Chapter 41
This chapter is generously sponsored by Erin.
The unwritten rule of broadcasting companies was that even for top A-list celebrities, the appearance fee for variety show panels didnt exceed one million won. Since actors had to worry more about damaging their image, would they hesitate to participate in variety shows? That was just a prejudice. The reason this kind of talk came up was probably because the income and cost didnt match. However, these days it is true that appearances have become smoother for reasons like promoting works and increasing public awareness.
Manager Song, why are you hiding here?
Like the mole from the Mole game, Manager Song Jeongmin stood up with an awkward expression from his hiding place at a corner of the shooting site.
Youll get arthritis if you keep crouching like that. At our age, we should know how important our joints are. By the way, it seems like youve sharpened your knife at Hyewon Entertainment if youre acting as Seo Minhyes road manager. Manager Song, its been about three years since youve been on the field, right?
Last time I saw you, PD Kim, was right before I got promoted, so it mustve been around then. This is the most important time, isnt it? Its easy to let your guard down when youre halfway up the mountain. I volunteered to be Minhyes manager just in case she got any wild ideas. If it werent for me, would Minhye have obediently followed along this far?
Wow, thats why I acknowledged you, Manager Song! I was so nervous thinking Minhye might not come today. But how did you persuade her? She wouldve refused immediately if she knew what todays show was about.
So, I just vaguely told her. Shes just sitting in the studio, talking, and taking a short break. Im worried her head might get too big, and she might become too difficult to control. Thats why she needs to experience some hardship now. Otherwise, shell end up like someone else who is reckless. Ugh, I dont even want to imagine it.
As mentioned earlier, there were exceptions to why actors didnt appear on variety shows even after their appearance fees were met to their satisfaction. In reality, it was hard to cast them in slapstick variety shows even if you offered them a fortune. Moreover, the current filming location was for a program called the Marine Corps of variety shows.
As soon as she arrived at the filming site, actress Seo Minhyes eyes lit up with anger as she looked for her manager.
PD Kim, by the way, how did you cast that actor called Jang Yeongguk?
Yeongguks agency said everything was okay. He said he was fine with it too. He even came here without a manager, riding a bicycle. Its the first time Ive seen an actor come to record on a bike.
A bicycle? Sonwon Entertainment may be noisy right now, but they shouldnt be that financially challenged
It seems like its just his hobby. Even when the agency offered to provide him with a car, he stubbornly refused. He said its more comfortable to travel alone. If I were the agencys CEO, I would be content with just one actor like Yeongguk. Anyway, I heard Sonwon Entertainment is making some noise these days? The industry was turned upside down, right?
Manager Song nodded briefly.
Sonwon Entertainment was in the midst of a hot issue in the agency industry. Co-CEO Hwang Cheolsu had already been summoned several times by the prosecution for illegal activities, including embezzlement. The fact that the informant was the other CEO, Kim Seonghwan, made it even more shocking.
What happened, Manager Song?
Well, that jerk Hwang Cheolsu has been marking his territory all over the place, and some people started giving us hints that they wanted the same thing from us. All because of that one piece of trash, the industry was practically turning into a mud pit. Thankfully, things are settling down now. CEO Kim made a huge decision, something related to Songwons equity issue. Hwang will probably be out in a few years.
Its divine punishment for that trash, you know. Were all supporting CEO Kim. That Hwang Cheolsu guy has had a habit of not being able to leave his dog ways behind, causing headaches with illegal entertainment and such since way back.
Is it that serious?
Didnt you know? CEO Kim Seonghwans nickname is Buddha, but once he gets angry, hes like a raging bull. It seems like hes been collecting data for years. It was so sharpaigoo, I almost made eye contact with Minhye. Sit down, quickly!
Manager Song Jeongmin cautiously asked.
PD Kim, I couldnt watch the recording properly because I was hiding, but how about the ratings?
Although PD Kim was from the drama department, he was still a PDs. An experts eye was more outstanding than anyone elses.
The impact was clear from the insert. With that kind of content, the ratings are guaranteed even if they just release a preview. The head of the entertainment department will probably be shocked and faint when he sees todays recording. Its like a rebirth.
Is it that good?
Even if he doesnt know, wouldnt it feel like he has been to heaven and hell?
Kim Jin and Song Jeongmin, who had been talking for a while, slowly turned their attention to the shooting site. There, they saw a pair of young men and women who were perfect for the term youth. Their soaked appearance seemed to remind them of the upcoming summer.
* * *
The scent of summer.
The shooting site of the drama Youth felt as if the heat of the beginning of summer has already arrived. Dragonflies that have emerged from pupae above dogtail grasses hurriedly spread their wings. Like a carpenter handling wood, the filming staffs hands were busy while a young man, who had rolled up his short sleeves like a sleeveless shirt, helped without hesitation, even with unpleasant tasks. Sweat beads on his messy hair flowed smoothly down his graceful jawline past his earlobes.
Mermaid Prince!
Dont call me that again. Its embarrassing.
Drink this in one gulp. Ive been an AD for 3 years, but its the first time Ive seen an actor like you, Yeongguk. Look, even the costume team leader, who usually doesnt show up, is working hard because youre like this on the set. Should we call it the Mermaid Prince effect?
The cold tea flowed down his throat, cooling Yeongguk.
Assistant Director Park Junggi looked at him with satisfaction. The young mans nickname, Mermaid Prince, came from a variety show he filmed a few weeks ago that was broadcast nationwide on terrestrial TV. It was a program dubbed the Marine Corps of the variety world that everyone avoided. Still, the young man benefited from it because he was laid-back and natural even after falling into the water. It was as if it were a scene from a movie. If a mermaid that emerged from the mud was a man, wouldnt it be like this? It was that impressive.
The drama director also seems to be secretly expecting something. His tie color has been blue for a week! How happy must he be?
Why is that?
The director has a peculiar habit. He tends to wear different tie colors depending on his mood. Thanks to that, everyone around him knows, even if he doesnt know his own mood. But blue for a week? That means hes quite excited. Surely, he saw your broadcast, Yeongguk. But dont you find it hard to help on a set like this? PD Kim said to leave you alone because youre stubborn, but youre too diligent. Was your original dream to be a staff member, not an actor?
As the young man smiled, the AD jumped up from his seat.
Youre not serious, are you?
The atmosphere on the set was controlled by the actors. In that sense, the young man was a puzzle piece that fitted perfectly into the shooting site. He had been through the ups and downs of the theater world in his past life. Sharing the love while putting skin in the game, building and tearing down the stage hundreds of times a year, had been a long journey. Eventually, the makeup team came to look for the young man. Announcing the start of the shoot, the warm sunlight gently poured down on the young mans shoulders.
***
Load the equipment onto the dolly and keep it steady. You got that? Were going from a two-shot (2SWS) to an over-the-shoulder (OSS), so make sure you catch the timing right. We might use this scene for a flashback later, so follow the directions carefully! Senior! Are you listening?
PD Kim, do you know how often Ive heard the same thing? Its stuck in my ears.
The scene really has to be perfect. I know all about the seniors skills. But Ive bet my life on this work. If it fails, Im not kidding, I might really end up in a bad place! Are the sound equipment ready without any noise interference?
PD Kim, if theres an issue with the sound, Ill go down with it, so stop worrying! We have the Mermaid Prince here, so whats there to worry about? Its been a while since Ive seen such a good atmosphere before filming.
As the directors from each department said, the atmosphere on the set was lively. There was a saying that the first shoot of a drama determined its success or failure. Moreover, there was a lot of tension since the actors and staff were not perfectly mixed. However, the current situation is different. Look, the lead actor was the first to step in and blend in with the staff, creating a lively atmosphere.
Scene number 1, a bicycle ride along the stone wall road!
With the signal that the standby was complete, the clapperboard was hit. The dolly carrying the filming equipment moved ahead, following the bicycle. Starting with the sneakers stepping on the pedals, the young mans broad shoulders stood out even more with his white shirt. It was no surprise. The veins visible on the arm holding the bicycles handlebars seemed natural and fitting.
Kim Dojin! Why are you leaving by yourself, you heartless punk! You saw your friend going, and you couldnt even go slowly, let alone ride a bike all by yourself!
From behind, an angry voice was heard. Dojin (played Jang Yeongguk) hid a smile on his lips and briefly stopped pedaling. As the thick branches of the trees swayed and cast shadows, the girl (played by Seo Minhye) appeared panting. She must have run so desperately that a strand of sweaty hair clung to her long neck.
Didnt you tell me told me to go ahead?
The boy responded nonchalantly, and the girl got angry. As he tried to start again, the girl grabbed the rear bike seat with all her strength, stretching herself out.
He loosened his grip on the handlebars.
Hey! Just because I said go ahead, you really went? You know well get in trouble with the school president if were late.
If you dont like it, then you should have left earlier.
Dont say that. Just give me a ride. Two days in a row of punishment is death.
The girls grip on the rear seat loosened, and the bicycle moved forward again. It was then that the girl looked at the boys departing figure with a blank expression. The bicycle stopped at the entrance of the stone wall road, and Dojin (Jang Yeongguk) tilted his head.
I knew it was too light. Get on.
She pouted her lips but hurried onto the rear seat.
PD Kim Jin, who was watching the tally screen from the dolly, had a lively expression on his face. Although his mouth may be light as a bird, his pride as a director was tremendous. He didnt feel any pressure after his failed drama two years ago.
However, with the first scene of this drama, his pressure melted like snow, and an unstoppable smile bloomed on his face. After all, the scent of summer was palpable from the boys appearance to the delivery of his lines.
What are you doing?
Huh?
Do you want to fall? Hold on.
The girls slender fingers gently rested on the boys wide shoulders. She was a casual girl but had never been this close to the boys back before. At that moment, he pedaled hard, and she unknowingly closed her eyes and clung tightly to his waist.
Underneath her windblown hair, her eyes filled with summer finally smiled. The dragonflies skimming along the stone wall road bore witness to the scene with their fluttering wings.
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