episode_0010

From the advertiser’s perspective, it was natural to choose Kang Ji-hoon, who had appeared in many different places, over me, who had low name recognition.

Even if the child actor’s acting is not up to par, director Lee Joo-young’s direction can cover it up to some extent.

But from my perspective… it was a shame.

‘You can really do well.’

In the commercial I remember, the child actor failed to properly portray the crazy character at the end.

This is because Kang Ji-hoon’s acting was not at a level where he could show ‘various’ emotions.

Fortunately, the exaggerated reactions and savory directing of the two adults covered up such immaturity.

‘Why did you show your acting when you couldn’t even appear in that commercial?’

There was too much work put into it to impress director Lee Joo-young.

Even if it wasn’t an audition, there would have been many opportunities to show off your acting skills to this director.

‘Or will another opportunity arise?’

If there is a butterfly effect like when Professor Jo Ha-rin’s accident was prevented, it would be a different story.

But as of now, there is no way to know how my future will change.

‘I don’t know. Let’s just have a snack.’

My mouth started watering as I heard the sound of my favorite banana smoothie being made in the kitchen.

*****

“Stupid kids. What? If they’re both handsome, it doesn’t matter? How important is it to match child and adult actors? You know that too, hyung. They messed up Ladder of Heaven and completely broke the immersion. ”

“So, drink while eating some snacks. Do you know how many shots you’ve had so far?”

“Because I’m so angry, because I’m so angry! Even if that b*tch Joo Se-hee is being a jerk, how much did the CEO eat to say it has to be Ji-hoon?”

Director Lee Joo-young, who has been drinking soju one after another, complains to producer Cho Seung-hyun.

It seems like things have gone south with both the advertiser and the company over this audition.

“So what are you going to do? Quit the company?”

“Not right now. We have to stick together for 2~3 more years. Min-gyu can only join in the year after next.”

“Are you really going to start a company?”

“Of course. Why am I working so hard under an advertiser and CEO who doesn’t even pay me back? My brother is also only looking at dramas and filming variety shows. If it weren’t for movies, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

“Well, I’ve been singing about making movies since college. Are you guys still hanging out? What was it? That mackerel… .”

“Mackerel foot bone section.”

“That’s right. But what movie club is that? Are you guys pirates?”

It is the name of a club that director Lee Joo-young created when he gathered his college classmates and juniors to make independent films.

“I’m going to change it because it’s hard to pronounce the foot bone.”

“With what?”

“Mackerel Kidnapping Squad.”

“This guy, just create a criminal organization.”

The two people, whose moods were lifted by idle chatter, continued to clink their glasses.

“Did you contact Hajin?”

“I talked to your mother. I’m so sorry I came all the way to the audition.”

“I feel sorry, but the acting is really a waste. When I watched the video you edited, the kid was going crazy and going crazy. When he fell, I was in so much pain.”

“It’s even better when you see it in person. How would I feel if I had to take a picture with a tadpole while leaving this kid behind?”

“I don’t have any plans for the time being other than Waggle Waggle Kindergarten. Should I just connect you to the drama department?”

“I come first. I owe you money, so I have to pay it back.”

“What kind of commercial are you filming again?”

“There’s someone better than me. Since I can’t do it, I’ll put you on a bigger plate. That b*tch Joo Se-hee and the CEO will see it and shed tears of blood.”

Director Lee Joo-young laughed heartily and poured the drink into his mouth.

*****

In 1999, SJ Telecom released a dreamy and sensual advertisement with a mystical concept at the end of the century.

Im Eun-jung, a new model with a strange vibe, turns a music box underwater, throws tomatoes at the wall, and searches for a cell phone in a broken fish tank.

This series, also known as the TTN Girl commercial, created a huge buzz, captivating the younger generation and instantly changing SJ Telecom’s old brand image.

Advertising industry giant Park Myung-chul, who directed this series, looks intently at his junior Lee Joo-young, who is sitting in front of him.

“Did you have an accident?”

“Yes?”

“You look like you’re about to ask me for something. You’re the one who came to me first, a guy who doesn’t complain to his seniors. How could I not be suspicious of that?”

“Brother, what are you talking about? I heard you were having a hard time these days, so I came to help you.”

“You help me?”

“Yes. Im Eun-jung said she would change.”

After maintaining the mystic concept for over three years, the advertising response was not what it used to be.

Crucially, the movie The Little Match Girl, which was released this year, was a huge failure, and Im Eun-jung, who played the lead role, suffered a huge blow.

“What kind of movie would you appear in to ruin your image? It took years to build it up. ”

“What crime did Im Eun-jung commit? She must have been told to leave her agency.”

For this reason, director Park Myeong-cheol is looking for a new model.

Director Lee Joo-young came running after hearing that they were contacting child actors as well as adult actors.

Since the advertisement itself is a mystical concept, actors with well-known faces are rather excluded.

‘Hajin fits this criteria perfectly.’

“You still haven’t found the child actor?”

“How did you know I was looking for a child actor?”

“Where are the secrets in this world? Everyone knows each other once they cross the bridge. I have a firm grip on the child actor, so tell me what kind of child you need.”

Director Park Myeong-cheol said with a trembling expression.

“A boy and a girl in elementary school. I have the girl in mind, but I haven’t found the boy yet. I’ve already shot a bunch of commercials that look good, so it doesn’t fit the concept, and that’s the current situation.”

“Who is the girl?”

“Han So-ra.”

“What kind of mystic concept is Sora? How many movies has she been in?”

“I’ve never done a commercial before. That’s enough.”

It was only then that director Lee Joo-young realized that Han So-ra had never filmed a commercial before.

“That’s amazing. There would be a line of ads for someone like him.”

“It’s because of director Han Jae-ryong, you know. He said that we shouldn’t consume his image through advertisements, so he kicks him out as soon as he comes.”

“Then, you won’t be advertising, brother.”

“My thing is different. Where can I consume the image in TTN advertisement?”

Since this is an advertisement for a mobile phone plan brand, the product is not shown at all.

The sensual background and production make it easy to mistake it for a music video if you don’t know what you’re watching.

This is an advertisement that adds images but never makes you feel like you are consuming it.

“I’m close with the CEO of Sora’s agency. I asked him to talk to Director Han. It’s not like she’ll never do commercials again, and if it’s her first time, she’ll do nothing but my commercials.”

“That’s right. Well, let me introduce you to a guy.”

“Are there any good ones?”

“She’s a girl who appears in a kindergarten program called Byun Ha-jin. If you see her, you’ll immediately recognize her. I was going to use her first, but things got a little complicated, so I couldn’t include her in this commercial.”

“How old are you?”

“6 years old.”

“She’s a kindergartener. She’s too young?”

“She’s taller than her peers. When I first saw her, I thought she was an elementary school student. If you think about it, Sora is a kindergartener too.”

“The girl can be a little small. The brother-sister concept is also okay.”

“That’s good. They’re appearing on a show like Genes. It wouldn’t look weird even if they put it in an advertisement.”

“You don’t have to have an average face to go out with Sora.”

TTN commercials have no dialogue whatsoever and everything must be expressed through facial expressions and gestures.

That’s why the appearance of the model is more important than anything else.

“Hehehe, will you change your mind when you see this?”

He showed the audition edited video saved on Dica.

At first, I started off ‘lightly’ by saying that the child’s face was fine.

As we moved on to the acting part, Director Park Myeong-cheol’s expression became serious.

‘This is not natural. Is this kind of acting possible in an empty auditorium? What on earth is going on in this person’s head?’

I couldn’t hear director Lee Joo-young’s voice explaining how immersed he was.

“Try it again.”

Even though it’s a small screen, what the child wants to express is clearly engraved in my mind.

“Let’s see it one more time.”

After watching it five times, he opened his mouth with a blank expression.

“Where is he now?”

*****

“Did Sora get an ad?”

Director Han Jae-ryong’s brow furrowed as he read the newspaper.

The shoulders of the agency CEO who was speaking in a nervous voice naturally hunched.

“Dad, don’t be mad at the CEO.”

“I’m sorry, Sora. I suddenly heard a strange sound.”

After apologizing to Sora, he looks at the representative again.

“I clearly stated that I would not advertise.”

“Of course I know. But Director Han, I’m telling you this because it’s a shame to miss it. It’s like a TTN commercial.”

“TTN? What did Im Eun-jung do?”

“Yeah. We’re looking for a child actor for this model change. Director Han will know because he saw the commercial. Does it look like an advertisement?”

The cinematographer recommended it to me.

The visual beauty that was definitely different from existing advertisements was impressive.

More than anything, Sora liked the advertisement.

‘Sora definitely fits that advertising image.’

“Is only Sora appearing?”

“Come out with a male child actor.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s not confirmed, but he told me that there’s someone he’s talking about. Wait a minute, his name is… Ah, he’s on the same show as Sora… .”

Sora’s head, which had been fiddling with her cell phone, turned at a frightening speed.

“Hajin, is it Hajin?”

“Yeah yeah, it hasn’t changed, right? The one that comes out together.”

“Dad!”

It was the first time that my daughter, who was always quiet, showed her emotions like this.

“I want to film this commercial!”