I Don’t Want to Play Villains Anymore - Chapter 3

You have talent.

The audition room was filled with a different kind of stillness than Haneul’s previous performances.

Before, it was a stunned silence of awe at Haneul’s visuals.

Now, it was an overwhelming sense of something divine emanating from a small child’s body, something utterly unbelievable.

That was Baek Ha-neul’s acting.

The fingertips of the committee members twitched slightly.

Some of them were still gasping for breath.

At that moment,

“…Haneul, have you really never acted before?”

Director Jung Hee-chang quietly spoke.

He knew how foolish his question was because the application had clearly stated there was no prior experience.

Yet, he could think of no other words.

“Yes.”

Haneul nodded.

Her small body was very composed, and her gaze was steady and calm.

She was not lying.

In this life, it was her first.

However, that answer only complicated the minds of the committee members even further.

“It’s your first time?”

“Is that what you can do?”

One of the committee members muttered quietly.

They had seen many child actors up to this point.

The skills in acting are built through training and experience.

In other words, if it’s a child seeing an audition for the first time, there’s a high possibility that even basic emotional expressions are immature.

But just now, Baek Ha-neul—

Had transcended simple emotional acting and completely dominated the scene.

The energy erupting from her small body,

The emotion overwhelmingly conveyed even without a camera.

Even the very air was governed by her presence.

Is this really what a child experiencing their ‘first audition’ could achieve?

At that moment, Jung Hee-chang unconsciously took a step back.

What is this?

A pressure more intense than when he first witnessed the performance washed over him.

This was no simple ‘recreation.’

Even though she performed the same scene as before,

There was something deeper.

This is not a skill acquired through hard work.

It is not the kind of acting that simply accumulates with experience.

This is ‘innate.’

Jung Hee-chang inhaled quietly.

And looked back at the committee members.

They too were silent.

Not a single word.

At that moment,

One of the committee members slowly leaned forward and quietly said,

“This could be broadcast-worthy.”

Someone laughed softly.

“Well, it won’t be a variety show but some kind of talent discovery program.”

But that statement was not just a joke.

It was their certainty and acknowledgment.

The answer had already been decided.

Baek Ha-neul.

She is not a child actor.

She is a ‘real actor.’

At that moment,

Jung Hee-chang smiled briefly and then slowly opened his mouth.

“Haneul.”

“Yes?”

You have talent, he intended to say, but stopped himself.

“In the world…”

“Let’s go, Su-a. We can’t compete with that.”

“Seriously, why did they bring someone like that?”

“It’s just absurd…”

The reactions of those around him were already speaking the words he intended to say.

“The main event will be around the weekend. Await our good news.”

It’ll probably be good news.

“Dad, I was surprised.”

“Really?”

He didn’t look surprised at all.

In fact, he seemed so calm that I thought my performance wasn’t that good.

It was the first time I had done something other than a villain role since starting to learn acting.

To be fair, the charismatic role of Yeomra was somewhat similar to a villain.

I quietly stared at my dad’s face.

However, he just lifted his coffee cup slowly with the hand not on the steering wheel, still wearing a calm expression.

“You don’t look surprised at all.”

Then Dad chuckled and took a sip of coffee.

“I’m not really someone who expresses emotions.”

I frowned slightly.

That’s true.

Dad isn’t one to easily show emotions on his face.

His expression is so emotionless that it feels cold.

Still, since he was a professional actor, I was used to reading the emotional changes in people.

But it was really difficult to read what my dad was feeling.

“Then you’re not feeling any emotions now?”

I asked while examining him.

Dad slowly turned to look at me.

And after a moment’s pause,

“No.”

That short reply came back.

“I was really surprised.”

I looked at my dad, astonished.

“…But there’s no emotional change?”

“There’s no need for me to express that on my face.”

I was momentarily dumbfounded.

‘Wait, you were surprised but didn’t show it?’

When then would he express emotions?

I felt a strange feeling but at the same time felt somewhat relieved.

So my acting wasn’t that bad.

But…

“Still, it’s really scary if you don’t express emotions.”

I puffed my cheeks and complained.

“There should be a bit of admiration or at least a compliment during times like this.”

Then Dad looked at me quietly.

And for just a moment, he smiled very subtly.

“Yeah.”

He said in a low voice.

“Your acting was excellent.”

I was taken aback.

To hear such direct praise from him was unexpected.

“…Ah, it’s a bit embarrassing for you to say that.”

I awkwardly fidgeted with my hands to avoid eye contact with him.

But Dad added nonchalantly.

“And it was beyond my expectations.”

With that, I was surprised again.

If Dad thought it surpassed expectations…

Did I really perform well?

I bit my lip and contemplated again.

The acting I did during this audition.

The emotional depth and acting style needed to portray the character Yeomra.

It was somewhat similar to a villain and yet not quite a perfect performance either.

After all, I had been doing this for a lifetime.

It would be a bit unfair if I couldn’t do even that.

An absolute presence.

Strong charisma.

Overwhelming the air with just a single line.

As a result, there was not much of a gap from the ‘usual’ roles I had played as an actor.

However…

This time, it was definitely not just a villain.

Yeomra is not just a villain but a being that determines the order of the world.

His words become law, and when he decides, even gods must yield.

He is not swayed by mere emotions.

Thus, I had to approach the way I ‘express emotions’ in a completely different manner.

‘…This was my first experience without emotions.’

I acted as naturally as possible.

Yet, the adults were overwhelmed by what they saw.

It was strange.

I had just performed as usual.

I felt a peculiar sensation.

Maybe something that had been suppressed in my previous life was finally awakening for the first time.

‘…This life will be different.’

I quietly clenched my fists.

“Dad.”

I looked at Dad again and spoke up.

“I will try any kind of acting from now on.”

Whether it’s a villain or a leading character.

Whether it’s a role suppressing emotions or one exploding in them.

I am no longer simply a child actor.

I will become a real actor.

Dad watched me silently.

Within his cold demeanor, a very subtle emotion flickered.

And then he nodded.

“Sure.”

That single word contained support stronger than any grand statement.

I smiled at Dad, feeling a burst of warmth.

“Seriously, you really lack charm…”

“…Where did you learn that?”

Dad stopped mid-motion, raising his coffee cup to his lips.

‘Ah, saying something that a five-year-old shouldn’t say…’

This was when the charm of a great actor should show.

I pretended to think for a moment, bringing my hands to my lips.

“Where did I learn it~?”

Honestly, it was embarrassing.

But I had to do this much to appear like a five-year-old.

Dad narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

“Haneul.”

“Yes?”

“Do your friends use that kind of language too?”

“I haven’t gone to kindergarten yet.”

Dad inhaled very subtly.

His cold expression remained expressionless, but I caught a glimpse of a slight flustering within him.

‘Ah, I misspoke.’

I quickly calculated in my head.

I needed to pass through this without raising too much suspicion.

Too much explanation would only raise doubts.

I nodded naturally and said, “I heard it on TV.”

“TV?”

“Yes. That… in a program with actors.”

Dad stared at me quietly.

His gaze carried a hint of suspicion.

But I continued steadfastly.

“Oh, right. It was from ‘The Birth of an Actor!’”

This time, Dad’s gaze shifted slightly.

“…The Birth of an Actor?”

“Yes! There’s a show where new actors perform. One of the judges said, ‘This actor performs well, but lacks charm~’”

Dad continued to scrutinize me.

I was sweating internally.

‘This should be okay, right?’

“Anyway, the conclusion was… oh, right!”

I waved my hands slightly as I spoke.

“To be a lead, you need charm! Supporting roles don’t need it! That’s what he said.”

Dad still stared at me in silence.

And after a very brief silence, he chuckled.

“If it’s not a lead but a supporting role?”

“Then obviously it wouldn’t matter.”

I answered firmly.

“But Dad, you are the lead of our family, aren’t you?”

“…”

Dad briefly set down his coffee cup.

And then, he slightly turned his head and muttered as if to himself.

“…You take after your mother.”

I smiled a bit.

“Is Mom also lacking in charm?”

“No, the opposite.”

Dad said with a sigh.

“Too much of it is a problem.”

“Haha…”

After our little banter, we returned home.

The event scheduled for the weekend was indeed good news, as Director Jung Hee-chang had mentioned.

[Congratulations on your debut in the entertainment industry. Baek Ha-neul.]

This was the first evidence that I had broken out of my past self, who only took on dull roles.