Episode 30

After listening to the director’s introduction, Soo-yeon greeted Yeon-woo. A beautiful actress with fair skin and harmoniously arranged features. Yeon-woo definitely remembered her face.

“We’ve met before. I’m Ryu Yeon-woo. I look forward to working with you today.”

Upon hearing Yeon-woo’s words, Soo-yeon looked puzzled.

“Have we met before?”

“Um, you went in before me for an audition in Summer Promise.”

“Ah, I was so nervous back then that I don’t remember who was there. Sorry, I’ve seen you a lot on TV.”

Back then, Soo-yeon had no spare time to remember who was there, as she was desperately auditioning. However, Yeon-woo had acted as the lead character in that drama, so naturally, she would have been there.

Soo-yeon nodded her head at Yeon-woo. There was a time when Ahn Jun-ho told Yeon-woo in the audition hall that “Jeong Soo-yeon is more popular,” after seeing Soo-yeon’s gloomy expression. Yeon-woo cheerfully chatted with Soo-yeon, his counterpart for the day, saying let’s do well today.

Whether it was her naturally introverted character or not, Soo-yeon just nodded slightly.

“Okay, let’s go for the first scene. It’s a scene where the heroine’s narration comes in, so we’ll just focus on close-up expressions. High cue.”

It’s a scene where Yeri, the heroine who was washing a flowerpot at the faucet, and Jiwoo Hyuk who blocks the flying soccer ball, first look at each other. Director Kim Han-soo plans to shoot the close-ups first before filming the action of blocking the soccer ball. Yeon-woo, though expressionless, expressed the innocent charm of an adolescent boy seeing Yeri for the first time through the subtle trembling of his eyes.

Watching Yeon-woo’s expression on the field monitor, Director Kim Han-soo was pleased, confirming that his instincts were correct. An expressionless face that somehow makes the viewer’s heart flutter. Soo-yeon, who was playing Yeri, also had an aptly surprised expression.

“Okay, cut!”

Everyone, including the nervous staff, was relieved when the okay sign came out right from Yeon-woo’s first shooting scene. Director Kim Han-soo, who had been under some pressure due to non-cooperative extras since morning, seemed pleased after the scene, lifting the mood on set.

“Alright, the next scene. Get the props.”

“Please block it with your right hand when I throw it this way.”

“Alright.”

Following the on-site staff’s direction and rehearsing, a soccer ball slowly flew in the air with an okay sign.

With a thud, Jiwoo Hyuk knocked the soccer ball away, and Ha yeri, who was washing a flowerpot, looked back in surprise.

Both actors performed the situation written in the script well.

‘The scene is fine, but…’

 

After shooting a few more times and checking the field monitor, Director Kim Han-soo was visibly frustrated.

“The acting is fine, but the flying soccer ball doesn’t look that threatening on screen.”

“We can’t just edit that part out either.”

“Would it be okay for the soccer ball to be thrown faster? Yeon-woo, is your arm alright?”

“Yes, Director. No problem.”

Nodding, Director Kim Han-soo turned to look behind him.

“Okay, then. Throw the ball a bit faster, and more in a straight line than an arc. Let’s do it again.”

“Sure. I’ll throw it.”

Upon the cue, a member of the lighting crew threw the soccer ball with all his might.

– Whizz. –

– Thud. –

Aiming for too much power compromised the accuracy, and instead of landing between Jung Su-yeon and Yeon-woo, the ball hit the corner of the faucet and ricocheted towards Su-yeon’s face.

The crew member who threw the ball froze in surprise.

Yeon-woo, who was already tense, quickly extended his arm and deflected the ball.

– Thump. –

“Ah!”

Su-yeon screamed in genuine surprise, almost stumbling backward.

While the ball wouldn’t have caused severe harm, falling backward onto a faucet made of bricks and cement could have led to a dangerous situation.

Yeon-woo immediately reached out to grab Su-yeon by the waist and prevent her from falling.

A sudden accident briefly paused the shoot.

However, the director quickly stood up, raised his hand to stop the crew from panicking, and resumed the shooting.

Yeon-woo quickly read the room’s atmosphere and continued his acting as Jiwoo Hyuk.

“Are you alright?”

Yeon-woo improvised his lines, imitating the unique tone and atmosphere of actor Kang Joo-won, who would be playing the adult version of his character.

He then pulled a still-stunned Su-yeon back to her feet by the faucet, let go of her, and leaned in.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you okay?”

It was as if the adult Kang Joo-won had appeared in his younger form, perfectly mimicking his unique atmosphere.

Only then did Su-yeon, realizing that the shoot was still on, revert back to her character, Ha Yeri.

“I’m fine.”

Finally, Director Kim Han-soo lowered his arm and shouted.

“Okay! Cut! Perfect! Nice!”

The crew also cheered, applauding the two actors for their quick thinking and improvisation.

“Let’s take a look at that scene one more time on the field monitor.”

 

 

Upon hearing the director’s words, Yeon-woo and Soo-yeon also approached the monitor. The unedited footage that just got shot was playing on the screen. The ball flew quickly, bounced off the corner of the faucet, and headed toward Ha Yeri, while Jiwoo Hyuk, who was half in frame, managed to narrowly block it with quick reflexes. Just as Ha Yeri screamed and was about to fall back in genuine surprise, Jiwoo Hyuk caught her as if it were a directed scene. At that moment, Yeon-woo spoke in the role, as if possessed by Kang Joo-won.

[Are you okay?]

[Were you too scared? Why aren’t you speaking? Are you okay?]

Director Kim Han-soo felt a shiver watching the scene. Clearly, the actor is Ryu Yeon-woo, but he felt the distinct presence of Kang Joo-won. This was different from a simple resemblance.

“How did you do that, Yeon-woo? You were exactly like Jiwoo Hyuk.”

“Well, I heard Kang Joo-won was confirmed for the adult role, so I tried to enhance the audience’s immersion as much as possible.”

Hearing Yeon-woo’s explanation, Director Kim Han-soo applauded. As an experienced director, he understood immediately how Yeon-woo had prepared. He was grateful for Yeon-woo’s diligent preparation, despite only having a cameo role.

“Cheol-min praised you endlessly during a drinking session, you really do have the potential to be a great actor.”

“Thank you, Director. You’re too kind.”

Yeon-woo was visibly overwhelmed by Director Kim Han-soo’s abundant praise. He was just a person who had prepared diligently for his role. They continued shooting the scenes scheduled for today. They captured Yeon-woo’s refreshing presence and clear smile, drawing admiration from the assistant director.

“Wow, his visual is amazing.”

“Indeed.”

Director Kim Han-soo nodded in agreement while watching the monitor.

“Okay, cut!”

The scenes would be short after editing, but capturing the intended mood was essential, making retakes time-consuming. Finally, the last scene of the day was shot, and the ‘Okay’ signal was given. The cast and crew congratulated each other, and even the extras, who had been a bit shy, approached Yeon-woo.

“Can we take a picture?”

“I’m a fan of you hyung.”

Male or female, many were aspiring actors, and their eyes were filled with admiration looking at Yeon-woo, who had suddenly risen to stardom.

“Sure, let’s take a photo together.”

The students took turns taking photos with Yeon-woo and were delighted.

On the other hand, aspiring male actors burst into laughter upon seeing the photos.

“Wow, I can’t use this photo. I look like a squid next to him.”

“What are you talking about? I look even worse. Look at this.”

“Heh, you’re right. But I still look better than you.”

These were students who had come from the same acting school or had known each other from their child actor days.

Yeon-woo found it intriguing to see such camaraderie on set since he had yet to make friends his own age among his acting peers.

“Well, the only person who’s really my age is probably teacher Jung Cheol-min.”

Yeon-woo chuckled at the thought.

“Director, thank you for today.”

“No, no, it’s all thanks to you, Yeon-woo. The quality of our movie has certainly increased. Our release is likely to be after the college entrance exams, so let’s make sure to greet the audience together.”

“Yes, Director. Call me anytime, I’ll be there.”

“Even your words are enough to make me grateful. Haha.”

Despite his young age and rapid rise to stardom, Yeon-woo still greeted Director Kim Han-soo with the same humble attitude, making the director smile contentedly.

With that, Yeon-woo bid farewell to the director and the other staff, heading to the parking lot where Min-soo was waiting.

“Excuse me!”

Turning at the call, Yeon-woo saw Jeong Soo-yeon hurriedly approaching.

“Oh, Soo-yeon.”

Blushing up to her ears, Soo-yeon cautiously extended her phone.

“Would it be rude to ask for your contact information? I don’t have any friends my age in the entertainment industry either. So…..”

Her voice trailed off into a mumble, barely audible. Yeon-woo smiled and took Soo-yeon’s phone.

“Sure, I don’t have any friends my age in this field either.”

Yeon-woo entered his number and made a call to make sure it worked. He then returned Soo-yeon’s phone.

“Next scene coming up. Actress Jeong Soo-yeon!”

“Yes!”

Responding to the on-site staff’s call, Soo-yeon bowed to Yeon-woo and hurriedly ran back.

Just then, Yeon-woo heard a playful voice from Min-soo inside the car, along with the sound of the car window rolling down.

“Hey, did you just get her number? From someone as pretty as her?”

Yeon-woo looked at Min-soo and chuckled.

“Looks like it.”