Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Final Street Chase
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This shoot was taking place in a crowded shopping district. The scene involved chasing after the blue-faced manager character with a smile.
Was it because it was such a public spot?
A throng of people had gathered outside the vehicles, all hoping to catch a glimpse of celebrities.
The temperature today had climbed past 30 degrees Celsius.
Yet the crowd here was fanning themselves with their hands, enduring the blazing sun.
I worried they might all collapse.
But I couldn't very well tell everyone to go inside because it was too hot.
"Haa."
I let out a deep sigh, and the manager narrowed his eyes slightly as he asked,
"You forgot I mentioned it earlier, but did you stick to your diet over the weekend?"
"Of course. I knew you'd nag me about it. Holding back was torture..."
"Really?"
"...What's with that look?"
The manager eyed me with narrowed eyes, then suddenly grabbed my forearm and kneaded it before nodding.
"Looks like you managed your diet well. You've been struggling, so once today's schedule wraps up, let's go grab some braised short ribs."
"...What?"
"You need one day to eat whatever you want. That's what gives you the energy to work out."
His words hit me right in the feels.
"Hey! You should've told me sooner! Do you know how much I held back while we were out?"
I snapped at him, and the manager awkwardly lifted the corners of his mouth, soothing me gently.
"W-We can do cold noodles and doenjang jjigae too. How's that? Let's eat our fill this time."
"......"
Fine, I'll let it slide.
He probably didn't do it on purpose.
Wait a second.
As my anger cooled, memories from my past life flooded back—of starving myself for weight loss, holding back on cravings. Was there ever a day I could eat freely back then?
...No.
There wasn't.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him, and In-cheol hurriedly grabbed his phone.
"I looked up a spot that's got a great rep? I went there last time, and it's legit delicious. Jun-seo, you'll love it."
I let out a small sigh.
Doesn't seem like a lie.
Still...
Braised short ribs and cold noodles...
Just thinking about it made my mouth water.
Fill up on short ribs first.
Then order steamed rice with doenjang jjigae...
And finish with cold noodles...
A sound interrupted my happy fantasy.
Bzzz!
It was a call from the CEO.
I hadn't even reached out to Lee Jong-min yet... The photo I sent must have him in a real panic.
I answered cautiously.
He was probably furious by now.
"Ah, CEO."
-Did you contact him directly?
"Not yet."
...Haa. Tell him I'll work around his schedule. Oh! Forgot to mention—we discussed it with the staff and decided to hang the most ordinary photo in the lobby.
"Ah, I see."
-Anyway... Ask him quick.
The CEO's voice was sharp.
"Got it, CEO. I'll ask him right now."
-Good. Good luck with today's shoot.
Click!
After hanging up, I immediately texted Lee Jong-min. Asking if it was okay to give his contact to Luna's CEO.
Thankfully, he replied right away.
Lee Jong-min: Doesn't matter to me.
Lee Jun-seo: Got it? The CEO loved it. Says he'll make a photobook with the rest.
Lee Jong-min: For something like that, you didn't need to ask me... Understood. You're shooting the drama today, right? Weather's brutal, so hang in there.
Lee Jun-seo: Yep.
After our brief exchange, I forwarded Lee Jong-min's contact to the CEO.
"Jun-seo, time to head out."
"...I can stay here a bit longer."
"The director's out there sweating bullets, and the lead actor..."
"Fine. I get it."
His nagging was getting on my nerves, so I unbuckled my seatbelt to step outside.
"Just one scene left?"
I let out a small sigh.
The large crowd cooperating with the shoot had kept good order during the chase.
Maybe that's why.
One more scene, and we're done filming here.
'The highlight of this scene.'
When the manager guy trips and can't run anymore, I close in and plant sheer terror in his mind.
Eye acting is key here too.
'That said.'
I glanced around, turning only my head. The area was packed with filming gear, and the manager was nowhere in sight.
Same with the cast.
'Where'd everyone go?'
I stood up and approached a wandering staff member, peering around.
"Excuse me."
The young staffer turned.
"W-What's up?"
"Where are the other actors?"
"Break time, so they went out to grab drinks."
Should I ask the director if I can go too?
After sending the staff off, I headed toward where Director Han Mun-jin was.
There he was, sweating profusely, flipping through his bound script.
"Director!"
"Yeah, what is it."
He answered without looking up—clearly swamped.
"Um, can I run to the convenience store real quick? Need a drink."
"Yeah, just don't be late."
He replied without turning, so he must really be busy.
I'll just be in the way here.
I backed away quietly.
Permission granted—off to the store?
I borrowed a mask and hat from nearby staff to cover my face.
Then I pushed through the crowd into the air-conditioned convenience store.
The sweat I'd worked up getting here soaked in instantly.
'Next time, film here.'
I muttered and chuckled.
Ridiculous idea.
I shrugged and pondered the drink cooler.
'This one?'
Protein drink.
After paying, I plopped down inside to sip it.
But the girls next to me were staring uncomfortably.
'They must recognize me?'
I glanced over while drinking, and our eyes met. Their stares grew even more intense.
'Wait a sec.'
That uniform looks familiar.
Seen it somewhere...
Spotting the logo on the left chest of one girl jogged my memory.
"Ah, Hwaseong High School?"
They answered my mutter.
"Yes! That's it. Ah, hello."
"You're so cool. C-Could you sign here?"
Were they waiting for me to say something?
They frantically pulled a notebook and black ballpoint from their bags, thrusting them at me.
Fans, obviously.
"Sure, want me to write your names too?"
"Yes! 'To Na-yeon,' please!"
"M-Me too! I'm Seung-hwa."
"Got it, one at a time."
I opened Na-yeon's notebook first—packed with math formulas I didn't recognize.
I used to study this stuff...
"Back page should have space."
"...You study hard, huh."
"Pardon? Oh, yeah, I do."
Just signing for such diligent students felt lacking.
Maybe doodle something?
I signed the last page's margin and scribbled away with the pen.
Small and cute.
Quick sketch of a character like Na-yeon, and I was satisfied.
Moments like this, I love Lee Jun-seo's natural drawing talent.
"Here."
"Wow! You even drew a pic of me? Thank you so much!"
"So jealous..."
Seung-hwa eyed her friend enviously, sneaking peeks at me.
Just ask for one.
It's no big deal.
"I'll do the same for you. No worries."
"Really? Yes! I can brag to my friends later."
"But no complaining if it looks weird, got it?"
"Yes!"
Signed Seung-hwa's too, added a small drawing.
The girls beamed with joy as they took their notebooks back.
It made even me happy.
"But you two—why aren't you at school? Isn't class in session?"
"Well, we heard Jun-seo oppa was filming here, so we snuck out..."
Poke! Poke!
Na-yeon jabbed her friend's side and smiled brightly.
"We got hall passes. Gotta head back now."
Their guilty looks said it all.
They ditched class after hearing about my shoot.
"Hmm... Skipped out, huh?"
I sipped my drink, eyeing them alternately. What to do with these truants.
Ah, got an idea.
"Girls, wanna make a promise?"
"A promise?"
"What kind?"
I grinned at the innocently blinking pair.
Then slowly spoke.
"If you promise to head straight back to school, I'll take photos with you."
"R-Really?"
"For real? Yes! Me first!"
I chuckled at their eager, pleading eyes.
I'd rarely taken photos stuck to fans like this.
I knew my fan service was lacking, but no one had asked.
Too embarrassing to approach fans myself and suggest it...
And so, the moment we snapped the pics, they dashed off to school without a backward glance, true to our promise.
Hwaseong High School...
A place with bad memories for me, but these chance encounters with the girls softened it a bit.
The final shoot in the city streets.
Han Mun-jin watched actor Lee Jun-seo immerse himself in the role, thoroughly satisfied.
His eyes brimmed with killing intent, hiding a sinister smile. The gaze of one who saw humans as mere toys.
'He's getting better every day.'
Lately, there wasn't a single flaw in Lee Jun-seo's acting.
"...Lee Han-sol. That's what that guy said."
At first, he couldn't understand Lee Jun-seo auditioning for an extra role.
And that if he'd auditioned for lead back then, he'd have blown up big.
"Spot on."
Look at Jun-seo now.
Owning the set.
And he's only been at it two years.
The chase wrapped with a dolly shot; now for the two-shot standoff with the extra.
'Still, something's missing.'
No complaints about Jun-seo's performance. Just the camera director lacking in capturing it.
Han Mun-jin radioed instructions to the camera director.
"Hey, focus on Lee Jun-seo actor's expression from there. Close-up that creepy smile. Good."
That spine-chilling look.
It makes my flesh crawl from afar. Wonder how the extra feels locking eyes with him?
Wants to bolt, probably.
That's when it happened.
The extra's pants started turning yellow. It was so natural, we didn't cut.
Sorry to the extra, but...
Nailed a great take.
Totally unexpected.
Yet Jun-seo kept acting.
'As expected, the real deal. The real deal.'
Grinning, Han Mun-jin radioed again.
"Two-shot from the side to contrast expressions, rest on the extra's terrified face! Good!"
Shivers running down my spine.
This shoot...
Wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Jun-seo made it all.