Chapter 14: An Actor's Performance (2)
Chapter 14: An Actor's Performance (2)
"Seo-yeon, don't be too nervous. Okay? The other actors will teach you a lot. When they do, make sure to say thank you, alright?"
"Yes, Mom."
The first day of filming for The Moon That Hides the Sun had arrived.
Time had flown by as if the massive buzz surrounding the release of the making-of film had been a lie. About a month had passed, and while people still greeted her, the number of people asking her various questions had decreased compared to before.
And today.
Seo-yeon was on her way to the set for the official drama filming. Naturally, she was in the car driven by her mother, Sua.
"Seo-yeon, we really should find you an agency, shouldn't we?"
Sua spoke cautiously while checking her daughter’s beautifully made-up face.
Normally, other mothers or child actors would be desperate to join an agency. But in Seo-yeon’s case, it was different.
"If you come to GH Entertainment, we will do our best to help Miss Seo-yeon become a great actress. Please make sure to contact us."
"Seo-yeon’s mother, you know who we are, right? We’re Viendello, the agency representing actor Kim Myung-chul. As a management company specializing in actors, we are particularly confident in nurturing talent. A gifted child actor like Seo-yeon should start learning in a good environment..."
Sua already had a stack of business cards. Among them were several well-known management companies and agencies. Since she was still young, her potential as an actress, model, or idol was limitless, so the love calls were inevitable.
"But..."
Sua hesitated. Once Seo-yeon joined an agency, there would be no turning back.
‘I feel like we’ve already come a bit too far, though.’
Still, for now, it was Sua herself who was in charge of Seo-yeon. But if she joined an agency, she would have a manager, and unlike now, she would have to follow a variety of schedules, including acting lessons. Especially since Seo-yeon had recently become a hot topic, they might already be preparing her for various variety shows or auditions.
"I'll think about an agency later," Seo-yeon said as she slowly opened the car door. They had just arrived at the filming site.
‘Joining a company already is a bit much.’
Memories of her corporate life in her past existence flickered in her mind. To think that her six-year-old self would already be tied to a company? Even if she found acting charming, it wasn't time yet. Seo-yeon needed time to prepare herself mentally. Truly.
Click!
The moment Seo-yeon stepped out onto the set, she heard the sound of a shutter. Turning her head, she saw someone who looked like a reporter pointing a camera at her.
"Miss Ju Seo-yeon! Is it true that you got this audition through Director Park Sung-woong's recommendation? Why do you think you won the role over Jo Seo-hee, who is already recognized as a talented child actress?"
Seo-yeon flinched and stepped back at the reporter’s sudden barrage of words. Neither Seo-yeon nor Sua, experiencing this for the first time, knew how to react. They hadn't expected a reporter to be there, and the question was extremely provocative.
"You! Who are you?! How dare you cause a scene on set!!"
Someone came running toward the flustered pair, shouting loudly. The reporter with the camera was startled and vanished instantly.
"Phew, what kind of era are we living in? Hah! Just let me catch whoever that was."
The man who ran over, huffing and puffing, was Heo Jung-soo, the camera director for The Moon That Hides the Sun. He looked around the area once more before gesturing to Seo-yeon and Sua. He was telling them to get inside the set quickly.
Sua asked in a small voice, "Um, is it okay for me to go in too?"
"Oh, it's fine. It's not like Seo-yeon has an agency yet."
Since Seo-yeon didn't have an agency or a manager, Sua needed to assist her to some extent. In fact, Sua was essentially her manager.
"Reporters don't usually come to the set, so I was off guard. If I only knew that guy's name, I'd make sure he's never invited for an interview again."
Heo Jung-soo clicked his tongue and glanced at Seo-yeon.
‘The kid is quite sharp.’
She must have been flustered, but seeing her standing there boldly was quite impressive.
‘I hope she stays like this on set.’
During the last audition, Heo Jung-soo was one of the people who had given Seo-yeon a precious vote. In terms of pure acting skill, Jo Seo-hee was certainly more polished than Seo-yeon. However, it was Seo-yeon who moved the emotions. Furthermore, her physical movements were surprising considering her short acting career.
‘This child is definitely the right fit for Princess Yeonhwa.’
Thinking about the story, he believed that for Princess Yeonhwa, the ability to convey emotion was more important than polished acting—especially considering the scenes in Episode 3.
Of course, that was his opinion, and there were several people on set who thought otherwise. Heo Jung-soo was inwardly worried that they might try to haze her.
"No matter what anyone says during filming, don't lose your nerve. Just do the acting you're best at," the camera director said, comforting Seo-yeon.
He meant well, but for Seo-yeon, his words were quite burdensome.
‘Ah, I’m quite unpopular, aren't I?’
If Seo-yeon were a simple six-year-old, she might have just let it go, but with the memories of her past life, she could guess the situation. To the other actors, Jo Seo-hee was a promising, elite prospect, while she was an outsider who had rolled in as a "parachute" hire through Director Jo Bang-woo. Naturally, even if it wasn't everyone, there were bound to be those who viewed her unfavorably.
"Director Gong! Seo-yeon is here!"
As they entered the set, everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward Seo-yeon. Director Gong merely gave a slight nod as if to welcome her. Some staff members told her not to be too nervous and gave brief greetings.
‘So that’s the kid.’
‘The one who became a hot topic in the child actor auditions.’
Various emotions swirled. Curiosity, and complex thoughts toward a child who had made a name for herself overnight. Those gazes pierced toward Seo-yeon. Fortunately, there was no hostility. That alone was enough to put Seo-yeon at ease.
"Seo-yeon, Mommy will be watching from behind, so you have to do well, okay?"
"Yes."
First, she needed to change clothes and get her makeup done. Following the staff's guidance, Seo-yeon thought about the day's shoot.
‘Fortunately, Director Gong is someone who films the drama almost in order.’
Naturally, Seo-yeon had done some research on drama filming. On a set, the director was king, and their filming styles varied wildly. Some directors filmed the important scenes first. Others filmed everything that could be done in one location all at once. Often, scenes were not filmed according to the story's progression.
Among them, Director Gong preferred to film according to the script's order. Although it seemed there wasn't much distinction between scenes.
‘Well, the young Lee Hye-wol is only scheduled to appear until about Episode 3 anyway.’
Even that wasn't certain. If the acting was unstable or there were problems, the screen time could be reduced. In her past life, Jo Seo-hee had appeared in Taesumdal only twice. It was a massive humiliation for Jo Seo-hee, who was called the princess of daily dramas.
‘First, let’s go greet people.’
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive on set? Greet everyone, without exception. After finishing her preparations, Seo-yeon immediately walked around the set.
‘She should be here for today’s shoot.’
Greetings like this should start with the most senior actor. Seo-yeon went straight to the actor with the longest career on set today: Jung Eun-seon, who played the role of Queen Dowager Eunhye.
"Hello, I am Ju Seo-yeon!"
She placed her hands over her navel and bowed deeply. Usually, when she greeted people like this, most would receive her warmly.
"…Right. Nice to meet you."
However, Jung Eun-seon’s reaction was somewhat subtle. It felt like… dissatisfaction? No, it seemed a bit different.
"I saw your audition. It was a fine performance."
"Ah, yes! Thank you for looking upon me kindly."
"However…"
She scanned Seo-yeon from head to toe for a moment. Her expression was hard to read. Was it because she was an actress?
"…No, let’s see for ourselves during the acting."
Jung Eun-seon said this and looked away from Seo-yeon. Seo-yeon could see the other actors watching Jung Eun-seon’s reaction. It was clear that everyone was mindful of the veteran’s every move.
‘Is this… dangerous?’
Considering the scene they were supposed to film today, Jung Eun-seon’s reaction was not good. If the person she had to perform with disliked her… things could become very difficult.
*
"Alright, I trust everyone has studied today's script well. Today's scene numbers are 1 and 2."
Clap, clap. The director clapped his hands and began giving brief acting directions to the actors. Historical dramas usually involved a large number of extras. Especially when the palace was the setting, many people were needed, including court ladies.
"We’ll film the second scene first, so we’ll start as soon as preparations are finished."
At the director's words, the actors on set moved busily. It was easier to film the second scene first. Compared to the first scene, which required various extras, the second scene only featured two people.
‘Will it be okay?’
‘The veteran’s reaction isn't great…’
‘She was someone who really adored Jo Seo-hee.’
The supporting actors glanced at Jung Eun-seon and looked at Seo-yeon with pity. If you got on a veteran actor's bad side, an actor's life could become miserable in many ways. Even for a child actor, this wasn't much different.
"If everyone is ready, cue!"
At the director's signal, the cameras simultaneously pointed toward Seo-yeon and Jung Eun-seon—Princess Yeonhwa and Queen Dowager Eunhye. The location was the Queen Dowager’s quarters. It was a scene where Princess Yeonhwa, who had snuck out of the palace, was caught and scolded by the Queen Dowager.
Seo-yeon closed her eyes and slowly recalled Princess Yeonhwa’s personality.
‘Princess Yeonhwa is a tomboy who frequently sneaks out of the palace to mingle with the commoners.’
Meeting Yoon Seo-il outside the palace was also because of that. She had an easy-to-understand personality. This bright personality of Princess Yeonhwa wouldn't change much until the end of Episode 3.
"Alright, then… Action!!"
With Director Gong Jeong-tae’s shout, the cameras began to roll. The first to speak was the Queen Dowager. In the quiet bedchamber, the Queen Dowager’s eyes slowly turned toward Lee Hye-wol.
A simple gaze. But her rigid posture showed her character, and her blade-like eyes clearly indicated her current mood.
「 I heard you snuck out of the palace again. 」
A voice carrying a faint trace of wrath. Even though it was a simple line, the dignity and power of a great actress could be felt. It was as if the real Queen Dowager Eunhye was standing there.
「 This is already the fifth time. Dignity, conduct, and even the responsibilities of a princess! Is wandering outside and casting all those aside truly that enjoyable? 」
Actors don't always fall deep into emotion for every performance. They often make mistakes, and sometimes they burst into laughter. But Jung Eun-seon was different. She was a master of method acting, possessing deeper emotions than anyone else. She never flubbed her lines, her pronunciation was precise, and her emotions were even clearer. Thus, an ordinary actor couldn't help but feel immense pressure just standing before her.
‘Oh boy.’
Watching quietly, Director Gong Jeong-tae frowned. He had expected it, but Jung Eun-seon was showing Seo-yeon no consideration at all. She was serious from the start, clashing with her full power through her acting.
‘Well, that is how it should be… but still.’
Naturally, to get the best scene, all actors must be sincere. However, this was Seo-yeon’s first time filming a drama. Especially since Seo-yeon was a child who excelled at emotional acting, just like Jung Eun-seon. Naturally, the pressure was bound to be twice as heavy.
So, everyone waited for Seo-yeon’s following performance. They wondered if she could act properly—no, if she could even spit out her lines. Actors meeting Jung Eun-seon for the first time often forgot their lines due to her sheer intensity.
「 I only wished to observe the lives of the common people from a closer perspective. 」
However, as if to prove those worries groundless, innocent words flowed from Princess Yeonhwa’s mouth. There was clearly a vivid fear in her eyes. But that fear was Princess Yeonhwa’s emotion toward the Queen Dowager, not toward ‘Actress Jung Eun-seon.’
「 I know that you are worried, Your Highness. However, I am a clever girl who takes after you… a proper member of the royal family and a princess. A great princess must know how to look at the world, not just the narrow palace. 」
It was the performance of a Princess Yeonhwa who was flighty, and in a way, cheeky toward the elder of the palace. The Princess Yeonhwa shown in the audition had a stronger, more mature side. But now, she appropriately portrayed the eight-year-old Princess Yeonhwa in the script who was still immature. She didn't seem intimidated by the Queen Dowager or Jung Eun-seon at all. It was a performance that seemed to prove she was the rightful winner of the audition.
‘She didn't make a single mistake in her lines.’
What was surprising wasn't just the acting. Lines were a surprisingly difficult part of child acting. Especially in historical dramas, there were many difficult words, so child actors tended to struggle more. But without a single mistake, and without any slurred pronunciation, Seo-yeon delivered her lines.
By the time people snapped out of it, the first scene had already concluded.
‘Wow.’
The staff members who watched gave intense internal applause. The other actors also had looks of surprise on their faces.
‘With this, even the veteran will have to…’
No matter how much Jung Eun-seon adored Jo Seo-hee, she would have to acknowledge Seo-yeon’s acting. Or so they thought.
"Hmm."
But for some reason, Jung Eun-seon’s face was slightly clouded as she looked at Seo-yeon. Did she not like the acting? No way. Seo-yeon’s performance just now was the best a child actor could show. It might be because there were no big movements, but looking at that scene alone, she was clearly better than Jo Seo-hee.
"Seo-yeon, was it?"
It was then that Jung Eun-seon, who had been choosing her words, spoke.
"There is no emotion in your acting."
Those unexpected words were enough to instantly freeze the once-warm atmosphere of the set.
"You aren't acting with sincerity."