"Congratulations on unlocking Activerse!"
Party poppers exploded around him, filling the air with streams of colourful confetti that rained down like a vibrant cascade. Fireworks erupted in the sky above, their dazzling bursts painting the virtual world with vivid reds, blues and golds paired with loud bangs that reverberated through the air. For a moment, he froze, unsure of what to do. His eyes darted around the surreal landscape, taking in the spectacle that unfolded before him. The starry expanse of the sky was alive with streaks of light.
"Wow"
Ji-Woo was mesmerised. The fireworks soon faded and a translucent blue screen materialized in front of him, glowing softly.
"Please use one of the commands to begin."
The three options displayed were Status, Scripts and Exit.
"Who are you?"
No response.
"Hello. What is this place?"
Still no response.
Ji-Woo, thinking it was a dream, went along with it.
"Open Status"
The blue screen changed to show his status.
Kim Ji-Woo
Acting lvl - 6
Singing lvl - 5
Writing lvl - 2
Skills
-Musical Instrument
-Martial arts
Languages
-Korean
-English
'Hmm interesting'
"Open Scripts"
The blue screen vanished, replaced by an A4 sheet of paper hovering mid-air, its edges shimmering with a soft, sparkling glow. Above the sheet of paper displayed '1/1'. On the sheet of paper was the audition script that Ji-Woo had just played.
Heartbreak
Grade U
Script Completion - 10%
Echo Stage
At the bottom of the page, a square button labelled Echo Stage was pulsating softly, drawing his attention. Curious as to what it did, he reached out to press it. The moment his finger made contact, the contents shifted. A vertical list began to materialize, each entry softly glowing.
Character List
Girlfriend A (incompatible)
Boyfriend A
He selected Boyfriend A, and an overwhelming wave of drowsiness washed over him. His eyelids grew heavy, and before he could resist, his vision faded to black. When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in front of a modest apartment door. The air was thick with tension. Ji-Woo tried to move, but his body refused to obey. It was as if he were a passenger within his own skin. Every fibre of his being felt strained. His shoulders were heavy, his breath shallow, and his mind clouded with exhaustion.
'Wait a minute!'
It then hit him. He was boyfriend A, or now known to him as Park Sung-Jin. The stress, the fatigue, the lingering weight of responsibilities, everything Park Sung-Jin had endured was now coursing through Ji-Woo's body unrelentingly. As if on cue, the scene began to unfold around him. The apartment door creaked open, and Ji-Woo found himself pulled into the life of Park Sung-Jin. This wasn't mere acting. He was living every emotion, thought, and memory as if they were his own. The arguments, the fleeting moments of joy, the gnawing regrets, they consumed him, leaving him breathless.
'What the hell happened?'
Once the scene concluded, the world around Ji-Woo began to shift and morph. Unlike before, he remained conscious and watched as the apartment walls dissolved into streams of light and color, reconstructing the virtual space back to its original form. He stood in the quiet stillness. It was only then he realized tears were still streaming down his face. His chest continued to feel heavy. His throat felt raw and parched from crying so much.
The emotions Park Sung-Jin had lived through, no, that he had lived through still lingered like a shadow in his heart. The ache of lost opportunities, the weight of regret, the fragile hope for redemption clung to him and refused to fade. Ji-Woo collapsed to his knees, clutching at his chest as he worked to calm himself. His breathing steadied, and slowly, the storm of emotions began to subside.
When he finally composed himself, he sat cross-legged on the floor, wiping away the remainder of his tears. His mind raced, replaying every moment of Park Sung-Jin's life. The thought of experiencing it all over again crossed his mind. He opened 'Heartbreak' once more and reached out to select Boyfriend A once more.
This time, stepping into the character wasn't as bad as his first. The emotions, though still vivid, weren't as overwhelming as before. He felt a strange sense of control, as if his second encounter with Park Sung-Jin allowed him to anchor himself amidst the chaos. Ji-Woo ended up studying the nuances of the character's behaviour. The subtle shifts in expression, the weight behind every line of dialogue, the way Park Sung-Jin carried the scars of his life in his posture.
When the scene ended again, Jiwoo sat in the quiet glow of the virtual chamber. He recovered much quicker but still had remnants of Sung-Jin still in his heart. His mind teeming with thoughts about what he had witnessed.
'That was amazing. Is this my subconscious speaking to me through my dreams?'
After thinking deeply, Ji-Woo began to glance around, searching for any sign of an exit. However, the space around him was an endless void, offering no clues. Then it hit him. The last command that was on the tutorial screen.
"Exit"
The world around him dissolved into darkness. Slowly Ji-Woo's eyes opened, adjusting to the soft light of his apartment. The familiar surroundings felt almost surreal after the vivid experience he had just endured. He sat up abruptly and reached for his phone beside his pillow. The screen lit up, displaying the time.
"It's still 10:37pm. What kind of dream did I have?"
Ji-Woo stared down at his phone blankly, confusion swirling in his mind as he tried to make sense of the bizarre dream. The vividness of it lingered, like a distant echo that refused to fade. Yet, as the weight of exhaustion settled over him, drowsiness quickly took control. He brushed it off as a wacky dream. With that, he turned onto his side, pulling the blanket over him. Within moments, he fell asleep and the strange memories now turned into distant memories.
The next morning, Ji-Woo woke up to the sunlight streaming through his window. He rubbed his eyes, still feeling exhausted. Shaking it off, he swung his legs over the bed and began his usual routine. After a quick shower and breakfast, he settled down at his desk. The familiar glow of his laptop screen greeted him as he powered it on. While waiting for it to load, Ji-Woo remembered the conversation he had with Min-Ho after walking. It was a website where up and coming directors posted job listings, searching for actors to bring their stories to life. Ji-Woo expressed he was hesitant about whether to commit to an acting career even though he enjoyed it. Min-Ho advised him to take a look and if something interesting catches his eyes, to give it a try.
Curious, he typed in the website name and clicked on it. The homepage loaded with a vibrant display of posters, descriptions, and casting calls. Ji-Woo spent the next hour scrolling through the listings, reading the synopsis of various projects. Most of them were lacklustre. They were either poorly written or weird concepts. However, as he was about to close the tab, a listing caught his eyes.
'Young and Dumb'
Interested, he clicked on the listing and read the synopsis.
After a campus mishap, a free spirited poet and a perfectionist engineering student were forced to work on a project together after a disciplinary hearing. Their rivalry leads to a bet that pushes them out of their comfort zone. As their connection deepens, they face personal struggles and external pressure from family expectation to career ambition. Set against the vibrant backdrop of youth, Young and Dumb is a heartfelt story of love, growth, and finding balance between passion and ambition.
'Should I audition for this or not?'
Before he could gather his thoughts, his phone buzzed, pulling him out of his contemplation. The caller ID flashed on the screen. It was Min-Ho
"Hey. How are you feeling?"
"I feel alright. How about you?"
"Feeling great. Can I ask you for a favour?"
"Sure, What is it?"
"Can you help me pack up for my move tomorrow?"
"Sure I'll be there at around 12pm."
"See you then"
"Bye"
Looking back at his laptop, he quickly bookmarked the page before shutting it down. Ji-Woo stretched before he got up to prepare for the day. As he headed out toward Min-Ho's house, his phone buzzed again. This time the caller ID was Director Yoon. Curious, he answered it.
"Hello Director. How can i help you?"
"Hello Ji-Woo"
The director's words had a sense of urgency.
"I will get straight to the point. Would you mind playing the counterpart for round 3?"
Ji-Woo was taken aback.
"Why me?"
"It's a bit hard to explain over the phone so can we meet up to discuss it?"
"That's fine with me."
"Great. Are you free tomorrow at 9am?."
"Yes. Where should I meet you?"
"Come to SBC headquarters"
"Okay. See you tomorrow director"
Ji-Woo ended the call. He lowered the phone, staring at it for a moment.
'A counterpart role?'
The intrigue was enough to ignite a spark of both excitement and apprehension in his chest.
Ji-Woo arrived ten minutes later and was promptly let in. He was greeted by the sight of Min-Ho's apartment in complete disarray. Boxes were scattered across the floor, some sealed with tape while others sat half-open. The furniture was pushed to odd angles, leaving the space feeling disjointed and cramped. He glanced around, taking in the chaos with a smirk.
"Dude, this looks less like packing and more like a typhoon hit your apartment."
"I completely forgot about the deadline for the move because of the auditions. I'm just stuffing random things in a box and hoping it fits."
"I can see that. So where should I get started?"
"You can start by packing the books in the guest room."
"Alright"
Ji-Woo made his way to the guest room, only to freeze in disbelief at the sight before him. If the living room had been chaos, the bedroom was an outright disaster zone. Clothes were strewn across every surface, books littered the floor and random loose pieces of paper were scattered on the desk and bed.
He let out a resigned sigh, slipping off his jacket and hooking it onto the back of the door. Rolling up his sleeves, Ji-Woo braced himself for the monumental task ahead.
Hours ticked by as he worked methodically, sorting through Min-Ho's belongings and organizing them into labelled boxes. He even paused to tape up a few that were dangerously close to bursting. By the time he was done, the bedroom looked unrecognizable, a clean and empty space with only the essentials left behind.
'Perfect'
He headed out to the living room with a proud smile. As he turned the corner to enter the living room his eyes widened. The chaotic living room from earlier was now neatly organized. Boxes were stacked in even rows, one on top of the other, creating a sense of order. Min-Ho was sitting cross-legged on the floor, sorting through a small pile of papers.
"Wow, this looks amazing"
"I know right."
Min-Ho's phone buzzed loudly, cutting through the moment. While he stepped aside to answer, Ji-Woo wandered into the kitchen and raided the fridge. He grabbed two cold drinks and made his way back. By the time Ji-Woo sat down on the floor, Min-Ho had finished his call. He handed one of the cold drinks to Min-Ho who looked relieved.
"You okay?"
"I just got a call from the director of Super Rookie Actor."
Ji-Woo's eyes widened. He was eager to hear the results.
"So did you pass?"
Min-Ho shook his head.
"I ended up 6th"
"Damn. But that's still really good."
"Yeah, but hearing that ended up sorting the thoughts my head."
"What do you mean?
"You know, during the auditions I realized something. I enjoy the process, but I'm not passionate about being in the spotlight. I think I'd rather help others get there."
"So you are planning to join your uncle's agency?"
"He's been running it for years, and he's already offered me a spot. I think I'll be a good manager"
Ji-Woo patted him on the shoulder with a smile plastered across his face.
"That sounds perfect for you. You've always been great at organizing and supporting people."
"Yeah."
"Oh, have you managed to decide yet Ji-Woo?"
"Yeah. After hearing the judges praise my acting yesterday, I was hooked."
"Hopefully one day i can be you manager then"
They continued chatting for a bit before turning their attention back to packing. Box by box, the apartment gradually became emptier, and by the time they were done, the clock struck 7 p.m. Ji-Woo grabbed his jacket and got ready to leave. Just as he reached the front door, Min-Ho called out to him.
"Hey, wait!"
Ji-Woo turned around to see Min-Ho holding a medium-sized box.
"What's that?"
"Since you're going to become an actor, take some of these scripts for practice."
Ji-Woo raised an eyebrow.
"Is this just an excuse to get rid of some junk?"
Min-Ho grinned sheepishly.
"Yes, but it's better to give it to someone who might actually use it rather than it ending up in the trash. Plus, there's a script in here that I think you should audition for."
"Thanks."
Ji-Woo accepted the box, balancing it carefully in his hands. With a final wave, he stepped out of the apartment, the door clicking shut behind him.
-Click - creak
Ji-Woo arrived back at his apartment exhausted. He kicked off his shoes, placed the box on the table, and headed toward his bedroom to change into his pyjamas. Once he felt more comfortable, he returned to the table and began unpacking the contents of the box.
One by one, he placed the scripts onto the table, their worn covers telling stories of countless hands flipping through them. As he was about to set down the final script in his hand, his gaze fell on the space next to it. There was a light blue rectangle screen, the size of the script glowing faintly with 'Enter Activerse' written in bright white letters.
"Huh?"
Confused, he looked at the other scripts placed on the table. They all showed the same screen. He placed the script in his hand down onto the table. Closing his eyes, he rubbed them aggressively, thinking it was some kind of delusion. When he opened them again, to his shock, the screen was still there. He reached out and picked up one of the scripts and touched the screen.
Suddenly, the world around him began to shift. The apartment disappeared, replaced by a vast, surreal landscape. The sky above him was a swirling blend of deep purple, black, and electric blue like the infinite and mysterious void of space itself. The ground beneath him shimmered with a faint, iridescent glow, stretching endlessly in all directions. He was back in Activerse.
"This wasn't a wacky dream?"
Soon the scripts were hovering mid-air in a circular formation.
The Last Lyric
Grade F+
Script Completion - 100%
Echoes of Tomorrow
Grade E-
Script Completion - 100%
Shadows in the Frame
Grade E
Script Completion - 100%
As he swiped past each movie he then saw a familiar name on the screen.
Young and Dumb
Grade B
Script Completion - 80%
It stood out far above the rest of the scripts. Ji-Woo wanted to confirm if it was the exact same he had seen earlier today. He exited the Activerse and powered on his laptop. He opened up his browser and clicked the bookmark saved on the bookmark bar. It was the exact same one.
Curious about what the other scripts were about, he searched them up. Echoes of Tomorrow and Shadow in the Frame viewership rating were 5% and 6% with them being able to break even with the ₩6,000,000,000 production budget. The Last Lyric had an even higher budget of ₩10,000,000,000 but only managed a 3% viewership rating with the peak being at 5%.
"So the Grade means how successful that show will be"
Ji-Woo quickly rushed back to the bookmarked website. He had just remembered that Young and Dumb was a Grade B movie. Without wasting any time, he quickly drafted an email to the director requesting an audition. He hit send and hoped his chance to be part of the project would come through. Ji-Woo got up and walked over to the kitchen table where the scripts were neatly arranged. He picked up the Young and Script and pressed the blue screen.
'I can embody any role. I can become anyone'
'Alright, let's experiment for a bit.'
Ji-Woo spent the next hour experimenting with the Activerse system, learning three key things. The first was that time completely stopped while he was inside the system, allowing him to focus without any distractions. The second was that he couldn't play every character. He was restricted to male characters only. Finally, he discovered that there were more commands available, but he would need to level up his acting skill to unlock them.
'I think I got the hang of if'
'Time for me to practise'
He spent the next 8 hours inside Activerse, immersing himself into each character's life. When he finally left, he checked the time on his phone.it was still 9:30 pm.
'This is great but tiring.'
He set an alarm for 7 am and went through his nightly routine. Once he was done, Ji-Woo flopped onto the bed and fell into a deep slumber.