Chapter 294
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 294
“Wow, this is seriously incredible! As expected of our blue chip, Seo Ho-yun! If you shoot like this on set, the directors will lose their minds!”
“If I actually shot like that, of course they’d lose their minds.”
“...Ah, right.”
When filming the movie, I wouldn’t actually be firing arrows; I just had to hold the pose, and the CG would make it look magnificent later. However, by demonstrating my archery skills, I managed to escape my manager’s excessive worrying and endless lecturing.
I brushed off the manager’s constant exclamations and questions about how I could be so good with a casual smile.
I couldn't exactly say, ‘Since this is my second life, I practiced for "Victory is Mine" back when I was an idol.’
“Ho-yun, head on in!”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for your hard work...”
Since there were no more schedules, I returned to the apartment where I had first woken up in this world.
As I was about to head inside, I quickly caught the manager.
The man seemed incompetent and overly soft-hearted, but he was sociable and well-liked, giving him a decent network within the industry.
“Um, Manager. Could you look into the whereabouts of someone named Seong Ji-won?”
“Huh? Who?”
Even if I couldn't find all the members of The Dawn, Seong Ji-won had been a rookie at a major agency, so I figured I might be able to hear some news about him.
It was worth a shot, anyway.
“There was a trainee at D.go named Seong Ji-won. He might be under a different agency now.”
“Why him?”
“Just something I need to check.”
The manager looked puzzled but nodded regardless.
After confirming the van had left the parking lot, I went upstairs and immediately collapsed onto the sofa.
I felt exhausted despite not having done much.
Moreover, at some point, the silence of the house had started to feel awkward.
Tsk, whatever.
If I dig into Min Ji-heon, I’m bound to find something, even if it’s small.
I had assumed the specific person who remembered me would be Seo Ho-jin, but now that my brother was gone, the next most likely candidate was Min Ji-heon.
Even if he wasn't the one, he was a guy who could see much more than I could, so I figured I’d get something out of him if I shook him down.
Deciding to investigate further during the upcoming shoot, I picked up the script again.
No matter how many times I look at this, it’s unpleasant.
Dead after Hope.
My character, Kim Woo-ho, was depicted as a twenty-five-year-old genius who won an Olympic gold medal at eighteen and another one four years later.
“But why is the name like this?”
Doesn't it sound like it came from 'Ho-u Ho-u'?
I read through the script with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
It said he had a likable face that won over the entire nation, sweeping everything from variety shows to CFs.
However, at the height of his popularity, he suffered a severe arm injury in a car accident. Ultimately, he was portrayed as a man living an empty life, no longer able to compete as an archer.
But what bothered me most was...
[A group of survivors arguing over who will go out to find food. The cowardly university student eventually pushes a young child forward to scout outside the building...]
[Kim Woo-ho: (Kicking the back of the university student who suggested sending the child) You’re going first? Thanks.]
It was the character’s personality.
He always had a curse word on his tongue and was ruthless toward anyone he found bothersome.
“Wow...”
Even the way he would act like an ally only to turn around and use or discard people without hesitation.
Feeling a strange sense of déjà vu, I checked every page until the end of the script for Episode 2, which I had received in advance.
Then, I pressed my fingers against the bridge of my nose.
It reminded me of when I first read the script for Please Take Care of the Camera.
“This one copied my life, too.”
If ‘Lee Jeong-hun’ was similar in profession and personality, ‘Kim Woo-ho’ was similar in personality and family history.
[Kim Woo-ho: I’m going to find my brother.]
The fact that he lost his parents in a sudden accident.
The fact that he was surrounded by trashy relatives, and the only person he considered family was his younger brother.
The fact that he was struggling to find his brother amidst the chaos of a zombie apocalypse.
...And so on. It was a story I had seen many times before.
Is this also a kind of fragment?
Did they say fragments of existence were leaking in, or something like that?
Since I ended up here after being kicked out by an error, I figured it was possible.
Just then, an alarm rang, and a quest window appeared.
[Quest Arrived!]
Start the first filming of ‘Dead after Hope’! ^^
Heart-pounding! The beginning is always exciting!
Arrive at the filming site and successfully complete the first shoot.
Complete first shoot: 0/1
Success: 10,000 Points
Failure: Error processing will be delayed.
There were many things I disliked about this place, but at least the point benefits weren't half bad.
I snapped the script shut and let the corners of my mouth curl up.
*
“Hello~.”
“Good morning!”
From early morning, the set of Dead after Hope was quite busy. I greeted everyone I encountered as I walked through the bustling staff.
“Ah! Ho-yun, today’s your first shoot, right?”
“Yes, hello.”
Perhaps the fake act I put on at the Chinese restaurant last time had worked, as most people welcomed me warmly.
“Did archery practice go well?”
“I just worked hard at it.”
The manager beside me gave me a strange look, but I ignored him and scanned the set.
“What about Senior Min Ji-heon?”
Min Ji-heon, who was always serious about acting, usually arrived early to prepare unless something special happened.
However, he was nowhere to be seen today.
“Ah! Min Ji-heon’s previous schedule was overseas, so they said he’d be a bit late. He’ll probably arrive within the hour.”
“Ah, I see.”
I thanked them for the information and moved to the waiting room to get ready. I had already done my basic makeup, and since the early scenes didn't require special effects makeup, it was over quickly.
“My goodness, your skin is literally glowing from underneath. You could be an idol!”
“Hahaha, you’re joking.”
As I checked my intentionally disheveled hair in the mirror to match the role, the makeup artist looked around and whispered in a low voice.
“Um, excuse me, Ho-yun.”
“Yes?”
“I... I was debating whether to say this, but I thought it would be better for you to know.”
Once you build up goodwill, it really pays off. Information just piles up even if you’re just sitting there smiling.
“You know the actor Lee Kang-seok, right?”
Of course I knew Lee Kang-seok.
My dear carrot cake.
“I think you should be careful. I heard the role of Kim Woo-ho was also offered to Lee Kang-seok... Maybe that’s why, but he seems to be... keeping a close eye on you.”
“Ah, really?”
The memory of Lee Kang-seok making a carrot cake by hand to offer to Min Ji-heon made me chuckle involuntarily.
“Thank you for worrying about me. It’s probably just a rumor.”
“Oh my! Ho-yun, you’re so naive! How are you going to survive?”
“Ahaha. It’s nothing.”
Ding!
[This is horrifying...]
I’m image-making, so shut up.
At that moment, the already noisy filming site became even more chaotic.
“Hello!”
“Whoa, it’s Min Ji-heon.”
“Incredible.”
I turned my head to see Min Ji-heon just walking in.
“Crazy, seriously. He’s so handsome. Not a single blemish on his skin; he looks like a sculpture.”
The makeup artist muttered, completely entranced.
Is he really that much? His face hasn't changed much.
“Hello, I look forward to working with you today.”
As Min Ji-heon greeted everyone politely and immediately disappeared into his dressing room, a stream of praise from the staff followed him.
“I’ll be going now.”
I quickly checked my outfit and headed toward Min Ji-heon’s dressing room.
Knock, knock. I opened the door, and Min Ji-heon’s manager looked at me with surprised eyes.
“Oh, Ho-yun? What brings you here...?”
“Sorry for the sudden visit.”
Since we were under the same agency, he seemed to recognize my face.
I put on my public-facing smile.
“Could I speak with Senior Min Ji-heon for a moment?”
“Ah, really? Um...”
He looked back and forth between me and Min Ji-heon, scratching his head.
“Then I’ll go take care of some business. Feel free to talk.”
He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but thinking nothing major would happen since we were in the same agency, the manager obediently left the room. I pulled up a folding chair from the corner and sat in front of Min Ji-heon.
The guy, with a slight frown, was scanning me from head to toe.
“Senior.”
I crossed my legs and folded my arms.
“How could you not send a single text? I thought you’d contact me first.”
It had already been a week since I arrived here.
Nothing had progressed during that time. Min Ji-heon had also been quiet.
“I have a few things I want to ask, and since there’s still time before filming...”
“Excuse me, Seo Ho-yun.”
Min Ji-heon coldly cut me off.
As I quirked an eyebrow, Min Ji-heon brushed his hand over his mouth and laughed as if he were in a difficult spot.
“Were we close enough to be in contact?”
“......”
“Including today, I’ve only seen you twice in my life.”
Does he really not remember?
This guy’s inner thoughts were usually pitch black.
“But it is a bit fascinating. You’re a type I’ve never seen before.”
As I stared at him intensely to gauge his true feelings, Min Ji-heon’s head tilted slightly.
“I didn't think much of it the first time, but looking at you now, you’re a bit different. ...If you were like this before, it would have been interesting enough for me to remember you immediately.”
Then he repeated the exact same thing he had said when we first met.
“Well... it’s none of my business, though.”
Scanning my face with a slow gaze, he added in a disinterested tone.
“So, do you have some business with me?”
The guy who used to babble on about his brother, food, and acting while smiling pointlessly was incredibly cold here.
I couldn't rule out the possibility that he was still acting, but there was no particular reason for him to deceive me to this extent.
Should I just be honest?
Tell him we know each other and that I need help.
Given his innate abilities, Min Ji-heon would likely accept even an irrational situation easily.
“...I have no business.”
However, my hesitation didn't last long.
“My apologies, Senior. I must have been mistaken.”
“...Aha...”
Min Ji-heon added a delayed reaction, making it very obvious he was suspicious.
“Mistaken. Interesting. But why did you treat me so familiarly?”
“No way.”
I slickly brushed off his remark.
Assuming Min Ji-heon knew nothing, it was better for me to pretend I didn't know anything either.
I could dig for information in other ways.
“I’ll be going now. Good luck with your preparations, Senior.”
I stood up, returned the folding chair to its original place, and then turned back toward him as if I had just remembered something.
“Ah, right! Senior Min Ji-heon, by the way.”
I leisurely touched my bare wrist and let my lips curve into a smirk.
“Your wrist is clean today.”
“...Pardon?”
“You know, that thing you always wear.”
I could clearly see his expression stiffen.
“Well then, let’s have a good shoot together.”
He quickly returned to his usual self, but seeing Min Ji-heon flustered—which was unlike him—was enough to satisfy me.
As I strolled out and headed toward my assigned dressing room, the assistant director shouted at me.
“Ho-yun, we’re starting soon!”
“Coming!”
“Huh? You seem to be in a good mood, Ho-yun.”
“Ahaha.”
I found myself humming.
If I played this right, it would be a great opportunity to properly mess with that sly fox, Min Ji-heon.
And if I was lucky.
“Do I look that way?”
I might even get a little closer to the answers I couldn't find before.