GalaxyTL
Right after witnessing Bong Jinwoo faint twice in a row,
we all moved into the theater.
‘What in the world is happening here?’
After making sure Jinwoo was resting comfortably in the lounge,
I looked at the actors gathered on stage and managed to speak.
“…But, Jang Geonho, how did you get here?”
“Took a taxi. The audition location was a bit hard to find.”
“What?”
“Haha, just kidding. Seo Jinwoo and I were on a commercial shoot together, and I saw him reading the script.”
He doesn’t usually look at scripts, so I peeked over his shoulder, and here we are.
As Jang Geonho laughed heartily, I rubbed my face in exasperation.
‘Han Taegon called Seo Jinwoo, Seo Jinwoo brought Jang Geonho…’
And Kim Yuryeon must’ve come because of Sujin’s influence.
Putting all the pieces together, I still couldn’t believe it.
‘The scale is way too big.’
Gathering a cast that most people would kill to assemble—
anyone might call me spoiled for thinking this way.
But this was a pretty serious issue.
“Seo Jinwoo, I’m warning you—give up on the Pilot role now.”
“Why don’t you? I’m more serious about this than you think.”
It was especially problematic when two top actors in the industry were competing for the same role.
‘Why are they even fighting over this?’
There was no way I could tell them to stop.
With so many esteemed seniors gathered here, what could I say?
In fact…
‘Sujin’s hiding away in a corner.’
She was pressed against the far wall, too shy to interact.
I understood—if I weren’t the lead, I’d be doing the same.
So naturally, my attention drifted to the one person genuinely here for an audition.
The only grounding point in this unbelievable situation.
“Actor Jin Myungtae?”
“Yes?! Yes!”
“I… I noticed you marked the Foolish Tree in the script. Is that the role you’re auditioning for?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Let’s start with Jin Myungtae’s audition and get back to organizing the situation.
I thought, preparing for the audition, when—
“Haha, the Foolish Tree is great! I was going to go for that role, actually.”
I looked over to see Jang Geonho sitting in the audience area.
Why was he sitting there?
“What role are you auditioning for, then, sunbae?”
“I’m going for the King. After playing historical kings so often, I’d like to try a Western king.”
“The King sounds great. I’m definitely going for the Pilot.”
“You’ll be up against Jinwoo, huh? I never thought I’d get to see Han Taegon and Seo Jinwoo go head-to-head in an audition.”
Almost as if planned, the actors settled into the audience seats, chatting casually.
Soon enough, only Jin Myungtae and I were left on the stage.
And I finally realized what their actions meant.
“Are you all… planning to watch the audition?”
“Of course! That’s how it’s usually done. You, come on down, too.”
Seo Jinwoo motioned for me to sit next to him, as if there was nothing unusual about it.
‘So you’re all really going to sit here and watch Jin Myungtae’s audition?’
Do they think that’s even possible? Does this situation make any sense?
Do they expect him to perform well under this kind of pressure?
‘No, they probably think he can perform well under it.’
The actors seated in the audience were legends from the start.
All were hailed as prodigious talents in their early days, with abilities beyond question.
So, perhaps that’s why?
“Are… are we really… auditioning now?”
Jin Myungtae’s body started trembling visibly.
In this moment, the worst part of all was—
‘I should’ve secured some sort of authority when I arranged the investment.’
The fact that I had no power to manage this situation.
Why did I entrust most of the authority to Jinwoo?
Why, as an investor, hadn’t I insisted on asserting my own opinions, choosing instead to trust him?
‘Because I had no idea.’
I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect major actors to show up uninvited!
Now, all I could rely on was Jinwoo.
But I already knew how this story would end.
“…So it wasn’t a dream after all.”
Finally regaining consciousness in the lounge, Jinwoo was trying to process the situation.
Before he could say anything,
“Oh, director, you’re up! Mind if we sit here and watch the audition with you?”
The one speaking was Kim Yuryeon, the queen of the screen.
Refuse? Did he even have that option?
“…Yes, of course. It’s my honor, really.”
“Oh, don’t be silly! I’m the one honored you’d let us watch. Please, sit in the center.”
Naturally, Jinwoo’s answer was a resounding YES.
And so, the audition for The Story of Stars and Moon officially began.
As I watched this unfold, only one thought ran through my head:
‘This isn’t a Daehangno-level production.’
And then—
Ding! Ding! Ding!
A message arrived from Sims.
‘…Is this for real?’
As soon as I read it, I was stunned.
+++++
Bong Jinwoo found it hard to grasp the situation.
‘Why is Jang Geonho sitting on my left and Kim Yuryeon on my right?’
Was this a dream? Even if it were, could it be this surreal?
It felt too detached from reality.
Meanwhile,
“I am the Foolish Tree, and all I think about is growing. I’ll be the biggest tree ever!”
The long-awaited audition for The Story of Stars and Moon had begun.
The play was intended for all ages, but aimed mainly at elementary and middle school students.
The reason was simple.
The children he’d grown up with in the orphanage were exactly that age.
So the dialogue and directing had a silly, childish tone.
But the key was:
‘That doesn’t mean the actors’ performances should come off as childish.’
He wanted a play that was goofy yet captivating for all audiences.
That’s why solid acting skills were essential.
The goal was to find someone who could deliver childish lines without making them sound juvenile.
That’s what this audition was for.
‘The first performance is off to a great start.’
Jin Myungtae, wasn’t it?
His fundamentals were so solid that it was hard to understand why he’d remained unknown for ten years.
“I love to eat, so I’ll eat everything and grow taller and taller!”
He seemed to fully understand the nuances of theater,
as he was already adept at engaging the audience with his gaze.
“Wow, that’s amazing…”
A gasp of admiration escaped me.
The Foolish Tree was a character focused solely on its own growth,
representing a child’s primal desire to pursue happiness without regard for others.
It embodied the raw emotions of a rebellious five-year-old.
“Thank you; that’s all we need to see.”
Since Jin Myungtae had perfectly captured that essence,
there was no need to see more—he was accepted on the spot.
‘Now we just need to move on to the next audition.’
But I couldn’t bring myself to tell the seniors to step on stage.
Was it really right for me, a high school student, to evaluate these industry legends?
Then again, as the director, I’d have to lead everything, right?
Just as Jinwoo’s mind started to spin with doubt,
“Sunbae, could I take over for a bit?”
Kim Donghu stepped forward like a savior before Jinwoo.
He approached so naturally that Jinwoo hadn’t even noticed him coming.
As soon as Jinwoo nodded, Donghu walked onto the stage.
“It seems the audition started a bit abruptly, so I’d like to take a moment to re-center us here.”
Allow me to formally introduce myself.
Hello, everyone. I am Kim Donghu, playing the lead role of the Little Prince in The Story of Stars and Moon.
With that one introduction, the chaotic atmosphere settled immediately.
The previously tense Jin Myungtae,
the still-bewildered Jinwoo,
and even the relaxed seniors watching the audition—
Everyone turned their full attention to Donghu.
“I am both the lead actor and an investor in The Story of Stars and Moon. So, before we begin the official audition, I’d like to share the dream behind this play.”
Everyone was taken aback by his words.
He invested as well?
What is this play, exactly?
What’s the dream behind it?
If that’s the case, there’s no way I’m giving up the Pilot role.
I feel the same.
The murmurs rose briefly.
Donghu waited for calm to return, then continued.
“Actually, The Story of Stars and Moon was originally planned as a single performance, just for children.”
There were various constraints, such as the cast fees, theater rental, and other expenses.
We could only afford to hold one free performance.
Listening to Donghu’s words, Jinwoo recalled a past conversation he’d had with him.
It sounded impossible, just a fleeting wish.
For some reason, he felt compelled to share his personal story.
The Story of Stars and Moon was an anthem for that dream he’d pursued since he began writing the script.
It was a goal he’d spoken of with determination, a dream he promised to fulfill, no matter how long it took.
Remembering this, Jinwoo hurried onto the stage.
From this point on, it had to be him.
Even if it meant disrupting the perfect cast assembled here,
it was the director’s job to take the lead.
“P-please, let me speak.”
“I was waiting for you.”
Donghu passed the microphone to Jinwoo without hesitation, as if he’d known all along that Jinwoo would step up.
It was such a smooth handoff that it seemed he’d foreseen this moment.
Holding the microphone, Jinwoo finally brought his future dream into the present.
“I-I… I would like to… with the help of these amazing actors… put on a show for kids.”
Dreams aren’t just meant to be imagined—they’re meant to be fulfilled.
Opportunities must be seized the moment they come.
“I… I want to do everything I can, using all of your names to reach as many people as possible!”
A nonprofit performance.
A play that would inspire children in the same situation as he once was, showing them hope.
Yet, realistically, a near-impossible goal.
However…
“We already knew that.”
Starting with Jang Geonho.
“I figured as much.”
“Anyway, the Pilot role is mine.”
“Perhaps we’re witnessing the birth of a great director.”
Han Taegon, Seo Jinwoo, and Kim Yuryeon all nodded in agreement.
Even—
“We absolutely have to do this.”
“Yes, yes! Absolutely.”
Sujin, who had arrived late, and an inspired Jin Myungtae, also threw their support behind Jinwoo’s dream.
To keep the dream from dissipating like mist,
they held it tightly and brought it firmly into reality.
Watching this, Donghu felt a chill of excitement run through him.
‘This is a story that will never happen again.’
A performance with no thought for pay,
created to give hope to children.
And so, the curtain rose on this extraordinary production.