Chapter 65: Advertisement (1)
Chapter 65: Advertisement (1)
The filming of The Chaser proceeded smoothly overall.
The process of learning what jealousy felt like had been incredibly petty, but it had certainly helped her acting.
‘…Though I could never say it out loud.’
Jealousy—it was an unfamiliar emotion.
Thinking back, feeling emotions was a natural thing. It wasn't anything special. It was only special to her.
Watching the crew pack up the set, Seo-yeon fell into a quiet reverie.
In a way, her decision to become an actress was driven by a desire to understand these things. A place where various emotions surfaced, and where one could manifest them through artifice. Perhaps she felt comfortable in this world because the mask she had once created simply to cover her discomfort had become her greatest strength.
‘…Is my puberty not over yet?’
She felt strangely sentimental today. Perhaps it was because she had witnessed such a shocking scene yesterday. Just thinking about it made her blood boil. Of course, it wasn't as intense as it had been yesterday, but still.
Even Seo-yeon herself hadn't known she was capable of such feelings. There was a time when she thought of herself as a plant. But as it turned out, she had just been a fool.
‘Hmm.’
There were still many emotions she didn't know. Of course, in this life, she felt emotions naturally. It was just that, because of the disconnect with her past life, she had to stop and think about what exactly she was feeling.
When acting, she couldn't help but be conscious of it. It was like how breathing becomes awkward the moment you start thinking about the act of breathing.
"Seo-yeon."
Perhaps because today's shoot had been a success, Director Bae Jin-hwan approached Seo-yeon with a light step.
"Yes?"
"Today's shoot was really great. If we keep going like this, we'll be fine. However…"
He trailed off for a moment, looking thoughtful. Meeting Seo-yeon’s blank, expectant gaze, he voiced his concern.
"The next shoot involves some intense scenes. You know the one, right? You kidnap Han Ye-hwa, and in the process, you get into a scuffle with a police officer."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"From what I've seen, you seem to have a good handle on your body. Do you think you can do it?"
Do I think I can do it?
As she stared at him, wondering what he meant, he continued.
"Didn't you hear? Usually, action scenes are handled by stunt doubles. I'm sure you were told?"
"Ah, I heard."
Now that she thought about it, she remembered something like that being mentioned. Usually, a stunt double for an action scene is chosen based on having a similar physique to the actor. The reason Cha Seo-ah often wore a raincoat or outfits that hid her face was to make it easier to use a double. Since there were frequent physical altercations in the script, they had planned to use a stunt performer.
"But it turns out the actress who was supposed to be your double injured her ankle. So, I was thinking about looking for a new one… and then you came to mind."
The first shoot. The chase scene between Seo-yeon and Kim Dae-heon. He remembered Seo-yeon vanishing like a gust of wind. Of course, running and physical action were different. But he couldn't help but think, 'What if?'
"If you're okay with it, there's an action school I know. What do you think?"
Seo-yeon didn't realize it, but this was a very special case. An action school recommended by a director of Bae Jin-hwan's caliber was essentially synonymous with the most important "action school" in Seoul. It was the place where South Korea's most famous stunt actors were based.
Naturally, getting into such a place wasn't easy. It wasn't just for aspiring stuntmen; it was a place sought out by actors who wanted to learn action. One had to pass an audition, and the competition was incredibly fierce.
‘He has very high standards, but if it’s Seo-yeon…’
For the record, Bae Jin-hwan was close with Professor Kim Hong-baek, who had founded the school. He could easily recommend an outstanding actor, and he believed Seo-yeon was a fine talent.
‘A month or two of intensive training should be enough.’
The action scenes in The Chaser weren't overly demanding. It was a thriller, after all, not an action movie. However, "action" was a broad term, and even in a simple choreographed fight, there was a massive difference between someone who had learned the basics and someone who hadn't. Though it was called an action academy, it was essentially a place to learn "all forms of physical acting." If she just learned the specific scenes through an intensive course, a month or two would suffice.
"Why don't you give it a try, and if you feel comfortable, you can do it yourself?"
How did Seo-yeon react to Bae Jin-hwan's proposal?
"Yes, I'd like to try. As an actress."
It was a calm response. Bae Jin-hwan was inwardly impressed. Usually, female actors tended to avoid action roles.
‘Her attitude is excellent.’
She was still young, but she was truly admirable. As Director Bae nodded with a satisfied smile…
‘Action acting!’
Seo-yeon, who loved physical activity, was purely excited. Deep down, she had really wanted to learn action acting.
*
Director Bae Jin-hwan gave his business card and the address of the action school to Manager Park Eun-ha. He told her that if they mentioned they were sent by him, they would be well taken care of.
The following day.
When Seo-yeon arrived at school, she noticed a strangely busy atmosphere. The students' excited faces and the noisy environment felt different from usual.
"Did something happen?"
Since Seo-yeon didn't really have any friends to ask, she scurried over to the next classroom during the first break to ask Ji-yeon.
"…At least try asking your own classmates."
"That is… a very difficult task."
"What's so difficult about it?"
Ji-yeon sighed at Seo-yeon's words. Then again, from the outside, Seo-yeon was a bit intimidating. She usually had weak reactions, so it was hard to tell what she was thinking. On top of that, Seo-yeon had an aura. She was the kind of person for whom the description "her presence is on another level" fit perfectly. Well, if she would just smile, she could probably make friends easily, but since she was the way she was…
"It's probably because of the school festival."
"School festival?"
Is there such a thing? When Seo-yeon looked at her with that expression, Ji-yeon explained.
"It seems Yeonhwa High School goes pretty big for its festivals."
Yeonhwa High School was a school where many students confident in the arts and physical education gathered. Because of that, while their average academic scores were around the middle or slightly below for Seoul, they were incredibly strong in the arts. Consequently, they tended to hold sports days and school festivals on a grand scale. For the festival, each class even set up their own booths.
"…They really do things like that?"
"Surprisingly often."
I see. Seo-yeon nodded.
Even if there was a school festival, it wasn't like Seo-yeon could necessarily do anything. It seemed like the classes had already decided what to do yesterday.
‘What is my class doing?’
Even though she wanted to ask, there was no one she felt comfortable asking. Suddenly, Seo-yeon felt that things couldn't go on like this. At this rate, she would end up spending the school festival lonely, unable to mingle with her classmates.
"You've realized it, then. Go back to your class."
Seo-yeon felt a bit dejected at Ji-yeon's cold dismissal. When she returned to her classroom, the students' gazes all landed on her simultaneously. Seo-yeon felt like a transfer student every single day.
‘…I really need to do something about this.’
If she got busier with acting work, she was bound to remain an outsider. That just wouldn't do. A life where Lee Ji-yeon was her only friend for all three years of high school… wasn't that a bit sad?
As she was thinking this, Seo-yeon suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.
‘Ah, I should have asked.’
About Ramiel. She had intended to ask while she was at Ji-yeon's class, but the talk of the school festival had made her completely forget. But even if she were to ask, what would she say? Ask who the mage was? Ask why she suddenly started broadcasting?
"…"
Seo-yeon slumped onto her desk. Her thoughts were becoming complicated in many ways.
*
Professor Kim Hong-baek.
He was South Korea's representative stunt actor and martial arts director. The Cheonghong Action School he established in Seoul had produced countless action stars and was known as the gateway for stuntmen without connections. Naturally, numerous aspiring stunt performers applied every quarter, and the number of applicants was staggering.
"Hmm, Ju Seo-yeon…"
A man with sharp features muttered the name. The actress who was supposed to visit the action school today. No, calling her an actress might be a bit much; she was more like a fledgling. One drama. One play. This was her first movie. She was a complete rookie. And yet, a director like Bae Jin-hwan had personally arranged the introduction.
"Princess Yeonhwa and Hong Jeong-hee."
Both were roles that had nothing to do with action. However, Bae Jin-hwan was a director with an incredible eye. If he wanted an actor, not a stunt double, to perform the action themselves, there had to be a reason.
Later that afternoon.
At the appointed time, a girl arrived with her manager.
Ju Seo-yeon.
Upon her appearance, the trainees who were busy practicing their action acting all turned to look. It was because she was a girl with a look that naturally commanded attention.
However, Kim Hong-baek narrowed his eyes slightly.
‘Her body is very well-balanced. But…’
Had she ever actually exercised? It didn't really show on the surface. She was slender, but then again, it was harder to find an actress who wasn't. Especially among female actors. In fact, there were many cases where excessive weight management left them physically weak. With such a fragile body, action would be impossible. They might as well use a double.
"Hello. I am Ju Seo-yeon, a rookie actress from Nova Entertainment."
At least she was polite. Kim Hong-baek’s expression softened at her deep bow.
"Yes, I've been told about you. I'm Professor Kim Hong-baek. You can just call me Master or Professor here."
"Yes. Thank you."
"So, I assume you've never done action acting before?"
"No."
"Have you ever learned it?"
Seo-yeon thought for a moment. She went to the gym often, and she had practiced other exercises by watching the internet, but…
"I've never learned it properly."
She hadn't really done anything like that while attending acting academies either. At Seo-yeon's words, Kim Hong-baek nodded as if he had expected as much. On the other hand, the other trainees nearby frowned slightly.
‘Who is she?’
‘Looks like an actress…’
From the perspective of those who had auditioned to get in, those who entered through connections were bound to be an eyesore. Professor Kim Hong-baek's instruction wasn't something just anyone could receive. And yet, an actress who looked like she had nothing to do with action was here for it? Having an ambition for acting was good, but it seemed obvious she would give up halfway.
"There aren't many action scenes, so a month should be enough. It might be a bit tough; are you okay with that?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Kim Hong-baek had already seen the script through Director Bae. Most of Cha Seo-ah's action scenes involved scuffles with a detective during a "murder." And then the chase scene—the highlight of this movie. To bring these two elements to life, they needed about a month. Before jumping straight into action practice, she had to learn how to use her body properly. Otherwise, it could easily lead to injury.
"First, your height and weight weren't listed on your profile. Could you tell me what they are?"
Professor Kim Hong-baek said, looking Seo-yeon up and down. Maybe around 50kg? She had such a slender frame that it seemed likely.
"…My weight?"
But for some reason, Seo-yeon's voice trembled. Kim Hong-baek was puzzled by her reaction. She didn't have the kind of body that seemed like she would be sensitive about her weight.