Aura of a Genius Actor

"Take care, Selina."

As Selina prepared to leave the contestants' residence, she wrapped Yu Myeong in one last embrace.

The look in her eyes was almost that of a mother sending off her son.

"My agency told me that after the first live broadcast, a film studio offered me a major supporting role. I'm grateful to Casting Boat... and to you, Yu Myeong."

"I'm just glad your talent is finally being recognized."

"I hope we get the chance to act together again someday."

Yu Myeong smiled warmly and nodded.

Then it was Antoine's turn.

"So you're heading straight back to France?"

"I think I'll travel around America for a bit first. After that... I'll probably be joining the Brise Theater Company."

"I thought you said you were done working with Mr. Hugo."

"I thought so too... Haha."

He didn't need to explain.

The ambition in his eyes burned brighter than before.

Hugo's directing.

Actors like Ryu Shin and Do Hyo Jun who could push him to his limits.

He had chosen Brise because it was the place where he could continue growing.

Ryu Shin, Hyo Jun, and Antoine... Brise Theater Company is going to become completely unstoppable...

"Come visit France sometime."

"I will. There are... quite a few people there who matter to me."

Ryu Shin.

Hyo Jun.

Hugo.

And...

Another familiar face crossed Yu Myeong's mind.

Then they left.

Early the next morning, everyone gathered to hear the details of the third live broadcast challenge.

Yu Myeong rubbed his eyes the moment he spotted one particular person.

"Wait... Writer Yuk?!"

"Yu Myeong!"

She looked utterly exhausted, as though she'd been awake all night.

The instant she saw him, she grabbed both his hands and bounced excitedly.

"Oh? Didn't anyone tell you? Eva, you didn't tell Yu Myeong?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise, Unni."

Unni?

Did Eva really just call her that?

Surely they weren't actually sisters...

Then again, with the two of them standing side by side, Yu Myeong almost felt dizzy.

They looked...

Unbelievably alike.

"Something came up, so 'Unni' joined the writing team. There was simply too much work this time."

"Too much work? What do you mean?"

"What else would writers be doing? Writing scripts, of course. Actually..."

Before Eva could spoil anything else, Jerry stepped between them.

"I'll take it from here. All right, everyone—take a seat."

Present today were Jerry, several staff members...

...along with Eva, Writer Yuk, Derek, and Natalie.

"I'm sorry to both Yu Myeong and Marta, but the final live broadcast will have two main assignments."

"Didn't the first and second live broadcasts each have two assignments too?"

"They did. But before, one was improvisation and one was a prepared performance.

This time...

...both assignments are prepared performances."

"...?"

"Each of you will perform once with Derek...

...and once with Natalie."

The final mission had been revealed.

"Korea's in complete chaos right now."

"Really? Haha..."

After the announcement, Yu Myeong spoke privately with Writer Yuk for a while.

"Everyone's cheering because you're walking a path straight to success. But there are also so many people feeling disappointed because they think they'll never get to see you acting in Korea again."

Watching Writer Yuk carefully study his expression as she said that, Yu Myeong smiled inwardly.

People feeling disappointed...

She probably wanted to say she was first in line.

When are you coming back?

Could we work together again if you do?

He could almost see those questions waiting to spill out.

Pretending not to notice, he answered calmly.

"I'm still completely overwhelmed right now, so I honestly don't know. First, I need to finish the audition. How's everyone doing back home?"

"They're all doing well! Everyone who knew I was coming to America asked me to give you their regards. Oh, right—these are for you. Cha Ha Rin said she made the scented candle herself, and Yoon Han Seong and Lee Seon Ha asked me to deliver this letter."

"...Thank you."

Yu Myeong accepted the beautifully wrapped gift box and the cream colored envelope.

A nostalgic smile naturally spread across his face.

Seeing that expression, Writer Yuk's cheeks flushed pink.

"Ah... that's it.

That expression."

"...?"

"Analog Love—the script Natalie and you'll be performing.

I wrote it on the plane after reading the handwritten letter Han Seong asked me to deliver."

"Really?"

He had just received the two scripts.

The Door to Door Salesman, by Eva Dobransky, which he would perform with Derek.

And Analog Love, by Writer Yuk, which he would perform with Natalie.

Standing in front of its author, Yu Myeong opened Analog Love.

"So?"

It was only a ten minute play.

He reached the last page quickly.

Writer Yuk clasped her hands together anxiously.

"What do you think?"

Yu Myeong nodded deeply.

"It feels exactly like one of your stories.

The main character is incredibly charming."

The character he would portray was named Milton.

A slightly unusual man who suddenly appeared before the heroine, Sophia.

The protagonists in Writer Yuk's works always seemed familiar enough to feel approachable...

Yet somewhere unexpected, they revealed an entirely different side that quietly captured people's hearts.

Milton was no exception.

"The expression you had just now, when you received the letter—that's exactly the kind of feeling I'd like.

I kept dreaming that we'd never get to work together again.

I'm so happy we finally can, even if it's like this."

"...I'm happy too.

Thank you, Writer."

His thoughts drifted back to the first time they'd met.

Back then...

He had been an unknown rookie actor with neither connections nor experience.

Wearing ill fitting, worn out clothes covered with luxury accessories that didn't suit him, he'd waited nervously for his audition, hoping only to catch the attention of a producer or writer.

Now...

That same writer was eager to cast him again.

In truth, nothing had changed.

The only difference was that he now had more choices when deciding which project to take next.

Whether unknown or famous...

An actor's job remained the same.

To give everything to the role currently in front of them.

...Actually.

This time it's two roles.

"I'll give them everything I've got."

Yu Myeong bowed from exactly the same angle he had on the day they first met.

Startled, Writer Yuk instinctively bowed back.

The weekend before the Final Stage.

The latest issue of Vogue was released.

Casting Boat × P. Palace — 22 Page Exclusive Photo Spread

Bonus: Casting Boat "Pandora" Concept Poster

Two additional pages had been added at the last minute.

The editors simply couldn't bear to remove any of the selected photographs.

The April issue of Vogue sold out on the very day it was released.

"Ah... This is all I could get."

"How many copies is that? It looks like quite a lot."

"Twenty seven.

I started first thing this morning and cleaned out every bookstore nearby...

...and this was still all I could find."

Sojin looked close to tears.

"Isn't twenty seven enough?"

"It is not..."

"I wish I could send even one more copy to another member.

Actually... I haven't even looked through one yet.

Should we open one?"

"You haven't?

I thought you'd have opened the first copy immediately."

"No way.

I need to calm myself down and admire it somewhere quiet and dignified.

What if I started screaming in the middle of the street and got arrested for disturbing the peace?"

Was she joking?

Apparently not.

Yu Seok shook his head.

Fan clubs...

He'd watched them for years.

Sometimes he understood them.

Sometimes he absolutely didn't.

Well... good for them.

To be fair...

He was looking forward to the photo spread too.

Still...

Did anyone really need to scream over a magazine?

"Go ahead."

Sojin carefully sliced open the plastic wrapping with a utility knife.

When Yu Seok suggested simply tearing it open, she'd immediately protested.

"No!

I'm keeping the wrapping too!"

...The wrapping?

Isn't every magazine wrapper exactly the same?

Once the plastic came off, the cover looked even more striking.

Yu Myeong occupied it alone.

One half of his face expressed radiant light.

The other, profound darkness.

The composite image created such a dramatic contrast that it felt strangely surreal.

"This looks more like fine art photography than a fashion magazine, doesn't it?"

"Hmm...

You're right."

Before he realized it, Yu Seok had leaned in beside her.

"Wow..."

Sojin turned each page as though handling priceless treasure.

Tiny squeals escaped her lips every few seconds.

The stage performances had been spectacular.

But with designer costumes and elaborate sets, the photo spread possessed an entirely different elegance.

Best of all...

Unlike a stage performance...

You could keep these forever.

"Amazing...

Everyone in the fan club is going to pass out.

I need to go to the post office today."

"...It really is impressive."

Finally...

They unfolded the bonus poster.

"Ahhh!"

"Whoa!"

Even Yu Seok shouted without meaning to.

The wide panoramic poster depicted an angel on one side and a devil on the other, each seductively beckoning the viewer.

At the exact center stood Pandora...

Completely expressionless.

As Pandora gradually turned toward each side, the emotions slowly emerged across a seamless series of beautifully connected images.

"Amazing..."

Without thinking, Yu Seok grabbed Sojin's sleeve.

"Um...

If you really have twenty seven copies...

...would you consider selling me just one?"

Throughout the past week, Derek and Natalie had practically moved into the Actors House.

It was hardly surprising.

All four actors were rehearsing two productions simultaneously.

In a single week they had to memorize two full scripts, develop chemistry with two different scene partners, and coordinate staging, lighting, and sound with the production staff.

Twenty four hours simply weren't enough.

On top of that...

They even had to prepare fight choreography.

"Fight scenes?"

"There's a brief combat sequence.

We should rehearse it properly.

We're using strobe lighting, so it doesn't require complicated choreography, but you'll still need to learn how to move naturally in near darkness."

As rehearsals continued, Yu Myeong realized just how different Derek and Natalie were.

Natalie was exactly as he'd imagined.

Thoughtful.

Steady.

Considerate.

She possessed extraordinary concentration and approached acting with unwavering diligence.

Working with her rarely involved disagreements.

They discussed things logically and searched together for the best possible solution.

Derek was almost the complete opposite.

He was extremely opinionated.

The problem...

Was that he was usually right.

More than a decade at the pinnacle of Hollywood had given him experience far beyond anything Yu Myeong had encountered.

His advice about situations Yu Myeong had never experienced proved invaluable.

Still...

Yu Myeong didn't simply accept everything Derek said.

The two argued loudly on more than one occasion.

But whenever Yu Myeong insisted, I think this approach works better, and then proved it through his performance...

Derek accepted it without another word.

"It's a feast! A feast!"

Miho darted happily around the Actors House.

With four different productions rehearsing all day long, each performance radiated a completely different flavor of acting energy.

According to Miho, it felt as though she were dining at a luxurious multi course restaurant every single day.

Marta's team must be doing well too.

{She's still a little rough around the edges.

But her raw potential is incredible.

And she's surrounded by outstanding partners who are bringing out the best in her.}

That's good to hear.

{I can't wait for the performances to begin.}

Her tail spun excitedly in circles.

{They're already this delicious.

Just imagine how incredible they'll taste once the audience pours all that passion into them!}

Yu Myeong, having absolutely no idea what acting "tasted" like, could only shrug.

On the day of the performance...

After the final rehearsal had ended...

The two actors, whose personalities couldn't have been more different, each extended a hand to Yu Myeong.

And both said almost exactly the same thing.

"The only regret is how short this was.

Next time...

I'd like us to work together on something longer."

"It was over far too quickly.

Let's meet again on another project."

They had been immensely satisfying partners.

Yu Myeong clasped each offered hand firmly.

Then, following Korean custom, gave a slight bow.

"Thank you.

I'll see you on stage shortly."

April 13.

The day Casting Boat Episode 21—

The Final Stage—

Was about to begin.

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