Idol Turned Actor

Chapter 11:

The countdown to Director Han's audition began in earnest. Each passing day brought new challenges, but Minho was determined to rise to the occasion.

His mornings were consumed by rehearsals for the drama, while his evenings were spent poring over Director Han's previous works. The man's films were legendary, known for their intricate storytelling and emotional depth. Minho needed to deliver something extraordinary—something that would prove he belonged on the same stage as industry titans.

One evening, as Minho studied a particularly challenging monologue from one of Han's older films, his frustration boiled over.

"No," he muttered, tossing the script onto the coffee table. "It's not enough."

He needed guidance, someone who could help him elevate his craft. After a moment's hesitation, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts.

Eunwoo picked up after the second ring.

"Hyunjae?" he said, sounding surprised.

"I need your help," Minho said without preamble. "You've worked with Director Han before, right?"

"Yeah," Eunwoo replied slowly. "Why?"

"I have an audition for his next project. I need to know how to stand out."

There was a pause, and then Eunwoo chuckled. "You really don't do things halfway, do you?"

"Eunwoo."

"Alright, alright," he said. "Meet me tomorrow at Café Mosaic. I'll tell you what I know."

The next day, Minho arrived early, his mind buzzing with questions. He'd barely settled into his seat when Eunwoo appeared, dressed casually but exuding his usual aura of confidence.

"You look tense," Eunwoo said, sliding into the seat opposite him.

"Can you blame me?" Minho replied, managing a weak smile.

Eunwoo waved down a waiter, ordering a coffee before turning his attention back to Minho. "So, Han's auditions. First thing you need to know: he's not looking for actors—he's looking for storytellers."

"Storytellers?"

Eunwoo nodded. "He doesn't care if you deliver the lines perfectly. What he cares about is whether you understand the character's truth. You have to live and breathe the role."

Minho leaned forward, hanging on every word. "How do I do that?"

Eunwoo studied him for a moment. "You've already started, haven't you? Watching his films, analyzing his style?"

"Yes."

"Good. Keep doing that. But more importantly, find the emotion behind the words. Han loves improvisation, so don't be afraid to deviate from the script if it feels right."

Minho absorbed the advice, his determination solidifying. "Thank you, Eunwoo. I owe you one."

Eunwoo smirked. "You owe me a dinner. A fancy one."

Over the next week, Minho immersed himself in preparation. The system became an invaluable tool, providing Advanced Acting Techniques and Emotional Depth Modules that allowed him to explore his character in ways he never had before.

[Skill Progression: Advanced Acting Techniques Unlocked]

Acting Skill Level: 7 → 9

One evening, the system chimed with a new notification.

[Bonus Task: Improvise the Role]

Objective: Create an original scene based on the audition script. Reward: +1 Creativity, Enhanced Intuition.

Minho frowned, flipping through the script. The scene in question was a tense argument between a father and son, loaded with unspoken emotions.

He closed his eyes, imagining the scene playing out in his mind. Slowly, he began to rewrite the dialogue, shifting the focus from anger to vulnerability.

By the time he finished, he felt drained but oddly satisfied.

[Task Complete: Improvise the Role]

Reward: +1 Creativity, Enhanced Intuition Unlocked.

The morning of the audition arrived, and Minho found himself standing outside the studio, his heart pounding. Dozens of other actors milled around, their conversations a low hum of nervous energy.

"Focus," he murmured, taking a deep breath. "This is your moment."

When his name was called, he stepped into the audition room. The space was stark, with only a single table where Director Han and two assistants sat, their expressions unreadable.

"Hyunjae, correct?" Han said, glancing at his notes.

"Yes, sir," Minho replied, bowing deeply.

Han gestured to the center of the room. "You'll be performing the argument scene. Whenever you're ready."

Minho nodded, closing his eyes for a brief moment to center himself. When he opened them, he was no longer Minho. He was the son—angry, desperate, and longing for his father's approval.

The scene began, and Minho delivered the lines with raw intensity, each word laced with emotion. But halfway through, he veered from the script, letting his instincts take over.

"I just wanted you to be proud of me," he said, his voice breaking. "But no matter what I do, it's never enough, is it? You see my failures, not my efforts. Do you even know how hard I've tried?"

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

When he finished, Han leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

"Thank you, Hyunjae," he said finally. "We'll be in touch."

Outside the studio, Minho let out a shaky breath. The audition had felt like a whirlwind, but he knew he'd given it everything he had.

As he walked away, his phone buzzed.

[Task Complete: Ace Director Han's Audition]

Performance Rating: A

Reward: +3 Skill Points, Tier 2 Acting Techniques Unlocked.

Minho smiled faintly, the tension in his chest easing. No matter what happened, he was one step closer to reclaiming his future.

But as he turned the corner, he spotted a familiar figure leaning against a car.

"Jaehyun?"

The actor smirked, pushing off the car. "So, you're trying for Han's film too. Guess we'll see who comes out on top."

Minho's eyes narrowed. "May the best man win."

Jaehyun chuckled. "Oh, I intend to."