The Best Death
Lee Taek-kyeong spent the entire shoot checking the set and the atmosphere on site. It had been so long since he'd been back that he needed to revive all his senses with his eyes and hands.
I've gotten rusty.
But the real issue was his sense for capturing the director's intent. The knowledge he'd acquired was still in his head, but he couldn't grasp the lighting techniques that Director Jin Kyung-moon was demanding. It was probably because he'd been away for so long.
"What's wrong?"
"No, Director. For this part, is it right to use a scoop light? It's a mob scene—do we really need it?"
"Right there. But the viewpoint is from Jenny looking down from the factory rooftop, so some lens flare would be nice. Like in our Hormone Parasite when Jang-soo was sitting in front of the ice cream shop."
"Ah, got it. I understand."
At least it was a relief that his conversations with Jin Kyung-moon weren't completely blocked. Lee Taek-kyeong stroked his thick beard and let out a groan like it was burdensome. Seeing that, Jin Kyung-moon patted his shoulder.
"It's because it's been too long. Director, don't worry about me at all! We always clicked well."
"Yeah, that's true."
"Take a look around the site today, and when we're done, let's grab some soju. You need booze to go through the storyboard properly. That's how it flows smoothly. It's just the blazing sun messing with you right now. Haha."
Jin Kyung-moon laughed exaggeratedly, trying to ease the tension. The assistant director knocked on the door of the makeshift office and called for him.
"Director, shooting prep is done."
"Oh? Already? Okay! Let's go!"
"Director, then I'll just—"
"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead. We'll do proper intros after we wrap. You saw Hyeo-jeong earlier, right?"
Lee Taek-kyeong just nodded silently. Jin Kyung-moon waved casually, as if to say handle it yourself, and left.
Alone in the office now. He'd already gone through the storyboard multiple times at home, but Lee Taek-kyeong flipped open the front again.
Crackle—
Back after five years. In a place that changed every day, could he still work like before? He'd left for money, and now he was back for money.
Go figure.
Among all those lighting directors out there, why had Jin Kyung-moon picked him? There had to be a reason, but all he'd gotten was "It just came to mind."
For hours like that, Lee Taek-kyeong sat there cramming the storyboard into his brain.
But then—
Scene 69...
One scene stuck oddly in his hands. It was Louis, Jenny's sole ally and friend, getting beaten to death. Right by Jin's gang.
Hmm.
Some rookie actor he didn't know—who could it be? In the storyboard Jin Kyung-moon had given him, it just said to fade out gradually into darkness, with no special lighting notes.
Clang!
"Hey, you don't look like you're in pain right now!"
"Aigoo, just endure it a bit, Uncle!"
Then, a commotion from outside. Whatever it was, real voices—not acting tones—were piercing through the set.
Screech.
Curiosity piqued, Lee Taek-kyeong stepped out of the office. The staff looked annoyed, and on the set, a kid and an adult were baring their teeth at each other.
"What's going on?"
"Their blocking isn't matching up, I guess."
Oh ho. So that's Yoo Yu-na and Lee Hi-jun. Both looked way better in person. Passing the familiar pair, his eyes landed on the man next to them.
Thud.
His heart felt like it dropped. The face was eerily like the Louis he'd imagined. The slight smile toward Hi-jun and Yu-na was straight out of the script.
"Director?"
"Hey, what's the name of the actor playing Louis?"
"Moo-young? Ha Moo-young."
This casting was a jackpot. How on earth had they found him? Lee Taek-kyeong couldn't tear his eyes away. With the imagined character made real, footage he'd never dared picture flooded his mind.
"Hold on, hold on! No more messing around—let's stick strictly to blocking."
Like something submerged in sleep rising to the surface, slowly. But very surely.
Lee Taek-kyeong could now vividly storyboard every scene from the script by slotting Moo-young in.
"Agh, seriously, why are those two like that?"
Jin Kyung-moon's deflated voice. He declared a short break and headed to the office like he was fleeing.
He spotted Lee Taek-kyeong.
"What are you doing here?"
"Director."
And especially one scene came into sharp focus.
"Scene 69. I have a suggestion."
"69? Oh, right. Yeah, Louis's death scene?"
Jin Kyung-moon tilted his head curiously. Why were his eyes suddenly sparkling like that? He'd looked so down and sickly just moments ago?
"Yes. What if we hit it with an eye light?"
* * *
"Eye light?"
Moo-young looked up at him and asked. The pen-shaped mini light, eye light. It literally highlighted the subject's eyes with a glow.
"But it's a beating-to-death scene—when would we even have time to light it?"
Moo-young replied puzzled, checking the script again. The gang stomping him was in frame, then they faded out behind his sprawled body—that was the original directing.
"We're flipping the angle. Focus on Louis."
"Huh? Why?"
Of course, centering on him would be great. Nice, even. But this was a movie, not a drama or variety show. Every scene needed perfectly calculated blocking.
Suddenly changing the angle meant there had to be a reason for it.
"It's a huge event for Jenny, so in-focus feels better than out-of-focus. And especially for expressing Louis's pathos as he dies, focusing on the eyes and face seems right."
"Aha. I see."
"Director Jin Kyung-moon will redo the detailed storyboard and let you know. Moo-young, just nail the acting."
He said it matter-of-factly, but Lee Taek-kyeong was a bit excited. Inspiration after so long. And Jin Kyung-moon got it instantly, reacting positively like clockwork.
—That's good. I'll check with the directing team and revise it. Oh, but that's solid!
His constant nodding felt good. Moo-young jotted notes on his script with the pen.
"By the way, Director, speak casually."
"...Anyway, looking forward to working with you."
"Yes! Me too!"
"Take care of Yu-na too~"
After short greetings with the actors, Lee Taek-kyeong headed back to the office. He came like the wind and left like the wind. Moo-young chewed on his pen watching his back.
Did that director bring the luck?
Thinking about it, everything clicked perfectly. The director swap due to the lighting issue, and the new guy wearing bling too. It was like everything had been arranged for him.
"Oppa, what's up?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Just thinking how to handle the changed part."
"Alright, then let's get back to checking the schedule first."
The assistant director smacked her palm with the script and focused.
The factory set was complete—now the real grueling shoot began. Yu-na aside, the adults would be pulling all-nighters as standard.
"Wait, I have drama location scouting in two months."
"Your manager said it wasn't confirmed yet, so we scheduled it."
"That's why you should leave it out if it's uncertain."
"Yu-na needs to meet attendance days once school starts."
Everyone coordinated with their managers. Busy folks, so even prior schedules sparked issues.
Only Moo-young and Go Kyung-min stood blankly watching.
"Oppa okay? Why so quiet?"
"Yeah. Mine's all cleared already."
He'd just asked to skip finals period. Nothing to worry about. Summer break after meant even more leeway.
Hyeo-jeong kept fidgeting annoyingly, scratching her cheek with her fingertips.
"My face is so itchy today."
"Lemme see. No dust."
Her manager checked, but nothing there apparently. Hyeo-jeong turned away dismissively and demanded of the assistant director.
"Anyway, skip that period. It'll be a real mess if it overlaps with scouting."
"Mm. Got it. I'll confirm and resend."
"What about extra shooting today?"
"Just you, Hyeo-jeong."
"...First in, last out. Great."
The quick meeting ended, and everyone except Hyeo-jeong prepped to leave. Yu-na tightly held her mom's hand and waved to Moo-young.
"Oppa, see you next time."
"Yeah. Careful as it gets hotter."
"Hi-jun Uncle tomorrow? Poof!"
"...Poof my ass."
Lee Hi-jun grimaced and clicked his tongue. Unlike Moo-young's bow, he just shot a glance and left.
Moo-young stretched with a bright smile.
"Hyung, wanna grab food?"
"Yeah. Say bye to everyone. I'll pull the car around."
"Got it! Thanks for your hard work, everyone!"
The staff waved them off, and Hyeo-jeong just smiled sweetly from her folding chair. But her face kept itching oddly. Maybe from sleeping in makeup—looked like a pimple coming.
"Oppa! Gimme the mirror."
Meanwhile, Moo-young did a full lap of goodbyes and clocked out sharp.
* * *
By the time Moo-young and his manager arrived at Big Win Entertainment, dusk had fallen. Belly full of gamjatang, Moo-young happily opened the office door.
"I'm back!"
"Oh, Moo-young. Fighting today too?"
"Of course. Boss not heading home today either?"
"...Busy with work. Ahem."
Really? Moo-young glanced around the unusually quiet office and just smiled.
"Why not back to the dorm?"
"Left my book. Manager hyung's waiting downstairs. Gotta bounce soon."
"Ah, gotcha. Whoops! Hold up!"
Na Geum-dong grabbed Moo-young like something just hit him. He rummaged through piles of random boxes.
"What?"
"Gift came. Gift... here it is!"
What he pulled out was a package from Doctor Martel. From skin and lotion to their new hand cream. Packed tight, no gaps—solid lineup.
"Oh? This?"
"You replied back then. They seem confident? Said use it honestly, but please post. Price a bit lower though."
"Whoa! Jackpot."
"Just within a month. Test it slow, tell me or Chief Go. We'll review and post together. Okay?"
First sponsorship, and free skincare! Moo-young hugged the box preciously and agreed.
"Gotta start using it tonight."
"Eyy, share some leftovers with me. Natural ingredients or whatever—supposed to be great."
"Sure thing, Boss. I'm off then!"
"Alright. Good work today!"
Moo-young winked and left the office.