Chapter 10

"One, two, one, two."

"Straight, hook, uppercut, straight, hook, uppercut. Faster. Punch, block, punch, dodge, punch, block, punch, dodge. Move faster. More, more, more."

The actors received action training at the action school every Tuesday and Thursday, a month before the movie started. They endlessly repeated stretching, throwing punches, kicking, forward rolls, and tumbling.

Director Ryu Jiwan and action director Hong were discussing the action scenes with the actors and Cha Minhyuk.

"I don't want 'Woo-suk' and 'Jin-hong' to look like they're doing martial arts. If the movements are too refined, the unstable emotions will be diminished. It should be like tigers fighting in the wild... you know, that kind of scene."

"Let's match a few combinations and keep the shots short. Just match the punches and kicks, and it will come out rough as you want."

"Okay, let's try that first."

Action director Hong called Cha Minhyuk and Bae Joojin separately. He intended to demonstrate the scene in front of Director Ryu.

"The camera will be on the left. If you hit with your left hand, it won't look realistic. So, use your right hand. Try it once."

Bae Joojin swung his right fist at Cha Minhyuk's left jaw, and Cha Minhyuk turned his face at the right moment.

"Switch this time."

Cha Minhyuk took his stance and swung his fist at Bae Joojin's jaw. Bae Joojin slightly pushed his shoulder and tilted his head.

"Good, Joojin did well."

Action director Hong praised Bae Joojin's reaction.

"Minhyuk, look at Joojin. Did you see his reaction? When the punch came, you just tilted your head. It looked awkward and stiff."

'Is he criticizing me again?'

Cha Minhyuk's mood began to sour.

"But look at what Joojin does. When he gets hit, he turns his head and moves his upper body together. It's like all his body parts are connected. These details make the difference between real and fake."

'He thinks a well-shot action scene will make the movie a hit.'

Cha Minhyuk's thoughts turned cynical.

"People who know martial arts keep their center of gravity back when they kick. This makes their attacks and defenses smoother. But in a street fight, the body moves forward. You're tense. Like this."

Action director Hong demonstrated a kick.

"Joojin, try it once."

Bae Joojin followed the director's instructions and kicked.

"Right, that rough feeling is good. Joojin, you're really picking it up well."

'Joojin, Joojin, Joojin. I really don't want to hear it. It's like he's perfect just by breathing. Annoying.'

Cha Minhyuk's ears burned and his face turned red.

"Now, let's practice what we've learned so far. We'll do it all at once, so stay focused."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Ready, start."

At Action Director Hong's command, Bae Joojin threw a punch at Cha Minhyuk. Cha Minhyuk raised both guards to block and gave his body a slight recoil.

'I'm the main character, so why am I only getting hit? I should be the one hitting.'

Cha Minhyuk, with his guards up, couldn't shake off his frustration.

Bae Joojin, whose attack was blocked, leaped up and aimed a knee at Cha Minhyuk's face. Cha Minhyuk blocked the knee with both hands.

'And this too!! Why does this guy get to do all the cool stuff!!!'

At that moment,

his twisted thoughts overwhelmed his rationality.

Cha Minhyuk swung his arm hard and hit Bae Joojin's nose.

Ouch!

It was an unexpected move that wasn't part of the practice. Blood gushed from Bae Joojin's nose like a waterfall.

"Huh? Huh?"

Cha Minhyuk was also shocked by his own actions.

"Hey! Joojin, are you okay?"

"First aid kit. Bring the first aid kit."

Action Director Hong and Director Ryu rushed over and shouted.

The medical team came and examined Bae Joojin's nose. The blood wouldn't stop flowing.

"His nose bone seems to be okay, but he should go to the hospital for a proper check-up."

The medic carefully helped Bae Joojin to his feet. Cha Minhyuk stood beside him, not knowing what to do.

***

Fortunately, Bae Joojin wasn't seriously injured. Although they considered delaying the shoot, Bae Joojin didn't want to.

The afternoon shoot started as scheduled.

"Scene 38, everyone, get ready. Check your movements again."

The assistant director called out Scene 38. Everyone on the set was tense.

The scene on the rooftop where 'Choi Woo-suk' and 'Lee Jin-hong' fight a gang of thugs. The camera, using a handheld technique, follows 'Choi Woo-suk' and 'Lee Jin-hong' alternately, capturing the thugs as they fall in a long take.

There's also a scene where 'Choi Woo-suk,' played by Cha Minhyuk, falls over the railing. Given the high risk, this scene uses wires.

#38 is the most challenging scene in the movie.

Once everything was set, the set was as calm as the eye of a storm. Despite thorough preparation, accidents can still happen in action scenes.

All actors and staff were on high alert.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Ready, action."

At the director's cue, 'Choi Woo-suk,' played by Cha Minhyuk, unbuttoned his school uniform. He was ready for a good fight.

"Let's hunt some punks today!"

'Choi Woo-suk' ran into the crowd. The camera followed him from behind, the screen shaking wildly to give a sense of being on the scene.

He knocked down two guys with uppercuts and kneed the next one.

The fight was chaotic.

'Choi Woo-suk' and 'Lee Jin-hong' alternated, and the camera switched to Bae Joojin, capturing his flashy punches and kicks.

Next, they all mixed like wild beasts, biting and clawing in a chaotic scene.

"You son of a bitch!"

At that moment, the gang leader hit 'Lee Jin-hong' on the back of the head with a wooden stick.

Seeing this, 'Choi Woo-suk' hesitated.

Taking advantage of this, a thug picked up 'Choi Woo-suk.'

"Hey, let go. Let go."

The thug ran to the edge and threw 'Choi Woo-suk' off the rooftop.

Finally, the most dangerous wire action scene.

The assistant director shouted to the staff holding the wires.

"Pull tight."

The staff pulled hard. However, one staff member slipped on a metal pipe on the ground and lost his balance.

Stumble~

He fell and let go of the wire. The other staff members also lost their balance and fell.

Snap~

The wire suddenly came loose.

"Ouch!"

As Cha Minhyuk was about to fall over the edge,

Bae Joojin reflexively jumped and grabbed Cha Minhyuk's hand without hesitation.

"I've got you!"

Cha Minhyuk, pale with fear, couldn't speak.

"Hold tight. You're okay."

Bae Joojin's tone was firm. Cha Minhyuk gripped Bae Joojin's hand tightly.

Other actors nearby rushed over and pulled Cha Minhyuk up.

Cha Minhyuk, in shock, couldn't let go of Bae Joojin's hand for a long time.

***

The difficult shoot ended safely. The staff cleaned up the set and packed the equipment. Actors who used the production bus boarded one by one.

"Hey, Joojin. Wouldn't it be better for you to join a management company? It's sad to see you taking the bus and struggling to get to the set. There are many offers, you know."

Hae-il looked at me, who was exhausted, with concern.

"Others take the bus too. I'm not tired at all. I'll join a management company when the time is right."

Management company? The CEO must be preparing for it right now.

Just as we were about to board the bus,

"Bae Joojin."

Cha Minhyuk called my name from the van, with a relaxed face and a gentle voice.

"Are you going home? Get in my car. I'll give you a ride."

"Um, it's okay, really."

"We're fine, thank you."

Hae-il and I declined simultaneously.

"It's okay. Get in. We're using the same fuel anyway..."

Cha Minhyuk insisted.

"Right, let's go, Joojin. How often do you get to ride in a celebrity van?"

Unable to keep refusing, we hesitantly got into the van.

A van is a measure of a celebrity's popularity. It starts with a sedan and changes as their popularity grows.

This van confirms that Cha Minhyuk is indeed an ace. The van I used to ride was about the same.

It was a bit uncomfortable, but it was also convenient.

"Then I'll owe you one. Ah, it's so comfortable."

Hae-il is honest.

"That's because I'm a good driver. The same van can feel like a cheap car or a luxury sedan depending on who's driving."

Cha Minhyuk's manager said proudly, showing his confidence in driving.

"Just drive straight."

Since the start, Cha Minhyuk's stylist has been sneaking glances at Bae Joojin. He pretended to adjust his glasses, put accessories in his bag, and drink water while looking.

"Hey, glasses. You seem a bit off today."

Cha Minhyuk narrowed his eyes and glared at the stylist.

"Me? What do you mean?"

The startled stylist's face turned red.

"Why are you looking at Joojin like that?"

"I... I haven't been looking at him."

"It's not true. You've been staring since we got in."

"Well, his style is a bit... compared to his looks, his style is... I have a professional habit... his clothes and hairstyle are too plain. So, in my head, I'm... can I call you Joojin?"

"Sure, it's fine."

"Seeing Joojin, I have so many style ideas... I'm getting dizzy."

Indeed, throughout the shoot, Bae Joojin wore only jeans, a T-shirt, and a winter jacket. His hair was cut by an aunt at a neighborhood salon.

There was no styling at all.

In my previous life, every strand of hair, every piece of clothing, even underwear, was designer. I only went to shops in Cheongdam-dong and shopped at hotel luxury boutiques.

It was strange to think that I hadn't once considered styling my appearance since my regression.

'I spent the whole day thinking about a proper life and acting.'

It felt good to see my life moving in the right direction.

Then, Cha Minhyuk suddenly took out a pair of sneakers that looked anything but ordinary and placed them on my lap.

"...Senior, what is this?"

"Bae Joojin. Thank you for saving me earlier... and I'm sorry about your nose. This is a token of my gratitude and apology."

"No, Senior, you don't have to."

"If you don't take this, I won't be able to sleep well tonight. Please take it."

"No... but this is..."

Cha Minhyuk's eyes were sincere. I could feel the warmth in his heart.

"Thank you. I'll wear them well."

I couldn't refuse such a heartfelt gift. I took the sneakers.

"And let's ride together from now on. The shoot is almost over, and it would be good to practice together."

"That's a bit too much trouble..."

"I want to find it again. What I lost."

"??"

"When I first became an actor, I felt something great. But at some point, it was gone. But you seem to have it. I was envious... I want to find that feeling again."

"Okay, I'll owe you one, Senior."

It seemed that Cha Minhyuk's diva attitude was slightly cured.

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