Gotta Reshoot It Again? (3)
Buoyed by the praise, Han Seo-hee approached the reshoot of her first-day scenes with a joyful heart.
Since the location was the same, they just needed to prep her co-stars again.
This time, she nailed it in just two takes, earning an OK from Jang Seung-won, who showered her with compliments.
"That's way better than the first day. We'll go with this."
"Really? Thank you so much!"
"You must've been nervous since it was your acting debut. That was your first official shoot, right?"
"Yes, it was my very first time."
"Makes sense you'd be tense. Still, you did great for a beginner—even on day one. We reshot because today's take popped so much on screen. Don't take it personally."
"I wouldn't dream of it. I'm just grateful."
Han Seo-hee beamed, then stole a quick glance at Jeong Seo-hoon, who was sitting off to the side.
She'd meant to peek discreetly, but he turned his head right away, their eyes locking.
She quickly looked away, pressing a hand to her pounding chest.
Shooting continued straight through until the dead of night.
The child actors had no more scenes that day, but they stuck around with their parents until the end.
Two reasons: to stay on the PD's good side, and because Kim Sang-hee was on set.
Both were power players who could dominate the drama scene for the next decade at least, so the parents wanted their kids to make a strong impression.
And finally, all the shooting wrapped for the day.
"Episode 1 is now 100% done, and we've got over 40% of Episode 2 in the can."
Jeong Su-ryeon chimed in with exaggerated exhaustion.
"Whoa, really? How brutal has our march been so far? Total trial by fire."
"Trial by fire? Want me to show you what real hardship looks like?"
"PD-nim, mercy! We've been half-dead these past few days."
The staff were utterly wiped out from non-stop shooting—dawn to midnight, no days off.
Actors at least only had to show up for their scenes and could crash at home after, but still.
Even Kim Sang-hee had been skipping set except for Jeong Seo-hoon's parts.
"The writer who used to rave about watching her creation take shape is down to occasional visits now, PD-nim."
"She's busy writing her next project."
"What? Already started a new one?"
"Her laptop's got at least ten fully polished scripts ready to air tomorrow."
Jang Seung-won glanced her way as if to say right? Kim Sang-hee waved it off lightly.
"Nah. No new work mid-production—that's bad form."
"The script you're giving us now might as well be finished. No pressure. Song PD's been whining lately anyway—go ahead and multitask."
"For real, no. When I'm not on set, I'm just catching up on backlog dramas and movies at home. Reading books too."
Jang Seung-won scanned the staff again.
Their faces and slumped postures screamed fatigue from the relentless grind—no breaks for over a week, early mornings to wee hours.
He checked the calendar app and nodded.
"Alright. Three days off starting today."
"Whoa? Three whole days? Epic!"
"For real? PD-nim forever!"
The staff stomped and cheered like kids; Kim Sang-hee eyed Jang Seung-won like he'd summoned the devil.
"PD-nim, always tacking holidays onto breaks like it's charity? You dragged us to today on purpose for that, right?"
"Huh? Holiday in there? No idea."
"Poor staff. Regular folks get Monday through a straight three-day weekend."
"Haha. Those guys wouldn't know a sub holiday if it bit 'em."
This industry's mindset: Holiday? What's that? Day by day survival.
"Group dinner tonight? Perfect occasion."
"Nah. Gotta head out."
"Family time?"
"No. Episode 1's done—time to edit. No room for drinks. Here's the card; take the writer and crew out if you want."
Kim Sang-hee glanced at the dozens of staff and quietly shook her head.
"I'll just grab my muses for a quiet one."
"Fine. Muses plural now? Grown since last time?"
"Husband and wife are one body, so Han Seo-hee counts as a temp muse. Just while they're married."
"Ah, got it. Company card's yours."
"That'd be embezzlement. Seo-hoon's loaded—he'll cover it."
"Thanks to you, he's pulling 150 mil per episode. Obviously on him."
***
"Seo-hee, join me, Teacher Lee Do-geun, and Seo-hoon for dinner?"
"Uh? No, I'm good..."
Her manager jumped in before she could decline.
"What an honor! Heading out now? Shall we drive the writer?"
"Nah, I'll take my car. Oh, right."
Kim Sang-hee pulled out her phone and dialed casually.
Han Seo-hee perked up, curiosity piqued despite her reluctance.
"Seo-hoon, didn't you say you'd treat big once? Here's your chance—how 'bout it? Yeah? I'll text the spot. Oh, a few more actors coming—brace your wallet."
She hung up and grinned at Han Seo-hee.
Han Seo-hee dodged the teasing smile awkwardly.
"Writer-nim, it's not like that."
"Like what?"
"You know..."
"Relax. I get it."
Kim Sang-hee patted the taller girl's shoulder and whispered.
"Acting husband-wife with that guy? Heart's gotta race. Yoo Jeong-ah and Chae Ji-hyun struggled too."
"Huh?"
"Shake up Jeong Seo-hoon actor's heart big-time. Anyone works. Then I'll cast you as romance lead later."
Kim Sang-hee chuckled and turned away; her manager sidled up cautiously.
"What'd she say?"
Han Seo-hee snapped to and countered.
"Oppa, writer's doing romance next?"
"What? No way. Kim Sang-hee never touches rom-coms. That Illegal kiss was her first and last."
"Oppa! That wasn't a kiss! Just biting—hardly romantic."
Her manager cleared his throat lightly.
"Whatever. Let's go. Chance to impress the writer—nail it. And no meat! Weigh-in tomorrow, every 100g means a skipped meal."
***
Lee Do-geun, Kim Sang-hee, Jeong Seo-hoon.
To an active idol high schooler like Han Seo-hee, they were untouchable giants.
Seo-hoon was a rookie this year by seniority, but his acting resume was incomparable.
The high-end hanjeongsik spread—hundreds of thousands per course—did nothing for her appetite.
"Not to your taste? Why aren't you eating?"
Jeong Seo-hoon asked softly from beside her; she grabbed her chopsticks in a panic.
Kim Sang-hee chuckled quietly.
"Idol life. One diet slip and the agency's on you. Manager probably warned her: every 100g over tomorrow means fasting a meal."
"You're all bones already—worryingly so. Shouldn't you eat more?"
"I'm all bones?"
She blinked in horror; he glanced at her slim arm.
"Not quite. Anyway, you're plenty slim. Gaining a bit wouldn't hurt, in my book."
"You don't follow idols, Seo-hoon. Cameras add pounds—especially broadcast ones. We should replace 'em all."
Kim Sang-hee tossed in her quip; Jeong Seo-hoon slid a plate her way.
"Try this. My favorite here."
He offered an elaborate ssam stuffed with fillings; recalling her manager's warning, she squeezed her eyes shut and popped it in.
"Whoa, delicious. Your top pick, oppa?"
"Yeah. Not bad, right?"
As their vibe warmed, Kim Sang-hee watched the young pair fondly, like a kid eyeing chicks.
Lee Do-geun observed them, then smirked silently as if getting it.
"So, Writer Kim."
"Yes, Teacher?"
"When do I die?"
"You'll be spry till Jeong Nan. Flashbacks after, too. Oh, haunt dreams as a ghost."
"Our second son's dreams?"
"Just him and the eldest sulks. Grandkids too."
"Busy afterlife. Dream-hopping sounds hectic."
"Left Prime Minister's dreams, everywhere. No worries—no late fade-out."
"Wrong dream and chaos. Anyway, old age saps stamina."
"Nonsense. You're thriving."
Han Seo-hee listened raptly to the industry titans.
Seats like this? Pay top dollar to snag.
Lee Do-geun made sure she wasn't sidelined.
"Han Seo-hee, great acting today."
"Thank you..."
"The Grand Prince's wife shines brightest by his side. Your delivery smoothed out fast—impressive."
She blushed at the praise.
Kim Sang-hee asked.
"Looked up Queen Jeonghui at all?"
"Yeah. Sejo adored her."
"Even demons cherish family."
"Demons..."
Han Seo-hee glanced at Jeong Seo-hoon involuntarily.
"Sejo's a demon?"
"To Danjong and the Six Ministers? Yep. Wrecked Sejong's system, set Joseon on decline. Bad guy—real bad."
Kim Sang-hee seemed a tad fired up; Han Seo-hee blinked, and Jeong Seo-hoon explained softly.
"She's from a family massacred politically by old Sejo. Backbone lineage."
"Ah, that's why..."
"Anyway, the Grand Prince's wife has a demon for a husband. Secretly cheers his rise but can't show it outright. Covers for his rough image by caring for his dead nephew's wife."
Now Han Seo-hee got why Kim Sang-hee invited her.
To unpack the writer's take on the character's psyche—beyond the script.
"Han Seo-hee, you're bound to that bad man for life. No choice—along for the ride. Opposed his path at first, but post-success, can't just cheer blindly. Complicated spot."
"I get it. What you mean."
"Even better if you two secret-date on set. Oodles of chemistry. Oh, right—minor. Your build threw me. Sorry. Forget I said it."
Lee Do-geun noted quietly as she apologized.
"Kim Writer. You who orders booze first hasn't touched the menu. Why lie?"
"Teacher didn't order, so neither did I. Oh yeah—end-of-year Baekryong Awards, no Serubia encore?"
"Probably."
"Seo-hoon and those three ladies all together then."
Kim Sang-hee giggled at the thought.