Chapter 54

54. Ready, Action!

"Our Woongsik and Woongbi have arrived. Woongsik is a very strong friend, and Woongbi is incredibly smart. Sometimes, he seems even smarter than me... This is a secret, but I just let it slip? Haha!"

The keeper stopped the car.

Woongsik and Woongbi approached the car from either side, looking at the keeper with eyes that demanded something be handed over.

"Recently, we've switched to self-feeding, so I don't give out snacks much. But they caught me this time. They were running away quickly just now, but there's nothing I can do. I guess I have to give them a snack. Will you move? Or won't you? Yeah, you won't..."

Clang!

Woongsik lightly tapped the bars of the car window where the keeper's face was visible.

He was expressing his dissatisfaction with the recent lack of snacks and the frequent escapes.

Clunk.

"Ouch."

The car jolted forward and then the engine stalled due to the keeper's sudden surprise.

"Hmm? Ah... Our Woongsik is throwing a tantrum for a snack. Since we're here, how about showing off a trick? Woongsik! Nose~ Bang~ Ear~!"

Feeling the hint of a snack, Woongsik stuck his face into the car window and blew a snot bubble.

- Puhong!

"Once more~ Nose bubble!"

- Puhing!

"Now, it's Woongbi's turn! As I mentioned, Woongbi is very smart and has many tricks. Woongbi, do you see the children here? Say hello!"

Woongbi, sitting in the back seat, lifted and lowered one of his front paws to greet Siwoo and Jihoo.

Siwoo also raised his hand to greet Woongbi.

"Hello!"

'Hey, Woongbi, how's life here? Is it comfortable?'

Woongbi tilted his head slightly and growled.

- Grrr...

The keepers, though a bit clumsy, say it's much better than the previous zoo, with more space and better food.

"Hey, Woongbi~"

'That's good. Are you hurt anywhere? If so, let me know.'

- Ooo~

"Ooo~"

'It's not that my heart hurts because the keepers don't give me snacks... No, not that. Eating too many snacks isn't good for your health.'

Woongbi's mouth seemed to twitch.

He looked like he was smiling.

- Koo~ Koo~

When Woongbi asked if he could live 10 more years without eating snacks, Siwoo couldn't answer.

This was Woongbi, the cool bear from Joo World Savannah.

"Hey, Woongbi, how about a spin?"

The keeper asked.

Woongbi wobbled and spun around once, then opened his mouth to receive a snack.

After Woongsik and Woongbi's snack time, the keeper started the car.

Silence.

"…Huh?"

The engine should have started strongly, but it sputtered and wouldn't catch.

"Ahaha, why is this happening?"

Jihoo's mom asked.

"…The engine won't start?"

"Oh, don't worry. It will start soon."

After watching for a moment, Jihoo's mom said, looking at the back of the car.

"At times like this, it would be good if someone could push the car, but I can't go out and push it now…"

At that moment, Siwoo said to the keeper.

"Uncle~ Snack! Snack! Please."

"Snack? Our little friend, in this situation? Haha! Alright, I'll give you a new one. Eat this."

The keeper, preoccupied with the car problem, handed a new bag of snacks to Siwoo.

Siwoo tore open the bag and called to Woongbi, who was still looking around the car for more snacks.

"Hey~ Bear~"

Siwoo and Woongbi's eyes met.

'Can you push the car?'

Woongbi's mouth twitched again.

He was definitely smiling.

Woongbi walked to the back of the car.

And—

- Oooh~

He placed his front paws on the car and started pushing.

Seeing this, Woongsik, thinking it was some kind of game, wobbled over on two legs and joined in, pushing the car with Woongbi.

The car began to move forward under the overwhelming strength of the two bears.

"Huh? Wh-what?"

The keeper's voice was filled with surprise.

Hyunju said to the keeper.

"Shouldn't you start the engine now?"

Vroom, vroom, vroom—!

The car started.

Jihoo's mom clapped and laughed.

"Oh my, what a surprise! What a coincidence!"

The car, roaring with a loud engine, was being chased by Woongsik and Woongbi at a quick pace.

The world is about give and take.

No one forgives freeloaders.

Siwoo shouted.

"Uncle~ Bears~ Snack! Snack! Please."

Siwoo held out the bag of snacks to the keeper.

The keeper, who had stopped the car, took the snacks from Siwoo.

"Wow, this is the first time I've ever experienced something like this! Our little friend, you're giving up your snacks? Our bears will be happy. Ladies, I'm really sorry. I'll come down later and apologize properly. For now, let's eat the snacks~"

The keeper put a few more snacks into the mouths of Woongbi and Woongsik.

Woongbi and Woongsik smiled with their teeth showing, looking satisfied.

The car started again.

Hyunju and Jihoo's mom watched the bears with curious eyes, seeing them standing side by side and lifting one of their front paws.

It was the same trick they had seen earlier.

Siwoo and Jihoo also waved enthusiastically at the bears through the back window.

* * *

"Alright, let's do it like a real scene. Ready, action!"

Hah Seung-suk, a charismatic actor in his mid-40s, shouted.

In front of him, four young lambs were trembling.

In order:

Jin Yiseong, 39.

A bald-headed actor who frequently appears in gangster movies, known for his fierce appearance but is actually a former elementary school teacher who loves children.

Han Yoo-ri, 31.

A leading actress in a royal drama, transitioning from a pretty CF star to a respected actress, now one of the top beauties in Korea.

Choi Jae-hoon, 25.

A handsome young actor who, despite lacking impact, has recently gained popularity after appearing as the protagonist's friend in a hit drama last year.

Ryu Seung-hyun, 17.

A popular child actor, known as the second Song Jun-young for his charming smile.

"Hmm…"

They were all hardworking friends in their respective acting fields.

However, Seung-suk's expression hardened, as if he was not satisfied.

Seung-suk spoke.

"What are you doing? Not acting? Do it like the reading! When an actor hears 'ready, action,' their eyes should light up! Are you all babies who need to be spoon-fed? Ah, except Seung-hyun. You, go over there and relax… No, wait. You also have a problem. When did Seung-hyun debut?"

Seung-hyun, who had looked up, immediately bowed his head and answered when he met Seung-suk's eyes.

"I, I debuted at eight years old! Senior!"

"Then… you've been acting for almost 10 years? So you're not a baby but an actor, right?"

"Yes! That's right!"

Seung-suk nodded at Seung-hyun's confident response.

"Alright. Just stand there. Everyone, pay attention. You did well during the reading. Why are you like this now?"

This was the set of "In the Name of God," a film directed by Choi Min-cheol, recreating the landscape of the underworld in his imagination.

It was the first scene where all the actors were gathered to shoot, but the unexpected poor acting of the juniors had made the senior Seung-suk lose his cool.

There was no problem when they delivered their lines.

But everyone froze when they saw him.

Seung-suk's question was answered by the eldest actor, Jin Yiseong, in an extremely polite tone.

"During the reading… we didn't make eye contact. Now, seeing you in person and interacting directly, we are just… so… respectful of you, Senior! Cough, cough. I'm sorry! Senior!"

"Do I eat you? Kill you?"

Han Yoo-ri suddenly stepped forward and shouted.

"I respect you! Senior!"

Choi Jae-hoon also shouted.

"Yes! Ha, filming together like this… it feels real… I respect you! Senior!"

Seung-suk put his hand on his forehead.

Is this some kind of new religion?

"No, don't respect me, just act! I'm the youngest in the team! A new underworld envoy! I may look like this, but inside… if you open my chest, inside… it's green! Green! A new employee, a newbie! How does any organization treat a new employee like this, trembling?"

Seung-suk shouted to his friend and director Choi Min-cheol, who was watching from a distance.

"Hey! Min-cheol! What should I do? Should I fix my acting? Should I act more like a newbie? Will that help them get into character?"

Director Choi Min-cheol shook his head.

"No, that won't work. If the protagonist acts like a newbie, what will happen? Ah, the subtle humor point is that the strongest charisma in Korea is being bullied by young kids… but it's not working in the actual filming."

Seung-suk sighed deeply.

"I do have a strong presence. Hey, if our movie does well, let's make a behind-the-scenes video… with me, you, and Jin Yiseong as the three most intimidating actors. Kids cry just by looking at us. Hahaha. Ha… What should we do about their acting?"

The moment he saw his face, the juniors, who should have been criticizing him, lost their focus.

Jin Yiseong, the 39-year-old gangster actor, was the best, but the other three clearly lacked experience.

At that moment,

The assistant director called out to Director Choi Min-cheol.

"Director!"

Everyone's attention turned to him.

"The King of the Underworld's costume… is ready, but… the atmosphere is like this… should we wait a bit longer?"

Behind the assistant director stood Hyunju, and right below him was…

Shiwoo, transformed into the King of the Underworld, with a cute face slightly lifted, looking around the set with curious and playful eyes.

It was an incredibly elaborate set, with a huge budget.

"Wow, it's amazing even when I see it again. But… what about this atmosphere?"

Shiwoo, with exceptional hearing, had heard everything that had happened.

Seung-hyun, who had shown excellent acting in "The King's Path," also seemed to be struggling, even from a distance.

Hah Seung-suk was a legendary actor, always mentioned when discussing the best actors in Korea, and also the actor Seung-hyun most respected.

It was understandable that they were intimidated.

"Hmm… let's shoot the scene where the five meet the King of the Underworld first, and then the King will appear, so let's wait until everything is ready…"

As Director Choi Min-cheol was talking to the assistant director, Shiwoo ran to the center of the underworld path.

"Seung-hyun hyung~!"

"Y-Yes, Shiwoo."

Seung-hyun's tense face relaxed a bit.

The other actors and staff smiled at the cute sight of Shiwoo running in the long, flowing robe of the King of the Underworld.

Seeing the atmosphere soften, Director Choi Min-cheol said to the assistant director.

"Just let it be. The kids seem to be more relaxed with him around. Let's take a short break! Seung-suk, try to be more friendly. It will help the acting be more natural."

Seung-suk replied.

"Got it, got it."

Seung-suk slowly walked over to where the other actors were gathered around Shiwoo.

"Hey, everyone… this is our first time working together, so you've only heard about me. I'm not that scary. Don't think of me as a senior! Just treat me normally! Want to call me by my name? Name? Seung-suk! Try it!"

Despite his efforts to act like a new underworld envoy, Seung-suk felt that whatever he said, the juniors were getting more distant.

The actors were unsure if he was being sincere or scolding them for not acting properly, so no one spoke.

At that moment, a lovely child's voice echoed through the set.

"Seung-suk~!"

"…!"

All the actors and staff stared at Shiwoo with wide eyes.

What is this? What is this strange catharsis?

Except for Director Choi Min-cheol, who had been friends with Seung-suk since they were young, no one could call him by his first name so casually.

Seung-hyun, startled, tried to cover Shiwoo's mouth, but Seung-suk's hearty laughter burst out.

"Hahaha! Yes! This kid! You and I get along well!"

"Where did you~ quietly~ call me a kid to the King of the Underworld?"

Shiwoo smiled, hands behind his back, looking up at Seung-suk.

Oh.