Chapter 26: Sinister Chuckles Before the Monitor
In front of the monitor at the shooting site, four men were grinning especially widely as the scene they'd just filmed played back.
"Heh heh heh."
Choi Sung-chul, the cinematographer, pointed at the monitor with his finger, laughing as if to say, Look at this incredible framing.
"Heh heh heh."
Ji Cheol-geun, the PD, laughed while jabbing his thumb at himself.
"Heh heh heh."
Kwak In-ho, the writer, shook his head while pointing his thumb at himself and laughing.
"...Heh heh."
And finally, Han Joo-hyuk, wearing an utterly exhausted expression, let out a faint chuckle.
"Heh heh heh."
"Heh heh heh."
"Heh heh heh."
"...Heh heh."
Like a band of bandits plotting to overthrow the kingdom, the four shared a strange laugh and exchanged knowing glances.
"Ha... ha..."
Lee Tae-gyu was there too, struggling to find an escape and forcing out fake laughs.
Definitely.
Using the Dokkaebi Fire was fun. Firing off boiling emotions through his entire body like a launchpad gave him that electric thrill of truly being alive.
But.
······I'm getting hungry now.
He'd used up too much energy. Gurgle.
No matter that it was emotions copied in Dokkaebi Fire form—even sustaining over twenty takes by manifesting them physically had drained a ton of stamina.
······He can't be in that bad a state, right?
Of course, he seemed better off than Han Joo-hyuk. The guy looked like he'd collapse if poked, having burned through who-knows-how-many emotions; he didn't even seem to register the three men's chatter about his footage.
"You got some telephoto shots in the middle too, right?"
"Yeah. Not the one-take team—our third camera got it separately. Good, right?"
"The handheld feel is spot-on."
"Of course. That slight shake fills the frame with Tae-gyu-ssi’s face while making viewers feel like they're peeking from afar."
"This one's too close."
"PD-nim, you'll trim it in post. Inside the building, use the mailbox here; outside, the utility pole. Cut everything between Tae-gyu-ssi and the lens, and you'll get the vibe you want."
"Make his first appearance as mundane as possible."
"We will, Writer-nim."
"When this part transitions, leave as much empty space above Tae-gyu-ssi’s head as possible. Unless it's shaky telephoto, the smaller the subject in frame, the weaker the impact."
"And then it grows."
"After this scene. The remaining two scenes with Tae-gyu-ssi—we'll go as wide as we can."
"Nice."
"Good."
"Perfect."
Tae-gyu nodded along to talk he couldn't follow, as did Choi Sung-chul, Ji Cheol-geun, and Kwak In-ho.
"Honestly, it's so good we might not even need much editing."
"Agreed."
"One look and you know he's a born gambler. Broadcasting Standards might call us up."
"Never seen a face that trashy in my life."
"You wouldn't see it unless they dodged prison."
"How does he even smile like a total psycho...!"
They traded what might have been praise or curses.
Heh heh heh heh—
Tae-gyu dropped his gaze to the monitor, watching their spreading laughter.
It's pretty fascinating.
Seeing his face captured on pro equipment was a surprisingly decent experience. Camera massage, or something? It even made him think his face wasn't half bad.
Gurgle.
Tae-gyu faintly grimaced at his stomach growling again.
"Uh... was it no good?"
"Pardon?"
Ji Cheol-geun eyed him curiously.
"That's the best I can do. Though, yeah, Tae-gyu-ssi’s acting outdid my directing."
"······Nice."
"Nice? This is beyond nice—it's insane. Post-production on this, and boom, Tae-gyu-ssi’s a total scene-stealer!"
"Writer-nim."
Choi Sung-chul, sensing his excitement, nodded sideways at the limp Han Joo-hyuk.
Implying that Tae-gyu wasn't smiling like them not because he disliked the take, but because the endless retakes had worn him out.
"Ah."
Ji Cheol-geun's manic glint faded. He patted Han Joo-hyuk's shoulder.
"Joo-hyuk-ssi? You okay?"
"Ah, um... yeah."
"Ha, sorry. I got greedy with the retakes. Can you do the next shoot later?"
"Probably..."
"No good. Take a break. We'll shuffle the schedule—your remaining scenes to around 3 PM."
"Nngh."
Ji Cheol-geun sighed at the zombie-like Han Joo-hyuk groping for his manager, then nodded at Tae-gyu.
"Tae-gyu-ssi, head out and rest. See you tomorrow."
"Ah... okay."
"You did great today."
And with that, Tae-gyu’s first Monster City shoot wrapped.
"I'll head out then."
"Sure, go rest."
"············DK Entertainment contract?"
"············Yes."
Kwak In-ho, walking Tae-gyu out of the set, sighed heavily.
"Ha, I told you to run it by me before signing with them at least."
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize... You met them that first day and signed right away?"
"Pretty much."
"That damn Do CEO."
Kwak In-ho clicked his tongue and clapped Tae-gyu's shoulder.
"Show me the contract later."
"Okay."
"I won't stop you since you chose it, but this industry's full of sharks preying on naive guys like you who just practice acting. Be careful."
"Got it."
"How many years?"
"Six months."
"Right, six years would be... six months?"
Kwak In-ho stared at him in shock.
"Six months? Monster City airs and wraps in a few months—that's it?"
"Yes."
"A trial contract? With you?"
"Something like that."
"How?"
As he tilted his head in disbelief, the speaker announced standby for the next actors.
"Anyway... show me that contract later. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Go rest today."
"I'll head out first."
"Hey, no need to bow. You're beat—go crash, man."
Kwak In-ho watched Tae-gyu bow and leave, then turned back into the set.
Thud, thud.
Curiosity filled his eyes.
DK signing a rookie to six months?
Rare as hell. Usually one of two things: wetting their beak on unproven talent, or buying favor from someone too big to handle.
Tae-gyu’s not the latter yet...
Mostly the former.
If so, Do CEO’s eye for talent’s gone bland.
Kwak In-ho was certain. Having seen Tae-gyu’s real acting today, the kid would be this industry's blue-chip stock post-Monster City.
Either way, six months is perfect for him.
Word of Tae-gyu’s talent was already spreading; soon the whole nation would know.
Suddenly.
Heading back to the bustling crowd, Kwak In-ho checked his phone.
Sports Couple Ji Kyung-ho x Joo Min-hee Filming Italian Romance (SNS Caps)
Go Seon-hyeong Writer's New Work Capturing Italy's Sunlight: "All good, thanks ^^" (SNS Caps)
Snorting.
Kwak In-ho caught himself smirking in ridicule. Not long ago, he'd wasted so much rage energy on those who didn't even glance at Monster City······
No time to care about this crap.
·········Something had changed.
After seeing the savage chemistry between Tae-gyu and Han Joo-hyuk, like a knife dance on edge.
And it wasn't just Kwak In-ho.
"Ji PD, I'll do scene 19 myself."
"Pardon?"
"No stunt needed."
"Sir."
"He's a sugar-ass anyway, and to nail the emotion into the next scene, that's the vibe!"
"Still dangerous."
"I'm an actor too. If the kids go that hard, I gotta match it!"
Even the veteran villain actor now called an elder.
"Line read for a sec?"
"Scene 21?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll spit the curse and come in—grab this and start."
"OK. As real as it gets."
"Like that oh-daebak vibe from earlier?"
"Bro. Mimic that today and I'll forgive your debt."
Even the supporting actors with scenes soon.
"Ready? Like I said, on signal, scowl hard and charge. Make those suit jackets flap."
Even the suited extras.
Everyone prepping their remaining scenes had a different glint in their eyes.
Murmurs everywhere, lively voices echoing.
This fiery site of burning passion—thud.
Kwak In-ho sat and looked around.
Most here, including him, weren't industry hotshots.
In other words.
Folks clawing up from the bottom, guts gripped in hunger.
············.
Seeing them reignite like rookies, Kwak In-ho sensed it.
Life brings that day.
The one you later boast about: That's when I changed.
The day whose events you'd say shaped you big-time.
A day to rekindle forgotten passion, shake off defeat.
Right now.
- Alright, moving to scene number one. Standby everyone!
Today was that day.
Tae-gyu walked out of the set.
Thud.
Thud.
Heading to DK Entertainment's black van, he glanced back suddenly.
Huh?
A weird vibe. Unlike arrival, the whole set thrummed with something.
Tae-gyu turned his face.
Wrinkle.
The moment he made that goofy Dokkaebi Fire-spotting face.
···············!
A spectacular sight unfolded.
The set rippled with a majestic sea of Dokkaebi Fire. Like Gangwon Land Casino, but different. Burning bright, yet purer, straighter flames.
In one word.
A meteor shower—
Tae-gyu stared, mesmerized by the twinkling rainbow blaze.
Grrrooowl.
Ignoring his gut, how long did he admire the blooming Dokkaebi Fire?
Tap.
Suddenly, someone touched his shoulder.
With a pleasant shampoo scent, a beautiful voice hit his ear.
"What's with that face?"
As Tae-gyu slowly turned.
"Heading out already?"
"······Yes."
"Makes sense. Joo-hyuk-ssi’s totally wiped—go rest."
"But... who are you?"
"Ah."
Top star Seol A-yoon took off her sunglasses, smiling brightly.
"Wanna do a movie with me?"