Aura of a Genius Actor

There were thirteen rooms in the Actors House, each shared by four people.

Apparently, they'd planned ahead, assuming the male and female contestants wouldn't divide evenly into groups of four.

It was nice enough that Jeffrey and Kai had been assigned to the same room as teammates, but the atmosphere cooled noticeably when Hyo Joon walked in to claim the fourth bed.

"[Hello.]"

At Kai's greeting, Hyo Joon merely gave a slight nod before turning to Yu Myeong and speaking in Korean.

"Congratulations. Yu Seok must be thrilled."

"Thank you."

Yu Myeong answered with a gentle but unmistakably conversation-ending reply, then turned back to showing Kai how to pull the bedsheet perfectly taut.

"[Whoa... what is this? Is it magic? There's no way a human being folded these sheets.]"

"[Korean men have to serve in the military.]"

After watching them for a moment, Hyo Joon left his suitcase beside his bed and quietly walked out.

Jeffrey waited until he was gone before asking,

"[What did he say? The atmosphere got pretty intense there.]"

"[Just said hello. We're with the same agency.]"

"[Ah... you're at the same agency? That's incredible. They have two actors of your caliber? ...Were you two always on bad terms? Or is he upset because our team crushed his with the same script?]"

"[There's nothing particularly good or bad between us. We're just fellow actors.]"

After answering Jeffrey, Yu Myeong straightened his own bed with practiced precision.

Dinner was a catered buffet.

To celebrate the forty-eight contestants who had survived the grueling selection process, long outdoor tables had been laid with an extravagant spread.

Those who had been the only person selected from their original teams gathered awkwardly together, exchanging introductions over dinner.

More than a few envious glances drifted toward Team 34, whose members were laughing together like old friends.

Then Faith joined them.

"[Woo! The women's dorm is in an uproar because of you, Mr. Yu Myeong.]"

"[About what?]"

"[Things like, 'Where did they even find an actor like him?' 'What was he like during rehearsals?' 'He's not a textbook handsome guy, but the longer you look at him, the more attractive he gets.' 'He's especially irresistible when he's acting.' 'Does he have a girlfriend?' You know, that sort of thing.]"

"Ah... um..."

As Faith's merciless relay of gossip gradually turned Yu Myeong's face red, someone stepped in beside them.

"[Yu Myeong, it's been a while.]"

Antoine Monnier.

One of the most strikingly handsome men among all the contestants approached, and Faith immediately flushed scarlet before hastily stepping aside. Apparently, despite her outgoing personality, she was surprisingly shy.

Antoine gave her a small nod of thanks before turning his full attention to Yu Myeong.

"[Hello. Hugo is doing well, I hope?]"

"[Same as always.]"

"[I miss Ryu Shin too. Come to think of it, it's only been a few months since we last met.]"

"[Before coming here, I stopped by Paris and met Mr. Ryu Shin. He asked me to pass along his regards.]"

"[Really? Oh—but... did you know I'd be competing here?]"

Antoine smiled broadly.

"[Of course. You're the reason I entered this competition.]"

"...?"

"I'm a rather laid-back person. Southern France suits me perfectly, and even Paris feels too hectic, so I rarely go there. Entering a noisy audition program like this... I only decided to do it after watching your performance in Mumu."

With a courteous smile, he extended his hand. Beneath the warmth in his eyes lingered a subtle but unmistakable competitive spark.

"[Let's enjoy this together.]"

Yu Myeong accepted the handshake.

The next morning,

they were taken to a different studio.

Unlike the previous day's venue, which had seating for over two hundred people, this one resembled a small black-box theater, perfectly sized for around fifty contestants.

The stage looked intimate on camera, but beyond what the audience would see lay a much larger space packed with cameras, lighting rigs, and production equipment.

They were told this stage would serve as the set throughout Action School.

Filming began.

The contestants were called onto the stage one by one.

Each appearance started with a behind-the-scenes video from the preliminary assignment, highlighting that contestant's key moments, achievements, or conflicts.

After watching the footage, the four judges questioned the contestant.

Some questions were deliberately confrontational.

"Why didn't you cooperate with your team leader properly?"

Others asked contestants to perform on the spot or tested whether they'd improved in areas that had been criticized earlier.

Each judge had been given twelve casting cards.

Just like the contestants, they were sizing each other up, trying to recruit the strongest performers possible.

The more outstanding contestants a judge secured for their class, the more screen time they'd receive—and the greater their own prestige would become.

Even putting that aside, they were all towering figures at the top of their respective fields. Their pride alone wouldn't allow students they had personally taught to be eliminated early.

As a result, every selection became an exercise in extreme caution.

"I'll pass on making a casting offer."

The contestant currently onstage failed to receive a single card from any of the four judges.

Embarrassment and disappointment left him rooted in place, unable to step off the stage.

No one would actually be eliminated during class assignments. Everyone would eventually be placed somewhere.

Even so, there was an immeasurable difference between being personally chosen by a master and simply being assigned wherever space remained.

At last, it was Yu Myeong's turn.

"[Wow, the super rookie is finally here. Whoa, whoa—everyone, don't raise your cards yet.]"

Jerry theatrically pretended to restrain the judges.

"[No matter how obvious the answer seems, we should at least watch the making film first. Who knows? Maybe Mr. Yu Myeong bullied his teammates mercilessly to squeeze that performance out of them.]"

"[Ah, good point. Though... that's not usually the kind of result you get by browbeating people.]"

"[A contestant with incredible talent but terrible personality? That's a classic audition show cliché.]"

Natalie and Eva happily piled onto Jerry's mock slander, unable to suppress their smiles.

"[Whew... everyone, prepare yourselves for whatever torture chamber is about to appear..."

"[Hoo hoo hoo—]"

The making film focused on Team 34—and on Yu Myeong.

"This assignment is fundamentally about teamwork."

"What if we aim to deliver the best performance out of all fifty teams?"

"You choose first."

"But after that, I'll no longer be just the team leader. I'll have full authority as the director."

The early conflicts.

His bold sacrifice.

His unwavering warnings.

"I believe the prince committed suicide, exactly as the slave testified."

"It was simply the death of an ordinary citizen who chose to speak the truth."

"When the two of you argue, increase the tempo to one point two times."

"You're going to regret that."

He soothed some teammates, crushed others when necessary, and inspired every one of them through extraordinary leadership.

"I think I've been looking at this all wrong!"

"I've felt that something was off this whole time."

"What if... it's the person inside the painting?"

"But everything happened only inside that painting."

His instinctive understanding of the script.

His remarkable directing.

His almost supernatural acting.

Was this really a making-of film?

No.

It felt like a movie.

Watching him alternately provoke, persuade, and inspire was like witnessing a fantasy film brought to life, each scene shaking the audience to its core.

"[Wait... that slave role... you're saying he got it only because everyone else picked first?]"

"[Isn't this cheating? His existence alone is cheating.]"

"[That may be the finest display of leadership I've witnessed in my entire life...]"

"Hm..."

The judges let out one astonished remark after another.

"[Does anyone still have questions? Criticism? Want to test his acting?]"

"[Not necessary! I'd rather beg him to join my class than waste time testing him!]"

Eva cried out without hesitation.

The other judges nodded in agreement.

"[Let's skip it. Between the making film and our reactions, we've already got more than enough footage for the broadcast.]"

"[The power dynamic has completely reversed... We're in no position to make demands.]"

"[Understood. Nice and quick, then. Go!]"

Four cards shot into the air almost simultaneously.

Yu Myeong became the first contestant to receive an offer from every single judge.

"[Mr. Yu Myeong, have you already decided who you're going to choose?]"

"Well..."

At Jerry's question, Yu Myeong smiled awkwardly.

"Mr. Yu Myeong, may I give you one small piece of advice before you appear on the audition show?"

"Of course. Advice from the president of the greatest fan community in the entertainment industry is something I'd definitely like to hear."

"Every now and then, you'll find yourself in an awkward situation during an audition."

"For example?"

"Suppose every judge wants you. If that happens, there's a technique that works surprisingly well."

"...What is it?"

"Training."

"...Training again?"

So Jin frowned slightly before giving a solemn nod.

"Yes. Fans, judges, viewers... fundamentally, they're all the same. They love seeing someone earnest and hardworking, but every now and then, when you suddenly reveal a side they never expected..." She snapped her fingers. "...they fall for you all at once."

"I... see."

"You remember the fan meeting, don't you? I told you Bohyeong was the pinnacle of training."

"I remember."

"Repeat after me. When you're stuck—Bohyeong."

"When you're stuck... Bohyeong?"

"Yes. Okay, maybe the real reason is that I desperately want to see it happen on camera again... but regardless, it's an effective method."

Now, standing beneath the gaze of all four judges, Yu Myeong remembered those words.

Jung So Jin, president of God Named, earnestly drilling that ridiculous catchphrase into him.

The exact situation she had predicted had arrived.

Of course, he could simply choose.

No matter what, he still had to pick one judge and reject the other three.

But he couldn't help feeling a little guilty toward the judges who wouldn't be chosen. He also worried they might end up feeling slighted.

And So Jin had said:

When you're stuck—Bohyeong.

The corners of Yu Myeong's lips curved upward ever so slightly.

The instant Eva saw that expression, her heart lurched.

For a split second, it felt as though the Yu Myeong she'd been watching all this time had vanished, replaced by someone entirely different.

"Hmm... So I'm the one who has to choose?"

His eyes wandered innocently for a moment.

"Then... why don't I hear your offers first? Which one of you can tempt me with the best bait?"

He smiled with the mischievous grin of a playful troublemaker.

One hand propped up his chin while the other waved lazily, as though inviting them to begin.

He looked aloof...

So why was he unbelievably adorable?

Thump.

Eva's heart dropped straight into her stomach.

Her face instantly turned bright red as she shot her hand into the air.

"[A script! I'll write you a script! A movie? A drama? Just name it! Whatever genre, whatever character—you'll get an incredible screenplay.]"

"Eva, are you serious? I think you've been so enchanted you've completely lost your mind."

The contestants erupted into shocked whispers.

Eva Dobransky will write him a script? Then doesn't that make winning the competition unnecessary? ...No way. She's just saying it.

The atmosphere instantly exploded.

"[My next film! Star in my next project with me! I've already got the script picked out!]"

"George, have you even discussed that with your studio? No—more importantly, if Mr. Yu Myeong wins this competition, he's supposed to star in Director Kylie's film! What is this, total chaos?"

As though provoked by Eva's desperation, George Housley threw out an equally outrageous offer.

Jerry quickly turned toward Natalie.

Surely... at least Natalie would still have her head on straight.

"[You two, calm down. Mr. Yu Myeong, don't be fooled by sweet promises from people who can't even put a contract in front of you right now. As an actor sincerely devoted to pursuing the highest level of performance, I promise that during these two weeks of Action School, rather than simply teaching you, we'll share our passion for acting together as equals.]"

Thank goodness.

Natalie was still sane.

"And if you wish, Mr. Yu Myeong, I can introduce you—not only to Eva and George—but to any director or screenwriter you want through my personal network."

...No.

She wasn't sane either.

That left only one person.

The utterly unpredictable Derek McCurdy.

Everyone waited for him to speak.

After drawing every eye in the room toward himself, he finally opened his mouth with effortless arrogance.

"What exactly are all of you doing? Hollywood's finest, throwing your dignity away like this."

"Kgh... The sane people have all gone crazy, so Hollywood's most famous crazy man—Derek—is the only one acting rational...!"

Derek crossed one leg over the other and sank back into his chair with supreme composure.

"If Mr. Yu Myeong chooses me..."

Gulp.

In the silent studio, someone swallowing was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"...from this day forward, whenever people search for Derek McCurdy, the name Yu Myeong will appear alongside mine."

...!!

Everyone stared at him in utter shock.

Author's Note on Foreign Characters Using Korean Forms of Address

Hello, this is Geulsulseul.

I wanted to mention this to readers on the other platforms as well, so I'll leave a short note here at the end.

When the overseas arc was first introduced, many readers expressed concern. Quite a few novels become less engaging the moment the story moves abroad. I personally think one major reason is what people often call the "foreigner way of speaking."

If every foreign character speaks like, "Yu Myeong! How did you act like that?"—calling everyone by name without any distinction in formality—it becomes difficult, at least for me, to give those characters distinct personalities. (It may simply be a limitation of my own writing. Haha.)

That's why I've tried to make their dialogue feel a little less stereotypically "foreign." Since everything inside the square brackets is assumed to be translated dialogue anyway, I'd appreciate it if you could think of it as having been translated into language that feels natural from a Korean perspective.

I know this approach may not work for everyone, but I hope you'll see it as a small novelistic convention adopted to make the American portion of the story feel more lively.

Thank you, as always, for all your support.

Have a wonderful Chuseok!