Chapter 29: Cameo

The variety show filming, which seemed impossible to get used to, had already completed its fourth week, and before they knew it, May was approaching.

The third episode of the variety show aired yesterday, and with reruns almost every day, Yeonwoo often saw himself on TV when he flipped through the channels at home.

Surprisingly, more people recognized him now than when the drama was airing.

The students' reactions at school were even more enthusiastic.

Thanks to this, Yeonwoo was recognized more often on the streets, making it difficult for him to take public transportation to the acting school in the bustling area.

However, today, he visited Chulmin's school for the first time in nearly three months, riding in his father's car after he got off work.

"Wow, it's Ryu Yeonwoo."

"Amazing, he really is from this school."

Students poked their heads out from the entrance, excited about Yeonwoo's visit.

"Hello."

Yeonwoo entered with a simple bow.

"Hey, come out quickly. Ryu Yeonwoo is at the entrance."

"Bro, can you take a picture?"

As soon as he took a step, students swarmed around him, asking for photos.

"Kids, you're making it hard for Yeonwoo. Let's take pictures later."

Chulmin, who was in the principal's office, came out to protect Yeonwoo from the commotion.

"Let's go inside, Yeonwoo."

"Sure, teacher."

Chulmin led Yeonwoo into the principal's office.

Chulmin patted Yeonwoo's shoulder and smiled broadly.

These days, as a teacher, he felt as full as if he had eaten a big meal, seeing his student's brilliant performance.

"Hey, I've been watching the variety show. Your popularity is different from when you were only in dramas."

"Hehe, that's true. Maybe it's the power of variety shows."

Yeonwoo sat on the sofa in the office and took out a script from his bag.

"Teacher, this is the script for Director Kim Hansu's new work."

"Oh, the cameo you mentioned before? 'Spring Lovers.' So after summer, it's spring."

As Chulmin said, Director Kim Hansu liked to show distinct seasons in his works, so after finishing "Summer Wardrobe," Yeonwoo was now filming "Spring Lovers."

Chulmin took the script and flipped through it.

"Hmm, the role you asked for is the young version of Ji Woo-hyuk, right?"

"Yes. It's my first time playing a young version and my first time on the big screen."

Yeonwoo had come to the school to seek advice after receiving an offer to play the high school version of the male lead in Director Kim Hansu's new film.

The director had mentioned the role as the female lead's first love when asking for the cameo, but the script revealed it was the young version of the male lead.

Of course, it was the same character, so it wasn't wrong.

"Ah, you can handle it now, right?"

Although he said that, Chulmin was already making some notes seriously.

"First, is the adult role casting confirmed?"

"Yes, the role of Ji Woo-hyuk will be played by Senior Kang Joo-won."

Upon hearing this, Chulmin nodded in understanding.

"So that's why they asked you. The atmosphere is quite similar."

"Is it?"

Kang Joo-won is a well-known top male actor in Korea. He debuted as a youth star around Yeonwoo's age and is now in his late 30s.

He is not just a handsome actor but has a solid filmography, having been verified in various genres through his acting skills.

Thinking about Kang Joo-won, Chulmin understood why Senior Kim Hansu had specifically asked for Yeonwoo.

"Right. It's not just a cameo; it's a significant role, and in a way, it's your screen debut."

"The release is scheduled for the end of this year or early next year. They started filming last month."

Chulmin took notes and explained to Yeonwoo step by step.

"First, unlike dramas, movies have a shorter running time, and everything must be revealed within that time. Therefore, the audience's immersion in the character must be strong."

"The transition from the young version to the adult version is important, right?"

Chulmin nodded and continued.

"So, you need to analyze the adult version of Ji Woo-hyuk and understand the background of why the character was formed."

"They didn't give me any additional background for the young version. What should I do in this case?"

"In such cases, you need to create a plausible narrative on your own."

Yeonwoo nodded at Chulmin's answer.

"Create it on my own..."

Chulmin, looking at Yeonwoo with satisfaction, added:

"The most important tip is that actors with a solid filmography like Kang Joo-won find it hard to change their acting tone and unique atmosphere, no matter what role they take."

"Oh! So, I need to analyze Senior Kang Joo-won himself, not just Ji Woo-hyuk?"

Chulmin nodded, patting Yeonwoo's head, who understood perfectly.

"Of course, you're smart and understand well."

"Thanks to what I learned from you, teacher."

After contacting his father, Yeonwoo said goodbye to Chulmin and went down to the parking lot, taking a selfie every three steps from the office to the entrance.

When he got in the car, his father handed him a thermos of plum tea, saying it was good for his throat, and asked:

"How was it? Did you get a clear solution?"

"Yes, Teacher Jeong Chulmin is different."

After listening to Chulmin, Yeonwoo had a clear idea of how to prepare.

Yeonwoo, who returned home with his father, started watching Kang Joo-won's films every day after school and personal study.

He analyzed Kang Joo-won's diction, expressions, and actions.

This was a process he was confident in, as it involved copying behaviors to form rapport, similar to what he did when gathering information in his previous life.

On the other hand, he also thought about the character of Ji Woo-hyuk.

Although not mentioned in the script, why did Ji Woo-hyuk decide to become a firefighter?

If he decided to become a firefighter, what kind of student was he in high school?

Yeonwoo added his imagination to the script to build a new narrative for Ji Woo-hyuk.

Analyzing both the character and the actor, the shooting day soon arrived.

Swish—

"It's been a while, Actor Ryu."

"Min-soo hyung. It's been a month. I missed you."

Min-soo smiled at Yeonwoo's bright greeting.

Although they saw each other weekly during the variety show filming, it had been a month since the show ended, and the final episode would air next week.

"The makeup will be done on set. It will take about an hour and a half."

"Got it. I'll read the script one last time, then."

Min-soo's car, with Yeonwoo in it, headed to an abandoned school in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.

The school, used as a set, was better maintained than when it was in use.

Arriving earlier than the scheduled 11:00 AM, Yeonwoo got out of the car and headed to the set with Min-soo.

Director Kim Hansu was shooting a scene at a water fountain in a corner.

Yeonwoo waited quietly in the corner until the director called "Cut," then approached.

"Director!"

"Oh, who's this? Yeonwoo, you've come a long way. Thank you."

Director Kim Hansu welcomed Yeonwoo with open arms.

"Everyone, this is the rising star who's here to help us today."

Wow!

Clap, clap, clap!

Many familiar staff members were around.

Indeed, the Kim Hansu team.

"Milk-white Ryu Yeonwoo!"

Ha ha ha!

One of the staff members shouted, and laughter filled the set.

Most of the extras and young actors were interested in Yeonwoo, as the scene was set in a school.

Although it was a shooting set, they didn't swarm around him like at Chulmin's school, but they gathered and squealed, watching Yeonwoo.

"Yeseul, can you show Yeonwoo around?"

"Sure, Director. Yeonwoo, follow me."

Yeonwoo followed Yeseul, the on-set manager he had worked with since "Summer Wardrobe," to the makeup room.

"It's been a long time since Hawaii, hasn't it?"

"Indeed. How have you been, Yeseul?"

They chatted as they entered the makeup room set up in the school building, where Joo-hee's team, who had worked on "Summer Wardrobe," was waiting.

"Mom, it's Ryu Yeonwoo."

"Ah, hello. You're Joo-hee, right?"

Joo-hee, who was thrilled to hear her name, was a long-standing habit of Yeonwoo's to remember names and faces.

"I'm so honored! I'm Woo, by the way."

"Really? I'll have to remember that."

Yeonwoo smiled at Joo-hee, who revealed she was a member of his fan club, Woo's.

Joo-hee praised her past self for coming to work despite being sick.

"Can we take a selfie after the makeup is done?"

"Of course. Let's take a million."

"Yay!"

Yeonwoo, who was meeting a real member of Woo's for the first time, was grateful.

While applying base makeup, Joo-hee chatted excitedly.

"I didn't expect to see you here today. I didn't know you'd be here."

"Yes, I'm here for a cameo at the director's request."

"Wow!"

Joo-hee and her team were excited by every word Yeonwoo said.

Yeonwoo was grateful for their enthusiasm.

"So, what role are you playing today?"

"I'm playing Ji Woo-hyuk."

"Ah."

Joo-hee and her team didn't know what role it was because they didn't know the movie's content.

They just assumed it was a good-looking role.

"Um, it's the high school version of Senior Kang Joo-won."

"Ah! Wow, amazing."

"Come to think of it, you do look like him. The atmosphere is similar."

Joo-hee and her team finally clapped and chatted.

"Done! Actor."

"Thank you, Joo-hee."

Yeonwoo took a selfie with Joo-hee and her team, then changed into the school uniform prepared by the staff and went to the set.

"Wow, look at Ryu Yeonwoo in the school uniform."

"Ah, I'll get in trouble if I take a picture with my phone. I want to show it in the group chat."

"Take it after the shooting. You might get in trouble at the school if you make noise. There will probably be a chance."

Amid the murmurs of the extras, Yeonwoo arrived at the shooting team waiting near the water fountain.

"Indeed, you match the image in my head perfectly."

Director Kim Hansu nodded at Yeonwoo.

"Yeonwoo, this is Jung Soo-yeon, your co-star today."

"Hello, I'm Jung Soo-yeon."