Chapter 325
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Hollywood Scale
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A short while later, the ordered dishes filled the table.
Watching the waiter exit the private room with a slightly excited spring in his step, Milan Chellen let out a small laugh.
“I bet news that we're here is spreading all over the restaurant.”
“I’m sure it is.”
The smiling actors and director chatted about various things as they ate.
They marveled at Andrew’s mature handling of his fork and knife (his father beamed with pride) and asked Seojun what filming in Korea was like. It was a question he got every time, whether in Korea or the U.S., so Seojun answered with practiced ease.
Davis Garrett, after a sip of red wine, spoke.
“Evan and Richel did cameos, right? Next time you have a good script, can you let me know? I think filming abroad would be a great experience.”
“Haha. I will.”
It was a conversation that would have shocked Korean directors had they heard it.
Time flew by as they happily discussed films they had seen and projects they had recently worked on.
“What do you want for dessert?”
Noticing Andrew torn between chocolate and ice cream at his father’s question, Seojun smiled and said.
“Andy, want to split them with me?”
“Can I?”
“Of course.”
Andrew’s face lit up as he nodded vigorously. His father simply smiled at the bond between his son and Jun, seeing no room to intervene.
As dessert arrived and Seojun and Andrew were sharing the chocolate and ice cream, Davis Garrett opened his mouth.
“As you all know, there will probably be a lot of ad-libbing when I’m filming.”
Milan Chellen, who had worked with him before, just smiled, while Seojun and Vanessa looked at Davis Garrett with slightly tense expressions. Andrew, not understanding the meaning, blinked.
“The director has given his permission, so I hope you’ll all be comfortable reacting to it.”
Director Jeffrey nodded. He was a little curious himself.
About what kind of improvisation Davis Garrett was talking about.
“Um. Does that mean we can also say lines that aren’t in the script?”
At Seojun’s question, Davis Garrett nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“Of course. It wouldn’t make sense if I’m ad-libbing and the other characters stick to the script. But I don’t plan on acting recklessly. If it gets difficult, I’ll cover for you.”
Davis Garrett smiled meaningfully.
“Try to play your ‘character’ as freely as you can. You’ll see what it’s like not to be bound by a script. It’s a rare opportunity to have both the production company and the director’s approval for this sort of thing.”
Freely.
It felt as though the hearts of everyone there, including Seojun, were pounding.
* * *
When Seojun returned to his lodgings after a pleasant time, Kim Jongho and manager Kim Sangwoo had arrived.
“Did you have a good time?”
At Kim Jongho’s question, Seojun beamed and nodded.
“Yes. Did you have a good time sightseeing, Samchon?”
“I think we walked around too much. Sangwoo has already passed out. I told him he should exercise regularly. A guy younger than me…”
Seojun chuckled at Kim Jongho, who was shaking his head, and sat down across from him.
During the day, Kim Jongho had been touring LA, and upon returning to their accommodation, he had been practicing with the script for [Survivors]. Despite his lines and scenes being few enough that he must have known them to the point of boredom, he was reading the script so much it was becoming tattered.
“You should take it easy too, Samchon.”
“I am taking it easy. I travel during the day and only look at it at night, that’s all.”
Flipping a page of the script, Kim Jongho spoke.
“Back in the day, when I got my first role with lines, I used to look at nothing but that all day long. I still remember those lines. Thinking about it makes me feel a bit sentimental. Back then, coming here was truly a dream…”
The middle-aged actor, now on the verge of realizing that dream, fell silent for a moment before looking at the young actor who had made it possible. What good fortune had brought him to meet such a fine actor?
He remembered the child fidgeting right next to him during the filming of *Naeuiwon*.
‘I’m glad I switched seats back then.’
Kim Jongho smiled gently at Seojun and opened his mouth.
“Seojun. I’m going to the C-Save Center tomorrow. Want to come?”
“Yes. Sounds good.”
Seojun readily nodded at Kim Jongho’s suggestion. He had been planning to go to the C-Save Center and C-Saber to infuse mana into the symbols he had carved there anyway.
‘I said I’d visit if I came to the U.S., but I didn’t think it would be this soon.’
I hope everyone is doing well.
* * *
December arrived, and filming for [Survivors] began.
However, Seojun and Kim Jongho did not start shooting right away.
With five main actors, their individual stories had to be filmed first.
First up.
They would film the backstory of ‘Raymond Wish’, the role played by Davis Garrett.
“Wish family, we’ll begin filming!”
At the assistant director’s shout, Director Jeffrey and the head of the planning team, who had come to watch the first day of filming for both [Survivors] and Davis Garrett, swallowed hard. They had no idea when or where Davis Garrett's improvisation, which he had mentioned when signing the contract and again at dinner a few days ago, would pop up.
“Ready… action!”
Clutching his heart, which seemed to be pounding, Director Jeffrey Rodox called for action.
And thankfully, while a few lines were different, the overall atmosphere could be filmed similarly to the script.
Next, the backstory of ‘Jackson Miller’, played by Milan Chellen, was filmed.
“Miller family, we’ll get ready to film!”
Milan Chellen and the actors playing his family appeared in the bustling shopping mall.
Unlike the tense filming with Davis Garrett, Milan Chellen’s part followed the script exactly, allowing Director Jeffrey and the planning team leader to breathe a sigh of relief.
“…Hmm?”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
It was a clean shoot, but Director Jeffrey tilted his head, feeling a strange sensation.
The next shoot was the story of ‘Cynthia Lindbergh’, played by Vanessa Olson.
“Mall information staff! Please gather!”
The filming of ‘Cynthia Lindbergh’, who works as an information officer at the [Galleria Mall] that serves as the movie’s setting, proceeded, followed by the shoot for ‘Ian Weaver’, played by Andrew Walker.
“Weaver family! We’ll begin rehearsal!”
At the staff's call, Andrew Walker, who had been sitting with his parents, shot up from his chair. He placed the crumpled script he was holding on the chair and turned his back.
“I’ll be back!”
As if the new filming location wasn't the least bit scary, Andrew Walker dashed off without a backward glance. His parents sighed, then broke into a helpless laugh.
“Isn’t our son a little too brave?”
“It’s so cute how he shrinks in front of Jun, though.”
“I wanted to see that too…!”
Just as Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun once did, the Walkers were busy taking pictures of Andrew Walker during his rehearsal.
And finally, the story of ‘Lee Hyunwoo’, played by Seojun Lee, was scheduled to be filmed.
Kim Jongho, in the role of ‘Hyunwoo’s Father’, would make a brief appearance only in this part of ‘Lee Hyunwoo’s’ story.
From then on, it would be a stage for the five main actors alone.
Time passed quickly,
and the day of Seojun’s shoot arrived.
The setting for [Survivors] was the ‘Galleria Mall’, a shopping mall that doesn't exist in real California, with a movie theater, restaurants, a small amusement park, and hundreds of stores spanning from two basement floors to five above-ground floors.
Getting out of the car, Seojun looked around the set.
The staff rushing around with costumes and props, and those busily moving lighting equipment and other gear seemed similar, but the fact that it was a Bearhound set and not a Marine Company one gave it an unfamiliar and new feeling.
“This way, please.”
While Seojun, as well as Kim Jongho and manager Kim Sangwoo, were looking around with a sense of novelty, a staff member, contacted by An Daho, came out and guided the four of them inside.
Director Jeffrey, the planning team leader, and a camera lens, who seemed to have been waiting at the door, greeted Seojun and Kim Jongho.
Spotting the camera, the two actors smiled. This must be the camera for the ‘Korean promotional’ making-of film they had heard about back at their lodgings.
‘Everyone is so smart.’
‘I know, right?’
After exchanging a look, the two actors shook hands with Director Jeffrey.
“We’re counting on you for today’s shoot. Jun. Kim.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
“I’ll do my best!”
After greeting Director Jeffrey and the planning team leader, Seojun and Kim Jongho looked around the set. Manager Kim Sangwoo also followed behind the two actors with eyes full of curiosity. The camera trailed after them.
Inside the studio was just as astonishing. Manager Kim Sangwoo’s jaw dropped in admiration.
“Hyung. This place is seriously incredible.”
“It really is.”
Kim Jongho and manager Kim Sangwoo couldn't hide their amazement at the set, which looked like a slice cut out from a massive shopping mall. And it wasn’t just one or two stores, but a considerably large area.
“You don’t think the products on display here are real, do you?”
“Probably not.”
“But they look so real.”
Not only the set’s background but also the products within seemed to gleam. No matter where they looked, the latest items seemed to be on display, creating the illusion of being in a real shopping mall.
“So they’re going to demolish this place?”
“The scale of Hollywood is no joke.”
Like Kim Jongho and Kim Sangwoo, Seojun also felt it was a shame to destroy such a magnificent set.
‘It looks like they put so much effort into it.’
“Samchon. Do you think they’ll really destroy this? They could use CGI.”
“Or they’ve prepared another set.”
Seojun and Kim Sangwoo nodded at Kim Jongho’s opinion. That seemed more likely.
“Kim. Do you have a moment?”
“Ah, yes.”
As they were looking around the set, a staff member called out to Kim Jongho.
“I’m from the costume team. Could you try this on? We got the size you told us, but others are saying it looks a bit small. If none of the backup costumes fit, we need to get one right away.”
“Alright.”
Having understood bits and pieces, thanks to his studies, Kim Jongho nodded. Seojun asked.
“Samchon. Should I go with you?”
“It’s fine. I just need to say if the clothes fit or not. Sangwoo, you stay here too.”
“Okay.”
Kim Jongho headed towards the dressing room with the costume team staff. With the set tour finished, Seojun and the two managers sat in the provided chairs to wait for Kim Jongho.
“I wonder what kind of outfit it is.”
“Hmm. Should I go and see?”
Feeling a little anxious about leaving his actor alone, manager Kim Sangwoo quickly headed towards the dressing room. He returned a short while later, chuckling.
Surprised by Kim Sangwoo’s unexpected reaction, Seojun and An Daho tilted their heads.
“Sangwoo Samchon. What kind of clothes are they?”
“No, it’s just that the production team here did a really good job with historical accuracy.”
Seojun and An Daho blinked.
Unless it was a truly important prop, such details were rarely mentioned in the script, so Seojun couldn’t guess what kind of clothes Kim Jongho would be wearing.
After waiting a bit longer, Kim Jongho appeared, having changed.
“Seojun! Look at this!”
Seojun and An Daho were left speechless at the sight of Kim Jongho, who emerged laughing heartily.
There stood Kim Jongho, dressed in a fluorescent orange hiking outfit, the kind that looked like a uniform from their parents’ generation.
#