Yuna Protects
After that, the reading proceeded smoothly. Was it the power of chocolate, or the power of her friend Louis sitting right beside her? Yuna didn't falter anymore. Even as vulgar words and loathsome situations unfolded, the child fully embodied Janni.
"No! Please!"
"Don't do that. Let's calm down!"
"Aaaah—!"
"Okay. Good. Perfect! Right there—scream a little more desperately, like you're tearing yourself apart. Like ripping your own throat... Aigoo, the phrasing's a bit rough, huh? Sorry, Yuna."
"No. It's fine."
"Anyway, belt it out with all that malice."
"Yes. Got it."
With nothing left to hold them back, the actors plunged deep into their roles. As the drama built to a crescendo, their focus and fervor grew ever thicker.
"Janni! Janni!"
And shining brightest among them was Moo-young. It wasn't acting—he radiated the very essence of Louis.
Ha! This is fun.
The veterans shuddered with a freshness they hadn't felt in ages. Seong Hye-jun especially. Having churned out project after project since her debut, it hit her for the first time watching Moo-young.
I've fallen into mannerisms.
That creeping sense of daily futility she hadn't even noticed. Sure, it was art, it was work—but hadn't seniority turned her acting mechanical?
Cry on the director's cue, laugh on cue.
She was a master at script breakdowns; now she could spot the ending from the scenario alone. No wonder new experiences were essential. New people, new encounters. Especially fresh rookies like Moo-young, injecting raw stimulus into the work!
"Good."
"What is?"
Hyo-jeong glanced over slyly.
"Something new."
"...?"
Is that why she loved dating? Hye-jun smirked at her near self-revelatory musing. Of course, anyone with real field miles was thinking the same.
"Alright. Time's flown—two hours already. Ten-minute break, then back at it."
The director, lost in the reading, snapped to at a staffer's signal. Yuna, looking drained, leaned half against Moo-young.
"As I mentioned, minor roles—check your scripts and head out if you like. Okay then, coffee time for me. Yuna, Moo-young. Hang on a sec."
Reasonable, right? Wasting a full day on a handful of lines? The actors stretched and caught their breath at the director's cue, while Moo-young and Yuna rose to approach him.
"What's up?"
Moo-young asked, and the director grinned.
"Nothing big. Shooting schedule."
Summer shoot ahead. Sets to build, plenty to juggle—but Yuna's availability was priority.
"Under-15 child actors can't exceed thirty-five hours a week. Holidays allow till midnight, but otherwise, no shooting from ten p.m. to six a.m."
Strict time caps. Fine for side gigs with tweaks, but...
Yuna was the lead. In nearly every scene.
"So she'll need to start ahead of the others."
"Ahead? Mom didn't mention."
"Yeah. Telling you first. It's your gig."
The director's words respected the child. Yuna clutched Moo-young's hem and beamed up at him.
"Better knock out what we can before sets are ready. Smooths everything else."
Like budgets and such? Moo-young read between the lines. Most Janni scenes involved Louis, so probably pulling his dates forward too?
"How far ahead?"
Finals overlap would suck. He asked cautiously, but the director waved it off.
"Nah. For you, it's summer as discussed. A week shift at most? We're already fast-tracked; yanking more would be sloppy. Right? Haha."
"So just me early?"
"Yup. Yuna first. Get her solo shots locked."
Typical prep ran two or three months post-greenlight. But with a polished script, locked casting, and funding, everything hummed.
"Then why me...?"
"Not shooting. But if you can swing it, drop by."
Moo-young's face screamed confusion. The director ruffled Yuna's hair.
"She really looks up to you. Stable when you're acting together. Yeah?"
"Yes! Oppa feels like real Louis. Nothing scary with him."
Moo-young's chest twinged. Pure affection hit once; being seen as Louis doubled it!
"Swing by when you can? She'll nail it, but I'm worried."
"Worried how...?"
"She's a kid. Sets get rough. Stimulating material too. Guardian's there, but she needs extra mental support."
Ah. Moo-young swallowed a soft gasp. He'd heard Director Jin Kyung-moon prioritized set welfare, but this level?
Even adults dreaded all-nighters and grueling scenes. For a child? Brutal.
"First time with a kid lead. Lots of nerves."
He'd pull every string he could. Yuna gazed up sparkling—would he come?
"Of course. I'll make time."
"Yay—!"
"Appreciate it."
He'd planned it anyway. Like the webdrama days. Bonding with staff, learning heaps.
"I'll sort and send her schedule. No pressure."
"No burden. Janni comfy means I'm comfy."
Subtly dubbing her Janni. The director sipped his coffee.
"So, where'd you learn acting, Moo-young?"
"Me? BV Academy!"
"Heard you just started. Nailed the path. I don't toss compliments lightly."
Moo-young beamed his thanks. The ultimate pre-shoot praise.
"Thank you. I'll work harder."
"Good. Details via contact. Rest up. AD!"
He drained the dregs and exited. Go Kyung-min hovered in the hall.
"Hyung. All good. Come in."
"How'd it go? Nailed it? Drink? Snack?"
He rushed in, scanning the vibe. Two solid hours—he'd camped by the door, cheering inwardly like a stage parent.
"Did great?"
Then Seong Hye-jun, across the table, chimed in. Lips glossy from a water sip.
"No worries, manager. Real rookie?"
"Thank you."
"Seong Hye-jun. Nice to meet. Big gap between acting and off-mode, huh?"
She extended a hand. Moo-young took it amiably, but the room buzzed oddly. For good reason...
Her this time?
Hye-jun's projects always sparked coworker dating rumors. She denied, but where there's smoke...
"Sunbaes were incredible."
"Aw, flattered from you. Thanks. Age?"
"Twenty."
"Ah."
Too young? Her beaming smile left him cocking his head. Kyung-min tapped urgently from behind.
"Step out a sec? Moo-young-ah?"
"Huh? Yeah."
Steer clear of her, he'd forgotten. As Kyung-min tugged, she stood.
"Gotta treat my junior to coffee. Twenty's coffee age, right?"
"Me? Nah."
Coffee no, green tea. Hye-jun twitched faintly. Naive or playing?
She flashed bright again.
"Really? Dinner after? Didn't expect this marathon. Starving."
"Totally. Me too."
"Great spot nearby—"
Moo-young crunched chocolate, blinking expectantly.
You clueless fuck?
Her throat caught. She masked the chill, pondering.
"Sis—"
Then Yuna, latched on Moo-young, switched to her. Dimples full bloom.
"Me too. Hungry."
"Uh?"
"Yuna wants choco milk and bread, no coffee."
What's with her? Hye-jun stayed poised, even stroking the girl's back leisurely.
"That work? Gotta eat big."
"For real?"
Until Yuna hollered at the incoming director.
"Director! Hye-jun sis says she'll buy us yummy stuff since we're hungry. Lots and lots. Pretty face, angel heart. Knows a good resto nearby?"
"Yeah? But reading's not done, crowd's big—delivery? Sandwich shop nearby..."
Director buzzed, summoning staff.
"Exact address?"
"Why?"
"Hye-jun's treating for first reading grind. Haha."
"No way, really?"
Mood flipped weirdly. Moo-young ooh-clapped; Kyung-min awkward-grinned at distant hills.
"No, that's—"
"Sis, thanks!"
Yuna bowed deep, sealing it. Crew and producers bowed too—no escape. She smiled, grabbing her bag.
What the hell?
Problem?
Silent smile-war between the women. Moo-young waved at staff.
"Egg mayo sandwich!"
"Me too, same as oppa!"
Yuna scampered, plopping on his lap. Hye-jun crossed arms, then laughed, handing her manager the card.
"Sis. Quiet work mode this time."
"What'd I do?"
"Quiet. Sandwiches."
Hyo-jeong's tease drew Hye-jun's tongue out.
Smart kid—way beyond. Underestimate at peril.
"But Yuna."
"Hm?"
Moo-young eyed her round head, recalling the director's worry. Her flinch at Yi Hi-jun's scream.
"This is all acting, right?"
"Yuna and Janni are different people. Approach it that way—easier."
"Why? Gotta?"
"Words carry power. Even lies leave traces in the heart. Don't want that for you."
Unlike him, she shouldn't blur lines. Life as on-off switch.
Yuna pondered, then replied.
"I'll try. But Janni's not that tough. Louis protects anyway."
"Right. Janni has Louis."
She made a hand-chop, Bruce Lee arm-raise.
"So oppa—Yuna protects."
"Me? From what?"
Aigoo! Yuna arched brows, glaring behind him. Landing on Hye-jun. Eyes met; both beamed.
"Exists. Sets are scary real."
Moo-young nodded, clueless.