Chapter 52
Chapter 52
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: You're Really Bad At It
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What's the endpoint of a romance?
Adults who know better might think of marriage or sex, but on the safe side without any red flags, it's definitely a kiss.
In that sense, for the youth romance drama Reply 1989, many people were predicting that the fruit of that love would also be a kiss.
And the person drawing the most attention in relation to this was, naturally…
Park Chan-su of The Beasts had been active as an actor up to now, but he'd never once done a kiss scene.
Despite having countless female fans, that was all due to his fame as a singer. As an actor, he hadn't really shown anything special, and he'd never played a romantic partner even once.
In his previous work, he swung his sword to the end protecting the Queen Dowager and died, but that was purely a depiction of loyalty between warrior and lord—far from any love.
In this situation,
Chan-su appeared in a major supporting role in Reply 1989.
This was the first time Chan-su had such a significant role in a drama, and he'd never been deeply involved in a love line before.
Moreover, there were two heroines tangled up with him.
Choi Soo-jin, who openly showed her affection for Chan-su.
And Hwang Yu-ra, the childhood friend subtly revealing her feelings for him.
No doubt, by the end of the series, he'd end up with one of the two leads.
In this setup, viewers were expecting at least a kiss scene, if not something steamier.
At the same time, who the partner would be was their main focus.
Viewers cheering on their favorite couples based on personal tastes.
The verdict would come in the next episode.
It seemed likely to be decided in the story of Literary Club Y's sudden training camp trip to resolve their suspension warning for lack of activities.
Meanwhile,
The person at the center of all this fan anticipation for the kiss scene was bowing his head in utter embarrassment as he asked a question.
"A kiss scene?"
"Um… Y-yeah. Th-that… How do I do it well, Senior?"
In the end, with the other useless Beasts members no help, Chan-su had no choice but to ask the most experienced person on set.
The one asked responded with a light tone—one of Korea's top actors, Lee Sung-min.
"Something like that's just a matter of getting used to it. Act like you would with your girlfriend…?"
Mid-sentence, Lee Sung-min shut his mouth.
Realizing one fact too late, he asked cautiously.
"Wait… You're not telling me you're a total virgin at this?"
"…Ahem."
"…"
Chan-su averted his eyes and let out an awkward grunt.
Seeing this, Sung-min realized he'd poked a sore spot unintentionally and scratched his cheek.
"Well… There are ways even without experience."
"Wh-what is it?"
Chan-su perked up at Sung-min's words.
In response, he explained one method he knew in a serious tone.
"Real practice."
"Uh…? Pardon?"
"No matter what, you have to dive in headfirst. Whether it's kissing or whatever, you get good once you're used to it."
"Uuum…"
It was perplexing, but not wrong.
Like how you learn to swim by flailing in the water, kissing starts with lips meeting.
Following Sung-min's advice,
Chan-su steeled himself and dove into 'real practice.'
At first, as it was his life's 'first kiss,' there was a strange flutter and tension.
However.
"Mm…"
"Feels really awkward."
"Let's retake it."
With repeated calls for reshoots, Chan-su's mind had no room left for sweet thoughts.
"Sorry to say it, but you're really bad at this."
"…"
In the process, Yeo Hyo-min's merciless line dealt him a heavy emotional blow.
By the time the 'labor'-like kiss scene—far from the sweetness people imagined—wrapped, Chan-su collapsed to the floor, utterly drained.
Acting quality.
Ultimately, it boiled down to how well the role matched the actor.
Painting the actor's self with the color of the role.
When that alignment nears perfection, and the actor's mind and body fully merge with the role,
People call it this.
Method acting.
The actor's presence completely obscured by the role.
Of course, method acting was just one technique—not the absolute answer to acting.
It often burdened the actor's mind and body greatly, and there were many ways to deliver great performances without full immersion.
In that regard, even Lee Sung-min, called a master actor, didn't obsess over method acting.
It was just one weapon to pull out when needed.
Using method in every scene could strain the body and mind, and sometimes hinder flexible script interpretation.
And in that context,
Sung-min couldn't help but be genuinely awed by the ongoing shoot—both past and present.
The woman in front of him
Was executing method acting—or something equally intensely immersive—so naturally.
"…What do you know?"
"…"
She spoke in a cold voice to him—no, to the role of 'Kim Sung-min' in the drama.
Choi Soo-jin.
Not actress Chae Soo-jeong,
But 'college student Choi Soo-jin,' gripped by love's torment and icy rage, lashing out at him.
After a silence, Kim Sung-min opened his mouth.
"I know too… And deep down, you know it as well. Don't you, Soo-jin?"
"…! N-no… That's not… I didn't…"
Soo-jin denied it in a trembling voice.
But seeing the clear cracks starting to show,
"…Please. Just…"
Sung-min spoke in a voice heavy with earnest desperation.
"Just once… Even just once… Give me a chance too."
"Sung-min-ah…"
Perplexity, embarrassment, and… a thread of expectation hidden within.
With complex emotions rippling across her face,
Soo-jin looked straight at Sung-min.
And,
"Cut!"
The director's voice rang in the two 'actors'' ears.
Right after, Lee Sung-min felt a heavy fatigue as he reined in his heightened emotions.
A sense of exhaustion like right after a full sprint.
He'd fully embodied the love-starved college student Kim Sung-min, delivering near-perfect acting, but the method's toll left him with significant emotional and mental fatigue.
Yet, regardless of that,
He couldn't help marveling once more at the scene before him.
"Good work."
"…Uh… Yeah… Thanks."
In a blink, back to herself as if the intensity moments ago was a lie.
Chae Soo-jeong.
Despite matching him blow-for-blow with unflinching acting, she showed no sign of method aftereffects. It was astonishing every time.
She's fascinating… Really. Who knew there was an actor like this.
Sung-min had seen countless actors over the years.
But excluding veteran masters who'd reached near-enlightenment in their middle age or beyond, no one his age matched this.
I thought I had talent that wouldn't lose to anyone… But is this what genius looks like?
At this point, he had to admit it, like it or not.
The woman before him surpassed him in talent.
And this fact filled the thirst in Sung-min's heart—the longing for someone who could perfectly receive his acting—with deep satisfaction.
After shooting wrapped, Hyo-min smiled brightly at the remaining actors.
"Anyway, good work everyone. We've cleared a big hurdle."
"Everyone, thanks for your hard work."
"Pretty much just wrap-up shots left now…"
Yu-ra smiled back, while Sung-min showed a hint of bitterness.
Some footage remained, but the time-consuming outdoor shoots were mostly done, so the tough parts were over.
The acting had been great, but personally, Sung-min felt a slight void.
Agency issues were sorted, but that meant almost no more time acting with her over there…
Chae Soo-jeong. He felt deep regret about that.
And to resolve that regret, what he needed was…
"Um… Ms. Chae Soo-jeong. If you're okay…"
"Soo-jeong-ah, by the way, soon in Soccer Girl…?"
"Teacher, if you don't have plans for your next project…?!"
In that instant, words burst from him and the other two simultaneously.
The sounds tangled, but the gist was clear, and their faces sharpened instantly.
What? These guys…
What's this? These punks too?
I knew it, but at this timing?
The three froze, gauging each other.
Then…
"Mommy!"
"Yes, Seon-hwa-ya. Did you pack your passport?"
"Yep! Here!"
Seon-hwa bounced over, passport in hand.
Entering the set with the junior writer, she left question marks floating over the trio's heads.
"Huh…? Passport?"
"Suddenly why…"
"Teacher, are you going overseas?"
"Ah… Well, you see."
Chae Soo-jeong gave a slightly sheepish look.
What followed from her mouth left the three in shock.
"Japan?"