Ch.50Let’s exchange numbers first.

In general, for historical dramas or action scenes,

using stunt performers was commonplace.

Because it was obviously dangerous.

One wrong move on horseback could break your back,

and a mistake during sword combat could break bones.

That’s why they typically used professionally trained stunt actors as doubles.

There was the disadvantage of not being able to show the actor’s face during action scenes,

but aside from that, they could continue filming safely.

‘If you can use them, you absolutely should. What era are we in? Filming while ignoring actor safety?’

In that sense, Director Oh Jaedeok wondered if what was happening before his eyes was a dream.

“Has actor Kim Donghu trained in some kind of special martial arts?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, everyone else is doing a school sports day…”

While he’s performing like he’s at the Taereung National Training Center.

In a way, he could be said to be perfectly suited for the role of Jaun.

He was ideal for establishing the image of a genius from childhood.

But that’s only true to a certain extent.

At a point where they’d applaud even a hint of genius-like behavior.

‘How can he do something like a 720-degree kick!’

Isn’t this a bit much? Is it normal to have such body control?

*Scratch scratch*

Director Oh Jaedeok glanced down at the script.

Jaun’s childhood.

The content about passing all the harsh training to enter Geomrim with top scores.

Since this “top score” could be brought to life depending on the direction,

it would have been fine if he just did the basics.

Making others look worse would naturally make him look better.

But.

‘When the actor is good, the scene just comes alive effortlessly.’

There was no need to try not to stand out to avoid outshining the lead.

Why? Because no one could beat Kim Donghu even at full strength.

Among his peers, Kim Donghu was truly a wolf among sheep.

A crane in a chicken coop.

A rare talent.

Having already conquered his surroundings with his looks,

and now overwhelming the atmosphere with his incredible physical abilities,

Director Oh Jaedeok truly felt like Jaun had jumped out of the script.

Was that why?

‘This is fun.’

He was excited to be filming a drama after a long time.

Beyond simply wondering about ratings or how successful the work would be,

it was fun to see a character from a carefully crafted script come to life and shine.

Whoosh!

Even as he was thinking this, Kim Donghu, or rather Jaun’s performance continued.

A spectacular display of kick movements to demonstrate his superior physical abilities.

“The stunt actors’ performances are amazing, it really looks like they’re getting kicked and flying away.”

Director Oh Jaedeok praised the stunts’ performances.

“Y-yes, indeed.”

The youth stunt team leader from the Korean Action Academy barely managed to respond while sweating nervously.

Having guided children for a long time,

and having seen many stunt performances, he could tell.

‘That’s not acting.’

They had clearly mentioned beforehand that they could hit with full force,

and they were wearing protective gear so they were prepared to take the hits comfortably.

‘But after getting hit, their faces show this is nothing like what they expected.’

The shock on the stunt actors’ faces wasn’t fabricated.

So naturally, the performances seemed good.

‘Because they’re not acting—they’re really in pain!’

How could it hurt through the protective gear?

Is that even possible? He didn’t bother asking such obvious questions.

It was possible, which is why they were in pain.

While everyone was admiring Kim Donghu’s action scenes.

“Could I possibly try doing it without a stunt double later?”

Director Oh Jaedeok was impressed by actor Park Jinhyeok’s words, the only one burning with rivalry.

‘One actor, Kim Donghu, is making the whole set heat up.’

When an overwhelming game-changer appears,

those around them begin to grow rapidly in strange ways.

Like how the presence of a highly advanced civilization develops the world.

‘As a director, I can’t just crush such enthusiasm.’

But it also didn’t make sense to let him do action scenes without prior verification.

“I’ll stop you if it seems dangerous, and you’ll need to take a skill test with the martial arts director beforehand. Is that okay?”

In other words, it’s dangerous work so he needs to verify his skills.

It might have seemed like a statement that could hurt his pride—Kim Donghu could do it, but others needed to be tested—but Park Jinhyeok didn’t mind.

‘I want to be as good as actor Kim Donghu too.’

The goal right in front of him made everything else invisible.

At this moment.

‘I will definitely catch up.’

Park Jinhyeok’s goal became Kim Donghu.

+++++

A shoot without any NGs.

‘It’s flowing smoothly.’

It was like racing alone on an empty eight-lane highway.

The acting was incredibly clean, so there was no need for additional directing.

All that was left was to satisfy the desire to film from various angles.

This shortened the filming time,

and naturally, they made rapid progress.

After Jaun was recognized as an assassin of Geomrim.

While guarding his father’s grave for the funeral.

He meets his father’s old acquaintance Jang Samo, conceals his identity,

and enters the shantytown.

The purpose of the shantytown is to revive the Jangwongwi, who guard the king.

There, young Jaun and Baek Dong-soo face each other for the first time.

Baek Dong-soo with high potential but still a long way to grow.

And in contrast, Jaun already showing brilliance with his genius.

The friction between these two might have been inevitable.

“Let’s settle who’s superior here once and for all!”

“Why should I?”

Baek Dong-soo and Jaun, with completely opposite personalities,

revealed their characters just through their dialogue.

“I was here first! I know more people! So obviously I should be superior!”

“What are you talking about? I’m not interested in such things. You can just be superior or whatever.”

Jaun looked around casually.

The children surrounding them and Baek Dong-soo facing him with a wooden sword.

He couldn’t help but laugh at this childish situation.

“You say you’re not interested, but you’re trying to beat people?!”

“Beat people? Me?”

It’s not that—you’re just weak.

“What?!”

Provoked by those words, Park Jinhyeok, or rather Baek Dong-soo, charged at Jaun.

‘I want to act as cool as you.’

The agreed-upon action was to exchange three sword moves here.

Park Jinhyeok showed off the swordsmanship he had learned from the martial arts director and practiced dozens of times.

Clack!

A light downward strike.

And Jaun’s smooth deflection.

‘They really look like Jaun and Baek Dong-soo.’

Park Jinhyeok was inwardly amazed.

‘So cool.’

Thinking this, as he was about to continue his attack.

Crack.

Park Jinhyeok’s foot slipped on the partially thawed ground.

As a result, his sword moved in a completely different trajectory than planned.

‘No!’

Due to the law of inertia, it was awkward to either drop or hold onto the sword.

Worse, the slip made the sword move faster than before.

The sword was heading straight for the head.

While everyone was panicking at this unexpected strike.

‘Deflect it.’

Only Kim Donghu calmly tracked the sword’s trajectory.

Cheonmujiche and Ilhwisotanghyeolyeomsan-ha.

These two talents told Kim Donghu to perfectly parry that sword.

He countered the surprise sword tip with his own sword tip,

and instantly dove inside Baek Dong-soo’s guard along the blade.

Baek Dong-soo’s arm went up while Jaun dove inside.

Whoosh!

From that position, he rotated the blade,

naturally causing the sword to fall from Baek Dong-soo’s hand.

“…Huh?”

The ultimate in swordsmanship.

The true skill of Jaun, or rather Kim Donghu, was finally revealed in this unexpected situation.

“Cut! Cut! Cuuuuuuuut!!!”

Director Oh Jaedeok, who urgently gave the OK sign, rushed to the scene.

“W-what happened? Huh?! What?! Was this agreed upon? That was too dangerous!”

A situation where actors could have been injured.

Director Oh Jaedeok demanded an explanation, scolding them out of concern.

‘I-I need to say it was my mistake…’

Actor Park Jinhyeok was trembling, determined to quickly gather courage and confess his mistake.

But then.

“I’m sorry. I was confident in my sword skills and got carried away, making unreasonable demands of actor Park Jinhyeok.”

Kim Donghu’s calm apology followed.

“No, actor Kim Donghu! I mean, Donghu! Even so, this kind of thing? You need to agree on it first! I was so shocked! We’re lucky no one got hurt!”

It’s not just about getting good shots, you can’t get injured! Don’t ever do this again!

Despite the continued scolding, Kim Donghu humbly bowed his head in apology.

Anyway, since the result was good, they decided to end it there after saying this several times.

The filming site took a short break to calm everyone’s startled hearts.

While everyone was trying to calm down, Park Jinhyeok approached Kim Donghu.

“Why did you do that?”

“Pardon?”

“It was clearly my mistake. Why did you cover for me?”

At those words, Kim Donghu looked at Park Jinhyeok.

Back when he was teased for being ugly,

and misunderstood because of his looks.

Back then, there was no one to cover for his mistakes.

No one was on his side during those days.

Kim Donghu had vowed not to be that kind of person.

‘How could I just stand there while you were trembling with fear of being scolded?’

Now that he was in a position to help others, he would simply help.

Of course, he couldn’t say it like that, so Kim Donghu tried to phrase it differently.

“I want to be friends with you, senior.”

“U-uh?”

“I haven’t been acting for long, so I don’t have many friends yet.”

I wanted to make a good impression.

“…”

Someone better-looking and better at acting than me wants to be friends with me?

Why?

Park Jinhyeok, momentarily confused, went blank. What was the right thing to say?

“O-okay, I understand, but don’t do that next time. I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Um… shall we exchange phone numbers?”

I’m not sure what’s going on,

but let’s exchange numbers first.

+++++

While the filming of “Swordsman Baek Dong-soo” was progressing smoothly,

there was one place that was starting to ramp up its promotion.

『Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival! Who will have this year’s hit work?』

『Find the super rookie! Will there be a white knight in the short films?』

As the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival was starting to make its presence known,

a strange rumor began to spread on the internet.

ㄴHey, I heard Kim Donghu is appearing in this Mise-en-Scène?

ㄴReally? Must be fake. How could Kim Donghu appear there?

ㄴNo, it’s true! A friend of a friend is an insider there and said Kim Donghu is in it!

The story that Kim Donghu had filmed a short film,

ㄴSo he filmed both a drama and a movie? As a rookie?

ㄴWow, he’s making his screen debut with a short film? Must be the lead then?

Was gently spreading.

While everyone was feeling anticipation.

“No, no! Our Donghu should debut with my work! He should have debuted with my work!”

Only one director with a Guan Yu-like beard was roughly denying reality.

“To lose Donghu’s first screen appearance to a short film! I can never forgive this!”