Ricelle Hill looked at the screen. There was a child in a red, fluttering outfit. She seemed so natural and skilled, as if she had been doing this since birth.
Evan Block slowly spoke.
"Didn't Director Ryan advise Melissa Walton to try a different role next time?"
"Yes, he did."
A year ago, Hollywood insiders focused on Melissa Walton.
Directors inspired by her heart-wrenching tears sent her similar roles, but she declined all of them and starred in a lighthearted romantic comedy instead. Although it wasn't a huge hit, many praised it for showcasing Melissa Walton's new charm.
"According to those who were on set, Melissa Walton couldn't pull herself out of her role even after filming ended, but Seojun Lee was different. There was no child who had lost his mother, only a child enjoying orange juice. Director Ryan must have noticed that too."
"…What?"
"Even if they were doing similar method acting, Melissa Walton wouldn't easily pull out of the same role, but Seojun Lee is different."
Evan Block's eyes sparkled. Under that intense gaze, Ricelle Hill hesitated before asking.
"'This kid is special.' That's talent. Perfectly immersing and perfectly pulling out of a role. How many actors have such talent?"
Evan Block grinned and opened his notebook, filled with questions he wanted to ask Seojun Lee. Ricelle Hill stepped back a bit.
"I hope we meet soon."
"…Lee, I think I should run away?"
* * *
The evening gathering was held in a private room of a restaurant in Director Ryan Will's hotel.
Evan Block and Ricelle Hill, who were staying at the same hotel, had arrived first, and Seojun and Minjun, who were staying at a hotel a few blocks away, soon arrived as well.
"Hello! I'm Seojun Lee!"
"Hi! I'm Ricelle Hill."
"Call me Jun!"
"Call me Ricelle."
Seojun shook hands with Ricelle Hill and then with Evan Block.
"Hi? You're Seojun Lee? I'm Evan Block. Call me Evan."
"Yes. Evan! Nice to meet you! Call me Jun!"
Director Ryan Will introduced Minjun, who was sitting next to Seojun.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Evan Block, playing Shadowman and Mac."
"Hello. I'll be Jun's sister for a while, Ricelle Hill."
"Nice to meet you. Our Jun. Nice to meet you."
Evan laughed and shook his head.
"I should be the one saying that. I saw the movie, and it was incredible. With acting like that, I might be overshadowed."
Evan, who had seen the ghost, crushed the paper cup of his drink in his hand due to tension. Luckily, he had finished it, or it would have been a disaster.
Seojun tilted his head.
"…Shadowman?"
"No, the ghost. Hmm. Is this the correct pronunciation? The title was changed to English, but I prefer the original title."
Evan Block winked and crouched down. Seojun's head felt more at ease as his gaze followed Evan Block's.
Seojun smiled brightly. It was exciting and surprising to meet someone who had seen the ghost.
"Yes. Perfect."
"Thanks. But what do you think when you act? Do you plan everything out thoroughly, or do you act by instinct? I heard the action of standing up from sitting during the William scene was your idea. Is that true?"
"Um…"
Evan Block bombarded Seojun with questions. Seojun stared blankly at Evan Block's face. Ricelle Hill covered her face with her hands, and Ryan Will just laughed.
Minjun, listening to their conversation, finally recalled the stories about Evan Block that circulated on the internet.
Analyst.
Evan Block's acting was built on detailed character analysis and thorough planning. He even planned and acted out hand tremors and facial muscle movements.
His thoroughness earned admiration from directors and actors who worked with him, leading to this nickname.
"Come, come. Let's eat first. I'm hungry! Oh, you two, please sit down. Jun, are your legs sore? Sit down quickly."
Ricelle Hill pushed Evan Block's back. Evan Block, who seemed ready to listen to the answer, shrugged and sat down.
Seeing Director Ryan call the waiter, Ricelle sighed in relief and smiled at Seojun.
"Jun, you seem taller than in the movie?"
Seojun, sitting in the chair, straightened his back and smiled proudly.
"I grew 10 cm in a year!"
It was all thanks to the [Slime's Digestion Ability]. This precious ability sent an abundance of nutrients to every corner of his body at the right time.
He was the tallest in kindergarten. His family speculated that he might be the tallest in his class when he started elementary school next year.
The waiter brought the pre-ordered food. The waiter, who opened the door of the private room without much thought, had his eyes widen.
The waiter, a hidden fan of the movie, placed the food with a professional, expressionless face, inwardly exclaiming, "Oh! Oh!"
'Evan Block! He's grown a lot, but he's still an Asian kid, Seojun Lee! Plus, Ricelle Hill and Director Ryan Will! This is the set of Shadowman 2…!'
He wanted to take out his camera right away. But he held back, finished his job, and closed the door. Maybe he could get an autograph after the meal.
After a little while, the five of them started their conversation. Evan Block spoke.
"What do you think of William?"
"?"
Seojun, who was chewing on the steak, tilted his head. He quickly swallowed the meat in his mouth and answered.
"Pitiful?"
"Do you think you're like William?"
At this, Ryan and Ricelle's gazes turned to Seojun. What kind of strange question is this? William is a character in the movie, and I'm Seojun. Seojun shook his head.
"No, not at all. I'm Seojun, Seojun Lee."
"See? He's special."
Evan laughed, seemingly pleased with the answer. Ricelle shook her head. When Minjun tilted his head, Ricelle explained.
"I see. Method acting…"
She didn't know much about the method or the feeling, but she knew about method acting. It was a term often used to describe great actors, but there were also stories of actors confusing their roles with reality.
"Jun's acting is completely different from the method acting you know."
Evan Block nodded in agreement. Director Ryan Will continued.
"Jun completely pulls out of his role. Unlike method acting, which can drag the character's emotions and thoughts into reality, if Jun had done method acting, he would have lost himself in the role and lived as William for a while."
Who would have expected such a young child to act like that? Even Seojun himself didn't know he could get so immersed.
If Seojun hadn't pulled out of his role, Director Ryan Will would have told the child's guardian not to let him act.
But Seojun Lee was different. When he was praised, he smiled brightly.
"But he immediately returned to being Jun, as if nothing had happened."
Seeing the 5-year-old deliver such a wonderful performance and then smile brightly, Ryan Will felt a chill.
"Jun's acting is similar to method acting but is not method acting. During the 8-month long practice, I clearly understood that. The ability to immerse so deeply and pull out so quickly is unique to Jun."
Ryan Will took a sip of wine.
Although he hadn't seen much, Seojun's level of immersion was different from other actors.
That's why during the 8-month practice period, Ryan didn't let his guard down. He was ready to stop if there was any sign of the first villain role affecting Seojun.
But contrary to Ryan's worries, Seojun remained the same. He seemed kind, didn't give up, and ultimately performed perfectly.
Ricelle Hill, listening to the story, asked Seojun.
"What do you think, Jun?"
"Hmm."
Seojun thought deeply. Everyone was silent, focusing on Seojun's mouth. After tilting his head left and right, Seojun spoke.
"I don't think it's method acting."
"Why not?"
Evan Block, who had brought a notebook, opened it. Ricelle Hill, who looked displeased, moved her chair a bit to the side.
"Method acting, as you mentioned, affects reality, which is why my dad is worried. Will the role I play affect my real life? Or not?"
"That's right."
"But when I played William, I was normal, and when I played the ghost, I was fine. Even while acting as a child who resented the world for 8 months, I was still me."
When filming, he definitely immersed himself in the role. How could an actor not? But after filming, he was still Seojun, who loved monster dolls. Look at the slime doll on his bag. He was still himself.
"So it's not method acting. I just act well."
Seojun said confidently. Everyone laughed at his unexpected answer.
"Then how do you act?"
Evan Block asked. Seojun, who had been thinking, answered.
"I look at the script and think, 'This character has this past, so they have this personality, and I should act like this.' Sometimes, better ideas come to me during filming. My body moves naturally. That's how I acted as William."
"It does seem similar to method acting."
"But it's not. I'm fine."
Maybe.
Seojun thought.
Is method acting a skill in this 'body'?
Like the abilities of other lives, a skill that can be used in the next life.
And 'mind' is the 'self' with the library of life, so it's different from the ordinary method acting that makes it hard to pull out of a role.
The ordinary method acting talent and the special self met.
'If this ability could be made into a bead, it would look like this.'
[(Good? Evil?) Seojun's Special Method Acting]
During filming, it provides a sense of immersion as if the actor has become the actual character.
The actor can completely pull out of the role by their own will.
What would the grade be? Seojun, smiling inwardly, asked Evan Block.
"How do you act, Evan?"
"I plan thoroughly. For example, Mac is an orphan. He's an orphan, but he has many good people around him. Why? Maybe because he's bright and cheerful. I analyze Mac's actions, the direction of his gaze, and the position of his feet. If I know someone with a similar personality to Mac, I observe them closely. Even small habits can help in filming. That's why my friends hate it when I get a movie script. They say they sometimes see themselves in the movies I star in."
"Amazing."
Evan's words made Seojun's eyes sparkle. There were different ways to act. The two actors enthusiastically discussed their acting methods. Ricelle Hill joined in the conversation.
"Speaking of method acting, Evan Block might be the one in danger. After such thorough preparation, there will come a time when he feels a lack. To fill that lack, it will eventually affect reality."
"That's true."
"Jun is just an actor with a natural talent for acting. He's a smart kid. He won't do anything that will harm him."
"No matter how smart a child is, parents will always worry."
Minjun smiled, watching his son chatting and laughing with the two actors.
* * *
"Wow. They're filming a movie here."
"Right. What movie?"
Tourists wandering around Central Park looked up to see where people were gathering.
Central Park, located in the heart of Manhattan, New York, is one of the most frequently featured locations in