Parachute (2)

"Our daughter looks so good in hanbok!"

 

Sua was busy taking pictures of Seo-yeon. Just as she said, Seo-yeon looked very cute in the prepared hanbok. Her long hair, usually left down, was neatly styled to match the hanbok, and it suited her perfectly.

 

"Is she acting with her looks?"

 

"If she got in through connections, she should at least be quiet."

 

Of course, Sua was the only one welcoming Seo-yeon with open arms. Most others clicked their tongues at Seo-yeon. Her appearance? Beautiful, undoubtedly. Even among the child actors, her looks stood out. So, it was no surprise that others frowned, thinking she was there solely because of her appearance.

 

"How lucky. She got here with just a CF."

 

The soy milk commercial? They'd seen it. It was well-done, but drama was a different ball game.

 

"I heard she's only six. Can she even memorize the script?"

 

"Well, at least it means one less competitor for the rest of us."

 

Managers and people from acting academies whispered among themselves. They were careful with their words around child actors from agencies to avoid offending anyone, but Seo-yeon, without an agency and seemingly lucky to be there, was easy prey.

 

On the other hand, there was a child actor receiving positive attention.

 

"Isn't that the kid from the daily drama?"

 

"Oh, the one who yelled, 'I hate you, sis!' She's grown a lot."

 

As those words floated around, Jo Seohee smirked. 

 

'Why even bother with this audition?'

 

Seohee was confident. Other child actors might be impressive, but none compared to her. She already had experience in historical dramas and had appeared in a daily drama, giving her an edge in both acting skills and stamina. Daily dramas required constant filming, offering significant exposure.

 

'Unless it's someone like Park Jung-woo.'

 

Seohee acknowledged only one person. As he walked in with his manager, a few girls gasped in awe.

 

"He's only ten, but he's already so handsome."

 

"He already looks like a star. Must be in the genes."

 

Even Ha Tae-oh, the producer, smiled approvingly.

 

"Park Jung-woo's acting keeps getting better. Veteran actors should be on their toes. Imagine getting outshined by a child actor!"

 

This wasn't just flattery. Park Jungwoo, son of the renowned actor Park Sun-woong, had already acted in a blockbuster movie, showcasing his incredible talent.

 

'Wow, he really is different from the rest.'

 

Seo-yeon was impressed. Park Jung-woo would gain even more popularity from this drama, and continue his success streak with subsequent projects.

 

'Ah, I should focus on the script.'

 

Distracted, Seo-yeon turned her attention back to the script. She had less time to review it because of the late costume change.

 

‘Oh.’

 

Her eyes widened.

 

‘This is a highlight scene.’

 

Specifically, the highlight of the second episode, where young Yoon Seoil and young Lee Haewol part ways.

 

‘It felt a bit flat.’

 

No one performed poorly, but it was just a standard scene without much impact. Seo-yeon recalled the scene and began memorizing the lines carefully. She considered mimicking Jo Seohee's performance, but quickly dismissed the idea.

 

‘Imitating others won't do any good.’

 

She had learned that lesson from the soy milk CF. Watching Seo-yeon quietly read the script, Sua asked Cho Min-taek, "Do you think Seo-yeon can memorize the script?"

 

"I'm not sure. Shouldn't you know better, as her mother?"

 

"She remembers things well, but I don't know about this."

 

Sua firmly believed her daughter was a genius, but worry crept in. Min-taek was also concerned. For Seo-yeon, who had only shot CFs, memorizing lines for a drama was a big challenge.

 

“Alright, time’s up. Let’s begin.”

 

As soon as two hours passed, Ha Tae-oh stood up and said.

 

“First, we’ll draw numbers for the pairs. Young Lee Haewol will draw from the red box, and young Yoon Seoil from the blue box. The matching numbers will be the pairs.”

 

Pairing in a 2-person audition was crucial. But the random selection added to the tension.

 

‘Please, not Park Jung-woo!’

 

‘Please, not Jo Seohee!’

 

Managers and acting teachers silently prayed their children wouldn’t get paired with the powerhouses.

 

‘Please, the nepotism kid!’

 

Meanwhile, everyone hoped to get paired with Seo-yeon, who seemed like a sure bet to make others look good.

 

“Number 1, please come forward.”

 

Two children emerged, relieved that their partners weren’t dangerous and began their performance. 

 

“Hmm...”

 

Ha Tae-oh and the other evaluators watched closely as each pair performed.

 

“Next, number 2.”

 

One pair after another performed, with no standout moments.

 

“Number 7, please.”

 

Jo Seohee stepped forward.

 

“Oh...”

 

Naturally, her partner looked distressed. Even their acting coach had warned against pairing with Seohee.

 

The scene began, depicting young Lee Haewol and young Yoon Seoil's heart-wrenching farewell.

 

"I will come back. I promise... again..."

 

Seohee’s tearful voice was so moving that her partner couldn’t keep up, his presence completely overshadowed.

 

“She’s not called the princess of daily dramas for nothing.”

 

“No kidding.”

 

“Conveying that much emotion in such a short time is tough.”

 

For the first time, the evaluators praised a performance. Seohee returned to her seat, looking triumphant.

 

“Alright, let’s continue.”

 

After a few more pairs, Park Jung-woo was called up at number 10. Unsurprisingly, his partner’s face fell, knowing the inevitable comparison.

 

“I will come back...”

 

Jung-woo’s performance was so powerful that the girl stumbled over her lines. Her delivery was weak and barely recognizable as acting.

 

“Hmm... we can’t really judge Jung-woo’s performance here.”

 

“Still, Park Jung-woo stands out. He’s leagues above the rest.”

 

The harsh criticism made a few children flinch, knowing they would’ve fared similarly if paired with Jung-woo or Seohee.

 

“Now, number 11, please.”

 

A nervous boy stepped forward, dreading the comparison with the previous performance.

 

“Oh!”

 

He couldn’t hide his delight, though quickly covered his mouth. He was paired with the nepotism kid.

 

The remaining boys envied him. Everyone knew Seo-yeon was considered a nepotism kid, barely acknowledged as a legitimate contender.

 

“Her visuals... are definitely good.”

 

“Her CFs probably turned out well because of her looks. She has a certain aura.”

 

Even those who scoffed at her acknowledged her presence. But acting wasn’t just about looks.

 

“Alright, begin.”

 

At the director’s cue, the boy in the clean hanbok called out energetically.

 

Back turned, Seo-yeon slowly turned around at the call of her name.

 

“What?”

 

Lee Haewol, who looked like she was seeing something blinding, narrowed her eyes. Her eyes gradually widened with recognition, joy, and sadness.

 

Her red eyes, like the setting sun, reflected the boy’s face.

 

“...”

 

For a moment, the boy was speechless. He forgot his lines. His lips and tongue froze.

 

Of course, he did. He was standing in front of Princess Lee Haewol.