Chapter 190
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Friends from Hollywood
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Questions arrived from Mirror, the Hollywood special effects makeup team. Director Choi Daeman's face paled as the question sheets printed out endlessly.
“I have to write all this down?”
“Yes. The zombies that aren't clearly visible on screen will be handled at the Mirror team's discretion, but cases where people turn into zombies, like the archery club members or the doctor, will get a lot of screen time. If we don't know your intentions, Director, it'll feel disjointed.”
That’s what she asked me to tell you.
An employee from Plus+ Korea, fluent in English, interpreted Jenna Tried's words over the phone. Their seamless translation, without a moment's hesitation, seemed to explain why the branch manager had recommended them.
The sound of someone speaking could be heard from the other end of the line, and then the interpreter spoke.
“Especially since the setting is a hospital with many injured patients, we need more detailed specifications. For example, it would be strange to create a wound on the arm of a zombie patient who had head surgery.”
Director Choi Daeman nodded at the obvious point.
He already had all the movie scenes planned out in his head, so he had already decided which zombies would be in the foreground and how they should move.
It was just that the thought of having to write down the answers to all those questions one by one felt daunting now that he had to do it.
“Please have it ready by the time we arrive in Korea next week.”
After Jenna Tried's call ended, the Plus+ Korea employee said.
“Director. It will take time to translate the answers, so you'll have to email them to us as soon as you finish them.”
Director Choi Daeman, who had been slightly relieved by the one-week deadline, quickly nodded in realization.
* * *
The first to notice something was amiss was another film's production team. They needed special effects makeup for a few scenes, and the production company and director decided to be a little ambitious.
“Let's contact the Dohwawon team.”
They were rejected. The team said they were already contracted for another project.
“Then let's try RIO next!”
RIO also turned them down.
The production company employee and the director looked at each other, their eyes wide with shock.
“Th-then what about Stam?!”
The last of the top three. Stam also declined.
After the third rejection, the production staffer and the director could only blink in disbelief.
“...What on earth is going on?”
-Anyone know where Dohwawon, RIO, and Stam went?
=Who are they?
=Special effects makeup teams. The top three in Korea. Heard they're turning down all new work because they're already booked.
-I think they went to work on a zombie movie?
=222 They're casting extras, holding auditions for child actors, and have all the supporting roles filled, so it looks like they're really filming. Not many news articles about it, though.
=Who are the main actors?
=Hasn't been announced yet
=???
-They hired all three of the top teams? Wow. They must have spent a fortune on the production budget.
-They should use that budget to cast some lead actors first.
-This is just a rumor, but I heard Jenna Tried and Mirror came to Korea for that zombie movie.
=Who are they?
=Hollywood special effects makeup team. The best of the best.
=? You're telling me they brought a Hollywood SFX team here?
=How much would it cost to bring them all the way to Korea lol
=No lead actors yet, but they got Jenna Tried? LMAO
* * *
The questionnaire from Jenna Tried was also passed on to the Born Breaking dance team. The leader of Born Breaking accepted the documents, in which Director Choi Daeman had detailed the characteristics of the zombies, and laughed.
“Haha. This is going to kill me.”
A zombie with a cast on its right leg had to move accordingly. Just because you become a zombie doesn't mean a broken bone magically heals, after all. However, an additional note explained that since it wouldn't feel pain, it wouldn't be completely unable to use its right leg.
The leader scratched his head vigorously.
“Should I think of it like a robot?”
A robot with a clanking, ill-fitting replacement leg.
Roughly imagining the movement in his head, the leader turned the page. There wasn't just one or two zombies like that. He had to create zombie movements that fit these specific settings.
“Shouldn't we make it easier?”
“Easier than this? Isn't that a completely basic move?”
“We have to start with the basics.”
In one corner of the practice room, members of the Born Breaking team were filming simple zombie movements to teach the actors who would be playing minor roles. The team members, already familiar with breakdancing, were earnestly discussing what would constitute "basic" movements that even ordinary people could perform.
After glancing through the materials, the leader squeezed his eyes shut at the anticipated workload. No wonder they were paying so much...
“I might actually die...”
The leader clutched his head, feeling overwhelmed by the future, but his team members, oblivious to his turmoil, chattered away. They had only ever expected to compete in dance competitions; filming a movie was something they had never imagined, so everyone was excited.
“Hey. I already bragged to my parents, you know? Let's work hard.”
“Me too. When I told them I was going to be in a movie, they thought I was joking.”
“Same here! They asked if it was a dance movie. My mom loves these kinds of zombie flicks, she might be really surprised to see me as a zombie.”
Watching his boisterous team members, the leader sighed, wondering what to do with these carefree guys.
* * *
The branch manager of Plus+ Korea asked Lee Hansol with an excited expression.
“How's the progress?”
“All the necessary roles have been cast, and the construction is proceeding smoothly.”
In addition, all the other tasks required during the pre-production phase were complete.
Jenna Tried and the Mirror team had arrived in Korea and were collaborating with the local special effects makeup teams, dividing up the zombies each would be responsible for. The Born Breaking dance team filmed a video of basic zombie movements that ordinary people could follow and sent it to the actors with minor roles.
The props and filming locations were also prepared according to plan.
The branch manager listened to Lee Hansol's detailed explanation and smiled in satisfaction.
“Filming will begin in a week.”
“Then they'll be coming?”
Seeing the branch manager's face full of anticipation, Lee Hansol also smiled brightly and replied.
“Yes. They're arriving tomorrow.”
“...Tomorrow?”
The next evening, a plane from the United States arrived in Korea.
* * *
The bustling Incheon International Airport.
Since some of the people milling about were foreigners, no one paid any mind to the group of foreigners that had just arrived.
“It's been a year since we were in Korea!”
“I know.”
It was Richel Hill and Evan Block, dressed in casual clothes with their hats pulled down low, along with their managers and bodyguards. Unlike their tense entourage, Richel Hill and Evan Block were relaxed.
Just then, someone waved. Two men were standing there, and one of them was a familiar face. Richel Hill and Evan Block's faces lit up. It was Jun's manager, An Daho.
“Welcome, Hill. Block.”
“It's been a while, Daho.”
“I didn't expect to see you in Korea again. I thought we'd see you in the US.”
Richel Hill and Evan Block both chuckled at An Daho's words. Until a few months ago, they had thought the same.
“First, we've arranged for your accommodations. You'll be staying there during the shoot.”
“Is it a hotel?”
An Daho shook his head at Evan Block's question.
“We've temporarily rented a private residence. It's a house, so you won't run into any neighbors. Hotels have too many people coming and going, so there's a risk of being discovered. The two of you are our secret weapons, after all.”
“And this is?”
“Ah, this is Seojun's head of security.”
“A pleasure to meet you.”
At the mention of a security team, the bodyguards standing behind the managers turned their gazes to the security chief. They would have to cooperate during their time in Korea. While the bodyguards exchanged nods, An Daho led the group to the car.
“The bodyguards can follow the security chief. We've prepared a vehicle for you as well.”
“Thank you.”
An Daho got into the driver's seat, and Evan Block, Richel Hill, and their two managers got into the car.
Once seated, Richel Hill and Evan Block looked around the inside of the car.
It was a car that looked well-lived in. There was a neatly folded blanket, and a collection of small, cute dolls alongside some fearsome-looking ones, all tidily arranged. The car's interior, which so clearly reflected its owner's personality, made Richel Hill and Evan Block smile in spite of themselves.
Anyone could tell it was Jun's car.
Looking around, Richel Hill commented.
“I expected to see a pile of scripts, but there aren't any.”
“There were. We just put them away for now.”
At An Daho's words, the two actors smiled slightly and nodded. That sounded just like Jun.
While they chatted, Seojun's car and the three security vehicles arrived at the residence where the two Hollywood actors would be staying.
“Here we are. You can use this house and the one right next to it. There are plenty of rooms, so the bodyguards can use them too.”
“This is nice.”
Richel Hill and Evan Block were pleased; the houses, though small, had gardens, so they wouldn't feel cooped up. As they were discussing which house each of them would take, someone appeared before them.
“Welcome! Evan, Richel!”
“Jun!”
Evan Block and Richel Hill beamed at the sight of Seojun. Not only was Seojun there, but also Seo Eunhye, Lee Minjun, and Seo Eunchan.
“It's been a long time, everyone.”
“Minjun. Eunhye! You two are here too! It's good to see you, Eunchan!”
While Evan Block and Richel Hill greeted the couple warmly, the CEO of Cocoa Entertainment, who would be managing their activities in Korea, also exchanged greetings with the two actors' managers.
An excited Seojun said.
“I wanted to throw a welcome party, but you need to adjust to the time difference. So I thought we'd just have a simple dinner tonight. Is that okay?”
“I was tired a moment ago, but now I feel perfectly fine. I think we can have a party!”
Everyone burst out laughing at Richel Hill's cheerful voice.
“If you overdo it on the first day, the rest of the shoot will be tough, so it's probably best to eat quickly and get some rest.”
“That's true. We can always have a party later.”
Richel Hill nodded in disappointment at Evan Block and Seojun's words.
“Let's eat dinner first.”
Seojun led the way. When they arrived at the dining table, everyone's eyes widened at the sight.
The table was laden with a mix of Richel Hill and Evan Block's favorite foods and the Korean dishes they had enjoyed during their last visit. As everyone marveled at the unexpected feast, Evan Block asked quizzically.
“I thought you said a simple dinner?”
“This is the Korean version of 'simple.'”
Everyone burst out laughing as Seojun shrugged.
* * *
A few days ago.
Before filming for *Escape* began, Seojun spoke at a gathering of the four main actors, which was also an opportunity to introduce Lee Dajin.
“My friends want to meet you guys, hyungs and samchon. And you too, nuna.”
Lee Jiseok and Kim Jongho felt that the inevitable had arrived. Seojun had surprisingly never asked for autographs for his acquaintances or invited friends to the set. He must have wanted to show off to his friends at least once.
The four actors' eyes met and parted in an instant. Since Seojun was finally acting his age and wanted to show off to his friends, they wanted to look cooler and more like celebrities than ever before.
While Seojun, having said his piece, happily devoured his beef ribs, the four actors communicated with silent glances.
And so, the meeting was set for today.
The four actors arrived in Lee Jiseok's car and got out. Dressed up and wearing more makeup than usual, each of them held a gift for Seojun's friends.
“I brought gifts, but I have no idea what middle schoolers like these days.”
“What did you get?”
In response to Park Dohun's question, Lee Jiseok held up a plastic bag that looked like it was about to burst.
“I got snacks. Kids always love snacks.”
“I went with something safe—stationery.”
“Oh, I got a planner...”
Lee Dajin and Park Dohun looked at each other and smiled faintly. Lee Jiseok and Kim Jongho watched them with a peculiar gaze. It felt like something romantic was blossoming between them...
“I got wristwatches. Bought a bunch of different straps, too.”
Everyone was impressed by Kim Jongho's choice.
“Wristwatches. I think they'll all like that.”
“And with various straps, they can change them to suit their tastes.”
Flustered by Park Dohun and Lee Dajin's praise, Kim Jongho cleared his throat. Lee Jiseok smirked at him and was about to say something when a message arrived on Lee Dajin's phone.
> Seojun: Nuna, where are you?
< We're here. At the gate.
> Seojun: Coming out now!
“Seojun says he's coming out.”
“Oh?”
Lee Jiseok asked with a look of disappointment.
Soon, the sound of someone running could be heard from beyond the gate, which then swung open with a clatter.
“Welcome!”
Seojun greeted Lee Jiseok's group with a wide smile. Stepping through the open gate, they found a small but well-kept garden.
“Nice house. It even has a garden.”
“Right? I thought so too. It's my first time in a house with a garden.”
“Didn't you say you lived in an apartment before? Did you move here?”
Seojun shook his head at Lee Jiseok's question.
“Nope. This is my friends' place.”
“...Their place?”
Seojun's friends... Are they idols?
Puzzled by the unexpected word, the four actors followed Seojun inside. When they saw the faces of Seojun's "friends" greeting them at the entrance, they involuntarily dropped the gifts they were holding.
‘...Seojun. You said they were your friends?’
It wasn't snack-loving middle schoolers, but the Hollywood stars Evan Block and Richel Hill—celebrities for whom they couldn't even begin to guess what gifts to buy.