I Want to Be a VTuber

“I see some familiar faces from the cable channel.”

As she slowly opened her eyes, Ji-yeon first scanned the people that caught her attention.

They were actors who had also appeared in cable dramas, just like Ji-yeon.

It seemed they recognized Ji-yeon as well; she could feel them subtly nodding their heads.

It felt like they had crossed paths one or two times before.

“Of course, to them, I’m probably just a kid.”

Considering their ages, that was understandable.

The ages of the characters in Gyeongseong Young Lady are set in their late teens to early twenties.

So the scenes in the script aren’t too intense or high in content.

What’s important is to handle the emotion line with density, and for that, acting skills are needed.

Thus, there was no choice but to prefer actors in their twenties.

Teenagers tend to have unstable acting skills, and the twenties are still a bit delicate, but better than teenagers.

“In most cases, if the background isn’t school-related, audiences generally perceive roles as being twenty or older.”

Unless there’s something overwhelming about someone like Jo Seo-hee or Joo Seo-yeon, there’s a shortage of roles that go to teenage actors.

That’s probably true for this audition as well.

Being the same age as the character is more of a penalty than an advantage.

“Next, number 10, please come in.”

Ji-yeon’s turn was nearly the thirtieth—almost at the end.

When she was younger, this time felt just boring.

After a little more reflection, it turned into tension, but now she wasn’t quite sure.

“Just like we practiced.”

The practice she had with Jo Seo-hee and Seo-yeon.

Could she really pull it off like back then?

At that moment, a restless tension gnawed at Ji-yeon’s heart.

“Hmm?”

Someone caught Ji-yeon’s eye.

A figure who moved awkwardly among the staff.

Wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask.

It looked so suspicious, yet no one was stopping him.

On the contrary, some of the audition staff seemed happy to greet him.

“……Could it be?”

Looking around, Ji-yeon glanced at the waiting people in the audition hall and paused for a moment.

Then, she saw him sneak away, reminiscent of someone.

“…….”

Well, it wouldn’t be strange if it was someone.

After all, he was presumably someone related to the audition.

Even though it felt oddly concerning, Ji-yeon decided to let it go.

Still—

“I feel like a bit of my tension has eased.”

She sensed a presence watching her from somewhere.

At least, Ji-yeon felt it.

It was a bit amusing, but thanks to that, she could feel her wildly racing heart calm down.

*

Today was Lee Ji-yeon’s audition.

In fact, Joo Seo-yeon hadn’t planned to come here at all.

But this morning—

[Are you coming?]

It was a Kakao Talk message from Jo Seo-hee.

It seemed she wanted to create an opportunity to meet Seo-yeon even just a little.

Seeing that it was obvious, Seo-yeon just stared at the message.

[I need to see my friend acting.]

It was a bit of a plea for her to watch as well, but surely Ji-yeon’s counterpart in the audition was Jo Seo-hee.

Jo Seo-hee was known for her unique behavior, but Seo-yeon had to acknowledge her acting.

Having clashed since childhood, Seo-yeon was subtly conscious of her.

Jo Seo-hee had shown very stable acting from her child actor days, but after growing up, she could infuse even stronger emotions into her performances.

There were many similarities with Seo-yeon’s emotional imitation.

Jo Seo-hee was more of someone who faithfully reproduced what she learned rather than a method actor.

[It’ll be fun to see the love scene in the audition. And you’re also a part of it.]

Her words made Seo-yeon’s eyes narrow.

A love scene.

Come to think of it, she was the one who helped Ji-yeon during her practice session.

Up until now, she hadn’t thought much about it, but the idea of Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon doing a love scene was quite indescribable. After all, it was a love scene between friends and a friend’s representative.

Is that why it’s hard to watch movies when acquaintances are involved? She felt that way, yet there was also undeniable curiosity.

And worry about whether Ji-yeon could act well against Jo Seo-hee.

So, after a moment of concern, Seo-yeon replied.

[I’ll go.]

And now—

Seo-yeon was hiding in a corner of the audition room, watching the auditions take place.

She had made eye contact with Ji-yeon as she walked in, but she hoped she hadn’t noticed.

“More importantly…”

Seo-yeon observed the performances of the actors currently auditioning.

Those outside likely had no idea what was happening inside.

“Things are a bit tense.”

Despite chatting lightly with Seo-yeon over Kakao Talk, Jo Seo-hee bore an impression closer to that of a villainous noblewoman today.

Moreover, she was even holding a fan in the audition room.

Jo Seo-hee was probably playing a noble young lady from a prestigious family.

And since that concept matched her image perfectly, it seemed she wanted to portray it well.

“Director Baek Min must have intended to cast Jo Seo-hee from the start.”

Seo-yeon understood the reasoning.

It was as if Cha Seo-ah had fit her role perfectly.

For the character that could be seen as the noble lady, ‘Michiko Amanabi.’

As the name suggests, she was Japanese, and since the background of the script is set in the Japanese colonial period, that role could exist.

From the script, after the ending, she would cross over to Japan with the main character.

And now the audition was to select the main character, named ‘Yeon Seon-ye.’

“…….”

That thought led Seo-yeon to realize one fact.

“I’m playing a Japanese role?”

For the record, the role Seo-yeon would take on is ‘Yuin Kasugayama.’

Realizing this, Seo-yeon thought,

“There must be Japanese lines….”

She suddenly faced a dilemma.

Well, she could listen to Japanese.

After all, how many Vtubers had Seo-yeon watched? No, she had many chances to access anime and games.

But speaking it was a whole different story.

For example, pronouncing it.

“……What should I do?”

It even seemed she was expecting a chance to meet someone from Japan regarding Dream Future.

It definitely felt like she needed to properly learn it.

“Hmm.”

Seo-yeon soon regained her composure.

After all, there was still time.

She also suddenly thought of a person she could ask for help.

And right now, Ji-yeon’s audition was more important.

“Next.”

With a stern expression, Jo Seo-hee spoke as the last actress who had auditioned stepped back, looking haggard.

There were many actresses who seemed quite strong, yet when Jo Seo-hee waved the fan, they fell like autumn leaves.

“The scene used for the audition is when Michiko becomes deeply interested in Yeon Seon-ye.”

In other words, it’s before she realizes her feelings.

And Yeon Seon-ye still had no such feelings.

After all, she was a noble young lady.

Moreover, the reason Yeon Seon-ye became Michiko’s maid was that she intended to take her life.

But unexpectedly, her heart began to drift towards Michiko.

Although she was supposed to disregard her as a target to kill, she found herself attracted to the beautiful Michiko.

Feeling sympathy for her situation, as well as the empathy felt for her loneliness.

Those feelings were what Yeon Seon-ye was supposed to struggle with regarding Michiko.

The scene they were about to film featured dialogues that weren’t difficult, but the emotion line was crucial.

That’s why it was also the most suitable scene for the audition.

Tak!

“Next.”

Another actress’s head was severed by Jo Seo-hee’s fan.

The actress who bowed her head and retreated wore a face that knew her performance had been terrible.

Her lines were halting, her gestures lacking in many ways.

This wasn’t just her problem.

Among the new actresses, those who attended today’s audition were all generally similar.

If even experienced actors were shaken, it wasn’t surprising that a newcomer wouldn’t be able to hold up.

“But if I were to classify myself, I would be a newcomer as well.”

Although she had participated in consecutive works recently, technically, Seo-yeon was indeed a newcomer.

Her debut year traced back to her child acting days, so she was quite early.

“Now we’re almost finished. Number 30, please come in.”

In stark contrast to the fierce Jo Seo-hee, Director Baek Min said with a hearty laugh.

His words felt warm, but the page in front of him was densely filled with notes.

“It’s almost…”

And this time, the number called was up to thirty.

That was exactly Lee Ji-yeon’s turn.

*

Jo Seo-hee observed the actress who entered, her gaze calm as she regarded them.

Among them were four experienced ones.

One absolute newcomer.

“Lee Ji-yeon.”

Though she tried not to show it, Jo Seo-hee noticed Ji-yeon among them.

At first glance, Ji-yeon felt both appropriate and inappropriate for the role.

Her strong impression strayed far from the relatively gentle image of ‘Yeon Seon-ye’.

Her acting tone was also powerful.

Honestly, given that, it could be risky.

“If she doesn’t perform properly, she’ll be out.”

During practice, Jo Seo-hee had helped Ji-yeon quite a bit.

While she watched her acting, she hadn’t given particularly special advice regarding this audition.

If she had shared something, it would have been a huge disrespect to the other actors.

Jo Seo-hee focused on giving feedback regarding Ji-yeon as an individual rather than advice on the role of ‘Yeon Seon-ye’.

After all, they were close friends, so she didn’t want to give a bad impression if possible.

But if she couldn’t do it, she had to be cut.

“So please, do well.”

Jo Seo-hee sensed Seo-yeon’s gaze hiding in the darkness.

She didn’t need to look far; Seo-yeon was probably just peeking out from her hiding spot.

Jo Seo-hee didn’t know why she disguised herself to come, but she found it cute.

“Let’s begin. Where’s the script?”

“I memorized it all.”

“Good, we’ll get started right away.”

With confidence, the 26th applicant announced she had memorized all her lines, and Jo Seo-hee nodded.

And only five minutes later.

“I think it would have been better to hold the script.”

“…….Yes.”

The applicant turned back with a dejected expression.

There had been parts where her lines tripped up, resulting in point deductions.

In filming, it’s rare for a scene to finish in a single take, so while tripping up wasn’t unusual, other aspects were lacking too much.

Therefore, Jo Seo-hee concluded that it would have been acceptable if she hadn’t messed up on “at least the lines.”

“Number 30.”

At last, Ji-yeon’s turn arrived.

She stood in front of Jo Seo-hee, calmly, and felt a bit more poised than the other applicants.

Well, she was the type who didn’t feel a lot of pressure from the start anyway.

“We’ll start right away. Where’s the script?”

“I’ve memorized it all.”

That was indeed true.

Jo Seo-hee nodded.

She already knew that Ji-yeon had memorized her lines.

Besides, since the script had been given in advance, there was a lot of memorization going on.

“Then let’s get started.”

Jo Seo-hee glanced at Director Baek Min and then turned her gaze back to Ji-yeon.

She unfurled the fan in her hand, covering her mouth.

With narrowing eyes.

Though not red like Seo-yeon’s, those eyes certainly held power.

The pressure Jo Seo-hee exuded was tremendous, even making it hard for Ji-yeon to speak her first line.

This felt completely different from the Jo Seo-hee Ji-yeon had practiced with.

And then—

“Young Lady, you don’t look well these days. How about taking a break?”

As a quiet Ji-yeon began her performance with Yeon Seon-ye’s voice,

The ticking clock marked a calm moment as the aristocratic lady quietly looked upon her.

Michiko gazed silently at Yeon Seon-ye.

Her gaze devoured her like it was trying to rip apart her insides.

A flicker of emotions was felt.

Yeon Seon-ye could read that feeling a little.

But she turned her head indifferently.

“No.”

As her fan descended slightly, revealing her smile,

A twisted grin directed toward Yeon Seon-ye appeared.

“Yeon Seon-ye, bring me the shawl, for we shall hold an auction today.”

That gaze was like looking at a precious treasure.

Rich and deep, akin to how others at an auction looked at her.

Michiko was viewing her maid with such eyes.

She didn’t fully realize it herself though.

“Then, you must look the most beautiful.”

With a gentle press of the fan on Yeon Seon-ye’s shoulder, Michiko said just that.

It was some sort of whim.

To embellish herself beautifully.

To match your desires.

Such intentions were expressed in Michiko’s words.

At that, Yeon Seon-ye’s eyes widened in surprise, as she briefly bit her lower lip.

‘Emotion.’

Jo Seo-hee sensed the faint emotion line emanating from Ji-yeon.

It had seemed bolder before, but now it felt a bit faded.

That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

On the contrary, it suited Yeon Seon-ye perfectly.

Somewhat light yet easily merging with stronger colors.

Had Seo-yeon taught her this?

“First, you must do your makeup, Young Lady. You shouldn’t start looking for the shawl yet.”

Yeon Seon-ye responded with her head bowed as if rejecting Michiko’s advances.

Her voice remained calm, akin to that of an innocent child who knew nothing.

The change in demeanor was palpable.

No, it seemed the tone of her acting had shifted.

‘Maternal love.’

Ah, right.

That was the feeling.

As mentioned, Lee Ji-yeon’s impression was quite strong.

Hence, there were many aspects that didn’t quite match the character of Yeon Seon-ye.

However, as the colors faded, the direction of her performance changed.

The gaze towards Michiko, the gestures.

The natural smile bore a tenderness reminiscent of a mother directed at her daughter.

Yet, hidden behind that maternal love was a fundamental emotion: compassion.

The love stemming from compassion blocked Michiko.

So her actions felt entirely natural.

‘How did her feelings change so much in such a short span?’

More importantly, was this really Yeon Seon-ye?

Jo Seo-hee continued to watch Ji-yeon’s ongoing performance.

Naturally deflecting Michiko’s words that were thrown like daggers.

And as she composed Michiko’s hair.

She spoke various things while quietly grooming herself.

Her voice was very graceful—not at all like Ji-yeon’s usual impression.

It felt as if it belonged to someone skilled, having dealt with many difficult people.

The tone of her voice.

The tone in her acting.

Those colors were different from Ji-yeon, and Yeon Seon-ye seemed to belong to another person.

Clearly, this performance was based on something else.

‘Could it be?’

Jo Seo-hee looked at Ji-yeon.

Only then did she realize from where Ji-yeon drew this performance.

Realizing this fact, Jo Seo-hee felt that Michiko could smile cheerfully.

“Do you think I’m beautiful?”

“You are more beautiful than any rare gem.”

“I know.”

“You’ll shine the brightest in the room today.”

At that remark, Michiko’s smile twisted even more.

The compassion hidden behind maternal love.

Though she didn’t know the truth, she realized that this maid felt pity for her.

That was something Michiko desperately sought while also pricking her pride.

“I hope those words are sincere.”

Slowly, Michiko’s fan brushed along Yeon Seon-ye’s shoulder.

Grazing her collarbone.

It drew closer to her chin—their faces almost touching as she pressed her fan against Yeon Seon-ye’s lips.

The same fan that had pressed against her own lips moments ago now brushed against Yeon Seon-ye.

“I hate lies the most.”

With that final line, the scene drew to a close.

So seamlessly.

The judges who watched were inwardly astonished.

Even Director Baek Min wore a perplexed expression that defied easy description.

In the corner, Seo-yeon, who was watching the performance, was—

“…….”

Her expression was one of disbelief as she covered her mouth with both hands, unable to contain her astonishment.

Hold on, it wasn’t even a particularly intense love scene.

“And.”

At the same time, a bubbling sensation rose within her.

No wonder, the core of Ji-yeon’s performance was something that Seo-yeon deeply cherished.

Literally, Seo-yeon trembled.

Sensing Seo-yeon’s gaze, Jo Seo-hee thought,

‘Why? What’s going on?’

She could hardly contain her surprise.

After all, in her opinion, Ji-yeon’s audition was incredibly successful!

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