Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Snipers Wait for the Moment You Shine
“Who asked you to stay beside me? It was all your choice! Your decision!”
“I told you to leave! I begged you not to stay near me, but you stubbornly kept sticking around!”
In the deathly silent atmosphere, the actors delivered passionate performances.
My actress, Hwang Hyejin, among them.
Meanwhile, I stood there completely drained of motivation, holding a camera more expensive than a foreign luxury sedan.
Once the cue sign went up, even managers weren’t allowed to film freely.
This drama belonged to the studio and the broadcasting station.
【This is the projected result viewers will ultimately see.】
The video app continuously adjusted the simulation values in real time while reflecting the actors’ performances and showed me the results.
But honestly, the quality kept dropping lower and lower compared to what it first showed me earlier.
‘That first version had every possible positive correction applied by the video app to maximize the result.’
That’s why it called it “maximum projected quality.”
Theoretically achievable only if every factor was perfect—
the actors, director, staff, equipment, editing time, and broadcasting schedule.
Right now, I could see three separate versions at once.
The actors physically acting in front of the camera.
The final edited version viewers would eventually watch.
And the full-CG version entirely generated by the video app from beginning to end.
In the full-CG version, instead of Hwang Hyejin’s real scene partner, a fictional boy actor created by the app itself performed opposite her.
Because the real male actor wasn’t registered in my model slots.
And I hadn’t obtained permission to use his likeness either.
‘Damn. They’re really broadcasting something this low-quality….’
The actors repeatedly gathered around the monitors between takes to review scenes seriously alongside PD Son Jingu.
Whenever PD Son passionately explained something, the actors listened attentively and nodded.
The filming set atmosphere remained endlessly serious and professional.
Yet I alone kept grumbling internally because I hated the results.
“Doyoung, what’s bothering you?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
“Then why do you look dissatisfied? Almost like you dislike the actors’ performances.”
“Ah, it’s not that.”
“Is it Hyejin’s acting you dislike? Or her partner’s acting?”
Team Leader Jo Woonseok stared at me directly.
Not in an interrogating tone—
just genuinely curious.
I hesitated before finally answering.
“I think the set itself feels weak.”
“The set?”
Apparently that answer surprised him.
His eyes widened slightly.
“Yes. It feels cheap somehow. Like a set built only to fulfill the bare minimum requirements. I think that’s what’s bothering me.”
“Ahhh. So our Doyoung is the type who obsesses over mise-en-scène? I already suspected it after seeing the quality of your sketches. You’re especially sensitive about visual aesthetics, aren’t you?”
“…I am pretty sensitive about visual things. Especially CG. Even small flaws become hard for me to tolerate.”
And honestly, that part was true.
I never used to be like this.
But after obtaining the video app and experiencing 30th-century-level CG technology, most visual media genuinely became too crude for me to comfortably watch anymore.
Honestly, ordinary daily vlogs, documentaries, or natural scenery filmed exactly as they are in reality felt far more pleasant.
The moment any artificial correction or CG entered a video, it felt like my eyes were being assaulted.
Jo Woonseok smiled casually.
“You know how you’ve been editing Hyejin’s vlog footage every day lately and showing it to me for fan promotion?”
“Yes?”
“Watching that made me realize something.”
“What exactly?”
“This guy is insanely picky about visuals. His standards are disgustingly high.”
“I don’t think it’s that extreme….”
“No. Your standards are absolutely filthy high, Doyoung. And your skills are improving just as quickly.”
Well, my repertoire of complaints directed at the video app certainly was improving daily….
But that wasn’t my talent or skill.
It was simply brute-force carried by 30th-century technology.
“This isn’t the level of someone who got interested in video less than two months ago. How did you spend your whole life without realizing you had this kind of talent?”
“…Thank you.”
So this is what it feels like to be falsely labeled a genius.
The shame felt like every cell in my body was shrinking into a dimensionless point.
【In my era, everyone creates video content this way.】
Yeah.
Premium Cut 3000, you really are my only source of comfort.
“Hm. Actually, I planned to tell you later, but I think giving you an early hint might not be a bad idea.”
“About what?”
Team Leader Jo Woonseok glanced around once.
Which only made me more nervous.
“Our company is planning to produce a web drama soon.”
That didn’t sound secretive enough to justify all this tension.
As far as I knew, the company had already produced countless web dramas through outsourcing.
“We’re not outsourcing this one. We’re creating an actual web drama production department.”
Now that was fresh.
“Am I getting transferred again?”
“Not exactly. But if you’re interested, we could dispatch you during production periods. It’s not like they’ll be filming 365 days a year.”
Ah.
That was a relief.
I’d already grown attached to Hyejin, so separating this soon would’ve felt disappointing.
“Do you know why we’re building our own department instead of outsourcing production?”
“Well, I guess upper management is considering expanding into drama production business directly.”
“Oh? Sharp answer.”
“Wait, I was right?”
I’d only said it casually.
Turns out I guessed correctly.
“There are several reasons, but the CEO definitely wants to expand into drama studio production. So we’re gradually preparing from now.”
Hwang Hyejin and her scene partner stepped back in front of the cameras again.
Watching them, Jo Woonseok smiled quietly.
“Do you know why I’m telling you about such an important business plan?”
“That’s what I’m wondering too. I’m just a rookie employee.”
“Because this could become a good opportunity for you. I don’t want you running off somewhere else.”
“….”
“I keep getting the feeling that Doyoung might suddenly escape to some production studio company. After all, we’re just an entertainment agency.”
An unusually early production press conference was held.
“Back in the old days, they held press conferences right before dramas aired. These days they do them earlier to build interest for a longer period.”
The conference took place at COEX Mall in Gangnam.
I thought Hwang Hyejin wouldn’t even attend,
but unexpectedly, the production staff requested her presence.
So we rushed around securing sponsored dresses, arranging photo makeup, and preparing everything properly.
Thankfully, we managed to finish preparations without problems.
The day of the press conference.
“Wow….”
“What do you think? Our Hyejin looks gorgeous, right?”
“I always thought of her as a child actress before, but dressed like this for a red carpet event… she’s seriously incredible.”
Jo Woonseok grinned proudly like a father obsessed with his daughter.
“Hyejin just has a baby face. She’s actually 173 centimeters tall. Cover the upper half of her face and stand her in front of men, and they’d all end up in handcuffs immediately.”
Just like Jo Woonseok said, the disconnect between her face and body proportions was shocking.
In the best possible way, she looked capable of violently attacking the hearts of male fans.
We rode the van to the event venue.
Our vehicle stopped near the front of the waiting road.
Apparently Hwang Hyejin would enter third.
Instead of waiting inside the van, I grabbed the camera and pushed through the crowd.
“Next, please welcome actress Hwang Hyejin, who plays the younger version of Han Yuna in Winter Castle! Please greet her with applause!”
The van stopped in front of the red carpet.
The door opened, and Hwang Hyejin stepped out gracefully while lightly holding her dress.
Camera flashes exploded everywhere.
Even uninterested spectators gasped at her visuals and immediately raised their phones.
It should’ve been her first time walking a red carpet.
Yet Hwang Hyejin smiled brightly without showing any nervousness, greeting both sides while walking slowly forward.
Who would believe that girl was an eighteen-year-old rookie actress?
The absentminded air she sometimes showed at acting academy now felt almost fake.
Hwang Hyejin walked forward with elegance and confidence.
‘Video app. Film this properly. Don’t miss anything.’
【Everything is being recorded without omission. Please rest assured.】
Leaving all recording work to the app,
I focused entirely on admiring Hwang Hyejin’s visuals through the viewfinder.
Ideas flooded through my head endlessly.
That actress would look amazing starring in this story.
Or that kind of project.
Thinking about it, being a director really was an incredible profession.
Suddenly, Hwang Hyejin looked directly this way through the viewfinder.
It wasn’t my imagination.
She stared straight into my camera lens and smiled brightly.
The feeling was so vivid it almost seemed like our eyes met, making me unconsciously lift my gaze above the viewfinder.
And for a brief moment,
our eyes truly met.
“Next, playing Park Woobin—”
Hwang Hyejin took her seat,
and I turned the camera toward her again.
Even surrounded by senior actors, she sat confidently without shrinking at all.
The press conference ended successfully.
Hwang Hyejin calmly answered random questions from both the host and audience without trembling, while still maintaining the fresh innocence fitting for a rookie actress.
Everything should’ve remained beautiful that day.
It really should have.
[Shocking school violence allegations revealed against rookie actress Hwang Hyejin, cast as young Han Yuna in Winter Castle!]
[Cruelty hidden behind an innocent appearance!]
[How long will celebrities’ school violence pasts continue?]
As if someone had deliberately waited for the exact moment Hwang Hyejin finally stepped into the spotlight—
the exclusive article exploded online immediately after the press conference ended.
And the spread was instantaneous.