I Returned as a High School Girl

Ji Han-Seok and Je-Woon were seated in the waiting room and being dead focused on their scripts before the audition began. They could be considered the current two most popular male actors in Korea, so it was unprecedented that two such actors would be competing so hard for one role.

It just went to show how desirable the role of Min Woo-Chan was. However, it was not because the character was so perfectly written but because a kiss scene with Ra-Eun was on the line; that was practically the only reason.

Han-Seok, who had been focused on the script, spoke first, “Thanks.”

Je-Woon tilted his head in confusion from Han-Seok’s sudden expression of gratitude.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“No, it’s just... I thought you would refuse the audition suggestion.”

Technically speaking, this audition to choose the actor to play the role of Min Woo-Chan had absolutely nothing in it for Je-Woon, since he had already been given the role by Director Yoon Tae-Yoon personally.

Even if Han-Seok had boycotted the role, the production team could just cast someone else for Nam Yun-Seok. In the end, Han-Seok would be the only one to lose out. Han-Seok wanted to express his gratitude to Je-Woon, who had still decided to accept Han-Seok’s challenge despite that.

Je-Woon chuckled. “I know you have feelings for Ra-Eun. And of course, so do I. I accepted your challenge so that we could have an epic showdown between men, so don’t mention it.”

Like Je-Woon had said, both of them already knew that they liked the same woman. The two of them liked each other as friends as much as they both liked Ra-Eun as a woman. Hence, Je-Woon wanted to honor Han-Seok’s feelings for Ra-Eun since he also felt the same, which was why he had agreed to the audition showdown.

“Let’s both do our best so that we don’t have any regrets.”

Han-Seok energetically nodded. Moments later, a staff member opened the door and let them know that it was time.

“We’ll be beginning the audition. Both of you, please come in.”

“Both of us?”

“Yes.”

The production team had made it so that they could watch each other’s audition performance. The two men didn’t know if it had been the idea of the director or another staff member, but they were thankful since they might not have been able to accept it if they were just given the result without being able to see each other’s performances.

Je-Woon got up from his seat first.

“Let’s go, Han-Seok.”

Han-Seok nodded and followed the staff member.

***

The two men entered the audition room. The peaceful air was replaced with that of anxiety in an instant. The judges were seated side to side, and Director Yoon, who was seated in the middle, coughed to focus everyone’s attention on him.

“Let’s begin right away. Who would like to...”

The order was very important. As Director Yoon was about to ask who would like to go first...

“I’d like to go first,” said Han-Seok as he raised his hand.

.

His actions reflected his brimming confidence. He laid down his script and walked toward the judges. Before beginning his performance, he glanced at Ra-Eun sitting neatly on the right-hand side, completely expressionless. Han-Seok had suggested the audition showdown all for her, signifying his deep love for her.

Han-Seok met eyes with Ra-Eun momentarily, to which she then subtly nodded. That gave Han-Seok all the determination that he needed.

“Here I go.”

His performance had finally begun.

***

The scenes that Han-Seok and Je-Woon would be acting out today were #7-3 and #16-1. Both were important scenes that greatly reflected Min Woo-Chan’s personality.

Scene #7-3 was when Woo-Chan was at a bar with friends. Han-Seok acted as if he was downing a glass of soju.

“...Fine. I like Seo-Mi. Are you happy now? Are you refreshed now that I finally got it off my chest?”

The combination of alcohol and a sensitive topic was bound to make anyone emotionally disturbed. Han-Seok slightly raised his tone of voice so that such emotions would be portrayed better. His movements, gaze and the slightly inebriated manner of speaking gave the feeling that he really was at a bar to the judges.

“I know... that Yun-Seok also likes Seo-Mi. But what do you want me to do?! You want me to betray Yun-Seok and confess to Seo-Mi after all this time? We’ve known each other for over seven years! Seven! I don’t... want to ruin the friendship we have for just one confession...”

One of the judges sighed in amazement as Han-Seok dropped his head down. Min Woo-Chan’s inner conflict was vividly delivered to the judges. Actors had the ability to move people’s hearts and emotions. Considering that, Han-Seok had displayed the best performance he could possibly give at this very moment.

They then moved on to scene #16-1, when Nam Yun-Seok decided to confess to Kang Seo-Mi. Min Woo-Chan would hide his feelings and force himself to cheer Yun-Seok on.

“Yeah. You’ve made the right choice, man. Seo-Mi... has probably been waiting for you to confess all this time.”

Han-Seok had portrayed the conflict between love and friendship very well. The judges showered him with applause as soon as his performance was over. Je-Woon also clapped along with them. It had been a flawless performance. Ra-Eun was considerably shocked by how good Han-Seok had been.

‘He... sure can act.’

Ra-Eun was also a considerably talented actress, but she felt like she had learned something from watching Han-Seok’s performance.

“Next up is Je-Woon,” Director Yoon said.

Je-Woon smiled awkwardly. “I’m kind of feeling pressured from having to perform right after Han-Seok.”

The judges knew very well that Je-Woon was not just being weak. That was how amazing Han-Seok’s performance was. However, Je-Woon’s performance did not fall behind at all.

In scene #7-3, compared to Han-Seok, who had slightly raised his voice...

“...I know... that Yun-Seok also likes Seo-Mi. But... what do you want me to do?”

...Je-Woon’s performance was one of forcibly suppressing his emotions. It showed that two different actors could interpret one character in different ways.

“I know that we’ve known each other for over seven years. I don’t... want to ruin the friendship we have for just one confession. If that happens, I know it’ll destroy me.”

Je-Woon had even ad-libbed a line at the end, having interpreted that Woo-Chan would most likely say something like this. Director Yoon’s expression turned into one of complexity. They moved on to scene #16-1 before the reason for his expression could be revealed.

Je-Woon once again enacted the scene while suppressing his emotions. It was the scene where Woo-Chan would cheer Yun-Seok on in his decision to confess to Seo-Mi. It may have just been due to the nature of the scene, but the judges felt like Je-Woon’s portrayal of Woo-Chan fit better in this scene.

The camera director whispered to Director Yoon, “Je-Woon is no joke either.”

“I’ll say. They’re both far too talented as actors.”

That only made their decision even more difficult. Director Yoon asked for the two actors’ understanding as he twirled his pen around.

“Thank you very much, both of you. We’d like to have a discussion among ourselves, so could you please stand by in the waiting room? It won’t take long... no, it might take a bit of time.”

Director Yoon corrected himself after seeing the faces of the other judges. It didn’t seem like they would come to a decision anytime soon. The decision they would be making would completely change the nature of the film, so they needed to take some time to make such an important decision.

Han-Seok and Je-Woon replied as if they could take as much time as they needed.

“We’d appreciate it if you could take as much consideration in the decision as you can.”

“We’ve decided to accept the results as they are, no matter how it turns out.”

The two men exchanged glances with each other and smiled. Although it was a showdown, they had come to the realization after watching each other’s performances that it wouldn’t be strange for either of them to get the role.

***

The discussion began as soon as the two men left to go to the waiting room.

“What should we do?” Director Yoon asked.

None of the judges could reply to him.

“They were both amazing. Both of their interpretations of Min Woo-Chan were great in their own right. Honestly speaking, we could go with either, and it would be perfect.” 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝒏𝙤𝒗𝒆𝒍．𝒄𝙤𝙢

That was why it was even more of a problem. It was not like they could give one role to both of the actors.

“But if you had to choose one of the two, which would it be?” Director Yoon asked.

All judges except for him and Ra-Eun each gave their votes. It was 3 vs. 3.

“We’re tied.”

The two actors were practically equal.

Director Yoon then asked Ra-Eun, “What do you think, Ra-Eun?”

A fellow actor’s perspective was bound to be different from a simple judge’s perspective. Not only that, this audition was one to choose who would be her true love interest in the film, so her decision was more important than all else.

After much thought, Ra-Eun answered, “They were both so good that I honestly can’t decide.”

Ra-Eun handed the winning vote to Director Yoon. His choice would decide who would get the role of Min Woo-Chan. The one that he chose after much thought was...

***

Thirty minutes had passed since the two men were spending time in the waiting room when Director Yoon finally arrived.

“Thank you both for waiting.”

“Have you come to a decision?”

“Yes,” Director Yoon remarked as he turned toward Je-Woon, not Han-Seok. “We’ve decided to cast Je-Woon for the role of Min Woo-Chan.”

Je-Woon had come out on top. He patted the disappointed Han-Seok on the back. Han-Seok had hoped for a miracle, but he had been one step too short. In exchange, Han-Seok wanted to confirm something.

“Director. Could we know who Ra-Eun voted for?”

“Ra-Eun? Well...”

The two men were dead focused on the momentarily paused director.

“She said both of you were great. She couldn’t come to a decision.”

“I see.”

Han-Seok had lost the audition but not the battle for the heart of the woman that he loved. Just from that alone was he able to feel somewhat relieved.