Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The Onion-Like Man
Shaaak—!
The sound was far louder than expected, freezing the atmosphere. It was as if time itself had stopped.
All eyes in the room instinctively turned toward Nam Siwoo, who was holding his face in shock.
‘What got torn?’
‘How did that hit make such a sound?’
‘Is actor Nam Siwoo okay?’
‘He’s not moving… did he faint standing up?’
The staff were worried about Nam Siwoo, but the tense atmosphere kept no one from speaking.
Then, the silence was broken by Nam Siwoo’s manager.
“Siwoo! Are you okay?”
The manager, who had been watching from behind the camera, rushed over to inspect Nam Siwoo’s face. His gaze then shifted to Baek Seungchan.
“Hey! Are you crazy? This is just rehearsal—were you trying to kill someone? No, even if it wasn’t a rehearsal, how can you hit that hard?”
The manager’s voice was furious.
“Um, shouldn’t we check on Nam Siwoo’s condition first?”
Baek Seungchan calmly spoke, listening quietly. His composed demeanor only fueled the manager’s anger.
Fuming, the manager stepped closer, reaching for Baek Seungchan’s collar.
“Check his condition? You don’t need to….”
“Hyung, stop. I’m fine.”
At that moment, Nam Siwoo quickly grabbed the manager’s arm.
“What do you mean you’re fine? You hit me that hard—there’s no way I’m okay!”
The manager was still in a state of agitation. He assumed Nam Siwoo, being kind, was lying to avoid making the situation worse.
“Siwoo, I told you. You need to get angry when you’re angry. Otherwise, people will just ignore you.”
Siwoo had always been kind and timid, even when he became a main member of his group. The manager, having watched him since trainee days, knew this and was even angrier for it.
“I really am fine,” Nam Siwoo said, scratching his head awkwardly.
“The sound was loud, but it didn’t hurt at all.”
“That doesn’t make sense! The sound was that loud… wait? You’re unharmed?”
The manager’s words trailed off as he realized something strange. Looking closely at Nam Siwoo’s face, there were no marks—not even redness.
“You’re really fine?”
“See? I told you, nothing happened.”
The staff, who had been silently watching, were also stunned by Nam Siwoo’s flawless complexion.
“I told you, really nothing happened.”
“Then why were you holding your face?”
“I just got startled… so please, calm down and stop making a fuss.”
Nam Siwoo had held his cheek out of surprise, not pain.
“Oh… sorry…”
The manager suddenly realized all the staff were watching him and scratched his head in embarrassment.
“Hyung, you shouldn’t apologize to me. Apologize to the actor and the staff.”
“You’re right. Sorry for causing a scene.”
“That’s okay.”
“We were surprised too.”
The manager bowed in apology, and the staff understood. They too had thought the hit was excessively strong.
“Actor, sorry for the misunderstanding and getting angry.”
Then, the manager approached Baek Seungchan, bowing sincerely.
“Well, I can understand,” Baek Seungchan said, accepting the apology graciously.
He liked that the manager’s actions came from genuine concern for Nam Siwoo and that he apologized without hesitation.
“Still… could you be a little careful? The overseas tour starts soon.”
The manager quietly whispered to Baek Seungchan.
“I will,” Baek Seungchan replied calmly.
The brief commotion ended, but a strange tension lingered on set.
‘Who is this person really?’
‘Is this some hidden camera prank? Or is the famous actor in disguise?’
Baek Seungchan had displayed too many surprising abilities, leaving everyone speechless. But no one dared ask. The director, Park Taeho, was the same.
Then, someone broke the tension.
“Seungchan, where did you learn that acting? Even veterans can’t hit without causing pain that easily.”
It was Team Leader Kim Seongho. He had approached Baek Seungchan, patted his shoulder, and smiled proudly.
“…”
All the staff’s eyes turned to Baek Seungchan, curious as well.
“Um, I learned it in the military.”
He couldn’t exactly say he learned it in martial arts in a past life, so he made a simple excuse.
“The military? Wait… you don’t mean—”
“Okay, that’s enough. I can’t explain further.”
Baek Seungchan stopped right there, knowing continuing would never end.
“Oh! Right, I forgot about secrecy. Our Seungchan really is an onion-like man.”
“Ah…”
The staff nodded knowingly, as if they understood. A slight misunderstanding arose, but Baek Seungchan didn’t care. It meant no more bothersome questions.
For reference, Baek Seungchan had fully served in the army as a cook.
“Alright, shall we start again?”
Calm returned to the set, and Director Park Taeho’s voice echoed through the classroom.
“Let’s do one simple rehearsal and then start shooting.”
Filming continued as if nothing had happened.
Shaaak—! Shaaak—! Shaaak—!
With each slap from Baek Seungchan’s palm to Nam Siwoo’s cheek, the classroom seemed to echo like a battlefield.
Each hit spread fear across Nam Siwoo’s face, his body trembling under the pressure.
Shaaak—!
Finally, after the last hit, Nam Siwoo collapsed onto the floor.
“Cut!”
Director Park Taeho’s cheerful voice filled the room.
“Very good!”
He smiled with satisfaction.
After the second scene, the staff busily prepared for the next location, as it wasn’t a classroom. Baek Seungchan, having finished his minor role as the protagonist’s bullied past self, was ready to leave.
“Seungchan.”
On his way out to return his clothes, Nam Siwoo called after him.
His face no longer showed fear, and his voice was steady. Practice had helped him calm down.
“Yes, do you have something to say?”
“Thank you so much today. Because of you, I could perform far better than my own abilities allowed.”
Nam Siwoo hesitated briefly before speaking.
“….”
Baek Seungchan paused, reminded of Seoksam from his past life.
Seoksam had always been humble, expressing gratitude even after accomplishing something, attributing it to someone else’s help.
“Siwoo.”
Baek Seungchan called calmly.
“Yes?”
“It’s not because of me—you succeeded because of your own effort. Keep that confidence going forward.”
He had wanted to tell Seoksam the same, but never did due to his poor emotional expression.
“….”
Nam Siwoo’s eyes reddened. Baek Seungchan’s words touched the hardship and frustration he had endured.
“Don’t cry just because people are watching strangely.”
“Ahem, I’m not crying.”
With Baek Seungchan’s joke, Nam Siwoo quickly composed himself, wiping his eyes.
“That’s good. I’ll leave now, take care.”
As Baek Seungchan left, he turned back once to advise Nam Siwoo.
“Nam Siwoo, your eyes convey emotions clearly. If you practice that, you’ll get even better results.”
Thinking of Seoksam, he gave advice.
“Ah, thank you!”
Nam Siwoo thanked him sincerely, and Baek Seungchan left with a satisfied smile.
“Seungchan, good job.”
Returning his outfit at the set, Team Leader Kim Seongho greeted him with a bright smile.
“Anything you want to eat?”
It was lunchtime, and he insisted on treating him.
“A packed meal is fine.”
Baek Seungchan considered, then smiled. Every meal felt delicious, having just entered society after discharge.
“This time, I’ll buy. Let’s go somewhere else, I want to treat myself.”
“Okay, just say anything that comes to mind.”
“Hmm… Korean beef.”
“Korean beef…?”
Kim Seongho was momentarily surprised. Baek Seungchan laughed.
“Just kidding. How about spicy beef intestine stew? I love it, haven’t had it in a while.”
“Perfect!”
His face brightened immediately.
“There’s a great place nearby I go to all the time. Let’s go there.”
“Sounds good.”
At the restaurant, they ordered medium size with extra noodles. The place was busy, even after lunch rush.
“Boss, one small order please.”
Kim Seongho subtly asked Baek Seungchan.
“How was today’s shoot?”
“A bit intense in the middle, but overall fine.”
“Intense?”
“Nothing major, Nam Siwoo got stuck in his acting, so I stepped in.”
“Oh…”
Understanding, Kim Seongho nodded.
“Luckily, the director appreciated it.”
“Yeah, because you performed well. Do you plan to continue acting?”
“An actor?”
“Yes, it’d be a waste not to use your talent.”
“Hmm, actors make a lot of money, right?”
“If you get famous, yes.”
“Then I’ll do it. I need the money.”
Baek Seungchan spoke honestly. He thought briefly about how to best use his past life abilities to earn money—acting fit perfectly.
“Good choice. You’ll become a top actor, I guarantee it.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, and Kim Seongho emphasized again.
“I’m not exaggerating. In 20 years in this business, few had your talent.”
Just then, steaming spicy beef intestine stew arrived. The rich aroma made Baek Seungchan’s hungry stomach growl.
“You must be hungry from working since morning. Eat quickly.”
Kim Seongho served generously.
“Thank you.”
Baek Seungchan tasted the broth, eyes wide. Kim Seongho smiled proudly.
“How is it?”
“Absolutely amazing.”
They devoured the stew, then added two servings of fried rice to finish.
“Thanks for the meal.”
“Good, I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Kim Seongho took out a white envelope from his pocket.
“Here, take this.”
“What’s this?”
“Your pay for today.”
“Today? Isn’t that usually later?”
Extras were usually paid a month later, depending on agency and production company arrangements.
“Yes, but today is special. Your first minor role debut.”
Kim Seongho also remembered his first minor role, receiving an envelope from a senior—it had motivated him to keep pursuing acting.
“Thanks.”
“Check it yourself.”
Baek Seungchan didn’t hesitate, curious about the thicker-than-expected envelope.
“Oh!”
Counting the bills, there were forty—double what he expected.
“This is too much.”
Kim Seongho smiled.
“The director and production company liked your work, so I added a little extra from my own pocket.”
Baek Seungchan, skilled in observation from his past life as Cheonmyeon-gwi, immediately sensed the half-truth.
“Thank you, sir.”
He expressed genuine gratitude without showing he knew the deception. Kim Seongho nodded, pleased.
“If you ever want more extra work or face hardships, contact me. I know a few senior actors who can help.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
Laughing, Kim Seongho patted his shoulder.
“Then I won’t refuse. Can I work as an extra tomorrow too?”
“Absolutely, I can make that happen.”
“Please.”
“Okay, I’ll get as many opportunities as possible. I’ll also look into auditions or minor roles if possible.”
“Thank you.”
“Good choice. Be careful on your way home.”
“Thank you for everything.”
Baek Seungchan left the set, feeling as confident as the thickened envelope in his pocket.
“Seungchan.”
On his way to the station, Kim Seongho ran after him, out of breath.
“What is it?”
“I forgot something.”
He handed Baek Seungchan a small notebook and pen.
“What’s this?”
“Sign it. I’m your number one fan. Number one fan deserves number one autograph.”
“Right…”
Baek Seungchan found it amusing and satisfying.
“But sir, I don’t have a signature yet.”
“Perfect, create one now.”
“Really?”
“Yes, just make it look nice, the notebook has examples.”
He opened the notebook, seeing numerous signatures from celebrities, including Nam Siwoo’s from earlier.
“Just imitate the style or just write your name plainly.”
“Hmm, let me see.”
After studying the signatures, Baek Seungchan confidently signed his own.
“Here you go.”
Kim Seongho checked it playfully.
“Wow, you said it’s your first signature?”
It was impressive—even reminiscent of famous calligraphy exhibitions he had seen.
“Made it just now. Surprisingly easy.”
Baek Seungchan, once called Cheonmyeon-gwi, had mimicked even master calligraphers.
“Seungchan, you really are incredible. You can do anything.”
Kim Seongho could only laugh in disbelief.