Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Final Day Chatter
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Tap, tap.
Two chairs slid up next to me as I settled into my seat.
They belonged to Nam Yeonsu and Kang Sujung.
Lately, whenever these two showed up on set, theyd stick right to me like glue, chattering away endlessly. It had become our daily routine.
Siu, did you watch Night and Fox last night? Dad was out super busy, so he wasnt home. Did you see it?
Nam Yeonsu leaned in close, her eyes sparkling as she asked.
Oh, she remembered me asking if shed seen it before.
These days, Nam Yeonsu had gotten hooked on TV and would come to set to babble on about it with me.
Her dad was a strict guy, but his job kept him away from home a lot.
She used to be too scared of him to even think about turning on the TV, but after I told her she needed to watch for acting practice, it mustve really sunk in. Now she was sneaking peeks at it.
Ha, another killer scene in Night and Fox yesterday.
I opened my mouth eagerly, thrilled shed watched.
Yeah! They revealed Minhye was the culprit.
Gasp! Right? I was so shocked I dropped the remote.
Really? I saw it coming last week. There was that scratch on the car, exactly the color of Minhyes.
Id pointed it out to Mom, and shed said it made total sense.
Once my theory panned out yesterday, she showered me with praise.
Wow... You notice all that while watching, Siu?
When youre immersed, it just pops out. Try getting even more into it.
I will!
Nam Yeonsu clenched her fist, pumping herself up.
I watched her with a fond smile, but then Kang Sujung butted in from the side.
Kang Sujung used to have me all to herself on set, so with Nam Yeonsu around, her chatting time had shrunk. She didnt look too pleased about it.
Youre getting hooked on dramas too, Yeonsu? Not reading your script much anymore?
Oh, um... yeah. Siu said this ones fun.
Hmm. Well, you two memorize your lines fine anyway.
Kids these days are scary, scary.
Kang Sujung muttered under her breath, then seized the moment while Nam Yeonsu fidgeted and ducked her head to scoot right up next to me.
Anyway, Siu. About this sceneI was thinking last night...
Yeah...
I was already exhausted.
I wished shed quit overthinking.
Every time Kang Sujung brought it up lately, I felt a migraine coming on.
Her takes on acting were so varied and expansive, it made my head spin every time.
Of course, analyzing a scene from multiple angles and syncing with your co-star was ideal.
And I was the kind of actor happy to try whatever she suggested.
The problem? She did it for nearly every single scene.
I played the son of Han Jihye, Kang Sujungs character, so we had tons of scenes together.
That meant endless discussions every time.
By the end of shooting with her, I was always wiped out.
I never imagined someone more passionate about script deep-dives than me.
At first, I thought she didnt chat with other actors because she was shy, but nopeshed been stewing on all this internally.
Now she wanted to hash out every last detail with me...
A kids stamina couldnt keep up with her enthusiasm.
Ah, my friend.
Youd have loved this if you were still alive.
I briefly thought of Shakespeare, who adored endless script debates with the cast once they got the playbook.
Id always been his sounding board. Who knew Id meet someone like that in this life too?
No, that partwe should check with the director after seeing todays set.
Oh, right. Lets ask before we go in, then.
Mmm, sounds good...
Our script talk for the final shoot wrapped up, more or less.
Then Nam Yeonsu, whod been waiting patiently, burst out.
Right! Siu, did you see that? They gave our siblings the cutest nickname in the article I read this morning...
Wait, Siu. You skipped me entirely in the making-of? Im your momthats too much!
Chatter chatter.
Chatter chatter chatter.
They talked so much I couldnt keep up with replies and just sat there quietly for a bit.
By the time my soul felt scraped clean, Director Chai called for them.
It was a scene with Ji Haeseong and Han Jihye.
At the directors summons, they said wed talk later and hurried off.
Haa...
Finally, my ears got a break. I slumped back in my chair.
I used to worry they were too quiet, but now my ears ached.
Was there no middle ground?
Still, I figured with today being the last of this chaos
Then a familiar silhouette approached from afar.
Why do you look so wiped out?
Uncle!
It was Moon Heesung.
He played my new dad Ji Hyunwoos brother in the drama. Hed wrapped all his scenes already, but hed come today to cheer on the final shoot.
I greeted him warmly.
Is it the last day wearing you down? First dramas tough on stamina, huh...?
Moon Heesung muttered worriedly, eyeing my pallid face.
I shook my head vigorouslynope.
It was just those two draining me moments ago.
Come tomorrow after wrap, Id be full of pep again, obviously.
Anyway, Uncle. You hear? I booked that ad gig.
I whispered in his ear, wary of eavesdroppers.
It was brag-worthy, sure, but Kim Sangcheol had warned me.
In this drama, Id somehow become the hottest topic.
No matter how skilled I was, this was my first shoot.
With all these vets around, landing an ad deal and shouting it from the rooftops didnt seem wise.
No place had sharper eyes and ears than a set.
First drama or not, I knew how these things worked.
Yeah, Sangcheol hyung told me. Congrats. Cereal, right?
Yup! Shooting after the drama wraps.
Haha, guess Ill have to swing by for support?
Theyd all freak out. Watch it on TV later. Big-screen TV.
Got it.
Moon Heesung ruffled my hair, saying it was great.
I melted like a cat in the sun, savoring his touch.
And I got a ton of scripts too. Havent read em all yet.
Anything catch your eye?
Nah, theyre all just quick kid parts early on. Tough choice.
Haha, you wont find another with this much meat like this one.
Right?
I sighed, spilling my next-project woes.
Moon Heesung, listening intently, offered some advice.
No harm in relaxing after non-stop work. Good ones pop up when you least expect. Dont rush.
Mmm, yeah.
This was senior wisdom, huh.
Moon Heesung must get flooded with proposals daily.
I took his words to heart.
Still, tons of people want you. Lucky break.
Totally. Im super popular now.
Who said?
He asked with a grin, finding my proud brag adorable.
The theater owner!
Haha, then its gospel. But seriously, why so beat today? Last-day jitters? Up late?
Phew... No. Slept great. Works fine. People are the problem.
People?
Moon Heesung tilted his head, puzzled.
Hed seen me get along great with staff, director, and other actors.
How to explain?
Right then, my two energy vampires rushed over, looking busy.
Ugh, they mustve nailed their scenes super fasttheyre pros, after all.
Siu!
Oh, Heesung too?
Yeah. Here to cheer.
Yup. Anyway, Siu.
Nam Yeonsu zipped a greeting to Moon Heesung before turning to me. Kang Sujung seemed mildly intrigued for a sec, then right back to me.
I drooped my eyes and welcomed them.
You both got OKs crazy fast.
I said it all droopy-like, but they didnt notice a thing.
Yeah! Wanna chat more with you ASAP.
Talking with you really levels up my acting, for sure.
Sighing at their excitement, I glanced up at Moon Heesungmy last hope.
But he was chuckling at the scene, amused!
Haha, what a sight. Ill head out. Cant hog the star anymore.
Oh, yeah. Great work.
See you at the wrap party
Nam Yeonsu and Kang Sujung gave quick bows to Moon Heesung.
He waved, mouthing hang in there to me with a wink and grin, then strolled off.
I gaped in shock watching him go.
No! Come back! Save me!
Siu! Lets go see that cat over there.
Huh? Sius doing script practice with me after his shoot, kiddo.
When did I agree?
I flapped my mouth at brazen Kang Sujung, making Nam Yeonsu droop like, Oh, really?
Sandwiched between them, I flopped my head back on the chair and stared at the sky.
Hadnt acted once, but fatigue hit hard.
Been a while.
Even latecomer Choi Taewoo joined.
Me, Nam Yeonsu, Kang Sujung, Choi Taewoo.
Our dramas happy little family, all together.
In front of that one restaurant from episode 1.
My very first drama shoot location.
The finale wrapped at the place where Kang Woojoo scarfed cheonggukjang solo.
Dads never been here, right?
It was where Ji Hyunwoo and I met.
Kang Sujung, me, Moon Heesungwed shot here. Not Choi Taewoo.
At my words, he looked sheepish.
Well... Saw it on the drama, feels like I have. Heard this place blew up after?
Wow, really? I wanna try the cheonggukjang here.
Nam Yeonsus eyes lit up at Choi Taewoos words.
Oh noif she comes here post-shoot today, disaster.
How to word this?
Kang Sujung, whod been listening quietly, snorted and spoke up.
Know what? They dont even sell cheonggukjang here normally.
Seriously?!
No way?
They clutched their faces in total shock.
She just blurted it out.
I sighed, glancing between stunned duo and smirking Kang Sujung.
What? Its true.
Still. Theyd find out soon anyway.
Hit me hard at first too.
After that, us four bickered and chatted till the cue sign.
Just like a real family.