Taming the Steed
Following his manager, Suhyeon arrived at a wide-open yard bathed in light from all sides. A large mat was spread out on one side, and atop it sat an ancestral rite table with a pig's head placed prominently in the center. Nearby, a young woman who appeared to be the script supervisor was snapping photos of the surroundings and the altar with her phone, likely for the record. Beside her, a young man was filming with a camera.
As Suhyeon approached, the young woman hurried over with a welcoming smile. "Hello. You're Suhyeon, playing Right Sword Song Hae-seop in Moonlight Escort, right?"
Suhyeon replied with a soft smile. "Yes, that's me. And you are?"
"I'm Kim Young-sook, the script supervisor for this film."
"Ah, I see. Thank you for your hard work."
"We're shooting the making-of film right now, and the others haven't arrived yet. If you're okay with it, how about a quick interview?"
"Sure, no problem at all."
With Suhyeon's permission, Kim Young-sook beckoned the young man holding the camera. "This is Park Sang-min, the junior from the directing team. Say hello."
The man lowered the camera from his shoulder and bowed. "Hello. I'm Park Sang-min, junior directing staff."
"Nice to meet you. You're with the directing team?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Don't most making-of films get outsourced these days?"
Kim Young-sook answered for him. "That costs money too, you know. Park Sang-min here graduated college last year and just joined as our junior, but he films really well. So we decided to handle it in-house."
"Wow, impressive. You look about my age, and you're already at this level..."
Park Sang-min bowed his head in gratitude, and Kim Young-sook continued. "Alright, let's get that interview going."
"Sure thing."
While Suhyeon, the first to arrive, was being interviewed, the other actors and staff began trickling in. Once finished, Suhyeon moved to join the group. He exchanged warm greetings with Jang Tae-ho, who played Left Sword Lee Taek-min; Jung Se-kyung, who played Princess Seonhwa; martial arts director Jeong Do-hong; and assistant director Jo Young-gi, then stood beside Jang Tae-ho.
As they waited for Seong Kang-ho, the film's central figure, and director Jang Jin-seok to arrive, the two chatted lightly.
"Hey, buddy. Congrats—you're killing it these days."
"Thanks."
"How the hell do you build a body like that beast? Spill the secret. I wanna try it out. Got some special diet?"
"As if. I've been training in martial arts since I was a kid, so it just came naturally. Put in ten years of hard work starting now, and you might get there. Want me to teach you?"
"Ten years? Nah, I'll stick to the gym."
"Smart choice."
Jang Tae-ho glanced around, then eyed the altar. "That pig head on the rite table looks like it's smiling. Whoever picked it out did a good job. Do pigs really die grinning like that sometimes?"
"No way. It's the power of capitalism."
"What're you on about? How's a smiling pig head got anything to do with capitalism?"
"Don't you get it? People want smiling pig heads for these rites, so the sellers figured it out. They stick chopsticks in the corners of the mouth before boiling it, forcing a grin."
"...For real?"
"Think about it. Pigs wanna live too. You gonna find one in the world that dies smiling like that? All business."
"Huh... So, Suhyeon, how much you putting in for the rite money?"
Suhyeon's mind flashed back to his morning conversation with Manager Park as Jang Tae-ho probed casually.
"Suhyeon, for idols, the agency is a shield and a lifeline. It protects from scandals and books gigs to make money. But for a hot movie star? Totally different. The agency's just a secretary handling the dirty work and schedules."
"I see."
"Even the best agency can't land roles in specific films—that's not their power position with production companies. Stars have to hustle that themselves."
"Got it."
"Remember this: For actors, agencies are errand runners and scapegoats. When something's too tough or awkward, blame the agency. That's why you sign with them. It's basically an independent contractor setup, equal footing—as long as you're a star."
"Understood."
Suhyeon shook off the memory and answered. "Rite money? No clue. Agency prepped the envelope, so I'm just bringing that."
"Gotcha..."
"Oh, hey—Director Jang Jin-seok and Brother Kang-ho are here."
After the rite wrapped smoothly, Suhyeon and Jang Tae-ho listened to the assistant director's briefing.
"It's day one, so we'll check all equipment and headcount. Main cast-focused shooting today, so follow Assistant Director Jo Young-gi. Schedules go through your managers."
"Got it."
As the assistant director left, Jo Young-gi spoke up. "Weather's cooling off. When horses' breath shows and leaves fall bare, winter's obvious—so we're cramming all horse action scenes over two weeks before it gets worse. Clear?"
"Yes."
"Head to your assigned horses now. You all ride, but bond fully before tomorrow's first scene to avoid accidents. They're trained, but safety first. See you in an hour."
Suhyeon returned to the van where his manager waited, opening the door. "Suhyeon, good work. It's getting chilly—hop in."
Once inside, Suhyeon asked, "Hyung, know where we're headed?"
"Yep. Got the address from staff. Thirty minutes away."
"Where to?"
"Bukhangang Riding Club in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do—right at Dumulmeori where the rivers meet. Nav's set; rest up."
"Thanks. Drive safe—plenty of time."
"Will do. But seriously, you can ride? Never practiced."
"Told you at action school: Rode plenty as a kid, no need. Don't worry."
In a world without cars, long trips without horses were impossible. Times change, but horses are horses—no swapping for dogs or cows.
Suhyeon stopped thinking and closed his eyes for a quick rest.
~
Suhyeon let out a long, low whistle, stepping slowly before halting. The horse wasn't looking at him, head down, gazing afar.
Standing still, Suhyeon peered into her eyes: long lashes, moist and clear, drawing him in like pure crystal.
Behind him, Jang Tae-ho, the assistant director, and riding club staff murmured, catching Suhyeon's sharp ears.
"What's that guy doing?"
"No idea. First time riding?"
"Scared?"
"Heard he can ride. Weird."
"Why not just mount?"
"Skipped practice?"
Ignoring them, Suhyeon stared, thinking: Training doesn't change basics. First impressions matter. Kitanda... look at me.
She lifted her head. Suhyeon spread his arms, whistling low, stepping cautiously.
~
At three meters, he raised his hands slightly, whistling steadily, eyes locked. No closer without permission. Like me? Okay to mount?
Kitanda snorted lightly, as if granting leave. Suhyeon approached sideways, stroking her neck softly.
After a long caress, he gripped the pommel, jumped to saddle height, and mounted lightly.
"Whoa, agile."
"No stirrup?"
"Tall helps."
"Ser Jang-hoon could do that?"
Suhyeon leaned low, hands stroking her neck, whispering. "Thanks for the ride, Kitanda. Let's get along. Your ancestors galloped steppes—let's run wild together."
Bonded, he slipped feet into stirrups, straightened, gripped reins.
~
Short whistle, light kick. She walked.
Jang Tae-ho, on his stallion Bima-ryeong, rode up. Suhyeon whistled softly, reined her to halt.
~
"Suhyeon, your style's unique. Riding school?"
"Learned from martial arts master as a kid—not a club."
Brief memory: The sect's instructor was a Mongol horseman.
"Cool. Most say 'whoa' to stop—you went 'euuu'. From him too?"
"Yeah, Chinese style. Habit since childhood."
"Neat."
After indoor practice, they emerged to the long track. Suhyeon stroked her. "Time to run for real, Kitanda. Felt cooped up?"
Light whistle.
~
She walked. "Smart girl."
Shorter whistle, light kick.
~
Trot. After 100 meters, warming up, sharp whistles, double kick.
!
She dipped head; Suhyeon tensed thighs, lifted off saddle, leaned. Canter.
One minute in, silent kicks. Her head lowered, neck extended; he pitched forward airborne.
She stretched elastically, legs gathering-spreading, accelerating to gallop.
Thundering hooves, she snorted joyfully, neck outstretched, flying.
Suhyeon whooped, kicking. "Ha! Run! Faster! Hot! Hot!"
Dirt flew in dust clouds, mane whipping. A staffer watched warily. "Rides better than me... Kitanda that fast?"
"Forgot? Raced at Gwacheon—retired now."
"Pull her back? Risky."
"Nah, she's thrilled—real rider. She needs the stress relief. He'll stop right. Damn, he's good."
Man and horse as one, they stormed the track like ancient Mongol cavalry sweeping the plains.
Next morning, Suhyeon woke early in the motel room arranged by production, irritation hitting first.
Damn it...