Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Chaos on Set
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Today's shoot was plagued by issues with the sound equipment and cameras, causing frequent interruptions.
This went on for two hours...
The staff still hadn't pinpointed the cause of the malfunctions, and Director Han Mun-jin was turning red in the face, yelling at them.
"You still haven't found it?"
"Yes... It's definitely in normal condition. But it keeps cutting out for no reason."
"Stop dawdling and fix it fast! The schedule's getting pushed back all day!"
"Ah, got it!"
While everyone else was struggling, I endured the sweltering heat with an ice pack and a portable fan.
'Even just sitting here is brutal...'
How hot must it be for those staff members?
The ones hauling heavy equipment were drenched in sweat, their clothes and hair soaked through.
But... wasn't the director hot?
His face remained calm as he directly oversaw the sluggish crew.
He was no spring chicken— what if he collapsed like that?
I set aside my worries and lifted my gaze upward, savoring the fan's breeze.
I knew he wouldn't listen even if I tried to intervene.
Pffft!
Something burst with a pop, and the breeze stopped. Sensing something off, I turned toward the sound.
"What the heck? Why's this happening?"
White smoke billowed from the little fan as its blades ground to a halt.
'The shooting gear was acting up, and now...'
This time, my precious fan was the culprit. I smacked the back, praying it'd start again, but my desperate wish went unfulfilled.
"Haa..."
Should I ask my manager to grab another one? As I pondered, Yoon So-hee sunbaenim approached naturally, her warm smile striking me as truly beautiful.
Unlike before, she kept a polite distance.
"Junior, what're you doing over here?"
"...Just sitting."
"Yeah? Wanna run lines with me then? We can point out any weird bits in each other's acting."
"Running lines sounds good, but how could I critique you, sunbaenim?"
"It's about exchanging feedback. You know rehearsals and the real thing are different from just reading the script, right?"
I knew that.
Still, something felt off...
She seemed to be gauging my reaction, trying hard to get closer.
'Why's she watching my cues like that?'
Normally, I'd jump at the chance to sync up, but the rumors had me on high alert. Still, I couldn't keep pushing her away.
I might miss out on a good connection if I just believed the gossip.
"...Ah! Jun-seo junior, is it because I'm making you uncomfortable? That makes sense."
She hit the nail on the head, and I gave an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha..."
"Hmm, if I'm that uncomfortable... how about we just chat? Maybe it'll ease up after..."
Murmur murmur.
The area suddenly grew noisy.
What happened?
Through the clustered staff, I spotted young men facing off, looking ready to throw down any second.
"Haa, wait here a sec."
"Sunbaenim, don't tell me... you're jumping into that fight? Just let them be..."
Before I could stop her, she bolted up and wedged herself between them.
"Stop it right now!"
I let out a deep sigh.
We hadn't talked much, but I could already tell her personality.
Overbrimming with justice, the type to dive into anyone else's business...
The kind that tires out everyone around her once you get close.
The belatedly resumed shoot halted again when the camera malfunctioned.
Was that why?
The director's expression soured.
"Haa, shooting's on hold for now. Check the equipment. Actors, take a break. Don't wander off."
Inside the set dressed like an office.
After the extras filed out, I released my held tension and sank into a chair.
The constant stops were draining my mental energy. At this rate, I'd collapse soon.
The next scene was joining the company where the client worked.
Infiltrating slowly, using powers bit by bit to trigger events.
Eventually making the revenge target lose everything and crumble.
That was my role.
But there was still so much left to film...
'At this pace.'
Could we hit today's targets?
A woman approached, fixing my makeup, her face full of worry.
"Um, you okay? Your expression looks off..."
"I'm fine. Just hot."
"Ah... I see."
After she finished and left, I glanced around, catching the director's sharp voice.
"What? You don't know why?"
"Yes... Nothing seemed wrong."
"You guys! How rough do you have to handle the gear to cause this? You sure you're being careful?"
"Of course we are!"
"Yeah! Is this our fault?"
I could see veins bulging on Director Han Mun-jin's forehead. The tension was palpable.
"You're saying you did a good job? Ha! Keep this up, and you'll match me. Huh?"
The staff wilted under his intensity, heads bowed.
"S-Sorry."
"Haa... Might have to wrap today's shoot. We've got mountains of work left..."
Looks like we're done for today. The vibe screamed it.
Then I could head home early...
'What to do with Yu-na?'
Drag out ZingZing and play? Easy and fun.
Or...
Tougher, but the playground?
Lost in happy dilemmas.
Drip! Thud!
A chilling sound came from around me.
Where from?
Scanning, I fixed on the wall that seemed the source.
"It's coming from here... Uh, huh?"
Before I could touch it, the plywood set wall began to tilt.
No time to scream—thick plywood crashed down in an instant.
Boom! Thud!
"Kyaaah!"
A woman's scream rang out.
My heart plummeted; thoughts froze as my body locked up.
Pitch black.
Body unresponsive.
"Don't just stand there—lift it! Actor Lee Jun-seo is pinned!"
"You too—help! Hurry!"
"No hesitating!"
How much time passed?
Once my breathing steadied, my rigid body slowly loosened.
"Alright, lifting now! One! Two!"
The heavy wooden plywood lifted, brightening my view.
Finally, I looked around.
Director and Yoon So-hee sunbaenim rushed over frantically, checking me first.
Staff behind them.
"Jun-seo! You okay?"
"Junior! Hurt anywhere?"
I forced my shaking body up. The director offered his shoulder.
"Don't push it."
"I'm... fine. Just want to sit. Can you help me over there?"
"Haa, fine. Stay put. I'll get medical."
Slumping into the chair after he left, I exhaled deeply.
Hands still trembling badly.
"You really okay?"
Yoon So-hee sunbaenim drew too close. Uncomfortable, I nudged her away.
"...Yeah. Fine. Just startled. Ahaha..."
"Hey! This isn't funny! You're not hiding injuries, are you?"
She groped me, panicking me into shoving harder.
Her face darkened.
"Th-That spot I touched hurts? Wait! I'll fetch medical now!"
Director already went, but she dashed out anyway.
Finally, some quiet.
I closed my eyes, calming my rattled nerves.
Soon, my faintly trembling hands steadied.
Still.
So that rumor was true.
'The set's jinx.'
When bad things keep happening, be extra cautious— that old superstition.
I'd never bought it before.
Now? After experiencing it firsthand, yeah.
If mishaps chain up, watch out.
Finishing that thought, I eyed where I'd fallen. Sturdy tripod, big office shredder.
Props cushioned the plywood—I could see why I wasn't hurt.
Without them...
I wouldn't have walked out, even with help.
"You got really lucky this time."
Realizing the danger anew gave me chills.
All scheduled shoots were canceled; I was to rest at home for a bit.
What could I do?
Even insisting I was fine, director yelled to rest fully.
No choice.
Still.
Everyone stared oddly back then...
Did Yoon So-hee sunbaenim groping me look weird to others?
I saw them whispering as they left the set.
Hope no weird rumors start. Sighing softly at the thought.
"Hehehe. Yeah. We're going there with Daddy. If unnie comes too..."
Oblivious to my unease.
Yu-na giggled away on the phone with Yoo Seol-hwa sunbaenim.
"Yu-na, hang up now and pass Daddy the phone?"
Gently coaxing, but she clutched it tight.
"Not yet! Still stuff to tell unnie!"
"Early bed if we're swimming tomorrow."
Yeah.
Unexpected break meant pool tomorrow with Yu-na—less crowded one.
Picked it to play all day, but honestly? Mostly wanted to see her swim myself.
Lately, hadn't played much.
Chance for good memories, cozy time.
"......"
"No pool tomorrow?"
She flinched, hesitating, then handed over the phone gingerly.
"Good girl. Daddy'll finish with Seol-hwa unnie. You wash up first. Got it?"
"Yeah..."
Sent her to the bathroom, checked the screen.
Call time [02:23:31]
Long chat with Yu-na, yet more to say?
-Hello? Yu-na? Yu-na!
At her urgent call, I cheekily answered.
"Yes, this is Yu-na. Sunbaenim."
-That low voice can't be Yu-na! Why'd you take over!
Speak softer.
Her volume nearly burst my eardrum; I pulled the phone away.
Brought it back when quiet.
"No, sunbaenim, still more to say after two hours?"
-Of course! Oh, right. Heard you nearly got crushed on set?
What? Who told her?
"...How'd you know?"
-On with Yu-na when the article dropped. Search it. Your voice sounds fine.
Heeding her, I pulled up articles on me.
[Set Wall Poorly Built—Actor Lee Jun-seo Nearly Injured. No major harm, but needs days of rest.] [Exclusive: Video of Actor Lee Jun-seo Sensing Danger and Reaching Out First!] Speechless.
Already news?