NOVEL WEB Chapter 26 - Is he an Actor or a Model?
Chapter 26: Is he an Actor or a Model?
TL: Aniea
“We will now begin shooting the poster for <Peaceful Chaebol Life>!”
The voice of the youngest staff member reverberated across the set.
People who had been playful just moments ago suddenly took on serious expressions and began the shoot.
In particular, the staff under Oh Dong-gyu, who had filmed numerous dramas and were true professionals, ensured the process moved along quickly.
“We will start with actor Kim Young-ho!”
It was naturally Kim Young-ho who started first.
After all, he was the lead for the first half.
Whether by age or by seniority, he was the most experienced.
While others were free to be anywhere else during someone else’s shoot, everyone kept to their places, observing Kim Young-ho’s performance.
“Ha, this always makes me nervous no matter how many times I do it.”
Contrary to his words, Kim Young-ho stood at the center with a very relaxed expression.
The words he had just uttered were likely a joke to ease the watching juniors.
Indeed, a brief glance at the faces of the rookie actors revealed a bit more relaxation. Before, they had looked as if they were headed to a battlefield.
‘…Who am I to talk.’
I, too, felt a rush of excitement at the word ‘first shoot.’
The difference with other newcomers might be that from the moment I left the house, I had started acting, so my nerves didn’t show on the outside.
“Um… Woo-ju ssi, this is your first shoot too, right?”
A rookie actor next to me, seemingly curious, hesitantly struck up a conversation.
She had been looking like she wanted to talk for a while but had only just managed to muster the courage.
‘Her name was Park Soo-bin, right?’
She’s the female lead in this <Peaceful Chaebol Life>.
She plays the official heroine, romantically involved with the protagonist, and also the woman [Kang Joo-heon], the character I play, most loves and hates.
“Yes, it’s my first official shoot.”
“Me, me too!”
Oops-
Her voice inadvertently raised, and she quickly looked around, startled by her own volume.
Luckily, we were far enough from the center of the shoot to avoid drawing too much attention, but it was clear she was quite nervous.
“I see.”
But I merely nodded nonchalantly, not offering more.
If it were up to me, I would have tried to ease her tension, but that wouldn’t suit the character of Kang Joo-heon.
‘I’m getting used to this role more and more.’
Park Soo-bin wanted to talk to me. Perhaps she wanted to relieve her nerves before the action started. It’s also a chance for actors to build camaraderie.
Of course, I knew that. However, I had to pretend I didn’t know, or rather, act as if I wasn’t interested.
“Uh… um…”
Her difficulty in continuing the conversation after her question made it painfully clear, and Park Soo-bin visibly panicked before managing to speak again.
“But you don’t seem nervous at all.”
“I wasn’t, actually.”
“…Are you always so terse?”
“I just don’t prefer unnecessary conversation.”
The longest reply in our brief exchange twisted Park Soo-bin’s expression.
Normally, she might back off at this point, but fitting for someone who, despite being a newcomer, was cast in a leading role, she took another step forward.
Perhaps the previous conversation had somehow spurred her adrenaline. Gone was her trembling demeanor, replaced by a confident expression as she offered a handshake.
“The meat you bought last time was really delicious. I’m ‘Park Soo-bin,’ playing the female lead in this drama. Please take good care of me during the shoot.”
Quite impressive.
In that moment, the heroine of the drama and Park Soo-bin completely overlapped in my view. It was clear why she was chosen as the lead of this drama.
In the drama, her character is a prosecutor leading the hunt for chaebols. Eventually blacklisted, she quits to become a lawyer, yet she symbolizes unwavering perseverance.
She’s nicknamed ‘Mad Dog.’
She is also the woman Kang Joo-heon both loves and hates in the drama.
‘Feels like we’re already shooting.’
The first scene where we meet in the script was similar to this. It was the scene where she boldly offers a handshake to Kang Joo-heon, saying, “I will make sure you end up in prison.”
The well-memorized script plays back in my mind.
That’s exactly how Kang Joo-heon had responded then.
“Looking forward to it.”
My gaze isn’t on Park Soo-bin. As if she doesn’t matter at all, I only look straight ahead.
Naturally, I completely ignore her handshake, and her hand, lost for something to grasp, tightly clenches the air.
“Actress Park Soo-bin! Please prepare for the next shoot!”
Just then, the voice of a staff member running from afar. Park Soo-bin glares at me for a moment before turning away swiftly.
Watching a scene unfold exactly as in the script, I swallowed a bitter smile inwardly.
‘It used to be really uncomfortable at first.’
Ever since I was born to my parents, I’ve always been cautious of others.
To me, the phrase ‘you shouldn’t do that’ was heard perhaps dozens of times more than ‘you should do this.’
‘Of course, I’m not blaming my parents…’
During part-time jobs, it was the customers.
During school, it was the teachers.
In the military, it was the company commander.
Having spent half my life accommodating others, when such situations arise, my ears open up and my mouth starts moving on its own.
On one hand, I also wanted to chat with Park Soo-bin and shake off the nervousness. That’s what they call socializing, after all.
‘At least that’s what I believed until now.’
But ever since my contract with Kim Eun-ha, my mindset has been changing.
Playing a third-generation chaebol and adopting their habits, at some point, I began to think like them too.
They don’t try to open their mouths eagerly. Just watching Kim Eun-ha work from the side is enough evidence.
‘Maybe a 9:1 ratio?’
The ratio of listening to speaking.
Kim Eun-ha listens quietly as the employees present the data they’ve gathered. The only time she opens her mouth during these moments is to drink coffee.
After all employees finish briefing, then you can finally hear Kim Eun-ha’s voice.
Execute it as is.
Or prepare it again.
Usually, it boils down to these two sentences.
‘It’s somewhat similar in everyday life too.’
Though not as extreme as during work, it’s quite rare for her to initiate conversation with anyone.
Usually, people who recognize her come to greet her, trying their best to leave a good impression.
Watching Kim Eun-ha up close and applying that to my acting made me realize that social life could be different.
‘After all, personality isn’t really a big issue.’
If your abilities back you up, then that kind of thing isn’t a problem at all. From then on, it’s not about being rude, but about being seen as chic.
Even the famous Steve Jobs was said to have zero social skills. Just a quick search spills out numerous notorious anecdotes.
It’s not about being clueless,
It’s about not having to mind.
‘A privilege of the wealthy.’
Of course, my current situation is entirely thanks to Kim Eun-ha. Like a fox riding a tiger.
However, they can’t discern whether I’m truly a tiger or a fox.
Thus, there’s no need for me to bow my head first. That way, they won’t realize that I am just a fox.
* * *
“…Really ridiculous.”
After the poster shoot, Park Soo-bin crossed her arms and wore a dazed expression, thinking back to the conversation she had just had with Kang Woo-ju.
“What’s wrong?”
“Yeah, why that look?”
“The photos turned out spectacular, though.”
At that moment, fellow actors approached her. They were all people who had become close during the dinner after the script reading.
Given that almost all of them were newcomers without managers, their situations were quite similar, which made them feel a kinship and brought them closer together.
“Because of Kang Woo-ju.”
“What about Actor Kang Woo-ju?”
“What the hell. I can’t even vomit the meat I’ve already digested. Ah, really! How can someone be so unlucky!?”
Park Soo-bin’s eyes were fixed on Kang Woo-ju the whole time. Despite being a novice, she had confidently approached the camera as if she was used to it from the start.
She had hoped he would make even a small mistake so his confidence would be crushed, but annoyingly, he was almost perfect.
Veteran Kim Young-ho, who had finished all his shooting earlier, even came out of the waiting room to watch Kang Woo-ju on camera and couldn’t help but express his admiration.
“Cut! Okay! That’s a wrap for Actor Kang Woo-ju.”
“What!? Already?”
“Crazy, insane.”
“If there are no NGs, it can finish this fast.”
It was about ten minutes since Kang Woo-ju’s shooting started, and everyone was shocked to hear it was already okayed.
Everyone else had taken at least 30 minutes to an hour because the shoot was conducted very meticulously by Kang In-ho, despite it being just for photographs, not video or action.
– Let’s go again.
– Your expression is too stiff right now.
– Don’t take it lightly because it’s a photo, immerse yourself in the role!
Again, again, and again.
The shooting was endlessly repetitive, and it seemed like thousands of pictures were taken just for one individual poster. But then.
– Yes, that’s the feeling!
– Good. That’s really good.
– Just like that! Okay, it’s perfect.
Director Kang In-ho kept shouting okay, smiling satisfactorily as if he was flattering someone.
Indeed, there were rumors of nepotism, but the problem was that even the actors couldn’t deny Kang Woo-ju’s talent.
‘…Are they shooting an ad?’
‘…Is he an actor or a model?’
‘…I’m just relieved he’s playing a completely different role from me.’
While everyone expressed it differently, they all agreed precisely. That’s why, despite Kang Woo-ju’s rigid attitude, they couldn’t entirely hate him.
The one who felt the most troubled was definitely Park Soo-bin. Thanks to this, she could immerse herself fully in her role.
‘…I’ll win in the final popularity vote.’
Objectively, it seems impossible right now.
The difference in recognition alone is too vast.
But once the drama starts, it will be a different story.
She was determined to win over even the audience Kang Woo-ju brought in with his acting. That way, she would definitely crush his arrogant nose.
Her eyes blazed as if they could ignite a fire with just a spark.
Seeing her like that, her fellow actors glanced at each other and quietly backed away.
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