68 - Rooftop Resolve and the Daring Horse Leap
Suhyeon opened his eyes and immediately sat up from the motel room floor, brushing aside the foot of the person lying next to him atop his body. He scanned the room. Aside from himself, four others were crashed out in the cramped space. On the room's single bed, two women were locked in a tight embrace, deep in slumber, while two men flanked him on either side, heads tilted awkwardly as they snored thunderously on the floor.
—Rrrumble~Pffft~
—Krr rumble~Krrrk~
Suhyeon let out a soft sigh at the stereo surround-sound snoring from both sides and rose silently. Carefully stepping around the landmines of empty liquor bottles scattered everywhere, he headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower, he emerged with a towel around his head.
This is ridiculous... I can't get anything done in here like this.
He changed into comfortable clothes, grabbed his belongings bag and phone, then slipped out of the room and climbed to the motel rooftop. Avoiding the elevator, he took the stairs, replaying last night's memories in sequence.
It started innocently enough—dinner, then a casual beer with Jang Tae-ho, my roommate. Jeong Se-kyeong dropped by to discuss acting and joined us, which got Tae-ho fired up for soju-beer mixes. Then Kim Young-sook and Park Sang-min, filming making-of footage, stumbled in, turning it into a full-blown drinking bash. As everyone got wasted, Se-kyeong's manager dragged her away. Just as the party was fizzling, Song Min-ji from action school showed up late, reigniting the pour-and-chug frenzy... Ugh.
Recalling the wild night with peers his age, Suhyeon shook his head and muttered.
"What's with the women in this industry? Every last one can hold her liquor like a champ. Hold it like champs..."
Alone on the rooftop, he gazed at the rising sun and performed the Microcosmic Orbit to purge the lingering alcohol from his system. Then he warmed up thoroughly with Six Harmonies Fist before settling into a plastic folding chair in one corner. Pulling a thick storyboard book from his bag, he dove in, fully immersed.
Deep into it, his phone buzzed.
"Hyung Seongcheol?"
[Suhyeon-ah. Where are you? I went to wake you, but you're gone and the room's full of sprawled-out bodies.]
"Ah, I got up early. Room was too chaotic, so I'm on the motel roof reviewing storyboards."
[Got it. Meet me out front by 8 then. Gotta grab breakfast.]
"Sure thing. I'll be on time—no worries."
Hanging up, he refocused on the storyboard when he sensed footsteps approaching the roof.
Who's that? Light steps... sounds like a woman.
Glancing at the entrance, Suhyeon was inwardly startled by the unexpected visitor but masked it with a warm greeting.
"Good morning. What brings you all the way up here?"
"Sleep well? I came to talk about something with you, Suhyeon-ssi."
Moments later, alone again, Suhyeon closed the storyboard, prepared to head down for breakfast, and pondered.
They say no one in the world is free of worries... Even in an age when man reaches the moon, some things never change.
After a hearty breakfast, Suhyeon tackled the day's shoots on schedule. Nearing lunchtime, they filmed Woo-geom Song Hae-seop's martial arts practice scene. Dressed as Woo-geom Song Hae-seop in the family courtyard, gripping a gleaming sword in one hand, Suhyeon steadied his breath.
—Ready~.Action!
The acting began on the director's cue. His thrusting foot struck like a hawk, the swift sword swing whipping up a razor gale. The stabbing blade tip bristled with ferocity, his glaring eyes and sharp kiai brimming with a warrior's valor.
Finishing the flawless performance, Suhyeon caught his breath in the courtyard center when the director's booming cheer rang out.
—Cut! Perfect!
The staff and actors, who had watched breathlessly, erupted in admiration and applause.
—Whoa, insane!
—He said he was confident in action, and it wasn't bluffing.
—That shot's gonna slay.
—Handsome guy acting like that? Straight-up cheat code.
—Heard he's ripped—when's the shirt-off scene?
As Suhyeon handed the prop sword back to the team, director Jang Jin-seok approached.
"Suhyeon-ssi, that was excellent."
"Thank you, Director."
"No plans with anyone else? Join me and Director Jeong for lunch?"
Suhyeon thought, Here it comes...
Finally, the 'take your shirt off' request.
"Yes, Director. Sounds good. No other plans."
Soon, at a nearby restaurant, Suhyeon dined with director Jang Jin-seok and martial arts director Jeong Do-hong. As the meal wound down, Jang broached the topic hesitantly.
"Suhyeon-ssi, I have something to say..."
"Go ahead, Director. Make yourself comfortable. And feel free to drop the formalities."
"Can't do that. How can a director make a good film without respecting his actors? Anyway... People call me an auteur director, but before that, I'm a family man."
"I see..."
"I know full well that stripping you down could end my career here. For my family's sake, I have to play it safe. But from a director's view, I can't ignore the box office."
"I understand completely."
"So I've been agonizing. Yesterday at the sacrificial rite, Director Jeong and I arrived late—we discussed it then. More like I vented to him. But..."
"Yes, I'm listening."
"He advised me: Don't overthink—just ask Suhyeon directly. We can't presume to guess a genius's mind. Be honest, ask his opinion; it'll yield better results. That's why we're lunching today."
"I see."
"Sigh. What to do? Can't bare your chest, but need the film to hit big... Any bright ideas? Lend this genius brain to advise me."
Suhyeon rapidly assessed options before replying.
"Director, I'm fine taking my shirt off. But even if I volunteer, some won't buy it. Meaning exposure scenes are practically impossible here. So I brainstormed alternatives for box office success..."
Jang grabbed Suhyeon's hand eagerly.
"Yes? What'd you come up with?"
Gently withdrawing, Suhyeon continued.
"I've memorized the script, scenario, storyboards—you name it. But one part bugged me."
"Which?"
"You wrote the scenario, so you know: the film's highlight is the princess and her entourage chased by assassins from the rear palace, right?"
"Exactly. The horseback archery chase in the plains—that's the climax."
"Yes. To buy time, Woo-geom—you—dismounts first, fights valiantly, dies heroically; then Left Sword falls... But here's what nagged me: In Joseon, peak Confucian era, a delicately raised palace princess galloping wildly across plains on horseback? Realistic? Will audiences buy it?"
"Hmm..."
"A Joseon princess would've used a palanquin, never ridden solo. At best, perched sidesaddle on a slow horse led by attendants. Horseback's dangerous even for grown men— a woman charging fields? Does that sit right with you?"
"Fair point. But it's a movie—some exaggeration for fun is inevitable."
"Exactly. So why not tweak the scenario slightly?"
"Tweak how?"
"Two options: Show the exiled princess learning to ride, nearly falling but saved by me, proving her hard-earned skill. Or during the chase, she falls clumsily but I help her overcome. Either sells it."
Pausing, he added,
"Add that action, and I'll dazzle with horse tricks. Boosts hype, satisfies audiences."
"Script changes are easy... I heard you ride well last night. But too risky? Stunt pros hesitate; you, an actor? If you get hurt, I'm done. You don't know how scary that one is yet."
"No worries, Director. I ride like a pro—master tricks flawlessly. My teacher who taught me nicknamed me Ma-jae-yu-un for it."
"Ma Jae-yoon? What's that?"
"Ma-jae-yu-un—horse (ma), stunt (jae), flying squirrel (yu), movement (un). He said my flips feel like a flying squirrel frolicking. No accident risk."
"Really? Whew. If you can pull it off safely..."
Soon, the trio huddled, scripting new action not in the original.
Hours later, Yangsu-ri outdoor set buzzed with tension ready to snap. Staff scurried, checking prep—especially the grip team operating the dolly, shouting amid glitches.
Watching tensely, Jang grabbed the megaphone.
"Slow down! Take it easy! Plenty of time—check thoroughly. Dolly's crucial here!"
Prep complete: Wooden arrow targets in vast grass; on dolly track, stunt double Mija (Seonhwa Princess stand-in) mounted Loveju. Nearby, Suhyeon's horse Kitilda waited.
Jang boomed,
"Everyone knows how dangerous? No retakes—one shot. Focus!"
He climbed the dolly, locked eyes with Suhyeon—who nodded. Megaphone up:
—Rea~dy~.Action!
Silence fell; only wind whispered over grass.
Suhyeon deep-breathed, bow in left, arrows in right, advanced slowly. Cameras tracked.
At mark, he stabbed arrows into ground one-handed. Loosened tunic, bared right arm. Nocked arrow carefully, drew mightily at distant target. Coiled snake-like shoulder muscles rippled; rope-twisted forearm flexed.
Steady breath, fierce glare—he released.
Exhaling, tracking the arrow—then a woman's shriek pierced his ears.
—Kyaaack!
Whipping around, Suhyeon saw Seonhwa Princess dangling precariously from her horse.
Face flashing panic, he yanked an arrow, sprinted to Kitilda. Momentum-launched, he vaulted aboard mid-stride.
—Hyah!Hyah!Hyah!
Astride, he spurred Kitilda's flanks, accelerating. Dolly rolled in sync.
Releasing reins, he gripped arrows ahead like offerings. After camera time, snapped tips bare-handed.
Using broken shafts as whips, he lashed Kitilda's haunches. She surged like gale-force.
—Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Nearing spot, Suhyeon balanced rising on saddle. Adjusted reins, closed on Princess's horse.
Jump!
Leaping high for cinematic flair, he landed picture-perfect on her saddle. Right arm snaked around her waist, hauling her up—muscles bulging for close-up. Left hand reined in, slowing to halt.
From dolly, tense-faced Jang roared,
—Cuuut!!Perfect!
In the moment, Suhyeon murmured to Min-ji in his arms,
"You okay? That must've scared you bad."