CH12

From basic consonants and vowels to everyday conversations that would likely be used when traveling.

Ian wrote Hangul one by one in a round font and nodded in satisfaction.

"The characters do look cute."

Hangul, made up of circles, squares, and angular symbols, looked like a picture. Even 'ㅎ' resembled a person wearing a hat.

A Swiss person once said that the word '스위스' (Swiss) looked like a person standing between two mountains with a spear in hand.

Taking a breather, Ian, who had looked up, smiled excitedly at the computer and camcorder set up in one corner of the room and then knocked on the wall.

He felt the thin wall.

'I've been worrying about what to shoot but forgot about soundproofing.'

Thinking of the incident that happened during late-night acting practice, he couldn't muster the courage to play any instrument, and eventually, Korean became the decided content.

"No, let's think positively. It's actually good."

For an actor, building a certain image is important, and being seen as intelligent is generally viewed positively wherever you go.

Just be careful not to be considered a nerd or geek…

"It's like I've come too far to start building an image of being a nerd."

Ian thought of videos floating around the internet.

No matter how he thought about it, a nerdy image was doomed from the start.

In the U.S., apart from sexual assault and juvenile cases, court proceedings are broadcast, and it's possible to watch them on TV as well as on computers.

So, when the video he shot was accepted as evidence, he braced for it to be made public.

'I thought it would just pass as a short-lived issue.'

But that underestimated the madness of the internet.

-Oh! WWE, what are you doing?! The promising star who will revive wrestling is right there! Bring him to the ring now!

└That seems like a great idea 🙂 by WWE official account

└Why is this real!

-You guys are too focused on dropkicks! The real deal is behind that! (Roughly rolling.gif)

└lol! Such a beautiful forward roll. He could cross the continent with that!

└From now on, the ROFL meme is that!

└Oh! Rolling boy!

-Did you guys know? The Dropkick boy was once famous for giving a corn dog to a ragged Ben Roberts.

└Kind and strong. This is the friendly neighbor?! A new hero is here!

└I knew he was cool when he shoved that corn dog like a toilet brush down Ben's throat!

While cyber phantoms, looking for fun bait like hyenas, started to bite, tear, and taste the video as a meme,

It seemed unlikely the heat would die down easily, as he had already been recognized with Ben and the corn dog.

'Let's think positively. At least I gained some recognition?'

It became difficult to spend time in the shop again, and although Sophia was summoned for the babysitter role, it might not be a bad deal?

Just thought so.

-Knock, knock

Anyway, to make good use of the time he now had, Ian, who was busily working, lifted his head at the sound of knocking.

"May I come in?"

"Yes, what is it? Grandma."

Sophia handed over her phone.

"I called with Chloe's permission, and she says it's a casting director."

There could only be one casting director Sophia could be referring to on behalf of Chloe.

Knowing well that she wasn't the type to call just to check in without any particular reason, Ian picked up the phone with a fluttering heart.

"I've picked up the call."

-This is Adelia Acosta, the casting director. Do you remember me?

"Of course, I remember. What's the matter?"

-What else could I contact an actor for? There's an audition. Are you interested?

"Absolutely!"

It would be great to pass, but the important thing was getting the opportunity.

Due to the industry's surprisingly quick word of mouth, opportunities usually come one after another.

"Is there anything in particular I should prepare for?"

Given it was for a project audition, it wouldn't be diving in blindly, and he needed some preliminary information to act in accordance with the desired character.

After a moment of contemplation, Adelia gave her answer.

-Um, do you exercise? There will be a lot of running away scenes.

"Running away?"

Such an easy question. 

Having started homeless life in tougher neighborhoods than most, running away was part of life.

Was it more about skill than physical strength?

Skills honed for actual survival were good enough even to have played a stuntman in chase scenes.

"I'm not bad at it."

Ian smiled with ease.

***

The staff of 'Invisible Children' moved busily with the safety officers.

Even though it was just an audition and not the official shooting, this audition required a large number of staff due to its scale.

The spacious gym was outfitted with various obstacles and terrains covered with safety mats, and several cameras were installed around the gym's perimeter.

This was to evaluate the children and extract behind-the-scenes footage for future promotions.

"It feels like we're selecting sports athletes, not child actors."

The producer joked, to which the director agreed.

"Who knows, one of our child actors might become a famous athlete later?"

"That would be interesting. Robyn, have all the children for the audition arrived?"

The second assistant director, responsible for managing the actors and extras, slightly shook his head.

"A few are still missing."

"Is that so? Then disqualify them all."

"There's still some time left, though?"

"We've notified them to come as early as possible to avoid disadvantage. It's already tough shooting with so many children; if anyone is late, it's hopeless."

The U.S. entertainment industry has measures to prevent overwork.

Shooting five days a week is the standard, and overtime shooting without the staff's consent is not possible. 

Receiving additional compensation is a given.

For child actors, there are specific labor caps depending on their age. 

The primary age group for 'Invisible Children', between 9 to 16 years old, is limited to a maximum of 5 hours.

Given the broadcasters' concerns about the filming schedule with many child actors, sensitivity to time was inevitable.

"And now, since we're about to start the audition, bring all the children."

"Understood."

As the second assistant director left, the producer spoke to Adelia, who was waiting for the audition to start with a composed demeanor.

"While we'll carefully check ourselves, try to first find a child who can be the center among the child actors."

Having a focal point among the child actors during shooting was incredibly important.

Child actors with little experience often get swayed by the atmosphere, so having a peer who could lead the mood was best.

'If there's such a child, I must choose them, even if there are shortcomings.'

The reason for renting such a large gymnasium and holding a group audition, rather than checking individual physical abilities, was also here. 

Adelia, hoping for such a child along with the producer, said with a slight smile in her voice, "Then it seems my job here is already done." 

"Huh?" Following Adelia's gaze, the producer chuckled. 

"Ah, I see." 

Even before the audition had started, there was a tired child surrounded by chattering kids. 

The only Asian among the auditioning children. 

"That's Ian Pryce. It would have been disappointing if he hadn't been recommended." 

The producer fervently hoped. 

Please let him not be the only one without physical coordination. 

*** 

Three months had passed since returning to the past. 

There were still two mysteries unsolved. 

How exactly did he return to the past? 

'And why do kids like me so much?' 

By this point, Ian seriously wondered if he was emitting some kind of child-friendly pheromone without realizing it. 

He hadn't done anything special since arriving here. 

'Except for educating a child who was unknowingly being racist.' 

That had happened earlier in the waiting room where the child actors were gathered. 

"Wow, you speak English really well. When did you start learning?" 

A form of racism stemming from the assumption that Asians aren't American. 

It's a comment so commonly heard by Asians living in America that the speaker often doesn't realize it's problematic. 

Therefore, Ian responded with a broad smile. 

"When did I start learning? 时值9年前 (It was 9 years ago) 両親と会った日からだった (since the day I met my parents)." 

Confusing the child with sudden Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, Ian laid on thick posh English accents. 

"I'm American, and the first language I learned was English. Got it? Be careful next time." 

Wondering if he had been too harsh on the kid, Ian was met with an unexpected reaction. 

"Wow! Say that again! What did you just say? I didn't catch it!" 

"Teach me too!" 

Fending off the kids rushing at him like zombies made Ian break out in a sweat. 

'At least I'm glad the older ones aren't clinging to me.' 

If even the slightly older kids had joined in, he might have fainted. 

Drained even before the audition had started, Ian stood in front of the producer with the children. 

"Don't think of the audition as something too difficult. We're going to play a game of Tag." 

The sudden announcement of playing tag in the audition made the children puzzled but happy. 

The gym, outfitted with soft mats, looked perfect for running around. 

"We'll divide into teams by age groups, and the 'it' will be chosen by drawing lots. How does that sound? Not too hard, right?" 

There wasn't a child who hadn't played tag before, so everyone nodded. 

From children who thought it would be fun, to those whose competitive spirits were ignited, to teenagers who found the method childish and complained. 

Observing the varied reactions, Ian internally evaluated this audition method. 

'It's a pretty good method. It's a playful way that encourages active participation from the kids while assessing the endurance and agility they're looking for. Plus, it also allows for an evaluation of personal traits.' 

Personal traits naturally come to the fore in competitive settings. 

It seemed like a decent method for evaluating a group of child actors. 

'Just thinking about it is already exhausting.' 

To run around with kids who seem to transcend human limits when playing?

He might have to return home truly fainting. 

Scanning the gymnasium for survival, Ian's eyes lit up at one spot. 

"Shall we warm up and then draw lots?" 

The producer, insisting on thorough stretching for safety, proceeded with the drawing, and Ian ended up picking the role of being chased that he wanted. 

Once all the roles were assigned, the producer gave the start signal. 

"Waaaaah!" 

The voices and running sounds of the children filled the air chaotically. 

-Crackle, please make sure the children in zone 2 don't get tangled up. 

To prevent any potential safety accidents, the safety officers were also running around busily. 

The producer, looking for any child showing unique behavior, realized one important person was missing. 

'Where did that kid go?' 

The child, whose skin color should make him stand out, was nowhere to be seen. 

As he searched with his eyes, a surprised voice reached his ears. 

"Hey! Shouldn't someone stop that?" 

The direction pointed to by a staff member had an indoor climbing area originally part of the gymnasium. 

It was generally ignored because even though it was for beginners, it would be challenging for a child to climb… 

'What in the world.' 

A little Asian kid was seen swiftly climbing up the holds embedded in the wall. 

The producer chuckled in disbelief as the child reached the 3-meter high endpoint and sat yawning on the wall without giving anyone a chance to stop him. 

"Seeing such a sly look, there's a role that comes to mind, right?" 

"It's amazing. I feel the same." 

A character who roams the streets freely, full of mischief but impossible to hate. 

"He's perfect for the role of Noah." 

It seemed they had finally found the owner for the role that everyone expected would steal the show in Invisible Children.