episode_0074

There is something called the ‘Hong Geun-sik effect’.

It may sound like a professional term, but in reality, it’s just a meme created by the media and the public.

However, those who deny the existence of this phenomenon known as the ‘Hong Geun-sik effect’ do not exist on Korean soil.

[Anticipate Hong Geun-sik’s next work, , a powerful action noir.]

[The meeting of genius director Choi Da-woon and Hong Geun-sik.]

[Critic Lee Cheol-jun says, “Hong Geun-sik’s theory of acting.”]

[Seo Yi-soo, the predator of crime. Confirmed appearance in Hong Geun-sik’s next work!]

-Oh… This time the beneficiary is Seo Yi-soo.

-But hasn’t Seo Yi-soo already faded from receiving the Hong Geun-sik effect?

-Faded? What… He only had a brief moment of fame in a couple of dramas.

-Calling ‘predators of crime’ just ‘dramas’…;;

-Anyway, this will definitely help Seo Yi-soo establish himself in the film industry.

The Hong Geun-sik effect is nothing else.

He is a great actor, so the works he stars in can only be significant, but the majority of the actresses who appeared in his movies after working with him often saw a decline in their status.

These actresses, who rose to stardom in Chungmuro after working with Hong Geun-sik, coined the term.

Working with Hong Geun-sik engraved their names in Chungmuro.

To Seo Yi-soo, it may have been unknown, but for these actresses, working with Hong Geun-sik was like climbing the ladder of dreams.

Therefore, upon hearing the news of Seo Yi-soo’s appearance, the majority of the public either congratulated or envied him, citing the ‘Hong Geun-sik effect’.

Each one believed that Seo Yi-soo’s appearance in would be a great opportunity for him.

It was not a wrong statement.

It was an undeniable fact.

However, a very small minority.

A group representing a small part of the massive lump known as the public.

Expressed slightly different opinions.

They were fans of Seo Yi-soo who, although still on the fringes of the entertainment industry, hoped to one day join the mainstream.

-Listen, this is a bit unpleasant. Some people seem to think that Seo Yi-soo is riding on Hong Geun-sik’s work.

-Yeah, seriously. Seo Yi-soo may lack popularity, but he’s a great actor.

-It’s because Seo Yi-soo doesn’t do any commercials or variety shows.

-Why doesn’t he appear on TV at all…

-Exactly. Seo Yi-soo is totally focused on acting. Once filming starts, he doesn’t go anywhere else but the set.

-As expected…

-He’s truly an actor who lives up to his image…

Trust, doubt, and various misunderstandings surrounded Seo Yi-soo and .

Their emotions and perspectives varied, but they all fell under the umbrella of interest.

It was perhaps an immeasurable feeling.

The situation was very different from when they were ‘predators of crime’.

Now, there were no more controversies about Seo Yi-soo appearing in Hong Geun-sik’s work as a sponsorship or corporate bullying.

Half a year had passed since Seo Yi-soo made his official debut in .

In that short or long period of time.

Seo Yi-soo steadily, step by step, without rest.

Was making his mark.

And as attention gathered and public opinion formed.

The first shot of was fired.

The crank-in.

The day when the staff and actors preparing the work announced the beginning with nervous and excited hearts.

Seo Yi-soo had many episodes intertwined with this crank-in.

For example, when he first met Han Seon-yul during , there was a story about him using pig heads and shamanistic magic thinking that the ritual was not a superstition.

But during the crank-in of , no episodes occurred.

Because they didn’t perform the ritual itself.

Director Choi Da-woon said.

“Method acting? We don’t need that to attract viewers and receive awards. Let’s not live primitively.”

This is a prime example of who Choi Daeun is.

Believing in his own genius abilities rather than superstitions.

Choi Daeun’s unique temperament didn’t end here.

It was during the first shoot on set.

When the lead actor and industry mentor, Hong Geunsik, was acting.

“Cut!”

The sudden call for a cut.

And then Choi Daeun said to Hong Geunsik.

“Mentor, why are you acting like that?”

“….!”

“….!”

At that moment, the entire set froze.

It was none other than Hong Geunsik.

An industry senior.

A highly experienced actor.

And towards such an actor,

towards his acting.

“Why are you acting like that?”

Choi Daeun repeated.

“The tone is off. Let’s do it again. And let’s adjust the set design. Who arranged the props?”

Choi Daeun casually ordered a reshoot.

And in that scene.

During the monumental first shoot of the project, industry senior Hong Geunsik had to redo the scene five times before getting the OK call.

And the scene that was shot like that…

“Wow.”

“It was worth reshooting.”

It was enough to impress everyone.

Those who first met Choi Daeun with had a gut feeling at that moment.

A director who would reshoot a scene with even the senior actor Hong Geunsik five times to get the best shot.

Then, how would he be with other actors?

“It won’t be easy. This project.”

It seemed like we needed to be prepared.

And it felt like more challenges than we expected were waiting ahead.

And it was just as we predicted.

“Cut! Let’s do it again.”

“Cut! Your movement was a bit off. Be careful.”

“Cut! Too fast. It will look awkward in editing. Again.”

Choi Daeun rolled around the set as if every speck of dust had to be under his control.

Of course, it was a method that tired out others.

And sometimes caused friction.

A mid-level actor couldn’t bear the repeated reshoots and raised his voice.

“Director Choi. Aren’t you going too far with this? I’ve been in the acting industry for 20 years!”

He said it in a roundabout way, but it was a protest like, ‘What does a baby who was still sucking on a bottle when I started acting know?’

Once again, the set froze.

That actor hadn’t built up achievements like Hong Geunsik.

But he had survived in the industry for a long time and was a respected actor.

A top star.

Even other star directors tried not to provoke him.

And that actor, his face turning red with anger.

“I see.”

In the midst of that, Choi Daeun calmly spoke up.

“But what can I do. I’m the director here. If the senior can’t bear it, he can leave with a penalty.”

“W-What?”

“Then, let’s reshoot. Senior, get ready.”

“….”

The mid-level actor couldn’t close his mouth.

He had never experienced such treatment anywhere else.

In the worst atmosphere, during the reshoot, the mid-level actor’s skill in handling the situation proved how solid his skills were.

The set became like an ice rink.

Actors, especially those in supporting roles or newcomers, had to be careful even with their breathing.

The rising star Han Seonyul.

Even the popular idol-turned-actress Baeso Yun couldn’t even cough properly.

That was the atmosphere.

And in that dreadful and devastating atmosphere, there was a presence that stood out.

“Actor.”

“Y-Yes.”

“….Yes?”

“Ah, no. Please speak. I’m listening.”

“…… The character in ‘Naju’ is a character with a twist. But in the actor’s performance, it’s too obvious. I wish he toned it down a bit.”

“Yes, yes!”

“… You understand what I’m saying, right?”

“Y-yes.”

“Cut. Let’s go again.”

It was Seo Eisu.

Seo Eisu remained consistent regardless of the atmosphere on set.

Even when Director Choi Daun ordered multiple reshoots.

No matter what kind of acting she did.

She just smiled silently, nodding her head! If she spoke, it was just a simple “Yes, yes!”

That was just how it was.

It couldn’t be helped.

“Seo Eisu, I’ll be watching. Do well and come back.”

“Of course, Director Shin Jiho. I have confidence in my performance.”

Seo Eisu was sensitive to emotions and easily scared.

But as long as Shin Jiho was watching her, she could handle most things with ease.

No matter what happened, she could just act according to her own pace.

That’s why, on set, Seo Eisu was the only actress who was unfazed by whatever Director Choi Daun said.

Even Hong Geunsik sometimes struggled to keep up with Director Choi Daun’s demands.

But not Seo Eisu.

Her acting was not necessarily better than Hong Geunsik’s, nor was she a more mature actor mentally.

It’s just that…

None of Director Choi Daun’s words reached Seo Eisu.

Seo Eisu didn’t understand most of what Director Choi Daun said.

So she just smiled and nodded her head!

Even if they shot the same scene multiple times, she didn’t feel bad or stressed because, for her, acting was still purely fun and exciting.

Director Choi Daun closely observed Seo Eisu’s acting.

“It’s fascinating. She seemed to not understand a word I said.”

In the world of movies, is there another profession that observes an actor’s every move as closely as a director?

That’s why Director Choi Daun knew.

Seo Eisu didn’t understand most of what he said.

But when she started acting, her direction was faithfully reflected.

“What’s going on?”

For Director Choi Daun, it was an inexplicable phenomenon.

He didn’t know that Seo Eisu’s acting was based on intuition.

Seo Eisu didn’t understand most of what Director Choi Daun said.

But her direction was being recorded in real-time in the Akashic Records where all information in the world is stored.

So her direction was being properly reflected in the process of entering intuition.

He didn’t know the circumstances.

But what mattered was the result.

In front of the camera.

“Sir.”

Naju called out to Junghoon.

“Please help me. My family has been kidnapped.”

After being rescued by Junghoon, Naju asks him to help find her family as well.

Of course, Junghoon was cruel and selfish, having abandoned humanity.

He just scoffed at Naju’s proposal.

“Why should I do that?”

His voice was threatening.

Without deep thought or empathy, he showed reluctance to the fact that he had to do something for others.

Junghoon, played by Hong Geunsik, was a multifaceted character.

Initially, Junghoon was simply portrayed as a wicked and selfish character.

He took lives for his desires, but he couldn’t bear to lose his precious daughter.

The transformation of Junghoon’s character from a simple villain to a more complex character, and the evolving dynamics with Naju, were one of the highlights of ‘Partners’.

The scene being filmed now is right after Naju is rescued by Junghoon.

Junghoon is at a point where he is just a villain.

The contrast between him and the enigmatic and mysterious Naju is becoming more pronounced.

“Why should I do that, sir?”

Naju repeated in a firm voice.

“Of course, I know where the uncle’s daughter went. I overheard what the kidnappers said.”

“…Where? Tell me!”

Jung-hoon grabs Na-ju by the collar.

It was almost to the point of strangling her.

Thump, thump.

Na-ju’s delicate throat felt like it was about to break as it was pressed, struggling for breath.

It was a confrontation between a man and a woman.

A clash between strength and weakness.

Jung-hoon threatened Na-ju actively to find his daughter.

Na-ju, on the other hand, symbolized her powerlessness against the things happening to her passively, except for enduring Jung-hoon’s threats.

Na-ju did not resist even as her throat was being squeezed.

Instead, she looked at Jung-hoon with hazy eyes and spoke.

“I’m used to enduring and keeping quiet. Whatever you do to me, I will endure and not say a word. Not even the words you want to hear.”

That was the only resistance Na-ju, in her passive state, could offer.

“…What kind of woman is this?”

Jung-hoon releases his grip as if disgusted.

Na-ju had to cough and clear her throat as she suddenly could breathe again.

“Uncle.”

With reddened eyes.

With a slightly dirty mouth.

Na-ju looks up at Jung-hoon.

“So. While you’re looking for your daughter. Please help me find my family too. The kidnappers took my brother too.”

Not only Na-ju herself.

But her brother was also kidnapped.

Just like Jung-hoon, Na-ju also wants to find her family.

Jung-hoon could no longer harm Na-ju, who revealed her wish.

***

“Why is he so good at acting?”

Bae So-yoon muttered angrily as she watched Seo Yi-soo’s acting.

Everyone on set was struggling under the overwhelming presence of Director Choi Da-woon.

They were trembling under Choi Da-woon’s dictatorial behavior, getting angry, struggling, and being led by him.

The exception was Hong Geun-sik, who had already completed his acting and had a vision beyond Director Choi Da-woon.

But it was not as impressive to see a rookie actor like Seo Yi-soo acting so effortlessly on set, like Hong Geun-sik.

Bae So-yoon bit her lip slightly.

“Seo Yi-soo, that girl. If she was a bit friendlier, I could have gotten close to her and learned a lot from her.”

Didn’t she disrespect herself as an idol?

Actors should only be actors.

Idol-turned-actor like Seo Yi-soo were just those who stuck a straw into the acting industry through shortcuts, not like those who belittled themselves with those who insulted themselves.

Bae So-yoon, who was a fan of Seo Yi-soo until , was disappointed by this fact.

That’s when it happened.

“Seo Yi-soo. She’s a bit strange, so she seems kind.”

“…!”

Someone echoed Bae So-yoon’s muttering.

“Ah… Han Sun-yul. What’s up? Act a bit more popular.”

It was Han Sun-yul.

He had a somewhat relieved expression, as if he had been tormented by Director Choi Da-woon.

He looked quite puzzled by Bae So-yoon’s muttering.

“Sorry. But it seems like you’re misunderstanding something.”

“What misunderstanding? Hey, I heard everything you and her said during the reading. What’s an idol and all that….”

“No, that’s….”

“What? If you have something to say, say it.”

“….”

Han Sun-yul realized that Bae So-yoon was misunderstanding, but he couldn’t just say anything disrespectful about Seo Yi-soo.

Seo Yi-soo was a very strange woman.

That was a weakness that could sometimes be a threat to Seo Yi-soo.

It was something that couldn’t be talked about to anyone.

That’s why Han Sun-yul couldn’t tell Bae So-yoon the truth about Seo Yi-soo not knowing what an idol was.

Instead,

“It’s just a misunderstanding. Instead… Seo Yi-soo said she’s envious of your acting, right? Why don’t you go up to her first and talk about acting? She’ll really appreciate it.”

He added with a strange smile.

It wasn’t a particularly grand intention.

Seo Yi-soo is a very lonely person.

And when someone compliments you, don’t you feel incredibly happy?

That’s why they decided that if they approached them like that, these two girls would soon clear up any misunderstandings and become friends.

“What… did you just say? What is this?”

For Bae So-yoon, it was a statement she couldn’t understand.

But on the other hand…

“…Was it a misunderstanding?”

She really hoped it was.

“…Talking about acting.”

And that’s why.

Bae So-yoon was now…

Trying to make an irreversible decision to cross a river.

“Then, should I ask you to teach me some acting?”

Yes.

Bae So-yoon…

Was trying to ask Seo Ee-soo to teach her acting.

While Han Sun-yul just wanted to talk about acting.

It was perceived differently from Bae So-yoon’s perspective.

Because Seo Ee-soo was overwhelmingly good at acting compared to herself.

So if the two of them talked about acting, it was natural for her to learn a lot from Seo Ee-soo, leading to a misunderstanding.

And so…

The terrible tragedy that Seo Ee-soo had committed against Oh Kyung-bae in was about to be reenacted.

It was a heartbreaking situation.

Han Sun-yul was busy and left after saying what he had to say.

So there was no one around to stop Bae So-yoon’s tragic decision.

If only Han Sun-yul hadn’t interfered with Bae So-yoon.

Or if he had interfered, he had conveyed his intentions to Bae So-yoon diligently to avoid any misunderstandings.

How good would that have been?

But it couldn’t be helped.

Tragedies in the world often unfold in such a way.

Tragedies often rear their heads within goodness.

Events that only happen out of malice, while terrible, cannot be called tragedies because they lack the impact.

Because they are merely evil deeds.

Despite someone’s good intentions.

And yet, because they are human, they do not always listen to others’ words as they are.

They interpret based on their experiences, knowledge, and prejudices.

The gap between the world of things themselves and the interpretation leads to misunderstandings, causing pain and suffering.

And countless tragedies that should never have happened are released into the world.

That is tragedy.

The very nature of tragedy is that it is more painful and agonizing because it holds goodness.

Such…

Tragedy was about to arrive soon.

Seo Ee-soo’s acting class.

Lesson 2.

A time that should have never existed, that was insignificant and pathetic, was waiting for Bae So-yoon.