“I was very surprised when I heard about you from him.”

Junmin turned to look at Maru after glancing at Ganghwan. It was a surprise, to be sure. He did expect something out of Maru, the boy had talent. But just a few weeks ago, he was a bit lacking compared to acting students his age.

‘But his schedule honestly makes me want to tell him to take a break now.’

It wasn’t like Maru wasn’t studying, either. After all of his classes, he would go all the way to Anyang to study acting. Even on the weekends, he stuck around with Ganghwan to learn more. One could say Maru was just studying according to the money that was given to him, but Junmin could tell that Maru wasn’t doing all of this just for the money. That energy coming from Maru right now… that was passion. Something that money can’t buy.

“So you found your motivation, I see.”

“I learned the joy of being on stage.”

“Joy, huh. Good times.”

Right now, joy should be enough.

‘But what really makes people grow are trials.’

If Maru thought the stage was fun, it meant that Maru only saw the surface of what the stage truly was. As soon as the boy realizes what it really means...