Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Think what you will.
The writer and director of White Tiger arrived at the meeting location and stepped out of the elevator.
Being slow to catch up on news, they only learned after the casting was confirmed and during a meeting with the production company that Yu Yeon-seo was on bad terms with One Seven, Lee Han-gyeol’s group.
“I didn’t expect Yu Yeon-seo to agree to the meeting.”
“Maybe they’re not on such bad terms after all?”
With casting news already out, they couldn’t replace him just to appease Yu Yeon-seo. Besides, One Seven’s fandom was too powerful to ignore.
As a last resort, they decided to arrange a preliminary meet-and-greet with the main and supporting cast. To their surprise, Yu Yeon-seo, who usually skipped such events, was the first to confirm his attendance. The writer and director took it as a positive sign.
“Hello.”
“You’re already here?”
However, as they cheerfully opened the conference room door, the suffocating atmosphere made them stop in their tracks.
What’s with this atmosphere?
There was Yu Yeon-seo with a placid expression, Lee Han-gyeol looking strangely displeased, and Park Min-woo caught in the middle, cautiously watching them both.
Don’t tell me Yu Yeon-seo...?
Yu Yeon-seo was the least likely person here to care what others thought. He didn’t throw a fit like the rumors say, did he? That can’t happen...
“Hello.”
Just then, Yu Yeon-seo, who made eye contact with the director, smiled and greeted him. Lee Han-gyeol and Park Min-woo also shot up to greet them.
Fortunately, they were filming for behind-the-scenes content to be released after the movie, so the mood quickly shifted.
“Hello. I’m Kim Dae-seong, the writer for White Tiger.”
“And I’m Park Ho-jin, the director.”
It was clearly their first time in such a setting, and their nervousness was palpable. Park Min-woo and Lee Han-gyeol clapped to help them relax.
“We’ve gathered you all here today to explain how filming will proceed and to give you some direction on your acting.”
His words sounded as if the meeting had been arranged specifically for Yu Yeon-seo, who was notorious for his terrible acting. Several people glanced at him.
“White Tiger is action-heavy, but the acting is just as important.”
Although White Tiger had only gone into production because Yu Yeon-seo chose it, the writer and director had grown more ambitious. They began a tailored lesson, primarily aimed at Yu Yeon-seo, on how he should act in the film.
Many writers and directors had tried this in the past, but Kim Dae-seong and Park Ho-jin were yet to learn that Yu Yeon-seo’s acting had never improved.
“The flashy gun-action is crucial.”
“And the deepening camaraderie forged through battle!”
The director and writer explained with great fervor, practically spitting as they spoke, desperately hoping Yu Yeon-seo would understand.
However, Yu Yeon-seo was merely thinking, They seem really passionate about this project. Filming should be fun.
“We look forward to working with you all.”
Writer Kim Dae-seong glanced at Yu Yeon-seo as he spoke. He was inwardly relieved to see that Yu Yeon-seo didn’t look offended.
He’s more subdued than the rumors suggest.
“Hello.”
Im Seung-hyeon, who had stepped out into the hallway thinking Lee Tae-gyeom was enough to handle things in the conference room, looked up at the greeting.
“Yes, hello.”
“You’re Yu Yeon-seo’s secretary, right?”
Im Seung-hyeon raised an eyebrow. Usually, someone accompanying a celebrity would be assumed to be a manager. Why jump straight to secretary?
“Yes, but who are you?”
“Ah, I’m Oh Beom-su, One Seven’s manager.”
“And?”
Im Seung-hyeon was very perceptive and sensed that Oh Beom-su wasn’t approaching him with good intentions. His naturally stiff reply made Oh Beom-su hesitate.
“I saw he has a new secretary again... Should I contact you from now on?”
“Regarding what?”
“You don’t know yet...?”
Oh Beom-su averted his gaze, feigning unease. In reality, he was trying to avoid Im Seung-hyeon’s sharp stare.
Should I probe a little?
After observing Oh Beom-su for a moment, Im Seung-hyeon took a business card from his inner pocket.
“I think I know what you’re talking about. You can contact me at this number from now on.”
“Ah, so you know. I’ll be in touch when needed, then.”
When Im Seung-hyeon smiled and offered the card, Oh Beom-su seemed relieved, bowed his head, and entered the conference room. Left alone in the hallway, Im Seung-hyeon stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“Strange...”
Didn’t things with One Seven end seven years ago? What reason would there be to contact their manager?
After the tense meeting, preparations for filming began in earnest. Aside from Yu Yeon-seo, who was already working out, Park Min-woo and Lee Han-gyeol scrambled to bulk up.
After their individual schedules, they received action training at Cheonha Action School.
“Yeon-seo, you’re here?”
“Hey.”
After his acting lesson with Park Hyeon-jeong, Yu Yeon-seo headed straight to Cheonha Action School. Inside, Lee Han-gyeol, who had arrived earlier, was receiving private instruction from Director Park Seong-jin.
“Is it okay for you to be here now?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well...”
The trainees glanced over at Lee Han-gyeol. Yu Yeon-seo nodded in understanding.
One Seven... So it’s One Seven.
After that awkward encounter with Lee Han-gyeol, Yu Yeon-seo had done more research on himself. It turned out that after his acrimonious departure, he and One Seven had crossed paths again.
[4K] 171204 NMA One Seven Best Male Group Award Fancam
└The presenter is Yu Yeon-seo LOL Mnet did this on purpose hahaha
└How could they make the traitor present the award to the group he betrayed
└Mnet’s trolling is on another level
└Look at their sour faces hahaha
└Honestly, it’s understandable for One Seven to look pissed, but what’s with Yu Yeon-seo
The video showed them making no effort to hide their stiff expressions, even at an official event. According to Lee Tae-gyeom, whenever they ran into each other, they would just glare and walk past. Sometimes, One Seven would instigate a confrontation, and Yu Yeon-seo’s venomous tongue would fire back, mocking them for still being a flop group.
Isn’t showing you hate someone only possible if you still have feelings for them? Good or bad.
In any case, they would be seeing a lot of each other during filming, so they couldn’t remain this awkward. Yu Yeon-seo cautiously approached him.
“...Hyung, want something to drink?”
Lee Han-gyeol stared blankly, his eyes shifting between Yu Yeon-seo and the drink in his hand.
“So you’re calling me hyung now?”
No, I just genuinely didn’t know... He holds a grudge longer than I thought. Yu Yeon-seo awkwardly scratched his cheek. Lee Han-gyeol chuckled and took the drink.
“Thanks.”
Though he appeared nonchalant, Lee Han-gyeol was quite surprised. This was the first time Yu Yeon-seo had approached him like this since their time in the group together. It had been almost seven years.
“Yu Yeon-seo, you have lessons at this hour?”
“Yeah.”
The members of One Seven who had picked fights with him were a select few; Lee Han-gyeol had mostly been one of the ones who watched from the sidelines. He no longer held any ill will toward Yu Yeon-seo.
Perhaps because of that, Lee Han-gyeol felt comfortable striking up a conversation.
“Have you been working out?”
“I have, consistently, since I was discharged. But no matter how much I try to build muscle, it’s not sticking.”
“You were like that as a trainee, too.”
Seeing that they got along better than expected, the trainees snuck glances at them.
“...Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
Lee Han-gyeol casually asked Yu Yeon-seo, who had sat down right next to him.
“I-jun said he visited you in the hospital.”
“...He did.”
So the kid who came out from under the bed after my stormy argument with Grandfather was I-jun. Yu Yeon-seo nodded.
“He mentioned something after he got back. He wondered if there was another reason you left our group.”
He said that? Yu Yeon-seo’s eyes widened. To Lee Han-gyeol, it looked like he was startled because the question had hit a nerve.
“...Think what you will.”
There was nothing he could say. He didn’t know anything to tell him. In the end, Yu Yeon-seo used his all-purpose shield of a response and got up to walk over to Director Park Seong-jin.
“So it’s true...”
Lee Han-gyeol stared at Yu Yeon-seo’s retreating back.
“You two get along better than I thought. Different from the rumors.”
“Were there that many rumors?”
“Yeon-seo is always at the center of some incident. There are just as many false rumors.”
Director Park Seong-jin smiled and handed him a model knife. Yu Yeon-seo took it and got into position. His clean, efficient movements made the director’s expression turn serious as he also took his stance.
“You remember the moves?”
“Yes.”
His gaze instantly sharpening, Yu Yeon-seo nodded.
White Tiger could be divided into two parts. Part one was about exterminating an unknown monster attacking their warship, and part two dealt with fighting soldiers infected by a mysterious virus that emerged from the defeated monster.
That’s why they were practicing with knives for the action sequences in the second part. The original plan was to use a stunt double, but seeing Yu Yeon-seo’s daily improvement, they had started discussing doing it without one.
“Whoa...”
“That’s insane.”
The trainees stopped what they were doing to watch Yu Yeon-seo and Director Park Seong-jin’s fight choreography. It wasn’t just the exchange of moves; their expressions and the tense atmosphere made it feel like watching real soldiers train.
“I get it with Director Park, since he’s former special forces... but what’s with Yeon-seo?”
“Maybe all his talent is concentrated in action?”
Lee Han-gyeol, seeing Yu Yeon-seo’s action skills for the first time, was also gaping in astonishment. Were these moves something you could achieve through practice? It was like watching someone with decades of experience.
Director Park Seong-jin thrust the knife at Yu Yeon-seo’s face. Yu Yeon-seo swiftly twisted his head to the side, dodging the blade. Then, Yu Yeon-seo spun the knife in his hand and lunged at the director.
Why did they even include a move like this?
He reluctantly accepted that it was just to look cool on camera.
Next, when Director Park Seong-jin threw a kick, Yu Yeon-seo dodged by rolling across the floor. The infected soldiers were established as having superhuman strength, so getting hit would hurt.
Here, I throw the knife... Ah, what should I have for dinner?
Because of this, the model knife in Yu Yeon-seo’s hand was sent spinning across the floor. Every part of the throw was calculated. He immediately sprang up, grabbed Director Park Seong-jin’s wrist, and twisted it, forcing him to drop his knife.
Should I get meat? But it’s no fun eating alone... Should I ask Seung-hyeon and Lee Tae-gyeom to join me?
Even while lost in other thoughts, Yu Yeon-seo executed the move perfectly, leaping onto Director Park Seong-jin’s shoulders and miming the act of snapping his neck.
“Okay, that’s a wrap. Did you get that on video?”
“Yes!”
One of the trainees shouted. Yu Yeon-seo landed lightly on the ground, and Director Park Seong-jin took a shallow breath.
That was intense... If I’d let my guard down, I might’ve actually gotten stabbed.
Even though it was a prop knife, getting stabbed would still hurt enough to leave a bruise.
What is he, really?
Even the onlookers were captivated, but the person exchanging blows with him felt it even more intensely. No matter how rusty he was, Director Park Seong-jin was still former special forces, yet he felt like he was the one being pushed back.
“Are you okay?”
Those were words he, the director, should have been saying. Director Park Seong-jin grinned.
“Yes. And you, Yeon-seo?”
Yu Yeon-seo answered without even being out of breath.
“I’m fine.”
Yu Yeon-seo clenched and unclenched his stiff palm, thinking.
Hmm, I’ve decided. I’m getting beef.