Chapter 361
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 361
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Spark
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Seojun, who was colder than anyone when it came to acting and productions, fluently explained the good and bad points of [Our Town] to its director, Min Heekyung.
“Six years ago would be when *Over the Rainbow* was released. There were a lot of rather plain movies that year, so the powerful ending must have left a strong impression.”
As Seojun calmly explained, citing the trends and pacing of the time, Min Heekyung nodded as if listening to a lecture from an expert.
“If it were me, I would have acted it like this. It would make it easier for the audience to empathize with the character.”
Listening to Seojun's critique, which aptly blended the perspectives of an actor and an audience member, proving his self-introduction as an actor was no lie, Min Heekyung marveled inwardly as she reflected on her work from six years ago.
*‘This kid... wasn't he in elementary school back then?’*
It seemed this child, who would have been in elementary school at the time, had known from the moment he saw the movie the very things Min Heekyung had only realized with regret after releasing her first film and hearing people's reviews. And for a failed movie that didn't even break even or make a name for itself, no less.
*‘Kids these days are amazing.’*
It was unbelievable that a kid like this was still unknown.
*‘So this is the child actor boom they were talking about.’*
The words of the production company employee flashed through Min Heekyung's mind.
She hadn't realized it, busy with part-time jobs and writing scripts, but it seemed you couldn't make it these days without this level of knowledge and a discerning eye.
If a randomly encountered child actor whose name and works she didn't even know was this good, she wondered just how incredible famous child actors like Lee Seojun or Kim Jookyung must be.
*‘Wouldn't they be on a whole other level?’*
Min Heekyung's standards for child actors rose sharply.
Had the actively working child actors or the students from Mirinae Arts High's acting department, known as the golden generation, known her thoughts, they would have unconsciously slapped their foreheads. They might have groaned, *‘Lee Seojun is the exception!’*
Marveling at the background knowledge of 'top actor Lee Seojun,' Min Heekyung's gaze shifted to Seojun, who had finished his explanation and was now engrossed in the script.
She could see him reading through it once, then returning to the first page to analyze it word by word. No one had ever read her work so diligently in front of her before, and Min Heekyung felt her eyes unexpectedly well up with tears.
“From an actor's perspective, what do you think?”
Seojun's attitude made Min Heekyung suddenly curious.
It was a script she would throw away once she got home, but what would an actor—and one the same age as the protagonist, at that—think of her scenario?
Having decided to quit directing, she felt she could accept any critique from a third-person perspective...
*‘Apparently not.’*
She suddenly felt nervous.
It wasn't as if she were a production company employee whose evaluation would determine the film's production.
Unaware that, in a different sense, the film's production—no, its box office success—was on the line, Seojun scratched his cheek and answered Min Heekyung's question.
“It's similar to *Our Town*.”
“...Ah... is it?”
Min Heekyung's expression clouded over.
“I thought I fixed it, but it seems some of it is still there.”
“Your delicate and detailed descriptions and the scenery that comes to mind just from reading the script seem even better than in *Our Town*. The pacing seems faster too. But...”
“But...?”
“The story is lacking. The plot doesn't have many twists; it's rather flat... Since the subject matter is common, many works have come out. So, from the audience's perspective, they'll probably guess the general plot from the very beginning.”
At Seojun's words, Min Heekyung let out a light sigh.
“The story is lacking... huh...”
“It gets boring when a movie's plot unfolds just as you predicted. But on the other hand, if it includes an element the audience never expected, it becomes special.”
Special.
A movie flashed through Min Heekyung's mind.
“...Like *Survivors*?”
At Min Heekyung's words, Seojun, who had starred in *Survivors*, rolled his eyes.
“Uhm... yes. The theatrical release of *Survivors* started off with a cliché, but no one would have expected the protagonist, Raymond Wish, to be the first one to fall behind. And that Lee Hyunwoo, who survived until the end, would be the one to help in the survivors' rescue.”
Min Heekyung recalled *Survivors*.
Despite being busy with her part-time job and writing, she never missed a talked-about movie. Of course, she had also seen *Survivors*, which had taken this summer by storm.
“The fact that Ian Weaver was a victim of domestic violence was also a special point.”
“I liked that too. You rarely see a supporting character with that kind of past in a disaster movie. If there's a lost child, you often see a scene at the very end where the surviving parents run to the child rescued by the protagonist.”
A whole disaster movie plot was already being whipped up by Seojun.
Min Heekyung nodded at the cliché.
“That's why the post-credits scene was such a hot topic, too.”
Seojun said with a smile.
“The director's cut is just a bundle of exceptions, so it's better not to analyze it. Everything is... ah, have you seen the director's cut?”
“I have.”
She watched it as soon as it was up on Plus+.
Seojun, who had asked to avoid spoilers, smiled and continued.
“No one could have known it would be successful enough to be screened in theaters, even with Ian Weaver dying first, Lee Hyunwoo going crazy... and all the characters dying like that.”
“That's true.”
Who would have ever predicted that Ian Weaver would be the first to die?
Min Heekyung still hadn't forgotten the shock.
“I think it would be good to add new material and stories like that. It doesn't have to be just one genre. There are things like romantic thrillers, too.”
“...A new story...”
Something.
It seemed to be floating around in her head, just out of reach.
Watching the pensive Min Heekyung, Seojun took out his vibrating phone from his pocket.
>Han Jiho: Where r u? I'm done with my scene.
>Han Jiho: U using some kind of stealth jutsu?
>Han Jiho: When did u even disappear;;;
Seojun flinched at the part about stealth jutsu. In terms of making one's presence disappear, it was a similar kind of skill.
>Han Jiho: Jaehan's scene is still left.
Feeling rushed by the fact that filming was already halfway done, Seojun stood up. He had finished reading the script he was curious about, so now it was time to go watch the shoot.
Startled from her thoughts by Seojun's movement, Min Heekyung, who had been lost in thought beside him, awkwardly got to her feet. Seojun straightened the script he was holding and handed it to her.
“My friends are looking for me. Here's the script. I enjoyed reading it.”
Seeing the papers that would be tossed into the recycling bin at home being handled so preciously by someone else, Min Heekyung felt a strange sensation. Taking the crumpled script, she looked at the unknown child actor in the black cap.
“Well then, I'll be on my way. Director.”
Seojun bowed and turned to leave. Min Heekyung stared blankly at his retreating back.
It suddenly occurred to her that the boy had called her 'Director.'
Even though she had decided to quit directing, the word made her chest ache. That ache, the weight of the bundle of paper—no, her script—in her hand, and the new story floating in her mind resonated deep within Min Heekyung's heart.
The words came out before she could even think.
“Hey!”
At Min Heekyung's call, Seojun, who had already started walking away, turned back.
“They're filming over there, right? Do you mind if I go watch?”
* * *
>Han Jiho: They said it's fine!
>Han Jiho: They're asking if they can get your advice?
A reply came from Han Jiho. Seojun looked at Min Heekyung standing beside him and asked.
“Director. May I ask for your advice?”
“Uh... if you're okay with a failed director...”
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Min Heekyung walked alongside Seojun as he tapped on his phone.
“We should have a good view from here. Shall we sit?”
“Sure.”
Back at the film set, Seojun and Min Heekyung found a spot a little ways off so as not to disturb the filming and sat down. Han Jiho, who had finished his scene, was rolling up his sleeves and helping the staff when he spotted Seojun and waved.
“I think I've seen him somewhere before...?”
Seojun smiled and replied to Min Heekyung's comment.
“He was in *Escape*. As Go Joowon's friend.”
“Aah!”
Han Jiho had been in many productions over the years, but *Escape* was the easiest reference.
Seeing Han Jiho, the students on set glanced in Seojun's direction. Some of them looked a little nervous at the sight of an adult sitting next to Seojun. After bowing, the students whispered among themselves.
“They say she's a director.”
“I don't know where our senior meets people like that.”
Although it had failed, the movie *Our Town* was listed on portal sites. A commercial film, at that. To the students, a director who might one day shoot another commercial film seemed fascinating and impressive.
“Let's focus on filming!”
The one who stopped the restless atmosphere was the third-year director, who likely felt the most pressure.
One might expect him to be burdened by thoughts of how he would appear to Min Heekyung, another director, especially since this was his first time shooting a movie and not just a video. Yet, he continued filming as if it didn't bother him at all.
While the other students admired his composure, the third-year director holding the camera was groaning inwardly.
*‘Just having Seojun here is pressure enough...’*
How could he not be conscious of an actor who knew more about film than anyone else coming to watch the shoot? The third-year director, who had taken a calming pill that morning, tried his best to ignore it.
*‘If we can create a good film thanks to Seojun and the director's advice...’*
The third-year director, determined to endure any amount of pressure, shouted, "Action!"
It was truly the admirable attitude of an artist.
* * *
“Cut! Okay!”
“NG!”
“Let's go again!”
Hearing the shouts she hadn't heard in a long time stirred something in Min Heekyung's heart. It was a tremor she hadn't felt when she saw the students preparing to film earlier. Having decided to quit being a film director, Min Heekyung was afraid to acknowledge the emotions washing over her like waves, and she unconsciously averted her gaze.
Was it fortunate or unfortunate that at the end of her gaze was 'actor Lee Seojun'?
The look of someone gazing upon what they loved most in the world.
She felt as if she had never seen eyes shine so brightly.
While Min Heekyung couldn't take her eyes off Seojun's face, Seojun himself kept his head completely fixed on the set, his gaze unwavering as if even the time it took to blink was a waste. His eyes darted around, analyzing each of the actors' performances, yet he couldn't hide his excitement, as if he found it all incredibly fun.
That excitement spread to Min Heekyung like watercolor bleeding on paper.
In the end, 'film director' Min Heekyung completely surrendered to the sight of an 'actor who loves acting.'
The thought, *‘I want to cast this actor in my movie,’* filled Min Heekyung's head and heart. The new story that had been floating in her mind merged with the image of the boy. In the image she had drawn in her head, the 'boy' who pushed aside the 'actor Lee Seojun' she had so desperately wanted, swelled in an instant.
She became truly curious about what kind of film an actor who loved acting this much would create.
Truly.
She couldn't understand why an actor like this was still unknown.
Min Heekyung found herself speaking without thinking.
“Why aren't you filming?”
He had introduced himself as an actor and clearly loved acting so much, so why wasn't he in the scene?
He needed to appear in many small films to get his face known so he could later be cast in bigger ones.
*‘...Ah... could it be that he can't act?’*
She realized she might have made a mistake.
Liking acting and having a good eye for productions were completely different from expressing it through one's body and lines. Min Heekyung had seen actors who couldn't perform as well as they could analyze.
Unaware of Min Heekyung's apologetic thoughts as he watched the filming, Seojun spoke in a low voice.
“Hm. The script isn't good enough to make me want to act in it.”
The third-year director would have cried if he had heard that.
But when it came to acting, Seojun was unwilling to compromise on anything.
He was curious about how the film would turn out, but there were several parts of the script he didn't like. And to fix them to his satisfaction, he would have to overhaul the entire script.
*‘Then it wouldn't be the senior's work anymore.’*
At the unexpected reason, Min Heekyung, who just moments before had been looking at Seojun with pity, let her jaw drop.