Chapter 76
“No. I’m just feeling nervous since today is my first day of filming…”
“You’ve memorized the script perfectly. You’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much.”
The manager calmly responded to Cheong-yeon’s excuse. Min Hye-rin, who was doing a final check of the costume and would be accompanying them to the filming location as a daily staff member, chimed in from the side.
“That’s right, oppa. And once you get there, the set will be so hectic that your nervousness will quickly fade away.”
“If that’s the case, then I’d be grateful.”
“And when the drama airs, I’m one hundred percent sure people will recognize you everywhere. The director probably told you to move with that in mind. I don’t think you need to feel burdened!”
Min Hye-rin, blinded by her fan admiration, spoke as if the excessive treatment Cheong-yeon was receiving was only natural.
“…”
Well, fine. The immediate issue wasn’t whether to return the house and car. Rather than wasting energy on things that couldn’t be changed, it was right to focus on filming.
Cheong-yeon nodded calmly. As Do-heon said, he wasn’t in a position to pick and choose what he wanted to receive. Regardless of how unpleasant Do-heon’s words and actions made him feel, thanks to him, Cheong-yeon had secured a role in a prominent drama, and even benefited from increased screen time.
Realistically, if he wanted to continue his acting career, he couldn’t stay in his current residence forever. In any case, he would need to find a compromise when they met next week, but it wasn’t something to worry about right now.
Cheong-yeon shook off unnecessary emotions and fastened his seatbelt in the van. The manager and Min Hye-rin followed, taking their respective seats in the driver’s seat and passenger seat.
“Then, Actor, we’ll depart for your first filming.”
*
Public broadcasting drama filming was much more systematic compared to the short film he had shot before. With an overwhelming number of staff, this was perhaps to be expected.
The waiting room was large and clean, as there were many staff attached to the lead and supporting actors. A food truck operated continuously in front of the filming location so that meals could be taken at any time, and there were also coffee trucks and snacks sent by fans of famous actors, allowing for comfortable meals as needed.
Actors essentially only needed to focus on the script, hair, and costumes.
Before the actual filming began, at the manager’s suggestion, Cheong-yeon visited the waiting rooms and vans of the senior actors he had already met during the script reading, greeting each one personally.
“Hello. I’m rookie actor Yoo Cheong-yeon playing the role of Kang Ha-woon. I still have a lot to learn, but I’ll work hard. Please take care of me.”
“Oh? Is today your first filming? Please take care of me too. I was impressed by your acting during the reading.”
As he knocked and entered the waiting room, the lead actor smiled and waved. Judging by the script in his other hand, he seemed to be in the middle of memorizing lines.
Sensing that he didn’t want to be disturbed, Cheong-yeon bowed and immediately left the room. Then he continued to visit other waiting rooms in order.
He had worried that everyone might have formed a negative first impression of him due to a series of incidents, but the actors’ attitudes were kinder than expected.
Of course, some responded coldly, but no one was openly rude or confrontational toward Cheong-yeon.
He had resolved to be extremely accommodating even if he was cursed to his face. Were the actors unexpectedly well-mannered?
Right before being cast in this drama, he had unfortunately encountered people like Yang Jung-hak and Song Hee-jun, which had lowered his expectations of the industry to rock bottom. So Cheong-yeon was surprised and grateful for the outwardly kind responses from his seniors.
“Wow. Finally made it around to everyone.”
Cheong-yeon stretched as he came out of the last waiting room.
“Good job, oppa. Everyone seemed to receive your greetings well, didn’t they?”
“Actor. Thank you for your hard work. Here, have some warm tea. You shouldn’t strain your voice before shooting begins.”
The manager, who had been following closely behind Cheong-yeon the whole time, had already brewed tea in a paper cup.
Though Cheong-yeon was still annoyed that the manager had strangely reported to Do-heon, he wasn’t truly disliked because he was perceptive and took meticulous care to ensure there were no inconveniences in any schedule.
Cheong-yeon thanked him and took the paper cup. Then he belatedly noticed the manager’s attire and flinched.
“Ack…! *cough* *cough*!”
Startled, Cheong-yeon choked momentarily and broke into a coughing fit.
“Actor, are you alright?”
“Yes, *cough*. I’m fine… but, Manager. Have you been walking around with me dressed like that this whole time?”
Cheong-yeon surveyed the manager up and down with shocked eyes. He had discarded his usual hooded zip-up somewhere and was wearing a tight black sleeveless shirt with black pants.
It had been shocking enough when he wore short sleeves last time, but the sleeveless look was even more intimidating. His muscular build, seemingly bursting with anger, was fully exposed, making Cheong-yeon’s shoulders instinctively shrink. The clearly defined muscles looked as if there were stones beneath his skin.
Moreover, in addition to the previously seen Buddha, eagle, and tiger, there were now visible tattoos of a koi fish and some dizzying flowers, creating an even greater sense of fear.
“Ah. Does it look unsightly? It’s hot today, so I took off my outer layer… I’ll put it back on right away.”
“No! It’s not unsightly, I was just surprised… There’s no need to wear it if you’re hot.”
“Manager’s tattoos are the epitome of coolness every time I see them. This must have cost a lot of money.”
Unlike Cheong-yeon who was slightly uncomfortable, Min Hye-rin casually approached the manager and showed her relaxed demeanor by poking at the koi fish’s eyes tattooed on his shoulder.
“…”
No wonder the actors were excessively kind whenever they entered the waiting rooms. At the time, Cheong-yeon had been too focused on greeting them to notice.
With someone like this firmly standing behind him, even if they found the junior actor annoying, they would have no choice but to politely return the greeting.
“Yoo Cheong-yeon! We’ll be filming the Kang Ha-woon and Hwan-seo scene in twenty minutes. Please stand by in advance!”
Just then, a vibrant voice from a filming crew staff member echoed through the corridor. Cheong-yeon, who had been leisurely sipping his tea, opened his eyes wide and reflexively responded as soon as the staff member finished speaking.
“Yes, understood!”
“Oh my! It’s already this time. Oppa, I think we need to go to the waiting room to check your costume and hair.”
Min Hye-rin quickly took the lead. Cheong-yeon and the manager naturally followed.
“Should I call the hair stylist now?”
“Yes, please.”
The manager nodded and immediately changed direction, disappearing to the end of the corridor to summon the hair stylist.
“What, what should I do?”
“Oppa, I think you should change your clothes and check the script one last time.”
As Cheong-yeon muttered nervously, almost to himself, Min Hye-rin responded firmly with an unwavering voice.
In the early parts of the drama, Cheong-yeon didn’t have many scenes. Therefore, after spending hours shooting a scene multiple times, a long period of waiting followed.
His first appearance was brief, and due to the nervousness caused by the attention of dozens of staff members and surrounding actors, Cheong-yeon couldn’t even properly remember how he had acted.
He had just mechanically mumbled a few lines as practiced, and the filming was already over.
He had expected to have at least one opportunity for monitoring, but unfortunately, the lead actor’s schedule was delayed, causing the planned order to suddenly change. The director and staff were busy rearranging the shooting schedule, so Cheong-yeon’s first scene passed by without any comments.
Feeling a bit dazed and observing his surroundings, before he knew it, it was Cheong-yeon’s turn to film again.
This time, it was a scene with quite lengthy dialogue and impact. Compared to the scene shot earlier, various props appeared in the background, and the staff were just as busy preparing the set.
“Cheong-yeon. This is supposed to be done in one take. Can you do it?”
The audio director asked Cheong-yeon, who was standing in front of the camera, with doubtful eyes. The dialogue and acting rhythm were quite long for a rookie to handle.
“If not, tell me quickly because we’ll need to check the microphone settings for each cut.”
“I can do it.”
“Really? If it’s going to come out awkward, it would be better to film it in parts, so think carefully.”
For a moment, Cheong-yeon wavered at the suggestion that it could be filmed more easily in parts, but he pulled himself together.
“No. I’ll do it in one take as planned.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
