Unexpected Deviation (3)
Oh Tae-woo took his annual leave and joined the shoot.
The moment he arrived on set for the first day, he instantly drew everyone's eyes.
"Whoa, he's seriously huge. How tall is he, like 190 cm?"
"Over two meters, right?"
"His forearms are as thick as my thighs."
"Was there an actor like that? With a build like his, he'd be famous just for his physique."
"He fits the bodyguard captain role better than Choi Hak-sun ever could."
Oh Tae-woo stood ramrod straight in a quiet spot, arms crossed.
Most extras hustled to greet the crew and make their faces known, but he showed zero interest.
"Reminds me of Jeong Seo-hoon back at his debut. He was a rookie but stuck to his guns like a vet."
"Heard he came through Jeong Seo-hoon."
"Ah, that explains it."
"Oh, there's Yoo Jeong-ah."
"She said it was a cameo, and here she is for real."
As Yoo Jeong-ah entered, all eyes shifted to her. Staff and actors alike, everyone friendly without distinction.
"First time seeing Yoo Jeong-ah in person—she's a goddess. Face is tiny."
"Proportions are insane. How tall? Looks like 170?"
"Around 168? But small head and long limbs make her seem taller."
"Huh? She's heading to the extra."
Yoo Jeong-ah stopped in front of Oh Tae-woo, smiling as she greeted him.
"Hey, Detective Oh."
"Ah, Jeong-ah."
The sharp interrogation-room vibe vanished in an instant, replaced by the warm grin of a baby bear cub.
It was so swift and mismatched that those instinctively wary of him were thrown off.
"Right. How much are they paying you?"
"30 per episode, but I'm only in two, so 60 total."
"Whoa, that's peanuts. With your worth, Detective Oh? I should chip in myself."
"Aigoo, just sharing good memories with Yoo Jeong-ah is payment enough. Wouldn't trade it for an S-rank fee."
"I'm the grateful one hearing that."
"Aren't you doing this for free? It's a friendship cameo."
"I take gas money at least. Hair, makeup, travel costs."
A top actress approaching an unknown extra first, chatting casually like old pals—it definitely turned heads.
Even in heels boosting her above-average height, the size gap made her look like an adult facing a kindergartener.
Just then, Jeong Seo-hoon appeared, approaching the pair for greetings.
"Glad you could make it, Detective Oh."
"Nice to see you."
His words said one thing, but his eyes weren't thrilled.
Interrupted mid-fun chat with Yoo Jeong-ah alone—pure fanboy salt.
Suddenly, Yoo Jeong-ah clapped lightly.
"You two, line up side by side. Quick."
"Like this?"
Before Jeong Seo-hoon could speak, Oh Tae-woo hustled over and stood next to him.
Yoo Jeong-ah stepped back a few paces, eyeing them from all angles.
"Seo-hoon, you're 183, right?"
"Yes."
"So how tall are you really, Detective Oh? Your heads are a full size apart."
"199.6."
"Rounds up to two meters?"
"No way, not two meters. 190s."
"But people in the 2-meter range say 199-point-something. 199.9 or .8 screams lowball, so .6 to hide it?"
"……."
"Oh my god, for real?"
"Anyway, 190s."
Jeong Seo-hoon caught the faint tremor in his breath. She'd poked a sore spot he wanted buried.
Director Choi Hong-rae arrived, buzzing the set into action.
The director bowed and scraped before the rookie extra.
"Mr. Oh Tae-woo, this way. Rehearsal briefing."
Facing a hulking active detective, the low posture came naturally—but the crew read it differently.
'That rookie's got some serious backing, huh?'
'From a big theater troupe?'
'Came via Jeong Seo-hoon...'
Choi Hong-rae pointed down the hallway from the stairs, explaining.
"You carry Yoo Jeong-ah down from up there. Long take's too risky, so we'll break it up."
"Me carrying Yoo Jeong-ah?"
His eyes, icy cold toward anyone else, lit up bright.
"Yes. She meets Jeong Seo-hoon, heads back, gets ambushed by the protagonists' gang. You get her out safe. No lines—just check the path."
Choi Hong-rae unrolled the storyboard, tracing each frame.
"Down from there, run to here."
"Oh. You draw comics like this for movies?"
Choi Hong-rae couldn't correct that it was a drama, just nodded fast.
"Yeah. Can't describe every head scene verbally. Draw it rough to show the shots."
"You draw great. Coulda been an artist."
"I didn't draw it."
"What?"
His heart sank.
Why did that sound like an interrogation?
"You said it was your head scenes on paper."
"I do roughs; storyboard artists finish from my notes. Mine's stick-figure level."
"Ah, got it. No one's a one-man show. God's fair."
Choi Hong-rae burst out laughing.
"Sometimes one person does it all. Like over there."
He pointed where Jeong Seo-hoon and Yoo Jeong-ah faced each other, chatting.
"What's got our Jeong-ah so lit up? That genuine joy-face is rare."
"Actresses say his face alone makes them grin uncontrollably."
"Not that funny-looking. I'm funnier, right?"
Oh Tae-woo stroked his chin muttering, and Choi Hong-rae stifled a laugh inside.
Choi Ye-ju (Yoo Jeong-ah) was Yoon Se-hyun's (Jeong Seo-hoon) girlfriend.
But not marriage material. Just his youthful fling.
Choi Ye-ju had zero complaints, content as is.
-Oppa, that new Hermès is cute.
-Buy it yourself.
-Ugh, alone? They'll think I'm a bar girl.
-You sell booze.
-Bar and luxury lounge? Totally different!
-Busy today. Take Manager Oh.
-Fine.
Choi Ye-ju, in a nightgown, vanished to change.
Scene shifts to ornate hallway corridors.
The burly bodyguard trailed silently behind her.
Suddenly, Choi Ye-ju ad-libbed.
-Manager Oh, how tall? Two meters?
"No, 190s, Jeong-ah."
"Cut! NG!"
"Pfft!"
"Heh…!"
"Hee-hee."
NG sign out, stifled laughs leaked everywhere.
Director Choi Hong-rae stayed sunny.
"Great ad-lib, Jeong-ah. Tae-woo, just roll with it naturally."
"Sorry for the flub. But no lines, right?"
"Means even silence works as response. Ye-ju won't grab your collar for no answer."
"So answer and she does?"
"……."
"……."
"Joke, why take it straight?"
His deadpan delivery sold it as real. Sharp face made misunderstandings easy…
"Okay, take two."
Yoo Jeong-ah and Oh Tae-woo reset.
Door opens, Choi Ye-ju steps out first.
-Manager Oh, how tall? Two meters?
Oh Manager glanced briefly at her handbag, then away—response enough.
-So stoic. Perfect for oppa's side.
Choi Ye-ju slipped into natural mutter.
Her face lit with shopping excitement.
"Cut."
Choi Hong-rae called them to the monitor.
"Tae-woo, that expression—perfect. Keep it just like that. No concept shift."
"That's me?"
Oh Tae-woo gawked at the monitor like it owed him money.
"Nah, looks like a nationwide thug in a suit striking poses. Not me at all."
Choi Hong-rae, DP, Yoo Jeong-ah—all agreed silently.
Monitor face matched real life exactly?
"I set the camera for that vibe. Acting's crafting unreal images. Actor and director together."
"Hmm……."
"One more. Respond this time. We'll pick the better between silent and chatty in edit."
"No lines, now this…? Fine."
Normal extras beg for lines; this guy griped at free ones.
Kindness snubbed, but Choi Hong-rae smiled through; crew clocked he wasn't bottom-tier.
Take three.
-Manager Oh, how tall?
-Two meters, say 199.8.
-Obvious lowball. Say 199.6 next time.
-Got it.
Yoo Jeong-ah smiled faintly, channeling their chat.
The quick improv sparked easy chuckles.
Choi Hong-rae pondered at the monitor. Which for the cut?
'Silent stare's stoic cool; this relaxes tension nicely.'
Two gems—which to pick? Happy dilemma.
-There! That bitch is the ES One chairwoman!
-Grab her! Stuff the big guy!
Protagonist's gang (Oh Jun-ho's) charged; Choi Ye-ju paled.
Oh Manager scooped her up blank-faced and bolted.
Choi Hong-rae gripped fists, eyes glued.
Some'd see loyal dog shielding mistress; others, grizzly snatching fawn from rivals.
AD Kim Dae-gil watched anxiously beside.
'Said we'd cut it?'
No cut—cameras tracked Oh Manager. Director deep in it.
Down stairs in a flash, he dashed out the open door nonstop.
Just exiting the building—unexpected snag.
The sidewalk block under Oh Manager sank deep.
Carrying a grown woman at full sprint—perfect balance-killer.
Crew froze, but no screams. Pro instincts.
"Kyaaah!"
Choi Ye-ju's shriek.
Tumbling forward, Oh Manager twisted midair, sliding back-first. She landed unscathed atop him.
"……."
"……."
In dead silence, safe-on-his-stomach Choi Ye-ju griped.
-Manager Oh, can't you do it right?
-Sorry.
Oh Tae-woo rose stone-faced, shoved her into the car back seat. Tapped passenger window; it peeled out without him.
Toward the late-emerging gang, he sauntered, rolling shoulders and neck lightly.
His blank gaze swept calmly—like a bear's silent roar pre-hunt.
"Cut!"
Finally calling it, Choi Hong-rae sprinted over.
"You okay? Sorry, your flow held even tumbling—I rode it out."
"This? Nothing."
"That final stare at the gang—killer. How'd you nail it?"
"Thought 'em as dealers. Focused me."
"……Ah."