Filming Set
The next morning.
I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw the van parked right in front of my yard.
Even at a glance, the dark tinted windows screamed, Yeah, there's a celebrity in here.
Or… maybe someone about to kidnap someone.
I knew they were sending a car to pick me up, but I didn't expect a van like this.
What if a stalker fan snapped a picture?
Hmm… do actors get that less often?
Come to think of it, I can't really recall many stories about actors being harassed by sasaeng fans.
Anyway, as I approached, the window rolled down.
"You came out right away?"
"Didn't want to leave this thing parked too long out here."
"Ah, makes sense. I'm on my way to work anyway… not that there are many people around here, so we didn't draw much attention. It's still morning, too."
"Oh, I bet. Anyway, mind opening the door?"
"Ah, right. Get in."
Inside, it looked even more spacious than I expected. Up front in the driver's seat was a manager in his mid-thirties.
"Hello. Thanks for giving me a ride today."
"Haha, no problem. Still, can't believe Chang-sik personally came to pick up a lady."
"This hyung talks too much nonsense."
"Anyway, we'll get going now. Just relax."
Well… considering his level of fame, he probably couldn't just give rides to women lightly, not with all the eyes on him.
Being an actor really is tough.
If I had that face, I'd probably be running around with four girlfriends by now. Tsk.
Anyway, the seat was ridiculously comfortable. Probably because this van was made for constant travel during schedules. Felt like a sofa.
"This van is super comfy. How much does something like this cost?"
"This? No idea. My accountant told me to buy it, so I did."
What is he, J.P. Morgan or something?
So basically, if you even have to ask the price of a van like this, you're not the kind of person who can afford it.
…Honestly, fair enough.
Even though I make more than the average person through streaming, I'm nowhere near on a celebrity's level.
Anyway, the van sped smoothly along toward the broadcasting station where the shoot would take place.
On the way, I asked Chang-sik about filming.
"How long does a shoot usually take?"
"Well, depends on the schedule, but I usually arrive at sunrise and leave at sunset."
"So in winter you get off work early, huh?"
"…"
"Joke."
"Not funny."
Hmm… so filming hours are basically like a salaryman's—or maybe even longer.
"Of course, it's not shooting nonstop the whole time. Depending on the schedule, you might just sit around reading the script or soaking up the atmosphere until it's your turn."
"The atmosphere?"
"Yeah. The mood on set can change everything about a scene."
Oh… I thought actors just had to act well. Didn't realize they had to read the room, too.
"So what if the atmosphere's just… tanked?"
"'Tanked'? That's one way to put it…"
"Well, what would you call it?"
Can't exactly say "totally screwed," can I?
He gave me a look like he was questioning my entire existence, then finally answered.
"When the atmosphere's off… it depends on the actor, but I tend to go more over the top."
"Over the top?"
"Bring more energy, you know?"
"Ah, to reset the mood?"
"Exactly."
Wow. Real pros really are different. Even little things like that.
Man, I hope the vibe's good when I show up. Nothing worse than feeling like an intruder at a funeral.
After some more idle chat, we arrived at the station.
"Do you usually film at a TV studio?"
"Sometimes we rent locations, but we also build sets inside. Like today."
"Oh, so today's a set day?"
"Yeah. It costs more, but it lets us shoot exactly the way we want."
I see.
Funny thing is, even though he's an actor, Chang-sik seems to know a lot about the production side too. Probably just picked it up along the way.
"But we're not going out the front, right?"
My gaze drifted toward the crowd of people outside the station. All women, holding things—looked like an idol group must've arrived.
"Of course not. We'll go in through the underground parking. Some do get dropped off out front, but not us."
Right, otherwise I'd be on some gossip site tomorrow.
Good thing I dressed up today—meeting the director and all. Standing next to Chang-sik, people might even get the wrong idea.
"Let's head to the parking lot."
Unlike the busy entrance, the underground lot was almost empty, just a few scattered cars.
"Feels empty, huh? But on music show days, it's packed."
Ah, so that's why they built it so big.
After parking deep inside, we all got out and headed for the elevator.
Whew… now it's really happening. I'm actually going to see the set.
Other actors will be there too, right?
Ha… should I ask for autographs? No, that'd be rude. They're here to work.
"Nervous?"
Chang-sik suddenly threw the question at me.
…Guess it showed on my face.
"Yeah, well… it's my first time in a place like this."
"Don't worry. Everyone's too busy to care. Just make sure you greet anyone who looks important or like an actor. That alone goes a long way."
"Oh…"
With that, the elevator doors opened. We stepped out onto the floor where the set was located.
"Let's go."
"Whoa…"
The first thing I noticed was how huge it was.
Lights were rigged all across the ceiling. People bustled everywhere, lugging equipment.
One area had actors seated in chairs, while another had staff clustered together in conversation.
It was the very picture of a film set.
As I was taking it all in with awe, Chang-sik gave me a look to hurry up and follow.
"Planning to just stand around gawking all day?"
"Well, it's all a bit new to me."
"Hah, I was the same way the first time I came here."
Following Moon Chang-sik across the set, I spotted a middle-aged man up ahead.
He wore a cap pulled low, with scruffy stubble on his chin, and his expression looked rather sharp—maybe even surly.
Not that it's polite to put it this way, but… he kind of looked like a toad.
That toad-like director was chatting with staff when he noticed us approaching. His eyes immediately fixed on Chang-sik.
"You're only just getting here? How many times have I told you to show up earlier?"
Was something wrong? He snapped at Chang-sik in a gruff, almost hostile tone.
But then his gaze shifted to me, trailing behind—and his eyes widened slightly.
"This the one?"
"Yes. She wanted to visit the set and see what it's like."
"So this is the bold one who dared to make that request…"
The toad director gave me a once-over.
And in that moment, I understood why Chang-sik had called him a chef.
He wasn't looking at me with the gaze of a man sizing up a woman. His eyes were like a lens, scanning me not as a person but as material.
It didn't feel invasive—it felt like being evaluated.
His gaze swept over me from head to toe, and then—
"Well, I see why! Welcome."
He broke into a bright, almost unbelievable smile, greeting me warmly.
"Uh—oh. Thank you."
"Relax. We're all just people doing our jobs. You wanted to see how a set works, right? I'll guide you myself. Come, take a proper look around."
…Wait, what?
Can someone's whole vibe change that fast?
Honestly, he looked more like the actor than Chang-sik did. Forget one face—this guy seemed to have at least two.
"Come on, follow me!"
As the director beckoned me forward with exaggerated enthusiasm, I stood there dumbfounded. Then Chang-sik leaned in close and muttered quietly:
"I think your face is better at breaking the ice than my overacting."
"…Excuse me?"
What kind of ridiculous comment was that? I stared at him, but he only shrugged and said:
"Anyway, let's just follow along. That's what you came here for, right?"
"Well… true enough."
Better this than the atmosphere getting dragged down by sour faces.
So I trailed after the toad director.
"Here's today's set."
Inside was a more elaborate setup—at first glance, it looked like a recording studio.
"Wow… feels really authentic."
Of course, one wall was missing for camera work, so it wasn't actually fit for real recording.
"Ha! We spent some money here. Got good funding this time. A high-quality set makes for a high-quality film!"
The way he boasted, you could tell he was proud. Well, he wasn't wrong—better sets only help the film.
"If you do end up shooting, it'll be right here. The blocking's simple: start inside the booth, step out, exchange a few lines with Chang-sik, then exit through the door. Not much to it."
"I see…"
From his description, it really didn't sound like much.
Just memorize the lines and do as directed. Didn't seem like there was any heavy emotional acting required.
"So? Think you can handle it?"
Had he read my expression? The director asked, and before I realized it, I gave a small nod.
"In that case, how about we just shoot it right now?"
He pounced on my nod, tossing out the suggestion with a grin.
"Huh?"
"If you look good on camera, we might just use that footage as is. Ha!"
…Wait, aren't film directors supposed to be strict about their shoots?
Can it really work like this?
I glanced over at Moon Chang-sik.
You're the acting purist here—are you really okay with this kind of slapdash process?
That was what my look meant. But—
"Sounds good. Knowing how you look on camera is part of an actor's craft."
…Right. I forgot—he's even crazier than I thought.
The entertainment industry was starting to feel scary.
Hyunsoo… so this is the kind of world you've been surviving in all along. No wonder you've gotten tougher.
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