Jihoon’s eyes darkened with frustration.
"I don’t get it? Are you kidding me? I was there with you since the beginning! I know how hard you worked for this—how much you have to give up! And now, out of nowhere, you just want to quit?"
Minjae’s hands curled into fists. He looked at Jihoon, his eyes remained frozen. The cameras took a full body shot to show the heavy atmosphere.
"Maybe working hard isn’t enough. Maybe none of it matters in the end."
Jihoon let out a humorless laugh. He acted as if he was in great disbelief in what he heard.
"Wow. So that’s it? Just like that, you’re giving up? What about the fans? What about the people who believed in you?"
Minjae flinched slightly, but his expression remained cold.
"People will forget. The industry will eventually move on."
Jihoon shook his head, his frustration reaching its peak. Though he can’t deny that he was getting amazed by Minjae’s way of acting.
"You know what? You sound exactly like those washed-up idols who couldn’t make it."
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Silence.
Minjae’s gaze snapped to Jihoon, something dangerous flickering in his eyes.
"What did you just say?"
Jihoon didn’t back down, but he was honestly scared by the way Minjae looked.
"You heard me. If you walk away now, all the blood, sweat, and tears you put into this? It’ll mean nothing."
Minjae shot up from his seat, his anger finally breaking through.
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"And what if it already means nothing? What if I don’t want this anymore?"
Jihoon stepped closer, his voice firm.
"Then say it. Say you really want to quit. Tell the press! Tell the reporters! Fucking tell everyone!"
Minjae opened his mouth, but no words came out of it.
His breathing suddenly became uneven. His fists trembled slightly. But he couldn’t say it. He couldn’t say the words.
Because deep down, he knew he also wasn’t sure about it.
The cameras zoomed in on Minjae’s face. They stayed in the same position, waiting for the scene to end.
"Cut!"
Director Hwang’s voice rang out, but for a moment, neither of them moved. The tension in the air was so thick that even the staff watching from the sidelines had fallen silent.
"That was intense."
"Their chemistry is crazy."
"This drama is going to be insane."
Minjae was the first to break character. He exhaled sharply before giving Jihoon a knowing look. He was impressed by it.
"You were good, Jihoon"
Jihoon let out a slow breath. As the realization kicked in, his hands trembled slightly, his heart still pounding out of nervousness. His first scene was done, and he wanted to cry.
"Thank you, hyung. You were so good." It was Jihoon’s honest thoughts. He almost forgot that they were acting earlier because it felt so real.
’’As expected, Minjae Hyung is really good.’
"It’s nothing." Minjae chuckled.
"Alright. Good take. We’ll do another from a different angle in 5 minutes." Director Hwang nodded in approval.
And with that, they got ready to do it all over again.
- - -
After shooting scenes with Jihoon all over again, Minjae grabbed a quick drink of water. He took a rest for a couple of minutes before he changed to another outfit and look.
This time, he’d be shooting scenes with the actress Seo Yura.
Yura was already on set, reviewing the script in her hands. She looked up when she saw Minjae approaching. She sweetly smiled before waving her hand.
"You looked dashing today, Minjae." Yura chuckled as she checked out Minjae.
Minjae was wearing a white collared polo paired with black slacks and white shoes. His hair was neatly styled in a way that it complimented his overall outfit.
For a moment, Yura was taken aback. Minjae’s looks were good, but it wasn’t the type of look wherein you’d get starstruck at first sight. However, there was something in his aura right now that she couldn’t pinpoint.
It was as if Minjae just had this charisma on him that would make you want to spare a glance at him.
Minjae’s forehead creased when he saw Yura staring at him for a while. He tilted his head.
"Was it too much?" he asked curiously, though in his mind, he knew he looked normal.
"U-Uh…" Yura was startled when she heard her name. She awkwardly laughs before shaking her head.
"No, it was perfect," Yura said, adjusting the clip in her hair. She must have gone mad for a second.
"I’m just quite nervous. It’s our first scene together, right?"
"Yup." Minjae nodded before offering her a reassuring look. "You can do it. You did well in the script reading."
Yura chuckled.
"Thanks."
"That’s good. Let’s trust each other, shall we?" Minjae offered his hand to Yura, who was sitting.
"Trust." Yura nodded, taking a deep breath before she accepted Minjae’s hands. Afterward, they stepped into position, ready for some action.
Filming a drama wasn’t done per episode but rather by location, meaning they shot scenes in a way that maximized efficiency rather than chronological order.
Now that they were in the studio, all the indoor scenes were scheduled to be filmed, including Minjae and Yura’s dating scenes.
Since Minjae’s character was a top idol, his relationship with Yura’s character had to be kept in secret. Their dates couldn’t be out in the open, and they could only spend time together behind closed doors, away from people’s eyes.
From an office, the set was changed to look like a cozy, modern apartment, softly lit with warm lighting. Since it will be a living room scene, there was a couch, a small dining table, and a window with closed blinds that made up most of the space.
The scene they were about to film was one where their characters will finally have some time together after a long week. Since this part was in the middle of the drama, the two actors had to act as if they were in love with each other already.
"Alright, this scene is important. I want your interactions to be as natural and sweet as possible." Direct Hwang reminded me with a strict voice.
"I’m already telling you that we will repeatedly take this scene until I’m satisfied. Do you two get it?"
"Yes, Director."
"Yes."
"Alright," Director Hwang nod as he looked back to check on the camera and sound director. When everything was fine, his eyes went back to Minjae and Yura.
"Ready?"
"Yes, Director" Minjae and Yura responded in unison.
"Alright. Cameras rolling... Scene 224. Shoot 1. Take 1."
"3… 2… 1…"
"And action!"