Jang Youngkuk dreams of escaping poverty by becoming a famous actor—and he succeeds. But his success comes at a devastating cost: the loss of his mother. Overcome with guilt and despair, Youngkuk attempts to end his life, only to awaken in his childhood with memories of everything he lost. Determined to make things right, he vows to abandon acting and live solely to protect his mother. However, as financial hardship resurfaces and reality closes in, Youngkuk is forced to confront an impossible choice. To save the person he loves most, he may have to return to the very path that once destroyed him.
To Be an Actor reframes regression as emotional atonement rather than power optimization. Youngkuk’s second chance isn’t about becoming stronger or smarter—it’s about learning what truly matters. His struggle is internal, rooted in guilt, love, and the fear of repeating the same mistakes.
The story handles ambition with nuance, portraying success not as triumph but as a double-edged sword. Acting becomes both an escape and a curse, forcing Youngkuk to question whether talent alone justifies the sacrifices it demands.
This webtoon excels through restraint and realism. Readers who appreciate character-driven narratives, family-centered drama, and second-chance stories grounded in human consequence will find To Be an Actor deeply affecting.
