Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Nomen (1)
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-Isn't today the shoot? You should cut back on your workouts starting now. Your muscles haven't recovered yet, and filming action scenes will overload them.
-...Did you decide to be my personal doctor or something?
-Hmm, not a bad idea. I'll think of it as a side gig.
-You're busy though... You don't have to worry about me. I didn't just collapse out of nowhere—it was because I took that hit to the jaw. I'm not some weakling who drops dead while being perfectly fine ㅠㅠ.
-Gyeowol, you look like you could just keel over standing there.
-...Please erase that weakling image from when we first met. Anyway, I'm graduating from action school today, so no more going there.
-Good thing. I thought I'd see you back at the hospital in a few days. Guess not.
This is her picking on me again, right?
Just like when we first met by the Han River.
She has a real talent for casually dismissing my stamina like it's nothing.
'...Can't blame her.'
Even after running with me, she didn't pant once or break a sweat. It was like watching an Amazonian warrior.
Of course, I've built up my stamina to the point where I'm a completely different person from back then.
Still, it probably feels like watching a pro boxer look at a total newbie just starting out jumping rope.
Dr. Im Hayoung contacts me every day, acting like she's my personal physician or dedicated trainer.
She recommends supplements and protein shakes, asks about my action school routine, how much weight I'm lifting now, and even what I'm eating.
Turns out she used to work as the team doctor for the national soccer squad.
And she still joins them every season.
At her current hospital, she only handles a few VIP clients.
I never knew hospitals allowed that kind of flexible scheduling.
Anyway.
Life with a dedicated physician-cum-trainer began.
'...This is luxury worth millions.'
It felt like I'd become a chaebol heir.
I almost felt burdened at first, but I decided to accept the favor graciously.
There’s no such thing as unmotivated kindness in this world.
Dr. Im is definitely into me.
'Motherly instincts... or something like that?'
Come to think of it, the Jeong Gyeowol from the Han River days was the kind of pitiful sight that could only draw pity, sympathy, and sorrow.
Being a celebrity means living off images, feeding on fans' love.
Whether you start acting because you love it or enjoy filming, actors are still celebrities.
If I think of Dr. Im as a fan, her actions make perfect sense.
But.
'...Does that mean everyone around me is a fan?'
Atelier, Samgwang, Nomen, KS Entertainment—all of them?
What about people I met before debuting as an actor?
No matter how heavenly my looks are now, isn't that a bit narcissistic?
Kim Seulgi has her own charm, just as pretty as me in a different way.
Lee Arang could debut in a girl group right now with her looks.
Dr. Im looks like an idol at the hospital...
No need to even mention Geum Yuna.
All these people crushing on me?
...Hmm.
Looks like unmotivated kindness does exist in this world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Nomen]
Nomen is a Latin word meaning "name."
A name that has "name" as its name.
It can also be interpreted as a person without a name (nameless).
The movie Nomen is Kim Chi-seung's final gamble—the director who blew two massive-budget films talking about "art."
If this one flops too, Kim Chi-seung's directing career is over.
Screenwriter Bae Jongwook would retire alongside him.
Casting a rookie as the female lead in such a crucial film? Those crazy bastards are doomed to fail anyway.
That was the industry's verdict.
The Nomen production team's mood was somber.
But as Jeong Gyeowol delivered mature acting beyond any rookie's imagination in Psychometry Her, opinions began to shift.
'Maybe... it'll be okay?'
'Yeah... Why cast a rookie for their last shot?'
'There's something there. Even as a newbie, she could devour veterans.'
Screenwriter Bae Jongwook meddles too much on set.
He has excessive passion, rewriting scripts to the point you wonder if it's the same movie.
And he's known for picking fights with directors when things don't go his way—a flaw, sure.
But his scripts are brilliantly written.
Even if they're cliché-ridden.
He masterfully blends them into something that suits everyone's taste.
Like a chef of screenplays.
Director Kim Chi-seung might be called washed-up now, but he's the guy who made a 10-million-viewer hit.
If two such legends picked her simultaneously, she must be something special—that was the crew's prevailing opinion.
"So, what's her personality like? Acting's great and all, but if the female lead poisons the set vibe, the movie's doomed."
"Dude, even on the edge of a cliff, I wouldn't pick a trash human. You still don't know me?"
"Oh yeah? Heard the lead's Kim Yerim. Sounds like you've already fallen off."
"That was unavoidable—DK Group's the biggest investor... And dude, that was Kim Yerim back then. The girl's reformed."
"Hahaha, after tanking two artsy films ignoring investors, now compromising with trends? People don't change that easy."
"...Whatever. Just don't be shocked when Actress Jeong shows up."
Kim Chi-seung shook his head, stubbed out his cigarette, and downed the rest of his mixed coffee.
Talking more would just hurt his mouth.
Truth be told, there wasn't much left to say.
He'd only seen Jeong Gyeowol at the audition.
But he knew no one praised by FM Coach and action director Bae Gi-young had bad character.
And with Bae Gi-young raving every time they met—ears ringing—Kim Chi-seung had been brainwashed too.
"Anyway, let's head in. Actors should arrive soon."
"Yeah, let's go. It's cold."
Soon, a van pulled into the set.
Excluding extras and bit players with the directing team, Jeong Gyeowol was the first major actor to arrive.
She stepped out, greeted the staff, and headed toward Director Kim Chi-seung.
Grinning, he went out to meet her.
"Whoa! Actress Jeong! Loving your drama!"
"Director! Long time no see! How've you been?"
"Great, great! Every time I hear about you, it feels like our movie's a hit. Couldn't be anything but. Oh, this is cinematographer Im Jaemun."
"Hello. Rookie actress Jeong Gyeowol. Please take care of me!"
"Im Jaemun. Let's do well together."
His smile reached his eyes.
His bow was natural, no awkwardness.
You could tell it wasn't fake.
Of course, she might act that way just for directors.
True character shows during filming, but so far, the cinematographer gave her a passing grade.
"Cold, huh? We got a fire going over there—warm up. March, and it's this chilly?"
"That's why I brought some hot drinks."
Meanwhile, Yoo Jun-seung and Kim Gyu-jin were handing out warm beverages to the crew.
Jeong Gyeowol pulled a few from her pocket for the directors too.
Praise for the drama, her great acting, hopes for even better in their film—laughter bloomed.
Screenwriter Bae Jongwook came rushing over to greet her.
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be in our movie, Gyeowol. Hell, maybe not even acting."
"Cut that out already. You say it every time—aren't you sick of it? Like you birthed her, raised her, debuted her."
"He's right. Thanks again, Screenwriter."
"Hahaha! See? Right!"
Vehicles began arriving one by one after Jeong Gyeowol.
Still cornered by Director Kim Chi-seung, cinematographer Im Jaemun, and Screenwriter Bae Jongwook, she couldn't greet others.
About ten minutes later...
"Ah, we've hogged your time too long. Go mingle with the actors. No reading or wedding banquet, so no time to bond?"
"First time rolling cameras without a pre-party."
"I told you, Im— we need that initial awkwardness for the shoot."
"Actors can fake comfort. They all can."
The bickering directors vanished inside.
Finally free, Jeong Gyeowol turned to greet her seniors—
When a hand tapped her back.
She looked behind her.
"Hi?"
A beauty stood there, different from any Jeong Gyeowol had seen.
Like nobility. Stiff, sharp image.
She vaguely resembled CEO Kim Seulgi, but where Seulgi was cool, Kim Yerim felt icy.
'...Wow, she'd nail a serial killer role.'
Jeong Gyeowol had looked up all the cast profiles before arriving.
She instantly recognized Kim Yerim, lead actress playing Lee Jian.
"Hello. Rookie actress Jeong Gyeowol."
"World's changed, huh? Seniors come greet first. Juniors just sweetly accept."
"Ah, sorry, sunbae-nim. I should've come to you first."
She'd been stuck with directors and writers, just freed—felt a bit wronged.
But no reason to blush; seniors are seniors.
Jeong Gyeowol apologized politely.
"Your face doesn't look sorry at all?"
"...My face?"
It was an unmistakably apologetic expression and tone—Jeong Gyeowol was flustered at the nitpick.
"Kidding. Let's get along."
"Ah, yes. Please take care of me, sunbae-nim."
Kim Yerim smiled, patted her shoulder, and headed inside after the directors.
'...What was that? Did I mess up?'
No matter how she thought, no reason for a stranger actress to act like that.
'...Is this actress power play?'
Not used to it like with angel Geum Yuna, Jeong Gyeowol was bound to be flustered.