Chapter : 31
“Starting by watching the first acting scene—this is kind of nerve-wracking.”
As their small conversation ended, the stage lights changed, and Hyojin stepped right into the center. It looked like filming was about to begin.
“Let’s start filming! Please turn off your phones!”
“Action!”
“Slate! Hyojin, prepare your lines!”
Clack!
The slate clapped, and the main camera focused on Hyojin’s face. Holding the microphone, she immediately drew attention with her confident voice and gestures, more skilled than anyone else.
“Hello, everyone! It’s been a while. It’s an honor to see you again after completing the first mission of [The One: Actresses]. How did our actors spend these past two weeks? Actor #52!”
When Hyojin specifically called her out, Soi’s cheeks instantly flushed red. As the first camera zoomed in on her, Soi gave a sweet, eye-smiling gesture.
“I had to redo my profile photos and record my script videos, so I honestly don’t even know how the two weeks passed, haha.”
As she spoke with the brightest expression she could muster, the actors standing behind her shot her sharp, critical glances.
But that only lasted a moment; as soon as the other cameras caught them, they instantly changed their expressions.
“And Actor #39?”
The actor who had been muttering quietly off-camera just a moment ago now smiled like an angel and spoke.
“Ha ha. It was a really valuable time to learn a lot. I think I finally understand why Director Lee Byung-in encouraged us to make the most of this opportunity. Taking new profile photos, reading a script for the first time, and acting in front of the camera—it reminded me once again where I truly belong.”
“That’s wonderful. I was worried about how our actors spent this time, but it seems everyone made it meaningful, so that makes me happy! Now that we’ve caught up, shall we get to the main topic?”
What do you mean? All we did was suffer.
Listening to Hyojin’s lines, Gayoung shook her head.
It had been necessary time, yes, but it must have also brought back the pain for her friend.
As if indifferent to such thoughts, Hyojin’s voice echoed across the stage.
“Today is the day we reveal the results of the first mission! The first mission was evaluated via video, public opinion, and on-site performance. The video and public evaluations were based on the acting clips you uploaded to MeTube, and the on-site evaluation will take place right here!”
Lee Hyuk took the microphone from Hyojin and continued.
“The videos you uploaded to MeTube have been set so that views were hidden starting five days ago. After today’s evaluation, you’ll be able to check the final views. Additionally, the on-site performances will determine the twenty actors who, if they don’t meet the standards, will—as announced during the previous filming…”
“Be eliminated.”
So Ji-young, a professor at the Korea Arts University and an active actress, spoke the word “elimination,” and the room buzzed with murmurs.
That murmur, too, seemed like a necessary reaction. The camera zoomed out, capturing the entire venue.
“There’s no need to wait any longer. Everyone must have worked hard for the past two weeks. Shall we start immediately?”
The speaker was a veteran actor in her 60s, Chan Mi-sook.
Scheduled to play a significant role in From Crown Princess to Courtesan, Chan Mi-sook was participating as a judge in this audition to select the most suitable actors.
“Now, finally, let me explain how the judges’ evaluation works. Each judge has a hidden card. With this one card, the judge can control an actor’s fate…!”
As Hyojin’s words reached a peak, the screen behind the judges turned black, flashing the words HIDDEN! HIDDEN!
Ha. So flashy and cringe-inducing, I can’t even describe it.
Haein scratched her forehead, already guessing what the hidden card’s power might be. Slowly, she watched the screen.
It must be the right to pass one eliminated contestant to the next round.
“What is the secret of the hidden card! Could it be the right to automatically advance one eliminated actor to the next round? No! This hidden card is… the right for the judge to forcibly eliminate one chosen contestant.”
“…?”
“What?”
Murmurs started spreading among the actors. Hyojin, as if expecting that reaction, paused briefly before continuing.
“Even if an actor receives excellent marks in video, public, and on-site evaluations, if a judge uses the hidden card, that actor will be eliminated. That is its power.”
What the hell… So if one person gets on their bad side, you’re done for…
“Ah, of course, it’s not unlimited. Each judge can only use the hidden card once, until selecting the final one. That was a long introduction! [The One: Actresses], let’s begin!”
“Cut!”
“Five-minute break! Please touch up your makeup now~!”
Carrying a makeup box, Gayoung rushed onto the stage and quickly applied light gray eyeshadow to Haein’s eyelids.
“Wow, they threw in every cringy trope. Hidden card? I’m embarrassed just watching this.”
“…Gayoung, I think the eyeshadow is too dark. My eyes hurt.”
“Mm, it’s fine. It’ll make your eyes look bloodshot and give more impact. But this could be useful.”
“What?”
“With Lee Hyuk’s hidden card, we can just take Soi down.”
“Hey, I can hear you. Don’t say that.”
“Ah, why not? Still remember how much trouble you had with the Hypnosis script… Hey, what’s that? Allergy on your neck?”
Apparently, she hadn’t noticed during the costume fitting. The mark left by Do-joon a few days ago in the waiting room remained like a faint stamp on her skin.
It was brief but intense, rough but gentle. Seo Do-joon had cared for her until the very end, and his breath carried that effort.
Thinking back to that moment, her ears flushed red.
“Ah, why didn’t you say anything? Jia, get the foundation. Haein, why are your ears red? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing, just itchy, so I scratched it.”
Seeing Haein’s reddened ears, Gayoung was about to probe suspiciously, but there was no time. Five minutes passed in an instant.
Guided by Jia’s hand, Gayoung stepped off the stage while inspecting Haein’s face, and the slate clapped again.
Back on stage, Hyojin continued as if no break had happened.
“Then, Actor #1, please come forward and begin your performance. Actor #1!”
The actor called as #1 stepped forward. Her slender frame easily looked over 170 cm, giving off a refreshing aura. She had transitioned from modeling to acting, as far as Haein knew.
“What script will Actor #1 perform?”
The Spy.
Haein had already watched her uploaded video. She could recite the lines even with her eyes closed.
It was a film about the life of a member of the Righteous Army during the Japanese occupation.
The scene she chose revealed that Haejung, whom everyone thought was a Righteous Army member, was actually a spy sent to create a rift within the organization.
Why choose this? She would have had a better chance in MeTube votes if she played the Righteous Army member. The scene in the video wasn’t particularly moving either.
She had neither innate talent nor long acting experience; she was just a former model. What could one expect?
Judges seemed to think the same. From the very beginning, there was barely a trace of interest in her performance.
