GalaxyTL
Actor Jang Geonho.
Having achieved multiple hit works, he has risen to the ranks of veteran actors and commands respect from his juniors.
But why did he decide to join The Story of Stars and Moon? What compelled him to wake up early, take a taxi, and prepare for an audition?
The reason was quite simple.
"This is amazing."
As soon as he read the script, he could see the potential of this play and how it could grow.
"Jinwoo, you’re doing this with Han Taegon?" "Yes, and Donghu too." "Donghu as well?" "Yes, Donghu is the lead. Are you considering joining too? But I'll be taking the pilot role." Just hearing the names—actors who could effortlessly lead any production—gathering for this play, made Jang Geonho laugh.
"I have to do it too." "Really?" "Yes, I have to. I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I missed this."
In the past, there were so many roles he wanted to play. But with the pressures of reality and the passage of time, he found his options narrowing.
What was it that made him want to become an actor in the first place?
"Was it when I used to imitate Dad in front of Mom?"
Suddenly, he remembered how his mother used to laugh and praise him, saying he’d be great in something like theater.
Those long-buried memories resurfaced. Back then, money didn’t matter; just seeing his mother’s smile was enough.
"Maybe this play will be like that."
Despite the formidable names lined up to audition, no one had brought up payment.
It felt surreal. And it was something he could only do now.
A group of actors who no longer needed to follow their agency's orders, focusing purely on acting? That was exactly why Jang Geonho decided to join.
But what was Seo Jinwoo’s reason?
Was it because Kim Donghu was the lead? Or because he got intrigued seeing Han Taegon’s involvement?
No, it was something far more primal.
"I’ve always wanted to play a pilot."
As a child, he dreamed of becoming a pilot after watching Top Gun, but circumstances forced him to abandon that dream and become an actor. Yet, that dream lingered within him like a spark.
His home was filled with airplane models.
Now, with every condition perfectly aligned, and the role being that of a pilot?
"How could I say no?"
"Sorry, Taegon, but you’ll have to give up the pilot role."
Jang Geonho and Seo Jinwoo—both had clear reasons for joining.
So, perhaps...
"Is Jang Geonho really going to audition?" "I came here to audition, didn’t I? Director, let me know if my performance is lacking."
Jang Geonho headed straight to the stage to start his performance preparation, even admitting he was nervous since he hadn’t auditioned in a long time. His serious approach was overwhelming for Bong Jinwoo.
And to top it off...
Seo Jinwoo, wordlessly, showed up in a pilot’s uniform.
Was he really this prepared just to audition? For a play made by a high school sophomore?
Bong Jinwoo was stunned, barely able to believe what he was seeing.
So, he took a deep breath and declared what he had to say.
"The name of the troupe is Spark!"
And so, a spark was ignited.
+++++
The auditions proceeded swiftly. After all, there wasn’t anyone to eliminate.
Usually, decisions are made when there’s a large turnout. But here, as long as they showed up, they were automatically accepted—except for one role.
"...Donghu, what should we do now?" "I’m also a bit... taken aback."
The pilot role.
What was it about this role that attracted two prominent actors who rarely took anything less than leading roles?
Even Bong Jinwoo looked at me with a pleading expression, but there was nothing I could do about it. This was a decision only the director could make.
The only twist was that the director was a high school sophomore, and the actors auditioning had experience that was, frankly, overwhelming.
But this was the director’s burden. They had the best ingredients; now, they just needed to know how to cook them.
And Bong Jinwoo seemed to realize this, scribbling notes and scoring the audition.
"Their styles are so different; it’s really a matter of preference."
Han Taegon was meticulous, studying the role thoroughly, figuring out the best lines and ways to shine. He was like the model student.
Seo Jinwoo, on the other hand, interpreted the role instinctively as soon as he read the script, always finding the peak of his character with a primal sense that made people liken him to a beast.
Two distinct styles. But I had a hunch about whom Bong Jinwoo would choose.
"I... I think... Seo Jinwoo should play the pilot role." "Yes! I got it! I’m the pilot!"
As expected, Seo Jinwoo took the role.
"It’s just a matter of style."
Han Taegon’s method was to make the role fit Han Taegon, shining in his own right.
In contrast, Seo Jinwoo adapted himself to the role. And in The Story of Stars and Moon, bringing characters to life was key, giving Seo Jinwoo the advantage.
"But does he have to be that excited about it?"
Just how much did he want this role?
As I pondered this, Han Taegon spoke calmly to Bong Jinwoo.
"So, what role should I take on? Just let me know, and I’ll start preparing immediately." "Uh, what?"
Bong Jinwoo’s surprised expression made Han Taegon smile faintly.
"Surely, I’m not going home just because I didn’t get the pilot role, right, Director?" "Oh! No, no! I was just... so surprised that...!"
Bong Jinwoo hastily flipped through the script. Who could dare refuse a national actor requesting a role?
"Haha, take your time. I was only joking."
"Should we create a group chat for scheduling?" Han Taegon suggested, and everyone nodded.
"Imagine the value of that group chat."
Just like that, the chat was created in mere seconds.
Jang Geonho, Kim Yuryeon, Han Taegon, Seo Jinwoo, Kim Donghu, Kim Sujin, Jin Myungtae, and Bong Jinwoo.
Contrary to the expectation that Spark would start small, the troupe already boasted a formidable lineup.
+++++
Meanwhile, upon catching up with everything, Choi Seokho, the sole investor in The Story of Stars and Moon, was left in shock.
"...How am I supposed to handle this?"
It felt as if he was steering a ship far too big, his mind reeling as though someone had struck him from behind.
"What is going on?"
Only Jin Myungtae needed payment; the others had asked for their budget to be invested in the troupe.
"Inviting children from the orphanage to watch a free performance..."
It was an incredible concept, one that could even spark a social movement.
But such a vision required substantial funding.
And that funding would come from...
"They said I could market them as I wished."
An aggressive marketing approach.
How would he achieve that?
"Use the fan cafe."
He would start lightly, just a gentle breeze.
Choi Seokho immediately picked up his phone. There was someone he needed to consult.
Rrrring.
The official administrator of the fan cafe, known by the nickname Fallen Power Actor Kim Donghu, was a professional developer, officially hired and a business partner with Kim Donghu.
"So, Gangshik, I need some help with the website."
After explaining the circumstances to his partner, Na Gangshik...
Gangshik’s unwavering voice affirmed he would execute the plan perfectly.
With that resolved, Choi Seokho went back to drafting his PowerPoint.
A troupe formed to bring hope to children—who wouldn’t want to sponsor such a project? Companies might even beg to advertise their products through them.
The PowerPoint was just the groundwork for this effort.
+++++
For the past year, Kim Donghu’s fan cafe had been relatively quiet, as he’d been on hiatus.
Reporters barely spent time there, as there was nothing new to cover.
"Nothing interesting here..."
Another dull day, journalists clicked into Kim Donghu’s fan cafe out of habit.
And then.
"Huh?"
They noticed a new announcement on the main page.
"Kim Donghu... ignites a spark? Troupe Spark...?"
A play?
"All of a sudden?"
Without hesitation, they clicked on the announcement, and upon seeing the troupe’s cast members...
"Editor! Editor! Hey, where are you?! Come here, quick!"
In an unprecedented move, they called out frantically, disregarding hierarchy. This scene repeated across entertainment desks everywhere.
There was only one thought in every reporter’s mind:
This will work.