Chapter 72: Invitation

"Director Lee, the shot looks good, doesn't it?"

" nowadays, if you spend the money, the CG always looks good. Director, I'm more excited about the post-production of the ending scene that we're about to hand over."

"The desert chase scene we talked about last time?"

After seeing the rough cut before handing it over for post-production, Director Hwang nodded and looked back at the screen where the trailer was already playing.

"Ryu Yeonwoo, that kid has some talent."

At that moment, a drama department staff member burst into the director's office without knocking, as if it were an emergency.

"Director! The final ratings are in."

"How did it go?"

The staff member handed a printed paper to Director Hwang, who quickly took it and looked it over. Director Lee also leaned in to see.

These were the ratings directly received from the company that compiles them, which is faster and more accurate than the internet.

- KBC 1 "Beyond Garam"

Episode 2 ratings [15.9%] ▲2.2%

- MBS "Baldur"

Episode 4 ratings [18.3%] ▼1.5%

"It's done! The graph has turned."

Although they haven't caught up yet, seeing the graph rise for two consecutive episodes, Director Hwang, with his 30 years of experience, knew that unless something major happens, they would smoothly overtake the competition in the middle of the series and continue to rise, absorbing the ratings of the competing show.

Director Hwang patted Director Lee on the back, smiling contentedly.

"Director Lee, if you run out of production funds during the later stages, let me know immediately. Got it?"

"Yes, Director. Hahaha."

Today, Director Lee's shoulders seemed twice as broad as usual.

***

The next day, Yeonwoo left home in the morning and drove to the special set.

Upon arriving at the entrance, a security guard approached and stopped the car.

"Welcome. How can I help you?"

"I'm here for the 'Beyond Garam' set."

"Oh, you need to go to area B2. There's a parking lot next to it."

"Thank you."

Driving to the location the security guard pointed out, Yeonwoo saw a building of considerable size.

"Quite impressive."

Parking the car and entering the building, he saw staff members busily moving equipment.

"Yeonwoo?"

"Kihoon."

A lighting team staff member, who was setting up lights, spotted Yeonwoo entering and ran over.

"Didn't you take a vacation? Why are you back at the set so soon?"

"I wanted to come early and take a look around. My hometown is in Daejeon. Is the director here?"

"He should be in set 3."

Yeonwoo opened the door to the location the staff member pointed out and entered. Inside, the set was designed to look like a cave.

While the materials used make it obvious it's a set, the darkness makes it look convincing on screen.

In the inner part, Director Lee was checking the camera frame and setting up the shot.

"Director."

"Hmm? Oh, Yeonwoo? Why aren't you resting? Why are you here already?"

"My hometown is nearby, so I came early to take a look. By the way, the set is impressive."

"Haha. Have you seen the next room? They even planted a few trees in the chroma key room."

Director Lee started enthusiastically explaining various aspects of the set.

"Oh, right, you came at a good time. Do you want to try out your frame? We need to set up the lighting for your face in each scene."

"Sure, where should I stand?"

"Okay, good. Sangmyung, set the lights."

While Yeonwoo stood as the subject and helped the staff set up, another actor entered the set.

"Hello, Director. Oh, Yeonwoo?"

"Yuhan."

Yeonwoo was surprised by Jin Yuhan's unexpected appearance.

As expected of someone who only knows acting, Jin Yuhan had traveled from Seoul early in the morning to arrive at the set.

"Wow, I'm moved by the passion of our actors. Sniff, sniff."

Director Lee's lips curled up, and he playfully pretended to cry.

"When did you get here? I didn't expect you to come."

"My home is nearby, so I came early."

"That's great. Both of you. Since you're here, let's do a full run-through."

They started rehearsing not only the scenes where Yeonwoo appears but also the scenes where both actors appear together.

"Ah, if all the actors were this dedicated, the quality would be even higher."

Seeing the two young actors, who had only taken a one-day break after a grueling schedule, come to the set as if they had made a pact, Director Lee's heart burned with passion.

"Seeing such passionate young actors, I'm motivated to put my heart into it too."

The passion flowing from the top gradually infected the staff below, creating a natural and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Before they knew it, it was 4 PM.

"Alright, actors, let's call it a day. Don't burn out; you need to manage your condition."

"Yes, Director."

Yeonwoo had become familiar with the set and had a rough idea of how to act after rehearsing with Jin Yuhan.

Jin Yuhan also stretched and followed Yeonwoo out of the building.

"Ugh, I'm quite tired after leaving so early this morning."

"Yuhan, are you going back to Seoul now?"

"Well, I don't have any specific schedule, but I guess I should."

At that moment, Yeonwoo remembered that his sister Sohyun had asked for Jin Yuhan's autograph.

"An autograph might be better, but seeing you in person is even better."

"Huh?"

"Yuhan, do you want to come to my house? We have a guest room available. You can stay the night and go back tomorrow. The sun is setting soon."

Jin Yuhan, who had few friends of his age due to his early acting career, was intrigued by the idea of staying at a friend's house.

"Hmm, should I? I don't want to be a bother to your family."

"No, it's fine. Friends often stay over, so it won't be a problem."

In fact, when preparing for the college entrance exam, his friends Junsoo and Seongsik often stayed over when they studied late.

However, it was uncertain whether his family would treat Jin Yuhan, a famous actor for over ten years, the same way they treated school friends.

Yeonwoo took out his smartphone and called his mother.

- Yes, son.

"Mom, a friend is staying over tonight. Is the guest room clean?"

- I cleaned it thoroughly before you came down. Who is it? Is it Junsoo?"

"No, a different friend. I'll bring them home."

- Okay, bring them home.

"Yuhan, do you want to go home and review the script and practice lines?"

"Sure, that sounds great."

"Let's leave the car here and go in mine."

The two, who were more dedicated to acting than anyone else, got into the car and headed home.

Ding.

Opening the door, they found that his mother wasn't home.

"She must be out buying groceries for dinner."

"Right. This is my first time visiting a friend's house."

"Really?"

Yeonwoo asked, but upon reflection, he realized that even in his previous life, he had never visited a friend's house.

Or maybe he didn't have any friends.

"Hmm, thinking about it, I don't think I've visited many either. Do you want to see the house?"

Although the house wasn't particularly large, since they were staying overnight, Yeonwoo showed Jin Yuhan around.

"This is my younger sister's room. I don't think it's a good idea to open the door without her permission. She's at a sensitive age."

"Oh, you have a younger sister?"

"Her name is Sohyun. Ryu Sohyun."

Hearing the name, Jin Yuhan clapped his hands.

"Oh, I remember. At the last award ceremony, you said her name was the same as actor Han Sohyun."

"She became your fan after watching our drama's second episode yesterday. Can you sign something for her later?"

"Hahaha, sure."

At that moment, the door opened, and his mother came in with groceries.

"Mom, you're home."

Yeonwoo went to the entrance to greet her and took the grocery bag.

"Did you bring a friend? What kind of friend... Oh, my goodness."

Yeonwoo and his mother entered the living room, and she was surprised to see Jin Yuhan.

"Hello, Mom. This is Jin Yuhan, who is acting with Yeonwoo."

"Oh, I know. Of course, I know."

"Please feel comfortable. He's Yeonwoo's friend."

"Hehe, is that so? Son, if you had told me you were bringing a star, I would have bought some beef."

After bowing politely, Jin Yuhan joked, and his mother playfully hit Yeonwoo's back.

This was the second time she had hit his back since the last time he saw her on a TV show.

"Mom, if Seongsik or Junsoo heard this, they might feel left out."

"Huh? Oh, I can cook beef for them too. Anyway, sit on the sofa. I'll bring some fruit."

His mother walked to the kitchen, and Yeonwoo sat on the sofa with Jin Yuhan, taking out the script.

They quickly got absorbed in the script, sharing their interpretations and discussing the acting seriously.

Mrs. Lee, who had been watching them from the kitchen entrance, felt tears welling up in her eyes.

'That child, who used to be so troubled and dark...'

She was incredibly happy to see how well he had grown and changed 180 degrees.

"Let's eat this while we work. Boys."

"Thank you, Mom."

As they ate the fruit, they settled down at the living room table and continued to practice their lines, making notes and adjusting their performances.

Ding.

The front door opened, and the noise of his father and sister Sohyun entering filled the house.

"Mom, mom! Guess what, I took the September mock exam today, and the teacher said... Ah!"

Sohyun, who had been talking about her day at school, screamed when she saw Jin Yuhan sitting in the living room.

"What's wrong with this girl, suddenly screaming... Oh?"

His father, who followed her in, also widened his eyes when he saw Jin Yuhan.

"Hello, I'm Jin Yuhan, Yeonwoo's friend. I'm staying over tonight."

"Ah, welcome. You look even better in person."

His father shook Jin Yuhan's hand and patted his shoulder.

After greeting his father, Jin Yuhan looked at his sister, who was still standing frozen.

"Hi, Sohyun?"

"Ah!"

With a strange scream, Sohyun ran to her room.

"Why is she like that? I'm sorry, Yuhan."

"Maybe she's still in her rebellious phase?"

"Hehe, no, it's fine."

His father and Yeonwoo laughed awkwardly and apologized, and Jin Yuhan waved it off.

As they chatted, his father asked Jin Yuhan about Yeonwoo's performance at the set, and after about three minutes, Sohyun's door opened slightly, and she peeked out.