Chapter 30. Spring Lovers

After hearing the director's introduction, I looked to the side and saw Su-yeon greeting Yeon-woo.

A graceful and beautiful actress with fair skin and delicate features harmoniously arranged.

It was a face Yeon-woo recognized from memory.

"We've met before. I'm Ryu Yeon-woo. I hope we work well together today."

Su-yeon looked puzzled at Yeon-woo's words.

"Have we met before?"

"Um, at the secret audition for 'Summer's Closet.' You went in before me."

"Oh, I was so nervous back then that I don't remember who was there. Sorry, I've seen you a lot on TV."

At that time, Jeong Su-yeon was desperate to get the role, so she didn't have the luxury to remember who was there.

But since Ryu Yeon-woo played the lead in that drama, he must have been there.

Su-yeon bowed to Yeon-woo.

Seeing Jeong Su-yeon, who was gaining popularity among young people through web dramas, with a serious face, An Jun-ho had first spoken to Ryu Yeon-woo at the audition, saying, "You look tough."

Yeon-woo smiled and started chatting with Su-yeon, his co-star, saying they should do well today.

Originally introverted, Su-yeon's face turned slightly red as she nodded slightly.

"Alright, let's do the first scene. It's a close-up of the female protagonist's narration, so just focus on the expression. Action."

A scene where Woo-hyuk blocks a soccer ball flying towards the female protagonist Yeri, who is washing a flower pot at the water tap, and they look at each other for the first time.

Director Kim Han-su wanted to shoot the close-up first and then the blocking of the soccer ball.

Yeon-woo, though seemingly expressionless, conveyed the innocence of a teenage boy seeing Yeri for the first time through the subtle tremor in his eyes.

Director Kim Han-su, watching Yeon-woo's expression on the field monitor, inwardly rejoiced, confirming his thoughts.

An expression that, despite showing no emotion, made the viewer's heart race.

Su-yeon, playing Yeri, who is slightly surprised by such a Yeon-woo, had the perfect expression.

"Cut! Great job!"

The staff, who had been tense, breathed a sigh of relief when the first scene was a smooth success.

Director Kim Han-su, who had been in a bit of a bad mood due to the uncooperative student extras in the morning, now had a smile on his face, which improved the shooting atmosphere.

"Alright, let's move to the next scene. Bring the props."

"Actor, I'll throw it from here, so block it with your right hand."

"Got it."

After a rehearsal at the staff's instructions, the soccer ball flew slowly, and the director called "Action."

Thud.

Ji-hyuk blocking the soccer ball, and Yeri, who was washing a flower pot, looking surprised and turning around.

Both actors performed the situation described in the script well.

'The scene is good, but...'

Director Kim Han-su, still frowning after a few more takes, checked the field monitor.

The actors' performances were good, but the soccer ball didn't look very threatening on screen.

It wasn't something that could be fixed by just speeding up that part.

"Actors, if you're okay, can we throw the soccer ball a bit faster? Yeon-woo, is your arm okay?"

"Yes, Director. No problem."

Seeing Yeon-woo and Su-yeon nod, Director Kim Han-su looked behind him.

"Alright. Then throw the soccer ball a bit faster, and a bit straighter, not in a parabola. Let's do it again."

"Got it. I'll throw it."

The lighting crew staff, following the signal, threw the soccer ball with all his might.

Whoosh.

Thud.

Due to the force, the accuracy was off, and the soccer ball hit the corner of the water tap and bounced towards Su-yeon's face.

The staff who threw the ball was momentarily frozen in shock.

Yeon-woo, who was already on edge, reacted instinctively and quickly stretched out his hand to block the bouncing ball.

Clang.

"Ah!"

Su-yeon, genuinely startled by the ball flying towards her face, let out a scream and stumbled backward, almost falling.

In fact, the ball would have hurt but wouldn't have caused serious injury, but falling backward on the brick and cement water tap could have led to a serious accident.

Yeon-woo quickly reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and caught her.

The shooting scene momentarily froze due to the sudden accident.

However, the director immediately stood up, raised his hand to stop the staff's commotion, and the shooting continued.

Yeon-woo, quickly assessing the situation, continued acting as Ji-hyuk.

"Are you okay?"

Yeon-woo delivered the line with the unique tone and atmosphere of actor Kang Joo-won, who was playing the adult role, as an ad-lib.

Then, he pulled the still stunned Su-yeon to the water tap, stood her up, and leaned in close.

"Did you get too scared? Why aren't you saying anything? Are you okay?"

A perfect portrayal of Kang Joo-won appearing as a young version, asking the question.

Only then did Su-yeon realize the shooting wasn't over and, returning to her role as Yeri, opened her mouth.

"I'm, I'm okay."

Finally, Director Kim Han-su, who had been holding his hand up, called out.

"Cut! Great! Perfect! Nice!"

The staff, who had quickly adapted to the crisis and continued with the ad-lib, cheered.

"Alright, let's watch the scene again on the field monitor."

Following the director's words, Yeon-woo and Su-yeon also approached the monitor.

The unedited footage of the scene they just shot played on the screen.

The soccer ball quickly flew, hit the corner of the water tap, and headed towards Yeri, and Ji-hyuk, who was half in the frame, blocked it with a quick movement.

Then, in a scene that seemed deliberately staged, Ji-hyuk caught the startled Yeri, who screamed and stumbled backward.

At that moment, Yeon-woo's mouth opened, as if possessed by Kang Joo-won.

- Are you okay?

- Did you get too scared? Why aren't you saying anything? Are you okay?

A shiver ran through Director Kim Han-su's body as he watched the scene.

Clearly, it was Ryu Yeon-woo acting, but there was a distinct presence of Kang Joo-won. It was more than just a resemblance in appearance.

"Yeon-woo, how did you do that? It was like you just stepped out of my head and became Ji-hyuk."

"Well, I heard that actor Kang Joo-won was confirmed for the adult role, so I tried to maximize the audience's immersion..."

Director Kim Han-su clapped, understanding Yeon-woo's preparation from his short explanation.

Grateful for Yeon-woo's thorough preparation even for a cameo role, Director Kim Han-su said,

"Chul-min's praise at the drinking party wasn't exaggerated. You really have the makings of a great actor."

"Director, you're too kind. Thank you."

Yeon-woo, overwhelmed by the director's excessive praise, was at a loss.

Yeon-woo had simply prepared diligently for his role.

They then proceeded to shoot the scenes scheduled for the day.

Yeon-woo standing next to Su-yeon, looking at the stage during the school festival.

Turning around with a cue among the students cheering at the sports day.

Yeon-woo's clear smile, which added a refreshing touch to his striking appearance.

The subsequent school scenes felt like a visual photo album, and the assistant director couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Wow, that's good. The visuals are amazing."

Director Kim Han-su, seemingly agreeing with the assistant director, nodded quietly while watching the monitor.

"Cut! Great!"

Although these were short scenes, they required precise expression of the director's intended image, so retakes were frequent, and it took a long time.

Finally, the last scene of the day was shot and approved.

Cheers and applause filled the air.

"Great job."

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

The extras and staff exchanged greetings, and the shooting was wrapped up.

Only then did the extras, who had been hesitant, approach Yeon-woo.

"Hey, can we take a photo?"

"You're my idol."

Many of the students, aspiring actors, looked at Yeon-woo, who had become a star this year, with admiration.

"Sure, of course. Let's take a photo together."

The students, taking photos with Yeon-woo one by one, were thrilled.

On the other hand, the male students, who were also aspiring actors, burst into laughter after seeing the photos.

"Wow, I can't post this. I look like a squid next to him."

"Man, mine is worse. Look at this."

"Hehe, yeah. But I look better than you."

They were mostly friends from the same acting school or had seen each other often on set since their child actor days.

Yeon-woo, who hadn't really become close with other young actors, found their camaraderie on set intriguing.

'Well, if I were really my age, I'd be about the age of Jung Chul-min.'

Yeon-woo chuckled to himself at the silly thought.

"Director, great job today."

"Thank you, Yeon-woo. Thanks to you, the quality of our film has improved significantly. Since our release date will likely be after the college entrance exam, please join us for the premiere."

"Sure, Director. I'll go wherever you call me."

"Thank you. Haha."

Despite his rapid rise to fame at a young age, Yeon-woo remained humble, and Director Kim Han-su smiled contentedly at his polite bow.

Yeon-woo then said goodbye to Director Kim Han-su and the other staff and headed to the parking lot where Min-woo was waiting.

"Hey!"

Turning at the sound of his name, Yeon-woo saw Su-yeon running towards him.

"Ah, Su-yeon."

Su-yeon, blushing to her ears, carefully held out her phone.

"Um, if it's not too much trouble, can we exchange contact information? I don't have any friends my age in the entertainment industry, and..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, making it hard to understand.

Yeon-woo smiled and took Su-yeon's phone.

"Sure. I don't have any friends my age in the industry either."

Yeon-woo dialed his number and called it, showing the ringing phone to Su-yeon before handing it back.

"Next scene, Su-yeon!"

"Got it!"

Responding to the staff's call from a distance, Su-yeon bowed to Yeon-woo and ran off.

Swoosh.

The sound of a car window rolling down, and Min-woo's playful voice came from inside.

"Hey, our actor. Did you just get her number? From such a pretty lady?"

Yeon-woo looked at Min-woo and smiled.

"Seems like it."