Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Test Shoot
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"Then... how about we do a rough test shoot first?"
"Sure, sounds good."
Well, since I'm already here, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
"But... are the staff going out of their way because of me?"
It probably wasn't as simple as just picking up a camera and filming—wouldn't it be too much hassle for the crew? That was my concern, but the Toad Director waved it off like it was nothing.
"Nah, it's fine. Besides, I can handle the shooting myself right now."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, we've got the gear, and I'm a former steadicam operator who made it big as a director—a real rags-to-riches story. I shoot better than most of the active guys out there."
"The director's got skills, so I'll leave it to you."
"Sure thing..."
Not like I had much to do anyway.
These were all pros—could I even tell the difference between good and bad filming?
"While we set up, want to memorize the script? If it's too tough, you can just read off it while acting. It's only a test, after all! Haha!"
With that, the Toad Director handed me the script, grinning amiably.
When did they prepare this? One of the young staff had come running earlier—was this what he fetched?
I felt like I was causing a lot of trouble...
Eh, whatever. It wasn't like I asked for it.
I decided to just relax and go with it.
"Is this all I need to memorize?"
Honestly, it barely qualified as a script—just a few sheets of paper.
With the context notes before and after, the actual lines I needed were less than a single page.
"Yeah, take your time."
"Got it."
Just one sheet, no big deal.
I might look like this, but memorizing lines? Piece of cake.
While Moon Chang-sik and the Toad Director prepped, I quickly committed the script to memory.
Hmm, yeah, nothing too crazy.
Just put on a poker face and toss out a few lines.
As I stared holes through the script, Moon Chang-sik approached—preparations were done.
"All memorized?"
"Yes, all done."
"Whoa, that was fast. That's a good sign."
What... memorizing quickly is good anywhere. Praising the obvious.
"Alright, shall we give it a shot? Nervous?"
"How do I look?"
"Not nervous at all."
"Right? It hasn't sunk in, so my mind's blank."
Too sudden to feel any tension.
And whether it was intentional or not, the laid-back vibe from the Toad Director and Moon Chang-sik eased things up.
If this was all calculated... fine, I'd play along.
"Right here. Just focus on your projection, and be yourself."
"Got it."
Projection? I'd gotten compliments on that since my early streams. No sweat.
I stepped into the prepared set with Moon Chang-sik and mentally ran through the script again.
So... first, show me recording in the studio for a bit.
No need to actually sing, right? Standing there blankly, Moon Chang-sik spoke up.
"Uh, could you pretend to sing for a sec? You sing well, after all."
"Oh, sure."
Ah, test or not, they wanted those details.
What song?
A bunch of J-pop flashed through my mind, but I shoved them aside.
I went with a simple ballad, and the Toad Director shot me a surprised look.
Whoa, that gleam in his eye was a bit intense.
Look at that greed shining through.
Anyway, after faking the song and exiting the booth, I approached Moon Chang-sik, who was in character as per the script.
"How was it?"
Ugh... thinking about acting made it kinda cringey.
Still...
"Hmm, not bad."
I looked at Moon Chang-sik in front of me.
The polite guy from earlier was gone—totally different person.
Kinda languid and listless, I guess.
Whatever it was, I could see he was fully committed.
How could I half-ass it here?
Not that I had the skills to half-ass it anyway.
"Not bad? Come on, it's better than that."
I delivered the memorized line and sat on the prepared sofa.
Huh, for a bit part, this was a surprising amount.
One sheet, sure, but wasn't this a decent chunk of screen time?
Anyway, I acted out the script from start to finish—or faked it, really.
But these lines... was this my image?
More arrogant than I thought.
No, overflowing with confidence?
"Wow, you nailed it."
The Toad Director greeted me with a beaming smile as I finished.
"How'd that feel?"
"Uh... honestly, no clue."
"Then check it out."
He pointed to a laptop on the side.
"You can monitor it right there."
"Ooh..."
Monitoring? Felt like a real actor now.
At the makeshift desk with the monitor, the footage from just now played.
Whoa, seeing my face on camera hit different.
The makeup helping?
I could slap some mid-tier actresses silly with this.
And apparently, I wasn't the only one thinking it—the Toad Director whistled in admiration.
"Damn, you take to the camera like a pro. Too good for a cameo."
Hmm... no commitment yet.
Still, it felt worth letting them film.
Good experience, and a cameo buzz... might last a bit, but not long.
Flash in the pan?
But lingering like this... was I swaying toward doing it?
"How's it look to you, Suhyun? Coming out nice on screen?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Hard to look that good right off the bat. They call it 'camera massage'—tweaking makeup and styling for the lights and lens. But you? Hell, no stylist needed."
...laying it on thick, huh? That legit?
Well... it did look good...
"The director's not just saying that. It really came out great."
Even Moon Chang-sik chimed in from beside him, pretending not to be fazed standing next to the Toad Director.
Fine, a film director and A-list actor going this far for little old me...
Yeah, no big deal.
"It does look good..."
"So...?"
Movie roles don't come easy.
If I ever have kids, I could brag.
Reasons to do it outweighed not to by a mile—why pass?
"Hmm... can I see the contract first?"
No helping it.
I was just making a rational choice.
"Great decision! But your agency...?"
Agency? Kinda sorta with The Six, but...
"Nah, don't have one."
The Six was Miro's company, not Kim Suhyun's.
Manager had clarified that last time.
This contract? I'd handle it solo.
"No agency?"
Moon Chang-sik, who'd overheard my chats with the composer, looked puzzled, but even if I had one, they couldn't help.
"Yeah, so I can just sign myself."
"No, I mean... want me to hook you up with mine?"
"Huh?"
Uh... multiple contracts okay?
Gotta ask the manager.
Wait, rethink: one-off shoot—need an agency?
"No need for an intro."
"Alright then."
Moon Chang-sik backed off without fuss, and I signed.
Nothing major—just daily rate and basics.
Obviously, they wouldn't use the test footage.
They'd call with details later.
Script might change a bit... well, shoots never go smoothly, so I said fine.
After signing, I watched the real filming.
How often do you get on a movie set with top actors like Moon Chang-sik?
Had to see him act for real.
Staff and other actors' stares like "who's this?" stung, but bearable.
Man...
"Whoa."
Moon Chang-sik could act.
Even during the test, but now? Was that the same guy?
Same face, different person.
That's a pro actor? Could I get there with practice?
No interest in practicing, but damn, I want that level.
Watched till afternoon, then cabbed home.
"What's this?"
"Famous director's autograph—give it to Dad later."
Back home, I handed the Toad Director's signed photo to Mrs. Jang watching TV in the living room, then headed to my room.
Schedule done. Stream before dinner?
Into the soundproof booth, stream on.
[Same Old Today]
My viewers better appreciate me.
Where else you got a streamer this reliable?
-hi hi
-WTF same shit again?
-Stop already
-Fuck
-Oshi-hen go die
Yeah, that's the spirit.
Chat firing up from the jump—I launched Beat Saber.
"You guys love this, right?"
-Fuckin hell 3 days straight and even mom’s curry gets old
-Stop warning u
-I like it sigh the haters
-LoL instead
-Just fan cafe
"Alright, let's clear this song today."
Acting, singing—nice, but streaming's comfier. Guess this is my lane.
Streamed Beat Saber for 30 straight minutes till I was beat, then quit.