Even Short Films Do Script Readings
[Sai-bi Church Maknae Son - Script Reading]
Tae-gyu pushed open the door to the small conference room in the rundown film company's office, where the sign was scrawled crookedly on the door.
"Oh?"
"Oh."
"Oh!"
He immediately felt a faint sense of familiarity. Comrades-in-arms—okay, that might be a bit much. But it was something like this: walking into a newly assigned classroom after a grade change and finding all your close friends placed in the same class. A feeling from his childhood that now felt like a past life. As Tae-gyu recalled that long-lost emotion, O Director, seated at the table, beckoned him over.
"You're here, Tae-gyu? Have a seat. Everyone's arrived, so let's do introductions."
With Tae-gyu taking his seat at the conference table, the modest round of self-introductions began right away.
"Han Joo-hyuk."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Cheon Yoo-seong."
"I'm Lee Tae-gyu. Looking forward to working with you."
"Yang... Se-hee."
It was different from last time. Everyone at the table was someone he knew, except for one person. Tae-gyu nodded, feeling that faint bond of camaraderie.
...Nice.
Yeah, it felt good to be out in the field again. Especially because he could put his dokkaebi fire to use with these actors here. The anticipation made his heart race.
Time to get ready.
The cult elder he'd seen at Cheongsong Prison. He hadn't bellowed at the top of his lungs or smashed a soju bottle or swung a knife—nothing extreme like that—yet the man radiated intense madness. This was different from the frenzy of gamblers blinded by money and bets. It was fanaticism hidden beneath normalcy—for that, Tae-gyu planned to pour everything into his performance now, just like he had at the Monster City script reading.
But.
"We'll keep today's script reading light—just matching lines. We need to go over the overall shooting schedule again anyway."
O Director's words dashed his expectations, and Tae-gyu spoke up without thinking.
"No... acting?"
"Pardon? Acting?"
"Haha, hyung's already all fired up. Take it easy on the script reading. We'll go all out tomorrow on set anyway."
Cheon Yoo-seong chimed in supportively, and even Han Joo-hyuk nodded along.
"Is that how it's usually done?"
"Script readings vary by film or drama, but today let's just sync up the line delivery simply. Time's tight before the festival submission, so this is a chance to chat with you all."
"Ah, I see."
"Haha, don't look so disappointed. Official shooting starts tomorrow."
"Right... okay... got it."
O Director let out a quiet sigh of relief as Tae-gyu muttered about it being tomorrow anyway and nodded.
......Rumors were true.
He was going insane, honestly. And it wasn't just because of Lee Tae-gyu, who looked ready to declare, Fine, I'll save the crazy acting for tomorrow, brimming with passion.
Blazing eyes. Han Joo-hyuk and Cheon Yoo-seong, each burning with their own intense fervor.
"Heh heh heh."
"Heh heh heh."
"Heh heh heh."
They were too intimidating. He felt like puking.
I'm losing it for real.
In this short film Sai-bi Church Maknae Son, O Director had cast professional actors for exactly four roles:
1. The fanatical youngest cult elder.
2. The money-mad eldest cult elder.
3. A cult fanatic.
4. A new recruit.
Three of those roles had gone to actors he couldn't handle. In fact, that was why he'd planned today's reading as just line-matching.
......Can I direct tomorrow......?
If he saw their full performances starting today—if he faced skills beyond his control—he might not even show up on set tomorrow.
That was when he heard a breath from the far end of the table.
"Hoo."
Yang Se-hee. In this gathering of monsters, her deep breath—like she was steeling herself too—made O Director feel at ease for the first time today.
Thank goodness.
Yes. That was the kind of actor he wanted. Someone he could direct comfortably, unknown to most of the public, but with solid enough skills. Just an ordinary actor.
And so, drawing strength from gazing at this utterly ordinary actor, O Director slowly opened his mouth.
"Alright then."
Under the direction of this utterly ordinary director.
"Shall we get started?"
A utterly ordinary line-matching script reading began—to prepare for tomorrow's shoot.
"Shooting's underway, President."
"When's it wrapping."
"Depends on the director from here, but no later than a week. Just in time for the Arena Short Film Festival deadline."
"Pressure them not to drag it out."
"Yes, sir."
"Out."
Do Yoon-seop called back Jang Team Leader, who had bowed and was heading out of the president's office.
"Wait. The official Monster City teaser."
"Probably next week—while Tae-gyu's shooting."
"Hm."
Tap... tap... tap...
Do Yoon-seop drummed the desk slowly, lost in thought.
"Got it. Out."
"Yes, sir."
As Jang Team Leader carefully closed the door behind him, Do Yoon-seop immediately dialed someone else.
"Yeah, Kim Gija."
Now, it was time for the next step.
"Time to get ready."
The second step to turn the guy in the middle of shooting into a hot topic.
The first shooting day for Sai-bi Church Maknae Son.
Yang Se-hee thought her luck was pretty good.
Thump thump.
It was that kind of feeling. Like digging away diligently without much hope and striking gold at the tip of her shovel—this tenacious actress.
She'd heard O Director was a total unknown in the industry, but a gig was a gig—better than sitting idle. That's how she'd approached the audition.
Truth be told, she'd auditioned for a ton of projects lately. She wasn't in a position to be picky. Like so many actors in this biz, she'd bomb 8 or 9 out of 10 auditions without even hearing why.
And amid all that.
I'm screwed, what do I do...
Congratulations, actress Yang Se-hee.
I grabbed this chance on my own!
A short film, sure, but getting to show off her honed skills was thrilling enough.
Cheon Yoo-seong—!
Han Joo-hyuk—!
Her name on the end credits with those stars?
And showing her skills to those legends?
An insane opportunity.
......I'm seizing it no matter what.
Impress them, and all her hard work pays off easy.
- Everyone, get ready. We're rolling now...
Standing at the front of the modest church chapel, amid the extras playing worshippers, she waited with pounding excitement for the heavyweights' performances.
- A... action!
She shared O Director's hesitant action call. Unbelievable. For now, as a newbie worshipper blended with extras, she just had to not stand out.
"Save us..."
"Save us..."
"Save us..."
She was a pro on set, but she couldn't help sneaking peeks at the stars' acting.
Whoa...
Cheon Yoo-seong was Cheon Yoo-seong.
"Save us... show this sinful lamb the path it must take... turn not away from us, we pray..."
Breath control, vocalization, emotional arc, the subtle madness woven into every line. He stood out like a crane among chickens, even among the praying extras. You could tell he was nailing the fanatic just from his delivery.
......Am I gonna be okay?
Yang Se-hee felt a twinge of fear at the stark skill gap.
Gulp.
Then applause hit her ears.
Clap—clap—clap—
A man appeared before the praying worshippers, clapping loudly.
Han Joo-hyuk. Playing the eldest son of a family dynasty running the cult—a vulgar cult elder.
"Hahaha!"
Chills from the first laugh.
"Brothers and sisters, you're overflowing with fight today! Mix that killer passion with my spirit-filled laying on of hands, and I guarantee this prayer power blasts authority and glory straight to you in three months—100%."
Eyes, enunciation, gestures, that sleazy grin. A cut above Cheon Yoo-seong. Seeing Han Joo-hyuk transform into the tacky elder in an instant, Se-hee wanted to cry.
.........
The skill gap was too vast.
Among these monsters, she honestly doubted she could deliver anything memorable.
......You can do it, Yang Se-hee! Believe in yourself, Yang Se-hee!
Her line was coming up soon. Short, almost a bit part, but she had to make her presence felt among the beasts. That's when she pushed herself.
Creeeak.
A man opened the chapel door, nodded to Han Joo-hyuk, and approached slowly.
"I heard we have a newcomer here today."
His first line melted away her anxiety instantly.
......Phew, thank god.
Lee Tae-gyu. After Cheon Yoo-seong and Han Joo-hyuk's show, this guy's acting made her think she could take it easy.
......At least there's someone on my level.
Relief mixed with disappointment. All the hype about monster rookie—turns out the rumors were overblown. He couldn't even touch Han Joo-hyuk or Cheon Yoo-seong's ankles.
That leaked teaser... just good editing?
Confidence surged in Yang Se-hee.
Of course. No way there are this many monsters in the world—
No, don't judge. Focus on my performance.
Yang Se-hee steeled herself. A once-in-a-lifetime chance. Stick to my pace.
Thud... thud...
But when the man passed Han Joo-hyuk and stopped before her, delivering his first line.
"Ah, it's a sister."
A slight puzzlement was inevitable. Even for the lead actor who'd snagged the main role over Han Joo-hyuk and Cheon Yoo-seong, wasn't this too ordinary?
"I know all about it. You've been through a lot."
As she geared up her breath and lines, questioning his acting was natural.
Viral hype or whatever.
"No need to worry anymore."
Everything was ordinary. Speech, breathing, eyes, posture—all lacking that essential "cult" edge. Just generic acting anyone could do.
Definitely.
Such ordinary lines.
"Because our Great Heaven Church will save you."
"Urk."
But why...
"Kuh-huh-huh-eung!"
were tears...?!
- C-cut!