The Face Genius Actor

Episode 113 

“Love in 18” was OTBC’s Monday-Tuesday drama set in a school.

This work was about the rivalry between Kim Hoon, who had never lost the top spot in school, and Lee Jung-ho, the perennial second place, at Royal, a private school where even the last-ranked student could enter a Seoul university.

Lee Jung-ho’s lifelong wish was to surpass Kim Hoon and become first in school.

To achieve this goal, he gradually reduced his sleep and studied more.

Kim Hoon, unaware of this, freely played basketball and engaged in hobbies, which angered Lee Jung-ho.

Just as Lee Jung-ho’s inferiority complex towards Kim Hoon was about to explode,

He happens to see Kim Hoon confessing to Lim Su-ji and getting rejected.

Lee Jung-ho decides to intentionally approach Lim Su-ji.

But what’s this?

As he gets closer to Lim Su-ji, Lee Jung-ho finds himself falling for her.

Meanwhile, he learns that Lim Su-ji rejected Kim Hoon’s confession because she was too shy, and ends up taking on the role of coach to help their romance…

Will Lee Jung-ho be able to defeat Kim Hoon, take first place, and win Lim Su-ji’s heart?

“Love in 18” was a teen romantic comedy drama focusing on this aspect.

Fortunately, this drama was set to do quite well.

It was expected to achieve decent ratings, approaching 8%.

I was worried that hyung’s first drama challenge might fail, but thankfully that wasn’t the case.

Of course, it was still unknown whether he would receive good reviews for his acting skills.

It was natural since I had never seen hyung’s acting before.

But I didn’t doubt that hyung would show good acting skills.

‘Hyung has a more careful personality than I thought.’

It was the same with his modeling work.

It might seem like he entered this field without much thought, but that wasn’t the case at all.

Hyung moved with the certainty of success.

After all, it’s the reality of our time that you can’t succeed in any profession without thorough preparation.

Above all, unlike me, hyung was good at using his body.

Although it wasn’t obvious because he was usually expressionless and blunt, that was the truth.

For this reason, I firmly believed that hyung would handle his role without much trouble.

‘But to think his first role is Kim Hoon from “Love in 18″…’

It was quite a significant role.

It was the role of the secondary male lead.

It was a role I hadn’t even taken in “Arrest” or “I Will Cast Love”.

But rather than feeling jealous, I hoped he would do well in this role.

Because I knew hyung sincerely wanted to pursue the path of an actor.

If he could pull off this role, he might be able to rise to the main lead in one go.

‘Somehow… Is there a way I can help hyung?’

It would be nice if I could lend him the method mask, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.

The method mask was an item only I could use.

To others, it was just an ordinary mask.

I didn’t want to give lectures about acting as if it were advice either.

Not only was that not my personality, but hyung wasn’t the type to listen to others’ advice.

‘Hmm… Is there no suitable method? Should I just send a coffee truck?’

In fact, this was the most common method.

Above all, doing it this way avoided any awkwardness between us.

But somehow, just a coffee truck felt insufficient.

If I couldn’t help with acting, I wanted to help in a way that could increase the ratings even by 1%.

Coincidentally, since the director of “Love in 18” was Kang Han-sung, I felt there might be something I could do.

‘Ah? Should I make time and do that?’

Something came to mind, and I approached Director Choi Seo-young to put this plan into action.

“Director.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Is it possible to change the shooting schedule for just one day later?”

“Of course. I was thinking of filming scenes where you don’t appear all at once for one day anyway. But why do you ask?”

“Ah. I think another schedule might come up urgently. Anyway, I’ll let you know the date again.”

“Okay. Please do that.”

After finishing the conversation with Director Choi Seo-young, I immediately called Director Kang Han-sung.

The ringtone didn’t last long before Director Kang Han-sung answered.

-Actor Lee Si-joon! What’s the occasion?

* * *

A few months later.

I, who had been focusing only on film shooting, headed to Yangpyeong instead of Osan where “I Am Not a Villain” was being filmed.

Yangpyeong was where the set of “Love in 18” was located, and I visited this place with a coffee truck.

“Actor Lee Si-joon is here, everyone!”

“Everyone, have a cup of coffee before we start!”

“We have iced Americano here too!”

The on-set staff raised their voices, and the cast and production team of “Love in 18” welcomed my arrival.

I greeted Director Kang Han-sung first.

“Thank you so much for coming to the set despite your busy schedule, actor.”

“Not at all. It’s your work, so of course I should come and greet you in person. Have you been well?”

I had met with Director Kang Han-sung most recently when I showed him the script for “I Am Not a Villain”.

On that day, Director Kang Han-sung showed great interest in the filming of “I Am Not a Villain”.

He even brought up the possibility of him directing it as soon as the current project he was working on finished.

But I had already decided not to work with influential figures like Director Kang Han-sung.

For that reason, I had to decline his kind offer, but I was glad I could help Director Kang Han-sung like this.

“Director, I’m sorry I had to decline your good offer back then.”

“It’s okay. I understand why you declined my offer. I’ve had similar thoughts before. The desire to create a good work purely with my own abilities.”

Fortunately, Director Kang Han-sung didn’t seem to be holding onto that incident.

Moreover, he spoke as if he understood me.

As expected of someone with a lot of experience, his ability to grasp situations was excellent.

“Above all, I’m satisfied that you’ve sent a coffee truck and stepped up to help our drama like this. No, I’m rather grateful. It will be a tremendous help. By the way, you haven’t met your brother yet, right?”

“No. I can’t see him anywhere. He’s a tall person too.”

“He’s probably sitting alone over there practicing his acting. He’s such a practice bug, it’s amazing. They say he doesn’t even hear when someone shouts next to him.”

I moved towards where Director Kang Han-sung was pointing.

Sure enough, hyung was sitting in a corner of the set, wearing earplugs and looking at the script.

He was so focused that he didn’t even blink.

‘Hyung in a school uniform… It’s been a while.’

Maybe because of the makeup, hyung definitely looked younger.

He wouldn’t look out of place as a high school student.

As a result, I couldn’t help but feel strange.

It felt like I had really become a regression.

‘No, I am a regression.’

I chuckled at this idle thought and approached hyung.

A shadow fell over hyung’s head, and only then did he look up.

“Huh? You’re here?”

“Yeah. I’m here. Have some coffee.”

“What beans are they?”

“Are you going to be annoying?”

“Sorry.”

Hyung got up, dusting off his seat, and headed towards the coffee truck.

I followed behind him and asked.

“How’s the filming?”

“There’s a camera and it’s filming me.”

“Well, that’s obvious.”

“But I like it.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. It’s fun.”

Hyung answered with a smile on his face.

His expression definitely looked brighter.

It seemed he really enjoyed acting.

‘Before the regression, I prevented someone like this from acting.’

Although it wasn’t intentional, I felt unnecessarily sorry.

And once again, I hoped that hyung would achieve his true dream in this life.

‘In that sense, I should put in more effort today too.’

While I was thinking this,

Hyung received a cup of hot Americano.

I also stood beside him and received an iced Americano.

It strangely felt like people were looking at the two of us.

We pretended not to notice, but it was too obvious.

“…This feels like a familiar scene.”

“Right?”

“I didn’t think this would happen on a filming set.”

“Indeed.”

“By the way, will you be okay later?”

“With what?”

“You’ll have to speak formally to me.”

“It can’t be helped. It’s acting.”

“Oh, you’ve become a pro now?”

“Still, don’t be too rude.”

“We’ll see how it goes.”

That’s right.

Today, I wasn’t simply visiting the set.

After discussing with Director Kang Han-sung, I was scheduled to make a cameo appearance in “Love in 18”.

‘Moreover, my role is…’

A physical education teacher in charge of Kim Hoon’s class.

“Standby! Cue!”

* * *

Bang.

As I open the door in sync with the class start bell, I see students gathered in one corner, chattering.

The students notice me and quickly return to their seats.

I briefly glance in that direction and encounter a scene I don’t like.

One student is looking out the window with earphones plugged in.

What kind of contemplation is he immersed in?

I’m not curious about that.

The only thing that matters to me is whether this student intends to attend the physical education class.

I approach the student and pull out the earphones plugged in his ears.

The student turns to look at me with a blank expression.

“Kim Hoon. Didn’t you hear the bell?”

“……”

“Oh? Not answering?”

“……”

“Look at this. Do you think the teacher’s words aren’t worth responding to?”

Only when I frown does Kim Hoon slowly open his mouth.

“They are. Words.”

“Then why aren’t you answering?”

“Just felt something familiar.”

“What feeling?”

“Haven’t we met before, teacher?”

A moment of silence.

I smile slightly as if to say ‘what are you talking about’ and answer.

“We have met. Last week’s PE class.”

“Ah.”

“Stop talking nonsense and open your textbook. Really, this is the problem with handsome and smart guys.”

As I mutter the last part, Kim Hoon asks again.

“Pardon?”

I make up an excuse.

“If you don’t want to lose the top spot in school to Lee Jung-ho, open your textbook.”

“…Yes. I understand. I shouldn’t lose the top spot in school.”

Kim Hoon adds the last part with an unusual expression.

It seems something is going on with Lee Jung-ho, but I don’t care and return to my place, standing in front of the podium.

I don’t want to get involved in troublesome matters.

At that moment, female students pass by the corridor outside the classroom, having a conversation.

“Did you hear?”

“Why? What happened?”

“Kim Hoon. He got rejected by Lim Su-ji.”

“Really? Kim Hoon? How?”

“I don’t know. It’s annoying. Lim Su-ji is so unlikeable.”

“As expected of Lim Su-ji. I knew she’d be like that.”

This causes a stir inside the classroom.

Students whisper to each other, exchanging information.

Amidst this, Kim Hoon looks angry.

I tap on the desk to calm the situation.

“Alright! Everyone be quiet!”

Then I go out to the corridor and say a word to the female students.

“Which class are you from, making such noise?”

“Ah… We’re from class 3… The teacher asked us to bring something…”

Indeed, the female students are holding something in their hands.

It looks like class materials.

“If that’s the case, you should just move the items quietly. Why are you making noise? It’s disturbing other classes.”

“We’re sorry.”

“Quickly return to your class.”

“Yes, teacher.”

After barely managing to settle the situation, I turn my head towards Kim Hoon.

Kim Hoon’s expression is still not good.

After a moment of consideration, I decide to offer Kim Hoon a few words of casual comfort.

“Kim Hoon.”

“Yes?”

“Cheer up.”

At my words, the students burst into laughter, and Kim Hoon’s face turns red.