Actor's Acting (2)

 Jeong Eun-seon’s words froze the atmosphere on set.

 

It was only natural. Anyone could see that Seoyeon's performance was impressive.

 

‘I knew it.’ 

 

Gong Jung-tae clenching his eyes shut. Jeong Eun-seon clearly did not like Seoyeon. Given her favoritism towards Jo Seo-hee, it was evident she was displeased that Seo-hee hadn’t been chosen.

 

Or perhaps, as some rumors suggested, she believed that Director Jo Bang-woo had influenced the decision.

 

“Jeong Eun-seon Sunbae-nim.”

 

In such a situation, only he could manage it. As the oldest and most influential actress on set, her words carried weight.

 

“Your words were too harsh. Seoyeon’s performance was more than sufficient.”

 

The expected level of performance from a child actor was never set too high. If they could deliver lines without garbling and maintain emotional continuity, they were considered talented. Jo Seo-hee was praised as the princess of daily dramas for good reason. Gong Jung-tae had never seen a child actor as skilled as Seo-hee.

 

Until he saw Seoyeon.

 

‘This child’s acting has power.’

 

Lacking in technical skill, perhaps, but possessing the power to move people’s emotions. He had thought it might be difficult in a drama setting, but she had proven herself brilliantly today.

 

“Yes?”

 

Jeong Eun-seon turned her piercing gaze toward him, her eyes as sharp as the Grand Dowager Queen’s, causing him to flinch involuntarily.

 

“Um, I meant to say, wasn’t that a bit too harsh?”

 

Even though she was a veteran actress, he was the director on this set. He couldn’t let such behavior slide. Even those who had initially viewed Seoyeon with skepticism felt Jeong Eun-seon’s reaction was over the top.

 

“……”

 

Jeong Eun-seon remained silent for a moment.

 

“I believe you’ve misunderstood my words.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

What was there to misunderstand? Gong Jung-tae wondered, confused. Jeong Eun-seon’s gaze remained fixed on Seoyeon, who looked back with a puzzled expression, not fully grasping the situation.

 

Honestly, from Seoyeon’s perspective, she thought:

 

‘Isn’t it normal to get some criticism?’

 

Manager Kim used to nitpick all the time. She continued her thoughts calmly.

 

“Director Gong, what did you think of Seoyeon’s performance just now?”

 

“What did I think? Of course, it was excellent. I gave the okay, didn’t I? I’d like to ask you instead, what part of Seoyeon’s performance did you find unsatisfactory?”

 

“I never said her performance was unsatisfactory.”

 

Jeong Eun-seon responded firmly.

 

“What I said was that her acting lacked emotion, that it wasn’t sincere.”

 

‘Isn’t that the same thing?’ 

 

That's what he thought, but Gong Jung-tae quietly listened to her.

 

“The performance was, without a doubt, outstanding. Yes, it was truly remarkable. Honestly, I was surprised.”

 

The sudden praise startled Gong Jung-tae. As he looked at her, Jeong Eun-seon briefly glanced at Seoyeon. Her clear eyes, with their mysterious reddish hue, were part of her charm.

 

“Director Gong.”

 

“Yes, yes?”

 

“Could I have a word with Seoyeon’s mother?”

 

Her unexpected request left Gong Jung-tae stunned.

 

***

 

“……”

 

Sua looked at the middle-aged woman in front of her, shrinking a bit. To be honest, she disliked Jeong Eun-seon.

 

It was natural. Hearing such harsh words about Seoyeon’s performance, which everyone had praised!

 

If the other staff hadn’t stopped her, she would have run onto the set herself. But now, the conversation had taken a strange turn, and here they were, face to face.

 

Filming had been temporarily halted. Seoyeon was waiting outside, and the small waiting room held only Gong Jung-tae, Sua, and Jeong Eun-seon.

 

“Let me make it clear, Seoyeon’s performance lacked genuine emotion and sincerity.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

Sua, initially scared, spoke up defiantly at Jeong Eun-seon’s words. She was about to slam her hand on the table in anger but stopped at Jeong Eun-seon’s next words.

 

“What I mean is that, despite lacking true emotion and sincerity, her performance was still that good. …Everyone thinks this child’s strength is emotional acting.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Gong Jung-tae realized what Jeong Eun-seon was implying. As an experienced director, he could understand her point. In fact, it was surprising he hadn’t noticed sooner.

 

However, unlike him, Sua didn’t grasp what Jeong Eun-seon was trying to convey.

 

“It’s...”

 

“I initially thought it was a mistake, but watching her performance today confirmed it.”

 

Jeong Eun-seon first saw Seoyeon in the soy milk commercial. She merely thought she was a lively child, not really considering it acting.

 

The next time was during the audition for [The Sun Hidden by the Moon.]

 

Because the making film featured Jo Seo-hee, whom she adored, she watched it and saw Seoyeon again.

 

‘Something’s off.’

 

The acting battle between Jo Seo-hee and Seoyeon in the first and second episodes was incredible. Such impressive performances at such a young age.

 

Jeong Eun-seon was genuinely amazed.

 

While supporting Jo Seo-hee, she found her attention drawn to Seoyeon.

 

‘This is strange.’

 

She watched the scenes multiple times. Seoyeon’s acting captivated people.

 

Emotional acting. The caption described Seoyeon’s specialty as emotional acting, calling it method acting.

 

‘No.’

 

But Jeong Eun-seon, a master of method acting, could tell. Seoyeon wasn’t truly performing method acting.

 

True method acting doesn’t allow one to exit emotions so quickly. Especially not a child.

 

Actually, claiming a child actor’s strength is emotional acting is risky. Was it just edited for the broadcast? Did she miss something?

 

If it was genuine.

 

Jeong Eun-seon bit her lower lip. No ordinary child could do that.

 

If emotional acting could be explained as innate talent, her acting was too perfect. Acting derived from experience isn’t something one is born with.

 

Thinking it might be an external influence, she considered the usual suspects: parents.

 

From then on, she felt uneasy. Parents often placed excessive expectations and pressure on their children.

 

She assumed this was another such case.

 

So she believed the parents had something to do with it. But seeing Sua now, she didn’t seem problematic.

 

“…Method acting feels like throwing oneself into a deep sea.”

 

Fully immersing oneself in a role, sinking deeply. Emerging leaves one breathless, and it's difficult to shake off those emotions.

 

“But Seoyeon isn’t like that. She performs on the surface, appearing to convey emotions because she understands how others perceive her. This doesn’t occur in normal children.”

 

“Is that… bad?”

 

Sua asked cautiously.

 

Jeong Eun-seon hesitated to answer. If method acting is diving into water. Seoyeon was walking on its surface.

 

She looked into the water as if mimicking emotions without truly understanding them. Even now, Jeong Eun-seon couldn’t comprehend how this was possible.

 

However.

 

“…She’s this good without using real emotions. It’s probably because she lacks technique.”

 

This was why Jeong Eun-seon favored Jo Seo-hee. Seo-hee knew her limits. She understood the boundaries of using emotions. But Seoyeon had no boundaries.

 

No brakes. Because she didn’t know them.

 

Her emotions stayed in check only because she didn’t know how to incorporate them into her acting.

 

But if.

 

If Seoyeon learned to act. If she genuinely engaged in method acting, truly embodying her emotions.

 

“If she becomes a professional actress, who knows what might happen.”

 

So Jeong Eun-seon disliked Seoyeon’s acting.

 

That discomfort stemmed from fear of the child stumbling into the emotional depths, like an unmoored child.

 

“Yes, I hope my concerns are unfounded.”

 

Neither Sua nor Director Gong Jung-tae could respond to Jeong Eun-seon’s warning.

 

***

 

Despite the commotion, filming ended successfully. The scene with Eun-sun Jeong was completed in one take.

 

The footage was excellent.

 

Returning home, though still uncomfortable, Eun-sun had apologized for her harsh words.

 

“Seoyeon.”

 

“Yes?”

 

On the way back, her mother asked quietly.

 

“What is acting for you?”

 

Mom seemed unusually subdued. Seoyeon couldn’t pinpoint why. Had Jeong Eun-seon said something?

 

That didn’t seem likely. While Seoyeon wasn’t the best judge of character, she didn’t feel that Eun-sun disliked her.

 

Though she did seem a bit disapproving.

 

“It’s fun.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Initially, she saw it as a practice run before becoming a VTuber. Now, she genuinely enjoyed it. There were similarities in becoming a different person.

 

‘I don’t particularly like the term red pill…’

 

But the idea of becoming a popular actress as a red pill VTuber seemed exciting.

 

Still, maybe not the red pill...

 

“Seoyeon, if you ever feel burdened, please tell me, okay?”

 

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

 

Seoyeon replied absentmindedly. She felt she was living much more diligently than in her past life.

 

The proof was the growing balance in her bank account. Working hard in commercials and dramas could lead to more opportunities.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Seoyeon recalled Jeong Eun-seon’s earlier comments. Her remark about a lack of genuine emotion resonated with her.

 

Even if others didn’t notice, Seoyeon somewhat agreed.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

She folded her arms and sighed. She had a rough idea why.