After vowing to himself to care for Min-Seok better than his original son, his gaze drifted back to the script lying on the table.
"I can't let that man down," he thought, feeling an unexpected familiarity with Min-Seok from their brief conversation. "It's strange—just a few minutes of talking, and it feels like I've known him for ages. Maybe the original Kim Joon-won's memories are influencing me. But if this is the kind of change they bring, it's not so bad."
With a newfound determination, he picked up the script, examining it closely. His role was small—a jealous teenager who tattled on the protagonists for being in a forbidden romance at school. The character's jealousy stemmed from his resentment of the hero's good looks.
Joon-won stood there, contemplating the script. The old Joon-won had died in frustration, likely over the insignificance of this role. The bulk of his part consisted of narrated thoughts of jealousy, with most dialogues exchanged with a teacher while ratting out the protagonist.
"Even though I'm not as handsome as I used to be, it's not like I deserve to play such a petty role," he muttered, scratching the back of his head. "I should really give that director and whoever cast this role a piece of my mind. Well, since I'm stuck with it, I might as well practice."
Closing his eyes, he tried to embody a jealous teenager. Having never been one himself, this was a challenge. He racked his brain, recalling the haughty expressions of noble sons from his past life whenever they saw him with his wife. This provided a template for the character's emotions.
Gradually, he began to visualize a handsome rival—his past self, ironically. With the mood set, he practiced expressions of envy and resentment, reciting the lines as if addressing an imaginary teacher. The scene would have looked comical to an observer, but to him, it was serious business.
After a while, he sank onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. "It's been ages since I acted, and it shows. Everything feels rusty after all these years. I need to use this chance to get back into the groove before I audition for any real roles. I'll see how I fare with this exam drama first."
Feeling the need to refresh himself, he headed to the bathroom for a long bath. The warm water eased his tension, and he emerged feeling revitalized. Dressed in fresh clothes, he wandered into the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge for lunch leftovers. He ate quickly, washed up, and settled back on the couch.
"I need to whip this body into shape if I want decent roles. Even if my looks are only above average, some muscle could make me stand out in auditions."
'This exam is Joon-won's final one for the year and it's happening this weekend,' he reflected, sifting through the young man's memories. 'Once it's over, I'll have two months of summer break. Plenty of time to hit auditions in this city.'
Arios City was renowned, second only to the capital. Known as the nation's entertainment hub, it was home to countless artists, actors, and industry professionals. Arios Drama University, where Kim Joon-won studied, was named after the city and boasted a prestigious reputation.
"It's been a whole year since this kid came to the so-called entertainment capital, and he hasn't done a thing to hone his skills. He lost his drive and squandered his parents' money. Well, I'll just have to make the best of it."
He pulled out his phone and opened the gallery app, recalling that Kim Joon-won had recorded practice videos in recent days. He watched them with a critical eye, wincing at the mediocrity. The acting was stiff, the expressions unconvincing. Deleting the videos, he sighed.
"No wonder he didn't get a better role. His acting is so bland and fake. It's like fate gave him this role as a wake-up call."
Realizing how late it was, he turned off the lights and headed to bed. Sleep didn't come easily; he tossed and turned, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what he needed to accomplish. Eventually, exhaustion won out, and he drifted into a restless sleep.