NG. A word used as an abbreviation for no good when there is a directing mistake in a movie or drama. When actors make a mistake, they discuss it with the director and then get back into proper acting. But there are no NGs in life. If something goes wrong, it goes wrong. Until yesterday, I thought that was the case.
'be high.'
Han Do-jae tilted his head back and stared blankly at the pattern on the ceiling of the large theater.
Sky Announcement Grand Theater.
After the entrance ceremony, we were guided here instead of to the classroom. The students gathered here are all acting majors from the Department of Theater and Film at Haneul High School. The freshmen were busy buzzing with anticipation.
30-year-old Han Do-jae sitting in the middle. He was sitting there gathering his thoughts, having just turned 17 yesterday.
'It's been exactly 10 years. Heaven's warning.'
Sky High School was his alma mater in his previous life.
Past life, that's weird. Han Do-jae was not yet turning seventeen. I'm seventeen for the second time and I'm sitting in a grand theater.
'It's certain that I've come to the past...'
Haneul Yego, the most prestigious arts high school in South Korea. He barely managed to get into this school, which was once considered prestigious. Han Do-jae, who had bushy hair, thick-rimmed glasses, and was unusually introverted, dreamed of becoming an actor. Always shining brightly in front of people.
'The school I entered in pursuit of that vague longing was Sky High School'
However, the evaluation of him as a chin-up passer was not very good.
-No matter what I do, it's mediocre.-
This was the world's opinion of him. Then, he graduated without any success, and was rejected by all universities due to his ambiguous resume and grades. In the end, Han Do-jae decided to enlist.
Due to my extremely poor eyesight, I took off my thick glasses and sat in the beauty salon chair with blurry vision. I watched in despair as my bushy hair, which I thought was cool, was cut off with a hair clipper and disappeared.
Knock. Knock.
A clump of hair fell onto the floor of the hair salon, making it look uncomfortable just to look at it.
"omg!"
As I was mulling over the frustration of my escape from military service, I heard the hairdresser's single scream from behind me. Han Do-jae, who took off his glasses and shaved his unkempt hair, looked like a different person.
As soon as Han Do-jae left the beauty salon, he was street-casted. I got my first street casting the day before I enlisted.
"Student. Even after you're discharged from the military, please contact me. Okay? Definitely!"
Since the warrant came out in a dazed state, I went into the military the next day. The agency that gave him his business card the day before he enlisted really waited for him for nearly two years. On the day he was discharged, he signed the contract.
[Han Do-jae, who appeared liké a comet, a high-rise in viewer ratings fright after his Han Do-jae's appearance has been in the spotlight ever since his debut.
However, opportunities to act in various roles did not come easily to him, despite his perfect looks that seemed to have been created by God.
Face genius. An actor who can make a living with his face. He originally received harsh criticism on TV for his mediocre acting skills.
'It's worth the price."
'But I have to let that face pass me by.'
Viewers' reactions were sharply divided. Is it because of the image of pushing forward with a caught face at the beginning? The role that Han Do-jae was given was not much different from the male lead in a romantic comedy. I wanted to do a variety of acting. The title of perennial director and perennial headquarters manager in a mini-series. I wanted to break away from that fixed image and show the public my real acting, even if it meant ruining it.
"You were cast based on your looks. You're not a good actor, are you?"
I wanted to go beyond the evaluations that follow as a given. Han Do-jae worked hard in places that were not visible. Fortunately, my acting skills improved little by little over the years, and I received favorable reviews from some directors. Finally, I was cast as a supporting actor in a fairly large drama that wasn't a romance.
On the day of the long-awaited first shoot, an accident occurred on set. In that accident, his face was split. The shining face that was synonymous with Han Do-jae. When he lost that, as if by magic, the public turned their backs on him. He was just beginning to show off his acting skills, but the director, producer, and production company... none of them called him.
"Mr. Dojae, you know that we are swayed by the viewers' reactions. It's unfortunate, but there's nothing we can do about it. Do you understand?"
Even the staff members who were close to him only said one thing to him and then lost contact.
Would it have been different if he had been a great actor with perfect acting skills? Many excuses and blame came to mind.
'It's all useless.'
A year after falling into the abyss for a moment. When he opened his eyes after passing out from being very drunk, he found himself back on March 1, 2015, which was yesterday.
'Does it make sense to go back in time? I feel like I'm the main character in a real drama.'
It wasn't enough that he suddenly returned to the past more than ten years ago, but the day after he returned was the entrance ceremony for his alma mater, Sky High School. After being led back home by my excited mother, I was already at school before I could even come to my senses.
'They're all so innocent.'
Seeing the kids chattering away in their familiar school uniforms, Han Do-jae felt memories from his childhood come flooding back. It felt like I was experiencing a past life or something. I slowly turned my head and looked at the faces of the kids who were majoring in the same acting field.
'Han Ji-seon? She'll become an idol later. Kim Woo-sung said he'd do a musical, but he got caught smoking marijuana.'
Certainly, it was a heavenly omen, but I noticed kids who later debuted as celebrities. I couldn't quite believe it, seeing his young face.
'The Sky Premonition used to connect well with the entertainment industry like an elite attribute course.'
Why Sky High School is quickly emerging as one of the best arts high schools in South Korea. This was because the school actively helped students enter the industry. As the school took on the role of an agency, it provided audition opportunities for Sky Academy students, and even had a separate student management department, similar to how the school managed its actors before signing contracts with agencies. There are also places where outsiders who are looking for new stars are invited.
Of course, this story had nothing to do with the past Han Do-jae. There were no teachers or officials who looked for him, as he had not been very active at school.
Ssuk.
I was lost in thought and quickly brushed back my bangs that kept blocking my eyes.
'How did you end up like this?'
Untidy hair and thick glasses.
As I was running my fingers through my wavy hair, I heard the sound of the heavy theater door opening. Behind them, a group of second and third year students and teachers from the Department of Theater and Film at Sky High School came rushing in.
"what?"
"They're the same Yeonyoung and teachers that were at the entrance ceremony earlier."
The freshmen, who had no idea what was going on, hurriedly got up from their seats and greeted each other. The teachers sat in a row at the very back of the auditorium without saying anything. There was no particular introduction or greeting. Although this appearance actually caused tension in the children, it did not apply to Han Do-jae.
'It's nice to see you again. Who would have thought I would be back in Heaven's Prelude?"
Looking around at the teachers, each and every one of them was an amazing person. The power of the heavenly premonitions that I had not realized as a child was clearly felt from the day of my entrance ceremony.
Gulp.
I don't know who it was, but the sound of saliva being swallowed was clearly audible among the freshmen. at that time,
Thump-thump
A teacher and a senior wearing a second-year name tag came up onto the stage of the large theater. After the teacher's long speech about the status of Yeonyoung and other things, the microphone was passed to a second-year student who came up on stage with him.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Kim Jeong-su, a sophomore majoring in acting."
A striking face with short hair and a mole next to the eye.
'Huh? That person.'
It was a familiar face to Handojae. It was Kim Jung-soo who debuted as a comedian several years later and became famous for his gift of gab. I thought that even at this time, I liked doing it.
"Do you all know why I called you here instead of the classroom?"
As Kim Jeong-su said, the kids nodded slightly, almost as if they knew everything. Among them, 'Why are we gathered at the grand theater...?' Only Han Do-jae was trying to remember what happened ten years ago with a serious expression on his face.
"To put it simply, we're going to have a kind of initiation ceremony. You just have to introduce yourself and give a free monologue. Simple, right?"
'Ah. Monologue. This is what the initiation ceremony was like, really. There is an unavoidable tradition for first-year acting students at Sky Arts High School. It is an initiation ceremony where one performs a monologue in front of seniors and teachers. Hearing those words, it really felt like I had returned to Heaven's prediction. And the fact that I can act again.
monologue. The opposite of dialogue, a way of expressing feelings to the audience that cannot be conveyed to the other actor. Because it is a long line that the actor has to continue on his own, it is also a performance that many actors find burdensome.
"You don't have to worry too much about it. It's literally freedom. Just do whatever you want to do."
Despite Kim Jeong-su's words to take it easy, the freshmen's expressions did not lighten easily.
"Then the front row... Okay, Kang. Should I go first?"
Although it was the first day of school, Kim Jeong-su called out a student's name as if he knew it. Kang Yi-shin, a new student who also knew Han Do-jae during this period before his return.
'I never thought I'd see the acting of seventeen-year-old Kang I-shin again.'
Kang Joo-seok and Ha Hye-ran, two youth stars representing our country. They got married at an early age, hearing it was the marriage of the century, and the son they had together was Kang I-shin. Moreover, as the saying goes, blood is thicker than water, Kang Ee-shin was admitted as top student to the prestigious acting department of Haneul High School.
Before his return, Kang Ee-shin, now in his thirties, had grown into an actor with overwhelming skills among his contemporaries. The public's assessment of him was that he was the only actor of his age who could carry a movie on his own. He won the Best Actor Award at the Baekho Film Festival at the age of 20, so no further explanation was needed. The younger days of that great young genius actor were once again visible before Han Do-jae's eyes.
'How can a 17-year-old be that tall and handsome?'
He wore his school uniform like a knife, but he had a cold, expressionless face, so he didn't look like much of a student. Moreover, he boasted a tall and handsome appearance, as if to prove that he was the son of two famous actors. Clear eyes and a sharp nose bridge beneath her long black hair. That face gave off an atmosphere reminiscent of his parents.
"I am Kang Ee-shin from the acting department. I will give a lecture on the drama 'Like Fireworks."
Even when the kids reacted with an "Ohhh" at the appearance of a scene that everyone would know, Kang Shin's expression did not waver. A deep, resonating bass voice from the moment of self-introduction. A monologue that begins without dragging. Kang Shin's acting was as flawless as his voice.
'As expected, Kang Ee-shin is Kang Ee-shin. He's been this good since he was 17. How does he act like that?'
After Kang Shin left, the monologues continued in the order in which each person wished to speak.
"You guys, don't you think so? Am I mistaken?"
From the kids who do the famous monologue scene.
"I won't move one step from here until you call my name."
Even those who do very minor scenes.
Later on, I often saw kids I met in the industry, but I never saw a big star like Kang. Although Sky High School produces many stars, it is impossible for a monster like Kang Ishin to come out in ayear.
'It looks like everyone has prepared well."
While a student was performing a monologue on stage, all the children in the audience seemed busy with their heads bowed and practicing their own monologues. Since the initiation ceremony is such a famous tradition, everyone has probably prepared for it. Of course, except for Han Do-jae himself. Since I returned home yesterday and suddenly started school today, I had no time to prepare for the initiation ceremony.
While I was quietly watching, there were only two people left. Han Do-jae and Yoon Se-ri.
There wasn't a single person looking at Han Do-jae. Probably no one cares right now whether he was monologuing or not. That's understandable, since the person who remained with Han Do-jae was Yoon Se-ri. Even the seniors all pretended not to notice and looked forward to what kind of acting Yoon Se-ri would show.
'If it's Yoon Se-ri, then it makes sense.'
Han Do-jae's gaze naturally turned to Yoon Se-ri. An appearance that epitomizes what it means to be like a doll. Long black hair that barely reaches her waist, a pure white face, and detailed facial features. Her slender and long limbs made it immediately clear why she was so popular. In addition, Yoon Se-ri was admitted to Sky High School as the second-highest ranking student.
In the old days, no. It's 2015 now... about a year ago? The main vocalist and visual center of the idol group Little Princess, which gained explosive popularity as soon as they debuted. He was almost monopolizing popularity, but then he suddenly left the group, causing a lot of rumors. And here was a person who became a topic of conversation by entering Sky High School. There was a lot of buzz before the entrance ceremony because of the news, and old memories of being excited because we were freshmen came flooding back. Of course, nothing happened with Han Do-jae. Maybe I should have said a word or two.
After graduation, Yoon Se-ri completely turned to acting and became one of the most beloved actresses. I didn't know Han Do-jae because I had no contact with him in the industry. Because Yoon Se-ri, who was treated as a noble actress to begin with, was on a different level from herself, who was treated as a mere slacker who only relied on her looks and only filmed romantic comedies.
'I guess I can't put it off any longer.'
Han Do-jae was the first to get up as Yoon Se-ri didn't seem to have any intention of moving. Everyone's eyes were on him. With an expression that said, 'What the heck is that unheard of thing?'
But Han Do-jae, whose attention was now elsewhere, strode briskly towards the stage. I was used to being exposed to the gaze of many people. Because I have stood in front of countless fan signing events, press conferences, and photo zones. As the attention turned to him, he caressed his right cheek, where there was a scar for no reason, and stepped onto the stairs leading to the stage.
'Phew.'
As I walked up the stairs to the stage, feeling the warmth of the pouring lights, I slowly came to a realization. And finally, when he got up on stage and saw his classmates either glancing at him with eyes that were completely devoid of anticipation or turning their heads away as if they were completely disinterested, he finally did.
'Ah, I really went back to the past.'
It felt real. He stood in front of an audience that was completely absorbed in his performance and had a rather determined expression on his face. I took a deep breath and looked out at the audience. The moment that announces the start of a new life for Han Do-jae. It felt like a distant scene from a movie. It was as if I was on a filming set, and I could hear the call.
"Hello. I am Han Do-jae, a freshman in the acting department."
Han Do-jae's life, TAKE 2. Standby- Cue!