Haeun's Ultimate Shameful Expression
She couldn't have experienced something like that. And yet, as the director called "cut" and ordered retake after retake, Im Haeun's face grew redder and redder.
Still, like the pro she was, she gave it her all until the end... but...
"Kuh, kill me!"
"Pfft!"
"Cut!"
Her slightly lacking acting skills led to endless reshoots.
"Ah~ This time, it didn't have that flavor. Haeun-ssi, you know, that explosive expression!"
"Explosive?"
"Yeah, like... how do I put it? Not just moderately embarrassed, but the most humiliating feeling of your life! Like sprinkling a dash of wounded pride and fear as seasoning on top of the shame..."
The director spread his arms wide as he gave instructions, but Haeun looked troubled by his abstract words.
"How am I supposed to do more here..."
If I left things like this, it'd just be a vicious cycle. "Director, how about a short break?"
"Ah, yeah, let's do that. We've been shooting nonstop, so you're probably tired."
I stepped in to arrange a break, then immediately went to Haeun and draped her coat over her shoulders.
"You did great. Your acting expressions were spot on. That ashamed face of yours is the best."
"The best, my ass... The director says it's lacking."
"He's a director, so his standards are sky-high. You know how directors are always greedy like that."
"When we did the photoshoot, we nailed it all in one take. I've never had to retake before."
"Photoshoot's your domain because you're a pro among pros. You're the queen of pictorials, Haeun. That's why the director's getting even greedier. It's fine—you're doing great."
"R-really...?"
Her voice tone dropped a bit at my encouragement.
"And this is something you wanted to do, right? So don't get embarrassed for no reason—just enjoy it..."
"Kyaaah! Teasing me again!"
I'd only wanted to lighten the mood a little, but she turned full kitten mode on me. Still, it was so cute that I couldn't help chuckling.
"W-what're you laughing at now!"
"'Cause you're cute."
"Eugh...!"
I patted her shoulder and looked straight into her eyes.
"But seriously, you're doing really well. Great expressions. Like the director said, just amp up the shame a tiny bit more."
"Ugh, it's hard... Shame mixed with wounded pride and fear—what the hell even is that? I don't know how to blend emotions like that..."
"You can do it. Imagine a time when you felt all three at once."
"Nothing's coming to mind..."
Haeun furrowed her brow in thought, and I pondered alongside her for a moment. Unlike her, though, a perfect example popped into my head right away.
"Haeun, you've had tons of times like that."
"Huh? When?"
"During our 'walks'... Remember?"
"Eek!?"
She flinched at my words and glanced around.
"H-hey, not here for that kinda talk..."
"Think back. The moment you were getting trained. What it felt like peeing outdoors in the park at night."
"Sh-shut up, zip it, be quiet...!"
Her face turned beet red.
"Yeah, that's it. That expression right there."
"N-no, y-you idiot! Imagine that during a shoot? Are you insane?!"
"Trust me and try it. The director will love it."
"B-but..."
"This is an 'order'."
She quieted at the word "order." Even if the hypnosis had worn off, acting was all about mindset, so this command would help her. She didn't even know it was gone, so at least it'd have a placebo effect.
"Hold onto that feeling you just remembered, right in your chest. When you deliver your line, pour that emotion into it. No one can read your mind anyway."
"Still... imagining that while doing it... seriously..."
"It's not hard."
I lightly patted her shoulder, letting my fingertips brush her neck in the process.
"Eek!"
"The feel of the choker, the thrill of not knowing when you'd get caught, the wind slipping between your coat... Remember?"
"........."
"Peeing outdoors where no one was around, masturbating in a men's restroom... All those complicated emotions you felt—remember them?"
"O-okay, stop right there."
She shoved me away with an expression like she was about to explode. But there wasn't much strength in her hands. As she weakly pushed me, I whispered,
"Do well, and I'll give you a special 'reward' later. Make the most of every little opportunity like this."
"Got it..."
This was enough. I smiled and shifted my tone a bit.
"Alright, fighting! Even the passersby say you're doing great, so believe in yourself."
"Passersby?"
"Yeah. People are coming and going, watching."
"Wait, you mean this is a public shoot?!"
"It's not exactly private."
"N-no secrecy? What if it leaks online..."
"That'd be great. If people upload it to YouTube or forums, it'll be perfect. Could go viral."
"S-something this otaku-degen wouldn't blow up..."
"Resuming the shoot~!"
I smiled, then whispered one last thing to Haeun.
"The passersby are watching you. In the park, dressed like that."
"Uuuuuugh...!"
Im Haeun let out a beastly groan as I took the coat back and stepped away. Thanks to my pep talk, her expression looked better than before. I silently cheered her on while pulling out my phone to film her.
She's good at acting when she's good—gotta compile the NG clips and upload 'em later.
Could use them to draw attention if played right. And perfect for teasing her down the line. Titles like...
<The Secret Hobby of the Girl Who Always Wore a Cold Expression... O_O>
<An Idol Whose Otaku Acting Potential Explodes? Pow-Pow!>
<Rookie Idol's Insane Acting feat. Grand Ragnarok>
Something like that. Gotta ask Minji for good title ideas.
I grinned to myself as I kept watching her performance.
About 30 minutes later.
"Break time!"
The staff's announcement halted the shoot. The director rewatched the footage with the other staff, marveling.
Whoa, didn't expect her to nail it like this!
When he'd first pitched the job to Im Haeun, it was purely because her looks matched the game character. Her overall vibe was spot-on, and finding someone with a body straight out of the game was rare. He'd planned to just have her pose decently enough and rely on her looks for the promo video...
But her acting's pretty solid too?
He was shocked at how her performance improved every time the manager stepped in with a word. From just bashful expressions, Haeun's face grew deeper and richer with emotion after each visit. Soon, her body language conveyed it all, making it feel like the character had leaped into reality.
Damn... To pull off a female knight about to get ravaged by the monsters she couldn't beat that convincingly...
"Looks good."
"Yeah. Way better than expected. What do the clients say?"
A rep from the game company that commissioned the promo was on set to check the quality rigorously.
"They're thrilled. Says the sync from looks to acting is insane. They're freaking out over where we found her."
"Great. If the reactions are good, we might land more gigs. Alright, let's do one more take."
"More here? This is already..."
"Wanna squeeze out more while that manager's around."
"Manager?"
The staff's words made the director explain in a "you didn't notice?" tone.
"Didn't you see how Haeun's expressions improved every time the manager said something during breaks? Real shame mixed with hurt pride, trembling eyes from fear... She went from just embarrassed to blending all these emotions perfectly."
"You think it's thanks to that manager? Come on, he's pretty new..."
"That's what makes it impressive! Short career, but he pulls out that level of acting with a few words. Means he knows acting inside out and how to coach it."
"Maybe he's just helping her relax? Or she's got real talent but gets shy around people, and this scene hits a personal experience..."
"Dude, that doesn't fly. This is a super humiliating scene—a female knight bluffing bravado knowing she's about to get gangbanged by monsters, but can't hide her fear and tension. No way an idol's lived that. Right?"
"Yeah, fair point."
The director and staff turned toward where Haeun stood. There was Im Haeun pouring out all sorts of emotions toward Lee Sejin, and Sejin smiling back, offering advice and encouragement. Whatever they were talking about, it was clearly helpful. If The Queens were all under a manager like that, their acting would skyrocket in no time. Might check out the other members later.
The director mulled that over briefly.
"Time's up. Let's go."
"Resuming the shoot!"
The two, who'd been admiring Lee Sejin, refocused on work.
Besides caring for Haeun during the shoot, I had other tasks—like networking. Not chit-chat, but handing out business cards and widening my connections. It was a simple game promo shoot, so not many people around, but there were still gains to be had.
"Wow, she's amazing. Didn't know we had talent like that!"
The game company rep seemed deeply impressed by Haeun's acting.
"Perfect image match, great acting—fantastic. HQ will love it."
"Thank you. Oh, The Queens has other members too, so check them out if you're interested. With three of us, a cosplay of the game's initial trio could work great..."
"Oh yeah? I'll pitch it to HQ."
Game companies don't overlap much with real idols or celebs, but making a good impression never hurts. From his reaction, he might actively seek more work—solid win.
"Oppa, there you are?"
"Hey, Minji. Perfect timing. Say hi—this is the domestic publishing lead for Grand Ragnarok."
"Ah, hello! I'm Park Minji from The Queens!"
Minji bowed reflexively. The rep's eyes went wide.
"Park Minji-ssi? Ohhh... perfect, just perfect."
"Y-yes?"
"Can't say much now, but... we might need someone for another shoot like this, and you look spot-on."
"Really? Thank you!"
Even if it's just lip service, saying it like that means he's seriously considering. I bowed and thanked him profusely.
"Shoot wrapped~!"
"Good work!"
"Packing up!"
The set grew chaotic. I gave the game rep one last greeting, then headed to Haeun.
"Great job, you worked hard. Cold? Coat on."
"Unnie, here... cocoa..."
"Thanks."
Exhausted Im Haeun took the cocoa.
"Straight to the car. Need anything?"
"Um... something warm... and food? I'm starving."
"Got it, I'll grab some. Minji, wait in the car with Haeun."
"Oppa, me too... food..."
"No. You're on a diet right now."
"Keehing."
Minji pouted instantly.
"Get in the car. Be right back."
I sent the chattering girls off to the van and headed for the convenience store when—
"Lee Sejin-ssi."
A cold, sharp voice rang out. Turning around, I saw Cheon Bom standing there, arms crossed, staring at me.