The 'Majestic' Gray Beast in the Set Parking Lot
A 'majestic' gray van parked in the set parking lot. Inside the massive 15-seater van, packed with hair experts, costume specialists, makeup artists, drivers, and more.
"You okay, unnie?"
"Want some gum?"
"Should I change the song?"
Her team members gazed at their star with worried expressions. Top star Seol A-yoon. Over the past few days, her chatter had dwindled sharply.
"Argh, just curse me out already! Why's the great Seol A-yoon looking so damn deflated?!"
Someone raised their voice dramatically. But unlike her usual sunny smile and sassy retorts, Seol A-yoon's downturned mouth only made that person's insides burn hotter.
"Uwaaaah!"
It had started after the camera test day. The always bubbly, confident girl had suddenly gone limp and listless.
"What the hell happened?!"
"I'm heading to the bathroom."
"Hey, you, you, and you—go with her—"
"No."
As Seol A-yoon grabbed her sunglasses and stood, her nearby team members jumped up in a fuss. But at her low warning as she pressed the button to open the massive van door—
"If you follow me."
"I'm gonna cry."
"Ugh..."
Her team couldn't bring themselves to chase after her. Seol A-yoon stepped out, donning not just sunglasses but a hat and mask too, then headed somewhere into the set.
Step, step, step.
Truth be told, she didn't need to arrive this early. Even with filming resuming, today focused on early scenes for the Jeongjong role that the previous actor had dropped. Her shoot wasn't until after 4 p.m.
Of course.
She could've complained about how they dared scatter her remaining scenes like this, as the top star and lead actress. But.
Hah.
That wasn't why she was down. Not Director Gu Jeong-hwan's botched schedule prioritizing one specific person.
No.
To be precise, that 'specific person' was the cause.
......Lee Tae-gyu.
Camera test day. His acting and how he treated people—it had sparked her gloom.
She stopped dead.
Recalling Lee Tae-gyu's performance, Seol A-yoon halted abruptly. Anxiety. A jittery emotion she'd forgotten since claiming the top actress title in her age group wrapped around her.
Annoying.
But that insane acting didn't claim most of the blame for her frown. She was a born competitor. To someone who believed rivals kept you sharp or you'd fade away, his skill was solid fuel.
Just.
Why the hell did I do that?
Her own actions that day nagged at her.
Fierce dog test? At first, no issue. Even in Hollywood, not Korea, directors who crushed actors with extreme pressure to draw out potential often earned 'master director' status—she could talk all night about them.
The industry was a gunless battlefield. To her, who'd clawed her way up expecting death matches, it was just something anyone in this game had to endure.
Like.
A warrior charging into war with death in mind—she'd steeled herself for this rumor-filled entertainment world from day one.
And yet.
I just wanted to see real acting.
She believed such pressure sifted true gems. She'd recommended Lee Tae-gyu herself. To prove her eye spot-on to everyone, she hadn't stopped it.
......I had no idea about the fierce dog phobia. If I'd known, I never would've let it happen.
She'd learned the full story. After his chilling performance, with no word of explanation, he'd left the way he came. The staff who'd chased him in panic told her.
And she'd realized.
He was dead serious about acting itself—more than she'd thought.
He was a real fan of Director Gu, so even in that mess, he powered through that brilliant performance to the end.
She'd sensed it vaguely from their first meeting. Even with her there, his calm face showed he didn't chase fame or money—just pure love for the craft.
And to him, she'd been nothing but.
A bystander. Hell, she'd recommended him herself, yet when he endured that hell, she hadn't intervened or comforted—a coward!
That's not it at all.
She truly hadn't known about the phobia, and afterward, she'd been too busy savoring that awesome acting to even think of following.
Sorry, upset—lips quivering, Seol A-yoon hurried to the set's edge, dodging passersby.
Step, step, step...
Maybe cussing herself out alone would lift the mood. As she weaved through quiet spots, a strange phrase caught her ear.
And.
"......Tae-gyu-ssi."
Unbelievable. Right before her eyes.
"If it's okay, could I give you some acting advice?"
Cheon Yoo-seong and Lee Tae-gyu sat side by side on stone steps.
"Actors sometimes need to purge what's inside."
"I see."
"That's why I sing alone or watch sad movies to bawl my eyes out. You should try it too, Tae-gyu-ssi."
"Thanks."
What the hell was this?
The answer lay in Cheon Yoo-seong's demeanor—offering acting advice while eyeing his manager filming them from afar.
A glance.
He'd dragged Lee Tae-gyu here for 'advice,' but now signaled his nearby managers to secretly record video.
That line audible from there?
Barely catches it.
Angle good?
Yeah.
For SNS, so film as much as possible.
So, yeah. This setup.
As Yi Bang-won and Yi Bang-gwa in the drama, they'd face off often. Cheon Yoo-seong proposed first: As co-stars and his senior, could he give the rookie some tips?
For Cheon Yoo-seong.
Filming himself kindly mentoring a 'nobody rookie' for SNS would build his 'our national little bro's all grown up!' image.
For Lee Tae-gyu.
Teaching? He'd listen.
Perfect combo.
Obviously recording, so Cheon Yoo-seong kept it formal, no casual slips, dead serious.
"Movies are a gamble with the audience. There have to be people who fear or hate you. Someone to exchange energy with."
"I see."
"This time, you're the role audiences will fear and hate. Crucial."
"Ah."
"No need to tense up too much. I'll help."
"Thanks."
A glance.
"What're you studying for acting lately?"
"Reading Acting Essentials: Eloquence from A to Z."
"Basic stuff?"
"Yes."
"Basics matter most in everything. Great attitude."
Hm.
Too stiff might bore. Time to loosen up.
"Oh, but Tae-gyu-ssi. Know the month I practice acting least?"
"February?"
"Huh."
"Only 28 days, so assuming daily practice, it's the least. Impressive."
"Uh..."
Pass on that—
Staging endless 'wisdom' shots for SNS and photos, Cheon Yoo-seong suddenly sensed something.
A fierce aura from somewhere.
Pausing, he glanced around, then shot up and bowed 90 degrees toward the corner of a nearby building.
"Sunbae-nim, you've arrived!"
Seol A-yoon gasped in shock.
Gasp.
"Uh... were you... in the middle of acting talk?"
"Yes, sunbae-nim!"
Unaware she'd been eavesdropping on this 'lesson' with glee, Cheon Yoo-seong—now casually before her—patted Lee Tae-gyu's shoulder.
"Tae-gyu-ssi."
Miming a 90-degree bow right in front of her.
"I think this looks good. Respect for fellow actors on the same path, y'know?"
"Sunbae-nim, you've arrived."
"Ah, cool. See? Nice, right?"
Thumbs up to Lee Tae-gyu mirroring the bow. Naturally, he had no clue.
"......"
Seol A-yoon, watching it all, barely suppressed the urge to blurt.
This crazy bastard... who the hell are you teaching...?
Nor did he know.
The gloomily brooding Seol A-yoon was now choking back laughter.
Of course, she wasn't one to let guilt slide or just enjoy the show.
"Hey, Tae-gyu-ssi. That... thing last time... kinda sucked, right? I felt bad too. Anyway, sorry, whatever—let's work hard now."
"Sunbae-nim, what—?"
"No biggie. Anyone who skipped the camera test wouldn't get it."
Words stuck with Cheon Yoo-seong there, so it came out awkward, but she'd said 'sorry'!
Honestly.
She wanted to pull Lee Tae-gyu aside for a proper apology and serious acting chat. But.
Too... curious...
If she vanished now, how would this blow up at shoot time? She was dying to know.
Yeah, Tae-gyu-ssi can wait.
Suppressing her twitching cheeks, Seol A-yoon addressed the suddenly disciplined Cheon Yoo-seong.
"Yoo-seong-ah."
"Yes, sunbae-nim."
"Were you talking acting with Tae-gyu-ssi?"
"Ah, that—"
"Looked good."
"...!"
"You've got tons of on-set experience. Sharing your knowledge and tips? Solid attitude."
"......!"
Cheon Yoo-seong's eyes widened, nodding furiously; Lee Tae-gyu watched blankly.
Imagining the chemistry between them, Seol A-yoon hurriedly bowed.
"Heh, gotta go first! Bathroom, yeah... see ya later!"
"Sunbae-nim!"
Excusing herself to the bathroom, she bolted. Tap tap tap tap.
Heading back to the massive van, her steps now bounced with delight—unlike before.
La la la~
Her team greeted the whistling returnee.
"I'm back~"
"Unnie, you look better! Thank goodness."
"Must've shat out a masterpiece."
"What? She's lost it."
Bickering lively like old times amid her vibrant face.
Gulp.
Seol A-yoon brimmed with anticipation.
A few hours later.
When serious filming kicked off.
What chemistry would spark between the actor who'd taught someone better than him... and the one who'd taken advice from someone worse?
Historical drama shoots guzzle massive energy.
In that vein.
After an hour of makeup, with art and camera teams watching the final costume check wrap—
"You know? Today's scene is the first meeting between Yi Bang-won and Yi Bang-gwa in the drama. Before Yi Bang-gwa becomes Jeongjong, it's where we convince audiences how Yi Bang-won fears his 10-years-younger brother. Right?"
"I see."
"Shall we quick-rehearse?"
"Like real take—"
"No. Tone and manner only. Consider your scene partner. Everyone's different, but rehearsals usually just nail rhythm and nuance. Full emotion drains you before the real shoot."
Even exhausted himself before the main shoot, caring for the rookie drew warm gazes.
"Nailed the lines with nuance. Just like that, got it?"
"Yes, sunbae-nim."
"Haha."
"Ooh, when'd they get so chummy? Cute."
"No, Director."
But they didn't know.
Cheon Yoo-seong patting 'sunbae-nim'-stuck Lee Tae-gyu's shoulder with a beaming smile was staging it all.
And they didn't know.
Now hugging Lee Tae-gyu 'friendly' and whispering—
That he, more than anyone, hoped his rival actor NG'd.
"Try not to NG if possible."
Telling a rookie no NG's was taboo.
Rookies in big roles often underperform from set pressure anyway.
"Our Director Gu's a perfectionist. Hates rookies NG'ing especially."
"......Yes, sunbae-nim."
Thus, Cheon Yoo-seong had injected pressure. Fully prepped now.
Good.
Chores done. Morning SNS 'good sunbae' clips and pics secured. Ready to embrace any NG rookie like a big shot.
- Shooting starts! Action!
Gazing at Lee Tae-gyu walking calmly forward, Cheon Yoo-seong thought.
More obedient than expected.
First, that blank face startled him, but chatting revealed a cute side. 'Sunbae-nim' stuck instantly despite seeming older—after a few words and 'education.'
Cheon Yoo-seong smirked.
This shoot, that guy would perfect his image as the sacrificial lamb.
Less talent than thought, though...
Earlier brief rehearsal.
Even matching just nuance and pace per his input, pros stood out in breath exchange.
Honestly? Meh.
Not full acting, but the gap between skilled and not was usually vast.
...DK Ent meddled with the schedule?
He'd heard rumors on DK's CEO Do Yoon-seop.
So.
Cheon Yoo-seong couldn't feel the camera test hype around this guy's acting.
But that wasn't real combat.
Passing fierce dog pressure? Different from true shoot hell, he figured.
This 'sunbae-nim' would show real acting forged in battlefield inferno—
Click.
- Standby!
With that mindset, real shooting began.
- Action!
Transforming to Yi Bang-won, as Cheon Yoo-seong locked eyes with Lee Tae-gyu and started—
"I'll join you too, hyungnim! I can swing a blade with the best of 'em!"
Shut your trap, you brat—!
"......Huh?"
War ain't a game—!
Thud.
Cheon Yoo-seong's mind blanked at the cut sign in his ears.
- Cut!
His. First. NG.