Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 53

53. Idol Acting

If he were told to play an outright villain, Rembrary would have done a great job. He could just imitate one of the demons he had met so far. Each of them was so unique that it wouldn’t be hard to mimic them.

However, the acting that the director and writer Shim Kyung were asking for was too abstract.

In the end, when Rembrary couldn’t make any progress, the director told him to skip it for now and asked the next actor to read the script.

Rembrary only had that one line in the first episode, so there was no problem after that.

However, when they moved on to the script for the second episode, they were blocked again at Rembrary’s turn.

Unlike the first episode, which introduced the characters’ personalities, jobs, and relationships, the second episode was when the characters began to get seriously entangled.

Having regained his memories, Deungbaek (Maeng Wooshin) abruptly stopped the mass [religious service], ran out retching, and shuddered at the recurring sensation of death and hatred for God.

Deungbaek tried to calm himself down by taking a break, saying he wasn’t feeling well, but the more he did, the clearer the sensations of his past life became.

Later, he couldn’t even distinguish whether he was his past self or his present self, or what was the present.

In the midst of this, a toothache came on, and Deungbaek went to a nearby dentist, where he met Yang Heung (Lim Yuhan), who had been arguing with her friend in the first episode.

She was saying to her friend, “God doesn’t exist. People believe in God because they want to believe in God, not because God exists,” which remained in Deungbaek’s memory. Not in a good way, of course.

Yang Heung also recognized Deungbaek lying on the examination table and scoffed, teasing him.

Yang Heung: Aren’t you the priest who glared at me in his clerical robe before? Why? Seems like God can’t protect your teeth?

Deungbaek: ······

Yang Heung: Let’s see… Ah. You have a cavity.

Deungbaek: Is it bad?

Yang Heung: Yes. You didn’t protect the precious teeth God gave you.

Deungbaek: Do you always talk to patients like this?

Yang Heung: It depends on the person. I’ll treat you right away. The anesthesia will sting.

Deungbaek was lying on the dental examination table with his mouth open when he realized that Yang Heung had the same face as his girlfriend in his past life. The composition of being held in her arms overlapped with the current composition, and it became clear.

When Deungbaek opened his mouth and sobbed, Yang Heung was taken aback and asked,

“Does it hurt that much?”

It was a few scenes later, after Deungbaek returned to the parish church, that ‘Limseo,’ played by Rembrary, appeared.

Deungbaek returns with his cheek swollen from the dental treatment and his eyes swollen from crying while looking at Yang Heung.

Limseo sees Deungbaek and makes a ‘very slight’ surprised expression.

Limseo: Does it hurt?

Deungbaek: Of course, it hurts. Have you never been to the dentist?

Limseo points to Deungbaek’s swollen cheek and asks with a faint smile.

Limseo: Can I touch it?

Deungbaek: What?

Limseo: Can you tell me how much it hurts?

It was a part that subtly revealed that Limseo had no empathy for other people’s feelings or pain.

Rembrary was happy that his lines had increased from one in the first episode to three in the second episode, but the director and writer Shim Kyung’s expressions darkened.

Eventually, they dragged on that part again, and it was time for a break.

* * *

Rembrary went out to the hallway, leaned against the railing, and stared blankly out the window.

It may be different for other people, but for Rembrary, singing was definitely easier than acting.

Still, Rembrary tried his best to grasp the emotions of the character ‘Limseo’ that writer Shim Kyung was talking about.

Before becoming a high priest, he often counseled believers. Based on that experience, he tried to listen to the voice of ‘Limseo,’ thinking that he was alive.

‘A character who can’t feel emotions… A character who knows that other people have emotions, but it’s completely unknown to them…’

Rembrary closed his eyes and slowly raised his hand.

Deungbaek is in front of him, his cheek swollen from dental treatment.

A normal person would think, ‘That must hurt,’ and frown, but Limseo is just curious.

He’s thinking, why did that normal face become like that?

He just wants to touch it because his cheek is swollen.

It’s amazing that the other person hurts when he touches it…

At that moment, a soft sensation touched his fingertips. Actually.

Rembrary was surprised and opened his eyes.

Lim Yuhan, who played the female lead, was standing there with her eyes wide open. It wasn’t Deungbaek’s cheek that Rembrary had touched, but Lim Yuhan’s cheek.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

Rembrary awkwardly lowered his hand.

“Were you practicing?”

Lim Yuhan asked with a smirk.

“Yes.”

“I thought so. Your expression just now was really good.”

“Did I seem like Limseo?”

“Yeah. It seemed like you were getting a good grasp of it.”

Two disposable cups wrapped in brown paper were held out in front of Rembrary.

As he accepted both of them without realizing it, Lim Yuhan smiled brightly and said.

“Coffee. Drink it and keep going.”

“But why two?”

“I didn’t know if you liked strong or sweet. I told you to choose according to your taste.”

“Ah.”

When Rembrary chose the coffee with a lot of cream, Lim Yuhan took the other coffee back, put the straw in her mouth, and winked at Rembrary.

Rembrary didn’t know what it was, but he winked back and put the straw in his mouth.

“Cough.”

Lim Yuhan let out a short, airy laugh when she saw that.

Why is she laughing? Rembrary thought questioningly, but he was busy sucking coffee through the straw.

Jongwoo was only providing the members with enough food to not die, saying that they had to get in shape before their comeback these days. He had to eat hard at opportunities like this.

Lim Yuhan stared at Rembrary and asked.

“Shall I practice with you?”

“All my scenes are conversations with Senior Maeng Wooshin.”

“I’ll take Wooshin’s turn. It’s easier to practice with a partner since it’s not a monologue scene.”

Rembrary thought Lim Yuhan was very kind.

There were many celebrities who were nice in front of the camera, but Lim Yuhan was the first celebrity who was nice when the camera wasn’t around.

If this were his original world, Rembrary would have blessed Lim Yuhan.

When Rembrary nodded, Lim Yuhan skillfully imitated Deungbaek’s expression.

* * *

Watching them from afar, Jongwoo instructed Sagamjae.

“Gamjae, later, when I’m not with you and you’re following Yeonwoo’s personal schedule.”

“Yes.”

“Never leave Yeonwoo and Lim Yuhan together.”

“Why is that?”

“Why do you think? I’m afraid they’ll start dating!”

“Is it wrong to date?”

“They can date after the idol stuff is over, but not now. Even if Keshi is like that, Yeonwoo is the most popular in our group. Do you know how much Yeonwoo fans are ridiculed online for being Yeonwoo fans? They take all the abuse and defend Yeonwoo, but what if Yeonwoo is dating a pure and beautiful actress, neglecting the fans? They’ll be disillusioned and leave in droves. If he dates, the next album and everything will be over after Wild Animal.”

Jongwoo looked very worried, but Sagamjae smiled nonchalantly and said.

“You don’t have to worry.”

“Why? Do you know something? Does Yeonwoo say he’s not interested in dating?”

“That’s not it, but generally, humans with that kind of energy aren’t interested in procreation.”

What nonsense is he talking about again? Jongwoo stared at Sagamjae with narrowed eyes.

Sagamjae was calmly observing Yeonwoo and Lim Yuhan.

Looking at his handsome profile, Jongwoo seriously considered. Shouldn’t I tell the CEO that we need to hire a new recruit or re-hire?

* * *

After the break, the script reading started again from the first episode.

Rembrary recited the few lines as he had practiced with Lim Yuhan earlier, and thinking about the psychological state of Limseo that he had guessed.

It was much better than before. The natural yet alien sensation was clear.

However, the awkward feeling that writer Shim Kyung and the director wanted was still lacking.

The second episode was the same, and even when writer Shim Kyung took Rembrary aside and had him read the script separately, it didn’t improve.

In the end, writer Shim Kyung sighed and said,

“Wait a moment.”

And left the room with the director.

Other cast members either felt sorry for Yeonwoo or cursed him in their hearts.

In particular, some of the cast members who hated idols acting felt a subtle sense of pleasure that Wooyeonwoo’s acting skills were terrible.

Viewers hated idols transitioning into actors, but if they were good at acting, they would change their minds and send messages of support.

However, for cast members who had a hard time getting roles, they hated idols who were good at acting as much as idols who were bad at acting.

The more they broke the prejudice that ‘idols can’t act,’ the more idols would transition into acting, which they thought would ultimately reduce their position and opportunities.

If he were the lead, they would force themselves to support him for the sake of the work, but Yeonwoo wasn’t one of those cases. He didn’t help drive the story forward, so there was no forced support.

Some actors who particularly disliked Wooyeonwoo hoped that Wooyeonwoo would completely collapse with this work and withdraw from acting.

Writer Shim Kyung and the director reappeared after about 30 minutes and announced that today’s reading was over and they could go home.

However, they asked Rembrary to stay behind separately, and the actors left the room with various thoughts.

Jongwoo was anxious and watched writer Shim Kyung and the director. Why did they tell him to stay? Could it be that they’re going to break the contract now? Are they going to drop him from the work? Are they going to remove the few lines, even though there aren’t many? All sorts of anxious thoughts came to mind.

However, writer Shim Kyung’s words were completely unexpected.

“I discussed it with the director, Wooyeonwoo.”

“Yes.”

“Um. First, can you read the lines here in your usual style? No, not your usual style, but in the way you’re most confident.”

Writer Shim Kyung pointed to the first episode script.

“Senior. Why are you crying here?”

Rembrary used the kind and benevolent tone that he was most confident in.

Writer Shim Kyung nodded and exchanged glances with the director.

Jongwoo was nervous and watched their expressions, which were surprisingly not bad.

Writer Shim Kyung pointed to the second episode script this time and said.

“Do these lines too.”

“Does it hurt? ······Can I touch it? ······Can you tell me how much it hurts?”

When Rembrary spoke kindly and gently this time as well, writer Shim Kyung said, “Okay,” and lightly tapped the desk.

“Whether he speaks awkwardly or kindly, the twist will come later anyway. It doesn’t seem like it will affect the story, so let’s just change it to this.”

“Change it to what?”

“Originally, it was ‘a character who speaks awkwardly because he’s imitating emotions,’ but let’s just make it ‘a character who speaks warmly because he’s imitating a good person.’ That would be better.”

It was a proposal that Rembrary had nothing to lose.

He agreed, and Rembrary’s character was immediately changed.

* * *

On the way back, Jongwoo sarcastically sneered at Rembrary.

“How is it? Don’t you have anything to feel from today’s events?”

“Your eye for talent sucks, Jongwoo.”

“What?”

“Including the CEO and the acting teacher. You said my acting was natural, but both the writer and the director were dissatisfied.”

“Hey, you bastard. Don’t blame others in a solemn tone. Shouldn’t you be saying that you’ll work harder, that you need to practice acting more?”

“It’s easier to blame others, so why bother.”

“No, don’t say things like that out loud!”