The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter: 24

Before the audition, the biggest reason I couldn’t empathize with Yu-hyeon was ‘the feelings toward Na-bi.’

Even just reading a few of the scarce lines, it was clear that the emotions were more complex than typical first love, and the problem was that I hadn’t even experienced that typical kind.

Feelings toward the opposite sex. I couldn’t grasp it at all.

So, I first asked someone who seemed to be the most knowledgeable about such matters around me.

“Well, I haven’t really liked anyone yet.”

“Didn’t you get a confession from a kid in the next class just last week?”

“Huh? How did you know that… You acted like you weren’t interested in me… So that’s how it was.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s okay, it’s my fault. It’s all because I look like this… Ha, I made another one cry.”

Of course, it wasn’t helpful at all. When Noh Bi-hyuk pretended to wipe away non-existent tears, it just annoyed me.

When I smacked his approaching hand away, he finally chuckled and said, “I don’t date. What if my past gets dug up after debuting?” and shrugged his shoulders.

Next was Park Ha-eun.

She looked troubled before I even finished my question, and I knew I was doomed.

“What should I do? I’ve never liked anyone either. I’ve never had the environment for that.”

“Really?”

What did she mean by environment? Is her home strict?

I was curious, but I just nodded because I wasn’t sure if I should ask. Park Ha-eun looked around with a bitter expression.

“There’s no one around, no one….”

“……”

“I’m telling you in advance, don’t even mention Noh Bi-hyuk. Seriously. Even if I forgive you, my fist won’t.”

She said this with a serious face, so I laughed and nodded.

Park Ha-eun followed my laugh and then said, “I’m not joking, so really be careful.” with a stern face.

After ending these unhelpful conversations, I felt dejected. There was no one else to ask.

Lee Jung-hyun was so busy that even texting him felt burdensome.

At that moment, the unexpected presence that helped me, stuck in frustration, was Mist.

It was as shocking as throwing a big stone into still water.

“For me, Yeon-jae is just like that!”

“What?”

It was in the middle of talking about the exact definition and structural principles of Yu-hyeon’s feelings toward Na-bi.

The shocking statement made me raise my voice unintentionally.

For a moment, I wondered what on earth Mist was talking about.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Huh? Why? I think it’s really fortunate that I met Yeon-jae! I was so bored until now! If it weren’t for Yeon-jae, it wouldn’t have been this fun.”

“Oh, in that sense… Right, Yu-hyeon could only relieve his burden after meeting Na-bi.”

“Yes! I was really bored. I can’t imagine living without Yeon-jae now!”

Mist said embarrassing words with a completely unembarrassed face.

But the moment I heard that, the water that had been stagnant in my ears started to flow like a raging waterfall.

It sounded like the door of understanding opening.

The comfort that Na-bi gave to Yu-hyeon was almost like an addiction.

Just like how Mist gained fun through me.

If I hadn’t known at all, it wouldn’t matter, but once I tasted it, I couldn’t go back to the way it was before.

Affection doesn’t necessarily have to be the fresh first love of boys and girls.

If it reached an extreme stage where it became indispensable, the emotions had to change similarly.

Instead of ‘a faint blush spreading on the cheeks,’ it could be expressed as ‘an anxious, clinging gaze.’ And even a slight hint of obsession.

There should also be shamelessness in using the opponent’s weakening parts as a weapon.

Even if it made the opponent struggle in the process. The important thing was—

“To be by my side….”

“Huh?”

Mist tilted his head and looked at me, but I couldn’t answer.

It was difficult to continue the conversation with the ensuing speculations.

Since they were literally just speculations, I moved on to the second task of judging whether such emotions were convincing and practicing expressing them.

First, using Mist’s childlike gaze as a stepping stone, I layered on my understanding of Yu-hyeon’s affection one by one.

The subtle relationship between Yu-hyeon and the queen described subtly in the script was also gradually concretized through the preceding process.

And I also created actions that Lee Jung-hyun had mentioned would act as ‘buttons.’

It was clenching my fist.

Every time the emotions became concrete, I consciously clenched my fist.

So that the tingling pain of nails digging into my palm could feel the neatly braided hair of Na-bi.

So that the numb stiffness from gripping hard enough to shake could bring the queen’s stern face to mind.

Whether that method worked or not, I managed to show a somewhat organized emotional expression in the audition.

Although I thought it was relatively stable, I didn’t expect that just by clenching my fist, I would be able to immerse myself so much.

Taking off my sweat-drenched clothes, I recalled the emotions of Yu-hyeon I had imagined earlier.

‘So, that was the extent of the burden felt by the crown prince.’

I had assumed and practiced based on that assumption, but the emotions I fully felt as Yu-hyeon were more overwhelming than I had imagined.

It was to the point where I understood why Yu-hyeon had such an abnormal obsession with Na-bi.

But if he knew that the one who gave him such comfort had fallen in love with the fake crown prince….

Yeah, even I wouldn’t be able to pay attention to the chaos of the country.

‘I should bring an envelope tomorrow in advance.’

The first experience of hyperventilation was tougher than I had imagined.

I already knew that it was something anyone could easily experience in daily life.

I knew there was no need to make a fuss about it, but it was better to be prepared.

In fact, if worse came to worst, dealing with it as I did earlier seemed to be a viable option.

The thought of using this method made me laugh, but it also gave me a slight sense of guilt as if I was abusing my acting skills.

Hmm, I should keep this a secret from others. Especially from Actor Lee Jung-hyun.

* * *

“Yeon-jae, have you thought about which agency you want to join?”

As soon as we met, Actor Lee Jung-hyun, who had brought me a ton of snacks from Florence, asked casually, and I shook my head.

I hadn’t even planned on passing this audition in the first place.

I didn’t see the need to sign a contract with an agency when I didn’t know what would happen after the drama ended.

“I see. But you’ll need a manager. Moving around the filming locations and all. It’d be hard at your age unless you were an adult.”

“Is that so? Then what do child actors without managers do?”

“Usually, their parents come with them. Most often, it’s the mother.”

I furrowed my brows in frustration.

During the last funeral scene filming, Teacher Lee Si-hyun had accompanied me, but I couldn’t keep asking my teachers for help every time.

As I fell deep into thought, Actor Lee Jung-hyun, who had been watching me carefully, spoke quietly.

“Yeon-jae. You know my manager, Hyun-seok, right?”

“Oh, yes. I greeted him last time.”

“Yeah. Actually, there’s another manager besides him. When my schedule is too packed, he helps because Hyun-seok alone can’t handle it.”

Managers also have ranks, and the one Actor Lee Jung-hyun was talking about was a road manager.

“He’s someone I’ve worked with for a year or two, so he’s trustworthy. How about contracting him as your dedicated manager just for this drama? I’ll talk to the company separately.”

“A dedicated manager?”

“Yes. It sounds grand, but it’s basically a personal contract, so think of it as a part-time job. Don’t worry about the costs; everything will be discussed and handled with the director.”

After thinking for a moment, I nodded my head obediently.

Since I knew nothing about this field, it was wise not to ignore the advice of an experienced person.

At my agreement, Actor Lee Jung-hyun clapped his hands in satisfaction.

His well-groomed hair swayed softly.

He then explained again about the drama schedule, which I had completely ignored during our phone conversation.

He also advised me to focus solely on practice until the script reading. Mist would love that.

* * *

“Lee Yeon-jae, what are you doing?”

“Reading the script.”

“Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know that? It’s obviously a suggestion to hang out.”

Noh Bi-hyuk whined, resting his chin on top of my head, insisting we go out and play.

Ignoring him was pointless. Unable to endure his voice resonating above my head again, I eventually turned around.

“Bi-hyuk, back off a bit. It’s hot.”

“What do you mean it’s hot already? It’s only June. We have to play soccer before it gets hotter.”

“I told you I can’t play soccer. Go play with the others.”

“What do you mean you can’t play without trying? Come on, let’s play soccer with Bi-hyuk, just once? We’re one player short.”

Noh Bi-hyuk shook my shoulders gently with a sly smile.

It didn’t seem like he used to cling to me this much before.

After meeting with Actor Lee Jung-hyun a month ago, the sense of personal space completely disappeared.

The information Actor Lee Jung-hyun provided that day was valuable even to someone as clueless as me, and judging by Noh Bi-hyuk’s expression before we parted ways, he seemed to recognize its value.

Since then, he had been sticking to me without hesitation, and I initially thought, ‘Yeah, you must be grateful,’ but it got worse as time went by.

‘If I do well, it benefits him too, right?’

What if I completely mess up and only get criticized?

Then even if I debut later, he wouldn’t benefit from me at all.

Couldn’t he just let me practice quietly, considering it’s a mutually beneficial situation?

Feeling my body shake under Noh Bi-hyuk’s large hand, I sighed deeply.

“Let’s play soccer next time. I can’t get sweaty today. I have an appointment in the afternoon.”

“An appointment? You? Who are you meeting?”

“Is it someone I know? From another school? Or Choi Sang-hoon?”

Feeling tired from Noh Bi-hyuk’s incessant chatter, I replied in an exhausted voice.

“The manager I mentioned last time. I’m meeting him for the first time today.”

“Oh, that guy with the unique name. What was it again?”

I thought, ‘It’s probably not as unique as your name,’ but without saying anything else, I just mentioned his name.

I was already completely drained to say more.

The name of my future manager was An Jin-bae, and I heard he was four years younger than Actor Lee Jung-hyun.

Although there were still about two weeks left before the script reading, we decided to meet once before signing the contract.

Since he said he’d bring the car to the school gate in time for my dismissal, I should greet him briefly and then move to another place.

I wondered if I really needed a manager since my filming portion wasn’t that big…, but it should be fine since Actor Lee Jung-hyun introduced him.

Actor Lee Jung-hyun’s manager looked like the typical manager—stocky build, reliable appearance, with pronounced dark circles.

I wondered what this person would be like.

“Hello, Actor Lee Yeon-jae!”

“…Yes, hello.”

The manager An Jin-bae, whom I met in front of the school, was not within the expected range.

“My name is An Jin-bae. Please take care of me!”

He, who appeared to be close to 190cm, bowed to me at a 90-degree angle.

His voice was so loud that every kid within 100 meters turned to look at us.

Next to me, Noh Bi-hyuk barely held back his laughter.

Ah, today is really exhausting.