Aura of a Genius Actor

Day 6 — Lunch Break

The seed actors who had spent the first two weeks together gathered for lunch once again.

Naturally, the conversation turned to the classes each of them had been assigned to.

"How's the atmosphere in Marta and Natalie's class?"

"It's good. She tailors her advice to each person's level, so things sometimes move slowly because she spends extra time with the beginners. But overall, it's a really positive environment."

If Derek's class revolved around passing down the kind of hard-earned expertise that only an actor of his caliber possessed,

Natalie's class was defined by meticulous, demanding instruction carefully adjusted to each actor's individual abilities.

George's class reflected his background as a director, teaching actors how to see the bigger picture of an entire production. Many established actors had joined his group, no doubt hoping that catching the eye of a famous Hollywood director might one day earn them at least a supporting role.

As for Eva's class...

"She's... kind of out of her mind."

"Why? Is the class weird?"

"No, the class itself is excellent. She's using her experience as a writer really well. We're learning how compelling characters are created, and how actors can make the roles they play more captivating."

"Oh, I'd love to take that class. So what's the problem?"

"In the middle of teaching, she'll suddenly stare off into space and let out this absent-minded sigh. Sometimes her face turns bright red. Other times her eyes start sparkling, and then she'll suddenly grab a notebook and scribble furiously like a madwoman..."

"...Hmm. Writers really are mysterious creatures."

While they were chatting, Jackson—who had been wearing a sour expression the whole time—finally spoke up.

"Still... I don't think it's very fair."

"Why? Did something happen in Derek's class?"

"His favoritism is unbelievable."

"Toward who? Oh... Yu Myeong's in your group, isn't he? Derek favors him? It's that obvious?"

"Obvious? He doesn't even bother hiding it. His entire attitude changes. When anyone else demonstrates an assignment, he watches like he's ready to tear them apart. But when Yu Myeong performs... he practically melts."

Jackson's complaint made Antoine frown.

"Jackson, stop whining. If it bothers you that much, then perform at his level."

"...I can't even say what I think?"

"You can—if it makes sense. Remember what you said when you first arrived? You complained that all the actors you'd worked with in Australia were so mediocre you felt suffocated, and that finally meeting us was a breath of fresh air."

"..."

"That's exactly how Derek feels. Every time he watches your assignment, and then watches Yu Myeong's."

Despite his gentle tone, the words struck like needles.

Jackson flushed crimson.

"Then what about you?!"

"I never claimed I was any different. To Derek, we're students who still have a long way to go. Yu Myeong is someone he can discuss acting with as an equal. Why would he treat us the same?"

Jackson's face turned even redder.

Beside him, Marta quietly asked,

"Is he really that good?"

Antoine looked down at her before answering.

"He is. At the very least, I've accepted that they're ahead of me, and I'm struggling to catch up. Before this audition ends, I want to get even a little closer to their level."

"I guess that makes sense after seeing his performance that day... but for you to say something like that... Maybe I should've joined Derek's class after all."

"You'll meet him eventually, won't you? If it's you, Marta... maybe you'll actually have a chance."

He genuinely believed it.

If anyone could stop Yu Myeong's one-man domination before this competition ended, it would probably be Marta.

Or perhaps...

If he finally got his head back on straight...

The image of one actor who had shone brilliantly during the preliminary round briefly crossed Antoine's mind.

He shook his head.

Considering the state that actor was in now, expecting that much was asking too much.

Antoine stood up.

"I'm heading off to practice my assignment."

"...I-I'm coming too!"

Jackson hurried after him.

Derek's class never allowed anyone a chance to breathe.

Although the busy actor only spent three or four hours each day personally coaching them, everyone continued practicing relentlessly throughout the remaining hours. Even the slightest failure to meet his expectations was met with merciless criticism, leaving the entire class under constant pressure.

{Having fun?}

Yeah. You're enjoying it too, aren't you, Miho?

Yu Myeong was genuinely excited.

For the first time in his life, he had met another actor he could truly consider his equal.

Exchanging ideas with someone who approached acting through a similarly meticulous methodology was tremendously stimulating.

{He's ridiculously obsessive. It's not like he went through some bizarre situation where his presence was practically erased like you did. He's already sitting at the very top, yet he still keeps chasing something beyond that. That kind of drive only comes from an obsessive personality. He just disguises it beneath that laid-back attitude.}

Yu Myeong agreed.

The Derek McCurdy people saw on television looked like a born star.

Every gesture, every step, every cocky little mannerism—

People probably found him slightly obnoxious at first.

Then vaguely amusing.

And before they realized it, they'd already fallen under his spell.

"So this is the crazy charm everyone's talking about... Guess I got caught too."

That was probably what most people thought.

But Derek McCurdy the actor was different.

The assignments he brought were fascinating.

His ability to analyze performances was razor-sharp.

Because someone finally existed who noticed every tiny variation Yu Myeong intentionally introduced into his acting, he attacked each assignment with more enthusiasm than ever before.

{Looks like it's about time the ones who can keep up start separating from the ones who'll get left behind.}

Yeah...

None of Derek's assignments were easy.

Almost every one demanded that the actors push beyond their personal limits.

As they repeated those challenges day after day, the differences between them became increasingly obvious.

Accordingly, the group of actors Derek still bothered tearing apart—which meant he hadn't given up expecting more from them—grew smaller and smaller.

The two who suffered the worst were always Kai and Hyo Jun.

"That's all you've got? How did someone at your level even make it into the finals?"

"Much better than yesterday. Kai's still lacking, but whenever I point out one thing, he always fixes that one thing perfectly. Makes teaching him worthwhile."

The difference between the two was clear.

Whenever Derek threw spontaneous exercises at them during class, Hyo Jun was almost always praised while Kai was scolded.

But when they demonstrated the homework assigned the previous day, the opposite happened.

Hyo Jun was always criticized.

Kai was always acknowledged.

"You're standing still again. Do you actually want to improve?"

"Did you think this was real homework? You just threw together the first idea that came into your head and thought, 'Good enough.' Do Hyo Jun, is there not a single shred of ambition in you?"

As that pattern repeated day after day, Hyo Jun's expression grew increasingly gloomy.

Little by little, the way he looked at Kai became sharper and more irritable.

Even though they shared the same room, he had stopped greeting Kai altogether.

The only exception was that he occasionally hovered nearby whenever Yu Myeong was around, almost as though hoping Yu Myeong would start a conversation with him.

{Wonder which'll happen first—Derek throws him out, or he runs away on his own?}

Miho... do you think you could fix that habit of his?

{Problems with someone's mindset can't really be fixed unless they decide to change themselves. Other people can only reshape that sort of thing while you're still in kindergarten. Derek's getting this involved only because an audition's a pretty special situation.}

...You're right.

Yu Myeong deliberately looked away, trying not to concern himself with it any further.

But why hasn't Derek asked to act with me yet?

{Yeah, that's weird. With his personality, I'd have thought he'd challenge you the moment the class started.}

...Sigh. I really want to act opposite him.

That had been the entire reason Yu Myeong chose Derek's class.

He had been counting the days until they could share a scene together.

Yet, strangely enough, Derek seemed determined not to create that opportunity.

"Natalie. What are you doing out here?"

"Taking a short break before class."

That morning, Derek and Natalie happened to meet in the garden near the entrance to the Actors House.

Under California's brilliant morning sun, Natalie sat on a bench in the lush garden, happily gulping down a canned drink.

She looked like she had stepped straight out of a commercial.

"Busy? Want one too, Derek?"

"...Spying on me?"

"About halfway."

Derek chuckled and sat beside her.

Natalie's manager sprinted to the van, returned carrying an armful of drinks, and held them out.

Derek casually picked one.

"Thanks."

The simple greeting was enough to make the manager's face flush bright red.

"What a sinful man."

"I was born this way. Can't help original sin."

Natalie ignored his usual shameless arrogance as though she hadn't heard it.

Instead, she asked the question she'd been waiting to ask.

"So... how is he?"

"The more I watch him... the more fired up I get. Where on earth did someone like that come from?"

"Haha. I've really been seeing all kinds of new sides of Derek McCurdy lately. Don't tell me you're even like that in front of Yu Myeong? I thought you never praised actors while teaching because it'd make them complacent."

"You can praise someone who's harsher on himself than I could ever be. Whether I praise him or criticize him, he won't care. His standard of satisfaction comes entirely from himself."

Natalie couldn't help laughing.

"Even so... surely he cares what Derek McCurdy thinks."

"...I had him do the walking exercise twice."

"Oh, that one. I've suffered through that plenty of times."

"He completely transformed into another person at my level."

"...Wait. Derek McCurdy just admitted someone had reached his level?"

"...That's not the surprising part."

Natalie blinked.

"I naturally assumed he'd recreate one of his own past roles."

"But instead..."

"He walked as one of my characters."

"...Why?"

She looked genuinely confused.

"Don't you get it? Becoming one of the characters you've already played isn't practice anymore. That's simply something he can already do."

A chill ran down Natalie's spine as Derek continued.

"So... because using one of his own roles wouldn't challenge him..."

"He deliberately chose a role he'd never played before?"

"Terrifying, isn't it?"

"...Wow."

She stared blankly.

"He's an absolutely terrifying actor."

Then she asked,

"So... have you acted together yet?"

"Not yet."

"...I thought you'd challenge him immediately."

"I'm holding myself back with everything I've got."

"Why?"

"If I specifically choose him for a scene now, he'll immediately become 'the contestant Derek McCurdy personally selected.'"

"Well... that's true, isn't it?"

"And then every achievement he earns afterward will carry my name with it."

"That wouldn't be fair to him."

For a moment, Natalie's head felt strangely light.

"...I've never seen you this serious before."

"It's honestly unsettling."

"That's because you've never met anyone else as obsessed with acting as I am."

Natalie loved acting as much as anyone.

But she couldn't argue with that.

People jokingly called him Crazy Derek.

She, more than anyone, knew exactly what he was crazy about.

Acting.

"I don't want his name to be preceded by anything except acting.

"If we perform together during class, people who don't understand what they're seeing will call it 'coaching' or 'instructional acting.'

"The thought alone is embarrassing."

There was no swagger in his voice now.

Only quiet sincerity.

"...So you're just going to keep avoiding acting with him?"

"Of course not."

"...?"

"I'm going to ask Dennis to make performing against one of the judges a mission during the finals."

"That way, we'll share the stage fairly."

Natalie grinned mischievously.

"Oh? But I'm one of the judges too."

"Maybe I'll volunteer to face Yu Myeong instead."

"Oh, come on..."

"Have mercy."

"If that happens, I'll cry."

He even put on a pitiful expression.

Infuriatingly enough, even that looked effortlessly attractive.

Seeing Derek finally return to his usual self, Natalie laughed.

Yes.

This version suited him far better.

That was the morning of Day 7.

That day, Derek eliminated six contestants from his class.

There was no room for argument.

No hesitation.

No mercy.

Only six remained.

Yu Myeong.

Antoine.

Jackson.

Hyo Jun.

Kai.

Sydney.

Under Derek's direction, the six survivors were taken somewhere else.

"Here we are."

California Stunt Center & Studio

The place specialized in stunt work and action performance.

Waiting outside the entrance stood a cameraman carrying an enormous broadcast camera.

He waved cheerfully at them.

Behind him, an entire production crew waited.