episode_0055

Special Task Force 808 Filming Location.

Even though the mock filming was clearly done here, Su-a felt that the set was on a completely different level than before.

‘This actual filming is so much more vivid, it can’t even be compared to before.’

Well, there were many differences at a glance.

Back then, it was daytime, but now it’s nighttime, and the building that was just standing there now has lights on, and all the actors have their makeup on….

Thanks to that, Su-a felt like she was experiencing some kind of otherworldly experience. It really felt like she had fallen into the world of Special Task Force 808.

‘Yeah. Just like when I experience script readings.’

Of course, it wasn’t just the actors who were busy at the moment.

Staff were moving equipment she’d never seen before, the prop team was organizing props everywhere, cameras were being installed all around, and the people with scripts in their hands were the directing team.

Su-a was surprised once again by the number of people.

‘Is this some kind of amusement park….’

The people strolling around an amusement park at least have some leisure, but right now, this place was overflowing with a desperate atmosphere. The mock filming that had made her so nervous now felt like a joke.

Therefore.

‘To act as Kim Yu-han amidst this many people, in this atmosphere…?’

Thump— Thump—

Su-a’s heart began to race.

She was aware that she was becoming more mature compared to the past, but even considering that, the current situation made her nervous. Su-a had to overcome herself and prove herself once again today.

‘Lee Su-a, don’t be nervous. Don’t be nervous.’

Su-a was about to pat her cheeks.

No, she stopped patting them and just crossed her arms.

She had accidentally realized this the day she crossed her arms because she wasn’t wearing a bra: if she put a lot of strength into this pose, the tension would ease slightly. Su-a’s arm-crossing.

‘The Arctic fox doesn’t get nervous….’

Self-hypnosis was a bonus.

In fact, it’s not like the Arctic fox never gets nervous, but the Arctic fox in Su-a’s mind was already something close to a divine being.

That’s when it happened.

“Su-a-ssi, did you find some kind of flaw?”

Two people approached Su-a, who was quietly looking up at the 808 team headquarters: Park Do-hee and the scene-stealing supporting actor Hwang Myung-pil.

Su-a shook her head. “Not really, I like it as it is.”

“Oh, that’s a relief. You looked uncomfortable….”

Park Do-hee watched Su-a quietly shake her head and thought.

‘What’s with the face makeup? Why doesn’t it feel out of place? No, beyond that, he’s quite handsome. If we add CG on top of that….’

In the meantime, Hwang Myung-pil opened his mouth.

“Su-a-ssi, how’s your physical condition? Please do a good job with today’s filming.”

Hwang Myung-pil smiled broadly, secretly wanting to become close to Su-a.

It was a natural thing for him to do. He lived and died by ad-libs, and ad-libs only have meaning if the other person accepts them. It would be advantageous for him to become close to Su-a beforehand.

It was then that Su-a turned her head to look at Hwang Myung-pil.

“…Physical condition?”

“No, I asked a stupid question. Even at my age, I always get nervous before the actual filming. But I can tell just by looking at you, Su-a-ssi, that you’re not nervous at all.”

Su-a nodded.

“There are no instructions for nervousness in my role.”

There couldn’t have been a bigger lie.

But.

After answering just now, Su-a unknowingly had an exclamation mark in her mind.

‘…!’

Su-a thought. Wasn’t my answer just now quite cool?

Thoughts like: Wasn’t I like an Arctic fox? Su-a thought it would be good to name this technique Su-a-gao.

Park Do-hee suddenly sighed.

“…The more composed you are, Su-a-ssi, the more nervous I get. I was really sorry during the last filming. I’ll do my best today.”

“Yes.”

While exchanging a few words, the three arrived at the filming location.

‘Wooaaah!’

And then came Su-a’s exclamation.

Police cars were parked side by side, and for Su-a, there was no greater spectacle. The very fact that they were using cars in the filming was amazing, and even more so that they were police cars. She couldn’t help but be amazed.

“Su-a-yang!”

Writer Lee Geum-sook approached as if she had been waiting only for Su-a.

“Su-a-yang, you’re here? Should I get you a chair or something? I wrote about two more scripts to commemorate the day of the actual filming.”

“Yes. Please give them to me.”

“…?”

Then Lee Writer’s expression became blank, and suddenly, she burst into a very loud laugh.

“Su-a-yang, I’m joking, joking!”

“Yes?”

“Giving two scripts on the day of filming is asking to get stones thrown at you! But Su-a-yang, your ability to take jokes is not ordinary, is it? I was momentarily taken aback. I even thought, is Su-a-yang really capable of it?”

Su-a thought. What is this? I wasn’t joking.

“I wasn’t joking.”

“Oh my, Su-a-yang, you always say such pretty things. Yes, the passion you have for cherishing my script is deeply moving. Anyway, there are no additional scripts today, so good luck with the filming!”

Su-a ended up just nodding. Anyway, she thought that it was enough that the other person was very happy.

At that moment, a small woman mixed into the group.

The person with two large hairpins in her bangs, a figure who still looked like a young girl to Su-a, was Mystic Entertainment’s CEO, Kim I-seo.

Lee Geum-sook Writer greeted Kim I-seo warmly.

“Who is this, the CEO herself has come to visit?”

“Of course. We’re using three Mystic actors. Besides, Su-a is still a rookie, so I have to keep an eye on her.”

Then Lee Geum-sook Writer laughed.

“Su-a-yang is a rookie. Yes, Su-a-yang is a rookie. Why does that sound so awkward? The word ‘rookie’ doesn’t suit Su-a-yang.”

“I know, right. Actually, I’m here more for sightseeing than caretaking.”

“Oh, oh, CEO. Now you’re revealing your true intentions.”

After talking for quite a while, Lee Writer returned to Su-a’s side. However, this time, she wasn’t empty-handed. Holding the script, she began to go over the details and announce today’s schedule.

“Su-a-yang, it must have been hard doing Kim Yu-han’s makeup, right? So today, we’re going to film as many of Kim Yu-han’s scenes as possible.”

“I understand that as me being busy.”

“That’s right. Your partner, Sun-il-ssi, is also busy as a result.”

Scene numbers ranging from S#1 ~ S#??.

This is only from the viewer’s perspective, and the actual filming of a drama doesn’t happen that way. They film in a way that makes the most efficient use of time and movement, and then edit it.

‘…So that’s why actors are amazing.’

Su-a newly realized this. Actors are amazing.

Filming random scenes haphazardly means that you have to quickly put on random emotions to that extent. She realized how great a task was ahead of her.

After finishing the explanation, Lee Geum-sook thoroughly examined Su-a’s face. As if she were looking at some kind of jewel.

“Oh my goodness, the makeup is absolutely perfect. It’s exactly how I imagined it. Just please act well.”

“Yes.”

Around that time, Lee Geum-sook discovered Park Do-hee standing next to Su-a, and seeing Park Do-hee reminded her that Director Go Tae-min had arrived as well. But why.

Lee Geum-sook quietly raised the corners of her mouth and crossed her arms.

‘Is it possible that she might actually fall for Su-a-yang?’

◈◈◈◈◈

Now, before the actual filming.

Kim Sun-il was left alone in the van.

However, the reason why he was in the van right now wasn’t to get into character or to look over the script. He had a special affection for Special Task Force 808, but the reason was different this time.

“Oppa. Oppaaaa.”

Kim Sun-il was having a video call with someone.

“Oppa, are you filming with cameras starting today? Are they filming oppa’s appearance?”

“Yeah. It starts today.”

What was on his phone screen was a very young girl.

However, she didn’t look well at a glance. She was skin and bones, and her complexion was pale as if she were about to collapse at any moment. In the first place, the patient gown wrapped around her body was indicating the girl’s current state.

“Oppa will be on TV again!”

“That’s right.”

“You have to be on as much as possible! So that mom can find us!”

“…Yeah. That’s right.”

This time, Kim Sun-il’s answer was slow.

His younger sister still believes that their mother will return if she endures just ten more nights, but Kim Sun-il knew. He knew that the mother who had left the siblings would never return.

It’s still vivid now.

The mother who told them to wait at the entrance after finishing their bath at the public bathhouse, that was the last time he saw her. At first, Kim Sun-il thought he had done something wrong. Was it because he wasn’t clean enough that she wasn’t coming?

He washed, washed, and washed again.

But it was the same no matter how many times he washed.

His mother never showed up, and Kim Sun-il realized it after a long time. That they had been abandoned by their only parent.

It’s been quite a while now.

“Oppa. Oppaaaa.”

Then, Kim Sun-il snapped out of his thoughts at his younger sister’s voice.

“Yeah. I was listening.”

His younger sister was twisting her body, and Kim Sun-il knew what that meant. The behavior she always took when she had something to ask for.

“Why, do you want something?”

“Nooo.”

“Should we move the hospital to a better place?”

“Nooo.”

“Then? Didn’t you want something?”

“Yeah. There’s something I waant.”

Only then did his younger sister nod.

Kim Sun-il thought. It’s not something she wants to have, but something she wants. What could that be? However, unexpectedly, what came back from his younger sister was a single question.

“Does oppa do that again today? Killing people?”

“No. It’s a different role.”

“Wow! Can you finally become someone else now?”

His younger sister even clapped her hands and rejoiced.

Right, she must have hated that he only played criminals.

Kim Sun-il had gained the nickname ‘handsome trash’ in the world after playing major villain roles, and even gained a fandom, but it must have been unpleasant from his young sister’s point of view. She wouldn’t have welcomed it. It wasn’t the first or second time his younger sister had asked if he was playing a different role this time, and in the first place, Kim Sun-il aimed for the completion of Special Task Force 808 in order to fulfill that wish.

That’s why he tried so hard.

He’s playing a police officer here. Because it’s a good role.

Kim Sun-il nodded.

“This time, I’m a police officer. A good person. My role is to arrest bad people and punish them. You don’t have to worry.”

“Huh? A police officer? A goood person?”

However, it was then that his younger sister tilted her head.

“No. That’s not important at aall.”

“Hm?”

“It’s not important what oppa does.”

Around that time, Kim Sun-il couldn’t help but tilt his head as well.

Didn’t she hate that he was playing villain roles? He hadn’t thought of other possibilities.

“Then?”

“Oppa always looks unhappy. You’re never happy.”

“…Unhappy?”

Unhappiness and happiness.

Those were elements that Kim Sun-il had never thought about.

No, if he had to put it into words, he thought he was happy.

He had been sufficiently recognized for his acting ability, albeit only for villain roles, and he was earning money that couldn’t even be compared to the past.

However, the words of a young child tend to purely hit the mark, even if they seem like nothing.

Kim Sun-il felt it was subtle and listened attentively.

“Yeah! Oppa doesn’t look happy whenever you’re on TV. It’s always been like that. That’s why mom is scared and doesn’t come to find us.”

“It must be because the role is a serious role.”

“No! It’s different from that! Oppa, you have to be happy this time! Then mom will be happy too and come quickly!”

“Um, first….”

Kim Sun-il somehow couldn’t keep listening to this story. It was because he felt like he was being poked in the heart somewhere with a needle.

“…It’s time. I’ll contact you after filming is over.”

And with that, Kim Sun-il hurriedly hung up the phone.

“….”

And he pondered for a long time.

“Unhappy, I look unhappy….”

If his younger sister simply wanted him to play a different role, Kim Sun-il had already fulfilled that wish. He, who had always played criminals, had transformed into a principled police officer named Lee Gang-cheol.

However.

If what his younger sister was discussing was ‘character traits,’ then that was a field that Kim Sun-il couldn’t fulfill. Principled, ruthless. His acting was ultimately trapped in this spectrum.

“…”

Kim Sun-il briefly looked at his reflection in the van’s black window, then slowly sighed and shook his head.

“…Stop with the useless thoughts.”

Yes, now was the time to first focus on the role he had been given.

.

.

.

.

.

After completely emptying his mind of useless thoughts, Kim Sun-il decided to only think about the role of ‘Lee Gang-cheol’ that he had been given.

“…”

As a result, his eyes were now more serious than anyone else’s.

It was a natural thing to do. Separately from the subtlety he had gained from his conversation with his younger sister, Special Task Force 808 was a work in which Kim Sun-il was playing the lead role of Lee Gang-cheol. He absolutely had to do well.

‘Only give my best. Mistakes are naturally not allowed.’

Kim Sun-il steeled himself again and again.

‘Lee Su-a is also a lead, and she’s good. But I have the initiative.’

The acting ability that Lee Su-a had shown during the mock filming was overwhelming, and Kim Sun-il was aware of that. However, he was in a position where he absolutely couldn’t be pushed back.

This wasn’t just a matter of pride.

‘What we’re filming today is Lee Gang-cheol from the beginning, and Lee Gang-cheol from the beginning absolutely does not tolerate Kim Yu-han. He loathes him.’

A very important matter for the sake of the work’s completeness.

In the early part of the story, Lee Gang-cheol treats Kim Yu-han with a feeling close to hatred. It’s a natural thing, since Kim Yu-han breaks every principle.

So he absolutely couldn’t be pushed back in terms of acting ability.

The moment Kim Sun-il was pushed back in terms of acting ability, it would appear as if Lee Gang-cheol couldn’t control Kim Yu-han and was somewhat accepting him. That would virtually mean a setting collapse.

After arriving at the filming location, Kim Sun-il accepted the greetings pouring out toward him. However, not as Kim Sun-il, but as Lee Gang-cheol.

He had already put on his role.

On the one hand, he was curious about what Su-a, who was playing Kim Yu-han, was doing right now, but there was no need to go looking for her. Even though there were so many people, Su-a stood out.

Kim Sun-il thought as he approached Su-a.

‘His face is already Kim Yu-han. The makeup too, and the expression.’

And he even greeted her first.

“It looks like you’re finished with preparations.”

“You too.”

“Well, yeah.”

Kim Sun-il’s answer was slightly slow.

Looking at Su-a’s very firm expression, he felt as if he was less prepared than Su-a, who was a rookie.

‘It’s ridiculous. The other person is a rookie.’

Kim Sun-il straightened his uniform and said.

“Today is the actual filming. Let’s do our best.”

“I plan to do it as usual.”

“As usual?”

“Practice like it’s the real thing, the real thing like practice. Like that.”

A short exchange between Su-a and him. But Kim Sun-il felt it.

Just like he was wearing Lee Gang-cheol and standing in this place, Lee Su-a was the same. She had become Kim Yu-han and was sitting in this place.

“You are…. Truly unknowable.”

“That’s my favorite thing to hear.”

What exactly is Lee Su-a, I can’t even guess. But even in this situation, one thing was certain to Kim Sun-il.

That was that Lee Su-a was an actress that he wanted to get to know more and more.

She was different from the people who seem to have hidden so much that you end up avoiding them at some point. How should he put it, it was a subtle feeling as if Su-a herself wasn’t hiding anything at all.

Seo Yeon-ju’s words suddenly came to mind.

—Didn’t I definitely feel different when I acted with Su-a-ssi?

What she had said after filming ‘Sword.’ That comment in which she had chattered on that she felt like she had suddenly awakened after acting with Su-a.

He was curious. Would he be able to feel that way too?

A sense of duty that he had to do well because he was the lead, the task he had unexpectedly received from his younger sister, the anticipation of acting with Lee Su-a…. Kim Sun-il’s mind was becoming complicated when.

“Kim Yu-han, Lee Gang-cheol, stand by right now!”

Suddenly, a staff member shouted very loudly.

“We’re starting the actual filming right away! Let’s go!”

Kim Sun-il and Su-a began to move without anyone telling them to. Su-a was silent again this time, and Kim Sun-il broke the silence.

“Let’s clash. Giving our all.”

Su-a gave her usual Su-a nod-nod.

Frankly, the only thing she could do was just do her best in acting, and the only thought she had while looking up at Kim Sun-il right now was one thing.

‘He’s seriously so tall no matter when I see him….’

◈◈◈◈◈

The actual filming began.

Everyone took their places to match the role they had been given. The efforts of all the people involved finally came to fruition. An environment was completed where the actors could focus solely on their acting.

Meanwhile, PD Choi Hee-won’s gaze was fixated on the monitor.

After looking at something as if she were possessed, she moved her hand. She zoomed in on Kim Yu-han and Lee Gang-cheol, who had been visible up to their chests, so that only their faces were visible.

Then, the faces of the two people filled the screen.

‘…This shot, visually, is perfect.’

Even just looking at their faces, they were the complete opposite.

The firm expression and black hair neatly swept back of Lee Gang-cheol, and the languid expression and white hair covering the bangs of Kim Yu-han, a contrast. Their outward appearance is perfect. From now on, only acting ability will be the key.

Meanwhile.

Su-a got into the passenger seat of the police car and took a deep breath.

‘The Arctic fox doesn’t get nervous. The Arctic fox doesn’t get nervous.’

Su-a had makeup on, as well as several pieces of equipment attached to her body for CG tracking. Each and every element that hadn’t existed during the mock filming was the cause of her fear right now.

‘…No, actually, wouldn’t even the Arctic fox be nervous at least once.’

The real thing, actual filming.

The tension in the air is no joke.

The crowd that had reminded her of an amusement park would now watch Su-a’s acting. That suffocated her.

Su-a thought. Will there ever be a day when I get used to this? A day when I won’t even blink in front of a huge crowd like this.

‘But I won’t give up. Because it’s my last chance in life.’

But Su-a eventually steeled her will. Since there was no other possibility in her life besides acting anyway, she intended to somehow find a breakthrough this time as well.

Yeah. Just like she had always done since she started acting.

That’s when it happened.

A staff member handcuffed Su-a’s right hand, which was sitting in the passenger seat. And at the same time, fixed it to the upper handle.

Yeah. It really starts now.

Su-a looked over the script with her still free left hand.

S # 33

The two people who succeeded in their first arrest.

But the atmosphere is as frigid as can be.

It’s because Kim Yu-han caught him while ignoring all principles.

Lee Gang-cheol, very angry, grabs the steering wheel.

He returns as if he’s arresting even Kim Yu-han.

Kim Yu-han and Lee Gang-cheol, who are assigned to the 808 department, go out to arrest a criminal for the first time.

Somehow, they succeed in catching the criminal, but they both bitterly realize that they are completely incompatible.

In the meantime, neither of them yield to each other. In other words, the war of nerves is at its peak.

Su-a began to overlay this scene onto herself.

Swish swish—

‘I am Kim Yu-han. I am Kim Yu-han. I am….’

It wasn’t difficult once she concentrated. Su-a had experienced this script over a hundred times, and her script proficiency had increased that much as a result.

‘…Kim Yu-han.’

After a while like that.

“….”

For some reason, Su-a felt like she wanted to hum a song. The feeling of having her right hand handcuffed to the passenger seat handle and losing her freedom, the sense of a war of nerves that felt suffocating….

“…Heh.”

…Elements that would be unpleasant to ordinary people just came across as something to enjoy to Kim Yu-han. Su-a felt that everything surrounding her was simply pleasant.

Clunk—!

At that moment, Kim Sun-il got into the driver’s seat.

—Okay, are you two ready! Here we go!

It was at the same time that PD Choi Hee-won’s voice was heard through the radio.

—Action!

Lee Gang-cheol stepped on the accelerator, as if to express his intensified emotions.

Lee Gang-cheol at the steering wheel, Kim Yu-han handcuffed to the passenger seat. While the two were returning to the 808 headquarters, Lee Gang-cheol said.

『Mad dog, mad dog…. There was a reason.』

Lee Gang-cheol is in a situation where his mind is very complicated, having realized that the partner he has come to be with is not normal.

『Say something, even if it’s an excuse. Why did you do that?』

Lee Gang-cheol’s voice sounds like he is suppressing his emotions, but Kim Yu-han only tilts his head. It’s not that he’s ignoring Lee Gang-cheol’s words, but he has an expression as if he just can’t understand them.

He’s rolling his eyes as if he has his own thoughts, and that movement is being captured vividly and eerily by the camera.

『Can’t you hear me? Say something.』

『Ahem.』

Finally, Kim Yu-han parted his lips.

『We arrested the criminal, right? What’s the problem.』

『…Are you asking that because you really don’t know?』

Lee Gang-cheol couldn’t overcome his anger for a moment and glared at Kim Yu-han. Kim Yu-han is just looking at the scenery outside the window though.

It was something that Lee Gang-cheol’s mind couldn’t understand.

From his frivolous attitude, to suddenly stealing Lee Gang-cheol’s car keys and recklessly going out, and even beating the criminal to the point that he was out of line in order to arrest him.

『You must never break the rules. No matter what happens.』

『Aha, I understand.』

Suddenly, Kim Yu-han reacted as if he had realized something.

『Gang-cheol-ssi always just warns with words like that, right? That’s not good. It’s the same as a dog. A detective who barks loudly will miss the criminal.』

『Don’t play with words. I’m not in the mood.』

『But I’m not joking right now?』

Kim Yu-han turned his head without a trace of a smile for the first time, and Kim Sun-il, who glanced at that expression, felt a chill.

The words that Lee Su-a spat out, they didn’t feel like acting at all.

『…Let’s continue the conversation after we arrive at headquarters.』

『There’s no need to do that. Because we can make it clear right now.』

Kim Sun-il thought.

What?

At the same time, Su-a’s left hand moved as naturally as flowing water, and it was a flash until it rested on the steering wheel that Kim Sun-il was holding.

And the answer to the question.

『We haven’t established a hierarchy yet, the two of us.』

And the next moment.

It could be seen with the naked eye that strength was entering Su-a’s arm, and she attempted to turn the steering wheel that Kim Sun-il was holding.

Clunk—!

The vehicle shook violently once. It was a natural thing.

Kim Sun-il had barely managed to hold onto the vehicle, which had been about to turn completely, with all his strength.

“…!”

At the same time, Kim Sun-il turned his head in embarrassment.

“You, what are…!”

But his words couldn’t be finished.

It became certain when he saw the other person’s face.

Lee Su-a, no, Kim Yu-han.

She was truly intending to flip the car over.