Shooting Begins (1)
Kang Jun and I were deep into intense script rehearsals. With the script reading day looming so close, we were focusing on the script more than ever.
Then Manager Noona suddenly showed up and dropped some unexpected news.
"The script reading scheduled for this Wednesday has been pushed to Friday."
"Friday instead of Wednesday? Why the sudden change?"
"Is something going on?"
"It's not that serious... or maybe it is?"
Her suspicious tone snapped me to attention.
"From what the production company said, the director just insisted on Friday out of nowhere."
"Huh? What does that even mean? Insisted?"
Thinking back to the director we'd met that day, it didn't sound totally off-base. She struck me as the type who'd bulldoze ahead with her own vision.
Anyway, Kang Jun and I had no other schedules and were fully committed to acting practice, so it wasn't a huge issue. Still, the director unilaterally changing the schedule warranted hearing more details.
"Things seem messy over there. But it's nothing for you guys to worry about—just show up and be polite. Got it?"
"What's the problem over there?"
"Sounds like some power struggle at the production company."
"With who? Isn't Director Choi the one sent by the investor? Even someone with that kind of backing is dealing with infighting?"
I'd heard the investor was the writer's husband. That should've given her near-absolute power over the staff, like a king.
"It's complicated. I'm telling you this so you don't slip up by accident. Apparently, the production company got cold feet about handing everything to a rookie director, so they assigned a veteran one too. That's where it went wrong—like having two captains on one ship."
"Aigoo."
"Good intentions, but bad results, huh."
"Yeah. Honestly, it feels like the inevitable explosion finally happened. The 'helper' director doesn't seem like the type to back down easily, and now it's turned into a pride clash."
Perfect setup for total chaos. Director Choi Youngji had probably strong-armed the date change to seize control before things imploded.
"Ah~ So that's why she said what she did back then?"
"Said what? Did Director Choi mention something to you?"
"Yeah, she said people around think our web drama's doomed. She wants us to crush it and shove it in their faces."
"Hmm, I see. So even the parachute director had her own plans. Not a total pushover, then—looks like it'll be a real showdown."
Is it serious? From what I'd seen, Director Choi Youngji wouldn't go down easy. The investor backing her put her in a strong position, even if the veteran director wouldn't roll over.
"From our perspective, who winning is better for us?"
Kang Jun, still piecing it together, asked.
Manager Noona and I answered in unison.
"Director Choi has to win."
"Obviously Director Choi Youngji."
"The other guy's just there to 'help,' not make it his own project. Plus, he's the one whose staff are badmouthing it as a flop. Director Choi needs to win."
"Haesol's right."
If the staff were already calling it doomed before production even started, that meant the director in charge was letting it slide. When you should be doing rituals for success, sneering about failure? As actors in the web drama, we couldn't welcome that.
"Even knowing it'll be tough, having people say it's gonna flop isn't comfortable."
"Exactly why Director Choi has to win. They accepted the date change without a peep because of that backing. So no complaining—just be respectful to her."
"No issue there. Actually, extra days are a bonus."
"Yeah, we've been grinding acting practice hard."
"I know. Word's out you're working your asses off. Nail this, and the company'll push your acting careers harder. Seize the chance. Okay?"
"Yep!"
"Yes."
Manager Noona left the practice room. Kang Jun and I collapsed spread-eagled on the floor.
Her visit had interrupted our break, so we had to desperately soak up rest in the remaining time.
As we lay side by side, Kang Jun asked me,
"If Director Choi Youngji wins, can we help somehow?"
"Us?"
"Listening to Manager Noona made me worry things might go wrong if we just sit back. Stepping up first to support her wouldn't hurt."
"Eh. From what I saw, she can win just fine watching from across the river and claim her spot."
Her vibe at the drinking session was still vivid. No way she lacked talent—even as a parachute director backed by the investor.
No matter how rich, no one throws money around easily. They vetted her skills before parachuting her in.
For the web drama's success, Director Choi winning was right. Her backing made her the favorite anyway. And though not certain, my gut said her talent wouldn't disappoint either.
"Thinking about it, helping her out isn't a bad idea."
Even just networking-wise, cozying up was smart. For an actor, befriending a director was gold. I wasn't dead set on acting yet, but broadening future options meant building connections now.
"Jun, you wanna do acting later, right?"
"Singer and actor. Seniors do both and stay active. Why not me?"
Jun sang well, looked handsome, and his acting had that promising raw edge—especially after prepping this web drama with me.
"Then networking's smart. But we gotta figure out how to actually help the director..."
"Something clever?"
"Hmm..."
"Ugh..."
We racked our brains, but actors helping directors beyond acting? Nothing came to mind. We threw in the towel.
"Instead of agonizing, let's grind practice. That's the best help."
"...Yeah, I think so too, hyung."
Nail the acting, the drama succeeds—best support possible.
Time flew, and Friday—the script reading day—dawned.
"I feel like I can nail it."
After zero-regrets practice, Kang Jun and I headed to the reading room buzzing with excitement. Manager Noona eyed our unshakable calm like it was weird.
"It's not even on camera—why dress up so much?"
"First impressions. Gotta look good."
They cast us for visuals over acting, clearly. My scenes were blatantly visual-heavy. Kang Jun's weren't as extreme, but the script showed they eyed his looks too.
Showing up sloppy? Nah—we had to deliver on why they picked us.
"There'll be a wrap-up dinner after. Company's providing simple sandwiches, heads-up."
"Just sandwiches? No drinks?"
"Production's handling beverages."
"Ah, gotcha~"
We arrived 30 minutes early.
"We're probably first."
"Getting to the door... now I'm tense."
"Now?"
"Not you, hyung?"
"Your nerves are contagious. No stomach flips? Worst case, grab heartburn pills from Manager Noona."
"Nah, I can tough it. Gotta act on camera later—no chickening out."
"Fair point."
"Huh?"
Mid-chat, a unfamiliar voice chimed in from behind. Startled, I turned to see a familiar face.
"Taeho!"
"Hey."
The 190cm giant. Another prince candidate, rookie actor Kang Taeho. Overwhelmed by his physique, Kang Jun edged back.
We'd chatted briefly at dinner, but time blurred it, I guess. At over 180cm, I held up okay, but short Kang Jun next to him? Size gap was wild.
"How've you been?"
"Good. Looking sharp today."
"You too. Good luck with the reading."
"Same to you."
His deep, thick voice drilled into my ears. As an idol with good pipes, I instantly thought he'd slay as a rapper.
"You're here super early."
"Yeah. Rookies gotta hustle. Plus, too excited to sleep, woke up early..."
"I get that. Jun barely slept."
"Hyuuung...?"
"He's shy at first, but warms up. Don't take it personal if he's standoffish."
"No worries. My size scares people off anyway. I get it."
Good that Kang Taeho seemed chill. With production friction already, actor clashes would've wrecked the set. Our scenes barely overlapped anyway, but still.
"Here, have one. Sandwiches."
"...They do this too?"
"Company perk."
"Lucky. Proves agencies matter. Honey Enter, right?"
"Yep."
Kang Taeho watched Manager Noona deftly handing out sandwiches to staff. Honey Enter was top-tier—professional support you could trust.
"Hey."
"Hi!"
"Oh~ hey. Early birds."
Actors trickled in... then Director Choi Youngji and writer Choi Heemin arrived.
"Sis, you're such a badass? Rejecting him to his face? I was embarrassed for you."
"I told him to back off, but he's still acting like it's his world. And you're calling me the badass? The rudeness is on him. Why's he even here? To critique actors? Pisses me off."
But as siblings, their vibe wasn't exactly harmonious.