Chapter 7: Gao Yunzhen
“The face of beauty! Beautiful enough to be a Korean plastic surgery template! Selected as one of Asia’s most beautiful faces!”
“A rising star among the new generation of actresses, looking forward to her future development.”
“Representative works: sweet home, Alchemy of Souls 2, moving!”
…
Fragmented messages like these flooded Kwon Xuanhe’s mind, making him instantly realize that the still somewhat immature Gao Yunzhen in front of him was one of the future Korean actresses born in 1995.
For those unfamiliar with the Korean entertainment industry, their impression might still be stuck on Song Hye-kyo, Jun Ji-hyun, and Han Jiaren, but these stars have long been top-tier, with high international recognition, and are not among the new generation of actors being watched.
It’s like how the general public, who don’t follow the entertainment industry, still have their perception stuck on Liu Yifei, Yang Mi, and Tang Yan.
In reality, actresses like Zhou Ye, Zhang Jingyi, Zhao Lusi, and Tian Xiwei, born in 1995, have already become the main focus of the new generation, with a major generational shift every ten years.
Now, Kwon Xuanhe carefully observed Gao Yunzhen in front of him again, not expecting this seemingly unassuming girl to be a future big star.
Gao Yunzhen saw him staring at her, and his gaze seemed a bit strange.
Just coming up and staring at someone non-stop, is that polite?
“I’m sorry, I was a bit distracted just now.”
Kwon Xuanhe’s mind quickly became active, and he instantly came back to his senses, explaining with a smile.
“It’s okay.”
Thanks to the good impression Kwon Xuanhe had left on Gao Yunzhen during class, she didn’t mind and smiled.
“You act much better than me. I only started learning acting today.”
Kwon Xuanhe said with a smile. What better time to befriend a future popular young actress than when she’s still on the rise?
“Really? I’ve only acted in one project, and my acting isn’t very mature yet.”
Gao Yunzhen wasn’t very eloquent, but she wasn’t a girl who avoided communication either.
“Really? You’ve already acted in a project? I’m still preparing for auditions.”
Most of the people in this class were newcomers who had just debuted. It wasn’t uncommon to have acted in one or two projects, and basically, their roles were only slightly more significant than extras.
The two then chatted for a while before saying goodbye and parting ways.
Kwon Xuanhe was still thinking about this on his way home.
Several dramas mentioned in a part of his memory:
“Alchemy of Souls 2, moving, sweet home”
Since she’s a future popular young actress, her works must have maintained good results, which is why her popularity soared.
So, the possibility of these works being duds is definitely low; they can be confirmed as well-received works.
Focus on them.
Kwon Xuanhe edited and recorded the key points to remember in his phone’s memo.
But then again, many popular works often have famous writers and directors; even without this sixth sense, one would likely know they’d be successful works and sought-after by everyone.
So, he had a head start, but not a complete one.
His future success would definitely depend on his own efforts.
Deep blue!
However…
Kwon Xuanhe vaguely sensed some memories that hadn’t appeared in his mind, feeling as if some parts were missing, even including Han Xiaozhou from before.
After thinking for a long time without understanding, Kwon Xuanhe stopped pondering and busily went home to continue honing his acting skills.
…
Several days later.
Kwon Xuanhe, who had embarked on his acting journey, started his day by waking up early for morning exercises, studying and observing classic film and television works, attending classes in the afternoon, and going back home at night to review his notes and practice. His days were quite fulfilling.
After several classes in the acting workshop, Kwon Xuanhe became more and more immersed in his craft.
Things like animal simulation, still life simulation, classic scene imitation, on-the-spot improvisation, and so on.
Even the acting teacher noticed his rapid progress, praising him multiple times and being quite satisfied with him.
“A pair of eyes that were born to speak.”
Li Yingzhen praised, saying this compensated for his shortcomings in acting and became his own highlight, like the long plank in a bucket.
He did have some talent, which was undeniable. People with talent achieved rapid progress in whatever they did.
During this period, Kwon Xuanhe also tried to interact with other students multiple times, but unfortunately, no one triggered his sixth sense.
Perhaps this sixth sense can also differentiate between stars and extras?
“Yunzhen, come on.”
“Work with Xuanhe.”
During several class performances, Kwon Xuanhe often asked Gao Yunzhen to partner with him, and their relationship gradually became closer.
Actors, in fact, greatly reduce their sense of shame after acting a lot. When joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, and even pretending to be crazy or foolish are seen by others, there is no longer any so-called awkwardness, and even intimate scenes are like this.
This is what is known as an actor’s sense of belief.
“The scene where the female lead Aera from Fight for My Way acts cute towards Dongman.”
This part was now shown for viewing, and then it was left to the two of them to perform.
Gao Yunzhen took a deep breath, and then the expression on her face changed. At first, her tone was normal.
“Am I being too annoying like this?”
“But I can’t help it. I’m not trying to be seductive; I’m naturally beautiful.”
Her feigned distress and extreme narcissism made Kwon Xuanhe’s face show annoyance and impatience, and he struck a pose, eager to try. “I can hit women, you know.”
“But everyone is saying I’m pretending to be pretty, it’s so hard for Aera.”
Gao Yunzhen’s voice was relatively low, but at this moment, her malicious coquettishness, while pinching her voice at him, truly gave one goosebumps.
Finally, she pouted and hummed twice, mimicking it perfectly.
After the performance ended, Li Yingzhen nodded.
“You mimicked it very well.”
The two walked off the stage and returned to their seats.
Kwon Xuanhe gave her a thumbs-up and pointed to his arm.
“Your acting was amazing; it gave me goosebumps.”
Gao Yunzhen covered her mouth and laughed, “Is it that exaggerated?”
“I really felt like sewing your mouth shut.”
Kwon Xuanhe laughed.
Gao Yunzhen wasn’t a very lively or outgoing girl; she was more of an introvert, but in front of Kwon Xuanhe, who was familiar, she had relaxed a bit.
“What are you talking about?”
She said with a chiding smile, and the two whispered and laughed, finally settling down to listen carefully to the lecture.
After class, it was already dark, and outside the classroom windows, the city lights illuminated a bustling night scene.
There was also a commercial street near Central University, with many students. Before leaving, Kwon Xuanhe called out to Gao Yunzhen.
“Are you busy tonight? Want to grab dinner together?”
“Just the two of us?”
Gao Yunzhen looked hesitant, unsure how to find a suitable excuse to refuse him.
“And others.”
Kwon Xuanhe turned back and gestured to their classmates behind him, inviting her again.
“Let’s go. We’re all friends around the same age. Let’s have a meal together.”
“I’m a year older than you; you should call me Nuna.”
Seeing this, Gao Yunzhen no longer hesitated and happily agreed, not forgetting to correct him.
Kwon Xuanhe was born in 1997, and Gao Yunzhen was born in 1996. According to Korea’s strict age hierarchy system, he should call her Nuna.
“Alright, Yunzhen Nuna.”
Kwon Xuanhe climbed up the pole, calling out with a chuckle.
This, in turn, made Gao Yunzhen a bit flustered, her eyes darting around. She didn’t expect him to be so… honest, direct, and cooperative.
“Let’s go, don’t just stand there.”
He looked at Gao Yunzhen with a smile, and without another word, he took her arm and walked out.
Kwon Xuanhe didn’t beat around the bush much. He hadn’t done such complicated things before. After a few attempts at probing, he would go straight to the point, and he rarely failed.