Chapter 101: Lovely Acting (2)
Chapter 101: Lovely Acting (2)
"Did you... did you see the revised sc-script?"
Min Se-hee, the newly appointed main writer of the drama, asked as she carefully studied Seo-yeon’s expression.
She seemed anxious, as if worried that Seo-yeon might not like the changes she had made.
"Yes, it was good."
"Th-then that’s a relief. To be honest, I don’t think I’m skilled enough to be the main writer yet, but..."
"Now, now, Writer Min."
"Ah, I-I’m sorry."
Director Kim Pil-seok gave Min Se-hee a look as she muttered in a self-deprecating tone. He was essentially telling her that a writer shouldn't lack confidence in her own work.
"Saying things like that is disrespectful to the viewers who watch our drama. It’s also disrespectful to the actors who have to trust your script and perform. And to me as well."
"Yes..."
Min Se-hee looked a bit dejected. However, Seo-yeon found herself concerned for her.
Min Se-hee...
The name rang a bell.
Seo-yeon’s memories were filled with the countless videos and creative works she had consumed in her past life to learn emotions. Among them was information regarding games and the entertainment industry.
While the things she actually enjoyed in her past life were gradually fading and losing color, professional information like this would come to her clearly whenever she tried to recall it, as if she were pulling the right book from a library shelf.
Thus, she remembered Min Se-hee quickly. However, the Min Se-hee she knew had made her mark on a general programming channel, not KMB.
She wasn't sure why she had moved from KMB to a cable channel, but...
That doesn't mean her skills should be underestimated.
In the first place, Park Jung-woo wouldn't have recommended her if she weren't capable. In fact, Min Se-hee was destined to become a very famous name in the future.
"A-ahem. To start with, although Writer Im, who was in charge of the script before, was fired for unpleasant reasons, the script itself was structured very intelligently."
"Pardon?"
Was it?
Honestly, from an acting perspective, Writer Im’s script definitely felt like a 'makjang' soap opera at times. Of course, having watched dramas in her past life, Seo-yeon wasn't particularly surprised by that.
"Actually, aside from the forced changes to the role of Jo Ha-rin, the distribution between characters was very natural. It’s just that those forced changes caused some cracks..."
Min Se-hee pointed to the newly revised scripts.
"I thought it would be best to return things to their original state as much as possible while adding parts that highlight Jo Ha-rin’s charm. Her screen time hasn't actually increased by much. So, I intended to emphasize the love line with Park Min-yul more, but..."
As she spoke, Min Se-hee recalled what Park Jung-woo had said when he pulled her aside earlier.
— I don't think it's necessary to force a love line just to show a character's charm. Is there a specific reason you included it like this?
— Pardon? But... it's just putting back what was supposed to be there from the start. I'm just returning it to the original plan... Is it strange?
— Ah, I don't mean it's strange. It's just... well, every actor has things they aren't great at. Or, they might not be ready yet.
Or perhaps there was a better direction. Park Jung-woo realized this to some extent, but he didn't bother telling Min Se-hee. He was sure Seo-yeon already knew.
— I think it would be good to hear the actress's opinion as well.
— But since these are live scripts, time will be tight if we have to revise them further.
— She'll handle that part on her own. Don't worry too much.
Park Jung-woo had said that with a smile, and Min Se-hee had found herself nodding. Park Jung-woo was simply too handsome to refuse.
"A-ahem. So, there are some parts where I’d like to slightly modify the dialogue and scenes."
"Yes."
Seo-yeon first accepted the new script Min Se-hee handed her. It seemed to be a fresh draft written in a hurry. It was as raw as it could get.
As she checked it...
Oh?
Seo-yeon’s eyes widened slightly.
"I changed the dialogue to be more understated."
The relationship between Jo Ha-rin and Park Min-yul had become much more subtle. In a way, they almost looked like close friends or colleagues.
"But, as you can see, this part is a scene where Jo Ha-rin’s charm shines through. The duet with Park Min-yul."
The content was as follows:
It was the part where Park Min-yul and Jo Ha-rin head to the stage for the finals. A stage that would determine who makes it into the Top 10. The mission, cruelly enough, was a co-ed duet. The theme was an idol song that showcased both dance and vocals.
"Before heading to the stage, Park Min-yul originally expresses his hidden feelings for Jo Ha-rin. And Jo Ha-rin shows signs of being swayed by him."
Honestly, when Seo-yeon saw the original script, she thought it was a decent scene. Of course, that was before Jo Ha-rin’s importance was slashed. After the cut, Park Min-yul had naturally felt like he was drifting aimlessly, leaving the scene in a awkward state. Originally, Park Min-yul and Jo Ha-rin were a couple.
"Yes, so I thought that forcing a love line now would make people go, 'What?' So... do you think this is okay, Seo-yeon?"
Seo-yeon nodded at Min Se-hee’s question. However...
"But... it seems the overall progression hasn't been modified much?"
In other words, only the relationship between Ma Yeon-woo’s Park Min-yul and Seo-yeon’s Jo Ha-rin had changed? In the previously revised script, the love line had been more emphasized. This felt like they had returned to square one.
"No. In this version, Jo Ha-rin was originally supposed to be eliminated from the audition. As you know, singing is Jo Ha-rin’s weakness."
The reason Jo Ha-rin’s importance had decreased from Episode 8 onwards was that she was supposed to be eliminated in that episode. Having said that, Min Se-hee hesitated for a moment.
"Jo Ha-rin isn't going to be eliminated."
"Pardon?"
"And, Seo-yeon, what kind of image do you think is right for her to show in her relationship with Park Min-yul?"
Seo-yeon blinked at Min Se-hee’s question. Usually, an actor performs according to the script; it was rare for their personal opinion to be included. While it wasn't unheard of for an actor to intervene in the script, it often led to controversy.
This is completely wild...
Even as she thought that, Seo-yeon looked at Director Kim Pil-seok, who was quietly watching. His attitude suggested she should speak freely.
Was it really possible to replace a script when filming was so close? Or was it possible to immediately revise and recreate a script that had already been changed? Either way, it was a task that required the writer’s full ability.
Could she really do all that when even the plot progression had changed? And so urgently? And could a drama made in such a rush have proper quality?
But...
Seo-yeon thought.
Park Min-yul and Jo Ha-rin.
The revised script had certainly restored Jo Ha-rin’s original screen time. That definitely included the love line with Park Min-yul. But restoring it only at the climax wouldn't be satisfying. Furthermore, the one winning the audition was Jo Ha-rin. A changed progression.
And the love line.
The love line couldn't be omitted. After all, Dream Future was originally a drama where the six leads each had a romantic pairing. It was absurd to remove it just because Seo-yeon disliked love lines or because her acting of being in love was awkward.
Seo-yeon was an actress. And now, she had pride in that fact. Just because she disliked something didn't mean she intended to lower the quality of the show.
But, regardless of my dislike, the question is whether I can do it well.
She looked at the script.
Scanning the lines quickly, she recalled Jo Ha-rin’s parts from her past life in order. She compared those scenes with the dialogue before the change. Just like when she recalled Lee Ji-yeon’s acting during her first CF shoot as a child.
One by one. Scene by scene.
She scanned the emotions derived from them. What she couldn't do, and what she could.
"...Seo-yeon?"
Min Se-hee watched Seo-yeon as she quietly stared at the script.
And then.
"Starting filming! Filming!!"
At the staff's shout, Ma Yeon-woo moved with heavy steps. After all...
I'm scared...
In many ways, Cha Seo-ah—no, Seo-yeon—was difficult for Ma Yeon-woo to handle. Images of Cha Seo-ah still flashed vividly in his mind. The other members of JustX teased him for being a coward, but Ma Yeon-woo felt it was unfair. Did they have any idea how he felt, having to face her directly on set?
On top of that, the script changed, and now I'm the one getting eliminated.
Of course, Ma Yeon-woo didn't think much of it. But his manager was furious, complaining that this would kill Park Min-yul’s importance. Director Kim Pil-seok and Min Se-hee had promised to adjust his future screen time so he wouldn't lose out, but...
Actually, I wouldn't mind just being written out.
He was just exhausted. It seemed it was too early for him to try acting. With that thought, Ma Yeon-woo stepped onto the set to film the final audition scene.
The set resembled the stages he often saw on music shows. It was a very familiar place for Ma Yeon-woo. As he stared at it blankly...
"What are you doing?"
"!!"
Someone tapped Ma Yeon-woo on the shoulder as they passed by. When Ma Yeon-woo turned his gaze in that direction, Seo-yeon spun around.
"We have to film, right?"
"Uh, yeah."
The atmosphere was strangely different from usual.
What is it?
Her expression hadn't changed much. The same expressionless face as always. Slightly reddish eyes. But the vibe was subtly different. It felt... bouncy?
It was as if an athlete was warming up before the main game.
"Please do your best on stage."
"Well, of course..."
He always did his best. The problem was that the evaluation always came back as 'stiff acting.' When he gave that lukewarm response...
"You're the senior, aren't you?"
Seo-yeon said, flashing her white teeth in a smile.
"What?"
"As an idol."
He saw Seo-yeon smiling brightly, a rare sight. It was only then that Ma Yeon-woo realized what she meant. She was saying he didn't need to act as 'Park Min-yul' for this stage. After all, it was an audition part involving singing and dancing.
"...That's true."
Not to brag, but it was something Ma Yeon-woo was very confident in.
*
"Today is important."
Han Bong-sik, a YouTuber with 1.35 million subscribers, told his viewers while waiting for Episode 7 of Dream Future to air. Having milked the hype from The Chaser and the character 'Ju Seo-yeon,' Han Bong-sik had begun officially live-streaming Dream Future as well.
"You know Ju Seo-yeon, whose popularity skyrocketed with The Chaser, right? There's been a lot of talk about whether they'll increase her screen time or not."
Regardless, expectations for the drama Dream Future were quite low. Nevertheless, it had a certain charm that kept people watching.
"Let's see, today is the final audition battle between Jo Ha-rin and Park Min-yul. Looking at the progression so far, the safe bet is that Jo Ha-rin gets eliminated."
Han Bong-sik chatted away while waiting for Dream Future to start. He spent quite a bit of time speculating on the audition results and how Dream Future could potentially make a comeback. Most of it wasn't particularly professional.
"Ah, it's starting."
Inwardly, Han Bong-sik hoped that Jo Ha-rin’s screen time would increase and that there would be good scenes he could use for his broadcast.
Even if it's Ju Seo-yeon, it's impossible to revive the sinking Dream Future.
Still, it's human nature to hope. Under the watchful eyes of Han Bong-sik and the internet viewers, Episode 7 began.
Ma Yeon-woo and Ju Seo-yeon. And Park Min-yul and Jo Ha-rin.
Episode 7 of Dream Future began with the two of them appearing on screen. At first, there wasn't much to it. It was the same Dream Future as always. However, about ten minutes into the drama, people began to feel something was slightly off.
「What... should I do?」
It was Jo Ha-rin’s first proper solo part in a long while. She, who had always appeared as a sidekick to other members, was finally showing her inner thoughts.
Jo Ha-rin had only just realized what feelings Park Min-yul harbored for her. They were the same feelings she had once held for Kim Si-hwan. Feelings that were too heavy for a country girl who knew nothing of love.
The heart she had given up on because of Song So-ha—Park Min-yul now held those same feelings for her.
「What do I do...?」
Jo Ha-rin’s murmur sounded like a whisper. Her sense of predicament. Her unfamiliarity with unknown emotions. A girl’s youthful innocence was conveyed through the screen.
It naturally drew the viewers into Jo Ha-rin’s narrative. That was the point where viewers who had been channel-surfing began to stop and stay on Dream Future.