Chapter 232: Polar Opposites (2)
Chapter 232: Polar Opposites (2)
"A cameo?"
"Stella Baldwin?"
"Director, is this for real?"
A visible stir rippled through the film set.
The staff members who had already known were less surprised, but they were still mesmerized by Stella’s appearance.
Everyone was left wondering exactly how Stella Baldwin had ended up appearing in Gyeongseong Lady.
But the surprises weren't over yet.
"He’s here."
A staff member whispered into Director Baek Min’s ear with a tense expression.
There was no need to ask who 'he' was.
Behind Stella, who was finished with her makeup and smiling at those watching her, Asher Baldwin made his appearance.
If Stella’s presence had sparked curiosity, this was pure shock.
They had crossed paths with Stella for a while now, but no one had imagined Asher Baldwin would actually show up here.
"Is that really Asher Baldwin in the flesh?"
"Did he come here just because Stella is doing a cameo?"
"I wouldn't say 'just' a cameo, but... really? For that?"
Staff and actors alike turned their bewildered faces toward the father-daughter duo who had just graced the set.
Then, their gazes shifted to Director Baek Min, who was wearing a quiet smile.
'I understand how they feel.'
Baek Min fully empathized with them.
After all, he had doubted his own ears when he first heard the news.
Back in Japan, while Stella Baldwin was being ushered away by her bodyguards, Baek Min had been meeting with Asher Baldwin.
『Stella asked to participate in your film.』
『To appear in the movie, you mean?』
『Of course, I’m not asking you to prepare a special role right this second. If I had to put a label on it... yes, a cameo would be appropriate.』
He never imagined the word "cameo" would come out of Asher Baldwin’s mouth.
And it wasn't just any actor; it was Stella Baldwin who wanted to make a cameo in his film.
From the perspective of a Korean film director, it was a situation that left him literally speechless.
Of course, with the rising global recognition of Korean cinema, it wasn't an impossible scenario. Some famous Korean directors had already filmed movies with international stars as leads.
However, a star of that caliber had never 'first' proposed to appear in a cameo.
While Baek Min’s films had some international recognition, they weren't at the level where such a star would seek him out personally.
『May I ask the reason?』
『Hmm.』
Asher Baldwin studied Baek Min for a moment.
He thought the director was young, but his thoughts were difficult to read.
Given Asher's reputation, a director’s reaction usually fell into one of two categories:
Either offense at someone suddenly intruding upon their film, or bowing their head to establish a connection.
In the end, the world runs on networking.
If Asher Baldwin pulled the right strings, debuting a Korean director in Hollywood would be no problem at all.
If he announced he was participating in a film as an assistant director or cinematographer, he could gather any number of Hollywood actors.
So, those who wanted to play in the big leagues naturally bowed to Asher.
But Baek Min was neither.
He was just genuinely curious.
『It seems Stella has taken an interest in one of your actors.』
『You mean Ju Seo-yeon.』
『So you know.』
『Well, she did travel all the way to Korea, after all,』 Baek Min said with a smile.
『For what reason did Stella become interested in Actress Ju Seo-yeon?』
『If I had to name a catalyst, it might be because I made a bit of a fuss.』
A Korean actress who appeared as a cameo in a Japanese drama.
First, he was surprised by her looks, and second, he was stunned by the presence she commanded through her acting.
Presence is something one is born with.
He had even heard that Seo-yeon could barely speak Japanese.
That was why it was supposedly impossible to cast her as a lead—because she couldn't deliver lines properly, she couldn't take on a role that required heavy dialogue.
However, to Asher’s ears, Seo-yeon’s Japanese pronunciation was beyond reproach.
He hadn't mentioned it to the Japanese broadcasting staff, but he was actually quite well-versed in Japanese. He simply chose not to say so.
In his eyes, even if Seo-yeon had just stood there smiling without saying a word, she would have overwhelmed the other actors.
Even without speaking, the eye naturally gravitates toward her.
Asher could count on one hand the number of actors who had given him that feeling.
Among actresses, Stella Baldwin was the only one.
But now, that "only one" had become "one of two."
『But the reason she went to Korea was surely because she saw that girl's acting.』
『Is it a case of childish jealousy because her father praised someone else?』
『Hardly. Stella isn't that simple. She is simple... but usually only when it comes to her goals.』
『Goals?』
『I’ve talked too much. To summarize, Stella expressed her desire to appear in your film, Director Baek. She even acted cute for her father for the first time in a while, asking me to make it happen.』
Baek Min smiled at those words.
The English coming from Asher Baldwin’s mouth was far too endearing for a man of his stature.
Stella Baldwin acting cute?
Baek Min couldn't quite picture it.
She looked like an angel, but according to what he’d heard from Jo Seo-hee, her actual personality seemed quite fierce.
Of course, that wasn't something Baek Min needed to worry about.
『I must decline—』
『I understand your concern that Stella’s appearance might ruin the tone of the work,』 Asher said, cutting off Baek Min’s refusal.
『From what Stella says, it seems many young talents are involved in this project.』
Asher’s eyes locked onto Baek Min’s.
Unwavering eyes.
He had heard the director’s previous work was a failure, but there was no hesitation in that gaze.
Under the pressure only a master could exert, Baek Min had no choice but to stop talking.
『It will surely be a good stimulus for those actresses. It’s just a cameo. It won't ruin the work.』
Or are you afraid your work or your actors will be swallowed up by a mere cameo?
Asher Baldwin seemed to be saying exactly that.
It was a provocation.
And a rather welcome one at that.
A master of cinema was going out of his way to provoke him just to get his daughter into the movie.
An actress who wouldn't appear even if the most famous Korean directors begged her, and a director who wouldn't even grant them a meeting, were here in person.
『Well.』
Baek Min thought about it.
He wondered how Jo Seo-hee or Lee Ji-yeon would react to Stella, not to mention Ju Seo-yeon.
Stella was certainly of the same breed as Seo-yeon.
Her past films proved it.
When you watched Stella act, you naturally empathized with her emotions; her words and expressions made you laugh and cry without effort.
Since she was eight years old.
Ever since she won the Best Actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival—the youngest ever—by drawing universal empathy in her very first film.
It was a movie Baek Min had watched many times.
'Seo-yeon is quite considerate of the other two.'
It was funny, but Baek Min was similar to Asher.
If Asher had thought of Stella after seeing Seo-yeon’s acting, Baek Min had thought of a certain child actor after seeing young Stella’s performance.
It had been ten years since Stella won at Berlin.
And there was a child actor who had appeared in a drama that was a massive hit in Korea at the same time.
Of course, in terms of the work itself, it couldn't be compared to the Asher Baldwin film Stella had starred in.
Baek Min himself had never even seen The Moon That Hides the Sun.
But after Seo-yeon joined Gyeongseong Lady, he had belatedly watched that drama.
'I realized it too late.'
No, perhaps it was for the better.
If he had seen Seo-yeon’s acting in real-time back then...
And if he had known she would disappear for a long time...
He might have spent years searching for her, just like Seo-hee did.
That was how confident he was that Seo-yeon’s acting back then was in no way inferior to Stella’s.
And since her return, Seo-yeon had only shown that level of acting once—as 'Cha Seo-ah.'
『Aren't you greedy? This could be the chance to turn a rough diamond into a gem.』
Baek Min smiled at Asher’s words.
Then, he slowly nodded.
Well, honestly, as a director, it wasn't a bad deal at all.
The investors would probably be overjoyed at the news.
While he should have refused for the sake of his 'work' alone, he felt this wouldn't be so bad either.
『I’ll accept the proposal. However, let me say one thing first...』
Baek Min spoke in a calm voice as he looked at him.
『Our actors aren't exactly rough diamonds.』
They were already jewels.
Just jewels that hadn't found the right place to shine yet.
That was what Director Baek Min believed.
*
"Stella Baldwin, who is joining us suddenly today, will play the daughter of a wealthy Western merchant and a childhood acquaintance of Michiko."
The script had, of course, been revised on the spot.
Upon hearing that Stella Baldwin would be participating, the writer had excitedly finished the revised script in just two days.
For something written in such a short time, the quality was high and it was quite well-done.
A character had been added to the auction scene originally in the script, and the addition felt quite natural.
The only problem was that for a "cameo," her screen time was significant.
If a cameo usually meant passing by for about a minute...
'Isn't this basically a bit part?'
Everyone thought so as they looked at Stella.
Her appearance time was a solid five minutes.
It might sound short, but in a movie with a two-hour runtime, five minutes is a very long time to allocate to one person.
"Ju Seo-yeon."
Lee Ji-yeon spoke to Seo-yeon, who was standing quietly.
"What are you thinking about?"
Seo-yeon didn't say anything.
She just stared in Stella’s direction.
Was she nervous because a stranger had joined the film?
No way.
Ji-yeon had never seen Seo-yeon get nervous while working on a movie or drama since they were kids.
If anything, she had recently felt Seo-yeon struggling with her acting in Director Baek’s film.
Mostly in the romance scenes.
But the scene they were about to shoot didn't involve any romance.
"Just... I have a strange feeling."
Seo-yeon looked at Stella.
She was just standing there quietly, much like Seo-yeon herself before a shoot.
She wasn't smiling like an angel as usual.
Nor was she acting arrogant like she did when they were alone.
She was silent.
Eyes closed, expressionless, like a doll.
But that appearance felt closer to her essence than ever before.
'Could it be?'
Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes as she watched her.
Somehow, the sight reminded her of herself in her past life.
Naturally, the condition she had suffered from in her past life came to mind.
Alexithymia.
But that wasn't a condition that helped with acting.
The only reason she could use it in her acting now was because she no longer had the disorder.
Having seen her movies, Seo-yeon was certain Stella had nothing to do with that.
Emotional acting.
An actor who could draw empathy from others couldn't possibly have such a disorder.
In the first place, Seo-yeon had been a special case in her past life; usually, it was impossible even to mimic facial expressions.
But how should she put it?
It wasn't as if she didn't have a hunch.
Inferred from Stella’s comments so far, surely...
"I’ll be right back."
"Huh? What? To see who?"
"Stella. It’s better to talk before we start filming."
There was still some time before the shoot began anyway.
So, a little conversation should be fine.
Everyone’s eyes followed Seo-yeon’s back.
But Seo-yeon didn't care.
There were plenty of bodyguards around Stella, and they blocked Seo-yeon as she approached.
As she stared blankly at them...
『It’s okay, move aside. It’s not like you could stop her if she really wanted to see me anyway.』
Stella’s voice drifted from behind the wall of bodyguards.
The guards made strange faces at her words but quickly stepped back.
『Hmm, that’s a bit of a double entendre. These people probably just think of you as an 'actress.'』
Seo-yeon just stared at Stella blankly.
Because she had spoken in English, Seo-yeon hadn't fully understood what she meant.
"...Aren't Koreans good at English?"
"Another discriminatory remark."
"No, not this time. And I’ve been careful lately. If you gave me a flick on the forehead, I’m sure my head would get a dent."
"I don't hit people for no reason."
Stella clutched her head as she said that.
Whether she was actually being careful was debatable, but it was true she was less abrasive than before.
More than that, Seo-yeon was somewhat aware of her own English skills.
To have a long career as an actor, it was better to be good at English.
That way, she could land roles abroad.
At this rate, she would be confined to domestic roles.
"If you need English, let me know. I’ll teach you."
"...Later."
Anyway, that wasn't what was important right now.
Seo-yeon stood facing Stella.
Stella in a Western-style dress, Seo-yeon in a Japanese kimono.
The bodyguards shielded the two from view, creating a strange contrast.
Those who had been watching the two meet let out sighs of disappointment, but Seo-yeon was secretly relieved.
"There’s one thing I want to ask."
"What is it?"
As Stella smiled brightly, Seo-yeon hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"You said you can't properly distinguish people's faces, right, Stella?"
Seo-yeon stopped there, debating whether to continue.
She had wondered if it was just a joke, a habit, or an expression of her own rudeness, but the feeling was different.
So she wanted to ask.
She needed to know before filming so she could correct any of Stella's expressions that might come across as rude.
"Yep, that’s enough."
Stella smiled and placed her index finger on Seo-yeon’s lips.
"That’s not very important right now, is it? Oh, are you worried I’ll mess up the shoot? Because I can't distinguish the characters?"
She said this and smiled at Seo-yeon, who was watching her quietly.
"Don't worry. I can distinguish the faces of the characters perfectly."
She wore a smile as beautiful as an angel's.
"The characters, that is."
Seo-yeon couldn't return that smile.
Because that smile was as good as a confirmation of her suspicions.
And so.
As their conversation came to an end.
The filming in Japan began in earnest.