Chapter 9. Are you scared?

The time spent with his parents was enjoyable.

And it was too short.

After the village festival and a night of fishing with his father, it was already time to return to Seoul.

His parents packed all sorts of side dishes for him.

Although An Si-hyun insisted that going empty-handed would be more convenient, he couldn't resist the parents' affection for their child.

With heavy hands, An Si-hyun smiled as he saw his parents off to the terminal.

He put down his luggage and took turns hugging his father and mother.

"Disgusting, man."

"Oh, you're being so sentimental."

"Mom, Dad, I love you. I'll make a lot of money and build a new barn for you, so please stay healthy and live long."

* * *

The second script reading.

An Si-hyun only held his place and did not participate in the reading.

During the second script reading, the scenes focused on the National Security Planning Agency, and there were no lines for An Si-hyun.

Instead, there were five scenes with Kim Jin-mo's lines.

Kang Seok-woo.

The character Kim Jin-mo played, Kang Seok-woo, is a new recruit in the National Security Planning Agency who feels human compassion while torturing a dispatched agent, leading to inner turmoil.

Kang Seok-woo continues to urge the dispatched agents to defect until the very end, even as he resists the deputy director's order to execute all the agents.

Scene 45.

After torturing the dispatched agent Seo Young-man several times and feeling mentally exhausted, Kang Seok-woo finally collapses when he learns that Seo Young-man died the next day.

"......I'm sorry. I can't do it."

"Can't do it?"

"I killed Seo Young-man with my own hands. He died because of me. I don't want to kill people anymore."

"It's for the country. You're contributing to the nation by killing a few communists!"

"If killing people is for the country, I will betray the country."

With a voice tinged with tears, Kim Jin-mo delivered his lines.

There were no expressions or actions, yet Kang Seok-woo's inner turmoil was clearly conveyed. He perfectly expressed the psychological state of an ordinary person who wavers while torturing a dispatched agent.

After the script reading for Scene 45.

"Wow, Jin-mo, you're a great actor. Your emotional expression is top-notch."

When Song Kang-sik praised him, Kim Jin-mo scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"I still have a lot to improve, senior."

"Have some confidence, man. If I were you, I'd think I could outshine all the other actors with my face and acting skills."

"Well, you're great in every way, but your face is a bit off."

Hwang Young-min's comment made Song Kang-sik smile brightly and raise his middle finger.

"Shut up. Your face is rough and bumpy."

"Kukuk. Senior, we're definitely method actors. We're different from well-looked guys like Jin-mo and Si-hyun."

Throughout the script reading, Kim Jin-mo showed excellent acting, delivering peak emotional performances that earned praise from other actors.

Director Kwak Sang-pil also nodded in satisfaction several times at Kim Jin-mo's performance.

In contrast, Ryu Seung-woong, who had caused trouble on the first day of the script reading, forced a smile every time Kim Jin-mo was praised, clearly trying to suppress his annoyance.

Regardless,

'Real emotional expression is insane. That's why he could grow into a national actor.'

An Si-hyun sincerely admired Kim Jin-mo's performance, recalling the Kim Jin-mo from before his regression.

Kim Jin-mo pursues a natural acting style that emphasizes emotional expression.

The most important thing is that his ability to express emotions is at a level that others cannot match.

One critic even said that if the standard for evaluating acting were solely emotional expression, Kim Jin-mo would be the best actor in the world.

Especially, the crying scene in "My Wife Is a Virgin Ghost" was the best, setting a record of 29.1% in cable channel history and a peak rating of 36.3%.

Although it was more than ten years before he would film "My Wife Is a Virgin Ghost," the 21-year-old Kim Jin-mo's emotional expression was not much different from that time.

If there was anything to criticize, it was that he was putting in too much effort?

Emotional expression also requires pacing.

It's fine now as a supporting actor, but to become a lead, he needs to know when to exert and when to hold back. If he keeps running at full speed, the audience will get tired before they can appreciate the performance.

Well, as a natural actor, Kim Jin-mo will surely realize this and grow as a lead actor, even without someone specifically advising him.

'Emotional expression......'

An Si-hyun thought about it countless times while watching the script reading.

How could he express emotions as freely as Kim Jin-mo? How could he better convey the character's emotions to the audience?

* * *

An Si-hyun and Kim Jin-mo received endless praise from senior actors during the repeated script readings.

It always felt good.

After all, no matter how much praise you receive, it's never enough, right?

"It's really amazing. You're best friends, yet your acting styles are so different. One adds emotion to naturalness, and the other is method. Does that even make sense?"

"Originally, our styles were similar, but method acting seems to fit me better."

"Definitely. I can't wait for the filming to start. I'm eager to see you two perform properly."

"We'll do our best not to disappoint you."

An Si-hyun and Kim Jin-mo shared the praise from senior actors during each script reading.

This made Ryu Seung-woong uncomfortable.

'They're both...... I don't like either of them.'

At least Kim Jin-mo only had two overlapping scenes.

But An Si-hyun was different.

He had to act in many scenes, and he was receiving more attention than Ryu Seung-woong, who had a larger role in the film.

Established actors treated Kim Jin-mo and An Si-hyun like their own children, looking at them with adoring eyes and offering acting advice when needed.

He didn't like this situation.

What made Ryu Seung-woong the most angry was that, regardless of his personal feelings, An Si-hyun was really a good actor. It was clear who would receive the most spotlight among the supporting actors after the film's release.

In the end,

"An Si-hyun, are you having fun? You're being annoying, so tone it down."

When they were alone in the restroom, Ryu Seung-woong finally revealed his true feelings, which he had hidden during the script reading. An Si-hyun tilted his head, pretending not to understand.

Of course, it was an act.

Ryu Seung-woong's thoughts were obvious.

"I'm doing well because you told me to...... Did I do something wrong to you, senior?"

"Lee Su-chul's role is bigger than Hwang Si-guk's, so why are you trying to stand out? Are you the lead? No, you're not. Tone it down and act according to your role."

It was a baseless and unreasonable claim.

Nevertheless, An Si-hyun bowed politely and apologized.

"I'm sorry, senior. I think I overstepped. I got carried away without realizing it when I heard the praise......"

"Got it. Please be more considerate."

"Yes, I will keep that in mind."

Of course,

An Si-hyun had no intention of acting according to Ryu Seung-woong's wishes. He planned to put in his best effort while pretending to be intimidated.

'What does Ryu Seung-woong know? I don't plan to work with him on any future projects. An actor proves himself through acting, not words, senior.'

* * *

May 1, 1999.

In front of the Yangpyeong filming location for "I Am a Spy."

After a month of script readings, the production team and actors gathered to perform a ritual before the start of filming.

While many sets no longer perform rituals before filming due to changing times, it was still a ceremony to wish for success and safety.

The ritual was led by established actor Lee Seok-jae.

A national actor in the 70s and 80s, he played the role of a security guard in Lee Su-chul's apartment, providing the film with a sense of gravity.

"Director Kwak, can I go first?"

"Yes, please go ahead."

"Hehehe. This is...... embarrassing."

Lee Seok-jae smiled awkwardly, bowed, and inserted the prepared money into the pig's nostril. He then smiled and made a wish related to the film.

"I hope there are no accidents until the filming is complete."

After that, Director Kwak Sang-pil, followed by the actors and staff, took turns bowing.

"Please make our film a huge success."

"Please help us exceed the break-even point!"

"I don't ask for much. Just help us avoid production issues and ensure the film's safe release."

"Please help us avoid more than ten NGs in a single scene."

An Si-hyun also inserted a ten-thousand-won bill and made a wish, though he didn't say it out loud.

'I won't be greedy. I'll find my next role on my own, so please help us exceed the break-even point. And please help Director Kwak continue his career as a director.'

Before his regression, Director Kwak Sang-pil retired after "I Am a Spy." Although external factors played a role, it was also because the film was his first to not exceed the break-even point, leading him to conclude that his career as a director was over.

The attention "I Am a Spy" received later was partly due to its quality, but also because it was Director Kwak's last work.

Personally, An Si-hyun hoped Director Kwak would continue his career.

He liked his films and admired his directing style. If there was an opportunity, he wanted to work with Director Kwak again.

Moreover,

'Director Kwak's last work, which he left as a testament to his students after his passing. If he had directed it himself, it would have easily surpassed ten million viewers. That work can only be perfectly expressed by Director Kwak.'

An Si-hyun hoped that Director Kwak's last work would be completed by Director Kwak himself. And at that time, he hoped to be a lead actor, not a supporting one.

* * *

After the ritual and lunch,

the filming officially began.

"We'll start with Scene 15. Please prepare immediately."

Scene 15, the main scene for An Si-hyun and Ryu Seung-woong, was chosen to be filmed first. The first day of filming was focused on the dispatched agents.

The makeup team bustled around An Si-hyun and Ryu Seung-woong. Song Kang-sik, who had just finished a cigarette, approached An Si-hyun and asked,

"Si-hyun, are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, senior."

"Good. I thought you might be sick because you look thinner than when we started the script reading."

"I did some dieting to look more like Lee Su-chul."

"Hehehe. Be careful, man. If you overdo it, you'll end up in trouble."

Lee Su-chul had a lean and sharp appearance.

At 183 cm, An Si-hyun's body type didn't match. While his appearance could be adjusted with makeup, his body type was harder to change.

Still, An Si-hyun tried.

To look as much like Lee Su-chul as possible and to help the audience immerse themselves in the character.

An Si-hyun chose a lean, muscular build.

Although he had only eaten two boiled eggs and an apple since the previous evening, his face was bright with a smile as he talked to Song Kang-sik.

The preparations were complete.

He couldn't wait for the filming to start. He was eager to showcase all his preparations.

About 30 minutes later,

"Action."

The filming of "I Am a Spy" finally began.

Early morning. A narrow alley in Nagan-dong. Environmental cleaner Lee Su-chul exchanges greetings with the neighborhood residents.

"Good morning, sir. Hello, Maru? I don't have any treats, but do you want a sausage?"

"Thank you, sir!"

"Good morning, ma'am."

"Uncle Su-chul, can you help me with some repairs? My husband is on a business trip, so there's no one to help."

"Repairs? Yes, I'll do it for you at lunchtime."

"Thank you. You're the only one I can rely on."

"Hehehe. It's no problem. Newlywed! The butcher has some good meat today! Don't forget that we're volunteering this weekend with your husband!"

An Si-hyun became the friendly environmental cleaner Lee Su-chul.

His bright smile and conversations with the neighborhood residents made him seem like a typical local resident.

Director Kwak Sang-pil nodded at An Si-hyun's performance.

'The character is definitely alive.'

An Si-hyun's ability to bring Lee Su-chul to life was what allowed him to win against Song Myung-hyun.

Being a good actor and bringing a character to life are different things. Infusing a character with life is a different level of skill.

Even during the audition, the Lee Su-chul character An Si-hyun created was alive.

Now, it felt even more vibrant.

Most of the actors watching the filming were impressed.

While everyone had felt that An Si-hyun was a good actor during the script reading, his actions and expressions revealed his true talent.

Lee Su-chul himself.

A living, breathing character that made the audience fully immersed.

That was An Si-hyun's acting.

After finishing his conversation with the neighborhood residents, Lee Su-chul headed home for a break.

As soon as he opened the door and entered the house, the smile on Lee Su-chul's face turned into a stern expression. He picked up a knife hidden under the desk, his face devoid of emotion.

And then,

"Comrade."

Slowly.

"Are you out of your mind?"

He delivered his lines slowly but clearly, with hidden anger in his calmness.

Lee Su-chul transformed into Ri Su-chul.

"South Korean bastards are tightening their surveillance. Are you here to die together?"

"Cut."

As soon as An Si-hyun delivered his lines, it was an NG.

It wasn't because of An Si-hyun. Ryu Seung-woong, who was supposed to respond, was distracted.

"Seung-woong, please focus."

"Ah...... Yes. I'm sorry."

"Let's try again, focused this time."

Ryu Seung-woong bowed to the director and staff. His face, which he had lowered, was flushed red with embarrassment.

'Was I just scared? By that kid?'