Chapter 73

73. It flew beautifully.

‘Ha. I have to survive between these two.’

Nam Soohyun, who was cast as the female lead, let out a deep sigh.

Even though it was just a script reading, the acting of Woo Jinhyuk and Jung Ji-an was far more shocking than expected.

Two acting geniuses. In the clash between the two Hong Gildongs, could she, the heroine, shine without being overshadowed?

Unlike the many middle-aged actors who hadn't seen *High School 2*, Nam Soohyun was quite familiar with *High School 2* and Jinhyuk.

She herself had been quite shocked by Jinhyuk's appearance in *High School 2*.

But how many actors, like one-hit wonder singers, had briefly shone and then disappeared?

A place where new faces constantly emerged.

Even actors with leading roles in multiple works and considerable recognition could be quickly forgotten by the public.

This was the entertainment industry.

To her, Jinhyuk was still an unverified newcomer.

But after the script reading, Nam Soohyun was certain. Jinhyuk was a junior who would rise to a much, much higher position than now.

Unless there was a reason for him to fall in his personal life or elsewhere, that star quality and acting ability were not those of a fleeting star.

And there was Jung Ji-an, who already had the title of 'genius actor.'

The acting duel between the two even made Nam Soohyun herself look forward to it.

Soohyun was unconsciously trying to steady her shrinking heart.

‘I need to pull myself together.’

But the position she had built as an actor was not easily achieved. She was also a senior to the two.

She was determined to show a clear presence as the heroine.

“Senior.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

Jinhyuk greeted her casually and sat down opposite Nam Soohyun.

“Your acting today was very impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“I thought we might not see each other again until the set. But since we are supposed to have a romantic relationship in the drama, I thought it would be good to talk a bit.”

Jinhyuk nodded in agreement.

“Do you want something to drink?”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“Alright, then.”

Nam Soohyun’s fingertips trembled slightly as she lifted her coffee cup. It was because of Jinhyuk’s aura. Soohyun was inwardly flustered.

What was this, to a much younger junior….

If it were a typical junior, they should be the ones to feel nervous when they saw her.

While Soohyun was unfamiliar with this unexpected trembling, Jinhyuk was also experiencing a rather new feeling.

It was the first time he had sat face-to-face with a leading actress who specialized in acting.

In the case of An Ye-na, although she was a lead, she was a peer idol singer. She felt more like an idol than an actress.

The same went for the other actresses in *High School*.

But Nam Soohyun was a recognized leading actress in her mid-20s, at the peak of her career as an actress.

Her aura was definitely different.

With her porcelain-like skin, beautiful eyes, straight nose, and cherry-like lips, she had the perfect appearance of a traditional beauty.

Jinhyuk, who was neither flustered nor nervous, still had to adapt to this new feeling.

After exchanging a few formal greetings and catching up, Nam Soohyun asked:

“Jinhyuk, have you ever had a girlfriend?”

“...”

“Ah, I don’t mean anything by it. Since there’s a romantic relationship between us, I was just wondering if you have any experience. If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer.”

Woo Jinhyuk shook his head.

“No, I’m not uncomfortable. I’ve never had a girlfriend.”

It was an experience he had never had in either his previous life or this one.

“Wow. Is this image management, or is it really true?”

“Does this kind of thing have anything to do with image management? I don’t think dating is a flaw.”

“Wow, it seems to be true. Well, girls might not even dare to approach you.”

Direct experience in acting wasn’t everything. Just because you hadn’t stolen, you didn’t have to play Hong Gildong.

But still, romantic experience was different. It was hard for Soohyun to imagine expressing such subtle emotions without any experience.

A romance performance by an acting genius with no romantic experience. What would it be like?

Nam Soohyun was curious. In *High School 2*, Jinhyuk hadn’t had a proper romance.

“Anyway, I’m glad we can work together. I mean it.”

“Me too. Please take care of me.”

Nam Soohyun smiled as she brought the coffee cup to her mouth.

Watching someone from a distance is different from sitting face-to-face. The same went for Jinhyuk.

After the script reading, when she was more concerned about her presence and saw Jinhyuk as a strong competitor, a different feeling began to sprout.

A feeling of being captivated by the person in front of her, as if she had raised a sword to duel but then put it down to embrace the opponent.

What was this?

Was it because of his unreal appearance, which was different from what she saw from a distance?

Or was it because of his deep eyes, which seemed to draw her in?

Or was it his charming, low, and smooth voice, which could disarm any woman?

Or was it his calm and composed tone, which didn’t make him seem intimidated or overly confident?

Or was it his mature demeanor, despite being a junior, which made him seem like a senior?

Or was it his unique charm, which was the opposite of his previous acting style?

Nam Soohyun couldn’t clearly define the emotion she felt when facing Jinhyuk.

It was something definite, not just a vague, fatal charm or aura.

‘Huh.’

But defining the emotion wasn’t that important.

By now, the fear of having to face Jinhyuk and protect her presence had been overshadowed by the burning desire to act with him.

***

Swish!

Jinhyuk’s sword, aimed at his opponent, sharply pierced forward.

Swish! Swish!

In an instant, a dazzling sword technique was displayed.

Whoosh!

Min Seoyeon, holding two short swords, leaped in beside Jinhyuk.

Her hair, tied back tightly, swayed as she performed clean, precise movements.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“Great! Really great!”

The martial arts director, clenching his fists, cheered as if the action school practice room would burst.

This was Jinhyuk’s first time learning this type of sword technique. He was confident in his dagger skills with a combat knife, but this was different.

Seoyeon, who had tried various martial arts, had even learned fencing, but the dual swords in the drama were still unfamiliar.

Still, the martial arts director believed that the two, with their excellent physical coordination and sense of combat, would do well.

However, their learning ability surpassed even his expectations.

Who would think that these two had only been holding swords for a month and a half?

The swordsmanship coach, who was watching their performance with the martial arts director, whistled.

“These two should become athletes, not actors. If they choose the right sport, they could win Olympic medals with their physical coordination.”

“Haha. That would be a waste of their faces.”

“That’s true, but what they’re doing now is just as unbelievable as their looks.”

“Haha.”

The satisfied martial arts director said to the two:

“Jinhyuk, Seoyeon, you’re really amazing. Haha. Everyone will be stunned when they see this. We need to practice together a bit later, so let’s take a break.”

“Okay.”

Today was the first day of practicing with other actors. They had already practiced movements with stuntmen, but this was their first practice with the actors.

“Want to have a drink?”

“Sure.”

Seoyeon brought an electrolyte drink and handed it to Jinhyuk, then drank hers in big gulps.

In *High School*, Min Seoyeon had short hair. Now, with her hair tied back in a ponytail, it suited her well.

Her fair face, flushed red, the sweat, and the way she wiped her bangs after drinking the drink—it was like she was in an electrolyte drink commercial.

“It looks like an electrolyte drink commercial.”

“What?”

“Seoyeon, you.”

Jinhyuk lifted the electrolyte drink, and Seoyeon mimicked his action. It was like a commercial.

Seoyeon narrowed her eyes at Jinhyuk.

“Sure enough.”

“What?”

“Sure enough.”

“What do you mean by sure enough?”

The original Jinhyuk wouldn’t play such a prank.

“Sure enough, that Hong Gildong is stirring inside you.”

“What do you mean?”

Jinhyuk was confused. He hadn’t yet noticed the unconscious changes in himself while getting into character.

“There is. That’s it.”

Min Seoyeon didn’t say more. She was afraid that Jinhyuk might stop playing pranks.

Although the same cheekiness as Hong Gildong was a bit much, the slight influence of Hong Gildong in the original Jinhyuk wasn’t bad.

Even though she knew it was because of the role, she felt closer to Jinhyuk when he played pranks.

“Hey—our Hong Gildong leader, it’s been a while, Seoyeon!”

A cheerful greeting came from:

Jang Buli, a key figure in the drama and one of Hong Gildong’s closest confidants, played by actor Kim Donggwang.

A robust actor in his late 30s, Kim Donggwang, along with some other main actors from the drama, approached Jinhyuk and Seoyeon.

“How’s the practice going?”

“Yes, we’re working hard.”

“Good, good. Have you ever learned swordsmanship before?”

“No, this is my first time.”

Kim Donggwang, known for his expertise in swordsmanship in the entertainment industry, burst into laughter.

“Haha. You must have worked hard. Learning swordsmanship in a short time isn’t easy, but since you’re the lead, you need to show some form.”

“Yes, I’ll work hard.”

“It’s your first time with historical action, right?”

“Yes.”

Kim Donggwang nodded and suddenly took on a senior’s sense of responsibility.

“Sword action….” His lecture began:

“Our traditional sword techniques are based on four basic movements. It’s not about moving the sword first. You need to know the eye technique, then the striking technique, the cutting technique, and the thrusting technique, all based on these movements….”

It turned into a long speech about our sword techniques. Jinhyuk and Seoyeon listened, but the other actors had a “Here we go again” look.

Fortunately, Kim Donggwang’s speech didn’t last long.

“Donggwang, it’s been a while. Why are you so passionate again?”

“Ah, sir. Haha. Since they’re still newbies, they need to know the basics.”

The martial arts director and actor Kim Donggwang greeted each other warmly.

“Sir, you’re working hard with these kids.”

“It’s my job.”

“How can they keep up?”

“Keep up?”

The martial arts director laughed, finding Kim Donggwang’s words absurd. Misunderstanding the martial arts director, Kim Donggwang tried to comfort him.

“Well, it’s not easy to learn swordsmanship in just a month and a half. But there’s still time, so they’ll learn the basics, right? Haha.”

“...”

“Fortunately, Jinhyuk has a good face. As long as he looks good, the stunt double and the camera will do the rest.”

The martial arts director just laughed, not knowing where to start.

“By the way, who’s the stunt double for Jinhyuk? Someone with a similar height and build, like Donghun? Ah, Myungjin is pretty good too. Ah, and… it’s been a while since I’ve been to the action school… who else is there?”

Kim Donggwang, furrowing his brows, continued seriously.

“Seoyeon is a bit of a problem. She’s small and delicate. Honestly, it’s a bit of a miscasting. They cast a girl who should have been a lady as a water maiden. There are no girls with that build. Will the costume cover it well?”

The martial arts director, who had been smiling, said with a satisfied smile:

“No stunt double.”

“Huh? What do you mean, no stunt double? Who are they supposed to practice with today?”

“That’s not it. They’re going to do it without a stunt double.”

“Huh?!”

Kim Donggwang’s eyes widened in disbelief, and the other actors had the same reaction.

Only the martial arts director and the swordsmanship coach, who had approached, smiled knowingly.

“Want to see?”

The martial arts director said to Kim Donggwang. Before the flustered Kim Donggwang could say anything, the director called out to the stuntmen who were warming up.

“Come on, gather around. Let’s see the first double action scene with Hong Gildong and Seoyeon.”

Everyone stopped their movements and took their positions with wooden swords.

Jinhyuk, facing three swordsmen, had a sharp, intense gaze. It was like the gaze of a warrior who had faced real enemies on the battlefield.

The four swordsmen slowly moved, exchanging glances, looking for openings. The practice room was immediately filled with tension.

Kim Donggwang and the other actors were so surprised from the start that they couldn’t even gasp, holding their breath.

“Wow.”

The swordsmanship coach, who had seen Jinhyuk countless times, let out a sigh. It was so perfect that he wanted to capture it with a camera right away.

The aura of killing, the sharp, polished blade.

And, as sharp as the blade, a beauty that seemed to cut through the hearts of everyone watching.

The three stuntmen charged at Jinhyuk one after another, and amidst the complex movements, Jinhyuk’s body and sword, like a dancer performing a sword dance,

flew beautifully.