Creative Inspiration (2)
Lee Seo-hyeon was getting touched up by the stylists in the dressing room.
Two female coordinators flanked her, meticulously spreading foundation down to the millimeter.
In this era of 8K cameras and 4K broadcasts, even celebrities with flawless skin couldn't escape the humiliation of bare-faced close-ups. That meant applying it even more carefully.
If shooting dragged on, they'd have to wipe it off and reapply every two or three hours—a hassle, but par for the course for a pro actress.
"All done."
Finally able to breathe, Lee Seo-hyeon flashed a smiling compliment.
"You two worked hard. Every time, I think it, but this isn't makeup—it's like skin construction."
"In this day and age, if you don't do it like this, no one survives in front of the camera."
"Why do pores even exist on faces anyway? It's about time they evolved away."
Exchanging light banter, Lee Seo-hyeon stood and quietly gazed at Jeong Seo-hoon in the distance.
The monstrous rookie six years her junior.
She suddenly recalled her worries when the casting offer first came.
'He's twenty-one—a total kid. And I have to play his wife?'
If they were both in their thirties, it wouldn't have been an issue.
But her co-star was a fresh-faced young newbie.
The six-year age gap would stand out, and she might end up looking older than she was.
Even though her late twenties were still prime time for an actress.
'Seo-hyeon, it's Kim Sang-hee's historical drama. It's a sure hit. Budget's a whopping 80 billion won.'
Convinced by her agency despite the unease, she'd accepted.
At the script reading, she'd met Jeong Seo-hoon for the first time—and he was even more handsome than expected. No hint of youthfulness either; it threw her off.
Not that he looked old.
Up close, his features had plenty of boyish charm.
But that deep voice, those faintly decadent, soulful eyes, and the calm demeanor radiating scholarly poise made him seem older than her.
"Oh, right, oppa. That thing earlier..."
She felt a pang of envy watching Han Seo-hee chat brightly after her scene, calling him "oppa" freely.
How nice must it feel to call him that without reservation?
"Lee Seo-hyeon-ssi. All done with makeup?"
As she approached, he turned naturally, as if he had eyes in the back of his head.
Every time she imagined he might be aware of her, Lee Seo-hyeon masked her fluster with a more aloof expression.
"Yes. You should get started too, Jeong Actor-nim. While I'm shooting."
"Once I'm done, we can shoot together. Timing should be perfect."
"The PD-nim's scheduling is uncanny, isn't it?"
"Indeed."
Clearly six years younger, yet talking to him felt like conversing with a steady ten-years-older senior.
If he was already like this, how many actresses would pine after him by his late twenties?
After finishing her scenes, Lee Seo-hyeon returned to find Jeong Seo-hoon makeup-ready and waiting.
From boyish twenties prince to a man aged over a decade.
She thought she'd grown used to it after seeing it multiple times, but his aged makeup still made her heart flutter subtly.
To hide her quickened pulse, she offered praise with an extra-relaxed smile.
"Your makeup's fascinating every time. How does it layer on the years so seamlessly? Incredibly natural."
"I heard the PD brought in an elite, high-paid makeup team."
"With solid funding, the details really shine. Right?"
"Dramas or science—both slaves to capital."
"Right, you're in college?"
"Yes."
In truth, she knew every tiny detail about Jeong Seo-hoon.
But Lee Seo-hyeon played it casual, like she'd overheard it in passing: 'Oh, really?'
At the peak of her career, blooming vibrantly, she didn't want anyone knowing her heart wavered for this fresh-faced rookie.
Pride was at stake.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
Lee Seo-hyeon stood before the camera, maintaining maximum composure.
Jeong Seo-hoon's lead rehearsal was flawless, clean, and mature—no excess fat.
Veteran poise, like a decade or two in the industry.
She'd nearly slipped and called him "sunbae" once or twice without thinking.
"Cut. Good."
Before she knew it, all their joint scenes for the day were wrapped.
Glancing over, the PD was monitoring with evident satisfaction.
While waiting their turn, they sat side by side on folding chairs.
"Isn't it tough acting while going to school? Can't be easy."
Lee Seo-hyeon chose her words carefully from dozens of options.
Casual concern for a colleague's schedule—perfect image.
"Just once or twice a week, so it's manageable."
"Still okay? Fairness issues with other students. Could bite you later. Be careful."
After saying it, she worried it sounded overly caring. No taking it back now.
"Professors evaluate me strictly by grad standards."
"No backlash? With the penalty?"
"Hope not."
"Grad standards mean your grades take a hit."
"My burden to bear. I chose to chase two rabbits."
Younger than her baby sister, yet so composed—impressive.
That was why Lee Seo-hyeon, six years older, stuck to polite speech.
She didn't want to play the "noona" role with Jeong Seo-hoon.
'I get why Jeong-ah and Ji-hyun feel that way...'
Their persistent "ssi" and formality probably stemmed from the same sentiment.
Suddenly, commotion on one side.
Turning, Lee Seo-hyeon startled at the two middle-aged men the AD was bowing to repeatedly.
'He looks like... Jeong Seo-hoon Actor-nim?'
The left one resembled Jeong Seo-hoon strikingly.
Wind back the clock ten years from his current aged makeup, and it'd match perfectly.
His white-haired, scholarly companion exuded no less presence.
"Excuse me a moment. My guests are here."
"Who? Family?"
"Father and advising professor."
"Ah, that major personal investor?"
"Yes."
"And he's your real dad..."
Sure enough, Lee Seo-hyeon sighed inwardly.
***
The set tensed like a military base hit by a surprise presidential visit.
Even lowliest staff moved with utmost caution, no noise allowed.
Only Jeong Su-ryeon roamed freely.
"That's really your dad? Wow, he looks just like Seo-hoon-ssi."
"Yeah, he takes after Dad. I got Mom's looks."
"Your dad never acted back in the day? The vibe's intense."
"He stood at podiums. Maybe that's it. The guy next to him's Dad's old friend."
"Uncle, then?"
"As kids, maybe. Now I call him Professor too. Don't remember well, and it's awkward since he's Seo-hoon's advisor. Not close to me anyway."
Jang Seung-won PD was sweating, declaring a break while handling Lee Se-jong and Jeong Tae-hyeon.
"300 billion investor and lead actor's dad visiting—it's something else."
"Friends, huh? Figures elites stick together."
Oblivious to the hushed stares, Lee Se-jong and Jeong Tae-hyeon listened intently to Jang Seung-won's explanations.
"...So high angles are out. Reveals it's an indoor LED set. We stick to eye-level or low angles here. Limits too."
"Hm, full-floor LEDs won't cut it? That wall-floor seam issue."
"Spot on. Floor contacts shoes directly—hard to fake depth; screen gives it away quick."
"Cameras everywhere. Didn't notice watching dramas with my wife."
"Yes. Multiple angles per take enrich editing."
"Surrounded like this, pressure on actors must be huge. How's Seo-hoon handling it?"
Jang Seung-won beamed, as if awaiting that exact question.
"Oh, Father-nim, Jeong Seo-hoon-ssi? Iron nerves. Most glance at cameras unconsciously, but not him. Never."
"Kid zones in so hard, nothing else registers."
"Genius lab stock. No notes needed from start to finish."
300 billion investor and his prized student's dad on set.
Other actors pretended nonchalance but perked ears.
Networking with media whales? No downside.
"What do you think, Dr. Jeong? Anything sparking?"
"Hmm. Gray matter's tingling—like it's on the tip of my tongue..."
"Take your time. Came this far; grab some inspiration."
Jang Seung-won couldn't hold back curiosity.
"Expecting some scientific insight from our set?"
"Yes. Unfamiliar realms sometimes unlock stuck paths unexpectedly."
"Oh..."
"Creativity isn't art-exclusive. Wild ideas propel natural sciences too. Came hoping for sparks."
Kim Sang-hee, sidling closer, listened raptly.
"Never imagined my variable-environment stamp tech for optical comms efficiency would hit drama sets."
"Variable-environment...? What's that?"
"One of the micro-LED wall techs here. Part of my patents."
Kim Sang-hee whipped out her phone, typing furiously two-handed.
Jang Seung-won didn't catch details but grasped: Lee Se-jong's patents built this studio's LED walls.
Admiration welled up.
"Not just budget—facilities too, all touched by Professor-nim. World connects in strange ways."
"Jeong here has research I think could aid dramas, films. Brought him along."
"Really? Mind sharing?"
"No, Se-jong. No need... NDA blocks it. Sorry, PD Jang. Defense industry—er, nothing."
The professors toured, firing endless questions.
Speculating to conclusions, or wild redirects making Jang self-reflect.
Kim Sang-hee trailed silently, phone ablaze with typing—inspiration logged live.
'PD-nim, time to shoot...'
'No shooting till they leave...'
'Might as well wrap early?'
Over 30 minutes standby, time ticking.
Sharp-eyed Jang Seung-won with max investors? Now a wagging-tail puppy, nuzzling heads, oblivious.
Stuck, the AD mustered courage.
"Uh, Seo-hoon-ssi."
"Yes, AD-nim."
"Everyone's waited 30 minutes. Break's fine, but too long messes schedule. Someone should step up..."
"Want me to tell them to go?"
"No no! Not what I meant!"
Disaster words.
AD paled, waving hands frantically.
"I mean, wrap today, dinner or head home? PD-nim escorts them carefree—win-win."
"They dig in deep; PD-nim's trapped. Better if I say it."
"...Really?"
"Yes. They won't take offense."
"Even if not, it's rude. Sky-high investors—how dare we..."
AD shook head vigorously.
DNA-deep: never tell investors 'Busy shoot; please leave.'
"Seo-hoon-ssi, whisper to PD-nim? Say everyone's hungry, wrap for dinner? He'll get it."
"Shall I?"
"My job, but investors here—I'm shaking, can't approach. Writer Kim's glaring, typing like mad..."
"Got it. I'll handle."
Jeong Seo-hoon slipped naturally between PD, writer, investors.
After 30 seconds' chat, he returned; tense AD awaited.
"What'd they say?"
"Wrap shooting, head to dinner. Those going home, free to go."
"Yes! Yes! Pack gear!"
"Yes, AD-nim!"
"Seo-hoon-ssi! Thanks!"
Liberated from stifling inspection, cheers erupted.