To Be an Actor Review

When I think of regression stories, the first thing that comes to mind is a main character that has been seriously wronged by someone, and when they go back in time, they are desperate to get revenge. To Be an Actor is nothing like that, and that makes it absolutely wonderful. The story follows Jang Youngkuk and his determination to correct all of the mistakes he made in his first go at life. 

The first chapter of To Be an Actor is honestly one of the most poignant beginnings to a manhwa I’ve ever read. Set in South Korea our protagonist, Jang Youngkuk, lived a selfish life. He disdains the poverty he grew up in and shuns his hardworking single mother for selling fish. 

When he graduated high school with less than stellar grades, he stumbled upon acting and found his passion. The tenacity Youngkuk shows to reach his goal of being a celebrated actor is inspiring… But a little concerning. He didn’t bother to forge relationships with the people around him. Instead, he chose to focus every waking minute on how to become a better actor.

Finally, after years of struggle, Youngkuk wins his first award and gets a taste of the fame and fortune he longed for. Yet everything comes crashing down when he learns his mother is terminally ill. My heart ached at Youngkuk’s devastation when he realized that his selfishness led him to neglect the only person who supported and loved him. Seeing his descent into committing suicide, then the tears he shed when he saw his mother after regressing to his middle school days were striking.

Once Youngkuk accepted that he really had gone back to the past, he decided he would not allow himself to repeat his past mistakes. He was determined to live solely for the happiness of his mother and forget his dreams. In a way, he was traumatized by losing himself in his career. He worried that, “If I decide to become an actor again, I’ll be overwhelmed by my selfishness and greed of wanting to become the best again. Just like a moth drawn to fire.” 

Luckily for Youngkuk though, his mother wasn’t going to sit by and let her son give up on his dream. When an opportunity comes for him to act (at a much younger age than in his first life), his mother encourages him to try it. She cries tears of joy the first time she watches Youngkuk act. She genuinely wants nothing more than for her son to be happy.

It was this wish that broke through Youngkuk’s stubbornness about giving up his dream of being an actor. It made me so happy when Youngkuk said, “I promised myself that I would not abandon my mother for acting in this life. Also, I promised my mother that I would not give up on my own happiness just for her.”  With his mother’s blessing, Youngkuk finally allows himself to admit how much he loves acting and to pursue it as a career.

As the story progresses, one of my favorite things is when Youngkuk takes time to compare his past life to his current one. He constantly reflects on the mistakes of his past, not to dwell on them but to learn from them. This shows a high level of maturity and a desire to become a better person which I find lovely. Youngkuk is one of the most empathetic and emotionally strong male leads I have ever come across.

Once Youngkuk decides to become an actor, he works his way through many new and exciting experiences. The scope of his projects keeps things interesting and fresh. He appears in TV dramas, an indie film, multiple commercials, and even a play. 

His roles are even more diverse. From a poor country bumpkin to a grieving friend, a popular teen heart throb to a murderous priest, then from “the greatest Casanova of Joseon” to playing a set of twins, one a benevolent ruler and the other a tyrannical dictator bent on revenge. Pretty much whatever tickles your fancy, Youngkuk does it with style, grace, and emotion flashing in his pretty gray eyes.

If you think the story is just about acting, think again. Youngkuk revitalizes a flagging neighborhood market, plays a mean game of golf, and pays for a child’s leukemia treatments. He even debates with lawyers about issues with the South Korean legal system. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg with Youngkuk’s life experiences. 

Suffice it to say, even after 94 chapters, this gem of a manhwa keeps getting better. You’ll come to love and root for Youngkuk as he does his best to make his second life something incredible for himself and everyone around him. Be prepared to cry because there are some emotionally wrenching moments in the story. Yet equally be prepared to laugh and grin. 

My favorite line from To Be an Actor also sums up the story’s theme, in my opinion. Youngkuk says, “Yes, a lot of things may be different from my past life, but one thing hasn’t changed at all. It’s my mother’s unwavering love.” I guarantee that this manhwa will deliver copious amounts of warm-fuzzy heart flutters that will keep you coming back every time a new chapter is released. 

Oh, and if you give To Be an Actor a try, be sure to watch out for the black cat mama and her babies throughout the story. It’s something of a treasure hunt for me to find the chapters the artist inserts them into, which makes rereading the manhwa even more fun! What are some of your favorite acting manhwas/mangas? If you’ve already read To Be an Actor, which is your favorite story arc? Thanks for reading my review! Have a fluttery day