I Will Live As An Actor - Chapter 75

I Will Live as an Actor Episode 75

“Act 3, Scene 4.”

A sharp voice suddenly falls.

‘Act 3, scene 4?’

Actress Park Sang-ah glances at the director with a questioning look. It’s not just her. The same goes for other actors. As is the case with most rehearsals, so is the play.

It is common for actors to go up on stage together and perform a run through after practicing each paragraph of the play in the forward order, as if stepping on a staff. But now, the director has given a novice theater actor a highlight rehearsal.

‘Why, leader?’

I couldn’t even understand the intentions of the director who had ordered a highlight rehearsal without even reading the script in advance. But what I don’t understand the most is the appearance of a novice actor on stage.

‘Is it possible?’

There is no tremor to be found. Even though I’ve just seen him repeat the same lines on stage for an hour, his face is filled with a relaxed look. As if he had swallowed the word tension.

Because of this, Park Sang-ah even had the illusion for a moment that it might be possible. At that moment, the quiet sound of walking into the theater rings like a bell.

‘Baek Mu-yeol.’

England mentally repeats the name of his role. He raises his head toward the audience. The eyes are bright and the shoulders are broad. There doesn’t seem to be any sense of shame or fear whatsoever. Rather, he shouts in a relaxed manner.

“Why are you standing there wearing the name of the Japanese and wearing a court uniform, even though you are a Korean? Now I see that the Japanese dog was not me, but you in the court uniform. The court uniform, which should be fair and pursue justice, has softened. “Are you not at all ashamed of losing?”

The judge sitting at the head of the court looks at the criminal with eyes full of anger. He was simply called the Parakho of Joseon.

However, if you look at the actions he has done, he is as good as any independence fighter. Not only did they covet the wives and children of high-ranking officials of the Japanese Empire and cause all kinds of disorderly conduct, but they also stole confidential information that was happening within the Japanese Government-General of Korea.

“What did you do with the documents? I need to know. It must have been written for those who have already left my hands and are running towards the wilderness of Manchuria. If you want me to confess the past about the women I have met, I will gladly tell you. Misaki, who is sitting in the jury box over there. (みさき) is the only daughter of Terauchi Arasuge, Resident-General of the Japanese Government-General of Korea, and a woman who loved me passionately.”

Baek Mu-yeol looks at the woman in kimono in front of him. She was the child of the Governor-General of the Joseon Government-General, which was established based on the Eulsa Treaty of Korea. Baek Mu-yeol is a man who has met many women on the streets of Gyeongseong. What is unique is that the partners are all Japanese women.

Because of this, many people refer to Baek Mu-yeol as a Japanese dog. However, there is another reason why he embraced Japanese women so much.

“Thank you. Misaki, you worked hard to create the brightest day in Joseon, and I will never forget your love.”

Misaki, who was sitting in the jury box, swallows her saliva and looks at him. The sounds of footsteps moving on stage, actions, and eyes made it seem as if intangible characters were real. Not only vocalization and tone, but also blocking is an art. It was a scene where you could feel the aura that enveloped the entire stage, which was divided into nine sections.

The judge orders Baek Moo-yeol to reveal the independence fighters who had secret connections with him. This is because there are still countless people running around the streets of Gyeongseong who received information from Baek Mu-yeol. At that moment, take a step toward the audience. His gaze scans the crowd, scanning the private parts of the judges and people who enjoy affluent lives under the Japanese.

Under the eerie gaze, Baek Mu-yeol proudly raises his head. The appearance seems to show the spirit of an independence fighter. As he takes a deep breath, as if enjoying the coming spring day, a roar comes out of his throat.

“The actions taken to find spring in Joseon look up to the sky and have no shame whatsoever.”

He smiles and tells the judge.

“You can put me to death.”

* * *

‘and.’

Yeonsu, sitting in the audience, cannot keep her mouth shut. This is because of the British theatrical acting seen on stage.

Every time he recited each sentence, it felt as if the lines were alive and full of life, and even though England was obviously the only one on stage, it felt as if the other actor was present. Even more so, when I felt eyes scanning the audience, I found myself flinching in surprise.

‘I knew you were good at acting, but.’

Manager Lee Chang-hoon bursts into laughter. The reason he asked England to act out Act 3, Scene 4 instead of Act 1, Scene 1 was because he wanted to know his true character. I was also curious about what fascinated playwright Jeong Yong-dae.

Even established actors are bound to tremble during highlight rehearsals. There is no significant stage structure or even an opposing role to respond to the lines. However, all of that was created with just one actor’s aura. Does this make any sense?

‘Are you a rookie?’

Actress Park Sang-ah cannot hide her surprise and it is clearly visible in her eyes. It’s not just her. Other actors sitting in the audience also had the same reaction as her. She also has been acting in plays for a long time, so she knows well the burden and pressure of highlight rehearsals. Rehearsals are hard enough for rookies to say they did well even if they don’t limp their lines.

However, the appearance shown by the new actor on stage is by no means that of a beginner. It was like an actor who had been through hardships in theater for a long time. As proof of this, I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage while watching it, and when I finally heard the last line, I felt goosebumps rising all over my body.

Moreover, leader Lee Chang-hoon is also keeping his mouth shut as if he forgot to shout out the word ‘again’. How much time has passed? By the time the lingering feeling lingers.

“Park Sang-ah.”

Director Lee Chang-hoon calls out Park Sang-ah’s name, leaving England behind. Park Sang-ah could not be dissatisfied with her name being called. It was hard to believe that England passed the highlight rehearsal in one go, but hadn’t they already seen it with their own eyes?

On the other hand, England coming down from the stage looks just as comfortable as when she went up on stage. As if I knew it would turn out like this.

“Go up.”

Actress Park Sang-ah goes up to the stage and looks at England, who briefly nods at her.

“Act 1, Scene 5.”

Before I had time to shake off my thoughts, the voice of director Lee Chang-hoon rang out.

“My name is Misaki. I fell in love with you at first sight. It’s because I miss you that I came to you at such a late hour. How can you not know my feelings? Even if there were stars in the night sky, how could they outshine you? . It was your eyes and voice that erased the shadow of my dark heart.”

Park Sang-ah played the role of the only daughter of the Inspector General of the Japanese Government-General of Korea. However, despite her theater experience, she feels tremble while speaking her lines. The reason is none other than the new actor Jang Young-guk, who is sitting in the audience.

The gaze that gazes at oneself on stage contains an unknown power. At first, I thought he was simply a new actor who gained popularity through teen dramas. Now, I feel like I am facing a great senior in the theater world. Because of that, she swallows her saliva without realizing it. at that time.

“again.”

Lee Chang-hoon’s sad voice falls.

* * *

After the play rehearsal was over.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

Director Lee Chang-hoon stands up and expresses gratitude to the actors. It was the first rehearsal that lasted for nearly half a day.

I haven’t even done a run through of all the acts and chapters, and the time is already approaching evening. Because it was carried out without even a break, the fatigue of the actors was so great that it cannot be explained in words.

“There is one month left until the Korean Theater Festival. We must maximize all of our skills during that time. It will be a difficult time. Don’t feel too bad if I treat you harshly. Look back at yourself objectively as much as possible before performing on stage. “Let’s present a full-fledged performance to the audience above.”

After the first rehearsal, there isn’t even an after-party. As expected, everyone is busy thinking about what they felt on stage today. Although they are considered top actors in the broadcasting industry, most of them have been away from the theater for at least several years to as many as ten years.

Since his acting has focused on dramas and movies, it is inevitable that he will not like the theatrical acting he has shown again. As proof of this, just look at the facial expression of actress Park Sang-ah. She couldn’t express in words the disappointment she felt with herself during today’s first rehearsal.

“Captain, may I stay for a moment and practice some more?”

At that time, Yeonsu quietly asks team leader Lee Chang-hoon.

It was a small voice, but since it was a quiet troupe, no one could hear it. Yeon-soo seems worried that she might become someone to other actors. That’s because he realized during the first rehearsal that he had been too conceited.

There was such a big difference between my own play acting and the rehearsals of my seniors that it could be said to be heaven and earth. Manager Lee Chang-hoon nods his head briefly without saying a word.

At the theater where everyone has left, Yeonsu walks on stage alone and recites her lines.

“Who is this man that he hangs out with Japanese women like that? There really is no shame in Joseon. He fawns so much and seems to want to be the dog of the Japanese. Does that mean he wants to be a Japanese if not a dog?”

He looks back on what he felt during the rehearsals of his seniors and is constantly trying to figure out what he is lacking. England sits in the shadows of the empty auditorium. The UK is well aware of the weight of training.

‘The pressure of being the lead role.’

After seeing your performance at the first rehearsal, you may wonder whether you can play the lead role. However, in the eyes of the UK, Yeonsu is an actor with potential. Of course, if he hadn’t been able to do anything, director Lee Chang-hoon would have told him to beat up Joo-yeon harshly on the spot.

England silently watches Yeonsu practice. As a senior and with previous experience in theater, I was in a position to give advice, but I did not do so.

Advice may help her right now, but it will be detrimental in the long run. For now, it would be better to reflect alone and reflect on what I felt during today’s rehearsal.

How much time has passed?

Before we know it, Yeonsu’s manager, who has come to visit the theater, is also looking at the stage with concern. More than three hours have already passed since the rehearsal ended, but Yeonsu continues to practice without stopping. Although there was no stage set to follow her movements and no role to receive her lines, she ran alone and without rest.

After all, the stage is always a battlefield. No matter how much pressure and burden he carries, he is a soldier on stage who must always bring joy and emotion to the audience.

Her back is already soaked and damp, and the bangs that cover her forehead are already covered in sweat. Yeonsu bites her lip and continues reciting her lines. Her eyes are wide, as if she’s about to burst into tears, but she’s trying hard to hold back.

England watches as a silent spectator.

* * *

‘Yeonsu’s vocalization and tone are good, but he does not utilize the movement line properly. The actual stage is divided into more than 9 sections rather than 6 sections, giving a grand feeling. It appears that blocking measures are needed accordingly. Park Sang-ah repeatedly makes the mistake of stuttering her lines and has a hard time handling eye contact. ‘Son Ji-min…’

Stage director Seong Ji-hoon is writing down what he felt during today’s play rehearsal in a director’s note. Since he also serves as a director, the actors must be divided according to the use of the stage. A play has limitations in space and time.

So, doesn’t it give the effect of an act and a scene? The acting becomes more vivid when there is stage direction that supports the actors’ acting. To do so, it is necessary to also look at the actors’ performances. You must have the determination to strengthen any parts that are lacking, even by using stage equipment, and boldly cut out the parts that are not needed. At that moment, Seong Ji-hoon stops at the name of one person.

‘Jang Young-guk.’

He is a strange actor. Although he has directed numerous theater stages, he has never met an actor who gave him such a strange feeling. If you are a new actor appearing on stage for the first time, it is common to feel nervous.

There is another reason why director Lee Chang-hoon is so strict with the actors that he is considered harsh. Unlike dramas or movies, stage plays cannot be edited. When the stage curtain goes up, you have to run non-stop from beginning to end.

It was a courtesy to the audience who paid for the tickets and a professional attitude for actors to perform without any mistakes on stage.

Therefore, in the case of most new actors, it was also a limitation of the theater stage that they could only play minor roles, let alone supporting roles. But.

‘It doesn’t make sense.’

The play rehearsal was also a highlight rehearsal. Even without stuttering my lines, I was able to give it a generous evaluation, saying it was half a success. However, England not only perfectly digested the lines, but also performed the play alone on an empty stage.

The sight of him shouting at the audience with an aura that enveloped the entire six-part stage gave me the feeling of a shiver running through my entire body. Can a new actor who has never been on a proper theater stage show such an appearance?

Why would you say that a play is different from a drama or a movie? No matter how good an actor is at acting in dramas and movies, he is bound to make mistakes on stage.

However, England was so perfect that not a single flaw was visible in the highlight rehearsal. Like a worn-out old actor in a play. In that strange gap, stage director Seong Ji-hoon writes a short Chinese character next to the actor’s name, ‘Jang Young-guk’.

Nothingness that will not exist.