Chapter 71:


    Lee Hyejin pressed the phone screen with trembling hands.


    [@dwfgwWs OMG, Yooil met with the Wandering Theater team? (Screenshot of the post)]


    The captured post was a sighting report uploaded on amunity forum.


    <i>Gosh!''</i>


    Zooming into the blurry photo from the post, Lee Hyejin gasped.


    Though taken from a distance and blurry, the side profile was unmistakably Han Yooil.


    [@yuulll_33 Is it real that Han Yooil is joining Wandering Theater???]


    [@asdfew OMG I heard Um Jiyoung, Moon Yuhwa, and Yoon Se are in it too]


    [@dbdlf_fgdsecd Never thought of thisbo OMG]


    [@jfdrr Wandering Theater + UmMoonYoon and now Yooil OMG]


    [@yuulll_33 Can''t wait, seriously,,,]


    Holding her phone with an excited face, Lee Hyejin forgot all about her ruined course registration.


    The filming had just begun, and it would be a while before the broadcast


    <i>I can''t wait to watch it.''</i>


    Recently, Lee Hyejin learned that even waiting could be a driving force in life.


    It was the first realization she had as a Mooyi.


    * * *


    "Great work, Mr. Actor!"


    Han Yooil also bowed deeply in response.


    Like the first screening, the closing ceremony also passed in a whirlwind.


    Hours of makeup, several interviews, and the shes that came with it  the film festival went by in a sh.


    Yooil saw off Gu Chanik and Hwang Yiwon as they returned to Korea.


    Take care in your filming, Yooil. Let''s go fishing together if we match schedules next time.


    See you back in Korea.


    And now, Yooil was at the lodging arranged by the <Wandering Theater: The First Time> team.


    Comefortably, reallyfortably!


    Reassured by those words, Yooil was a bit taken aback upon arriving at the lodging.


    "Oh my~ Yu PD, did you get us this friend?"


    "How old are you? Look at that skin, so fair~"


    "My daughter is such a big fan~ I''m so thrilled to meet you~"


    Han Yooil was surrounded by three actors, sitting on the couch.


    The bouquet and cake Yooil had prepared were barely noticeable amid thevish food prepared by the <Wandering Theater> production team.


    <i>They seemed so charismatic on screen.''</i>


    Um Jiyoung with her short, sharp haircut and piercing eyes, often ying intellectual roles. Moon Yuhwa, famous for her natural curly hair,rge eyes, and a slightly angr jaw, known for her unique roles. Yoon Se, who debuted as Miss Korea but immediately gained the title of a serious actor after her first work.


    These were actors one wouldn''t easily meet unless they worked together on a project.


    Even Brion had once said this when he first heard their names.


    Actors Um Jiyoung, Moon Yuhwa, and Yoon Se are all alumni of the Korean National University of Arts, Theatre Department. Known as the most serious and intimidating actors on set, famous among their juniors.


    It was certainly the case.


    "Wow, it''s too noisy! Everyone! We have to shoot the opening, so please quiet down a bit so we can hear Han Yooil''s voice, okay?"


    Pleadingly, Yu Jihyuk PD addressed the three actors who, instead of quieting down, each threw in a remark.


    "Come on~ Are we children? Jihyuk, we''re just excited to see you! Excited!"


    "That''s right, how grateful are we. A young friend hase to meet us with a cake and a bouquet~"


    "So admirable, so admirable!"


    Yooil, amidst the booming voices, just offered a faint smile.


    As the briefmotion settled, the official opening began.


    "Do you know what y we are going to put on this time?"


    At Yu Jihyuk PD''s question, Yooil nodded.


    Thanks to the script sent in advance by the Yurang Troupe, he was well informed.


    "I heard it''s The Picture of Dorian Gray''."


    "Correct~!"


    Yu Jihyuk PD responded cheerfully.


    Oscar Wilde''s The Picture of Dorian Gray'', published in 1890, is a gothic novel representing aestheticism.


    Yu PD pointed to the script on the table and eximed vivaciously.


    "This is a new adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray'' for you, written by ywright Gu Yuri. You three have read it already, right?"


    "We''ve memorized it already."


    "Already~?!"


    Yu Jihyuk PD eximed dramatically. Um Jiyoung and Moon Yuhwa nced at him yfully and said,


    "Hey PD! We are actors, remember?"


    "We received it a month ago. Of course, we''ve memorized it all~"


    "Right. I was curious, how did you find the script, Mr. Yooil?"


    At Yoon Se''s friendly question, Yooil smiled and answered,


    "I really enjoyed reading it."


    "I heard from the manager that you stayed up all night reading the script!" Yu Jihyuk PD chimed in, to which Yooilughed awkwardly.


    In truth, it was because he and Brion were experimenting with various acting methods.


    The Picture of Dorian Gray'' featured the beautiful yet increasingly vile Dorian Gray, Lord Henry who led him into a life of hedonism, and Basil, the painter of Dorian Gray''s portrait''. The story follows Dorian Gray who, in pursuit of eternal youth, is willing to sacrifice even his soul, and eventually faces his terrible, corrupted soul  his own portrait, and meets his end by driving a knife into it.


    The adapted y retained the mood and the overall framework of the original.


    While superficially, the main difference was that all the lead actors were women, there was another significant change.


    It was the cement of Dorian Gray''s portrait'' at the center of the stage.


    The characters all faced the backstage, discussing the story while looking at the reversed canvas.


    While the characters'' names and basic storylines were simr, the characters underwent major and minor changes through the adaptation. However, it was straightforward enough to be understood by anyone watching the y from the beginning.


    "But what is our Yooil doing here?"


    "Wait, is Yooil in the y too?"


    "No, sis. He''se all this way, he has to join us on stage."


    It was a question that had been asked since the first meeting.


    And Han Yooil, upon receiving the script for the y, had a role he wanted to perform.


    "I"


    Yooil opened his mouth.


    "!"


    The response startled the three actors, exchanging nces of confusion.


    "Is it feasible? Time is incredibly short."


    The director, catching the writer''s nce, fiddled with the camera.


    One of the many cameras began to zoom in on Yooil''s face.


    Han Yooil looked calm in the camera''s frame, a face devoid of worry.


    At the end of that tranquility was an unbreakable resolve.


    Seeing Yooil''s face, Yu PD chuckled.


    Truth be told, he hadn''t fully trusted Han Yooil either.


    until he saw the video shown by the second PD.


    Having seen that video, he feltpelled to actively ce Han Yooil on the stage.


    Yu Jihyuk PD continued.


    "Actually, we were going to ask Mr. Yooil for a minor role with almost no lines. But after reading the y, the actor himself gave his input."


    "Oh my!"


    "So, the ywright made a separate version with Mr. Yooil in mind."


    Um Jiyoung and Moon Yuhwa''s eyes widened slightly. A mix of surprise and skepticism colored their gaze.


    "It''s great for us. But isn''t the rehearsal period too short?"


    "We have only one or two days, not even a week."


    Moreover, the performance was scheduled for just two dayster.


    ""


    Yoon Se''s well-groomed eyebrows rose.


    Even though it''s a paid gig for a reality show, this was still acting''.


    The reason she and her agency epted <Wandering Theater: The First Time> was singr.


    It was a travel-healing acting'' reality show.


    <i>Hmm I thought he was a serious guy?''</i>


    He was still a young actor. Perhaps in youthful folly, he had blurted out something rash.


    Maybe he was blindly trusting the power of editing.


    She looked at Han Yooil, chin in hand.


    He seemed like a pure and polite young man, which she liked a bit.


    Yoon Se lifted the corners of her mouth, concealing a faint disappointment deep within.


    However, a few hourster, as soon as the acting rehearsal with Han Yooil began, Yoon Se found herself forgetting all her previous thoughts.


    * * *


    As the rehearsalmenced, the three actors transformed into entirely different people.


    "In my life I''ve never seen someone so beautiful."


    Um Jiyoung, ying the painter Basil, murmured dreamily.


    "Youth is fleeting, Dorian. You must enjoy this moment!"


    Moon Yuhwa, as Lord Henry, stretched out her arms and eximed to the void.


    "If I could remain young forever, if the painting aged in my stead, if only that were possible I''d do anything. I''d sacrifice anything even my soul."


    Yoon Se kneeled, her eyes sparkling.


    The entire scene was surreal.


    The Wandering Theater production team watched, holding their breath, as the actors performed.


    It was as if the actors had forgotten that anyone else was even there.


    "Wow."


    The junior writer sped her hands together, noticing they had grown damp with nervousness.


    <i>This season''s cast is no joke.''</i>


    With their extensive acting experience and history on the stage, the rehearsal was extraordinary.


    However, amidst them stood an individual who was not overshadowed, drawing attention time and again.


    Han Yooil.


    A young actor among seasoned performers.


    Compared to the others, he was maintaining a static posture. Yet, the subtle changes in his expression and the slight movements of his fingertips made it impossible to take one''s eyes off him.


    <i>How can he do that without saying a single line yet?''</i>


    However, the junior writer didn''t know yet that it was too early to be surprised.


    * * *


    True to the name Wandering Theater'', their y was to be performed on a makeshift stage set up on a grassywn.


    Although it was an outdoor stage, the y was to be presented with German and English subtitles on the screen.


    It might not have been avish indoor theater, but thanks to the generous production budget, the outdoor setting looked quite impressive.


    Enough to make passersby take a second nce.


    "What''s that?"


    When his friend spoke with an excited voice, Bruno had a bad premonition.


    And that premonition was right on target. His friend, eyes shining, began leading him away from their intended destination, towards the grassywn.


    "Bruno! Look!!"


    Bruno sighed and looked around. Cameras and filming equipment were set up all around.


    A movie? Or a documentary, perhaps.


    While Bruno was pondering disinterestedly, his friend jumped on the spot and shouted.


    "Wow! I know that show! It''s a variety show, really famous in Korea!"


    "Jay, as you know, I''m not interested in K-POP."


    "It''s not about music, it''s a y! Bruno, doesn''t it sound fascinating?!"


    "Maybe. But I''m pretty tired."


    "Just give it 10 minutes! You''re curious, aren''t you?"


    Compelled by his friend''s pleading, Bruno reluctantly made his way and settled down on the grass.


    <i>How impressive could it be, anyway.''</i>


    He had grown up in Germany, attending numerous theaters from a young age with his parents.


    In truth, he wasn''t much of a theater enthusiast himself. It was more out of familiarity due to his parents, who were fervent fans of theater and ballet.


    "10 minutes. After that, we''re leaving."


    However, Bruno didn''t know yet.


    Instead of just 10 minutes, he would find himself rooted to the spot, unable to leave until the y was over.