Ch.86This works

Actor Jang Geonho.

A man who has achieved several hit productions and risen to the ranks of veteran actors, earning the respect of his juniors.

How did such a person come to join “Story of the Moon and the Stars”?

What could have possibly motivated him to take a taxi and prepare early in the morning for an audition?

The reason was incredibly simple.

‘This is truly magnificent.’

As soon as he saw the script, he could envision how this play would grow.

“Jinwoo, is this something you and actor Han Taegeon are doing?”

“Yes, and Donghu too.”

“Donghu as well?”

“Yes, Donghu is the lead. Would you like to join us, senior? Though I’ll be playing the pilot role.”

Jang Geonho laughed heartily seeing actors who could easily be leads anywhere gathering for a play without any particular reason.

“I should join too.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I must. I feel like I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I missed this moment.”

In the past, there were so many roles he wanted to play.

But pushed back by reality and time, he felt his options gradually diminishing.

What is one’s original intention?

Why did I want to become an actor in the first place?

‘Was it when I imitated my father in front of my mother?’

He suddenly remembered how his mother had praised him, saying he would be good at things like theater, smiling as she did.

That memory, which had been buried so deep he’d forgotten how to retrieve it, suddenly surfaced.

Back then, he didn’t care about money; he was just happy seeing his mother smile.

‘Perhaps this production could be like that.’

Among the formidable lineup of actors coming to audition, not a single one mentioned payment.

It was incredibly unrealistic.

And simultaneously, something that could only happen now.

Actors who no longer needed to follow agency directives gathering to focus purely on acting?

That was precisely why Jang Geonho decided to join.

Then what was Seo Jinwoo’s reason?

Because Kim Donghu was the lead?

Because he became interested after seeing Han Taegeon join?

It was none of those.

The most primal reason.

‘I’ve always wanted to play a pilot role.’

As a child, he wanted to become a pilot after watching “Top Gun.”

Due to various circumstances, he abandoned that dream and became an actor instead.

Nevertheless, that childhood dream still remained like an ember inside Seo Jinwoo.

His home was filled with airplane model kits.

In such a situation, with all conditions perfect, and the role being a pilot?

‘I can’t possibly refuse.’

Han Taegeon, sorry, but you’ll have to give up the pilot role.

Jang Geonho and Seo Jinwoo.

The reasons for these two actors’ participation were quite clear.

Perhaps that’s why?

“…Senior Jang Geonho, are you really auditioning?”

“I came for the audition, so of course I should. Director, please tell me immediately if there’s anything strange about my acting.”

Actor Jang Geonho immediately went up on stage and began preparing to act.

He even mentioned being nervous since it had been so long since his last audition, showing his serious commitment to the work.

This alone was enough to make Bong Jinwoo feel pressured and anxious.

And on top of that.

Rustling sounds.

Actor Seo Jinwoo had silently changed into a pilot’s uniform.

Preparing to this extent for an audition?

For a play created by a high school sophomore?

Bong Jinwoo blinked repeatedly.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing was real.

So Bong Jinwoo opened his eyes wide and said what he absolutely needed to say at that moment.

“The name of our theater company is F-Flame!”

A flame blooms.

+++++

The auditions proceeded very quickly.

That was because there was no one to eliminate from the start.

Normally, you would decide who to select when many people gather.

But here, the structure was such that whoever showed up for the audition would pass.

Except for one role.

“…Junior Donghu, what should I do in this situation?”

“I’m also a bit flustered right now…”

The pilot.

What was so special about this role?

Why would two actors with tremendous fame, who only played lead roles in any drama, rush for it?

‘I didn’t expect this either.’

Senior Bong Jinwoo looked at me with a face seeking help.

But there was nothing I could do about this.

It was a task only the director could handle.

The variable was that the director was a newcomer who had just become a second-year high school student, and the auditioning actors had overwhelmingly impressive careers.

But this too was something the director had to handle.

With the best ingredients gathered, shouldn’t the cooking be done properly?

In fact, Senior Bong Jinwoo seemed to think the same way.

He was diligently writing down audition content in his notebook and scoring it.

‘The two actors have different styles, so it’s really a matter of preference.’

Han Taegeon was the type who thoroughly researched when taking on a role.

What words would be best to say here, what would show his charm best, and so on.

If I had to compare, he was like a model student.

In contrast, Seo Jinwoo was the type who intuitively interpreted the script as soon as he saw it.

He instinctively found the highest point for the role he needed to play.

It wasn’t for nothing that he was evaluated as having an almost beast-like intuition.

Two distinctly different types.

But I could vaguely tell whose hand Bong Jinwoo would raise.

“I, I… think Senior Seo Jinwoo should play the pilot role.”

“Yes! Got it! I’m the pilot!”

As expected, the pilot role went to Seo Jinwoo.

‘It’s a difference in style.’

Han Taegeon’s research-oriented style makes “Han Taegeon” himself shine.

In other words, he’s the type who adapts the role to himself.

Conversely, Seo Jinwoo’s style is to adapt “himself” to the role.

Since what’s important in “Story of the Moon and the Stars” is the vitality of the characters,

In this aspect, Seo Jinwoo naturally had the advantage.

‘But is it something to be that happy about?’

How badly did he want this role?

While I was thinking this,

“Then what role should I play? Tell me, and I’ll research it right away.”

Han Taegeon calmly accepted the decision and addressed Bong Jinwoo.

“Huh? What?”

Seeing Bong Jinwoo’s face, which showed he hadn’t thought about this, Senior Han Taegeon smiled faintly.

“You don’t mean I should go home because I lost the pilot role, do you, Director?”

“Ah, no no no! Not at all! I, I was just surprised! So…!”

Frantically flipping through the script.

When a national actor asks for a role, who would dare refuse?

“Haha, you can take your time. I’m just kidding.”

“In that sense, shall we create a group chat? We need to coordinate schedules.”

Everyone nodded at Han Taegeon’s suggestion.

‘How valuable would this group chat be?’

And so, suddenly, within seconds, a group chat was created.

Jang Geonho, Kim Yuryeon, Han Taegeon, Seo Jinwoo, Kim Donghu, Kim Sujin, Jin Myeongtae, Bong Jinwoo.

The initial members of Flame Theater Company,

Contrary to the expectation that the spark would burn weakly at first,

Showed an insanely tremendous momentum from the very beginning.

+++++

Choi Seokho, the sole investor of “Story of the Moon and the Stars,” who belatedly learned of the entire situation, was currently:

“…Wow, how should I handle this?”

He felt dazed from suddenly having to steer such a large ship.

It felt like someone had hit him hard on the back of his head.

‘What on earth is happening?’

The only person who needed to be paid was Jin Myeongtae.

The rest of the members asked for their budgets to be invested in the theater company.

‘Inviting children from orphanages to the theater company… for a free performance.’

The purpose itself was incredibly noble.

Perhaps it could even spark a new social phenomenon?

But to paint such a picture, a lot of money was needed.

For a performance not just in Daehangno but at least at the Seoul Arts Center, more methods were required.

And that method was:

“Since you said we could freely use the actors.”

In aggressive marketing.

How would the marketing be done?

‘By using fan cafes.’

Starting lightly.

Just enough to create a gentle breeze.

For this, Choi Seokho immediately picked up his phone.

When it came to adjusting fan cafes, there was always someone he needed to consult with.

Ring ring ring.

“H-hello?”

“Ah, is it okay to call? Are you busy?”

The official administrator of the fan cafe,

Username “CorruptPowerActorKimDonghu,”

Actually a formally employed genius developer,

Also an official business partner in whom Kim Donghu was investing.

That name being none other than:

“Yes, yes, it’s fine.”

“Actually, I was hoping Kangsik could tweak the homepage a bit.”

“A ren-renewal?”

“No, not that, let me explain what happened…”

Na Kangsik.

After explaining the situation to him, who could now almost be considered a business partner:

“I understand.”

With an unwavering voice, he showed his determination to perfectly execute the instructions.

With that, the concerns were over.

Choi Seokho immediately focused on creating a PowerPoint presentation.

With this level of personnel,

Creating a theater company to give hope to children.

Who could possibly resist sponsoring?

Wouldn’t they beg to have their products promoted?

The current PowerPoint was the groundwork for that.

++++++

Kim Donghu’s fan cafe had been quite quiet for the past year.

It was inevitable since Kim Donghu had entered a rest period.

Because of this, even reporters would just briefly check in and leave.

Without any sources, there was no reason to stay long.

“Is there anything…”

Today seemed like another such day.

Entertainment reporters entered Kim Donghu’s fan cafe with cigarettes in their mouths.

And at that very moment.

“Huh?!”

They detected a change significant enough to make them stand up immediately.

A notice visible as soon as they entered the fan cafe.

“Kim Donghu… igniting a flame? Flame Theater Company…?”

What is this? Is he doing theater?

“Suddenly?”

Without hesitation, they clicked on it.

And as soon as they saw the members of the theater company:

“Ed-Editor-in-chief! Editor-in-chief! No, hey! Hey! Where are you! Come see this!”

They shouted, forgetting the hierarchy.

This was a phenomenon happening to all entertainment reporters.

There was only one thought in their minds:

This is going to work.