Legendary Superstar-Chapter 141: Final Auditions (4)

"Really? Just from watching?"

"Yes, sir." Minjae nodded again.

Director Kang leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen once against the table.

"That's actually rare. To have that kind of awareness without training."

"It's not perfect," Minjae added quickly, not wanting to look arrogant in front of everyone. "But I always tried my best to understand how the actors moved in the screen. What made it feel real."

"Then you've done more than most. Watching like that is already a form of study." Writer Mirae smiled warmly. "It seemed like you're really eager to be an actor."

Sir Cole, still off to the side, gave a small nod of agreement.

"If I may say, he adapted fast enough and his movements were also pretty good. That says a lot, even for someone who said to have just watched dramas. Still…" Cole's eyes gazed at Minjae.

"I've met trained actors who couldn't manage that even after weeks of training." He tilted his head, eyeing Minjae with quiet interest. "It's either Minjae got great instincts… or you've been hiding more than we thought."

"Thank you for your compliment." Minjae simply bowed again, neither confirming nor denying it.

From the sidelines, the three actors with Minjae were still watching. Their interest had gotten higher because of what they saw.

The second scene was easy for all of them, since with years in the industry, they have gotten roles in historical dramas. They were initially worried about how Minjae would perform it.

So when they saw it, the three of them had to exchange glances with one another.

They whispered on the sides that only the three of them could hear

"He's seriously just a rookie? That didn't look like someone winging it." Seungmin leaned slightly toward the other two, his voice a low murmur.

Hyunwoo gave a short nod, arms crossed.

"The way he moved… it wasn't flashy, but it was grounded. Controlled. Like someone who's been on set a few times before."

Jaehyun remained quiet for a second before adding,

"Or someone who's been preparing off-camera for a long time."

"It makes you wonder why we've never heard of him before and now he's suddenly rising." Seungmin huffed under his breath.

"Well, it looks like he's someone who's here not just to try," Hyunwoo said, his voice thoughtful. "But to be picked."

They all turned their eyes back to the center of the stage where Minjae stood.

Director Kang flipped a page on the script in front of him and looked up.

"Let's move on to the final part."

Writer Mirae nodded gently and spoke into the mic.

"Minjae, we'll move on to the final scene for today. Scene 79. You've read it, yes?"

Minjae nodded. "Yes, Writer-nim."

"We'll be assigning someone to read lines with you. She's not the actual lead, but she's an experienced reader," Mirae added.

A young woman stepped forward quietly from the side of the room. She bowed toward Minjae and took her stand across from him.

Minjae exhaled slowly. He greeted the woman politely.

This scene was different. No fighting. No shouting. Just two people talking in the quiet after a storm.

Minjae closed his eyes briefly, letting the adrenaline dissipate, replaced by something more fragile.

"Are you ready?" he quietly asked the woman in front of him.

"I am," the girl smiled, and the scene began.

"Why do you keep pushing everyone away?" The woman spoke first, her voice soft and trembling

Minjae lowered his gaze, jaw tightening as his character fought the urge to answer.

"…Because it's easier that way."

"That's not true. You want to be held. You want someone to stay." She stepped closer.

"I can't ask for that," Minjae replied, voice cracking slightly. "Not after everything I've done."

A long pause stretched between them. The woman gently reached out to him with just the slightest gesture.

"You're not alone anymore."

Minjae looked at her. His eyes shimmered, not with tears, but with a depth of emotion that was heavy.

"I'm scared," he whispered.

"Of what?"

"That if I let myself want something… it'll be taken away again."

The room was still. Even breathing felt too loud to do.

The woman's next line came like a thread of hope.

"I'll help you. We'll get revenge"

Minjae let the silence hang, then stepped forward, his voice barely audible.

"…Okay."

And with that, the scene ended.

He held the moment for one last beat before breaking character, giving a final nod to his scene partner and bowing respectfully to the judges.

All three panelists were silent for a long time.

Then Mirae smiled softly, almost proudly. "Thank you, Minjae. That will be all for today."

Director Kang leaned back in his chair, eyes thoughtful. Lee Jimin also gave a slow exhale, then muttered under his breath.

"…That was good."