Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: First Shoot Tension
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as we arrived at the shooting location, the hazy darkness was pierced by the bustling noise of people busily moving about.
Even though dawn was just barely breaking with the sun faintly rising, the staff brimmed with energy. It felt more like evening hustle than early morning lethargy.
"Ah! Do-jun-ssi!"
We'd barely been there ten seconds when the assistant director spotted me and came running over.
"You're here early."
"Just in case, we came ahead of time."
Kim Han-soo fielded the question for me. The assistant director naturally shifted his gaze and continued the conversation.
"You've probably already heard, but Do-jun-ssi's scenes are scheduled for after next. We'll start with this scene once Lee Jun-hyeong-ssi arrives."
"Got it."
"Lee Jung-woo's first appearance and his initial meeting with Park Ji-eun will come after that. That's okay, right? You'll have a lot of shooting today, but even more waiting around."
"Haha, understood."
Kim Han-soo replied with a smile. I nodded vigorously beside him to show I'd heard everything.
The assistant director looked relieved as he continued.
"I'll let the PD know Do-jun-ssi is here. Just say hi quickly and then wait."
He adjusted the headset around his neck and muttered toward the set. I could faintly hear him reporting to PD Kim Shin-hyo amid the noise.
"Lee Do-jun-ssi has arrived, and I've explained everything. Have him greet the PD first and then wait... Yes?"
Suddenly, something came up—he pressed the headset with both hands, listening intently.
What's going on? As Kim Han-soo and I exchanged glances, the assistant director turned back to me.
"The director says to do the rehearsal right now."
"Moving into rehearsal for scene 43!"
At the assistant director's shout, most of the staff focused on the illuminated set.
The script supervisor moved toward the set to check the rehearsal as well.
Has Park Min-ha arrived? Or Lee Jun-hyeong?
He preferred rehearsals over actual shoots. Once the cameras rolled, everyone tensed up, making it impossible to fully enjoy the actors' performances.
This drama featured two actors renowned for their skills, so his expectations were high.
But standing in the middle of the set wasn't Park Min-ha or Lee Jun-hyeong.
"That's Lee Do-jun?"
"Yeah, he got here super early. Though with that article out, showing up late would've been a disaster."
"They'll spin this for more PR. Predictable as always."
The script supervisor's mood soured at the nearby staff's chatter.
Lee Do-jun?
Truth be told, he didn't have a favorable view of Lee Do-jun.
An idol—no acting experience—snagging such a key role felt downright unfair.
He had friends aspiring to act, struggling to land even bit parts despite their hard work.
But personal feelings aside, this was work. He had to do his job.
The script supervisor stared indifferently at the set as the cue sign dropped.
And then...
"...What?"
The noisy site, buzzing with shoot prep, fell silent the instant Do-jun began acting.
Do-jun was performing a consultation. The animal patient and its anxious owner materialized vividly before his eyes like an illusion.
His gaze followed naturally as Do-jun's lips, hands, and feet moved.
"...He's good."
"Didn't he say it was his first time acting?"
"Isn't he a former child actor?"
Opinions flipped positive in under a few minutes.
Staff who hadn't attended the script reading couldn't hide their surprise. The quiet set grew lively again.
Everyone buzzed about Do-jun.
"Yeah, Writer Seo Ji-hye isn't one to hype someone without reason."
"Just the writer? The director stayed quiet too. And they even changed the script."
"I told you, I saw it at the reading. He's good."
"Hey, even I didn't expect this good."
In the midst of the commotion, PD Kim Shin-hyo even felt a shiver.
His skills improved even more in the meantime?
Do-jun's acting surpassed expectations again. With the full set, costume, and movements added to mere script reading, it was utterly captivating.
Side-angle camera? No, maybe zoom-in from a long shot for the overall vibe.
Dozens of ideas popped into and out of PD Kim Shin-hyo's head.
If only we had the scene partner to match him—it'd be perfect.
Right on cue, a staff voice came through his headset.
- PD-nim, Park Min-ha-ssi has arrived.
The rehearsal paused briefly. While checking Do-jun and the set, Park Min-ha appeared before PD Kim Shin-hyo and greeted him.
Her shoot makeup made her face glow even brighter and prettier than at the reading.
"Hello, PD-nim."
"Good work getting here."
Her gaze naturally drifted to Do-jun. He hurried over to greet her.
"You've arrived, sunbae-nim."
"Already rehearsing? When did you get here, hoobae?"
"Not long ago. You got here super early too, sunbae-nim."
"First shoot, so I came ahead. Usually I time it just right."
Admiring murmurs rose around her radiant smile. Flawless beauty, no trace of fatigue despite the dawn hour.
But PD Kim Shin-hyo didn't even glance at her face, diving straight into business.
His mind was solely on shooting ASAP.
"Min-ha-ssi, want to rehearse quick and jump into the actual take?"
She'd been there less than ten minutes, but Park Min-ha nodded without hesitation. Glancing around, she tilted her head.
"Has Lee Jun-hyeong-ssi arrived too?"
"No, not yet."
"Pardon? But the first scene is definitely..."
"We can switch the order. Gotta save time."
PD Kim Shin-hyo cut her off mid-sentence and turned to Do-jun.
"Do-jun-ssi, you good with that?"
"Ah, yes! Of course!"
Do-jun nodded eagerly.
"Alright, changing the shoot order."
Staff sprang into action at the PD's command. Despite the sudden change, they moved with practiced efficiency.
Do-jun and Min-ha adjusted their marks under the assistant director's guidance. Min-ha, who had to rush in, double-checked repeatedly.
After a brief rehearsal, PD Kim Shin-hyo raised his hand high.
"Straight into the shoot."
Do-jun swallowed dryly. Right now, for real?
While he hesitated at the rapid pace, standby wrapped up in a flash.
"Min-ha-ssi, ready?"
"Of course, PD-nim."
"Do-jun-ssi?"
"...I'm ready too."
The array of camera lenses trained on him sparked nerves.
He wanted to review the script one last time, but the atmosphere didn't allow it.
I've got all the lines memorized anyway...
Do-jun activated Ho, Not Bad in lieu of further prep.
Congratulations on the user's first drama shoot!
The effects of Ho, Not Bad are temporarily boosted during the drama shoot!
The user's current abilities will be maximized for 2 hours. Immersion increases temporarily based on concentration!
Perfect—first drama shoot, couldn't go in empty-handed.
PD Kim Shin-hyo's voice reached the satisfied Do-jun.
"Great! Shooting starts now."
The assistant director bellowed, "Shoot begins!" Silence blanketed the site.
Actual shooting for the first time. Do-jun swallowed involuntarily. His eyes flicked to Park Min-ha reflexively.
She met his gaze with a soft eye-smile, mouthing, It's okay if you mess up.
"Standby!"
...Really okay?
"Cameras rolling!"
Undeterred by Do-jun's first-shoot jitters, prep proceeded smoothly.
Once Park Min-ha took position, PD Kim Shin-hyo gave the start signal.
"Cue!"
Park Min-ha flung open the door at the set's edge and dashed in.
The warm eye-smiler vanished; in her place stood Park Ji-eun, heroine of Oh, My Cat.
"Excuse me, could you take a look at him?"
Clutching the lifelike kitten doll, she urged the Do-jun at the counter.
Her eyes brimmed with urgency, panic, and desperate plea.
As Park Ji-eun leaped from the page into reality, Do-jun transformed from Lee Do-jun into veterinarian Lee Jung-woo.
"What? Why's no one coming out?"
Quite late past the scheduled time—after the sun had fully risen—Lee Jun-hyeong arrived at the site, frowning as he stepped from the car.
Normally, the assistant director or staff would swarm the parking lot to greet him. Not a soul in sight.
More precisely, no one there to welcome him. Just extras and staff milling about.
Heading to the set, his manager tilted his head.
"They already started shooting?"
Lee Jun-hyeong scoffed derisively.
"What are you talking about, hyung? I just got here—how could they be shooting?"
"True, but..."
Not wrong, yet something felt off. With all his drama experience, this screamed "shooting in progress"—tense air, staff movements.
They really started?
Nah, no way. A bit late, sure, but without the lead? The manager cautiously entered.
"Exhaustion. Stray life took a toll on his health, but nothing serious."
Lee Do-jun's voice. unmistakable.
Whirring cameras, boom mic aloft, staff holding their breath.
They're actually shooting?
Only thirty minutes late—not three hours. If they'd gone full throttle, prep started way earlier.
Why?
Regardless of the manager's confusion, the two actors continued seamlessly.
"What the? They're really shooting?"
Lee Jun-hyeong's incredulous whisper cut through—site so quiet, some staff glanced over.
"What's this, hyung? Wasn't my scene first?"
He growled without hiding his displeasure. Everything baffled him.
Schedule changed without notice? Like in the script? He arrived on time—why was that guy shooting before him?
As the manager started to say he'd check, Do-jun's voice rang out again.
"But how'd you even bring him here?"
"He was in the park by my house. Picked him up there. But is he really okay? He keeps shivering."
"Exhaustion, I said. You didn't just grab him willy-nilly, right? At least observed for two days?"
"He was alone and looked sick, so I brought him. Couldn't just leave him."
Do-jun—no, vet Lee Jung-woo—sighed deeply.
His furrowed brow and head-shake screamed "Did I do wrong?" to anyone watching.
"What if he was waiting for his mom? That's kidnapping. Kidnapping."
"Pardon? This guy's hilarious. So you ignore a shivering kitten? What if someone hurts him!"
No rookie idol tension from Lee Do-jun. Flowed naturally, like long-time co-stars with Park Min-ha.
Eyes closed, it sounded like a real stray-cat owner talking to a vet.
Better than the reading?
Jun-hyeong's manager was impressed inwardly. The meticulously built animal clinic set added realism.
Well, Seo Ji-hye wouldn't cast randomly.
Painful for Jun-hyeong's reduced lines, but Do-jun's acting would boost the drama's success.
PD Kim Shin-hyo's excited "Cut!" reached the lost-in-thought manager.
"Cut! Great! Perfect! Do-jun-ssi, how'd you practice? Better than the reading."
Staff and extras erupted in held-back awe.
Chance to check for the manager. He turned to Jun-hyeong.
"Jun-hyeong-ah, wait here while I figure out what..."
But he couldn't finish.
Lee Jun-hyeong glared at Do-jun—awkwardly smiling at the PD's praise—with a demonically twisted face.