need to thank me.”
His slightly crinkled smile was now familiar to Yoomyeong.
Yoomyeong resolved to deliver a great performance in his next project, not just for himself, but also to honor the trust and support of his sponsor.
He didn’t think it would be easy, though.
*
The place where Yoomyeong went to meet Hansung was the practice room of Sunhak Entertainment, where Actor Yoon belonged.
As befitting a large entertainment agency, it was dazzling from the entrance. The lobby was filled with profiles of celebrities affiliated with Sunhak. Yoomyeong looked around with wonder.
‘Ji Seong-Bin and Bang Ji-Hwan are also from here. This company seems to have many singers as well…’
As he stood in the lobby, Yoomyeong also attracted the attention of others. Even people used to seeing celebrities daily found a figure from another agency intriguing.
Yoomyeong smiled and nodded his head in response.
Ding—!
The elevator rang, and a familiar figure approached.
“Hello, Senior.”
“Hey there, rookie actor. Come over here. You’ll need a guest card.”
Hansung said a few words at the information desk, and a guest card was handed over to Yoomyeong with the purpose of the visit written on it.
The female staff at the information desk handed him the card and blushed as she asked.
“You… You’re Yoon Bohyung, right?”
“Haha. His name is Shin Yoomyeong.”
“Oh, right. Bohyung must be the character’s name. I really enjoyed the drama. I’m a fan.”
She greeted him with a friendly voice but didn’t request an autograph or a photo. It was the typical behavior of an entertainment company employee.
Yoomyeong smiled and bowed in return.
Ding—!
A sign at the door read <3:00~6:00 Yoon Hansung>, indicating that the room was booked.
Entering the room, Yoomyeong and Hansung sat facing each other.
“Have you read the script?”
“I read it all the day I received it.”
“What do you think?”
“It was interesting. Even though it’s a different take on the story from what I know of history, it made me wonder if it really happened that way.”
Jeong Mong-ju and Lee Bang-won.
Yoomyeong could see Director Son’s perspective about the two characters.
They were kindred spirits.
The two were people who inevitably understood each other well.
“Yeah. This script was especially interesting.”
“That’s right. I think the quality of the actors’ acting will have a lot to do with the final product.”
“You and I both have to work hard, then. That’s why I suggested that we study together.”
“Right.”
“But there’s something more urgent I need to address right now compared to the character analysis.”
Hansung sighed deeply.
“I feel a bit embarrassed to say this as your senior, but there’s no age limit for seeking knowledge, so I hope the rookie actor can help me a bit.”
“Yes, Senior.”
“After talking with you at the Oediopus Workshop, I realized something and have been trying to change my approach to the characters I played and their emotions. But it feels like I’ve developed a habit, and it hasn’t been easy to change.”
Yoomyeong’s gaze deepened as he listened to Hansung’s sincere confession.
‘He’s really a true role model any actor would look up to.’
Even back when he was just a rookie who hadn’t made his debut, Hansung came to the Oedipus Workshop as a senior and a successful actor, sincerely acknowledging Yoomyeong’s acting without prejudice.
Hansung seriously considered Yoomyeong’s opinion, who was 15 years his junior, and even changed his successful acting style because of it.
Now, he was even openly admitting his struggles and seeking advice.
Could Yoomyeong, 15 years later, be like him?
Could he seek advice from even his junior actors and be willing to discard his established methods if they didn’t seem effective?
Above all, Yoomyeong admired Hansung’s attitude and humanity.
He was undoubtedly a ‘senior’ to follow and learn from.
*
“What should we do?”
“Let’s put the original script aside for now. I want to practice with a different script. Even though I’ve abandoned the method of drawing from my personal experiences to create a character, my acting still seems tinged with sadness.”
“Hmm…”
“That’s why <Family Life> flopped. It’s supposed to be a comedy, but it somehow felt sad and not funny.”
Originally, if he had tried to copy his own ‘funny memories’ or ‘amusing people around him’ as he used to do, he might have gone somewhere halfway. It might not have been as tragic as his current acting approach.
However, by trying to input the character into himself and act with originality, the ‘heaviness’ and ‘sadness’ that had taken up a significant part of Hansung’s life kept seeping into his acting.
“What’s the other script?”
“It’s a monologue of Gremio from <The Taming of the Shrew>.”
“Ah…”
Hansung handed over an A4 sheet of paper. About ten lines of monologue were printed on it.
<The Taming of the Shrew>, a play by Shakespeare.
It told the story of the marriage of the two daughters of the wealthy man Baptista of Padua. Gremio was one of the characters proposing to Bianca, the younger daughter.
When Yoomyeong took the script and read it, he found out that it was a minor role. The monologue spoken by a rich, older man wooing a young, beautiful woman by boasting of his wealth had absolutely no element of ‘sadness’ in it.
“I’ll give it a try.”
“Yes, Senior.”
With the script handed to Yoomyeong, Hansung clenched and unclenched his hand once then moistened his lips with his tongue before starting to act.
“First of all, as you know, my mansion in this town is filled with silverware and gold items. Even the basin and jug for Bianca’s pretty hands to wash are there. The drapes are all Tyrian cloth, and the ivory chests are heaps of gold coins.”
His gestures, with a slightly protruding belly and a swagger, were full of greed and arrogance.
It was evident that this was not borrowed from his own personality, which was originally modest, but rather a performance where he created the character of Gremio and immersed himself in it.
‘He’s doing really well…?’
The way he expressed the character’s emotions was different from Hansung’s previous performances.
The shift in his acting approach, though not yet perfect, seemed to be a significant achievement.
What could be the problem?
“The cedar chests contain Aras-patterned quilts, precious clothes, canopies, fine linen decorated with pearls from Turkey, Venetian tapestries embroidered with gold thread – you name it, it’s there. And in the farm are a hundred milking cows readily available, and in the barn, a hundred and twenty fat oxen roam. Outside, anything that could fulfill this contract is available.”
The boasting, smoothly continuing as if to tease the listener, took on an aged quality.
It vividly conjured the image of a middle-aged man, desperate to flaunt because he felt empty inside.
It was excellent acting.
However, a slight wrinkle formed on Yoomyeong’s forehead in the last sentence.
“I’ll confess this since I’m quite old now. If I die tomorrow, all this will belong to your daughter. That is, if Bianca becomes mine alone while I live.”
In an instant, the emotion became imbued with pathos from the moment he mentioned ‘death’ and ‘daughter.’
Gremio was using his age as a weapon rather than a weakness, trying to lure a young maiden with his wealth. It should have been a smooth performance and yet, it inevitably became tinged with sorrow.
‘Ah…’
Yoomyeong came to understand Hansung’s dilemma.
Hansung had certainly pushed it aside.
Even though he had managed to remove the clinging fragments of tragedy one by one, as if removing lint from a sweater, he would instantly be engulfed by sadness when it came to certain unavoidable words or even in scenes that only implied it.
It was similar to air escaping through a balloon hole no matter how hard you blew into it.
This kind of emotional residue was something Yoomyeong had never experienced himself, so he was pondering how to advise and help.
Just as he was thinking about it, a voice echoed in his ears.
{Go visit his house.}
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