Chapter 57: The Reporter, and the Extra's First Shoot
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: The Reporter, and the Extra's First Shoot
"Sigh, what a life."
Lee Hae-soo, a reporter for Dream Daily, took a sip of his vending machine coffee and let out a deep sigh as he looked up at the sky.
"This is bullshit."
He had just been dragged into the department manager's office and chewed out.
And it wasn't just once; it had happened several times now. Ever since he broke the scandal about Yoo Young-eun, the manager had been nitpicking every single article he submitted.
‘Did you actually fact-check this?’
‘Are you trying to cause another disaster?’
‘You punk, do you have any idea how much damage the company took because of that reckless post you made last time?’
It was enough to make a man miserable.
"He’s the one who gave the final confirmation, yet he’s acting like I went rogue and did it all on my own. What a load of crap."
The manager acting like this wasn't anything new, but this time, the fallout was dragging on.
"Since when did they ever care about fact-checking?"
Wasn't this a news agency that thrived on entertainment tabloids? Honestly, calling it a "news agency" was embarrassing. It was a rag that constantly posted sensationalist content just to drive up traffic and views.
Back when he worked in the social affairs department of his previous newspaper, they at least made an effort to verify basic facts. Here? There was none of that.
This time, he had posted the article using the exact same method they always used. He had written it based on photos and testimonies sent in by students at Usan University.
And what had the manager said when he first saw it?
‘Reporter Lee! You really are our company’s treasure! To land a scoop like this! Hahaha!’
And now, what?
‘How could you publish an article based on unverified facts?! Do you know how much we’ve lost because of you? I told you several times that any article about Yoo Young-eun has to be airtight!’
There was a limit to how much bullshit a man could take.
Hae-soo knew that Jeil Group was putting pressure on them by threatening to cancel advertisements. He also knew that Jeil Group’s legal team was preparing a lawsuit.
But was that all his fault?
The manager was the one who confirmed it, and the higher-ups at the desk were the ones who gave the green light, thinking it would be a hit.
"Sigh, I’m the only sinner here. Dammit."
To make matters worse, the article had been taken down. To treat an article that had recorded the highest views of the year this way was insulting.
Articles refuting Hae-soo’s report were pouring out now. Anyone could see they were planted by Young-eun’s agency and Jeil Group. Thanks to that, the view count on his original article had skyrocketed even further... but now even that record was gone.
If that’s how they were going to play it...
"I’ll just have to catch some undeniable evidence and prove my article was the truth."
He couldn't just sit back and take this. A reporter spoke through their articles. He would prove, by any means necessary, that his report was true.
‘I’m going after Young-eun.’
When it came to sheer tenacity, Lee Hae-soo was second to none. He looked at the tip-off photo of Young-eun and the man again. It was a photo of the two of them alone in a cafe after clearing everyone else out.
"Anyone can see they’re dating. Do they think they can just cover their eyes and pretend the world is dark?"
Hae-soo’s mind was filled with nothing but the thought of a scoop. He would personally investigate the truth that everyone else was ignoring. A strange sense of journalistic duty began to bloom within him.
He headed toward Young-eun’s house, driven solely by the desire to land that scoop.
*
It was a rare day with no classes.
Just as the morning sun rose to signal the start of the holiday...
Ring, ring.
A call came in from Young-eun.
"Hello?"
—Jae-ho, are you at home?
"I am. What’s up?"
—I have a favor to ask.
"A favor?"
What could it be?
—Can you come to the drama set with me?
"Huh? You want me to go with you?"
I thought following her to the set yesterday to understand her as a photography model was enough.
"Are you asking me to be your temporary manager for another day?"
—Oh, it’s not that.
"Then what is it?"
—Do you know that to give a good performance, you need a good partner to act against?
"Are you saying I’m that 'good partner'?"
—Yes. I need you. You can turn me down if you want. But don't you want to earn a handsome daily wage? Like last time.
She asks me to work with her, and then she starts bossing me around. She’s a total tyrant of an employer. Of course, she’s a tyrant who pays very well, so I don't really have any complaints.
"Didn't I tell you before?"
—Tell me what?
"That the person I work with is more important to me than the money."
I couldn't let this slide. If I kept doing her favors every time she asked, it would become a habit. I had to draw the line when necessary. I was planning on earning points by working out today.
—Ah, right. You said you hate people with no manners.
"Did I really put it that harshly?"
—Of course. You’re the first person to ever tell me I have no manners.
"Ahem."
—Then what do I have to do to get you to come to the set? I really need you, Jae-ho.
"Let me hear the reason first."
If the reason was valid, there was no reason I couldn't go. I needed to raise her affection and satisfaction levels anyway.
—You’re a hard man to get. Since I’m the one who needs you, I’ll concede this time.
I could hear Young-eun’s laughter through the phone.
—I’ll be honest. My acting hasn't been going well lately. I can't immerse myself in the character or the situation, so I’ve been getting more irritable, the schedule is getting delayed, and the deadline is approaching... but since the acting isn't working, I’ve just been getting into fights with the directors. It’s not a good situation for an actress.
I didn't have the ability to discern truth from lies, but I could feel the sincerity in Young-eun’s voice right now.
—But yesterday, it worked. I, who couldn't focus for even thirty seconds, stayed focused on my acting for over three minutes. And in peak condition, too.
"I see."
—I thought about what was different for a long time. And there was only one thing. You were at the end of my line of sight.
"So that’s why you need me?"
—Exactly. I might look composed, but I’m backed into a corner in my own way. I’m at the point where I’m willing to grasp at straws. I want to try acting with you standing in front of me. Please.
"...Alright. I understand."
If that was the reason, I had no choice. Had the stubborn and haughty Young-eun ever spoken about her circumstances like this? We had only known each other for a short time, but the answer was never. That meant she was truly desperate.
I couldn't refuse.
—Thank you.
"When are we leaving?"
—Go wash up and come out right away. About thirty minutes should do. Oh, and don't put too much effort into your makeup. We’ll do it on-site.
"Got it."
I hurried to get ready. When I went outside at the appointed time, Young-eun, who was already in Chief Park’s car, rolled down the window.
"Hurry up and get in."
The moment I climbed into the car, a strange sensation made me turn my head. I saw a car parked awkwardly nearby.
"What are you doing? Get in."
"Ah, sorry."
What was that? That car?
*
Kim PD clutched his forehead at Young-eun’s ridiculous request.
"Have this man stand there."
The person she was pointing at was the young man who was supposed to be her photographer. He looked back and forth between Young-eun and Kim PD with a bewildered expression. Had they not agreed on this beforehand?
"Sigh... are you serious?"
"Of course. My acting hasn't been clicking, and we’re getting delayed. He’s the person who can solve that."
How exactly was he going to solve it? He did take pretty good photos, though.
It was an incomprehensible request, but Kim PD had no grounds to refuse. At this point, if Young-eun could actually act, he would pluck the stars from the sky for her.
"This makes no sense!"
However, the actor playing the male lead raised his voice in protest.
"I agree with him," Kim PD said. "We’re using a stuntman as a double. Since their builds are similar, we can pass it off, but this guy is different."
He had broader shoulders and was taller than the actual actor. The reason for such strong opposition? It was because the male lead’s limitations were already showing. As a PD, he had to take care of the male lead, Jang Jun-il, just as much as the female lead, Young-eun. If Jang Jun-il refused to shoot, Kim PD would be the one in trouble.
"Then what do you want to do?"
"We’ll cast him as an extra. I’ll keep him positioned wherever your eyes land, Young-eun."
"..."
Young-eun’s eyes sharpened. After a moment of thought, she nodded as if she understood.
"Fine. Let’s do that. But he has to be as close as possible."
"Of course."
Phew.
He had narrowly avoided a crisis. Kim PD looked at Jang Jun-il. He was huffing and puffing with a face full of irritation. His pride must have been shredded.
Kim PD wasn't happy about it either. However, Young-eun had more star power than Jang Jun-il, and the dwindling production schedule was haunting them. The schedule had been delayed so much that if they didn't finish today’s portion, editing would be nearly impossible.
"Jae-ho, go get your makeup done by the styling team. Even if it’s just your back, you need to look the part."
"Ah, understood."
Jae-ho followed the assistant director to the dressing room.
"How did it come to this?" Kim PD muttered.
He felt like he was flailing on a sinking ship. Would this drama actually finish properly?
*
I changed into the costume provided by the styling team.
"Oh my, he’s handsome."
"He has a unique aura."
"You must work out a lot. Your shoulders are so broad..."
The stylists in the dressing room each threw a comment my way.
"Ha, haha. Yes, I’ve done a bit."
It was actually quite exhausting. Unless you’ve experienced it, you don't know what it’s like to have makeup applied to you for thirty minutes straight.
"This was a short session for you, Jae-ho. Sometimes actors spend four hours just on makeup."
I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
"Oh?"
I looked pretty good. Was it because the pros had touched me up? I looked much more stylish than usual. With the eyeliner and the contouring highlighting my nose and jawline...
I might actually be a bit handsome?
I wasn't the only one thinking it.
"But seriously, he looks really handsome now that he’s all done up."
"He was already a good-looking guy, but wow..."
The stylists were full of admiration. There might have been some lip service involved, but I could tell it wasn't just that.
"Jae-ho, please come out quickly! We’re about to go on standby!"
The assistant director hurried me, so I unfortunately couldn't admire my improved looks for long.
"Wow, you’ve got quite the look."
Kim PD let out an exclamation but immediately snapped back into work mode.
"Jae-ho, don't feel too pressured about the shoot. The camera won't be on you anyway. Just stand in the designated spot so Young-eun can focus on her acting. Got it?"
"Of course."
"Okay, I’ll take that as a yes. I’m counting on you. Just stay quiet and focus on Young-eun. We don't have much time."
"Understood."
"Great! Everyone, get in position! All hands on standby! We’re going as soon as I give the signal!"
Following the assistant director’s guidance, I stood in my designated spot.
"You look much better all dressed up."
Young-eun, who was already memorizing her script in front of the camera, caught my eye and gave a small smile.
"I thought so too. I figured I was looking pretty handsome."
"Don't get cocky. Handsome guys like you are a dime a dozen in this industry."
"Is that so?"
"Still... you’re not bad to look at."
After saying that, Young-eun avoided my gaze. And not long after...
"Alright, everyone is on standby. We’re going straight in. Standby, action!"
The cameras started rolling. The expression on Young-eun’s face, which had been unable to meet my eyes just moments ago, changed instantly. Her eyes were fixed on me, not on Jang Jun-il who was right in front of her. She did it so subtly that it wouldn't be noticeable on the camera screen.
"I just... wanted to be the person closest to you."
The breath and the trembling in her voice as she delivered the first line were completely different from the Young-eun I had seen until now. It took my breath away. Just watching her, I felt myself being sucked into her performance. She didn't look like Young-eun anymore; she looked like Hwa-rin, the character in the drama.
"What did I want? I didn't want anything but you. Just... you as a person."
I unknowingly swallowed hard. It was difficult to suppress the admiration that kept trying to leak out. The atmosphere was entirely different from when I was watching from the staff’s area behind the cameras.
So this is what it’s like. This is what it means to be a truly great actor. Every single emotion in Young-eun’s voice as she cried out to me resonated in my chest.
"I just wanted that one thing, but if you won't even let me have that..."
Tears welled up in Young-eun’s eyes as she spoke.
"Then what is love supposed to be?"
A single tear rolled down from her right eye.
"I love you so much... what am I supposed to do?"
I wanted to reach out and wipe the tear from her eye. In that moment when I wanted to comfort her and tell her not to be sad...
"Great! Cut! Isn't she like a completely different person?"
Kim PD’s excited shout rang out.
"How was it?"
Young-eun snapped out of her immersion. A true professional. However, I, who was not a professional...
That was incredible.
Thump, thump.
I was still caught in the emotions of Hwa-rin, who had been looking at me with such love. As I remained submerged in the lingering afterglow of Young-eun’s acting...
Wait?
I spotted a man holding a camera.