Choi Ah-hyun and Han Do-jae's stage ended. Although a short stage, the children applauded its immersive power.
"You must have been nervous, it being your first time, but you did well. Good job."
Choi Ah-hyun and Han Do-jae bowed their heads at Jo Won-ho's words. That was fortunate. Han Do-jae glanced at Jo Won-ho.
'What did that look mean just now?'
Since it was true he was out of breath at the end, Han Do-jae felt a pang, his eyes checking Jo Won-ho's expression. Your voice wasn't bad when you said you had a hard time just now.
"How was it, guys?"
Several children raised their hands in response to Jo Won-ho's question. As expected, Yeonyoung and the kids were more active than anyone else in practical classes, unlike in regular subject classes.
"I felt like I knew what the character was talking about."
Here and there, I heard words of agreement with what one student said. Many kids nodded their heads, saying, "I understood that well too," or "That's right."
'Phew, no mention of breathing.'
Fortunately, it seems the message I wanted to convey was conveyed. Jo Won-ho probably noticed, but it was fortunate the kids didn't seem to notice his lack of breathing.
"I really felt the salesman's emotional changes!" "The details and facial expressions were vivid."
In addition to the lines' meaning, the kids also captured Choi Ah-hyun and Han Do-jae's emotional changes well. It was proof the two people's acting was smooth. Jo Won-ho, having heard up to that point, nodded and briefly interrupted the children's feedback.
"There is something in common with what you just talked about. What is it?"
The children looked puzzled at Jo Won-ho's question.
I could clearly hear what was being said and could also feel the emotions it conveyed. Of course, all that was heard was, 'The soy sauce factory manager is Manager Kang.' Jo Won-ho continued his explanation, smiling faintly at the students who were making expressions of ignorance.
"That's right; even though I said the exact same lines, you heard the story. Han Do-jae and Choi Ah-hyun only said 'soy sauce factory manager.' But you understood the story by looking at this team's voice, expression, and gestures. Do you understand how this connects to the drama class?"
Everyone nodded to Jo Won-ho's explanation, which linked the drama class where pantomime was an assignment.
"Yes!"
Then Jo Won-ho looked at Choi Ah-hyun and Han Do-jae and said,
"Choi Ah-hyun. Her diction and character acting were all good. Her chemistry with her co-star was also good."
Let's start safely with some praise.
"Thank you."
Choi Ah-hyun answered with a big smile. Jo Won-ho's gaze, watching that scene, slowly moved to Han Do-jae.
"And…."
Gulp.
Jo Won-ho stared at Han Do-jae and asked,
"What were you both thinking when you spoke? Both of you." "What kind of dialogue should I say?" "At large."
At Han Do-jae's question, Jo Won-ho crossed his arms as if he would not just ignore it. Choi Ah-hyun, who caught the question's intention posed by Jo Won-ho from the side, stepped forward and answered.
"Dojae said first that we should decide what we want to say within the given lines and act accordingly."
At those words, Jo Won-ho's gaze turned to Han Do-jae.
"Did you write the story?"
Jo Won-ho naturally realized Han Do-jae had intentionally added the lines. I also knew from personal practice that if you teach one, it will easily lead to ten. I thought you would have understood this much naturally.
"I made the suggestion, but we wrote the lines together."
Jo Won-ho said he understood when he saw Han Do-jae nodding his head.
'So in the end, it was Han Do-jae who suggested adding the ambassador. As expected.'
Jo Won-ho nodded repeatedly and praised.
"The emotions, the lines, everything was good. He was a salesman with vivid details."
Han Do-jae let out a sigh of relief, wondering if things would go well like this.
'Phew. I guess they didn't notice that I cut the last line. It was a natural ending, after all.'
"But I think I need to practice pronunciation harder. It was a close call at the end." "..."
Well then, that's right. There's no way Jo Won-ho wouldn't know that. Han Do-jae answered softly, thinking he had let his guard down for no reason.
"Yes."
Now that everything has been revealed, there is nothing more to say. Tonight's special training has been decided to be pronunciation practice.
As it turned out, Han Do-jae was eating dinner alone with Yoon Se-ri. Today, Woo Ji-ho and Choi Ah-hyun went out and ate with their respective families, so this happened. The two had come to the cafeteria to eat dinner together and talk about their group project.
"So I think it would be okay if I reserve the practice room at this time. Is that okay?" "Are you okay."
The rough schedule has been finalized. Yoon Se-ri took a small bite of rice, glanced at Han Do-jae, and asked.
"But you…." "…?"
Han Do-jae looked at me with his eyes as if telling me to speak while eating the soup.
"Where did you go to acting school?" "Acting school? I didn't go." "What…? You didn't go to acting school? Then how did you get in here?"
It was so long ago I can't even remember the entrance exam. Well, even now that I think about it, it was still a mystery. In the past, I was amazed at how he could pass the entrance exam with such skill. Unfortunately, I really had nothing to say, so I just laughed it off.
"Well. Maybe I was lucky? Haha…." "Were there any other teachers?"
As for other teachers, there were teachers I met for each work after my debut. But I couldn't say that honestly. I racked my brain and roughly talked about it like I did to Woo Ji-ho.
"Teacher. Everyone I've met in my life…." "If you're going to talk nonsense, go eat."
As expected, it didn't work on Yoon Se-ri.
"Okay."
Anyway, I ate my meal, feeling relieved I was finally free from the barrage of persistent questions. For a moment, all that could be heard was the sound of the two people quietly clattering. Yoon Se-ri, who was eating again, raised her head as if she was curious and asked.
"… Then where did you learn things like fakes and tug-of-war practice? You didn't go to an academy and didn't have a teacher, so you must have taught yourself."
'It's sharp.'
Yoon Se-ri's comment was not wrong. Because there was no way they knew Han Do-jae had returned.
'If you get too deep here and say you'll get hurt, you'll just get cursed at.'
He looked at Yoon Se-ri's sharp gaze and rolled his eyes as he answered.
"I just found out about this and that while wandering around." "How much did a high school freshman have to do?" "Haven't you learned things after debuting?" "Me. I really experienced it." "Even if it's not a real experience." "...Well, I hear a lot." "I just had that kind of indirect experience."
Yoon Se-ri thought quietly after hearing Han Do-jae say it was an indirect experience, then suddenly asked.
"You know too?" "What."
Han Do-jae gave up eating halfway and put down his spoon as he asked again.
'You talk a lot today.'
Han Do-jae sighed and looked at Yoon Se-ri, wondering what to say. But I really couldn't eat because of Yoon Se-ri's subsequent words.
"Choi Ah-hyun." "…." "You have a fear of cameras. You made eye contact with me that time. I think you were deliberately trying to ignore it."
Now that I think about it, there was this problem too. Handojae sighed softly and picked up his spoon again.
"Well. It seems like he doesn't have the heart to confess yet. If he comes forward rashly, the trauma could only get worse. Camera phobia isn't something that can be overcome so easily… I need to think about it slowly."
Yoon Se-ri's eyes narrowed at Han Do-jae's words that she should approach calmly and slowly.
'It's strange.'
No matter how much I thought about it, it was still strange. Eventually, I got frustrated with not getting an answer, so I decided to ask him directly, but all I got was more and more answers I couldn't understand.
"...You really know strangely well." "Uh?" "It's nothing."
I was mumbling so quietly that I missed what Yoon Se-ri was saying.
On the other hand, Yoon Se-ri wanted to ask about her future plans, regardless of how she knew such things.
"So what do you plan to do?" "I have to try to fix it. I don't have a good solution yet."
Having said that, Han Do-jae quickly raised his head. Now that I think about it, I wonder if Yoon Se-ri might know another way. I have experienced it myself as an actor and on drama sets, but idols may have different methods for overcoming camera phobia.
"Do you know anything? Like a way to overcome it…." "Well, I did well from the beginning without any of that." "… okay."
Awesome, great. This is why people born with talent are said to be unlucky.
'Since it's a group project, I should fix it quickly, at least for the score…'
Han Do-jae was organizing the meals while worrying about what to do. As we were leaving the cafeteria with Yoon Se-ri, each lost in their own thoughts, a loud voice was heard.
"Limit!"
Long limbs and a small face. The person with the camera bigger than her face hanging around her neck was Jin Su-ah. He was wearing only a shirt and tie; I don't know where his jacket was.
"Oh, hello."
Since Han Do-jae was a familiar face, he greeted him briefly. Jinsooah suddenly handed the pack she was holding to Han Dojae.
"Eat." "What is this?" "Green juice. It's good for your body. Drink it."
'Is it a concept?'
Why is a high school freshman carrying around green juice? Did your mother take care of it? Anyway, he was a special kid. Han Do-jae looked down at the green pack and spoke without reaching out his hand.
"Shouldn't you eat it?" "I'm a jerk. But…."
Jinsooah turned around quickly, placing a glass of green juice in Han Dojae's hand as if rejecting a rejection. Then he stood next to Han Do-jae, watched the situation, and looked at Yoon Se-ri.
"Yoon Se-ri?"
Yoon Se-ri looked at Jin Soo-ah without saying anything, with her characteristically haughty expression.
"Wow. I heard you go to our school, but this is the first time I've seen you in person."
Yoon Se-ri, who did not respond to Jin Soo-ah's boisterous words, looked at Han Do-jae and said.
"You two, talk it over. I'll go first." "Uh huh."
While I was wondering what to do with the green juice in my hand, Yoon Se-ri suddenly made a chic exit. Jin Soo Ah let out an exclamation of admiration as she watched Yoon Se Ri's back.
"Wow. Look at that stubble."
Jin Soo Ah saw the back of Yoon Se Ri disappearing, her hand on her forehead in a salute position. Jin Soo Ah talks about Yoon Se Ri's scheming in a tone that shows no ill intention at all.
'I find you more amazing.'
Jinsooah, this was our second meeting, but her character was really clear.
"Still, you're quick-witted, kid. How did you know what I have to say?" "What do you want to say?" "Wow. I thought you just came to see my face."
'No. I haven't even debuted yet, so to that extent…'
"That's pretty much true."
Jinsooah blurts out her true feelings without giving anyone a chance to respond. When Han Do-jae laughed in vain, Jin Soo-ah smiled as if she was in ecstasy and said.
"Shouldn't the day end with a beautiful subject?" "…Yes. It's an honor."
To receive such special praise in front of her, Jin Soo Ah was a person with a clear character. It had been a long time since he had heard such an open compliment on his looks, so Han Do-jae chuckled again as he recalled the old days.
"Actually, I came here because I have something to ask of you." "Ask?" "You…."
Jinsoo Ah opened her eyes wide and smiled confidently as she spoke.
"Won't you be my model?"