SEIYUU ACADEMY: EPISODE THREE.

AS WE APPROACH THE END OF THE FIRST TERM, SEIYUU ACADEMY STARTS GETTING THE WORST OUT OF EVERYONE.

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 Well then! The first ones to choose will be the high scorers, obviously... But that doesn't grant they'll get the role before you, of course! Who wants to start between you four?

〔 NAM KYUHYUNG ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Oh, I would... But I don't mind letting the others go first either.

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 I'd like to choose first, then.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Sure! Go on~

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [shrugging] Fine by me.

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 Actually, Taeyang... Can I ask you a favor?

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 ...?

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〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 I want to go beyond both my social and career limits. I want to talk to new people and improve as an actor as well... So I wanted to ask Taeyang for help, since I admire his acting a lot.

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〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 I was wondering... If I chose to audition for this role, would you like to audition for this one with me? I just think you'd fit very well... [scratching his head] Ah, that's if you want, of course.

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Oh... [reads the script] I mean, it wasn't in my plans... But I don't mind, it sounds interesting.

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 ... Are you sure you want to act out a BL, though? This is about you, not me. As I said, I don't mind... But if you do, then I would reconsider it.

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 I don't...! Why should I? Yes, I definitely want this one.

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [slowly nodding] ... OK then, sure. It has an interesting plot and good character development, it seems. Oh, look! The author is the same as "What If...?"... Now that's a funny coincidence.

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 Good luck to both of you, then! That's quite sweet, actually. Is there any reason behind this choice, Junyong?

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 Well, I... I admire Taeyang's acting a lot. I watched Strings Attached to study my fellow contestants' material in advance, and his acting in particular mesmerized me. It wasn't even a relevant role, yet he immediately caught my attention.

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Oh... Thank you, Junyong. I'm sure you're just as good, else you wouldn't have gotten 15 last time.

〔 NISHIYAMA KOTARO ﹕ HOST 〕 Next, Sieun and Kyuhyung! Which roles would you like to audition for?

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Ah! I'm still looking for one... Kyuhyung, would you mind going first?

〔 NAM KYUHYUNG ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Oh, not at all. I chose this one.

〔 NISHIYAMA KOTARO ﹕ HOST 〕 Oh, this one is very good! I'm sure you'd do a great job as the main lead~

〔 NAM KYUHYUNG ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 ... I'm applying for the second lead.

〔 NISHIYAMA KOTARO ﹕ HOST 〕 ... Are you a masochist. He's the one that suffers throughout most of the series!

〔 NAM KYUHYUNG ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Well... I originally considered the main lead, but... I think I'd fit best with a character more similar to me. I'm in no way an excellent actor compared to others here, so I'd rather not underestimate anything when it comes to acting. Many good actors got lower grades while I got the maximum... The grade isn't nothing but a number that determines how good you did in a specific instance, not your qualities as a whole.

〔 NISHIYAMA KOTARO ﹕ HOST 〕 Wow... I understand. May luck be by your side, then!

〔 HANNAH YUXIN CHEN ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Wow... Kyuhyung truly is admirable. Most try to sound humble, but I know Kyuhyung truly means it when he says he's not perfect in any way. Although I personally think he is, hehe. If we forget he accidentally spit on my camera once.

[I'LL TAKE YOU BACK TO THE FIRST "SEIYUU ACADEMY MYSTERIES" CORNER IN CASE YOU DON'T REMEMBER THIS HAPPENING!]

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 Well then, it's your turn Sieun! Which role do you want to go for?

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Well... Mhm... This one!

〔 PARK JUNO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Not one of her usual choices, I see...

〔 CHOI MINGYU ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 I mean, who would want to stick to dramatic shit for this long? It's not healthy in the long run, so that's wise coming from her. She does really well in comedy too.

AS THE TOP SCORERS FINISH CHOOSING, THE OTHERS ALSO PICK ROLES TO AUDITION FOR.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Seolha... Why are you not picking anything? Isn't there any role you're interested in?

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Siu... Promise me you won't get mad, please...

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Oh! Don't tell me you will audition for the same role as me? I will take the challenge, rest assured! I wish you the be-

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 I want to quit.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Oh.

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 ...

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [visibly displeased] ... Well, I... Why are you quitting, Seolha...?

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 I don't want to do this anymore... I can't do this anymore... I am terribly scared.

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Going on a survival show for two times is one thing, but this is my fourth... And it's taking a toll on my mental health. What do I do now? I can't continue like this. I don't want to face failure once again...

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 I've been in this industry for seven years, yet...

SEOLHA CAN'T FINISH THE SENTENCE. SHE BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS AS SHE SPEAKS.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Aw, Seolha...

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [opening her arms] There, come here. I'll give you a big, big hug.

SIEUN LOVINGLY HUGS SEOLHA AND PATS HER BACK.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 It is my duty as the Class Representative to guide us all towards the right direction... And while I'd love for you to be by my side until the very end, I also care about you as a person. So if you think quitting and resting would make you feel better, I'll support it.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 You must have sacrificed a lot, right? It's time to prioritize yourself. That won't take away how well you did until now.

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [sobbing] Sieun... I'm so sorry for disappointing you... I'm so sorry for not living up to anyone's expectations... I am horrible... I know...

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 You're not, Seolha. You didn't disappoint neither me nor anyone else. I am, in fact, very proud of your achievements up to this point.

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Hello, girlies! [panicking as she notices SEOLHA is crying] Oh my... Seolha, do you need a tissue?! A hug? What would help right now?

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 I only need to sit down... Thank you...

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Let's sit here, then... Aw, your mascara is ruined... Let me wipe your face, it must feel gross on your skin... Take a slow, deep breath and hold my hand, mh?

〔 JUNG SEOLHA ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [nodding, slowly] OK... Thank you both...

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [reaching out for SEOLHA's hand] No problem! We're friends, after all. This is nothing~

IT IS NOW TIME TO PRACTICE THE AUDITION PIECES.

FOR SOME, THIS MIGHT BE EASIER...

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [reading his lines, in JAPANESE] I don't know what to think... We've been best friends for over a decade, but you'd rather believe those rumors than me...? Have you ever taken me seriously at all, Kanata? Was our friendship one-sided for all this time?

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 [reading his lines, in JAPANESE] Of course no, Hirano-kun! But what would you believe in my place, huh?! Would you think I'm innocent, even if all those people were there to prove the opposite?

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 I would, without hesitation. Because I trust you. I know you would never, ever play with someone's feelings like that, because it goes against your values.

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 But what about you...? You've never trusted me, you always doubt my words and my actions. It was fine when we were children, but what would I gain from pretending to like you for almost fifteen years now?

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 And there you go again, putting a distance by calling me by surname... Maybe I should've never confessed my feelings for you. If I continued denying I liked anyone at all, maybe you would've believed me right now. Forget all those feelings ever existed in the first place, if it makes you feel bette-

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 OK, OK... Listen, Naoki... I'm sorry, OK? I... I'm the one in the wrong, you're right. Please, don't ever say you should've never confessed... Because that's not the problem here. It's just me. I'm sorry, really.

〔 TAEYANG ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 [in KOREAN] There, that was good for our third time. You're starting to get how he's supposed to act very well. [claps his hands] I'm sure we'll get even better with more practice.

〔 AHN JUNYONG ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 Mhm! Good job so far.

... WHILE FOR SOME OTHERS, THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE CASE.

〔 CHOI MINGYU ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Junsoo... Uhm...

〔 CHOI MINGYU ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 That fucking sucked. I see why you got that grade now.

〔 SUNG JUNSOO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Shut the fuck up! I know. I don't care either way, I got forced.

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 You don't... But I do, so don't piss me off and act that out properly, Junsoo. This is not even a matter of skills, but of attitude.

〔 SUNG JUNSOO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 [groans] Fine, fine! But... Now that I think about it... Why are you even here, Siu? Didn't you audition for that crappy slice of life?

〔 JIN SIEUN ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 I did! And I got the main role~ But Fractals' director contacted me by themselves asking if I wanted the main role here as well? Apparently they were so impressed by my acting that they absolutely wanted me in...!

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 And rightfully so~ Our Siu is amazing!

〔 PARK JUNO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 [nodding enthusiastically] I can't help but agree. I also wonder how Shiyun would've done if she stayed here, though...

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Right? She quit because of COVID, but look at the others... This competition truly is bringing out the worst out of everyone here, huh... [sighs] I mean, someone else quit after Seolha.

〔 CHOI MINGYU ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 What...? Other people are quitting?!

〔 PARK JUNO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 ... Wow. Now I'm seriously concerned.

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 ... Guys, I don't know what to tell you, but they go to your class. How did I know that before you two?

〔 PARK JUNO & CHOI MINGYU 〕 Huh?

〔 PARK JUNO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 What the... How many people are left in our class, at this point...?

〔 CHOI EUNWOO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Welcome to our world, Park Juno. [pats his shoulders] That's not a first for us.

〔 PARK JUNO ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 ...

WAIT, WAIT. HAVEN'T WE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING?

ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE THE VERY FIRST VOTING IS TAKING PLACE.

WHO KNOWS IF THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCUMULATED STRESS SOME STUDENTS ARE FACING...?

〔 LEE TAEWON ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 I barely get screentime, if any at all... Of course I'm anxious! I really want to debut, but I fear I won't make it no matter what...

〔 LEE TAEWON ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 I'm not the best singer out there, I know... But why can't I be acknowledged the one time I get an higher grade?

〔 LEE TAEWON ﹕ CLASS ONE 〕 We're almost done with the first half of the show, but I have not been given the same possibilities as many others here... What can I do to get just some crumbs?

〔 SHIN ARIN ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 I feel like no matter how hard I try, I will never be acknowledged for anything I do. No one is interested, and the editors aren't either.

〔 SHIN ARIN ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Why is it them specifically? Why are they the only ones who get that kind of attention? The editors always focus on those few as if they're the most interesting people on earth.

〔 SHIN ARIN ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Am I really that uninteresting to them?

LEE TAEWON AND SHIN ARIN'S ARE JUST SOME OF THE JOURNEYS IN SEIYUU ACADEMY THAT HAVEN'T BEEN DOCUMENTED AT ALL IN THE EPISODES AS OF NOW.

PUSHING A NARRATIVE OFTEN STOPS THOSE WHO DON'T FIT IT FROM BEING SHOWN AT ALL. BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT EXCLUSIVE TO SURVIVAL SHOWS.

"ONLY THE FITTEST WILL SURVIVE" IS A RULE THAT APPLIES ANYWHERE IN SOCIAL LIFE, AFTER ALL.

BACK TO THE PRESENT.

IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE VERY FIRST RANKING ANNOUNCEMENT.

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 We can finally move onto the RANKING ANNOUNCEMENT. Before doing that, how many members will debut in the final group? [turns the microphone towards the students in the audience]

ABSOLUTE SILENCE. DO THEY KNOW?

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 ...

〔 NAM KYUHYUNG ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Twelve students.

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 Correct! So you guys knew... You were pulling a trick, huh?

〔 NAM KYUHYUNG ﹕ CLASS TWO 〕 Oh, no! No one told us anything. I just guessed.

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 [groans] ... What the hell is wrong with the production?!

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 By the way, Kyuhyung is right! Twelve members with no fixed gender ratio... How will this go?

〔 SEOHYUN ﹕ HOST 〕 Let's start by showing what would TOP 12 be based solely on voting... The result might be surprising to some!

THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP AS SEOHYUN SPEAKS.

〔 DO JUNSEO ﹕ CLASS THREE 〕 Now... That's an interesting plot twist. We need to take [CENSORED] seriously from now on.

WHO IS JUNSEO TALKING ABOUT...?

FEVEN'S CORNER !!!

This part is (admittedly) all over the place, but to be fair the entire show is, so...

I originally planned to put the ranking directly, but 1) I was going way too over the word limit and some people can't read that much in one sitting, and 2) I scrapped the edit I made at last and I genuinely can't bring myself to make any new ones within this time frame, so...

Still, I'm very sorry! This wasn't a planned cliffhanger, I promise... At least you know you're finally getting the ranking next time 🙏🏽 And talking about updates, I'm slowly finishing the extras for EPISODE TWO as well. They'll arrive soon 🤞🏽 Sorry for the wait!

This being said, don't forget the SYA APP exists... Since no one used it yet, I might as well be the first one to do so just to encourage y'all 😁