The long-awaited shooting day has arrived.
The drama being filmed this time… the youth drama Our Spring, Wind, airing on an educational broadcasting station, was in an omnibus format.
It was a series of four short episodes divided into three parts—upper, middle, and lower—with each season consisting of 12 episodes.
Today and tomorrow.
The episode being filmed at Hanul Comprehensive Arts School was the first episode of the first season, which will air next spring.
It was an important story, so I was excited to see how delicately it would be filmed.
“The story is about two students serious about art… but since it’s a drama on an educational channel, it should be running more smoothly than the independent films or low-budget productions I worked on, right?
But still, filming three episodes in two days is pretty intense.”
The filming crew gathered early in the morning.
I also woke up early and was sitting in a classroom that had been cleared out for the staff to wait. I was secretly filled with anticipation.
“Although waking up was a bit of a struggle.”
It was thanks to Cola-sunbae, the physical monster from dorm 7, who woke me up on his way to work out. Thank you, Jina-sunbae.
We should work out together sometime.
“… But don’t push me too hard.”
– Whisper whisper
It seemed like the extra female students sitting next to me shared my excitement about the filming location.
Since they didn’t have assigned lines, they chatted casually while sipping coffee, waiting for their turn to appear on set.
“Wow, so this is Hanul? The school is huge!”
“Yeah, it looks like a European university.”
“Right? The buildings are big. The food is great too.”
“Have you eaten here before?”
“… Actually, I applied to the theater and film department here four years ago but didn’t get in.”
“Really? Don’t you need to be in middle school to get in? Didn’t you go to acting classes back then? Is it really that difficult?”
“I was in sixth grade back then, so I didn’t even know what was what. Ugh, I should’ve tried harder and pushed through even if it meant taking a year off.”
Listening to their conversation about students from outside schools made my sense of reality, which had been numb for a while, return.
“Actually, it’s not normal to start preparing for entrance exams when you’re in elementary school.
It’s also not typical for middle and high school students to learn university-level liberal arts and prepare to study abroad early, getting into prestigious schools.”
Thinking about it, if it’s not one of the top 1-2 ranked universities in Korea, it wasn’t even mentioned as a target for entrance exams.
In fact, most of the Hanul students… no, pretty much all of them were aiming for foreign universities.
“Even Jina-sunbae, who looked like an athletic fool, or Aeri-sunbae, who has that weird British concept. They were all aiming for prestigious universities abroad with their respective majors.”
On top of that, there was the special class composed of top-ranking students, the “Study Abroad Class,” which focused solely on prestigious foreign universities…
“…..”
Wait.
I suddenly felt like I had taken some red pills.
“…..”
Huh…?
Am I really here, surrounded by these terrifyingly talented people?
Just because I prepared a little earlier than others?
“Hoeying…”
It really is intimidating, being able to prepare for something from a young age.
“Too scary for someone like me who failed art school entrance exams in my past life…”
– Shudder shudder…
While I was nervously trembling like a hamster, the conversation continued between the two extra students next to me.
“I heard there are a lot of kids here who’ve been learning since they were little in Europe.”
“Yeah… that’s why all the pure artists from Hanul dominate. It’s like a completely different world.”
“Everyone who goes here is from rich families and geniuses. That one who was on TV a lot? She’s also from here. She’s the granddaughter of that huge HU corporation.”
“Is that even a movie…?”
“It’s no wonder it’s a special school for gifted students.”
“…..”
“…..”
The two students paused for a moment and then whispered.
Their voices lowered, and it made me pay more attention.
“…And that girl over there, sitting… she’s in the news… some genius… too.”
“Really? I thought… on the tour… she’s pretty… so tiny.”
“Mm…”
They’re talking about me.
“I can’t hear very well, though.”
Since I became a girl, I’ve become more sensitive to this kind of attention.
Especially when I take the subway or a bus, there are so many people who stare at my face, so I always lower my head to avoid their gaze.
“Actually, the staff members waiting in the classroom have been staring at me too…”
No…
They’re still looking at me.
– Glance glance
– Whisper whisper
“…..”
“…..”
“…..”
“…..”
– Glance glance
– Whisper whisper
This is so uncomfortable…
“…..”
Why… are they all staring? Is this their first time seeing a kid?
Did they expect me to feel pressured?
If I were still my original self, I wouldn’t be able to make eye contact with them!
Ugh, that’s a huge “seirodrip!”
“…”
But even if I make the “seirodrip,” they won’t stop staring.
– Glance glance
– Whisper whisper
“…Hmph.”
I calmly drank the green tea sitting on the desk.
– Shudder...
“…Ugh.”
It’s so cold that my hands are shaking.
Has it already gotten to sub-zero temperatures in autumn?
I looked at the thermometer in front of the classroom.
“…..”
Hmm.
[21°C]
The room temperature is appropriate.
“…Hmph.”
Finally, I finished my green tea and crossed my arms, waiting.
…I don’t have to be too nervous. I’m only supposed to draw a plaster statue, so there’s no reason to be anxious. It’s just a day for observation.
As I tried to shake off the tension in my mind, the classroom door opened, and I heard a young staff member calling me.
– Creak
“Hana Go, please come forward. It’s time to prepare for the shoot!”
“Oh, yes!”
I stood up and walked toward the designated studio.
The staff member, guiding me, mumbled into his walkie-talkie as he led the way.
“Yes, Director. I’m with Hana Go now… Ah, yes. Understood. We’re heading there now. Yes.”
He looked at me and said, “We should hurry up a little more.”
“Okay.”
The hallway was filled with all sorts of filming equipment, computers, and lights.
Amid the hectic scene of tired-looking people walking back and forth, the noise gradually grew louder the further I walked.
“I wonder how meticulous the filming on an educational station set will be…?”
I entered the filming location with excitement.
And what I saw was…
– Clink!
A broken mug.
“Cut! Cut! Cut! Damn it, didn’t I tell you to control the set properly? You can see the students walking outside the window!! Can’t you hear their voices? We need to cut that out!”
“But, but the Hanul side said not to control anyone except for building C, room 102…”
“Damn it! If you’re going to argue about principles, then who’s supposed to control the set? Don’t let anyone come within 100 meters of the set, whether we’re yelling or taping!”
“…Okay, understood.”
The staff members lowered their heads and hurried to set up yellow tape around the set like a police line.
They kicked out the students who had gathered around building C, asking them to cooperate as it was a filming session.
Some curious girls who had come close to watch ran away after almost being threatened.
I smiled bitterly as I watched the scene.
‘Oh… this is the raw, living smell of the 2000s wild scene. It looks like I’ll have a hard time getting filming cooperation from Hanul in the future.’
But the men of the early 21st century didn’t care about such things.
“Damn it! Are you all going to do this properly?! At this pace, when will we be done?!”
“I’m sorry!”
“Director! The administrative office of Hanul is coming to inspect the filming site later. What should we do?”
“What should we do? Just shove some coffee in their faces and stop them from coming in!”
“Yeah, yeah!”
“Hey, assistant director! That stage frame is in the way, move it all to the side!”
“Got it!”
–Creak!
It was a filming set for an educational broadcasting station, but the scene was far from educational. Instead, shouts and curses filled the air.
The workshop, which was being used as a filming location, had long since turned into a mess. Facilities that were originally meant for work had been carelessly torn down.
Even the plaster statue that was supposed to be drawn according to the original script had disappeared.
-Crack!
‘What is that attitude?’
“…..”
It was like a martial artist smashing a tavern.
Thanks to their overwhelming spirit, the tension that had briefly built up was soon gone.
‘…..The teachers in the administrative office will be furious later.’
After a few takes, the filming continued.
In the brightly lit workshop, two girls sat.
One was a slightly unfamiliar face, and the other was a familiar face… Juri.
They were both wearing props-style uniforms, not Hanul school uniforms. They were wearing aprons and were hard at work drawing.
Then, Juri (the character she was playing) suddenly shouted and stood up in an awkward pose.
“This is unfair!!”
“…What’s unfair?”
“Why can’t I draw?!”
The diligent-looking girl sitting across from her, Nari, responded calmly.
“Because you don’t have the ability.”
“…What does that mean?”
“Because you’re stupid. All you do is envy others.”
“Why do you talk like that?!”
“You’re always bullying the other art club members. Do you think I didn’t know?”
“Ugh… Ugh?!”
Juri was gradually overwhelmed by Nari’s calm rebuttal, shaking in frustration.
It was such a vivid and pitiful performance… as if she might burst into tears at any moment. The bread hat on her head wobbled as she trembled.
“…..”
I couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and pity watching the performance.
‘Juri must still be in sixth grade. But she’s still acting pretty well. Though, it’s another stupid role…?’
It was an extension of the ‘Juri’ I had seen in the sitcom for a year.
To be honest, the one playing the calm ‘Nari’ was clearly the better actor.
After all, it’s hard to expect deep acting from an elementary school student.
‘Maybe they call her a “stupid role expert” because all she gets are stupid roles.
Or maybe they need a character like “Juri” to take all the hate.’
For a while, the two girls went back and forth in their argument, and the scene was finally wrapped up.
As soon as the filming ended, a staff member approached Juri from a distance. He spoke quietly, growling.
“Why do you keep messing up your lines? Because of you, filming keeps getting delayed.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“I told you to act like a fool. What are we supposed to do if you really act like a fool?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Before long, Juri took off her bread hat, holding it in one hand, and walked around the set, bowing her head to the crew.
The staff and other actors ignored her, looking at her disdainfully.
“…..”
‘Something feels off… like an isolation scene.’
Despite the atmosphere on set, the director casually spoke while looking this way.
“Forget about that. Where’s the stand-in for the next scene?”
“We brought Go Hana here ahead of time.”
“…Hello, I’m Go Hana.”
“Hmm, the assistant director will explain.”
“Uh, right here.”
When I arrived, the assistant director awkwardly explained.
“The director said Go Hana is a genius, so we called her here. Um… so, under this lighting, just draw on the paper. Roll up your sleeves, and just focus on the hand and drawing.”
“Oh, right.”
“Is Nari’s character the one drawing?”
“Can you tell me what Nari’s major is in the story? The kind of drawing depends on the character’s specialty.”
“Uh? Major?”
“Is she into painting, design, or maybe sketching, watercolor, oil painting…?”
“Wait, hold on. I need to get the scriptwriter’s phone number…”
The assistant director fumbled with his phone, and behind him, the director spoke casually while looking at the screen.
“Go with whatever seems most fitting.”
“…..”
Hmm.
“…..”
I glanced at the oil paints in the corner of the chaotic studio.
‘Bob Ross, please help me become a righteous speed painter tonight.’
*
Juri took a lap around the set and finished her apology.
“…Sorry.”
“Hmph.”
However, no staff member welcomed Juri, who had been forcefully added to the set by Director Kim for The Big Family.
Even the extras, who had been brought in, ignored her, wary of her. Some even gossiped about her, wondering if she was truly as stupid as her character.
‘It’s all just an opportunity to build a career before going to the US… I just need to trust Director Kim’s connections and hang in there a little longer.’
This was all an opportunity.
“…..”
But….
But….
It was tiring.
The fact that she only got stupid roles.
That no one appreciated her serious efforts…
‘No… This is an opportunity that others would kill for. I’m still in elementary school, and there’s plenty of time left. I have “talent.” I can’t give up.
Of course, it’s normal for an elementary student to be worse than a high school student at acting.’
Even so.
No matter how talented people are.
If she were an elementary school student, she believed she could outdo anyone at any time.
Being able to move around the set so vigorously was “talent” too. As long as she put in the effort.
Someday…..
“Even though it’s tough…”
“……”
Juri returned to the set with a half-sobbing heart.
…Maybe they’re filming the drawing scene now.
But when she returned, the set was strangely quiet. The staff around her were just watching something, murmuring in awe.
“….?”
“Wow…”
“……”
“Wow…”
“Is that really an elementary school student?”
“We are filming a genius drama, but we really got a genius.”
Juri looked around the set, where everyone was watching her.
“…Ah.”
She couldn’t help but open her mouth.
A vast snowfield.
A serene lake.
Deer playing between them.
In the huge painting, the scenery of an unknown lake was emerging.
-Swish!
With a small knife and paint in her hand.
-Swish!
Every time the knife passed over the canvas, a deer would appear.
-Swish!
And with another stroke, a massive waterfall emerged.
“…Incredible.”
Like a god who created the world in seven days.
The small girl in front of me was creating a landscape painting in just a few minutes with her beautiful hands.
She was supposed to be a stand-in, but at this moment, her hands were the real stars of the scene.
She even looked like she was a younger elementary school student.
“…..”
Ah.
When I saw that, I had to accept it.
Geniuses.
They emerge, regardless of age.
“……”
I was just a humble ordinary person.