Reconciliation
“Y, Yu-na?”
Jin Kyung-moon yanked off his headset in surprise. The staff froze too. But Yu-na calmly shook out her hand. Clang!—the silver pot hit the floor.
“……No way.”
Yi Hi-jun was so dumbfounded he couldn't speak. It didn't even hurt that much; it was more like his mind had blanked out.
Yu-na flashed the brightest, most angelic smile, winking playfully.
“Sorry about that. Did it hurt a lot?”
Hurt? What a stupid question. It was the clearest thwack he'd heard in ages.
Yi Hi-jun glanced around at the staff's reactions before managing a response.
“Uh…… yeah.”
“Good. Director! Let's go again. Uncle Hi-jun says he'll tough it out even if it hurts this time. Ad-libs are no fun if you don't play along, right? Please take care of us!”
A few people who hadn't caught the vibe seemed to think it was just a funny mishap. Scattered laughs echoed here and there.
“Yu-na's really immersed.”
“Must be 'cause she's a kid.”
Immersed? Really? Yi Hi-jun kept scratching the back of his head, staring at Yu-na. The girl was humming as she checked the bandages on Moo-young's arm again. When their eyes met, she smiled like what's wrong?
“No more ad-libs.”
He whispered to her with a fierce scowl. But the kid widened her eyes innocently and tugged at Moo-young's collar, pulling her most pure, fake-fear face: waaah, scary man!
“Then don't hit me either, Uncle.”
“What?”
“You hit me, but I can't hit back? Where's the fairness in that?”
She fired back and whipped her head away. It was confusing—was she really doing this for Moo-young? She'd picked up on the nuance but hadn't said it outright.
“Yu-na, easy now.”
Jin Kyung-moon chimed in, grabbing his megaphone again.
“This scene focuses on Jin and Louis, so no need to hit too hard.”
“Got it—!”
She nailed the crisp response. Everyone returned to position for the retake. Yi Hi-jun to the floor, Moo-young and Yu-na behind the door. Staff to their marks.
Oppa, you okay? Yu-na mouthed, pointing at her own nape.
Her skin was so pale the red mark stood out vividly already. Moo-young pretended to groan dramatically for fun.
Almost died.
You look fine.
……Thanks. You did that for me, right? But if we keep NG-ing, it'll be trouble. No need anymore.
They whispered back and forth; Yu-na's eyes curved into crescents.
Not just that.
What do you mean?
It's a thing. Anyway, be careful. Sets are dangerous.
With that cryptic line, she peeked out the door crack. Of course, it was to protect Moo-young, but if it had been anyone but Yi Hi-jun, she wouldn't have gone that far.
“Alright, let's go again!”
Jin Kyung-moon's voice rang out. Yi Hi-jun looked up from the floor and locked eyes with Yu-na's innocently sparkling gaze. He flinched. Why's she like that?
One take? Uncle Hi-jun?
Her eyes flicked to the fallen pot on the floor. Mixing personal feelings into acting? Unacceptable as a pro! I'm the star here!
“Ready—!”
Or I'll keep going too?
Yi Hi-jun ignored his throbbing headache and focused. She wasn't some century-old serpent with killer instincts……
Annoying!
But if he kept stonewalling, who knew what she'd do to his head for real. Nah, with her personality, she'd stick to the pot? He knew fighting kids meant no win even if you won—and total humiliation if you lost. He knew that!
But still, a damn kid……
“Action!”
At Jin Kyung-moon's cue, Yi Hi-jun thrashed the floor like a madman again. His irritation at Moo-young now included Yu-na, driving him insane. Blazing fury!
“You bastard—!”
“Uh, is that…… okay?”
A staffer muttered under their breath. It was already the fifth take of scene 58. And the second clear thwack.
Thud!Clang!
“Aaaagh!”
“Whoa! Again! Come on, just endure a little.”
Yi Hi-jun couldn't hold it, clutching his head and collapsing. This one landed properly. Total mess.
“You okay, Uncle?”
“Damn it—! You think you'd be?”
He'd told her no pot, so she'd nibbled his ear once, bit his right arm once. Even headbutted his side. But nothing beat the pot!
“Yu-na's really……”
“Going after Hi-jun, huh?”
“No way.”
The staff were catching on now. Every time Yi Hi-jun got worked up and shook Moo-young too hard, Yu-na cut it off.
Yi Hi-jun and Yu-na glared at each other, growling.
Wanna go?
Persistent! Loosen up or keep eating hits!
“Hold on, hold on!”
The director couldn't watch anymore, waving both hands to call them out. He'd seen plenty of ego clashes on set, but this? A late-20s guy vs. a nine-year-old girl?
“No more messing around. Stick to choreo only. Choreo.”
“Sounds good. Uncle Hi-jun dishes ad-libs but can't take 'em. What do you think, Uncle?”
Swear words burned in his throat. Yi Hi-jun clung to reason with all the eyes on them.
The director sighed deeply, calming them.
“Action director!”
“Yes sir. Been waiting.”
“Rehearse the choreo again. Short break, then back at it!”
The two stood sullenly. Moo-young chuckled awkwardly in between. From afar, Go Kyung-min drew an X in the air: don't interfere.
But—
“Senior.”
“What!”
“Yu-na?”
“Yeah?”
He couldn't just stand there. The root cause was partly him, however slight.
Moo-young grabbed both their hands, pulling them together like a sacred ritual—gently.
“Enough now. Both of you.”
“What'd I do? The brat starts it and won't finish.”
“I said if you're ad-libbing hits, so am I!”
“This is ridiculous!”
“Hey! Shh!”
Moo-young reined them in like rabid dogs. Yi Hi-jun froze in disbelief. Did he just 'hey! shh!' me?
“Senior, you've been in a bad mood all day. I get it. But you can't vent like this. What changes if you take it out on me, who's got nothing to do with it?”
“No—”
“Yu-na too. You know the staff are working hard—keep it up and it'll backfire. Act like the lead: responsible.”
“But……”
He forced their hands together.
“Make up quick and let's move. We've got mountains to shoot.”
Ugh, gross! They bared their front teeth, grimacing openly before yanking away like they'd touched filth.
“Hmm.”
Moo-young whispered in Yi Hi-jun's ear, low enough the kid couldn't hear.
“Keep this up and your head's really gonna crack. Senior, Yu-na finishes what she starts. Even the director bailed 'cause he couldn't stop her. Play along when I set this up, or you'll lose more than you gain.”
He closed his eyes and nodded solemnly. Life throws all kinds at you.
Then to Yu-na—
“Yu-na, staff are noticing now. This'll hurt your rep. Let's think different. Know when to fold to be a real pro. I saw earlier—nice lump on your head.”
He winked. Persuasion masterclass.
The two crossed arms, glaring.
Fine, this far……
Moo-young grabbed their hands again.
“On one-two-three, apologize. Together.”
“Not a kid.”
“Lame.”
But Yu-na and Yi Hi-jun snuck glances anyway. Moo-young stifled a grin.
“One, two, three!”
“……Sorry, Uncle.”
“Yeah. Ahem!”
“Why didn't you apologize?”
“What'd I even do wrong?”
“You grabbed Oppa Moo-young's collar like this—!”
“It was acting!”
Oh god, reigniting. Moo-young waved it off and called the action director.
The director, who'd watched from afar, approached laughing.
“Alright, everyone chill. Last-take mindset for choreo. One more and Jin Kyung-moon gets mad. And he's scary. Got it?”
Staff passing by kept peeking too. Moo-young gathered Yi Hi-jun's arm and Yu-na's shoulder.
“From the top? No big reset after five times.”
“Right.”
“Senior, grab here.”
Moo-young flapped his T-shirt collar, grinning. Grumbling, Yi Hi-jun gripped Moo-young's collar—much gentler than before.
“Then spin like this, I'll catch.”
“Left hand up.”
“Hand up, protect the other side.”
“I'll back off max.”
The three rehearsed faithfully now, no personal grudges. Staff murmured.
“Moo-young's got a weird charm.”
“Yeah, that's why Yu-na listens.”
“Something about how he mediates.”
Hyo-jeong agreed, chin in hand, eyeing him curiously. Like a monk from temple or someone who'd seen all life's storms and transcended.
“All good?”
“Yes! Ready.”
The director reappeared with coffee. Moo-young raised a hand, grinning no worries.
“Great. Let's roll.”
Jin Kyung-moon donned his headset and gestured. The trio much looser now. Yu-na kicked the pot far away.
“Ready—! Action!”
“Okay. Cut!”
Jin Kyung-moon checked the viewfinder and gave the okay. Unlike before, the prepped choreo wrapped clean—no excess.
“Good work.”
Moo-young straightened his rumpled clothes and bowed to Yi Hi-jun. Last shoot at Janie's house today. Next at the big exterior set once built.
“Uncle Hi-jun, see you tomorrow.”
Yu-na beamed, clinging to his arm showily. Looked buddy-buddy to outsiders. He forced a grin, prying her off.
“Yeah. Ha! Ha! Ha!”
“You three, over here? Schedule updates and notes.”
“Sure!”
The AD beckoned. Hyo-jeong, done shooting, waited seated, eyeing Moo-young and Yu-na curiously.
“Long wait. More shots?”
“Tell me about it. Exhausted. But Moo-young's impressive. Tamed the beasts?”
“Me? Ah.”
Hyo-jeong had noticed too: Yu-na swinging for Moo-young.
Moo-young shrugged lightly, chuckling.
“Lucky. Seniors are seniors for a reason.”
Nine years old, half spent acting! Few had half-lifetimes on set. Jin Kyung-moon and sound director maybe?
“Take this first.”
Managers joined as actors gathered. AD handed rough weekly schedules—filming changes too often for long-term.
“Factory set done by day after tomorrow probably.”
“Nice.”
Moo-young checked with Go Kyung-min.
“Hm? Scene 69?”
“Yeah, somehow.”
Louis's death scene. Flashbacks after, so last real Louis.
Then someone appeared behind the AD.
“Oh right. Introduce: new lighting director—”
Moo-young looked up, eyes widening.
“Lee Taek-kyeong at your service.”
The eccentric-looking man sparkled as he eyed Moo-young.
“Dunno about the rest yet, but got words on scene 69.”