Chapter 9: When the Supporting Actor is Prettier than the Lead (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9: When the Supporting Actor is Prettier than the Lead (3)
I spoke to the little ones using formal honorifics.
To me, this felt more natural. Regardless of them being children, they were strangers I was meeting for the first time. Formal speech was only appropriate.
There was a little boy and a girl, both looking to be about ten years old. The girl was likely the child actress for Yoon Se-rang, and the boy was probably the lead’s younger counterpart.
Both of them stood frozen, eyes wide, unable to even respond to my greeting.
Just then, two young women rushed over as if their feet barely touched the ground.
“Oh my goodness! Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Did you get injured anywhere?”
They both appeared to be the mothers of the child actors. Each clung to their child, making a fuss as they checked for any scratches. After a thorough inspection of their children, they finally turned toward me.
“Thank you so much. Truly, thank you.”
“Have you trained in sports? How were your reflexes so fast?”
Fortunately, there was no "Why did you scare my child!" type of outburst after I had just saved them.
The child actors finally seemed to snap out of it, speaking in trembling voices.
“Th-thank you. I’m Kim Yu-jung, playing Yoon Se-rang sunbaenim’s younger self.”
“I-I’m Jang Dong-hyun. I’m playing Kim Ho-jin sunbaenim’s younger self.”
Since the mothers wouldn't know who I was, I gave a brief introduction.
“I’m Lee Yu-jin. I’m playing the bodyguard warrior, Yeon Si-ho. This is my debut project.”
I omitted the part about it likely being my retirement project as well.
“But you really jumped so high. Were you a competitive basketball player?”
“No, I wasn't. I just played a bit of basketball as a hobby.”
Ever since I realized my innate strength was abnormal, I had dabbled in almost every sport—just enough to hear people say I was "talented" in front of others. It was a preventive measure to avoid any exhausting situations.
Assistant Director Kim In-hyuk, who had come running over, was also in a state of panic.
“Is everyone okay? Is anyone hurt?”
“Yes, we’re fine.”
“I am so, so sorry. I’ll find out what happened immediately.”
The AD bowed several times before us, his face pale. It was a major accident waiting to happen; the child actors could have been seriously injured.
The AD radioed PD Jang Hyun-soo, and the atmosphere on set suddenly became chaotic. All actors and staff were evacuated as a full inspection of the equipment began. I could see PD Jang Hyun-soo red-faced, shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Stop filming! Stop filming! No one is allowed on set until the safety inspection is complete!”
“Stay off the set!”
My mom praised me for doing a good job, but the look in her eyes was unsettling. It seemed I was in for a lecture once we were alone. To her, my safety would always come before those children, and I understood that sentiment.
Mom and I left the set along with the child actors and their families. The AD who had been guiding me was busy running around trying to grasp the situation. Consequently, I ended up spending time with the two families.
“You’re so beautiful. How do you take care of your skin?”
“Exactly. Please share your secrets.”
If I said I was just born with it, it would sound like a total humblebrag. As a rookie, I intended to maintain my social graces.
“I drink small amounts of water frequently, and I never touch soda or sugary drinks. I love chicken breast salads, and I avoid UV rays as much as possible. I also make sure to get regular sleep.”
“Ah, I see. The basics really are the most important.”
“You’re right, you’re right. Consistently and strictly following the basics is the hardest part.”
Beside me, my mother was desperately holding back her laughter. It was because of my lies.
Soda and juice? I practically lived on them instead of water. Chicken breast salad? I couldn't even swallow a meal if there wasn't meat. School lunchtimes were a nightmare for me. I only ate bananas for lunch because I didn't want people staring at me if I brought a lunchbox while everyone else ate the school meal. And as for sleep, I usually stayed up until dawn protecting the peace of the Rift.
“Do you have a specific dermatology clinic you go to?”
“No, I don't go to any clinics.”
“I guess managing the basics really is enough. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck with everything.”
Suddenly, I noticed the behavior of the two children. The boy was hesitating and stealing glances at me; when our eyes met, he quickly looked down. The girl was just staring at me with a dazed expression.
“We might not have any scenes together, but let’s all do our best.”
“Unnie, why are you using formal speech? You can just speak comfortably to us.”
“Should I? Then I’ll speak casually.”
“N-Noona! Please speak casually to me too!”
“Instead of calling me Noona, call me Yu-jin-ssi.”
“Huh? Why?”
I could tolerate girls calling me Unnie. But I absolutely could not stand boys calling me Noona.
“I just don't like being called Noona. Call me Yu-jin-ssi, okay?”
“Yes, Noona. Oh, I mean, Yu-jin-ssi.”
Good. I had eliminated the risk of suffering from the "Noona" title on set.
“But Noona... I mean, Yu-jin-ssi. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Hey! Jang Dong-hyun!”
Before I could even react, Kim Yu-jung gave the boy a sharp smack on the back. He deserved it. Regardless of their roles in the drama, how could he hit on someone else right in front of his "partner"?
Wait, he keeps calling me Noona anyway.
Just then, a staff member came running toward us.
“Lee Yu-jin-ssi! The PD is looking for you!”
“Yes, where should I go?”
“I’ll guide you! Follow me!”
I said goodbye to the families and started walking, but I felt a stinging gaze on my back. When I glanced back, the boy was staring intently at me. I gave him a light wave, and his face turned beet red as he looked down.
Well, at least they’re cute at that age.
Whenever I saw young, small boys, I was reminded of the boy soldiers who used to row behind me.
*
In front of the container used as the filming control tower.
Writer Jung Yoon-ah paused at the sound of Yoon Se-rang’s voice coming from inside.
“PD-nim, this is really not right. How could you do this to me?”
“Se-rang-ssi, please, calm down first.”
“That’s why I insisted we use a male actor for my bodyguard! How could you betray me like this?”
“No, that’s not it. You were the one who said that because other actresses felt burdened being in a two-shot with you.”
What’s going on?
Her curiosity piqued, Jung Yoon-ah pressed her ear closer. The conversation was already getting interesting.
“I absolutely cannot stand next to that rookie.”
“Wait, you were so confident before, saying it didn't matter who we cast as the bodyguard, and now you’re doing this...?”
“Do you have any idea how I feel having to be in a two-shot with that face? Do you?!”
“I never thought I’d hear the same line from you that I’ve heard from every other actress we tried to cast for the bodyguard role.”
“PD-nim, please. Save me, okay?”
Unable to hold back any longer, Jung Yoon-ah knocked quickly and stepped inside. Yoon Se-rang flinched and fell silent.
“Ah, Writer Jung, you’re here?”
“Is our Writer Jung here?”
“PD-nim, I overheard a bit. What’s happening? Did you cast the bodyguard?”
Jang Hyun-soo smiled proudly and patted his chest.
“Of course. Who do you think I am? I brought in a real gem. You’ll be very satisfied the moment you see her.”
“That good?”
“Yeah. She’s an actress I happened to see on the street before, a total civilian.”
“Wow, how did you find her? Did she finally get in touch?”
“Not exactly. Turns out she’s in the same class as my daughter, Ji-hye.”
“What? Then she’s a high school sophomore? No, PD-nim, that’s not right. How can you cast a tenth-grade kid for the role of Yeon Si-ho?”
As Writer Jung Yoon-ah expressed her disbelief, a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened during the brief lull in conversation. The moment a woman stepped in with the sunlight at her back, Jung Yoon-ah lost her train of thought.
“Uh...?”
As if she had seen something truly shocking, Jung Yoon-ah stood frozen, her reaction stiff. PD Jang Hyun-soo let out a satisfied smile with his arms crossed. Yoon Se-rang, as if she hadn't just been whining, shot a cold, sharp glance at Lee Yu-jin.
“PD-nim, you were looking for me.”
“Yes. Writer Jung happened to be coming by, so I wanted to introduce you. Since you joined late, you missed the initial meeting.”
Jung Yoon-ah scrutinized Lee Yu-jin’s face with a look of shock. Feeling burdened by the gaze, Lee Yu-jin shifted her eyes before giving a polite bow.
“Hello, Writer-nim. I’m the rookie actress, Lee Yu-jin.”
“I’m Writer Jung Yoon-ah... But are you really a sophomore?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Really, really a sophomore? How can a tenth-grader have this kind of aura? This makes no sense. This is insane.”
Jung Yoon-ah began circling Lee Yu-jin as if she were a rare sculpture, examining her from every angle.
“Looking at your skin, you’re definitely a baby. But your skin is seriously amazing. What cosmetics do you use? Which clinic do you go to?”
“I don't really use specific cosmetics...”
“Ah, I see. You’re still in your teens, so you shouldn't use just anything. Of course, of course. So you were just born with this? Is your mother’s skin like this too?”
Lee Yu-jin’s mother and Jang Hyun-soo desperately suppressed their laughter. Jung Yoon-ah continued her observation as if she were trying to peer through Lee Yu-jin’s skin.
“Wow, how can a person look like this? Maybe it’s because your skin is so fair, but you have a strong mixed-race vibe, yet you look Korean at the same time. Is it because your hair is so black?”
As Jung Yoon-ah’s praise continued, Yoon Se-rang’s expression grew increasingly haggard. Suddenly, Jung Yoon-ah whipped around to face Jang Hyun-soo.
“PD-nim, I’m changing the script.”
“Suddenly?”
“I mean, how can we wait until Episode 3 to use this face? We have to plug her in from Episode 1 to drive the ratings up!”
“The first two episodes are the child actor parts. How are you going to fit her in? You usually hate overusing flashback scenes.”
“We can just set it up so she’s been guarding the lead like a shadow since childhood. No problem. Since her age is hard to pin down, it’ll add to the mysterious vibe. It’s perfect.”
“Hmm, now that you mention it, that sounds good.”
Yoon Se-rang’s face turned pale. She wanted to scream.
I’m the female lead! Me!
It was frustrating, but Lee Yu-jin was far prettier than her. It was a level she had to admit even if it hurt her pride. But what was she supposed to do if a supporting actor prettier than the lead was inserted starting from the child actor segments?
Viewers might mistake Lee Yu-jin for the female lead instead of her.
However, she couldn't dare speak up against the PD and Writer who were busy bouncing ideas off each other. Even for a star actress, if you mismanaged your image on set these days, you could be secretly filmed or recorded and ended up being "canceled" on the internet.
That was when Lee Yu-jin spoke up cautiously.
“Writer-nim, did you perhaps not hear?”
“Huh? Hear what?”
“The conditions for my appearance.”
“Is there a screen time guarantee? Don't worry, I’ll take care of your lines. Why wouldn't I use this face? I’m going to milk it until the well runs dry.”
Lee Yu-jin gave a troubled smile and glanced at Jang Hyun-soo. Jang Hyun-soo shook his head desperately, mouthing, ‘Not now! Please!’
“I’m appearing as a masked warrior.”
“...Honey, what did you say?”
“It’s already been agreed with the PD that I’ll be wearing a mask from beginning to end.”
“...”
Writer Jung Yoon-ah, who had been standing still as if electrocuted, turned a frigid gaze toward Jang Hyun-soo. It was a look that seemed ready to devour him.
“PD-nim, you don't want good ratings, do you?”
“Hey, it’s an OTT project anyway.”
“What? Do OTT dramas not count their viewership numbers?”
Jung Yoon-ah spoke with a calm, simmering rage.
“PD-nim, this isn't right. This is a criminal breach of trust against our success.”