Chapter 6

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Overwhelming with a Glint in the Eye

"Director! Are you really going with Kang Woo-hyuk?"

Park Yong-gu, the assistant director, asked Director Choi Hee-rak.

"Do you not know Kang Woo-hyuk?"

Director Choi asked Park Yong-gu in return.

"I do. That's why I'm asking. You know as well, Director, that Kang Woo-hyuk can't handle this role."

"Right. He can't. I know."

Just as Park Yong-gu was about to say, 'If you know, why are you doing this?' Director Choi continued.

"Don't worry, I'm not going with Kang Woo-hyuk."

Park Yong-gu finally felt relieved.

"Min-hwan said that Kang Woo-hyuk is on his way to the set. Should I tell him not to come?"

"There's no need. Prepare to start shooting as soon as Kang Woo-hyuk arrives."

What does this mean?

You said you're not going with Kang Woo-hyuk, but now you're telling me to prepare for shooting.

"We're just going to shoot."

Director Choi added.

Park Yong-gu still didn't understand.

Just shoot? Is there really a need to do that? Why not just not shoot at all?

"I asked Seo Min-hwan to recommend an actor. He recommended Kang Woo-hyuk, saying he's perfect for the role. Even though I was hesitant, he insisted on giving him a chance. How can I say no? Seo Min-hwan is the lead actor in our film. You know how much effort he put into the casting. It's the beginning of the shoot. We need to handle things gently, don't we?"

"I understand. Then, who will play the role of the torture technician...?"

"Here!"

Director Choi handed a memo to Park Yong-gu.

The memo listed three actors' names.

Park Yong-gu nodded in agreement.

If it's this level, it should be fine. It's not as strong as Jang Il-gon, who was originally supposed to play the role, but it's manageable.

Park Yong-gu still had lingering thoughts about Jang Il-gon, who had backed out.

He cautiously spoke, gauging Director Choi's reaction.

"Wouldn't it be better to delay the schedule and go with Jang Il-gon...?"

"Don't mention that person in front of me."

Director Choi snapped.

He usually didn't lose his temper, but today he was unusually sharp. He must be really angry.

"From now on, start making calls. We'll go with whoever can come this afternoon."

Director Choi frowned.

Park Yong-gu was just as angry as Director Choi.

He respected his senior and the overall director, so he would do as he was told, but actors aren't quick service or delivery personnel. They have their own schedules, and even if they don't, they need to consult with their agencies.

This is clearly unreasonable.

"Having them come this afternoon seems unreasonable."

Park Yong-gu objected.

If it were another director, he might have exploded, but Director Choi wasn't that kind of person.

He was the type who listened to and considered the assistant director's opinions.

He must know that he's making an unreasonable request.

He must be trying to salvage the day.

"If it doesn't work today, we'll have to schedule it for another day."

"I understand. I'll do my best to convince them to come this afternoon. But, Director! If another actor takes Kang Woo-hyuk's role, won't Seo Min-hwan get angry?"

"Let's see. When Kang Woo-hyuk finishes shooting, I'll show him the monitor. He won't be able to say a word. Do you think that pretty, angelic face can pull off the role?"

"No, he can't."

"Seo Min-hwan will understand when he sees the result. We've already talked about it."

"If Jang Il-gon hadn't backed out, this wouldn't have happened..."

"I told you not to mention that person in front of me."

"I'm sorry."

"If we don't shoot the film, we won't. But I won't work with that person again."

Director Choi's anger grew as he thought about it.

Everything has been messed up because of Jang Il-gon.

When he received a call from Jang Il-gon's manager saying he couldn't come due to poor health, he almost lost it.

He had allocated the afternoon for Jang Il-gon and had come to this small village in Gapyeong early in the morning. Then, he received a call from Jang Il-gon's manager saying he was hospitalized and couldn't come.

Hospitalized? He's lying.

Director Choi knew that Jang Il-gon had partied hard at a room salon last night and was hungover.

If he had called last night, Director Choi wouldn't be this angry.

Last night, Jang Il-gon had confidently said there was nothing to worry about.

The tight production budget was already putting pressure on them, and losing a day would mean losing the rental fees for the equipment, the extras' fees, and other personnel costs.

Jang Il-gon's schedule made today the only available day.

After the call with Jang Il-gon's manager, he was fuming and asked Seo Min-hwan if he had any actor recommendations.

"There is one, but I'm not sure if he can make it today. Should I call him?"

"Who is it?"

"Kang Woo-hyuk."

"Kang Woo-hyuk. Good."

"Then I'll check if he's available and call him if he is."

"Okay!"

It was a mistake.

He had confused him with Song Jun-hyuk.

He must have been so angry about Jang Il-gon that his brain was temporarily affected.

It wasn't until after Seo Min-hwan finished his call with Kang Woo-hyuk that he realized his mistake.

"Kang Woo-hyuk is available. He'll be here by 10."

"Kang Woo-hyuk? Kang Woo-hyuk?"

"Yes."

"Not Song Jun-hyuk from the same agency?"

"Song Jun-hyuk is currently in Russia for a film shoot."

"I thought you said Song Jun-hyuk."

"I clearly said Kang Woo-hyuk."

"It's not that you said it wrong. This is quite a dilemma."

"Kang Woo-hyuk doesn't suit you?"

"It's not that he doesn't suit me, but he doesn't seem right for the role. His face is too gentle. The torture technician is a madman. We need a look that can devour the camera. He also needs martial arts skills. Can Kang Woo-hyuk do action scenes?"

"Wasn't it decided to use a stunt double for the action scenes?"

Director Choi, trying to find an excuse to reject Kang Woo-hyuk, even brought up the action scenes.

"We will use a stunt double, but it would be better if he can do some action. Anyway, Kang Woo-hyuk's face is too gentle."

"Wouldn't the cruelty coming from a gentle face be even more intense?"

Who doesn't know that? But Kang Woo-hyuk's acting is still immature. His eyes lack depth.

"If you don't like him, there's nothing I can do. But, can you think about it one more time? Woo-hyuk is just waiting for his big break. He'll be bigger than me soon."

"This is quite a dilemma. I didn't expect you to go this far."

"Then, let's do this. We'll shoot a test, and if it doesn't work, we'll cast another actor."

"Alright, let's do that."

***

Exactly 9:50 AM.

They arrived at the set.

Min-hwan, who had been waiting, greeted Woo-hyuk warmly.

"Let's get ready. We need to start shooting."

Director Choi hurried.

The crew bustled around.

Min-hwan, though disappointed that he couldn't even give Woo-hyuk a chance to rehearse, had no choice.

While Woo-hyuk was getting makeup done, they went over the script, and when he changed into his costume, they discussed the movements and eye lines.

"Isn't he ready yet?"

The junior director asked.

"This is really too much. We should at least give him time to rehearse. Wait a moment. I'll talk to the director."

As Min-hwan was about to go out, Woo-hyuk grabbed his arm.

"Let's just do it."

"Are you sure?"

"As an actor, I have to follow the director's instructions. Let's do it."

"I feel bad for bringing you here. If I knew they would treat you like this, I wouldn't have asked you to come."

"You're exaggerating."

Woo-hyuk patted Min-hwan's shoulder and walked out.

***

Director Choi approached Park Yong-gu, who was on a phone call.

Park Yong-gu had just finished the call.

"Did you cast someone?"

"Two are busy, and I haven't reached the third yet. I'm about to call the manager."

"Got it. Keep trying. Let me know as soon as you get a response."

"Understood."

Usually, Park Yong-gu would oversee the crew and give action and cut commands, but he handed those duties to the second assistant director.

Director Choi sat in front of the monitor without headphones.

"Let's go if you're ready!"

Director Choi instructed the second assistant director through the headphones.

"Are you ready? Action!"

The junior director shouted.

Min-hwan and Woo-hyuk, who had been rehearsing, quickly got into position.

The second assistant director then shouted.

"Standby. Action!"

Despite the sudden start, Woo-hyuk was already fully immersed.

The junior director clapped the slate.

Click!

Woo-hyuk looked at Min-hwan with a gaze full of contempt, disillusionment, and mockery. His eyes seemed to devour Min-hwan.

Min-hwan was completely overwhelmed by that gaze.

Director Choi, who had been sitting back with a disinterested look, gradually leaned forward and put on his headphones.

"Beautiful! So beautiful! These scars, I gave them to you, didn't I?"

Woo-hyuk delivered his lines in a dry voice.

"Yeah, you bastard! ...I'm sorry. Let's do it again."

Min-hwan called a cut.

Min-hwan, who rarely made mistakes, called two cuts in a row.

Meanwhile, Director Choi, who had been watching the monitor, leaned in so close that it seemed he would be sucked into it.

"What is this!?"

Director Choi muttered to himself.

"Director!"

Park Yong-gu approached Director Choi.

"What is it?"

"I just got a call. They said they'll get back to us after consulting with the agency."

"Tell them not to bother."

"Excuse me?"

"Tell them not to come."

Park Yong-gu looked puzzled.

"Did you see Kang Woo-hyuk's performance?"

"I was on the phone, so I didn't see it."

"Look at this!"

He pointed to the monitor.

"How is it?"

"Amazing."

"Do you think that person can do better than Kang Woo-hyuk?"

Instead of answering, Park Yong-gu made a call.

"Hello, this is Park Yong-gu. You don't need to come. Yes, yes..."