Chapter 67
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Let's Give It a Try
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Yeah, lets give it a try.
The actors request to proceed with ad-lib filming.
If it had been any other actor without the skills to back it up, it might have seemed utterly ridiculous.
But Cha Il-nam wasnt dealing with just anyoneit was Han Siu, so he agreed to let it happen.
The shooting schedule was already generous, and there was no need to rush through the script.
Ever since filming with Kang Soojeong, the entire directing team for The Cactus Flower Bloomed had fallen in love with Han Sius ad-libs.
The ad-lib hed shown that morning had been great too, so there was no reason to say no.
Of course, Nam Yeonsu, who had been dragged along by Han Siu, looked a bit pale, but after the two of them whispered back and forth, he nodded.
It seemed like theyd talked something over.
And a suggestion for Nam Yeonsus ad-lib, no less.
Even though hed come with Han Siu and spoken up together, it was a firstback in their previous project, Cha Il-nam had never seen the kid take the initiative like this.
Frankly, it was impossible not to be curious.
Cha Il-nam was one of those happily watching Han Siu take over and transform the entire set.
If hed been reckless and botched everything, sure, it wouldve been infuriatingbut every take he shot came out perfectly, so there was zero reason to dislike it.
However,
Hmm.
Cha Il-nam wondered if hed been too optimistic.
Filming started, and Han Siu was flawless.
The problem was Nam Yeonsus expression on screenit showed no sign of relaxing.
Was it still too soon?
Pardon? Whatd you say, Director?
Oh, no. Nothing.
When his junior assistant director asked, Cha Il-nam quickly shook his head, brushing it off.
The assistant director glanced at the two of them and whispered worriedly.
Anyone could see Nam Yeonsus face wasnt in any shape to keep acting.
Should we call NG and take a break?
Hmm, hold on. Lets trust Siu a bit more.
Cha Il-nam pondered the suggestion for a moment before, unusually, shaking his head.
The assistant director and the surrounding staff were a little surprised.
Uh okay.
Not veteran actors, but handing the reins to Han Siu, who was filming his first drama?
And Han Siu was a full six years younger than Nam Yeonsu.
Just six years old!
No matter how much they respected Han Siu, the faith Cha Il-nam was showing this little kid was truly astonishing.
Theyd expected him to call them over and offer some advice with Nam Yeonsus face frozen like that, but this was unexpected.
Still, Cha Il-nam was in charge here.
The assistant director nodded without protest and turned back to the set.
Th-that, but! Cough, ahem. Sorry. Lets do it once more.
Yeah, Yeonsu. Take it easy.
Already the third line flub.
Nam Yeonsu wasnt the type for that sort of thing, yet his mistakes had piled up more than they had all morning.
He really cant do without the script, huh.
When Nam Yeonsu had been led to him by Han Sius hand, Cha Il-nam had immediately noticed the absence of a script in the kids grasp.
Others might not know, but Cha Il-nam was well aware of how obsessed Nam Yeonsu was with his scripts.
It was officially hushed up and kept private, but he knew who Nam Yeonsus father was.
Different agency from his own, but still a PD at the broadcasting station.
A pretty influential one, at that.
Nam Yeonsus fathera powerhouse whod gone from documentaries and variety to now dominating the drama departmentwas a man of immense ambition and greed.
Nam Yeonsu had never shown it directly, but Cha Il-nam knew how much his father meddled, from the perpetually crumpled scripts he carried everywhere.
Word was, he even sent the kid to acting academies occasionally and coached his performances personally.
Nam Yeonsu, whod debuted at an even younger age, earning genius prodigy praiseit was all thanks to that grueling regimen.
Some pitied him, calling it too harsh, but most welcomed his presence.
The arrival of the genius child actor everyone had hoped for: no scandals, just stellar acting.
Whether knowingly or not, everyone had embraced Nam Yeonsus existence.
Most didnt know the full story, and even those who did figured it was fine since he loved acting.
Cha Il-nam thought the sameif the kid enjoyed it, what was the harm?
But to unravel this much without his script?
That felt dangerous, and the realization was only now sinking in.
Nothing to do but hand it to Siu for now.
He had no idea where the script had gone, but since Han Siu had brought up ad-lib first, the kid must have noticed something.
Smart as a whip, that one.
Cha Il-nam let out a wry chuckle, thinking hed call Kim Sangcheol once this shoot wrapped.
To ask just what kind of kid hed dug up and raised.
Han Siu watched Nam Yeonsu flub line after line.
Right before the next take was about to start, he suddenly plopped down onto the sand.
Nam Yeonsus slight surprise at the unscripted action was visible.
Cha Il-nam seized the moment and promptly called the cue.
Cue!
Woojoo speaks to Haeseong like hes a nuisance.
Following the off-script action came, naturally, off-script lines.
Ah, then hyung, just do that one instead.
You say it like youre being generous?
Haeseong stared at his younger brother in disbelief at the tone.
As if hed been waiting for that, Woojoo shrugged and replied.
Then how about hyung yields for once? Youre the hyung.
You only pull out the hyung card when it suits you, Kang Woojoo.
That damn hyung, hyung.
He never called him that when asked, but whipped it out whenever it put him at a disadvantage.
Haeseong grumbled at his tough-to-handle little brother.
Then, beaming again, the kid pointed at his own face and shouted.
Youre mad. Youre mad. Hyung mad?
Wh-when did I say I was mad!
Though they werent there now, the script had the parents sitting nearby.
Haeseong startled at Woojoos shoutclearly meant for them to hearand lowered his voice.
Shh, shh.
Glare like quiet down at his brother.
Woojoo giggled delightedly at the face.
Haeseong, beaten by his little brother once more today, laughed helplessly in defeat.
Cut!
Startle.
At Cha Il-nams cut, Nam Yeonsu jumped and looked toward the main monitor.
There sat Cha Il-nam, beaming contentedly right at them.
Wh-what? Me, just now!
Nam Yeonsu, clueless about his own expression moments ago, touched his cheek in confusion.
He could feel it himself.
Until seconds ago, his face had been stiff as a board.
The more he told himself this wont do, the more even memorized lines escaped him.
Then suddenly, Han Siu went off-script.
A scene showing the brothers natural playtime.
And gradually drawing closer.
Pulled by Han Sius unexpected move, hed unwittingly completed the moment.
Is this okay? Nam Yeonsu anxiously peeked at Cha Il-nam.
The director silently reviewed the monitor, saying nothing more.
What now? He fidgeted anxiously when Han Siu, brushing sand off his butt on the beach, approached.
Yeonsu hyung.
Huh?
Hyung, you were super natural just now.
For real?
If so, that was a relief.
He just hoped Cha Il-nam thought the same.
To Nam Yeonsu, frozen like awaiting a death sentence, Han Siu casually added.
Yeah, how was it? Fun, right?
.
Fun?
Nam Yeonsu froze like hed heard something he shouldnt.
Not good or bad.
Han Siu was asking if his acting just now had been fun.
Nam Yeonsu paused to think.
Fun, huh
Hed been scared stiff when Han Siu suddenly sat on the sand and started ad-libbing.
Whats he doing?
Even veterans discussed ad-libs firstthis felt reckless, almost resentful.
But what had his face been like midway?
Hed probably spat it out refusing to lose.
Just like Haeseong hating to lose to real Woojoo.
His words had sped up without thinking, hed gotten heated.
His voice had gotten louder too, probably.
Like goofing around with friends at school recess.
Like playing.
Nam Yeonsu snapped to.
Then, slowly replied to Han Siu, who grinned at him.
Yeah. It was really fun.
Phew.
After the long shoot finally ended, Nam Yeonsu returned to his spot and caught his breath.
As soon as he sat, his manager handed him a cool bottle of water.
Yeonsu, youre in top form today? Every bit you did was perfect.
Really?
Under the hot lights in this sweltering weather, sweat beaded up.
The manager fanned him vigorously while chattering excitedly.
Totally. Ill tell your dad how great you were today. Oh, uh. No. Haha.
The manager, whod been rattling on, caught himself and trailed off.
He usually avoided mentioning Nam Yeonsus father during shootsit soured the kids moodbut hed slipped up.
Nam Yeonsus performance today had been that inspiring.
Yet his reaction after gulping the cool water was unexpected.
Normally hed go quiet at dad talk, but today his eyes sparkled as he spoke.
No, you have to tell Dad I did really, really well today?
Huh?! Oh, yeah! Of course. Dont worry, Yeonsu.
Even startled, the manager reaffirmed he would.
Nam Yeonsu, thrilled with the promise, leaned back comfortably in his chair.
Normally hed grab his script right away, but strangely, not today.
Huh, wait wheres Yeonsus script?
The manager glanced around curiously.
Guess Ill have to step in again.
Uncle.
Hm? Whats up. Hot? Want me to turn on the fan?
My uncle, rustling through gear beside me, looked up.
Id been closely watching Nam Yeonsu and his manager, and quickly said.
Nah, Uncle, you close with Yeonsu hyungs manager?
Yeah, weve gotten friendly lately.
As expected.
Uncles affability was a huge help in moments like this.
Practically impossible to find someone on set he wasnt chummy with.
Then take him somewhere for a bit. I need to talk to Yeonsu hyung.
What?
His eyes widened at the surprise request.
Sheesh.
Time was of the essence.
I patted Uncles back encouragingly.
Hurry! Buy him ice cream or something.
Uh, okay. H-hey, Seonghu-ssi!
Only then did Uncle catch on, hurriedly calling Nam Yeonsus manager.
The manager, rummaging through Nam Yeonsus stuff, looked up.
Phew, close call.
Success in diverting the manager.
Of course, Nam Yeonsus torn script was safely in our car.
With Uncle leading the manager away, I naturally sat beside Nam Yeonsu and struck up conversation.
See? Told you itd work.
Grinning mischievously.