Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 086
Chapter Title: Crank-In (2)
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2022.01.25.
"It's hard to pin it down exactly. Anyway, what I'm filming is a romance, right? So it felt like it was missing just a bit of that ticklish, precarious tension. But now..."
The assistant director glanced subtly to the side.
There sat the steaming-hot Bear, subtly avoiding eye contact as he hunched his massive frame.
"In my eyes, you're way more stimulating than I imagined. This project is going to be a huge hit."
"Stimulating... That's a good thing, right?"
"Of course. Our director's been acting all awkward like this, hovering around you—script's already locked in. Oh, and you seem a bit more comfortable now. Right, Director?"
Ji Director stared off into the distance without a word.
But his flushed cheeks, ears, and the back of his neck were on full display, making any answer unnecessary.
This is comfortable? Somehow, it felt kinda pitiful. Like I wanted to look after him.
It was rare to feel that way about a bear that looked like a hulking bandit.
"Anyway, seeing how the director's pouring his soul into every shot, you can look forward to it, Yeonwoo-ssi."
No. Does he really need to pour his soul into it?
Yeonwoo wisely kept that thought to himself.
*This type burns slow and steady once hooked, then self-ignites and digs in even deeper.*
The overtly obsessive types only flare up more if you try to rein them in.
Better to just let them be.
That's why he'd let the mad filming frenzy earlier slide too.
*If he overdoes it and attracts some obsessive thought, that'll be a headache.*
Can't have a ghost-haunted movie on our hands.
Especially not a romance.
"Cooperation... thanks..."
"It's just my job."
"The script... revisions... not major ones..."
"The script's getting some tweaks. Saw it coming today. Oh, don't worry—nothing drastic."
"Crank-in... looking forward..."
Ji Director mumbled shyly, eyes downcast.
"Me too. Looking forward to crank-in."
Yeonwoo grinned back.
One week to go.
Until the movie's official kickoff.
***
[Our Yeonwoo is filming a movie! A movie! A movie!]
"You're making me nervous, so shut it."
[You're not tense at all?! Tomorrow's the first shoot!]
"Not really."
[How can you be so nonchalant!]
"You ever think maybe you're the one overreacting, not me?"
Yeonwoo was the one filming the movie, but the one freaking out was the Child Spirit.
[Look at our actor after all that training, still so cold... How's he gonna pull off a sweet romance like that?! The movie's gonna flop!]
"You performing a ritual for it to flop right now?"
[Argh, exactly! Living long enough to see our Yeonwoo doing romance. Perpetual single...]
"Stop. Right there."
A chill flashed in Yeonwoo's eyes, and the sparrow snapped its beak shut.
It pretended innocence with a few chirps, then slyly piped up again.
[But seriously, you sure you can nail it? It's tied to your lifespan and all.]
"What, you think I'll die?"
[Hey, hey. Think about Lady Kang! How do you not get how much she worries about her one and only son?]
"Why bring up Lady Kang? And did you go see her?"
[Huh? Uh... Me? Meet Lady Kang? Wh-why would I meet Lady Kang?]
The suspicious uptick at the end gave it away.
*Suspicious. But if something was up with Lady Kang, he wouldn't be this calm.*
Plus, who was his mother, Lady Kang? A shaman who'd seen a thousand miles from her seat—a full-fledged oracle.
With Yeonwoo's face plastered all over TV and the internet, tracking him down was child's play.
Kwon Sung-hyun had tripled security after the Woo Do-gyeom incident, but that wouldn't faze Kang Yeon-hwa one bit.
[Ahem, ahem! Anyway! Yeonwoo, you really not worried? You confident, right? Not just winging it like whatever happens happens?]
The kid had a habit of borrowing trouble.
Knowing he'd keep yapping if not calmed, Yeonwoo sighed.
"Honestly, I'm a little worried too. But the director said it was perfect, so I'm trusting his judgment. He was raving about it."
The intense script reading with Ji Director and the staff.
What was it? Maybe years of working together.
Even with Ji Director's sparse words, they moved like clockwork, precise and efficient.
And Ji Director's passion too.
*Felt just like Pygmalion gazing at his sculpted Galatea.*
Ji Director barely spoke.
But his eyes? Overflowing with emotion.
Like a gaze that could set things ablaze.
[Raving about it?]
"He's calling it perfect now."
[Uh?]
"Just keep doing exactly that, he said. That's praise, right?"
If those fervent eyes weren't praise, that'd be terrifying in its own way.
Either way, that's how Yeonwoo escaped the tonic hell lately.
[Yeonwoo-ssi, you have to eat this. It'll help you recover faster.]
[The director wants you maintaining this state. Better cut back on the tonics.]
Good food once or twice was fine.
But three squares a day of ginseng tonics, eel sets, and whatnot? Torture.
Not being a big eater made it worse.
He'd even casually probed via Lee Gyu-sik once.
[Kwon Sung-hyun's busy, isn't he? Feels like a waste of talent.]
Actors should act.
But.
[You'd have it easier if you just gave up, Yeonwoo-ssi...]
[...Pardon?]
[No trouble otherwise... Sung-hyun's top-tier across the board, undisputed ace, but he's not that passionate about this gig.]
Lee Gyu-han—former Kwon Sung-hyun manager, now theirs—suddenly spilling his heart.
[Just between us, Sung-hyun's got it all, right? Could slack off, but he stays diligent—lucky break. But... how to put it. His passion doesn't match his career. Like, 'Gotta take responsibility for my job.' Bluntly? I figured he'd bail anytime without regrets.]
Lee Gyu-han's eyes turned to Yeonwoo.
[But Sung-hyun's only shown this much interest and passion for you, Yeonwoo-ssi.]
[...Is that so?]
[So go easy on him. He'll help in all sorts of ways.]
Not why he'd gotten close to Kwon Sung-hyun, but.
More importantly.
*Kwon Sung-hyun retiring...?*
A sudden chill prickled his spine.
Back when that jealous creep impersonated Kwon Sung-hyun for dirty tricks.
*Penalty dropped then, right?*
The penalty was clear: Don't tarnish Kwon Sung-hyun's rep or fame. Or equivalent. Help him further.
Unclear how, but...
Clearing the hidden mission and lifting the penalty proved it.
So, definite.
*No retirement.*
Thus, Yeonwoo had no choice but to meekly endure the endless tonic onslaught.
But post-script reading, he got a free pass.
Ji Director's "perfect."
[Director Ji Un-jae said that?]
[Yes. Ask Lee Gyu-han if you want.]
[No need. I believe you, Yeonwoo-ssi.]
Kwon Sung-hyun's instant reply, no hesitation.
Weird for a tonic fiend not to call BS.
His mumble afterward was unsettling.
[...Damn. They say he handles characters well, and yeah, sharp eye for 'em.]
A hint of regret as he eyed the tonics.
*How to make him eat this.*
Yeonwoo added,
[Honestly, that stuff helps less than you just holding my hand.]
[...Really?]
Kwon Sung-hyun's face bloomed like a flower.
Watching that handsome face shift with his words was oddly thrilling.
Point was: Legal escape from the tonic shoves.
"Yeonwoo-ssi, time's up."
"Yes."
Lee Gyu-han peeked in from the door.
Pro that he was, he ignored Yeonwoo chatting with the sparrow, checked the clock smoothly.
"Full course tomorrow since it's crank-in. Major media coming—movie's official debut. Oh, and Director Ji wants promo making-of footage too."
"Making-of?"
"Indie flick, so YouTube uploads for promo. No extra shoots—behind-the-scenes, cast-focused. Agency's PR team says it'll boost your visibility. Also..."
En route to the car, Lee Gyu-han rattled off the schedule.
He wrapped up at the salon.
"Full course today—crash here if needed."
"Yes."
"I'll pop to the office, back soon."
Before this world, Yeonwoo had no clue about skincare.
*Still adjusting.*
Wipe face with scented stuff, layer cream.
Not done.
Soft gel, then heat tool over every inch, cold thick mask.
The mask set firm, elastic.
While waiting, scalp and hair got worked over.
Scalp massage, cool gel between strands.
Rinse, wrap in scented towel, more products, sit.
*Hair's just soap, right?*
Past notions shattered.
Haircare was a revelation.
Face and hair done, then body massage.
The one part he'd liked since first visit—total bodywork freaked him out at first.
*But damn, that feels good. Refreshing.*
Occasional bone cracks, but post-massage? Energized, glowing skin.
Promotes circulation, clears complexion.
Worth enduring the rest.
"Kang Yeonwoo-ssi. This way."
A burly uniformed esthetician called.
Following, Yeonwoo thought,
*Tomorrow, huh...*
Crank-in eve.
Already hyped.
***
The monumental first film shoot.
Its official kickoff: crank-in.
Which began with...
"...A ritual?"
Outdoor crank-in setup.
Expected: long red carpet before the character panel, waiting press.
But.
"Uh? Right, first time for you, Yeonwoo-ssi? Dying trend, but tradition—big worship before starting. For the project's success."
"Worship for success?"
"Superstition, but hey, vibes. Stuff cash in a pig nose, bow. Feels like it'll kill!"
Lee Gyu-han thrust palms forward dramatically.
Yeonwoo glanced away at the "energy-gathering" demo.
*This feels more like cursing the movie to fail.*