Chapter 5: The acceptance text message

Two weeks later, in a quiet rehearsal room.

Oh Seok and Muyoung sat across from each other with a script. Cold winter air came in through the old window, but beads of sweat formed on Muyoung’s forehead.

“Say the line again.”

“The Bongdong Tunnel corpse’s DNA matches.”

“What’s the important word in that line?”

“DNA.”

“Then you need to take a breath before that word. Again.”

“The Bongdong Tunnel corpse—DNA matches.”

“This time, the emotion was released. It was the result the detective had been waiting for for days. You can’t do it like that. Again!”

It had already been several hours.

Muyoung was repeatedly practicing a one-paragraph line. His throat was getting hoarse, and his facial muscles ached, but he couldn’t stop.

“Again!”

A strange sense of catharsis rose up whenever Oh Seok called out “again.” It was definitely a sense of satisfaction born from learning and understanding.

‘It’s amazing.’

Muyoung learned for the first time that there was a method to reading lines. Of course, there was diaphragmatic breathing, how to open the soft palate, and how to use facial muscles.

“Where did I tell you to put the accent?”

“Before DNA. But it keeps getting stuck on the tip of my tongue.”

“That’s because your breathing is different. Again!”

Depending on where you put the emphasis, where you put more emotion, and where you breathe, the same line could feel completely different. He had said the line dozens of times, but not one of them was the same.

“The Bongdong Tunnel corpse, DNA matches.”

Oh Seok pressed the record button in time with Muyoung’s reading. When there was no further action, Muyoung continued to read the lines. Finally, a faint smile appeared on Oh Seok’s lips.

“-I’ll leave right away.”

After reading to the end, Muyoung glanced at Oh Seok. Oh Seok quickly erased his smile and pressed the record complete button.

“Okay.”

“Whew. I’m really going to die.”

As soon as he got the okay sign, Muyoung fell backwards. His throat hurt, his head hurt…… More than anything, endlessly repeating one line made him feel dizzy.

“Now listen to this and keep repeating it. Let it sink in without even thinking about it. Otherwise, it’ll all be for nothing.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Oh Seok checked the time.

It was already four in the afternoon. The intermediate class was about to start, but Muyoung and he had skipped lunch.

“Want some ramen?”

“No. I need to clean.”

“Come on. You don’t have to.”

Oh Seok clicked his tongue as he tidied up his desk. That was exactly what Muyoung had proposed.

-I don’t like free stuff. I’ll do some cleaning. And can I sleep here at the academy sometimes?

Should I say that the kid is determined, or cute? Muyoung poured his days into acting and the academy as if he were possessed.

Practice after school, cleaning, classes, and then more practice.

He spent four or five nights a week at the academy until late at night. He didn’t know the details of his family situation, but judging from Muyoung’s attitude and personality, it didn’t seem like he was staying out arbitrarily.

“I’m going to cook ramen, so do it roughly and come out quickly.”

“Yes. Thank you for the lesson.”

“Good job. Make sure to drink warm water.”

Saying that, Oh Seok left the rehearsal room. He seemed fine on the outside, but he was just as excited as Muyoung.

‘He’s a total sponge.’

The most difficult students to teach were the ones who were mediocre. They had picked up things here and there and had some experience, so they filtered everything they heard a little.

But Muyoung was a sponge. Specifically, a white sponge.

“Scary. So scary.”

He absorbed everything Oh Seok poured out.

And not in a forced way, but as naturally as someone born that way. Judging by the smiles he made from time to time, he was clearly enjoying it.

‘They say that genius cannot beat someone who works hard, and someone who works hard cannot beat someone who enjoys it……’

What about a genius who works hard and enjoys it? What’s he like?

Oh Seok shook his head and put the water on for ramen.

“Ahh-”

Meanwhile, Muyoung, lying on the floor of the rehearsal room, had no intention of getting up. It was insanely, insanely fun. How had he not known that there was a field like this in the world?

‘Should I sleep here again today?’

He didn’t have a stepfather, but memories of him lingered throughout the house. It was uncomfortable to be alone. Plus, he was worried that he might see the guy’s ghost.

Ding.

Lying still, Muyoung listened again to the recording of his acting. It wasn’t his voice.

Even objectively, it was the voice of a passionate young detective.

The more recent the recorded file, the clearer the change was. It meant that the progress was immediate, and that gave Muyoung a definite sense of accomplishment.

‘I wish my pronunciation was a little more accurate.’

Just like listening to music while cleaning, Muyoung began to analyze himself as he swept the floor.

How much time had passed? The door to the rehearsal room opened and the intermediate students came in.

Click.

“You’re cleaning again, as usual.”

“Hi hi. Muyoung-ssi.”

“Wow. It’s super cold outside.”

They had all been together for several years, so they always hung out together. Muyoung smiled as he greeted them.

“Hello.”

“The teacher was eating ramen. How about you?”

“I’m fine.”

“I knew it. The fish cakes in front of here are amazing.”

Yuchan’s appearance and personality were a perfect match. He was friendly and seemed to be loved by everyone. He handed Muyoung a fish cake and asked,

“Did you sleep here again yesterday?”

Muyoung munched on the fish cake and nodded. A look of pity quickly flashed across Yuchan’s face.

‘The kid who got kicked out for retaking the exams and acting.’

That’s what everyone thought of Muyoung.

At first, they were sharp with him because of their inferiority and jealousy about his talent, but now they felt sorry for him.

Of course, they didn’t know that Oh Seok was giving him special free lessons, and Muyoung had an easygoing personality.

Muyoung looked at Yuchan’s face and asked,

“But you seem to be in a good mood?”

It was a new habit he had developed since he started acting. Observing and remembering everyone around him. It was also the first piece of advice Oh Seok had given him.

-If you save characters, it’s easier to give individuality to the people in the script. When you were tested, you scratched the desk with a hand covered in rice grains, remember? That kind of individuality. Even if it’s the same character, the acting changes depending on the depth of the actor.

“How did you know? Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah. You’re smiling more than usual.”

“Actually, the acceptance results came out today.”

“Wow. Really? Congratulations.”

Muyoung really clapped his hands with pure joy. Success in the entrance exams! Wasn’t that the goal that Korean students had been striving for their entire lives?

“Bora, Hyungju, and I got into Bando Arts University.”

Bando Arts University. It was considered the best of the arts universities. Many famous actors, singers, directors, and so on were from there and were dominating the scene.

“I was so nervous. The competition was crazy this time.”

Hyungju, a male student, smiled smugly and bragged unnecessarily. He was showing off in a subtle way.

“They say the professors there are no joke, so I’m already worried. But as long as you can endure it, it’s not too hard to get to the field. After all, there’s a lot of pulling and pushing each other along.”

No matter how talented Muyoung was, Hyungju felt that he was in a better position right now. He expected that while Muyoung was retaking the exams, he would go to college and soar ahead.

Hyungju tried to cover up his inferiority with those things.

“Hmm. That’s amazing.”

As if asking for a reaction, Hyungju looked at Muyoung, who replied calmly. He could faintly feel that the kids were misunderstanding something.

“How long are you going to come to the academy?”

“Me? I don’t know.”

Nothing was certain yet.

If he passed an audition and started making money, he’d probably stop coming. Or it would depend on his financial situation.

Life didn’t go as predicted, so Muyoung didn’t bother to worry.

He could do anything right now.

Like a bird freed from its shackles.

“We won’t be able to come here once we enroll, but you’ll keep coming, right? Come visit during the school festival. They say there’s a lot to see since it’s an arts university.”

“Okay. Let me know if it happens.”

“Work hard. A year is a long time, but honestly, you can’t prepare for Bando Arts University in one year. It’s good to aim for something a little easier. Especially for people like us, who have our youth as a weapon—”

“Hyungju. Want some fish cake?”

Yuchan, who was listening beside him, gently cut off his words. How could he brag like that in front of a kid who was retaking the exams? And give such ridiculous advice on top of that.

“No thanks. I’m full. Anyway, the field experience you can only get at that age is important. Don’t get too discouraged because you’re retaking the exams. Go here and there—”

“Hey.”

When Hyungju opened his mouth again, Bora spoke up this time. She had been quietly reading her script in the corner.

“Stop it. It’s embarrassing to listen to.”

“What?”

“You’re picking on him right now. Just because you started acting early doesn’t make you a king, so why do you keep doing that?”

“What did I do? Kang Bora is talking weird.”

“It’s you who’s weird. Don’t act all pretentious.”

Muyoung was a little surprised.

The fact was that Bora was colder to him than the other friends, so he didn’t expect her to step up like this.

“Ah. Why are you guys like this?”

“That guy’s starting a fight first—”

“Stop it. Stop it! It’s a good day, so stop it!”

Yuchan laughed awkwardly as he stopped the two of them. Bora then looked back at her script with a look of disdain.

‘Asshole.’

Bora muttered to herself.

Honestly, Muyoung was annoying. There was no way the talent gap she had felt back then could look good to her.

Still, acting like college was the be-all and end-all of skill and success was so childish that she couldn’t stand to watch it.

“Muyoung. Did I make a mistake?”

Hyungju asked Muyoung in confusion, as if he were worried. Everyone in the rehearsal room knew that he was being sarcastic and cutting him down. Muyoung just smiled and shook his head.

“No. You didn’t make a mistake.”

I should correct him.

He’s not aiming for the Department of Theater and Film, and he’s not retaking the exams yet.

He was about to speak when—

Zzzzzzt.

Muyoung’s phone, which was in his pocket, rang. Since the only person he contacted besides Junho was— It had been a long time since he had heard that sound.

“Huh?”

[Congratulations to Ha Muyoung on your acceptance to Seoyeon University’s Global Culture Department. Please check the website for detailed registration information.]

“What’s wrong?”

As Muyoung stared blankly at the screen, Yuchan leaned in. Then he read the text and looked at Muyoung.

“Dude, you—”

Seoyeon University. One of the most prestigious universities known to everyone in Korea. Except for Bora and Hyungju, the other friends also crowded around Muyoung like Yuchan. And soon, exclamations burst out.

“Crazy! You!”

“Wow. This guy’s amazing.”

“What’s going on? What is it?”

“Hey. Hyungju. He got into Seoyeon!”

At the friends’ commotion, Hyungju’s expression changed strangely. Muyoung looked at Hyungju and smiled faintly.

“I got in.”