Chapter 310
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 310
Ju Woo-seong was a true professional.
"No, look over here."
"This way?"
"You have to match the beat of the song. Right on the mark. Snap, snap."
Contrary to my expectation that he would just take a few photos for media play and bail, he was quite serious. He spent time teaching the extras—mostly trainees cast for the survival program scenes—how to handle their eye contact with the camera.
"Since filming a drama is different from a music broadcast... can I monitor what we just shot?"
"Oh! Of course!"
"I don't think it should be too over-the-top. Let's find a middle ground."
Moreover, his meticulousness in considering the directing won over the entire staff.
"Wow, I can see exactly why Ju Woo-seong is so popular."
Of course, the point I admired most remained the same as ever.
The fact that he could work with his ex-girlfriend without showing a single hint of awkwardness.
"Hello, I'm Ha Seo-yeon."
"Nice to meet you."
The brief greeting during the introduction of the lead actors was the only time the two of them spoke.
From then on, they didn't lock eyes even once. And they did it so naturally.
Wow, Ju Woo-seong, that guy is something else.
It seemed even more impressive when I recalled the moment I had faced Kim Hee-yeong, the PD of Shining Star. Back then, I had been quite unable to manage my own expression.
"Woo-seong, oh, you don't need to work this hard! I'm sure your schedule is packed. Just take some photos and head out, just the photos."
Director Ju, certain that the buzz would be incredible, couldn't stop grinning.
"But... I heard from your manager earlier, are you going to Japan too, Woo-seong? We're heading to Tokyo soon for an overseas location shoot. Our schedules might overlap~."
"Ah, yes."
"Then, per—perhaps..."
"Haha, if I have time, I'll drop by for a bit."
"Ah!! That's our Woo-seong for you!"
Director Ju laughed gleefully at Ju Woo-seong’s quick-witted response. Only after Director Ju left did Ju Woo-seong finally sit down on a folding chair—located just two or three steps away from me.
"Senior, thank you for your hard work!"
"Senior Ju Woo-seong, you were so cool today too!!"
Some of the extras passing by to prepare for the shoot bowed deeply to him. They seemed to be trainees from WH Entertainment, slipped into the production to get their faces known.
Their faces glowed with vitality as they looked at Ju Woo-seong.
It was that stage of life—the most desperate, yet still innocent enough to show their admiration without hesitation. Children who didn't hesitate to give exaggerated reactions just to stay on camera for one more second.
"……."
But Ju Woo-seong remained silent.
Like a man who felt nothing at all.
"……Ahem, it's good to see them working so hard."
"Pardon?"
Was that why?
I found myself clearing my throat and drawing his attention.
"…Me?"
"No, the trainees."
I started with a somewhat cliché opening, but I pushed through.
"Seeing them sweat like that, doesn't it remind you of your debut days? For some reason, it makes me want to work even harder."
That was a total lie, of course.
Based on what I knew of him, Ju Woo-seong seemed like the type to be moved by others' efforts, so I just threw it out there.
I thought maybe the lethargy surrounding him might be shaken off by the sight of those trainees.
"Ah……."
Ju Woo-seong, who had been resting his chin on his hand and indifferently scanning the set, said only one thing firmly.
"Kids like that... they're a dime a dozen every year."
I couldn't find a response to his cold answer.
If there was any consolation, it was that I had succeeded in catching his eye. Ju Woo-seong turned his head and stared at me. I quickly extended my hand with a smile.
"I'm Seo Ho-yun, a rookie actor from WH. Nice to meet you."
"Yes, I know."
"……Excuse me?"
"…I saw Dead After Hope. Your acting was very impressive, Seo Ho-yun. I'm Ju Woo-seong."
Aha.
He must be in his off-season.
Surprisingly, unlike his image, he tended to hole up at home and binge-watch dramas whenever he didn't have a schedule.
"Thank you for the kind words. I also watch your performances and variety shows often, Ju Woo-seong."
"Thank you."
Since I usually didn't talk to him more than necessary, I already felt my energy draining.
I managed to pick out a new topic.
"I heard from the head writer just now that the character I'm playing, Kang Ji-sung, was modeled after you."
"Is that so? I'm honored."
For someone who was "honored," his tone was remarkably indifferent.
"…So she told me to ask you about this and that."
It was just an attempt to lighten the mood, but Ju Woo-seong remained cold throughout.
"Ah… but I don't know much about acting."
"……."
"I think it would be best if you just express it the way you've interpreted it, Seo Ho-yun."
Wow, Ju Woo-seong, how clean.
"……Is that so?"
He's shutting me down so damn cleanly.
"Woo-seong! Let's go."
"Okay."
Just then, one of Black Call's managers called out to him from afar. He stood up and gave me a refreshing, business-like smile.
"It was nice meeting you, even if it was brief, Seo Ho-yun."
"…Yeah."
I'm not sure if I managed to keep my expression neutral at that moment.
"You too."
Because I felt a bit bitter.
I stayed in my seat for a while after Ju Woo-seong left.
Ding!
[……Ju Woo-seong feels different.]
"Tell me about it."
Even after I told him there was a character modeled after him, he had no reaction. He even clearly cut me off in a way that was indirect enough not to be offensive.
…A Ju Woo-seong who has no interest in me.
It was a bit strange, but on the other hand, it made sense. There were countless people in South Korea trying to build even a small connection with him.
I leaned back against the folding chair and reflected on the current state of affairs.
I guess this is what it'll feel like when I go back to being a PD.
Even if they were guys I had built deep bonds with in Unknown Idol Tycoon, we would become complete strangers, people who didn't know each other.
No, I would be the only one remembering.
Whatever, let's not worry about it.
It just bothered me a little because he looked like a mess when I ran into him at the WH Entertainment building last time. Seeing him today, he seems to be handling himself well enough.
There was no need for a total stranger like me to help him.
Yeah, just live your life well on your own now, you punk.
I was about to look over the script one more time before filming when a passing staff member tapped my shoulder. It was an employee from an external partner company I had worked with on Dead After Hope.
"Seo Ho-yun!"
"Ah, yes."
"Why is your face so stiff? Did Ju Woo-seong say something to you?"
I naturally curled my lips into a smile and replied.
"No. We just said hello."
"I thought so. I was worried something happened. here, have some tea. You don't drink coffee, right?"
The staff member handed me a paper cup with ice. I took a sip, and after glancing around, he hesitated for a moment before whispering quietly.
"…But do you know?"
"Know what?"
"Ju Woo-seong… they say he has a woman."
"Pfft—!!!"
"Ack!!"
I choked.
"Seo Ho-yun, seriously, what is wrong with you today?"
Tea dripped through the hand covering my mouth.
The staff member, who had also been caught in the crossfire, looked startled as he pulled out tissues for me and scrubbed at his own shirt.
"Cough, a—a woman?"
"Yes, yes. There were plenty of rumors, but there were never any sightings or signs… but, you know Ji-yeon? From the art team. She said she saw Ju Woo-seong meeting some woman."
"……."
"She said she was incredibly innocent-looking and beautiful. Black hair, long and straight!!"
Innocent and beautiful….
I mentally reviewed the appearances of Ju Woo-seong's ex-girlfriends.
……Somehow, it seemed to fit.
You crazy problem child!
And here I thought he had turned over a new leaf!
"……Gasp, are you really okay, Ho-yun?"
"Hahaha, haha…."
"Ho-yun! We're starting the shoot."
The staff member looked flustered at my twisted expression, wondering if he had made a mistake. I was debating how to play it off when the assistant director's voice luckily allowed me to escape the situation.
Ha Seo-yeon, who had finished her preparations first, waved at me.
"Seo Ho-yun, let's do a good job!"
"I look forward to working with you."
But my stomach kept churning.
[Seo Ui-yeong finds out that a pre-selected candidate has been inserted into the program she is producing.
She runs into the Bureau Chief in the hallway and confronts him, only to be harshly shut down. Kang Ji-sung, who happens to witness this, takes her side.]
"Ugh! That damn Bureau Chief, that piece of shit…."
The easygoing and friendly Ha Seo-yeon had transformed into a carbon copy of Kim Hee-yeong in front of the camera. Even her habit of flicking a lighter was identical.
"Kang Ji-sung, why is the Bureau Chief so soft on you?"
"I'm the nephew of the Bureau Chief's college senior."
"Damn it, this society is all about blood, school, and regional ties…."
Ha Seo-yeon clicked her tongue loudly.
I tried to focus my gaze on the space between her eyebrows as I mechanically recited my lines.
"…Producer Seo, why are you so angry?"
"Pardon?"
"Having a pre-selected candidate…… it's a common thing, isn't it?"
After staring at me for a moment, Ha Seo-yeon scratched her nose.
Familiar gestures I had seen countless times.
"……Am I just being a moral stickler? Still, wrong is wrong."
Aaaaah.
"And this is a matter between the Bureau Chief and me. You don't have to help me from now on."
This isn't the real Kim Hee-yeong, it's not, it's not….
I tried desperately to blur my vision, but I couldn't ignore Ha Seo-yeon pulling out a cigarette and putting it in her mouth.
"…Producer Seo Ui-yeong."
Left-handed.
"They say if you're too rigid, you break easily. Since you say so, I won't argue further, but really……."
The specific way she held the cigarette.
"Really……."
The prop was a Mal*boro Red, the brand Kim Hee-yeong usually smoked.
"……Really."
Suddenly, I was at a loss for words.
When I couldn't do anything and just blinked, Ha Seo-yeon's head slowly tilted.
"……Really-really-really?"
Eventually, the director called out.
"Cut!! What was that, Ho-yun? Are you doing a bit? Did you want to be a comedian?"
"Ah, Director. I told you Seo Ho-yun doesn't smoke. He probably hates the smell."
Ha Seo-yeon giggled and joked. It was her own way of being considerate to reduce the pressure of the NG.
But none of the sounds reached my ears. Because the way Ha Seo-yeon lifted one foot and crushed the cigarette against the sole of her shoe was also exactly like Kim Hee-yeong.
I muttered half-unconsciously.
"…Please quit smoking. For your health."
"……Oh my?"
Why on earth are you giving me such trials?
Hit by a direct wave of post-clarity, I stood still as the makeup staff touched up my face.
Even in the brief spare time, Ha Seo-yeon passionately discussed the acting with the director.
"This part, wouldn't it be better to be a bit more angry? It's important for the scene, and I think showing emotion would have a stronger impact."
"No, showing the lethargy of an office worker will be easier for people to relate to."
"Then what about this scene?"
Ju Woo-seong is making another girlfriend.
And my dark history is loitering in front of me without any shame.
"—Ghost companies, school violence controversies, agency corruption… the pasts of the characters are all so miserable."
"It's just fiction, but it's really pitiful."
"Do things like this happen in real life too?"
Irritation buzzed in my head.
I looked into the mirror the makeup staff handed me and swept back my bangs.
"…Wahaha!"
My sudden laughter drew the attention of Ha Seo-yeon and Director Ju.
"We should make sure things like this don't happen in reality."
"……Pardon?"
While Director Ju and Ha Seo-yeon exchanged awkward glances at my words, I curled my lips, satisfied with my own appearance that looked like a total delinquent.
Ghost companies, agency corruption… well, it doesn't matter. I was planning to take action anyway.
I'll crush them all.
I swear, this isn't just me venting my frustration.