chapter 3

Chapter 3. Acting Academy

–"Input received. Please leave your inquiry."

"The details are as follows. I purchased an item in Iran. The product name is 'White Pine' and…"

After relaying the information from his last operation in his past life, which took about a minute, Yeon-woo left the phone booth, still hunched over in his elderly man disguise.

He then retrieved the bags he had hidden, retracing his steps, changing clothes and switching bags and outfits several more times before returning home.

'It's already been four months, so the information might be outdated, but this is goodbye to Jeon Su-hwan's life.'

My country, I have completed my last mission.

My past life, you've worked hard.

His past life had been that of an agent and a spy, constantly suspicious and acting a part. It had been a bleak and harsh time, his spirit wearing down day by day, always feeling lonely. But he didn't regret the days he had lived in dedication.

He was simply content to have finished things properly and to move on with a clear conscience.

That night, Yeon-woo's father, Ryu Cheol-woong, was scolded by his wife for suddenly putting a pile of laundry, supposedly from a hiking trip, into the washing machine, and he felt wronged all night.

"No, really, that wasn't my laundry…"

Yeon-woo felt sorry for his scolded father, but he couldn't do anything but feign ignorance.

Exams were over, and he was now somewhat accustomed to Ryu Yeon-woo's life. He had cast off the last vestiges of his past life and was burning with the resolve to adapt to his new life and live again as an actor.

He had always been interested in acting, and while he wasn't sure how helpful it would be, he was confident in his ability to act naturally, thanks to the skills he had honed while working undercover in foreign countries.

'Whether those past experiences would translate to acting in front of a camera or on stage remained to be seen.'

He figured that his broad experience and ability to control his facial muscles would be better than starting from scratch.

"Hmm…"

Yeon-woo sighed as he painted with poster colors for an art project in the art room.

"What's with the sigh? Is the painting not going well?" Joon-soo, painting next to him, asked.

"No, I'm thinking about trying something new, and I'm wondering if I should get a part-time job."

Intrigued by Yeon-woo's answer, Sung-sik, who was sitting in front of them, turned around and asked, "What is it that you need a part-time job for?"

"I'm thinking about going to an acting academy."

Surprised by his unexpected answer, Joon-soo and Sung-sik's eyes widened, and they both said simultaneously, "Acting?"

But then Joon-soo nodded in understanding. "Well, he's top of the class, and with that face…"

It was true that in this day and age, even a successful career in a specialized field after graduating from a good university couldn't compare to the fame and fortune of a star.

"If you're serious about acting, shouldn't you go to a famous place in Seoul?"

"I just want to learn the basics for now."

Sung-sik, who had turned around, asked with a puzzled look, "Why are you even worrying about a part-time job? Just talk to your parents! If I was first in the school, my mom would let me do anything."

Hearing this, Joon-soo lightly hit Sung-sik's shoulder and chided him, "Hey, even if he's a top student, his parents might not agree. And what if Yeon-woo's family is struggling financially…?"

Yeon-woo thought Joon-soo was quite considerate for his age, speaking so carefully.

"Oh, it's nothing like that. My family is just average, not rich, not poor."

Yeon-woo felt a strange warmth at the naturally uttered phrase "my family," despite its slight awkwardness. He added, "They'll probably support me no matter what I do. I was just hesitant to ask for money."

Sung-sik shook his head. "Even your personality is as filial as mine. I acknowledge you, Ryu-nim."

Joon-soo immediately countered Sung-sik's joking remark, "Yeah, you're right. Sung-sik, you're filial too. Filial with a fiery temper."

"What did you say?"

Sung-sik and Joon-soo started playfully bickering.

"Hey, you unfilial kids. Finish your paintings before you chatter."

The art teacher appeared, lightly grabbing Sung-sik and Joon-soo by the back of their necks, and the classroom fell silent once more.

A few days later, just as Yeon-woo was seriously considering looking for short-term part-time jobs suitable for a student, a solution presented itself from an unexpected source.

-"Announcement from the broadcasting club. Student Ryu Yeon-woo, student Kim Min-ji, student Choi Woo-jin…"

An announcement calling Yeon-woo and a few other students came over the classroom speakers.

"What? Did you get in trouble? No, that can't be right."

"They're all students with good grades. They're probably giving out awards."

Hearing Joon-soo and Sung-sik's comments, Yeon-woo got up from his seat.

"I'll be back."

He was called to the principal's office, where he took a few commemorative photos and received a one million won scholarship for academic excellence from the alumni association.

It was perfect timing for Yeon-woo, who didn't want to get a part-time job or waste time on unnecessary things.

"This is perfect. Luck is on my side in this life."

That evening, after school and during dinner, Yeon-woo told his parents, "Father, Mother, I want to try acting."

"Acting, all of a sudden?"

Yeon-woo nodded. He pulled a white envelope from his pocket.

"I received a scholarship from school today. It made me want to try something new, and I want to learn acting."

"Awesome!"

His younger sister, So-hyun, who had been quietly eating, nudged him.

"Will you give me a lot of allowance if you become a star?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I just want to try learning."

Yeon-woo chuckled at So-hyun's talk of allowance.

His parents, happy to see their previously depressed son enthusiastic about something, were unconditionally supportive.

"Sure, why not? Even without the scholarship, I'd be all for it."

"Ahem. When I was young, people used to tell me I should be an actor all the time."

Yeon-woo and So-hyun tilted their heads simultaneously at their father, Ryu Cheol-woong's words.

"No, it's because I gained weight as I got older, you kids."

Cheol-woong patted his belly and looked at Yeon-woo.

As Yeon-woo lost weight, his parents had noticed his increasingly striking appearance. It was clear that he would become quite handsome once he lost all the weight.

"So, have you decided where you want to learn acting?" his mother asked.

Yeon-woo answered immediately, "I don't think I need to go all the way to Seoul. I'm thinking of trying a place in Daejeon."

"Are you sure? They say it's hard to make it outside of Seoul in those fields. You know Aunt Young-hee, right? Her daughter has been an idol trainee for years, and it's been tough."

Yeon-woo smiled at his worried mother. "If I'm meant to succeed, I'll succeed anywhere. Studying is also important, so I'll try it in Daejeon first."

His father nodded at Yeon-woo's words. "Alright, then look it up online, and we'll talk. Let's go together."

Yeon-woo, who had planned to go alone, suddenly remembered he was a minor and nodded silently.

"Yes, Father. Thank you."

After that, Yeon-woo searched for acting academies to visit for consultations and made his own preparations.

"Should I watch some videos?"

After school, in his room, he watched popular dramas, observing the actors' expressions and actions.

As an agent, Yeon-woo had become incredibly adept at analyzing and mimicking the behavior of others to blend into specific organizations.

"Hmm, is this how you do it?"

Yeon-woo practiced expressions in front of the mirror, mimicking what he saw on TV. Although it was improvised, it looked reasonably good.

"I can't tell if it looks good because of my face or because I'm actually acting well."

He definitely needed professional guidance.

Meanwhile, in a prosecutor's office in Busan.

A large, sturdy-looking man in his early thirties was rapidly typing on a small keyboard with his large hands.

The man, working diligently on his computer late into the night, was a young prosecutor named Han Hae-woon, as indicated by the nameplate on his desk.

Han Hae-woon tapped the corner of his desk, lost in thought.

"Team Leader Jeon Su-hwan… what was his real identity? Am I crazy? There's no way a person from my dreams would actually exist."

But he felt compelled to search, as if he had to. An unknown sense of mission kept urging him to find this person, as if he had something to tell him.

Prosecutor Han Hae-woon's investigation continued late into the night.

That Saturday, Yeon-woo visited an acting academy in downtown Daejeon with his father for a consultation.

Jung Chul-min, who had spent a long time in the theater scene in Hyehwa, even landing a couple of minor supporting roles in commercial films, felt like he had finally reached a turning point after returning to his hometown of Daejeon and opening an acting academy.

Director Jung Chul-min was teaching his university entrance exam prep class as usual. It was unusual for this to happen during class, but Ms. Yoon, who was in charge of consultations, knocked and entered, whispering, "Director, I think you should handle this consultation yourself. His face is… something else."

Having worked in the industry for a long time, Ms. Yoon was better than any plastic surgery consultant at assessing a face for its acting potential.

Jung Chul-min nodded, entrusted the class to another instructor, and headed to the consultation room.

"So, you're saying you're here for a consultation because your son has shown an interest in acting, Sir?"

"Haha, yes, that's right, Director. This boy, he ranked first in his school this time. As a father, honestly, since he's good at studying, I thought it would be good for him to focus on his academics and get a prestigious job like everyone wants…"

Ryu Cheol-woong, whose son had previously given him little to brag about, had become a doting father in just a few months, constantly singing his praises thanks to Yeon-woo's transformation.

However, Director Jung Chul-min, who had already seen the student's face, responded politely to Cheol-woong but had no intention of missing this opportunity. In truth, he had made up his mind from the moment Ms. Yoon, whose judgment he trusted, had suggested he handle the consultation personally.