I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 36: Lee Doyoon (Complete)

“How did a talentless kid even think to enter the art department?”

After that single sentence, the classroom fell silent.

Lee Doyoon froze, neither speaking nor showing any expression.

Just as the veins in my forehead threatened to pop and I was about to stand up, he finally spoke.

“I just… wanted to do something.”

Lee Doyoon’s lips parted at last, and the conversation began.

I stopped myself from rising, slumped back into my seat, and raised my eyebrows skeptically, as if telling him to keep talking.

Sure, my behavior might look over the top or even strange to others, but this was my chance to change Lee Doyoon’s life. No, it was more like I had to guide him back to the path he was meant to follow.

Lee Doyoon belongs in the acting department. That’s the only way his future won’t fall apart.

It had only been one day since enrollment, and changes to one’s department could be made within a week. It was still possible.

The reason I was pushing him this hard?

Effort? It falls short of talent. In the arts, this gap is undeniable. Talent holds the lion’s share of success in this field.

But who is Lee Doyoon? He’s the protagonist of this world.

Of course, someone like him would possess at least one overpowered skill. That would be the acting talent he’d later display in the performing arts department.

Lee Doyoon would go on to achieve fame as an actor. By the time he graduated, he’d even be nicknamed the “Ten-Million Actor” due to his incredible popularity.

How could I let someone like him waste away here?

There was another reason, too. This wasn’t something from the original story, just my personal opinion.

Unless you’re truly extraordinary, making a living in the arts is incredibly hard.

Why do parents prioritize academic tutoring over practical arts lessons? There’s a reason for that.

Only those marked as future pros can survive in the field of arts and athletics. Everyone else has to settle for alternative paths.

Only a small fraction make it.

And as his childhood friend, I’m worried about him.

I’m worried that Lee Doyoon’s talents will wither away in the art department.

Of course, the decision is ultimately his. It’s not something I can dictate.

Still, I should at least offer some advice. We’ve been friends for so long.

Once again, Lee Doyoon’s lips opened after being shut for a long time.

“Ha-eun, you, Yehwa, Yeseo, Soyeol, and finally Yuseol—you all have talent in your respective fields.”

I listened silently.

“But it feels like I don’t have any talent at all. Because of that, it seems like all of you are moving farther and farther away from me.”

Lee Doyoon begins his acting career in the second semester of his first year. Until then, his life resembles that of a slice-of-life drama.

“When I think about it that way, I guess I got a bit impatient.”

The bitter smile on his face didn’t look bright at all.

“Out of all the departments, why the art department?” I asked in a calm tone.

“Uh… There’s only one reason I applied to the art department. My friend is in that class.”

“You mean me?”

“Yeah. Haha.”

“And you think that’s something to laugh about, idiot?”

He entered the art department because of me? Well… I guess that’s possible.

But that reason still felt insufficient.

“There has to be more. Another reason.”

“…I was envious.”

Lee Doyoon lowered his head, clutching his hands tightly.

“Even though we’re the same age, why do you shine so brightly while I don’t?”

Lee Doyoon had contacted me after my prize announcement. It might have started then.

Or perhaps as far back as when we were seven years old.

Frowning, I stared at him. He hadn’t finished his story yet.

When he raised his head again, he scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.

“So I even went to a drawing academy, but it didn’t work out.”

No matter how much effort you put in, there’s a limit. Talent is an unreachable barrier.

“I wanted to be like you, Ha-eun. But I guess that was just my greed.”

His expression was gloomy, but the corners of his lips held a faint smile.

“Do you regret it?”

Regret what? Though I asked, I found myself surprised by my own question.

“…A little? By the time I came to my senses, my department was already set.”

That’s nothing to worry about. There’s still a week to make changes.

At that moment, I felt a bit relieved. It seemed like Doyoon himself was realizing he didn’t belong in the art department.

At the same time, I started to worry again.

Adolescents often go through phases of self-reflection and confusion. Isn’t this something many people talk to counselors about—things like identity and self-esteem?

These periods of turmoil might pass, but they could also return.

I squinted and stared at him. That baby-faced guy grinned awkwardly back at me.

He had felt jealousy and envy seeing others move ahead of him.

It’s something everyone experiences. I’ve been there too.

But the only outlet I had was drawing, so it quietly passed.

Not everyone processes things the same way, though.

“Sigh… So how do you feel now?” I asked with a deep sigh, knowing he understood the question.

He vigorously waved his arms in denial.

“I’m not like that anymore!”

“Then why do you act awkward around me whenever we meet?”

“…I guess it’s because I feel… embarrassed.”

…? Suddenly, goosebumps rose on my arms, and I rubbed them.

“You’re not thinking of—”

“No! Don’t get the wrong idea! I just feel bad about how I used to think.”

Right. Typical romantic comedy protagonists quickly overcome jealousy and envy. Then, they extend a hand to the person they once envied. A classic cliché.

Anyway, it seemed I didn’t need to worry about it anymore.

“Then stop fidgeting or laughing awkwardly around me. It makes you look like you’ve got some tragic backstory.”

…Well, I guess he does have one. And the main character in that story seems to be me.

I stood up, rubbed the back of my neck, grabbed my bag, and tapped his shoulder as I passed him. Consider that my token of concern.

“And remember, department changes close in a week. Make sure you fill out the application properly.”

His eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, and make sure you transfer to the performing arts department. That’s where the talent you’re so obsessed with will bloom.”

“…Really? What kind of talent…?”

Hearing his shaky voice, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

At least he hadn’t given up yet.

“Acting. You’ve always made such expressive faces, even when we were kids. Your gestures were weird too.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

“My recommendation? Become an actor. See you at lunch tomorrow.”

I walked out with the flair of a shonen manga protagonist, waving as I left.

Lee Doyoon sat frozen in his chair, staring at me as I closed the classroom door behind me.

‘…Damn. I was ridiculously cool just now.’

As a thrill coursed through me, I felt my body shiver in excitement.

“Pu-huh…!”

I turned my head at the sound from the hallway corner.

Peeking around the corner were several familiar heads stacked on top of one another: Ha Soyeol, Choi Yeseo, Hong Yehwa, Baek Yuseol, and… Lee A-reum?

Why was she here?

The culprit who made the noise was Choi Yeseo.

“Pfft, hahaha! ‘Recommendation? Become an actor! See you at lunch tomorrow!’ Hahaha!”

“So cool, Ha-eun.”

“Lee Ha-eun… has a really unique personality. I respect it, I guess.”

“……”

“Ha-eun must read a lot of webtoons! That was entertaining, at least.”

…Go away, all of you. And seriously, why was Ms. Lee A-reum here?

—

After that day, Lee Doyoon and I returned to how we used to be.

Of course, I had to endure some teasing from the girls for a while, but I could handle it.

If I hadn’t intervened, Lee Doyoon might have ended up starving in the future.

Thankfully, his department change went smoothly, and he transferred to the performing arts department as planned.

Perhaps it was because of my presence, or maybe my words gave him confidence, but as soon as Lee Doyoon joined Class 1 of the performing arts department, he became a social butterfly.

“Do you already have an agency? Well, let’s at least have a chat.”

Not long ago, while the six of us were walking home, Lee Doyoon was scouted by a talent agent.

Judging by how well the agent seemed to know his personality, they must have done their research beforehand.

Caught off guard, Lee Doyoon ended up signing a contract, and just like that, he set foot on the path of becoming an actor.

His face had grown far more expressive than before.

He was still only a first-year, yet his talent for acting was already blossoming.

…Originally, this wasn’t supposed to happen until the second semester. Oh well, no harm done, I guess.

What’s the problem with debuting a little earlier?

…Though, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease. It should be fine… probably.

With Lee Doyoon’s issues resolved, it was now time to focus on my own problems.

“Sigh… should I scrap this and start over?”

Something about it just didn’t sit right with me. If I touched it, it felt like I’d have to revise everything.

Hearing me mumble, my mom, who had been sipping hot chocolate in the corner, frowned.

“Again? This is your third time. What are you going to do if you miss the deadline?”

“I know, I know. But it’s still bothering me.”

“To me, it looks no different from what you had a week ago.”

“That’s because regular people don’t understand the perspective of a genius.”

“Your YouTube channel is still under my control, you know?”

Tch. She always uses my YouTube channel as leverage. I know she’s joking, but I still play along.

“More importantly, are you okay?”

I put down my brush and turned to face her.

I was asking about her health.

She shrugged, signaling she was fine.

“This place is so refreshing. Honestly, on days like this, there’s no way to feel cool without air conditioning. This place is perfect.”

As I’ve said before, what an artist perceives and what an ordinary person perceives can differ vastly.

Here I was bundled up in a padded jacket, while my mom only wore a light cardigan.

In my eyes, this place was a snowstorm in the middle of a frigid tundra, while in hers, it was just lightly snowing.

The mental difference was staggering.

“Can I have some hot chocolate too?”

“I figured you’d ask, so I made an extra one. Here.”

The other mug beside her was mine? Why didn’t she give it to me earlier?

“So, what’s the problem?”

My mom got up and walked over to stand beside me.

I picked up my brush again and pointed to the part that was bothering me.

“Here. This section of the snowy mountain—I tried to incorporate some Art Deco style, but the curves are slightly off.”

“I’ve never even heard of that style. So, you just need to fix this part?”

“Pretty much. After that, I’ll need to check it periodically and refine it.”

“To me, it looks perfect as is…”

I rolled my eyes, lost in thought. Even if I submitted it in this state, it would likely rank among the top entries in the competition.

Still, I wasn’t fully satisfied.

“Hmm… maybe I could blend in some oil paint to make it less noticeable?”

At that moment, my mom’s advice became my saving grace. Why hadn’t I thought of that?

“…So very perfect exactly.”

I gave her a double thumbs-up, and for the rest of the day, I spent time relaxing with my family.

—

As time passed and I observed the slice-of-life drama unfolding around Lee Doyoon’s romantic comedy life, a new incident arose.

“Alright then! Let’s select the participants for the sports festival! Unfortunately, it’s mandatory for everyone!”

Out of nowhere, during the morning assembly, Ms. Lee A-reum casually dropped that bombshell before walking off.

Once again, I tried to get out of it.

“Hehe. Sorry, Ha-eun, but you have to participate too.”

This was absolute BS. And by the way, Ms. Lee A-reum, why are you so excited about this?