Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Lee Haejin's Confusion
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I headed straight to the camera with Executive Director Joo. Soon, the footage the director had shot played on the screen.
The video was simple. It panned from the bottom to the top of the barefoot boy's body.
"Wow, this is good."
"Going barefoot was a stroke of genius."
Why did taking off socks qualify as a stroke of genius?
I asked Executive Director Joo.
"Does being barefoot have some symbolic meaning?"
Executive Director Joo grinned and said,
"It has huge symbolic meaning."
Was it because trashy family dramas in messed-up households always featured barefoot scenes?
"You don't need to know the details, Dowon."
It felt like something I really should know.
"There are things in the world you don't need to know."
Well, it wasn't like I was getting scammed, so this was fine. I nodded and walked over to the stylist who had called my name. The next scene required a costume change.
I changed into the outfit and let out a sigh.
"It's a school uniform."
Maybe because it was a uniform for the video, it felt different from a regular one. The stylist pinned the jacket while saying,
"The director personally oversaw this. He insisted on this exact uniform."
The stiff navy fabric was a bit irritating.
'Stage outfits I'll wear in the future will probably be even more uncomfortable.'
I stepped out in the uniform right away. As we headed to the set, Lee Haejin came into view.
I quietly stood near the director and watched her act.
'It’s nothing special.'
The camera followed as she walked down the hallway. But there was no OK sign right away.
"NG! Haejin! Be more cautious. Right now, the sister-in-law has fallen for the young master in the school uniform. It's a scene where she doesn't want to look but can't tear her eyes away—full of tender longing."
What a soap opera mess.
'At least it's before the Juvenile Protection Act came in.'
A few years from now, music videos like this would be unimaginable.
"NG! Haejin! This won't work. Boy, stand in front of Haejin."
Huh.
"Having him right in front will help her focus! Stay like that for five minutes. I'm going to step out for a smoke."
Director?
'It feels like this won't work at all.'
But it was a good chance to talk. I positioned myself where the camera couldn't see me, but she could.
"You..."
Lee Haejin pointed at me right away.
"I'm a total beginner at acting, so I don't know much."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"I've found that getting into emotions similar to your counterpart's role helps. Why not try that, Haejin?"
Lee Haejin's face flushed bright red. It would be nice if she was blushing because she liked it, but no, she was pissed.
"You're getting cocky just because people call you an acting genius!"
"I do have some talent, but I'm not a genius—I know that."
Lee Haejin's expression changed. She looked at me with a bit of surprise.
'Had she misunderstood something?'
Did she think I was some arrogant genius strutting around?
"Huh?"
She seemed suddenly confused and ran a hand through her hair.
'She's kinda cute.'
I kept smiling and said,
"How about it?"
"W-what?"
"Feels like the misunderstanding's cleared up a bit. Can you get into the sister-in-law's emotions for the music video now?"
That was the problem with acting. Even professionals who could treat enemies like lovers still let real emotions seep in to some degree.
"You! So full of yourself!"
That was when it happened.
"Stand by! Sister-in-law role, get ready!"
"Yes!"
At the cue, Lee Haejin walked forward with tense, cautious steps full of apprehension.
"Okay! Cut! Moving to the next scene."
Success.
Lee Haejin came over to me and said in a sinister tone,
"You just wait."
"It's an honor."
What was this?
'Teasing the future queen of the screen is fun?'
Sure, the fumbling and clashing wouldn't last forever.
'She'll soar to stardom worldwide.'
I grinned and turned away. The next scene was the 'taking off the school uniform' one.
Just the jacket, though.
'I felt this during the cue sid, but why is this scene even necessary?'
And there were multiple cameras.
'I really don't get it.'
Where was this trashy music video headed?
I let out a deep sigh.
'Guess it's a world I don't know.'
Probably best not to know. Trust the company—they'll handle it.
I shook my head. It felt ominously off.
***
After the utterly incomprehensible scene finally wrapped, I at last met my counterpart. This was the one scene in this trashy music video where the two leads actually locked eyes.
'The sister-in-law bringing snacks to the little brother-in-law studying late into the night, right?'
The snacks were coffee and cookies loaded with cream. And when cream got on my face, the sister-in-law wiped it off with a smile.
'Does this have some symbolism too?'
Late-night snacks were supposed to be ramen and chicken, weren't they? What was with the cream?
Don't think about it. Thinking meant losing.
'Focus on the work. This is finally a proper scene.'
Maybe because we'd shot so many weird ones, this felt precious.
'Even though I checked it with cue sid beforehand.'
I shook my head and sat at the desk. The director smiled and said,
"Great composition, great actors!"
"Make me look handsome."
"Hmm, the boy role is still young, you know. You are handsome, but kinda pretty?"
I couldn't hold back my grimace. I heard the director and Executive Director Joo laughing.
Soon, the standby call came. Lee Haejin brought in the tray of snacks, and I took them happily. The two characters faced each other, then the sister-in-law spotted cream on the boy's face.
The sister-in-law smiled and wiped it off. The boy stayed still at first, then got flustered by her touch.
When I dodged shyly, Lee Haejin smiled and caressed my face more. As I played the embarrassed boy avoiding eye contact, she finally let go and laughed.
"Cut!"
Lee Haejin and I rushed to the director. The small screen showed acting that was pretty decent.
'As expected of the future queen.'
The emotions flowed naturally.
"You're amazing, Haejin."
At my praise, her eyes widened.
"Th-that's..."
Lee Haejin stammered, sighed, then covered her mouth and whispered so softly,
"Damn it..."
The director didn't hear, but I did clearly.
'Why damn it?'
When I glanced back, her face was red.
'Why the reaction again?'
Lee Haejin took a deep breath. Just as I was about to say something, Director Park spoke.
"30-minute break. Prep for the next scene."
Ah, that scene already.
"Last scene."
"Yeah. After that, all your scenes are done, Dowon."
"Got it."
"I'm super excited for the final cut? This feels like it'll be my masterpiece."
"An honor."
"You little cutie."
Director Park turned to talk with Executive Director Joo. The manager came over and bumped his fist against mine, telling me to get my emotions in check.
'Ah, right, the next one's a bit complicated.'
I nodded obediently.
'Maybe I should run a quick simulation.'
Better to be certain about everything.
***
Lee Haejin had been flustered all day today. Maybe that's why she couldn't stay calm no matter what.
'Damn it.'
She kept cursing inwardly. This music video was a mess from casting to shooting.
'This is going to be tough to film.'
She'd sent out profiles endlessly and barely landed this chance. But when she heard it was a debut idol's music video, she'd barely managed to pull herself together.
The director had asked her almost pleadingly.
'Haejin, please tough it out. Your counterpart's a 16-year-old boy. Debuting soon, and his agency calls him an acting genius, but you think he really is?'
When she asked who, he mentioned the kid from Yumi's music video. She watched it on her smartphone and clicked her tongue.
'What? His acting is just closing his eyes the whole time.'
There was a bit of actual acting at the end. But it was sorely lacking.
'This is my counterpart?'
Her bruised pride piled on the irritation.
'Must be nice. Joined a good company and already the lead.'
This idol nobody.
'You think you can handle a nuanced role like this?'
Unlike Yumi's video, this role needed real acting. The boy looked delicate enough visually, but that was it.
'Damn it.'
She didn't have tons of experience herself, so leading a beginner was hard. But she couldn't turn down a hard-won gig.
She'd psyched herself up before arriving on set.
'But he was different.'
The boy bantered naturally with everyone upon arrival. Even the director, who didn't seem thrilled about the boy role, oddly warmed to that.
'He was different when talking to me!'
Just you wait!
She expected NG after NG. But from the first scene, she realized her judgment was off.
'He's good.'
How was he so natural?
The boy flowed like water. His voice control was spot-on, and he even had poise.
'I saw it earlier. He checked the camera positions too.'
The kid had the blocking down perfectly.
'Wh-what? Are all idols like this these days?'
Where did he learn to act?
Maybe that's why she kept messing up. Couldn't get into the emotions, expressions crumpling.
'I'm going crazy.'
As anxiety bit her lip, the annoying boy said,
-I do have some talent, but I'm no genius—I know that.
Oh?
Her first thought was absurd even to her.
'No way! Humble on top of that acting? That's too much!'
With an executive director watching, why be so polite? Strut a bit! This was unfair! A guy with opportunity and skill!
The shoot continued, leading to the skinship scene.
Filming together confirmed it.
'So natural!'
And it made her acting easier.
With him matching her, she felt much more at ease. She admitted it herself: he was better than that theater senior she'd struggled with repeatedly.
"Damn it."
Maybe that's why her true feelings slipped out. Seeing the boy's eyes widen, Lee Haejin hurried off set.
"What the hell!"
Why did the curse slip? And why did he praise me!
Her heart was a mess. She crouched in an empty spot, tearing at her hair. Everything from one to ten was infuriating.
'Lee Haejin, you idiot!'
She'd misunderstood on her own.
'What now.'
Sorry? Would he accept it? God, what did I do to this kid younger than me.
As frustration pounded her chest, the boy's voice came from behind.
"You okay?"
Lee Haejin blinked. The boy's delicate face filled her view.
'Re-looking at him...'
He's kinda pretty?
Lee Haejin couldn't speak. She should apologize right away, but her voice wouldn't come.
"Y-your hair, it's a bit..."
"I'll get some medicine."
"Huh?"
Why was he worrying too?
Lee Haejin rubbed her dry face. Sighs poured out.
"Wait, hold on."
The boy turned. Lee Haejin whispered softly.
"Sorry. For the misunderstanding."
She couldn't lift her head.
"You're right. I took it out on you, and yeah, because you're young."
The more she spoke, the more ashamed she felt.
"I know an apology won't fix it."
What the hell had she said to him.
'Something must've possessed me.'
Ugh, you fool.
The boy said nothing. Lee Haejin peeked up.
'He'll curse me out.'
Fine, she'd prepared for that.
But the boy didn't say a word. He seemed lost in thought.
"Um, cat got your tongue?"
"Ah, sorry. Um, it's just unexpected."
The boy smiled and shrugged.
"Didn't think you'd apologize."
"Sorry."
"Yeah, it's fine. Misunderstandings happen."
Wh-what?
'Why is his heart so big!'
Wasn't that not how people worked?