# Chapter 30 – Act 2
No matter what anyone said, Seowoo had never been ashamed to say he had “lived diligently.”
Articles and interviews spotlighting Seowoo had no reservations about attaching modifiers like “the broadcasting world’s new star,” “appeared like a comet,” “acting genius”… and so on.
Of course, Seowoo was neither a comet nor a genius. It took quite a long time for Seowoo’s accumulated efforts to manifest as achievements, but not everyone needed to recognize the swan’s paddling beneath the surface.
Whatever expression they used, what people wanted to say was the same. Han Seowoo is an excellent actor.
Though he had experienced all kinds of friction, disputes, and problems since his debut, as actor Han Seowoo’s value increased, that friction naturally decreased.
Despite being already accustomed to this improved treatment, recently it had become somewhat uncomfortable. The attitude of industry personnel was too excessive to be packaged simply as consideration for smooth business.
It was an attitude like addressing a master, or even something beyond that, but the reason was predictably obvious. It wasn’t because of Seowoo, but because of the person behind him—Seo Dohyun, who had assured that he would lay out a red carpet for Seowoo.
By the time Director Kang’s new work “The Man Who Isn’t There” entered principal photography, Seowoo’s agency transfer had already been reported in online news articles several times.
There would be no direct problems with filming just because the agency changed, and Seowoo knew that Seo Dohyun had met with the director and spoken directly. When asked if there had been any issues, Dohyun had smiled brightly and answered like this:
“Who would benefit from causing problems?”
At the time of hearing those words, he had just felt uneasy, but hadn’t sensed any meaningful change.
Seowoo wasn’t meeting Director Kang for the first time. They had already met several times at meetings and script readings. A moderately intimate, moderately dry business relationship. It was appropriate as director and actor.
He hadn’t thought such a relationship would flip like the back of a hand just because his agency changed, and normally that would be correct. If only Seo Dohyun had been an ordinary production company CEO.
“…CEO.”
“Yes. What is it? Are you thirsty?”
“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring a water bottle.”
They moved in perfect coordination among themselves. He had just called “CEO” once, and this was their response.
Seowoo made a sour expression while holding the water bottle handed over by Manager Gu. Although he hadn’t called them because of water, talking with these people would naturally make his throat dry anyway.
Dohyun was guarding Seowoo’s side like a complete fixture of the filming location. Whether he knew that this was more burdensome, why he went to such lengths—these things were questionable, but the man himself standing there seemed utterly natural.
Seowoo sat leaning back in the rest chair, massaging his temples firmly.
“…I didn’t call for water.”
“Then what, is there something else you need? If necessary, I can take the car and go get it, so don’t hesitate to say so.”
So even if this excessive treatment itself didn’t fit him, Dohyun either didn’t know or pretended not to know and kept making a fuss.
When Seowoo sighed, Dohyun smiled with his eyes curved into round shapes. He also noticed Manager Gu bowing his head in a proper posture beside them.
“Why are you here?”
Dohyun just raised his eyebrows slightly as if he didn’t understand the intent of the question.
“Manager Gu is a manager. Our Manager Gu might have a stiff impression, but he does his job as a manager well.”
“Come on, who’s talking about Manager Gu? I’m talking about you, you.”
“Me? Why me?”
His expression of asking back with round eyes as if it were a completely unexpected question was somewhat detestable. It was obvious he was just pretending not to know.
“Don’t you, of all people, know that the atmosphere is strange because of you? Why are you saying this? Just go back. What are you worried about that you’re doing this?”
The fact that an agency CEO was present at the filming site itself wasn’t an issue. When Seowoo was affiliated with Biro Management, President Hwang had visited the set, and other actors’ agency CEOs also came and went from locations.
The problem with the current situation was that everyone on set was watching Dohyun’s reactions. Even setting aside how he had been sticking to Seowoo’s side from the start of filming until now, he was behaving casually only with Seowoo while subtly treating others with an oppressive attitude, and this was unmistakable.
Dohyun pondered deeply for a moment while stroking his chin. Then, what he spat out as if it were an idea was this:
“Should I ask the staff?”
“Ask what?”
“Whether they’re uncomfortable because of me?”
“Your subordinates are really pitiful.”
Dohyun showed a mischievous smile as if it had been a joke. Although Seowoo couldn’t be certain what percentage of those words were actually a joke.
“If it’s something they can’t even say they’re uncomfortable about, they’ll just have to endure. I’m here to make them uncomfortable.”
“…Are you trying to instill discipline?”
“It’s just marking my presence. I haven’t done anything.”
Sounding like an old-fashioned senior who unnecessarily visits juniors’ workplaces just to make them nervous. Seowoo glared with a disgusted expression, but regardless, Dohyun just smiled placidly.
Seowoo sighed and turned his head to the opposite side. The buzz of conversation was loud. Director Kang seemed busy giving various instructions while holding the script. As if conscious of the gaze, Director Kang quickly changed course and approached where Seowoo was sitting.
When Seowoo awkwardly stood up to greet him, Director Kang waved his hand.
“Oh my, why are you getting up too? Aren’t we beyond that kind of formality? Be comfortable.”
Are we beyond that kind of formality…? Well, we are. Swallowing the words that had risen up to his throat, Seowoo drew a faint smile.
The Director Kang he first met definitely wasn’t this type. Rather than being friendly, he didn’t speak much, to the extent that he felt authoritative, and the meetings were also conducted in a somewhat tense atmosphere.
Like the sharp and keen atmosphere of the work itself, Director Kang’s temperament also had pointed aspects. He had initially given up on becoming close and planned to approach it as business. Unexpectedly, Director Kang had changed his attitude first, as if putting on a mask.
“The weather is quite chilly today. Since this scene is a bit long, the outdoor waiting time is extended… But we’ll still finish before it rains in the evening. If schedule coordination had been possible, we would have switched the order with indoor filming, but it’s not easy to change it late, so it ended up like this.”
An awkward smile, words spilling out even without being asked. Director Kang’s hands, floating in the air with nowhere to go, vividly represented his embarrassment and awkwardness.
It was true that the weather was chillier than usual, but the season hadn’t properly entered winter yet. Stomping feet saying it was cold was pure exaggeration. It wasn’t rare for unexpected rain or snow either.
“That’s how filming always is. Waiting isn’t a difficult task either. Since it’s outdoor shooting, everyone must be busy, so please don’t worry about me too much. Really.”
Despite Seowoo’s sincere denial, not just said out of politeness, Director Kang only gave an embarrassed smile. Then, glancing sideways at Dohyun, it was clear that he was conscious of him.
Dohyun wasn’t saying anything in particular, but he was staring at Director Kang with his arms folded across his chest. It was enough to make his gaze noticeable.
I wondered why he was fidgeting like a dog that needed to pee, but he was watching Dohyun’s reactions. Seowoo unconsciously let out a deep sigh.
“Seowoo, are you sleepy?”
Dohyun, having heard the sigh with uncanny perception, asked casually. Then, the reactions from the director and Manager Gu that followed were quite a sight.
“There’s still nearly an hour left until the next scene, so feel free to rest your eyes. You must be tired with the long wait as it is…”
“If you plan to sleep, I’ll bring a blanket.”
With such a commotion, sleep would run away even if it had been coming. He hadn’t been sleepy to begin with. If anything, he was more alert than ever, having to read the room in this awkward and embarrassing atmosphere.
“I never said I was sleepy, what are you…”
“Since it’s chilly, why not cover yourself with a blanket? It would be troublesome if you caught a cold.”
“It seems like you’re overreacting. Everyone’s busy moving around.”
“Aren’t you in a position where overreacting is fine?”
Dohyun laughed playfully and Seowoo rolled his eyes slightly. Just as he was about to say something, he felt a short vibration in his inside pocket.
Without much thought, Seowoo took out his mobile phone and, conscious of Dohyun behind him, deliberately lowered his hand near his knee. It was a position where the line of sight was difficult to reach.
“…”
Just as he had a hunch, sure enough, the sender was Woojae. Checking it here wasn’t a good choice. Not only were there many eyes watching around, but Seo Dohyun was there too.
Before Manager Gu actually went to find a blanket, Seowoo raised his hand to stop him.
“No need to bring a blanket. I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
As he was about to get up nonchalantly, Dohyun’s question followed. Since Seo Dohyun could easily detect lies if he showed even a little awkwardness, Seowoo tried not to be conscious of anything.
“Unless you’re going to follow me to the bathroom too, just stay put.”
“If you tell me to follow, I could certainly go and stand guard.”
“Are you my bodyguard?”
“If you want, I’d gladly serve as a bodyguard.”
You should entrust that to someone you can actually trust. Seowoo clicked his tongue as if to say “enough” and stood up.
“I’m good. I’ll be back quickly.”
I’ll come right back after checking this. He swallowed the last words naturally.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
