episode_0184

“Shooting starts in 10 minutes, everyone!”

Now that the set was finally ready for filming, one of the male actors stood tall, quietly stroking his chin.

At first glance, his build was similar to Kim Seon-il’s.

But his face was completely different.

Unlike Kim Seon-il, who was nicknamed ‘Handsome Trash,’ this actor didn’t suit a suit at all. If you had to put it a certain way, he looked like a thug.

But on set, that was considered a strength. Because he was playing the role of the ‘Gye-il Gang leader.’

Park Woong-jae. That was his name.

“Hoo…”

He suddenly let out a long breath, and there was a hint of tension mixed into his exhale. Did someone notice? Bald director Park Mu-ryong approached him and spoke.

“Woong-jae, is there a problem?”

Park Woong-jae shook his head.

“No, sir.”

“Tell me if you think the filming is too much.”

Park Mu-ryong patted him on the shoulder.

“We finished the most difficult climax scene wonderfully, so we can take it a little easier for the rest of the filming. Your name will be known once this project is complete, you know?”

“…That’s why I need to work even harder.”

Park Woong-jae was already 44 years old.

He had debuted over 15 years ago, but he hadn’t made a name for himself until this age, and now that opportunity had finally come to Woong-jae. The opportunity called *Samjitmals* (Three Lies).

And that was why Woong-jae was nervous.

You could hear it if you just listened closely.

“Woong-jae’s acting is pretty good these days, right?”

“Yeah. Honestly, it’s about time he hit it big.”

The compliments directed at him.

Even he thought that his portrayal of the Gye-il Gang leader in *Lie, Lie, Lie* wasn’t bad. He even felt like he had found his role of a lifetime.

But that’s why he was nervous.

‘I need to maintain this level of perfection until the end…’

Someone who has countless opportunities doesn’t care if they fail once, but someone who only has one opportunity can’t help but be desperate. And currently, one obstacle was standing right in front of Park Woong-jae.

‘Lee Soo-ah.’

Filming scenes with Lee Soo-ah was just that.

‘When I think about it, it’s absurd. I should be nervous in front of Yeon-joo-ssi, but I’m nervous in front of a rookie…’

Surprisingly, filming with Seo Yeon-joo was very easy.

That’s because of her amazing human sociability. Thanks to Seo Yeon-joo’s consideration and warmth, Park Woong-jae was able to complete filming very comfortably. But Soo-ah is different.

…In fact, I still don’t even know what kind of person she is.

Anyway, one thing is important.

‘I can’t get eaten alive by Soo-ah-ssi today.’

That’s how Park Woong-jae will have the opportunity to make a name for himself.

“Soo-ah-ssi’s van is here! Everyone, let’s greet her!”

It was then that Soo-ah arrived on set.

As soon as the white-haired rookie appeared out of the van, all sorts of congratulations poured in. Soo-ah’s recent activities were too great to be greeted with simple greetings.

“Wow, Soo-ah-ssi, you actually came! I was wondering if you would just go to Japan without filming our part!”

Everyone burst into laughter at someone’s joke.

“I heard PD Kang Hyun-sung is starting a new variety show? Congratulations. That guy is really good at making variety shows.”

“Didn’t you also get the main cover of Joog Korea’s photo shoot? Aren’t swimsuits flying off the shelves because of Soo-ah-ssi?”

“The most popular search term among people who raise pets these days is fox. Soo-ah-ssi, show us Soomi sometime. The way you wrap it around your neck like a scarf is so funny.”

Soo-ah politely greeted each and every person, and Park Woong-jae chose to approach Soo-ah first. It was like a reconnaissance operation right before filming.

It would also help to relieve tension.

“Soo-ah-ssi, hello.”

“Hello, Park Woong-jae sunbae-nim.”

Park Woong-jae was inwardly surprised.

‘She remembered my name? And she’s polite.’

He had felt like Soo-ah was a cold ice sculpture, but when he actually greeted her, she wasn’t like that at all. In fact, if you had to point it out, it was Soo-ah who was scared right now.

‘…Can I even say this? He really looks like a gangster? I saw him act before, and he’s really good. I heard he’s been doing this for 15 years? And he’s still unknown? How difficult is it to survive in this industry?’

Soo-ah was busy being amazed.

Even someone with this kind of skill has been unknown for 15 years. What would have happened if Soo-ah had jumped into this industry without her special skill…?

…I don’t even want to imagine it! Soocareful!

After that, the two shook hands briefly.

‘Even though he has a scary look, he doesn’t seem like a bad person. I might not need to be so nervous.’

That was Park Woong-jae’s brief impression.

◈◈◈◈◈

Afterwards, Soo-ah left for the filming location first.

Director Park Mu-ryong, who was bald, and other staff members stuck by Park Woong-jae’s side. It was to explain the scene in advance.

“We’re going to film Soo-ah-ssi’s solo shots first, so you can wait here. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“Yes, sir.”

Park Mu-ryong stared at Park Woong-jae.

“…You look a lot better than you did earlier? Did you relieve your tension in the meantime?”

“I wasn’t nervous in the first place. I was just focusing on my role. I was building up my emotions.”

“Ah, that’s what it was. Well, that’s good.”

Park Mu-ryong immediately understood, but it was actually Park Woong-jae pretending to be brave. He had been very nervous because of Soo-ah, but he felt a little relieved after greeting her. He was embarrassed to say it.

Park Mu-ryong immediately took out a script and opened it.

“Take a look at this.”

“This is… whose script is this?”

“It’s Soo-ah-ssi’s script.”

Park Mu-ryong answered briefly and continued.

“I heard that Soo-ah-ssi often modifies the script when inspiration strikes her. But I took a look and there are a lot of things I like. I wanted to discuss it.”

“This is… Soo-ah-ssi’s script…?”

“Ah, of course, I’m not going to force you to do these ad-libs. I’m going to listen to your intentions for sure. You can just find something you like and choose it comfortably.”

“Ah, yes, I know that. But…”

Park Woong-jae was currently very surprised by something else.

‘Is this really Soo-ah-ssi’s script?’

Yes, the fact that this was Soo-ah’s script.

Soo-ah’s script was like a student’s notebook before an exam. It was filled with all sorts of notes without any blank spaces, and the colors of the underlined highlighters were also varied. But it didn’t feel messy, it was very neat.

‘…I was being stupid, there was no need to be nervous.’

Park Woong-jae hardened his heart.

Even Soo-ah, who seemed perfect, was putting in this much effort behind the scenes. Of course, Soo-ah only scribbled what she saw in her special skill in a few seconds, but Park Woong-jae had no way of knowing that.

Therefore.

He nodded with a determined look on his face.

“I’ll go with this as is. I’ll memorize everything.”

“I thought you would answer like that. Then I’ll keep that in mind.”

Director Park Mu-ryong smiled, but he was surprised inside.

‘…There’s really no one who refuses this?’

It was Park Mu-ryong’s job to persuade the other person whenever Soo-ah suggested ad-libs or script revisions, but he had never been rejected even once.

Rejection? He’s never even seen anyone feel uncomfortable. If he shows them Soo-ah’s script, everything goes smoothly.

‘It must be because everyone feels Soo-ah-ssi’s passion. Soo-ah-ssi really has an enormous heat like a meteor. A heat that can burn everything around it.’

Director Park Mu-ryong was newly grateful to Soo-ah. The climax scene shooting as well, it would never have turned out like this if he had done it with the actor who was originally supposed to do it.

Around that time, Park Mu-ryong’s gaze reached the top.

He could see Kim Iseo’s representative and a few people talking near the top of the junkyard. However, he couldn’t see their details since they were facing away from the sunlight.

‘Come to think of it, that’s right. She said there was a guest.’

Only then did Kim Iseo’s words come to mind.

‘I wonder who it is?’

At first, he was briefly curious, but.

‘Nevermind.’

He decided to stop paying attention.

‘It doesn’t matter if she brought the representative’s acquaintance. I owe Mystic so much. They can do whatever they want.’

Isn’t Mystic the one who gave them the treasures of Soo-ah and Yeon-joo? He wasn’t planning to interfere with anything they did.

.

.

.

.

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Junkyard hill.

Kim Iseo went to Director Yusaku and greeted him. Surprisingly, it was Yusaku who stood up first and spoke.

“Representative Kim Iseo, you’ve arrived.”

“There’s no need to greet me. You came to see Soo-ah-ssi, not me, right? Please feel free to look around.”

After that, Kim Iseo started talking to Director Yusaku through the translator who came with him, but Akiko, who was a little further away, didn’t even look at them.

That’s because she was only looking at Soo-ah.

‘Interesting.’

That was Akiko’s current impression.

Shouldn’t actors just be judged by their acting skills?

Absolutely not!

Of course, Akiko also came with that thought at first. She felt like she was going to die of annoyance because she had to come all the way to Korea, and she didn’t have much expectation for Soo-ah. But.

‘Yeah, that’s right. The more I see, the more interesting it becomes.’

There were several things that stood out in the current situation.

‘One rookie is taking control of the film set.’

The way the crowd on set was moving while surrounding Soo-ah, the way the key people were particularly welcoming to Soo-ah, and the way they were reading Soo-ah’s reactions… It was even clearer because it was on the hill. This place revolves around Soo-ah.

This was very strange to Akiko.

‘A film set that revolves around a rookie? That’s unimaginable in Japan. But it must be the same in Korea. Something’s going on.’

Akiko fiddled with her fingers for no reason.

There was a clinking sound as the metal rings collided with each other, and she continued her thoughts while listening to that clear sound.

‘She seems to be quite good at acting. I can tell just by looking at the people around her. But it’s strange for a rookie to take control with just her acting skills. What else is there?’

There are plenty of rookies who are good at acting. But Soo-ah has something more than that. That’s why the film set must have changed to suit her.

‘What on earth is it?’

Unlike when she got on the plane with a feeling of annoyance, Akiko was now focusing on Soo-ah.

◈◈◈◈◈

Filming began.

After the climax of *Lie, Lie, Lie*, the situation flows to the theme of Park Si-yeon’s (Seo Yeon-joo) revenge and self-realization. Just like the scene that is currently being filmed.

“Guns are the best invention.”

Seo Yeon-joo said, aiming the muzzle of her pistol at the temple of the Gye-il Gang leader. The current appearance of the Gye-il Gang leader was not normal. His body was tied up and he was kneeling down.

Seo Yeon-joo shrugged her shoulders and continued.

“Don’t you think so? It’s several times more convenient than a knife, and it feels a lot less guilty. Anyone can kill someone if they have the strength to pull the trigger. This is amazing.”

“Who… what kind of bitch are you…?”

The Gye-il Gang leader, who was covered in blood, looked up at Yeon-joo. The strongest emotion on his face was bewilderment. He had a look on his face that said he didn’t know why the situation had turned out like this.

Seo Yeon-joo grabbed her stomach and burst out laughing.

“You’re saying the same thing as Kang In-hak when he was dying? There’s a saying that all men are the same, and this is why.”

The beginning was after Im Soo-hee (Soo-ah) died.

The Gye-il Gang leader, who found Si-yeon’s (Yeon-joo) self-realization interesting, gave her a chance to take revenge on Kang In-hak, but Seo Yeon-joo, like a con artist, used her brains.

Being a double spy between Kang In-hak and the Gye-il Gang leader was just that. They used each other to kill each other. Killing two birds with one stone. Kang In-hak is dead, so now all that’s left is to destroy this side.

The Gye-il Gang leader muttered in dismay.

“…Surely, you weren’t a smart bitch?”

“That’s right. I was a dog. A dog that barks to look good, wags its tail and runs around when it’s given food. But now I’ve become a person. Thanks to our Soo-hee.”

“Soo-hee? Are you talking about Im Soo-hee? That girl is…”

There’s no way she could teach anyone. The Gye-il Gang leader thought that and rolled his eyes. At that time, he began to trace Soo-hee’s actions one by one.

“Okay! Yeon-joo-ssi’s scene is over!”

Director Park Mu-ryong immediately shouted okay.

After that, the staff members moved quickly.

The makeup team immediately ran over to groom the Gye-il Gang leader – Park Woong-jae. It was a job to erase all the bloodstains and dust, and to change his disheveled appearance to luxurious.

Why? Because they have to go back to the past from now on.

Vroom—!

There was also a model change for the garbage trucks that were filling the junkyard. It was to create a background with a past feel where Soo-ah and the Gye-il Gang leader were working together for the first time on a mission.

This work was completed in just a few minutes.

And director Park Mu-ryong, who was bald, shouted.

“Soo-ah-ssi! Can we start filming right away!”

“Yes.”

Soo-ah appeared with a short answer.

‘…’

At the same time, Park Woong-jae stopped. The movement was so big that the makeup team, who was applying the brush, was surprised.

“Oh my, did you get poked in the eye by the brush? I’m sorry.”

Woong-jae shook his head. That wasn’t the problem.

He regretted accepting the script ad-lib for a moment, and he also felt betrayed towards Soo-ah. Of course, he knew that Soo-ah didn’t do anything bad to Woong-jae at all.

Yeah, she didn’t do anything like that, but.

‘…She’s way too different from before, isn’t she? What is it!’

That’s because Soo-ah appeared too different from when they greeted each other earlier. Now that the moment has come to be captured on camera together, what is in front of his eyes is Im Soo-hee herself.

Why, a gangster that looks like bumping into her shoulder could cause a big trouble.