Chapter 14

014. Concert Hall

April 26th. The day of the Yunzart filming.

I am sitting in the car driven by my mother, traveling down a quiet road.

Is it because the road is bumpy, or because I am excited, that my heart feels like it's breaking into pieces and trembling?

It's not just the unexpected film shooting that makes me nervous; I'm more excited about performing myself.

I no longer need to worry about whether my intentions are properly conveyed.

The song I wanted will be in the movie and delivered to the audience.

Thinking about it being released as an OST album and uploaded to music sites makes my lips curl up involuntarily.

Of course, I can't reveal that I was a stand-in for a while after the film's release.

It was a common practice in the film industry to boost the lead actor.

Well, it doesn't matter.

'Just the fact that I'm performing my own song is enough to justify being a stand-in.'

I don't particularly want to become famous.

The car, which had entered an unpaved road, came to a stop.

A small building surrounded by mountains and trees, fitting for a rural school.

The set was bustling with more people than I expected. At least dozens, maybe even over a hundred.

"Today's filming will take place in the music room. First, we need to match the actor's makeup and costume, so... you can use this room as a waiting area."

The junior staff member who had guided us explained.

Director Park Dongjin must have arranged it, as the small room was entirely for my use.

My mother, who had volunteered as a one-day manager and brought me here, looked around with bright eyes.

I was equally amazed.

It's incredible that they built this entire building for the film, and it's also amazing to see familiar actors passing by among the staff.

"Did you see the actor walking down the corridor just now? It was actor Seo Changgyu."

I turned to look out the window at my mother's words.

"Really?"

Seo Changgyu, known as a national actor, plays the role of a former pianist and current music teacher who recognizes the protagonist's genius in this film.

Out of curiosity, I searched for "Yunzart" on a portal site.

There weren't many articles yet, as filming had just started and the release was still far off.

However, a few articles expressed anticipation due to Director Park Dongjin's previous film, which had a respectable 3 million viewers.

<Director Park Dongjin, known for his reliable films, and writer Song Eunhye's music film, "Yunzart," begins filming. Targeting a fall release.>

<Yunzart, anticipation for the OST rises>

<Yunzart, casting confirmed for leading actors Lee Minjae and Jeon Hyein, following actor Seo Changgyu, a star who needs no introduction>

Not only Seo Changgyu, but all the actors were familiar.

Especially the lead actors, Lee Minjae and Jeon Hyein.

They are well-known actors who have appeared in dramas and films, so it's impossible not to recognize them. They are still famous in the future.

As I scrolled through my phone, the articles eventually ran out. I put my phone down and took out the sheet music from my bag. Just as I was about to turn the first page, I heard the door open.

Turning my head, I saw people pouring in, carrying large suitcases.

It was the makeup team that the junior staff member had said would arrive soon.

"Hello~ Hello~."

The shortest and most heavily made-up woman greeted us cheerfully, then scanned me from head to toe.

She then smiled approvingly.

"You have a good vibe~. High nose, small head. It might even be easier to match the feel of Minjae than the previous stand-in."

#

"Junior!"

"Yes!"

At the call of the assistant director with a scruffy beard, the junior staff member hurried over.

"Is the makeup for Minjae's stand-in done?"

"Yes, it just started. They said it should take about 30 to 40 minutes."

"Okay, then... Director Park said he's starting with Minjae's scene, so gather the actors in the waiting room."

"Yes!"

The lead actor, Lee Minjae, was already seated at a silent piano, warming up his fingers. The lead actress, Jeon Hyein, was sitting in the music room, reading her script.

The junior staff member, having confirmed this, quickly turned around.

Then...

"Everyone, we're about to start filming. Please come out and get ready!"

He first went to the waiting room where the supporting actors, who were playing students, were gathered.

The supporting actors varied greatly in appearance and recognition.

Among them, the short-haired supporting actor, who had the second-largest role after the leads, had the most people around him, as usual.

"Wow... I'm nervous."

"Really. What if I forget my lines?"

"Come on, deep breaths. Deep breaths. It's okay, just imagine you're a real student at this school and enjoy watching the great actors~"

The short-haired supporting actor, smiling, spouted positive words.

The junior staff member, smiling approvingly, led them to the music room.

'I hope this young actor does well... '

Now that I'm in the industry, I've seen all sorts of odd people. Among them, there are certainly young oddballs, and their guardians, who are even worse, appear frequently.

Despite my short career, having experienced all sorts of situations, it's natural that I find the short-haired supporting actor, who acts without causing trouble, likable.

'I hope he does well. Who knows? This time, he might make a strong impression as a supporting actor and become famous.'

Secretly cheering for him, he then ran to the end of the corridor and knocked on the door cautiously.

"Yes, come in."

Creak.

Seo Changgyu was putting in eye drops through the slightly opened door. His eyes, visible above the falling drops, were red.

"Senior, filming is about to start."

"Ah, just a moment..."

"Yes."

Seo Changgyu, with difficulty, put eye drops in his other eye and wiped his cheeks with a tissue.

"It's done. Let's go."

Seo Changgyu stepped into the corridor, and the junior staff member, following closely behind, asked hesitantly.

"Are you tired?"

"Does it show?"

The junior staff member nodded, and Seo Changgyu let out a small sigh, worry creasing his face.

"It's not easy, doing a drama and a film at the same time. It's a big deal. Today's filming is important."

#

"Director Park."

"Oh, you're here? But your eyes..."

"Are they bloodshot?"

"Very red."

"Ah, this is a big problem. It will be noticeable on screen."

The assistant director, setting up the monitor, spoke with concern.

"Don't worry too much. We can remove it with CG."

"Then, can you also remove this pimple? I tried to cover it, but it didn't work. I've been staying up all night, and my skin is a mess."

"Of course, no problem."

Seo Changgyu, nodding and chuckling, looked into the music room. He crossed his arms and asked Director Park Dongjin.

"So, is Minjae only acting the piano performance?"

"Yes, we'll start with Minjae playing, then the stand-in will do it again."

"Well, I trust your direction, Director Park, but I'm worried about my performance today. I'm afraid I'll look tired."

"Senior, you're too much of a perfectionist."

"Director Park, isn't that what you should say? I heard that Kim Gwanwoo, the CEO, thinks you'll either kill or be killed by writer Song soon."

"Ha, then I'll have to give it my all. It might be my last work."

Seo Changgyu, shaking his head, checked the movement path in the corridor and muttered.

"I have to give it my all. It's an important scene today."

"Right."

Director Park Dongjin's eyes shone with determination.

If the climax is the perfect finale that completes the film, then this scene is the prelude.

It's not just the beginning of the film, but the first step in the story's full sprint.

It's a crucial scene where the audience, along with the music teacher, must feel the protagonist's genius.

If the protagonist doesn't come across as a genius, the audience won't be able to immerse themselves in the film.

Seo Changgyu, who knew this, wore a worried expression.

He had to act the shock and awe of recognizing a genius, but his tired body might not convey it properly.

He wished someone could genuinely surprise him.

At that moment, Director Park Dongjin picked up the megaphone.

-Okay, we're starting. Minjae, are you ready?

"Yes, Director."

Lee Minjae, with an earphone in one ear, nodded and started moving his fingers skillfully on the piano.

Director Park Dongjin began directing.

As the camera lights came on, Director Park Dongjin sat down in front of the monitor.

He sat in a camping chair, nervously smoothing his lips.

Though he didn't show it due to his position as director, he was quite nervous.

'It's definitely perfect in my mind.'

But there's a world of difference between what's in your mind and what ends up on screen.

Director Park Dongjin opened the lid to see the unknown result.

"Ready—Action!"

#

I've changed clothes and finished my makeup.

The reflection in the mirror feels unfamiliar.

Is it too much? It looks like a painting... but thinking about Lee Minjae's features, I nod.

Even as a stand-in, I must have tried my best to match his face.

Click. Click.

My mother is taking photos beside me. Seeing her send a message somewhere, it seems she's live-streaming to my father.

I picked up the sheet music from the table, smiling. It's not my turn yet, so I planned to do a final practice in my head.

I spent quite a long time tapping my fingers in the air.

'I heard that drama filming is a series of waiting, which is exhausting...'

I didn't expect it to be this much.

I made coffee for my mother, who had been driving since early morning,

and sat back down to start my final practice, which I had done about twenty times, when someone knocked on the door.

It was the junior staff member who had guided us here.

"You've been waiting a long time. The stand-in filming will start soon."

"Ah, yes."

I quickly stood up, leaving the sheet music on the table. I can't read it in the scene, as it's the protagonist's original composition.

The music room, where filming was still ongoing, was fortunately bustling.

My mother, who had been holding her breath, sighed in admiration at the busy staff and actors.

"Amazing, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

As I answered, I scanned the scene.

Though it's a film set, it feels like a concert hall to me.

Everyone here, from the staff and actors to the future audience of this film, are my audience.

Though no one will know that I performed.

No, the people here do know, right?

My heart thumped again. It wasn't because of the bumpy road.

I smiled faintly and looked around this place, which felt like a concert hall only to me, when Director Park Dongjin's voice echoed.

-While we're changing the piano, the lead actors will come to monitor.

Among the actors scattered around, the lead actors, Lee Minjae and Jeon Hyein, came to the corridor where the monitors were set up. The supporting actors...

Huh?

I squinted, trying to focus my vision.

I saw a familiar side profile among the actors in school uniforms.

"He's also acting here."

I was surprised for a moment, but then felt a bit happy.

I never expected to see a classmate here.

#

Like baby birds waiting for their mother,

Chae I-yeon and the other supporting actors watched the lead actors monitoring in the corridor.

After a while, the lead actors, who had been having a serious conversation, dispersed.

As Jeon Hyein returned, Chae I-yeon asked cautiously.

"Again?"

"For now, let's pass."

"For now?"

"There are various issues, but if we delay any longer, it will get dark. So, they're starting with the stand-in scene."

"Oh~"

Chae I-yeon nodded, her eyes sparkling at Jeon Hyein's words.

Finding her cute, Jeon Hyein patted Chae I-yeon's head. She then remembered something she had forgotten to mention.

"Also, we need to continue acting during the stand-in scene."

"Oh~ It will be easier to immerse myself if I can hear the piano performance directly."

"Such a positive kid. Is it okay if today's filming is postponed to tomorrow?"

"Maybe a better scene will be created tomorrow."

Jeon Hyein, letting out a hollow laugh and sticking out her tongue.

Chae I-yeon smiled and looked at the piano being brought in. It was a perfect replica of the silent piano from earlier.

'Piano performance. It will be fun.'

After the first filming, several piano performance scenes had been shot, but none featured her. She had been disappointed, but today she would finally get to see one.

It was a very welcome event for Chae I-yeon, who usually loves music. She had been excited just to be in a music film.

As she smiled happily, a man entering behind the piano caught her eye.

"Hmm?"

Probably the stand-in for the lead actor. Or is he an actor? A pianist? Anyway.

Chae I-yeon's gaze followed him.

She puffed out her cheeks, thinking.

Huh.

"Where have I seen him before?"