Chapter 61
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Standing In for the Lead
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The drama shoot grew tighter and more grueling as time wore on.
It made perfect sense, really. We'd been living a life without day or night for over a month now.
Maybe it was exhaustion taking its toll, but even Lee Jun-hyung—who'd barely flubbed a single line at the start—was starting to forget his dialogue more and more.
"Cut!"
"Argh, damn it. Hey! Can't you do it right?"
No sooner had PD Kim Shin-hyo called cut than Lee Jun-hyung shot me a glare, his face twisted in irritation.
I was so stunned I nearly spat out the water I'd been about to drink.
'He's the one messing up, so why's he taking it out on me?'
No, knowing this guy's personality from all I'd seen on set so far, it was exactly the kind of thing he'd do. If he weren't a senior actor, I'd...
"Alright! Let's take it slow and run it again."
This was already the fifth NG in the same scene. A hint of frustration crept into PD Kim Shin-hyo's voice.
He had to be one of the most exhausted people on set, yet here he was, urging the staff to hang in there just a little longer. Impressive.
"Ah! No, no. Let's take a break."
But as if all that encouragement meant nothing, Lee Jun-hyung waved him off and stormed away from the camera—without even waiting for a response from the PD.
"Again?"
"Come on, can't we stick to the schedule for breaks? What is this?"
Murmurs rippled through the staff.
Whenever he bailed like this mid-shoot, the rest of us were left standing around like dogs chasing chickens, just waiting to resume.
'Not that I'm any different...'
Still, it was nothing compared to the staff, who had to stay on their feet with no place to rest, tension coiling in their bodies.
Best case? Wrap things up smoothly without any of this drama.
"Do-jun, have a seat here."
I plopped down in the chair Kim Han-soo had brought over.
I used to feel bad sitting while everyone else stood, but now I knew they actually got more uncomfortable seeing me stand—so I made a point of sitting.
The set was sweltering as summer crept closer. Even with the AC blasting, the lights kept it from cooling down properly.
A stylist hurried over and gently fanned the sweat from my brow, careful not to mess up my hair.
I savored the soft breeze, trying to hold onto the emotions I'd stirred up moments ago.
Truth be told, immersing myself in the role wasn't all that hard anymore. And it wasn't just me thinking that—even watching playback footage, it looked natural.
Maybe too embarrassing to call it "good," but I could confidently say it wasn't bad.
'What a waste of coins.'
I'd been saving them up, thinking I wouldn't need items anymore. Just thinking about all the coins I'd burned on "Ho, Not Bad" made my stomach ache.
No, hey—at least I'm not using them now.
['Ho, Not Bad' maximizes the user's 'current ability'...]
'Shut it.'
I ignored the increasingly chatty status window and checked the script for the next scene.
It wasn't a tough one.
Kim Jin, who's been frequenting the animal clinic like it's his second home to see Park Ji-eun, coaxes and comforts a trembling puppy in the waiting room.
It was a pivotal moment: the protagonist—who's always treated animals like wild beasts—finally opens his heart, reaching out and connecting for the first time.
My job? Burst out of the exam room at the commotion, instinctively snap at Kim Jin, then clock the situation. That was it.
In other words, it hinged more on Lee Jun-hyung's acting than mine.
'He's the lead, so that's to be expected.'
The problem? He genuinely had no knack for handling animals.
Even these sweet, well-trained puppies made him flinch, so we couldn't get a clean take.
I glanced at one of the pups panting and lapping water in the corner of the set.
How hard could it be to act like you adore something that cute? You'd probably coo naturally just passing one on the street.
Lost in thought, staring at the puppy—our eyes met.
"Woof!"
It barked once at me, short and sharp. Not wary—more like a greeting. That's just how it felt.
'Am I getting deeper into the character?'
Someone might call it nonsense, but I couldn't explain it any other way.
'The more I play Lee Jung-woo, the more it happens.'
With that in mind, I approached the puppy cautiously.
"Mind if I pet it?"
The owner nodded eagerly, like they'd been waiting for me to ask.
Its fur was so soft, pampered with love—it tickled my hand. Warmth radiated through.
The pup seemed to love the attention and burrowed right into my arms.
"Aww, can I pick it up?"
Oh, it was too cute. I scooped it up and showered it with pets.
That was when it happened.
"Oh, Do-jun's got a way with dogs, huh?"
PD Kim Shin-hyo wandered over, intrigued.
"You like dogs?"
"Yeah, they're adorable."
"Hm. If Jun-hyung could manage even half of that, it'd be fine."
He muttered under his breath, then suddenly brightened as an idea hit him. He turned and bellowed at Lee Jun-hyung.
"Hold on! Jun-hyung!"
I could see Lee Jun-hyung's face crumple from across the set.
But he took a swig of water and trudged over anyway.
"What?"
His face was still full of resentment.
'He's the PD, dude.'
Whether PD Kim Shin-hyo was brushing it off professionally or genuinely unfazed, he calmly pointed at me.
"Take a good look at how Do-jun's holding the dog right now."
"...Pardon?"
"Just do it like this. We'll edit the rest."
At those words, a chill glinted in Lee Jun-hyung's eyes.
"Just holding it? You're saying I'm worse than that? Seriously?"
"So you think you did well?"
PD Kim Shin-hyo's expression didn't change, but his voice carried a sharp edge, thorns hidden beneath.
Lee Jun-hyung let out a loud scoff.
"Ha, so that's why I kept NG-ing? Because I can't even match that?"
No more pretending now—he dripped sarcasm. Cracks began to show on PD Kim Shin-hyo's formerly calm face.
"PD."
A sneer slipped out.
"You've got tons of experience—why pull this? Did Pida line your pockets? No, not accusing you or anything. It's just so weird. You get what I mean, right?"
In that instant, the set went dead silent, like time had frozen.
The assistant director's face twisted in shock he couldn't hide. PD Kim Shin-hyo remained inscrutable.
"Or are you under some delusion?"
Lee Jun-hyung's words shattered the hush, stirring noise once more amid the icy pause.
"That nailing one character means he'll nail the others too."
He locked eyes with PD Kim Shin-hyo, smug as ever.
"PD, first time working with an idol, right?"
Not waiting for a reply, the barbs kept flying.
"I've acted with idols a few times. Lower your expectations."
"What are you getting at?"
PD Kim Shin-hyo finally spoke. His voice was terrifyingly cold, like he was suppressing rage.
"Dunno? Bluntly put: swap the role, and he can't act worth a damn."
Lee Jun-hyung's gaze bored into me, his mocking expression so obvious it made even my face stiffen.
'This bastard...'
Why drag me into his screw-up?
I could shrug off his usual jabs, but this? Straight-up fuck you.
"Right? Bet holding the dog threw you off."
His tone sounded almost concerned. Wipe that smirk first.
"Wouldn't want our PD asking you to try Kim Jin's part out of nowhere."
"I'm fine with it."
I shook my head without hesitation. Every eye snapped to me.
"What?"
Lee Jun-hyung looked thrown—he hadn't expected an instant answer.
"Not sure if I'd nail it, but I've got Kim Jin's lines memorized. I could give it a shot."
"Kids these days are so full of themselves."
He'd already schooled his surprise into a snide jab.
"Don't they teach you at school that just showing up gets you a C?"
Who learns that in school? And aren't you in your twenties too? Like five or six years older—talking like some ancient.
"Well, it's tough enough that even you NG-ed multiple times. Would be good experience for me."
Flames practically shot from Lee Jun-hyung's glare.
We stared each other down, neither blinking first like it was a contest.
And then.
"Fine, let's see it then."
He shrugged, voice laced with mockery.
"How great this PD's favorite really is."
Lee Jun-hyung strode to center stage first, then crooked a finger like hurry up.
"PD, what're you waiting for? Film it—we need an objective comparison."
PD Kim Shin-hyo choked on a strangled groan, unable to respond.
"Hah..."
I could guess his thoughts without asking. 'Is this guy actually insane?'
Yeah, PD. He is.
"...Should we try soothing it?"
The assistant director whispered cautiously.
Even though Lee Jun-hyung had started the nonsense, PD Kim Shin-hyo couldn't just lash out.
He was talented, sure, but still early in his career—more famous as writer Seo Ji-hye's partner than on his own name.
Lee Jun-hyung, meanwhile? A-list actor with skyrocketing popularity. Not quite an outright insult, so tough to act on.
'Even if it was an insult...'
We'd already hyped the shoot in press releases. Drama lead and PD clashing? That'd tank the image big time.
Writer Seo Ji-hye was already pulling all-nighters to craft something epic. If she heard?
'Gives me chills.'
Knowing the stakes, the assistant director was extra wary, but PD Kim Shin-hyo waved it off firmly.
"Nah. He's not the type to listen anyway."
He turned to me with an awkward smile.
"Sorry, Do-jun. Didn't mean to put you in a spot."
"No worries."
I answered promptly, and he gave my back a light pat.
"Mind doing it once? I believe in you."
After all that? Of course.
Tired of the "idols can't act" stigma, and time to settle things with Jun-hyung anyway.
If I bombed, it'd drag down me, the PD, and even absent writer Seo Ji-hye.
But nail it? I'd land a solid hit on him.
Strangely, no nerves. PD believed in me, and Kim Han-soo just nodded without a word.
Plus, it'd been his repeated NG scene. I had confidence.
He wasn't great with animals anyway...
'I'm not bad at acting, right?'
This well without items? Pretty damn good.
Anyway, time to smash his nose in. Fully prepped, I took position before the camera.
"Alright! Standby!"
Unlike before, I was now Kim Jin, Lee Jun-hyung as Lee Jung-woo—and the camera rolled.