Phew... I Can Do This, Seo Eun-seong.
In front of the movie set in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, a black van slid smoothly to a stop.
"Eun-seong, don't be nervous. You know this, right? Just being an extra in Director Choi Do-hyun's movie is something that'll stick in your filmography. If they get a good shot of your face, you're golden."
Manager Kim Tae-ho, who had gotten out of the driver's seat, opened the back door and gave Seo Eun-seong some advice.
"Got it, Tae-ho hyung. I know."
I forced a calm smile as I stepped out of the car. But my heart was already pounding away.
Just two months ago, I'd been some guy ordering delivery food in my room, and now here I was, standing in front of a Chungmuro master's film set. Honestly, I was dumbfounded.
"Call me when you're done. I'll come pick you up with Ha-rin."
"Sure. Drive safe, Tae-ho hyung."
After watching Tae-ho hyung's car pull away, I took a deep breath.
Phew... I can do this, Seo Eun-seong.
I straightened my clothes and headed toward the set entrance.
"Huh? Seo Eun-seong, right?"
A man wearing a staff badge around his neck spotted me at the entrance and came running over.
"Ah, yes. Hello."
"We've been waiting for you. The director specifically asked us to look after you. This way, please."
The set I entered under the staff's guidance was buzzing with activity. Massive lighting cranes moved about as dozens of people worked in perfect sync. I stepped carefully so as not to get in anyone's way.
"The waiting room is over here. Makeup still has some time, so please wait here for a bit."
The place the staff showed me was a simple tent waiting room. It wasn't the luxurious one for the leads, but for a rookie like me, having my own space was more than enough to be grateful for.
"Thank you. Go ahead with your work."
I bowed politely and stepped inside the tent.
"Oh my?"
"Who's that...?"
Inside the waiting room, female staff from the costume and makeup teams were taking a break.
"Hello. I'm Seo Eun-seong, playing Bodyguard 1 in Director Choi Do-hyun's film. Nice to meet you."
As I bowed courteously, the women's eyes changed in an instant.
"Seo Eun-seong...? No way! The Yeonhui University male god?"
"Seo Ha-rin's oppa?"
"Whoa...! He's insanely hot in person."
Small gasps erupted here and there. Without exception, they stared at me with wide eyes. The female staff, seeing the internet sensation in the flesh, were completely entranced.
It was only natural. A towering 188cm physique paired with sculpted good looks. But his speech and expressions were so pure and polite—like the ultimate nice guy. He oozed that nerdy charm that drove women wild, overflowing with it.
And that perfect gap? It was more than enough to stir their hearts.
"O-over here... sit down! I'll wipe the chair for you!"
"Thirsty? Have this sports drink!"
"Oh? You're sweating. Should I angle the fan this way?"
In an instant, I was surrounded by the female staff like some king on his throne. They shoved snacks into my hands, fanned me, and fussed over me.
Any normal guy would've been flustered, but I was different.
This is nothing.
At home, three top girl group members from Siren were practically live-in residents. Surviving those fierce women had made this level of attention feel downright comfortable.
"Aww, thank you~ These are my favorite snacks, too."
"Really? Want more?"
"No, no. You're all on break because of me... Filming must be tough, right? I saw you guys pulling all-nighters last time."
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"Saw it in the news. You staff work so hard. You're amazing, really."
I unleashed my natural charm and chattiness, blending right in with the women in no time.
"Eun-seong... you're so sweet..."
"My fatigue's melting away... You're like a human vitamin..."
"You won't mind if we hang out with you more from now on, right?"
Smiles bloomed on their faces. The drab tent waiting room had turned into a warm, lively haven.
Meanwhile, in the private waiting room right next door—dubbed the "special room."
"Argh! Seriously! Why is it so noisy?"
A young actress, reading her script, irritably slammed it onto the table.
It was Kim Na-yeon, the top star praised for having both acting chops and star power among Korea's 20-something actresses. She was also infamous for her sensitive personality.
"Unnie, tell the next room to quiet down. I can't focus."
"Huh? Oh, sorry, Na-yeon. I'll go say something."
Her manager unnie stood up anxiously.
"Who even came that they're making such a racket? This isn't a marketplace."
"Well... it's the new rookie actor today. The one Director mentioned last time—Seo Eun-seong."
"Seo Eun-seong? Oh, that internet blow-up guy?"
"Yeah. I caught a glimpse when he arrived earlier—he's seriously hot. No wonder the staff are going nuts."
Kim Na-yeon snorted at her manager's words.
"Hmph. So what if he's hot? You think I've never seen handsome actors in this industry?"
She crossed her arms and haughtily lifted her chin. All her previous co-stars had been the top heartthrobs of their generation. Some pretty-faced rookie was beneath her notice.
"Forget it. I'll go myself. Time to lay down the law."
Kim Na-yeon shot up from her seat.
"N-Na-yeon?"
Before her manager could stop her, Kim Na-yeon kicked the door open.
Bang!
The door to the next waiting room flew open violently.
"....."
The female staff, who had been laughing heartily, fell silent all at once.
Standing in the doorway was Kim Na-yeon, her face like frost.
"....."
A chill settled in. The women glanced at her nervously and backed away slowly.
Kim Na-yeon swept the room with her icy gaze.
"This is a waiting room, not a lounge? On set, we need to keep quiet..."
She was about to snap when, from amid the staff, a man stood up.
"Ah~ Sorry about that. I must've been too loud."
The man bowed politely in apology. Then he looked up and met Kim Na-yeon's eyes.
"....!"
In that moment, her pupils trembled.
Nearly 188cm tall. No, height wasn't the issue—plenty of model-turned-actors in the industry these days.
The real problem was the self-illuminating visuals that lit up the plain tent without any lights.
Above all, his chiseled jawline and those clear, doe-like eyes filled her vision.
What... is this?
Kim Na-yeon held her breath. She'd seen her share of handsome men and thought she'd grown immune.
But this guy was on another level. Raw, natural sex appeal blended seamlessly with boyish innocence—no artificial vibes at all.
"Hello, sunbae-nim. I'm Seo Eun-seong. Sorry for the noise."
Seo Eun-seong flashed a bright smile and apologized again. The sight evaporated any trace of anger from her mind.
"Oh... oh my..."
Kim Na-yeon's expression flipped in an instant. The furrow in her brow smoothed out, and her lips curved into a soft smile.
The infamous "angel smile"—her public-facing sales pitch.
"No need to apologize~ I just came to check if everything was okay."
"Huh?"
Her manager, who had followed her, couldn't believe her ears. Who was it that had stormed out ready to crack the whip?
The female staff gaped in shock. The notoriously picky Kim Na-yeon had done a total 180.
"I've heard so much about you from the director. Seo Eun-seong, right? You're even more handsome in person."
Kim Na-yeon elegantly tossed her hair, as if she'd never been mad, and approached him.
"Thank you. I'm a fan, sunbae-nim. I've seen all your movies."
"Really? Oh my, what an honor."
Her cheeks flushed pink. She scanned him up and down, inwardly marveling.
Insane... Look at that physique. Shoulders like the Pacific Ocean. But that boyish charm? Where has a guy like this been hiding?
Lust sparked in her eyes.
"First shoot today, right? Nervous?"
She asked with a concerned look.
"Yeah. Being new, I'm worried about causing trouble."
"Trouble? Everyone's like that at first. Want me to help?"
"You, sunbae-nim?"
"Sure. We can run lines, check blocking..."
She offered smoothly, then shot a pointed glance at her manager and the staff behind her.
Get the hint and get out.
"Ah... w-we'll go check costumes!"
"Take care! Eun-seong!"
The female staff left with reluctant faces.
"Uh... I'll head out too?"
Her manager slipped out, bewildered.
Suddenly, only the two of them remained in the cramped tent.
"Sit here."
Kim Na-yeon patted the seat next to her.
"Ah, yes, sunbae-nim."
Seo Eun-seong sat down hesitantly. She pulled her chair closer, their shoulders almost touching. A whiff of her subtle perfume wafted over.
"Let me see your script."
She leaned in to share his script. Close enough to feel each other's breath.
"Um... sunbae-nim. Actually, I don't have any lines."
"Pardon?"
"It's just... walk... guard... stuff like that. No dialogue to run."
He smiled sheepishly and showed her the script. As mentioned earlier, his role as Bodyguard 1 was pure physical—zero lines.
But Kim Na-yeon didn't miss a beat.
"Oh, Eun-seong. You don't know the basics of acting."
She wagged her finger teasingly with a sultry smile.
"Acting without lines is the hardest. You express everything with eyes, breath, presence. Needs even more detailed direction."
"Ah... is that so?"
He nodded. Top actresses really are different, he thought, taking her word as gospel.
"Of course. Now, look at me. Eyes locked... pour emotion into it..."
Using acting coaching as an excuse, she stared blatantly at him.
Truth was, she had no intention of teaching. She just wanted to admire this gorgeous specimen up close.
Look at those lashes... Skin flawless? No pores?
She screamed internally. Even better from this distance. That innocent, attentive face was so cute she wanted to bite him.
"Like this... gazing deeply. Got it?"
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
He nodded earnestly, even jotting notes. Kim Na-yeon beamed, unable to hide her satisfaction.
This risky private lesson continued until the assistant director called.
"Seo Eun-seong! Director's looking for you! Head to makeup! We're finishing up and starting your first shoot!"
Seo Eun-seong stood at the timely shout.
Phew. Hope I do okay?
He couldn't hide his pre-shoot nerves.