“Chaemin, let me see your face just one more time before you go.”
At the stylist’s words, I silently leaned forward.
She tapped my cheeks lightly with a cushion sponge, then studied my face back and forth with a serious expression.
“I wish we’d styled your hair to look a bit cuter.”
Her voice was filled with regret, and I couldn’t help but smile briefly.
“But if it looks too styled, it won’t fit the image. Even now, it’s a little too close for comfort.” The image I’d been given of Jeong Bongsik was that of a plain, unkempt young man.
To match that image, I dyed my hair back from the dark brown I’d used to play Yoon Jihwa and returned it to jet black. Chaemin’s hair was thin and straight, so I had no choice but to use a curling iron to create that messy, disheveled look.
At the same time, it had to look attractive and cute. Director Lee Seungheon’s vision for Jeong Bongsik wearing thick glasses was clear. It seemed he was especially strict with the appearance since I was cast partly because of looks.
‘I’ll have to match it as much as possible. Even if it’s impossible, I’ll push it to the limits.’ What Director Lee wanted was the inherent charm that could bring Bongsik’s character to life.
In my opinion, that charm lay in just the right amount of concealment. If it looked obviously styled, it would neither suit Bongsik’s character nor satisfy Director Lee. ‘I’d be lucky not to get cursed out to my face.’ “Still…”
Her voice was full of understanding but also frustration, and there was something familiar about the look on her face. ‘Ah… it was like this when filming too.’
When I played Yoon Jihwa, whose character was a student with a soft image, the styling had been pared down as much as possible.
From a stylist’s perspective, who cared more about Chaemin’s face than anyone else, it was only natural to feel disappointed.
“Aren’t you cute enough even now?” Before I finished, she replied instantly.
“Of course! It’s just that I personally feel a bit sorry.”
Despite what she said, she was always the one to meet my demands.
She was also one of the few people who treated Chaemin somewhat warmly. “But the manager… doesn’t pick you up anymore?”
“Oh… The manager’s been busy with other work lately. Sorry about that. It must’ve been tough for you to come here.” The stylist waved her hands dismissively.
“No, no! For me, moving around like this is part of the job, so it’s fine. I was just worried you’d feel really uncomfortable.”
“Haha…”
Since I could just take a taxi, it wasn’t that inconvenient.
Though I found it a bit annoying to have to take care of things the manager should handle, it wasn’t something completely new.
‘It would be easier if I could just drive myself, but I can’t, so it’s a bit frustrating.’
Chaemin didn’t have a license. I had no idea why, and even if I wanted to know, there was no way to find out. Because of that, I had to retake the driving test.
That would only be possible if I had some free time. “Well, moving around like this is part of my job too, so I’ll work hard.”
The thought that it would be easier if there were no manager at all rose in my throat, but I held it back.
That attitude wouldn’t suit Chaemin’s personality.
As I expected, the stylist nodded with a look of sympathy. Trying to lighten the mood, she smiled brightly and took one last look at me.
“Okay, you look really pretty today too, right?”
The reflection in the mirror she held up showed Chaemin’s image. Messy hair puffed up with a curling iron, thick horn-rimmed glasses partially hiding the face.
The makeup emphasized pale skin, making it look almost ghostly. Yet somehow, there was something about the look that couldn’t be easily dismissed. A face that some would see and overlook, while others couldn’t help but be intrigued.
Though mostly hidden, the innate appearance wasn’t completely concealed.
“Yes, that’s true. Thank you as always.”
The stylist smiled brightly, genuinely happy. She looked at me silently for a moment, then glanced around cautiously.
She seemed to have something to say but didn’t rush.
Finally, she spoke carefully. “Lately, Chaemin, you look really good. You seem more energized and solid…”
“…”
“Maybe this sounds like I’m crossing a line? Anyway, fighting.”
A chill ran down my neck like thin needles pricking inside.
‘There’s no way she can’t tell the difference.’
Especially when you have to see someone frequently and for a long time.
Even if she couldn’t clearly say what had changed, she would know on some level.
‘Anyone with a normal level of affection and interest would.’ It was within my expectations.
Besides gathering info on Chaemin right after possession, I had studied his videos to mimic his speech.
I never intended to perfectly imitate Chaemin.
That was impossible from the start. I only wanted the difference to look neither too dramatic nor strange.
I had no intention to hide that I’d changed. Still… since this was the first time I heard such words from someone close to Chaemin… Or maybe I’d let my guard down because of the manager’s silence—someone who should’ve noticed first.
Suddenly, I really felt that I wasn’t Chaemin. Though I was always aware of it, I still didn’t understand why I felt like a thief caught in the act… “Thank you.”
That was all I could say. The stylist seemed to gain some confidence from our conversation and made an unexpected suggestion.
She declared she would film monitoring footage during today’s shoot. I had no reason to refuse, so I gratefully accepted. As the conversation with the stylist was wrapping up, a commotion stirred behind me.
Turning around, I saw the staff gathering in one spot.
“Senior, hello!”
“Kim Sunae senior, hello! Nice to meet you!”
Hearing one name scattered among the voices caught my attention.
‘Looks like Sunae Kim senior has arrived.’
Kim Sunae. The actress playing Yeo Eunsu and Satin, the lead in this film .
In her 40s, she had an appearance that hadn’t faded at all, outstanding acting skills, and a sophisticated manner loved by the public both as an actress and as a person.
She was a senior I had always wanted to work with at least once.
‘I never dreamed I’d get this chance like this…’ My eagerness for this project came not only from liking the story itself but also from the cast I’d be working with.
After clearing my throat softly, I moved toward where Kim Sunae was.
I saw her warmly greeting and hugging other actors.
She was definitely different from how she was at the script reading.
Short red-orange hair, a leather jacket, and a leopard-print inner shirt. She looked just like Yeo Eunsu stepping out of the script. As she turned her gaze toward me, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. This wasn’t our first meeting.
We’d greeted each other at the script reading just before filming.
But… ‘Maybe she learned later what Chaemin was famous for.’ Even if Kim Sunae reacted coldly, nothing would change. It was just that, being human, I couldn’t be completely nonchalant.
Afraid my expression might falter, I forced a smile. “Hello, senior. I’m Yoo Chaemin, playing Jeong Bongsik.” Her eyes widened. “Oh my.” Then her eyes curved into crescent shapes. “So cute. It’s really Bongsik who came?”
Hearing “the real Bongsik,” my stiff shoulders relaxed. It was the same attitude as at the script reading. She treated me simply as an ordinary actor. ‘Maybe I was the one with the prejudice.’ I bowed instinctively.
“Thank you. I look forward to working with you today.” “All right~ Let’s have a good shoot today.” Kim Sunae patted my shoulder lightly and left.
A considerable number of people followed her. Since the leads had arrived, the filming preparations were getting serious.
“Wow… pretty shameless. If it were me, I wouldn’t dare talk to her.”
“Someone might think he’s a real actor.”
“Exactly. Even though he can’t act. This is why people who can’t act shouldn’t get lead roles…”
“What delusions.”
The murmurs from the remaining people echoed in my ears.
***
At the café rented for filming, the actors disguised as customers took their places. The space was carefully set up, calculating the camera’s frame.
The sharp sound of the slate clapped through the air.
Those who had been still began to act according to their assigned roles.
Some studied, others chatted happily with the person across from them.
I glanced at them awkwardly, then curled up. It felt so strange and hard to be in a crowded space after such a long time.
Even the sound of a chair scraping next to me startled me.
‘Soon, I’ll see Nuna. I can’t be like this.’ I tried to calm myself and checked my face with my phone’s camera. I was wearing my favorite checked shirt, but I still looked stifled and foolish.
I waited for an indeterminate amount of time before the person I’d been waiting for finally appeared. “Nu-nu-nuna!” Since I had acted like this at the audition, I added some extra detail and prepared the scene.
It was the first proper appearance of Jeong Bongsik in the film, so I put in extra care. Because many characters appeared in a short time, this opening scene had to properly showcase Bongsik’s charm.
Maybe because my rank had risen to C from D, it definitely felt different. The discomfort I felt when acting—the sensation of half my body being paralyzed—was somewhat eased.
My diction and projection were, of course, better. Where before my pronunciation inevitably slipped, it had improved a bit.
Where my voice had scattered no matter how hard I pushed, it had become faintly firmer. Unlike before, when it felt like I was sinking into water tied up even though I could swim… Now I could barely splash and move forward by paddling my hands.
“Cut.”
A low, short voice echoed in my ear.
The next words I naturally expected were absent. After a brief silence, Director Lee Seungheon’s voice came.
“Let’s try one more time.”
After shooting again, the “okay” sign finally came. When I turned around, Director Lee got up from his seat with a reluctant expression.
“…”
The atmosphere on set was a little strange.
It wasn’t clearly good or bad. It was right in the middle but somewhat subdued.
It was a scene difficult for me to define—a foreign sight.