Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: OST
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An actor who'd been at the Namyangju outskirts film set from day one bragged about Na Gang-in's work as if it were his own.
"It's better than anything you could imagine. He sets up the movement paths and camera positions in real time, and when we act accordingly, it feels like a real fight. But that's not all."
"Then what?"
"Later, Director Byun edits the footage... well, not fully, just cuts and pastes it roughly to check how it turns out. Watching it together, all you can do is gasp in admiration."
"So he calculated in advance how the footage would be combined, even before shooting?"
"Of course. And he does it in real time."
The new actor's mouth fell open.
"Whoa... At that level, he's not just a martial arts director—he could be a cinematographer or even direct the whole thing."
"Huh? Now that you mention it, you're right."
Great action scenes lifted the spirits on the film set.
That energy carried over to other scenes. The actors poured their all into everyday dialogues, romance, and conflict scenes alike.
After shooting a conflict scene, Director Byun Hyung-chan clapped for the actors.
"Wow, you guys are no joke. Watching your performances made my whole body tense up."
The actors beamed.
"I'm in top form today."
"Let's ride this wave straight into the next scene?"
"Absolutely!"
The already talented actors were brimming with energy, leading to frequent standout performances.
Actors with slightly weaker skills gritted their teeth and chased after them.
They acted fiercely in front of the camera to avoid being outshone, and even after the director called "cut," they insisted they could do better and asked for retakes.
Those even less skilled felt the heat like fire on their feet.
"If I slip up and my awkward acting ends up on screen, that could be the last day of my film career."
Such actors scrimped on break time, flipping through scripts. Some even carried them to the bathroom.
After expending energy, they had to replenish it somehow. No matter the enthusiasm, an empty tank meant the body wouldn't cooperate.
Delicious meals played a big part in helping the actors endure.
Na Gang-in prepared a spicy braised pork dish loaded with plenty of meat for lunch. It had a feel similar to boneless galbi jjim.
The actors marveled as they ate.
"Whoa, I like this better than short ribs."
"From today, this is my ultimate galbi jjim."
"Hey, try mixing the leftover meat with rice like this. Even better."
"Whoaaa! The rice tastes sweet!"
Na Gang-in had also made a milder version for those who couldn't handle spice, but most went for the spicy one.
After the actors and staff had their first servings, an unexpected guest showed up with a tray.
"Huh?"
Kwak Yu-seon, the sound engineer and younger sister of composer Kwak Chan-seok, grinned and held out her tray.
"I'll have some rice too, please."
As Na Gang-in scooped rice for her, he said,
"You're not on our film's staff, Yu-seon."
"Oh? You haven't heard? My big bro's handling the music for this movie. I'm joining as the sound engineer."
"Ahh."
Na Gang-in generously ladled pork stew onto her tray and asked,
"But isn't Composer Kwak the guy who makes just one song a month?"
"That one song gets versions like upbeat, melancholic, intense pop, metal—you name it. Tons of variations to pick from for different scenes."
"This movie mixes Joseon era and modern, but one song covers it all."
"My big bro's a total idiot at home, but a genius at work."
Composer Kwak Chan-seok and SAH Entertainment President Seo Jae-hyun peeled the plastic wrap off their jajangmyeon bowls.
Seo Jae-hyun stirred his noodles and said,
"Let's eat something tasty."
"That's why I ordered gan-jajang. It's a thousand won extra."
"No, I meant let's go somewhere we can spin the lazy Susan."
"I'm busy."
Today, Seo Jae-hyun had visited Kwak Chan-seok's studio.
Munching delivery jajangmyeon, Seo Jae-hyun asked,
"Since when is the free-spirit guy suddenly so busy?"
Kwak Chan-seok carefully mixed his jajangmyeon before replying,
"I made a song. Now arranging it into various versions."
Seo Jae-hyun swallowed a mouthful.
"Already? That's fast!"
Kwak Chan-seok boasted,
"Inspiration's hitting hard lately. At this rate, I'll have a backlog."
Seo Jae-hyun slid the danmuji toward him and asked,
"So, you giving that song to me?"
"No conscience? I gave you one last time."
The previous song, "Walking Again Today," ended up with Na Gang-in due to circumstances—not an SAH singer. Na Gang-in used the stage name "Daengdaeng" for his singing.
"Dude, that one got sung by Na Gang-in anyway. He's not our agency's singer."
"I gave it to you clearly. You passed it to Gang-in."
"That was because the guide track he sang leaked online. No choice. So give me this one."
"No."
"Come on, between us..."
Seo Jae-hyun paused.
"Wait, you're not giving this to Na Gang-in too, are you?"
Kwak Chan-seok shook his head.
"It could work with variations, but no. This song shines best with a girl group."
"Huh?"
"Wasn't aiming for that at first, but it shaped up perfectly for them. Sometimes the song takes the wheel, and I can't steer—this is one."
Seo Jae-hyun's eyes sparkled.
Songs he makes following his whim have even higher hit potential.
He even pushed over onions and chunjang.
"Chan-seok, our agency has a girl group. Puff Girls would nail it."
"I made this for the movie OST."
"Our girls can sing the OST!"
"Word's already out I'm doing the OST. Tons of places besides you will beg for it. Just eat your jajangmyeon."
Kwak Yu-seon devoured the food truck meal Na Gang-in made.
"So good. Worth coming to Namyangju for this."
A coffee truck from Kim Yu-chan's fan club was parked at one side of the set. She grabbed a free cup there too, with the lead actor's photo on it.
"He really is handsome."
After finishing the first round of servings, Na Gang-in left the rest to food truck owner Kim Byung-ho and stepped out.
He got coffee from the truck and sat in front of Kwak Yu-seon.
"No work for a film music sound engineer today—what brings you here?"
She smiled brightly.
"Obviously to score a meal from Oppa Gang-in."
"You didn't come all this way just for one meal."
"Well... there's one more thing. Gotta play Big Bro's work-in-progress versions for the director and get feedback."
"That's the real reason, then."
"Getting a meal from you is just a bonus."
Na Gang-in stood with his coffee.
"Got it. Handle your work, then."
She reached out.
"Ack! No."
"Why?"
"Big Bro said to get your opinion too. Action-related stuff prioritizes your input, I heard."
She pulled out bean sprout-shaped Bluetooth earbuds and offered them to Na Gang-in.
"Listen when you have time—now's good."
Na Gang-in sat back down.
"Food's all done anyway."
He took the earbuds and popped them in.
Kwak Yu-seon played a track from her smartphone. Na Gang-in realized right away.
"This is a dance track."
It was just a 30-second sample.
"Perfect for a girl group."
"You get it right away. Yeah. It ended up optimized for them."
She grumbled,
"Take back what I said about Big Bro being a genius. Can't even control that much? What genius? This song would've been great for Oppa Gang-in too."
Na Gang-in chuckled.
"I'm good."
"Good how?"
"I've released songs, hit single digits on charts. That's enough."
Kwak Yu-seon persuaded him excitedly.
"No, not yet. You made top 10 but not #1, and it's dropped out now. One more with Big Bro's track, and you might hit #1."
Na Gang-in's last release had been hugely popular—charts peaked so high he wondered if he'd overdone it.
"I'm telling you, I'm good. For real."
"I could wrangle another song from Big Bro... Oh, there are other variations—listen."
Kwak Yu-seon played a 30-second rock version. Na Gang-in shared his thoughts.
"This'd fit modern fistfights as background."
"Right? I thought so too. Now a mellow romance version."
At another table on set, Lee Bo-ra asked Shin Eun-ha,
"Who's that chatting and laughing with Oppa Gang-in over coffee?"
Shin Eun-ha glanced at Kwak Yu-seon.
"You know Composer Kwak Chan-seok?"
"Of course."
"His little sister."
"Hmm. She an actress too?"
"No. Sound engineer."
"Figures. Her face is seriously lacking compared to us."
"Don't say that out loud or you'll get flak. Even if it's true."
"But why's a sound engineer all smiley with Oppa Gang-in?"
"During that CF shoot, Oppa saved her life. Lifesaver."
Lee Bo-ra snorted.
"Isn't Oppa Gang-in my lifesaver too? And mine wasn't just once."
Shin Eun-ha wagged one finger.
"Wanna compare to me? I've got more."
Lee Bo-ra backpedaled instantly.
"Oh, Eun-ha. Should we compete over this? Not cool. Who compares life-saving moments? People would think we're nuts."
"You started it, and now that you're losing, you change the tune!"
Director Byun Hyung-chan, Kwak Yu-seon, and Na Gang-in gathered quietly aside.
Byun thought Na Gang-in's input was essential for the OST, especially action scenes.
Others maybe not, but action music needs his take.
Kwak Yu-seon apologized to Byun.
"Big Bro should've come himself, but he's swamped with arrangements. So I'm standing in."
"No worries. I spoke with Composer Kwak on the phone."
"Let's start with the original, then."
Kwak Yu-seon played the track on her phone. Her humming vocals came through.
Byun closed his eyes for the 30-second original and variants.
After all tracks, Kwak Yu-seon asked,
"What do you think?"
Byun opened his eyes, grinning wide.
"Wow, Composer Kwak's on another level. Songs are great, expansions fit perfectly. But the lyrics..."
"I pulled those from the script for humming—matched to emotions. Official lyrics need separate work, of course. Director can write them."
"Ah, can I do the lyrics?"
"Sure. You wrote the scenario—lyrics will match great."
"Then co-lyrics with Composer Kwak. He'll fix my weak spots."
Lyrics were settled. Now, who sings it?
Kwak Yu-seon explained,
"Girl group is ideal. Multiple voices for parts mean variety. Better for diverse scenes."
Byun scratched his chin, smiling.
"True. More melody-only spots probably. Intense for fights, moody for romance."
Byun turned to Na Gang-in.
"Right, Gang-in?"
"For action: melody-focused for Joseon fights, vocalist version for modern."
"Exactly my thoughts. Same song, but era changes the vibe hugely."
Kwak Chan-seok had told Kwak Yu-seon,
"So who sings? Ideally a bright, talented girl group."
"Lots of good singers in girl groups these days, many eager. I'll narrow to three or four candidates."
"Sounds good. But..."
Byun paused, then said,
"We need a male singer too."
"Pardon?"
"For my vision, male vocals at least twice."