Chapter 7

### Chapter 7: Obsessed with Acting

A month ago, I started attending the early morning yoga class. As the weather got colder, it became increasingly difficult to exercise in the park. Especially on rainy and smoggy days, I had no choice but to skip my workouts.

“Breathe in and stretch your waist, lengthening your neck. Cow pose. Exhale and pull your chin, pushing your back backward. Roll your tailbone inward. Cat pose.”

I followed the instructor’s commands. I started to sweat. I had started yoga to improve my flexibility, but it turned out to be more of a strength workout than I expected.

“Once more, breathe in and do the cow pose. Lift your hips a bit higher. Stretch your waist. Exhale and push your back backward. Tighten your abdominal muscles firmly.”

The instructor came over and adjusted my posture.

‘I can’t help but be biased. Even just standing still, he’s a picture. And when he’s sweating, his masculinity is just... No, I shouldn’t feel this way. He’s the savior who revived the struggling early morning class...’

“Mr. Bae Joojin, you’ve really improved. Your posture is very stable.”

The instructor praised Bae Joojin with a stern voice, contrary to her inner thoughts.

“Thank you.”

When Bae Joojin spoke, everyone in the yoga class turned to look at him. From high school girls to middle-aged women and grandmothers, all the women of all ages were giving him admiring glances.

‘What did I do wrong? And when did he improve so much?’

When I first registered, there were only two members. Now, the classroom was almost full.

What happened in just one month?

At that moment, a man with a large camera entered. The instructor stopped her movements and said,

“According to what I told you yesterday, we’ll be filming a promotional video for our yoga studio.”

“Will we be on TV?”

An older woman asked excitedly.

“It will be on the local cable channel. Just do your usual routine.”

The cameraman said as he positioned the camera.

The members resumed their yoga poses following the instructor’s commands.

It was a simple shoot to capture the overall atmosphere. The cameraman casually panned from right to left.

Then, Bae Joojin appeared in the lens. The camera paused for a moment.

‘Is he a celebrity? He’s eating the camera. Eating it.’

Unconsciously, he focused the camera on Bae Joojin for a while.

***

It was the day of the first meeting and the first reading for the new project. I arrived at the Unicorn Studio conference room earlier than the call time.

How much I had missed the set! Returning to the film industry after experiencing all kinds of challenges, I held my pounding heart and opened the door.

The whiteboard read “First Meeting for Wave” in large letters. The staff were busy preparing for the meeting.

“Hello, I’m Bae Joojin, playing the role of Lee Jin-hong.”

I greeted everyone energetically, with the heart of a newcomer.

“Oh, hello. You’re early.”

“Yes, I am.”

I quickly helped the staff with their tasks, neatly arranging drinks, tissues, and snacks on the table and aligning the chairs.

“No, you don’t have to... Just sit down comfortably.”

“No, I’m happy to help.”

“...Thank you.”

The staff smiled slightly. The first impression was good.

I found my name tag and sat down.

Soon, people started to arrive one by one. Each time, I stood up to greet them.

“Hello, I’m Bae Joojin, playing the role of Lee Jin-hong.”

My friendly attitude gradually dispelled the awkward atmosphere. As we introduced ourselves and chatted, the call time of 1 PM arrived. Everyone with name tags on the table had arrived.

Except for one person.

The lead role, Cha Min-hyuk, playing the character Choi Woo-seok.

The lead actor of the film had not yet arrived.

Director Ryu Ji-wan and Producer Kim Jin-suk entered the conference room.

“Is everyone here?”

“Cha Min-hyuk hasn’t arrived yet.”

The assistant director answered, and Director Ryu Ji-wan glanced at his watch.

1:15 PM.

“Wasn’t the time communicated?”

Ryu Ji-wan pressed the assistant director.

“I confirmed it with a phone call this morning.”

The assistant director replied in a low voice. Director Ryu Ji-wan suppressed his discomfort and proceeded with the meeting.

“Hmm... Let’s start with introductions. I’m Director Ryu Ji-wan for this film.”

Clap, clap, clap.

“I’m the producer, Kim Jin-suk.”

Clap, clap, clap.

At that moment, the door burst open.

“Oops, am I late?”

Cha Min-hyuk appeared, his face stiff.

His manager and stylist followed, breathing heavily.

Director Ryu Ji-wan’s expression twisted.

In the reality of a first-time commercial feature film with a low budget, new actors, and a lack of promotional planning,

Cha Min-hyuk was the only hope for the film to gain public attention.

With his high recognition and fan base, as well as his decent acting skills and good looks, he was a top actor.

Director Ryu Ji-wan was in a position of having to rely on Cha Min-hyuk.

“We just started. Please take a seat.”

The assistant director guided Cha Min-hyuk to his seat. He slowly walked to his place and sat down.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy, and the introductions resumed.

“I’m Bae Joojin, playing the role of Lee Jin-hong. I’ll do my best.”

Clap, clap, clap.

After all the introductions, Cha Min-hyuk stood up last.

“I’m Cha Min-hyuk, playing the role of Choi Woo-seok.”

Clap.

The applause was not very enthusiastic. Cha Min-hyuk’s expression soured. His manager clapped loudly to compensate.

“The film Wave is a story about the most brilliant and tumultuous moment of our teenage years. A wild life without refinement or set rules. In short, it’s about the primal instincts of teenagers who want to stand at the top of the food chain. So, our actors should try to be as...”

Director Ryu Ji-wan explained the overall direction and essence of the film. The key was to be unpolished yet shining.

The assistant director checked the time and announced the next schedule.

“The reading will start in ten minutes. We plan to do it in one long take, so if anyone needs to use the restroom or is hungry, please help yourself to the snacks now.”

I took out my tattered script. The result of a week of intense analysis and practice. I was so immersed that I wasn’t sure if I was Lee Jin-hong or if Lee Jin-hong was me.

“You’re Bae Joojin, right?”

At that moment, Cha Min-hyuk spoke to me. I reflexively greeted him.

“Hello, senior. I’m Bae Joojin.”

Cha Min-hyuk stared at me and smiled slyly.

“This year’s ‘Young Acting Festival’ grand prize winner, right? You beat the strong contender, Kang Jeong-woo from Seowon High School... He’s my junior. A Seowon High School junior.”

“Yes.”

I inwardly thought, ‘What do you want?’ but I couldn’t cause a disturbance before the reading.

“I’m also the grand prize winner of the 9th ‘Young Acting Festival,’ you know? Seowon High School has won the grand prize from the 9th festival onwards.”

‘So what?’ I still only responded inwardly, keeping my mouth shut.

“Don’t try too hard, just take it easy.”

From his experience, Cha Min-hyuk seemed to have a severe case of celebrity syndrome. If he kept this up, he’d end up like me in the past...

“Let’s start the reading.”

All the actors took their seats and prepared for the reading.

First scene.

Delinquent students are brought to the police station after a fight.

“Here they are again. You should just sign in. What, is the police station your school? Sign in, brats.”

“It’s not a school, that’s why we’re here.”

“What? This brat... Is he just a talker?”

“Hey, fuck. Let’s see if you’re just a talker. Let’s fight, take off your clothes.”

The actor playing the delinquent student’s breathing was off from the first line. The tone was too exaggerated.

Director Ryu Ji-wan’s face slightly twisted but he didn’t interfere. It was expected that new actors needed more refinement. As long as it wasn’t too distracting, it would pass.

“Woo-seok, I’m sorry, but go to your uncle’s house in Seoul... I’ve been thinking, and I’m scared that if you stay with me, you’ll end up like me.”

“...Is there something you’re scared of, Uncle?”

“Of course. You! I’m scared that you’ll end up like me... That’s what I’m most afraid of.”

Cha Min-hyuk’s first line was in Gyeongsang dialect. It was awkward.

‘He didn’t even study the dialect.’

The main character, Choi Woo-seok, is from Masan and needs to use Gyeongsang dialect throughout the film. This was an important aspect of the movie.

It was something the director had specifically requested. Director Ryu Ji-wan’s nose wrinkled.

Cha Min-hyuk’s reading continued.

“I knew from the beginning. No matter how much I struggled not to be like my father, I always ended up back where I started.”

Cha Min-hyuk’s acting, minus the dialect, was average. Better than the new actors.

I could understand why he chose this film. To stand out among the new actors?

It was my turn.

‘Lee Jin-hong’ is the hidden leader of the top high school in Seoul where the main character, Choi Woo-seok, transfers.

“Hey! Hey. Can you lend me some money?”

“No.”

“Come on. Really, our friend Jeong-a, it’s her birthday today. If I show up empty-handed again, I’m dead.”

I delivered the lines lightly and comically.

“Ha!”

“Haha.”

Laughter erupted in the tense conference room. The atmosphere instantly changed. Director Ryu Ji-wan smiled slightly.

‘I was wondering how he would handle that, but he did a great job.’

“Hey, Lee Jin-hong. You’re the only one left. Let’s fight.”

The assistant director read the lines,

“What? Sleeping? Then why are your hands in your pockets?”

“?!”

“!!”

Everyone looked up at me, their expressions showing surprise at how a newcomer could add such depth to each line.

Stimulated by my reading, the other actors also focused intensely. The reading session became increasingly heated, and natural discussions about character analysis and acting advice and criticism began to flow.

“Good job.”

Director Ryu Ji-wan nodded in satisfaction and clapped. Everyone followed with enthusiastic applause, as if celebrating a successful first meeting.

“Great job, everyone. We have a dinner at a meat restaurant tonight, so don’t miss it.”

“Yay~”

“What’s on the menu?”

“I’m definitely going.”

The actors, mostly in their early twenties and living alone, reacted enthusiastically to the mention of a dinner.

This is the real deal. I can feel the human touch.

“Good job.”

I greeted Director Ryu Ji-wan.

“You were really good today. You did a great job with the character analysis.”

Director Ryu Ji-wan praised me, patting my shoulder to encourage me. I felt a surge of emotion.

Producer Kim Jin-suk also approached me.

“Do you remember me?”

“Yes, Producer. We met at the orphanage. Thank you.”

“No, I’m the one who should be grateful. You completed the final puzzle. Keep up the good work.”

“Yes, Producer.”

“Let’s go eat some meat. I’m hungry.”

My heart felt like it was about to burst. This is what it feels like to be recognized for acting.

A feeling I had never experienced in my previous life.

This must be what achievement feels like.

It was different from the popularity I had gained just by being good-looking.

I wanted to act even better.

But Cha Min-hyuk had been watching the entire scene without missing a moment.

‘...What’s with Bae Joojin?’

────────────────────────────────────

────────────────────────────────────