7
# Chapter 7
I slowly scanned the set.
Since it was the first day of filming, even supporting actors who weren't scheduled to shoot today seemed to have shown
up.
On top of that, people from CS Film were here as well.
It wasn't bad.
For a first performance...
This was a decent-sized audience.
'Scene 14. Classroom. The moment Han Jinil first becomes aware of Kim Mooyoung.'
Now all I had to do...
Was act.
'How should I deliver that line?'
Han Jinil was a predator.
Not the kind that mindlessly chased prey with brute force.
He hunted with a cold mind and an even colder heart.
He could be patient when necessary.
Yet at times...
He was crueler than he needed to be.
In that case, the key line in this scene should be delivered more calmly.
More naturally.
Like ordinary conversation.
'Still...'
'It's my first day. I need to leave an impression.'
Today was my first day on set.
My first shoot.
My first take.
People needed to remember me.
'I should also figure out what kind of director he is.'
Some directors preferred restrained performances.
Others liked intensity.
It would be useful to learn Na Chanho's preferences today.
'All right.'
I'd made up my mind.
I'd give a stronger performance on the first take.
After that...
I'd tone it down and perform according to Han Jinil's actual personality and emotional state.
'Whichever version gets the okay... that's the one I'll stick with.'
I turned toward Director Na Chanho.
---
I'm Going to School was an independent film about high school boys struggling through adolescence.
But despite focusing on teenage boys...
It wasn't a coming-of-age story.
Instead, it exposed the ruthless hierarchy among boys.
The violence.
The pecking order.
The survival of the fittest.
Kim Mooyoung — Played by Bae Jiho
Han Jinil — Played by Kang Jihoo
Lee Changsoo — Played by Jae Youngcheol
The three central characters were Kim Mooyoung, Han Jinil, and Lee Changsoo.
Kim Mooyoung, once well-liked by everyone, gradually fell to the bottom of the social hierarchy because of Han Jinil.
Lee Changsoo played an equally important role in that process.
'In the end...'
Director Na Chanho's gaze moved from Bae Jiho...
To Kang Jihoo...
Then to Jae Youngcheol.
'These three are the heart of the film.'
Coincidentally, their very first shoot together was Scene 14.
'The beginning matters.'
He tapped the megaphone against his palm.
Everything started with the beginning.
Not only was this the first day of filming...
Chronologically, this was also the earliest point in the story.
The emotions established here would eventually spiral into complete ruin.
He needed to guide them properly.
'I'll start by directing Bae Jiho.'
Director Na Chanho firmly believed that a director consisted of 50% charisma, 50% style, and another 50% coolness.
A total of 150%.
He'd confidently direct Bae Jiho first.
Then, through multiple takes, gradually build the emotional flow.
"Director..."
Assistant Director Jo Woori approached while quietly speaking to one of the staff.
"The school says we have to finish filming within the next hour."
"Hm?"
Na Chanho frowned.
"Isn't the next scene here too?"
"Yes... so we'll probably have to change locations after this one. But first..."
She hesitated.
Jo Woori wasn't someone who usually beat around the bush.
If she was struggling to say something...
'She's asking me not to do too many takes.'
Na Chanho was infamous for pushing actors through endless retakes.
Five takes were normal.
Ten weren't unusual.
Now, with time running out...
She was tactfully asking him to hold back.
"I understand."
He wasn't the kind of director who ignored practical realities.
He nodded.
"Then we'll begin right away."
Jo Woori grabbed the slate and stepped in front of the camera.
"Scene Fourteen. Take One."
"Action!"
The instant she stepped away...
Bae Jiho's expression changed.
'Oh?'
Na Chanho watched with interest.
Scene 14.
Lunch break.
Han Jinil's group was bullying another student at the back of the classroom.
Kim Mooyoung secretly glanced over, unable to ignore what was happening.
The moment action was called...
Bae Jiho became Kim Mooyoung.
Completely.
"You idiot. Move over."
"This bastard's smiling too."
Naturally, Han Jinil's group paid him no attention.
Smack!
One of the bullies accidentally hit the victim square across the face.
"Ah!"
The boy grabbed his cheek.
'Oh.'
That one actually landed.
It landed a little too well.
For a split second, the atmosphere nearly broke.
"This idiot's exaggerating. I barely touched him."
Han Jinil...
No.
Kang Jihoo.
Smoothly picked up the moment.
Instead of looking like a filming mistake...
It became an awkward silence that could naturally happen inside a real classroom.
'He's good.'
The line wasn't improvised.
It was written in the script.
But turning an unexpected accident into something that felt completely natural...
That required real skill.
"Guys. Lunch break's almost over."
Bae Jiho immediately carried the scene forward.
"Oh. Right."
"Math's next, isn't it? That teacher's gonna lose it if we're not seated."
"Let's go."
The boys headed back toward their desks.
Then—
"Hey."
Kang Jihoo looked straight at Bae Jiho.
His face turned ice cold.
"You think you're somebody?"
"...!"
The atmosphere froze.
It felt as though Han Jinil might march over and beat Kim Mooyoung right then and there.
'What should I do?'
It was good.
If anything...
A slightly calmer delivery would've suited Han Jinil better.
But this...
Was already more than good enough.
"Cut!"
Director Na Chanho called it.
There were still several lines remaining.
"That was great."
He raised a hand apologetically toward Kang Jihoo.
"I stopped it on purpose before we got an even better shot."
If he waited until the scene peaked...
Stopping there would've been a waste.
"Actor Bae Jiho."
Na Chanho beckoned him over.
"Yes, Director."
"Just a moment."
While the director quietly gave Bae Jiho some notes...
Everyone else on set kept sneaking glances at Kang Jihoo.
'Did you see that?'
'That's Kang Jihoo?'
'I thought he was a rookie.'
'His acting's insane.'
Despite having relatively few lines...
He'd completely dominated the set.
"Who is that actor?"
"The one who came through the additional audition."
Even the executives from CS Film couldn't take their eyes off him.
"All right!"
Jo Woori called out.
"Back to your positions."
"Scene Four. Take Two."
"Action!"
Filming resumed.
Han Jinil's group bullied another student.
Smack.
The victim was hit again.
Now...
It was Bae Jiho's turn.
"Guys. Lunch break's almost over."
His voice carried the faintest tremble.
Not enough for most people to notice.
Just enough to reveal that Kim Mooyoung was frightened while desperately pretending not to be.
'Perfect.'
Na Chanho smiled.
Not excessive.
Not lacking.
Exactly the right amount of detail.
That was Bae Jiho's greatest strength.
His first take had lacked that subtlety.
One brief note...
And he'd immediately adjusted it.
'As expected of Bae Jiho.'
To Na Chanho...
The best actors weren't necessarily those who guessed everything.
They were the ones who could perfectly execute a director's vision.
Reading minds wasn't part of the job.
But listening...
That mattered.
"Hey."
Kang Jihoo spoke again.
"You think you're somebody?"
This time...
His tone had changed.
'Huh?'
Na Chanho frowned.
Not because he disliked it.
Quite the opposite.
'Did I... give him that direction?'
It was exactly what he'd wanted.
Calmer.
More casual.
More like everyday speech.
He'd only directed Bae Jiho.
Yet Kang Jihoo had somehow adjusted on his own.
As though he'd read the director's mind.
Silence followed.
The two actors locked eyes.
Or rather...
Kim Mooyoung endured Han Jinil's gaze.
The silence stretched.
Not only Bae Jiho...
But every actor.
Every staff member.
Everyone held their breath.
"Okay... Cut!"
Na Chanho finally broke the suffocating silence.
"Let's move on."
"Jae Youngcheol, get ready."
"We're going in for close-ups."
The crew collectively let out relieved breaths.
"...Okay?"
Jo Woori cautiously asked.
"Yeah?"
"What is it?"
"It's just..."
"I haven't seen you approve a scene after only two takes in a long time."
A fair question.
She'd warned him about the schedule.
She hadn't expected him to stop after only two takes.
Especially not someone like Na Chanho.
"Oh..."
Only then did he seem to realize it himself.
'Bae Jiho was one thing.'
His eyes drifted toward Kang Jihoo.
'But that kid...'
Kang Jihoo calmly adjusted his costume.
As though nothing unusual had happened.
As though acting well...
Was simply expected.
'...A born actor.'
The thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Someone born different.
A genius.
'No.'
'Don't jump to conclusions.'
He lightly shook his head.
The truly important test...
Was the next scene.
"Everyone!"
"We're short on time."
"Let's move to the next location!"
Jo Woori called out.
Na Chanho rose from his chair.
'If he were really a genius...'
'He never would've bombed the first audition like that.'
His excitement cooled.
Scene 15...
The next scene...
Was also the one Kang Jihoo had completely ruined during his first audition.
'If he gives another terrible performance...'
Lost in thought...
Na Chanho quietly walked toward the next set.