Chapter 189
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: An Undead's Evening Workout
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The special effects makeup team, Dohwawon.
One of the top three special effects makeup teams in Korea, they primarily handled productions for films, dramas, and plays. Of course, since not many projects required special effects, they also took on regular makeup jobs.
“Did you hear? They’re making a zombie movie.”
At someone’s remark, the others, who had been lounging on chairs and sofas, nodded.
True to the free-spirited nature of the Dohwawon team, the office felt more like a cozy café, where everyone was enjoying a relaxing time with cool drinks.
Since they worked on various film and drama sets, the only time Dohwawon’s special effects artists gathered at the office was when they had no work. Those who weren't here were likely busy working at this very moment.
“I heard about it too… but is it for real?”
“I’ve always wanted to do something like that!”
As special effects artists, it was a topic they couldn't help but be interested in. One by one, they chimed in on the exciting news.
“I’m confident I could do a great job… but I’m worried it might end up looking cheap.”
“But since we haven't gotten an offer, maybe they’re not doing it? In terms of skill, isn't our team the best in Korea?”
“We might not be number one… but it’d be tough to shoot a zombie movie without us.”
The special effects artists nodded at the pride-filled words.
The team hadn't been around for long, but they were confident in their skills. The reason they had gained so much recognition in such a short time was because their talent backed it up.
As they chattered about zombie makeup, the office door opened. It was Kim Sowon, the founder and leader of Team Dohwawon.
“So this is where you were. Is everyone here?”
“No. Some of the crew are out on jobs.”
Team Leader Kim Sowon nodded and said.
“I guess I’ll have to tell them when they get back.”
“Oh. Did we get a job?”
A makeup artist, their face brightening, looked around.
It was amusing to see their colleagues sprawled out as if it were their own home. One, two, three… The artist counted and their eyes widened. Half of Dohwawon’s special effects artists were here.
“Half of us are here, but is it a job that even this many can’t cover?”
At those words, all eyes turned to Kim Sowon. This many people could handle most projects. That meant this wasn't just any project.
Someone shouted in surprise.
“Are they really making a zombie movie? In Korea?”
“Holy crap. It’s been my dream to make zombies!”
The special effects artists looked at their team leader with sparkling eyes. Kim Sowon, who should have been the most excited of them all, was smiling with a look of weary resignation.
Her team members blinked at her reaction. What was that about?
“That’s right. They’re making a zombie movie. And our team will be working on it.”
Someone shot their hand up.
“But are they paying well? The material costs will be huge, and we’ll need a lot of people. If it’s just us, we’ll have to turn down other jobs.”
“Sowon! I have to pay my credit card bill.”
“I’m out of money for living expenses too!”
At the clamor of her team members, who sounded like baby birds begging for food, Team Leader Kim Sowon let out a dry laugh.
At least baby birds are cute.
“They gave us a generous advance.”
“Really? The investor must have deep pockets.”
“An actor I know said it was doomed to fail. What’s going on?”
‘Deep pockets is an understatement. It’s Plus+.’
The shocking meeting still lingered in Team Leader Kim Sowon’s mind.
In the meeting room of the production company, Film Dream, several other special effects makeup teams besides Dohwawon had gathered. They were all surprised to see each other. So they really are making it. A zombie movie. As Kim Sowon was trying to estimate the costs, she heard one astonishing piece of news after another.
First, she was surprised that a zombie movie was actually being made. Second, she was surprised that the investor was Plus+. She felt relieved that the money would be secure, but the surprises weren't over. Third, she was surprised to hear that actors Kim Jongho and Lee Dajin were appearing in such a niche film, and finally…
Recalling the meeting, Kim Sowon opened her mouth.
“And starting next week, we all have to gather for a lecture.”
“…A lecture? What kind of lecture?”
“A special effects makeup lecture.”
“For us?”
In response to the special effects artists, who were brimming with pride, Team Leader Kim Sowon smiled, one corner of her mouth lifting. She knew that once they heard this, they would be dying to attend the lecture. And they would wait for it day by day, like a child waiting for a picnic. Just as she was.
“The production company brought in Team Mirror.”
“…What?”
Hearing a name they never expected to hear here, the team members shot their heads up like meerkats. All the team leaders at the Film Dream meeting had reacted the same way. Kim Sowon had been no different. Her heart was pounding.
“They brought in the Hollywood special effects team, Mirror. And Jenna Tryde herself! Learn well from this opportunity. If you catch Jenna Tryde’s eye, you might even make it to Hollywood.”
Jenna Tryde. And the special effects team, Mirror.
Those two names sent the Korean special effects makeup teams into a frenzy.
* * *
-Jenna Tryde? She’s good.
“She is?”
Richel Hill said in a bright voice.
-Special effects makeup can be suffocating. It feels like you’re wearing a mask. But when Jenna Tryde does it, it’s not like that. It’s easier to move your face and act compared to other special effects makeup.
“I see.”
-And the makeup itself is so natural it looks real. Even if you ask her to create a really weird creature, it looks incredibly lifelike.
Richel Hill then listed several productions and characters that Jenna Tryde and her team, Mirror, had handled.
Seojun recalled the characters. Most of the ones Richel Hill mentioned were characters that even Seojun, who had seen and experienced a variety of creatures, had found to be natural.
‘I just thought they’d be really good at making monster dolls…’
Even Seojun acknowledged the skills of Jenna Tryde and her team, Mirror.
-But to bring in Jenna Tryde, they’re really going all out, aren’t they?
“Plus+ apparently went through a lot of trouble.”
How much money must it have cost to bring one of the top special effects makeup teams, who were in high demand even in Hollywood, all the way to Korea? The amount was so staggering that Seojun could only let out a hollow laugh.
-By the way, I heard the actors from *Naeuiwon* are in it too, right?
“Yes.”
It just sort of happened.
That day, when Jongho-samchon had gathered everyone to tease Jiseok-hyung.
The cameo offer was sent to the production company that very day, and eventually, Lee Jiseok and Park Dohun’s cameo appearances were confirmed, welcomed by both the production company Film Dream and the investor Plus+.
-And the actor who played the hunter in the spring is in it too? This sounds like it’s going to be so much fun!
At Richel Hill's excited voice, Seojun’s eyes darted back and forth.
Surprising them on set would be fun, but they might be too shocked to act properly.
‘Or maybe not. Knowing beforehand might make them more nervous and unable to act? They might worry about it until the day of the shoot.’
After a moment of thought, Seojun came to a decision.
It seemed better to meet and talk before filming. It would also be a good chance to invite some other people.
“Then would you like to meet them?”
-I would absolutely love that! I’ll ask Evan, too.
“Haha. Everyone’s going to be thrilled.”
Seojun smiled brightly, picturing the surprised faces of his friends.
* * *
>Lee Dajin : I can’t believe I’m going to be filming with you, Seojun!
>Lee Dajin : We were in the same play, but we never got to act together, so I was really disappointed!! I thought I’d never get the chance.
Seojun smiled at Lee Dajin’s message.
>Lee Dajin : Yeah! There’s a scene with a foreign actor… I get so nervous around foreigners ㅠㅠ
>Lee Dajin : English-speaking characters pop up in movies and dramas these days. I thought it would be good to have a natural accent, so I started learning, but ugh. English is so hard.
Seojun conveniently hid the fact that those foreign actors were Richel Hill and Evan Block.
>Lee Dajin : You think so? I wonder when filming will start. I’m so excited.
>Lee Dajin : Okay!
* * *
The results of the *Escape* auditions were announced.
Out of the five archery club members, two were chosen from Class 1 of the acting department at Yeoul Arts Middle School, and one from Class 2. The other two were from different schools.
“Juhee. Jaehan. Congratulations.”
Juhee and Jaehan passed, but Jukyung didn't. Hearing that Jukyung had failed, Juhee and Jaehan couldn't bring themselves to be entirely happy.
‘Things like this will happen all the time from now on, but…’
It was a sad thing to get used to. As they wondered what to say to console her, Jukyung, who they thought would be down, was still as cheerful as ever. In fact, she looked delighted.
Seojun and his two friends blinked at Jukyung’s brightly smiling face.
“I’m going to be an extra!”
Seojun and his friends’ eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’s not a noticeable role like the archery club members, but I’ll get to play a zombie.”
At Jukyung’s words, Juhee and Jaehan’s faces lit up.
“That’s great!”
“We’ll all get to film together!”
It was truly happy news, and only then did Seojun and his friends allow themselves to celebrate freely.
The homeroom teacher, who appeared for the morning meeting, said with a smile.
“Looks like we have some people from our class who’ve been cast.”
Besides Jukyung, several other students from Class 1 who had auditioned were also participating in the film as extras.
“If you want to practice together, let me know. I can book a school practice room. Lunchtime, after school, whenever is fine. Same goes for everyone else.”
“Yes!”
“If you need help, feel free to ask any of the teachers, regardless of grade. They’ll help you if they’re not busy.”
This school is the best.
The students were impressed by the school’s support.
“Teacher Jung Siwoon is holding an after-school class, so anyone interested in zombie acting can go to Practice Room 3 after school.”
“Yes!”
The students answered in a loud voice.
After school. Practice Room 3.
Jung Siwoon, the 1st-year acting teacher who had judged the practical exams, looked at the students gathered on the floor and began to speak.
“Juhee, Jaehan, Jiho. It’s amazing that three of you passed. You’ll have to practice your acting a lot, okay?”
“Yes!”
Yang Juhee, Kang Jaehan, and Han Jiho from Class 2 replied.
“The rest of you are filming too, right? Don’t take being an extra lightly. A director could see your performance and cast you in their next project.”
“Yes!”
Jukyung and the other students answered energetically.
“It’s great that the rest of you came too. Zombie movies are rare, but practicing the movements will be a good experience.”
Jung Siwoon added a word for the other students who weren't filming but had come to learn a new type of acting, then continued with a smile.
“First, let’s watch some scenes I’ve edited and think about how zombies move in other works.”
From *Death World*, which Director Choi Daeman had mentioned before, to scenes from Plus+'s original zombie drama. The students focused on the video, which was a compilation of only zombie movements.
“This was the point when the slow, lumbering zombies started to change. I don't know what the movie will be like this time, but it probably won't be much different. This way is more dynamic and tense.”
It would be one thing if zombies had always been slow, but a new, faster-paced type of zombie film had already emerged. People no longer thought of zombies as slow.
Jung Siwoon continued.
“One thing to be careful about when playing a zombie is the makeup. You'll be wearing thick makeup, so your facial movements might be different from usual. Of course, since you're a zombie, you won't be doing as much facial acting, but it will feel different than usual.”
The students listened intently to Jung Siwoon’s voice, their expressions showing they wouldn't miss a single word.
Jung Siwoon’s explanation and demonstration followed. Even without makeup, his bizarre movements made the students swallow hard.
“Alright. Who wants to go first?”
The students exchanged glances. They all seemed reluctant to be the first, afraid of showing their lacking skills to their friends. It would have been different if it were a type of acting they had practiced at an acting academy, but they had never tried acting like a zombie before.
As Jung Siwoon pondered, he spotted Seojun, whose eyes were shining. His gaze seemed to be begging to be chosen, and Jung Siwoon let out a quiet groan.
‘If Seojun goes first, the others will lose their confidence…’
Purposefully avoiding Seojun’s sparkling gaze, Jung Siwoon said.
“Then let’s start with the ones who passed the audition.”
At Jung Siwoon’s words, Han Jiho, Kang Jaehan, and Yang Juhee tensed up and straightened their backs.
After the three students’ awkward zombie performances passed, Jung Siwoon offered his advice. The other students also took turns acting, and finally, there was one student left.
“Alright, now it’s Seojun’s turn.”
At the teacher’s call, Seojun rose from his spot. The students’ eyes glittered, and Jung Siwoon tried to hide the clear look of anticipation on his face.
Seojun let out a breath.
There was a skill he had prepared, just in case. He never thought he would actually get to use it. He hoped his performance would be helpful to his friends.
Seojun stood before the students, who were gathered in a group. It felt as if a spotlight was shining only on him. It was always like this during acting class with Seojun.
A whole semester had already passed, but it felt like something they would never get used to. The students gulped.
[(Evil) Undead's Evening Workout - Lowest Grade is activated.]
[(Evil) Undead's Evening Workout - Lowest Grade]
This is an evening workout created to loosen the stiff joints of an undead resurrected from the grave.
Flexibility, mobility, and agility are greatly reduced.
Movements become sluggish.
Warning: Extremely vulnerable to holy power.
Seojun’s arms, legs, and head began to move, very slowly, in bizarre directions. It was as if every joint in his body was moving independently.
Despite the slow movements, it created a tension even greater than that of the terrifyingly fast zombies they had seen in the video.
The students watching Seojun’s performance, especially the three cast as archery club members and the few, like Kim Jukyung, who would be playing zombies as extras, were so focused they didn't even notice their palms were sweating.
To learn even one more thing from the world-class actor, the students’ eyes shone brightly.
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