Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: On Set
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The next morning.
Seeing the van parked prominently in our front yard right from the morning made me let out a dry chuckle.
It was the kind of darkly tinted van that screamed, "Hey, a celebrity's riding in here."
Or maybe it looked like it was set up for kidnapping someone.
I'd heard they were coming to pick me up, but I didn't expect them to roll up in a van like this, bold as brass.
What if a sasaeng fan snapped a photo?
Hmm... actors probably deal with less of that?
Come to think of it, I don't recall hearing many stories about actors hounded by sasaeng fans.
Anyway, as I approached the van, the window slid down smoothly.
"You came right out?"
"Figured we shouldn't leave the car parked too long—it looks suspicious."
"Ah, I'm heading to work too... but the neighborhood isn't that crowded, so it didn't draw much attention. Plus, it's morning."
"Pfft, sure it didn't. Anyway, open the door?"
"Oh, right. Hop in."
Slipping inside the open van, I saw the interior was way more spacious than it looked from outside, along with a manager in his mid-thirties behind the wheel.
"Hello. Thanks for the ride today."
"Haha, no problem. More like, Chang-sik's giving a lady a lift."
"Shut up with the nonsense, hyung."
"Anyway, we're heading out, so make yourself comfortable."
Well... someone at Moon Chang-sik's level probably couldn't afford to pick up just any woman due to the scrutiny.
Acting really is a tough gig.
If I'd been born with that face, I'd have four women on rotation by now. Tsk.
More importantly, these seats are comfy as hell.
Probably because they spend all day shuttling between schedules. Feels like a sofa.
"The car's super comfy. How much does something like this cost?"
"This? No idea on the price. The accountant picked it out and bought it."
What, is he J.P. Morgan or something?
Asking about the van's price means you can't afford one?
...Honestly, fair point.
Even if I make more than average folks from streaming, it doesn't hold a candle to celebrity pay.
Anyway, the van sped along toward the broadcasting station where they were filming.
In the meantime, I asked Moon Chang-sik about the shoot.
"How long does a single filming session take?"
"Hard to say. Depends on the schedule that day, but for me, it's from sunrise to sunset."
"So winter means clocking out early?"
"..."
"Joking."
"Not funny."
Hmm... so filming hours are about like a regular office job? Maybe longer.
"Of course, it's not filming non-stop the whole time. Gotta move between locations, read the script, or gauge the vibe until my scenes."
"The vibe?"
"Scenes that make it in depend wildly on the day's atmosphere."
Oh... I thought actors just needed to act well, but they read the room too.
"So what if you read the vibe and it's total crapshoot?"
"Crapshoot? Your word choice..."
"Well, what do you call it?"
Can't say "shitshow," right?
He gave me that look like, "What kind of person are you?" then paused before answering.
"If the vibe tanks... varies by actor, but I overact to pump it up."
"Overact?"
"Like, extra energetic?"
"Ah... to liven things up?"
"Exactly."
Man, pros are on another level—details like that.
Hope the vibe's good when I get there.
Nothing worse than a funeral crowd on needles.
We arrived at the station after some casual chit-chat.
"Do you always film at the broadcasting station?"
"Sometimes they rent locations, but they often build sets inside."
"Today's one of those?"
"Yeah, and sets cost money but let you shoot exactly how you want."
Got it.
But Moon Chang-sik, an actor, seems to know the production side well too.
Must've picked it up observing everything.
"We can't just exit here, right?"
My gaze drifted out the window to the crowd gathered in front of the station.
All women, some holding stuff—did an idol show up or what?
"Naturally, we go to the inner lot. Sometimes people get out here, but not us, right?"
Yeah, our photo could end up in tomorrow's online news.
I dressed up a bit since I'm meeting the director today. Standing next to Moon Chang-sik, we might spark real rumors.
"Head to the parking lot first."
The lot we pulled into was empty, unlike the crowd out front.
Just a few cars scattered around—echoey empty.
"It's pretty sparse, huh? Fills up on music show days."
Ah... that's why it's so spacious.
After parking deep inside, we all got out and headed to the lot's elevator.
Whew... now it's real—heading to the set. Tension's kicking in.
Other actors'll be there, right?
Ha... can I ask for autographs? But they're all working—might be a nuisance.
"You nervous?"
Moon Chang-sik, standing beside me, asked out of the blue.
Did it show?
"Yeah... first time at a place like this."
"Everyone's too busy to care. Just greet the tall, important-looking folks politely, and you're half in."
"Huh?"
"Our industry's all about that—bow deep to older folks or anyone actor-ish, and you're golden."
"Ah..."
With that, the doors opened, and we reached the set floor.
"Let's go."
"Ooh..."
First impression stepping in: huge.
Lights grid overhead, staff hustling gear everywhere.
One side had actors lounging in chairs; another had crew huddled chatting.
Classic filming set vibe—gawking in awe when Moon Chang-sik shot me a "hurry up" glance.
"Gonna sightsee all day?"
"It's just so novel."
"Yeah, I was the same my first time."
Following him across the set, I spotted a middle-aged man ahead.
Deep cap pulled low, scruffy beard, kinda prickly face.
Rude to say, but... toad-like?
The Toad Director was mid-chat with staff when he eyed us approaching.
"Finally here? Hey, I told you to come early."
Something wrong? He snapped gruffly at Moon Chang-sik, then spotted me trailing and his eyes widened slightly.
"This her?"
"Yeah, she wanted to check out the set today."
"Bold move, proposing that... so you're the one."
The Toad Director scanned me top to bottom.
Now I got why Moon Chang-sik called him a chef.
No creepy vibe—like sizing up ingredients, not a woman.
His eyes weren't human pupils right then—more like camera lenses.
After one full scan...
"Not bad at all! Come on in."
He beamed unbelievably bright, welcoming me warmly.
"Uh, huh? Oh, sure."
"Relax, no need to tense up. It's all just work, right? You wanted a set tour today? I'll guide you personally—get the full experience."
What?
Can a guy's face change that drastically?
Maybe Moon Chang-sik should've been the actor, not him.
No clue about his talent, but that face has gotta be two-faced at least.
"Come on, follow me!"
Stunned as he beckoned and strode ahead, Moon Chang-sik sidled up and murmured.
"Your face seems better at breaking the ice than my overacting."
"Huh?"
What kinda ridiculous— I shot him a look, and he shrugged.
"Follow along and observe. That's why you're here today."
"Uh... yeah."
Better than him souring the mood with frowns, I guess...
We trailed the Toad Director deeper in.
"Here's where we're shooting today."
Inside was a proper set—looked like a recording studio from the look.
"Ooh... feels so real."
Though one wall was fully open for cameras—not ideal for actual recording.
"Haha! We splurged. Got decent investment this time! Set quality boosts the whole film."
Proud as he showed it off—directors gonna director. Nice sets ain't bad.
"If you end up filming, it'll be right here. Action starts inside the studio, chat briefly with Chang-sik, open the door, and exit—not much."
"Got it..."
Just hearing it described, seems no big deal.
Memorize lines, do as scripted?
No emotional acting needed, looks like.
"What do you think? Doable?"
Reading my vibe? The Toad Director asked, and I nodded without thinking.
"Wanna try shooting it while you're here?"
He pounced on my nod with a sudden pitch.
"Huh?"
"We can use the take if you like how it looks on camera. Haha!"
...Aren't film directors picky about shots?
This casual?
I glanced at Moon Chang-sik.
You're a pro actor serious about craft— this how they roll?
But...
"Sure. Seeing yourself on camera's part of being an actor."
...he's worse.
Entertainment industry's scary now.
Hyun-su, you've been surviving in this world.
No wonder the kid toughened up.