Chapter 42 : I’m a Living Actor (42)

“…No, actually… I think I missed a small detail.”

“Right? I thought so. Suddenly your gaze just drifted into space here. Following the emotional line you showed until now, you should’ve been looking at Eunsoo, of course.”

He pointed out the detail I’d missed exactly.

It was natural, given he was a skilled director, but on a filming set where every second counts, it wasn’t always possible to catch every nuance in a supporting actor’s performance.

Honestly, such a minor slip wasn’t a big deal.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm, want to try it one more time?”

Director Lee Seungheon asked me casually.

“I… if everyone else is okay with it…”

“Okay~ Let’s do one more take, then~”

“I’m in favor too.”

“Well, wouldn’t it be great if Bongsik could see it one more time?”

As if waiting for this moment, the others quickly agreed.

Jiminseong, who had been silently observing and reading the atmosphere, reluctantly nodded as well.

“Okay! Then one more take it is.”

Director Lee quickly wrapped up the situation and gave my shoulder a light pat.

“We’ll do just one more, so do it well. Got it?”

“Yes! Thank you…!”

***

The resumed shoot went smoothly. I didn’t repeat the same mistake, and as soon as the scene ended, the “okay” sign was given.

“That’s all for today’s shooting. Everyone, great work!”

“Thank you for your hard work!” I made sure to thank the actors and staff who had put in extra effort.

Finally, I approached Director Lee Seungheon, who seemed to have been waiting for me, and he caught my arm.

“Chaemin, can we talk for a moment?”

“Yes? Ah, sure.”

“Have a seat over there.”

‘What’s this about?’ I couldn’t shake off a bad feeling that crept up first.

I obediently sat on the chair he pointed to.

As I settled in, he took something out of the bag at his feet and handed it to me.

It was a thin printed script.

“Take a look first.”

“Okay.”

Instead of asking what it was, I quietly read through it.

“Director, this is…” An additional scenario.

All the members of , including Jeong Bongsik, appeared, but every scene was focused on Bongsik.

In , Jeong Bongsik stutters a little when he talks.

The reason is mentioned briefly a couple of times in passing — that he was bullied at his previous workplace.

But it wasn’t treated as an important issue.

It was irrelevant to the main conflict, and the limited screen time didn’t allow for much focus on Bongsik’s backstory.

Such was expected for a minor character.

However, the new script added scenes related exactly to that.

It didn’t delve deeply or heavily into Bongsik’s past.

The episode fit the lighthearted and cheerful tone maintained throughout the film.

Beyond the crisp A4 paper, I could see Director Lee’s face.

He scratched the tip of his nose awkwardly and half-turned his head.

There was the sharp click of his tongue against his palate.

“Is your schedule okay? The other actors have all agreed. Some haven’t been finalized yet, but that’s on me to sort out…”

He rambled somewhat incoherently, then clicked his tongue again.

It seemed this kind of approach didn’t suit him.

“Are you going to do it, or not?” His question struck my heart like a sudden blow.

“I…” Trailing off, I looked down at the script in my hands.

‘Why am I being given this opportunity? What did I even do?’

It was the moment I’d been hoping for, but holding the script, I felt a bit puzzled.

I hadn’t done anything especially remarkable.

I wondered if it was because of the acting I’d done using the Unleashing skill, but Director Lee never once brought up that day’s performance again.

I had fully expected questions like, “Why can’t you do it like that day?” or “What happened to that performance?” so his silence was surprising.

“Why so many thoughts? You don’t need to worry about anything else. If Jiminseong comes to complain, just talk to me.” ‘Ah, Jiminseong.’

Only when Director Lee mentioned him did I remember.

Of course, if Bongsik’s scenes were added, someone else’s scenes would have to be cut.

Although the film’s running time could be extended, everyone had their set target for screen time.

‘He’s trying to reduce Jiminseong’s screen time.’ Still, after Director Lee said that openly, Jiminseong didn’t really bother me. He would glare or sneer at me whenever he could, but he didn’t do anything more.

Or rather, he couldn’t. ‘Jiminseong is still a rising actor.’

Once the sentiment on set was no longer unfavorable toward me, Jiminseong’s options were limited.

Still, I heard rumors that some staff who were friendly toward me cleverly spread nasty stories about me behind my back, but that was nothing.

“So really, don’t worry about that part. Just think about whether you want to do this or not.” Want to do it, or not. Mulling over those words, I looked back at the script.

“Just so you know, I’m not doing this out of guilt, so don’t misunderstand. You probably have some idea of me by now, but this is what we all agreed on after a meeting because it would be better for the movie.”

As Director Lee continued speaking, a question suddenly came to me.

“…Were you somewhat satisfied with my acting?”

Sometimes words come out not from the mouth, but the heart.

Before I could consider whether that question was appropriate, it slipped out on its own.

‘What exactly am I trying to confirm?’

Regret immediately followed as soon as I spoke, but the spilled water couldn’t be taken back.

“Yeah. A little.”

Without hesitation, an honest answer came.

He had always said it wasn’t bad, but now he said he was a little satisfied with my acting.

It felt strange.

My heart grew restless for no reason.

Instead of examining the various emotions swirling in my chest, I suppressed them tightly.

During that process, I lightly covered my face with the script in my hands.

“Sorry. I judged hastily just by looking at past records, when people can always improve and change.”

“……”

“Oh, try it. Come on? Even if you think you can’t, try. I think you’ll do well.”

Director Lee, clearly misunderstanding my thoughts, poured out his words rapidly.

He still seemed bothered by what had happened before.

‘But why does this feel so familiar?’

I tried to shake off the feeling and spoke.

“Director, I’m really fine about that incident. I didn’t hold it against anyone. Honestly, I think it was natural and unavoidable.”

“Hmm…”

Director Lee gave a vague reaction, but I didn’t have time to read his expression.

I felt I could finally say the words that had stuck in my throat since receiving the offer.

“I… want to try.”

“See? I knew you would.”

Director Lee quickly handed me a prearranged shooting schedule.

***

Every breath filled my lungs with cool air.

Since the story took place in autumn, I wore a thick padded jacket over my relatively thin costume.

Hot packs warmed my hands inside the pockets.

“Chaemin, you’re not cold, right?”

The stylist’s nose was red as she kept asking, since the waiting room heater had only just been turned on and the air was still chilly.

“I’m fine. …Aren’t you cold?”

I hesitated to use a proper title to address her, but in the end, I didn’t.

Real Yuchae Min hadn’t really settled on a proper way to address her either, so I didn’t see a need to.

“Oh, I’m okay!”

Apparently used to this kind of exchange, the stylist replied without much concern.

Still, her red nose kept catching my eye, so I moved the small foot warmer on the table closer to her.

“I’m really fine!”

“I’m fine too, that’s why.”

The stylist didn’t seem bothered.

She smiled brightly and began touching up my makeup.

“Close your eyes for a moment~” When I closed my eyes, I felt the thick shadow tip brushing my eyelids.

The silence that settled felt a little awkward.

This had been a daily routine up until the last drama shoot.

“This is already the last day of shooting.” Sensing my mood, the stylist spoke first.

I almost coughed awkwardly but held it in.

“Yeah, time really flies.”

“Aren’t you going to be sad?”

Sad… That question stabbed at something I had barely tucked away.

I pretended not to hear it.

“Just, well. Haha.”

I answered evasively, as if a little embarrassed.

The stylist quickly tried to change the subject.

“After this shoot, we won’t see each other for a while, huh?”

“Ha ha, will you miss me?”

“Of course. Where else can I see this handsome face? Will you call me again for your next project?”

She asked teasingly. ‘It’s not like I have no work lined up…’ The stylist belonged to a fairly famous shop in Cheongdam-dong and seemed quite busy.

Though not my exclusive stylist, she made time for me, which I realized naturally even though she never said it outright.

“I guess so? I’m almost semi-exclusive at this point.”

“Right! But the damn manager is the problem…” Another uncomfortable topic came up. “Sorry. I feel like I’m always bringing up bad subjects today.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Honestly, I had almost forgotten about the manager.

As long as he didn’t actively interfere, he wasn’t worth worrying about.

While chatting, the makeup was finished.

She admired her work for a long while like a proud artist, then finally let me go.

Holding the script, I left the waiting room.

Outside, the set bustled with preparations.

One side controlled the crowd, apologizing for the inconvenience, while the other organized the filming path.

I stepped back a little, taking in the scene, and opened the script.

Naturally, the imagined scenes while reading a script often differ from the actual set.

Even after planning various details mentally, confirming and adjusting on the actual set was necessary.

I pictured the performance I would give today, tailored to the setting.

It was natural that my body moved lightly in response.

How many times had I done this?

“Oh my, you’re diligent today too?”

A familiar voice suddenly called out.

Turning, I saw Senior Kim Eunhye.

“Ah, Senior! Hello.”

I hadn’t even noticed her arrival in the noisy surroundings.

I bowed deeply, and she waved her hand with a smile.

“Why so stiff? When you’re focused, you might not even notice who comes.”

‘Focused…’ I wanted to deny it for some reason but just smiled foolishly.