#17. Shooting Begins (4)
“Huh?”
I'd thought he was going to critique my acting, but no such luck! Director Choi's gripe was something totally off the wall.
“Anyone can see the real thing is way better! The camera captures only half your charm in any given moment!”
“...Um.”
How was I supposed to respond to that? I could only manage an awkward laugh, at a loss for words.
All those retakes weren't because of my acting—they were because the camera couldn't capture my face properly!
Still, I need to level up my acting. Can't keep getting cold feet every time.
I'd been genuinely terrified, thinking Director Choi kept reshooting because he hated my performance. Should I apologize for not photographing well? There was nothing I could do about his complaint.
“It must be the equipment, right? I wanted to rent a pricier camera, but the cost was insane.”
High-end cameras cost thousands without batting an eye. I'd suggested using the best possible gear, and they'd partially accommodated, but seeing how it still couldn't capture my face fully, Director Choi couldn't hide his regret that we hadn't gone even higher-end.
No matter that the investment came from my little brother's wife, I couldn't let public funds be spent willy-nilly on the director's whims. We had to allocate the budget properly for smooth shooting.
“It's so frustrating, I'm about to cry. Not being able to show this face to the world in all its glory...”
“Ha, haha... Director...”
“We'll compromise on this project, but next time we do a proper big one, I'll cast you again, Haesol, and shoot you right. Sound good? You can start drooling over it now.”
“Of course.”
I tossed out an empty promise in response to Director Choi saying he wanted to cast me again. Would I even want to act again after this? Who knows the future, so my words were just hot air for now.
Kang Jun, who'd been listening from the side, hesitated before chiming in carefully.
“Actually, it already looks super cool on camera. Director.”
“I know that. If I hadn't seen the real Haesol, I'd be cheering at this footage. But I know your real face. You're standing right here in front of me, large as life. So why can't this camera capture that fantastical face completely? Is our country's tech that incompetent? How much more do we need to advance?”
“Ha, haha. I don't even know where to put myself.”
Who knew getting called handsome could come in this form?
“But Director, how was my acting? That's what I've been most worried about.”
“Acting? Pfft, what's to say? Heemin's been freaking out about increasing your screen time, right? No notes needed. You did great too, Jun.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
“Just keep doing what you're doing, both of you. That's all I could ask for.”
“Yes!”
Learning it wasn't an acting issue lifted the weight off my shoulders like they'd sprouted wings. Even though Director Choi said he was giving up, he dragged it out another 20 minutes before moving to the next shot.
Before we knew it, night had fallen. With no night scenes, we wrapped and decided on a simple group dinner.
“Everyone's here, no stragglers. Next time, I'll treat you to something even better. Thanks for nailing the first day without any nerves. Let's finish the rest without incidents. Schedules after this are free—don't hold back anyone who wants to go, and stay as long as you like if you want. Oh! And today's after-party is covered by Jin Haesol and Kang Jun's agency, so give 'em a round of applause.”
Wooo!!! Clap clap clap clap!
We'll eat well!
I accepted the awkward applause. Director Choi had smartly nailed down the rest of the time as free, which made it easier. Some love after-parties, others hate them.
The table filled up with food in a flash. It was pork, but the place was upscale, not shabby, so no complaints. The meat was delicious too.
“Dig in, everyone.”
The rowdy after-party vibe was great. I'd heard there was friction between the production company's assigned director and Director Choi, but you couldn't tell from the surface. Nothing seemed off.
Two things to scope out at this dinner: First, the state of the power struggle between the production director and Director Choi. Second, the unknown source of Han Minyeong's hostility.
Manager Noona said she'd work the staff side, so I'd tackle the second one.
I deliberately took the seat next to Han Minyeong, making it easy to strike up conversation.
“Great work today, sunbaenim. I learned a ton watching you shoot.”
Being extra polite to someone who dislikes you is key. It lowers their guard.
“Ah, yeah.”
Her response was curt, her expression consistently blank. I hadn't thought deeply about Han Minyeong before, but sizing her up now as someone worth noting, she struck me as oddly intriguing.
She's pretending not to care, but she's shrunk into herself. Face is average... no, by this world's standards, she must've gotten called ugly her whole life.
I marvel every time I see Jua noona's face, and anything short of that level makes it tough to thrive as an actress here. Meaning Han Minyeong, sorely lacking in looks, must've had a rough road carving out her spot.
“You have a lot of scenes with Jun, right? Please take good care of him. He's got a lot to learn, so it'd be great if you could guide him.”
“Director was praising you guys a ton. What guiding?”
“He's easy on us 'cause our bar's low. Raise the standard, and you'll see some scolding.”
Even today, Director Choi had ramped up the difficulty with his directions. I'd learned there were that many ways to walk a hallway. Jun would go through the same, earning praise along the way.
“Ha.”
Suddenly, Han Minyeong poured soju into her beer glass and downed it in gulps.
“??”
Stunned by the abruptness, I stared blankly as she emptied the glass cleanly, wiped the soju from her lips with the back of her hand, and spoke.
“Your screen time's getting bumped up, huh.”
“...Yeah.”
“Praise rolling in, more footage, no audition needed. And your acting? You just started learning it. Right? Not like you've slaved years over it.”
“Jun's been training acting for a long time.”
Sure, I'd crammed 1-2 months of lessons. Before that, I figured acting stats weren't needed, so I hadn't bothered properly.
“Still, you picked it up while learning dance and vocals.”
“...True.”
Is that why she resents us? Han Minyeong sighed deeply again, poured another shot, and chugged it.
“You're drinking kinda fast, sunbaenim.”
“Jealous. That's why. So damn jealous. Handsome, talented, young! Writer, director, staff—everyone loses it the second you two show up.”
“Ah...”
So that's it? Her circle was empty, while ours brimmed with attention and goodwill. Being male was part of it, and idols drew eyes inevitably.
So that hostility back then was just jealousy?
I'd suspected some dirty scheme, but the steam went out of me. She was just one more person sour about idols turning actors. As I opened my mouth to excuse myself, Han Minyeong poured yet another and slammed it down.
Gulp gulp gulp!
“Pah! Booze tastes sweet tonight. I don't hate on idols. I know that world's tough. I get it, but... it's frustrating. Bled my bones dry working part-time to pay for theater school, but no one hired me. So I joined a troupe. Figured real experience plus auditions would land a break eventually. And here I am, lead role.”
Drunk Han Minyeong started spilling her life story!
“Thought lead would change things. Extras look up to leads like gods on set. Made me wonder if I could shine like that someday. If I could act that well!!!”
“......”
“I worked my ass off. That's how I got here. Web drama lead, but to me, it's like a blockbuster.”
Her face lit up recalling the joy of landing the role after all that grind. Then it crumpled suddenly.
“But reality? No change.”
She'd earned the spot through effort—a reward for years of toil. She'd hoped it'd sprinkle some magic dust on her shitty life. But reality crushed those hopes. Still ignored despite being lead, she despaired.
“Pathetic, right? Whiny bitch like me. Sorry. Must've been annoying just listening. Hell, thanks for not showing your dislike. Don't worry about Jun. I'll look out for him. What... a mess like me can do.”
“......”
Her machine-gun inner thoughts left me dizzy, speechless. How do you comfort that? I knew her relative deprivation all too well—from a life without such fortune.
Any consolation would just feel fake.
I had it all now: looks, talent, youth.
Sway!
As I pondered what to say, her head lolled forward. I slapped my palm on the table just in time—her face landed on it.
Drool drip drip.
Three soju shots into beer glasses. Passing out cold wasn't surprising. Impressive she didn't cause a scene and just slept quietly.
And just like that, I decided to shelve my worries about Han Minyeong.
Takes me back.
Back at the company, I'd chain-smoke a pack before the day ended. Days like hell, dreading tomorrow's sunrise. A twinge of empathy and pity for her inferiority complex.
“Huh? Sunbaenim fell asleep?”
Jun, focused on his meat, spotted it and freaked.
“Yeah. Her drunk habit's passing out.”
“Minyeong sunbaenim doesn't have a manager?”
“Hm, true. Should we look after her?”
“Uh... we?”
“Yeah. Help her first, turn it into a chance to smooth things over.”
“Ah! Right? Sounds good! Let's do it!”
Jun, who'd been hung up on her hostility, jumped at it. I debated sharing her confession but figured keeping it to myself was best for now.
At least get her consent before spilling—that's manners.
Plus, sober, she'd die of embarrassment. Everyone's botched a drunk night once or twice.
Protect that black history.
And maybe it'd soften the edges of this low-self-esteem jealous woman's prickly heart?