episode_0057

“Sigh, life.”

Journalist Lee Hyesoo from Dream Daily, after sipping on a vending machine coffee, looked up at the sky and let out a deep sigh.

“This sucks.”

Being dragged by the editor to eat kusari.

Not just once, but several times.

Since publishing the scandal article, every time he submitted an article, he would get an earful.

“Did you fact-check this properly?”

“Aren’t you trying to cause trouble again?”

“Do you know how much damage the company suffered last time you published something like this?”

Is it worth living like this?

“Even though the final confirmation was from him, I’m the one being scolded as if I made a unilateral decision.”

The editor’s attitude like this wasn’t uncommon for a day or two, but this time it lasted quite a while.

“When did they ever fact-check themselves?”

Wasn’t this supposed to be a media outlet where entertainment gossip thrived?

No, it was even embarrassing to call it a media outlet.

It was a newspaper that always posted provocative content to increase traffic and views.

In the past, the social department of the newspaper he worked for at least checked the basic facts of the articles.

But there was none of that here.

He published the article in the same way he always did.

He wrote the article by extracting photos and testimonies sent by students at the umbrella stand.

What did the editor say about this?

“This journalist! You are truly a treasure of our newspaper! Asking for such exclusive news! Haha!”

And then what?

“Publishing articles with unverified facts! Do you know how much damage we suffered because of you? Yeoyoung has said many times that articles must be accurate!”

It’s all about moderation.

He knew that there was pressure from Jeil Group to cancel advertisements.

He also heard that the legal team of Jeil Group was preparing for a lawsuit.

But is all of that his fault?

The confirmation was from the editor, and even the upper desk thought it would be fine to publish the article.

“Sigh, I’m the only sinner, damn it.”

Even the article was deleted.

Treating an article that recorded the highest views this year like this.

Articles refuting Yeoyoung’s article poured out.

It was obvious to everyone that they were articles planted by Yeongeun’s agency and Jeil Group.

Thanks to that, the article views had increased significantly.

But even that record disappeared.

If this continues like this.

“I need to grab solid evidence and prove that my article is real.”

He couldn’t just take this lying down.

A journalist speaks through their articles.

He would somehow prove that his article was real.

“I will follow Yeongeun.”

When it came to taking action, Hyesoo was no less than any other journalist.

He saw the photo of Yeongeun and a man.

A photo taken by many people in a cafe, leaving only the two of them.

“Isn’t it obvious that they are dating? If you close your eyes and hum, you wouldn’t know.”

Only exclusive news occupied this journalist’s mind.

I will personally investigate and reveal the truth that everyone is turning away from.

This strange journalist’s spirit blossomed.

He went to Yeongeun’s house.

Only to catch exclusive news.

***

A rare break in his schedule.

The morning sun rising to announce the start of a holiday.

Ring ring.

A call came from Yeongeun.

“Hello.”

– Jaeho, are you at home?

“Yes, what’s up?”

– I have a favor to ask.

“A favor?”

What is it?

– Can you come with me to the drama filming set?

“Yes? You want me to go with you?”

He thought following her to the filming set to get to know the model in the photos was enough yesterday.

“Are you suggesting I work as a temporary manager for another day?”

– Oh, no, that’s not it.

“Then?”

– Do you know that good acting requires a good partner?

“Are you saying that good partner is me?”

– Yes. I need you. You can refuse if you want. But don’t you want to earn a hefty sum like last time?

Asking me to work with her, this is exploiting people.

A complete ruthless employer.

Of course, he didn’t have any complaints since he was a ruthless employer who paid well.

“Didn’t I mention this last time?”

– What do you mean?

“I believe that the person I work with is more important than money.”

This is not right.

If you keep doing it once, it becomes a habit.

When it’s not right, you have to cut it off.

Today, I was thinking of earning points while exercising.

-Oh, right. I don’t like people without manners.

“Did I speak so harshly?”

-Of course. You’re the first person to call me rude.

“Ahem.”

-Then how will you come to the filming set with me? I really need Jaeho.

“Let me hear the reason.”

If the reason was valid, there was no reason not to go.

I needed to raise my likability and satisfaction.

-You’re an expensive man. Since I need you, this time I’ll let you win.

I could hear Eun’s laughter from the other end of the phone.

-To be honest, my acting hasn’t been going well lately. I can’t immerse myself in the character and situation, so I get more annoyed, the schedule gets delayed, the filming deadline is approaching but the acting isn’t working, so I end up fighting with the directors… It’s not a good situation for an actor.

I couldn’t discern the truth, but I could feel the sincerity in Eun’s voice right now.

-But it went well yesterday, didn’t it? I couldn’t concentrate for 30 seconds, but I was focused on acting for over 3 minutes. It was in top condition.

“I see.”

-I thought about what was different for a long time. But there was one thing that was different. Jaeho was at the end of my sight.

“So, do I need you?”

-Yes. Even though I look relaxed, I’m in a situation where I’m on the edge of perfection in my own way. I want to act with Jaeho in front of me. Please.

“…I understand.”

If that’s the reason, there’s nothing I can do.

Eun, who was stubborn and arrogant, had never spoken about her situation like this before.

We had only met for a short period of time, but it had never happened before.

That’s how desperate Eun was.

I couldn’t refuse.

-Thank you.

“When are you leaving?”

-Come out after washing up. It’ll take about 30 minutes. Oh, don’t spend too much time on makeup. We’ll do it on set.

“Got it.”

I quickly got ready to leave.

When I went out on time, Eun, who was in Director Park’s car, rolled down the window.

“Hurry up and get in.”

As I got into the car, I turned my head at the awkward feeling.

I saw a car parked awkwardly.

“What are you doing? Get in quickly.”

“Ah, sorry.”

What’s with that car?

***

Director Kim clenched his forehead at Eun’s absurd demand.

“Get this person to stand in.”

The person she pointed to was a young photographer who was in charge of taking Eun’s photos.

He looked back and forth between Eun and Director Kim with a puzzled expression.

Had they not reached an agreement?

“Ha, are you serious?”

“Of course. My acting isn’t coming together, so there’s a delay. He’s the one who can solve that.”

How is he going to solve it?

He’s pretty good at taking photos.

It was an incomprehensible demand, but Director Kim had no grounds to oppose.

Right now, if Eun could act, she would be worth her weight in gold.

“This is unreasonable!”

However, the male lead actor raised his voice in opposition.

“I agree too. We hired a stuntman as a stand-in. It’s a problem that can be passed because our body types are similar, but that guy is different.”

He had broader shoulders and was taller than the existing actor.

Why such strong opposition?

It was because the limitations of the male lead had already been revealed.

As a PD, he had to take care of Jang Jun-il as much as Eun, the female lead.

If Jang Jun-il refused to film here, it would be difficult for Director Kim.

“So what are you going to do?”

“We’ll have him appear as an extra. I’ll keep him where Eun can see him.”

“…”

Eun’s eyes sharpened.

After a moment of hesitation, Eun nodded as if she understood.

“Okay. Let’s do it that way. But you have to show it as close as possible.”

“Of course.”

Phew.

They barely survived the crisis.

Kim PD looked at Jang Jun-il.

He was grumbling with an irritated face.

His pride must have been hurt.

It wasn’t an easy task for Kim PD either.

But Eung’s ticket power was stronger than Jang Jun-il’s, and the remaining shooting schedule was also bothering them.

If they didn’t finish shooting today’s scenes, editing would be difficult.

“Mr. Jaeho, go get your makeup done by the makeup team. Even if it’s just the back view, you still need to take care of it.”

“Oh, I see.”

Jaeho followed the assistant director’s guidance to the dressing room.

“How did you end up here?”

It felt like struggling on a sinking ship.

Will this drama end properly?

***

I changed into the costume provided by the makeup team.

“Oh, he’s handsome.”

“He has a unique vibe.”

“You must have worked out a lot. Your shoulders are so broad….”

The stylists from the makeup team complimented me one by one.

“Well, I did a bit.”

It was quite a tough job.

Getting makeup done for about 30 minutes, those who haven’t experienced it wouldn’t know.

“Jaeho only got a short session. There were times when he had to do makeup for 4 hours.”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

“Huh?”

I look pretty good, don’t I?

Was it because the professionals handled it?

I looked much more stylish than usual.

With eyeliner drawn around my eyes and makeup enhancing my nose and jawline.

“Maybe I look good?”

This wasn’t just my own thought.

“But he was handsome to begin with, wow….”

The stylists also mixed in their admiration.

There might have been a bit of lip service, but I knew it wasn’t just that.

“Jaeho, come out quickly! We’re about to start standby!”

Kim PD, who had just praised me, quickly switched back to work mode.

“Jaeho, don’t be too burdened by the shooting. The camera won’t focus on you anyway. Just stand in the designated spot so Eung can focus on acting. Got it?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, I trust you understand. Please. Focus only on Eung. We don’t have much time.”

“Got it.”

“Alright! Go in! Standby everyone! When I give the signal, go in immediately!”

I followed the assistant director’s guidance and stood in the designated spot.

“You look much better with makeup.”

Eung, who was already memorizing the script in front of the camera, smiled when our eyes met.

“Right? I think I look pretty good too.”

“Don’t be too proud. Men as handsome as Jaeho are a dime a dozen in this industry.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, you’re not bad.”

After finishing her sentence, Eung didn’t meet my eyes again.

And not long after.

“Okay, standby everyone, I’ll go in now. Standby, action!”

The camera started rolling.

Eung’s expression, which hadn’t met my eyes until just now, changed drastically.

Her eyes were now focused on me, not Jang Jun-il, right in front of her.

It was so discreet that it wouldn’t be noticeable on camera.

“I just became the closest person to you.”

The breath and tremor when she delivered her first line were completely different from what I had seen from Eung so far.

I was breathless.

Just watching her made me feel sucked into her acting.

To the point where the person over there looked more like Hwarin, a character from the drama, than Eung.

“Do you want anything? You said you didn’t have anything except for me. Just, you as a person.”

Without realizing it, I swallowed my breath.

I struggled to hide my admiration that kept popping up.

The atmosphere was completely different from what the staff saw from behind the camera.

So this is it.

This is what it means to be a great actor.

Every emotion conveyed in Yeong-eun’s voice, crying out passionately, resonated in my heart.

“I wanted just that one thing, but now I can’t even do that….”

Tears welled up in Yeong-eun’s eyes as she spoke.

“What do you have to do to make it love?”

A single tear fell from her right eye.

“You’re so good like this…. What am I supposed to do when I see you like this?”

I wanted to wipe away the tears flowing from her eyes.

That moment when I wanted to comfort her and tell her not to be sad.

“That was great! Okay! Isn’t this a completely different person?”

I heard the excited shout from Director Kim.

“How was it?”

Yeong-eun snapped out of her immersion.

She truly is a professional actress.

But I, who was not a professional.

“It’s amazing.”

My heart fluttered.

I was still touched by the emotions in Ha-rin’s eyes, looking at me with love.

As I was locked in the aftermath of Yeong-eun’s acting, something caught my eye.

‘Huh?’

A man holding a camera.