Chapter 50
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Moon Heesung's Call
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So, you just walked out like that?
It was a tactical retreat from work.
Jeez.
Tactical retreat, my ass.
Han Yuju glared at Cha Il-nam.
He might be her boss at the office, but not here.
Not when hed barged into her own home where she was trying to relax.
Han Yuju had grudgingly set up a drinking spread for Cha Il-nam, whod shown up unannounced at her place.
One look at his face as he walked in, and it was clear he needed a drink.
Not that it was anything fancyjust some soju from the fridge and a bag of snacks.
Hed promised a big celebration once the script was done, but after a trip to the department heads office, Cha Il-nam had barged in saying he had something urgent to discuss.
Seniors pull isnt as strong as I thought, huh?
What?!
Han Yuju downed a shot of soju in one gulp as Cha Il-nam exploded.
Clunk.
She slammed the empty glass down hard enough to shatter it and muttered with a scowl.
No, I just didnt expect them to give us the Friday 2-episode slot. So what now?
I dont know. They dont know a good show if it bit them.
Cha Il-nam, equally frustrated, tossed back his own shot.
Exactly. Man... I wrote this one, but its seriously a masterpiece.
Tell me about it. You think Id badmouth it for no reason? You think Im trying to curse KMB to fail or something?
The two of them went back and forth, trash-talking their own network, then sighed in unison.
They refilled their glasses in silence, fiddling with them as they spoke.
Whew, what about casting?
Yeah... The two leads we barely locked down said theyd sign off once the slots confirmed.
......So castings falling through too?
Damn it, then were really screwed.
Han Yuju watched Cha Il-nam mutter hopelessly, then poured soju into her mouth and declared boldly.
No, senior. So who were you gonna pitch for casting? No one in mind, right? Lets just go with this slot and find another way. Well make it the Friday night drama phenomenon. Revamp the promo or something.
Cha Il-nam shook his head at the brave words only someone clueless could utter.
You have no idea. You think broadcastings a game? Prime time, ratingsyou cant ignore them. Its like gold spoon versus dirt spoon. The time slots your starting line from birth.
Then what do we do? Just scrap it?
No answers, whichever way they turned.
The two kept knocking back soju, racking their brains for a way out.
But nothing came.
As they poked glumly through the snack bag, Cha Il-nams cellphone buzzed on the table beside them.
Ugh, screw... Huh?
What? Unknown number?
Nah... Ahem... Hello? Yeah, uh-huh? What? Yes? Really?!
Cha Il-nam picked up hesitantly, but his eyes gradually widened at the voice on the other end.
Wonder if Ill get to see flowers this year.
In the KMB drama department heads office.
Yoo Myung-ju was watering her beloved orchids.
Once done, she planned to wipe the leaves with a dry cloth.
It was her one joy these days.
She was rushing to finish her morning routine when the thick office door slammed open.
What the?
Yoo Myung-ju turned in surprise to see Cha Il-nam standing there boldly.
Morning, department head!
Yeah, whatever. Whats this now, barging in without knocking first thing in the morning.
No need for chit-chat, department head. Just move our slot to weekend prime time.
Yoo Myung-ju let out a hollow laugh at Cha Il-nams audacious demand for prime time right off the bat.
Hey, PD Cha. You finally lost it, huh?
Lost it? Im perfectly fine.
But something was off.
Cha Il-nams expression was strangely confident.
Barging in full of swagger first thing in the morning.
He wasnt the type to demand something like that without backup.
You... whats your angle?
Angle? Writer Han doesnt deserve that kind of treatment. Our castings stacked too. Feels fair to ask for this much, dont you think?
Youre talking nonsense this early. Look, Writer Hans a newbie. Whats she got that makes me hand over prime time? Go catch Moon Heesung or someone if you want.
Yoo Myung-ju shook her head and turned back to her precious orchids.
Whoa... Department head, youre no saint either. You got itMoon Heesungs joining our drama.
What?!
Clatter.
Yoo Myung-ju was so shocked she dropped the watering can mid-pour.
The lid popped open on impact, water spilling everywhere.
Ignoring it, she gaped at Cha Il-nam, stunned by the bombshell.
Cha Il-nam shrugged with a what-now? look.
The endings seriously touching.
At Moon Heesungs house after confirming my role in The Cactus Flower Bloomed.
Id brought all the scripts from Han Yuju and was chatting with him about them.
Wed picked out a few favorite scenes, discussed how to act them, and spent a good while talking it over.
Now, tea time.
Broadcast acting had its challenges, but I was honestly more excited.
Comparing it to the other scripts Id gotten offers for, I gave a full pitch on how great this one was.
......So this story doesnt show up in any drama Ive seen the last few years. Its gonna hit big, for sure.
That good, huh?
Yeah. Here, check these parts out.
I gestured emphatically, selling Moon Heesung on the dramas brilliance.
Phew, hed cheer me on no matter what I did, but this was my first broadcast gig.
Didnt want it to seem like Id picked just anything.
Lucky one of the offers was this gem.
As Moon Heesung flipped through the script I handed him.
I pulled out a few pages Id marked beforehand.
Uncle, I dont get these terms.
Hmm. Oh, those are camera-related, so theyre unfamiliar. I could explain, but youll learn faster on set.
Mm...... Really?
Yeah. Or we could try it here? Acting out unfamiliar lines while visualizing the camera moves makes it easier.
Yeah! Lets do it!
After my audition video, Moon Heesung had set up a camera in the living room corner.
Whenever I visited, wed shoot simple acting clips, hook them to the big TV, and chat over them.
I jumped at the chance to shoot today too, raising both hands excitedly.
Then...... since you brought this script, lets do one scene from it.
My eyes sparkled at Moon Heesungs suggestion.
With him, of all people?
This wasnt play anymore.
It was top-tier practice. Training, even.
Great. Which one?
Hmm, how about this scene with the supporting role.
Oh, Ji Hyun-seong. Perfect.
I nodded.
It was similar to a play scene wed done, one Id marked.
Ready to shoot?
Yep!
I confirmed the cameras red light, took a big breath.
Do you know how to skip stones?
Skip stones?
Yeah. Like this......
Woojoo and Ji Hyun-seong at the lake.
Woojoo was the kid I played in the drama.
Ji Hyun-seong showed the stone-skipping motion, and Woojoos eyes went wide.
Having lost her dad young, Woojoo was learning this game for the first time.
Wow! How do you do it?
You dont know how? Youve wasted your life, kid.
Hey! Uncle.
Woojoo got mad at Ji Hyun-seong grinning and teasing her.
This little brat calls me uncle every time? Im not an uncle!
You are too! Thats why you have no friends! Uncles dont have friends, right?
Ji Hyun-seong flinched at the kid hitting a sore spot, then narrowed his eyes for a counterattack.
You little punk...... Done talking? I was gonna teach you stone-skipping.
......For real?
Yeah. Find a flat, small rock like this. Your tiny hands cant throw big ones.
Mmm, this?
Like Woojoo, I picked something off the floor and showed Moon Heesung.
Ooh, good. Then twist your waist and flick with your wrist like whoosh.
Moon Heesung took the rock and demonstrated.
Woojoo clapped in delight as it bounced once, twice, three times perfectly.
Cut!
Scene over.
Ji Hyun-seong was actually the blood brother of the man whod become Woojoos new dad.
A hefty supporting role, practically co-lead.
But in this scene, unaware of that, the two bondedand would build a friendship going forward.
Maybe because I knew the ending, but just trading lines conveyed it.
The dramas warm heartfelt vibe.
Phew, isnt it just great?
I asked Moon Heesung, savoring Woojoos lines over and over.
Hed played Ji Hyun-seong opposite me and seemed to love it too, nodding with a big laugh.
Youre not camera-shy at all anymore.
Yep. Im used to it from coming here.
Haha, but the ones at the station are way bigger.
Bigger than this?
This camera was already bigger than Moms old camcorder.
Bigger than this?
Yep. You good with those?
I thought for a sec at Moon Heesungs grin, then shook my head.
No problem. The feels the same.
So confident! But Siu.
Yeah?
Moon Heesung stared hard at the script and called me.
Our scene just now was flawless.
Or so I thought.
Someone else on set, sure, but I loved syncing with him even like this...... Guess something bugged him.
Curious, I looked up at him intently.
Hmm, not a big deal. Just this Ji Hyun-seong role.
Yeah?
Already cast?
Huh? No idea.
I tilted my head at the random question.
Why ask that out of nowhere?
Trading lines with you, it feels appealing. If no ones cast, mind if I take it?
......For real?
My mouth slowly dropped at the total surprise.
Acting in the same drama as Moon Heesung?
But the joy was short-lived.
Id heard the slot wasnt set yet or something.
Shooting schedule delayed......
After agonizing, I told Moon Heesung hesitantly.
Um, not sure. PD Cha said the slots not locked yet. So castings not done?
Slots not set?
Yeah, he asked to wait a bit more.
Hed finally shown interestnow hed be disappointed.
I sighed deeply, bummed out.
Didnt know what slot meant exactly, but shooting couldnt start now.
But Moon Heesungs lips slowly curved up at my words.
Slot not finalized yet, huh. Siu, can you call the PD now?
Huh? Probably?
Hand him over, please.
I cocked my head at Moon Heesungs sudden pushiness but pulled out my cellphone anyway.
Id saved Cha Il-nams number from his card right away.
Hello? PD!
Cha Il-nam sounded pretty flustered at the sudden call.
Um, hows the slot going?
Siu, let me talk.
Oh, yeah. PD, hold on. Someone wants to switch.
I just said that to the startled Cha Il-nam and handed the phone to Moon Heesung.
He took it calmly and spoke to Cha Il-nam.
Hello, PD. Sorry for the sudden call. Actor Moon Heesung here. Anyway...... If castings not done, Id like to take the Ji Hyun-seong role.
A shriek-like response came from the receiver soon after.