Possessed 10 Million Actors

Chapter 25

Now, a big storm is about to blow in the entertainment industry.

It was a time when universities were preoccupied with the significant issue of ‘entrance exams.’

College entrance exams are a battleground for both applicants and the professors responsible for grading them.

This is because applicants pay constant attention to the previous year’s competition rate, and professors struggle to select students who stand out even slightly.

In particular, arts-related faculties are busier because the basic competition rate exceeds dozens to one.

Moreover, a prestigious school like Seoguk University is genuinely bustling.

But now, the atmosphere among the professors of the Department of Theater at Seoguk University was a bit peculiar. They were all engrossed in watching the video of one applicant.

“Hello! Kang Jinseok applied to the Department of Theater at Seoguk University! Jin! Three! No, see!”

During the hectic admission period, professors watched Jinseok’s entrance exam video more than ten times, each giving their own evaluation.

“The pronunciation is also accurate… He has a captivating power. Should I say that my emotions are melting?”

“I know, right? It’s an entrance exam video… It was captured very attractively, this guy.”

“He also played a female role in free acting, but it was a very difficult script for a man to digest.”

“The attitude towards acting is also very serious… I really want to see it.”

There are also professors who praise Jinseok’s self-introduction and acting.

“Which studio was it filmed in?”

“I told them to send me a self-introduction video, and they sent me a PR video of the company representative.”

“How many cameras did they use? There are at least four?”

“It looks like he put a lot of effort into editing, right? It must have cost a lot of money.”

There were also professors who admired the directing, filming, and editing aspects.

This reaction was seen because each person has a different area of ​​expertise.

But their judgment was the same.

“Let’s pick this one.”

“Yes. Letters of recommendation are no joke.”

“I see you’ve been cast in writer Jo Seokwon’s work.”

“Now that I think about it, I heard that writer Jo is working on a project with him and the producer. If those picky people choose him, it means he’s talented enough.”

Everyone was giving Jinseok not only good evaluations but also the best evaluations.

The reason for this evaluation is not just because Jinseok’s video is good, or because the people who wrote letters of recommendation are great, or because Jinseok was cast in a drama.

Because Jinseok had it all.

The most important thing that professors consider when selecting students for college entrance exams is ‘fairness.’ This ‘fairness’ is the same as the idea that ‘no matter who looks at it, this student deserves to be selected.’

Therefore, the applicants that professors like the most are students like Jinseok. A student who will not have any problems if you select him without much thought.

While the professors were absorbed in the video for a while, a man who came into the room spoke.

“But he still has to take the practical exam properly. We’ll have to see what the acting actually looks like.”

The professors turned around when they heard a solemn voice coming from behind them. Professor Seung-Hyeon Kim, Dean of the Department of Theater at Seoguk University, was there.

The excited atmosphere subsided at his appearance. This is because the Dean of the Department, Professor Seung-Hyeon Kim, becomes very sensitive during the entrance exam season.

The professor sitting in the far corner thought while looking at Professor Kim Seung-hyun’s eyes.

‘I guess there’s nothing we can do as his daughter’s anniversary is approaching.’

Although it was quite a long time ago, there was no professor who did not know about the accident. It was a very serious accident that occurred at the crosswalk in front of the school.

Meanwhile, Jinseok’s audition video continued to play. Professor Seung-hyun Kim stared at Jinseok’s video.

‘You’re good at it. It seems like a lot of effort was put into the video.’

Although I have watched thousands of students’ videos, this was the first time I had seen an applicant with this quality of video and skills.

‘And something… It feels familiar. No, I feel nostalgic.’

It wasn’t like I saw a face or heard a voice somewhere.

But clearly, I felt an unknown familiarity from Jinseok.

Professor Seung-hyun Kim, who was lost in thought for a moment, spoke to the other professors.

“This student will be selected. If you have any objections, please let me know.”

When no one objected, Professor Seung-hyun Kim spoke.

“Well then, please keep up the good work. There are still many applicants left to grade.”

The professors quickly dispersed after Professor Kim Seung-hyun’s words. Professor Seung-hyun Kim thought as he looked at that.

‘I guess I’ll have to take this practical evaluation too. I need to find out what this feeling is.’

Ten years after his daughter’s death, Professor Seung-Hyun Kim decided to enter the practical exam evaluation.

***

“I’m a little nervous.”

On the day of the practical exam for the Department of Theater at Seoguk University.

I was currently on my way to the practical exam center for the Department of Theater at Seoguk University.

I covered my face with thick horn-rimmed glasses and a mask in case someone recognized me. Because other test-takers might feel uncomfortable for no reason.

‘It seems unlikely.’

People don’t recognize me just because I appeared on <The Talk Show> once. It’s a very rare case that Minsu’s older brother recognizes me.

‘There are so many people.’

At the front gate of the school, parents and friends were gathered in groups of twos and threes. It seemed like I was the only one who came alone.

In fact, I said that some men would come with me to the exam room today.

However, it was obvious that if men gathered in groups, the atmosphere of the exam room would change from a tense and exciting youth campus to a service office atmosphere like something out of a noir movie.

Doing so will definitely disturb other test-takers. I couldn’t cause that kind of damage just because I liked it.

‘The guys were a little disappointed, but…’

After watching people for a while, I stood at the end of the long crosswalk in front of the school.

‘Yeonmi died at this crosswalk…’

He placed a small bouquet of flowers he had bought from a nearby flower shop at the end of the crosswalk.

It wasn’t something Yeonmi specifically asked for, but since he was here, he brought flowers as a gift.

When I put down the flowers, other people looked at me strangely, but it didn’t matter.

‘I should go now too.’

The closer I got to the testing site, the heavier the atmosphere became.

That would have to be the case. Because this was a place to see the results of my efforts over the past few years.

‘Maybe the college entrance exam is the cruelest audition…’

It was then. In the practical exam center building, people wearing necklaces that said ‘Department of Theater Practical’ came out and spoke to the applicants.

“I will enter the applicant waiting room!”

“Family and friends are not permitted to enter the waiting room!”

“You will need to verify your identity when you come in, so please take out your admission ticket and ID card in advance!”

Then the surroundings became somewhat noisy.

“Fighting, my daughter!”

“Best Actor School! Alright! Let’s go to Seoguk University!”

“Don’t try to be good! “Let’s just try to pass!”

Most of the students were shouting to fight with their friends.

It was like this when I took the qualification exam in the past. An atmosphere where you can hang out with acquaintances or friends.

Even there, the test-takers, except me, entered the testing room while receiving encouragement and support from those around them.

“···.”

It’s not a big deal… It was obviously nothing, but it felt strangely bitter.

“Student. “You must enter the testing room.”

At that moment, a familiar voice reached my ears. It was low, a bit playful, and pretending to be solemn.

I turned around.

“Uh? Soft water?”

“Hehe. What are you doing here, brother? “I have to get in quickly.”

“Why are you here?

“Originally, I was in charge of conducting practical exams at the student council. “That’s the student council.”

“Oh, I see.”

Now that I think about it, I remember hearing something about her before. Seo Yeonsoo is active in the student council.

“And-.”

While I was contemplating, Seo Yeonsoo smiled and said.

“All the other students entered with support, but I was worried that my brother would enter alone, so I applied on purpose because I wanted to support you. How about it, thank you?”

Seo Yeonsoo placed her hands on her waist proudly pushed out her chest and said. It’s the usual bright voice.

“Okay, thank you.”

He said it honestly, with a slight smile.

“No way. “I came here like this, but that’s all the reaction?”

“Sorry. I really didn’t even think about it. Thank you very much.”

“And what is that guitar? “Did you bring this to use in today’s practical exam?”

“Yes. “I’ll play the guitar.”

“Hey… I thought you couldn’t play a guitar. “I didn’t know.”

Seo Yeonsoo looked at the guitar I was carrying on my back as if it were fascinating. Then, she pointed to the practical exam room and said.

“Alright! Then, applicant Kang Jinseok, please quickly move to the waiting room. “Follow the guide’s instructions and take out your admission ticket and ID card in advance.”

Seo Yeonsoo spoke again as solemnly as before. She was probably playing around to ease the tension.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Great. “Take this too.”

What Seo Yeonsoo offered was ‘taffy’.

“Taffy? “Isn’t that too much?”

“…I’ll give it to you so you can take the test without any problems. “You’re not asking because you really don’t know, right?”

“I’m kidding. “Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

I took the taffy and put it in my mouth. He said as he headed toward the exam room.

“Thank you for your support. Are you coming to work part-time today?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. See you then. After the exam, if we have time, we can grab a meal together.”

“Yes! Good luck with your exam! Let’s eat together!”

***

After checking my admission ticket on the first floor, I proceeded to the waiting room.

Some were meditating with their eyes closed, while others were stretching.

At the same time, students were secretly observing one another.

‘It’s no different from an audition room.’

What’s different is that entrance exams only take place once a year.

Perhaps that’s why there was a different tension in the audition room.

At that moment, someone entered through the door and spoke loudly enough for the entire waiting room to hear.

“I will first guide everyone here. The test starts in 25 minutes. The order of the practical test is based on the number you received when checking your admission ticket. Okay, I’ll see you in 25 minutes.”

After finishing his sentence, the man closed the door and quietly left.

‘I will be extremely nervous when I enter the exam room for the first time. There won’t be any time to relax.’

It may be different for each person, but I felt a bit nervous the first time I did anything.

I searched for the paper I had received, hoping that it was not in the previous order.

‘I put it in my pocket… Here it is.’

My number plate was stored deep in my pocket. As soon as I received it, I stashed it away and couldn’t check the number.

I pulled out a number ticket from my pocket and repeated a spell in my mind.

‘It must be number 1. It’s probably about 15 times.’

Unless an evil god is playing a trick, there’s no way I’m number 1.

‘···?’

I checked the number plate…

‘Number 1’

I was number 1.