First Shoot
“Thank you for the ride!”
The moment I stepped out of the black van, a woman with straight black hair falling straight down to around her shoulder blades bowed deeply. She was Ji Eun-seol, the actress playing the female lead in the web drama Eighteen's Temperature, produced by Nodo Nodo Film Studio.
“Of course I had to give you a lift. Call me when you're done shooting—I'll be nearby.”
“Yep.”
The driver was her agency's manager.
Today was the first time we'd met face-to-face. She didn't have a dedicated manager yet—just word that one would be assigned soon, but no news so far.
It made sense, given her near-trainee status.
The shooting location was a high school on the outskirts of Seoul.
Come to think of it, this is about break time, right?
With the nature of in-house production content, they couldn't afford to build sets, so renting a real location was the best option.
She was a rookie actress—borderline, really—with a look that Nodo Nodo Film Studio was banking on as their secret weapon.
She'd appeared in idol music videos and had a handful of minor roles under her belt, plus consistent acting lessons.
The second she entered the set, she bowed to every single staff member without missing a beat.
“Nice to meet you all. Please take good care of me!”
There weren't many staff—maybe ten or so.
Her energetic greeting carried just far enough for everyone to hear.
The director and writer were deep in heated conversation, so she waited a moment, then seized the instant their eyes met to bow and greet them again.
She made sure to look each person in the eye as she finished her hellos.
“Just wait here for now. Need makeup?”
“I'm good.”
She'd already gotten it done at a salon beforehand.
“Then change into costume right away.”
The so-called waiting room was just another classroom a few doors down from the shooting space. She changed into the school uniform behind a makeshift partition there.
...It's only been two years since I graduated.
Overcome with a wave of nostalgia, she glanced around the classroom before opening her script again. The pages were already creased from repeated folding and unfolding.
There hadn't been any pre-shoot script readings with the cast. She wouldn't say she wasn't disappointed at all, but it couldn't be helped.
Pretty... free-form production, I guess?
Still, for a YouTube web drama, this felt like decent scale.
They had ample prep time, and more characters than expected.
YouTube content was usually shot fast, edited fast, uploaded fast—but this one showed real effort poured in.
The script was solid, too...
The one thing nagging at her was the actor cast as Kim Yul, her scene partner.
Word was he was an insanely handsome 17-year-old student. Zero acting experience, though.
She wasn't totally worry-free, but that didn't last long.
She had to nail her own performance first! And if he was a bit rough, she could guide him.
He was only 17, after all. She wasn't some veteran, but maybe she could play the slightly senior role.
Suddenly, the writer's words from earlier flashed through her mind, delivered with a grin.
'You're gonna be shocked.'
As she let those expectant words ease her worries, a murmur rose from outside the classroom. Probably another actor arriving. Names of castmates with overlapping call times came to mind.
Figuring she should at least say hi, she crept toward the door. The moment she peeked through the crack—
“Please take good care of me!”
A vigorous, clear greeting—eerily like hers from moments ago, but in a man's voice.
A staffer was guiding him straight toward her room.
His silhouette, backlit by the sunlight, drew closer step by step until their eyes met.
Ji Eun-seol's eyes went wide.
He's insanely handsome!!!
His features still held a youthful softness, not fully matured, yet somehow already near-perfect. Flawless skin without a single blemish, a straight nose bridge, and sharp eyes that gave him real depth.
A face right on the cusp between boy and man.
The quintessential youth drama lead. And he hadn't even done makeup yet, unlike her...
Not that it mattered at this level.
>
He was just handsome. You could tell at a glance. Borrowing her agency's casting manager's words: a face made for acting.
That face still growing into itself at seventeen? For real?
...It didn't seem impossible.
The writer had definitely hyped it up during their call.
Normally, you'd meet before shooting, familiarize faces, do a script read to sync chemistry... But with YouTube schedules, none of that.
Just last-minute blocking and quick line runs right before cameras rolled.
So faces were a total mystery until the day.
High expectations usually led to disappointment.
But he matched them exactly.
Her eyes sparkled. The visuals alone would spark buzz.
Kim Yul was a character who dominated first impressions with looks—synergy guaranteed.
Plus, from her research, Nodo Nodo Film Studio had a loyal niche fanbase.
They're gonna love this.
Even without explosive views, great fan reception would be a win. Fame wasn't just about numbers.
He bowed first.
“Hello. I'm rookie actor Lee Min-woo. You're senior Ji Eun-seol, right?”
“That's me! But... no need for 'senior.'”
Ji Eun-seol bowed back belatedly.
“Hi. I'm rookie actress Ji Eun-seol.”
Sure, she'd done a few shoots, but those memories were just for self-reassurance. She had zero intention of acting superior.
A nearby staffer chuckled awkwardly and chimed in.
“Min-woo, you're up for makeup first.”
“Ah. Go ahead.”
Ji Eun-seol stepped aside.
“Thanks.”
Lee Min-woo bowed again and passed by with the staffer.
Ji Eun-seol's heart thumped inexplicably. Bubbles of anticipation welled up inside her.
This drama's gonna kill it...
She wished shooting would start already.
But soon enough, she reined in her excitement and shook her head.
Get it together. Acting was an actor's top priority. No way she'd let hype wreck her focus.
Ji Eun-seol sat calmly and dove back into her script.
“Eun-seol! Get ready—we're starting rehearsal!”
Time had flown. Ji Eun-seol rose and left the classroom doubling as her solo waiting room.
First scene was a direct face-to-face with “Kim Yul.” They wanted the real first-meet tension captured on camera.
Arriving at the shooting classroom door, she found it buzzing inside. Lee Min-woo was there, with the writer sitting beside him, murmuring explanations.
The opener: “Kim Yul” painting in the art club room, “Jung Yu-na” spotting him by chance while passing by.
Ji Eun-seol sidled up to Lee Min-woo.
“Nice to meet you properly—I barely said hi earlier.”
“Ah... yeah. Please take good care of me.”
Lee Min-woo nodded with a smile—softer than the hallway one, crinkling his eyes in a boyish way that lit up the vibe.
Post-makeup sharpened his features. The subtle waves in his neatly parted bangs added extra life.
Ji Eun-seol smiled back naturally.
It'd be great if they clicked. Better chemistry ahead.
That was why she'd approached first.
“School break yet?”
“Ceremony's tomorrow.”
“Oof, not yet. Must be slammed. Arts high...?”
“Nah, regular academics. You?”
“I said no 'senior' title~”
“Noona, then?”
“Works for me. Anyway... yeah, arts high for me.”
The more they talked, the more Ji Eun-seol tilted her head. Was the vibe... different from before?
First impression was calm, but now? Quicker reactions, more outgoing energy.
She'd chalked it up to makeup at first, but chatting revealed something else.
Still, a mood shift that fast was odd.
Hm... must be the face.
Mature one moment, refreshingly boyish the next.
Ji Eun-seol settled on that. It was a face that allowed it.
But with all this hype...
Looks were looks—acting was separate. Awkwardness on camera killed appeal.
If that happened... no helping it. She'd carry harder, sync aggressively, pull him up!
At least he didn't seem nervous. If anything, more relaxed than at first sight.
As Ji Eun-seol steeled herself, the writer—Song Eun-ha—listening nearby beamed and cut in.
“Perfect, perfect. Visuals are a match made in heaven.”
She waved lightly between them.
“But... director wants something specific, so chat time's up?”
Right. Director aimed to capture max awkwardness and tension from the real first meet.
Ji Eun-seol nodded.
“Got it.”
She stood and took her mark.
By the classroom door. Peeking into the art club while passing the hall.
Rehearsal ran quick. Meanwhile, the writer approached with tips—first shoot, lots to say.
Ji Eun-seol nodded, absorbing it all.
Back in position, she stood in the hall and drew a deep breath.
Camera settled. Boom mic hovered closer.
Noise hushed.
Now she was Jung Yu-na...!
Camera rolled long shot.
“Action!”