Chapter 99
Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 099
Chapter Title: Why Is This Popping Up Now? (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A scene at the beach where the female lead Shin Yeowon and Yeonwoo, playing the male lead Kim Joo-young, gradually build their emotions. If the part where Kim Joo-young casually helps Shin Yeowon while hiking marks the start of that ticklish emotional line, then this beach scene shows it deepening a bit more. It's them demonstrating through actions just how much closer they've grown. But in truth, this scene...
"Um... we should revise it..."
"Revise? How so?"
"For starters, the ocean... the ocean feels like a waste..."
"Ah. I thought the ocean there was a bit of a waste too."
It wasn't part of the original plan. Sure, dramas can adjust scripts based on ratings or viewer reactions, but...
'Is this okay for a movie...?'
Ji Director stroked his chin first, then the assistant director asked for his opinion beside him, and the two huddled together whispering. And just like that, the script was suddenly revised.
"Director Ji's style has always been a bit like this."
Yeon Do-hee, who had known Ji Director far longer, took the revised script as if it were nothing new.
"Take off... clothes...?"
"Yeah. Just the top, just the top. Full nudity would get us in trouble with censors."
"......"
"I never planned full nudity anyway."
"I've been working out, and it'd be a shame not to use it. Plus, a shirtless scene with you, Yeonwoo-ssi, should get a great reaction. No regrets there."
"Doesn't feel like a waste to me."
"Our movie relies heavily on word-of-mouth from our target audience. Every little mention counts toward box office numbers. In that sense, this scene is crucial."
The assistant director persuaded Yeonwoo with a solemn tone. Ji Director nodded heavily beside him in agreement.
But he couldn't quite meet Yeonwoo's eyes, looking a tad embarrassed.
"Your face paired with that unexpected body will add a dramatic hook to the film. It'll definitely work!"
The reasoning felt a bit off...
Even so, the pitch about boosting the movie's success sounded convincing enough.
But...
"Cut!"
"Hmm. Let's go again."
"Ah, Do-hee-ssi. Not like that—try it this way...?"
"Something's missing... One more time!"
In reality, Ji Director, who had revised the script, wasn't satisfied and kept reshooting the same scene over and over. By the time Yeon Do-hee and even the assisting staff started tiring out...
Yeonwoo unexpectedly hauled up a fish as thick as his forearm.
"Perfect..."
Ji Director muttered to himself, eyes glued to the monitor as if sucked in. The result must have turned out pretty great.
"Seriously, Yeonwoo-ssi, you're a natural catch. How'd you even think to snag a fish from there?"
"Just happened..."
That much was true.
Adrian had unusually excitedly jumped beside him.
[That one! You must catch that one!]
Until then, Yeonwoo hadn't even noticed the arm-thick fish approaching. He was bending at the waist, mechanically splashing water from the repeated takes.
Who knew that would help.
Instead of playfully splashing Yeon Do-hee, he ended up splashing in a whole different way. In grabbing the fish by surprise, he'd unleashed a water bomb.
"As expected. Yeonwoo-ssi, it's innate, just innate. How do you spot and fill that missing piece right there? Truly gifted."
Something he'd done on Adrian's spur-of-the-moment urging.
But it seemed to hit Ji Director's sweet spot unexpectedly.
Finally, the endless reshoot marathon stopped.
"Do-hee-ssi... you okay? Not too cold...? Sorry."
Yeon Do-hee had been doused with seawater multiple times because Ji Director couldn't get his shot.
"Yeonwoo-ssi's ad-lib saved me."
She'd changed her wet hair and clothes countless times already. For Yeon Do-hee, who had endured the hardship, it was truly a relief.
"Whew, thought we'd be soaked all day."
She shook out her hair with the towel the stylist hurriedly brought.
"But how'd you come up with that ad-lib? Never expected you'd grab a fish there. Did you know how to beforehand?"
"Just happened..."
"I was really shocked earlier. That wasn't acting, was it?"
"Pretty sure."
Even Yeonwoo would have been startled. An actor suddenly reeling in an arm-thick fish out of nowhere mid-scene.
Not scripted or anything.
Anyway, glad the result was good.
"The lively flop of that fish contrasts perfectly with the impending tragedy between them—sets up a great climax, don't you think? That fish grab is a stroke of genius."
The assistant director muttered, and Ji Director nodded vigorously in agreement.
No idea, but if the director says so...
Interpretations are subjective, right? Good result means all good.
[Now, if you master sourcing food away from the water, it'll be perfect.]
Adrian watched contentedly, though his words stirred a bit of unease.
***
Ji Director made thorough use of every corner of the island.
"There's a ruin-like spot midway up the island—great vibe. Director wants to do the reunion scene there. Sound okay?"
"No problem."
Yeonwoo nodded readily.
'What was the scene we're shooting this time...?'
Shin Yeowon realizes her feelings for Kim Joo-young but tries to deny them. She's too worn out for love right now. Though she once felt something good, she pushes him away and hits the road again.
[If it's fate, we'll meet again, right?]
[And if not?]
[Then our fate ends there.]
Shin Yeowon, who said that, coincidentally runs into Kim Joo-young again at her travel spot.
[We meet again. Must be fate, huh?]
The backdrop for this reunion is a ruin that must have once been intact. Now scattered, its former glory gone.
"The setting's a key symbolic device. The ruins mirror Yeowon's barren heart and broken circumstances. From here, their misalignment starts highlighting more."
Ji Director had originally planned this for Greek ruins. But drone scouting revealed a perfect spot here.
"Why use something new when we've got it right here?"
Yeonwoo handled the guiding this time too. More precisely, Adrian.
[Hmm. Better avoid the forest depths today.]
"......?"
[The weather's iffy.]
The sky was clear, sun shining bright without a cloud.
But shortly after starting the shoot at the ruins...
"Huh? It's raining...?"
Fat raindrops began falling one by one.
The disaster began.
***
Someone once said it: Sea weather changes in a flash.
"The drops are getting bigger..."
"Whoa. When'd those storm clouds roll in?"
Just thirty minutes ago, the sun blazed.
Now, thick clouds loomed, rain intensifying.
It was ominous enough that...
"Wrapping today's shoot! Pack up and head down quick."
Even Ji Director, who gets lost in shots, hurried to call it.
"Probably a squall? Hope it passes quick."
Someone voiced unease.
But no one could answer.
"Does it usually rain like this here?"
"We wouldn't know... Not locals..."
Even local staff floundered in the erratic weather.
[Tsk. This could get dangerous.]
Everyone except Adrian.
"Dangerous? What do you mean?"
[With me here, you're fine, benefactor. But with this many people, stragglers are possible.]
"Stragglers?"
[Obviously. Those clouds mean a downpour. In this forest, visibility zero. Plus gear slows everyone down...]
Filming equipment is bulky, heavy, expensive—can't abandon it.
[Better hunker down and wait it out than rush down blindly. Lucky—spot I know nearby.]
In that short time, rain thickened, pouring harder and faster. Heads and clothes soaked through.
"Hurry and pack to withdraw!"
"Grab the gear!"
By the time actors and staff finished prepping in a frenzy, needle-like sheets hammered down.
"Call lighting team!"
"What? Can't hear! Huh?!"
Even voices barely cut through.
Everyone realized: not descending the mountain—stranded on the brink.
"Everyone."
Long rain drowned nearby voices.
Yet Yeonwoo's rang crystal clear in ears, without shouting. Calm, even soothing frayed nerves from the unexpected.
Maybe that's why.
"This way. Follow me."
Staff followed, entranced, behind Yeonwoo holding the exploration light.
***
The downpour blinded a foot ahead.
But Yeonwoo's light and voice stayed steady, unwavering.
"Tree down. Watch your step."
"Pit ahead—don't step there."
"Slippery. Stick to my footprints."
His voice carried crystal clear, even to the last straggling staff teetering behind.
Despite zero visibility.
'How's Yeonwoo-ssi's voice so clear?'
Mysterious.
Couldn't even confirm someone next to you without groping.
Yet Yeonwoo's pierced ears sharp.
No panic—just poise halting swirling terror.
Fear of getting lost. Isolation—no help. Worst: mass death.
First-time chaos whipped fears.
"Just follow me closely."
That steady, solid voice.
Trust skyrocketed naturally.
'Was Yeonwoo-ssi's voice always this calm and reassuring?'
'Even in acting, it stood out...'
'No mic, yet so clear—actor thing?'
His lines always stuck perfectly. Stellar delivery.
Ticklish lines made everyone feel the tickle.
Reverse too. Shoots skip around for schedule/flow.
-Suddenly thinking of my unrequited first love... Felt like that back then...
Someone trailed off wistfully mid-shoot.
-Can I step out a bit?
-Why?
-Broke up last week.
-Ah...
-Damn. Thought I'd forgotten.
Others teared up, excusing themselves.
'That explains it?'
Rare talent to evoke via voice. Countable on fingers.
To them, Yeonwoo was born actor.
One who subtly enchants, dyes bones deep.
'Might be enchanted now.'
Frenzied folks obeyed in unison—obvious.
Wondrous, yet familiar now.
That was Yeonwoo.
Of course, thoughts possible only ignorant of his abilities.
Someone said: Delusions are free.
'Never thought it'd play out like this.'
Up front, leading and urging, Yeonwoo thought.
Simple reason his voice cut rain: infuse with spiritual power.
Just occasional for subbing Lee Joo-ha's radio. Even then, reactions too strong—fine control needed.
Live now. Overusing felt blatant, but...
'Survive first.'