Chapter 10

Super Rookie (2)

"There's... no problem."

Song Jung-ho's voice was low as he said there was no problem. Do Jun couldn't help but feel at a loss, unable to break away from Song Jung-ho's gaze.

Song Jung-ho, who had been looking at Do Jun, finally managed to turn his gaze away and asked for understanding from Director Park Chan-jong.

"I was a bit confused for a moment. There's no problem."

Director Park Chan-jong looked at Song Jung-ho with genuine curiosity.

Perhaps because he was known for his boisterous comedic performances, or because his smile was so unassuming, many people mistakenly thought Song Jung-ho was a careless person.

However, Director Park Chan-jong, who had already worked with Song Jung-ho and knew his style well, understood differently.

While he might be a bit careless in his personal life, in his professional life, especially in acting, he was anything but. He was meticulous and pursued perfection.

His performance was so precise that it seemed as if he had memorized the script and eaten it. He never did a single ad-lib, only acting according to the script, to the point where he seemed to lack human warmth.

It wasn't that his acting was stiff. It meant that he perfectly embodied the performance intended and desired by the screenwriter and director, as if he were not a human.

Such acting was only possible through relentless practice and thorough preparation, and with his accumulated experience, Song Jung-ho almost never called a cut before the end.

"Are you really okay?"

Most of the time, a cut was called due to issues with the co-actor or external problems, or because he felt his performance wasn't satisfactory and wanted to do it again.

Therefore, Director Park Chan-jong, seeing Song Jung-ho standing still instead of acting according to the script, couldn't help but feel puzzled and worried.

Song Jung-ho nodded as if to reassure Director Park Chan-jong.

"Then let's wrap it up and do it again. We need to reshoot the cut anyway, so let's start from the beginning!"

As Director Park Chan-jong called out, the staff moved in unison. The stylist quickly handed Do Jun a new set of clothes.

Since it was a scene where Do Jun was covered in blood, the stylist had prepared multiple sets of the same clothes. Do Jun wiped off the sticky fake blood with a wet towel and changed into new clothes.

Song Jung-ho, standing there, received the fanning from the stylist and manager and glanced at Do Jun. Jin Sung-hyun, the manager, was taking care of Do Jun.

"You must have been really hot."

The youngest stylist wiped the sweat off and saw that Song Jung-ho was drenched in sweat. With the temperature over 37 degrees and wearing black clothes, it was natural.

However, due to a chill running down his spine and cold sweat, Song Jung-ho hardly felt the heat. The NG was because of Do Jun's acting when he stabbed him.

The lines in the script were as follows:

"First murder, trembling and afraid. But once I did it, it was nothing. My daughter died in more pain. The son of a murderer. Just a sacrifice for revenge. I turn away coldly."

However, Song Jung-ho froze, staring at Do Jun, who had fallen to the ground, with a look of fear. As he said, he was momentarily confused.

'It felt like I was really stabbing someone.'

Song Jung-ho, who had been deeply immersed in the role before the cue, quickly got into character as soon as the cue was given.

He never forgot Do Jun's expression when he stabbed him with the prop knife. Do Jun's face turned pale as he fell, and at that moment, Song Jung-ho genuinely confused reality with the script.

'I'm not a beginner... I'm embarrassed.'

Song Jung-ho felt embarrassed for confusing reality with the script and causing an NG. At the same time, he was surprised by Do Jun.

'I thought he was just a rookie... It's no wonder Manager Jin wanted to groom him.'

Feeling Song Jung-ho's gaze, Do Jun, who was about to put on a jacket, turned to look at him. Song Jung-ho, feeling awkward, averted his gaze and closed his eyes.

***

The filming resumed.

Song Jung-ho, a regular butcher, was driven to murder by the death of his daughter.

The police either failed to identify the real culprit or turned a blind eye, and a mentally ill person was sent to prison instead. The real culprit was a professor.

After learning the truth from a gang member who lost his family to the professor, Song Jung-ho sought revenge. The start of his revenge was to inflict the same pain on the professor, the murderer.

Losing a child.

Thus, it begins with Do Jun's death.

Seeing Song Jung-ho walking over, Do Jun slowed his pace.

'Gait, expression, breathing... I felt it before, but it's like the lines are being directly transferred.'

If asked how to express the script in acting, he would want to tell Do Jun to look at Song Jung-ho's performance. Song Jung-ho's acting was a perfect textbook.

'The fear of killing, the anger preceding it... the coldness. It's perfect.'

Do Jun, while acting, observed and absorbed Song Jung-ho's performance.

The moment their eyes met, Song Jung-ho pulled out the knife from his pocket again.

Do Jun, this time, realistically convulsed and fell as if he had really been stabbed. However, there was no NG this time. Song Jung-ho turned away coldly as per the script.

"Cut! Good job."

Director Park Chan-jong called out the cut.

The staff, who had been holding their breath to capture the best performance, exhaled simultaneously. They had captured the full shot, medium shot, and close-up.

Even though it was said that the angle wouldn't capture it, Do Jun lay on the ground and helped Song Jung-ho's performance until the end.

"We'll wrap up the filming for today!"

Under the assistant director's command, the set began to be cleared, and Director Park Chan-jong also stood up.

"Thank you!"

The stylist quickly approached Do Jun, but he was busy greeting the staff before wiping off the sticky fake blood.

"Great job!"

"Great job."

"Thank you!!!"

Do Jun's voice, which was completely different from the lifeless person he had been a moment ago, echoed loudly.

"Oh... your face is completely... Goodness, you don't have to keep lying down, you know."

"Why is your face...?"

"The ground was very hot. It's asphalt. Your face is completely red."

One of the staff shook his head as he looked at Do Jun's face. Do Jun, thinking there might be a problem with his face, just smiled.

He had thought it was hot while lying down, but this was the long-dreamed-of filming set. He didn't mind a little heat.

'I wasn't nervous, but being my first shoot, I was a bit worried... I'm glad it went well.'

Only after the filming was over did Do Jun's heart start racing with tension.

'My first shoot... I actually did my first shoot...'

After greeting the camera and filming staff, Do Jun bowed and went to greet Director Park Chan-jong and Song Jung-ho.

Director Park Chan-jong, who had recognized Do Jun in the past and was his only benefactor, patted Do Jun's shoulder.

"Great job, Do Jun. Thank you for doing so well."

Perhaps it was the relief of completing the filming, but Do Jun felt a surge of past sorrows and almost teared up.

However, it was too early to cry after just completing his first shoot. Instead, Do Jun smiled brightly and greeted Director Park Chan-jong again.

"Thank you. It was great to act with you, senior."

"You two are only filming together today, right? It's a shame, but you had good chemistry even without a rehearsal."

Seeing Do Jun greet Song Jung-ho, Director Park Chan-jong said. Thinking about it, Do Jun also felt a bit sad.

"Yes, I was a bit lacking since it was my first time... But I could get into the role thanks to senior's acting."

Do Jun was genuinely grateful to Song Jung-ho for this.

Even though it was his first time, if his performance was good today, it was partly due to Song Jung-ho. Song Jung-ho's professional acting helped Do Jun immerse himself and perform in the short time.

"Who are you teasing...?"

Song Jung-ho muttered to himself, seemingly in response to Do Jun's sincere greeting. Do Jun looked at Song Jung-ho with slightly surprised eyes at the sarcastic mutter.

Director Park Chan-jong, standing beside with a gentle expression, shook his head and laughed.

"Then I have to go and wrap things up."

After the NG, Director Park Chan-jong, seeing Song Jung-ho's performance, understood why he had called an NG at first.

He understood the meaning of being "confused." Since Song Jung-ho's performance was so convincing that it could make him confused, calling it "lacking" or saying he could "immerse" himself because of it, Song Jung-ho might have felt a bit upset.

Seeing Song Jung-ho and Do Jun facing each other, Manager Jin Sung-hyun interjected.

"How was it? You said you wanted to observe him."

"Does this junior have any experience with death? His acting was so real. It scared me."

Song Jung-ho grumbled, giving his honest opinion. Do Jun felt a jolt.

'He probably didn't mean it that way... but...'

Regardless, it meant his acting was good. Do Jun couldn't hide the pride welling up in his chest and smiled.

"If Director Park and senior recognize me, what more can I say? Do Jun, you've got what it takes."

Thinking about making another big star, Manager Jin Sung-hyun also grinned.

"Where did you find such a gem? You said he was quiet until now."

"He came on his own. On his own."

Whether Do Jun was listening or not, the two continued talking about him. Do Jun felt so embarrassed that he wanted to leave.

The fake blood on his hands had dried and become even stickier.

"Team Leader Yeon Jeong said he met you on the street with Jeon Woo-sung."

However, there were few people who could ignore a conversation about their first impression.

'Jeon Woo-sung... one of the most handsome men in Korea. My best first impression was probably 'Shrek'... I was just speechless.'

"Who did you think I was?"

Manager Jin Sung-hyun asked meaningfully. Song Jung-ho, taking off his black coat, looked alternately at Do Jun and Manager Jin Sung-hyun.

"Manager Jin, you can't be serious."

"Yeah, senior. I thought of you."

Do Jun was once again surprised. To be compared to Song Jung-ho, who was already a master actor, was too much for him.

He was even more surprised because it was Manager Jin Sung-hyun, who had been watching Song Jung-ho closely, who said it. He was worried that Song Jung-ho might be upset.

However, Song Jung-ho didn't seem upset. He even looked pleased.

"Isn't that too much for this guy? Even for Woo-sung."

"Who are we talking about? Acting, not looks."

Song Jung-ho scowled as if he was annoyed.

"Come on. Anyway... we'll see. It's just the beginning of his acting career."

"Exactly."

"And if you want this guy to be recognized for his acting, there's one more person you need to face. That person is different from me. That person is real, real."

Song Jung-ho, still unsure, said, and Manager Jin Sung-hyun agreed.

"Indeed, that guy... is..."

Manager Jin Sung-hyun trailed off and looked at Do Jun worriedly.

***

And at the next filming location, Do Jun learned what "real" meant.

"Damn it! Die! Die, you bastard!"

The chair thrown by Choi Min-cheol hit the wall of the set and shattered completely.

────────────────────────────────────

────────────────────────────────────