Aura of a Genius Actor

["They said forty out of two hundred. They didn't say one out of every four, did they?"]

Yu Myeong offered the counterargument, but Face immediately fired back.

["It's still a team assignment. But it's only natural that we'll be compared against each other, isn't it? Realistically, the odds are five to one. In a four-person team, maybe one person gets through. Two at the absolute most."]

Jeffrey looked like he agreed completely.

Kai, who had been watching the exchange nervously, spoke up with caution.

["Still... isn't it meaningful if we improve while preparing for this? If we work really hard and somehow two people make it through like Face said... maybe one of us could be one of them..."]

["Kai, how old did you say you were?"]

["Uh... twenty two."]

["Good age. I'm twenty eight this year. I dreamed of becoming an actor, but making a living was difficult, so I got a regular job two years ago. When I saw the Casting Boat recruitment notice, I agonized over it for days before finally quitting. I thought this was my last chance."]

Kai faltered at her honesty.

["I know you're amazing, Mr. Yu Myeong. As an actor, I understand how difficult it is to perform at that level, and I respect it. But honestly? I resent the fact that you ended up in our group.

I'm not saying I expected to win. Someone like you will probably take first place.

But even making the Top Ten would be enough for someone to notice me.

If I compete on the same stage as someone like you... who's going to look at me?"]

Yu Myeong understood her better than anyone.

The collision between dreams and reality.

He had never actually quit.

But he had considered it many times.

If Miho had never appeared, there would have come a day when he finally gave up.

The only difference between them was timing.

Face had likely chosen this opportunity with the same desperation he had felt when he was given a second life.

How much must she resent the existence of someone standing in the way of that chance?

He understood.

But now wasn't the time for her resentment.

["If we're competing against each other on the same stage, then maybe you're right.

This might sound arrogant, but if we're comparing current acting ability, there are parts of your argument that I agree with."]

Face's expression stiffened further.

By openly acknowledging his advantage, Yu Myeong had drawn the conversation entirely onto his own ground.

Then he overturned it.

["But what if we're not competing?

What if we work together and create the best performance out of all fifty teams?"]

The premise caught them off guard.

None of them had considered it.

["If their plan was to pick one or two people from every team, they wouldn't have organized the competition this way.

The skill levels of contestants coming from California, New York, and every other region are going to vary wildly.

No—there are probably huge differences even between Groups One through Five in California alone.

Yet they made absolutely no effort to balance the teams."]

The others blinked.

"Oh?"

The realization began to spread across their faces.

["If you think of this as a competition, Face's argument makes sense.

But if you think of it as creating a production together, then none of those concerns matter.

Does a play only need a lead role?

Aren't supporting characters and minor roles just as necessary to create a great performance?"]

Face immediately challenged him again.

["So what you're really saying is this:

You're the lead.

The rest of us should play supporting roles and bit parts as well as we can.

And if we're lucky, maybe we'll advance too.

Isn't that it?"]

Yu Myeong smiled.

["Fine. Then you choose the roles first."]

All three of them visibly flinched.

["The three of you can choose before I do.

I'll take whichever role remains."]

["Hyung... that's..."]

["However."]

His tone sharpened.

["After that, I won't simply be the team leader.

I'll have the authority of a director.

And I'll expect your full cooperation with the direction I set."]

A carrot and a stick.

Offered at the same time.

["Because I intend to create a performance so compelling that even the smallest, least attractive role becomes impossible to ignore."]

The certainty in his voice made all three of them tense slightly.

South Korea found itself buzzing over an unexpected overseas headline.

The rumors had been confirmed.

Yu Myeong had gone to America.

And he was reportedly pursuing a path into Hollywood.

Debates exploded across the entertainment industry regarding the wisdom of that decision and its likely consequences.

That evening, an entertainment news program on MBK devoted a panel discussion to the subject.

The Missing Yu Myeong — Entering an Overseas Audition Program?

The topic had generated enough attention that viewers were already glued to their televisions.

The broadcast addressed it immediately.

"Actor Yu Myeong, who stood at the center of Korea's entertainment industry last year through the film Late Goryeo, Early Joseon and the stage production Peter Pan, has been confirmed to be in the United States.

According to reliable sources, he is currently participating in a new reality program being prepared by TW, one of America's major broadcasters. The show, titled Casting Boat, is reportedly an acting competition whose grand prize includes a pathway into Hollywood filmmaking.

To discuss the issue, we've invited two guests today: entertainment reporter Kim Nam Jin of Friendship Daily and film critic Shin Eung Su."

"Hello. I'm Kim Nam Jin."

"Hello. Film critic Shin Eung Su."

"Mr. Shin, what do you think about Yu Myeong's decision?"

Shin Eung Su was the same critic who had once published speculative articles regarding Peter Pan, been publicly ridiculed for it, and ultimately lost his position at Magazine Q.

MBK had invited him intentionally.

And he immediately delivered exactly what they expected.

["Isn't it obvious? It's Hollywood fever.

Every actor who gets a little success catches it eventually."]

["Could you elaborate?"]

["The moment an actor becomes moderately successful in Korea, they start thinking, 'Maybe this market is too small for me. Maybe I'm every bit as good as Hollywood actors.'

That kind of delusion appears sooner or later.

But Yu Myeong moved far too quickly.

He's only been active for what—three years?

He's never really established himself as a leading actor.

I'm not denying that he's talented.

But between his behavior with Peter Pan and this latest stunt, I can't help wondering whether he's fallen into the trap of believing he's somehow special.

Different from everyone else."]

["And that's what you're calling Hollywood fever?"]

["The wording may be blunt, but yes.

Hollywood is a completely different market.

If Yu Myeong wanted to break into Hollywood, he should've built more experience and climbed the ladder carefully.

Not by creating publicity through something like this."]

Kim Nam Jin immediately disagreed.

["What does he gain from publicity alone?

Personally, I think this situation is the result of Yu Myeong's obsession with acting."]

["Celebrities survive on attention.

Even if there's no direct benefit, I can absolutely believe someone would do it simply because they want people looking at them."]

["You can twist anything if you try hard enough.

Everything Yu Myeong has done so far can be explained perfectly by one thing: an endless hunger for acting.

And he's consistently proven it through his performances."]

Shin Eung Su frowned.

The host turned back to Kim Nam Jin.

["Then are you saying you support his decision?"]

["No.

I believe his intentions are sincere.

But from a career standpoint, I think it's the worst decision he could have made.

He was building one of the strongest careers we've ever seen.

It's unfortunate to watch him stain it himself."]

["So you don't believe he'll win the competition?"]

["Of course not.

An Asian contestant winning an American audition program is nearly impossible.

Honestly, he'd have better odds if he were Black.

At least Americans have developed some awareness regarding discrimination there.

But Asians?

They'll simply be treated as outsiders."]

["Then what risks does he face if he's eliminated?"]

Kim Nam Jin spun his pen once before answering.

["Yu Myeong was already being discussed as one of the best actors in Korea, or someone who soon would be.

Some people are offended that an actor of that caliber would enter an American audition program from the preliminary stage.

They see it as an insult to the Korean film industry.

And if he gets eliminated after attracting this much attention, the label of failure will follow him everywhere.

Unless he achieves a significant result in the competition, it'll be difficult for him to regain the level of public support he previously enjoyed."]

The broader public sentiment was largely the same.

Some mocked him.

Others worried for him.

But both sides reached the same conclusion:

Yu Myeong had made a foolish decision.

Fan clubs were easy when a star was succeeding.

Everyone was happy.

But the moment trouble appeared—or a celebrity's momentum slowed—arguments inevitably broke out, and people began drifting away.

I've kept the community under control from the beginning... but this is the first time we've faced something capable of dividing opinions like this.

Yet after reading the flood of comments from fans, So Jin felt her chest tighten.

—That bastard Shin Eung Su got destroyed once already and he's still talking nonsense. Sigh. Guess I'm boycotting that network too.

—Yu Myeong will probably show us something amazing again, right? But honestly, even if he doesn't, that's okay. Do whatever you want, Yu Myeong. We'll support you regardless.

—If pursuing your dreams leaves you short on money, just say the word. My wallet is permanently unlocked for you.

—Why are people sticking their noses into this? He just wants to do the acting he wants to do.

—There'll probably be viewer voting later, right? Does anyone know a way for international fans to participate?

The number of comments criticizing or doubting Yu Myeong was tiny.

What moved So Jin wasn't the confidence that he would succeed.

It was something else.

"Even if things don't work out, that's okay. If it's what you want to do, we'll support you."

That unconditional support.

She felt overwhelmed.

Not only had she found the star she'd always wanted to support, she had built exactly the fan community she'd dreamed of creating.

And she loved them for it.

Which was why she finally decided to ask for help with something she'd been preparing alone.

Post #302575

[Notice] We're Preparing an American Version of God Named

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

To all of our members who continue to uphold the spirit of God Named without wavering!

Today, I was genuinely moved by all of you.

Actually, I learned about Yu Myeong's move to America about a month ago. (I'm sorry I couldn't tell anyone earlier because of confidentiality concerns.)

Since then, I've quietly secured this domain and begun preparing it.

www.namedgod.com

This will be the official fan page for American fans.

I'm sharing it because I hope everyone can help build it together.

Any advice or assistance regarding the website's design, structure, or development would be greatly appreciated.

I love you all.

Let's stay together forever.

*As many of you have probably guessed, this move has no ulterior motive beyond acting itself.

The winner of the audition program receives an opportunity to appear in a film directed by Kylie Unshaw.

Apparently Yu Myeong has admired that director for years.*

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

└Wow, President. You'd already built a vacation home overseas for us. Let me lie down here for a while. Very cozy.

└I knew it! I love Director Kylie Unshaw. If Yu Myeong gets cast in one of her films, it'll be incredible.

└Uh... professional developer here. The overall structure looks good, but the iframe organization is a bit messy. I'd love to help clean it up.

└Professional web designer here. Is there anything I can do?

└Professional English and French translator here. Do you need subtitles for videos?

└Wow... the professionals are coming out of the woodwork.

└Professional Chinese chef here. My specialty is pan-fried dumplings. Would anyone like dumplings while they're working?

Under the warm enthusiasm of countless volunteers, the English-language version of God Named steadily took shape.

TW Channel.

The broadcast date of Episode One of Casting Boat.

Reality shows weren't all that different from television dramas.

A sizable portion was filmed in advance, after which production and broadcasting proceeded simultaneously.

The preliminary rounds would probably occupy the first six or seven episodes.

While those aired, production would continue filming material for the next block of episodes.

The gap would gradually shrink until the Top Ten stage, where live broadcasts would likely begin.

Even on the night Episode One aired, both Yu Myeong and Hyo Jun were in their rehearsal rooms.

They were too busy preparing their assignments to spare time for television.

Which left Yu Seok watching the premiere alone.

Sitting in the living room, he cracked open a can of beer.

Pssht—

Gulp.

Just as he swallowed his first mouthful, the phone rang.

It was Ho Cheol, who had recently been promoted from road manager to full manager.

"Hello."

["Hello, Team Leader. Is it evening over there?"]

"Yep. Episode One of Casting Boat starts tonight. I was about to watch it."

["Ah, right. Actually, that's why I called. The reaction to Yu Myeong going to America hasn't been very positive. I thought maybe we should do something about it..."]

Yu Seok had already heard about it from Team One's manager.

Since no action was being taken, Ho Cheol seemed increasingly anxious.

Yu Myeong had once told him he could report issues directly.

The fact that he was actually calling suggested public opinion had become fairly ugly.

"Enjoy it, Ho Cheol."

["...What?"]

"Public opinion battles are my specialty, aren't they?

But somehow I never get to use that skill when it comes to Yu Myeong."

["......"]

"The strategy is not to fight at all.

People stir up controversy, criticize him, and build expectations.

Then he completely overturns those expectations and succeeds.

Game over.

That's the best strategy possible."

["Uh... and if he doesn't succeed...?"]

"Then I'll finally have something to do.

Though I wonder if that day will ever come."

Leaving Ho Cheol speechless, Yu Seok ended the call.

The beer had reached the perfect temperature.

And right on cue, the commercials ended.

Episode One of Casting Boat began.