Chapter 40
“What do you mean?”
The director stood arrogantly with one leg forward and arms crossed, as if to say “stop talking and get ready to film.”
“This, the content in the script.”
“What about it?”
“…It’s about me.”
“About actor Yoo Cheong-yeon? Which part?”
The director shrugged as if he had no idea what Cheong-yeon was talking about. Then he exchanged glances with the staff around him.
“Actor Yoo. What are you going on about? All the staff are on standby and you’re suddenly saying nonsense… Are you so nervous that you’ve been drinking?”
Everyone’s attention turned to Cheong-yeon and the director.
Clearing his throat which was tight with tension, Cheong-yeon barely managed to continue speaking.
“Director. Even so, if the script has this kind of content, you should have told me beforehand.”
“Are you complaining because we didn’t share the script with you?”
“…”
“Are you saying we need to get script approval from a rookie with no name value? You’re the one who came to the audition yourself, knowing that you wouldn’t see the entire script.”
The director spoke as if he couldn’t understand why Cheong-yeon was acting this way. People around them began whispering as they watched the confrontation.
“Still, this is…”
Cheong-yeon trailed off, unable to find a counterargument. On the surface, everything the director said was true.
The director, who commanded the entire set, slightly raised one corner of his mouth, as if he understood the pressure Cheong-yeon was feeling.
“I get what you’re saying. Let’s talk about it in detail during editing after we shoot. Do you know how many people are waiting to film your scene right now?”
The director pointedly gestured toward the people standing behind them. Cheong-yeon’s gaze naturally followed his hand. Behind the gathered staff, a tall building stood prominently.
His heart sank as soon as he saw the letters “JT” on the building.
The director tried to persuade him, suggesting that they could fix everything in editing, but Cheong-yeon wasn’t foolish enough to fall for such sweet talk.
Do-heon’s office must be somewhere in that building. If he filmed this scene, articles about not just himself but also Do-heon would surely flood the media. Since he was still unknown, the damage to Do-heon’s image would be greater than to his own…
“Look, Actor Yoo. Let me be honest with you.”
When Cheong-yeon remained frozen in fear, the director took out a cigarette from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and spoke in a seemingly gentle tone.
“These kinds of stories are common in dramas. It’s true that we cast you because you’ve experienced it firsthand. It feels authentic and viewers can immerse themselves better. It’s a win-win.”
“Hey! You there! What the hell? What time is it and we still haven’t started shooting? How long are you going to stand there? Is filming a children’s game?”
At that moment, a burly man emerged from the crowd with a hoarse shout. It was the lighting director.
He approached threateningly with his brow furrowed deeply, clearly displeased that Cheong-yeon was delaying the filming.
“What’s your problem? Everyone is waiting and you’re being difficult for what reason?”
The lighting director pressed close as if he might hit Cheong-yeon at any moment, causing Cheong-yeon to step back in alarm.
Looking around with unsteady eyes, he saw dozens of gazes fixed on him. Even Min Hye-rin looked perplexed, alternately looking at Cheong-yeon and the director, clearly not understanding what was happening.
*What’s going on? Did everyone know about this all along?* Cheong-yeon felt confused and frightened by the sharp attention focused entirely on him.
A role like this wouldn’t have just fallen into his lap. Why had he foolishly never questioned it?
“Hey. Do you know how much the filming costs for today? Roughly thousands. After paying wages to all those minor staff over there, it’s even more. Filming is no joke, what the hell are you trying to do? Don’t you want to be an actor?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, but I didn’t know the content was like this…”
“Director. I think we need to film this scene as quickly as possible. The permit for the building is only until five o’clock…”
A staff member approached from a distance and explained the situation. However, the lighting director pushed him aside as if he couldn’t hear him.
“Get out of the way. We’re still talking.”
As the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile, the main director stepped in to mediate and began to pacify Cheong-yeon.
“Don’t be too hard on the kid, step aside for a moment. Listen, Actor Yoo. You’re still young and don’t understand, but even if this feels uncomfortable because it seems like it’s about you, it will ultimately help your career.”
He spoke as if Cheong-yeon was making a mistake because he lacked experience.
“Once the broadcast starts and you see the ratings and views, you’ll think you did the right thing. I heard you’ve wanted to be an actor for a while. I researched thoroughly and cast you because I thought you’d be a good fit. I saw your potential.”
Looking at the scale of the drama, this filming would indeed guarantee a career for a rookie actor like Cheong-yeon. Nevertheless, a warning light flashed in Cheong-yeon’s mind that he absolutely should not participate in this filming.
Even if he himself would be fine, Do-heon had constantly had his qualifications questioned within JT Group due to his illegitimate birth, and his marriage to Cheong-yeon had ultimately ended in failure. Cheong-yeon knew better than anyone that Do-heon despised excessive media exposure, and this incident would clearly only have negative effects on him.
“I’m sorry. But I still can’t do this filming.”
With a trembling voice, Cheong-yeon barely managed to convey his decision, but with a clear tone. His racing heart felt as if it might leap out of his mouth at any moment.
Trying to steady his rapid breathing, Cheong-yeon looked around. The gathered people were glaring at him with intense eyes, as if they might devour him.
“Ha, I really… What nonsense after signing a contract. Do you know this is a breach of contract?”
Cheong-yeon’s shoulders flinched at the lighting director’s unrestrained cursing. He raised his voice, unconcerned about who was watching, and even jabbed Cheong-yeon’s shoulder repeatedly.
“Hey, hey. Is a contract a child’s play? We have to film Jang So-hee here later, and here you are, a nobody. Even top stars adhere strictly to their contracts, and you think you can just back out? Huh?”
His crude behavior attracted more and more onlookers, with even passersby joining the growing crowd.
Cheong-yeon couldn’t find a place to look and lowered his head, his lips trembling. Although he knew intellectually that this situation was unfair, he couldn’t figure out how to act. Feeling his fingertips grow cold, he tightly clasped his shaking hands together.
His mind was as chaotic as the mayhem unfolding before him. *What should I do? If I continue to refuse to film here, what happens next? As they say, it’s a contract violation, so will it lead to legal proceedings?*
Complex thoughts chased one another in his mind.
“Director. The weather… it looks like it’s going to rain quite a bit. What should we do?”
To make matters worse, raindrops began to fall from the gloomy sky. The main director sighed, looking up at the sky.
“What about the equipment?”
“Most of the equipment can be used for filming in the rain, except for a few pieces that shouldn’t get wet. It will take a bit longer, but…”
“Then just proceed. It’s not easy to get permission for this location, so let’s quickly shoot the entrance scene. We can film the rest inside the building.”
“Yes, understood.”
The staff member disappeared back into the crowd, carefully gauging the reactions of both directors.
“Actor Yoo. You heard that? We really don’t have time now. If we can’t shoot even one scene, we’ll be throwing away tens of millions of won today. Are you going to pay for all that?”
“I’m really sorry, but I still can’t do it. Instead, right now… even now, another actor…”
“Another actor at this point? Then why did you sign the contract? Do you realize that if we sue you for today’s issue, you’ll never be able to work in this industry again?”
The director cut off Cheong-yeon’s words with a serious expression, bringing up the contract.
“The signature… it was my fault for not checking properly, but the filming team also has some responsibility for not explaining beforehand…”
Laughter erupted at Cheong-yeon’s stuttering words.
“You know what? You seem to think you’re special because you were briefly married to someone from a prestigious family. But looking at you alone, you’re nothing.”
“…”
“I’m only telling you this because it’s me. Please, let’s be reasonable, okay?”
The director puffed on his cigarette irritably, blowing smoke at Cheong-yeon.
The light drizzle was gradually becoming heavier, beginning to wet the concrete ground.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
