Ch.264If I cut you down, does that make me the greatest under heaven?

“You’re doing it as a seasonal show?”

“Yeah, seems like they want to keep the attention for as long as possible.”

“Then the ending of Act 2 will change a bit?”

“I suppose so? But the writer agreed to it, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

After successfully finishing filming Act 2 of <Pianist>.

I received a call from Seokho hyung at the hotel.

‘So my schedule suddenly opens up completely.’

Originally, the entire latter half of 2021 was supposed to be dedicated to <Pianist>.

But now, my schedule for the latter half of the year would be wide open.

I concluded that filling this empty time with YouTube would be perfect.

“Should I focus on YouTube during the latter half of the year?”

“YouTube?”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed several programs these days that are like broadcast shows.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to create a separate channel for that? Use your current channel for personal content.”

Ah, that would definitely be better.

Seokho hyung and I discussed various things over the phone.

Originally, we planned to reduce my public exposure until the release of <Pianist> and <Musashi>.

But since the schedule had changed, we needed to adjust our plans accordingly.

“The releases for Musashi and Pianist are next year, right?”

“Roughly, yes.”

<Musashi> and <Pianist> would be released in the first half of 2022.

<Physical 300> would be filmed in the latter half of 2022 and released in Q1 of 2023.

Looking at the timing, my schedule would be open from the latter half of this year until the first half of next year.

Of course, there was a possibility of boxing matches being scheduled during this time.

But that was still uncertain since I hadn’t received any communication about it yet.

At that moment.

“Why don’t you just rest?”

“Huh?”

Jaerin, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, gently spoke up.

“Do you really need to fill your schedule? Isn’t it too packed already?”

“Um… is it?”

“Of course, rest is important too. And didn’t you lose a lot of weight? You need to gain it back.”

“…”

She was right.

Why hadn’t I thought about resting?

‘Once I get into work mode, I don’t think about stopping.’

Since rest was truly important.

I stared at Jaerin and nodded.

“You’re right.”

“When you’re resting, you can just upload vacation content on your current YouTube channel.”

Your fans will be curious about what you’re doing even when you’re resting.

You can do some communication broadcasts during that time.

Everything she said made sense.

It was such a good idea that I was impressed.

“You’re right, that would work perfectly. What do you think, Seokho hyung?”

“…Oh, oh? Oh, that’s good… Is Jaerin there with you?”

“Yes, our schedules both ended after filming, so we’re hanging out together.”

“Ah, okay okay… I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

“Sure.”

The call ended there.

Jaerin immediately clung to me.

“But didn’t you say you’d show me around?”

“Huh?”

“We’ve been in the hotel all week.”

“Didn’t you like exploring the hotel?”

“Are you crazy… Because of my husband, my lower back is weak now.”

“Was it that intense?”

“…My husband really doesn’t get tired, I guess. From now on, I’m activating idol body protection mode.”

“That’s a shame.”

Only being able to be together for about a week.

‘So what should I do now?’

I slowly got up and checked my schedule.

Since the filming itself wouldn’t be difficult.

There was only one thing I needed to focus on now.

“Are you hungry? I’ll cook for you.”

It was spending quality time with Jaerin.

“Time flies when I’m with you.”

“Do you dislike that?”

“I love it.”

After spending some time together.

I immediately continued preparing for filming <Pianist>.

Perhaps because we were definitely together, time passed quickly.

“Good work everyone!”

The filming of Act 2 of <Pianist> ended in the blink of an eye.

To be precise.

‘Jaerin and I just have really good chemistry.’

Because Jaerin and I had such good acting chemistry, which was the core of Act 2.

We minimized NGs and made steady progress.

Despite the ending being modified.

And despite several action scenes being added.

It took about two months to film the 4-episode content.

Since Act 1 was almost completely filmed as well.

It was fair to say that the schedule for <Pianist> was almost completely settled.

“The rest is just CG work and corrections.”

“That’s right.”

Filming <Pianist> itself was quite uneventful.

All the emotions and atmosphere would come from post-production.

We wouldn’t really know how it turned out until we saw the edited version.

‘Actually, that’s why we might need to reshoot some scenes.’

The current conclusion was that we had finished cleanly.

So we returned to Korea in early April.

Jaerin had a sudden talk show schedule in the US, so we parted ways.

As I enjoyed the Korean air for the first time in months.

“Shall we go straight to filming?”

It was time to create the final scene of <Musashi>.

+++++

The essence of an action movie isn’t constant intensity.

‘Proper pacing is essential, and buildup is key for that.’

In that sense, Director Kiryu had marked three key points when filming <Musashi>:

The dojo challenges.

The Ichiryu school.

The duel with Sasaki Kojiro.

If these points were filmed well.

The rest of the process was merely passing episodes.

And among them, the most crucial was

‘The duel with Sasaki Kojiro.’

The final.

It was about properly portraying that duel everyone was anticipating.

With the greatest Musashi present, the opponent also needed to be the greatest.

Director Kiryu diligently searched for actors.

And the actors who got the opportunity did their best to win the role of ‘Sasaki Kojiro’.

Perhaps their efforts paid off.

Among numerous people, Kiryu Sota finally.

“Found it.”

He discovered a gem.

A clean-cut face with a cool impression.

As if the imaginary Sasaki Kojiro had been brought to reality.

Fujino Ren.

To the extent that people said, ‘If Korea has Kim Donghu, Japan has Fujino Ren!’

Fujino Ren’s status in Japan was currently at an incredible level.

In terms of appearance.

In terms of acting.

He lacked nothing.

And his personality was actually pleasant and good, so he had a good reputation.

Moreover.

“Ren is an outstanding man.”

Even the strict Usami Ken acknowledged him.

“Thank you.”

Fujino Ren’s evaluation was so high that further praise seemed unnecessary.

“I heard you practiced a lot for this role?”

“Yes, though insufficient, I trained hard in swordsmanship.”

He had quite a lot of time to train.

Since it was the final filming.

There was plenty of time.

“But will I really be eaten alive?”

Perhaps because of that abundance of time.

Director Kiryu turned his head at Fujino Ren’s sudden question.

“Eaten alive?”

“Yes, everyone says that actor Kim Donghu’s acting devours his opponents.”

So I was genuinely curious.

Would I also be devoured, something like that.

As soon as he heard Fujino Ren’s words.

‘He’s definitely young.’

Director Kiryu recalled Fujino Ren’s career.

It wasn’t for nothing that he was called Japan’s Kim Donghu.

He was someone who had never experienced failure in any work so far.

More precisely, he was someone who led works to success.

Even as a supporting actor, he stole scenes.

As a lead, he carried the show.

Honestly, he was in a position where he could afford to be arrogant.

But even so.

‘No, perhaps?’

After all, blood is thicker than water.

No matter how much Director Kiryu liked Kim Donghu.

It was inevitable to feel drawn to someone from the same country.

‘Maybe… maybe I don’t know.’

Japan’s Kim Donghu might actually beat the real Kim Donghu.

Because Fujino Ren’s acting was that genuine.

Starting with the aura that dominated the atmosphere, not just the acting.

Everything about him was truly exquisite.

In this final filming of <Musashi>.

If Fujino Ren devoured Kim Donghu.

That would become a hot topic in its own right.

While thinking this.

“I apologize for being late due to my flight.”

Kim Donghu arrived at the filming location.

“Haha, your standard for ‘late’ is strange. Is being an hour early considered late?”

“Because all my seniors are already here.”

Kim Donghu bowed respectfully with a refreshing smile.

As soon as he appeared, the atmosphere changed.

‘Was I wrong after all?’

Director Kiryu’s thoughts changed instantly.

‘It’s because I’ve never seen them standing side by side before.’

He had momentarily made a big mistake.

Calling Fujino Ren ‘Japan’s Kim Donghu’.

He thought he could match his appearance.

But seeing them together like this.

‘They’re completely different species.’

He was certain there was a difference in level.

One that couldn’t be bridged by national pride.

“Should I get ready right away?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I’ll prepare immediately.”

After finishing his greeting, Kim Donghu immediately prepared for filming.

Director Kiryu looked around.

Korea has quite a few islands too.

One of them had been transformed into Ganryujima.

Here, a battle would now take place.

One side holding a long sword,

The other holding a wooden sword carved from an oar.

What kind of duel would unfold here?

What kind of scene would emerge to please the audience?

That question arose.

And after some time had passed.

“I’m ready.”

Kim Donghu, having finished his makeup, reappeared at the filming location.

Disheveled hair and attire that revealed his upper body muscles.

The image of him lightly holding a sword made from a long oar in one hand.

“I’m ready to start anytime.”

And his continued relaxed attitude.

Seeing him looking exactly like Musashi from the script, Director Kiryu’s eyes shone.

‘…I have to cross swords with this person now?’

Fujino Ren was taken aback.

Usually, common rumors are mostly exaggerations.

‘He’s really a monster.’

A monster who dominates everything with just his presence.

Facing what truly seemed like a sword demon, he couldn’t help but feel tense.

At that moment.

“Ren, how about it? Can you do this?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go right in, cue!”

Director Kiryu’s filming signal sounded.

“If I cut you down, am I the greatest under heaven?”

Musashi’s calm words signaled the beginning of the confrontation.