Chapter 89

It was the first day of the Everdream commercial shoot.

The school auditorium was bustling with people.

The production staff were busy moving equipment, and the production team members were checking if the props were properly prepared.

In a corner, a group of extras were waiting.

"The atmosphere is really intense."

A male actor spoke up.

"Everyone looks so tense. I can't even laugh comfortably."

"Exactly. Why is it like this?"

"Why else?"

An older actor interjected.

"It's because a few days ago, a commercial shoot was botched. The idol members didn't prepare at all, and the director threw the script, ruining the atmosphere on set."

"What can we do? This is a disaster."

"That's not us, though. It was other people."

"Really?"

"I just talked to the assistant director, and the ones shooting today are different. They're a girl group, and today it's the boys. NewBlack."

"Who's NewBlack?"

"They're rookies."

A young actor replied.

"Among the boy groups that debuted this year, they're the most popular, I think. They're quite well-known among idol fans."

"Well, whatever. It doesn't matter to us."

For the extras who only had one line, it didn't matter who the lead was today.

"I hope they do a good job. Really."

"Exactly. The atmosphere is already bad."

"Don't get your hopes up. It's obvious, right? With idols, especially unknown rookies, it's a given. If they don't mess up their lines, it'll be a miracle. I had a bit part in a drama before, and everyone struggled because of the idols."

"Hey, they might do well."

"There's no way. If they do, I'll get a tattoo."

"Don't say that lightly. You might end up having to do it."

Everyone burst into laughter at the middle-aged man's humorous remark when someone brought up an important topic.

"By the way, I heard that a variety show is also being filmed here today."

"I haven't heard anything about that. Where?"

"It's from TBC. When I asked what it was, they wouldn't tell me, but the assistant director hinted that it's a big deal."

"They're rookies, right? How can they be on a big variety show?"

"Maybe their agency pulled some strings."

"What's big on TBC? I don't watch TV much these days."

"Who else but Jusehan?"

"Me too. I don't know much about it except for Jusehan."

At that moment, someone asked,

"Is it not Jusehan, by any chance?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Really."

"If Jusehan is coming, I'll do a handstand when I get a tattoo."

"Stop saying that. You might end up having to do it."

"No, it's ridiculous. Just a few days ago, there was a fuss about Jegwan Woo appearing. What kind of rookies are these?"

"But it would be nice if it's a show we know. We could get autographs."

While they were chatting, the auditorium doors opened, and everyone's attention was drawn to them.

Someone nodded and said,

"They're here. NewBlack."

Five idols were energetically greeting everyone as they entered.

* * *

The atmosphere on set was not good.

Last time, it was due to a picky advertiser, but this time, everyone seemed on edge.

Worried glances followed us as we walked by.

Lee Hyuk whispered,

"What did the Blinkers do to get this reaction?"

"They have a reason to be nervous."

I said,

"Considering the production delays and additional shoots, the production costs must have skyrocketed. It's more surprising that the atmosphere is good."

"Still, we didn't do anything wrong, right?"

"We haven't done anything right either, yet."

I tried to reassure my worried juniors.

"Don't worry about people's reactions. Just do what you've practiced, and it'll be fine."

As we were talking, two AEs from the advertising agency greeted us.

Their eyes were bloodshot, and their lips were chapped. Seokhwan, an older member, asked,

"You must have worked hard."

"It's been tough. Really."

The other person smiled faintly.

"It's been a nightmare. We need to reshoot, but the advertising budget hasn't increased. The advertiser is unhappy, and the production team is in chaos. The phone bills from coordinating everything must have been in the hundreds of thousands."

Kim Manager shuddered and said,

"I heard you prepared well, but today, you really need to do your best. The executive director from KG International's clothing division is here, along with five other department heads."

"Is this a school uniform commercial?"

"Yes, they're reviewing the brand's profitability. They'll be sharp."

"..."

He added, as if to comfort us,

"Still, if you do well and leave a good impression, it would be great. KG International has many brands and a large advertising budget. Leaving a good impression on such important people would be beneficial."

What a fantastic environment.

The staff were sighing deeply, the agency employees looked drained, and the advertiser was grumbling.

Even the extras were glancing at us, but not in a friendly way.

Just out of curiosity.

Seeing this, Kim Manager said,

"It's because of the Jusehan recording. The rumor is that a variety show is being filmed here."

"We don't want to ruin the atmosphere on set, do we?"

"Not at all. The advertisers welcomed you with open arms. Honestly, which company wouldn't welcome Jusehan?"

He looked at us expectantly.

"Do you think your NewBlack friends will become famous if they appear on Jusehan again?"

"That would be great."

"Oh, right. I have something to tell you about the variety show. The director of today's production is..."

He trailed off, and we turned to see the CF director approaching us.

A young man with a sensitive look, he seemed to have just arrived, wiping sweat from his forehead.

He was the director, Yoo Geun, who would be handling today's commercial.

"Director, these are the NewBlack members who will be the models for the commercial."

"Hello, NewBlack!"

"Uh, yeah."

The man with the rolled-up script in his hand looked us over.

"Did you prepare?"

"Yes, we did our best."

"Why don't you look nervous?"

He looked displeased.

"Have you done commercials before?"

"No, this is our first time."

He made a hissing sound and exhaled.

He seemed to have a lot to say but decided not to.

"Just do your best. Don't make mistakes."

He turned and disappeared, leaving us staring at his slender back.

It's unfair.

We were nervous and prepared a lot.

Especially Jiho and I, we even had to tape the torn script back together with Scotch tape.

Well,

We didn't expect them to recognize our hard work. That's something we can keep to ourselves.

But it's confusing when they act like this.

Showing such an unpleasant attitude from the first meeting.

"He used to work in independent films and then moved to commercials."

The manager explained.

"He's excellent at visual aesthetics and content, but he's quite conservative about filming. He seems unhappy about the Jusehan team coming because it disrupts the set atmosphere."

Especially after a rookie group botched a shoot, and now another rookie group is here to film a variety show.

The manager added,

"The advertisers will also leave a good impression if you do well. He has a great network in the film and drama industries."

* * *

The preparation for the shoot was complete.

After finishing our makeup in the dressing room, the auditorium had transformed into a film set.

My mouth dropped open.

There were expensive cameras and lighting equipment, and the number of people was far more than a photo shoot.

From a distance, the assistant director gestured to Jiho and me.

He pointed to two X marks on the floor and explained,

"First, we'll do a two-shot. Jiho, you'll be half-squatting at this X mark, and Woojae will approach, take your hand, and help you up. It's not a difficult scene, so let's check the movements first."

After checking the movements, we moved on to the rehearsal.

Feeling like actors for a moment, I swallowed hard at the bustling crowd.

There were lighting, audio, and prop staff, extras, agency and production team members, and advertisers.

Beside Team Leader Wu, there was a middle-aged man exuding a unique presence.

Is he the executive director?

I nodded to my juniors, who were waving and encouraging us from a distance, and spoke to the youngest member, who was taking deep breaths.

"Nervous?"

"Yeah, really. How about you, hyung?"

"I'm about to lose it. My heart feels like it's going to jump out."

"Me too, I'm shaking."

After comforting each other for a while, we nodded.

"Let's do our best."

"Let's go!"

With everyone's attention on us, the shoot finally began.

* * *

Director Yoo narrowed his eyes.

'Something's off.'

He shook his head, watching the two members laughing among themselves in the middle of the auditorium.

He remembered the day he shot with Blink.

They had looked so confident, smiling with that same relaxed expression.

He had expected them to do well.

But from the first line, it was a disaster.

'They look good, though.'

The two members of NewBlack responsible for visuals looked quite three-dimensional on camera.

One of them was supposed to be an aspiring actor, but it wasn't obvious from his face alone.

"Action!"

The shoot began.

The first scene was a simple one.

A magic school.

The new student accidentally casts a