Boy Meets Lady (2)
Currently, the prevailing consensus regarding Sion Lee was that he had ascended to the ranks of A-list actors at an exceptionally early age. This was largely thanks to his first blockbuster film, Pain Walker. Playing the captivating villain Lucid in the movie, he had delivered a performance so mesmerizing it completely enchanted the public. Given that he was still only in his early twenties, people frequently remarked that his future was incredibly bright. For the sake of the film's realism, his styling had leaned toward making him look older rather than highlighting his natural good looks. Yet, even under such heavy makeup, his exceptionally handsome face could not be easily hidden, leaving audiences who watched the movie in constant awe.
Furthermore, his remarkably mature demeanor in real life drew intense interest from numerous film studios. Unlike in the past, when he would skip shoots on a whim and offend everyone around him, the current Sion was widely praised as a reformed man. And on top of that...
"I'm having a lot of fun shooting. I'm learning so much."
Even in interviews, though he was "somewhat" tamer than before, he still presented himself as a delightful and polished showman.
Time continued to march on, and by November 1994, Pain Walker had surpassed $300 million in box office revenue.
"Yes!"
"Incredible job, everyone!"
"Thank you all for your hard work!"
At Warner Bros. Studios, a massive crowd gathered to pop champagne, ecstatic over the fact that Pain Walker had finally shattered box office records, even surpassing Batman.
This triumph was the result of aggressive, multi-faceted marketing, the immense buzz surrounding the cast, and, above all, the outstanding quality of the film itself. The sight of studio employees popping champagne was captured by invited reporters, spreading nationwide through newspaper articles, which in turn drew a fresh wave of audiences to the theaters showing Pain Walker.
"What kind of movie is this to cause such a massive stir?"
"I usually skip superhero movies because they're so childish, but..."
Middle-aged viewers began pouring into theaters for a film that had previously attracted mostly teenagers, twenty-somethings, and thirty-somethings. Though they initially tilted their heads in confusion at the bizarre sight of masked superheroes, by the time the credits rolled, they had fallen in love with these masked lunatics.
As a result, love calls began pouring in for lead actor Mickey Rourke, director Tim Burton, and producer Lawrence Gordon. The problem, however, lay with Sion Lee. To make the movie a hit, he had fully cashed in on the "good boy" image he had meticulously built up. Indeed, leading up to the film's release, Sion had been hailed as the ultimate icon of redemption. Everyone had fallen in love with the former prodigal son, cheering him on and blessing his future... or so it seemed.
But the public's blessings did not last long. Seeing Sion driving around in a Porsche 911, the media began criticizing him, calling him hypocritical and claiming he had caught "celebrity disease" just because he had gotten close to Michael Jackson. In the 1990s, an era where information was naturally limited due to the lack of smartphones, it was hard to gauge the public's true sentiments. However, even a casual glance at the newspapers was enough for Sion to grasp the direction the wind was blowing.
'That's just how Hollywood is.'
Yet, the more they talked, the more he smiled. Not like the musical character, but literally.
'Actually, this is perfect.'
Even this backlash was a welcome stimulant. If everything ended on a high note with a simple "and they lived happily ever after," it would be a fairy tale, not Hollywood. What people truly craved was the fall of a hero. He had experienced this countless times in his past life. And having regressed, Sion was someone who had resolved to become an actor again fully knowing this reality.
Before the trickling negative reactions could swell into the mainstream, Sion planned to suppress them swiftly.
'It's about time I set things straight, isn't it?'
Of course, his body would have to suffer a bit for it. For example...
"Aaaaaaaagh!!"
...having his butt catch fire, more or less.
Inside the indoor set. With actual fire lit on his rear, Sion let out a scream so loud and comical it couldn't possibly get any funnier, running around the kitchen like a madman.
"Aaaaack!! Ken!!"
Watching this, Karen fell into a state of sheer panic.
They were currently filming Not my type, and the scene was as follows: Ken, who was babysitting Karen's son Tommy at her house, decides to make pancakes after hearing the boy is hungry. However, while playing with Tommy at the same time... "one thing leads to another," and his butt catches fire. It was a classic slapstick comedy setup—highly exaggerated—where an incompetent cook causes a disaster, and the woman returns home just in time to witness it in horror.
Shouting, "Fire extinguisher! Fire extinguisher!" Karen throws flour over him. When that fails to put out the flames, she begins kicking Ken's burning rear repeatedly.
"Ow! Ow!"
"Bear with it! Bear with it!"
"Bwahaha!"
"Tommy! Go to your room!!"
Karen shrieked at the top of her lungs. While Tommy giggled watching them, Ken, after running around for what felt like an eternity, finally ripped off his burning pants and began frantically tap-dancing. Only then did the fire on his underwear finally go out.
"Cut!"
The moment the director yelled the cue, safety crew members rushed in and sprayed a fire extinguisher at Sion's feet. In stark contrast to the hilarious atmosphere of the scene just moments ago, the reality on set was tense and serious. Acrid white smoke billowed into the air. Coughing lightly amidst the haze, Sion flashed a bright, refreshing smile.
"How was it, Director?"
"Good! Good! Good! It was absolutely perfect!"
"We don't have to shoot this scene again, right?"
"Of course not! Olga, you were wonderful as well!"
Giving a thumbs-up in response to the director's praise, Olga walked over to Sion.
"Wasn't it hot? Are you alright?"
"Of course it was hot. Even with the fire-resistant underwear, my butt is burning so much I feel like it's been roasted clean off."
"And your reason for not using a stunt double?"
"For the sake of realism."
And, of course, to have a hilarious story to tell on radio shows and late-night talk shows.
Lately, Sion Lee had begun to develop a slightly arrogant, unlikable image. However, the moment people heard a story about how he had almost roasted his butt off while filming a comedy, they would be dying of curiosity to see what it looked like and rush straight to the theaters. And after laughing their heads off, they would undoubtedly walk out of the cinema with their perception of Sion completely transformed.
Interestingly, the public tended to conflate an actor's real-life persona with the characters they played on screen. Because of this, Hollywood actors generally avoided getting pigeonholed into a single image. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had achieved massive success among his peers by pushing a hard-boiled action star persona, eventually felt his limits and attempted to soften his image with films like Kindergarten Cop to show a more approachable side. That said it all.
However, an entirely different issue arose from an unexpected quarter.
"Impressive. Then, for the sake of realism, should we apply actual ointment in the next scene?"
"...I think I'll pass on that."
"Oh, is that so?"
As Sion subtly avoided her gaze, Olga turned away with a look that said she had expected as much.
'Man, I really can't match her.'
In the next scene they were scheduled to shoot, Karen was supposed to apply ointment to Ken's burned rear. While there would be a slight hint of tension, the sequence was intended to feel less like romance and more like a mother looking after a childish son. With Karen's son, Tommy, sharing the frame, the three of them were meant to exude a warm, family-like atmosphere.
Even so, the scene was designed not to show his actual bare rear, but to let the audience "imagine" it through clever character blocking and camera angles.
'But when you suggest actually baring it, it doesn't sound like a joke at all.'
Though he knew she was teasing, Sion couldn't help but feel flustered. After all, in the wild, lawless Hollywood of Olga's prime, such things were entirely possible. People back then wouldn't have hesitated to say, 'What's the big deal about a guy showing a little skin!'
In any case, she was truly a Hollywood legend. She had declined the role initially, citing various excuses before filming began, but the moment she stood before the camera, she was absolutely soaring. Acting opposite her throughout this mid-budget comedy with a minimal cast, Sion felt that while he had the most reliable ally by his side, he was also facing a formidable rival.
And Olga felt exactly the same way.
'This kid is extraordinary.'
As her stylist removed her wig, she let out a soft sigh and leaned back in her chair. Yet, a deep, satisfied smile soon spread across her lips. A thrilling shiver was coursing through her entire body. Keeping up with Sion's ad-libs throughout the shoot had been no easy feat.
'Yes. Comedy is never as easy as it looks.'
But Sion performed so flawlessly that she found herself wondering if this was truly his first time taking on such a role. He was so natural he could easily pass for a professional comedian who had spent years grinding on the rough theater circuit. The director applauded constantly, and Olga had a strong premonition that they were crafting a film that would deliver both roaring laughter and genuine, heartwarming emotion.
And in Olga's eyes, the credit for this success belonged more to Sion Lee than to herself. Comedy was incredibly difficult, requiring an actor to draw emotions from deep within, like hauling water from a deep well. Paradoxically, one could never make people laugh by simply making exaggerated faces and acting silly just for the sake of being funny.
'Because it all shows on screen. The exact moment the audience senses "they're acting."'
For someone like Jim Carrey, who had shot to superstardom with Ace Ventura and The Mask, breaking through that barrier was effortless thanks to his overwhelming facial expressions and sheer energy. But for an ordinary actor, it was a daunting task. This was where the director's role became crucial. With a clear blueprint of the film in mind, the director had to guide the actor whenever their emotions or actions became too exaggerated, stepping in to say, "At this point, it would be better to play it with this kind of tone."
Yet, how was it on this set? Sion was constantly suggesting ad-libs that never crossed the line, acting as if he were the one painting the larger picture, and actually inspiring the director. Olga Asimov, who had initially taken the lead to catch and temper his ad-libs, had found herself swept along by him before she even realized it. And now, everyone else was too.
'I thought working with a kid would be a chore.'
Olga smiled softly. All the concerns she had harbored while reading the script before the shoot had melted away under Sion's passionate leadership.
The shoot resumed. While applying the ointment, Karen suddenly gave Ken's butt a sharp slap! Naturally, it was an ad-lib.
"Gack!"
"What were you thinking, doing something so dangerous?"
"I-I'm sorry. Tommy said he was hungry, so... Were you worried about me?"
"Of course I was! I was terrified!"
"It won't happen again. Tommy will be safe—eek?!"
When Karen slapped his rear again, Ken let out a high-pitched, girlish shriek.
"The one I'm worried about right now is you, Ken."
"..."
At those words, Ken completely melted. Half-humiliated with his pants down (though he was actually wearing flesh-colored underwear), Ken's eyes welled up with tears. The director, who had been directing with his nerves on edge, watched in awe. A superstar who, having never heard such warm words from anyone, was deeply moved despite the utterly ridiculous situation. It was a moment that could easily have felt awkward in a comedy, yet Sion executed the emotional transition with effortless grace.
"U-Um...!"
Ken stood up, his back still turned.
"If you don't mind, maybe we could have dinner together sometime...!"
He grabbed Karen's hand, making a bold, passionate advance. However, Karen's momentarily frozen gaze slowly drifted downward. To Ken's lower half, his pants still pulled down for the ointment.
"..."
"..."
She merely stared at it for a brief, hollow moment.
"Good! Good! Goooood!"
Once again, the perfect chemistry between the two actors delivered a flawless comedic beat.
How long had it been since her mind was entirely consumed by acting? For the first time in ages, Olga Asimov felt truly liberated. Stepping away from the exhausting grind of endless network meetings, she had come out to the location shoot, and working alongside these young actors filled her with a deep sense of nostalgia. It brought back the raw passion of her youth, when she had run forward with nothing but acting on her mind.
"Whew..."
Upon returning home, she was greeted by her husband.
"You're back?"
Dmitry. He was a wonderful husband, supporting Olga with his gentle nature. Over more than twenty years of marriage, their relationship had evolved from passionate romance into a steady, trusting love of mutual support. But now, deeply immersed in Not my type, Olga found herself constantly recalling the emotions of her youth. Suddenly, she pictured her husband as his young, cute self. And... she felt that perhaps her journey as an actress was far from over. It was all the magical effect of working with Sion Lee.
"How did it go?"
At his tender question, Olga silently wrapped her arms tightly around her husband. Dmitry's eyes widened in surprise.
"It was incredible. Sion Lee is absolutely sexy."
"...Is that so?"
As she threw out the slightly provocative remark, Dmitry's expression stiffened. Sensing his enduring, deep affection in that reaction, Olga let out a soft, teasing laugh.
"I'm just kidding. You're the only one for me."
Whispering the words playfully, Olga swayed her hips as she walked toward the kitchen. Dmitry tilted his head at his wife's unusually flirtatious behavior, but soon followed her to help prepare dinner.
Once the table was set, they called down their daughter, Elena, who was busy writing her early graduation thesis upstairs, and the three sat down to eat.
"How is the shoot going, Mother?"
"Sion is doing exceptionally well. Truly marvelous. Unlike during the sitcom, he has this commanding presence on a movie set that completely takes control."
As a fellow "professional," Elena found the collaboration between Sion and Olga fascinating.
"Right? His acting is really something else. Just being on set with him makes you feel so at ease."
"..."
"Yes, indeed. He feels like someone you can trust with absolutely anything."
"..."
The patriarch silently spooned his soup while his wife and daughter talked of nothing but Sion Lee. Just then, Dmitry felt a sensation against his leg under the table.
"...Hm."
"Is something wrong, Father?"
Elena asked with an innocent face. But Dmitry's gaze remained locked on Olga.
"Don't be jealous."
His wife, swept up in the passionate energy of returning to a "real" film set, was nudging his leg with hers. At the sight of that seductive smile only he knew, the husband let out a soft sigh and turned to his daughter.
"Elena."
"...Y-Yes?"
"Sleep somewhere else tonight. Charge the hotel bill to me."
Standing up, Dmitry, unable to contain the rising heat in his chest, walked over to the living room and immediately turned on some music. The sultry, velvety voice of Ella Fitzgerald began to drift through the house. Confused by the sudden turn of events, Elena quickly cleared her plate and brought it to the sink. She then practically fled out the front door.
"H-Have a wonderful evening!"
The last thing the daughter witnessed before escaping was her mother pushing her father onto the sofa.
The husband said, 'You need to be punished.'
The wife replied, 'Do I have to say I'm sorry, just like the old days?'
In this moment, they were not an aging couple, but a man and a woman burning with the passion of youth. It was a heat intense enough to melt the frozen Siberian tundra.
Leaving that scene behind, Elena thought to herself,
'I might get a younger sibling today...'
...Well, finding a place to stay in the middle of the night was her immediate priority, anyway.