Life is Easier If You’re Handsome

Actor Jang Geonho.

Having achieved numerous hit works, he has risen to the ranks of veteran actors and earns the respect of his juniors.

How did he come to join “[Tale of Stars and Moons]“?

What could possibly be so appealing that he took a taxi and came out early in the morning to prepare for the audition?

The reason was very simple.

‘This is really amazing.’

The moment he saw the script, he could tell how this play would grow.

– Jinwoo, is this going to be you and Han Tae-geon acting together?

– Yes, and Donghu too.

– Donghu?

– Yes, he’s the lead. Are you joining too, sunbae? But I’ll be playing the pilot role.

Even actors whose names alone would not be out of place as leads gathered to join this play for no apparent reason, and Jang Geonho chuckled.

– I guess I have to join too.

– Really?

– Yeah, I should. If I miss this moment, I feel like I’ll regret it for life.

In the past, there were many roles he wanted to play.

But with the pressure of reality and time, he felt his options dwindling.

What is the original intention?

Why did I want to become an actor?

‘Was it when I mimicked Dad in front of Mom?’

Suddenly, he remembered the time his mom praised him, saying he would be great at something like a play and smiled proudly.

Now, after so long, he had forgotten how to bring that memory up, but it came back to him in a flash.

Back then, he didn’t care about money; just seeing his mom smile was enough to make him happy.

‘Maybe this performance could become that again.’

As auditioning actors with great name recognition gathered, no one mentioned anything about pay.

It was incredibly surreal.

And at the same time, it was something that could only be done now.

Now, he could gather actors no longer bound by agency orders and focus solely on pure acting?

That was why Jang Geonho decided to join.

Then what was Seo Jinwoo’s reason?

Was it because Kim Donghu was the lead?

Did he find interest from watching Han Tae-geon?

None of those were it.

The most primal reason.

‘I really wanted to try playing the pilot role.’

As a child, he wanted to be a pilot after watching “[Top Gun],” but due to various circumstances, he gave up that dream and became an actor.

Yet, that childhood dream still flickered like an ember inside Seo Jinwoo.

In fact, if you looked at his home, you would see model airplanes everywhere.

In such a situation, with everything perfectly aligned, and the role being that of a pilot?

‘How could I not take it?’

Han Tae-geon, I’m sorry, but you need to let go of that pilot role.

Jang Geonho and Seo Jinwoo.

The reasons for the participation of these two actors were quite clear.

So perhaps that’s why?

“…Are you really auditioning, sunbae Jang Geonho?”

“I came to audition, so of course, I will. Director, please let me know right away if anything about my acting is strange.”

Actor Jang Geonho jumped right onto the stage and began to prepare for the role.

He admitted he felt nervous since it had been a long time since his last audition, showing a serious commitment to the piece.

Just this alone was enough to make Bong Jinwoo feel pressured and anxious to the point of madness.

On top of this,

Dressed without saying a word, Seo Jinwoo changed into a pilot suit for the audition.

Is this the level of preparation to audition?

For a play created by second-year high school students?

Bong Jinwoo’s eyes widened.

Was what’s in front of him really reality?

Therefore, Bong Jinwoo firmly opened his eyes and blurted out what needed to be said.

“The name of our theater company is, well, Flame!”

Flames ignite.

+++++

The auditions went by really quickly.

And understandably so, as there were actually no candidates to be eliminated.

Originally, when many gathered, it would be decided who to choose.

But as long as everyone present auditioned, they were essentially guaranteed to pass.

Except for one role, that is.

“… Donghu, what should we do in this situation?”

“I’m also kind of flustered right now…”

The pilot.

What in the world is this role that two immensely famous actors, who have only ever played leads in dramas, came rushing in for?

‘I didn’t see this coming either.’

Sunbae Bong Jinwoo looked at me with a desperate expression, but there was nothing I could do in this regard.

Only the director could handle this.

The variable here is that the director had just become a sophomore in high school, whereas the actors auditioning have overwhelmingly impressive careers.

This part was also something the director had to manage.

Since the best ingredients have come together, shouldn’t you at least know how to cook?

In fact, I wondered if Bong Jinwoo thought the same way.

He diligently took notes on the audition, scoring and evaluating.

‘The difference in style between the two actors must mean it’s a matter of preference.’

Han Tae-geon was the type who thoroughly researched his role.

He would analyze what words to say best and what would bring out his charm.

If one were to compare him, he would belong to the diligent student category.

On the other hand, Seo Jinwoo was the type who interpreted the script sensibly upon first glance.

He instinctively finds the peak for the role he has to play.

It’s no wonder he’s often described as being close to a beast in terms of sensibility.

The two types were distinctly different.

But I had a vague idea of which way Bong Jinwoo would lean.

“I think… Seo Jinwoo, sunbae, should play the pilot role.”

“Yes! Got it! I’m the pilot!”

As expected, the pilot role went to Seo Jinwoo.

‘It’s a matter of style.’

The research-oriented style of Han Tae-geon makes ‘Han Tae-geon’ shine.

In other words, he adjusts the role to fit himself.

Conversely, Seo Jinwoo’s style is about fitting himself to the role.

Since the liveliness of the characters was crucial in “[Tale of Stars and Moons],”

in this regard, Seo Jinwoo had no choice but to have the upper hand.

‘But is it really something to be this happy about?’

Just how badly did he want to do it?

While pondering such thoughts,

“Then what role can I take? Just tell me, and I’ll start researching immediately.”

Facing the competition with composure, Han Tae-geon spoke to Bong Jinwoo.

“Y-yes?”

Seeing Bong Jinwoo’s face, which hadn’t even thought of that, Han Tae-geon lightly smiled.

“Are you saying I should just go home since I didn’t get the pilot role, Director?”

“Ah, no! No! I-I’m just surprised! So, um…!”

Fumbling around,

Bong Jinwoo hastily flipped through the script.

When a national actor asks for a different role, who would dare refuse?

“Haha, take your time with that. Just kidding.”

In that sense, should we create a group chat? We need to coordinate schedules.

Upon Han Tae-geon’s suggestion, everyone nodded.

‘How much value will this group chat have?’

Suddenly created in just a few seconds, the group chat.

Jang Geonho, Kim Yu-ryun, Han Tae-geon, Seo Jinwoo, Kim Donghu, Kim Sujin, Jin Myeong-tae, Bong Jinwoo.

The initial members of Theater Flame,

contrary to expectations that the spark would initially burn weakly,

showed an insane momentum from the very beginning.

+++++

Having learned about all the circumstances a bit late,

the sole investor of “[Tale of Stars and Moons]“, Choi Seok-ho, currently found himself.

“…What am I supposed to do with this?”

Suddenly grasping the steering wheel of a large ship, his mind went blank.

It felt like someone had hit him hard on the back of the head.

‘What in the world is happening?’

The only person who needed to be paid was Jin Myeong-tae.

The other members all requested that their budget be entirely invested into the theater.

‘Inviting the children from the orphanage to the theater… to put on a free performance.’

The intention itself was unbelievably good.

Could it possibly start a new social phenomenon?

But to draw such a picture, a lot of money was required.

It wasn’t just a performance in the college district,

to at least reach the Arts Center, additional means were necessary.

And that means was.

“You said I could use the actors as I wanted.”

Came from an aggressive marketing plan.

What method would be used for marketing?

‘Using fan cafes.’

Starting lightly.

Just creating a light breeze.

To that end, Choi Seok-ho immediately picked up his phone.

When it comes to handling the fan cafe, there’s always someone who needs to be consulted.

Tring tring tring.

“Hello?”

“Oh, is it a good time to talk? You’re not busy, are you?”

The official manager of the fan cafe,

with the nickname “FallenPowerActorKimDonghu,”

actually a formally employed genius developer,

and a legitimate business partner currently investing with Kim Donghu.

His name is 바로바로.

“Yes, yes, it’s fine.”

“I was hoping that Kang Sik would tweak the homepage a bit.”

“Renewer, all right?”

“No, it’s not that. Here’s what happened…”

Na Kang Sik.

After explaining the situation to him, who can now be seen as almost a business partner.

“Understood.”

He replied with an unwavering voice, showing his intention to carry out the instructions perfectly.

So now, the worries are over.

Choi Seok-ho busily began drafting a PPT.

With this number of people,

to provide hope to the children, they made the theater.

Who could possibly endure without providing sponsorship?

They must be begging to promote their own products, right?

The current PPT was groundwork for that.

++++++

The Kim Donghu fan cafe had been extraordinarily quiet for the past year.

It was ultimately unavoidable due to Kim Donghu entering a break period.

So perhaps because of that, even journalists barely popped in and out.

Without any leads, there was no reason for them to stay long.

“Is there nothing…?”

He thought today would be that kind of day.

Entertainment journalists, with cigarettes in their mouths, entered the Kim Donghu fan cafe.

And in that moment.

“Um?!”

He sensed a change strong enough to make him stand up.

The moment he entered the fan cafe, he immediately spotted an announcement.

“Kim Donghu… igniting flames? Theater Flame…?”

What is this? Are they saying they’re doing a play?

“Suddenly?”

Without hesitation, he clicked.

And looking at the members of that theater,

“Ed-Editor! Editor! No, hey! Hey! Where are you! Come here!”

He shouted, forgetting about the hierarchical relationship.

This was a phenomenon occurring among all entertainment reporters.

In their minds, there was only one thought.

This is,

going to work.