WeTried Translations
Translator: uglyidol
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ I Became a Top Star by Only Playing Villains ◈
Chapter 17: A New Headliner
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Triple casting.
In productions like musicals or plays, it meant three actors took turns performing the same role.
The popular play <Hyde> used a triple-casting system, so it had three leads.
“Hello! I’m Kim Sang-hyeon, and I’ll be playing Han Siwoo in <Hyde> again!”
Actor Kim Sang-hyeon.
Having played Han Siwoo in <Hyde> for five years already, Kim Sang-hyeon was the only returning lead left after the headliners had all retired one after another.
Kim Sang-hyeon’s popularity was on the lower end among <Hyde>’s leads throughout its history, but practical experience was nothing to dismiss.
“Some of you already know me, while others are meeting me for the first time. I look forward to working with you again!”
“Waaaaah!”
As Kim Sang-hyeon bowed, warm applause poured out.
Then came the next person.
“Hello. I’m Hwang Yu-seung, the actor newly cast as Han Siwoo, the lead of <Hyde>.”
Actor Hwang Yu-seung.
Although <Hyde> was extremely popular, South Korea’s theater scene had many other appealing plays as well.
Hwang Yu-seung had been a headliner in those productions.
Widely considered one of the theater world’s most popular actors, Hwang Yu-seung was a skilled performer coveted by film and drama productions alike.
With the existing headliners retiring one after another and the mood growing bleak, the addition of popular actor Hwang Yu-seung was a great comfort to the <Hyde> team.
“<Hyde> has always been my dream stage. I’m truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity, and I’ll work hard to live up to it.”
“Waaaaah!!!”
The actors and production staff gave an enthusiastic cheer.
And finally.
Everyone’s gaze settled on the one remaining person.
Most of those who did not know the circumstances looked plainly bewildered.
‘Is that really our new lead for <Hyde>...?’
‘...I’ve never seen that face in theater before.’
‘There’s hardly any presence to him. He doesn’t look bad, but his impression is so ordinary...’
The atmosphere became a little awkward, but as though used to such looks, he introduced himself in a spirited voice.
“Hello! I’m actor Lee Hansol!”
Lee Hansol.
The existing <Hyde> cast knew next to nothing about him.
Lee Hansol was far younger than the other two leads and had not made a name for himself in theater.
The only thing they knew was the rumor that the <Hyde> production staff, including overall director Min Jae-yeong, had strongly recommended Lee Hansol to the company executives.
“I still have a lot to learn, but I’ll do my best not to tarnish <Hyde>’s reputation! I live nearby in Wangsimni, so if you ever need a practice partner or a drinking buddy, please call me anytime! Thank you!”
“Waaah!”
Still, wasn’t a rookie’s enthusiasm rather cute?
Surely the production team had not chosen him without a reason.
The <Hyde> actors welcomed Lee Hansol, their new lead.
That was how the first day began, with all of <Hyde>’s actors and production staff gathered together.
After every actor, including the three leads, had introduced themselves...
“Now then, shall we get started?”
Min Jae-yeong, <Hyde>’s overall director, spoke up.
“Haha, since it’s the first day, we should do a table read and see what everyone can do.”
“...!”
An odd atmosphere began to spread at Director Min Jae-yeong’s words.
<Hyde> was triple-cast.
There were three leads in one play, but they were not truly equal.
<Hyde> assigned different numbers of performances depending on each lead’s abilities.
For example.
A lead with exceptional skill and popularity, one who earned a favorable response from fans, would receive slightly more performances than the others.
“Let’s start by seeing the actors playing Han Siwoo!”
“...”
In other words, <Hyde>’s three leads were colleagues and rivals at once.
“Haha, I look forward to working with you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
“I’ll learn a lot from you, seniors.”
The three leads of <Hyde> exchanged warm pleasantries while quietly sizing each other up.
The other actors and production staff watching them could not help finding it exciting.
The seasoned Kim Sang-hyeon.
The star-quality Hwang Yu-seung.
And Lee Hansol, who just lived in Wangsimni.
Which of the three would become <Hyde>’s new headliner?
Of course, most people had narrowed their predictions for the next headliner down to two.
‘Sang-hyeon’s acting has really improved lately, but Yu-seung’s acting is no joke either... Which one will it be?’
Whether considering experience or proven acting ability, the odds were high that <Hyde>’s new headliner would come from either Kim Sang-hyeon or Hwang Yu-seung.
Apparently aware of that themselves, the two were busy keeping each other in check while setting Lee Hansol aside for the moment.
“Yu-seung, I enjoyed your last play, <Matasie’s Cloak>.”
“I’ve always loved Senior Kim’s performances in <Hyde>.”
Amid that quiet yet fierce atmosphere, someone raised a hand.
“Director.”
“Yes, Seong-ho. Go ahead.”
Gwak Seong-ho.
One of the veteran actors who had been playing roles in <Hyde> for years.
“If we’re going to see what the leads can do, shouldn’t they have someone to act opposite?”
“Well... it would be good to have someone to work with them.”
“I’ll take the opposing role. How about the highlight of Act 1, Scene 3?”
Director Min Jae-yeong inwardly gave a hollow laugh as he looked at the proactive Gwak Seong-ho.
Gwak Seong-ho had always been that sort of person.
Someone who liked stepping forward.
Someone whose love for <Hyde> ran so deep it could be excessive.
‘Loving the production is good, but they take it too far.’
Still... having performed in <Hyde> for more than ten years, Gwak Seong-ho’s skill was guaranteed.
More than anything, the Act 1, Scene 3 highlight, with Gwak Seong-ho as the opposing role, was a good scene for gauging <Hyde>’s leads.
“Fine. We’ll do as Seong-ho suggests.”
“Thank you.”
Director Min Jae-yeong accepted Gwak Seong-ho’s proposal.
“All right, let’s begin with the Act 1, Scene 3 highlight. Sang-hyeon, could you go first?”
“Yes, Director.”
And so, the three leads of <Hyde> began practicing the Act 1, Scene 3 highlight with Gwak Seong-ho as their scene partner.
* * *
“Ooh!”
After Kim Sang-hyeon and Hwang Yu-seung, the leads of <Hyde>, finished practicing the Act 1 highlight, the actors let out quiet exclamations.
Their acting had surpassed expectations.
“What did I tell you? Sang-hyeon’s acting has really improved lately.”
“Yu-seung came well prepared too. It’s only the first day, but the emotions are already alive.”
The existing <Hyde> headliners had retired one after another, leaving the atmosphere uneasy...
The new leads’ outstanding acting became a ray of hope for the <Hyde> team.
Director Min Jae-yeong smiled faintly as well, seemingly pleased by the two actors’ performances.
Then that smile turned toward...
“Shall we have Hansol give it a try next?”
“Yes...!”
Lee Hansol, the last remaining lead.
As Lee Hansol made his way through the crowd and onto the stage, a hint of anticipation appeared on the actors’ faces.
Surely he must have something to offer if he had become a lead in <Hyde>.
But Gwak Seong-ho, playing the opposing role in the Act 1, Scene 3 highlight, thought differently.
‘Tch. How could someone like this...’
To be honest, Gwak Seong-ho had not been satisfied with Kim Sang-hyeon or Hwang Yu-seung as <Hyde>’s leads, either.
Compared to the former headliners, both lacked presence and acting ability.
Lee Hansol was probably even less reliable than the first two.
Gwak Seong-ho had volunteered to be the leads’ first practice partner entirely because of Lee Hansol.
To crush him with acting.
Even as a supporting actor, Gwak Seong-ho had more than ten years of experience with <Hyde> alone.
If this young punk was overwhelmed by a mere supporting actor’s skills, he would learn his place.
‘Don’t resent me too much. This is all for <Hyde>.’
Unlike with the two actors before him, Gwak Seong-ho deeply immersed themself in the emotions before beginning with Lee Hansol.
Then...
“Um... Senior.”
“...Hm?”
Lee Hansol approached Gwak Seong-ho, who was trying to get into character.
“I believe in giving my all even during practice. Would it be all right if I acted at full strength?”
“...What? Good grief.”
Gwak Seong-ho was dumbfounded.
He was asking permission to act at full strength.
Did that not make it seem as though Lee Hansol was being considerate?
‘Is this punk messing with me?’
With pride wounded, Gwak Seong-ho clenched their teeth and nodded.
Informal speech naturally slipped from their mouth.
“Why are you asking such an obvious question? Give it your all in practice too. A lead in <Hyde> must always be perfect. Understand?”
“Ah, yes. Then I look forward to working with you, Senior.”
Lee Hansol bowed politely, making anger surge even higher.
Gwak Seong-ho began acting as though this were <Hyde>’s actual performance stage.
「Haha! I’m telling you! I turned that bastard’s face into mush!」
The role Gwak Seong-ho played was the hit-and-run driver who had killed Han Siwoo’s parents with a car.
Besides fleeing after hitting Han Siwoo’s parents with their car, the driver had several other minor convictions.
「Prison? Hey, asshole, I can just go again!」
「You know I don’t skimp on lawyer fees! I won’t get more than a few years anyway!」
「And hey, punk! Who says a criminal record is a blemish these days? If you want to do big things in South Korea, you need a few convictions instead! Hahaha!」
They were not ashamed of their criminal record in the slightest.
Rather, they were proud of it and even bragged about it to the person on the phone.
The actors were impressed by that shameless portrayal.
“Wow...”
“Senior Gwak really has experience.”
Gwak Seong-ho portrayed an arrogant thug better than anyone else.
Having played this role in <Hyde> alone for more than ten years, perfection was only natural.
‘Isn’t Senior Gwak putting too much into it for the very first practice?’
‘Why are they doing this to a rookie again? Honestly.’
Gwak Seong-ho had taken it upon themself to act as <Hyde>’s so-called seniority enforcer.
The other actors, recognizing Gwak Seong-ho’s intention to crush Lee Hansol with acting, could only look at him anxiously.
But the next moment...
「Yeah, yeah. Come visit me in prison sometime... Wait, what?」
「Hello.」
Han Siwoo appeared and blocked the hit-and-run driver’s path, shifting the atmosphere.
Lee Hansol had been an actor with almost no presence at all...
But now, an aura poured from him that was difficult to endure just by facing him.
「It’s been a while. Do you recognize me?」
The person most shocked at that moment was Gwak Seong-ho.
‘That punk’s eyes...’
Lee Hansol’s sudden, overwhelming presence made Gwak Seong-ho shrink back.
‘If I give in here, my pride...’
Though tense inside, Gwak Seong-ho continued acting as though nothing was wrong.
「You expect me to know you? Who are you?」
「...You don’t remember? We met in court last time.」
The hit-and-run driver had seen Han Siwoo in court.
They had even wept profusely, saying they would spend the rest of their life atoning to the surviving family of the people they had killed in the hit-and-run.
But...
「Court...? When was that?」
「......」
Of course, they did not remember Han Siwoo now.
They had forgotten the victim’s bereaved family long ago.
「Really?」
Han Siwoo’s expression twisted when the hit-and-run driver failed to recognize them.
It seemed as though they were angry, yet also screaming in despair.
‘...Hngh.’
Facing Lee Hansol’s full-force acting, Gwak Seong-ho found it increasingly difficult to breathe.
But...
「You really don’t remember?」
Lee Hansol showed Gwak Seong-ho no mercy.
* * *
In the Act 1, Scene 3 highlight, Han Siwoo’s self still held more sway than Hyde’s.
What did Han Siwoo feel as they looked at the hit-and-run driver who had forgotten them despite killing their parents?
「You really don’t remember?」
Pent-up resentment (鬱憤).
「You said you would reflect. You said you would atone.」
「You begged desperately, saying you would never do something like this again.」
Anyone who had felt fury burning inside them would understand.
When injustice made you so angry that rage climbed to the top of your head, reason became paralyzed and self-control vanished.
You even felt as though you might finally cease to be human and become a beast.
And now.
Han Siwoo truly was becoming less human.
「...Because of you, a child lost their parents ten years ago.」
As Han Siwoo’s reason became paralyzed, Hyde’s self gradually awakened.
「...That child did not sleep peacefully even once for ten years.」
「...Whenever night came, their dead parents appeared in their dreams. Covered in blood.」
「...And you’ve already forgotten everything?」
The eyes filled with resentment gradually transformed into rage and hatred.
Then...
The righteous police officer became a devil.
「Puhuhu... That won’t do.」
Their voice changed, pouring out an even deeper malice than before.
“...Ugh!”
Unable to endure that malice any longer, Gwak Seong-ho groaned and began to crumble.
‘...Ah.’
At that moment, a thrilling pleasure blissfully enveloped my entire body.
Watching someone so smug and arrogant become terrified and tuck their tail between their legs was truly delightful.
The highlight of <Hyde>’s Act 1, Scene 3.
The first murder.
「If you can’t remember... fine.」
「From now on, I’ll make sure you remember every single thing.」
With a face full of joy, I approached him.
Thud.
Only after Gwak Seong-ho, their face pale to the point of turning blue, collapsed where they stood did it end.
“That’s all.”
When I finished acting and looked around...
“......”
“......”
The other actors and production staff of <Hyde> were trembling.
As though they had truly seen Hyde.
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