Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Premiere Night and Ratings Rush
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The scene Kang Sujung mentioned was one that Nam Yeonsu and I would film alone.
On top of that, it was the moment in the drama where Kang Wooju and Ji Haeseong clashed.
It was a fight that broke out when their parents weren't around, so the parents learn about the conflict between the two boys only later.
"Sometimes it's better not to know. You're the lead actress, so it's good to grasp the entire script overall."
I could understand why Kang Sujung was so eager to get a handle on the whole script.
As the lead, it wasn't a bad attitude at all.
But for this particular scene, figuring it all out in advance wouldn't be the right move.
"This is scene 33, and right after in scene 34, Han Jihye has to act without knowing her two sons fought, right? To make scene 34 feel more alive... wouldn't it be better if you went into filming without knowing why Wooju and Haeseong fought or how?"
Due to today's location issues, Kang Sujung would be shooting scene 34 right now.
She'd probably film scene 33 with Nam Yeonsu and me afterward...
It was a suggestion to approach scene 34 without knowing about our fightnot just in the drama, but in reality too.
Kang Sujung listened to my explanation, flashed a faint smile, and nodded readily.
"Sounds good. Like you said, Siu, it'll help me nail the emotions later when I watch your fight scene."
"That's exactly it. Finish your shoot first, then come watch Nam Yeonsu and me act it out in a bit."
Luckily, Kang Sujung got it right awaymade for easy conversations.
...Even if she did talk a mile a minute.
"Talking with you is always fun."
I missed whatever she muttered under her breath.
I'd been leaning back comfortably in my chair, so I sat up a little and asked,
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
What was that about?
I furrowed my brow in confusion when, from afar, the assistant director waved wildly and called for Kang Sujung.
"Kang Sujung! Standby, please!"
"Ah. Perfect timing. I'll go shoot then."
"Have a good one"
Kang Sujung was finally off.
Feeling relieved, I waved at her back as she headed to the set.
Scene 34 featured Kang Sujung and some supporting actors, so the rest of us leads, including me, were still on standby.
"Hey, Siu."
"Yeah, Yeonsu hyung."
With Kang Sujungwho'd been hovering around me since yesterdaygone, Nam Yeonsu approached next.
Maybe because we'd bonded over sashimi, he was still shy but greeted me warmly enough.
"Sleep well?"
"Yep."
Slept like a rock.
Even with just Uncle and me, they'd given us a huge annex, so I got to rest easy.
Though last night, I'd gone to play at Moon Heesung's annex next door and Uncle had to carry me back.
"First time shooting together, huh. I'm excited."
"Me too."
We'd be stuck glued to each other plenty as brothers from here on out, but still.
Today marked our first scene together.
Nam Yeonsu, a child actor so famous he stuck in Jessica's memory despite skipping RUN.
A chance to see his skills up close.
"Our turn soon. You ready?"
I muttered as Cha Ilnam's spirited "Okay!" rang out from afar.
Nam Yeonsu gripped his script tighter and replied.
"Yeah! A top actor has to be ready anytime."
Nam Yeonsu tossed around "top actor" all the time.
Top actors eat well, top actors always maintain dignity...
Come to think of it, since dinner last night...
I hadn't seen that script leave his hand.
He'd been staring at it non-stop... even though he'd memorized it ages ago. Why clutch it so tight?
Anyway, I'd find out today.
The true nature of this kid Nam Yeonsu, who'd felt off since our first script reading greeting.
And his acting too.
"Yeonsu, Siu. Standby!"
The assistant director dashed over after wrapping the previous shoot.
Let's see what you've got.
"Cut!"
Hah, hah.
Spitting out fast-paced fight lines left me a bit winded.
I relaxed my scowl at Cha Ilnam's cut call.
Nam Yeonsu, facing me, did the same.
"Okay! Good work! You both nailed it."
"Whoa, thank you."
Relief at finishing the take safely, maybe.
Nam Yeonsu beamed and greeted everyone around.
"Thanks."
I added my thanks and stepped off set.
The fight scene was pretty longI'd figured it'd take foreverbut it wrapped quicker than expected.
Even across multiple takes, Nam Yeonsu and I delivered every line perfectly.
His acting wasn't much different from the script reading.
Stable line delivery, no awkwardness in his movements.
Textbooknothing more, nothing less, straight from the script.
Impressive for his age to handle it that well.
And it wasn't emotionless.
Just... soulless, maybe.
One more thing bugged me.
When I'd clashed emotionally with Kang Sujung in her scene, her feelings yanked at mine hard.
The kind of emotional ripple only someone dead serious about acting can pull off in the moment.
Nam Yeonsu? Not so much.
I'd expected some, given how heated our fight was.
Does he not love acting as much as I thought?
He doesn't seem to hate it from how he acts day-to-day...
I'd hoped to uncover something today, but no dice.
The takeaway? Nam Yeonsu was even better than rumored.
The hype was real.
"Uncle! Hurry up! It's starting, starting!"
I yelled at my dawdling uncle.
"Yeah, yeah! Got it."
Uncle rushed over with a cold canned beer and handed it to Dad.
Historic day today.
July 21, Saturday, 10 PM.
The premiere of The Cactus Flower Bloomed.
As 10 approached, our drama's logo popped up in the ad corner.
Dad had even fried three chickens and come home early for once.
Our family gathered, chicken spread out before us, waiting reverently for the show to start.
The logo was up, we were seated, but man, why were the ads dragging today?
The four of us held our breath, waiting quietly.
"Whoa, here it comes!"
The drama logo filled the screen center, followed by my photo and name.
Signal music played, then "Episode 1" appeared, and it began.
Finally, finallyme on TV!
I stared in awe at the screen I peeked at daily, face full of emotion.
Just then, the screen showed Kang Sujung and me holding hands, heading somewhere.
"Siu, there you are! You're on!"
Dad practically sobbed, whipping out his phone to snap the screen with me on it.
His hands shook so bad it was all blurry, but he didn't care.
"Jeez, you're making a fuss. Quiet down. Can't hear Siu's lines."
Mom smacked Dad's back to calm him.
Uncle sipped his beer quietly for once, glued to the screen.
Like he'd never seen the scenes we shot on set.
As the heroine, Kang Sujung dominated Episode 1.
And as her son, I had a solid chunk too.
Not as much as her, but I'd be the only child actor in Episode 1 per the script.
Since Ji Hyunwoo (Choi Taewoo) and Han Jihye (Kang Sujung) only meet once they head to the countryside.
Kang Wooju meeting Ji Haeseong (Nam Yeonsu) was still a ways off.
Oh, that scene's from the third take.
Seeing the edited final product, it was pretty early on.
I'd known, but watching shots filmed out of order pieced into script sequence was wild.
So I barely registered my acting or Kang Sujung's.
That was from here, that scene around then...
Lost in those thoughts, Episode 1 ended.
"Whoa... so good. Not 'cause my kid's in itit's legit fun."
We finally dug into the chicken.
Dad kept muttering how great it was, beaming at me proudly.
"Heehee, really?"
"Totally! Your acting was killer too. Who'd you get that from?"
Sorry, Dad.
I didn't take after anyone.
Just my past life as Noah Battenberg kicking in.
"You'll be in even more from here."
"Already tons todaymore than that?"
Dad marveled if child actors always got this much screen time.
"Bro-in-law, Siu's basically lead level. Family drama, protagonist's son and all."
"Gotta catch the live broadcast for real now."
Dad, the chicken shop owner who thrived on weekends, declared solemnly.
Our weekend part-timers were doomed.
"Huh? It's the theater owner."
"Answer it, Siu."
Mid-bite, mourning for the part-timer bros, my phone buzzed.
Caller: Kim Sangcheol.
I slipped off my vinyl gloves quick and picked up.
"Theater owner! Yep, saw it. Fun, right?"
-Good job, Siu. Acting was spot-on. First time on broadcast?
"Whew, everyone on set was shocked too."
I'd overheard the staff praising Cha Ilnam to the skies after seeing my first takes.
-Haha! Gotta see that myself sometime. I'll swing by set soon.
"For real? Bring ice cream. Melon flavor."
-Will do. Summer treatI'll pass out some cool ones.
"Yay! Thanks."
After Kim Sangcheol hung up, Kang Yonghwi and Moon Heesung called one after another.
Praise never gets old.
Glowing reviews from them had me grinninguntil the next ring soured my face.
"I... can't eat chicken..."
At this rate, none before bed.
Uncle fielded the calls in the end.
While he played manager, I demolished the chicken.
"Yeah, got it. Tomorrow morning? Yep, we'll check. Thanks."
Uncle ended the call from the Cactus team's assistant director and turned to me, eyes sparkling.
"Siu, ratings drop tomorrow morning!"
"Huh? What?"
"Ratings!"
WhoaI set down my chicken and checked the clock.
11:32 PM now.
Seven hours till this drama's ratings!
"Uncle."
"Yeah?"
"Set an alarm."
Next up: ratings!
Flash.
I woke before the alarm and bolted to the living room.
Rubbing sleepy eyes with both hands, I hunted for Uncle.
"Uncllle... where are you?"
"Hey, Siu. Let's check now."
Bird's nest hair, animal pajamasI climbed onto the sofa.
Uncle set up the laptop on the living room table, face solemn.
"Siu up?"
"Eh, too nervous to look."
Mom and Dad crowded the table too.
Dad gripped Mom's trembling handsshe was too tense.
"G-Gonna check?"
Uncle's hands shook worse than during last night's premiere as he opened the internet.
Top of popular searches: The Cactus Flower Bloomed.
"Whoa. Huge. Real-time 1 already."
Uncle clicked the trending title in awe.
Yesterday's ratings popped up.
Episode 1 Ratings: 21.6
"Gasp...!"
"Whoa! Over twenty-one!"
Mom, Dad, and I blinked at each other, stunned.
Then,
"Wait!"
Uncle, still glued to the monitor, shouted.
Everyone's eyes snapped to the screen.
What his mouse cursor pointed to:
Real-Time Search 2: Kang Sujung's Son
Me.